Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Stepping out of One's Comfort Zone
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
1. Stepping out of One's Comfort Zone
"'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he [Jesus] said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."1
One of the best decisions I ever made in my life was also one of the scariest. I struggled with it for about three years. As a young man I felt a deep sense of God's call to full-time Christian ministry but knew that to be effective I would need to be adequately trained. For ministry I had no training whatsoever. I hadn't even been to high school. I was only 13 when my father made me quit school and go to work. As a teenager I attended technical college part time and became well trained as a carpenter and joiner (joiners make windows and doors and those kinds of things). I could build houses, but to get up in front of people and speak—forget it!
But the "Hound of Heaven" kept bugging me.
"You've got to be kidding, God," I argued. "You mean you want me to leave my home, my family, my friends, and my security to go overseas for training! Don't you know how insecure I am? I'm only a carpenter and you want me to do what—to step out of my security boat and walk on water!"
"Yes, that's correct," God said in his not too still small voice. "Did you forget that Peter was only a fisherman? And by the way, my Son, Jesus, was a carpenter."
"Okay, God," I finally said, "You win. I know what I have to do." I said this when I was flat on my back on a hospital bed following an accident I had on a construction site. For some of us we have to be hit over the head, as it were, by a four-by-four in order for God to get us to listen—I mean, really listen!
As quickly as I could I worked to save enough money for my one-way airfare to the U.S. and to get started in my first semester in college (providing I could find part-time work). I also had to be put on probation because I had never been to high school. All through Bible school, college and graduate school I worked part time to finance my education. This included working three jobs in the summer months when I drove a CTA passenger bus in Chicago during the morning and evening rush hours shifts, painted houses in the middle of the day, and worked as a janitor in a large church in the evenings and weekends.
Was it easy? Not really. But with a burning conviction that this is what I was meant to do, I was never without motivation to keep on keeping on. Plus, I was never without needed work, was able to pay all my bills—and passed every course.
And now, by the grace of God, here I am today—40+ years later—with the wonderful privilege of being able to reach around the world every day of the year with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ. My life has never been more blessed or fulfilling.
How I thank God that he kept urging me to answer his call and say yes to him. After accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, stepping out of my comfort zone and going back to college to train for what I am doing today was the greatest (and about the scariest) decision of my life.
If you sense that God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and/or to an area of service for him—be it in a voluntary or full-time capacity—I urge and encourage you to say yes to God today. It is a decision you will never regret and be thankful for all eternity.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you call each one of us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and therein receive your forgiveness for all our sins and your gift of eternal life—and to serve you according to the gifts and talents you have given to each one of us. Please help me to hear your call to me and give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and say yes to you today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."
1. Matthew 14:28-29 (NIV).
<:))))><
1. Stepping out of One's Comfort Zone
"'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he [Jesus] said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."1
One of the best decisions I ever made in my life was also one of the scariest. I struggled with it for about three years. As a young man I felt a deep sense of God's call to full-time Christian ministry but knew that to be effective I would need to be adequately trained. For ministry I had no training whatsoever. I hadn't even been to high school. I was only 13 when my father made me quit school and go to work. As a teenager I attended technical college part time and became well trained as a carpenter and joiner (joiners make windows and doors and those kinds of things). I could build houses, but to get up in front of people and speak—forget it!
But the "Hound of Heaven" kept bugging me.
"You've got to be kidding, God," I argued. "You mean you want me to leave my home, my family, my friends, and my security to go overseas for training! Don't you know how insecure I am? I'm only a carpenter and you want me to do what—to step out of my security boat and walk on water!"
"Yes, that's correct," God said in his not too still small voice. "Did you forget that Peter was only a fisherman? And by the way, my Son, Jesus, was a carpenter."
"Okay, God," I finally said, "You win. I know what I have to do." I said this when I was flat on my back on a hospital bed following an accident I had on a construction site. For some of us we have to be hit over the head, as it were, by a four-by-four in order for God to get us to listen—I mean, really listen!
As quickly as I could I worked to save enough money for my one-way airfare to the U.S. and to get started in my first semester in college (providing I could find part-time work). I also had to be put on probation because I had never been to high school. All through Bible school, college and graduate school I worked part time to finance my education. This included working three jobs in the summer months when I drove a CTA passenger bus in Chicago during the morning and evening rush hours shifts, painted houses in the middle of the day, and worked as a janitor in a large church in the evenings and weekends.
Was it easy? Not really. But with a burning conviction that this is what I was meant to do, I was never without motivation to keep on keeping on. Plus, I was never without needed work, was able to pay all my bills—and passed every course.
And now, by the grace of God, here I am today—40+ years later—with the wonderful privilege of being able to reach around the world every day of the year with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ. My life has never been more blessed or fulfilling.
How I thank God that he kept urging me to answer his call and say yes to him. After accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, stepping out of my comfort zone and going back to college to train for what I am doing today was the greatest (and about the scariest) decision of my life.
If you sense that God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and/or to an area of service for him—be it in a voluntary or full-time capacity—I urge and encourage you to say yes to God today. It is a decision you will never regret and be thankful for all eternity.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you call each one of us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and therein receive your forgiveness for all our sins and your gift of eternal life—and to serve you according to the gifts and talents you have given to each one of us. Please help me to hear your call to me and give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and say yes to you today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."
1. Matthew 14:28-29 (NIV).
<:))))><
Monday, March 31, 2008
Who Is The King of The North?
At the beginning of my letter I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Ryszard Ewiak and I live in Poland. I believe that the Bible is God's Word in which He revealed what will happen in the future and also the road to people's salvation. For over 30 years I have studied God's prophecies. Recently I have decided to send a short biblical analysis to people all over the world. (Amos 3:7,8)
To achieve this I am searching the Internet for people who love God and are interested in His prophecies.
Profile
I am sending you a short analysis on Daniel, Chapter 11. This vision is the pearl of great price. (Da.10:14)
Who is "the king of the north"?
Some insightful Bible students noticed, the proof lies in the obvious identity that exists between Daniel's "the king of the north" in the last days and Ezekiel's "Gog" of the latter days. By comparing what is said about each of them in the two prophecies, it is manifest that they can only be different titles for the same being.
Ezekiel, Chapter 38 and 39 = Daniel 11:45
1.
Their geographical position is the same. "Gog's" country is in the north part in relation to the Holy Land; as it is written, "Thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts".
"Gog" is therefore "the king of the north", his place or country being there.
2. Both of them are adversaries of Israel and invaders of the Holy Land. The eleventh chapter of Daniel abundantly proves this in relation to "the king of the north"; and of "Gog", Yahoueh said: "Thou shalt come up against my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land".
3.
The time they invade the land is the same. "The king of the north" invades in the last days. Of "Gog" it is said:
"It shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land".
4. The same peoples are named as components of their armies. The Libyans and Ethiopians are allies with "the king of the north"; and in the enumeration of Gog's forces, it says, "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them".
Who is "Gog"? Which land is the land of "Magog"?
Some people think that "Gog" is the Devil. But does the context support this idea? Ezekiel wrote that after "Gog's" last attack he will fall and then be buried by the people.
(Ez.39:4,11) So there is no need to prove that "Gog" represents the Devil as we know that the devil does not have a body of flesh and bone and has no need for a grave. Thus, in actuality, whom does "Gog" symbolize?
"Gog" is the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal.
"Meshech, the sixth son of Japheth (Genesis 10:2) is the founder of a tribe (1
Chronicles 1:5; Ezekiel 27:13; 38:2,3). They were in all probability the Moschi people, inhabiting the Moschian Mountains, between the Black and the Caspian Seas. In Psalms 120:5 the name occurs simply as a synonym for foreigners or barbarians. "During the ascendency of the Babylonians and Persians in Western Asia, the Moschi were subdued; but it seems probable that a large number of them crossed
the Caucasus range and spread over the northern steppes, mingling with the Scythians. There they became known as Muscovs and gave this name to the Russian nation and its ancient capital by which they are still generally known throughout the East" (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Many ancient sources have clearly identified "Magog" as referring to the "Scythians".
One of the earliest references to Magog was made by Hesiod, "the father of Greek
didactic poetry" who identified Magog with the Scythians and southern Russia in the 7th century B.C. Hesiod was a contemporary of Ezekiel.
Josephus Flavius clearly identified Magog. "Magog founded the Magogians, thus named after him, but who were by the Greeks called Scythians".
(Josephus, Antiquities, 1.123; Jerome, Commentary on Ezekiel 38:2)
The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that in the fifth century B.C. the Scythians ruled from the Don River, in present southern Russia, to the Carpathian Mountains in central Europe.
Philo, is another historian in the first century A.D. who identified "Magog" with southern Russia.
Ancient authorities clearly identified the Scythians as the ancestors of the present day Russians.
However, even without that information, the identity of "Magog" is not too difficult to figure out. In Ezekiel 38:15, it says: "And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee". The "north parts" is literally the "extreme, or uttermost" parts of the north.
Who are "the kings of the north" and "south"? Who are the "kings" of this chapter?
Daniel 11:2
Since the Prophecy was given in the third year of Cyrus (Daniel 10:1), the three kings that were to "stand up yet", that is, "after him", were Cambyses II, Smerdis the Magian imposter, Darius I Hystaspes.
The fourth king, Xerxes I, stirred up Persia against Greece, which he invaded in 480 B.C. but failed to conquer. Since prophecy touches only upon important events and characters, the remaining kings of Persia are omitted, and the prophecy jumps over
nearly 150 years to the time of Alexander the Great 336-323 B.C.E.
Daniel 11:3,4
"A valiant king", Alexander the Great, whose kingdom after his death was divided into four parts.
1) Seleucus I - who began the Seleucid (Syrian) empire, from Turkey to India.
2) Cassander - who took over Macedonia (Greece).
3) Lysimachus - who took Thracia (between Greece and Turkey).
4) Ptolemy I - who ruled over Egypt.
Daniel 11:5
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C., the throne of Egypt fell to Ptolemy I Soter, the son of Lagus, the king of the south.
"One of his princes", Seleucus I, Nicator ["the king of the north"] also rose to power, and took over the region of Syria. He eventually became more powerful than his former Egyptian ruler.
Daniel 11:6
"The daughter of the king of the south" = Berenice II, daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
"The king of the north" = Antiochus II Theos.
Two years after the marriage, Berenice's father (Ptolemy Philadelphus) died.
Antiochus restored Laodice and put away Berenice. He was then poisoned by Laodice.
Berenice fled with her children to Daphne where she was killed.
Daniel 11:7-9
A "branch of her roots" will come with an army. This was Berenice's brother, Ptolemy III Euregetes, "the king of the south".
