Month: July 2019

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Daniel 8:1-27

In this latest vision of Daniel, it was revealed to him that kingdoms would continue to rise and be overthrown, and the trouble for Israel after the Babylonian exile would be far from over.

The focus in this chapter narrows to two empires; the ‘Ram’ or Medo-Persian Empire and the ‘Goat’ or Greek Empire. Alexander The Great of Greece, conquered the world by the age of 26, but he then died in his early thirties. His empire was divided up amongst four of his generals (four horns) before his death. From one of these four horns grew another little horn, Antiochus Epiphanies, who boasted of himself and defied God; even setting himself in the place of God. He turned his attention towards the land of Israel and its surrounds. He violated the holy temple at Jerusalem and caused worship to cease, putting to death anyone who continued to practice Judaism.

Here we see a pattern of lawlessness which will be repeated time and time again until the end of human government. A boastful ruler, ‘the man of lawlessness’ is destined to appear on the world stage, who will also defy God with his boasting and hatred of God. He will set himself in the place of God. He will be a great deceiver who will cause fearful destruction against mighty men and he will prevail over God’s people, destroying many. However, he will be judged and destroyed, but by no human hand.

It is better to be prepared. It is better to know what’s coming…

Recommended reading for historical context.
Available on Librivox Audio Books
Apocrypha/Deuterocanon: 1 Maccabees

Daniel 7:1-28, Revelation 13:1-18

Daniel has visions of four great human kingdoms in the form of mutant beasts which alarm him greatly. The fourth beast is described as terrifying, dreadful, exceedingly strong, fierce and devouring.

On the head of the fourth beast there grew a horn which boasted loudly of itself and yet another beast which gives its support to the little horn as it wages war upon the saints. An example of the worst of governments opposing The Most High God.

The Ancient Of Days sits in judgement and he demonstrates his rule and authority over all earthly kingdoms and rulers.

The Son of Man (the name Jesus Christ most identified himself with) will have dominion over all and will destroy the beast.  His kingdom will never end and his saints shall receive and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.
The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
and those who fear your name,
both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

Daniel 6:1-28

Daniel was a man of integrity. His enemies couldn’t find anything they could use against him to bring him down from his high position in government.

Daniel’s enemies plotted against him. They appealed to King Darius’ ego to entrap Daniel. A new law was enacted which couldn’t be revoked and it meant that Daniel would be prohibited from praying to YHWH

Daniel remained firm in his faith  and continued to pray to the living God in defiance of the foolish law signed by King Darius which lead to his being thrown to the lions.

But God is sovereign, “He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, [and it was] he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

King Darius then sentenced Daniel’s enemies and their families to be cast into the Den of lions.

Among the Persians, all the kindred were involved in the guilt of one culprit. The Mosaic law expressly forbade this (De 24:16; 2Ki 14:6).

The following talk was prepared by Jason Chan, but due to illness was delivered by Andrew Jackson on his behalf.

Acts 12:20-25 Daniel 5:1-31

Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin

There was no greater king than Nebuchadnezzar during the time of his reign, but his earthly kingdom eventually came to an end. His son Belshazzar showed poor judgement as king when he brought the items Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, using them to drink from in defiance of God.

A sign was given to Belshazzar, not in a dream but through a hand, writing  on the plaster. This caused the ‘great’ Belshazzar to soil himself.

Belshazzar condescendingly called for Daniel the exile as a last resort to unlock the mystery of the writing, but only after the Queen mother reminded Belshazzar of Daniels abilities and service to king Nebuchadnezzar.

Belshazzar was without excuse for his actions. He knew how God had dealt with Nebuchadnezzar and should have known better than to show contempt towards the true and living God who is able to humble the proud.

Daniel the servant of YHWH outlived the kingdom of Babylon and its kings. We as servants of the true God are heirs of his eternal kingdom and will also outlive the kingdoms of this world thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who humbled himself for our sakes, so that we might live and reign forever with him.