Loading summary
Transcript34 lines
- [00:02]
Tim Moore
Have you ever had a troubling dream? One that startled you from your sleep and made you ask, what does it mean? Welcome to Christ in Prophecy. I'm Tim Moore, director and senior evangelist for Lamb and Lion Ministries. I'm joined today, as always, by Nathan Jones, our Internet evangelist. We're very glad you've joined us as we return to our Inquiring Minds series. Together, we're exploring various fascinating and mysterious passages in God's prophetic word. Today, we're taking a deep dive into Daniel's perplexing visions, visions that troubled his heart and perplexed his mind, which is why we're still inquiring about them today.
- [00:36]
Nathan Jones
Tim, we're not claiming we interpret dreams, but clearly God chose to reveal Himself through dreams and visions given to his prophets in the Bible. However, there are some visions that could not be understood even by the very prophets recording them. Thousands of years ago, for example, Daniel testified he could not discern the meaning of all he saw. It wasn't for him to know at that time.
- [00:57]
Tim Moore
That's exactly right. When Daniel asked God to explain the meaning of his troubling vision, Daniel was told to go your way, meaning that he would live out his life unable to fully understand what God had revealed. But Daniel was also told that the words would be understood in the end times. So, taking the Lord at his word and believing that we are nearing the end times, we are seeking to receive insight from the Holy Spirit and understand what God wants us to know as Jesus Return draws near.
- [01:25]
Nathan Jones
With that in mind, we invite all of you with inquiring minds to come along as we dive into Bible prophecy, Specifically Daniel Chapter 7 and 10 through 12, where we are going to encounter mysterious beasts, spiritual warfare, and prophecies that span from Daniel's time to our own day. To get more insights into Bible prophecy, we also invite you to go to our website@christinprophecy.org we have a wealth of information, including our Christ in Prophecy television episodes, podcasts, Lamplighter magazine, and many free resources that you can download from christinprophecy.org and if this program's been a blessing to you, then please click the Donate button. Okay, we'll be back in just a moment.
- [02:09]
Narrator/Announcer
Recently, a listener named Jim contacted Christ in Prophecy to say, whenever I feel discouraged, your ministry reminds me of the temporary nature of it all and the eternal promises that await us. Thank you for blessing us for so many years. We want to hear from you. Let us know how understanding Bible prophecy has shaped your faith by sharing your story@christinprophecy.org Contact as we open Daniel Chapter
- [02:37]
Tim Moore
7, we encounter Daniel's vision of four great beasts that are rising from the sea. In this vision, Daniel was given insight into the sequence of kingdoms that would come after Babylon. They are increasingly dreadful and terrifying, and Daniel is greatly troubled by what he sees.
- [02:54]
Nathan Jones
Yes, Daniel saw four great beasts. The first one he saw was a lion with the wings of an eagle. Then he saw a bear raised up on one side with three ribs in its mouth. There was then a leopard with four wings and four heads. And then what Daniel calls this dreadful beast, it's unlike anything he'd ever seen. It had iron teeth and 10 horns. Now, obviously these aren't actual animals, but Tim Wright, they represent biblical concepts that the Lord was trying to impart to Daniel.
- [03:23]
Tim Moore
They certainly do. Nathan, you make a point frequently that often scripture interprets scripture and prophecy interprets prophecy, or at least the Bible interprets the prophecies it provides. Not always. Sometimes we have to wait for the fullness of time and sometimes hindsight to be able to interpret. But in this case, in the same chapter of Daniel chapter 7, it says in verse 15, as for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. And then two verses later, the interpretation is provided. These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings which will arise from the earth, but the saints of the highest one will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever for all ages to come. So, Nathan, we obviously, as we would read on in this chapter, are given understanding right within the text itself that these beasts represent a series of kingdoms. So the first one, the lion with wings of an eagle, represents Babylon, a great and mighty empire that was very rapid in its conquering of its surrounding nations and ruled with a rod of iron, if you will, during that time period, but then was replaced by the Medo Persian empire, represented by a bear raised up on one side with three ribs. And if you go into the history of these various empires, you understand that even in Babylon, their motif, if you will, was a lion. You go to the gates of Babylon today, there in the ancient destroyed city, and you see lions. If you talk about Medo Persian, their representation was a bear. And so these visions have significance even in the symbols they use.
