From: Michael
Date: Mar 16, 2008 2:35 PM
A Total Economic Collapse would lead to lawlessness, riots, violence and chaos right outside your front door. This will call for martial law and mass deportation of of offenders and dissidents to prison camps that are already prepared all over the USA. Martial law on this scale will suspend the United States Constitution and dozens of executive orders will grant the government control over all facets of life, transportation, fuel and even the right to separate your family into forced labor camps. This country will be transported to Nazi Germany in a heartbeat, only we will be right here on American soil. This is what will probably be remembered as The American Holocaust. It doesn't matter if you're ready or not, because the government is ready. They've been getting reading for this for years. Sounds crazy right? This is a story History has told over and over but if you haven't paid attention, you won't miss it this time. The video below will give you a SMALL taste of the mayhem a godless society can produce when over 300 million Americans are fighting to survive. Every man for himself.
"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (1Th 5:4-6)
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Matt (Pro U. S. Constitution, Pro Ron Paul 08)
Date: Mar 16, 2008 9:32 AM
From: Totalreality_2012
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THE SLIDE OF THE DOLLAR AS THE WORLD'S RESERVE CURRENCY, MIXED WITH THE SKYROCKETING COMMODITY PRICES, COUPLED WITH THE VIOLENCE ONLY A DECADENT, CORRUPT SOCIETY CAN BRING, LEADS TO SOME VERY NASTY RESULTS UNLESS YOU ARE PRUDENT AND TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO AVOID BEING AT THE MERCY OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER...
Jesus told Moses, "…have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you." Exodus 25:8,9
Moses built a sanctuary in the wilderness according to the blueprints given to him by God. Every detail was carefully followed. The sanctuary complex constructed in the wilderness consisted of the following items. (See Exodus 25-40.) See if you can identify each item from the list in the drawing on the next page.
1. The courtyard
2. A small building with two rooms: Holy / Most Holy
3. The alter of burnt offering
4. The laver
5. The alter of incense
6. The table of showbread
7. The candlesticks
8. The ark of the covenant
The sanctuary was built in such a manner that it could be disassembled and carried from place to place. Jewish history tells that every piece of metal, cloth, wood and stone used in the construction of the sanctuary had a name on it – the name of the person responsible for carrying it. When the bearer died, the next of kin became responsible. Thus, the responsibly of carrying the sanctuary was passed down through generations until the sanctuary was given a permanent resting place.
The Sanctuary Service
The sanctuary service is a marvelous study. The significance of how and why each event took place is as broad and comprehensive as God is. Most Christians do not understand the value and meaning of the sanctuary service because the New Testament is clear that the religious services conducted in the sanctuary became obsolete with the death of Jesus.
However, many Christians are surprised to learn that the religious meaning of what took place in the sanctuary still applies today! This will be demonstrated later in this study.
The Wilderness Sanctuary
Jesus gave the sanctuary service to Israel as a model of the plan of salvation. They were to study into the meaning of the sanctuary events and understand the scope of the plan of salvation. Through a careful study of the sanctuary service, they were to comprehend the love and compassion of God. They were to be drawn into the deepest appreciation of who God is and what He offers to the human family. They were to discover the love of God as they contemplated the price He would pay for salvation. And most of all, they were to share an understanding of God's love with the world! As receptors of God's blessing, they were to be the human agency through which the knowledge of God would be spread abroad.
Fundamental point about Israel
There is some confusion among Christians about God's relationship with ancient Israel. Some believe that the blessings given to the Jews belonged only to the Jews and not the whole world. While it is clear that God dealt directly with Israel, it is important to understand that God was not excluding the rest of the people living upon the earth – rather, it was His intention to have Israel demonstrate in practical terms what He was like to the rest of the world and thus bring many to know the love of God. Thus the entire world would be blessed through Israel. Israel was to be an agent for distributing God's blessings and truth – not the exclusive object of His affection.
The intended ministry of the Jews
Jesus told the Jews, '…I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:6 When upon earth, Jesus again emphasized the ministry of the Jews saying, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
The Pharisees recognized the responsibility of winning converts – but the reputation of the Jews among nations became so bad, that no one wanted to be a part of them! Jesus said to them, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." Matthew 23:15
The Jews and Samaritans understood that the promised Messiah would be a Savior for the whole world. The Samaritans told the women at the well, "We no longer believe just because of what you said: now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:42
King David recognized that all people on earth belonged to God. He said, "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." Psalm 33:8,9
God chooses some poor people
To understand why God selected Israel and give them the rich treasures of His blessings, we have to review some Bible history:
1. One day God looked down upon the earth and noticed a deplorable condition. "The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the heart was only on evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth – men and animals…But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." Genesis 6:5-8
2. Why did Noah find favor in the eyes of the Lord? "Noah did everything just as God commanded him. The Lord then said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation."
Genesis 6:22, 7:1 Because Noah was willing to do everything God commanded, God declared Noah righteous.
About 400 years after the flood, God again looked down upon the earth and found a descendant of Noah that loved Him just as Noah had. God chose Abram to be a special representative through which all people on earth would be blessed. God said to Abram, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you…I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2,3
One night God asked Abram to count the stars – if he could. Then God said, "So shall your offspring be." Genesis 15:5
The Bible says that, "Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6 It is important to realize that both Noah and Abram were both declared righteous because they believed what God said, Notice what Paul says about these two men,
"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going… And so from this one man… came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." Hebrews 11:7,8,12
Timeout for a thought question
Do you think God promised Abraham a great number of biological descendants or was God promising to make Abraham the spiritual forefather of all who would live by faith?