"The king of the north" is Seleucus II Kallinikos, son of Laodice who was defeated in a later invasion of Egypt. He lost most of Asia Minor along with losing to the military expansion of Ptolemy III who put his mother, Laodice, to death.
Verse 9: "And [the king of the north] will enter into the kingdom of the king of the south, but will return to his own land".
(literal translation)
Seleucus II, son of the deceased Laodice, sought revenge for the vengeance taken by Ptolemy III. "Justin says that he fitted out a great fleet, which was destroyed by a violent storm; and after this he raised a great army to recover his dominion, but was defeated by Ptolemy, and fled in great terror and trembling to Antioch".
(Gill's Commentary)
Daniel 11:10-12
His ["the king of the north"] sons = Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great.
"The king of the north" = Antiochus III, the Great.
"The king of the south" = Ptolemy IV Philopator.
Ptolemy IV defeated the much larger army of Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia in 217.
Daniel 11:13-17
"The king of the south" = Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
"The king of the north" = Antiochus III.
Antiochus III gives his daughter Cleopatra I to Ptolemy V, in hopes of permanent influence in Egypt.
Verse 14a: "And in those times many will rise against the king of the south".
At this time, many of the Egyptians began rebelling against the ruling Grecian family and began rioting and defying them.
Verse 14b: "And the sons of the violent ones of your people shall rise up to establish the vision, but they shall stumble". (LIT)
This verse speaks of the violent sons of Daniel's nation. Many commentators suggest that these people will stand up against the king of the south, but this text foretells that these people will lift themselves up to establish the vision. They were called a violent people by Ezekiel who in this way described them as shedders of
blood. (18:10a) The word vision [in Aramaic chezev; in Hebrew, chazown] is used in the Book of Daniel e.g. in: 7:1,2,7,13,15; 8:1,2,13,15,17,26; 9:24; 10:14; 11:14. All of these visions prophecy of the future persecution of God's nation, that would be fulfilled in the distant future. (Daniel 8:17; 10:14)
What kind of violent people would lift themselves in the ancient time, to fulfill the inspired visions and prophecies before their time? The First Book of the Maccabees clearly indicates the Maccabees as being these violent people. (1:54; 6:7) Until now, many commentators believe that the Maccabees fulfilled the prophecies of the Book of Daniel. But Jesus said that the vision which concerns the abomination
of desolation and the persecutions of God's nation will be fulfilled in the future. (Compare Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:1-8)
Verse 11:16b "and he standeth in the desirable land, and it is wholly
in his hand". (YLT)
After one hundred years, Palestine again changed hands. The Seleucid king, Antiochus III, took control of Palestine c. 200 B.C.E.
Daniel 11:18
Antioch III against the Roman Empire.
"Ruler" = Lucius Cornelius, the Roman general.
The Romans humbled him (191) at Thermopylae and again at Magnesia (190).
Daniel 11:19a
Subsequently, Antiochus was forced to campaign within his own lands to stop his
satraps from declaring themselves independent rulers.
Daniel 11:19b
"He shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found" = end of the period of greatness for the Seleucid Empire. (Compare Revelation 18:21; Jeremiah 51:64)
Daniel 11:20
"And stood up on his station hath one causing an exactor to pass over the honour of the kingdom, and in a few days he is destroyed, and not in anger, nor in battle". (YLT)
"The king of the north" = Caesar Augustus. The first Roman emperor.
"The king of the south" not on the scene.
In 2 B.C., Augustus sent out "an exactor" by ordering a registration, or census, most likely to learn the size of the population for purposes of taxation and military conscription. Because of this decree, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for registration, resulting in Jesus' birth at that foretold location.
(Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-12)
Daniel 8217; Did not prophecy that "the king of the north" would die "after a few days" from this event, but would die in the undetermined future "after a few days". In the end of July, in the year 14 A.D., August left Rome. He took a vacation in his old age and health. On the 19th of August, after a short sickness, he "passed away peacefully, not feeling any pain". While traveling in Campania, Augustus died "in a few days", neither "in anger" at an assassin's hands nor "in warfare", but after a short illness.
Many say that "the king of the north" is Seleucus IV Philopater, who sent out his finance minister, Heliodorus to collect taxes. But Seleucus was murdered in a conspiracy engineered by Heliodorus. It is said that the king here was to however die a natural death (not one of anger or of battle). Therefore, this writing does not
conform to Seleucus IV. Also, verse 21 cannot carry over to the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes!
Daniel 11:21-23
Verse 21: "And in his place shall arise a despised. And they will not give him the royal majesty. He will come in a time of peace and will seize the kingdom through duplicity".
"The king of the north" = Tiberius 14-37.
"The king of the south" not on the scene.
"The ruler of the covenant" = Jesus [Yeshua].
Augustus only chose him after more favored heirs had died.
The New Encyclopoedia Britannica says, Tiberius played politics with the Senate and did not allow it to name him emperor for almost a month [after Augustus died]". He told the Senate that no one but Augustus was capable of carrying the burden of ruling the Roman Empire and asked the senators to restore the republic by entrusting
such authority to a group of men rather than to one man. "Not daring to take him at his word", wrote historian Will Durant, "the Senate exchanged bows with him until at last he accepted power". Durant added: "The play was well acted on both sides. Tiberius wanted the principate, or he would have found some way to evade it; the Senate feared and hated him, but shrank from reestablishing a republic based, like the old, upon theoretically sovereign assemblies". Thus, Tiberius took hold of the kingdom by means of duplicity.
Verse 22: "And the arms of the flood shall be swept from before his face, and they will be broken, and also the ruler of a covenant".
In 15 A.D., Germanicus led his forces against the German hero Arminius, with some success. However, the limited victories were won at great cost, and Tiberius thereafter aborted operations in Germany. Instead, by promoting civil war, he tried to prevent German tribes from uniting. Tiberius generally favoured a defensive foreign policy and focused on strengthening the frontiers. This stance was fairly
successful. In this way "the arms of the flood" were controlled and were "broken".
"Broken" too was "the Leader of the covenant" = Jesus [Yeshua]. (Compare Isaiah 55:4; Daniel 9:25, 27a)
Verse 23: "And after they join themselves to him, he will do guile,
and he will exalt himself, and will do strong by a few of the people".
The oath of loyalty bound the army and officials to the Tiberius.
"Sextus Pompeius and Sextus Apuleius, the consuls, were the first to swear allegiance to Tiberius Caesar, and in their presence the oath was taken by Seius Strabo and Caius Turranius, respectively the commander of the praetorian cohorts and the superintendent of the corn supplies. Then the Senate, the soldiers and the people did the same". Those few people were the Roman Praetorian Guard, encamped close to Rome's walls. Its proximity intimidated the Senate and helped Tiberius keep in check any uprisings against his authority among the populace. By means of some 10.000 guards Tiberius remained mighty.
Daniel 11:24
"In a time of peace he will come against [sense: will attack] the fattest [sense: mighty] of the land, and he will do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers: prey, and spoil, and substance, their possession he will distribute. And against strongholds he will devise his schemes until the appointed time".
"The king of the north" = Tiberius and next emperors.
"The king of the south" not on the scene.
The word "mashman" refers here to fattest [sense: mighty].
(Compare Ps.78:31 and Is.10:16) Because he was very suspicious, Emperor Tiberius, extended the law of laesa majestas. Many senators were put to death on a charge of treason against the emperor. For the people of the provinces, it was a peaceful and well-ordered time.
Daniel 11:25,26a
Aurelian (270-275) against Queen Zenobia of Palmyra ["the king of the
south"].
The Palmyrene army occupied Egypt in 269 B.C.E. under the pretext of making it secure for Rome. Zenobia wanted to make Palmyra the dominant city in the east and wanted to rule over Rome's eastern provinces. Alarmed by her ambition, Aurelian aroused "his power and his heart" to proceed against Zenobia.
Zenobia valiantly defended it, but without success. She and her son fled toward Persia, only to be captured by the Romans at the Euphrates River. The Palmyrenes surrendered their city in 272 B.C. Aurelian spared Zenobia, making her the prize feature in his triumphal procession through Rome in 274 B.C. She spent the rest of her life as a Roman matron.
Aurelian himself 'did not stand because of schemes against him.' In 275 B.C., he set out on an expedition against the Persians. While he was waiting in Thrace for the opportunity to cross the straits into Asia Minor, those who 'ate his food' carried out schemes against him and brought about his "breakdown". He was going to call his
secretary Eros to account for irregularities. Eros, however, forged a list of names of certain officers marked for death. The sight of this list moved the officers to plot Aurelian's assassination and to murder him.
Daniel 11:26b. (Compare Daniel 9:26b)
"and his army will be flooded and many will fall down slain".
Decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
"The strength of Aurelian had crushed on every side the enemies of Rome. After his death they seemed to revive with an increase of fury and of numbers".
Daniel 11:27
"And both these kings, their hearts (will be) to do mischief, and at one table (they) will speak a lie. But it will not succeed, for yet (the) finish to (the) appointed time." (11:27, literal translation).
It certainly suggests that the verse does not concern to the ancient times. It describes the end of times right before the appointed time. (Compare Daniel 11:29a)
Russia and England (from second half of the XIX Century).
Egyptian history dates back to about 4000 B.C., when the kingdoms of upper and lower Egypt, already highly sophisticated, were united. Egypt's golden age coincided with the 18th and 19th dynasties (16th to 13th century B.C.), during which the empire was established. Persia conquered Egypt in 525 B.C.E, Alexander the Great subdued it in 332 B.C.E., and then the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled the land until 30 B.C., when Cleopatra, last of the line, committed suicide and Egypt became a Roman, then Byzantine, province. Arab caliphs ruled Egypt from 641 until 1517, when the Turks took it for their Ottoman Empire.
Napoleon's armies occupied the country from 1798 to 1801.
In 1805, Mohammed Ali, leader of a band of Albanian soldiers, became pasha of Egypt. After completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, the French and British took increasing interest in Egypt. British troops occupied Egypt in 1882, and British resident agents became its actual administrators, though it remained under nominal Turkish sovereignty.
In 1914, this fiction was ended, and Egypt became a protectorate of Britain.
Russia grew expanding its power over huge regions, and by the end of XIX century Russia possessed territories from the mouths of the Danube and Visla in the west, reached the Pacific Ocean in the east, began in the Euroasian tundra in the north and had borders with Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and China in the south.
In 1907, an Anglo-Russian agreement divided Persia into English and Russian spheres of influence, a large Russian sphere in the north, covering the most valuable part of the country, a neutral sphere in the centre, and a smaller British sphere in the southeast.
