Category: Devotionals

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Devotionals

OUTLINE: THE PROPHETIC SECTION OF DANIEL

November 10, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

OUTLINE: THE PROPHETIC SECTION OF DANIEL

II. Prophetic Section, chapters 7-11: 12:13.

A. Daniel’s second prophetic message, 7: 1-28. (Under A). 1. The four beasts and the ‘little horn,’ 7:1-8.  2. Judgment and eternal reign of the Son of man, 7:9-14.  3. Interpretation of the vision by and angel, 7:15-27.  4. Impression in Daniel, 7:28.

B. Daniel’s third prophetic message, ch. 8:1 to 9: 27. (Under B) 1. The ram, he-goat, and horns, 8:1-8.  2. The ‘little horn’ and its wickedness, 8:9-12.   3. The TIME prophecy concerning the CLEANSING of the Sanctuary, 8:13,14.   4. Gabriel interprets the FIRST portion of the vision, 8:15-26.  5. Daniel’s sickness as the RESULT of the vision, 8:27.  6. Daniel PRAYS for restoration and CONFESSES his people’s [the Jews in captivity], 9:1-19.  7. Gabriel interprets the REMAINING portion of the vision, 9:20-27.

C. Daniel’s   fourth prophetic message, ch. 10:1 to 12:13. (Under C)  1. Daniel’s fast, 10: 1-3.   2. The appearance of a ‘certain man’ and the effect on Daniel, 10:4-10.   3. The ‘certain man’s preliminary talk with Daniel, 10:11 to 11:1.   4. A vision concerning future HISTORICAL events, 11:2 to 12:3.   5. The duration of the “wonders;” personal promises to Daniel, 12:4-13.”

There are four parallel visions in Daniel, given in the following: ch.2; ch.7; chs. 8, 9; and chs. 10-12. Take note that each of the four parallel visions end in the Roman element. Repeat, the Roman element, pagan than papal!

May God give all wisdom, skill and understanding as He did with Daniel because Daniel “purposed in his heart” to do God’s will! Bless all, NMF. 

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Devotionals

OUTLINE: HISTORICAL SECTION OF DANIEL

November, 9 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

OUTLINE: HISTORICAL SECTION OF DANIEL

To encourage and enable you to do your personal diligent study of the book of Daniel, in addition to our group effort, here under is the Historical Section outline. The Prophetic Section follows tomorrow.

Historical Section. 1:1 to 6:28.

A. The education of Daniel and his companions. 1:21. (Under A) 1. The first transportation of captives from Judah to Babylon,  1:1,2.  2. Daniel and his friends selected to be trained for royal service, 1:3-7.  3. Daniel procures permission to live according to his (God’s) law, 1:8-16. 4. Successful education and acceptance into the royal service, 1:17-21.

B. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, 2:1-49. (Under B) 1. Nebuchadnezzar disturbed by a dream, 2:1-11.  3. Daniel receives knowledge and expresses gratitude, 2:17-23.  4. Daniel communicates the dream to the king, 2:24-35.  5. Daniel interprets the dream, 2:36-45.  6. NEBUCHADNEZZAR acknowledges God’s greatness,  2:46-49.

C. Deliverance of Daniel’s friends from the fiery furnace, 3:1-30. (Under C) 1. Nebuchadnezzar erects an IMAGE and demands its its worship, 3:1-7. [Note parallel antitype in Rev. 13]. 2. The three faithful Hebrews refuse to worship image, 3:8-18.  3. The deliverance from the furnace by divine intervention, 3:19-25.  4. Nebuchadnezzar’s confession and decree; the Hebrews promoted, 3:26-30.

D. Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream, humiliation, and restoration, 4:1-37.  (Under D). 1. Nebuchadnezzar’s confession of God’s knowledge and power, 4:1-9.   2. Description of the dream, 4:10-18.  3. Daniel’s interpretation of the dream, 4:19-27.   4. Nebuchadnezzar’s fall and restoration, 4:28-36.  5. Nebuchadnezzar praises the God of heaven, 4:37.

E. BELSHAZZAR’S banquet and the loss of the monarchy, 5:1-31. (Under E). 1. Belshazzar’s desecration of the Temple vessels, 5:1-4.  2. The mysterious handwriting on the wall, 5:5-12.   3. Daniel’s interpretation, 5:13-28.   4. Daniel receives honor, Babylon FALLS, 5:39-31.

F. Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den, 6:1-28. (Under F). 1. Daniel’s elevation and the jealousy of his colleagues, 6:1-5.   2. Darius’ decree RESTRICTING prayers, 6:6-9.   3. Daniel’s transgression of the decree and his condemnation, 6:10-17.   4. Daniel’s deliverance and the punishment of the accusers, 6:18-24.   5. Public recognition of the greatness of Daniel’s God, 6:25-28.

Ask, seek, and knock for the Holy Spirit to guide, enlighten, teach, convince, convict and then bring all things you study into remembrance.  Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

THE FOUR PARALLEL VISIONS OF DANIEL AND WHAT EACH EMPHASIZES

November, 8 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE FOUR PARALLEL VISIONS OF DANIEL AND WHAT EACH EMPHASiZES

“The book of Daniel gives a demonstration of the principles according to which God’s WISDOM, POWER, and AUTHORITY operate through the HISTORY OF NATIONS for the eventual accomplishment of the divine purpose.

“God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill’ His ‘purpose’ (Ed 175). IT HAD ITS PERIOD OF TEST [as a nation/empire]; it failed, its glory faded, its power departed, and its place was occupied by another [Medo-Persia] (Ed 177). see on ch. 4:17).

All four visions of the book of Daniel are concerned with the struggle between the forces of good and evil [part of the great controversy between Christ and Satan] on this earth from the time of Daniel to the establishment of the eternal kingdom of Christ [the kingdom of glory]. Inasmuch as Satan uses the POWERS OF EARTH in his effort to thwart God’s plan and to destroy God’s people, these [4] visions introduce THOSE POWERS through which he [Satan] has been most active!

“The FIRST VISION  (ch. 2) deals primarily with POLITICAL changes. It’s primary objective was to reveal to Nebuchadnezzar his role as ruler of Babylon, ‘to make known to him ‘what should come to pass hereafter’ (v. 29).

“As if to supplement the first vision, the SECOND (ch. 7) emphasizes the EXPERIENCE of God’s people DURING the sovereignty of the powers mentioned in the FIRST VISION, and forecasts the ultimate victory of the [commandment-keeping] saints and God’s JUDGMENT upon their enemies (see vs. 14, 18, 26, 27).

“The THIRD VISION (chs. 8; 9), supplementing the second, emphasizes Satan’s ATTEMPTS to do away with the religion and people of Christ.[This is what we are facing very soon in the fulfillment of Revelation 13, starting in America!].

“The FOURTH VISION (chs. 10-12) SUMMARIZES the preceding visions and covers the ground with MORE DETAIL than any of the others. It AMPLIFIES the subject of the second vision and that of the third vision.

“The focus of the emphasis is on ‘what shall befall Thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is yet for many days’ (ch. 10:14), and the ‘time appointed was long’ (v.1). The narrative outline of history covered in ch. 11: 2-39 leads up to ‘the latter days’ (ch. 10:14) and the events of ‘the time of the end’ (ch. 11:40).” – Ibid, pp. 752, 753.

The “time of the end” here is not the end of time but the year 1798, the year in which the Dark Ages that started in 538 A.D., came to the end with the capture of Pope Pius Vi by Gen. Berthier, commander of Napoleon’s French Republican army. Pope Pius died in France the following year, “wounding as to death one of the heads of the beast.”’ See on Rev. 13. More tomorrow, God willing. Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

DANIEL, REVELATION, THE 2300-DAY PROPHECY, AND THE SANCTUARY

November, 6 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

DANIEL, REVELATION, THE 2300-DAY PROPHECY, AND THE SANCTUARY

“The prophecies of Daniel are closely related to those of the book of Revelation. In large measure Revelation covers the same ground but gives particular emphasis to the role of the CHRISTIAN CHURCH as God’s chosen people.

“Thus details that may be obscure in the book of Daniel are often clarified by COMPARISON with the book of Revelation. That part of his ‘prophecy which related to the last days, DANIEL was hidden to ‘CLOSE UP AND SEAL ‘to the time of the end (GC 356), when, THROUGH A DILIGENT STUDY OF THE BOOK, ‘knowledge’ of its import would be ‘increased’ (ch. 12:4; AA 585). John was specifically instructed ‘to seal NOT the sayings of the prophecy’ of his book, ‘for the time is at hand’ (Rev. 22:10). Thus for a CLEARER interpretation of ANY portion of the book of Daniel that tend to be OBSCURE, we should search CAREFULLY [not carelessly or hurriedly] the book of Revelation for light to dispel the darkness.” – Ibid, p. 753.