Note: A spiritual relative is someone that lives the same way as Abraham or Noah lived, that is by faith. Jesus said to the Jews, "…if you were Abraham's children.
Then you would do the things Abraham did." John 8:39 Christians often use the term "brother" or "sister" to denote kinship in a spiritual sense. See Matthew 12: 46-50 for more information on spiritual relatives.
Before answering the question, consider this question: Can the faith and righteousness of an ancestor save a descendant from eternal death? Can the evil deeds of an ancestor condemn a descendant to eternal death? The answer is no.
(See Ezekiel 14:12-23) Then what spiritual advantage comes with being a Jew?
Abram and Sarai, his wife, thought the promise of God referred to biological offspring. To solve their childless problem, Sarai suggested that Abram sleep with Hagar, her maidservant, and thus they would begin a family. Hagar bore Ishmael, and Ishmael became the father of 12 tribes. It may come as a surprise to learn that Abraham is the biological father of a great multitude currently exceeding 1 billion people: the Arabs. (For further study read Genesis 16-21, 25:7-18.)
But the Arabs are not the great multitude of descendants that God promised. Neither are the Jews that great multitude of descendants promised to Abraham for they only number about 15 million! Revelation 7 however, describes the great multitude promised to Abraham. It is the redeemed of earth! The great multitude promised to Abraham is those who live by faith just as he lived!
The Apostle Paul tried to convince the Jews that being a descendent of Abraham was beneficial, after all, Israel had been especially favored of God – BUT, he insisted, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code."
Romans 2:28,29
Back to choosing poor people
About 400 years after the call of Abram, God again looked down to earth and choose a descendant of Abraham. This man would become a great leader for God. This man was Moses. Paul says," Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as a greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." Hebrews 11:24-26
(Notice that Paul says Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of "Christ." This again supports that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament!)
At the end of his life, Moses summoned the Israelites and said, "The Lord did not set his affection on you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out (of Egypt) with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:7-9
Moses made it quite clear that Israel was not going to receive the land of Canaan from the nations occupying the territory because of their righteousness! "…No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on the account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…for you are a stiff-necked people." Deuteronomy 9:4-6
When Jesus delivered Israel out of Egypt, He took them to an isolated place to teach them about His ways. There were no enemies in the Sinai desert to torment Israel during their early days, as a nation for that barren desert did not support life in any form. There He sent water gushing from a rock and dropped manna from heaven for forty years. Their clothing did not wear out neither did their shoes.
See Deuteronomy 29:5
Because Jesus wanted to be close to these people and teach them about His ways of truth and righteousness, He commanded Moses, "…have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you." Exodus 25:8,9 Consider the condescension of God. God took the uneducated low-life group of "stiff-necked" slaves and desired to transform them into a great nation of noble and beautiful examples of His creative power.
There was one condition, however, Moses told them, "If you full obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth… However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you."
Deuteronomy 28:1,2,15,16
Moses did not imply a "legalistic" relationship with God would bring greatness. No, Moses pointed out many times during his speech that Israel was to love the Lord. He said, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always." Deuteronomy 11:1 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." Deuteronomy 6:5,6 "Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength…Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." Deuteronomy 4:37,39
Think it through
Consider for a moment that Jesus, the Creator of Heaven and earth, the Holy One of Israel, Jehovah God, The Great I AM, The Almighty, and The God of Israel is also the meek and lowly Jesus of Nazareth. Many Christians are overwhelmed to learn that the one called "Jesus" in the New Testament is the same God of the Old Testament! Most Old Testament references actually refer to Jesus our Creator instead of the Father! Jesus said to the Jews, "…you diligently study the scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. There are the Scriptures that testify about me…if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me." John 5:39
Sanctuary services
To appreciate that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament, we must study into the sanctuary services of the Old Testament. The role of Jesus in the plan of salvation is wonderfully explained in the symbols and ceremonies of the Old Testament. Jesus designed that each service teaches a special and specific lesson about the process of salvation that could be fulfilled at Calvary. For this study, we will explore the meaning of the three most important services:
1. The Morning and Evening Sacrifice
2. The Sin Offering
3. The Day of Atonement
The morning and evening sacrifice
The morning and evening sacrifice were conducted at sunrise and sunset each day. A flawless year old male lamb was sacrificed on the Alter of Burnt Offering. The priest conducting the service sprinkled some of the lamb's blood upon the alter. The service also consisted of burning special incense on the coals of the Alter of Incense in the Holy Place.
This sacrifice became known as the "daily" or "continual" for it took place every morning and evening. It was through the atoning merits of the "daily" that Israel could dwell in the very presence of God without being destroyed! (See Exodus 29:38-46; 30: 7,8.) In other words, the "daily provided corporate atonement on behalf of the whole nation of Israel and was not directed towards any one individual.
The Sin Offering
From time to time, individuals for specific sins made offerings. This sacrifice was conducted on the Alter of Burnt Offering and was ultimately consumed by fire. Here the sinner placed his hands upon the head of his offering and confessed his sin. With his own hand, the sinner took the life of the sacrificial lamb. The priest then carried some of the blood into the sanctuary and deposited the blood on the horns of the alter of incense and he also placed incense on the burning coals of the alter. The idea that Jesus wanted Israel to understand was that sin could only be transferred from the sinner via blood.
An important contrast
The difference between the "daily" sacrifice and the sin offering is significant. The "daily" was a corporate offering for the nation of Israel; the sin offering was a person or a family.
