Life in the Babylonian Court.
The nation of Israel had turned from God and eventually was taken into exile by the Babylonians who were the rulers of that time. Daniel and his friends were selected for special training as they were of royal descent.
`The king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king`s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom,
Section 1. The Nations.
The Book of Daniel is set in the time when rebellious Israel had been defeated by the king of Babylon and his army. The rulership was taken from Israel and given to the Nations, but only for a certain time. God set Nebuchadnezzar as the first `king of kings, ` but revealed Himself as the ultimate power and authority.
Many of the people of Israel were taken captive and brought to Babylon, the centre of the Empire. Daniel and his three companions were among them.
OVERVIEW
DANIEL: God is my Judge.
Dani`el - Dan, means judge, and `el, means God. God is my Judge.
Daniel is a well-known prophet and counsellor in Babylon. God placed him in a position of influence at the Political centre of the Babylonian Empire, when the Jews were taken into exile about 606 B.C.
Daniel not only reveals God`s judgments upon kings but also God`s judgment upon the whole Gentile rulership throughout the ages. This broad sweep of God`s dealings provide the ove
CONCLUSION
All the great truths of the Lord Jesus Christ`s purpose for the Body of Christ have been revealed. God`s word, by His Holy Spirit unfolds the process as each truth is given to Paul`s disciples.
From the first understanding of the `catching away,` before the Day of the Lord, through to the whole Counsel of God, we read how believers stand firm with Paul rejoicing amid great trials of faith.
Then we also see that there are corrections to be made, especially to the
Practical Advice - (1 Timothy & Titus)
The Apostle Paul is coming towards the end of his ministry and he desires to pass on to the younger men practical advice for ministering among believers and for holding fast to sound doctrine.
Timothy was like a son to the aging Paul. Thus he entrusts Timothy to the oversight of believers at Ephesus and Titus to Cyprus. Guidelines are given as to the conduct of those whom would be given responsibility among the believers.
`Remind them (
Paul Released and goes to Macedonia. (AD 62)
After two years the Apostle Paul is acquitted and released from prison. It is then that many think that Paul wrote to the Hebrew Christians. This is an important book as it not only writes of the supremacy of Christ, but also of the different inheritances of the Old Testament saints and those in the Body of Christ.
Supremacy of Christ. (Hebrews)
Christ is better than angels, for they worship Him, He is better than Moses, for He c
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body had given the Apostle Paul all the great truths of His purpose for the Body of Christ. Paul taught these, the whole Counsel of God and also warned of the heresies trying to deceive the believer. Then the Lord gave to Paul the encouragement to give the believers as they went through various trials.
Thus while in prison Paul wrote more letters, some to groups and some to individuals - Philippians, Philemon and Ephesians. These are important, for we
Paul`s Prison Letters. (AD 56 - 60) (Acts 21: 27 - 28)
Heresies - (Colossians)
Paul also told the elders of Ekklesia at Ephesus that he may soon be imprisoned when he went to Jerusalem. He warned them of the dangers to come.
` For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.` (Acts 20: 29 & 30)
Aft
The Whole Counsel of God - (Ephesians)
While Paul was on his way back to Jerusalem he sent for the elders of the ekklesia in Ephesus because he was nearby on the coast. He told them that bonds may await him but he desires to see and pray with them before he sails once more.
`They all wept freely, and fell on Paul`s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.` (Acts 20: 37 & 38)
H
Paul`s Third Missionary Journey. (AD 53 - 56) (Acts 18: 23 - 21: 26)
4. Truth - the Day of Christ.(Corinthians)
While on Paul`s third missionary journey, at Ephesus he wrote to the Corinthians. Paul wrote in detail concerning the Body of Christ and the Holy Spirit`s gifts.
`For as the Body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.` (1 Cor. 12: 12)
He reveals that the time period of the forming of the
Paul`s second Missionary Journey. (AD 49 - 52) (Acts 15: 36 - 18: 22)
2.Truth - His Coming for the Saints. (Thessalonians)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body, was giving Paul fresh revelation of His further purposes - the Body of Christ. This revelation was not known in previous times.
When Paul went on his second missionary journey he went over into Macedonia spending time with the new converts in Thessalonica and also in other towns. Then when Paul was in Corinth
Paul goes to Jerusalem. (AD 49) (Acts 15: 1 - 35)
Corrections - Certain men taught circumcision.