Daniel 11:28
"And (he) ["the king of the north"] will go back (to) his land with great wealth; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant; and will act effectively; and turned back to his own land."
(literal translation)
History of Russia after World War II.
The passage contains enough details, which allow for a correct interpretation.
Daniel foretells here that "the king of the north" [Russia] will not only be successful in WW II, but also that he returns to his land with a great amount of goods. If only Hitler had listened to Mussolini and the Japanese, who in 1943 advised him to stop military actions, the prophetic detail would have never been fulfilled.
Daniel 11:28b
"and turned back to his own land".
The break-up of the Soviet Union and return to the country of Russian garrisons (the liquidation of Russian military bases).
The prophecy of Daniel 11 is the key to understanding what is going to happen in the future.
The latter statements Jesus' and Daniel's are alike.
Matthew 24:5,6 (Luke 21:8,9) = Daniel 11:27,28 = XIX, XX, XXI Century, before the World War III.
"Many for will come in the name of me, saying: 'I am the anointed'; and many they will mislead." (Matthew 24:5, literal translation)
"He said, 'Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them." (Luke 21:8, WEB)
"Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near." (Luke
21:9, GNB)
Matthew 24:7 = Daniel 11:29,30 = WW III
Matthew 24:15 = Daniel 11:31 = "trampling of Jerusalem" [the great
tribulation of Christian minorities; compare Revelation 11:2]
Matthew 24:29 = Daniel 11:40 = WW IV
Daniel 11:29a
"At (the) appointed time (he) will return, and will enter into (the)
south."
1. Russian troops will be station abroad again.
2."The king of the north" will come into the South.
Daniel 11:29b,30
"But will not be as (the) former or as (the) latter. For will come against him (the) dwellers of coastlands of Kittim, and (he) will be humbled, and will return." (literal translation)
1. The West will come against the Russia.
2. "The king of the north" will be humbled, and will return.
(Compare Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:4)
Daniel 11:31
1. The nations will trample "the holy city" [of those who belong to Christ] forty-two months. (Compare Revelation 11:2,7;
13:5,7a; Luke 21:24b; Matthew 24:21,22; Daniel 7:25; 9:27; Isaiah
29:1-8,20-24; Matthew 13:40-43,49,50; Ezekiel 13:8-16,20-23; 34:10; 2
Thessalonians 2:8b; Isaiah 28:1-4,17-22; 6:13; Malachi 3:1-5)
The religious organizations from among Christian minorities which Jesus compared to "the weeds", will be "burned". (Mt.13:30) Yahoueh will protect the righteous ones. (Re.11:1) "The wheat" will be put into "the storehouse" after the tribulation – which means that "the sons of the kingdom" will become gathered and unified at that time. They will shine as brightly as the sun after the tribulation.
2. "The abomination of desolation" [the World Government] will be set up. (Revelation 13:7b; Daniel 12:11)
Daniel 11:32-35
Details of their future global religious persecution. (Compare Daniel 8:11,12; Revelation 6:9-11; 12:15)
Daniel 11:36-39
Russia before the World War IV. (Compare Ezekiel 38:7)
Daniel 11:40
The World War IV. (Compare Luke 21:25; Isaiah 5:26-30; Matthew 24:29; Daniel 7:11; Revelation 13:3; Ezekiel 32:2-16; Habakkuk 1:5-17; Revelation 6:12; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Joel 2:1-11,31, ASV)
Daniel 11:41
Occupation of Israel. (Compare Ezekiel 39:23-29)
Daniel11:42,43
The triumph of Russia. (Compare Isaiah 10:12-15)
Daniel
11:44,45
Russia
again will attack Israel. (Compare Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:20; Isaiah
14:4-27; Habakkuk 3:3-16)
"Many will study, therefore understanding will be multiplied". (Daniel 12:4b)
Well, what is the Bible's scenario?
1. Russian troops station abroad again. (Daniel 11:29a)
2. "The king of the north" becomes very aggressive and enters into the south. (Daniel 11:29a)
3. The West opposes Russia.
(Daniel 11:30; Matthew 24:7a; Revelation 6:4)
4. "The king of the north" is humiliated, and turns back.
(Daniel 11:30). He does not make the same mistake as Hitler did, he
does not fight to the death and this is why Russia is not occupied.
5. The World Government appears after that war which replaces the ineffective UNO. Its power gradually rises up.
(Revelation 13:1,2,7b; Daniel 11:31b)
6. Russia rebuilds its military power very fast and acts effectively on the world scene. (Daniel 11:30b)
7. "Russia's rulers
pay attention to those "who forsake the holy covenant".
(Daniel 11:30b)
8. A man "of fierce countenance, and understanding ambiguous sayings" becomes the president of the USA, and he begins to fight with Christian minorities. (Daniel 8:23-25)
9. There is a tribulation of "Jerusalem" = it is a tribulation of Christian minorities, which lasts 42 month’s.
(Daniel 11:31a; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:5-7a; Matthew 13:40-42,49,50; 24:48-51)
The Christian communities, which are now called sects, are decimated. It is the biggest genocide concerning religion in history. The eyes of people who were deceived by them will be opened. (Isaiah 6:9-13)
The "tyrant", according to LXX “lawless” = the rulers of
Christian minorities will be removed. (Isaiah 29:1-8,20,21) Ezekiel
calls them "women". (Ezekiel 13:17-23; Revelation 14:4a; Isaiah 3:12) Paul names them "the man of lawlessness". (2 Thessalonians 2:4,8b)
10. Immediately after the tribulation of those days "the abomination
of desolation", in other words the World Government will be set up [will given authority; Revelation 13:7b]. (Daniel 11:31b; 12:11)
The Book of Revelation calls it a "beast". (11:7; 13:1,2,7,8)
11. The spirit is poured out upon people who belong to Jesus. (Revelation 11:11-13) The "wheat" = the sons of kingdom, will be gathered into the "storehouse" after burning the "weeds" = organized Christian churches which earlier posed as the churches of Christ. (Matthew 13:30b; Eph.1:9,10) And then Jesus will set up a "faithful slave" over his whole possession. (Matthew 24:45-47)
12. The seven trumpets start to sound. Those who belong to Jesus are revealing future events to the World. They will also try to explain what God thinks of certain issues. (Revelation 8:6-10:11)
13. The power in Russia will be taken over by a dictator who is atheist. The military power will be his god. (Daniel 11:36-39)
14. Not longer after that, there will be the WW IV. That time Russia will triumph the same as it did after the WWII. (Daniel 11:40; Daniel
7:11; Luke 21:25; Revelation 13:3a). "The king of the north" will act as a "God's hammer" ravaging many countries like Babylon in ancient times. (Jeremiah 51:20,25)
15. Russia occupies Israel as well. (Daniel 11:41)
16. After that war the World Government is resuscitated. The "purple
beast" will be given even more power. The politicians will
relinquish their sovereignty in favour of the beast. (Revelation
13:14; 17:8,17)
17. Attack on "Babylon the Great" = big, apostasized churches,
drunk with blood of innocent people, which betrayed God and Jesus by
co-operating with kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:16)
18. Next, nations see the sign of the Son of man (Matthew 24:30).
Probably it will be connected with the first resurrection (Revelation
20:6). People who have died in union with Jesus will rise first
(among 144.000). They will get a spirit body at the resurrection. (1
Corinthians 15:35,44) What will be the proof of the resurrection?
Immediately after that, remaining of 144.000 will be transfigured (1
Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). Simultaneously they will
be caught away from the earth and taken to heaven. The transfigurations of belonging to Jesus dependably will not be seen
and it will cause a great expression on nations.
19. The whole nation of Israel is converting and gathering. (Ezekiel
39:25-29; Romans 11:25-32). After taking to heaven belonging to group
of 144.000 nation of Israel will be a light for the nations. God will
be with them and will pour his spirit over them. (Ezekiel 39:29)
20. Rebuilding of the Temple according to directions given to Ezekiel.
(Ezekiel 37:24-28; 43:11)
21. There will be collection of chosen, separation the "sheep from the goats". (Matthew 24:31; 25:31-44; Revelation 14:15,16)
22. "The king of the north" will attack people who worship the
true God [Israel] (Ezekiel 38:10-12). "The beast" [the word
government] also will take part in this attack. (Revelation 19:19)
23. After Armageddon the power on the world will be taken over by the "new heaven" = the kingdom of God i.e. Jesus and belonging to him. (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 21:1-4) "The old heaven" = imperfect system of authority created by man will go away. Rules and the law created by imperfect people which are captivating and making difficulty will be untied. All activities remaining uncovered, good or bad will be revealed, all crimes will come to light. (2 Peter 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:25)
24. The rest of dead will come to life! The earth will become the
paradise. (Acts 24:15; Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 11:6-9; 25:8; 35:5-7).
When the thousand year’s period of Jesus’ kingdom will end people who come to life during this period are put to the test. And then they will really come to life God’s point of view and then they will get ability to live forever. (Revelation 20:5a,7,8; comp. Luke 15:32; 1 John 3:14).
"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth will I cause you to hear them".
(Isaiah 42:9)
With best wishes in Christ,
Ryszard Ewiak
My name is Ryszard Ewiak and I live in Poland. I believe that the Bible is God's Word in which He revealed what will happen in the future and also the road to people's salvation. For over 30 years I have studied God's prophecies. Recently I have decided to send a short biblical analysis to people all over the world. (Amos 3:7,8)
To achieve this I am searching the Internet for people who love God and are interested in His prophecies.
Profile
I am sending you a short analysis on Daniel, Chapter 11. This vision is the pearl of great price. (Da.10:14)
Who is "the king of the north"?
Some insightful Bible students noticed, the proof lies in the obvious identity that exists between Daniel's "the king of the north" in the last days and Ezekiel's "Gog" of the latter days. By comparing what is said about each of them in the two prophecies, it is manifest that they can only be different titles for the same being.
Ezekiel, Chapter 38 and 39 = Daniel 11:45
1.
Their geographical position is the same. "Gog's" country is in the north part in relation to the Holy Land; as it is written, "Thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts".
"Gog" is therefore "the king of the north", his place or country being there.
2. Both of them are adversaries of Israel and invaders of the Holy Land. The eleventh chapter of Daniel abundantly proves this in relation to "the king of the north"; and of "Gog", Yahoueh said: "Thou shalt come up against my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land".
3.
The time they invade the land is the same. "The king of the north" invades in the last days. Of "Gog" it is said:
"It shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land".
4. The same peoples are named as components of their armies. The Libyans and Ethiopians are allies with "the king of the north"; and in the enumeration of Gog's forces, it says, "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them".
Who is "Gog"? Which land is the land of "Magog"?
