Daniel 1-2, 6-7

Daniel 1 – Daniel’s Faithfulness

In the 3^rd year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Jerusalem was taken captive by the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar.  God allowed them to be delivered into Babylon’s hands along with some of the articles from the temple.  King Nebuchadnezzar chose the brightest young men from the Israelite families to serve in his palace.  Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  They were given new names.  Daniel given the name Belteshazzar; Hananiah was given Shadrach; Mishael was given Meshach; Azariah was given Abednego. (Dan. 1-7)  Daniel was a teenager, about 17 years old.

Daniel didn’t want to defile himself with the king’s rich food and wine so he asked the guard if they would eat only vegetables and water.  He ask to let them do this for 10 days and then compare their appearance with the others who at the rich food.  The guard agreed.  At the end of the 10 days Daniel and his friends looked healthier that the others.  Since they were so faithful to God by not defiling themselves, God gave the 4 knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.  Daniel was able to understand dreams and visions.  The king was pleased and they entered into the service of the king. (Dan. 8-21)

Daniel’s life changed when he was captured.  Why?  God had a bigger purpose for him.  The king tried to change Daniel and his friend’s thinking and make them citizens of Babylon, but God’s kingdom is in every location and in every person.  Whether you believe Him or not, He is the ruler of all.  As Creator, He rules all things.  Daniel shows us what it’s like to be in the kingdom of God.  As we submit and obey Him, we are expanding His kingdom on earth.  God’s kingdom is here and now and also in the future.  God is in charge.

I am sure it was very hard to resist the charms of Babylon.  Babylon was all about self.  It was a philosophy, an attitude, and all about indulgent choices.  It was about beauty and self-absorption.  We live in a Babylonian time.  We are surrounded by a Babylon of our own.  In this day and time the world is all about ME.  As a nation we believe in luxury, culture, education and beauty.  We have everything, yet we are still not happy and satisfied.  Daniel and his friends resisted Babylon’s poisonous harms.  They are great examples for us to resist our Babylon.

Do you have the strength of Daniel to resist worldly choices?

How does Daniel encourage you?

How has God blessed you in your faithfulness?

Daniel 2 – Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream.  He called on all his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he dream and what it meant.  If they couldn’t, he would have them cut into pieces.  Then the astrologers remember Daniel who could interpret dreams so they call upon him.  Daniel and his friends prayed that God would reveal the dream and that night God did just that.  God revealed to Daniel the mystery of the dream.  Daniel was faithful to God and God was faithful to Daniel.  Daniel told the king what his dream was and what it meant.  He praised God for His wisdom, power, knowledge and for revealing to Daniel the meaning of the dream.  Daniel didn’t take credit for his wisdom, but told the king that the God in heaven is the one who reveals mysteries. (Dan. 2:1-28)

The dream was of an enormous statue.  The head was made of pure gold.  The chest and arms were silver.  Its belly and thighs were bronze.  Its legs were iron and its feet were part iron and baked clay.  Then a rock was cut out not by human hands, struck the statue’s feet and smashed them.  Then the rest of the status was broken into pieces.  The broken pieces were swept away without leaving a trace.  Then the rock became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. (Dan. 2:31-45)

Each of the parts of the statue represents a world empire. 

The head was Babylon - historical fulfillment in 626-539 B.C.

The chest and arms was the Medo-Persian Empire – historical fulfillment 539-331 B.C.

The belly and thighs were the Greek Empire – historical fulfillment 331-63 B.C.

The legs were the Roman Empire – historical fulfillment 63 B.C. – A.D. 476.

The feet could be the outgrowth of the divided Roman Empire.  The toes and feet may represent a political system yet to come.  The ten horns foretell a ten kingdom confederacy that will operate jointly at the time of Christ’s return.  (Dan. 7:7, 24; Rev. 13:1; 17:12)

The rock represents the kingdom of the Messiah, which will fill the whole earth.

History has proven Daniel’s interpretations.  Earthly kingdoms come and go, but the Kingdom of God will last forever.  It will NEVER be destroyed.

How is this encouraging to you?

How does the promise of God’s kingdom give you hope in the future?

What is your view of God’s authority?

Daniel 6 – Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Daniel was put in charge of all the king’s wise men.  He had distinguished himself among the others.  They became jealous of Daniel, but couldn’t find a way to discredit him.  They came up with a plan.  They told the king that he should order everyone to pray only to the king and not to other gods or they would be thrown to the lions.  I am sure this flattered the king so he agreed.  They knew this would finally be the end of Daniel, because they knew he would pray to God.

This didn’t stop Daniel.  He continued to pray 3 times a day to God with his windows open.  Of course he was found out and put into the lion’s den.  We all know the end of this story.  God saved Daniel.   Daniel said, “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.”  Dan. 6:21.

