PREACHING PROPHETIC PASSAGES: ITS NECESSITY AND URGENCY

Preachers may tend to avoid preaching about prophecy due to its difficulty and potential for controversy. Yet, Scripture itself calls us to preaching prophetic passages as a necessity and with urgency. 

Concerning the coming of Christ and the consummation of the age there are often three major views: 

1) Premillennialism—that says Christ will return and then set up a thousand year reign on earth;

2) Postmillennialism—that says the church will win the world to Christ and then He will return and receive His kingdom;

3) Amillennialism—that says the prophetic passages are symbolic and Christ will return with a general resurrection and judgment bringing the eternal state. 

Someone has suggested a fourth—panmillennialism: it will all “pan” out in the end!  I would say that is the worst of the views. It is a wish-washy approach to the significant number of prophetic passages that demand to be preached. Peter would have forcefully confronted such thinking. One third of his second epistle is devoted to the subject, and brings the climax of all the Apostle wanted to say to us. 

Preaching prophetic passages is A CALL TO REMEMBRANCE, (2 Pet. 3:1-7). The old fisherman speaks to this purpose when he says, “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,” (v. 1‬-‭2‬‬).  We dare not forget that Christ is coming!  That fact will compel us to live for eternity and with urgency. Sure, there will be “scoffers,” (v. 3-4) who “willfully forget” how God judged the world in Noah’s day, (v. 5-7). Jesus said that the end of the age would be marked by a return to such corruption and chaos with condemnation to come. “But, as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be,” (Matt. 24:37). Our Lord warned against the complacency where people go on their lives as though there is not a day of reckoning.  

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt.‬ ‭24‬:‭38‬-‭44‬‬).

God forbid that preachers fail to call people to remembrance! That is spiritual malpractice!

Further, preaching prophetic passages is A CALL TO REPENTANCE, (2 Pet. 3:8-9). The certainty and gravity of judgment on this world should compel us to preach with urgency and fervency. It is not for us to try to set dates. Jesus said that none would know the day or hour of His return—a time appointed by His Sovereign Father. As an eternal Being, God’s calendar is not the same as mortal man’s. We think a thousand years is a long span of time, whereas God considers it as a mere fleeting day. We do not know the precise time Christ will return, but we do know that time is imminent, and could be today. Every man of God must realize that his next sermon could be his final one!  It could also be the last one the congregation will hear. The clarion call to come to Christ in repentance must be issued.

I think of Ezekiel—appointed as a watchman on the wall—to sound a warning of judgment to come. The sobering words to the spiritual sentry is that failure to do so means that judgment falls, but to the man who does not alert the people, God says, “his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand,” (Ezek. 33:6b). We cannot make people repent, but we must call them to repentance!

Then, we preach prophetic passages as A CALL TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, (1 Pet. 3:10-18). Prophetic preaching is a call to sinners to repent, but also a call to saints for righteousness.  

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Pet.‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭13‬‬).

Since God is going to purge the earth of sin and establish an eternal kingdom where “righteousness dwells,” then we, as His people, are to begin to prepare for it, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,” (v. 11). Indeed, in a proper response to that day of destiny, by looking forward to it, we can be “hastening the coming of the day of God,” (v. 12). Now, we do not speed things up from God’s perspective, but from man’s. How? In this sense—God knows who the final soul is that will be won to faith to complete the Bride of Christ. When that one is won then the Bridegroom will return to claim His Bride who has made herself ready for Him!  Is it not amazing that the next person you lead to Christ could be that one? This should spur us on in soul-winning!

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “they are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.”  The truth is that those who are most properly heavenly minded do the most earthy good!  Peter ends his writing by calling us to be “looking forward to these things,” that we may “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”  

Preaching prophetic passages is immensely practical:

“and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Pet.‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭18‬‬)

PREACHING ON PROPHECY

 

Do you want to rob yourself and your flock of God’s blessing?  Then ignore prophecy—and in particular do not preach from Revelation. Our Lord has assured us to read and hear these words is to receive God’s blessing (1:3).  This is THE NECESSITY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION. 

So, why do many pastors rarely deal with this book?  There is THE DIFFICULTY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION. Granted, there are interpretive challenges. Yet, we must not shirk our duty because of the difficulty.

