I have been going through the book of Daniel the last couple of weeks. Reading it studying it and reading commentaries. As I entered into the ninth chapter this morning I feel as Daniel did when he read the prophecy of the 70 years enslavement of the Israelites given by Jeremiah. Only I am reading Daniel.
In Daniels prophecies he was given an image of what turned out to be Antiochus Epiphanes, the first “little horn.” As study what this man did to the Jews and how he defiled the temple I came into understand of what is happening with this nation I live within, the United States. I know without a doubt that this was the second nation created under the blessing of God. I do not cater to those that say this is not true. There is too much evidence that states otherwise. Too much documentation, and the mere fact that the basis for our government was a slightly changed version of that used to govern the colony of Pennsylvania, which was written by the Quaker William Penn.
This is a Christian nation, yet now too many have turned from God. Too many say they are His, but in reality they are not. I have wondered why God allowed this nation to place under two terms of the obviously most anti-Christian and anti-Israeli president ever encountered in this nation and I suddenly realized through reading the book of Daniel that He was placed in power to usher this nation into a time of God’s judgment against those that call themselves Christian and Jew alike within this nation.
In many ways this man is reflecting the image of Antiochus Epiphanes. So he is the “little horn” of the “little horn” who is an image of the true “little horn” to come. His purpose is to punish this nations for turning its back upon God. Will others follow in his footsteps? That is the important question.
What can change this for the betterment of Christianity and this nation as a whole? The answer is simple. It is the answer that Daniel came to. It is the answer that Jesus gave us.
1) We are to pray for forgiveness for our sins against God by turning our backs upon His will and His teachings.
2) We are not just sit and pray but are to take action as well (James 2:14-19).
a) Turn form those that support sin
b) Become active in church and prayer
c) Vote for those that support God and against any that oppose God
d) Change laws that go against God and obey ALL laws that fall within the dictates of the Bible
Below is a modified version of the pray Daniel offered to God in Chapter nine of the book in his name:
“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants those that truly profess your Word and teaches, who spoke on your authority to our government officials and ancestors and to all the people of the land.
“Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of all the states and major cities and the entire nation, those scattered near and far, wherever you have placed us because of our disloyalty to you. O Lord, we and our government officials, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants those that truly profess your Word and teaches. All this nation the Untied States has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.
“So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin. You have kept your word and done to us and our leaders exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster that as happened in this nation. Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.
“O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from sin through giving unto us your one and only Son as a Sacrifice upon the cross. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness. In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your this nation. All the neighboring nations mock the United States and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.
“O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate nation that was only second to Israel.
“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.
“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and this nation.”