Daniel was loyal to God, but loyalty to God’s kingdom often comes at a personal cost.  He doesn’t always rescue us when persecuted.  Sometimes rescue comes with suffering or even death.  With death we are rescued from this world then we can be with Him in heaven.

What hard choices do you have to make to be faithful to God?

How could you faithfully impact those around you?

Daniel 7 – Daniel’s Dream

(Note:  Chapter 6 and 7 are not in chronological order.  At the end of chapter 6 Daniel is about 80 years old.  In chapter 7 is about 68 years.)

Now Daniel was about 68 years old and he himself had a dream.  In his dream he saw 4 heavenly winds churning up the sea and 4 great beats came up out of the sea.  The first was like a lion with wings of an eagle.  The second was like a bear.  The third was like a leopard with 4 heads and was given authority to rule.  The fourth beast had 4 horns and was frightening and very powerful.  Daniel then saw a little horn that came up among the others.  This horn had eyes like a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.  (Dan. 7:1-8)

Verse 17 interprets the sea to be symbolic to the earth and the 4 beast to be 4 earthly kingdoms.  We saw these kingdoms in chapter 2 in the form of the statue.

 Then Daniel saw the Ancient of Days (God) seated on His throne.  He was clothed in white with hair like white wool.  The throne was blazing with fire.  There was a river of fire coming out from the throne.  Thousands attended Him.  The court was seated and the books were opened.  This is the Great White Throne Judgment and the books are considered to be the book of deeds.  God is about to judge the little horn, which is the Anti-Christ.  See Rev. 20.

This should give you great confidence in God and His dominion over all the earth.  God is in control and in charge and there is nothing or no one greater or more powerful.

Then Daniel saw the judgment of the beasts and little horn (Anti-Christ).  (Dan. 7:11-12)  Then he saw one like a son of man (Jesus) coming in the clouds.  The Ancient of Days gave him authority, glory and sovereign power over all people and nations.   All men worshiped Him and His dominion is everlasting and will never be destroyed.  (Dan. 7:13-14)

Daniel said he was deeply troubled by what he saw.  Does this trouble you or does it give you hope and encouragement?  I have mixed feelings here.  I am sadden that there will be those who will suffer, but encouraged that God is in charge and He will win in the end.

Next week we will get back to Revelation and study chapter 4 – The Heavenly Throne Room.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 3:7-22 - The Churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea

Revelation 3:7-13 – Philadelphia, The Faithful Church

Philadelphia was located at the east end of the broad valley.  Its soil was rich and good for agriculture.  It was on the main road from Sardis.  They had a lot of trade and was famous for its temples.  Its name means “love of a brother”.

John wrote to the church at Philadelphia telling them that these are the words of Him who is holy and true and holds the keys of David.  What He opens no one can shut and what He shuts no one can open.  The door of heaven is opened only by Jesus.  He Himself is the door.  “I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he shall be saved…” – John 10:9.  Jesus has great power and is in control of all that happens. 

Jesus knows their deeds.  He knows they have little strength, but they have kept His Word and haven’t denied His name.  They remained faithful.  Jesus will make those of the “synagogue of Satan” fall down at Philadelphia’s feet.  One day our enemies and the enemies of God will be forced to bow down before Him.  They will know that Christians were right in following Jesus.

The church at Philadelphia kept His commands and endured patiently so Jesus said He would keep them from the trials to come.  Jesus promised to protect His church from the time of trouble.  Some believe this implies pre-tribulation rapture.  This is what I believe.  Christians will be removed from the earth before this real trouble starts.  This trouble is also known as the Great Tribulation.  We will learn more about this later in our study of Revelation.  This removing of the church is what is called the rapture.  But remember, Jesus does not promise that Christians won’t suffer in this world and we should not assume that we will be removed before this great trouble takes place.  We don’t know when this will happen or when Jesus will return.  Until then, Christians must continue to believe in Him and not be deceived.  Revelation 4-22 tells us the things which will happen to those who dwell on the earth during the Great Tribulation.

Jesus said He is coming soon and they are to hold on to what they have and let no one take their crown.  He will never leave them.  He will write on them His name.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Rev. 3:13.

How faithful are you?

How do you demonstrate your faith?

If Jesus returned today, would you be ready?

Revelation 3:14-22 – Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church

Laodicea was about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia.  It was riches of the cities.  It was the major commercial and financial center.  They were famous for their medicines and medical school.  They had indoor plumbing, but they had no water supply so they brought water in from about 6 miles away. 

