All wisdom and spiritual understanding
Col.
{1:8} Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
{1:9} For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it,] do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
And desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Filled with the knowledge of his will. Don't we long for this? To know God's will for us? We pray Your will be done Lord, Your will no matter what it might be and yet in the back of our minds we are adding things like, 'but please, don't let this happen', or 'please, let this happen.' We want God's will to be done but we want it to match our own will. Sure we might not mind a little hardship, a few obstacles, a bit of angst to deal with but those huge monster problems we could do without, right? Yet, nevertheless not our will but Your will be done. We are willing to accept the horrific trials and by the grace of God keep our faith that no matter what we are asked to go through we believe that Jesus loves us, died for us and through the hope we place in Him and His righteousness we will be saved to eternal life in Him. We truly want to be fill with the knowledge of God's will. Show me thy will. We pray for that and yet sometimes perhaps as God is showing us we close our eyes because it's not our will, it's not what we want. That old saying- be careful what you ask/wish for you might get it- holds true. Rejecting the will of God has consequences. Jonah tried to reject the will of God and look what happened to Him. Others rejected the will of God and their fate is worse- it's death. There isn't any way to know what the outcome will be, whether the will of God will keep being pressed to you so you'll do it, or whether God will find another to do for Him what you won't. We do pray for the will of God, to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding because we hope that we will see the wisdom and have such spiritual understanding that we won't doubt what is being revealed to us. Doubt is our enemy but we call it our smart side that gives us caution and keeps us from doing foolish things. Doubt, that small voice or that screaming banshee of a voice that keeps us from understanding the will of God. Yes, we need wisdom, we need spiritual understanding because with the wisdom we will know what to do and with the spiritual understanding we will recognize the will of God and we will follow Him and all His ways.
Col.
{1:8} Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
{1:9} For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it,] do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
{1:10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
{1:11} Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness
{1:12} Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light
{1:13} Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son
{1:14} In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins
{1:15} Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature
{1:16} For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him
{1:17} And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
{1:18} And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have
the preeminence.
{1:19} For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell
{1:20} And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say,] whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.
{1:21} And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
{1:22} In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
{1:23} If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister
{1:24} Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church
{1:25} Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
{1:26} [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints
{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
{1:28} Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus {1:29} Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
To whom God would make known what the riches of the glory of this mystery among Gentiles which is Christ in you- the hope of glory. Whom we preach warning every men and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
The will of God. Spiritual understanding, wisdom, the will of God preached to EVERY man Jesus, the hope of glory. Warning EVERY man so that every man is perfect in Christ Jesus.
We have a duty to warn and to preach, those of us who are Christ's. We have a duty to warn them of the peril they are in if they are not in Christ. We have a duty to preach Christ Jesus the hope of all men, the hope of glory- Christ in us.
May we be given wisdom and spiritual understanding to know the will of God and to follow the will of God. May we preach and warn those we meet of the hope in Christ in them. Bless us Lord, be the voice we can't be, help us Lord, help us. Lord we believe, help thou our unbelief. Lord we need you desperately our willl is weak and our knowledge small. Please Lord we are weak, and You are strong, You are our Hope in glory, You, Christ Jesus our Lord, our only Hope now and forever.
Amen.
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Wise in their own eyes. Conceited? Arrogant?
We know it's a good thing to be wise. Solomon prayed for wisdom instead of riches and was granted to be the wisest man in the world. We are told to seek wisdom.
Pro 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
Pro 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Pro 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Pro 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Pro 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Pro 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Pro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Pro 2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Pro 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee
Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Pro 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Pro 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Wisdom and being WISE in thine own eyes are two different things aren't they.
A wise man would know that considering himself wise wasn't very prudent. A wise man would know that there truly is no time that arrogance and conceit are wise. To be wise in the wisdom from God is desired, to be wise in your own wisdom is a reason for great concern. We don't manufacture wisdom. We don't create wisdom. God's wisdom, wisdom from God these are to be desired more than any riches more than any single occurance of self-congratulation. All honor and glory is to be God's, all praise to our Lord and King. We aren't to consider ourselves wise and prudent but rather consider God the wise and prudent One and by His grace He gifts us with His wisdom.