Some people think that "Gog" is the Devil. But does the context support this idea? Ezekiel wrote that after "Gog's" last attack he will fall and then be buried by the people.
(Ez.39:4,11) So there is no need to prove that "Gog" represents the Devil as we know that the devil does not have a body of flesh and bone and has no need for a grave. Thus, in actuality, whom does "Gog" symbolize?
"Gog" is the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal.
"Meshech, the sixth son of Japheth (Genesis 10:2) is the founder of a tribe (1
Chronicles 1:5; Ezekiel 27:13; 38:2,3). They were in all probability the Moschi people, inhabiting the Moschian Mountains, between the Black and the Caspian Seas. In Psalms 120:5 the name occurs simply as a synonym for foreigners or barbarians. "During the ascendency of the Babylonians and Persians in Western Asia, the Moschi were subdued; but it seems probable that a large number of them crossed
the Caucasus range and spread over the northern steppes, mingling with the Scythians. There they became known as Muscovs and gave this name to the Russian nation and its ancient capital by which they are still generally known throughout the East" (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Many ancient sources have clearly identified "Magog" as referring to the "Scythians".
One of the earliest references to Magog was made by Hesiod, "the father of Greek
didactic poetry" who identified Magog with the Scythians and southern Russia in the 7th century B.C. Hesiod was a contemporary of Ezekiel.
Josephus Flavius clearly identified Magog. "Magog founded the Magogians, thus named after him, but who were by the Greeks called Scythians".
(Josephus, Antiquities, 1.123; Jerome, Commentary on Ezekiel 38:2)
The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that in the fifth century B.C. the Scythians ruled from the Don River, in present southern Russia, to the Carpathian Mountains in central Europe.
Philo, is another historian in the first century A.D. who identified "Magog" with southern Russia.
Ancient authorities clearly identified the Scythians as the ancestors of the present day Russians.
However, even without that information, the identity of "Magog" is not too difficult to figure out. In Ezekiel 38:15, it says: "And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee". The "north parts" is literally the "extreme, or uttermost" parts of the north.
Who are "the kings of the north" and "south"? Who are the "kings" of this chapter?
Daniel 11:2
Since the Prophecy was given in the third year of Cyrus (Daniel 10:1), the three kings that were to "stand up yet", that is, "after him", were Cambyses II, Smerdis the Magian imposter, Darius I Hystaspes.
The fourth king, Xerxes I, stirred up Persia against Greece, which he invaded in 480 B.C. but failed to conquer. Since prophecy touches only upon important events and characters, the remaining kings of Persia are omitted, and the prophecy jumps over
nearly 150 years to the time of Alexander the Great 336-323 B.C.E.
Daniel 11:3,4
"A valiant king", Alexander the Great, whose kingdom after his death was divided into four parts.
1) Seleucus I - who began the Seleucid (Syrian) empire, from Turkey to India.
2) Cassander - who took over Macedonia (Greece).
3) Lysimachus - who took Thracia (between Greece and Turkey).
4) Ptolemy I - who ruled over Egypt.
Daniel 11:5
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C., the throne of Egypt fell to Ptolemy I Soter, the son of Lagus, the king of the south.
"One of his princes", Seleucus I, Nicator ["the king of the north"] also rose to power, and took over the region of Syria. He eventually became more powerful than his former Egyptian ruler.
Daniel 11:6
"The daughter of the king of the south" = Berenice II, daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
"The king of the north" = Antiochus II Theos.
Two years after the marriage, Berenice's father (Ptolemy Philadelphus) died.
Antiochus restored Laodice and put away Berenice. He was then poisoned by Laodice.
Berenice fled with her children to Daphne where she was killed.
Daniel 11:7-9
A "branch of her roots" will come with an army. This was Berenice's brother, Ptolemy III Euregetes, "the king of the south".
"The king of the north" is Seleucus II Kallinikos, son of Laodice who was defeated in a later invasion of Egypt. He lost most of Asia Minor along with losing to the military expansion of Ptolemy III who put his mother, Laodice, to death.
Verse 9: "And [the king of the north] will enter into the kingdom of the king of the south, but will return to his own land".
(literal translation)
Seleucus II, son of the deceased Laodice, sought revenge for the vengeance taken by Ptolemy III. "Justin says that he fitted out a great fleet, which was destroyed by a violent storm; and after this he raised a great army to recover his dominion, but was defeated by Ptolemy, and fled in great terror and trembling to Antioch".
(Gill's Commentary)
Daniel 11:10-12
His ["the king of the north"] sons = Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great.
"The king of the north" = Antiochus III, the Great.
"The king of the south" = Ptolemy IV Philopator.
Ptolemy IV defeated the much larger army of Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia in 217.
Daniel 11:13-17
"The king of the south" = Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
"The king of the north" = Antiochus III.
Antiochus III gives his daughter Cleopatra I to Ptolemy V, in hopes of permanent influence in Egypt.
Verse 14a: "And in those times many will rise against the king of the south".
At this time, many of the Egyptians began rebelling against the ruling Grecian family and began rioting and defying them.
Verse 14b: "And the sons of the violent ones of your people shall rise up to establish the vision, but they shall stumble". (LIT)
This verse speaks of the violent sons of Daniel's nation. Many commentators suggest that these people will stand up against the king of the south, but this text foretells that these people will lift themselves up to establish the vision. They were called a violent people by Ezekiel who in this way described them as shedders of
blood. (18:10a) The word vision [in Aramaic chezev; in Hebrew, chazown] is used in the Book of Daniel e.g. in: 7:1,2,7,13,15; 8:1,2,13,15,17,26; 9:24; 10:14; 11:14. All of these visions prophecy of the future persecution of God's nation, that would be fulfilled in the distant future. (Daniel 8:17; 10:14)
What kind of violent people would lift themselves in the ancient time, to fulfill the inspired visions and prophecies before their time? The First Book of the Maccabees clearly indicates the Maccabees as being these violent people. (1:54; 6:7) Until now, many commentators believe that the Maccabees fulfilled the prophecies of the Book of Daniel. But Jesus said that the vision which concerns the abomination
of desolation and the persecutions of God's nation will be fulfilled in the future. (Compare Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:1-8)
Verse 11:16b "and he standeth in the desirable land, and it is wholly
in his hand". (YLT)
After one hundred years, Palestine again changed hands. The Seleucid king, Antiochus III, took control of Palestine c. 200 B.C.E.
Daniel 11:18
Antioch III against the Roman Empire.
"Ruler" = Lucius Cornelius, the Roman general.
The Romans humbled him (191) at Thermopylae and again at Magnesia (190).
Daniel 11:19a
Subsequently, Antiochus was forced to campaign within his own lands to stop his
satraps from declaring themselves independent rulers.
Daniel 11:19b
"He shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found" = end of the period of greatness for the Seleucid Empire. (Compare Revelation 18:21; Jeremiah 51:64)
Daniel 11:20
"And stood up on his station hath one causing an exactor to pass over the honour of the kingdom, and in a few days he is destroyed, and not in anger, nor in battle". (YLT)
"The king of the north" = Caesar Augustus. The first Roman emperor.
"The king of the south" not on the scene.
In 2 B.C., Augustus sent out "an exactor" by ordering a registration, or census, most likely to learn the size of the population for purposes of taxation and military conscription. Because of this decree, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for registration, resulting in Jesus' birth at that foretold location.
(Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-12)
Daniel 8217; Did not prophecy that "the king of the north" would die "after a few days" from this event, but would die in the undetermined future "after a few days". In the end of July, in the year 14 A.D., August left Rome. He took a vacation in his old age and health. On the 19th of August, after a short sickness, he "passed away peacefully, not feeling any pain". While traveling in Campania, Augustus died "in a few days", neither "in anger" at an assassin's hands nor "in warfare", but after a short illness.
Many say that "the king of the north" is Seleucus IV Philopater, who sent out his finance minister, Heliodorus to collect taxes. But Seleucus was murdered in a conspiracy engineered by Heliodorus. It is said that the king here was to however die a natural death (not one of anger or of battle). Therefore, this writing does not
conform to Seleucus IV. Also, verse 21 cannot carry over to the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes!
Daniel 11:21-23
Verse 21: "And in his place shall arise a despised. And they will not give him the royal majesty. He will come in a time of peace and will seize the kingdom through duplicity".
"The king of the north" = Tiberius 14-37.
"The king of the south" not on the scene.
"The ruler of the covenant" = Jesus [Yeshua].
Augustus only chose him after more favored heirs had died.
The New Encyclopoedia Britannica says, Tiberius played politics with the Senate and did not allow it to name him emperor for almost a month [after Augustus died]". He told the Senate that no one but Augustus was capable of carrying the burden of ruling the Roman Empire and asked the senators to restore the republic by entrusting
such authority to a group of men rather than to one man. "Not daring to take him at his word", wrote historian Will Durant, "the Senate exchanged bows with him until at last he accepted power". Durant added: "The play was well acted on both sides. Tiberius wanted the principate, or he would have found some way to evade it; the Senate feared and hated him, but shrank from reestablishing a republic based, like the old, upon theoretically sovereign assemblies". Thus, Tiberius took hold of the kingdom by means of duplicity.
Verse 22: "And the arms of the flood shall be swept from before his face, and they will be broken, and also the ruler of a covenant".
In 15 A.D., Germanicus led his forces against the German hero Arminius, with some success. However, the limited victories were won at great cost, and Tiberius thereafter aborted operations in Germany. Instead, by promoting civil war, he tried to prevent German tribes from uniting. Tiberius generally favoured a defensive foreign policy and focused on strengthening the frontiers. This stance was fairly
successful. In this way "the arms of the flood" were controlled and were "broken".
"Broken" too was "the Leader of the covenant" = Jesus [Yeshua]. (Compare Isaiah 55:4; Daniel 9:25, 27a)
Verse 23: "And after they join themselves to him, he will do guile,
and he will exalt himself, and will do strong by a few of the people".
The oath of loyalty bound the army and officials to the Tiberius.
"Sextus Pompeius and Sextus Apuleius, the consuls, were the first to swear allegiance to Tiberius Caesar, and in their presence the oath was taken by Seius Strabo and Caius Turranius, respectively the commander of the praetorian cohorts and the superintendent of the corn supplies. Then the Senate, the soldiers and the people did the same". Those few people were the Roman Praetorian Guard, encamped close to Rome's walls. Its proximity intimidated the Senate and helped Tiberius keep in check any uprisings against his authority among the populace. By means of some 10.000 guards Tiberius remained mighty.
Daniel 11:24
"In a time of peace he will come against [sense: will attack] the fattest [sense: mighty] of the land, and he will do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers: prey, and spoil, and substance, their possession he will distribute. And against strongholds he will devise his schemes until the appointed time".