The Day of Atonement
Near the end of each religious year, Israel faced a yearly judgment day known as the Day of Atonement.
The high priest had to receive the approval of God before he could officiate on behalf of Israel. The office of high priest did not automatically qualify the high priest for this sacred occasion. He had to be found worthy of the service.
The word "atonement" means reconciliation, bringing together or at-one-ment. This day always fell on the 10th day of the 7th month. This day was a special Sabbath and no work was done on this day regardless of the day of the week it fell upon. All Israel was required to come before god in person on this day to account for their deeds during the past year. Only the high priest officiated in the temple services on the Day of Atonement.
Other priests that normally served in the temple throughout the year could not represent Israel before God on this day. The high priest had to go through a very interesting process before he could represent the nation of Israel in the most holy compartment of the sanctuary. He had to be found worthy of conducting this work before he could officiate on behalf of Israel! (See Leviticus 16:13)
The high priest had to personally provide a great sacrifice and present the blood of his sacrifice in the most holy portion of the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement before he could officiate for Israel. With trembling and reverence, the high priest entered the second room of the sanctuary on this special day to stand in the very presence of God.
The basic purpose of this day was to cleanse the sanctuary. All year long, the sins the people had been transferred to the sanctuary through the blood of the offerings described above. On this very special day, the sanctuary was cleansed of all sins by the high priest. He transferred the sins from the sanctuary to the scapegoat. More will be said about this later on.
These three services demonstrate the basic elements of the plan of salvation. The daily demonstrates unmerited justification (the gift of God), the sin offering demonstrates willful sanctification (the response of man) and the Day of Atonement demonstrates the final judgment and disposition of sin (the consummation of salvation). These elements will be expanded in our next two lessons. For now, we need to look at the sanctuary building to understand how these things work together.
The Most Holy Place
The back room, or most holy compartment of the sanctuary, contained one small piece of furniture; the Ark of the Covenant or testimony. Exodus 25:10-22 The ark consisted of a small golden box containing the tables of stone written by Jesus (the ten commandments).
A "mercy seat" or special cover formed the top of the box, and two angels figurines facing each other stood at both ends of the ark with the mercy seat between them. When
The high priest entered the most holy compartment on the Day of Atonement, a room strictly off limits to everyone else; he approached the ark and sprinkled some of the blood from his sacrifice onto the ark and into the mercy seat. Leviticus 16 There God communed with the high priest indicating His acceptance of the sacrifice.
After presenting an acceptable sacrifice for himself and his family, the high priest continued the atonement service by leaving the Most Holy place. He went out into the courtyard to select one of two goats as sacrifices for the sins of Israel. One goat was chosen to pay the penalty for sin; the other was left to bear the consequences of sin. There is important difference between "paying the penalty" of sin and "bearing the consequence" of sin. One goat paid the penalty for sin by becoming a sacrifice for sin while the other goat received the consequence of sin by being taken into the wilderness to die.
Here is a major point. There is a vast difference between paying the penalty for sin and reaping the consequences of sin. This service pointed forward to the death of Jesus as the sacrifice for the sins of the world and to the death of Satan when he receives the consequences of sin.
After sacrificing the goat, the High Priest entered the most holy place again to officiate on behalf of Israel. Upon completing the second service, the high priest washed or cleansed the accumulated blood off the horns of the alter of incense that stood before the veil in the first compartment (or holy place). Leaving the holy place, the priest walked out into the courtyard to the remaining goat and wiped his bloody hands on the head of this animal. This animal was known as the scapegoat or the sin bearer. After doing this, a very capable man took the animal miles out into the desert to die. Thus the sin of Israel was removed from the sanctuary and the sanctuary was cleansed or restored.
Picture the scene, millions of Hebrews gathered around the sanctuary in the middle of their desert camp. Every voice is hushed. Every eye is on the sanctuary. Every ear within range listens for the bells on the bottom of the high priests garment indicating the high priest is still alive as he stands before God. All Israel anxiously waited for the appearing and announcement of the high priest telling them that God has accepted the offering and all sins are blotted out.
Revelation includes these
The Daily Offering, the Sin Offering and the Day of Atonement will have very important significance in our study of the book of Revelation, for Revelation's story includes a considerable amount of sanctuary service!
For example, in Revelation 8:3-5, an angel ministering at the "alter of incense" throws down a censer and "seven trumpets" follow. In Revelation 11 John was told to measure the "temple" of God and the alter. In Revelation 11:19, God's temple in heaven is opened and the "ark of His covenant" is seen! These few sentences from Revelation point out that Revelation's story is intimately connected to the sanctuary services of the Old Testament. In fact, Paul tells us that Jesus is directly involved in the heavenly sanctuary. "…We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true sanctuary set up by the Lord, not by man…(for men) serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle:
'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
Hebrews 8:1-5
In other words, the sanctuary services described in the Old Testament are actually a "shadow" or model of what is actually taking place in heaven! Jesus, the High Priest of the human race, serves in the heavenly sanctuary which God built while the sanctuary built by Moses was only a teaching model based on the one in heaven. What is Jesus doing up there? How do the services of the Old Testament relate to the end of the world and the great judgment day of the human race?
Here's the heart of the problem – many Christians today miss the entire point of the earthy sanctuary just like the ancient Jews did. The Jews actually believed the sacrificial services brought salvation when in reality they never made salvation possible! Paul clearly states, "But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Hebrews 10:3,4
God told Isaiah, "The multitude of your sacrifices – what are they to me?' says the Lord. I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.'" Isaiah 1:11
A clearer understanding
Now the plan of salvation begins to focus. The sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament was only a "teaching" model. God gave the model to the Jews so they might understand the price and process of salvation. The Jews turned the model into a perversion – thinking (like the pagans) that salvation came through religious acts rather than a broken and contrite heart.
