Like the brightness of the heavens

Like the brightness of the heavens

Scripture: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” Daniel 12:1-4

Observation: In Daniel 12, the vision suddenly moves to the time of the very end. “At that time”, [uva’et] in Hebrew is always used to denote the time when the Messiah appears to save Israel. It speaks of the Tribulation mentioned in the book of Revelation, the time of distress that has not happened from the beginning of nations. After that it speaks of the deliverance of Israel and the resurrection of the dead. It even specifies the exact days of the tribulation from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up.

In our chosen passage, we see firstly a reference to Michael, the great angel who protects Israel. This is a reminder to us that there are angels, servants of Gods that He has placed around us to help us and protect us. Hebrews 1:14 says “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

Then the passage moves on to speak of the Tribulation. More detail on the events occurring during this time are specified in the Book of Revelation, concerning the persecution of all who do not worship the Anti-Christ, and everyone not being able to buy or sell without his mark. After that, there will be a great deliverance for all whose names are found written in the book of life. It then speaks further of the resurrection of the dead, with some rising to eternal life, and others to eternal shame. This reminds us that death is not the final end for there is an existence after death for each one of us, for good or for bad.

Great reward is in store for those who are wise and those who lead many to righteousness. Who are wise? Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 9:10 and Job 28:28 all tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As long as we live in reverence to God and humbly seek to follow His ways, we are wise. How can we lead others to righteousness? Firstly, by sharing Christ with those who do not know Him. This is after all our great commission, and we need to become involved in missions somehow, sharing with our friends, giving financial support and helping any way we can.

Secondly, by teaching others what we know about God and His righteousness. We are not all called to be teachers, but there are always those younger than us that we can encourage, be it our children, nephews or nieces, new Christians we can be friendly to, or even pre-believing friends interested in Christianity. When we have learnt a lesson meaningful to us or God has answered our prayer, share it with others for everyone’s encouragement, even our leaders and teachers. Testimony is powerful and encourages others to have faith in God. Finally, praying for others also help lead them to righteousness. Remember that prayer is powerful.

Application: Praise God that He sends His powerful angels to protect us. Remember that death is not the final end, so we need to be careful how we live life and make sure we continue to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and how important it is to keep away from evil. Finally, seek to lead others to righteousness by being involved in missions, sharing what we know with others in Word or testimony, and praying for others.

Prayer: Lord I praise You and thank You for Your great love to me, that You even send powerful angels to watch over me. Help me always remember to walk in Your ways, right till the very end. Let me always remember to fear and reverence You, and keep my hands and heart from evil I pray. Empower me to lead others to righteousness in different ways, by sharing, by support and by prayer. May Your name be praised forever O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The people who know their God

The people who know their God

Scripture: “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:31-35

Observation: Daniel 11 contains very detailed prophecy about the future happenings of the powers surrounding Israel and even concerning the evil King Herod who ruled over Judah and Jerusalem during the birth of Christ. A very detailed account of prophecy fulfilled can be found at this web page:-http://www.herealittletherealittle.net/index.cfm?page_name=Daniel11 In the passage chosen in particular it focuses on the desecration caused by the Selieucid king of the North Antiochus IV who defiled the temple of God by placing an altar of Zeus there and offering a sacrifice of a pig to Zeus. He went on to force all the people in his kingdom to be one people, each giving up their own customs. The Jews were not allowed to circumcise their boys, give sacrifices or observe the Sabbaths. Instead, they were to follow the common religion and practices and Antiochus would praise those who followed his commands. However, many Jews remained faithful to God, and were persecuted even unto death for their faith. Eventually, this led to the Maccabean rebellion which ultimately overthrew the rule of Antiochus. It is interesting that the army of Judas Maccabee, though quite large, only consisted of a minority of faithful men. Until the time of the end of the second period of Jewish sovereignty, there was still persecution of the Jews in other territories by people angered at their success against the Seleucids, and after the death of Judas Maccabee, there was further persecution on the righteous Jews all the way until the appointed time – the time prophesied by Daniel when the Messiah would come.