“We should be earnest students of prophecy; we SHOULD NOT REST until we become intelligent in regard to the subject of the SANCTUARY, which is brought out in the visions of DANIEL and JOHN (in Revelation). This subject [the sanctuary] sheds great light on our PRESENT POSITION AND WORK, and gives us UNMISTAKABLE proof that God has led in our PAST experience [of the early Advent movement, 1840-1844]. It explains our DISAPPOINTMENT in 1844, showing us that the sanctuary to be cleansed (Dan. 8:14] WAS NOT THE EARTH, as we had supposed, but that Christ entered into the most holy apartment of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and is there performing the CLOSING WORK of His PRIESTLY OFFICE, in fulfillment of the words of the angel to the prophet Daniel.”- E.G. White, Maranatha, 247.

Our eyes “believe’  what our mind “sees.” Therefore “Let this mind be in you what was also in Christ Jesus.” Bless all, NMF. 

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Devotionals

NEBUCHADNEZZAR LEARNED HIS LESSON BUT NOT THE BABYLONIAN KINGS AFTER HIM

November, 5 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

NEBUCHADNEZZAR LEARNED HIS LESSON BUT NOT THE BABYLONIAN KINGS AFTER HiM

“The lessons Nebuchadnezzar personally learned over a period of MANY YEARS largely failed to benefit those who succeeded him upon the throne of Babylon. The last ruler of Babylon, Belshazzar, openly defied the God of heaven (ch. 5:23) inspire of the fact that he was ACQUAINTED  with the experience of Nebuchadnezzar (v. 22). Instead of working in harmony with the divine plan, ‘Babylon became a proud and cruel oppressor’ (Ed 176), and in the rejection of the principles of heaven, wrought it’s own ruin (Ed 177). The nation was weighed [in the heavenly balances] and found wanting (ch. 5:25-28).

“In delivering Daniel from the lions’ den, God demonstrated His power and authority before the rulers of the PERSIAN Empire (see ch. 6:29-23; PK 557) as He has previously before those of Babylon. An edict of Darius the Mede acknowledged the ‘living God’ and admitted that He is ‘steadfast forever’ (v. 26)

“Even the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not [cannot be changed] (v. 8), was obliged to yield to the decrees of the ‘Most High’ who ‘rules in the kingdom of men’ (ch. 4:32).

“Cyrus was favorably impressed by the miraculous evidence of divine power exhibited in the deliverance of Daniel from the lions den (PK 557). The prophecies outlining his [Cyrus’] role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple (Isa. 44: 26 to 43:13) also made a deep impression upon him. ‘His heart was profoundly moved, and he determined to fulfill his divinely appointed mission.’ (PK 557).” -Ibid, p. 751.

The prophecy pointing to the rebuilding of the desolated Jerusalem and the Temple were fulfilled in the 70-week prophecy of Dan.9: 24-27. Evangelicals harboring a Zionist view still look the future from these prophecies! They have been literally “left behind.”  Not only that: because of adopting Futurism, many believe and urge that Donald Trump is the modern-day “Cyrus” that will restore the Jerusalem and Israel—the nation-state created only in 1948 by the United Nations based on Zionism, not the Bible. God bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

NEBUCHADNEZZAR MADE READY TO MEET DANIEL’S GOD

November, 4 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

NEBUCHADNEZZAR MADE READY TO MEET DANIEL’S GOD

Having met Daniel who excelled socially, physically and intellectually by his own determination, Nebuchadnezzar was now ready to realize Daniel’s spiritual superiority by being introduced to Daniel’s God!

“These events prepared Nebuchadnezzar to meet Daniel’s God. [Here’s how]. A series of dramatic experiences—the dream of chapter 2, the striking deliverance from the fiery furnace (ch. 3), and the dream of chapter 4—demonstrated to the king’s satisfaction the knowledge, power, and authority of Daniel’s God.

“The INFERIORITY of human knowledge, exhibited in the experience of ch. 2, led Nebuchadnezzar to admit to Daniel, ‘Of a TRUTH it is, that your God is a God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a Revealer of secrets’ (ch. 2:47).

“He freely acknowledged that the wisdom of God was superior, not only to human wisdom, but even to the SUPPOSED wisdom of his own gods. The incident of the Golden Image and fiery furnace led Nebuchadnezzar to admit that the God of heaven ‘delivered His servants’ (ch.3:28). His conclusion was that no one in all his realm ‘should speak anything amiss against the God’ of the Hebrews in view of the fact that ‘no other God’ can ‘deliver after this sort’ (v. 29).

