Daniel
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
The events described in the Book of Daniel all point to our generation. The entire Book Daniel wrote was actually for us. Daniel is so prophetically accurate, its accuracy has been the major focal point of attacks against its credibility. The Book has accurately foretold future events which have steadily unfolded since the time it was written.
The story of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego in many ways has been reduced to a children's story, which is great, because kids need to understand it, but is also dangerous, because adults desperately need to understand it, too. Daniel 3, where the story is found, immediately follows Daniel 2, where we get our first glimpse of the future antichrist empire.
Nebuchadnezzar, shortly after being astonished by Daniel's ability to interpret his dream, sets up an image of himself to be worshiped, demonstrating definitively that simple knowledge of God's power isn't enough to tame pride and arrogance in the human heart. He demands to be worshiped via his image. He forces worship of himself at the threat of death.
The three young men find themselves right in the middle of this madness, as promotion and favor have elevated them right into the spotlight on the plain of Dura scene...this is a picture of the life of a believer in the time of the antichrist. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't in an underground bunker, or whisked away from the trouble...they hadn't done their best to blend in and not be noticed. They were loyal to God, who made them faithful witnesses to who He is and what He desires...that saving and living knowledge of God would increase and change the hearts of those who witness the way He treats people loyal to Him.
This is what is coming globally to planet earth:
Revelation 13:14-15 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
Sometime in the relatively near-future, a man is going to erect an image in Jerusalem and will demand that the entire world worship this statue. Anyone who doesn't will be persecuted. Anyone who doesn't overtly agree to conform will not be allowed to use money, as well. This will be intense. The stage is actually being set all around for this dynamic to take place. The technology is fully available to enforce this new high tech worship scheme...the heart of man, and the effect of pride have not diminished since Daniel's day. What was in Nebuchadnezzar's heart will come out again, this time with high tech weapons and more global reach. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It will happen again.
Daniel and His friends were ready to be a faithful witness. They fasted and prayed. They did not conform to the society around them...they voluntarily abstained from luxuries and entertainment available to them to get ready for what might come:
Daniel 1:3-17 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
This is what the Bride should be doing right now, with vigor. Pressing into the kingdom, preparing for a time of severe decision-making...with real cost, and real consequences. Consecration brought revelation (dreams and vision).
The water is rising and starting to heat up all around. The monitoring of all communication is actually commonplace. Whether you believe it or not, sooner or later...all believers are going to find themselves in hot water!
Revelation 13:4-8 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The preparation for this generation is the same as the preparation for Daniel and his friends...it is the "John the Baptist Beauty School." The spirit of Elijah preceded Jesus the first time He came, and it will precede Jesus coming the second time...not just in one man, but in the whole Bride:
Matthew 3:1-6 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord ; Make His paths straight.’ ” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
The preparation...the making ready...is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6, and 7)...which includes regular secret prayer and fasting...to go after Jesus with a real reach of words and choices that crowds out every lesser pleasure...choosing to open the gate of our hearts to get fascinated with Jesus...not conforming to the standard of the world...in it, but not of it.
This is what it means to "fill your lamp with oil." This is the act of intentionally building a secret history of encountering God in increasing measures of power and intimacy...asking like you mean it for revelations of Jesus that fascinate the heart...praying...contending...for signs and wonders...all the while resisting the comfort of a dying culture in order to step more fully into the everlasting riches of a permanent, yet unseen, kingdom! You can't give that kind of oil to anyone else!
Matthew 25:1-12 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘ No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
The events described in the Book of Daniel all point to our generation. The entire Book Daniel wrote was actually for us. Daniel is so prophetically accurate, its accuracy has been the major focal point of attacks against its credibility. The Book has accurately foretold future events which have steadily unfolded since the time it was written.
The story of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego in many ways has been reduced to a children's story, which is great, because kids need to understand it, but is also dangerous, because adults desperately need to understand it, too. Daniel 3, where the story is found, immediately follows Daniel 2, where we get our first glimpse of the future antichrist empire.
Nebuchadnezzar, shortly after being astonished by Daniel's ability to interpret his dream, sets up an image of himself to be worshiped, demonstrating definitively that simple knowledge of God's power isn't enough to tame pride and arrogance in the human heart. He demands to be worshiped via his image. He forces worship of himself at the threat of death.
The three young men find themselves right in the middle of this madness, as promotion and favor have elevated them right into the spotlight on the plain of Dura scene...this is a picture of the life of a believer in the time of the antichrist. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't in an underground bunker, or whisked away from the trouble...they hadn't done their best to blend in and not be noticed. They were loyal to God, who made them faithful witnesses to who He is and what He desires...that saving and living knowledge of God would increase and change the hearts of those who witness the way He treats people loyal to Him.
This is what is coming globally to planet earth:
Revelation 13:14-15 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
Sometime in the relatively near-future, a man is going to erect an image in Jerusalem and will demand that the entire world worship this statue. Anyone who doesn't will be persecuted. Anyone who doesn't overtly agree to conform will not be allowed to use money, as well. This will be intense. The stage is actually being set all around for this dynamic to take place. The technology is fully available to enforce this new high tech worship scheme...the heart of man, and the effect of pride have not diminished since Daniel's day. What was in Nebuchadnezzar's heart will come out again, this time with high tech weapons and more global reach. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It will happen again.
Daniel and His friends were ready to be a faithful witness. They fasted and prayed. They did not conform to the society around them...they voluntarily abstained from luxuries and entertainment available to them to get ready for what might come:
Daniel 1:3-17 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
This is what the Bride should be doing right now, with vigor. Pressing into the kingdom, preparing for a time of severe decision-making...with real cost, and real consequences. Consecration brought revelation (dreams and vision).
The water is rising and starting to heat up all around. The monitoring of all communication is actually commonplace. Whether you believe it or not, sooner or later...all believers are going to find themselves in hot water!
Revelation 13:4-8 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The preparation for this generation is the same as the preparation for Daniel and his friends...it is the "John the Baptist Beauty School." The spirit of Elijah preceded Jesus the first time He came, and it will precede Jesus coming the second time...not just in one man, but in the whole Bride:
Matthew 3:1-6 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord ; Make His paths straight.’ ” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
The preparation...the making ready...is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6, and 7)...which includes regular secret prayer and fasting...to go after Jesus with a real reach of words and choices that crowds out every lesser pleasure...choosing to open the gate of our hearts to get fascinated with Jesus...not conforming to the standard of the world...in it, but not of it.
This is what it means to "fill your lamp with oil." This is the act of intentionally building a secret history of encountering God in increasing measures of power and intimacy...asking like you mean it for revelations of Jesus that fascinate the heart...praying...contending...for signs and wonders...all the while resisting the comfort of a dying culture in order to step more fully into the everlasting riches of a permanent, yet unseen, kingdom! You can't give that kind of oil to anyone else!
Matthew 25:1-12 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘ No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
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