"The king of the north" = Tiberius and next emperors.
"The king of the south" not on the scene.
The word "mashman" refers here to fattest [sense: mighty].
(Compare Ps.78:31 and Is.10:16) Because he was very suspicious, Emperor Tiberius, extended the law of laesa majestas. Many senators were put to death on a charge of treason against the emperor. For the people of the provinces, it was a peaceful and well-ordered time.
Daniel 11:25,26a
Aurelian (270-275) against Queen Zenobia of Palmyra ["the king of the
south"].
The Palmyrene army occupied Egypt in 269 B.C.E. under the pretext of making it secure for Rome. Zenobia wanted to make Palmyra the dominant city in the east and wanted to rule over Rome's eastern provinces. Alarmed by her ambition, Aurelian aroused "his power and his heart" to proceed against Zenobia.
Zenobia valiantly defended it, but without success. She and her son fled toward Persia, only to be captured by the Romans at the Euphrates River. The Palmyrenes surrendered their city in 272 B.C. Aurelian spared Zenobia, making her the prize feature in his triumphal procession through Rome in 274 B.C. She spent the rest of her life as a Roman matron.
Aurelian himself 'did not stand because of schemes against him.' In 275 B.C., he set out on an expedition against the Persians. While he was waiting in Thrace for the opportunity to cross the straits into Asia Minor, those who 'ate his food' carried out schemes against him and brought about his "breakdown". He was going to call his
secretary Eros to account for irregularities. Eros, however, forged a list of names of certain officers marked for death. The sight of this list moved the officers to plot Aurelian's assassination and to murder him.
Daniel 11:26b. (Compare Daniel 9:26b)
"and his army will be flooded and many will fall down slain".
Decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
"The strength of Aurelian had crushed on every side the enemies of Rome. After his death they seemed to revive with an increase of fury and of numbers".
Daniel 11:27
"And both these kings, their hearts (will be) to do mischief, and at one table (they) will speak a lie. But it will not succeed, for yet (the) finish to (the) appointed time." (11:27, literal translation).
It certainly suggests that the verse does not concern to the ancient times. It describes the end of times right before the appointed time. (Compare Daniel 11:29a)
Russia and England (from second half of the XIX Century).
Egyptian history dates back to about 4000 B.C., when the kingdoms of upper and lower Egypt, already highly sophisticated, were united. Egypt's golden age coincided with the 18th and 19th dynasties (16th to 13th century B.C.), during which the empire was established. Persia conquered Egypt in 525 B.C.E, Alexander the Great subdued it in 332 B.C.E., and then the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled the land until 30 B.C., when Cleopatra, last of the line, committed suicide and Egypt became a Roman, then Byzantine, province. Arab caliphs ruled Egypt from 641 until 1517, when the Turks took it for their Ottoman Empire.
Napoleon's armies occupied the country from 1798 to 1801.
In 1805, Mohammed Ali, leader of a band of Albanian soldiers, became pasha of Egypt. After completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, the French and British took increasing interest in Egypt. British troops occupied Egypt in 1882, and British resident agents became its actual administrators, though it remained under nominal Turkish sovereignty.
In 1914, this fiction was ended, and Egypt became a protectorate of Britain.
Russia grew expanding its power over huge regions, and by the end of XIX century Russia possessed territories from the mouths of the Danube and Visla in the west, reached the Pacific Ocean in the east, began in the Euroasian tundra in the north and had borders with Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and China in the south.
In 1907, an Anglo-Russian agreement divided Persia into English and Russian spheres of influence, a large Russian sphere in the north, covering the most valuable part of the country, a neutral sphere in the centre, and a smaller British sphere in the southeast.
Daniel 11:28
"And (he) ["the king of the north"] will go back (to) his land with great wealth; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant; and will act effectively; and turned back to his own land."
(literal translation)
History of Russia after World War II.
The passage contains enough details, which allow for a correct interpretation.
Daniel foretells here that "the king of the north" [Russia] will not only be successful in WW II, but also that he returns to his land with a great amount of goods. If only Hitler had listened to Mussolini and the Japanese, who in 1943 advised him to stop military actions, the prophetic detail would have never been fulfilled.
Daniel 11:28b
"and turned back to his own land".
The break-up of the Soviet Union and return to the country of Russian garrisons (the liquidation of Russian military bases).
The prophecy of Daniel 11 is the key to understanding what is going to happen in the future.
The latter statements Jesus' and Daniel's are alike.
Matthew 24:5,6 (Luke 21:8,9) = Daniel 11:27,28 = XIX, XX, XXI Century, before the World War III.
"Many for will come in the name of me, saying: 'I am the anointed'; and many they will mislead." (Matthew 24:5, literal translation)
"He said, 'Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them." (Luke 21:8, WEB)
"Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near." (Luke
21:9, GNB)
Matthew 24:7 = Daniel 11:29,30 = WW III
Matthew 24:15 = Daniel 11:31 = "trampling of Jerusalem" [the great
tribulation of Christian minorities; compare Revelation 11:2]
Matthew 24:29 = Daniel 11:40 = WW IV
Daniel 11:29a
"At (the) appointed time (he) will return, and will enter into (the)
south."
1. Russian troops will be station abroad again.
2."The king of the north" will come into the South.
Daniel 11:29b,30
"But will not be as (the) former or as (the) latter. For will come against him (the) dwellers of coastlands of Kittim, and (he) will be humbled, and will return." (literal translation)
1. The West will come against the Russia.
2. "The king of the north" will be humbled, and will return.
(Compare Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:4)
Daniel 11:31
1. The nations will trample "the holy city" [of those who belong to Christ] forty-two months. (Compare Revelation 11:2,7;
13:5,7a; Luke 21:24b; Matthew 24:21,22; Daniel 7:25; 9:27; Isaiah
29:1-8,20-24; Matthew 13:40-43,49,50; Ezekiel 13:8-16,20-23; 34:10; 2
Thessalonians 2:8b; Isaiah 28:1-4,17-22; 6:13; Malachi 3:1-5)
The religious organizations from among Christian minorities which Jesus compared to "the weeds", will be "burned". (Mt.13:30) Yahoueh will protect the righteous ones. (Re.11:1) "The wheat" will be put into "the storehouse" after the tribulation – which means that "the sons of the kingdom" will become gathered and unified at that time. They will shine as brightly as the sun after the tribulation.
2. "The abomination of desolation" [the World Government] will be set up. (Revelation 13:7b; Daniel 12:11)
Daniel 11:32-35
Details of their future global religious persecution. (Compare Daniel 8:11,12; Revelation 6:9-11; 12:15)
Daniel 11:36-39
Russia before the World War IV. (Compare Ezekiel 38:7)
Daniel 11:40
The World War IV. (Compare Luke 21:25; Isaiah 5:26-30; Matthew 24:29; Daniel 7:11; Revelation 13:3; Ezekiel 32:2-16; Habakkuk 1:5-17; Revelation 6:12; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Joel 2:1-11,31, ASV)
Daniel 11:41
Occupation of Israel. (Compare Ezekiel 39:23-29)
Daniel11:42,43
The triumph of Russia. (Compare Isaiah 10:12-15)
Daniel
11:44,45
Russia
again will attack Israel. (Compare Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:20; Isaiah
14:4-27; Habakkuk 3:3-16)
"Many will study, therefore understanding will be multiplied". (Daniel 12:4b)
Well, what is the Bible's scenario?
1. Russian troops station abroad again. (Daniel 11:29a)
2. "The king of the north" becomes very aggressive and enters into the south. (Daniel 11:29a)
3. The West opposes Russia.
(Daniel 11:30; Matthew 24:7a; Revelation 6:4)
4. "The king of the north" is humiliated, and turns back.
(Daniel 11:30). He does not make the same mistake as Hitler did, he
does not fight to the death and this is why Russia is not occupied.
5. The World Government appears after that war which replaces the ineffective UNO. Its power gradually rises up.
(Revelation 13:1,2,7b; Daniel 11:31b)
6. Russia rebuilds its military power very fast and acts effectively on the world scene. (Daniel 11:30b)
7. "Russia's rulers
pay attention to those "who forsake the holy covenant".
(Daniel 11:30b)
8. A man "of fierce countenance, and understanding ambiguous sayings" becomes the president of the USA, and he begins to fight with Christian minorities. (Daniel 8:23-25)
9. There is a tribulation of "Jerusalem" = it is a tribulation of Christian minorities, which lasts 42 month’s.
(Daniel 11:31a; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:5-7a; Matthew 13:40-42,49,50; 24:48-51)
The Christian communities, which are now called sects, are decimated. It is the biggest genocide concerning religion in history. The eyes of people who were deceived by them will be opened. (Isaiah 6:9-13)
The "tyrant", according to LXX “lawless” = the rulers of
Christian minorities will be removed. (Isaiah 29:1-8,20,21) Ezekiel
calls them "women". (Ezekiel 13:17-23; Revelation 14:4a; Isaiah 3:12) Paul names them "the man of lawlessness". (2 Thessalonians 2:4,8b)
10. Immediately after the tribulation of those days "the abomination
of desolation", in other words the World Government will be set up [will given authority; Revelation 13:7b]. (Daniel 11:31b; 12:11)
The Book of Revelation calls it a "beast". (11:7; 13:1,2,7,8)
11. The spirit is poured out upon people who belong to Jesus. (Revelation 11:11-13) The "wheat" = the sons of kingdom, will be gathered into the "storehouse" after burning the "weeds" = organized Christian churches which earlier posed as the churches of Christ. (Matthew 13:30b; Eph.1:9,10) And then Jesus will set up a "faithful slave" over his whole possession. (Matthew 24:45-47)
12. The seven trumpets start to sound. Those who belong to Jesus are revealing future events to the World. They will also try to explain what God thinks of certain issues. (Revelation 8:6-10:11)
13. The power in Russia will be taken over by a dictator who is atheist. The military power will be his god. (Daniel 11:36-39)
14. Not longer after that, there will be the WW IV. That time Russia will triumph the same as it did after the WWII. (Daniel 11:40; Daniel
7:11; Luke 21:25; Revelation 13:3a). "The king of the north" will act as a "God's hammer" ravaging many countries like Babylon in ancient times. (Jeremiah 51:20,25)
15. Russia occupies Israel as well. (Daniel 11:41)
16. After that war the World Government is resuscitated. The "purple
beast" will be given even more power. The politicians will
relinquish their sovereignty in favour of the beast. (Revelation
13:14; 17:8,17)
17. Attack on "Babylon the Great" = big, apostasized churches,
drunk with blood of innocent people, which betrayed God and Jesus by
co-operating with kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:16)
18. Next, nations see the sign of the Son of man (Matthew 24:30).
Probably it will be connected with the first resurrection (Revelation
20:6). People who have died in union with Jesus will rise first
(among 144.000). They will get a spirit body at the resurrection. (1
Corinthians 15:35,44) What will be the proof of the resurrection?
