LESSON #3
Scripture References: Daniel 9:24-27
INTRODUCTION: Daniel chapter 9: vv. 1,2 take place during the reign of Darius the Mede. By studying the book of Jeremiah, Daniel realized that the seventy years of captivity were almost at an end. (VV. 3-19) He confessed his sins and the sins of his people (he used the word our) and asked the Lord to fulfill his promises concerning Jerusalem and the people of Judah. In an answer to his prayers God granted the prophet the very important revelation of "The Seventy Weeks", which has been called, "The Backbone of Bible Prophecy." I know that you probably have heard of the 70 weeks of Daniel found in chapter 9: 24-27 of his book and have never truly understood this prophecy. So today I will explain the missing key that will unlock the mystery for you.
First I will explain the backbone of this prophetic portion of God's word. The first thing we will learn today is that Israel had a week of years (Genesis 29: 18, 20, 27, 28, 30).
(V.18) And Jacob loved Rachel; and said I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thy younger daughter. (V.20) And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. (V.27) Fulfull her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. (V.28) And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. (V.30) And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. (See Genesis 29: 16).
Daniel's petitions were based on the character of God (His greatness, awesomeness, righteousness, forgiveness and mercy and his interests (your people, your city, your sanctuary).
In Daniel 9: 20-23, while he was praying, Gabriel, being caused to fly swiftly, reached Daniel about the time of the evening sacrifice. He told him that he was greatly beloved, a tremendous tribute coming as it did from God. He then gave him the future history of the Jewish nation under the figure of the 70 weeks. Since each week represents 7 years and since the future history is so important to understanding God's entire program, we will go more in depth with the entire prophecy.
Seventy weeks have been determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem). The historical fulfillment of the first part of the prophecy shows that the 70 weeks are weeks of years and equals 490 years. We will see that the 70 weeks are divided into 7 weeks (7x7=49 years plus 62 weeks = 434 years, then a time gap, and then one final week of 7 years. At the end of the final week of 7 years six things will take place: 1) The Transgression (or rebellion) Will Be Finished. 2) To Make An End of Sins.
While these statements may refer to Israel's sins, they have special reference to the nations rejection of the Messiah. 3) To Make Reconciliation For Iniquity. The basis for reconciliation was laid at Calvary but this refers to the time still future when the believing portion of the nation will come into the benefit and the enjoyment of the finished work of Christ. 4) To Bring In Everlasting Righteousness. This also points forward to the second advent and the Millennium, when the King will reign in everlasting righteousness. It is everlasting righteousness in the sense that it will still continue on into the eternal state. 5) To Seal Up The Vision and Prophecy. The main body of OT prophecy centers on the glorious return of Christ to earth, and his subsequent kingdom. Therefore, the bulk of prophecies will be fulfilled at the end of the 70 weeks.
6) To Anoint The Most Holy Place. At the beginning of the thousand year reign, the temple described in Ezekiel chapters 40-44 will be anointed or consecrated in Jerusalem. The glory will return in the person of the Lord (Ezek. 43: 1-5).
WILL BE CONTINUED IN LESSON #4.
As I close this wonderful message about the coming soon of King Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I ask you, dear reader, are you ready to meet Him? If not, let me help you to come to Him this very moment. Just say, Jesus, I am a sinner. My life is in shambles and my heart is broken in many pieces. I confess that I am a sinner and need You to save me. To You, Lord Jesus, I now confess my sins. I denounce my sins and right now I turn away from my sins. Come into my heart Lord Jesus and save me. Now, dear reader, just thank Him for saving you and praise him for the joyful feeling that's in your heart.
Until He Comes Again,
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
SEPARATING THE REAL FROM THE FALSE
Lesson #2
A few years ago at an upper room type meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio an excited brother yelled out, "Yea, saith the Lord, thou art some confusion in this place. Matter of fact, I am somewhat confused myself." Now my friends when God gets confused at your church you have really got confusion.
I said all of that to let my readers know that people today are so confused about last day prophecy that they don't study it any more or have just turned it off completely. To cut them some slack, multitudes don't know anything about it. This was brought on partly because a few decades ago the so-called faith teachers lost their way to the back of the book. In reality they couldn't find a way to balance their get rich schemes with the fire and brimstone of the book of Revelation.
In 2nd Peter, Chapter Two and (v-19) we read, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart:" (V-20) "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (V-21) "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
In Chapter 2: 1-3 we find these words, (V-1) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (V-2) "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." (V-3) "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment of a long time lingered not, and their damnation slumbered not."