- [04:55]
Nathan Jones
Yeah, like the three ribs, for instance, where the Medo Persian empire conquered Babylon, Assyria and Egypt. Some also say it might be Lydia. So that's what the three ribs stand for, the swiftness of the leopard. You know, it's a very fast animal. Alexander the great blitzed through the Middle east and conquered it and that eventually the Greek Empire gave away to the Roman Empire Empire. That dreadful beast had iron teeth, but Timid also had 10 horns. What is the significance of the 10 horns?
- [05:23]
Tim Moore
Well, we obviously believe that the 10 horns are pointing to an ultimate fulfillment of that final empire, the Roman Empire, which will come back into prominence in the end times with this coalition of 10 kings that will reconstitute the Roman Empire. And of course, eventually they will be led by one who is the Antichrist himself. So even in this vision, looking backward, talking about the contemporary age when Daniel was living and looking forward also has ramifications down to the very last days.
- [05:53]
Nathan Jones
Daniel with the beast is terrifying because it's a heavenly perspective of how horrible, failed, flawed human governments can be and make the people suffer. So the difference reveals how God views earthly power versus our own human perception.
- [06:07]
Tim Moore
In Daniel chapter 7, verse 13 through 14, we read this. Daniel says, I kept looking in the night visions and behold with the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man was coming. And he came up to the ancient of days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away. And his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. So right here in the midst of all these various earthly kingdoms, Daniel has another vision of a final king, the son of man who is coming. And his kingdom will be truly glorious in heaven's eyes.
- [06:46]
Nathan Jones
Daniel 7 is fascinating because what it's doing is it's giving us a look at the Messiah, the pre incarnate Jesus Christ standing before the Father, waiting to take his kingdom. Folks, we live in a time period called the church age, where the Lord is building a spiritual kingdom through the church. But the Bible promises in many prophecies that Jesus will return and he will set up an earthly kingdom and rule and reign over this earth from Jerusalem. So Daniel, written 2,500 years ago, was prophesying events that have yet to happen. And there was also spiritual warfare that was revealed that would surround that time period.
- [07:23]
Tim Moore
Yeah, we're going to talk about the spiritual warfare more in just a moment. But I think it's important to understand why was Daniel given these tremendous visions? Why don't I get visions like this? And if we go to Daniel chapter nine, there's a beautiful segment where Daniel is praying for his people, but he is humbling himself personally. He actually takes personal responsibility for the sins of his people. That's almost a messianic kind of foreshadowing when Jesus Christ takes the responsibility for all the sins of those who put their trust in him. So here's Daniel taking responsibility for his people and humbling himself. And then In Daniel chapter 10, the Lord sends a response. And so the messenger who comes and touches Daniel says this beginning in verse 12. Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this, in other words, the visions, the revelations, and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come in response to your words. I think it's important, Nathan, that as we seek to understand the word of God, and we certainly do here at Lamb and Lion Ministries, we have to humble ourselves. We have to recognize that sometimes these revelations are still mysterious until God wants us to understand. But. But if we humble ourselves, if we seek his face, if we seek understanding, if we lean upon the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what God wants us to understand, then indeed he will give understanding to our hearts.
- [08:48]
Nathan Jones
Folks, whenever you're trying to understand the Bible, pray, pray, pray that the Holy Spirit works in you to delay any kind of satanic attack upon your understanding of the Word. Daniel's vision reveals both the terrifying reality of human empires and the glorious hope of Christ's eternal kingdom. But Daniel's prophetic experiences weren't limited to the battles between earthly kingdoms. He also encountered spiritual warfare. Well, coming up next, we're going to talk about spiritual warfare in our time in a segment called what's really Going On. Stay with us.
- [09:21]
Narrator/Announcer
With all the uncertainty in the world today, it's good to know that God's promises never fail. As you listen to Christ in prophecy each week, explain what God has revealed in his prophetic word. Join us as together we look forward to his imminent return. To listen to more programs and to hear more hope for the Future, go to christinprophecy.org.
