Mark 15 “Playing To The Crowd”

Here in chapter 15 Jesus is brought before Pilate (by the chief priests) early in the morning. One of the accusations against Him by the elders was, His claim of being a king. So Pilate asked Him directly, “Are You the King of the Jews?” His answer to Pilate was, “It is as you say.”

Admitting this before the very man that could have saved Him, brought a respect for Jesus. Pilate marveled, the Bible tells us, at Jesus for His honesty and for His silence before His earlier accusers who had mocked Him, beat Him and spoke blasphemously against Him (Luke 22:63-65).

Pilate, the Bible tells us, believed Jesus to be an innocent man, who upon examination of Jesus said, “I find no fault in Him worthy of death. He has done no evil (Luke 23:14-15). Then turning to the crowd three times Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Upon hearing the crowd Pilate, wanting to gratify them more than doing the right thing, delivered Jesus to His accusers to be crucified as they requested. 

How many times have you given into peer pressure, allowing the crowd to dictate your actions, even though you knew in your heart, “this is wrong.” Actions have consequences. Even though Pilate believed Jesus to be innocent and literally washed his hands of the blood, still delivered Him to death. Therefore, Pilate is just as guilty of murder as were the chief priests who planned it and the Romans who carried it out. 

Our lesson here is to stand for the truth, not with the crowd. Do what is right, not what may earn you favor in the eyes of others - to satisfy God, and not man.

The Truth: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

Mark 14 "Our Savior's Prayer"

“Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from Me. Yet not My will but Your will be done.” (v.36)

This pray offered by Jesus to His Father the night before He was to be crucified, shows His concern for what He was about to suffer for us. Luke's gospel tells He was in such agony that His sweat became "great drops of blood" (Luke 22:44). Nevertheless He was obedient to His Father's will.

Three things to take away from this portion of scripture. First, the Lord does not always answer our prayers in the way we request of Him. Even His Son had to walk the path directed for Him. Second, He will not give us more than we can handle and will strengthen us and carry us through all our trials. Finally, all things are working together for (a greater) good for those who love the Lord and follow His will, even when we don’t understand why.

May God also grant us the strength (even when we do not understand understand His will in our prayer life) to walk the path He has for us in obedience. For, "His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways" (Isaiah 55:8), yet "all things are working together for our good" (Romans 8:28).

The Truth: “Greater love has no man than this, that He would lay down His life for His friends.” (John 15:13) 

Mark 13 “The Great Tribulation”

“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.” (v.19-20)

Here we see Jesus describing to His disciples a time of great tribulation which is to come, the likes of which the world has never known in its history. A time worse than the flood of Noah’s day, worse than the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, or any other event yet future. Never has the world seen, nor will it see anything equal to what is going to transpire during this three and a half year period.

Therefore, He warns them (and us) that, “when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (Daniel 9:1-27), then let all that be in Judea flee to the mountains (vv.12-14). During that time, those Jews (in Judea) that heed this warning of Jesus and flee to the wilderness area that God has prepared for them, He will provide and take care of them for that three and a half year period. And, “unless the LORD had shortened those days, no flesh (on earth) would be saved” (v.20).

Take heed, watch and pray, especially for those in our lives who need the gospel, for we do not know when this will take place.

The Truth: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Mark 12 “The Wicked Vinedresser”

 Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others." (v.9)

Here in chapter 12 we find our Lord speaking to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders with a parable. The parable concerns an absentee landlord (a common figure in those days) who had leased his vineyard to a tenant farmer, a vinedresser. At harvest time the landlord sent his servants (multiple times) to collect some of the fruit, and each time they were met with violence, either beaten, stoned, or killed. Finally, the landowner sent his only beloved son to collect some of the harvest. Surely they would honor him. But the son was killed just like those before Him.

In this parable the religious leaders are the vinedressers, Israel is the vineyard and God is the absentee landlord. So we have God sending prophet after prophet to check on the progress of His tenant farmer, only to see each one of them beaten or killed. Finally, out of incomparable love, God sends His only Son to check on the harvest, but they rejected Him as well, nailing Him to a cross.

So, what will the landowner of the vineyard do? He will destroy the vinedressers (the religious leaders) and give the vineyard (the fruit of His promise) to others. The late Pastor Chuck Smith put it this way:

“The nation of Israel had failed to fulfill the purposes for which God had established them as a special people unto the Lord. They failed to bring forth that fruit that God was desiring the nation to produce. So, what will the Lord do? He will take away the privileges, the opportunities, and he will give them to others. And so, we see the door opened to the Gentiles, and Jesus here is prophesying and predicting that God is going to do His work, not among the Jews in this age, but more among the Gentiles. And thus, we see the work of God’s Spirit in a powerful way among those Gentile believers in Jesus Christ.”