May the Lord grant us wisdom, may we find wisdom in Him and get understanding from Him. May God's words and commandment be with us. May we fear the Lord and find in Him all things...ALL things.
Jesus said this...
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me
May we through the mercy of our Savior, through the righteousness of Christ our Lord, seek the will of the Father in our lives now and forever. If Jesus of His own self could do nothing how arrogant and foolish are we to think we can do anything of our own selves.
God's will now and forever!
Amen.
6/17/11
A little bit from yesterday--
Seeing means comprehending, understanding, knowing.
This little horn with eyes of man would see as a man sees, would understand as a man understands. Would be like man, speaking like a man only this man would speak great things!
So while this little horn is a power to be reckoned with it is a like a man not a normal kingdom, surely this makes the little horn very, very special.
Remember it was able to uproot 3 normal kingdoms.
What sort of power can we even remotely imagine doing this during the history portrayed?
Rome mixing with others-
- iron mingling with clay -
while Rome is conquered and divided into many parts?
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.
We're going to jump ahead a few verses now so we get an even clearer picture of things before we discuss the 'little horn' more.
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.
We, like Daniel, need to understand, we need the TRUTH of ALL this. By the grace and mercy of our Savior may we comprehend as He would have us to. Let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, please Lord, please.
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.
Just like that statue! Gold, silver, brass and iron - that iron continues until the very end even in a mingled state. The saints of the most High will take kingdom that ALL these kings possessed, all the kingdoms represent what exactly? Place upon this earth! That's all any country represents in truth, a land, a part of earth. Caretakers of various parts of the earth… the North American, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica- all continents of the earth. On those continents men have fought to own parts of them, to govern them, to rule over them, to claim them as theirs. They've given them names and even today when through wars or diplomatic agreements land changes hands the names can be changed. A divided part of land- say the Sudan can suddenly become South Sudan and North Sudan and no longer be known as simple the Sudan. Names change, borders change, old names disappear only to reappear later at times, or never to appear again. Kings that have kingdoms encompassing many regions have their kingdoms taken from them and the kingdom becomes divided, or is joined to another kingdom. Babylon once conquered by the Medes and Persians didn't retain the exact same borders as before but what was once Babylon became part of the Medes and Persians. When Greece rose us and became a ruling kingdom in took in what was once Babylon and what once belonged to the Medes and Persians. Then when the Romans came in conquering they then took over what once had been claimed as Babylon, Medes-Persians, and Greece. The Romans went on and their borders extended even further than any imagined by Babylon. Throughout all this many of the names of the various locations throughout the regions remained the same- for example Jerusalem has remained Jerusalem, and in truth is one of the oldest cities in existence.
'The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BCE, making Jerusalem one of the oldest cities in the world'
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem>
These great beasts in Daniel's prophecy we are told represent kings (kingdoms- interchangeably as noted before) which would rise up. Then after these kingdoms what happens? The saints of the MOST HIGH would take possession of the (SINGULAR) kingdom for ever and for ever and ever. After all is said and done in the very end God's chosen would be the possessors of the whole of earth, possessors of what others once held as theirs. It is incredibly important that we realize that we are being given a gift here when we are able to understand the plan God has for the earth, His earth, His creation! No, the world the way it exists today will NOT go on and on and on changing hands, merging or being divided over and over again into fewer or more kingdoms. It was NO mistake that we we've been allowed to know that there will be no other great one world power, no mistake at all. So many envision a one world power- even today they do. We've had many try to conquer country after country in order to be world conquerors. We've had World Wars- wars involving many countries in order to bring about the fact the world is divided and in no need of being controlling by one. When people talk today of a one world government they are NOT talking about giving up their individuality as countries conquered and ruled, owned by another. The Bible tells us this will not happen, can not happen.
Let's keep reading...
Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
The 'little horn' of the fourth beast- eyes, mouth speaking very great things, whose LOOK was MORE stout than his fellows.
