People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 9

 

For a few weeks will be studying the book of Ezra.  Who was Ezra?  He was a priest who was held in exile, but returned to Jerusalem with a group of other Babylonian exiles.  He was a priestly scribe known to be a scholar of the law.  He taught the people the law and reformed their religious life so the other nations around them could see they were God’s chosen nation.  He wrote the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Ezra 1-2

Ezra was a priest sent to lead a group of Jewish exiles from Babylon after 70 years of captivity back to their home in Jerusalem. He points us to Jesus because Jesus is the perfect priest that leads us to a better freedom and a better home.  They both made intercession for God’s people through sacrifice and prayer.  They both spoke for God.  The purpose of this book of Ezra is to show God keeps His promises.  

The city had been populated for 60 years and this was the second phase of the return.  When Ezra returned, he became frustrated and sorrowful; his heart ached because he found the people were not serving the Lord.  The people needed spiritual reformation.  He helped to rebuild the temple, renewed the celebration of festivals, and encouraged the people to make worship their top priority and to use God’s Word for living. 

Exiled Israelites Return – Ezra 1:1-4

In Ezra 1:1 we learn that in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the Lord moved the heart of the king to make a proclamation.  He was to tell the people that he was going to build a temple at Jerusalem in Judah.  The people were to give him silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and offerings for the temple.  Cyrus explained his authority behind his decree.  He told the people that God of heaven had given him all the kingdoms of the earth and appointed him to build the temple for Him.

God has always had His hand in Israel’s history:

2 Chronicles 36:15-20 – God sent messengers again and again even though the people despised His words and scoffed at His prophets.

2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10 – The land enjoyed its sabbath rests for seventy years, then God will punish Babylon and bring His people back from exile and to their land.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Isaiah 44:28; 45:1, 13 – God moved the heart of the Persia king to rebuild the temple and to set His people free.

These details reveal God’s purposes and power.  God wants His people to not ignore His commands and to take His warnings seriously.  He wants them to repent of their sins.  God is faithful and never gave up on His people or abandoned them.  He has plans for them and the power to influence kings and nations to bring His plans about.  This is encouraging for us, because He will never give up on us and nothing can stop Him.

Even though Cyrus didn’t really believe that Israel’s God was the one true God, God still used him to accomplish His plan of setting the people free and rebuilding the temple.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” – Proverbs 21:1

If God can have the king’s heart in His hand, there is hope that He is using people and circumstances today to bring about good in a misguided world.

Principle:  God is sovereign over all.

God Provides – Ezra 1:5-11

God played a huge role in the return on the exiles.  He not only moved the heart of the king, but He moved the hearts of the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites.  It was probably very hard for them to just pick up and move after 70 years in captivity.  They would be going back to nothing, because everything had been looted and destroyed.  The journey would be long and dangerous. 

God works within and through people.  He puts hope in hearts and encourages through the friendship of others. Verse 6 tells us that God supplied them with practical need through their neighbors.  They assisted them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and valuable gifts, and offerings.

Principle:  God puts hope in hearts and encouraged through the friendship of others.

Names Recorded – Ezra 2

We’re told the names and roles among those who returned to Jerusalem.  There were descendants of Parosh and Bethlehem, priests from Jedaiah and Levites, singers, temple gatekeepers and servants, and descendants of servants of Solomon.  The whole number was 42,360 with 7,337 servants, 200 singers, 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.  There were really more because this list did not include women and children.

This list was made to legitimize land rights after they returned, it distinguished the true Israelites from others, and showed authorization from Cyrus for their return.

God is so great that He is able to take infinite interest in the most intimate details of our lives.  There is nothing so small that it escapes His notice and nothing too trivial for Him.  He always has known and always will know everything there is to know about everyone and everything.  This makes me feel special and loved that He is concern with the details of my life.

Worship was very important to the Israelites.  The moment they arrived they gave offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God out of devotion to Him.

Principle:  God is faithful to His chosen people, to discipline for their sins and to restore so they might live faithfully to Him.

Next week we will continue our study in Ezra. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 8

 

Daniel 10-12

Daniel’s Vision – Daniel 10:1-11:1

Babylon was now under the Persian Empire with Cyrus in charge.  Cyrus had allowed the Jewish captives and their descendant to begin rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.  In the third year of Cyrus’ reign Daniel received a vision concerning a great war.

Daniel was standing on the bank of the Tigris river.  He saw a man dressed in linen with a gold belt around his waist.  I believe this man is Jesus, because He resembles the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-16.  None of Daniel’s companions saw this vision, but became afraid; they fled and hid themselves.  This vision deeply troubled Daniel.  His strength left him, he turned pale, and he fell to the ground into a trance at the sound of the words of the man.  This is the same reaction that John had in seeing Christ in Revelation 1:17.

