Archive for the ‘Daniel-BibleTrekToday’ Category

Dear Friends,

Greetings on another day of resurrection rest!  We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death and the grave on the first day of the week!  In Him, we have assurance of our own resurrection and eternal life.  He is the first fruit from death’s grip and all who have put their trust in Him will enjoy resurrection life.  This Blessed Hope could come at any time since we are living in the last days and the time of the end is near!  (Revelation 22:10, 20)

As I look back on Daniel, I remembered the incident that was recorded of the fall of Babylon.  King Belshazzar was having a party and celebrating with the golden goblets of God’s house, which his father had taken from the temple some 70 years earlier.  (Daniel 5:1-6)  Suddenly a hand appeared and wrote some simple words on the wall of the banquet hall.  No one could interpret the words, but the Queen remembered Daniel who had been used in the past to interpret.

Daniel came before the king and humbly gave the king the difficult message written on the wall.  He recounted how Belshazzar’s father Nebuchadnezzar had humbled himself, but that this king had not done so.  “But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways.” (Daniel 5:23b)  For this reason, God had weighed Belshazzar and found him wanting.  He would be removed from power and his kingdom divided between the Medes and Persians!

God held this king to accountability because of the knowledge of God revealed to him through God’s dealings with his father.  When we don’t act on the knowledge of God we have, we are in danger of judgment and removal from the earth!  I believe that this scene speaks to us in America today.  Many, like this pagan king, are partying and misusing their own vessels (bodies) when judgment is right at the door.  The handwriting is on the wall!  God will judge and only two classes of people will emerge!  One group will go into eternal life and glory.  The other group will go into everlasting shame and contempt! (Daniel 12:1-4)  (Revelation 20:11-14)

We have enjoyed much blessing because of the Gospel in our land.  Knowledge of God abounds and we are accountable.  The end will come suddenly and quickly!  Are you ready?

In His Love,

Pastor John

Scripture reading for September 4th: Daniel 10-12

Daniel lived in Babylon until he was an old man.  He continued a life of prayer and from his relationship with God received prophetic visions.  Daniel won favor with man and with God by his faithfulness and simple trust.  The insight that he received about God’s plans from his day to the final judgment and resurrection are simply amazing.  Only God could have revealed them!

“At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.  There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.  But at that time your people–everyone whose name is found written in the book–will be delivered.  Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2)

Daniel was told of a conflict at the time of the end that would result in the greatest distress that God’s people had ever experienced.  The archangel Michael, assigned to Israel, would arise to do battle and protect God’s people.    Those whose names were written a certain book would be delivered from death and the distress of that terrible time.  There would only be two destinies: everlasting life or everlasting contempt!  God would resurrect even those who “slept in the dust”.  This talks about resurrection from the grave and is a clear picture of the end of time as described by Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31-44) and John the Apostle in Revelation 20:11-15!

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end.  Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (Daniel 12:3-4)

Daniel was given encouragement by God for the righteous and wise.  Great glory awaited those who win souls and turn many to God’s righteous Son!  Daniel was told to seal the scroll and allow it’s message to be unsealed at the time of the end!  That time would be marked by much activity and increased knowledge on the earth.  John the Apostle, on the other hand, was told to not seal his revelation for the time was near!  (Revelation 22:10) What exciting times to be alive for those whose names are in His Book of Life!

Scripture reading for September 3rd: Daniel 7-9

Daniel was not only a distinguished man known for his character and hard work, he was also known for his ability to pray and understand God’s word.  Even after Daniel had been in Babylon for nearly 70 years, he was still studying the Scriptures.  (Daniel 9:1-3)  Jeremiah had written a letter that went to Jerusalem to the exiles right before the fall of Jerusalem.  In this letter, Jeremiah had told the exiles that God would bring them back to Jerusalem after 70 years.  (Jeremiah 29:10-14)  These scriptures encouraged those in captivity to call out to God for restoration!