This *little horn* had a LOOK that was more stout than the other horns. This little horn caused three of the *bigger horns* to fall before it, yet it wasn't like the other horns at all. It was …no…it's LOOK was more stout than the other horns even though it wasn't the same as the other horns. Have you ever seen a football team lined up? Not all players are the same size are they? In different positions you need players of different sizes right? The quarterback usually isn't anywhere near as big as say a line backer, yet that quarterback has the most prestige, the most power in the team. That quarterback though of a lesser stature as a rule, calls the important plays of the game. Everyone who knows football knows that to be the quarterback is to attain a coveted position. That little horn whose look was more stout, that little horn which came up and three bigger horns fell down in its wake was truly impressive without any of the normal characteristics of a great kingdom- a normal kingdom. This little horn stands out. Let's read more...
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
That little horn makes WAR with the SAINTS and prevails against the saints!
That little horn will continue until the saints possess the kingdom- until Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior returns!
Is it quite clear now that we're not dealing with any normal type of kingdom here? This isn't a normal power trying to rule here. This isn't the conquering kingdom overthrowing other kingdoms as before. This little horn power is unique in more than one way. Yet does history record any one kingdom such as this? Seriously. IS there any sort of little kingdom type power that has retained any sort of power over people, power they'll retain until our Savior returns.
Our Bible tells us that at least ten kingdoms will exist after Rome's slow demise.
Our Bible tells us that three of those ten will fall before a lesser kingdom with characteristics of a man- not a beast.
Our Bible tells us that this lesser man-like kingdom will be powerful enough to make war against God's chosen people, those who will inherit His kingdom once all the other powers, the feet are crushed beneath the weight and power of our Savior's return.
This powerful little horn must still exist right now! We have to let history speak to us, we are given the keys to the prophecy and we must let the prophecy speak to us as it has unfolded to do otherwise- to try and make prophecy of none effect- of ever being future hold no past would be to deny God's desire to do nothing lest He tell His prophets.
Amo 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Reading on to catch even more of this picture of the little horn--
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
The Roman rule was truly unlike any other rulership before it and it did go on to conquer more than all the other- bringing under its dominion many, many people. We've have plenty of movies that have included Romans in all their awful power and glory. It was under the Roman rule that our Savior was born! So to say that the fourth kingdom would be different than others, that it would devour the whole earth, that it shall tread it down and break it into pieces isn't terribly farfetched at all.
'Ancient Rome has contributed greatly to the development of law, war, art, literature, architecture, technology and language in the Western world, and its history continues to have a major influence on the world today.'
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_world>
Its history CONTINUES to have a major influence on the world today!!!
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Out of Rome came ten influential kingdoms - Rome was NOT conquered by another ONE ruling kingdom! Rome fell to MANY, not to ONE dominating force. Where as Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians, and the Medes and Persians were conquered by Greece, and Greece conquered by the Romans, the Romans were NOT conquered by one…. this is so very important to understand, maybe that's why we are being told it over and over again in different ways so that we will understand.
Ten influential kingdoms formed and then a strange, different, man-like kingdom rose up subduing three of those ten kingdoms. Subduing-- this power was going to be influential in the overthrow of three of the kingdoms that Rome fell victim to.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
This little horn, little strange man-like kingdom, different from all the other kingdoms would speak great words AGAINST the MOST HIGH! This little horn would wear out that saints of the MOST HIGH. This little horn would THINK to CHANGE TIMES AND LAWS! This little horn would rule with power for a time and times and a dividing of times (MORE ON THIS LATER).
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Eventually this power that had such great control over the saints for so long but no longer will face judgment. Eventually this power will have his dominion taken and it will be consumed, destroyed in the end.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
God's kingdom will prevail over this little horn power!
We need to look at our history and find out beyond a doubt what this little horn power is. It has existed for a long, long, long time and will continue to exist until the very end.
More tomorrow God willing.
By the grace of God we will have understanding that will leave no room for doubt, none at all. So many people doubt today. So many people wish to confuse what can be understood by putting their own meaning to things that are clearly seen.
Having eyes people refuse to see!
Having ears people refuse to hear!
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Oh, I pray to God we are never like this, never! Please Lord let us see! Please Lord let us hear! Please Lord let us understand with our hearts, let us be converted, HEAL US LORD!
Let us not claim to be rich and in need of nothing.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
By Your love and grace, Your mercy, Your forgiveness, Your righteousness! Let us buy of You gold tried in fire, white raiment, and eyesalve!