When Jesus died on Calvary, the model became useless. The price had been paid for sin
"Once for all." The meaning of the model continues today for the Great Day of Atonement is coming. A great day of judgment! This will be the subject of our next study.
Think it through
Lambs are not sacrificed in heaven for "The Lamb of God" has been slain. Thirty times in Revelation, Jesus is called "The Lamb." The blood of bulls and goats did not save sinners in times past – nor can the blood of animals pay the penalty for sin. Just as the Father provided the sacrificial offering for Abraham when he was ready to offer up his son, Isaac, He has provided a sacrifice for the human race. His name is Jesus.
BIBLE STUDY #3 Biblical Salvation Part I
"What must I do to be saved?" No question has ever provoked so many different answers. A few years ago, a Gallup poll was conducted on the subject of salvation. Eighty-seven percent of the people questioned were convinced they were going to heaven. Ninety percent of the people responding knew someone going to hell!
"What must I do to be saved?" Is a universal question? People of every culture, language and nation ask the question. The problem is not the question but the answer. Ask a Catholic, Baptist, Jew, Muslim, and a Hindu and you'll get different answers! Is there one correct answer? Is there only one-way to heaven?
From heaven's point of view
Consider the issue of salvation from heaven's point of view.There are 6+ billion people on this planet and "God" is not willing that anyone should perish." II Peter 3:9 God foreknew that people on earth would speak different languages, have diverse customs, and think differently about religion. God therefore prepared a plan of salvation that would encompass every human being that would ever live before He created the world.
The subject of God's foreknowledge can get very confusing and bizarre if misunderstood. But a few moments spent on this matter to properly appreciate what God is like will be very beneficial. There are three critical points that must be understood to bring God's foreknowledge into focus.
1. Jesus is omniscient or all knowing. He knows the future. He knows the outcome and process and all things. He knew Adam and Eve would sin before He created them. He knew Cain would kill Abel. He knew He would have to die on Calvary before He created the world! He knew Judas would betray Him for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus knows who will be saved and who will not. The Godhead knows everything about everything! They knew everything that would happen on this planet before it was created! Jesus says, "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come…What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." Isaiah 46:10,11 Jesus said to Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5
2. Jesus does not use His foreknowledge to force or cause an outcome. Jesus was not responsible for the sin of Adam and Eve. They chose to disobey. Jesus was not responsible for Cain killing Abel. Cain chose to kill Abel. Jesus did not make Judas a traitor; Judas chose to betray Jesus for a little money. The point is that Jesus gives the power of choice to each of His created subjects. They are free to choose to do whatever they wish. Even though He knows what each person will choose He does not use His foreknowledge to force the outcome.
Bottom line
Here is the bottom line: the essential difference between foreknowledge and predestination is that predestination causes the outcome whereas foreknowledge knows the outcome.
The Old Testament story of Israel clearly points out that Jesus does not use His foreknowledge to change the outcome. Notice this prophecy, "And the Lord said to Moses: 'You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, 'Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us?' And I will certainly hide my face on the at day because all their wickedness in turning to other gods." Deuteronomy 31: 16-18
Jesus knew what Israel would do in the future. 1,800 years of Jewish history clearly confirms the foreknowledge of Jesus in this prophecy. But the same eighteen hundred years of Jewish history confirms that Jesus did not use His foreknowledge to make Israel a stubborn and stiff-necked people. In fact the Old Testament verifies that God did everything possible to save Israel – time after time! Israel chose to rebel against God and He knew they would.
One day Jesus stood overlooking Jerusalem and reflecting on His relationship of many centuries with Israel he said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'." Matthew 23:37-39
If there is one lesson in the Bible that stands out more clearly than any other, it is the sad truth that God's people have often been less than responsive to the condescending love of God. In fact, history confirms the repetitive process of "God's people" treating God's messengers worse than heathen treat their enemies!
The last point about God's foreknowledge is an important synthesis from Revelation about the two points just made. The Father, knowing earth's history before the world was created, wrote down the history of Earth. He then sealed up the story with seven seals so that no one might change or alter the script. This book, called the book of life, was perfectly sealed up with seven seals. It contains among other things the names of all shall choose to be saved! (This will be studied in greater depth when we reach the study on the seven seals.) When the book is finally opened, then every person will see that God knew everything about everything before the world was created and that He did not use His foreknowledge to force alter or manipulate any person's power of choice. At that time, each person will see clear confirmation that their eternal destiny was their decision!
A few verses from Revelation are provided to demonstrate that the book of life was written before the world was created:
"…The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come." Revelation 17:8
"All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written from the creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain." Revelation 13:8
(Note: verse 8 can also be translated, "All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." The phrase "from the creation of the world', can grammatically apply either the "book of life that was written" or "the Lamb that was slain." Applying the phrase to the book of life appears to be better choice since the meaning clearly harmonizes with John's remark in Revelation 17:8
Book of Life in the Old Testament
King David knew about God's foreknowledge and the book written before the world! "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was hidden from you when I was made in a secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16
The Apostle Paul confirms that God anticipated the rise of sin before the world was created and was prepared for it! Paul says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will… In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:3-8
The Biblical meaning of the word "predestined" does not mean forced. Rather, God planned before the creation of the world for the human race to be adopted as His sons through Jesus because He knew sin was coming. But, if any person does not want to be adopted as a child of God, they will not be adopted. It's that simple.