Daniel then began to pray and call on the Lord.  Obedience to God’s word when we pray is powerful.  We know that God’s word is true and we can pray easily in faith.  Jeremiah had given the time of captivity and also promised God’s restoration.  Daniel began to confess sins and call on God for mercy. “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant.  For Your sake, O Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary.  Give ear, O God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name.  We do not make requests because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.  O Lord, Listen! O Lord, Forgive!  Oh Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name.” (Daniel 9:17-19)

While Daniel was still praying, God sent the angel Gabriel  with an answer and insight.  Daniel was given the prophesy of the “70 weeks” decreeing the time line for God’s restoration program.  It went beyond just rebuilding the temple, however.  Gabriel told of the coming “Anointed One” and  told how this “Anointed One” would be cut off.  He told of bringing sin to an end and atoning for wickedness.  He told how everlasting righteousness would be established.  (Daniel 9:24-27)

Daniel’s word from Gabriel in answer to prayer is an amazing prophesy that has been much discussed over the years.  Some of it has been fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, God’s “Anointed One” and Messiah.  Part of it will be fulfilled at the end of the age when Antichrist sets up the abomination in the temple.  Praise God for a man who knows how to pray and study Scripture!  Why not try it yourself?

Scripture reading for September 2nd: Daniel 4-6

Have you ever faced a pack of hungry lions?  How would you feel about being thrown to the lions for praying three times a day?  I admit that setting out to pray can bring on the lions who try to deter your focus, but Daniel had to actually endure a night in a den of hungry lions for simply praying to his God!

Daniel was a man of good character.  He was one of three government administrators who King Darius the Mede chose to watch over the affairs of conquered Babylon.  Daniel was known for his honesty and diligence.  He was so respected and favored, that Darius was planning to appoint him over all the others in the kingdom.  (Daniel 6:1-5)

Because the other administrators were jealous, they plotted to bring charges against Daniel to remove him from power.  They proposed a decree to the King to have thirty days where it would be a crime to pray or worship any other god but the King.   The penalty was being thrown into the lion’s den.  King Darius signed the order without thinking, and it was irrevocable.

Daniel knew about the decree, but went about his usual prayer business.  Three times a day he opened his upstairs windows and prayed towards Jerusalem.  The advisers knew of his practice and caught him praying.  They told the king, who was greatly distressed when he realized what he had done!  (Daniel 6:10-15)  He brought Daniel in and gave the order to have him thrown into the Lion’s den.  His final words were, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Daniel 6:16)

We all know how this story ended.  God did protect Daniel from the hungry lions and he was safely removed from the den the next morning.  Those who accused him were thrown in and devoured!  God was honored by King Darius and a decree was made to honor  Daniel’s God throughout the kingdom!  (Daniel 6:24-27)

The lesson for us is that it truly pays to live a godly life in a wicked land.  God uses our faithfulness and prayer to influence those around us.  He wants us to be faithful, even if it may take us to the lion’s den.  God promises to use our lives to bring glory to His name as we are faithful to Him!  Would you be convicted by the world for your faithfulness to pray?

Scripture reading for September 1st: Daniel 1-3

Daniel was a young and promising Israelite from Judah who was taken captive to Babylon.  He and his friends resolved not to defile themselves and to live for the Lord in Babylon.  God gave Daniel great wisdom and favor and the ability to interpret dreams and visions.  Daniel’s life shines as an example for believers today who live in a wicked culture.  Daniel’s insight into the dreams of the king of Babylon take us into prophesy and God’s plans for the world!

When King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him, he called all the royal advisers and asked them to tell him the dream along with it’s interpretation.  (Daniel 2:1-6)  He threatened them all with death if they could not do this, and promised reward if they could.  The royal advisers all told the king that he was being unreasonable, that only the gods could reveal such a thing.  The king ordered their execution.

