Welcome to the New Testament

Whew!   I'm going to give you Patricia's blog input because she includes some good history.   One thing I caught that I never noticed before is that Peter and John seemed to be disciples of John the Baptist before they went to Jesus......I'll have to research that further...OK...Here's Patricia:

 JUST in case there are some new readers I am going to give a small recap…skip if you want.
The O.T. (Old Testament) leaves off with the Jews under a Persian Empire, after years of warning to repent from their sins from Prophets,  God finally pulled them out of the Promise Land that Joshua brought them into  as a punishment of correction to get their attention.  King Cyrus (Persian King) released them out of this captivity  to go back to Jerusalem.  Not many went back but the ones that did were mostly Levites and Benjaminties (Temple caretakers) , those that would rebuild the temple.  Since then,  Persia fell to the Greeks under Alexander the Great and eventually the Roman Empire was dominant.  This is where we pick up.  The political figure in Rome was Caesar Augustus, but the appointed leader in Judah (Jerusalem) was Herod the Great).  The Jews were a self governing body as long as they remained peaceful and quiet.  Jesus, the Messiah is being born, and that will stir things up for sure.
Anyway, Priests (from the tribe of Levi)  took turns taking care of the temple, chosen by a  “lot system” (like dice that God controlled) to see whose turn it is daily.  Part of taking care of the temple was burning incense which represented prayer (the smoke going up to the Heavens like our prayers do).  So this day it was Priest Zechariah’s  day chosen by God.  It is noted that Zechariah is a descendant of Aaron.   Aaron was Moses brother, which meant Zechariah came from a line of High Priests (great importance).
OK, back to Luke.  Theophilus may have been Luke’s friend, his lawyer, his financer,  but I think of it this way…Theopholus means “one who loves God” in Greek.  So when it is said Luke  is writing it to Theophilus,  I think the Book is written to me, (and you).  So Gabriel the Angel comes down again to be a messenger for the Lord.  I say again because we might recall he spoke to Daniel.  He must be a top angel because he speaks to Daniel, John the Baptist’s Father,  and Mary.  Anyway, Gabriel tells him that his barren wife who is beyond years will give birth to a son named John.  John will be dedicated to the Lord by not drinking wine or fermented drink.  Do you remember this? Go way back in the brain to Numbers 6 (click here) , the Nazarite Vow.  A parent could dedicate their child to the Lord and in return the child must never cut their hair, drink wine alcohol or touch anything dead.  Other Nazarites in the Bible included Sampson and  Samuel.  So we see the birth of the Prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit, who will proclaim and pave the way for the Messiah to come! (Just as Scriptures said they would)  John is coming in the spirit of Elijah!
In the same time,  Gabriel now speaks to Mary about Jesus being  born through her.  Jesus, the Greek word for Joshua in Hebrew means “the Lord Saves”. Do notice that Mary believes Gabriel not just because an angel is before her but because she is a woman of faith, and KNEW the Word of God through studying scripture.

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

 Mary Praised the Lord through a song called the Magnificat (which parts of it were from the song Moses sand just after the parting of the Red Sea) and Zechariah praised God through a song too called the Benedictus.  I am sure it did not surprise you that on the exact day as according to law,  John was circumcised as part of the Abrahamic Covenant of being set apart is a chosen nation (Gen 17).  Circumcision is a SIGN, just like Baptism is today.  It sets us apart and proclaims our faith for all to see.
(The blogs won’t all be this long, I had history to cover.   I promise!)
John 1, the first 14 Scriptures only.  Now that we have read about the virgin conception we turned to John whose purpose in writing this entire book is stated at the end on  John 20:31

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

We may have only read 14 verses in John but here is all that it says:

• Jesus was in the Beginning (He was present at Creation)
• All things are from the Trinity
• Darkness can not overthrow the Light
• JOhn was sent BY God to precede the coming Messiah for ALL
• If you believe in his name, He will make you a child if God**
• God became Flesh, to come dwell with us, full of God’s glory, Grace and Truth.

**Underline John 1:12 in your Bible.  Change HOW you talk about Salvation.  He  chooses us to be a Child of God.   We are not born into it, not by husband’s will, and also not by Human decision.  You don’t decide to become a Christian.    Listen to me, do not say “I asked Jesus to come into my heart”  or “I accepted Jesus into my life”  You can do NOTHING.  By your Faith He SAVED you.  The only thing we can do or have,  is Faith.  He does EVERYTHING ELSE!!!  He CHOOSES TO SAVE YOU….you don’t choose Him.  It’s HIS Covenant, not ours.
FRIENDS this is the Gospel.  Read is Fresh.  This is the most important words you will ever read in your entire life.  Is there is a single verse that you do not understand PLEASE do not pass over it.  Comment or E-mail me directly Pszyman@comcast.net.  There is a lot of Old Testament wrapped up in today’s read so ASK me anything.  Priest?  Temple? Offerings? genealogy? Incense?

A little gift borrowed from Patricia

Apparently, our New Jersey Patricia had a recap session with her blog followers and passed out some supplemental materials.   I have taken the liberty of liberating them from her blog for our viewing pleasure.   Be sure and read them with a Jersey accent in her honor.