Daniel was encouraged and strengthened when he was touched and told to stand.  He was told that he was highly esteemed and to consider carefully the man’s words.  He is told to not be afraid and that his prayers were heard and the man had come to respond to them.

Daniel had prayed for 21 days, but no response.  He told Daniel it was because the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed this man for 21 days.  We don’t know what this spiritual conflict was about, but we know this prince of the kingdom of Persia was the powerful angel of Satan.  Then Michael came and helped with the spiritual conflict so he could then come to Daniel. 

There is a spiritual war taking place in heavenly places that we cannot see, but we are engaged in.  We belong on one side of the other.  If we are not actively fighting for the Lord, then we are on the side of Satan.  On which side will you serve?  “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12

The purpose of Daniel’s encounter with the man is in response to Daniel’s prayer.  This is a reminder that our prayers are heard and they matter.  He refers to the Book of Truth which is not a real book but represents God’s knowledge of all future events and God’s plan for history.

Vision Prediction – Daniel 11:2-20

Daniel’s vision predicted the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms.  Three more kings will rise in Persia and then a fourth who would be strong and rich.  A mighty king will rise and his kingdom will be broken and divided.  This was fulfilled in Alexander the Great. After his death his kingdom will not go to his descendants but given to others.  The king of the North and South will join forces but will not last. 

I find it intriguing and am inspired by Daniel’s prophecies and how he had such faith and trust in such terrifying visions.  I’m in awe as to how God works through the rise and fall of kingdoms throughout history to bring about His plan.  It teaches that God has supreme authority and is the ultimate ruler over all creation.  He is in control of everything, including future events.

This world’s kingdoms don’t compare to God’s kingdom. Earthly kingdoms will rise and fall, but God’s kingdom will last forever.  “God makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.” – Job 12:23.  “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.” – Psalm 145:13.  “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed..” – Daniel 2:44   

My trust and faith are strengthened each time I hear and read of God’s love to do whatever it takes to bring His people to Himself and how He uses all kinds of people to do His work.  I’m amazed and my confidence has grown with the book of Daniel and how his prophecies tell our future.  I’m very thankful for prophecy and although I don’t understand a lot of it, I take it as fact and don’t really question it.  I trust God because He knows what He’s doing.

When prophecy is difficult to hear and understand, we can pray for understanding, compare it with other Scriptures, discuss with someone who is mature in their faith, look at the context and the meaning, and remember God will reveal the meaning in His time.

The Contemptible Future Ruler – Daniel 11:21-45

The evil Antiochus IV who was a vile “contemptible person” came to power although he was not of royalty.  He is a kind of Antichrist.  Verses 21-35 describe his ruthless acts.  He will invade the kingdom when people feel secure by seizing the kingdom through intrigue.  He will rise to power by being deceitful breaking his promises to people.  He will rise to power with only a few people.  He will invade and plunder others provinces.  He will attack Israel and its people.  Many will die, be captured and plundered.  He will take away the daily sacrifices and set up the abomination of desolation – placing false gods in the temple.  He will exalt himself as god.  He will corrupt with flattery, but the faithful people of God will resist him.

We see this today.  Those in power try to flatter, say what they think we want to hear, and see themselves as an idol or god.  Many Jews and Christians are persecuted, even killed, or taken hostage.   But the faithful followers of Jesus stand firm in their beliefs and are not persuaded.

Jesus awaits His faithful followers.  1 Cor. 15:58 tell us to stand firm and let nothing move you.  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

I find hope in God’s sovereignty.  Even in the chaos God is present and guiding events and steering history.  He is faithful and promises believers His eternal kingdom.

A View of the End Times – Daniel 12

In Daniel 12:1 Daniel is told that there will be a time of distress such has never happened before.  “For then there will be a great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.” – Matt. 24:21.  This great distress is called the tribulation.  We know this will happen in the future because Daniel is told in Daniel 12:4 “to close up and seal the book the words of the scroll until the time of the end.”  God will protect His people during this time.  The prophecy in Daniel 12 is not only about the future “time of distress” but also about a time when people will be delivered.  Jesus will return and establish the Kingdom of God.

Daniel describes two types of people who will be resurrected:

Those who awake to everlasting life – those who will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus.

Those who awake to shame and everlasting contempt – those who will spend eternity in the terror of hell that never ends. 

The difference between these two fates is found in John 3:16-21, 36.  If we believe in the name of Jesus and that He is the only Son of God, we will not perish but have eternal life.  If we reject Jesus, we will not see life but will experience God’s wrath.  We will perish and will be condemned.

Two questions were asked:

“How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”  It was answered, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.  When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” - Daniel 12:6-7.  Meaning the time of trouble will be 3 ½ years, the last half of the tribulation. 