`And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15: 1)
Thus there arose dissension and a disputation concerning circumcision. Paul and Barnabas and others, were then asked to go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders about this question. Some of the sect of the Pharisees
Jesus is Lord of All.
Many years passed as Christ by His Holy Spirit worked with His Jewish Apostles. They healed the sick and challenged the people of Israel concerning who Jesus was. However they still had a Jewish understanding of God`s purposes.
Thus it was that the Holy Spirit gave Peter a vision concerning what was clean or unclean. This lead to Peter visiting Cornelius, a Gentile and saw that after they believed the Holy Spirit fell on them too. (Acts 10)
Peter then realis
The Impartation of the Divine nature.
The people heard Peter and changed their mind as to who Jesus was, they were then baptised and received the Holy Spirit.
`Then those who gladly received his word were baptised; and that day about three thousand souls were added.`(Acts 2: 41)
These Jewish converts were taught of the Lord, His life, death, resurrection and ascension. They knew about God`s promises to Israel that their Messiah would come and that Israel would rule the nations.
The Forming of the Body of Christ.
When Christ ascended to the Right hand of the Father, He was made Head of the Body by His Father. This was a whole new purpose of God for His Son.
` (God the Father)...raised Him (Jesus) from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power 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 under His feet, and ga
Jewish Converts.
`Then Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.` (Acts 2: 38 & 39)
About three thousand souls were added to the number of Jewish disciples. They continued to go to the Temple daily and also from house to house sharing food, possessions and prais
OVERLAP.
After the transition time there is an overlap of God`s purposes - for Israel and the Body of Christ. Let`s look at Israel first.
God gave Israel different Feasts to commemorate something in their past but also to be a prophetic calendar to be fulfilled from Calvary to the Millennium,(the Lord`s rule through Israel over the nations). The first two Feasts had already been fulfilled.
Passover - coming out of Egypt by the blood, and Jesus sacrifice on the cross.
The Revelation from the Two Men.
`Now when He (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they (disciples) watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said,
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The disciples w
TRANSITION.
From Jesus` earthly ministry to Israel to His later ministry to His Body there is a transition time. The apostles were still focused on Jesus coming again to rule through Israel and coming out from Roman rule.
The book of Acts shows us this transition time, then, later how the Lord Jesus begins forming His body. Acts was written by the physician Luke to give to an important man called, Theophilus. Luke had written to him previously, (in the Gospel of Luke) telling of all th
OVERVIEW
Jesus said, “I will build my ekklesia, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.` (Matt. 16: 18)
Jesus told the disciples that He would build His ekklesia, however Jesus did not give any details of what that would be. The disciples already knew that Israel was an ekklesia, but they did not know of this other group.
Israel: ekklesia - called out of the nations.
Body of Christ: ekklesia - called out of Israel and the nations.
Jesus did not
CONCLUSION
I believe we have just begun to know some of our Lord`s glorious character. There is so much more to look at and meditate upon.
May we be encouraged to read God`s word in a different light, not just for events and special verses, but to really look at Christ, how He thought, spoke and acted.
It is His glorious character that thrills our hearts and encourages us to show forth His mercy to others and be faithful in what He has given us to do and be.
In eternit
RIGHTEOUS
Righteousness is that which is straight and accurate, wholly devoid of duplicity, double dealing, deviation or deceit.
`Gracious is the Lord, and righteous.` (Ps. 116: 5)
Christ is King of Righteousness.
` King of righteousness.` (Heb. 7: 2)
No one is qualified to be King of righteousness except He who is wholly and altogether Righteous. Therefore we know perfectly well that He will never be unfaithful, untruthful, unmerciful, or unreliable in anything H
FAITHFUL
`Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God...` (Deut. 7: 9)
Faithful, is to be loyal and trustworthy. And God has shown Himself in many ways to be faithful `who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations.`
The Lord Jesus reveals His faithfulness as -
- the faithful High priest. (Heb. 2: 17)
- the faithful Son to the Father. (Heb. 3: 2)
- the faithful Head of the Body. (2 Thess. 3: 3)
- th
GOODNESS
`Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!` (Ps. 136: 1)
God`s goodness is the sincerity of His pure character that acts sacrificially in seeking and saving the lost. All His mercies and blessings, (physical and spiritual) emphasize the generosity of His great goodness.
The Good Shepherd`s care.
King David describes the Lord`s goodness like a Shepherd`s care over his flock. Having been a shepherd himself, David knows very well the care, oversight and protec