Posted September 30, 2010 by Patricia in Malachi. Leave a Comment

Just in case anyone wanted extra copies…here were the handouts in the order I spoke with them. Just click on the name:   Each handout was chosen for a specific purpose.  Let me know if you have ANY questions!
History of the Bible
Bible Time Line
Noah’s Family Tree
12 Tribes of Israel
The Exodus
Tabernacle
Sacrifices
Feasts
Temple
Kings and Prophets
Israel History
Captivity Map
Current Middle East Map
The Statue
Inter-testament History
In the days of Jesus

Malachi

Little book with a lot of stuff!   Here is the very last read of the Old Testament.  What fortitude you have had.   Did you believe you would make it this far?  I am proud of you....can you imagine how please God is with you?

This book begins when the temple had been rebuilt for about 100 years.   Once again, the people are getting complacent.   The Law required that perfect sacrifices be offered to God (Jesus would be the ultimate perfect sacrifice) and people were keeping good things for themselves and allowing imperfect sacrifices to be made.   Don't think God doesn't know what we do and he is well aware of our motivation.  The priests were allowing this to happen.  My study Bible points out that in Romans 12:1, our LIVES should be living sacrifices to God...Oh, Boy! 

Chapter 2 is admonition for the priests.....they have truly broken the covenant.....God moves onto the sinful people themselves....they "flooded the altar with tears"  and wondered why God was unhappy with the offerings...they knew better and God knew the knew better.  Men were divorcing for no reason other than they were bored.   God pointed out that the marraige covenant was something in which He made two people one.

If you get nothing else out of this book, check out chapter 3......Malachi is talking about how John the Baptist will be the messenger preparing the way of the Lord.   John the Baptist is one like Elijah....remember verse 6:  I the Lord do not change.  He is the same as he has always been and we can rely on him.  Many sermons come from:

Test me on this  and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.   We are supposed to do our tithes and offerings and God will provide.  He even asks us to test him. 

This book ends with "The Day of the Lord is coming".......God isn't going to speak for 400 years.....

Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126

....and there was a revival with Nehemiah.....perhaps you skimmed over some of the new residents of Jerusalem like I did...but can you imagine if you were in there, and you could show all your kids...."Look..here is Mom's name, yep, right here in the Bible...want me to autograph it for you?"  It was important to those people and the geneology of the Jewish people.  The description of the dedication of the walls was pretty cool to me....two choirs singing in response to each other on the top of the walls....what a sight and sound that must have been.

Nehemiah had to return back to his job with King Antaxerxes.....when he came back, he was dismayed to find that Tobiah, one of the major opponents to the building of the wall...he was an Ammonite, and he had his own room!  He, by law was forbidden to worship in the temple.....Not cool backsliding People....wouldn't you have liked to have seen Nehemiah pitching all of Tobiah's stuff out of his room....then he had to purify the rooms!  The Levites had not been given there portions that they were due and had to go back to farming their fields.....you just wonder how the Israelites can backslide so much over and over....they were working on the Sabbath and not resting and remembering Creation as God commanded them to do.  Why didn't the people just do what they were supposed to do?  Do you think God thinks that right now when He looks down on the earth?   Yikes!

Psalm 126 (I can now honestly say that we have finished with the Psalms....)
God does great things and releases from Captivity.......Scholars think this may have been written at the beginning of Ezra's time......Is there any Captivity that you need to be released from?  Have you been released from any Captivity?   I have and there is nothing like the freedom that God gives when you are obedient!

Nehemiah 8-10

I liked today's reading because my Bible says, "No matter where we live, backsliding is an ever-present danger".  That is so true if we do not attend to our spiritual life.   We see the Isrealites doing this over and over....we are no less immune.

Ezra renews the covenant....he brings the Book of the Law before the people and teaches them.  Notice how many times you read the phrase "who were able to understand".    We know the Holy Spirit had not come to all the people yet, so I wonder how God's people came to understand?   I know that God can do anything, but this point was interesting to me.  Verse 12 shows that the people now understood, so Ezra must have been empowered to teach with meaning.  The people then celebrate the Feast of the Booths (Tabernacles)...it had been a long time.  This was the feast that was rememberence for when the Lord delivered the people from Egypt.

Chapter 9 documented real mourning.  The people were all in sackcloth and had dust on their heads.  The history was verbally accounted for...this is how the people learned...the majority couldn't read and the Bible was not universally available in those days.  There was the corporate confession of sins.  The Israelites were slaves in their own land.....remember they didn't want to look defiant by having their own king when the Persian King was on their side releasing them from exile....

This is all about journeys.....two great ones...from Egypt and from exile.    Our life is our "journey"....

The people make a covenant, a binding agreement...order is returning to the people of God....there will be sacrifices again and order in the temple.  The people are sinful and confess.  They promise not to give their children in marriage to the pagans.....this precludes idol worship.

Nehemiah 1-5

And now Nehemiah, prominent citizen, cupbearer to the King of Persia is distressed because he hears about how Israel's walls are broken and how disgraced they are.    He could be killed for showing a sad face to the king, but the king asks him what is wrong and doesn't kill him.  God is all about the plan!  Nehemiah gets permission not only to lead the third and final group of exiles back to Israel, but to take supplies to rebuild.  Upon arrival and with much prayer, he is able to organize and execute the city wall restoration.  He does this in 52 days!  God is with him.