 

“What will the outcome of all this be?” – Daniel 12:8.  The answer was, “...the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end…  From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.  Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” – Daniel 12:9-11. Daniel is told to go back to his daily life and that God will provide more at that time.

Until that time we are to continue living our lives and continue following the ways of Jesus.  Living life with pressures and persecution from those who oppose God which can be trying, but we can have hope.  We need to keep the faith and trust that God is in control.  He will win in the end.

Verse 13 tells us that at the end of the days we well rise to receive our allotted inheritance which refers the inheritance of eternal life and the sharing in God’s glory and living in heaven with Him.

Principles:

We must have an attitude of humility in our prayer life.

The kingdoms of the earth will not prevail against the kingdom of God.

As we fight spiritual battles, we are to be strong and courageous.

Our prayers are heard and they matter to God.

God calls us to ready ourselves for Christ’s return by living holy lives.

NOTE:

Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel.  This begins the 7 year tribulation.

The tribulation will last 7 years.  The 3½ years is the midpoint or 1,290 days and is called the great tribulation because things will get much worse. 

At the midpoint of the tribulation (3½ years or 1,290 days) the Antichrist breaks the treaty with Israel and desecrates the temple by setting himself up in the temple as god.

At the end of the 7 year tribulation, Jesus will return and defeat the Antichrist.

Jesus will establish the Kingdom of God that lasts forever.

Next week we will continue our study in the book of Ezra. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 7

 

Daniel 9

Daniel’s Prayer – Daniel 9:1-19

Daniel had earned the trust of each administration he served in.  Under all these leaders he moved to the top.  He had a keen mind, could interpret dreams, and could solve difficult problems.  He had great knowledge and a great attitude always wanting to do stay true to God.  He believed in God’s promises and trusted in Him.

Daniel was committed to God and His Word.  He always trusted God and stayed in prayer through many difficult time – when captured by the Babylonians and when put in the lions’ den.

We should all be more like Daniel.  He is a shining example of what a faithful Christian should be ---

He was fully committed to the Lord. 

He trusted in the Lord through hard times. 

He had a heart to serve others. 

He was a man of integrity and refused to compromise his faith.

He was brave and stood up for his beliefs.

He was humble and obedient to God.

He had a disciplined prayer life.

He was trustworthy and fulfilled his responsibilities.

He always gave God the glory.

As Daniel prayed he listed the attributes of God.  He said that God was great and awesome and keeps His covenant of love with all who love and obey His commands, and that He was righteous, merciful.

Daniel confessed the people’s sins on their behalf.  They had rebelled and not obeyed or kept God’s laws.  All Israel turned away and refused to obey. Because of their sins, God brought disaster upon them.

In verses 15-19 Daniel pleaded to the Lord to turn His anger and wrath away from Jerusalem and hear his prayers and petitions.  He asked that the Lord look on them with favor and to open His eyes and ears and act and to not to delay. 

There is a division between God’ holiness and humanity’s sinfulness.  God addressed this issue:

Matthew 7:13-14 – we inter heaven through the narrow gate.

Luke 16:26 – there is a great chasm between heaven and hell.

John 3:16-17 – God sent Jesus into the world to save all who believe in Him.

Principle:  Let your prayers humbly take you into the presence of God by praising Him, confessing sins, and praying for others.

God Responded to Daniel’s Prayer – Daniel 9:20-23

While Daniel was praying, God sent Gabriel to him again.  Gabriel was the angel who came to Daniel and interpreted his dream in Daniel 8:15-16.  Gabriel was the one who announced to Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son in their old age in Luke 1:5-38.

Gabriel appeared at this time to provide Daniel with greater understanding.  He was told that God holds him in high esteem or in other words, Daniel is greatly loved because he had remained faithful.  Gabriel gave him a message of Israel’s future, using the words seventy weeks of time.

Principle:  God hears and responds to our sincere prayers.

Vision of Seventy “Sevens” – Daniel 9:24-27

The “seventy sevens” is 70 weeks and refers to years.  It’s a time frame of 70x7 years or 490 years.  The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus returns and sets up His millennial kingdom.  The 69 of the sevens has been fulfilled in history with the crucifixion.  This leaves 1 more “seven” to be fulfilled.  The final “seven” or 7 years of Daniel is what we call the tribulation period has not yet occurred.  There is a gap between the 69^th and 70^th week.  Some call it “the time of the Gentiles”. Some believe since Israel rejected Jesus, God put the 70^th week on hold and turned His attention to the Gentile nations.