But, make no mistake, judgment will fall upon those who did not reverence His Son.

The Truth: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me.” (John 16:8-9)

Mark 11 “Have Faith In God”

 Jesus said unto them, "Have Faith In God.” (v.22)

Here in chapter 11 Jesus was teaching his disciples to have faith in God to accomplish those things which seem beyond man's capabilities. This short statement literally means, have the faith of God - full, perfect, effectual faith. No doubts, no fears, just an unwavering confidence in the agent doing the work – God.

Jesus said, "Come unto to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). By allowing Him to shoulder our burdens, it not only lightens our load, but gives us peace and rest in our souls knowing He is faithful.

Therefore, the next time you find yourself struggling behind the plow of life, exercise your faith in God by displaying your unwavering confidence in Him, to accomplish those things which are beyond your control.

The Truth: "Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)

Matthew 2 “The Guiding Light”

The Christmas song, “We Three Kings” speaks to us of the “guiding light” which lead the Magi West from Persia to Jerusalem and eventually to Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew (2:2) this light is referred to as, "His Star."

Not much is known about the exact identity of the Magi but they were most likely Gentiles of high position from a country northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God concerning the birth of, the King of the Jews. Some Bible scholars believe the revelation came through knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Others simply believe it came to them in the sky, as we are told in Matthew’s Gospel, “they had seen His star in the East.” (Matthew 2:2) Whatever the source, the Magi came to Jerusalem to worship the new-born King of the Jews and to pay Him tribute of Gold, Incense and Myrrh.

On their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem “the star” they had seen in the East, reappeared and led them to the specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. (Matthew 2:9-11) This was truly a miracle, as Bethlehem is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem and “Stars” naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south.

The response of the wise men upon finding Jesus was entirely appropriate, and their actions serve as a model of true discipleship. First they sought the Christ child (Matt. 2:2), and when they had found their way to Him, they rejoiced (Matt.2:10). Then, seeing the child they worshiped Him (Matt. 2:11), and offered him gifts that befit a king (Matt.2:11; cf. Pss 45:7-9; 72:15).

The response of Herod on the other hand was completely different. First, he did not seek to honor the baby Jesus, in fact He was not even aware of His birth under His very nose until the Magi inquired. Second, once he learned of it from the Magi, he tried to deceive them into returning too give him the exact location of Christ child in order that he might supposedly worship Him. But in his heart he had other plans. Two different people groups with two different reactions. The wise men (from the east, gentiles) worshiped Jesus. While Herod (part Jewish, ruler of the nation), sought to kill him.

This early division and the different reactions over the announcement of the birth of Christ, would mark His ministry His entire life. There would be no middle ground. Some would seek Him for life, while others would seek Him to take His life.

The same is true today for many people. Some are like Herod and reject Jesus, while others are like the Magi and see Him for who He is; the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of mankind, the "Light of the World." God's gift to all - if we will only receive it.

The Truth
“A Star shall rise out of Jacob. A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Rev.22:16)
Merry Christmas.

Mark 10 “Our Selfless Savior”

 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (v.44-45)

Jesus was constantly sacrificing His needs to fulfill those of others, eventually giving His very life as a ransom for all of mankind. And now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. What a great example He left for us here, of putting others first.

I do not believe one can be Christ like and put his/her needs before others. Growing up, I remember my mother would work all day, then come home and start the family dinner, then clean and wash dishes, and even throw in a load of laundry before sitting down. I watched my dad work all day, then come home and do chores around the house, and still have time to throw the football around with me as a kid growing up. They both made many sacrifices for the family, and with three boys, that was not easy.

I thank God for those Christ like examples of putting others first in my life. And while there were many times I was blind to it all because of my selfishness, it’s so clear to me now how important it is to serve others. Thank you mom and dad for all those years of self-sacrifice.

The Truth: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Mark 9 “All Things Are Possible”

 “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” (v.23)

Here in chapter 9 we see a boy possessed by a mute spirit. And whenever the spirit seized him, it would throw him down; he would then foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth, and then become rigid (vv.17-18). The father first took the boy to Jesus’s disciples, but they could not help (v.18). Then he brought the boy to Jesus and asked for His help (v.22). Jesus then responded to him with our text, “all things are possible to him who believes” (v.23).

