Good Morning! - Daniel 7:23-25 - Fourth Beast Explained to Daniel - 2009.12.16

Good Morning!

 

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.  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, (the first ten) and he shall subdue three kings.  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 (Daniel 7:23-25).

 

We are back to the Woodcut by Hans Holbein the Younger  (Wikipedia). The image on the far right is the unnatural fourth beast.

Today's text says plainly that the fourth beast is the fourth kingdom and the ten horns out of this kingdom  are ten kings.  The horns come out of this fourth kingdom. The fourth kingdom does not always have ten horns. They are a late-time development. The little horn arises after the ten horns are in place.

McGee has this to say: "There are ten horns that come out of this fourth beast, and they denote the final form of the fourth kingdom. Each of these kings represents a kingdom. An eleventh king, "the little horn," will arise. He is going to be diverse from the others and will move to world power by subduing three of the kings. He will actually become the dictator of the entire world. This is the picture that is given to us in Rev_13:7—"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." He is the Man of Sin, the Antichrist, and he is going to rule the world during the Great Tribulation period, which is a period of seven years."

Lehman Strauss adds this comment: "Since the ten arise "out of" this fourth kingdom, there seems to be an indication that the fourth did not completely pass out of existence, but rather continued in some form  until the ten-horn federation combines. Keep in mind that the fourth beast is alive when the ten horns and the little horn appear, which leads to the conclusion that the Roman Empire, though it collapsed as a world power, has been smoldering through the centuries.  Out of political Rome has emerged ecclesiastical Rome"  (which is much more visible).

There is coming a period of seven literal years during which the fourth beast in its state of the ten kings will once again rule the world. During that short time it will develop into a form that will be dominated by the one strong king, the anti-Christ. The horns (kings) are a development. The one strong, dominating king is a development. All of it is of short duration.  We read above: "…a time and times and the dividing of time." This is strange wording in our day for 3 ½ years.  Time=one year. Times=the plural of one year. Dividing of time=a half year. This time element is taken up later and defined more clearly. I have been reminding you to read Daniel chapters: 2 and 7 and  9 and to Read Revelation chapters 13 and 17.

The 3 ½ years from the above language makes up half of Daniel's 70^th Week as revealed in Daniel chapter 9. It will take half of the seven year period for that form of government to solidify and for the anti-Christ to take it over. After he takes it over, the last half or the last 3 ½ years will be hell on earth. It will be not just the Tribulation Period but the Great Tribulation Period. That's not our subject in this little article. I'm just reaching out to include the destination of where this is all headed.  If you are saved, you have nothing to worry about. We'll talk some more about that tomorrow.

God's revealing of His earthly plan and its timeline is begun simply in Daniel 2 and the great image shown to Nebuchadnezzar. More is revealed in Daniel's dream in Daniel 7.  More is revealed in Revelation 13 and 17. Daniel wanted to know (yesterday's text) and that has been following me around all day. It would be really good if we want to know—if we are determined to know. Think about this: this fourth beast was not in Daniel's front  yard and yet he wanted to know what it meant.

Now think about this: the fourth beast IS in your front yard! Not in the Prophet Daniel's front yard…in YOUR front yard. Wouldn't you like to know more about the beast in your front yard? Within the last two weeks the leader of the United Kingdom (England and Northern Ireland) signed into membership with the European Union. There are now 27 members of that government unit. They are aiming for a United States of Europe. If that is the developing engine for the emerging Roman Empire, the 27 nations will be rearranged so that ten units will be the effective ruling units. Then the anti-Christ will make his move and displace three of those ten.

In short, the earth is through being what you've always known it to be. The scene is changing. If you are saved, you are going to leave out of here unannounced in the twinkling of an eye. Don't get too hung up on your toys. We are seeing many things change before we are called out. A lot more may change toward a one-world government before we leave. Read your Bible. Stay tuned. Walk on your knees. Try to get your family saved and ready. Are your bags all packed? Just kidding. You won't even need to take a hankie (hanky, if you prefer).

Memory Verses for this week:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a

dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that

which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Digging Deeper

 

…that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Mary's baby had no earthly father. But he DID have a father. God made Adam from the dust of the earth without an earthly father or mother (Genesis 2:7). God made Eve from a rib from Adam, without a mother (Genesis 2:22). Jesus had an earthly mother but no earthly father (Matthew 1:20-21). The Spirit of God was His father. Thus, He was the only begotten Son of God.

 

 

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Good Morning! - Daniel 7:19-22 - Daniel Wants to Know the Truth - 2009.12.15

Good Morning!

 

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,

 

broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 

 

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

 

spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same

 

horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 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 (Daniel 7:19-22). (The Parliament Chamber of the European Union where seat #666 remains vacant.)