Consider the significance of Jesus' remark to the living saints at the second coming, "Then the King will say to those on His right… take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." Matthew 25:34
John recognized that the choice of salvation is ours to make. He wrote, "The spirit and the bride say 'Come!' Whosoever is thirsty, let him come; and whosoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22:17 Can there be any doubt that eternal life is open to any who want it?
Back to the question
The question, "What must I do to be saved?" implies a condition of being "unsaved." So what is the human race "unsaved" from? It has been noticed that life lasts about 70 years and then man dies. What follows? Why must man die? The Psalmist wrote, "The length of your days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 90:10
The Bible gives a very clear explanation of who man is, why man dies, and what follows.
God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden where he had access to the tree of life. As long as man remained in the garden he could live forever because the fruit of the tree of life sustained life indefinitely. The point is made that Jesus created man as a mortal being. Jesus plainly told Adam, "…You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Genesis 2:16,17
Both the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil were in the middle of Eden. Genesis 2:9 When Adam and Eve were created, they had a natural attraction for righteousness, holiness and joy. As children today possess biological traits from their parents, so Adam and Eve possessed the traits of their Creator – Jesus. The Bible says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
A test of loyalty
A test was placed in the Garden of Eden to see if Adam and Eve would choose to obey or disobey. They were clearly informed that they were not to eat of the fruit of one tree in the middle of the garden. One day, as Eve went grocery shopping to get fruit from the tree of life, which was also in the middle of the garden, a serpent startled her by calling to her from the forbidden tree. Now the serpent in the Garden of Eden was the most beautiful and intelligent of all creatures. (Some scholars believe the serpent could fly until he was cursed to crawl upon his belly. Genesis 3:14 Satan had transformed himself into the most beautiful creature on earth to tempt Eve. Wouldn't you be curious if you heard a beautiful creature speak and carry on a remarkably intelligent conversation?
Satan engaged Eve in a conversation and then lied to her. He deceived her into eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan said, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil." Genesis 3:4,5 Satan led Eve to believe that God didn't want her to experience the knowledge of evil. (This part of Satan's comment was true for God did not want Adam and eve to experience the knowledge of evil.) The knowledge of good was enough! But Satan lied about the fatal consequence of evil. Notice the clever mixture of error with truth in his statement!
Eve ate the fruit. Then she gave some of the forbidden fruit to Adam and he also ate also. Now a very important point must be made between Adam and Eve. Eve was led to believe a lie. Adam willfully chooses to eat and die. Therefore Adam's sin is greater than Eve's for God had directly spoken to Adam about this matter. "And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die'." Genesis 2:16,17
Passing the blame
That evening, Adam and Eve were confronted with their sin. They ran and hid themselves as Jesus came to visit with them. They were ashamed, naked and defensive. When confronted with their deed, they were strangely unrepentant! Eve blamed her act on the serpent. She said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Genesis 3:13 Even worse, Adam blamed his act of rebellion on his Creator and the on Eve! Adam said, "The women you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it." Genesis 3:12 The Jesus turned to Adam and said, "…because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it', cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toll you will eat of it all the days of your life…By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and dust you will return." Genesis 3:17-19
Access denied
Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden so they might not have access to the tree of life! The Bible says, "The Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good from evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.' So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." Genesis 3:22-24
Because of their sins, Adam and Eve became "doomed" to eternal death. "For the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23 They had literally tasted sin and would forever be sinners. They were banished from the garden and denied access to the life sustaining fruit of the tree of life and God mercifully prevents sinners from living forever. The trait of rebellion against God (just like a biological trait) was passed on to the offspring of Adam and Eve.
In fact, their firstborn, Cain, became a murderer! Adam's sin was greater than Eve's sin. Adam was not deceived. He willfully and intentionally disobeyed God. Therefore his suffering would be greater than Eve's. The words of the Apostle Paul make a lot of sense. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all have sinned." Romans 5:12
Think of Adam's suffering. The Bible says that Adam lived 930 years. (Genesis 5:5) Imagine living that long and observing the terrible consequences of your own wrongdoing! In every death, suffering and sadness, Adam beheld the consequences of his deed. He saw the blight of sin upon nature. For more than nine centuries Adam lived with the effects of his willful wrong.
Jesus was not caught by surprise
The sin of Adam and Eve did not catch heaven by surprise. In fact, the very day Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus told the guilty pair there was a way back to Eden. Ever since that day, the way back has been called the "Plan of Salvation."
Since all the inhabitants of earth are direct descendants of Adam and Eve, and since God knew when he created the world that someday the world would be populated with billions of people holding to different customs and religious beliefs, the plan of salvation must be broad and inclusive. The plan must work for the Chinese, Russians, Americans and all peoples in every country. How can billions of people holding diverse beliefs find their way to Eden?
Because of God's love, the answer is quite simple. When each person is born, God places within that person a "basic law" of right and wrong. This law enables people to distinguish or recognize right from wrong. Jefferson in our Bill of Rights eloquently said this. "We hold certain truths to be self evident…" The point of creating human beings with reasoning powers is summed up in their ability to distinguish good from evil. If a person strives to do all he believes is good (operating within his basic law), in God's sight that is all that is asked of him. Paul says, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares." Romans 2:14-16
(Note: the word "law" as used in this text includes the larger meaning of the word, i.e., all scriptures.)
