INTERESTING FACTS : John Adams,

 

"We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands; we have a check upon two branches of the legislature . . . the power I mean of electing at stated periods [each] branch. . . . It becomes necessary to every [citizen] then, to be in some degree a statesman, and to examine and judge for himself of the tendency of political principles and measures. Let us examine, then, with a sober, a manly . . . and a Christian spirit; let us neglect all party [loyalty] and advert to facts; let us believe no man to be infallible or impeccable in government any more than in religion; take no man's word against evidence, nor implicitly adopt the sentiments of others who may be deceived themselves, or may be interested in deceiving us."[1]

 

Daily Reading : Daniel 10 - 12

 

TEXT : Dan 12:8  And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? Dan 12:9  And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Dan 12:10  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

 

THEME : Righteousness

 

"Chapter 7 gives the character of the Roman empire, especially under its last head. It is the close of the history of the Gentile power. Chapter 8 (although I have often thought that the king, who is described there, might be the instrument in Israel of the western empire) gives to the horn it speaks of a different character-as it appears to me, in carefully weighing the passage-from that which constitutes the western power [1], whether as a little horn, or exercised in some local instrument. It is an eastern power arising out of one of the four kingdoms into which Alexander's empire was broken up. His power, however, is derived from another; it is a separate power acting in Syria. In chapter 9 we find the one who acts among the Jews in Jerusalem itself, in connection with the Roman empire, be the instrument employed who he may. It may be "the king" of chapter 11 who finds himself between the kings of the south and of the north. But it is very possible that the little horn of chapter 7 acts itself. Still there is another power dependent upon it, who acts at least religiously upon the Jews, and leads them into apostasy-one who comes in his own name, and does not regard the God of his fathers.

 

"The king" of chapter 11 is a king in Judea, despising the religion of his fathers, and acting in that country in a way morally unbridled, re-establishing idolatry, and dividing the territory among those in favour. The kings of the south and north are Egypt and Assyria in the latter days, who attack the king who has established himself in the Holy Land. I suppose that "the king" answers to the second beast of Revelation, though in another aspect, as the first does to the little horn of chapter 7.

 

Note #1

 

We may compare Psalms 74 and 83, which confirm the idea that there will be a destruction in Jerusalem, as well as the compelled cessation of the daily sacrifice accomplished in a religious way by the prince who is to come, the Roman of chapter 9, who will be among the Jews, and who had professed himself to be their friend." [John Darby] [2]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "THY WORD IS LIGHT!"

 

The Book of Daniel is a series of visions, dreams, and instances of miraculous interventions by the LORD. One of the most important Books of the Old Testament with respect to Eschatology [The End Times], some liberal theologians have suggested it be removed from the Canon of Scripture - for its prophecies are that accurate. Detailing the five dominant world empires for instance, the Book of Daniel is criticized as having to have been written after the fact, for who can know the future that precisely? The answer is God. Since God is the Author of the Holy Scriptures.

 

Thus, the entire heart, of not only Daniel, but of the entire Bible, is one of foretelling the future with such amazing precision that apostate teachers [specifically theologians] have systematically tried to pull the Bible apart taking away all miraculous events and predictions of the future in order to reduce the Bible to just another book. Surely, the Bible is the most attacked Book in the world. Yet, it still is the best seller of all time with millions more printed today than ever before. Further, it is an anvil that has worn out many hammers of the ungodly.

 

At the end of the Book of Daniel, the prophet is told that those who live in the end times will understand the prophecies of his Book. In addition, the righteous will be tried and made white, but the wicked permitted to become more wicked. Further, the wicked will not understand the signs of the times. Only the righteous will see these signs and understand the predictions of the Bible. Truth is hidden from the mind of the ungodly, but not from the mind of those who diligently seek God.

 

When David wrote in Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"; he tells how God's Word enlightens the mind of those who seek the LORD with all the heart, soul, and strength. The world and its ways, versus the Word of God and the LORD's ways are as apparent and diverse as day and night. However, those who live in darkness cannot see anything at all. Contrarily, those who live in the light see clearly the things of God. "We see our signs!"

 

The coming of Christ, the Great Tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, the Kingdom of God etc. - all foretold in Daniel, are plain to the view of the Christian truly born of the Spirit of God. Thus, God's Word is light to you as it was to David.

 

As Daniel 12:10 states - none of the wicked will see what you are seeing. This is the prerogative of God. That is, to hide His plan, His truth, from the "wise and prudent" [Luk_10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.] - an ironic statement, since those who claim to be intelligent and sagacious cannot see the trees due to the thickness of the forest. You may guess anyone can see the signs of Christ's return. However, it is not so. These truths are hid from the eyes of those without Christ's Spirit.

 

Thus, we expect a continuing "falling away" from the faith - as the Scripture declares, in these last days. [2Th_2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.] Not that people will not be found at Church meetings - they will.

 

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Still, only those whose eyes are illuminated by the Holy Spirit will understand - not only the predicitions found in the Book of Daniel, but in Revelation, and the Gospel and the letters of the Apostles. Keep your heart pure. Turn to the LORD. He is gracious and full of mercy. Be a wise "virgin" with your lamp burning, as opposed to a foolish one who slept and forgot [her] first love.

 

Mat 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Mat 25:2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Mat 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.