“Restore and rebuild Jerusalem” refers to the time when God will bring His people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land they were promised. (Jer. 30:1-3; 31:23-25; Ez. 36:8-12)

“The Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing” points to Jesus’ crucifixion.  His death fulfills the prophecy of being put to death and having nothing.  He bore the weight of humanity’s sin on the cross. (Isaiah 53:1-9; Matt. 16:21; Acts 4:26)

“An abomination that causes desolation” refers to the Antichrist setting himself up as god in the temple (Dan11:31; 12:9-13; Matt 24:1-31).  He will break the covenant at the mid-point (the last 3 ½ years is known as the great tribulation)

Principle:  God has a time table and He is keeping things on schedule.

Next week we will continue our study of Daniel.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 6

 

Daniel 7-8

Daniel’s Vision – Daniel 7:1-14

In this chapter Daniel had a dream or vision.  He saw four winds of heaven churning the sea.  These winds are mentioned in Revelation 7:1 where four angels held back the four winds.  Four beasts came up out of the sea.  They represented four kings and their empires.  Luke 21:25 mentions signs of the end when nations will be in anguish and perplexed at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 

The first beast was like a lion with wings of an eagle.  Its wings were torn off and it stood up like a man; a heart was given to it.  The second beast looked like a leopard with four wings and four heads.  It was given authority to rule.  The fourth beast was terrifying, powerful and indescribable.  It had large iron teeth and ten horns.  It crushed, devoured and trampled its victims.  Among the ten horns, three are replaced by one little horn with eyes and mouth like a man; it spoke boastfully.  They parallel with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  They represent empires ; the first is Babylonian Empire, the second is the Medo-Persians, the third is the Greek under Alexander the Great, and the fourth he saw as very powerful and indescribable.  These earthly kingdom would rise and fall and wreak havoc on God’s people, but they only operate within what is allowed by God.

Daniel saw God, who is called the Ancient of Days in verses 9-10.  His clothing was white as snow, his hair like white wool – all indicating His holiness, perfection, purity and power.  His throne was flaming with fire indicating His glory.  Verse 13 mentions “one like a son of man” who is Jesus, the Ancient of Days’ Son.  All authority was given to Him (Matthew 28:18).  God, the Father and Jesus are One (John 10:25-30).

God, the Father gave Jesus the authority and the right to judge, because Jesus had earned it by willingly giving His life on the cross for all sinners.  He alone is worthy to judge (John 5:22-27; Revelation 5).

Divine Interpretation – Daniel 7:15-28

Daniel was troubled.  He was gifted in understanding dreams and vision, but he was still human.  These images made him anxious.

The vision means that four great beasts are four kingdoms that were to rise and fall in history, but the saints will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever. This covers the same material as in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2.  The kingdoms rise and fall and are succeeded by the kingdom of God.

The fourth beast was more frightening to Daniel because it was different from the others.  It would devour and trample the whole earth.  Daniel could have been brought some measure of comfort if he had remembered that God is the one in control of the past, present and future.  He will always get the victory.  This is a good lesson for all of us and we should live accordingly – trusting He’s got it.

These beasts were frightening and destructive.  They only destroy.  They are like their father, Satan who also seeks only to kill and destroy.

Vision of a Ram and a Goat – Daniel 8:1-14

In Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 he saw the kingdoms as beasts: Lion – Babylon, Bear – Medo-Persian, Leopard – Greece, Terrible Beast – Rome.  In chapter 8 he saw the second and third kingdom’s power struggle.  Medo-Persian Empire represented as a two-horned ram and Greece as a goat with one great horn.  He described the victory by the goat that became very great, but his large horn was broken off and was replaced by a little horn.

The little horn grew great with the ruler Antiochus IV gaining power and extending his dominion toward the south, toward the east and toward the land of Israel.

Vision Interpreted – Daniel 8:15-27

Gabriel appeared to Daniel and was told by a voice (God or Jesus) to interpret the vision.  The two-horned ram as Media and Persia and the goat as Greece.  The vision refers to the end of time.  Antiochus will rise to power.  The Jews will be persecuted, sacrifices will be stopped,  and the temple will be desecrated.  It will seem that he is successful.  This refers to Antiochus and also the Antichrist.

Verse 25 reassures us.  Antiochus is like the Antichrist and like all these future kingdoms, they all will cause deceit to prosper and will consider themselves superior.  When they feel secure, they will take a stand against the Prince of princes, Jesus.  Yet they will be destroyed not by human power, but by God.  This reassures and encourages us that God is in control and He will win in the end.

Daniel’s vision reveals that God has precise knowledge of future events.  He knows the rise and fall of empires and the actions of kings long before they happen.  God is never surprised by the twists and turns of history.  He sees it all and works through it all to accomplish His purposes.

Principles: 

The course of humanity is determined in the throne room of God almighty.

Only Jesus is worthy and has the authority to judge.

God foresees all.

The future can look terrifying, but there is no need to fear because God is in control.

Kingdoms will rise and fall in history, but the Kingdom of God will last forever.

Next time we will continue our study of Daniel. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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