These events correlate closely with what has been prophesied in Revelation will happen in the end times, when the Anti-Christ will force everyone to follow one religion or be persecuted, even put to death, and just as the Jews continued to be persecuted, Christians too will be persecuted until the 2^nd coming of Christ.

There are a few things we can learn from this passage. Firstly, we see that God is in control of everything. The fact that it was prophesied shows that God knew that all these things would happen and allowed them to happen. He is in control at all times, and will make everything right in the end.

Secondly, we see that the enemy uses flattery to deceive God’s people. Even in the garden of Eden, the serpent used flattery to lure Eve to sin. We must always be on guard against flattery and pride. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Psalms 118:8 Better be right and persecuted than to be praised while doing what is wrong.   

Thirdly, it is written that people who knew their God firmly resisted the evil king. Do we know our God? Unless our faith is real and genuine, and we know our God is real, how can we stand up in the day of tribulation? We need to seek God, and pray that He will be real and active in our lives.

Fourth, the people who were wise and taught many the right ways endured persecution for a time. There are times in life when we may have to face persecution for doing the right thing. We need to remember that it is only for a time. In light of eternity, our sufferings can only be for a moment.

Finally, persecution and suffering has a role in purifying, refining and making us spotless for Christ. In the book of Hebrews, it is written of Jesus “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” Hebrews 5:8-9 Suffering played a role in making Jesus perfect. The same is for us, like gold refined by fire.

Application: Know that no matter what happens God is in control of everything. Be on guard against flattery and promises which tempt us to do evil. Resolve to seek God to really, really know Him. Remember that suffering is only temporary and plays a role in making us purer and better, more and more Christlike.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are in control of everything and You hold all history in Your hands. Guard my heart I pray against flattery and temptation to do evil. I pray, O Lord, that I may really know You more and more, and that You will be so real in my life. Help me be patient in suffering, knowing that it is only temporary, and let it mould me to become more and more like You, Lord Jesus. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

Consider carefully my words

Consider carefully my words

Scripture: He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10:11-14

Observation: Daniel Chapter 10 speaks of a great vision and message given to Daniel concerning the future delivered by a powerful, angelic messenger.

In the chosen passage, we see first the angel addressing Daniel as one who is highly esteemed. God is just and impartial towards all men, but there are some who are special to God, and God views them highly because of their character and heart. Daniel was one such man, as were other heroes of the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, Enoch, Noah, David, Elijah, Peter and Paul. All of them had in common a deep love for God, humility and faith, qualities that we too should emulate to please God.

Daniel was then exhorted to consider carefully the words spoken to him, which was actually a message from God. The calling for us is the same. God’s Word is given to us that we may consider it carefully.

It was further written that Daniel set his mind to gain understanding and to humble himself before God. In the book of James, it says that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. It is a good thing to humbly seek wisdom from our all-wise, all-knowing God.

After that, the angel gives us a most interesting insight into the battle in the heavenly realms. In response to Daniel’s prayer, the angelic messenger had already been dispatched, but he was held back by the “prince of the Persian kingdom” who resisted him twenty-one days. There are satanic angels having authority over kingdoms all over the world, and they try to block the Word of God and answers to prayers from reaching God’s people. The message was so important, that Michael, one of the chief angels came to help this messenger overcome the powerful satanic angel over Persia.

We should accept too that sometimes our prayers are heard but deliverance may be delayed for certain reasons. It is for us then to keep praying and be patient. It should be noted too that in vs.3, when Daniel mourned for three weeks, fasting from choice food, meat, wine and lotions, it would definitely have had an impact in the battle in the spiritual realm.

Application: Desire to please God like Daniel. Study the characteristics of the great men and women who were highly esteemed by God. God’s Word given to us is precious, and it is for us to read it and consider carefully what it says. It is good for us to humble ourselves before God and ask Him for wisdom. With His wisdom, we are far better able to serve God by serving others. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. Our war is spiritual in nature, and our weapons are in prayer and fasting. There is power in prayer in tongues, prayer in Jesus name, prayer using God’s Word.