Naturally, there is opposition to the rebuilding and Sanaballat and Tobiah are not pleased.  They ridicule and discouraged the people.   Have you ever been opposed by someone doing this to you?

It is also very important how Nehemiah helps the poor.   God directed this from the beginning.  We do not use those that are in need.  We help them.  God loves them just as much as he loves us.

Ezra 7-10

And now we finally meet Ezra who has descended from Aaron the Chief Priest...I know you remember him.  King Artaxerxes allows him to lead a second group of exiles from Persia to Israel.  We get a full list of descendents that return with Ezra and he noticed there were no Levites.   Very few were willing to volunteer their services.  Ezra proclaimed a fast and asked people to use the gifts that God gave them.  We are not supposed to "hog" gifts that God gave us. They were given to us to help further God's kingdom.    The exiles then traveled about 900 miles on foot!!!

Ezra got to Israel and was dismayed that the people had intermarried.  This is not prejudice....the reasons were spiritual....those that married pagans had idolatry as a constant problem.   Ezra prayed and confessed and wept and a group of Israelites did the same.   Ezra made a covenant before God to send the pagan women and children away.  My study Bible points out that this could be compared to a Christian today marrying a devil worshipper.   Yes, it was a severe solution, but it only involved 113 of about 29,000 families.  If these people didn't do what was asked, they would lose their legal right to own land, and this was to ensure that no pagan children would inherit Israel's land.  

Now to give you some time frame, Ester was Queen between the first and second returns to Israel.

Esther 5-10

The King can't sleep (the Lord is keeping him up, don't ya know) and he wants the chronicles of his kingdom to be read to him....He sees that nothing was ever done for Mordecai discovering the conspiracy against him.   The king calls Haman (who just happens to be waiting around) and asks Haman how he should honor someone.   Haman vainly thinks it is him, and describes honor that makes him almost a king.   The king replies, "Good idea, do it for Mordecai" and Haman is humiliated in his own mind.

Esther, biding her time, invites Haman and the king to a second banquet.  At this time the king wants to grant a request and Esther accuses Haman of the plot to anhilate the Jews and admits she is one...Xerxes is so bad he walks to the garden.  Haman realizes he has no chance left and begs Esther for mercy.  No man is allowed to be with the Queen by himself and Xerxes walks back in and flips his top.  Note the eunach that suggests the gallows...where have you seen him before?

The King is not allowed to change any of his orders once he stamps them, but this time he allows the Jews to bear arms and defend themselves.  God helps the Jews win.   The celebration of Purim (the lot, which is how Haman decided on the days of execution) is how the feast is named.  Mordecai is promoted and is the second greatest man in all of the kingdom.   Yep, God is all over this book!

Esther 1-5

Alcohal changes the course of human history again.   Zerxes is partying away and gets tipsy and calls for Queen Vashti to come out and be displayed.  She refuses the King and is banished in a fit of his anger.   God is orchestrating this whole thing, because how else could a Jewish orphan be raised to the status of Queen?  Mordecai is a wise uncle who cares for her.  He tells Esther not to reveal her heritage at this point in time.

Esther is a kindly girl and is very wise to listen to the "managing eunnach"   Only Eunachs can manage the king's harem, because they are not able to violate the girls in any way. Esther's advice proves fruitful and she becomes Queen.

Meanwhile, Mordecai hears of a plot at the city gate.  Mordecai works at the city gate, so he was some type of official.  The two conspiring officials are hanged.  Note that there is no public credit given to Mordecai at this time.

Haman comes onto the scene and he is power hungry and vain.  He is also prejudiced against the Jews.  He plots and conives to get Xerxes to pass a royal order to annihilate them.   Esther intercedes for the Jews.  This is big, because the King had not even "visited" Esther in 30 days and she doesn't think she has a hold over him .  She instructs the people to pray and fast, and then she goes to see the king.    She is not allowed to do this without an appointment.  If he doesn't raise the golden scepter, Esther dies.   Luckily, Xerxes appears to be in a good mood and doesn't kill Esther and grants her whatever she wishes.   She invites Haman and the King to a banquet....what??????   Why is she biding her time?????  Get Haman!!!!    

Haman is flattered to be in attendance, but on the way home sees that Mordecai is not bowing to Haman.    He is full of rage and his wife tells him to build a gallows to hang Mordecai.

Esther overview

This book has the honor of being the only book of the Bible that does not have God's name in it.  Oh, it is in there all right, just not by name.   We will see the creation of the celebration Purim which Jews celebrate today.  God will orchestrate everything no matter what.  We are in the Medo Persian section of Daniel's statue....King Xerxes has TONS of land that he rules over.  He is Persia's 5th king.   This book is what allows the book of Nehemiah to happen.   Jews are still in captivity, but the ones here in Persia, chose to stay there.  It could be argued that they are forgetting their Jewish ways.   Again, Beth Moore does a fabulous study on this book of the Bible.

Zechariah 8-14

This is all so full of prophecy!  God encourages with visions of the future.  For 15 years the people were in a lull from building the temple. ...it was time to move on.

