Love has won the victory
Joy rings forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life they do surround
Giving faith to all with eyes to see
So, Open wide your eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
The world surrounding us at present would make the bravest hearts fear. Confusion, chaos, war, rumors of war, deceptions all around. Truth is indistinguishable in the blur of information being disseminated at lightening speed around the world. So many people. Different ideologies. Each believing only they know the truth. Ah, but there is one who is truth Himself-Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Furthermore, He loved me from eternity past. Willingly He Sacrificed everything that I might be redeemed. Thereby love has won the victory and He gained everything by giving everything. And I can gain everything when I give all I am to Him, then love has won the victory in my life over fear, over sin and over pain.
Romans 8:11
if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you
Ephesians 1:17
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what the hope of his calling is, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:And hath put all things under his feet
Love Has Won the Victory
As darkness filled the noon day sky
The earth shuddered and did quake
A trembling as God's heart did break
As wrath and hate screamed crucify
Christ humbly left His throne above
Forgiveness for mankind to buy
He knew the tears His heart must cry
And yet, He came because of love
And when it seemed that all was loss
Their pardon was His final plea
His Gift of Grace for all to see
He bowed and died upon that cross
The Father’s love, it was so great
Awake, my son, arise awake
He called Him forth a new dawn break
Pure Love had conquered death and hate
Love had won the victory
Joy rang forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life that did surround
Giving faith for all with eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
My heart so filled with darkest fear
Shattered by evil, hate and pain
Falling torrential like the rain
Anguish filling every tear
Through broken cracks God’s love shone in
He wrapped me tightly in His arms
And there so free from all life’s harms
Forgiveness, joy, and love did win
Love had won the victory
Joy rang forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life that did surround
Giving faith to all with eyes to see
So, Open wide your eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
Don’t fall into some dark abyss
With pain and guilt that pull you down
Until you feel that you may drown
Look up to God, In Him is bliss
Love has won the victory
Joy rings forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life they do surround
Giving faith to all with eyes to see
So, Open wide your eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
We Must boldly spread the Joyous Gospel, presenting the light of truth in a hostile world filled with darkness
Sometimes we look around us and think, “Surely God can not use me?” I am not so eloquent of speech. My knowledge is too little. I could never make a difference. Besides the world is so hostile. Sadness, pain, and suffering overwhelms us. So how does one really speak the Joyous Gospel Boldly in a hostile world. Ah but you see, even if we are surrounded by sorrow, God is the only truth we can rely on. It is a joyous gospel boldly proclaimed; because it is the only true hope we have. Particularly in a broken and hostile world, we need something that we can cling to, trust in when everything else is failing around us. As we watch the world spinning headlong into relativism with “truth” being farmed out to whomever spins the best tale, more than ever we need a rock foundation of truth to cling to.
Paul knew this. He also knew that if the newly found church in Thessalonica could stand strong against the tumultuous winds of the right and the left, they would need to be reminded of the truth. Reminding them of how it came to them, was a starting point. After all, the people trying to discredit the gospel began with discrediting Paul, himself as well as Jesus Christ. So, over the course of the first 12 verses of 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul reminds them of the time he was with them.
John Piper explains this very well when he wrote:
So what Paul is really doing is defending them and the reality of their faith. That’s the second reason why he talks so much about his ministry. He says in verse 1, “You know that our coming to you was not in vain,” and then for ten verses he talks about the authenticity of his own ministry. So what he is saying is, “Our ministry to you was not without effect. You were changed. … turned from idols. You were willing to suffer for Christ with joy. So don’t throw away your confidence when your opponents slander my ministry and my life, remember the way it really was when I was there. I was not flattering and covetous. (Also) was bold in God and risked my life to preach the gospel to you. I worked night and day. (And) I loved you like a nurse and like a father.
It was Paul’s boldness in evangelizing that kept his life from being in vain. And it will be our boldness that keeps our lives from being bland and tasteless and empty and weak and insignificant in the end.[1]
Additionally, Paul clearly outlines 5 characteristics to guide each of us. Therefore, we can also really speak the joyous gospel boldly in a hostile world. Even if at times, we are speaking it with tears pouring down our faces. Hoping that the suffering may end soon; but knowing that it will one day because of the joyous Gospel of Christ. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again victorious that we might one day stand before Him in glorified bodies. Tht day we long for; yet, for today we must continue speaking the joyous gospel boldly to a broken hostile world in need of Him.