- [09:49]
Tim Moore
Nathan, as we closed out our last segment, you mentioned the spiritual warfare that is taking place and indeed took place in Daniel's day and age. I'm reminded that when the messenger Gabriel came to Daniel, he revealed that he had been constrained, held back for 21 days. What was holding him back from being able to come and deliver a message to Daniel?
- [10:09]
Nathan Jones
It's interesting when you go to Daniel 10, 12, 13, it says, but the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for 21 days. And then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. Well, what does that mean? What we're talking about is, folks, angelic warfare. You know, behind the scenes of human governments and human events. There's also a spiritual battle going on between God's heavenly angels, led by Michael the Archangel and Satan and his demonic forces. So this kingdom of Persia, this kingdom was actually ruled by a human, but behind that, there was a spiritual warfare going on. A prince of Persia. Some believe that this demon was none other than Satan himself.
- [10:50]
Tim Moore
You know, I would dare say that this same prince, this same demonic power is still ruling over Persia or modern day Iran today. You think, how can this ancient people who were so well educated, so advanced, I mean, you think about the Babylonians and the Persians. Those were the magi who came seeking Christ in the account of his birth and nativity, his first advent. And yet today they've been subsumed by a false religion, that being Islam. And they are so deluded. And so there's a spiritual warfare that is still in effect in our world today. You think about the demonic forces that are raging in places like Gaza and other places that have such hatred for the Jewish people. And so this unseen battle is taking place all around us. And yet so many times Christians would seem oblivious to what's going on.
- [11:41]
Nathan Jones
And you wonder, why are these nations so crazed, so obsessed? Hamas, for instance, you know, willing to die over a fight to destroy and murder Jewish people. I mean, what is behind that? Well, it can only be satanic in nature. I think of Venezuela, which used to be a first world country. It was growing and flourishing, but then accepted socialism. And within one age, within 20 years, Maduro, who eventually became president, ran it completely into the ground and it became a narco terrorist state. Or Iran, which used to be friendly to Israel back in the 70s when the ayatollahs took over, they made the entire country to be obsessed about killing the Jews again. Have you noticed the theme here? It's always again and again, kill the Jews, folks. Satan wants the Jews dead because if he can end the Jews, then God's promises that are coming in the future for the Jewish people cannot happen. And so Satan is attempting to try God. So when you wonder why all these nations are acting so insane, it's because they're satanically influenced.
- [12:45]
Tim Moore
You know, Golda Meir one time made a statement. She said, the war with the Palestinians in essence will end when they love their children more than they hate us. And the reason that the war rages on in places, we've said it like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis, et cetera, is because these enraged, demonically inspired people hate the Jews more than they love their own children. We've talked about it before, Nathan, how some of them think the greatest thing that their children can aspire to be is a suicide bomber. At least kill a Jew, but give yourself for that purpose. They hate more than they love. And yet we as Christians are called to love more than we hate. You and I were talking earlier how even with all the things happening in our nation, we cannot give ourselves over to hating those who are caught in deception. We have to love them as Christ loved them. Yes, we resist the deception. We resist the evil acts and things that are going on even in our own country. But we have to love the very people Christ came to die for.
- [13:47]
Nathan Jones
And it's hard, though. We are meant to pray. You know, folks, we want to get out there and we want to fight, either on social media or physically. But that's not what we're called to. We're called to pray for our enemies, that the Lord will take these spiritual blinders off them, this hatred that's consumed them, so they may come to Jesus Christ and so be saved. And that's the call of the church. They will know we are Christians by our love.