God also sends messages after the temple is built.  Enemies will be destroyed and Zion's king will come.  You can see in 9: 8, that the king will come in on a donkey and this happens with Jesus in Matthew 21:5...the Lord will appear at the second coming, also, so you have a mix of near and far fufillmemt when you read all this.

Chapter 10 says that God is angry with the shepherds...this is anger at leaders that have led the "flock" astray.  There is a lot of responsibility required to be a teacher or leader in God's kingdom.  You aren't just responsible for your self, but for others.  10:4 is really cool because more than 500 years before the coming of Christ, we see Jesus as the cornerstone for the church.

We move to two shepherds and Zechariah has to act out the roles of the two shepherds.  The first shepherd shows how God will reject His sheep because they rejected Him.  The second shepherd shows how God will give His people over to evil shepherds.  The staffs of the shepherds are Favor and Union..Favor is broken because the covenant relationship is broken.  Union is broken because the fellowship between Judah and Isreal are broken...  Israel is going to reject the true shepherd...Look at 11:12.."so they paid me 30 pieces of silver"..this is a huge insult..this is a price paid by an owner whose slave is gored by an ox.  It is also what Judas is paid  for betraying Jesus....The Messiah was sold for the price of a slave.

Chapter 12 is a future battle...Armegaddon.   Jerusalem's enemies will be destroyed.  12:10 talks about how the Holy Spirit will be poured out on Believer's at Pentecost.  It discusses how the people are going to mourn Jesus "the one they pierced"....

Chapter 13 discusses a cleansing of sin...mercy from the Lord will come.  The shepherd will be struck and the sheep will scatter....notice that Isreal's Jews are still scattered everywhere today..they are not all in the Promised Land.

When you read "the Day of the Lord" or "on that day", that is the second coming of Christ...I like to underline that with a green colored pencil so that it sticks out to me.  Chapter 14 is so cool......the Lord (Jesus) will come and reign....His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will be split in two from East to West.  Note this in your mind, because when Jesus ascends to Heaven, the angel tells the Disciples that Jesus "will return in the same way He left"....Jesus ascends from the Mount of Olives.

Quite frankly, I had no idea that so much prophecy was in this book.  8 more days to the New Testament readings.  It will be so cool to see that Scripture is fufilled.  There will be more Scripture to be fulfilled with the second coming.  I believe that it will all happen....everything God as said will happen has happened, so why not the rest?

Zechariah 1-7

I have never studied this book and can honestly say I have never heard anything about it from the Lutheran or Methodist tradition.  It is there for a reason!     There is so much future prophecy in all this that I didn't know was there.

Zechariah has visions from God.  One commentary says that if we just read Haggai, we may assume that God is only about the temple.  Well, is is concerned about sin, also and the book opens with the anger of God towards the "moms and dads" if this generation being addressed.  The nations surrounding Judah are living "in ease" and there is wonder as to why wicked people seem to prosper.  God will bring the judgement that they deserve.

Zechariah sees 4 horns...These are oppressing governments and God will judge them because the 4 craftsmen follow the 4 horns.

Zechariah sees a man measuring the city to make room for all the people that would one day fill the city...this is a major restoration theme.  God will protect his people.

I love when Zechariah sees the high priest clothed in the dirty clothes of sin.     Satan is the accuser and God rejects the accusations and clothes the high priest with clean garments..

Zechariah sees a lampstand that is kept constantly burning.  This represents the Holy Spirit....this gives us the power to do what we need to do, not our own will or strength.

Zechariah sees a flying scroll which represents God's curse.  Every person will be judged according to his/her own sin......this is not about what "parents" did to make God mad.  We have to take responsibility for our own sin.

He sees a woman in a basket.   The Hebrew word for wicked is a feminine word, so this is probably where the female representation comes into play, according to the scholars.  The angel packs her up and sends her away.  Sin is now being removed from society.

And finally, Zechariah sees 4 horses and 4 chariots.....many scholars think this equates to the 4 world powers that oppress Judah.....Judgement will come on anyone who oppresses God's people.

Whew!  Wonder what it is like to have a vision?    The  key thing I see is KNOWING THAT IT IS FROM GOD!   I assure you that if God has a message He wants you to get, He has every way to make His message known!

Lot's to absorb, huh!

Haggai

The timing is very important in this book.  In Ezra, we read about the opposition from the enemies of the land. We read about Haggai and Zechariah who were sent by God to encourage the people.  We left Ezra while the people were celebrating Passover and were full of the Spirit of the Lord.  Then we read about the enemies that wanted to "help" with the temple reconstruction.  Well, in this book, we see that the people weren't just discouraged, they had developed bad priorities.  Essentially, they had just let the temple go.  No work on the temple had been done for 10 years..the people had moved on not just to building their own homes, but to make them luxurious, while the temple lay in ruin.  

We see that God is going to call a drought in 1:11 to get the people's attention and call them back to Him.  The people did listen. They began construction again, after only 23 days of Haggai's message.  How cool....many prophets were ignored, as we have read in the past.  God immediately blesses them.

Chapter 2: 6-9 is pretty cool, because it talks about the Messiah.   He is going to walk in this very temple.