Steps to speaking the joyous gospel boldly
I Thessalonians 2: 1For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our coming to you was not in vain.
You yourself know. This is a phrase used repeatedly through these verses. Remember, You know this yourself. You witnessed it. See the transformation within your own heart and spirit. That is proof itself the joyous gospel is true. Because it changed you.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
What had happened in Philippi?
Paul had suffered in Philippi. He had been publicly dragged into the market of the city and charged with sedition because he cast the demon out of a girl. And then he spent the night in jail. Now in Thessalonica the mob was even more enraged and Paul barely escaped by night to Berea. That was the setting for his ministry. And in that setting he spoke the gospel courageously because he had boldness in his God.[2]
Not only had he been mistreated in Philippi, but from day one he was mistreated in Thessalonica and spoken ill of.
1 Thessalonians 2:
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
We do not have any impure motives. No desire to deceive. Nor are we speaking from erroneous belief systems. There is nothing they wish to gain for themselves by preaching the joyous gospel boldly. Indeed it may be at a great cost; but one they were will to pay so others might know Christ.
Speaking the joyous Gospel Boldly as servants to God.
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
They did not try to coax with flattering words. They did this for God alone.
7 But we were gentle[c] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
They spoke with gentleness of heart due to their love for lost and their excitement over these babes in Christ—so they talk and fed them with kindness and gentleness
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
Paul worked making tents, supplying for his own needs. He did not want to ever be accused that he took advantage of anyone. And certainly he did not want anyone to say he preached the joyous gospel boldly to make money from it.
Speaking the Joyous Gospel Boldly by Action and Deed
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
How Did Paul Speak the Joyous Gospel Boldly to a Hostile world.
His life was given up to God
Ephesians 1: 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
He counted his life as being hidden God
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Because he totally trusted God
we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
He hoped in God
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15
The Glory of God was infinitely more attractive to Paul than any earthly comfort:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8: 18
God was so real, powerful, wise and so utterly committed to doing all for Paul’s good. Knowing this truth, Paul knew nothing could separate him from the love of God—not death or life or angels or principalities or things present or things to come or powers or height or depth or anything else in all creation.
And so, all his boldness was in God, and not in himself
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Edward Mote-1837
From Paul[a] and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you![b 2 We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly[c] in our prayers, 3 because we recall[d] in the presence of our God and Father[e] your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope[f] in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 We know,[g] brothers and sisters[h] loved by God, that he has chosen you,[i]5 in that[j] our gospel did not come to you merely in words,[k] but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).[l]
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received[m] the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction. 7 As a result you became an example[n] to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you the message of the Lord[o] has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread,[p] so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For people everywhere[q] report how you welcomed us[r] and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.[s]
Endurance of Hope because Hope builds endurance.
Note what Paul points out about the church of Thessalonica. He remarks about their work of faith, labor of love and endurance of hope. Such a beautiful play on these words. Their work of faith because their faith bring works. Their labor of love because true love labors sacrificially. Hope endures because endurance builds hope. So, which comes first? Or is this a Antinomy of Grace and Will? Two seemingly paradoxical ideas, both of which are reasonable conclusions in their own. So, often God writes, that only those who endure can be saved. While at the same time noting that only by grace can one endure. In other words, the endurance of hope is a gift of grace, purchased by Jesus Christ for all. However, those who know Him truly as Lord and Savior will endure to the end. Their lives will transform step by step.
Jesus said, 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12
Or Hebrews 10:
36 For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.[ap]37 For just a little longer[aq] and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.[ar]38 Butmy righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I[as]takeno pleasure in him.[at]39 But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Yet our endurance of hope is secure:
God has said concerning the new covenant of which we are apart:
39 I will give them a single-minded purpose to live in a way that always shows respect for me. They will want to do that for[bz] their own good and the good of the children who descend from them. 40 I will make a lasting covenant[ca] with them that I will never stop doing good to them.[cb] I will fill their hearts and minds with respect for me so that[cc] they will never again turn away[cd] from me. Jeremiah 39: 39-40
Or in some versions it says, I will place my fear within them. A reverent fear, recognizing the depth of His righteousness. Or look at Ezekiel 26.