- [14:09]
Tim Moore
Amen. Well, folks, there's so much going on in our world today in the spiritual realm, and we pray that you are armored up, that you've put on the whole armor of God, that you can resist the wiles of the devil, the temptations, the deceptions, and the fiery darts of the devil, and that you are armored up enough not just to protect yourself, but to be good and influential to others around you so that you can help protect them. The spiritual battle is raging, but the victory has already been won through the blood of Jesus Christ. So look to our commander. He is coming soon. We'll be right back. To continue our discussion of Daniel's mysterious
- [14:45]
Nathan Jones
visions, Jesus taught his followers to watch for the times. But only 2% of churches teach Bible prophecy. At Lamb and Lion Ministries, our team of scholars and evangelists travel across the country to share their insights into Bible prophecy. To bring solid teaching about Bible prophecy to your community, invite us to come and speak at your church. We want to help Christians understand what's really happening in the world from a biblical perspective. To book a speaker, get in touch with us@christinprophecy.org welcome back to Christ in Prophecy Radio with Tim Moore. I'm Nathan Jones. Well, Tim, in some circles, there's quite a lot of controversy over the book of Daniel. The detailed descriptions of the kingdoms that would come after Babylon are just so specific, they're just accurate. And that is startling to secular historians. They're shocked by the prophetic accuracy. And they claim, well, it couldn't have been written during Daniel's time. After all, who could know the future with such accuracy? Well, friends, we know the answer is clear and obvious. God knows the future. Daniel acknowledged this when he gave the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, saying, as for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians, nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. Sadly, this isn't the answer. Some one to hear. As for us here at Laman Lion Ministries, we're going to take God at his word.
- [16:12]
Tim Moore
You know, that's exactly right. And God is so audacious to at one point in scripture challenge the false prophets and their false gods to be able to predict what is happening in the future. He says, I tell you what, why don't you tell us what's going to happen in the future? Yes, that's it. What's going to happen in the days to come? And of course the false gods are silent. The false prophets cannot get any revelation because there is no understanding that reveals to us that even Satan doesn't know what is going to happen in the future other than what's been revealed in Bible prophecy. And he's working overtime to try to thwart the will of God. But he knows he cannot stop God from fulfilling everything that he has prophesied. And why does God have the ability to see past, present and future? Nathan? I believe it's because God is so far outside of time. It's kind of like getting in an airplane and climbing to 30,000ft. You can look down at what's directly below, you can look down 100, 200 miles in every direction and see with equal clarity. Well, God is so far outside of our timeline that he's able to see with equal clarity the beginning and the end and everything in between. And so he can orchestrate and control even the machinations of Satan and his minions to his glory and his good.
- [17:27]
Nathan Jones
You know what's interesting about reading quite a number of prophecies is they're called proleptic. In other words, there are prophecies about the future, but they're written in past tense. So for God, what we see as the Future is the past for him. It's already happened. And that kind of assurance can give us assurance that we know what God has planned, that he will do. His victories are 100% assured because in God's timeline, they've already happened. So folks, you can put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and know for a fact that he will return, he will defeat evil, and he will set up his kingdom on this earth.
- [18:01]
Tim Moore
That's exactly right. And that brings us back to Daniel and the truths that he recorded in Scripture. How was he able to record so much prophecy that seems so accurate in hindsight? Well, because he had foresight revealed by the one who sees all. And so he recorded historical events and before they occurred. And even Alexander the Great, when he came to the Holy Land and was shown some of the prophecies of Daniel, was amazed at their accuracy. He recognized himself as one of the figures in Daniel's prophecies. And he decided not to destroy the beautiful land as Israel was called, because he was so impressed with this God who could see and predict the future.
- [18:41]
Nathan Jones
You know, Daniel 11 is fascinating because it prophesies what happened when Alexander the Great's empire broke up amongst four generals. And so it ended up having Seleucid took over the north in Syria and Ptolemy down in Egypt. And these two groups would battle back and forth with Israel stuck in the middle. And when you read Daniel 11, it's an account of all the battles back and forth between that that were written 200, 300 years before they actually happened.
- [19:09]
Tim Moore
So sometimes we get these prefillments pointing to a future fulfillment. Nathan, we also know that there are other prophecies that were so specific, including the 10 horns that will represent this 10 kingdom confederacy that will come about in the end times.
- [19:23]
Nathan Jones
Yes, that's what's interesting is that because of these prophecies are so exact that have been fulfilled in history, we know that the prophecies about the future will come true. And they're exact as well. Like you said, Tim, the ten horns of that great and horrible beast will be a breakdown of the world into ten kingdoms. Folks, just think about that, that eventually the world will be divided into 10 regions. Tim, I think we're just watching the news now, seeing how much that North America is starting to become a hegemony. As Donald tries to bring the various aspects of North America together, we're seeing that in east, as China tries to build a hegemony as well. Africa with the African Union, the European Union, the Russian and Slavic areas, the world is beginning to divide into 10 regions, just as the Bible prophesied. But Daniel prophesied that a little horn, it's another word for the Antichrist. A one world ruler would displace three of those kings and rise up and become the one world ruler. So, folks, that is the future. And because we know that Bible prophecy in Daniel has been fulfilled so specifically, we know that those prophecies will be fulfilled specifically as well.