Yet, we must be motivated by THE URGENCY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION. We are assured that “the time is near,” for the fulfillment of these passages. Jesus is coming soon!  We must help prepare people. What if it were today?

Do not miss THE CENTRALITY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION.  It is foremost a book about Jesus. He is the central figure. Do not get so bogged down in the details that you forget to shine the spotlight on Jesus. The Gospel is the primary message. The church is the audience.

I love how Jesus walks among the seven golden lamp stands—the seven churches. This is the vital interest of Christ—for His church. We may be assured that when we assemble, wherever that local body gathers in this wide world, that Jesus is in our midst!  Pastor, if there are two or three in the congregation—there will be another, for Christ has promised to be there. What you do is big business, no matter the size of the congregation; be faithful, for the Lord is listening!

He also holds the seven stars in His hand. Those are the angels of the churches—one for each. The Greek word means, “messenger,” and mostly it is used to describe a heavenly being, but in this case, I understand it to be a human messenger. This is the pastor who will preach God’s Word. The message is addressed to him first—to assimilate and apply—so he might become the one who stands and speaks on behalf of Christ. What a privilege!  What a responsibility! 

No matter the critics we face or the challenges we find in ministry, always remember that Jesus holds you in the palm of His hand—and there is no safer place to be!  John was banished for his faithful preaching of the Word, suffering in isolation on a rocky island, surrounded by a stormy sea.  Yet, Christ was with Him, and we may be assured He knows where we are, and will manifest Himself to us and speak though us.

MYSTERIES REVEALED: The Next Big Thing

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

What is the next big thing to watch out for that would herald the coming of Christ for His church?  Are there prophecies to be fulfilled?  Are there signs to watch for?

No. Zip, zero, zilch. From the first century to the twenty first century, there has never been a generation that could not expect to see Jesus coming in the clouds for them.

The next big thing is the rapture of the church.  While, it is fascinating to see developments rapidly falling into place, which intensify my belief that very soon we will hear the trumpet call, the reality is Jesus could appear before I finish typing this post, or before you finish reading it.  What if it were today?  That is how we ought to live.

Paul speaks here of the rapture of the church.  While the term is not found in the Bible, the teaching certainly is.  The word comes from the Latin expression for being “caught up.”

Paul tells us to comfort one another with these words.  It is comforting in knowing we will again see our loved ones who died in faith.  They will rise first and we will be “together with them.”  It is comforting to know that living saints will be transformed, set free from the sin, suffering, and sorrow of this world.  It is comforting to know that before God pours out His wrath on a Christ rejecting world during the seven years of tribulation, that Jesus will remove His bride, the church.

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? The Internal and External Evidence, Part 4

In previous lessons, we have weighed the affirmation of archaeology and the testimony of history as evidences of the trustworthiness of the Bible.  Today, we will add to those witnesses, THE PROOF OF PROPHECY.

The old fisherman, Simon Peter, wrote this:

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  (2 Pet.1:16-21). 

The abundance and detail of prophecies given and fulfilled are another powerful proof that the Bible is true.  Could you predict in 150 years who will be elected President of the United States, or who will be leading Russia or China?  Can you name them?  Isaiah named Cyrus as the King of Persia who would release the Jews from captivity, 150 years before the events (Isaiah 44:28-45:1)!  Jeremiah prophesied the fall of Jerusalem and captivity of the Jews for 70 years exactly as it happened (Jeremiah 25:11-12).  Daniel tells us of the rise of four world empires, as he describes Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel 2, 7-8).  One can even calculate the time from his era to Christ’s crucifixion (9:24-27) as he speaks of seventy “weeks” of years—490 years (see the chart).

By the way, if those first 483 years were literally fulfilled, then I would expect the final 7 to be, as well.  That clock for Israel could resume ticking at any point, when the church is raptured

Concerning Jesus, the Old Testament predicted where He would be born, the circumstances of His birth, His life and ministry, His crucifixion, and resurrection—over 300 total prophecies.  Maybe they were just really good guessers! 

