Christian

Daniel 12:2: my personal view

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In chapter twelve of the book of Daniel we are given insight into what is to occur to the people of Israel just before the second coming of Jesus Christ. In verse two it speak specifically of a type or resurrection.
If they believe in a resurrection there differing views on this particular verse. I actually find that mine differs from what I have read. You see I believe in the specialness of the Jewish people. They have a special place in God’s heart and a special purpose in His ultimate plan for all of creation.
To me I see that there is a full resurrection of every single Jew ever born upon the day that Christ set foot upon the Mount of Olives. Both righteous and unrighteous. Nowhere in the Bible does it state when the pit of fire was made or where it will be. The Bible does say that both good and bad of the Israeli nation will be resurrected and by the way the wording is done in way that it will be at the same time. It does say the righteous will be rewarded and that those that turned their back on God will receive their due.
This resurrection is separate from the Rapture and is separate from the resurrection at the end of the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ.

Really??

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So the pro-Christmas community is in a tether over Starbucks new cups. Two of my friends on Facebook summed it up wonderfully. The First one stated we are not to get into the foolish arguments. This 100% qualifies as something foolish when compared to what truly needs our attention like the butchering of aborted babies, no decorations on cups is extremely foolish.
The second person said this: To not worry so much about keeping Christ in Christmas but instead keep Christ in Christian which is a 24 hour 365 days a year endeavor.
The mere fact that these cups are an “issue” shows fully that people do not truly understand what it is to be “Christian.”
Per the Bible, first and foremost we are to place God first in EVERYTHING. Every single aspect of your life. Not just a couple of hours on Sunday if you even do that, but in every word spoken by you, to how you drive down the road. What should be on your mind all the time is God, the Bible and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you do this the next part required by God is to treat all other as you would wish to be treated. Then the rest of the commandments follow closely behind.
Would you like it if your body was torn from your mother’s womb and then your body was torn apart for money? I didn’t think so. Why are people not upset that the Middle East is being purged of Christianity, the very birth place of this believe system.
So the next time people wish to get upset about something. Get upset at all those folks turning their backs upon God and how the world is more important to them than the One who created it all. As I have said before humanity would be extinct if not for the grace of God.

Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort

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These are what we have been told to help those that live in sin. We are told to teach God’s Word unto all. Yet many say “c’est la vie” that say this profess to be “Christian.”

There is a point where we must let go and allow people to decide upon their own. This is true of anything that is why God gave us free will. However, as Christians the moment you say you are one you are drawing a line in the stone, not in the sand, but in the stone. It is a line that cannot moved and should not move, but that is not the case in today’s day and age.
When those that try to follow the teaching of the above three words they are attacked, they are accused of “judging.”
Here is the thing. When Jesus made his statement “take the beam out of your own eye before you take the splinter out of your neighbors” (paraphrased). Here is the important element of that analogy. A beam and a splinter are the same thing word wise. What Jesus was saying is the person “judging” suffers from the same sin. It also means that they are not working within the facts given within the Bible.
Those who stick to the Bible and what the Bible teaches are reproving. When they challenge someone using what the Bible teaches they are rebuking. And when they then ask you in love to stop sinning they are exhorting.
So the people that keep using the “judging card” as I call to me are trying to avoid practicing their Christianity. They wish to keep it all to themselves and in the meantime are sinning against God.

Why are you speeding your way away from God?

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As I look about me more and more I see a falling away it is becoming a rarity to find a true servant of Christ. A prime example is on the roads we drive every day. As you look upon them as you drive down them you actually see a snapshot of faith and belief in God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Titus 3:1 we are instructed to follow ALL the laws of the land. Why? Because no power either good or bad is put into place without God’s approval. Some may cause horrors like Hitler, some may bring a time of peace and prosperity like Reagan. Will others snub their nose at God like Obama.
These are placed here by God to see how humanity will respond through their belief and faith in God. If they just roll over and allow things to happen that they know are against God like the Germans did in the 1930’s and as the American public is now doing. Then God will pass judgment upon them, either here and now or as well as when they stand before Him while He sets upon the Great White Throne.
But back to the main discourse: Obeying the laws of the land, no matter how minor or trivial they are.
Upon the interstate is a thing called a speed limit, this is actually a law that is placed for our safety and wellbeing. I be necessity go five miles over the speed limit. But why is it a necessity? For my own personal safety. Since I know there is someone out here that will use their car as a weapon or even have a gun and someday they may decide to use it because I am in their way and they have no desire to honor or even acknowledge God.
But why am I in their way? Because they have chosen to sin against God. The sin they are committing is by driving well beyond the law. They endanger all about them because they care for none others but themselves and their selfish desires to sleep in or watch a show to name two examples. They should leave earlier and allow for problems upon the road and work within the laws of the land. Laws even though made humans allowed by God. Their speeding is an outright rebellion against God. Yes I said rebellion.
This is why looking at the road is a snapshot on faith. Those that strive to follow the values set forth by God strive to serve God by following ALL the teaching within the Bible. Those that speed are snubbing their nose at God and saying He is not first in their lives.
As they run up my tail or flashing their lights at me. It is not me they are doing these things to. They are doing it to God, because I am trying to obey God.
This need to go fast is another way to ignore God. It is not just disobedience by disregarding the law, but it is an overall selfishness. Seeking only to please themselves and not God.
Now does this mean to support laws that go against God? No it does not, for we are told to place God first in ALL things. If a man-made law goes against God we are to strive to return it to that which reflects God’s will and desires.
When placing God first it must be done in ALL things, so you must plan your day out to not only pray to God but to honor God in all the things you do throughout the day. From speaking to simply showing common courtesy for we are told after placing God first in all that we do we are to love our fellow humans as we would love ourselves. Would you like it if someone was rude to you? Being rude, even on the road, for speeding is rudeness, for they are both sins against God.