- [20:30]
Tim Moore
Well, there's one other thing that we see right in our day and age as a fulfillment of a specific prophecy in Daniel. In Daniel 12:4, Daniel is told to conceal certain words of his prophecy, the book itself, until the end of time, when many will go back and forth and knowledge will increase and there's various interpretations. But let's face it, Nathan, I don't think we've ever lived in a time when humanity is able to go back and forth as quickly and as easily as it does today. I talk about how in the 1800s, Mark Twain traveled to the Holy Land. It took many months to get there by steamship. Today, a person can get on an airplane and a few hours later land in Tel Aviv, and they'll complain about the length of the trip. But what a blessing it is to live in a day and age when we can travel back and forth. Daniel also spoke about knowledge increasing. Both of us have right here at our fingertips a smartphone that gives us access to all the knowledge virtually in the world. Sometimes it lacks wisdom with all that knowledge, but we have knowledge at our fingertips that exceeds anything former generations could have accessed. And so we see a fulfillment even of that prophecy in this day and age.
- [21:37]
Nathan Jones
Yes. So Daniel prophesied a time of great increase in knowledge. Folks, you know we are living in that a time of great travel. Think about 100 years ago, how people traveled and a time of great prophetic understanding. Whereas prophecies are being fulfilled, we would understand more of what Daniel and others had prophesied. So just as Daniel was told to go your way with confidence in God's ultimate plan, we too can live with strength and courage, knowing that Christ's victory is already assured. Stay with us as Tim shares a final word of encouragement.
- [22:07]
Narrator/Announcer
Studying Bible prophecy is an important practice for Christians who want to mature in their faith. At Lamb and Lion, we've compiled the best resources to help you explore and explain Bible prophecy. Our online store is stocked with insightful books and charts from authors such as Dr. David Reagan, Tim Moore, Nathan Jones, and more. So why not add a good Christian book to your library today or order one for a friend. Understand Bible prophecy better when you visit christinprophecy.org.
- [22:42]
Tim Moore
Many Christians read Bible prophecy and have the same reaction Daniel initially did. They are filled with dread and fearful of what lies ahead. But we need to realize that God chose to reveal the future to Daniel because He had humbled himself and sought to understand. Such revelation is meant to be a blessing, not a burden. The revelations of God are indeed a blessing to those who have believed in Jesus Christ. In him, all the prophecies of God are yes and amen. Because the very spirit of prophecy is a testimony of Jesus Christ. It points to him and is ultimately fulfilled in him. Since that is so, we should not be afraid. However, for those who are not in Christ, the revelations of God's prophetic word pronounce a fate that is worse than death eternal separation from God. For those who reject Jesus as Savior, the righteous, indignant wrath of God abides on them. If you know Jesus as Savior and worship him as Lord, we pray that you are warning those around you who do not know him to flee from the wrath to come and into his loving arms. Time is of the essence. Jesus is coming soon. Your family and friends stand at the precipice of eternity and you can hold out a lifeline. When we look at Bible prophecy, we see God revealing the future. In hindsight, I've actually told people, why should I pray? I should pray because that lines my will with the will of God. And I've given them this word of encouragement. God heard your prayers today. Yesterday. In other words, if you pray right now, God will have heard your prayers from the foundation of the earth. Our consistent message at Lamb and Lion Ministries is that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and he is coming soon. Like Daniel, we may not understand everything we see unfolding, but we know the one who holds the future. Whether we go our way before his return or are privileged to see him burst from the heavens, we can live with confident expectation because, as Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 4:8, there is a crown of righteousness laid up for all who have eagerly anticipated the Lord's coming. Until he comes, be strong and courageous. Display strength and take action by sharing the Gospel with those who are perishing and join us in crying out maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, and Godspeed.