Appointed to death.
Matt. {6:25} Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought
for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor
yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more
than meat, and the body than raiment?
Is not life more than meat? So much of our lives are spent around eating, around food. How do you tell a starving person that life is more than meat, more than eating? Is it true that many die of starvation- even among those who believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior? It is true. We say this verse as if God will take care of all our physical needs and we shouldn't think about our life and eating, drinking, and clothing. Is it true that sometimes we do go very hungry, very thirsty and wear threadbare clothing? Yes, it's true and some might like to point out that God is going back on this promise when those needs aren't met, seriously, when they aren't met and I'm not talking you want a feast and are only given grain, I'm talking when there is no feast and no grain to be had, when there is nothing. In truth if we answer this question we have the answer to a lot of things.
Is not the life more than meat?
Is not life more than living?
Wait! That's a strange thing to say. Is not life more than living? Some would jump up and say sure- it's dying but then there is no life in death unless of course you're one of the million, billions who are fooled into believing there is immediate access to another plane of conscious life upon death- a white light to drift off into.
There is life in death and not the life many believe. Jesus died so that we may live eternally and when we die we sleep in that promise of life eternal in a world He is preparing for us. Life in death is by faith in God's promises. In this world we will be persecuted and we will be put to death, again this isn't any sort of reality to those of us living in the US but it is reality to those living in countries that are putting Christians to death. If we choose to have *things*, if we choose to have life here and now rather than choosing Christ and submitting ourselves to death if need be then we forfeit life eternal. If we choose a life that is wrapped up in the *things* of life we leave no room for God. Things become our obsessions and we believe that we can't live without things. Sure, we believe we can live without the unseen God but not that steak in front of us. Or even more harder for those truly starving- can they make that choice between a bit of bread and God, are they called to do so? Is it cruel that they would be?
People want to paint the picture of God as cruel and mean, nasty, and sadistic, they forget that He isn't the author of lies, of that pain in the world. Once again if we point the finger at Satan we are told God allows Satan to reign here on earth so ultimately it is a cruel God that allows. That's the very small picture of life, not the bigger picture that includes life eternal in Christ.
This is an apostle talking here--
1 Cor. {4:9} For I think
that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to angels, and to men.
Appointed to death.
Made a spectacle unto the WORLD, and to ANGELS, and to MEN.
A spectacle why? Because no man is greater than Christ who was innocent and died for our sins. No man. Jesus even said that the greatest is the least, that we should be servants. He shed His pure Spiritual existence and set aside the powers that could have spared Him from suffering and death and instead took on the human flesh that could feel, that could suffer, that could die and He did so when He didn't have to because He loves us.
We might have to suffer and suffer terribly in ways we can never imagine. We might be tempted to blame God for allowing the suffering, but may the Holy Spirit strength us, comfort us, and keep us in Christ knowing that no matter the suffering there is a world beyond this one and it is promised to those who believe in Jesus and His love, accepting His amazing sacrifice, accepting it is Christ's righteousness not any of our own.
In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, by His grace and mercy now and forever!
Amen.
6/12/10
Psa 130:1 'Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
Psa 130:2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Psa 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psa 130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.'
No one could stand if our sins were marked by the Lord and never forgiven...no one could stand, not a single person who lives or ever lived. Yes, God has His beloved, His chosen yet even they would not be able to stand if the Lord did not forgive their sins. The chosen of God didn't have a free pass over life's temptations. Putting the chosen on pedestals isn't what God would want. God wants us to understand that He is a forgiving God, a loving God, a God that is exacting in that He will never condone sin, but He will forgive our weakness, our failings, our sins. God wants us to trust Him, not to trust in ourselves. God wants us to acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives, as our Creator, our Redeemer. Every breath we breathe is because God allows us to do so. We are not our own. Even when we show the greatest weakness and overcome that weakness we can't claim victory- it's God's victory. God has to really live in us.
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
Christ in us- the HOPE of glory!
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
GREATER is HE that is in you!