Through great trails come great saints

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All about us the signs of sinning against God become the norm instead of the unusual. It is in these times of unbelief, doubt and outright disobedience that saints have risen to the top. Look at Job and Daniel for example.
In this year a horrific sin was exposed to the light and few saw it for what it truly was. The human sacrifice of babies has returned to this world sanctioned and supported by the governing powers of this nation. From it all other sins have flourished and grown. In return Judaism and Christianity have increasingly come under attack. The symbols of our faiths being torn down in the name of freedom and as a result more and more sin takes dominion and true freedom fades into non-existence.
As this happens fewer and fewer truly follow the teachings of God’s Holy Word.
Could it be by this lack of believe and faith that the Holy Ghost gives a greater portion to those that remain loyal to God?
Does this explain how parts of Acts 2:17 have become fact? Is it plausible that the rest of this verse is not far from coming to pass?
I believe so.
So as we move ever faster into the end times of humanity as a disobedient creation of the One and Only Creator I can’t help but look about and listen for news of actions by the few willing to stand against the masses and face whatever will occur even unto death itself.
Who is willing to stand up and shout: “ENOUGH!!!!!”
Only to have fewer and fewer listen till it is too late and the rise of the Antichrist takes place.
I see elements already falling into place that say: “Soon.. it will be soon.”

A Judgment and a prayer

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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.”

As I look about me……..

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For around 2600 years the time of the Gentiles has been heading down a journey. A journey toward the acknowledgement that God is the creator of everything. For longer than that they have rejected this believe because they do not wish to surrender themselves to the dominion of something above them. They make up fantasies which enable them to say “No there is no such thing as God.” Others go about saying there is a God, but they do not honor Him as such. They imagine Him to be a benevolent spirit that grants their wishes and allows them to live their lives as they please.
This is not what God wants. God wishes to have a relationship with us, not just as our Creator, but someone that will talk and share His creation with Him. There is only one way to accomplish this relationship with Him though and most of the human race has no real desire to do what is required of them.
What is required? Surrender. To turn over all that was, is and will be within us over to Him. To not only say He is God, but to truly follow what He asks of us. In the book of Daniel this happens two times. Once for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they are ask to bow to the image of Nebuchadnezzar and when those that were jealous of Daniel plotted to place him into the lion’s den.
What is the most important element in both instances is that these four men refuse to submit to what the world offers. They place more value in God over the world and all that is within the world including those in power.
This has been lost for the most part from those that say they are followers of God. They place more value in the world then they place in the Creator of all. They compromise too much when they should be standing their ground. They say that the world is grey when God through His Son Jesus Christ says it is black and white.
The compromising must end. Too much is happening too fast, must faster than we have ever thought would happen. Does this mean we are approaching end of times? More and more are saying yes it is, I am leaning strongly in the direction myself, but there are still things that must take place, more signs that were given unto us through the Bible. The handbook to salvation through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. But there are those that try to discount the Bible. Why? Because they still wish for humans to be the gods when they are not. So they blind themselves and other to the truth, for it is better to share misery than it is to share happiness.