Immediately after that, remaining of 144.000 will be transfigured (1
Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). Simultaneously they will
be caught away from the earth and taken to heaven. The transfigurations of belonging to Jesus dependably will not be seen
and it will cause a great expression on nations.
19. The whole nation of Israel is converting and gathering. (Ezekiel
39:25-29; Romans 11:25-32). After taking to heaven belonging to group
of 144.000 nation of Israel will be a light for the nations. God will
be with them and will pour his spirit over them. (Ezekiel 39:29)
20. Rebuilding of the Temple according to directions given to Ezekiel.
(Ezekiel 37:24-28; 43:11)
21. There will be collection of chosen, separation the "sheep from the goats". (Matthew 24:31; 25:31-44; Revelation 14:15,16)
22. "The king of the north" will attack people who worship the
true God [Israel] (Ezekiel 38:10-12). "The beast" [the word
government] also will take part in this attack. (Revelation 19:19)
23. After Armageddon the power on the world will be taken over by the "new heaven" = the kingdom of God i.e. Jesus and belonging to him. (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 21:1-4) "The old heaven" = imperfect system of authority created by man will go away. Rules and the law created by imperfect people which are captivating and making difficulty will be untied. All activities remaining uncovered, good or bad will be revealed, all crimes will come to light. (2 Peter 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:25)
24. The rest of dead will come to life! The earth will become the
paradise. (Acts 24:15; Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 11:6-9; 25:8; 35:5-7).
When the thousand year’s period of Jesus’ kingdom will end people who come to life during this period are put to the test. And then they will really come to life God’s point of view and then they will get ability to live forever. (Revelation 20:5a,7,8; comp. Luke 15:32; 1 John 3:14).
"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth will I cause you to hear them".
(Isaiah 42:9)
With best wishes in Christ,
Ryszard Ewiak
What Will Matter
Monday, March 31, 2008
1. What Will Matter
Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."1
Today's Daily Encounter is by Michael Josephson of Character Counts (390.3).
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave. What will matter is not your success but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to live in light of eternal values so that my life will not be wasted but invested in the lives of others for all eternity so that my life will matter. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV).
2. © 2004 Josephson Institute of Ethics; reprinted with permission. Michael Josephson, one of the nation's leading ethicists, is the founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics and the premier youth character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! For further information visit www.charactercounts.org
<:))))><
1. What Will Matter
Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."1
Today's Daily Encounter is by Michael Josephson of Character Counts (390.3).
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave. What will matter is not your success but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to live in light of eternal values so that my life will not be wasted but invested in the lives of others for all eternity so that my life will matter. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV).
2. © 2004 Josephson Institute of Ethics; reprinted with permission. Michael Josephson, one of the nation's leading ethicists, is the founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics and the premier youth character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! For further information visit www.charactercounts.org
<:))))><
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Where's the Missing Link?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
1. Where's the Missing Link?
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth .... Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."1
"Evolutionists strongly deny the idea that men came from the apes. They insist both came from a hypothetical ape-like ancestor, or a missing link. In their story, man and apes diverged from the imaginary ancestor some seven million years ago. However, there is no evidence that this supposed 'missing link' ancestor ever existed. If it were true, surely some would be fossilized. But none have ever been found.
"Evolutionists strongly deny the idea that men came from the apes. They insist both came from a hypothetical ape-like ancestor, or a missing link. In their story, man and apes diverged from the imaginary ancestor some seven million years ago. However, there is no evidence that this supposed 'missing link' ancestor ever existed. If it were true, surely some would be fossilized. But none have ever been found.
"Evolutionists strongly deny the idea that men came from the apes. They insist both came from a hypothetical ape-like ancestor, or a missing link. In their story, man and apes diverged from the imaginary ancestor some seven million years ago. However, there is no evidence that this supposed 'missing link' ancestor ever existed. If it were true, surely some would be fossilized. But none have ever been found.
"Since there is no fossil evidence, let's look at it from the standpoint of genetics. How many genetic mutations it would require for the ape-like ancestor to transition into a human? The only way we know to acquire new genes is to alter existing genes through random mutation. The best alteration science has observed has produced only novel recombinations. Most mutations deteriorate the genetic information and thus harm the offspring. Many mutations are fatal. Evolution would require trillions of innovative mutations to produce man from lower forms. None have been observed."2
I am neither a scientist nor the son of a scientist but I know enough to know that people by and large believe exactly what they want to believe—what they choose to believe—what is most convenient for them. As the old saying goes, "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up."
As Joshua said to the ancient Israelites, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."3
If you have never chosen to believe in and serve the LORD [God], I urge you to do that today. For help be sure to read: "How to Be Sure You're a real Christian Without Having to Be Religious" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you are the Great Creator and that the world and all that is in it was created by you and is in your hands. Thank you, too, because I have chosen to believe in and trust my life to you, my destiny for eternity is also safely in your hands. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Genesis 1:1;26-27 (NIV).
2. Adapted from Dr. John D. Morris, "If Apes Evolved into Humans, Why Do We Still Have Apes?" Institute for Creation Research, November 2006. Source http://kentcrockett.com/biblestudies/missinglink.htm
3. Joshua 24:15 (NIV).
<:))))><
1. Where's the Missing Link?
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth .... Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."1
"Evolutionists strongly deny the idea that men came from the apes. They insist both came from a hypothetical ape-like ancestor, or a missing link. In their story, man and apes diverged from the imaginary ancestor some seven million years ago. However, there is no evidence that this supposed 'missing link' ancestor ever existed. If it were true, surely some would be fossilized. But none have ever been found.
"Evolutionists strongly deny the idea that men came from the apes. They insist both came from a hypothetical ape-like ancestor, or a missing link. In their story, man and apes diverged from the imaginary ancestor some seven million years ago. However, there is no evidence that this supposed 'missing link' ancestor ever existed. If it were true, surely some would be fossilized. But none have ever been found.
"Evolutionists strongly deny the idea that men came from the apes. They insist both came from a hypothetical ape-like ancestor, or a missing link. In their story, man and apes diverged from the imaginary ancestor some seven million years ago. However, there is no evidence that this supposed 'missing link' ancestor ever existed. If it were true, surely some would be fossilized. But none have ever been found.
"Since there is no fossil evidence, let's look at it from the standpoint of genetics. How many genetic mutations it would require for the ape-like ancestor to transition into a human? The only way we know to acquire new genes is to alter existing genes through random mutation. The best alteration science has observed has produced only novel recombinations. Most mutations deteriorate the genetic information and thus harm the offspring. Many mutations are fatal. Evolution would require trillions of innovative mutations to produce man from lower forms. None have been observed."2
I am neither a scientist nor the son of a scientist but I know enough to know that people by and large believe exactly what they want to believe—what they choose to believe—what is most convenient for them. As the old saying goes, "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up."
As Joshua said to the ancient Israelites, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."3
If you have never chosen to believe in and serve the LORD [God], I urge you to do that today. For help be sure to read: "How to Be Sure You're a real Christian Without Having to Be Religious" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you are the Great Creator and that the world and all that is in it was created by you and is in your hands. Thank you, too, because I have chosen to believe in and trust my life to you, my destiny for eternity is also safely in your hands. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Genesis 1:1;26-27 (NIV).
2. Adapted from Dr. John D. Morris, "If Apes Evolved into Humans, Why Do We Still Have Apes?" Institute for Creation Research, November 2006. Source http://kentcrockett.com/biblestudies/missinglink.htm
3. Joshua 24:15 (NIV).
<:))))><
Friday, March 21, 2008
Celebrate Easter in Love and Peace
Friday, March 21, 2008
1. Celebrate Easter
He [Jesus] was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!"1
This weekend we celebrate Good Friday and Easter...the time of the year when millions around the world celebrate the death and resurrection of the Savior of the world—the One who was rejected by men ... the One who came from heaven to earth to give his life a ransom for your sins and mine ... the One who is now in Heaven preparing a place for his followers ... the One who is coming again to take us to be with him in glory forever. How can we ever thank God and the Son of God enough for so great salvation? One of my favorite gospel songs written by Keith Green expresses my feelings very well. I trust it will yours too. Let's make this our prayer for today:
"Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
And when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Chorus:
"I wanna take Your Word
and shine it all around.
But first help me just to live it, Lord!
And when I'm doing well.
Help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.
"Oh, Lord, You're wonderful,
Your touch is all I need,
And when Your hand is on this child,
Your healing I receive.
"Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear,
Replace the lamb of my first love,
That burned with holy fear."2
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
To be sure you have accepted God's forgiveness and his gift of eternal life read, "How to Be Sure You're a real Christian Without Having to Be Religious" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.
See also "The Glory of Easter" at: http://tinyurl.com/2g58uc
1. Isaiah 53:3-4 (NLT).
2. Keith Green.
<:))))><
1. Celebrate Easter
He [Jesus] was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!"1
This weekend we celebrate Good Friday and Easter...the time of the year when millions around the world celebrate the death and resurrection of the Savior of the world—the One who was rejected by men ... the One who came from heaven to earth to give his life a ransom for your sins and mine ... the One who is now in Heaven preparing a place for his followers ... the One who is coming again to take us to be with him in glory forever. How can we ever thank God and the Son of God enough for so great salvation? One of my favorite gospel songs written by Keith Green expresses my feelings very well. I trust it will yours too. Let's make this our prayer for today:
"Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
And when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Chorus:
"I wanna take Your Word
and shine it all around.
But first help me just to live it, Lord!
And when I'm doing well.
Help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.
"Oh, Lord, You're wonderful,
Your touch is all I need,
And when Your hand is on this child,
Your healing I receive.
"Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear,
Replace the lamb of my first love,
That burned with holy fear."2
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
To be sure you have accepted God's forgiveness and his gift of eternal life read, "How to Be Sure You're a real Christian Without Having to Be Religious" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.
See also "The Glory of Easter" at: http://tinyurl.com/2g58uc
1. Isaiah 53:3-4 (NLT).
2. Keith Green.
<:))))><
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Curse of Theological Rigidity
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
1. The Curse of Theological Rigidity
"Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example."1
People who are theologically rigid are the very opposite of what God's Word encourages leaders to be. They see themselves as being very spiritual and good Christians. The Pharisees of Jesus' day saw themselves in the same light.