John wrote to the church at Laodicea telling them that these are the words of the Amen who is faithful and a true witness, the ruler of Gods’ creation.  The Amen acknowledges that Jesus is valid, binding, true, and trustworthy.  Jesus was there when God created all things.  Here again, Jesus knows all and sees all things.  He knows their deeds and He knows ours.  They are neither hot nor cold.  He wishes they would be one or the other, but they are lukewarm.  Because they are lukewarm, Jesus is about to spit them out of His mouth.  In other words, He is about to vomit them out. -  It sounds much worse when you say it like that.  They are rich and are proud of their wealth and think they don’t need anything.  Jesus told them they didn’t realize they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

This describes some churches today.  Does this describe you?  They are prideful, complacent, and indifferent.  They have become preoccupied with what they have or even the work they do.  They work for sake of working.  They just go through the motions.  They, like the Laodiceans are self-sufficient, have material comfort, and think everything is OK.  Remember if this is you, Jesus is about to vomit you out of His mouth.

Are you lukewarm for Jesus?

Do you realize you need Jesus or are you like the Laodiceans?

Of what do you need to repent?

If you are a church member, are you a true child of God?

Those Jesus loves He rebukes and disciplines.  Jesus told them to be earnest and repent.  “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and with me.” – Rev. 3:20.  Discipline is always hard but it benefits the person.  He loves them and wants them to be free from all kinds of evil things and wrong attitudes.  Jesus will come in to our hearts, if we invite Him.  But we have to ask.

“To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcome and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Rev. 3:21-22.

The 7 letters in Revelation close with a promise to those who overcome.  Who are overcomers?  Overcomers are followers of Christ who successfully resist the power and temptation of the world.  They have complete dependence on God for direction, purpose, fulfillment and strength.   They are those who overcome the world, the anti-Christ, and Satan. 

God promises rewards to those who overcomer:

Rev. 2:7 – He will give the right to eat from the Tree of Life

Rev 2:11 – He will not be hurt by the second death.

Rev 2:17 – He will give hidden manna, a white stone with a new name

Rev 2:26-28 – He will give authority over nations

Rev. 3:5 – He will not blot name in book of life

Rev. 3:12 – He will make a pillar in the temple and never will leave it, will write on him the name of God

Rev. 3:21 – He will grant right to sit on His throne

Are you an overcomer?

Your name may be on a bottle of coke, but is it in the book of life?

These letters to the churches are very clear and we should carefully evaluate ourselves to see if we are in true faith.  Getting away from God’s Word can become gradual and we can drift away without realizing it.  We should be on guard and alert to false doctrines and teachings.  Times are changing.  The world asks us to be tolerant, but where do we draw the line?  We kill unborn babies, live together before marriage, men marry men and women marry women, and the list goes on.  Just because our culture is changing doesn’t mean God’s laws are.  So be careful and if in doubt about something, go to God and His Word for the right answers.

Do you have any characteristics like that of the 7 churches?

Are you faithful?    

How are you true to His Name?

In what ways do you tolerate false teaching?

Are you lukewarm?

Do you need to repent?

Join me for next week's study.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 2:12-29 - 3:6

Revelation 2:12-17 – Pergamum, Holds to False Teachings

Pergamum is about 55 miles north of Smyrna.  It was built on a high mountain with walls around it.  It was the political capitol.  It was famous for its education with schools, colleges, and a large library.  There were around 100,000 people living there.  There were 3500 theatres in Pergamum.  Pergamum was the center of the government in Asia.  Satan lived there. (Rev. 2:13)  The people worshiped many gods.  There was an altar to the Greek god Zeus.  Caesar was the emperor and called himself a god and was worshiped by some of the people. (Note:  there are no churches in Pergamum today.)

John wrote to the church at Pergamum and identified Himself as one who has a sharp double-edged sword.  Jesus knows where they live – where Satan has his throne.  Yet they were faithful.

The church was divided and He had some things against them.  There were false teachings in the church.  Some of the people practiced the teachings of Balaam who enticed the Israelites to eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.  They also obeyed the teachings of the Nicolaitans like in Ephesus. 

Jesus told them they needed to repent or He would come and fight against them with the double edged sword of His mouth.  The sword is His judgment.  Jesus will not tolerate rebellion forever.  There will be consequences.  Jesus words are important and true.  They needed to change the direction of their lives.  Jesus tells us we can fight against wrong teaching by putting on the armor of God in Eph 610-18.

Repentance begins in the mind.  If you repent and change your mind, Jesus will change your heart.  Repentance is a wonderful gift of God – to stop believing wrong and start believing what is right.

Do you need to change the direction of your life?

Do you profess a faith you do not practice?

Jesus says “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To Him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” – Rev. 2:17.  Don’t stop listening to the Holy Spirit.

In Exodus when the Israelites were in the desert, God gave them manna to eat.  When they no longer needed manna, they put in a jar and then into the ark.  The manna was a picture of Jesus.  He is the bread of life and the true bread from heaven.  This manna is food from heaven.  This probably means food for the spirit while we are on earth.  This is a promise that we will dine with the Lord in heaven.  If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever (John 6:48-51).