26 I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone[r] from your body and give you a heart of flesh.[s]27 I will put my Spirit within you;[t] I will take the initiative, and you will obey my statutes[u] and carefully observe my regulations.
But where does this hope come from?
And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, and the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles, in him will the Gentiles hope.”[a]13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him,[b] so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15
Both are True.
Endurance is a gift and endurance is a duty. And these are not in conflict. When dealing with a holy and sovereign God, these are not contradictions. We MUST endure to the end, for he is holy; and we SHALL endure to the end, for He is sovereign.[1]
Our endurance of hope is a gift from God. We will endure to the end because of the hope we have been given in Christ Jesus. Does that fully eliminate our responsibility? No. How are both true. I do believe this is best explained by J. I Packer. This is an antinomy, a paradox which uses correct reasoning with both being true; although it seems impossible that both can co-exist. The same as the antinomy of Free will vs Predestination. We may not fully understand how both are true; yet both are given with the same emphasis in the scripture.
The Creator is incomprehensible to His creatures
We ought not in any case to be surprised when we find mysteries of this sort in God’s Word for the Creator is incomprehensible to His creatures. A God whom we could understand exhaustively, and whose revelation of Himself confronted us with no mysteries whatsoever, would be a God in man’s image, and therefore an imaginary God, not the God of the Bible at all. For what the God of the Bible says is this: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8 f.).
The antinomy which we face now is only one of a number that the Bible contains. We may be sure that they all find their reconciliation in the mind and counsel of God, and we may hope that in heaven we shall understand them ourselves. But meanwhile, our wisdom is to maintain with equal emphasis both of the apparently conflicting truths in each case, to hold them together in the relation in which the Bible itself sets them, and to recognize that here is a mystery which we cannot expect to solve in this world.[2]
Concluding thoughts on How to have Endurance of Hope
When all of life seems impossible. The job is far too hard. People are confrontational. The family is falling apart. Finances are a dismal mess with inflation soaring and tomorrow uncertain. War is breaking out everywhere. Our own freedoms are in question. But we can continue with endurance of Hope and the hope of endurance. Actually, the certainty of endurance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,[a] we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For[b] the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.[c]3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed[d] in your struggle against sin Hebrews 12
Romans 8:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a]2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit[b] in Christ Jesus has set you[c] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For God achieved what the law could not do because[d] it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us,
We are set free from our penalty of sin
27 And he[ae] who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[af] intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will. 28 And we know that all things work together[ag] for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son[ah] would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.[ai]30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
He will complete what He began
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers,[aq] nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Once you know Jesus Christ as Savior, nothing can separate you, you will have the full endurance of hope. The Holy Spirit Guarantees it because Jesus Christ paid the price for your salvation and guarantees your endurance.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (ESV)
Daniel prayed for his people. He knew the 70 years were nearing their end for their exile. Cyrus decreed they could return to Jerusalem, but only 40,000 left. What about the others? They were too content in their new lives among those who chose pagan worship. Too comfortable to want to return home. Therefore, deeply sorrowed, Daniel prayed and fasted for three weeks. Then, Jesus came, followed by a messenger angel to reveal to Daniel the truth of all that would happen throughout history to the Jewish nation. Of this he wrote, “This message was true and concerned a great war.[c] He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.” Daniel 10:1 (NET)
When we understand that the message was true then, and forever will be true, we can relax in that truth. What do I mean? Well for Daniel, as was the case of many of the prophets, they were speaking of things so far into the future much of what they spoke was beyond reason. Just as Isaiah and Jeremiah had foretold of Cyrus releasing the captives hundreds of years before Cyrus’ birth. Daniel had remembered that Jeremiah foretold of their captivity being for 70 years. So, he was sorrowed that they had not returned to Israel. He did not understand that the 70 years had been from the destruction of the temple before the temple would be rebuilt and it was exactly on time as noted in Ezra.
Yet, what grieved Daniel was the lack of devotion of the people, even after their time in exile. He had prayed earnestly for them. His grief engulfed his heart. Have you ever felt that way? You have earnestly prayed, and nothing seems to be happening? But then we see the Lord of heaven’s armies comes to Daniel.
Who Can Stand Before the Lord?