The answer the father gives to Jesus is both touching and beautifully honest, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (v.24) It was as though he said," I do believe; but my faith is weak.” I think that is the case with many people today. They believe, but their faith is weak, it breaks down, gets placed in a closet until some misfortune befalls them. Then it’s, “LORD, help me.”

I believe Jesus is saying the same thing to us today as He did to this father in our text over 2000 years ago. And, just like then, He is willing and able to help all who believe at this very moment. Therefore, come to the Father, through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. Lay your burdens down at His feet, and allow His healing to take place in your life today. (see prayer connect with God to the right on this page)

The Truth: “Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28)

Mark 8 "Do Not Be Ashamed"

"Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (v.38)

Jesus said, “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33) - Very dangerous company to be in. Why you may ask, because Hades is a real place, a place of eternal separation from God, of darkness, and torment, both day and night. A place reserved for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God.

What would you give in exchange for your soul? All Jesus is asking for is your belief in Him, that you not be ashamed to acknowledge Him. But man is to worried with what he would need to give up, in order to do that. He would rather remain in his current rebellious and sinful state, than to stand with Christ unashamed.

So what can man expect if he remains ashamed to identify with Christ? A place reserved in Hades (a place of torments) to await judgment until after the final resurrection. (Luke 16:22-23) Better to identify with Him now, than to be excluded by Him later.   

The Truth: “The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment (Hades) for the “day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).

Mark 7 "Dispute About Ritual Washings"

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (v.5)

Here in chapter 7 Jesus is asked by the Pharisees and the scribes, “Why do Your disciples eat with unwashed hands?” This was asked to find fault with them (His disciples), for the Pharisees and the Jews did not eat unless they washed their hands in a special way (tradition). This prescribed washing was not for hygienic purposes (as we think of washing) but ceremonial, to meet mans standards of pious cleanliness. 

This was just one example of the Pharisees and scribes teaching as doctrine their own commandments and ignoring the commandments of God. Thus their traditions, added a yoke of bondage on the people never intended by God.

Jesus then answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' He spoke strongly because these leaders were far too concerned with trivial matters like ritual washing. When they focused on these trivial traditions, they excluded everyone who didn’t keep the traditions, and so they discouraged them from coming to God. Therefore, God said of them their heart is far from Me. 

Many people today give that same appearance of being religious or spiritual just like the scribes and the Pharisees in our text. And just like them are actually far from God. They are playing the hypocrite, because the image they promote is more important to them than what they actually are. 

Then Jesus said to those standing near by, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (vv.14-16) Meaning, we are defiled from the inside out rather than from the outside in, and this is particularly true of ceremonial things like foods. God is far more concerned with what comes out of us than what goes into us. This is especially true when it comes to foods, traditions and rituals. 

Although it may not seem so now, this passage, when it was first spoken, was the most revolutionary passage in the New Testament liberating many from the rituals and trivial traditions of man.   

The Truth: “Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5-6) 

Mark 6 “Herod Haunted By His Decision”

 “And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. And immediately the King sent the executioner and commanded his (John the Baptist) head be brought.” (v.26-27)

Historians tell us that King Herod was haunted all the days of his life by the public oath he had sworn in that moment of pleasure, and by what he had done to John the Baptist. Decisions made on emotions, under peer pressure, or when we are not thinking clearly, can often haunt us for the rest of our days. While it is true, there is no sin common to man that cannot be forgiven, if confessed it to our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot escape the consequences of our actions.

Therefore, may our decisions be grounded in prayer, seeking God’s will, and based on how His Spirit is leading us; not on our emotions, or under peer pressure, nor when we are not thinking clearly. For those decisions can bring “great sorrow” for all of our days.

The Truth: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) 

Mark 5 “His Authority Over The Supernatural World”

 Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (v.8)

After showing His authority over the natural world in chapter 4 by calming the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee (v.39), Jesus here in chapter 5 shows His authority over the supernatural world, by casting out demons from a man living among the tombs of the Gadarenes (vv.2-13); He also displays His power and authority over death, by raising a young child to life who had passed (vv.39-43).

Who is this man? The demons in this chapter said it best, “Son of the Most High God” (v.7). They knew who He was, they knew of His power and authority, and they feared Him. Luke’s gospel tells that they begged Him not to be sent to the abyss (bottomless pit - Luke 8:31). Here in Mark 5 they implored Jesus not to torment them (v.5), nor send them away out of the country (v.10), but that He allow them to enter a large heard of nearby swine (v.12).   