1Jn 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
LET that therefore abide in you--- which ye have heard from the beginning.
If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you...
ye shall continue IN THE SON and IN THE FATHER!
Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Every good thing which is IN YOU IN CHRIST JESUS!
Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
There is forgiveness with God, and God will be revered for He and He alone offers forgiveness of our sins not marking them to hold them against us but forgiving us as we repent and ask for forgiveness letting the blood of Christ cover our sins and finally blotting them out altogether.
By the grace and mercy of God let us be found fully in Him and He in us as we claim His righteousness, His forgiveness, His love and don't rely on ourselves. Everything in God! All praise and honor, all glory to God now and forever!!!
Amen.
6/12/11
Remember how the image of the king's dream was an overview of history from then until the end of time? Well Daniel chapter seven expounds upon this revelation. God didn't want us to be in doubt He wanted us to know more, understand with even more conviction.
This time Daniel had a dream and visions as he slept, and it was some years later after Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was inherited by Belshazzar, a successor.
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Do you see? Let's start at verse 13 and 14. One like the Son of man. Who is the Son of man?
Remember this verse? Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And this? Mat 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
How about this? Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity
Here's another- Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Without any doubt whatsoever Jesus is the Son of man.
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man (JESUS) came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Jesus' kingdom will not be destroyed, it shall not pass away, Jesus' kingdom is everlasting.
Now remember Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
This is the end of a sinful world and the beginning of a new world in Jesus Christ our Savior. Both visions, both dreams, both prophecies end with Jesus ushering in His kingdom, the world as we know it is destroyed, is gone forever. If both end with the same point it is logical to deduce that the visions before the shared culmination also share a commonality- yes? If one prophecy starts with the current kingdom in power and relates future kingdoms till the end of time, the other prophecy must do the same, yes? To have the same RESULT, the previous information must in some manner coincide. So let's read on a bit before going back to study in more detail.
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Dan 7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
Here we will have the interpretation-
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Four kings- it's important to understand that the word kingdom and king are used interchangeably.
Remember this verse-
Dan 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
Compare it to this -
Dan 2:38 ... Thou art this head of gold.
If Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold he was the king of a kingdom he represented the kingdom and after him- after HIS kingdom- another kingdom would arise.
So when we read 'These great beasts which are four are four kings- it's just as true to say- these great beasts which are four are four kingdoms. Even reading just a few words later- 'But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom… see there is the word kingdom again.
Let's read it once more-
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Four kings(kingdoms) exactly match the image of the earlier vision-
Gold
Silver
Brass
Iron
Then in verse 7
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
The fourth beast had TEN HORNS!
Remember the toes in the image?! They were part of that fourth kingdom - iron and clay! Here we have ten horns! This isn't a coincidence!
We are being given MORE information. So let's quickly run through this again…
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 great beasts came up from the sea different from each other.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
1st beast- had eagle's winds
Wings plucked
Lifted up from earth
Stand upon the feet like a man
A man's heart was given it
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
2nd beast- like a bear
Raised up on one side
3 ribs in it's mouth between the teeth
Said- Arise, devour much flesh
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
3rd beast- like a leopard
4 wings on its back
4 heads
Dominion given it
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
4th beast-
Dreadful, terrible, strong exceedingly
Great iron teeth
It devours and brakes in pieces
Stamps the residue with it's feet
Different from all the other beasts before it
10 horns
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
10 horns-
A little horn comes up from among them and 3 of the 1st horns are plucked by the roots
In the little horn were eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things
I know this is a lot of information so I'm stopping here but more on these 4 beasts and 10 horns tomorrow, by the grace of God.
Lord we need you to open our eyes to all your truth. If there are things we need to know, to understand, to believe please show them to us as you show us your truth. We don't want to be among those who are deceived and we know You tell us that ALL but the very elect will be deceived. We desperately desire to be among your elect precious Lord, in Your righteousness, by Your grace. Help us Lord as we continue to study prophecy- the past studied, the future revealed.