Daniel’s journey into the den of lions

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What caused him to be taken and given to the lions? It all boils down to humans trying to be more important than God. What Daniel did was say “no God is more important.”
In several recent laws humans are saying they are more important than God. This should have caused everyone that calls themselves “Christian” to respond as Daniel did. Most did not. They caved in and said let it be. This using what Daniel did as an example of what someone that calls themselves “Christian” should have done lays guilt at the door step of all that did not echo Daniel.
Ponder upon that and make the necessary changes required in your life to reassert God as the most important being in your life and in your world and culture.
(2 Timothy 4:1-5)

My personal insight into the feet of iron and clay with the help of God

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In the book Daniel a statue is seen in a dream by Nebuchadnezzar. It has been established through the passage of time that Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were the first parts of the statute.
The feet of iron and clay people do not wish to place a label upon since the do not wish to place this combined group of nations to any time period. Why they are doing this I do not know, but when you apply the translation to the wording and use commonsense and understanding you can formulate a very strong possibility.
In Daniel 41-43 – And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
As you can see there is a lot going on here. First a foremost it shall have the appearance of Rome, yet it shall be divided. This in its basic format fits the how Europe now appears today. It is within a good part of what use to be the Roman Empire geographically, yet the nations within it are separate yet they have joined together to make themselves stronger finically, but at the same time they are weak. Evidence of this is seen in how they are handling the sudden influx of migrates from the Middle East, which in itself brings in more elements of the former Roman Empire into the European Union, since most of the Middle East was part of the former Roman Empire. This gives some weight to the statement that it shall mix with man’s seed yet it shall be fractured and divided. Not only are the nations separate, but within their borders they are becoming divided as cultural groups slice up the regions into smaller fragments. As we look upon the turmoil that is happening within the EU and the Middle East events are transpiring which could lead the development of ten new powerful leaders that will encompass both the west (Europe) and the east (the Middle East), each have five powerful leaders emerging from the mayhem.
Events transpiring this very moment are unlike any others that have happened since Christ ascended into Heaven. Mainly since they are happening so quickly because most change has taken several generations to go by as change took place. Now though events are becoming hard to follow they are happening so quickly. Once solid cultural communities are be shattered and fractured. It is not nations, but regions and it is within these regions that ten powerful leaders will emerge.
Does this mean the way Europe is now is a sign we are nearing the return of Christ? This in itself would not give enough evidence to support this, but throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testament are other elements within the behavior of humanity that does lead credence to such a supposition. It is also important to note that the people as denoted by the degradation of the statute, become weaker and more susceptible to sin. More willing to embrace that which is wrong and hate that which is good. This again is witnessed throughout other areas of the Bible. A prime example being 2 Peter 2.
Now I do not place any confidence in my insight upon me alone. For like Daniel I give all my belief and ideas upon this to the glory of God. For without Him I would not be seeing what I do see, for only through Him is the world seen for what it truly is and where it is truly headed, but the Bible makes it clear that no human can say when the return of Christ will be, but we are to watch for the signs that are given within the Bible. Many of which are now transpiring. Are there enough of them to fully fulfill prophecy? Only time will tell, but it is better to be cautious and make yourself right with God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Confessions of a screwed up middle aged man: You know there are just some days you wish you could see the plan God has set for you

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As I write this I have encountered such a day. It would just be so cool to look over God’s shoulder as he is mapping out the way your life should go if you honor and trust His lead, which is what we are to do just for the record. When you are hit with a sudden and unexpected emotional punch in the gut. You are going along thinking you are doing fine and bam the wind is knocked out of you and your emotions go into a spiral.
Yes I got angry for about five minutes then I just started thinking and praying and I lost the anger. The anger would do me no good it would accomplish me nothing, so why be anger? Am I still depressed over the issues? Yes I am for I was becoming excited at the prospects that lay ahead of me and to once again having those goals, that I saw as something good for me and my family, kicked out from under me as they had been once before, but again not as depressed as happened the first time this occurred. Mainly due to the fact that I am placing my trust and faith in God as to how He wishes my life to go so it will honor Him.
Then I started to look at this at different perspectives. First and foremost was the prospective that God has something else in store for me or that His timing was not just write. Could it be He wanted to see if I would do what I am doing this very moment? Sharing it with you the reader. Giving you an insight into how God’s plans work under His time table and never under yours. For we are His servant not the other way around and any that tell you otherwise either do not know the Bible or are lying to you.
Yes it would have been a help for this event to occur for it would have allowed me to be more accessible to my family, but I will just have to try and figure out another method to do that better until God says I have accomplished my goals assigned by Him.
You see we all have tasks that we are assigned to do by God. For this life a test to see if we are worthy to go to the next level of existence. It will be approximately one hundred years now, then if we pass that we are told there will be a thousand years here on earth co-reigning with Jesus Christ, then there will be the eternal life beyond the Great White Throne Judgment. These latter two things are beyond our full comprehension to understand so God has saw fit not to tell us too much about them, but we are told they are real and will take place.
So in the mean time we must go through our maze of life, seek after the righteous path God desires for us to go down. Will we make the correct turn at the correct time? Not always, but that is the cost of free will. What is most important is to honor God, to trust God and believe all is possible through and with God. For once you forgotten this you have definitely turned down the wrong path.