Amen.
{1:8} Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
{1:9} For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it,] do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
And desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Filled with the knowledge of his will. Don't we long for this? To know God's will for us? We pray Your will be done Lord, Your will no matter what it might be and yet in the back of our minds we are adding things like, 'but please, don't let this happen', or 'please, let this happen.' We want God's will to be done but we want it to match our own will. Sure we might not mind a little hardship, a few obstacles, a bit of angst to deal with but those huge monster problems we could do without, right? Yet, nevertheless not our will but Your will be done. We are willing to accept the horrific trials and by the grace of God keep our faith that no matter what we are asked to go through we believe that Jesus loves us, died for us and through the hope we place in Him and His righteousness we will be saved to eternal life in Him. We truly want to be fill with the knowledge of God's will. Show me thy will. We pray for that and yet sometimes perhaps as God is showing us we close our eyes because it's not our will, it's not what we want. That old saying- be careful what you ask/wish for you might get it- holds true. Rejecting the will of God has consequences. Jonah tried to reject the will of God and look what happened to Him. Others rejected the will of God and their fate is worse- it's death. There isn't any way to know what the outcome will be, whether the will of God will keep being pressed to you so you'll do it, or whether God will find another to do for Him what you won't. We do pray for the will of God, to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding because we hope that we will see the wisdom and have such spiritual understanding that we won't doubt what is being revealed to us. Doubt is our enemy but we call it our smart side that gives us caution and keeps us from doing foolish things. Doubt, that small voice or that screaming banshee of a voice that keeps us from understanding the will of God. Yes, we need wisdom, we need spiritual understanding because with the wisdom we will know what to do and with the spiritual understanding we will recognize the will of God and we will follow Him and all His ways.
Col.
{1:8} Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
{1:9} For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it,] do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
{1:10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
{1:11} Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness
{1:12} Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light
{1:13} Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son
{1:14} In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins
{1:15} Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature
{1:16} For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him
{1:17} And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
{1:18} And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have
the preeminence.
{1:19} For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell
{1:20} And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say,] whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.
{1:21} And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
{1:22} In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
{1:23} If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister
{1:24} Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church
{1:25} Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
{1:26} [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints
{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
{1:28} Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus {1:29} Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
To whom God would make known what the riches of the glory of this mystery among Gentiles which is Christ in you- the hope of glory. Whom we preach warning every men and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
The will of God. Spiritual understanding, wisdom, the will of God preached to EVERY man Jesus, the hope of glory. Warning EVERY man so that every man is perfect in Christ Jesus.
We have a duty to warn and to preach, those of us who are Christ's. We have a duty to warn them of the peril they are in if they are not in Christ. We have a duty to preach Christ Jesus the hope of all men, the hope of glory- Christ in us.
May we be given wisdom and spiritual understanding to know the will of God and to follow the will of God. May we preach and warn those we meet of the hope in Christ in them. Bless us Lord, be the voice we can't be, help us Lord, help us. Lord we believe, help thou our unbelief. Lord we need you desperately our willl is weak and our knowledge small. Please Lord we are weak, and You are strong, You are our Hope in glory, You, Christ Jesus our Lord, our only Hope now and forever.
Amen.
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Wise in their own eyes. Conceited? Arrogant?
We know it's a good thing to be wise. Solomon prayed for wisdom instead of riches and was granted to be the wisest man in the world. We are told to seek wisdom.
Pro 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
Pro 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Pro 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Pro 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Pro 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Pro 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Pro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Pro 2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Pro 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee
Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Pro 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Pro 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Wisdom and being WISE in thine own eyes are two different things aren't they.
A wise man would know that considering himself wise wasn't very prudent. A wise man would know that there truly is no time that arrogance and conceit are wise. To be wise in the wisdom from God is desired, to be wise in your own wisdom is a reason for great concern. We don't manufacture wisdom. We don't create wisdom. God's wisdom, wisdom from God these are to be desired more than any riches more than any single occurance of self-congratulation. All honor and glory is to be God's, all praise to our Lord and King. We aren't to consider ourselves wise and prudent but rather consider God the wise and prudent One and by His grace He gifts us with His wisdom.