 

Daniel wanted to know the truth. Everyone does not want to know the truth.  Some are content to hear what they want to hear.  In Jesus' day it was called "itching ears."  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (2Timothy 4:3);

 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children (Hosea 4:6).

 

The down-spiraling of a nation's morality does not begin with the children. It begins with the parents of the children. Raising children has always been a challenge. I dare say that the present generation may be unequalled in its difficulty. In the verse above,  parents have rejected the Word of God and God "forgets their children." That's a terrible thought!

 

Daniel wanted to know the truth of the fourth beast. How much interest do you have in knowing anything about the fourth beast in our text? God rarely chases us down to say: "Don't forget to be interested in my Word!" Often times we come to grips with an issue when we are in pain and for the first time we say: "I wonder what's causing all this pain."  The same is true concerning the matters between us and God.

 

As I plod through these verses I am selfish. I want to know more about this for myself. As I study and write, things crystallize for me and I have something to take with me for the rest of my life. You are welcome to look over my shoulder. If Daniel the Prophet wanted to know the truth about the fourth beast, then the Daniel of Flat Rock would do well to know about the truth of the fourth beast.

 

Why is the fourth beast different from all the others? It is the last of the beasts. There is not a fifth beast. Out of this beast (the Roman Empire) comes ten horns of which three are destroyed and one horn is dominant. He is arrogant and aggressive against the saints. This occurs only after the little horn has displaced three horns and is fully developed. It is not now. It is coming. He will make war with the saints and for a while will prevail against them. I am reminded that in the Book of Acts the Apostle Peter preached in the power of the Holy Spirit and three thousand souls were saved. Stephen preached in the power of the Holy Spirit and received three thousand stones (figuratively speaking) and lost his life. Sometimes it looks like God is winning and sometimes it looks like He is losing. This brings up the question: "Why do the righteous suffer?" Like the case of Job we cannot always know why it is our lot to suffer for the moment. Four verses have helped me a lot:

 

… we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

 

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:17).

 

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29);

 

be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

 

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; The Ancient of days is none other than Christ. The judgment amounts to a declaration of the transfer of power. For Satan and his hordes, their time is up. From that point in time, the saints will prevail. This transfer of power is a very short contest and it's all over. Christ has come with His army to possess the earth. The angel told Mary that her son would reign upon the throne of David. This is a peek at how it's going to take place.

 

Memory Verses for this week:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a

dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that

which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Digging Deeper

 

God reveals things and grows things in small increments. Joseph had been looking at Mary and God's work in her life and the more he looked, the less he understood. In the absence of clear directions from the Lord, the best of his mental faculties brought him no closer to a solution. Finally he thought it was best to err on the side of caution. He was afraid to marry this woman.  He must break away from her but in such a way that it would minimize the social damage to her and her family. But in God's own time he spoke to Joseph in a dream. As is often the case, His first words to him were: "fear not."

Our encounter with God is so often combined with the element of fear. When God takes the initiative it is usually through something different from the ordinary and that produces fear. That's a good attention getter. We are told to "be anxious for nothing." Be careful (anxious, worried) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:6-7).

 

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Good Morning! - Daniel 7:15-18 - The Saints Take the Kiongdom - 2009.12-14

I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body,

 

and the visions of my head troubled me. 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. These great beasts, which are four, are four

 

kings, which shall arise out of the earth.  But the saints of

 

the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever (Daniel 7:15-18).

 

Pictured here are a painting of the Tower of Babel done in 1563, by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, and a photo of the new European Union Parliament Building in Europe (Strasbourg, France).  The new EU building was finished and inaugurated December 14, 1999. The Parliament meets in this building every month for four days or so. Was it designed to look unfinished like the Tower of Babel or is that coincidental? 

 

Daniel was grieved in his spirit because of what he saw in his vision. Why was Daniel grieved in his spirit and modern Christians barely notice that Daniel had such a dream? He was troubled by what he saw and we are not troubled by what we see even if we read about. Am I wrong about this? Am I being unfair? He was so troubled that he asked one of them that stood by about the truth of all that he saw.  Does it ever bother you that the words of Daniel are revealing the blueprint of the end-time that we are in the edge of? Do you really think it's going to be five hundred years before the coming of the Lord to set up His World Kingdom? And does it sober your mind to realize that His coming for the present saints will be at least seven years before He comes to earth to reign?