Daniel discretely approached the commander of the king’s guard who was set to execute the wise men.  Daniel appealed to the king for more time to seek an answer and interpret the dream.  He and his friends sought the God of heaven for mercy for the wise men of Babylon and for themselves.  God was gracious and gave Daniel a vision in the night that brought the answer.  (Daniel 2:14-23)

Daniel shared the vision and answered the king’s request.  The king had seen a large statue with a head of pure gold, a chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, and legs and feet of iron and baked clay.  While he watched, a rock, not cut by human hands, struck the statue on the feet and it crumbled and blew away in the wind.  The rock became a huge mountain that filled the earth.  (Daniel 2:31-35)

Daniel went on to share the meaning.  These parts of the statue were great kingdoms of the earth.  The rock that struck the  statue was God’s power setting up an eternal kingdom who would overthrow all the powerful kingdoms of the earth.  This would take place in the future!  Nebuchadnezzar fell down and worshiped! “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” (Daniel 2:47)  God alone can reveal mysteries to his humble people!

Dear friends,

Greetings again this first day of a new week!  Hopefully, you are spending it gathering with God’s people to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week.  He began a new day, called ‘today’, a day of salvation and good news for all mankind!  He is alive and we have the hope of eternal life in Him alone!  There is no other name given under heaven among men by which we must be saved!  (Acts 4:12)

As I reflect back on this week’s readings, I am quickly brought back to the prophet Daniel.  His life of dedication and prayer lived out in the country of Babylon in the midst of pagan culture is amazing!  His world was radically changed with the captivity and move to a strange culture.  He kept his spiritual bearings by praying three times a day.  This habit got him into trouble later in his life.  He was probably nearly 90 years old when this habit caused him to be thrown into the lion’s den during the reign of the Persian king Darius.  His faithfulness to pray stopped the mouths of hungry lions. (Daniel 6:19-22)  He got to share with this king about His God and brought Him honor! (Daniel 6:26-27)

Another time, Daniel was reading the Book of Jeremiah where he saw that the captivity would last 70 years and realized that it was almost over.  He began to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, confessing again the sins of the nation that took them into captivity.  (Daniel 9:4-19)  This beautiful prayer of repentance brought a swift answer from God by means of Gabriel, the Archangel!  The amazing answer was the word concerning the “Seventy ’seven’s” which tells the number of years until the Messiah would come.  Prayer is an awesome privilege and God loves to share with His servants.

God’s House is to be a “house of prayer” for all nations! (Mark 11:17)  We gather to worship and to pray for His kingdom and will to be done.  There is power when God’s people gather together and agree together.  Don’t miss out on gathering today and take time to pray!  Read the Word of God and pray for it’s completion in you and your family!  God hears and will answer!  What a privilege we have!

Have a great week in Jesus!  In His Love, Pastor John

Scripture reading for September 4th: Daniel 10-12

I love books!  I have a great library and it is always growing as I look for more good books to read and add–that is if I don’t give them to someone else to read!  The Apostle John said that if all that Jesus did were written down, the whole world could not contain all the books that would be written!  (John 21:25)  Volumes of books have been written throughout history and I believe that we are studying the most important book on earth, the Holy Bible!  It contains the Word of God, creator of heaven and earth!  It is full of His Spirit and Life! (John 6:63)

But there is another book that should be just as important to every human being.  It is the Book of Life found before the throne of God.  In that book are written the names of all who have been adopted into the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Son of God.  (Daniel 12:1)  (Revelation 20:12, 15)  If your name is written in that book, you will be delivered from the coming wrath against sin that flows from the Ancient of Days! (Daniel 7:10) (Revelation 20:14)  It doesn’t matter if you are sleeping in the dust of earth or still alive when the day of judgment arrives, there is going to be a resurrection of all men with rewards for those who by faith have trusted in Christ as well as punishment eternally for those who have rebelled against God.  (Daniel 12:2-3)  (Revelation 22:12-15)

The righteous are promised eternal glory for their obedience. (Revelation 22:1-6)  (Daniel 12:3)  They will shine like the stars of heaven forever and ever!  They will live in the heavenly city where God Himself and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the source of all light!  They will behold Him and see His face!  What blessed truth!