“Nebuchadnezzar now realized that the God of heaven was not only wise but powerful, that He was not only omniscient but omnipotent. The third experience—the SEVEN YEARS during which his own vaunted wisdom and power were temporarily removed—taught the king that only that the ‘Most High’ is wise and powerful but that He exercises that THAT wisdom and power to rule in HUMAN affairs. (ch. 4:32). He has wisdom, power and authority.

“It is significant that the FIRST ACT Nebuchadnezzar performed AFTER his reason returned to him was to ‘praise and extol and honor the King of heaven’ and to acknowledge that ‘those that walk in pride’ as he had done for so many years, God ‘is able to abase’ (v. 37).”- Ibid, pp. 751, 752.
(More follows tomorrow). Bless all, NMF. 

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Devotionals

THE BOOK OF DANIEL REVEALS HOW GOD USES VARIOUS MEN TO FULFILL HIS WILL

November, 3 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE BOOK OF DANIEL REVEALS HOW GOD USES VARIOUS MEN TO FULFILL HIS WILL

“The first four chapters of Daniel narrate the MEANS by which God secures the allegiance of Nebuchadnezzar. [He never employs deception, compromise of principle, coercion, intimidation, craftiness, deception, confusion, or persecution].

“First of all, God needed a man who would be a FIT REPRESENTATIVE of the principles and policies of heaven at the court of Babylon, so He chose Daniel to be His personal AMBASSADOR to Nebuchadnezzar.

“The means God employed to bring Daniel, a captive, to the favorable attention of Nebuchadnezzar, and the means by which Nebuchadnezzar came to have confidence, first in Daniel and then in Daniel’s God, illustrate the MANNER in which God uses men TODAY to accomplish His will on earth.

“God could use Daniel BECAUSE Daniel was a man of PRINCIPLE, a man of STERLING character, a man whose chief business life was to live for God!

“Daniel ‘purposed in His heart’ (Dan. 1:8) to live in harmony with all the REVEALED will of God. First, God brought him ‘into favor and tender love’ with the officials of Babylon (v. 9). This prepared the way for the second step, the demonstration of the PHYSICAL superiority of Daniel and his companions (vs. 12-15). Then followed a demonstration of INTELLECTUAL superiority. ‘God gave them all knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom’ (v. 17), with the result that they were considered ‘ten times better’ than their closest competitors (v. 20).

“Thus in Personality, Physique, and Intellect Daniel proved to be markedly SUPERIOR to his fellow men, and thereby WON the confidence and respect of Nebuchadnezzar.”

For me, this is what the children’s song, “Dare to be a Daniel” really means—much more than “daring to pray” when it was outlawed or bravely, without murmur, doubt and complaint to be “thrown into the hungry lions’ den!”
(More follows tomorrow). God bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

THE TWO SECTIONS OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL

November, 2 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TWO SECTIONS OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL

Daniel is divided into two sections: the Historical Section: Dan. 1:1 to 6:28 and the Prophetic Section: Dan.7:1 to 12:13.

“The Historical Section reveals in a most striking manner, the true philosophy of history. (See Education, 173-184). This section stands as a preface to the prophetic section.

“By providing a detailed account of God’s dealings with one nation, Babylon, the book enables us to understand the meaning of the rise and fall of other nations outlined in the prophetic portion of the book.

“Without a clear understanding of the philosophy of history as revealed in the narrative of the role of Babylon in the divine plan, the role of the OTHER nations that succeeded Babylon on the screen of prophetic vision CANNOT be fully understood or appreciated.  For a summary of the divine philosophy of history as set forth by inspiration, see on chap. 4:17.

“In the Historical section, we find Daniel, GOD’S MAN OF THE HOUR, brought face to face with Nebuchadnezzar, the GENIUS OF THE GENTILE WORLD, that the king might have opportunity to know Daniel’s God, the Arbiter of History, and to cooperate with Him.

“Nebuchadnezzar was not only a monarch of the greatest nation of the time but was also eminently wise, and had an innate sense of justice and right. He was, in fact, the leading personality of the Gentile world, ‘the mighty one of the heathen’(Eze.31:11), raises to power for a special role in the divine plan.

“Of him God said, ‘Now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant’(Jer. 27:6).

“As the Jews went captive into Babylon, it was desirable that they be held under a hand that was FIRM without being CRUEL (according for the standards of that day). Daniel’s mission at the court of Nebuchadnezzar was the SECURE the submission of the king’s will to the will of God in order that the divine purpose might be realized.

“In one of the dramatic moments of history, God brought together these two great personalities!” – Ibid, pp. 750, 751.

More follows tomorrow. God bless all today, NMF