Ezra 4-6

..Interesting that the enemies of Judah and Benjamin want to be involved in the building of the temple....they want to get in and see what is going on.  The opposition to God's work begins.  Remember that the enemy does not want us to get closer to God...  A letter is sent to the king in a very "twisting" way...it tells the king that there is an issue of tax not being rendered to him.  This certainly gets the king's attention and he has to look up the history....the Jews are forced to stop.

Haggai and Zechariah are two prophets that God sends to encourage his people.  A letter is sent to Darius and Darius researches the situation and finds out that Darius decreed that the temple of God in Jerusalem was blessed by him and the expenses of the men are to be paid for out of the royal treasury!  If anyone changes this edict he will be impaled.  Go Cyrus, Go Cyrus!!  

The temple is completed and the Passover is celebrated.

Ezra 1-3

Isn't it wild that we start the book of Ezra and he isn't even mentioned?
Apparently, Ezra and Nehemiah go together in the Jewish Bible...this is pretty cool....The time of Exile in Babylon is done.   Cyrus of Persia has conquered Babylon (we are going down the statue that Daniel dreamed).  Remember how Cyrus was mentioned by name in Isaiah?  This foreign king is going to deliver the people.  Now,  tricky thing is that lots of the Jewish people have gotten comfortable in Babylon...they have homes and jobs.   The trek to Judah will take about 4 months.  Do you know how much food you have to pack?  There are no hotels.  And, once you arrive, there is a temple and a home to rebuild.  Some people chose to stay.

Zerubbabel is the "civil" guy who will go.  Then the  "religious" priests and Levites have to prove they are decendents of Abraham.   Keep in mind that not a single sacrifice has been offered during this time.  Last we recall,God's glory had left the temple.  Cyrus even returns the temple articles that had been plundered

Our next view is that worship is restored at the temple.  They celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles and stayed in little booths to remind themselves of the trek from Egypt.   This is another deliverance; another homecoming.  The foundation is laid for the temple.  We see a mixed feeling.   Some of the crowd are full of joy.  Some of the crowd, most notably the older ones are sad because this temple is built on the footprint of Solomon's temple that was destroyed and it is much much less grand.  The new people never saw the old temple, so effectively they didn't know what they were missing.    Here is something that really got my attention from the Wesley study Bible:
The writer notes that the people sing "according to the directions of King David" to whom tradition attributes many of the psalms.  Erected on the same location and celebrated with the same songs, the foundation for this second temple symbolizes continuity in faith and heritage with the first temple community, even if this continunity is now a mixed group, most of whom know nothing of the old monarchy.  As individuals, families, and congregations evolve, growth entails finding meaningful ways to integrate the present with the past to connect new members with those who have a long record of faithfulness, and to honor history while embracing change.  The weeping of the elders carries a moving double significance.  Their disappointment with the new construction is at once a sad refusal to welcome the future and an important challenge to a new generation that they have much to achieve to rival the community's former glory.  Only the elders carry with them the historical  memory of the community.  They are the only ones who can raise this criticism.

Daniel 10-12

I love this book.  I do think it is because I have some understanding  through the Beth Moore study....I love how God does what He says He is going to do.....I love reading about the batt of Good and Evil  How can we even get our heads around something like this that is going "behind the scenes".....Since Patricia has done so much work on the Daniel blog thanks to her study of Beth Moore, I am going to defer to her again...

Posted September 17, 2010 by Patricia in Daniel. 10 Comments

Wow that was one awesome week.  Books like this are such fuel for firing up our faith.  We all have the ability to question if our faith is in vain.  I wouldn’t lie and say I never did but when you read about these prophecies today and the accuracy in which they were filled… God assures us that the Bible is God breathed and that His plan was always and will be fulfilled.

Ch 10:  The last vision was given to Daniel after the Jewish people were allowed to leave captivity.  Its like a veil was lifted and Daniel was able to see the angels and powers that go on right around us that we don’t even see or know.  Michael the Angel was watching and helping Israel.  The unseen world, a world of warfare and battle all around us of good verse evil. 

Chapter 11.  OK, grab your pen and your Bible. following the death of Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. the Greek empire was divided into 4 regions:

1. Greece
2.  Asia Minor (Turkey)
3. Syria
4. Egypt. 

These predictions from Daniel are 200 years Before there was even a Greek Empire and nearly 400 years before these kings were even born!  What we are reading here is SOOOO important, it is what happens between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  They may be called “The Silent Years” because prophets did not speak BUT it is a time where God can be boldly seen.  OK, take your pen and cross this stuff out as you read.

• Vs 2 The 3 kings from Persia were  Cambyses, Gaumaa, and Darius.  The richest most Powerful king was Xerxes (pronounced Zerk Sees).
• Vs 3 This is Alexander the Great and the 4 divisions are Greece, Asia Minor (Turkey), Syria and Egypt.
• Vs 4 The king of the South is Ptolemy, and one of his commanders is Seleucus.
• Vs 6 the daughter is Bernice, from Ptolemy, was given in marriage to Antiochus and she was murdered.
• Vs 7 One of family line is the Brother of Bernice, Ptolemy III.
• Vs10 The 2 sons are Seleucus III and Antiochus III
• Vs 21-45 This is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (pronounced Anti Oh Kus).  He is called by the Jews a “Mad Man”.  He is the Antiochus that is a foreshadow of the Antichrist. Here he is called a contemptible person. (I had to look it up in the Dictionary…told you I was not smart)

The King who exalted himself.  Remember,  that all that is refered to current time with Antiochus (the silent years) also has to be studied as eschatology, or at End Times too (possible today times) . 