 

Does it really come home to you that a big part of the Christmas message is that Jesus is coming back to earth to rule the world from Jerusalem? We seem to have missed a big part of something about Christmas when we get riled up over Christmas trees and holiday trees. Mind you, I don't like the idea of merchants taking Christmas money and hijacking the day of Christ's birth, whenever that was.  But Santa Claus had hijacked a big part of Christmas a long time before our current flap over Christmas trees.  I have been around several years now and I don't remember anybody taking time to explain what the message to Mary meant about her baby sitting on the throne of David in Jerusalem or about the prophecies of Isaiah that talked about his running a world government.

 

If the saints of the most High are going to take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever, who are they going to take it from? If the above European Parliament Building in Strasbourg, France happens to be the seat of the prevailing world government when Christ returns to the earth to reign, you may be looking at one of the buildings Christ will take over when He comes. Remember that Seat #666 is currently unassigned in this building as well as in the older European Parliament Building in Brussels, Belgium.  The Word of God says this:

 

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (Revelation 13:16-18).

 

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth (Daniel 7:17) . Here we have a historical summary of the kingdoms and their kings and all the influence they have brought to bear upon human history—being subdued by the servants of the Most High God.

 

Nebuchadnezzar, together with his kingdom of Babylon, was represented by the head of gold and the two-winged lion. Alexander the Great, synonymous with the Graeco-Macedonian Empire, is depicted by both the sides of brass and a panther. These wild beasts of prey, with their carnivorous and voracious natures, are representative of the character of both the king and the kingdom  (McGee).

These saints are a mixture of all of God's saints. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…. (2Timothy 2:12)

 

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).

 

Memory Verses for this week:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a

dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that

which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Digging Deeper

 

The messages to Mary in Luke 1:32,33 and to Joseph in Matthew 1:21 are different. The message to Mary is that her baby will reign upon the throne of David forever. The message to Joseph is that Mary's baby will save his people from their sins….a reigning king and a suffering savior. There is no contradiction. Jesus was born to die for the sins of the world and also to reign upon the throne of David forever.

 

 

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Good Morning! - Daniel 7:13-14 - The Legal Transfer of World Power - 2009.12.11

Good Morning!

 

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. 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 (Daniel 7:13-14).

 

Rembrandt's version of the ascension reminds us of something very important.  When Jesus was taken up, an angel made an announcement:

 

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  (10)  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:9-11).

 

Artists have preferred painting Jesus' being taken up over painting His return to earth. This may be because for hundreds of years the prevailing theology couldn't agree with itself about the passages dealing with Christ's return and all the end-time passages that we call "eschatology," the doctrine of last things. In all other matters, theologians have insisted on careful analysis of words and the Biblical languages they are translated from.

 

But in matters of Christ's return, theology in general slipped into all manner of allegorical license with end-time passages. I believe it was Dr. John Walvoord who said in one of his several books on end-time themes that he had read over 60 theories of what end-time systems of thought could mean. No wonder the whole crowd that followed such foolishness just gave up and stopped writing about the return of Christ to the earth and no wonder the artists did not choose to paint about His return to earth. But if the end-time passages are interpreted in a literal sense unless the passage is clearly a figure of speech, then the number of variations of interpretation are immediately limited—severely.

 

Let's read today's text carefully and not read something into it that is not there. As we shall see several times in this study, Christ is going to come back to the earth and reign on the throne of His earthly father: David, in Jerusalem for one thousand years. In the above passage, Jesus is not yet coming to the earth. He is coming before the Ancient of Days, the Father in the Trinity. This is the legal transfer of power of the earth from the Gentiles into the hands of Christ. This takes place before Christ comes in the clouds to the earth with His saints. Thus, this scene is NOT about Christ coming back FOR the saints—the rapture.

 

When Jesus was on trial before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Supreme Court) we have these recorded words:      "… Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:61-62).

 

Obviously this is a compressing of time in that He is sitting and at the same time coming in the clouds of heaven. I understand today's text above to be like that. Nebuchadnezzar's big image was also a compression of a time line in that he saw the whole thing at one time. Here we see Christ "coming" with the clouds of Heaven but He is coming to the Ancient of Days. I am assuming that He is on His way to the earth but that He is stopping off at the throne of the Ancient of Days to pick up his legal authority to continue on to the earth.

Notice that in the following verses, there is a transfer of kingly power to the Son: "shall give."

 

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession (Psalm 2:6-8).

 

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David"(Luke 1:32).

McGee comments: "Jesus Christ is going to take over the kingdom. How will He do it?—"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (Psa_2:9). When He comes to the earth, the Millenium will not be there waiting for Him. He will put out all rebellion, and those who are obedient will enter into the Kingdom."

The short New Testmanet book, Jude, has this to say:   And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,  (15)  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude 1:14-15).