In Your amazing love!
AMEN!
for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor
yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more
than meat, and the body than raiment?
Is not life more than meat? So much of our lives are spent around eating, around food. How do you tell a starving person that life is more than meat, more than eating? Is it true that many die of starvation- even among those who believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior? It is true. We say this verse as if God will take care of all our physical needs and we shouldn't think about our life and eating, drinking, and clothing. Is it true that sometimes we do go very hungry, very thirsty and wear threadbare clothing? Yes, it's true and some might like to point out that God is going back on this promise when those needs aren't met, seriously, when they aren't met and I'm not talking you want a feast and are only given grain, I'm talking when there is no feast and no grain to be had, when there is nothing. In truth if we answer this question we have the answer to a lot of things.
Is not the life more than meat?
Is not life more than living?
Wait! That's a strange thing to say. Is not life more than living? Some would jump up and say sure- it's dying but then there is no life in death unless of course you're one of the million, billions who are fooled into believing there is immediate access to another plane of conscious life upon death- a white light to drift off into.
There is life in death and not the life many believe. Jesus died so that we may live eternally and when we die we sleep in that promise of life eternal in a world He is preparing for us. Life in death is by faith in God's promises. In this world we will be persecuted and we will be put to death, again this isn't any sort of reality to those of us living in the US but it is reality to those living in countries that are putting Christians to death. If we choose to have *things*, if we choose to have life here and now rather than choosing Christ and submitting ourselves to death if need be then we forfeit life eternal. If we choose a life that is wrapped up in the *things* of life we leave no room for God. Things become our obsessions and we believe that we can't live without things. Sure, we believe we can live without the unseen God but not that steak in front of us. Or even more harder for those truly starving- can they make that choice between a bit of bread and God, are they called to do so? Is it cruel that they would be?
People want to paint the picture of God as cruel and mean, nasty, and sadistic, they forget that He isn't the author of lies, of that pain in the world. Once again if we point the finger at Satan we are told God allows Satan to reign here on earth so ultimately it is a cruel God that allows. That's the very small picture of life, not the bigger picture that includes life eternal in Christ.
This is an apostle talking here--
1 Cor. {4:9} For I think
that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to angels, and to men.
Appointed to death.
Made a spectacle unto the WORLD, and to ANGELS, and to MEN.
A spectacle why? Because no man is greater than Christ who was innocent and died for our sins. No man. Jesus even said that the greatest is the least, that we should be servants. He shed His pure Spiritual existence and set aside the powers that could have spared Him from suffering and death and instead took on the human flesh that could feel, that could suffer, that could die and He did so when He didn't have to because He loves us.
We might have to suffer and suffer terribly in ways we can never imagine. We might be tempted to blame God for allowing the suffering, but may the Holy Spirit strength us, comfort us, and keep us in Christ knowing that no matter the suffering there is a world beyond this one and it is promised to those who believe in Jesus and His love, accepting His amazing sacrifice, accepting it is Christ's righteousness not any of our own.
In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, by His grace and mercy now and forever!
Amen.
6/12/10
Psa 130:1 'Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
Psa 130:2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Psa 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psa 130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.'
No one could stand if our sins were marked by the Lord and never forgiven...no one could stand, not a single person who lives or ever lived. Yes, God has His beloved, His chosen yet even they would not be able to stand if the Lord did not forgive their sins. The chosen of God didn't have a free pass over life's temptations. Putting the chosen on pedestals isn't what God would want. God wants us to understand that He is a forgiving God, a loving God, a God that is exacting in that He will never condone sin, but He will forgive our weakness, our failings, our sins. God wants us to trust Him, not to trust in ourselves. God wants us to acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives, as our Creator, our Redeemer. Every breath we breathe is because God allows us to do so. We are not our own. Even when we show the greatest weakness and overcome that weakness we can't claim victory- it's God's victory. God has to really live in us.
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
Christ in us- the HOPE of glory!
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
GREATER is HE that is in you!