It has been calculated that the odds of even 8 of those prophecies being fulfilled by coincidence would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. Suppose that we take that many silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas.  They will cover the entire state two feet deep.  Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly.  Then, blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, that he had one chance to pick up one silver dollar and it be the one marked.  What chance would he have of getting the right one?  Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man!  Yet, we are not talking about eight, but over 300 prophecies!  Prophecy proves the Word of God to be utterly trustworthy.

PORTRAIT OF THE ANTICHRIST

And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features….  (Daniel 8:23)

There is coming a day—maybe soon—when Satan’s handpicked ruler will dominate the world.  For seven years his reign of terror will extend, until the King of Glory—the Lord Jesus Christ—thunders from the skies with heaven’s armies, crushing His opposition, and establishing His kingdom on earth.  The eighth chapter of Daniel .gives us a preview of the Antichrist in the person of a ruler in history known as Antiochus Epiphanes.

In the first eight verses Daniel takes his readers into the near future.  Babylon would fall soon, following this vision.  Cyrus would lead the Medo-Persians into world prominence.  That kingdom is symbolized by the ram.  Soon, another power would arise to challenge the Persian Empire—the Greeks under Alexander—typified by the he-goat.  The Greeks would overthrow the Medo-Persians, but at the height of his power, Alexander the Great died as a young man.  His kingdom was divided among four of his generals. One of those kingdoms is dealt with in detail here because of its location—including the Holy Land and Jerusalem—as well as its domination of the Holy People, the Jews.

The prominent figure of that Syrian kingdom—“the little horn” presented in verses nine through fourteen—is Antiochus Epiphanes.  He was a bloodthirsty man who brutalized the Jews.  Antiochus set himself up as a god—in fact the title “Epiphanes” that he took to himself, means God manifest!  He desecrated the rebuilt sanctuary by sacrificing a pig there.  As an enemy of truth, He destroyed the copies of Scripture he could find.

Clearly, he is a forerunner of the coming Antichrist.  The final verses of this chapter feature another “little horn,” the Antichrist, which Antiochus foreshadowed.  When the Antichrist comes on the world scene, he will possess the charisma of a John Kennedy, the oratory of a Winston Churchill, and the military skills of a George Patton.  During a time of global crisis, he will arise—even as the world clamors for a savior.  Since he is in league with Satan, supernatural power will belong to him.  This will lead the world to bow to him.

Like Antiochus did, the Antichrist will profane the temple (rebuilt in the last days).  This is at the midpoint of the tribulation and marks the beginning of a holocaust unleashed upon the Jews that will excel Hitler’s horrors. The Antichrist will set himself up as god, as did Antiochus before him (see 2 Thess.2 and Rev.13).

His dominance will quickly end.  Jesus will return in power and glory.  He is coming again, don’t you know?  The Antichrist will be slain and cast into hell—along with all who follow him. 

As a child of God, I am not watching for the Antichrist—I’m looking for Jesus!  He could come at any time.  Are you prepared to meet Him?  My heart pounds, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

WHAT A SAVIOR!

He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  (Isaiah 53:3a)

The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah is surely one of the most remarkable prophecies in Scripture.  If I had no other reason to believe the Bible is the Word of God, all I would need is this chapter and I would be convinced of its Divine authorship.  Around seven hundred years before the events, Isaiah will describe Christ’s crucifixion as though he is standing at the foot of the cross.  Prophetically, he was!

How Jesus is described is shocking—from a human standpoint, it is unbelievable (v.1).  He grew up as a tender plant—a root out of dry ground (v.2a), with nothing extraordinary about His physical features (v.2b).  Jesus looked like the average Jewish man of His day.  This was not the kind of Messiah that Israel was looking for, and so they scoffed at the possibility (v.3).  Their sinful hearts led them to despise Him, and most in our time do as well.

Not only was His physical appearance shocking, the degree of His suffering was remarkable also (v.4-6).  No one ever suffered like Jesus.  His suffering was not for His own sins, but for ours.  He willingly paid the sin debt that we owed and could never pay!  Oh, how He loves us!  People scorned him as He was dying, as though He were cursed for His own crimes against heaven, when it was for theirs—and for ours—that He became a curse for us.

His suffering was indescribable, and His silence was incomprehensible (v.7-9).  He does not ask for an attorney, though it was His right.  He does not protest the illegal nature of that trial although everything about it was wrong.  He does not defend Himself.  He could have summoned Heaven’s armies with a word, but He is silent as a Lamb led to slaughter.

