05
Aug '20
One Sick Prophet
05
Aug '20
Except for Jesus Himself, there are no better examples of commitment despite difficult circumstances that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Their story of faithfulness in a faithless age is told in Daniel one through six. That is where we find those famous passages of the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, and the lion’s den.
Daniel 7-12 is mostly prophecy, and nearly all of it was future prophecy when Daniel first received his visions. While much of what he saw has been fulfilled, some is still on front of us. God gave Daniel a glimpse of where history is headed. All things are headed to an appointed end, and everything is on schedule. The history that unfolded before Daniel’s eyes while in the spirit, on the banks of the Ulai River in the city of Shushan, made him physically ill. By the end of chapter eight, Daniel is one sick prophet.
That’s because he saw three men, represented by three horns: a large horn, followed by a little horn, and then the last horn. The first two dictators were historical previews of the final false messiah, a man whose evil behavior is greater even than any before him. Now this is a good spot to be reminded that many prophecies in Scripture have dual characteristics to them. That is an immediate and an ultimate fulfillment. That is the case in Daniel eight. While all three of these men were in the future when Daniel received his vision. As far as we are concerned, the first two have come and gone long ago. The last one is yet to be revealed.
One Sick Prophet
Why would God give Daniel a vision so terrible that it made him physically sick? I think there are at least three reasons:
- Prepare them for persecution. Things will get worse before they get better.
- Warning not to panic. Don’t be confused by historical trends. History is happening according to God’s design.
- The Kingdom is coming! The Ancient of Days will deliver the Kingdom to the real Messiah, and all false messiahs will be finally and utterly put down and out forever.
Tonight we finish our study of Daniel 8. There is much to learn from the vision that made Daniel sick. Be tuned in tonight at 7pm on Facebook Live to follow along. Remember, a Facebook account is not required to view a live-streamed video on the church’s Facebook page. Click this link to be directed there.
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29
Jul '20
Horned and Horns
29
Jul '20
In our walk through Daniel we have noted that the first six chapters are mostly history with a little prophecy, while the second six chapters are mostly prophecy with a little bit of history. God has revealed to us through the dreams and visions of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel, truth about the temporary kingdoms of men and the coming eternal kingdom of Christ. In Daniel two and seven we were given a sweeping look of four mighty and culture shaping kingdoms: Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome. In Daniel 8, the focus is tightened on the kingdoms which would play a crucial role in the history of Israel and the life of the Jews, the empires of Media-Persia and Greece. Unfolding within this drama are three notable characters. We will describe them as the large horn, the little horn, and the last horn. In Daniel’s day, all three of these men were future figures. In our day, only the last one is.
We will be in Daniel eight for at least two weeks. Please be tuned in at 7pm.
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15
Jul '20
When does the Kingdom come?
15
Jul '20
It seems that every New Testament author and believer lived expecting to personally see the bodily return of Christ. Just one example from Paul’s inspired pen is Titus 2:11-13, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;”
So, when will that be? Scripture does not supply an exact date and time, but there are certain things that will come to pass as that day draws near. Tonight at 7pm we will run them down from Daniel seven. After a time of prayer, we will open our Bibles together. There will not be G.O.E. Teens this evening since they are at church camp in Dayton, TN. Continue to pray for them. Our SHinE Kids’ ministry (K-5) will be meeting in the Family Life Center at 7 pm.
Watch. Pray. Proclaim.
While we expect the Lord’s return at any moment, no one knows exactly when that moment will be (Mark 13:32-37). That is no cause for idleness or foolishness. While we watch for our Lord’s return, we are to continue with the work He commissioned and equipped us to accomplish. The stakes are high. His First Coming was cause for singing “Peace on earth and good will to men” because the Savior had come.
At His Second Coming there will be judgment on sin and sinners who refused to repent and receive the grace He freely offered.
So, while we wait and watch for His return, let’s work by praying and proclaiming the Good News, calling on all men and women everywhere, from every ethnicity, to repent and believe the gospel, because the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand.
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01
Jul '20
History is Happening
01
Jul '20
Daniel 7:1-3, “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. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.”
The first of Daniel’s visions correspond with the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had in Daniel 2. When Daniel recorded his dream the events were future, but as we read them in 2020, much of it has been explicitly fulfilled in history. The “first future” in Daniel’s prophecy is of four world empires that have risen and fallen exactly as Daniel predicted. The “second future” is one yet to come. We call this the end times. Events which will transpire before Christ’s glory fills the world forever. The explicit accuracy of the prophecies that have been fulfilled provide us with absolute confidence in those that are yet to be fulfilled.
Daniel’s prophecy has an immense present and practical value. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah demonstrate why and how we must live in the present, as well as being prepared for the future. Courageous conviction, cooperation without compromise, devotion to God and His Word portrayed by Daniel are just as critical today as they were as in Daniel’s day.
Tonight at 7pm!
Join us this evening at 7pm as we gather for prayer and then time in Daniel 7. Our teens will also be meeting in the Family Life Center at the same time. On Sunday, July 5 our Sunday school and SHinE ministries will resume. The evening services on Sunday will return sooner rather than later, and that means our choir will resume also. Praise the Lord!
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24
Jun '20
Prophecy’s Purpose
24
Jun '20
Following His crucifixion, the resurrected Jesus described that purpose like this while talking with a couple of believers on the road to Emmaus: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself,” Luke 24:27.
Near the end of John’s visions on Patmos, the overwhelmed apostle fell at the feet of an angel in worship. That when this happened, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” Revelation 19:10.
Daniel 7
In our study of Daniel we have arrived at chapter seven. Beginning this evening the prophetic aspect of this book takes flight. Daniel’s first six chapters are the historical mixed together with a little of the prophetical. That is reversed in the final six chapters with prophetic visions seasoned with a bit of history. Chapter seven is a panoramic view of God’s redemptive purpose and plan. We will be taken all the way from Daniel’s day to the return of Christ.
You are invited and encouraged to join us at 7pm for our prayer time and this Bible study. Our teens will also be meeting in the Family Life Center. This is their first time back together since the COVID-19 restrictions began. Come be with us. You may also follow along online.
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