Prayer: Dear Father, I pray that I may learn to please You like Your servants of old, like Daniel, like David, like Moses. Open my eyes to Your Word that I may know and understand. Grant me wisdom that I may live life wisely and be a blessing to others. Teach me to pray, that I may make a difference in the battles in the spiritual realm. Praise be to Your name forever dear Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The census, his senses and the essence

The census, his senses and the essence

SIB/Pastor Daniel Tan 8/10/11

1 Chronicles 21-22:1, 2 Samuel 24

These two passages give the account of how King David sinned by ordering a census of all the fighting men of Israel and as a result brought God’s wrath upon Israel until he came to full repentance.

In 1 Chronicles 21, it is written that Satan incited David to the census, while in 2 Samuel 24, it is written that the Lord incited David. Which is correct? Both are. In a sense, like in the case of Job, the Lord permitted Satan to incite David. Hebrew writers do not always distinguish between the primary and the secondary.  James 1:13-15 clearly says that God cannot be tempted nor does He tempt anyone, but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

The important question here is “What was in David’s heart?” He was drawn away by his own desires. If a cow does not want to drink water, you cannot push its head down. If you do not have evil desires, you cannot fall into temptation. The eye sees what the heart loves.

There is a story of a woman who found it hard to control her spending went shopping one day and bought a very expensive dress. Her husband asked why and she said “the devil made me do it”. He replied “Didn’t you hear in church, that you should say “Get behind me Satan”. “I did” she replied “But the devil told me “It looks even better from here”.

David already had it in his heart to do the census. The word incite is an imperfect tense, indicating that it was bringing to completion the action out of the desire David already had.

Why did David want to count the army? What was wrong with that?

There are 3 main reasons.

Firstly, the census was not done according to God’s law. In Exodus 30, detailed instructions are given about how during a census, each man must pay a ransom for his own life to the Lord, half a shekel, regardless of how poor or rich he is. This is done as a memorial to the Lord.

Secondly, the census was never ordered by God. The previous two census by Moses and Joshua were ordered by God. Furthermore, military census were always done for the purpose of battle. However, here, there was no battle.

Thirdly and most importantly, David was motivated by pride. The census was a massive exercise, taking more than 9 months to complete. It stretched across more than 7km all over Israel and encompassed all the places that David had conquered.

In 2 Samuel 24:4, it is written that David overruled Joab and the army commanders, who had pleaded with the king not to do this. This brings to mind a similar episode by King Uzziah who desired to offer incense himself in the temple, and was confronted by 80 priests who tried to stop him. The fact that both pushed through shows their pride, and as Proverbs 16:18 says: Pride comes before a downfall. Sometimes, God’s greatest judgment is simply letting us have our way, like Romans 1:24 which says how God gave them over to the sinful desires of their hearts…

Once, there was a man who loved the church and served in the church, even having a profound impact in Pastor Daniel becoming a Christian. He was a successful businessman too, and highly respected. However, he fell into adultery and refused to give up his affair despite the admonishment of the Pastor, church leaders, even his own friends. He simply said that it was none of their business. The whole town came to know of it, and wondered how a Christian could do this. A few months after that, he died in a car accident and the sad thing was that he was not remembered for the great things he did for the church, but rather for the affair. We sin when we place our pride on money, power or positions.

It was not the fruit that caused Adam to sin. It was the act of willful disobedience driven by his desire for power, to be like God. We sin when we become proud of our positions, beauty, achievements, awards and accolades instead of giving glory to God. The great apostle Paul, who achieved so much for God, at the end of his life said that he considered them nothing compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus Philippians 3:7-9.

In 2 Samuel 24:10, it is written that David was conscience stricken. His heart condemned him. The Hebrew word here literally means to strike. It was like his conscience continued to strike at him, with conviction brought by the Holy Spirit. From the census, David came to his senses. This took David 10 months, and like the prodigal son, he realized he had been foolish and sought the Lord. 