Now in closing, I think we will take a look at what Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy in Chapter Four verses 1-5. (V-1) "I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" (V-2) "Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (V-3)" For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (V-4)" And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables." (V-5) "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
My dear reader, you may not want to admit it, but as you sit and flip through those so-called Christian channels you probably have stared right into the gold digging eyes of at least one or more of these fake prophets and false teachers . I hope this post will help you to separate the real from the false so that you will not be among the deceived for the great falling away is upon us!
A few years ago at an upper room type meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio an excited brother yelled out, "Yea, saith the Lord, thou art some confusion in this place. Matter of fact, I am somewhat confused myself." Now my friends when God gets confused at your church you have really got confusion.
I said all of that to let my readers know that people today are so confused about last day prophecy that they don't study it any more or have just turned it off completely. To cut them some slack, multitudes don't know anything about it. This was brought on partly because a few decades ago the so-called faith teachers lost their way to the back of the book. In reality they couldn't find a way to balance their get rich schemes with the fire and brimstone of the book of Revelation.
In 2nd Peter, Chapter Two and (v-19) we read, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart:" (V-20) "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (V-21) "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
In Chapter 2: 1-3 we find these words, (V-1) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (V-2) "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." (V-3) "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment of a long time lingered not, and their damnation slumbered not."
Now in closing, I think we will take a look at what Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy in Chapter Four verses 1-5. (V-1) "I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" (V-2) "Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (V-3)" For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (V-4)" And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables." (V-5) "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
My dear reader, you may not want to admit it, but as you sit and flip through those so-called Christian channels you probably have stared right into the gold digging eyes of at least one or more of these fake prophets and false teachers . I hope this post will help you to separate the real from the false so that you will not be among the deceived for the great falling away is upon us!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
RAPTURE OF ALL CHRISTIANS
LESSON #1:
Rapture of all Christians--1st Thess. 4: 13-18; (V-13) “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead) that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
(V-14)“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which have died in Jesus will God bring with him.” In this portion of the word of God we find the Apostle Paul educating the Thessalonians about their loved ones who are dead and buried. It is very comforting to know that in times of great sorrow and loss you and I can have hope in the fact that we will see our loved ones again. (V-15) “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede or go before) them which are asleep (dead).”
At death the body separates from the soul and spirit and returns to the dust from whence it came, then both soul and spirit returns back to God who gave them. That explains how God can bring them back with Jesus when he comes at the Rapture of the Church. The soul and spirit will then descend into the graves and reunite with their bodies which will instantly be glorified and rise up to the earth and wait until those who are alive receive their glorified bodies, then we will all rise up together to meet Jesus in the air.
There are two thoughts concerning the next three verses (1) That all of the dead in Christ will rise from the grave and come up to the earth and remain until those who are alive and remain receive their glorified bodies and then we all rise together to meet the Lord in the air.
(V-17) (2) The words at the end of V.16 seem to indicate that the dead in Christ will be the first to rise up in the air, but as I previously stated, that very well could mean they rise from the grave up to the earth first, and then rise up to meet the Lord in the air. What ever be the case we will have a glorious meeting somewhere above the treetops when we shake the nail scarred hand of the savior, look upon his blessed face, and be with him forever. (V-18) “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Christians, are we comforting our Christian brothers and sisters with these words? If not, we had better be getting to it for the time for service is running out.(V-16) “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
Rapture of all Christians--1st Thess. 4: 13-18; (V-13) “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead) that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
(V-14)“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which have died in Jesus will God bring with him.” In this portion of the word of God we find the Apostle Paul educating the Thessalonians about their loved ones who are dead and buried. It is very comforting to know that in times of great sorrow and loss you and I can have hope in the fact that we will see our loved ones again. (V-15) “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede or go before) them which are asleep (dead).”
At death the body separates from the soul and spirit and returns to the dust from whence it came, then both soul and spirit returns back to God who gave them. That explains how God can bring them back with Jesus when he comes at the Rapture of the Church. The soul and spirit will then descend into the graves and reunite with their bodies which will instantly be glorified and rise up to the earth and wait until those who are alive receive their glorified bodies, then we will all rise up together to meet Jesus in the air.
There are two thoughts concerning the next three verses (1) That all of the dead in Christ will rise from the grave and come up to the earth and remain until those who are alive and remain receive their glorified bodies and then we all rise together to meet the Lord in the air.
(V-17) (2) The words at the end of V.16 seem to indicate that the dead in Christ will be the first to rise up in the air, but as I previously stated, that very well could mean they rise from the grave up to the earth first, and then rise up to meet the Lord in the air. What ever be the case we will have a glorious meeting somewhere above the treetops when we shake the nail scarred hand of the savior, look upon his blessed face, and be with him forever. (V-18) “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Christians, are we comforting our Christian brothers and sisters with these words? If not, we had better be getting to it for the time for service is running out.(V-16) “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
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