I find it interesting that demons knew more about Christ, His authority and power, than those who claimed to know the scriptures. They (the demons) knew enough about Him to try and avoid His immediate righteous judgment, by pleading for embodied life within a heard the pigs. But even the unclean pigs wanted nothing to do with these demon spirits. For once they entered, "the pigs they ran violently down a steep place, into the sea, and drown” (v.13).

We serve a great and mighty God. The One who has authority over all things. Who speaks to the wind and the waves, and calms them. The One who holds all things together, or breaks them down, by the power of His voice.

The Truth: “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  (Colossians 1:16-20)

Mark 4 "Parables of The Soil"

"Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” (v.8)

Jesus often taught the lessons of scripture through parables. The word parable comes from the idea of, “to set along side.” Jesus then used parables to set a spiritual truth along side a daily living truth. In this parable of the soils, Jesus described something the people of an agricultural society were all familiar with – a farmer casting seed on the ground and the seed falling on different types of soil (vv.1-9).

Through this daily living truth, Jesus is teaching the spiritual truth of how different types of people (soils) respond to the Word of God. It tells us that the success or failure of a crop isn't necessarily in the skill of the farmer or in the power of the seed, but in the quality of the soil. Some listeners are like rich soil, and the message takes root in their heart. Others resemble hard ground, and the seed simply bounces off them. Still others are like a weed patch that chokes out potential growth.

Therefore, the heart of the unbeliever (like the stoney ground) needs to be softened, watered, and cultivated, to become “good soil” so the seed of eternal life might take root, and bear fruit in. Some hearts take longer to prepare than others, and one may not always see the fruit of his labor, as spiritual truths need time to grow in the human heart - some longer than others. Thus the saying, “One sows and another reaps.” 

The Truth: “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Mark 3 "Jesus Prays Before Choosing His Apostles"

“And He went up to the mountain and He called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” (v.13)

Jesus often retired to a place of solitude for prayer and communion with His Father. Here in our text we see Him going up to a mountain to pray and consider whom He would call to become His Apostles from among His many disciples. Luke’s gospel tells us that when He retired to the mountain for solemn prayer, He continued all night in that duty before He made His choice (Luke 6:12). 

These twelve were to be His Apostles, to preach in His name, to work miracles, to cast out demons, heal the sick, and to withstand persecution, even unto death. Therefore, this decision was not one to be taken lightly nor done without seeking His Father’s guidance. This shows us that much consideration and prayer should go into the selection of persons for ministry, and that nothing in so important a work should be done in haste.

This then becomes a blueprint for us in every important decision we need to make in our lives. Go to our mountain, call upon God, and continue to pray until our spirit is sure of His leading.  

The Truth: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) 

Mark 2 "The Power of Jesus"

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (vv.5-7)

Here in chapter 2 we find Jesus in a great deal of controversy with the religious leaders of His day, the scribes and the Pharisees. The first encounter took place at a house in Capernaum, where 4 men brought a paralytic to Jesus to be healed. They had to lowered him through the roof on his bed, because they could not get near to Jesus because of the crowd (vv.1-4). When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (v.5). This immediately brought out a reaction from both those who brought him and the scribes in attendance. 

Can you imagine how the friends on the roof felt? They went to a lot of trouble to see their friend healed of his paralysis, and now the teacher only wants to forgive his sins. We might imagine them shouting, “No, he’s paralyzed! We wanted him to walk, not to be forgiven!” Jesus did not mean that the paralyzed man was especially sinful or that his paralysis was directly caused by sin. Instead, He addressed the man’s greatest need and the common root of all pain and suffering – man’s sinful condition. 

The scribes on the other hand reacted in a different manner, they questioned Jesus's authority saying, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Yes, they used the right kind of logic. They correctly believed that only God could forgive sins, and they are even correct for examining this new teacher. Their error was in refusing to see who Jesus really was, though He was fulfilling the scriptures (Isaiah 35) right before their eyes, they did not see Him - The Son of God, who has the authority to forgive sins.

Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they were all questioning in their hearts said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”; He said to the paralytic, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (vv.8-12).

For men, both real forgiveness and the power to heal are impossible, but for God, both are easy. It is a logical assumption that if Jesus has the power to immediately heal this man’s disease, He also has the authority to forgive his sins. Imagine if Jesus had failed. His ministry would be shattered. The crowd would slowly leave the house. The scribes would smile and say, “He can’t heal or forgive.” The four men would struggle to pull up the paralyzed man who looked more dejected and embarrassed than ever. The homeowner would look at his roof and think it was all for nothing.