The white stone declares a person innocent.  The new name represents a new person you become when you receive Christ as your Savior.  You are born again.  You are not defined by who you were or what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, but what Jesus has done for you.  You are clean.  You are loved.  You are forgiven.  Your old nature is gone.  The Holy Spirit will begin to empower your life.  You will have a change of mind.  You are a changed version of yourself.  You will get new desires.  You will want to read and study your Bible.  You will want to meet with God’s people.  You will want to stop sinning.  You will want to learn and grow. 

Has God given you a new name?

How are you a new person in Christ? 

Revelation 2:18-29 – Thyatira, Holds to False Teachings of Jezebel

Thyatira was a small city and the least important.  It was about 35 miles from Pergamum.  It was busy and wealthy and many trades were there.

Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and His feet are like burnished bronze.  This shows Jesus is powerful, strong and holy.  Jesus is aware of all that his people do and He knew all the things the Christians in Thyatira did.  They believed and trusted God completely.  They had love, faith, service, perseverance, and they were doing more than they did at first.  Their faith had grown.  He is pleased for the most part.

But there was a problem with this church, too.  They tolerated a woman He called Jezebel.  Jezebel in the Old Testament she called herself a prophetess.  A prophetess brings a message from God, but her message was a false one.  She was the wife of King Ahab.  She was wicked and taught sexual immorality and eating of food sacrificed to idols making Israel turn from God.  You can learn more about Jezebel in 1 Kings 16, 19 and 2 Kings 9. 

Jesus said He had given her time to repent, but she was unwilling.  He said He would soon punish her.  He would cause her suffering and strike her children dead.  These children could be her children or her followers.  God is patient, but He will not tolerate sin forever.  Jesus knows the hearts and minds and will repay each according to their deeds. 

For the rest of them who were true believers, He will not put any others burdens on them.  They are to hold on to what they have until He comes.  This will be His second coming.  That will be a great and wonderful day.  There will be a great reward for all believers.  Believers will have authority over the nations and will share in His power when He returns.  True Christians will share the rule and authority with Christ.  They will share His glory. (Ps. 2:8-9)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Rev. 2:29.  Not only does the church at Thyatira need to listen to the Spirit, but we do as well.

Revelation 3:1-6 – Sardis, The Dead Church

Sardis was about 30 miles south of Thyatira.  It was on a mountain side and in a good position to defend itself.  It was not as strong a city at it once was.

John wrote to the church at Sardis telling them that these are the words of Jesus who holds the   7 spirits of God and the 7 stars.  What are these 7 spirits?   “And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” – Isaiah. 11:2.  The 7 spirits of God are the work of the Spirit in the churches.  The stars are the angels over the churches.  This all means that Jesus looks after the 7 churches. 

Jesus knows their deeds and they have a reputation of being alive, but they are dead.  They once had strong faith, but over time their faith had become weak.  This is like some churches today.  Faith became weak over time.  It was a slow process and no one saw it coming.  The church seemed to be full of life, but Jesus knew it was dead.

Deeds are your actions or your works.  What do deeds have to do with our relationship with the Lord? 

“For it is by grace your have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Eph. 2:8-10.  James 2:14-26 tells us “… faith without deeds is dead.”  The Sardis church heard the Word of God, but didn’t do anything with it.

When you hear the Word of God, what are you doing about it?

Jesus told them to “wake up” and strengthen what remains and was about to die.  They needed to be aware of what was happening.  They needed to be ready for His return.  He commanded them to remember what they have been taught and heard.  They must come back to the Lord and obey His Word.  They must repent.  If they don’t wake up, He will come and not announce His coming.  He will deal with them and they will be judged.

Most of the people didn’t live like Christians should.   They were only playing church.  Their beliefs made no difference to their lives.  There were a few people who walked with Jesus, dressed in white, and were worthy.  These white clothes represent acts of righteousness.  These are clothes of the faithful.  Jesus gave promises to those who stand firm and who are victorious in Him:  They would walk with Jesus dressed in white; God would never blot their names out of the book of life; Jesus would acknowledge their names before God the Father and His angels.

What is the book of life?  God has a book of life.  In it are the names of every person written before the foundation of the world.  If your name remains in the book, you will all go to heaven.  If you don’t accept Jesus as your Savior, you name will be blotted out of the book.  If your name is blotted out of this book, you cannot go to heaven.  We will see more about this book in Revelation 13, 17, and 20. 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Rev. 3:6.

What will Jesus say about you – are you dead or alive for Him?

Do you need to wake up?

Are your clothes soiled or are they white?

Does your name remain in the book of life?

What can you do to be faithful?

Next week we will study Revelation 3:7-22 – the church in Philadelphia and Laodicea.  Hope to see you here.

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