Sealed in a sepulcher of stone, it would appear that His cause was lost—and with His death, the death of hope.  God’s ways are not man’s ways, however.  It would be through the sacrifice of His life, that He would fulfill the success of His mission.  He would look down the corridor of time and see all His seed—His spiritual progeny (v.10-11).  His cause is vindicated and His claims validated by His resurrection.  He died, but He would not stay dead!

Jesus was not the victim; He was the Victor (v.12).  To the victor goes the spoils.  He has conquered death, hell, and the grave.  He arose in triumph and ascended in glory—then He took of His treasure and poured out spiritual gifts to His church.  One day He will return, and just as He fulfilled every prophecy concerning His first advent, He will fulfill every one pertaining to His second advent. 

Christ has changed the course of history and eternity.  He has changed my life.  He can change yours!  He made salvation possible; now we can receive it by trusting Him.

GOD OF ETERNITY, LORD OVER HISTORY

That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting

That there is none besides Me.

I am the LORD, and there is no other….  (Isaiah 45:6)

Isaiah 45 is one of the most remarkable prophecies that is seldom discussed.  You may have never heard a sermon about Cyrus.  Yet, Isaiah tells us this man’s name, predicts his reign, and speaks of his greatness and conquests around 150 years before Cyrus was born!  Furthermore, he is a pagan whom God will appoint to deliver His people.  Astonishing is it not?  There is no record that the king ever submitted to the King of glory, but he was not without ample testimony to the God of eternity.  Cyrus would be the Persian monarch who would bring down the Babylonian empire that had subjugated the Jews, freeing them from captivity.  His decree would assure their eventual liberty and afford those who desired the opportunity to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

We see that God is the Lord over history.  People make decisions.  Powerful persons arise to reign and for a season they exert influence in human affairs.  Standing above and orchestrating all things, however, is the Sovereign God.  Man proposes, but God disposes.  People are responsible for their choices, good or bad, but guiding all is the great God who only does good, overruling human rulers—and all for His glory!

There is none like our God!  As Gospel singer Sandi Patti put it,

For He's more wonderful than my mind can conceive
He's more wonderful than my heart can believe
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.

The Lord over history is the God of eternity.  He stands before history commences and will go beyond when it consummates.  From everlasting to everlasting, He is the great I AM.  He transcends time and space, but is not aloof—intervening as master of both.  Even events that we would consider to be bad—dark times and calamities are no surprise to Him and, in fact, are used for His righteous purposes.  Resisting His will is like the folly of clay trying to resist the potter or a baby seeking to resist conception.  The Creator does as He pleases and what He pleases is always glorious!

There are many things mysterious about the ways of God, but we are to ask Him to reveal His purposes and He will show us much.  When our petitions are grounded in His purposes then our prayers have power to move His hand, for what He is accomplishing is already in His heart.  Amazing!  The infinite Maker chooses to partner with finite man is working His will.  He has ordained it, and so it must be!

The deliverance and preservation of Israel is a testimony to the greatness of God.  Against overwhelming odds, the Jews have survived.  That is because God has decreed it, and no man can thwart it.  This is not a testimony to the ingenuity of the Jews, but the sovereignty of God!

Eventually, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord (Isa.45:23b), encompassing both Jews and Gentiles.  For now the gracious offer is extended,

Look to Me, and be saved,

All you ends of the earth!

For I am God, and there is no other.”  (Isa.45:22)

Have you looked in faith to the cross?  Will you look to Him for salvation?

ALL THINGS NEW

 

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  (2 Peter 3:13)

I have three vehicles—all of them old and worn out.  Two of them have well over 200,000 miles on the odometer.  It seems I have one of them at the mechanic constantly.  One day, they are going to become nothing but scrap metal to be recycled.  That is the course of all things pertaining to this material universe.  The original creation was made by God—and as God is only capable of doing, it was good.  Then sin came, and with that, the curse of death.  The entire universe is headed that direction.  We see the evidence all about us.