But Jesus did not nor could not fail, because all He needed to heal this man was His word. There is wonderful healing power in the word of Jesus, in the promises of Jesus, for those who come to Him in faith. This man came to Jesus in faith, even if it was the borrowed faith of his friends. 

And, He can do the very same for you if you would simply ask. 

The Truth: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." ~ Isaiah 53:5.

Mark 1 "Jesus Baptized"

 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit sent Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” (vv.9-13)

Mark's gospel begins with a brief description of the ministry of John the Baptize. Mark indicates that John's ministry of preaching and baptism fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (40:3). That he was sent to set the stage for the coming Messiah and announce His purpose. John's message promised that the one who came after him would indeed baptize with the Holy Spirit.

What I find significant in our text is, that the first action Jesus took after He was baptized (and once He began His public ministry), was to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit (v.12). Even though it meant He would be without shelter, without food, exposed to the wild beasts, and buffeted by Satan for forty days, He responded anyway.

Jesus' actions exemplify the two most important dimensions of a life of purpose; 1) He knew what God the Father had called Him to do, and 2) He was responsive to the calling of the Holy Spirit in His life. We too have a purpose to fulfill. May we continually listen to the “still small voice” of the Spirit guiding us to His purposes in our lives, and be responsive to that leading.

The Truth: “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Daniel 12 "Israel's Time of Trouble"

"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (vv.1-2)

Here Daniel is telling us that, “at that time,” the time of Israel’s future great trouble – referring to the calamity known as the Great Tribulation, also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), a time of such trouble that no nation has ever seen, the angel Michael (also called the archangel), shall stand up. And every one who's name is found written in the book, shall be delivered. 

The Jewish people have known many times of trouble through their history. From the horrors at the fall of Samaria and Jerusalem to the terrors wrought by Antiochus Epiphanes, to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, to the persecutions from the church during the Dark Ages, to the pogroms of Europe, to the 20th Century Holocaust. One could say Israel’s history has often been a time of trouble. Yet this time, it will be different. Jesus described it in Matthew 24:21 saying: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” 

But despite the terrors of that coming time, deliverance is assured. No matter how great the attack is against the Jewish people, God promises to preserve them (a remnant). He will never break His promise to Abraham: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7).

So how will this deliverance take place? Well, we know that; 144,000 (12k from the 12 tribes) are sealed by God and protected from the plaques of the Great Tribulation, and those who flee to the wilderness – to the “rock” city of Petra as directed by Jesus (Matthew 24, Mark 13) will also be preserved by God (Isaiah 16). But, those that do not flee, the antichrist will then go and make war against the remnant of the people that stay in the land, and there will be a horrible devastation of those who remained until Jesus comes and ends it all. And Daniel tells us that exact time in verse 11, “‪From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days,” until His coming.

Then, 45 days later (v.12), He will gather together the nations for judgment and separate them as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And to those in His right hand, "Come ye blessed of the Father. Enter into the kingdom that was prepared for you from the foundations of the earth." To those on His left, "Depart from Me, workers of iniquity, into the everlasting darkness which was prepared for Satan and his angels."

"He that has an ear to hear, let him hear."

The Truth: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

Daniel 11 "The Anti-Christ's Predicted End"

"He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.” (v.45)

Here in chapter 12, Daniel lays out details of the battles which take place before Armageddon, along with the defeat of the anti-christ and his rule. During the great tribulation, the Antichrist will be attacked in a pincer movement from both the north and the south, yet he will be successful, sweeping through like a flood (v.40).

He will also invade Israel, the beautiful land, ignoring some nations that are in alliance with him but conquering others, including Egypt, Libya, and Sudan (the Cushites) (vv.41-43). Then, reports of nations from the east and the north coming to attack will both terrify and infuriate him, leading him to pursue a course of genocidal warfare against his enemies, especially many of the Jewish people (v.44; Zech 13:8-9).

The Antichrist will then establish his military capital in Israel, pitching his royal tents between the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Jerusalem, situated on the beautiful holy mountain (v.45a). There the nations of the earth will gather (Zech 14:2) at Mount Megiddo to begin the campaign of Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16).

At that time, when the nation of Israel calls on the Messiah, Jesus will return (Mt 23:37-39) to deliver them, and the Antichrist will meet his end, with no one to help him (v.45b).