It is interesting that when David sinned of adultery and murder, he said “I have sinned” while when David sinned because of the census, he said “I have sinned greatly. The sin with Bathsheba was a sin of the flesh, giving in into his lust after an afternoon of laziness. The census, however was a sin of the spirit, an act of rebellion against God, motivated by pride. In Proverbs 6:16, the first sin mentioned that the Lord hates is pride. Pride is the ground which allows all other sins to grow and the part from which all other sins come. 1 John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness. The key word here is “if”. It’s a choice. God won’t force us to repent though the Holy Spirit will strike us in our conscience. We have to be wary though not to wait until the earth swallows us up like the sons of Korah.

When David came back to his senses and repented, God led him to the essence of forgiveness and worship. In 1 Chronicles 21, vs.15-16 tells us that the angel stopped at the threshing floor, vs.18-19 tells us that God asked David to build an altar at the threshing floor, and then in vs.27 God stopped the plague.

Why the threshing floor? The threshing floor is the place where chaff is separated from grain during harvest. There are 2 steps here. Firstly, the heads of grain on the stalks are broken off. Secondly, the stalks are tossed into the air in a process known as winnowing, with the wind separating the grain and the chaff. For us, spiritually, it is the wind of the Spirit of God that winnows the grain.

The threshing floor is symbolic of three things. Firstly, judgment. Daniel 2:35 speaks of judgment on the first three kingdoms leaving them like chaff on the threshing floor. Jeremiah 15:7 speaks of God winnowing His people who had not changed their ways.

Secondly, separation. The separating of chaff from the grain speaks of cleansing and purification. In Matthew 3:12, John the Baptist prophesies of Jesus having a winnowing fork in his hand, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Thirdly, blessing leading to worship. After the process of threshing, the wheat is gathered, and it is time where the blessing is received. In Numbers 15:20, the law records how the Israelites are to prepare an offering from the threshing floor.

When we enter into worship, we enter into a time of threshing, of separation and purification, a time of preparation to meet our God. From the census, David came to his senses and responded by reverence of worship. How powerful is the verse “I will not offer a sacrifice that costs me nothing”. Salvation is free but the cross is costly. If you really love someone, how can  you love without any cost.

There was a businessman who was looking to buy a gift for his wife at a duty free shop. The salesgirl offered him first a $100 gift, then $50 and then $20, but he still asked “Is there anything cheaper”. She finally showed him a mirror….

We can’t worship God with a donated faith, but a devoted faith. If only we could have the same attitude of the sinful woman how washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. The fragrance of her worship filled the whole room. She loved much because she has been forgiven much. Does our worship of God cost us nothing? How much does God mean to us? It cost Jesus everything.

King David understood what it meant to offer God a worthy worship. It is written that he paid the full price. It is not the amount you pay that makes the item full price. It is how much the item is really worth. Christ paid in full on the cross. Later, in 2 Chronicles 3:1, we see that Solomon built God’s temple on this threshing floor on Mount Moriah.

On the same mount that David dismantled his glory and pride to worship God, Abraham had earlier dismantled his pride to sacrifice Isaac. In that encounter, he prophesied that “God Himself would provide the lamb”, foreshadowing the future death and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. Christ, the complete sacrifice, paid in full.

We need the same repentant heart like David. God is always able to turn the bad to good. From Bathsheba, King Solomon was later born who would build God’s temple. From the census, David received the inspiration to build God’s temple. There is no failure in our lives that God cannot use.

Perseverance, character, hope

Perseverance, character, hope

FGB Jaya Chapter One/ 7Oct2011

Sharing by brother David Suresh

The joy of the Lord is your strength! God’s Word is for all of us. We are in the same boat, the boat of Jesus. He is able to make a mighty miracle in our midst. Our victory is in Jesus. It is for us to apply it, proclaim it.