And Finally in Chapter 12, I read very slowly, looked a few things up in Hebrew like the wordwise and finally read the last verse.  Daniel is a book not necessarily about us.  It is written for the Jewish people with a Promise of a fulfilled plan.  There will ultimately be restoration for His Chosen People.  But as I read the last verse I was overwhelmed with joy knowing I could substitute my name in there too as  a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.

Penny this is for you.  12:4 and 9  is regarding the Scroll of Prophecy of End Times.  The Prophecies are sealed and will not be added to.  This is referring to what we read in Revelation.  How do we know the Bible is COMPLETE?  Because God told us.

I wish the book of Daniel was longer.

14 days left guys.  14!!  Who are you inviting to read the New Testament with you?

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1. Posted by Laura Frost on September 17, 2010 at 6:22 am

   Wow…that is amazing how clear the prophecy is and how clearly it was fulfilled. I have never read this last part of Daniel…it is unbelievable want to study in detail!
2. Posted by Patricia on September 17, 2010 at 6:24 am

   Me, Ciji and Penny are throwing around the idea of the Beth Moore Daniel study next year. Want to?
3. Posted by Patricia on September 17, 2010 at 6:26 am

   If anyone wants to talk out some of this call me 346-9342….I do better with words than writing.
4. Posted by Ciji Gilley on September 17, 2010 at 6:32 am

   I have learned so much in Daniel that I never even knew about & I really am eager to study it more in-depth. DEFINITELY want to do the Daniel study next year!!!!
5. Posted by brittany devault on September 17, 2010 at 6:45 am

   I just love Daniel!!!
6. Posted by Penny on September 17, 2010 at 7:58 am

   Daniel is sooo good. I definitely want to study this book. Count me in for doing the Beth Moore study.

   I’ll share a verse that I heard loud and clear this morning…”Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” Isn’t that so wonderful?!

   So the book is sealed. God didn’t leave out a single detail did He? Not that I expected him to. That really leaves no room for so called modern day prophets.

   Daniel wins! It’s my favorite so far.
   PS: I have the right to change my mind as we move to the NT. 
7. Posted by Erica on September 17, 2010 at 8:57 am

   I keep having new favorites as I read all these books for the first time, but yes Daniel has moved to first place! I really did love it and definitely want to study it more, so count me in for the Beth Moore study.

   I read 12:13 several times and just felt my heart swell with comfort, hope, encouragement and excitement. Just like Daniel I don’t understand what all this means, but God says it’s ok. What you really need to know is that at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.

   “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
8. Posted by Christy Cline on September 17, 2010 at 3:52 pm

   INCREDIBLE!!… I don’t know that I understood it all, but like Erica said – God says it’s ok!

   I’m totally down for the doing the Beth Moore study of Daniel!! Get’s me all excited 
9. Posted by Stephanie M on September 17, 2010 at 6:43 pm

   who is talking to him in 10;5? He says he was held up for 120 days by the king of persia? And Michael was helping him.
10. Posted by Patricia on September 17, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    The man dressed in Linen was speaking to him. He is a messenger. An Angel? He was detained and Michael (another angel) helped him get ot Daniel for this vision.

Daniel 7-9

I love this book because I was exposed to it with Beth Moore's study.....She is a great teacher on some confusing prophecy.  I don't see how anyone could just read this book of the Bible and just get it.  It is amazing when you read it with spiritual eyes and have someone like Beth that has the keys to what could be a closed door.  I am going to lift from Patricia again, because it is clear that she is taking her information from that very Beth Moore study.  Again, she has some great pictures.   The first half of Daniel is the story, and now is the eschatology (study of end time events)....and as a Sunday School student, we of course never heard the second part of the book.  I find it so exciting because everything God says is going to happen...some of it has already...just think of what is to come.

WOW right?? In 3 Chapters we read Daniel’s dream, Daniel’s vision, and Daniel’s Prayer.  Chronologically this chapter takes place before “the writing on the wall”.  Daniels’ dream of the Four beasts represent the 4 Gentile Nations again.  This is another prophecy with great detail like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  His dream was from a political view, Daniel’s is from a moral view.