James also supports the concept of basic law. He says, "Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:17
Salvation includes full restoration
The Plan of Salvation does not stop with "basic law." On the contrary, basic law is where it all begins. Salvation consists of much more than the promise of eternal life because the human race lost more than eternal life!
God not only wants to restore eternal life to all people, but even more, he wants to restore the traits of holiness, righteousness and divine love within man! He wants us restored back to His image! To do this, God has patiently worked through the human race in various ways to inform man of what He is like – hoping that people would respond. In God's economy, it is not enough to save man in his sins. God intends to save man from his sins.
So the plan of salvation has two parts. Theologians have termed these two elements as "Justification" and "Sanctification." Justification means that God has personally paid the price for the salvation of the world. Sanctification means that God wants to restore His image (traits) in human beings. Actually, sanctification works two ways. First, holiness brings fullness of life, happiness, and joys never ending. (What a contrast to the harvest of evil.) Second, sanctification serves as public relations for the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who experience the joy and fullness of life that comes through sanctification become living examples of what heaven is all about. Thus uninformed people are brought to a knowledge of the God of Heaven through examples of what God offers!
These two concepts of sanctification are wonderfully explained in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:3-7:29 For example, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect'." Matthew 5:43-48
How the pieces fit
As mentioned before, every person is born with "basic law." This provides the ability to understand the difference between right and wrong. Appealing to this basic ability of man, God works to reveal more and more light about Himself to every person so that all may be delivered from sin's darkness.
But some people don't want more light about God and His ways. Jesus told Nicodemus, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lived by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:19-21
The rejection of light can be corporate too. Entire cities or nations can rebel against truth! Jesus denounced Capernaum saying, "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you." Matthew 11:23,24 In other words, Sodom's evil was not as great as Capernaum's evil because Capernaum had greater evidence of truth!
The conclusion of the matter
Some people want to know more about God. Some people don't want to know anything about God. Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus that those who live up to all they know will find more light while those who do evil will not want any more light for fear their deeds will be exposed as evil.
Salvation then comes to any person, in any culture, in any language and in any religious body when they are willing to follow all the light they have. It's that simple and that universal. From "basic law", God attempts to lead each person into greater and greater light so that every person may become more like Him.
BIBLE STUDY #4 Biblical Salvation Part II
Our last lesson began by studying the question, "What must I do to be saved?" In that study several important issues were addressed. A review on each issue is provided:
God's foreknowledge
Jesus is omniscient. He knows everything about everything. He knew sin would occur on earth before He created the world. He knew Adam and Eve would sin. He knew Cain would kill Abel. He knew sin would cause His death! But, Jesus has never used His foreknowledge to cause or change any outcome. If Jesus used His foreknowledge to manipulate any outcome He could not be a God of love – for love offers the freedom of choice!
Jesus allows us to proceed in any direction we want to go even though he already knows the outcome. God allows us to make any decision we want to make. Jesus allowed Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree knowing the price He would have to pay. Jesus gave Israel every possible blessing even though He knew they would reject Him. This is divine love. Not only did our Creator give His life for us, He gives us the choice to love or reject Him. What love!
As studied in the previous lesson, the Father wrote the story of earth before the world was created. He even included the names of all who would be saved. Then He perfectly sealed up the book with seven seals. No one in the universe can read the book until the final seal is broken at the end of earth's drama. Then the contents of the book will be revealed before the universe and every created being will clearly see that God never once used His omniscience to force or cause any outcome. The universe will see that God is love because He allowed each person the power to choose what he or she wanted to do. Thus Satan's charge that God is not love because he manipulates His creatures will be forever proven false. God is both omniscient and omnipotent. Divine love might be thought of as the balance between two characteristics.
Sin brings death
Adam and Eve lost much and gained very little as a result of sin. They lost the privilege of eating the fruit from the tree of life. Therefore death overtook them. They lost their beautiful Eden. They lost the natural traits of God's character and in exchange for these things; they gained the knowledge of evil, suffering and sorrow. What a sad exchange!
Adam passed the tendency to sin to their children. Their firstborn even became a murderer! And sin has contaminated every descendant of Adam and Eve. According to Paul, "All have sinned and fell short of the glory of God!" Romans 3:23 This is the fallen and unsaved nature of man. We may be unsaved but we are wanted! God wants to redeem us back to himself. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
The penalty for sin is everlasting death. Jesus, our Creator, personally paid this penalty so that whosoever will believe in Him might be saved. How does a person then receive salvation?
Basic law
In our last lesson we briefly discussed that God placed within each person a basic ability to distinguish right from wrong. People living up to the fullness of their heart's understanding of truth glorifies their Creator! Those professing to live up to all they know (hypocrites) and those refusing to learn more truth are not candidates for salvation.
Some people don't want to know the difference between right and wrong. Why is this? Paul says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them…so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened…Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another…Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." Romans 1:18-28
Down through the ages, billions of people have lived and died who never knew the particulars about salvation. God foreknew the darkness of sin. Consequently, the plan of salvation can save a person who doesn't understand all the details. This is somewhat like the law of gravity. You don't have to fully understand gravity to appreciate its operation.
But God is not content with basic law. He desires to restore His image within man. Therefore, man needs to know his Creator. This calls for much more light or education on the subject of the plan of salvation. Jesus wants a close relationship with His children, and a close relationship is only possible when each party knows the other well.