Today’s text is from Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

What is suffering all about? It is something bad or unpleasant that we go through, sooner or later. However, the Scripture tells us that God allows suffering for a purpose, a reason. How difficult it is to rejoice in suffering. What does rejoice mean? To show or feel great joy! Now the passage today says that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope, which is the reason for suffering. Paul was a man full of experience in this, having undergone great trials, tribulation and temptation. Indeed, he was a man who knew about suffering, having experienced everything. Until we come to the experience level, we cannot really learn something. It is so important for us to be connected to the Holy Spirit, to have that relationship with Him. The more we sit at Jesus feet and wait in His presence, the more we will know Him. The Lord teaches us that in suffering, we need to seek Him even though it is painful, even when we want to give up. We still have to hold strong to the Lord.

Looking at the passage, there are three important things we can learn. Firstly, suffering produces perseverance. To produce means to cause to happen or exist, to birth out. Perseverance births out from suffering. Perseverance is all about continuing in a course of action in spite of suffering. Today, many Christians are not acting like born again believers. Its like they have been zapped into the currency of the world, with lives clouded with negativity and disappointment. However, we have hope in Christ. God spoke to Job out of the storm! God is greater than the storm! Today, the storm of many is a financial storm, and we have great financial needs. We have to penetrate the walls of suffering in the might and power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus silenced the storm by His Word and authority. The one who is Living is living in us! Our assurance is in Jesus Christ, the rock of salvation, the rock of ages. Let us persevere and push through for the Lord is with us!

Secondly, perseverance produces character. Character is a person’s good reputation, the mental and moral qualities of an individual, his standards! After perseverance, our character is shaped into His image and likeness, His standards of living. We need to have a difference to make a difference. The character of Christ is what makes us different, the way He sees, the way He hears, the way He speaks, the way He walks, the way He lives. More important that anointing is character. Do we have the character of Christ inside us? When we have His character, anointing will come. So let us seek the character of Jesus Christ. We who are in Jesus are like a time bomb, able to explode at anytime to destroy the works of the enemy in the marketplace. God moulds our character but we have to yield to Him. It may bring death to certain things in our life but by the grace of God we can move on.

Thirdly, through perseverance, character develops, and it gives rise to hope. The more Christ works in us, the more hope births out of us. Hope is full of expectation. With perseverance and character, hope will rise up! The impossible will become possible. Jesus will make it all possible, whether it be hope of healing, of breakthrough, or of miracles. It is a mighty river that God gives us. Vs. 5 says that God has poured out His love by His Holy Spirit. His love is eternal, everlasting, unchanging. We are so thankful to God for His Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to take hold of life and be a conqueror. The Love of God is our hope. It makes us think and know all things are possible for us. God is able to do anything. He can revive a dull business.

Don’t despise suffering, do not neglect it. It will help us grow in the lord, and will make us a better person in the days to come. It produces perseverance, character and hope into us. No matter what, stand your ground. God will come through for us and bring us victory. Be courageous, be very courageous. I am with you, says the Lord. The enemy attacks with fear and disappointment, but God will destroy the works of the enemy. God is faithful, and He will mould an shape us to become more and more like Him.

Our God who sees and hears

Our God who sees and hears

Scripture: “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Daniel 9:17-19

Observation: Daniel Chapter 9 gives us the account of Daniel’s prayer after he understood that the desolation of Jerusalem would last 70 years. It also tells us how the angel Gabriel came in response to his prayer and gave him very powerful prophecy about the coming of the Anointed one (Jesus Christ), and His killing. Further prophecy is also mentioned about the end times where there is war and desolation and the coming Anti-Christ and his subsequent end.

The passage today focuses on part of the prayer of Daniel which teaches us about God and about prayer. Firstly, Daniel prayed for God to hear his prayers. We have a God who hears from Heaven. When men and women on earth genuinely call out to Him for help, He hears, though He is so great and holds the entire world and universe in His hands. So when we pray, we can thank God that He hears us, and how even more so when we pray in Jesus’ name, the name of His beloved Son.