The Truth: “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast (anti-christ) was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” (Revelation 19:19-21)

Daniel 10 "Daniel's Prayer Heard"

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” (vv.12-14)

God responded to Daniel’s prayer the very moment he made his request known. Daniel had been in great and serious prayer for three full weeks (Daniel 10:2). However we see here in our text that the angel was delayed because, "the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him." Since this prince was able to oppose the angelic messenger to Daniel, we know this was more than a man. This prince was some kind of angelic being, and we know he was an evil angelic being because he opposed the word of God coming to Daniel and stood against the angelic messenger.

The word prince has the idea of a ruler or authority. This fits in well with the New Testament idea that angelic ranks are organized and have a hierarchy (Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16, Colossians 2:15). These angelic ranks seem to include both faithful angels and fallen angels. Apparently, this was a demon of high rank that opposed the answer to prayer. On three occasions, Jesus referred to Satan as the prince of this world (John 12:31, 14:30, and 16:11).

Since the angel was dispatched immediately and Daniel’s period of prayer and self-denial was 21 days (the three full weeks of Daniel 10:2), we see that the answer to the prayer was delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia.

Thus, there may be hindering factors of which a praying Christian knows nothing as he wonders why the answers to his requests are delayed. Nevertheless, he is to keep on praying. 

Like Daniel, our prayers are heard and like him we must be both patient and persistent. We must also strive in our prayer life to understand what God wants to accomplish in our present situation. 

Humbling ourselves before the creator of the universe is a good start, as God is not some genie we can summon for our three immediate wishes. It may take some time. 

True revelation and understanding will only come as we truly seek His will and not our own.

The Truth: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.....” (Matthew 6:10)

Daniel 9 "Daniel's Prayer"

"Then I set my face before the Lord God to make request in prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” (v.3)

This is one of the great chapters of prayer in the Bible. Here Daniel is interceding for the nation of Israel, asking God to have mercy on them and forgiveness for their rebellion and disobedience. By all indications this prayer may have taken days, as we see in the latter part of the verse it was done with fasting while wearing sackcloth and ashes.

Interestingly enough, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national fast in the midst of the Civil War. He said of this nation, “We have forgotten God, we have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, multiplied, enriched, and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, and too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

Daniel did precisely that. His prayer offered during the Exile, is one of the Bible’s great intercessory prayers. To demonstrate his humility and sorrow for the sins of the nation, he fasted and put on sackcloth and ashes. His prayer revealed; faith in Jeremiah’s prophecy that the Exile would last seventy years, it showed humility and a submissive knowledge of God’s person and Law, along with an understanding that God’s punishment was just.

Today, the most important area of service that we can do for the state of our country, is to pray – and more so as we see the Day of the Lord approaching. For His punishment will be just.

The Truth: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36”)

Daniel 8 "The Vision Interpreted "

 Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me,”Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright. And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. (vv.15-19)

Daniel was still in the midst of his vision when he saw himself on the shores of this Persian river. He heard someone instruct Gabriel to "explain the vision to Daniel." Gabriel assured Daniel that this vision had to do with end times, a latter time of the indignation. The terms "time of the end" and "latter time of the indignation" commonly refer to what we think of as the end times, not events fulfilled more than a 100 years before the birth of Jesus (in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes).

Though this prophecy was fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes, it also has a later fulfillment in the Antichrist, referring to "the time of the end." Antiochus Epiphanes is sometimes called the “Antichrist of the Old Testament.” He prefigures the "Antichrist of the New Testament." Just as Antiochus Epiphanes rose to power with force and intrigue, so will the later Antichrist. As Antiochus persecuted the Jews, so will the Antichrist. As Antiochus stopped sacrifice and desecrated the temple, so will the Antichrist. And just as Antiochus seemed to be a complete success, so will the Antichrist.

For us, Daniel’s prophetic vision of the “time of the end,” draws nearer every day. His vision prefigures the rule of the Antichrist in the coming end of days. He shall come to power through flattery (a smooth talker), striking a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27), deceiving many, looking like the man of peace, having the power of Satan to do signs and lying wonders. He will exalt himself, he will sit as God in the temple of God, showing himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). But he will eventually be defeated by the hand of Christ (Revelation 19:20).

Daniel’s vision will have it’s ultimate fulfillment in the not so distant future. Therefore, let every man who has an ear to hear, hear this, and keep your eyes on Israel, the center of all this future action.

The Truth: “ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” (Revelation 19:20-21)