Daniel was told to seal up the words of his book for the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4)  He was told that many people would go to and fro throughout the earth and that knowledge would increase as time went on.  People would be seeking this knowledge but only the wise would find it.  The wise were those whose names were written down in that special book of Heaven!

John was told in Revelation 22:10, not to seal up the words of his book of prophecy because the time was near for it’s fulfillment!  Jesus Christ is coming soon to reward each one who is living by faith and has his name in His book!  Are you sure your name is in the most important Book in the universe?  Why not honestly check your heart today for faith in Jesus Christ?  Have you repented?  Are you living a righteous life by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit?

“Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.  Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”  “Behold I am coming soon and my reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:10-12

Scripture reading for September 3rd: Daniel 7-9

These last 6 chapters of the Book of Daniel are filled with prophetic visions and prophesies of the future that were given to Daniel at various times.  Some of these prophesies have ties to King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2 as well as to the New Testament Book of Revelation and some of the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels.  The vision in Daniel 7 dates back before the record of Daniel 5 where Belshazzar sees the handwriting on the wall.

Daniel saw the four winds of heaven stirring up a great sea and out of the sea came four great beasts.  These beasts were like animals, great and ferocious.  The first was like a lion and the second looked like a bear.  The third beast was like a leopard and the fourth beast was something terrifying.  It had iron teeth and ten horns on it’s head.  It was devouring  it’s victims and crushing them.  (Daniel 7:4-7)    These beasts correspond to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 and represent the kingdoms that followed that time, starting with Babylon, the lion, and moving to Persia, represented by the bear.  The leopard was Greece and the ferocious beast was the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day. (Revelation 13:1-4)

Daniel saw another horn, a little horn that came up among the ten horns of the last beast.  This horn had eyes like a man and a boastful mouth.  (Daniel 7:8)  Many commentators think that this horn is the evil ruler of the last days that will be known as Antichrist. (Revelation 13:5-7)(2nd Thessalonians 2:8-10)

In the midst of this vision of world history, political power and evil beasts, Daniel’s attention is taken to thrones that were set in place.  One came and took His seat whose name was the “Ancient of Days”.  This Ancient One had clothing that was brilliantly white and hair that was white like wool. His throne was ablaze with fire and full of wheels of fire, and a river of fire was flowing out before Him.  There was a host attending Him that could not be numbered.  This Ancient One was the judge in a court and there were books present that were opened. (Revelation 20:11-12)

As Daniel watched, the boastful horn was still speaking.  Then the beast that the horn had come from was slain and thrown into the blazing fire.  The other beasts had been stripped of their authority.  Then, suddenly, before Daniel was one like a ‘Son of Man’ coming on the clouds of heaven. (Mark 13:26)  He approached the Ancient of Days and was given glory, authority, and power over all nations and men.  All worshiped Him in an everlasting kingdom that would never end! (Daniel 7:11-14)(Revelation 5:11-13)

Daniel’s visions are an amazing panorama of history from his day down to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man.  The prophesy of the 70 weeks details how long until this one would come.  (Daniel 9:25-27)  Daniel also got a good glimpse of history from Jesus’ first coming until his second coming soon after the rise of Antichrist, the little horn.  The vision ends with the Ancient of Day’s ruling in favor of the saints and destroying the beasts and the little horn!  Be encouraged today that the Ancient of Days is in charge! We win because of His victory!

Alcohol has been around for many years and here in the Book of Daniel, we have a record of a group of people having a party and drinking.  Alcohol impairs judgment and often brings delusional thinking. (Proverbs 23:29-35)  The effects of alcohol are also a picture of the effect of sin on the body, soul, and mind of a person made in God’s image for His glory!

King Belshazzar of Babylon had a party for a thousand of his nobles where they drank wine.  After drinking for a while, the king ordered that the golden goblets that his grandfather had taken from the Temple of God in Israel be brought out.  They were filled with wine and toasts were offered to the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.  These idols of Babylon were thought to bring protection and power to the King of Babylon.  As they were toasting, boasting and celebrating, there appeared what looked like  human fingers that held a writing instrument and wrote upon the wall.  (Daniel 5:1-6)  This sight was deeply sobering to the king and his knees began to knock together with fear; his legs gave way.