Secondly, Daniel prayed for God to look with favor upon His sanctuary for God’s sake. God is a God who loves to bless, and give His favor upon His own. In the priestly blessing, we pray that the Lord will make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. Like the sun shines upon the earth, giving warmth and life to every living thing, God in Heaven shines His face upon us to give us favor and blessing.  God’s sanctuary for us is His church, and we need to pray especially for God’s favor upon His church, for when His church is blessed, God’s name is glorified.

Thirdly, Daniel prayed for God to open His eyes and see the desolation of His city. Just as God is a God who hears, God is also a God who sees. The Scripture says that the eyes of the Lord range to and fro across the whole earth to strengthen those who are committed to Him. When we face a problem or need that is too big for us, be assured that God can see. He understands and can help us with exactly what we need.

Fourthly, Daniel acknowledged that all his requests to God were not based on his people’s righteousness but on God’s mercy. Our attitude in prayer should be not “God should bless me and answer my prayers because of all I have done for Him”. Instead, it should be humble and not focus on our righteousness at all, which are like filthy rags, but solely on God’s mercy and grace.

Application: In our prayers, we should thank God that He hears, that He sees, and that He is merciful. We should focus on God’s mercy and not on our own deeds. Expect that God will pour out His favor upon us according to His goodness. Pray for God’s especial blessing on the church that bears His name.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are indeed the living God. You see us and You hear us and You bestow Your great favor upon us though we do not deserve it. Bless You, O Lord for Your great mercy. Bless Your church especially and let it grow and prosper for the extension of Your kingdom. May Your name be praised forevermore. In Jesus name, Amen.

Yet he will be destroyed

Yet he will be destroyed

Scripture: “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. Daniel 8:23-25

Observation: Daniel Chapter 8 is mainly about Daniel’s vision during the time of Babylonian captivity regarding the coming reign of Persia and then of Greece. Certain Scripture corresponds very clearly to Alexander the Great who led Greece to conquer vast territories all over the world in a very short time. Out of his kingdom, one of the kings of his divided territories was Antiochus Epiphanes, who as prophesied by Daniel, blasphemed greatly, defiling the temple in Jerusalem and taking away the daily sacrifice. He was known as the abomination that causes desolation and a very clear example of the future Anti-Christ that is to come. While some parts of Daniel 8 refers to Antiochus, it also refers to the future tribulation when the Anti-Christ appears in the end times.

The passage today focuses on the description of this future king, the evil Anti-Christ and his destiny. Firstly, it is written that it will happen in a time when the rebels have become completely wicked. In the world today, rebellion and wickedness abounds. Countries like the US, and those in Europe are even planning to outlaw anything that speaks against freedom. Freedom for divorce, freedom for abortion, freedom for same sex marriage, freedom for immorality, but rebellion against God.  With the family unit under severe attack, there is breakdown of marriages and conflict in the home, and children no longer respect their parents. These things have never been more serious in the world. We who are in Christ must take care to avoid rebellion and wickedness in our lives.

Secondly, it is written that this evil king will become very successful and destroy the holy people. What is the purpose of telling us this? It is so that we are not surprised when this happens. We may endure suffering or even death for a little while, but in the end all this evil will be destroyed and we will live forever in Jesus Christ. This gives us hope.

Thirdly, it is written that he will cause deceit to prosper and he will consider himself superior. This shows his characteristics of deceitfulness and pride. The Lord hates this kind of attitude. That is why we who follow Him must beware that we do not become deceitful and that we do not become proud. As pride goes before destruction, the Anti-Christ and his followers will be destroyed by Jesus Christ in due time.

Application: We need to examine our hearts to make sure wickedness, rebellion, pride and deceitfulness does not fester there. In all things, we are to remember that God is in control, and though we may suffer for a little while, Jesus will win in the end and He will make all things right.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You hold all things in Your hands and that though You may allow the enemy to remain for a little while, You will make things right in the end and put everything under the lordship of Your son. Forgive my sin, O Lord, and let no deceitfulness, wickedness, pride or rebellion be found in me. Keep me true to You to the end. In Jesus name, Amen.