• Lion: Babylon (next time you read Jeremiah 4 and 50 or Ezekiel 17  you can now note the Lion and say ohhhhhh I get it.
• Bear:Medo-Persia.  The bear was raised on one side wich is probably the dominance of Persia.  The 3 ribs in the bears mouth was probably the 3 empires it consisted of ( Babylon, Egypt and Libya)
• Leopard:Greece.  It had 4 heads and 4 wings representing with Alexander the Great died the 4 generals appointed to 4 providences. Ptolemies, Seleucids, Antigonids and Attalids.  (this all happens later, During the 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament much of God’s work still happens.  The story of the History that unfolds is not part of the Bible but the exact prophecy of it all happens with pinpoint accuracy) COME TO MY RECAP CLASS AND FIND OUT!
• Beast:Rome.  Ten Horns are the 10 kings that will rise from this kingdom and a little horn (Antiochus) is the little horn. (Antiochus is a forshadow of the AntiChirst)

(Note these match the statue from the Head to the 10 toes)

Let’s hit the pause button for a second.  After the exile (70 years) King Cyrus after conquering Babylon (if you follow the statue or the animals you KNOW this that Cyrus must be from Medio-Persia.  He will release all the Jews so they can go back to Jerusalem.  When they are released just a few actually do return.   Alexander the Great from Greece enters the picture and conquered what seems to be EVERYONE and spreads the Greek culture to everyone (this movement is called Hellenism) but we know from the prophecies that Rome will take over.   Note that these prophecies have a real time meaning of what is to come in the Jewish History AND an Eschatology (end times) of events that will come in the last days. The little horn here of Antiochus (Ant Eye Oh Kus) is a king representing the  forshadow of Satan, the little horn (connected in scripture) in Revelation is Satan. (ask me in comments of you want all that clarified)leaving the setting for the Messiah to come.
Finally, the one like a son of man,is the Prophecy of Jesus the Messiah coming to save all and to have an Everlasting Kingdom.
Chapter 8.  The Vision,  if you notice he is standing in it.  He can interact with the Vision to say “what in the world is all this??”, clearly God is too much for our finite minds.  The interpretation of this vision is exact with the statue and animals, but this time with more detail to layer on top.  The absolute best argument that the Bible could ONLY be written by God, through man’s hand is the exact revelation of prophecies fulfilled to the smallest of detail.
Chapter 9.Daniel’s prayer.  PLEASE read this prayer closely and meditate on the parts of it all day.  What makes this prayer more “answerable” than other prayers? Consider these points.  This info is paraphrased  from a John MacArthur commentary that just rocked my world (but not as much as the Bible)

• Daniel KNEW God’s Word.  He spoke of Jeremiah’s timeline of 70 years of captivity.  Daniel was able to pray IN THE WORD because HE KNEW THE WORD.  Daniel knew the direction his nation was headed from reading the scriptures.  Do you?
• Daniel prayed that prayer ACCORDING to God’s Will.  Do you?
• Daniel Prayed with the UTMOST respect and reverence for the Lord and with COMPLETE recognition of his own unworthiness of even being in the presence of the Lord.  Do you?
• Daniel prayed in a “we are sinners” heart but focused on the needs of the others in prayer. 
• Daniel prayed that the ULTIMATE purpose of an answered prayer was for ONLY  God’s Glorification. DO you?

(I will be right back, going to grab a bandaid…took a beating on all that)
The 70 7′s  I know all the Bible is God inspired but this chapter is special.  Isaac Newton said “we could stake the truth of Christianity on that prophecy alone, made 5 centuries before Christ; referring to the 70 7′s.  If I don’t stop here this Blog will be longer than the Bible so let me just open the can on this one and if anyone is interested I would Love to go into it more in the comment section.
A 7 equals a year (a complete number) so 70 times 7 is 490 years.  The Lord put a timeline for the Israelites to Finish Transgressions, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring everlasting righteousness, and to fulfill the prophecy.  To keep this simple I will just let you know 69 have already occurred.  DId you hear me on that..69 have already occurred. The stopwatch on the 69 STOPPED when Jesus gave his life on the Cross.  69 done….waiting on the last one.  When will the stop watch start again??   There is ONE last part to this, and the last one is a 7 of 7.  Yup that’s right, the 7 years of Tribulation!  Want me to freak you out a little more…when will the 7 year Trib start?? It says it right in the Bible verse 27

He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’  In the middle of the ‘seven’  he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.

He referring to the antichrist,  will sign a peace treaty with the Israelites and that will BEGIN the last 7.
Are you paying attention.  If you are confused close your computer and go turn on the News Channels.  PLease comment if you want to know more about any of this…
See you tomorrow? (LOL…maybe but in case of Rapture this blog will be unattended to, at least from this end…ha hah ha)

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1. Posted by Patricia on September 16, 2010 at 5:40 am

   Remember 3 dates were posted to Intertestmant Class Daniel is a prophecy of what is going to happen in those 400 years but it would be great to break it down in detail with you.
   
2. Posted by Nicolle on September 16, 2010 at 7:57 am

   I am sooooo confused. The 490 years – this was from the time Daniel had the dream? the time the Jews were first exiled? 62 7s? what is this? and finally, the 70 7s you were speaking of in the blog in which 69 had been fufilled – what does that mean and how can time or the 7s stop and start up again later?
   
3. Posted by Patricia on September 16, 2010 at 8:14 am

   Don’t get overwhelmed with the 70 weeks of Prophecy. I studied this last year and am still overwhelmed with it. And that is ok. I trust in it and and that is all that matters. Do some research. Google some words like Daniel’s 70 Weeks. (time times and a half time means 3 and a half years, half of the 7 year tribuation).
   Give this some time and then move on. Our purpose this year is to see God’s Full Plan of Salvation, and this is part of it. Next year will be a year of going back for many of you and DIGGING DEEP on certain topics.
   Sorry Gotta run…my schedule is overwhelming today!
   