May the Lord grant us wisdom, may we find wisdom in Him and get understanding from Him. May God's words and commandment be with us. May we fear the Lord and find in Him all things...ALL things.
Jesus said this...
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me
May we through the mercy of our Savior, through the righteousness of Christ our Lord, seek the will of the Father in our lives now and forever. If Jesus of His own self could do nothing how arrogant and foolish are we to think we can do anything of our own selves.
God's will now and forever!
Amen.
6/17/11
A little bit from yesterday--
Seeing means comprehending, understanding, knowing.
This little horn with eyes of man would see as a man sees, would understand as a man understands. Would be like man, speaking like a man only this man would speak great things!
So while this little horn is a power to be reckoned with it is a like a man not a normal kingdom, surely this makes the little horn very, very special.
Remember it was able to uproot 3 normal kingdoms.
What sort of power can we even remotely imagine doing this during the history portrayed?
Rome mixing with others-
- iron mingling with clay -
while Rome is conquered and divided into many parts?
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.
We're going to jump ahead a few verses now so we get an even clearer picture of things before we discuss the 'little horn' more.
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.
We, like Daniel, need to understand, we need the TRUTH of ALL this. By the grace and mercy of our Savior may we comprehend as He would have us to. Let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, please Lord, please.
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.
Just like that statue! Gold, silver, brass and iron - that iron continues until the very end even in a mingled state. The saints of the most High will take kingdom that ALL these kings possessed, all the kingdoms represent what exactly? Place upon this earth! That's all any country represents in truth, a land, a part of earth. Caretakers of various parts of the earth… the North American, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica- all continents of the earth. On those continents men have fought to own parts of them, to govern them, to rule over them, to claim them as theirs. They've given them names and even today when through wars or diplomatic agreements land changes hands the names can be changed. A divided part of land- say the Sudan can suddenly become South Sudan and North Sudan and no longer be known as simple the Sudan. Names change, borders change, old names disappear only to reappear later at times, or never to appear again. Kings that have kingdoms encompassing many regions have their kingdoms taken from them and the kingdom becomes divided, or is joined to another kingdom. Babylon once conquered by the Medes and Persians didn't retain the exact same borders as before but what was once Babylon became part of the Medes and Persians. When Greece rose us and became a ruling kingdom in took in what was once Babylon and what once belonged to the Medes and Persians. Then when the Romans came in conquering they then took over what once had been claimed as Babylon, Medes-Persians, and Greece. The Romans went on and their borders extended even further than any imagined by Babylon. Throughout all this many of the names of the various locations throughout the regions remained the same- for example Jerusalem has remained Jerusalem, and in truth is one of the oldest cities in existence.
'The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BCE, making Jerusalem one of the oldest cities in the world'
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem>
These great beasts in Daniel's prophecy we are told represent kings (kingdoms- interchangeably as noted before) which would rise up. Then after these kingdoms what happens? The saints of the MOST HIGH would take possession of the (SINGULAR) kingdom for ever and for ever and ever. After all is said and done in the very end God's chosen would be the possessors of the whole of earth, possessors of what others once held as theirs. It is incredibly important that we realize that we are being given a gift here when we are able to understand the plan God has for the earth, His earth, His creation! No, the world the way it exists today will NOT go on and on and on changing hands, merging or being divided over and over again into fewer or more kingdoms. It was NO mistake that we we've been allowed to know that there will be no other great one world power, no mistake at all. So many envision a one world power- even today they do. We've had many try to conquer country after country in order to be world conquerors. We've had World Wars- wars involving many countries in order to bring about the fact the world is divided and in no need of being controlling by one. When people talk today of a one world government they are NOT talking about giving up their individuality as countries conquered and ruled, owned by another. The Bible tells us this will not happen, can not happen.
Let's keep reading...
Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
The 'little horn' of the fourth beast- eyes, mouth speaking very great things, whose LOOK was MORE stout than his fellows.