The fact is that people who are theologically rigid are not spiritual at all. They are theologically rigid because they are emotionally rigid. And they are emotionally rigid because they are living in denial—denying their insecurities and inner unresolved painful issues. Some are very angry. Others are control freaks. Some are both.
Furthermore, theologically rigid people who become leaders in the church (or in politics or any other area) do great damage to people both psychologically and spiritually. They keep people immature, over-dependent, and in denial just as they themselves are. They, like the Pharisees, love their rules more than they love people. They use people to fulfill their own manipulative purposes. They are legalists who demand that others conform to their unrealistic expectations and, if they refuse to do so, they will be rejected—in some religious and political environments they can be totally ostracized and/or even killed.
God's word describes people who fall back into legalism as being bewitched.2 Remember though; they only control us if we allow them to. In some extreme cultures one may be forced to be controlled outwardly or be killed but it is important that, with God's help, one keeps control of his or her mind and beliefs.
Suggested prayer:
"Dear God, please deliver me from the trap and curse of theological rigidity and legalism and give me the insight to recognize it whenever it appears. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NLT).
2. Galatians 3:1.
<:))))><
1. The Curse of Theological Rigidity
"Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example."1
People who are theologically rigid are the very opposite of what God's Word encourages leaders to be. They see themselves as being very spiritual and good Christians. The Pharisees of Jesus' day saw themselves in the same light.
The fact is that people who are theologically rigid are not spiritual at all. They are theologically rigid because they are emotionally rigid. And they are emotionally rigid because they are living in denial—denying their insecurities and inner unresolved painful issues. Some are very angry. Others are control freaks. Some are both.
Furthermore, theologically rigid people who become leaders in the church (or in politics or any other area) do great damage to people both psychologically and spiritually. They keep people immature, over-dependent, and in denial just as they themselves are. They, like the Pharisees, love their rules more than they love people. They use people to fulfill their own manipulative purposes. They are legalists who demand that others conform to their unrealistic expectations and, if they refuse to do so, they will be rejected—in some religious and political environments they can be totally ostracized and/or even killed.
God's word describes people who fall back into legalism as being bewitched.2 Remember though; they only control us if we allow them to. In some extreme cultures one may be forced to be controlled outwardly or be killed but it is important that, with God's help, one keeps control of his or her mind and beliefs.
Suggested prayer:
"Dear God, please deliver me from the trap and curse of theological rigidity and legalism and give me the insight to recognize it whenever it appears. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NLT).
2. Galatians 3:1.
<:))))><
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Join Us for the Next Billy Graham Television Special
Real Happiness: Why is it so hard to find?
The pursuit of happiness … The American dream, or the American disappointment?
Money, fame, personal success … How many of us pursue happiness from the world, only to find it becomes “chasing after the wind”?
Join us for the next Billy Graham Television Special, airing nationwide March 1-9, which shares the stories of Americans whose shattered dreams were the first step to finding lasting joy in Jesus Christ.
To check local listings and see a preview of the program,
visit http://www.billygraham.org/TV.
© 2008 BGEA
Monday, February 25, 2008
Compassion and Kindness
Monday, February 25, 2008
1. Compassion and Kindness
"Be kind and compassionate [tenderhearted] to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."1
Michael Josephson of Character Counts shared how he "once read of a man on a subway with two young children who were being loud and unruly. The man seemed to ignore their behavior, so a fed-up passenger confronted him: 'Sir, don't you see how your children are disturbing everyone? How can you be so thoughtless?'
"The man sobbed, 'I'm so sorry. Their mom just died and I've been thinking of how we'll live without her.' In an instant the critic's self-righteousness turned to self-condemnation.
"Why is it that so many of us have to be hit over the head before we turn on our caring and empathy buttons?
"The next time you have the choice between being right and being kind, choose kindness."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me an understanding and compassionate heart so that I will always be kind when what is needed is understanding and kindness so that I will be 'more and more like Jesus in every way.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV).
2. Michael Josephson, Character Counts, "Being Right or Being Kind." (533.5) Character Counts
<:))))><
1. Compassion and Kindness
"Be kind and compassionate [tenderhearted] to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."1
Michael Josephson of Character Counts shared how he "once read of a man on a subway with two young children who were being loud and unruly. The man seemed to ignore their behavior, so a fed-up passenger confronted him: 'Sir, don't you see how your children are disturbing everyone? How can you be so thoughtless?'
"The man sobbed, 'I'm so sorry. Their mom just died and I've been thinking of how we'll live without her.' In an instant the critic's self-righteousness turned to self-condemnation.
"Why is it that so many of us have to be hit over the head before we turn on our caring and empathy buttons?
"The next time you have the choice between being right and being kind, choose kindness."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me an understanding and compassionate heart so that I will always be kind when what is needed is understanding and kindness so that I will be 'more and more like Jesus in every way.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV).
2. Michael Josephson, Character Counts, "Being Right or Being Kind." (533.5) Character Counts
<:))))><
Friday, February 22, 2008
Renowned Author and Genealogist Darius A. Gray Presents 'Blacks in the Bible' and 'African American Roots'
22 Feb 2008 01:27 Africa/Lagos
African American History Month Celebration: Renowned Author and Genealogist Darius A. Gray Presents 'Blacks in the Bible' and 'African American Roots'
Darius A. Gray, renowned author, genealogist and co-director of the Freedman Bank Project, will speak about "Blacks in the Bible" at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Gray's appearance is sponsored by New Detroit, the race relations leadership coalition, in partnership with the Wright Museum of African American History and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Friday night presentation is by invitation only but is open to media representatives.
On Saturday, Gray will present a free public workshop, "African American Roots" from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the museum. Gray, who is co-host of the television program "Questions and Answers" and a participant in the PBS series "Ancestors," will discuss the Freedman Bank records. Participants will learn about local family history centers and how to conduct online family searches. Free family search software will be provided for participants who bring their laptops. (The museum has wireless capability.) No pre-registration is required.
The Charles H. Wright Museum is located at 315 E. Warren Avenue in Detroit. Additional information is available by contacting the museum at (313) 494-5800.
Contact: Diana Christensen
(313)872-2202
dchristensen@bergmuirhead.com
PRNewswire-Feb. 21
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Source: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
African American History Month Celebration: Renowned Author and Genealogist Darius A. Gray Presents 'Blacks in the Bible' and 'African American Roots'
Darius A. Gray, renowned author, genealogist and co-director of the Freedman Bank Project, will speak about "Blacks in the Bible" at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Gray's appearance is sponsored by New Detroit, the race relations leadership coalition, in partnership with the Wright Museum of African American History and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Friday night presentation is by invitation only but is open to media representatives.
On Saturday, Gray will present a free public workshop, "African American Roots" from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the museum. Gray, who is co-host of the television program "Questions and Answers" and a participant in the PBS series "Ancestors," will discuss the Freedman Bank records. Participants will learn about local family history centers and how to conduct online family searches. Free family search software will be provided for participants who bring their laptops. (The museum has wireless capability.) No pre-registration is required.
The Charles H. Wright Museum is located at 315 E. Warren Avenue in Detroit. Additional information is available by contacting the museum at (313) 494-5800.
Contact: Diana Christensen
(313)872-2202
dchristensen@bergmuirhead.com
PRNewswire-Feb. 21
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Source: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Launch of New Christian Networking Website
Launch of New Christian Networking Website
From Vince Rizzo.
Feb 20, 2008
Greetings In Jesus Name,
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that we have just created a new Christian network very much like MySpace or Facebook.
If you are enjoying our Ames Community Kingdom, this is the next step. We have created Faith-Space and students will now be able to blog, view and post videos, converse with other Ames Students and you will be able to invite any of your Christian friends to sign-up as well absolutely free. We invite you to visit us at: Faith-Space.
Blessings,
Dr. Vince & Laura Rizzo
www.freebiblecollege.com
From Vince Rizzo.
Feb 20, 2008
Greetings In Jesus Name,
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that we have just created a new Christian network very much like MySpace or Facebook.
If you are enjoying our Ames Community Kingdom, this is the next step. We have created Faith-Space and students will now be able to blog, view and post videos, converse with other Ames Students and you will be able to invite any of your Christian friends to sign-up as well absolutely free. We invite you to visit us at: Faith-Space.
Blessings,
Dr. Vince & Laura Rizzo
www.freebiblecollege.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Witnessing Made Easy
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
1. Witnessing Made Easy
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things."1
"Do you remember the Mercedes TV commercial a few years ago that showed a Mercedes crashing into a concrete wall during a safety test? An engineer in a white lab coat walks over after the crash and kneels down to examine the damage, which is minimal. A reporter then asks the engineer about Mercedes' energy absorbing car body. After the engineer tells all about the unique design the reporter asks him why Mercedes doesn't enforce their patent on the design, a design evidently copied by several other companies because of its success.
"The engineer then replied matter-of-factly, 'Because some things in life are too important not to share.' How true this is. There are many things in life that fall into this 'too important not to share category.' Advances in science, in medicine, in technology. But all of these pale in importance to that of sharing our faith."2
As Billy Graham said, "I am convinced the greatest act of love we can ever perform for people is to tell them about God's love for them in Christ."
There are many ways we can do this. Here's one very simple way. For example, whenever I eat at a restaurant, I always leave one of my Good News business witness cards with the tip. And whenever a suitable opportunity arises, without being pushy, I ask the person I am talking to if I can give him or her one of my cards. It is a very attractive card that invites people to visit one of our Good News websites. The site has many articles that speak to the felt needs of the average person—articles that deal with overcoming worry, stress, marriage, relationships, and the like.
And, by the way, speaking to an individual's felt needs is the only known sure-fire way to get people to read any message. The website also has a highly visible link to the clear gospel message, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian … without having to be religious." The general card I give out in the U.S. points to: www.GoodNewsfor.com/usa. (In time we will have them for other countries and in other languages as well.)
I've never had anyone ever refuse to accept one of these cards. They are attractively printed and are not in any way preachy. This is a very easy, attractive, and non-offensive way to witness even for the most timid person. If you live in the U.S., or have friends who live in the U.S., I encourage you to send for a package of 50 of the "Good News for USA" business witness cards to give to family, friends and contacts. They are only a web click away at: https://actscom.com/donate.php and are available for a donation, not only to cover the cost of printing and postage, but also to help support the building and maintaining of this gospel web outreach ministry.
It is true, the gospel message of Jesus Christ is far too important not to share. Please send today for a pack of Good News Business Witness cards so you, too, can be involved in what God is doing in the world today.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I come to you with all my fears making myself available for you to use as a witness for Jesus Christ. Please use me to be 'as Christ' in some way to someone in need today, and give me the courage to share my Christian faith in a non-offensive and gracious way. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Romans 10:15 (NKJV).