 

 

Memory Verses for this week:

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.  (31)  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  (32)  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  (33)  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33).

 

This article can also be viewed at www.bibleliving.blogspot.com.

 

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Good Morning! - Daniel 7:11-12 - The Stone and the Beast - 2009.12.10

Good Morning!

I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. (Daniel 7:11-12)

Repeatedly, God has revealed "The Kingdom of God is coming!" Our text today is about the transfer of power when the kingdoms of this world are taken from the Gentiles and Jesus establishes His world kingdom. God said it several different ways. Through Nebuchadnezzar (chapter 2) He told of a smashing stone that would strike the feet and ten toes of the image. In chapter 7 God gives Daniel a dream of four beasts. The fourth beast, which apparently was the Roman Empire, sprouted ten horns which corresponded to the ten toes of the image. Out of the ten horns came another horn that displaced three horns. This is the anti-Christ that is yet in our future and he will be permanently removed. The text above speaks of the "great words" of the anti-Christ. Mr. Smart Mouth.

All the kingdoms of the world have left their mark and influence upon the world. Their dominions are removed but their influence remains "for a season and time." The Apostle John continued in Revelation chapters 13 and 17. There is not room here to display the writings of all the prophets that addressed this subject.

Isaiah addressed God's coming Kingdom over all the earth this way: (A Christmas verse.)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6-7).

To Joseph God said in a dream: (A Christmas verse.)

…the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

To Mary, the angel of the Lord said: (A Christmas verse.)

…Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33).

God has gone to great lengths to tell us that His Son is going to be the world ruler. The Savior of men by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead….YES! He is our Savior. He is …the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). In the mind of God, Jesus was slain as the perfect Lamb, before the world was ever made. Not only so, it is true that before the world was ever made, God had determined that this Lamb would one day rule the world from the city of Jerusalem, sitting upon the throne of His earthly father, David. Not man, not devil—can thwart the plan and power of the living God!

Memory Verses for this week:

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33).

Good Morning! - Daniel 7:9-10 - The Courtroom - 2009.12.09

Good Morning!

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. 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 (Daniel 7:9-10).

This scene is in Heaven, a court room where "The Ancient of Days" is presiding over the judgment of Kings on the earth who have been beastlike in their character. They are going to be judged and their power taken from them. The thrones "cast down" can be translated: "put in place." This scene corresponds to Revelation 4 & 5. The God of Heaven is about to judge the anti-Christ who spoke such great and swelling words against the Almighty God. This takes place at the close of the Great Tribulation period. The anti-Christ cannot prosper forever. God is going to wrest power from the anti-Christ and transfer it to the rightful owner: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel tends to open up subjects in seed form and then they will be expanded. For example, Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2 of the great image is expanded in chapter 7 in Daniel's dream of the four beasts. The Book of the Revelation will add more detail

"The Ancient of Days" is a name for the eternal God and is used three times in this chapter (7:9, 13, 22). He has been viewing the activities of demons and wicked men on the earth from His throne in Heaven. The judgment will be a just judgment and not flawed. His white garment suggests His purity and righteousness and suggests that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25).

The Ancient of Days is associated with a fiery stream coming forth. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24).

For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

When Jesus comes back to judge the earth it will be in flaming fire. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2Thessalonians 1:7-8):

The angels who execute the judgments of God are called: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: (Psalm 104:4)

The Lord rained fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah: Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven (Genesis 19:24);

Moses wrote about Nadab and Abihu who offered strange fire unto the Lord: And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Leviticus 10:2)

Isaiah 66:15-16 picks up the same fiery theme. Many other passages bring out the fire of God's judgment. We should be careful how we shut up God in a box and think He thinks and acts like we do.

This is a courtroom scene and the God of Heaven, the Ancient of Days is about to conduct judgment upon these wicked kings, particularly the anti-Christ. Daniel repeatedly said: "I beheld." "I continue to look intently." The implication is that he couldn't believe his eyes. We'll come back to this tomorrow.

A practical lesson for us in this scene is that we too shall be judged by this same Ancient of Days and in particular by His Son, into whose hand He has committed all judgment. We will not be judged to see if we go to Heaven. We stand at the foot of the cross where the Son of God was judged in our place and we stand in Him complete, as though we had never sinned. That's called "justification." We are now in the process of learning to live the Christian life and to become more like Him. That is called "sanctification."

Nevertheless, we who are Christ's shall also pass through the Judgment Seat of Christ (2Corinthians 5:10) to be judged for our works, to see if they endure the fiery test. Our works will be judged as it relates to our receiving or losing rewards. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (2Corinthians 5:10).

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

(13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1Corinthians 3:11-15).

Memory Verses for this week:

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33).

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