Stage set for faith
Now the stage for understanding salvation has been set. Salvation has two parts: first, to restore man to Eden and second, to restore within man the image of God. The price for restoring man to Eden was paid at Calvary. Through God's grace or unmerited favor on the human race, the price was paid. That God could love the human race and pay such an extreme price for our salvation is grace beyond comprehension. Paul called this "the mystery of God." He wrote, "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the un searchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things." Ephesians 3:8,9
The process of restoring man into the image of God is exciting, rewarding and excruciating – all at the same time. Our natural inclination or tendency is to be hostile towards God. Paul wrote, "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; because the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's (basic) law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8
How can a person live in accordance with the Spirit and find life and peace? Jesus told Nicodemus, "…I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." John 3: 3,5 What does being born of water and the Spirit mean? Some people interpret "born of water" to mean, "unless you are baptized" you cannot go to heaven.
(Note: A controversy over baptism developed within the Christian church about the second century. The issue was whether baptism was required for salvation. The Christian Church finally decided baptism was compulsory. Since the majority of infants died before reaching one year of age, the baptism of infants was implemented to insure that they met "mandatory" requirements of getting to heaven.)
Being born of water, though, meant something different to Nicodemus than it typically means to us today. Being born of water was an expression that was associated with being a Jew. If a Gentile (a Gentile is anyone not born of Jewish ancestry) wished to become a Jew, he or she had to submit to months of extended education on the rules and practices of Judaism. After indoctrination, the candidate denounced his past life and then dunked beneath the water. This symbolic act was known as being "born of water." The Jews thought the act of baptism overcame the tragedy of being born a Gentile. As far as the convert was concerned, life began at baptism. Nothing between birth and baptism was worth remembering. Thus, being born of water was an expression of denouncing natural birth as a Gentile.
Nicodemus was acquainted with the baptism of John. Remember, John the Baptist was baptizing at the Jordan River where there was plenty of water. John 3:23 John was told to use the symbol of being "born of water" to call Israel to repentance. John 1:33 God sent John to Israel pleading with them to forsake their evil past and put away their hard hearts so that they might recognize and receive Messiah! John's baptism was an expression of denouncing the hardness of heart that belonged to Israel! John the Baptist proclaimed, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Matthew 3:11
So Jesus was saying, Nicodemus, you must be "born of water." You a respected leader of Israel need to start over! You need a new heart, a new life. You, Nicodemus, need to repent of your spiritual pride and religious self-exaltation. You Nicodemus need to live a humble life, "born and led by the spirit", for He will guide you into more truth and light!
The answer
So, the answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" begins with a simple and inclusive sentence. Start right now: humbly live up to what you know to be true, and seek more truth! If you are willing to go where God sends you, willing to be what God asks you, willing to do what God asks you – then you're living by faith and God grants salvation full and free to anyone willing to live by faith! Remember go-be-do!
The biblical definition of faith means full surrender. Remember Noah? He did all that God asked him to do. Remember Abraham? He did all that God asked him to do. These worthy examples yielded their hearts to the will of God and freely received his righteousness! If we allow Jesus to be the Lord of our life, we will want to obey him. Jesus told his disciples, "You are my friends if you do what I command…whosoever has my commands and obeys them, and he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 15:14
God reveals the future
Now that salvation has been looked at from the personal view, we must look at the corporate or global view how God implements the Plan of Salvation. God's purpose in choosing the descendants of Abraham as a special people was not to make the exclusive object of His love and special blessings. Rather, He chooses them to be ambassadors of His love. "…I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:6 Israel was to be a channel through which the world would come to know and love the God of heaven, The Creator of the entire universe. However, Satan thwarted that glorious plan by leading the Jews into total rebellion against Jesus.
For almost a 1,000 years after Israel was delivered from the bondage of Egypt, Jesus worked with Israel to make them the great nation He wanted them to be. Each time Israel reached a plateau of physical comfort and wealth, they promptly forgot God and turned to idolatry. The reason idolatry was so attractive to Israel is that pagan religious services were very different from the worship of Jesus.
True worship
The worship of Jesus is thoughtful and reflective. The worship of Jesus causes soul searching and brings the sinner to a greater or daily realization of his need of a Savior.
True worship unmasks our deceitful hearts. In short, the worship of Jesus is like going to the dentist for a checkup thinking that everything is OK and discovering there are hidden cavities! The worship Of Jesus penetrates the soul and reveals hidden thoughts and motives that are impure. This type of worship is obviously contrary to human nature and thus Israel sought other "more exciting" gods to worship.
Pagan worship
Pagan worship comes in a thousand forms and ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous. Satan has devised a counterfeit worship for every type of lust. Some forms of false worship appear very close to true worship while other forms are excuses for the most degrading acts. Given the diverse range of false worship, the only general statement that can be made about false worship is that such neither glorifies our Creator nor brings the worshiper into harmony with His truth. There is a psychological law that says, "By beholding, we become changed." This means that we become like the object of our worship! In time, false worship leads men and women to behave like the father of sin while true worship leads men and women to become like their Creator!
False worship appeals to the carnal or fallen nature. Those who worship in darkness hate truth because the light exposes their deeds! Jesus told His disciples, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you… No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." John 15:18-20
In Israel's day, pagan worship included entertainment of all kinds. History tells us that everything from infant sacrifice to gross sexual practices was performed on or for the benefit of worshipers. Worship in many ways became a spectator's delight. The interesting thing about such drama is that people can live out certain fantasies without actually doing the act.
Today, television, radio, magazines and novels fulfill many of the sensual desires that pagan worship services provided for ancient Israel. Many of the Israelites would not actually commit the indecent acts they witnessed, but they enjoyed watching them nonetheless. How does this compare with the multitude of evil acts committed on TV each day? Are we becoming a more noble and God-like nation as a result of our reading and entertainment?