The king called all his wise men, diviners, and astrologers to read the writing but no one could tell him what it said.   Then the queen, very possibly his own mother or grandmother, told him about Daniel.  Daniel was now an old man, probably in his 80’s.  He was not among those drinking in the palace because of his godly character and life of prayer and consecration to the one true God.  (Daniel 5:10-12)  It was the Spirit of God in him that made all the difference, however.

Daniel spoke plainly to Belshazzar about God’s dealings with his father Nebuchadnezzar.  He then told Belshazzar that he had failed to honor the God who held his life in His hands.  (Daniel 5:22-24)  Belshazzar had mocked God and angered Him by his refusal to humble himself and by drinking wine from the sacred goblets.  Now the decree of God on the wall stated that God was sending judgment and Belshazzar’s kingdom would fall and be given to the Medes and Persians.  (Daniel 5:25-28)  That very night it came to pass! (Daniel 5:30-31)

What can we learn from this incident?  It is easy to become drunk on the wine of this world and put what is profane in our holy goblets (our bodies and souls).  Pride makes us drunk and delusional about who we are and the real source of our life.  We must pay attention to God’s dealings with those around us.  Others have found truth and we would be wise to listen and learn.  Finally, those who are consecrated to God have insight and ability to read the handwriting on the wall because they truly know God and His Word!  Daniel had read God’s Word in Jeremiah 51:39 and could understand what was happening.  Apply what God is teaching you today and be among the wise who have the Spirit of the Holy God!

Scripture reading for September 1st:  Daniel 1-3

Have you ever moved into a strange neighborhood and different culture where you didn’t even speak the language of the people around you?  Have you gone on a mission trip and lived for a short time out of your comfortable culture?  These kinds of experiences would help us to understand what Daniel and his three young friends experienced in their 800 mile trip across deserts from Jerusalem to Babylon for a relocation and re-education.  They were probably teenagers and were the best and brightest of the Jewish people of God.  They were taken into the culture to be re-programed to think “Babylonian” by being placed in the prestigious “University of Babylon” and given a rich diet from the king of Babylon’s personal chef. (Daniel 1:1-6)

These young men had had good training in their home and church community.  As young men, they would have memorized the Pentateuch (Books of Moses) by the time they were thirteen.  They would have read the prophets and would have begun an apprenticeship for a trade at that time.  Their character was shaped by the Law of God in the ten commandments and through Moses’ writings.  They also had dietary laws that were given to keep them healthy and set them apart from the nations so that they might be a testimony to the nations.  As they were taken into captivity and placed in a foreign culture, this godly character helped them to walk with integrity and reap God’s blessing and favor.

We see Daniel resolving not to defile himself with the food that was not allowed by God’s law.  He appealed to the one in authority over him to have a different diet.  Notice that he didn’t demand his rights!  (Daniel 1:6-14)  Daniel listened and was understanding and agreeable and respectful to the one in authority.  These wise ways came from godly character through the Word of God.  The result was God’s blessing and favor. (Psalm 5:11-12)  They looked better with the diet of vegetables  and water than the rest who had the rich food and wine! (Daniel 1:15-16)

Honoring God brought these men lots of additional blessings.  God gave them wisdom and understanding in all kinds of literature and learning in this wicked university.  They excelled above all others and no equals were found!  They were “10 times better” than all the others in the kingdom.  (Daniel 1:18-20)

It pays to live a godly life and to purpose to honor God and not defile yourself with things God forbids!  Godly character brings wisdom to live wisely in a wicked culture.  It gives us guidance so we might enjoy God’s favor and blessing.  We see that those who enjoyed the temporary pleasures of the rich food and wine did not profit as did the obedient Jews who ate according to God’s instructions by faith in His Word.  Take time today and allow God to show you how to live separated lives in this culture.  What things should you purpose not to defile yourselves with?  What should you be “eating”?  Remember the blessings of godly character and living by faith!