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month[g] I was beside the great river, the Tigris.[h]5 I looked up[i] and saw a[j] man[k] clothed in linen;[l] around his waist was a belt made of gold from Ufaz.[m]6 His body resembled yellow jasper,[n] and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches;[o] his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice[p] thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd. Daniel 10 4-6 NET
Did you know the twenty-fourth day of the first month would be the third day after Passover? Any coincidence that the Lord of Heaven’s army would arrive then? Also some would translate the sound of a large crowd as the sounds of rushing waters or others as sound of a large army.
This is essentially the same description given to Jesus by John in Revelations 1: (ESV)
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Daniel’s Response?
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground Daniel 10 KJV
Here is Daniel, a man we see with such high regard as very holy; yet, he upon seeing Jesus had no strength. Why? Because he saw the ugliness of his own sin nature. “My comeliness was turned in me into corruption and I retained no strength.” Similar response of John, Isaiah and Ezekiel? Who among us thinks we can come before Jesus with our “good works” and think they will ever compare to the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies? Daniel knew that Gods Message was true and forever will be true. Here it was that the preincarnate Jesus appeared to Daniel. Who else? The Lord of the Army of God.
Then, when he was touched by the hand, Jesus had faded and an angel presented the message to Daniel beginning with:
“ O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Daniel 10 KJV
“Greatly beloved” Are they not words we all want to hear? But they are ours if we know Jesus.
Ephesians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
And since we are in Christ, we are admonished to live who we are: Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5: 1 (ESV)
Gods message Was True and Forever Will Be:
The remainder of Chapter 10 explains that surrounding us is a spiritual warfare that is being waged for this earth and its inhabitants. This gives some insight into the continuing work of the angels. Then chapter 11 goes into detail as to the future of the Jewish nation until the end of times. Particularly is laid out precise information, verifiable by history. This chapter has such detail, many try to say it was impossible Daniel could have written it; but writing style, manuscripts and all prove he did. Since there is so much detail, I will only pick out a few instances for you to see.
The message was true that Israel’s purging was not fully complete and would continue to the end of time. Only then will there be peace when the prince of peace establishes His final rule. The words given Daniel are of multiple wars carried out by Syria and Egypt over hundreds of years. This spanned many centuries. So, check this out.
The Queenly Alliance:
6 And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her [a]authority, and neither he nor his [b]authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times. Daniel 11:
History tells us:
Berenice, (died c. 246 BC), daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Arsinoe I of Egypt. She was married to the Seleucid ruler Antiochus II Theos, supplanting his first wife, Laodice, whose children she persuaded him to bar from the succession to the throne in favour of her own. Laodice, however, persuaded Antiochus to come to Ephesus (in Asia Minor), where he died in 246, perhaps a victim of her intrigues. The former queen then ordered her partisans to kill Berenice and her children, who had taken refuge at Daphne, near Antioch, in Syria. Aroused by the murder, Ptolemy III Euergetes, Berenice’s brother, launched a successful war (the Third Syrian War) against Laodice and her son.[1]
Another Palace Intrigue Proving Gods Message Was True
17 “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and [i]upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him or be for him. Daniel 11:
Who is this about? Cleopatra the first. She was sent by her father as a spy, but she loved her husband more and turned against her father’s long time wishes.
Daughter of Antiochus III the Great of the Syrian Empire, Cleopatra was married to Ptolemy V in 193 as part of the Peace of Lysimacheia, concluding warfare and border conflicts between Syria and Egypt. She brought as her dowry the revenues (but apparently not the ownership) of Coele-Syria, a land that Egypt had long sought to recover; and the total agreement helped to ensure Egypt’s neutrality in Syria’s continuing struggles with the Romans. When Ptolemy V died (180), Cleopatra became the true ruler of Egypt as regent for her young son, and she ruled equitably, keeping peace with Syria while doing nothing to alienate Rome, and thereby kept Egypt free of invasion.[2]
The Forerunner to the Antichrist: Proving again Gods Message was true
21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
From verse 21 through 45 show Antiochus Epiphanes who reigned from 175 to 164 B.C. He desecrated the temple and did horrible things to the nation of Israel; but he is the foreshadowing of the Antichrist who is yet to come. In fact the final verses are about the Antichrist.
Gods Message was true and forever will be
When all looked to be the worse possible.
12 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?”9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
Daniel was able to finally go in peace because He knew Gods message was true. Perhaps with some sadness of heart for those who would not believe. But he had seen the Lord of heaven’s armies and knew the end.