God's wrath on Israel
By 600 B.C., the Jews had become so totally resistant to God's plan and so degenerate in behavior that something drastic had to be done. Therefore, God planned the destruction of Israel. He would not destroy all of Israel. He would save a remnant. With this remnant He would start over and try one last time to achieve His objective. So Jesus sent Babylonian monarch, King Nebuchadnezzar, to destroy Jerusalem. After three sieges, Nebuchadnezzar completely destroyed Jerusalem and carried off a remnant of Israel into captivity. Jesus did not destroy Jerusalem without warning. He sent a number of prophets to Israel so they might know what He was going to do and why. But Israel not only rejected the warning messages, they killed or destroyed most of the prophets who gave them!
Jeremiah was one such prophet. Jesus speaking through Jeremiah said, "O house of Israel…I am bringing a distant nation against you – an ancient and enduring nation, a people whose language you do not know, whose speech you do not understand. Their quivers are like an open grave; all of them are mighty warriors. They will devour your harvests and food; devour your sons and daughters; they will devour your flocks and herds, devour your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust. Yet even in those days… I will not destroy you completely.
And when the people ask 'Why has the Lord our God done all this to us?' you will tell them, 'As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own'… This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, say: 'listen! I am going to bring on this city and the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words'… I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword." Jeremiah 5:15-19, 19:15, 20:4
One of the remnants taken into captivity was a young man named Daniel. This young man, unlike most young men of his time, loved the Lord with all his heart. The story of his life is quite remarkable for God used this humble young man to reach the proud heart of King Nebuchadnezzar, the monarch of Babylon.
Jesus revealed to Daniel a great prophetic chart or outline describing the future of Israel, and of the rest of the world. The visions recorded in the book of Daniel not only provide a wealth of information about the plan of salvation but they tell us how God works. We will now look at one of these apocalyptic visions.
Daniel 2 opens the future
To continue this lesson, you'l have to read all Daniel 2 in your Bible.
Four important issues will be gleaned from this chapter.
1. First, we notice the omniscience of Jesus declared. Daniel said, "…there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the days to come…" Daniel 2:28 After explaining the vision, Daniel said, "…The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy." Daniel 2:45
2. Jesus revealed to the great monarch of Babylon that astrologers, magicians, enchanters and soothsayers are not connected to God, nor do they have the ability to "predict" the future. Their works (then and now) are essentially a collection of clever lies. Daniel 2:8-11
3. Daniel 2 reveals the omnipotence of Jesus. Omnipotence means, "having all power." Daniel said, "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20-22 In a later vision Daniel again reminded the King, "…the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." Daniel 4:25
4. The vision and interpretation given to King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel contain a broad apocalyptic outline of the future. Apocalyptic prophecy refers to prophecy that deals with a structured or sequential series of events. Jesus revealed to Nebuchadnezzar that subsequent kingdoms would rise and fall until the time came for the God of Heaven to set up His kingdom on earth.
The kingdoms of man were appropriately represented to King Nebuchadnezzar by the symbol of the image made of different metals. The head of gold represented Babylon and metals of lesser value represented kingdoms that followed.
King Nebuchadnezzar was told another kingdom would succeed Babylon. The chest and arms of silver represented this kingdom. Afterwards, another kingdom would arise represented by the thighs of brass. The legs of iron represented the fourth kingdom. The feet of iron and clay represented the fifth kingdom and the last kingdom was represented by the ten toes, which represented a brief reign of 10 kings (a global confederation) just before Jesus appears.
King Nebuchadnezzar was told that during the reign of these ten kings that, "In the time of those kings (the last ten kings), the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever." Daniel 2:44
So Nebuchadnezzar's dream may be seen as a very broad explanation of the destiny of mankind beginning with his day. Comparing prophecy with history, we discover the following progression of seven world empires:
1. Babylon
2. Med-Persia
3. Greece
4. Rome
5. Many kings
6. 10 last kings
7. The kingdom of God
History and prophecy harmoniously combine so that we might understand the plans of God. Just as Jesus predicted (remember) He is omniscient), all the kingdoms have come and gone. As you can see from the outline below, we live in the time period of "many kings". Soon, we will see a brief confederation of 10 kings, and we will know that the return of Jesus is at the door! More will be said about the brief reign of these ten kings when we study Revelation 17. For now, it is important to recognize two things:
7.
1. When "The Rock Of Ages" sets up His kingdom, it fully and completely destroys the kingdoms of man. Daniel told the king, "…a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on the threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth." Daniel 2:34,35 In other words, the kingdom of Jesus does not co-exist with the sinful kingdoms of man.
2. Twenty-five hundred years ago Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, " The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy." Daniel 2:45 Today, we see the truthfulness of the dream. In an earlier lesson the point was made that prophecy is history in advance and history is prophecy from the past. From Nebuchadnezzar, it is clear that we are close to the end of the kingdoms of man. Just how close are we: 1 year, 10 years or 100 years?
KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM
Salvation and prophecy work together
We have studied the plan of salvation and its two components. First, the penalty of sin was paid in full by the death of Jesus on Calvary. (Justification) Secondly, our Creator wants to restore His image in those who choose salvation. (Sanctification)
Prophecy is the plan of salvation what the wedding date is to a couple planning for marriage. The Bible often compares the second coming of Jesus to a marriage feast or a wedding. "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come." Revelation 19:7
Those who have received salvation are anxious for the return of Jesus! What would you say about a couple who were indifferent about the date of their wedding? What would you say of Christians who are indifferent about the time of Christ's coming?
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