2. Rev. Steve Jackson, Sermon: "Come and See."
<:))))><<
1. Witnessing Made Easy
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things."1
"Do you remember the Mercedes TV commercial a few years ago that showed a Mercedes crashing into a concrete wall during a safety test? An engineer in a white lab coat walks over after the crash and kneels down to examine the damage, which is minimal. A reporter then asks the engineer about Mercedes' energy absorbing car body. After the engineer tells all about the unique design the reporter asks him why Mercedes doesn't enforce their patent on the design, a design evidently copied by several other companies because of its success.
"The engineer then replied matter-of-factly, 'Because some things in life are too important not to share.' How true this is. There are many things in life that fall into this 'too important not to share category.' Advances in science, in medicine, in technology. But all of these pale in importance to that of sharing our faith."2
As Billy Graham said, "I am convinced the greatest act of love we can ever perform for people is to tell them about God's love for them in Christ."
There are many ways we can do this. Here's one very simple way. For example, whenever I eat at a restaurant, I always leave one of my Good News business witness cards with the tip. And whenever a suitable opportunity arises, without being pushy, I ask the person I am talking to if I can give him or her one of my cards. It is a very attractive card that invites people to visit one of our Good News websites. The site has many articles that speak to the felt needs of the average person—articles that deal with overcoming worry, stress, marriage, relationships, and the like.
And, by the way, speaking to an individual's felt needs is the only known sure-fire way to get people to read any message. The website also has a highly visible link to the clear gospel message, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian … without having to be religious." The general card I give out in the U.S. points to: www.GoodNewsfor.com/usa. (In time we will have them for other countries and in other languages as well.)
I've never had anyone ever refuse to accept one of these cards. They are attractively printed and are not in any way preachy. This is a very easy, attractive, and non-offensive way to witness even for the most timid person. If you live in the U.S., or have friends who live in the U.S., I encourage you to send for a package of 50 of the "Good News for USA" business witness cards to give to family, friends and contacts. They are only a web click away at: https://actscom.com/donate.php and are available for a donation, not only to cover the cost of printing and postage, but also to help support the building and maintaining of this gospel web outreach ministry.
It is true, the gospel message of Jesus Christ is far too important not to share. Please send today for a pack of Good News Business Witness cards so you, too, can be involved in what God is doing in the world today.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I come to you with all my fears making myself available for you to use as a witness for Jesus Christ. Please use me to be 'as Christ' in some way to someone in need today, and give me the courage to share my Christian faith in a non-offensive and gracious way. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Romans 10:15 (NKJV).
2. Rev. Steve Jackson, Sermon: "Come and See."
<:))))><<
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year—Begin With the End in Mind
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
1. Happy New Year—Begin With the End in Mind
It was Steven Covey, author of the popular book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, who coined the phrase, "Begin with the end in mind."
Most of us know that New Year Resolutions we make at the beginning of each New Year usually last until the next setback or challenge we face.
However, if we print a copy of "Steven Covey's Seven Habits" and tape them to the fridge or other prominent place and read them often, we have a much greater chance of finishing this New Year with a sense of achievement:
Steven Covey's Seven Habits:
Be proactive. Don't stand still. Take the initiative and be responsible.
Begin with the end in mind. Start any activity, a meeting, run, day, or life, with an end in mind. Work to that end and make sure your values are aligned with your goals.
Put first things first. Prioritize your life so you're working on the important stuff.
Think win/win. This is pretty obvious. You get what you put in.
Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Listen to emphasize, obtain information, and understand the other person's point of view.
Synergize. Work to create outcomes that are greater than the individual parts.
Sharpen the saw. Cultivate the essential elements of your character: physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual.1
And as Pastor Tod Bolsinger put it, "We need to live every day with the end in mind–and most important of all, live with Jesus' end in mind."
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me every day this year to live, not only with the end of this year in mind but with the end of my life in mind so that, when I stand before you to give an account of my life, I will hear your welcome words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' So help me God. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Steven, Covey, http://tinyurl.com/39v3r5.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV).
<)))><
1. Happy New Year—Begin With the End in Mind
It was Steven Covey, author of the popular book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, who coined the phrase, "Begin with the end in mind."
Most of us know that New Year Resolutions we make at the beginning of each New Year usually last until the next setback or challenge we face.
However, if we print a copy of "Steven Covey's Seven Habits" and tape them to the fridge or other prominent place and read them often, we have a much greater chance of finishing this New Year with a sense of achievement:
Steven Covey's Seven Habits:
Be proactive. Don't stand still. Take the initiative and be responsible.
Begin with the end in mind. Start any activity, a meeting, run, day, or life, with an end in mind. Work to that end and make sure your values are aligned with your goals.
Put first things first. Prioritize your life so you're working on the important stuff.
Think win/win. This is pretty obvious. You get what you put in.
Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Listen to emphasize, obtain information, and understand the other person's point of view.
Synergize. Work to create outcomes that are greater than the individual parts.
Sharpen the saw. Cultivate the essential elements of your character: physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual.1
And as Pastor Tod Bolsinger put it, "We need to live every day with the end in mind–and most important of all, live with Jesus' end in mind."
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me every day this year to live, not only with the end of this year in mind but with the end of my life in mind so that, when I stand before you to give an account of my life, I will hear your welcome words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' So help me God. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Steven, Covey, http://tinyurl.com/39v3r5.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV).
<)))><
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Desmond Tutu: God Has A Dream for The Middle East
Desmond Tutu speaks out on the Middle East: * A powerful word from one of the greatest Christian leaders of our time. Reminiscent of Dr Martin Luther King.Jr, Tutu says, "God has a dream for the Middle East"
http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_887.html
Professor Marsh of Virginia on the American church: * Marsh fears that American Evangelicals have exchangedfaith for nationalism! This is a brilliant critique ofhow easily religion can become an 'opiate of the masses': http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_888.html
My sermon on the 'Deserving Poor'?: * At the risk of sounding arrogant, I think this may be oneof the most important sermons I've come out with for some time. It's on Jesus' story about Lazarus and the rich man;
http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_886.html
Please take time to read these articles. You won't regret it!
What to do with Retired Politicians?
An interesting little chat has opened up between Stephen andmyself over the key role being played by retired politiciansnowadays as advocates for social justice. I've been very impressed by the work of Jimmy Cater in the US, and now former Aussie Prime Minster, Malcolm Frazer, seems to be following in his footsteps! My question is, what contribution do we see the current headsof state in both Oz and the US, making after they retire from public life?
Dreaming of a new form of Church!
Stephen continues to push the boundaries of our imaginations,looking for a new form of church that goes beyond literalismand is truly inclusive. He's set up another survey, asking, "Is it time to drag thechurch into the 21st Century?" Should we be sticking with the fundamental truths passed down to us by our forebears, or adapting our faith to the world as it is. And is this really the key question we need to face ifwe want to make our churches more inclusive?
http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_887.html
Professor Marsh of Virginia on the American church: * Marsh fears that American Evangelicals have exchangedfaith for nationalism! This is a brilliant critique ofhow easily religion can become an 'opiate of the masses': http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_888.html
My sermon on the 'Deserving Poor'?: * At the risk of sounding arrogant, I think this may be oneof the most important sermons I've come out with for some time. It's on Jesus' story about Lazarus and the rich man;
http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_886.html
Please take time to read these articles. You won't regret it!
What to do with Retired Politicians?
An interesting little chat has opened up between Stephen andmyself over the key role being played by retired politiciansnowadays as advocates for social justice. I've been very impressed by the work of Jimmy Cater in the US, and now former Aussie Prime Minster, Malcolm Frazer, seems to be following in his footsteps! My question is, what contribution do we see the current headsof state in both Oz and the US, making after they retire from public life?
Dreaming of a new form of Church!
Stephen continues to push the boundaries of our imaginations,looking for a new form of church that goes beyond literalismand is truly inclusive. He's set up another survey, asking, "Is it time to drag thechurch into the 21st Century?" Should we be sticking with the fundamental truths passed down to us by our forebears, or adapting our faith to the world as it is. And is this really the key question we need to face ifwe want to make our churches more inclusive?
Friday, November 02, 2007
Hold Tight
Friday, November 2, 2007
Hold Tight
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, unto which you are called."1
I checked the following story on snopes.com but it wasn't listed, so I can't confirm it either way. At any rate it makes an excellent parable. According to the story: "On a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston in 1987, the pilot heard an unusual noise near the rear of the plane. Henry Dempsey turned the controls over to the co-pilot and went back to check it out. As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had been improperly latched prior to take-off, and it flew open. Dempsey was instantly sucked out of the tiny jet.
"The co-pilot saw the red light that indicated an open door. He radioed the nearest airport requesting permission for an emergency landing. He reported that the pilot had fallen out of the plane and wanted a helicopter to search the area. After the plane landed, the ground crew found Dempsey holding on to the outdoor ladder of the aircraft. Somehow he had caught the ladder and held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet, and then, when landing, he kept his head from hitting the runway, which was only 12 inches away. "
In today's pressured world it is very easy to be "sucked into" all sorts of temptations—which, if we give in to them, could easily destroy us. So we need to hold on tenaciously to eternal values and the eternal life that God has given to all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Suggested prayer:
"Dear God, please give me the strength and courage to hold on to you, to my faith, and to eternal values no matter what trials and temptations may come my way. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
1. The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:12).
<:))))><
http://www.actsweb.org/daily_encounter.php
Hold Tight
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, unto which you are called."1
I checked the following story on snopes.com but it wasn't listed, so I can't confirm it either way. At any rate it makes an excellent parable. According to the story: "On a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston in 1987, the pilot heard an unusual noise near the rear of the plane. Henry Dempsey turned the controls over to the co-pilot and went back to check it out. As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had been improperly latched prior to take-off, and it flew open. Dempsey was instantly sucked out of the tiny jet.
"The co-pilot saw the red light that indicated an open door. He radioed the nearest airport requesting permission for an emergency landing. He reported that the pilot had fallen out of the plane and wanted a helicopter to search the area. After the plane landed, the ground crew found Dempsey holding on to the outdoor ladder of the aircraft. Somehow he had caught the ladder and held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet, and then, when landing, he kept his head from hitting the runway, which was only 12 inches away. "
In today's pressured world it is very easy to be "sucked into" all sorts of temptations—which, if we give in to them, could easily destroy us. So we need to hold on tenaciously to eternal values and the eternal life that God has given to all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Suggested prayer:
"Dear God, please give me the strength and courage to hold on to you, to my faith, and to eternal values no matter what trials and temptations may come my way. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
1. The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:12).
<:))))><
http://www.actsweb.org/daily_encounter.php
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