The Final Gentile Ruler.
God reveals to Daniel not only the next two great Empires that were to come, but also what would happen in the latter time of the victor. The scene is set pictorially but explained by the angel Gabriel. Daniel is in the empire of Babylon and then the Medes and Persians will rule, (ram with two horns) till they are confronted by the king of Greece, Alexander the Great, (goat) who is the victor.
The angel points out that four kingdoms would arise from Greece and
God`s Time Frame for Israel.
God has revealed to Daniel that a king shall arise in the latter times and desecrate their sanctuary. God also shows where this king will arise from. Now God is revealing to Daniel the time of Israel`s chastisement and final deliverance.
It was in the reign of King Darius the Mede, that Daniel was reading the prophecies of Jeremiah. He read that seventy years was the time span that God would accomplish Jerusalem`s desolations. Thus, Daniel set his face towa
Daniel`s Vision of the Lord.
Daniel was in mourning for three weeks and then when he went down to the riverbank, he saw a wondrous vision of the Lord.
`Behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was guided with gold…His body was like beryl, His face like the appearance of lightning, His eyes like torches of fire, His arms, and feet like burnished bronze…and the sound of His voice of a multitude. ` (Dan. 10: 5 & 6)
Daniel was overcome, however the Lord told him not to
CONCLUSION.
The Book of Daniel reveals much about God`s character and purposes. To the Nations God shows His great wisdom, power, mercy, judgment, and supreme authority. These are recognized by kings who either humbled themselves or stood against God, receiving either mercy or judgment.
The people of the empires were told of God`s great power and authority, by awesome events that happened – the fiery furnace, the lion`s den, etc. Thus, the Gentiles were given a visible demonstration of
BABYLON THE GREAT.
In 609 BC Nebuchadnezzar came to power and was made by God to be the ruler over the great Empire of Babylonia. The center was Babylon. It became the largest city in the world at that time.
`You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory, and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all.` (Da
Cultural Tourism.
Cultural Tourism will become Iraq`s second biggest industry after oil. The government of Iraq is moving forward with plans to protect the archaeological remains of the ancient City of Babylon, in preparation for building a modern city of Babylon.
The project is aimed at attracting scores of `cultural tourists` from all over the world to see the glories of Mesopotamia`s most famous city.
The Babylon International Festival has a goal to relaunch art, culture and ev
THE FOUR SPIRITS in the Future.
The kings and rulers counsel together casting aside all forms of Christian ethics and moral behaviour. Lawlessness increases and the people think they can `save mother earth,` which they think is in imminent danger.
`Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?`
`The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and His anointed, saying, ”Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast awa
OVERVIEW
`that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings,…` (Phil 3: 10)
To know the Lord, His character, and His purposes, is the goal of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we learn and appreciate more of who the Lord is and what He has done and is doing in our lives, the more we grow up into Him.
`speaking the truth (of Christ) in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head – Christ…` (Eph. 4: 15)
The Hol
The Early Priests of God.
When Adam and Eve sinned God showed them His way of forgiveness and how to draw near to Him.
`for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. ` (Gen. 3: 21)
The blood sacrifice was God`s way to cover their sin and Abel their son knew this too.
`Abel …brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering. ` (Gen. 4: 4)
Thus, people in early times often built
The Priests in Israel.
When God made the nation of Israel to reveal His righteous rulership to the other nations, they rebelled against Him. This then necessitated that God show Israel how to come to Him for national forgiveness.
God gave to Moses the detailed plan of a structure, the Tabernacle, that would have within it the means of forgiveness for the people. God then had Moses set up a priesthood in the tribe of Levi, to officiate in the ceremonies of the Tabernacle. The Le
Jesus the High Priest.
The Tabernacle (& later Temple) were only temporary till the Great High Priest came who took His own blood into the sanctuary of heaven for forgiveness of the whole world. This is God`s own Son, Jesus.
God`s Son was divinely appointed a priest unto God.
`The LORD (Father) has sworn and will not relent, “You (Son) are a priest forever... ` (Ps. 110: 4)
The Priesthood of Jesus is far superior to the Aaronic priesthood.
Jesus` Prie
Jesus, the Heavenly High Priest for His Body.
`…We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man. ` (Heb. 8: 1 & 2)
The apostle John saw a vision of our heavenly High Priest. The details draw upon the imagery of the High Priest in the Temple in the Holy place with the golden lampstand. These represent the Body of Christ down throug
Jesus, the Heavenly High Priest for Israel.
`Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And He was given much incense, that He should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.` (Rev. 8: 3)
God`s Mediator is now revealed as the High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary for Israel. He is shown in angelic form before the golden altar. This indicates the ceremony of the Day of Atonement for Israel.
Jesus, King on Mount Zion.
The Father said, “I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.” (Ps. 2: 6)
Jesus is appointed king by His Father and set on the highest ruling position – Mount Zion. This is in the third heaven where the angels are.
`You have come to Mount Zion…to God….innumerable angels….to Jesus…` (Heb. 12: 22 & 23)
Mount Zion on ea
Jesus the Lord over the Nations in the Millennium.
After Jesus has brought judgment upon the rebellious, He then sets up His kingdom rule through Israel.
`Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us of His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” (Micah 4: 2)
A man named David will rule as king.
`And they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king.` (Jer. 30: 9)
Jesus the Lord in Eternity.
Jesus the Son of God is the heir of all the Father`s estates. As Kingpriest He rules supreme with His sacrificial heart. Then as Lord He administers and executes the Father`s will, even in the ages to come.
The Father `seated Him (Jesus) at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all principalities and powers and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. And He put all things und
Conclusion.
As we continue to daily meditate upon our glorious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are being changed into His likeness.
`For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.` (Rom. 8: 29)
The things of this earth, trials, sufferings, difficulties, all become `strangely dim,` as that lovely song says when we look away to Jesus.
`Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full
INTRODUCTION TO THE KINGDOMS.
A Kingdom is the dominion, rule and reign of the King.
In God`s Word there are many kingdoms mentioned –
- The Kingdom of God.
- The Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The Kingdom of Heaven.
- The Kingdom of Israel.
- The Kingdoms of this world.
- The Kingdom of Darkness.
All these Kingdoms come under the Kingdom of God. He made different realms
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Kingdom - Gk. `malkuyah,` rule, dominion, kingdom, realm, reign.
The kingdom of God has three realms.
`In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.` (Gen. 1: 1)
Note: Heavens (plural) three parts – the third heaven, the Universe, and the atmosphere
1.Atmospheric heaven.
`And he (Elijah) prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.` (James 5: 18)
This heaven has the weather, and wh
The Kingdom of God has Rulership in each Realm.
When God created the heavens and the earth, He established different realms with positions of authority – the third heaven, the Universe, and the earth. These are all within God`s great kingdom rule and were established by the Lord Jesus Christ,
`For by Him, (Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were crea
The Kingdoms of this World.
As the nations of the world developed, they formed great kingdoms. God gave them an opportunity to rule. Here we read of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.
`You, O King, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them al…` (Dan. 2: 17 &