4. Posted by Christy Cline on September 16, 2010 at 10:05 pm

   Holy Cow!…. boy am I confused!! I need to do some digging now….
   
5. Posted by Laura Frost on September 17, 2010 at 6:19 am

   Okay so the peace agreement between palestinians and jews is huge right? I have never read the book of Daniel aside from the Sunday School Stories (which are usually stripped of all the majesty of God) that are told. This was amazing! I really want to study the book in Depth!
   

Daniel 3-6

Love this book of the Bible.  I'm stealing from Patricia today because she found some great art that I like.

Reading the Bible in one year Genesis to Revelations in 2010!

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Daniel 7-9 »

15 Sep

Daniel 4-6

Posted September 15, 2010 by Patricia in Daniel. 8 Comments

Chapter 4 verse 28:  ”All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.  Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,  he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Result:

Then??

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Chapter 5.  Did anyone;s heart stop when you read of this drunken orgy and they are using the goblets and temple items at this party.  ANyway we now see the phrase… “the writing is on the wall”…amazing how much I quote scripture and do not even know it!

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin!

And we see Darius a Mede, at the age of 62 take over the Kingdom. (Pay attention to the Statue Dream)
Ok, so far Daniel Served two Kings if Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar).  Now the Head of the statue fell to the Chest and Medo-Persia is the Empire.  Darius, a good leader, did not think his decree would hurt Daniel  It was a trick.  The administrators were jealous and set the whole thing up.  Anyway, the famous story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den.  Know that these lions were STARVED and abused so they would viciously attack their prey.  Well, you know how the story ends

“For he is the living God
       and he endures forever;
       his kingdom will not be destroyed,
       his dominion will never end.

  He rescues and he saves;
       he performs signs and wonders
       in the heavens and on the earth.
       He has rescued Daniel
       from the power of the lions.”

  So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus  the Persian.
Cyrus?  Didn’t we read his name in Isaiah 300 YEARS ago.

Isaiah: 44:28-45:3

who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd
       and will accomplish all that I please;
       he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”
       and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” ‘

 ”This is what the LORD says to his anointed,
       to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
       to subdue nations before him
       and to strip kings of their armor,
       to open doors before him
       so that gates will not be shut:

  I will go before you
       and will level the mountains ;
       I will break down gates of bronze
       and cut through bars of iron.
  I will give you the treasures of darkness,
       riches stored in secret places,
       so that you may know that I am the LORD,
       the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

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1. Posted by Nicolle on September 15, 2010 at 7:30 am

   Was there a typo in the reading? In chapter 5 when Daniel is interpreting the writing on the wall he states the writing : 25 “This is the inscription that was written: Mene , Mene , Tekel , Parsin” and then explains the writing:
   26 “This is what these words mean:
   Mene [i] : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
   27 Tekel [j] : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
   28 Peres [k] : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
   But there is a difference in the words Parsin & Peres… Could someone explain?
   
2. Posted by Patricia on September 15, 2010 at 7:38 am

   No typo, just a singular/plural translation issue. It was a word used for splitting money. But in this context a split nation. To remember this thing of the arms. Medes and Persia.
   
3. Posted by brittany devault on September 15, 2010 at 9:39 am

   Every time I try to viewe blog on a computer it says ezekiel was the last day posted. But it let’s me view on my phone. Wierd.
   Anyways I loveeeeeeeee thatNebi came to worship the Lord and king Darias. (At least I think that’s what I read).
   Ya know Daniel is a good picture of how a christian should be, no matter under every kind of pressure he stayed faitful to God in every circumstance KNOWING God had a plan, and God used him to influence others thru his faitfulness!!
   
4. Posted by Ciji Gilley on September 15, 2010 at 12:20 pm

   I agree, Britt…Daniel was a wonderful example of always trusting in God, no matter what the circumstance! I just hope and pray that I can have faith, like Daniel. I can’t imagine my boss saying, okay you cannot worship anyone but me or you will be thrown into a den of lions! Any what did Daniel immediately do???
   “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, HE WENT HOME to his upstairs room where the windows OPENED toward Jerusalem. (he didn’t even hide!!) Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed giving thanks to his God, JUST AS HE HAD DONE BEFORE.”
   WOW!!! He trusted in God so many times & GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!!! I’ve just gotten so excited reading these 6 chapters…I just find myself smiling as I read in absolute amazement in my God!!
   
5. Posted by Anonymous on September 15, 2010 at 12:26 pm

   Dido!!!
   
6. Posted by Patricia on September 15, 2010 at 6:25 pm

   For those of you who missed church on Sunday, here is a recap of the sermon;
   Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
   The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
   The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
   The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
   The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.
   At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol- Dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke – Dead. Third worm in chocolate syrup – Dead. Fourth worm in good clean soil – Alive. So the Minister asked the congregation What did you learn from this demonstration???
   Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, ‘As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!’
   That pretty much ended the service.
   
7. Posted by Christy Cline on September 15, 2010 at 8:57 pm

   Haha… funny… you must have gotten that from a really funny, cool person
   On a serious note…. AWESOME read today!! God is sooooo FAITHFUL!!
   
8. Posted by Patricia on September 15, 2010 at 9:22 pm

   She is really funny! Really pretty too!
   

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