“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.

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[1] Criswell, W.A., Expository Sermons on the Book of Daniel, Vol. 4; Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI,1972, pages 31-32

[2] IBID, 62, 63

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

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DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Throughout the life of Daniel, we see the very distinct contrasts between those who really honor God and those who do not.  Never concerning for his own comfort nor the consequences that could ensue, Daniel chose to always do the next right thing.  There was never a question as to compromising.  Nor was there ever a moment of self-pride.  Always he lived his life to honor God, in all that he did.  Recognizing that God is Sovereign, he trusted Him for every detail.  He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that only God deserved the Glory.  Perhaps that is why Daniel so easily moved even in the circles of high, prestigious positions.  God always promises to exalt the lowly of heart. What about you?  Does your life really honor God?  Do you always remember in whose hand resides your very Breath?  

One Moment in Time within the early church

Paul, the apostle was bold in his speaking the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, both to the gentiles and to the Jews.  In Thessalonica, Paul proclaimed Jesus Christ as the way for salvation.  He knew the scripture well and was able to show them that Jesus was the Messiah, fulfilling all the scriptures.  But that made some mad and they gathered a crowd of evil, violent men to create a violent scene and to get rid of Paul.  He was escorted out a back way and taken to Athens where he was dropped off. 

When Paul was dropped off in Athens, he began to look at all their idols and shrines to gods.  They even had one designated to the unknown God. He felt compassion for these people.  As he wandered through that city, speaking he got the attention of the lead philosophers.   Wanting to hear what he had to say, the philosophers brought him to the hill where he spoke. 

Acts 17:

 “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,^[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 

²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷ that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;^[d]

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’^[e]

²⁹ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

To Really Honor God with Your Life

Think about this.  The people in Thessalonica tried to kill Paul and create a scene to discredit him at the same time.  Yet, now in front of a Grecian group, tied tightly to their worship of many gods (Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, etc).  Would you or I be that bold?

Daniel was.  He did not hesitate to tell King Nebuchadnezzar the truth and that lead to the King acknowledging that God is the one true God who manages in the affairs of men.  It is God who holds your very breath and controls the events of men, so why would we not honor Him with our life.  But King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, though he had seen all that God did, refused to honor God.  Hence, his time came quickly to an end. During a very wild party, King Belshazzar called for the golden cups taken from the Jerusalem synagogue and used them for all to get drunk from.  Suddenly a hand appeared and wrote on the wall these words, mene, mene,^[ax] teqel, and pharsin.  

Ultimately the King called in Daniel to interpret the dream after his mother reminded him of Daniel’s ability to interpret dreams.

God in Whose Hand Resides Your Very Breath

²³You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods^[av] that cannot see or hear or comprehend. But you have not glorified the God who has in his control^[aw] your very breath and all your ways! ²⁴ Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed

²⁵ “This is the writing that was inscribed: mene, mene,^[ax] teqel, and pharsin.^[ay] 26 This is the interpretation of the words:^[az] As for Mene^[ba]—God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end. ²⁷ As for Teqel—you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking. ²⁸ As for Peres^[bb]—your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5.

Within a few hours, the king was indeed dead, and Babylon fell to the Mede/Persian empire. 

Daniel Did Really Honor God with His Life

Daniel was taken into a new position, now with Darius the Mede.  He had a very important position which made many jealous.  So, as typical of the time, they convinced Darius to declare that no one may worship any god except to bow to the King for 30 days.  These jealous men came to the king and said, “O King Darius, live forever! ⁷ All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 

⁸ Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” ⁹ Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.  “Daniel 6.

It would have been easy to close the door and just pray alone, but Daniel continued to pray as he always had with his windows open.  So, they thought they had trapped him.  Because he had signed the injunction, the King had no way of reversing the order.  So, Daniel got thrown into the lion’s den.  Ultimately this led to the King worshipping God.

Daniel 6:

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. ²⁶ I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,

for he is the living God,
    enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
    and his dominion shall be to the end.
²⁷ He delivers and rescues;
    he works signs and wonders
    in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

So, Does Your Life Really Honor God in Whose Hand Resides Your Very Breath?

Were we to truly remember that our very breath resides in the hand of God, each breath; would we be more likely to really honor God with our life?

Furthermore, never forget 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.

¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance. Having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.  ¹² So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. ¹⁴ Who is the guarantee^[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,^[e] to the praise of his glory.

Conclusion

Not only has He given us breath, but He has given us everything we need to live a life full of His Power.  Not one day, but rather today.  What would your life look like if you truly believed this?  As His redeemed, beloved, chosen child, heir of the kingdom, endowed with all spiritual blessings, indwelt with His wisdom, power and love, what is too hard for us to do?

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

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How God Almighty Humbled the Most Powerful, Arrogant Man on Earth

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

King Nebuchadnezzar had seen the miraculous interpretation of his dream concerning all that was to come on earth.  How generously God entreated Nebuchadnezzar with power and with knowledge!  He had allowed His expansion throughout the earth.  Although Nebuchadnezzar believed it was his fake gods and his own might that made him so successful.  Still, God had a plan that would even bring this powerful, arrogant man to his knees.  If we recognize how God Almighty humbled this powerful King, then we realize two very important truths.  

1.  God’s Sovereign love is enough to transform the hardest of hearts, if only that heart seeks the truth and is willing to be broken and contrite. 

 2.  We cannot judge or determine whom God will save; therefore, we must proclaim Him to all, praying for their souls.   

After all, whom am I to believe I deserve His salvation more than another?  If I do believe that, then do I really know Him?  He only receives those who recognize that they cannot work their own way to salvation.  As David wrote,

Psalm 51:

13 “Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right^[b] spirit within me…..

¹⁴ Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 149:4

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.

The Most Powerful, Arrogant Man on Earth

King Nebuchadnezzar was in his day the most powerful man on Earth.  He was number one in cultural achievements as well as power.  Although God had sent Daniel to advise him that all he had was given him by God Almighty, he remained arrogant.  Believing he was the reason for all he had, King Nebuchadnezzar had been forced to acknowledge that God was worthy of praise as was concluded in Chapter 3 of Daniel.  The King had witnessed and even seen a glimpse of Jesus in the furnace.  After this, he declared,

Daniel 3: 28 “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside^[f] the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. ²⁹ Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” 

Despite this, King Nebuchadnezzar was not ready yet to accept Almighty God as his own, laying aside his self-aggrandizement.  After all it is hard for someone who has everything, earth can offer to humbly bow before God.  Just like the rich young ruler

Luke 18: 

¹⁸ And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” ²¹ And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 

24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”  

God Almighty Humbled the Most Arrogant King

And so it was that God Almighty gave Nebuchadnezzar another dream.  Once more he sought the interpretation from his own soothsayers and his gods, but to no avail.  He then asked Daniel to interpret the dream.  The dream did make Daniel sad; but he told the King that he would be humbled by a 7-year time of being brought so low as to lose everything.  He would live as a wild animal during those years, if he did not humble himself, God would humble him. 

That is what is suggested by what Daniel said almost pleadingly, “  ²⁷ Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” 

 Do you not hear the compassion of Daniel for the King?  Daniel wanted the salvation of even this man who had taken him captive, so many years before.  

For God’s hand had been reaching forth to this pagan King all these years.  Still God had not made his final statement.  For a year this decree was held back, patiently waiting for the King to repent.  Then came the day when the King declared.

 “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 

Daniel 4:

³¹ While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, ³² and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” ³³ Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.

A Repentant Humbled King Praising God Almighty

³⁴ At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
³⁵ all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
   He does according to his will among the host of heaven
    and among the inhabitants of the earth;
None can stay his hand
    or say to him, “What have you done?”

³⁶ At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. ³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

And thus we are reminded:

2 Corinthians 7: ¹⁰ For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 

Ephesians 1: God Almighty Gives Us All We Need

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.

¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee^[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,^[e] to the praise of his glory.

Titus 2:

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Revelation 7  ⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

1.  God is Sovereign over all the earth
2. We who know Him must bow humbly in wonder as to how was it possible He chose me?
3. No one is too far from Him, so shouldn’t we be praying for all our leaders.  And for other leaders in the world such as Xi Jinping and for Vladimir Putin?
4. And we who know Him, should remain His fearless warriors as we march on toward eternity with Him.  