What about us,
Shouldn’t we stand firm with resolve knowing Gods message was true and forever will be.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side.[w] The God of Jacob[x] is our stronghold. Psalm 46:7
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared,[a] “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. “What he saw was the story of human depravity throughout history. Out of the violent seas of life, are wars, fears, sickness, anger, violence, and bloodshed. There are evils within the human heart hardly imaginable; yet, these continue on down through the ages of history. Truly there is nothing new under the sun”. Yet is one hope holds strong through the violent seas of life. Jesus Christ wins. His Kingdom Reigns eternally.
Hope Holds Strong Because God’s Word Stands.
Unlike other religions and their books, 2/3 of the Bible is prophecy of which at least half have already come to be fulfilled exactly as God declared they would be. This is even with dates, names and times precisely foretold. No other religion dares to dabble in prophecy, because one failed prophecy and everything unravels. Uniquely much of prophecy in the Bible has a dual prophetic presentation—one that has been fulfilled and yet a picture of another yet to come.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Isaiah 45:21
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46
The Violent Seas of Life
The last half of the book of Daniel turns to the visions seen by Daniel himself. Remember before this he was interpreting the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. This becomes a key point in or seeing the next vision.
“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared,[a] “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. Daniel 7
Remember when King Nebuchadnezzar saw the vision of the man which was the picture of the nations that were yet to come. It was that a statue of a man with head of gold (Babylon), breast plate of silver (Mede-Persian), thighs of brass (Greek Empire), and legs of irons (Roman Empire)—reaching then to the toes of iron mixed with clay (Divided Nations of Power). These all had some degree of beauty and elegance. Humanity looks back over these kingdoms with admiration for their achievements, power, strength, and wealth. Yet, when the vision of these kingdoms came to Daniel in chapter 7, he saw them as God views them instead. Violence, tyranny, rage, passion, lust, pride, bitterness, strife, and greed driving each Kingdom that rises and falls throughout all the years of history.
RISING OUT OF THE TUMULTUOUS SEA
The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. (Representing Babylon)
5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ ( Mede-Persians who did overtake the Syrians, the Egyptians and the Babylonians)
6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. (Greek Empire—Greek Empire of Alexander which was divided into 4 at his death)
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; (This beast) devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. (Roman Empire—which after its division has been many nations—none have been able to create a full empire again though they have tried to this day)
8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. (There will be once more when the Antichrist pulls these nations together, although they will be many nations under one ruler).
One Hope Holds Strong
9 “As I looked,
thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
FURTHERMORE
13 “I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
The Vision Revisited
Two years later, Daniel is shown the vision of the future again. This time he sees even further details, even foretelling of the extremely evil King who will desecrate the temple during his reign from 175 BC to 163BC. His name was Antiochus and the terrors he performed are recorded in other history books. They were tremendous; however, he is also a picture of the Antichrist who will yet come.
God shows us by example much of what is to come, only to also confirm and remind us that He is on His throne. This cycle of humanity trying to prove that they have evolved into creatures that can bring a better society continues as man changes his sword for his armored tanks and nuclear warheads. Bloodshed, violence, anger, division, rape, molestation, and abuse marches on through society.
The beast nations, these that rise out of the raging sea, continue just so long as God says. They are allowed to do just so much as God permits and nothing else. Their end is not what they choose, nor is it what they like……These kingdoms and these empires exist only as long as God says. They continue only according to God’s permissive will. It is God who guides their destiny to whatever consummating purpose fits His masterful plan. They do not choose the own end. The Ruler and the King of this universe is not the empire, not the nation, not the kingdom. It is God Himself. [1]
One Hope Holds Strong Whatever the Violent Seas of Life
Remember this Daniel “is a slave, a Judean captive. He has a master and his life is at the beck and call the conquering king. But his spirit, his soul, and his vision are free. He soars above the heavens and see through the distance into the very consummation and end of the age…Always there is that contrast between the violence of war and the precious coming of Christ with righteousness, light, peace and hope in His hand.”[2]
Should we not also soar above the circumstances of this world, knowing Him? Hope holds strong; because we know who holds our future regardless of the storms we may face. He holds tomorrow.
[1] Criswell, W.A., Expository Sermons on the Book of Daniel, Vol. 4; Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI,1972, pages 31-32
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