1Jn 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
LET that therefore abide in you--- which ye have heard from the beginning.
If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you...
ye shall continue IN THE SON and IN THE FATHER!
Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Every good thing which is IN YOU IN CHRIST JESUS!
Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
There is forgiveness with God, and God will be revered for He and He alone offers forgiveness of our sins not marking them to hold them against us but forgiving us as we repent and ask for forgiveness letting the blood of Christ cover our sins and finally blotting them out altogether.
By the grace and mercy of God let us be found fully in Him and He in us as we claim His righteousness, His forgiveness, His love and don't rely on ourselves. Everything in God! All praise and honor, all glory to God now and forever!!!
Amen.
6/12/11
Remember how the image of the king's dream was an overview of history from then until the end of time? Well Daniel chapter seven expounds upon this revelation. God didn't want us to be in doubt He wanted us to know more, understand with even more conviction.
This time Daniel had a dream and visions as he slept, and it was some years later after Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was inherited by Belshazzar, a successor.
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Do you see? Let's start at verse 13 and 14. One like the Son of man. Who is the Son of man?
Remember this verse? Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And this? Mat 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
How about this? Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity
Here's another- Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Without any doubt whatsoever Jesus is the Son of man.
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man (JESUS) came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Jesus' kingdom will not be destroyed, it shall not pass away, Jesus' kingdom is everlasting.
Now remember Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
This is the end of a sinful world and the beginning of a new world in Jesus Christ our Savior. Both visions, both dreams, both prophecies end with Jesus ushering in His kingdom, the world as we know it is destroyed, is gone forever. If both end with the same point it is logical to deduce that the visions before the shared culmination also share a commonality- yes? If one prophecy starts with the current kingdom in power and relates future kingdoms till the end of time, the other prophecy must do the same, yes? To have the same RESULT, the previous information must in some manner coincide. So let's read on a bit before going back to study in more detail.
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Dan 7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
Here we will have the interpretation-
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Four kings- it's important to understand that the word kingdom and king are used interchangeably.
Remember this verse-
Dan 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
Compare it to this -
Dan 2:38 ... Thou art this head of gold.
If Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold he was the king of a kingdom he represented the kingdom and after him- after HIS kingdom- another kingdom would arise.
So when we read 'These great beasts which are four are four kings- it's just as true to say- these great beasts which are four are four kingdoms. Even reading just a few words later- 'But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom… see there is the word kingdom again.
Let's read it once more-
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Four kings(kingdoms) exactly match the image of the earlier vision-
Gold
Silver
Brass
Iron
Then in verse 7
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
The fourth beast had TEN HORNS!
Remember the toes in the image?! They were part of that fourth kingdom - iron and clay! Here we have ten horns! This isn't a coincidence!
We are being given MORE information. So let's quickly run through this again…
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 great beasts came up from the sea different from each other.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
1st beast- had eagle's winds
Wings plucked
Lifted up from earth
Stand upon the feet like a man
A man's heart was given it
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
2nd beast- like a bear
Raised up on one side
3 ribs in it's mouth between the teeth
Said- Arise, devour much flesh
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
3rd beast- like a leopard
4 wings on its back
4 heads
Dominion given it
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
4th beast-
Dreadful, terrible, strong exceedingly
Great iron teeth
It devours and brakes in pieces
Stamps the residue with it's feet
Different from all the other beasts before it
10 horns
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
10 horns-
A little horn comes up from among them and 3 of the 1st horns are plucked by the roots
In the little horn were eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things
I know this is a lot of information so I'm stopping here but more on these 4 beasts and 10 horns tomorrow, by the grace of God.
Lord we need you to open our eyes to all your truth. If there are things we need to know, to understand, to believe please show them to us as you show us your truth. We don't want to be among those who are deceived and we know You tell us that ALL but the very elect will be deceived. We desperately desire to be among your elect precious Lord, in Your righteousness, by Your grace. Help us Lord as we continue to study prophecy- the past studied, the future revealed.
In Your amazing love!
AMEN!