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

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One All Pursuing Powerful God Can Transform the Most Wicked, if Only

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Nebuchadnezzar was considered the most powerful King of the Babylonian Empire.  Shrewd, intelligent, and ruthless; he marched the Babylonian empire into a successful reign of the region.  Babylon was felt to be a great seat of learning and culture.  The Assyrian Empire essentially fell when a Babylonian-Medea coalition overtook Nineveh.  The last Persian King tried to restore his power by making an alliance with Egypt (as did also Judah, despite Assyria overtaking Northern Israel).  Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt as well as Judah, making himself a great war hero.  Soon after he became King in his father’s place. But he was about to meet God.  Hence one all pursuing powerful God can transform the most wicked, if only their eyes open to the truth.  It may begin slowly, but step by step God presents His case even to King Nebuchadnezzar.

It is said that in his inaugural speech, Nebuchadnezzar gave tribute to Marduk (one of the false gods of their day.  He is quoted as saying, “O merciful Marduk, may the house that I have built endure forever, may I be satiated with its splendor, attain old age therein, with abundant offspring, and receive therein tribute of the kings of all regions, from all mankind.” (Kerrigan, 39)[1]  King Nebuchadnezzar was unaware that he was about to meet The All Pursuing, Powerful God-the great I AM, creator of the universe who allowed and orchestrated even King Nebuchadnezzar ability to rise to power.  Nothing can happen on earth, but God permissive will allows it and God will even use that which is evil to accomplish what He loves—the redemption of His own.

A First Glimpse of One ALL Pursuing Powerful God

In chapter 2 of Daniel, we find King Nebuchadnezzar very disturbed by a dream.  Yet, the details of the dream escape him, only the essence of its terror.  He calls in all his wisemen and magicians, asking them to tell him the dream and the interpretation.  When they said they could not do it, even on threat of death, they make a very important statement. 

“There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. ¹¹ The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”  Daniel 2:11

But they did not know the real God who does dwell with man.

Therefore, it appeared that all would be put to death.  Well, but God had another plan.  Daniel asked the King to give him one day to ask God for the answer.  So, that night Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishel and Azariah) prayed all night and in the morning, Daniel knew the dream and the interpretation. That is what he presented to the King but not before having thanked God.

Daniel 2:20-23

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.
²³ To you, O God of my fathers,
    I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
    and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
    for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

A Dream Revealed and Interpreted

But notice this, God had revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar the future of this world we live in.  Notice the detail and the accuracy to this point. 

²⁷ Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, ²⁸ but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: ²⁹ To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. ³⁰ But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.  Daniel 2: 27-30

I encourage you to read the remainder of Chapter 2.

One All Powerful God who Reveals

If you look at the dates and times, remember God revealed this to King Nebuchadnezzar nearly 600 years before Christ.  There are many scriptures in the New Testament and later in Daniel that clarifies and gives even more detail regarding each of these periods.

But note the stone, not made by hand which will destroy all human empires. 

I PETER 2: 4-11

 ⁴ As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, ⁵ you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

⁷ So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”^[a]

⁸ and

“A stone of stumbling,
    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 

We the church are that Kingdom who soon will be raptured and then we will return with Him to set up His Kingdom as shown in Daniel 2. 

Daniel 2: 44-45

⁴⁴ And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, ⁴⁵ just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

To this Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes saw the first glimpse of one all pursuing, all powerful God and he said.

⁴⁶ Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. ⁴⁷ The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

But that was not enough to fully transform his heart, but it was a start.

HOW QUICKLY ONE FORGETS

Well, after all, Daniel did say that the head of gold was King Nebuchadnezzar.  He then made a statue of gold and put it on display, telling everyone to bow down and worship the statue.  Forgetting that it was God who allowed him the dream and the power, he wanted himself to be worshipped.  How quickly do people forget what God has done for them in answering even the prayers of unredeemed sinners.  He tries to draw them to Him, but they walk away. 

Then, he threw the three young men who refused to bow before the statue into a burning pit. 

Daniel 3:  ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good.^[c] But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.^[d] 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

One All Pursuing, all-powerful God gives the King a glimpse of Christ 

Daniel 3 ²⁴ Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” ²⁵ He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”  The Son of GOD-Jesus was there with them.

Then one step nearer to believing, the King declares:

“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside^[f] the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. ²⁹ Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”

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 to 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

---

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How One Man Can Stand Strong Transforming a Nation Defying All Odds

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] https://www.worldhistory.org/Nebuchadnezzar_II/  accessed 1/29/2022