This *little horn* had a LOOK that was more stout than the other horns. This little horn caused three of the *bigger horns* to fall before it, yet it wasn't like the other horns at all. It was …no…it's LOOK was more stout than the other horns even though it wasn't the same as the other horns. Have you ever seen a football team lined up? Not all players are the same size are they? In different positions you need players of different sizes right? The quarterback usually isn't anywhere near as big as say a line backer, yet that quarterback has the most prestige, the most power in the team. That quarterback though of a lesser stature as a rule, calls the important plays of the game. Everyone who knows football knows that to be the quarterback is to attain a coveted position. That little horn whose look was more stout, that little horn which came up and three bigger horns fell down in its wake was truly impressive without any of the normal characteristics of a great kingdom- a normal kingdom. This little horn stands out. Let's read more...
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
That little horn makes WAR with the SAINTS and prevails against the saints!
That little horn will continue until the saints possess the kingdom- until Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior returns!
Is it quite clear now that we're not dealing with any normal type of kingdom here? This isn't a normal power trying to rule here. This isn't the conquering kingdom overthrowing other kingdoms as before. This little horn power is unique in more than one way. Yet does history record any one kingdom such as this? Seriously. IS there any sort of little kingdom type power that has retained any sort of power over people, power they'll retain until our Savior returns.
Our Bible tells us that at least ten kingdoms will exist after Rome's slow demise.
Our Bible tells us that three of those ten will fall before a lesser kingdom with characteristics of a man- not a beast.
Our Bible tells us that this lesser man-like kingdom will be powerful enough to make war against God's chosen people, those who will inherit His kingdom once all the other powers, the feet are crushed beneath the weight and power of our Savior's return.
This powerful little horn must still exist right now! We have to let history speak to us, we are given the keys to the prophecy and we must let the prophecy speak to us as it has unfolded to do otherwise- to try and make prophecy of none effect- of ever being future hold no past would be to deny God's desire to do nothing lest He tell His prophets.
Amo 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Reading on to catch even more of this picture of the little horn--
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
The Roman rule was truly unlike any other rulership before it and it did go on to conquer more than all the other- bringing under its dominion many, many people. We've have plenty of movies that have included Romans in all their awful power and glory. It was under the Roman rule that our Savior was born! So to say that the fourth kingdom would be different than others, that it would devour the whole earth, that it shall tread it down and break it into pieces isn't terribly farfetched at all.
'Ancient Rome has contributed greatly to the development of law, war, art, literature, architecture, technology and language in the Western world, and its history continues to have a major influence on the world today.'
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_world>
Its history CONTINUES to have a major influence on the world today!!!
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Out of Rome came ten influential kingdoms - Rome was NOT conquered by another ONE ruling kingdom! Rome fell to MANY, not to ONE dominating force. Where as Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians, and the Medes and Persians were conquered by Greece, and Greece conquered by the Romans, the Romans were NOT conquered by one…. this is so very important to understand, maybe that's why we are being told it over and over again in different ways so that we will understand.
Ten influential kingdoms formed and then a strange, different, man-like kingdom rose up subduing three of those ten kingdoms. Subduing-- this power was going to be influential in the overthrow of three of the kingdoms that Rome fell victim to.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
This little horn, little strange man-like kingdom, different from all the other kingdoms would speak great words AGAINST the MOST HIGH! This little horn would wear out that saints of the MOST HIGH. This little horn would THINK to CHANGE TIMES AND LAWS! This little horn would rule with power for a time and times and a dividing of times (MORE ON THIS LATER).
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Eventually this power that had such great control over the saints for so long but no longer will face judgment. Eventually this power will have his dominion taken and it will be consumed, destroyed in the end.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
God's kingdom will prevail over this little horn power!
We need to look at our history and find out beyond a doubt what this little horn power is. It has existed for a long, long, long time and will continue to exist until the very end.
More tomorrow God willing.
By the grace of God we will have understanding that will leave no room for doubt, none at all. So many people doubt today. So many people wish to confuse what can be understood by putting their own meaning to things that are clearly seen.
Having eyes people refuse to see!
Having ears people refuse to hear!
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Oh, I pray to God we are never like this, never! Please Lord let us see! Please Lord let us hear! Please Lord let us understand with our hearts, let us be converted, HEAL US LORD!
Let us not claim to be rich and in need of nothing.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
By Your love and grace, Your mercy, Your forgiveness, Your righteousness! Let us buy of You gold tried in fire, white raiment, and eyesalve!
Amen.