The author of this letter, Simon Peter, knew there was a fixed point beyond which his physical existence would not continue.  Sitting in a prison cell, waiting for martyrdom—old bones aching, skin weathered, eyes dimming, his gnarled fingers moving pen across parchment—he writes of the time when God will make all things new.  He will soon be liberated from the prison his body had become—free from the torture that would end his pilgrimage—as the old fisherman would be crucified upside down.  That is the church tradition concerning his death, anyway—likely accurate.

Our demise and the eventual destruction of all things—the entire fabric of the universe unraveling and incinerated—sounds like something to dread.  Peter, however, is looking forward to it, and calls believers to that same anticipation.  It is not dread, but delight that he feels.  He knows that the end of the old creation is actually a regeneration into new heavens and a new earth—one where righteousness reigns—with sin and death forever terminated.

Egyptian mythology told of the phoenix—a bird that would age, and then would ignite and be consumed in fire.  Out of the ashes, a new phoenix would arise.  That is myth, but it has a grain of truth.  This present world is passing away—one day all that pertains to it will go up in smoke.  Yet, out of the ashes, a new creation will be reborn.

There are those, of course, who will scoff.  I have heard even those claiming to be Christians warn about, “Those who are so heavenly-minded, they are no earthly good.”  I suppose there are those who are immersed in charts and consumed with obscure details of end-time events.  That is fanaticism.  Proper perspective concerning the end of the age is actually a great motivator to evangelism and godly living.  The people we reach we must reach now.  Holy living today readies us for an eternity marked by righteousness.  The prophetic word is a tremendous incentive to make a difference in this world as we look forward to the world to come!

THE COMING WORLD DICTATOR

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition….  (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

I almost never carry cash.  I whip out a plastic card.  Gradually, the world is becoming a cashless society.  The technology is in place.  Because of identity fraud, as well as people stealing cards and PIN numbers, the card may soon be replaced with a computer chip implanted in the forehead or hand where a scanner will carry out the transaction.  Is this what the Book of Revelation calls the mark of the Beast?

Paul is discussing that very person here—a coming world dictator.  The world is poised on the threshold of welcoming such a leader.  One of the driving forces behind the European Union is the “fiscal cliff” that not only the United States, but nations around the world are about to drive off.  Combine this with the global implications of World War III breaking out in the Middle East—and we are on the brink of that—the world will enthusiastically accept the solution of a charismatic leader with his promises to solve these staggering problems. 

To help us understand, it would be helpful for us to consider first THE REASON FOR THE EPISTLE.  Paul sets the context for this teaching in the first two verses of 2 Thessalonians 2.  He is writing for their correction and comfort.  The saints at Thessalonica had come under persecution. This led them to believe they had entered the Great Tribulation.  So, Paul speaks of “our gathering together to Him”—that is, the rapture of the church (see 1 Thess.4:13-18).  Although we may face the wrath of man, we will not face the wrath of God.  Paul comforts them in telling them that such a judgment is for the wicked and not His children.  Christ would not treat His Bride as He would His enemies. 

So, Paul moves on to reveal THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE END (v.3). The Apostle provides an explanation as to why they could not be in the Tribulation Period as they feared. That would require apostasy and Antichrist to arise.  There will be a final apostasy. The falling away is the great departure from the faith, which produces a final, world religious system—the apostate church described in Revelation as Mystery Babylon, the Great Harlot.  The day of the Lord not only commences with the ultimate apostasy, but the ultimate Antichrist.  The spirit of Antichrist was already at work in apostolic times—a spirit that at some point will become incarnate in the Antichrist (I Jn.4:3).  We, however, aren’t waiting for the Antichrist, but Christ!   

There in now THE RESTRAINT UPON THE EVIL (v.6-7).  The special ministry of the Holy Spirit through the church is to restrain evil as Christians function as salt and light.  The Restrainer must be taken out of the way before the Antichrist can be revealed. When the Rapture takes place and the church is removed, then earth will be fully demonized.

Then follows THE REVELATION OF THE ANTICHRIST (v.8-12). The apostle paints for us a portrait of the coming world dictator.  The populace will acclaim him to be the evolutionary pinnacle of man.  The Bible pictures him as the bottom of human depravity.  He is the vice-regent of Hell.  Antichrist will demand worship.  What he receives is wrath—and all who follow him, will also.  Things are moving this way.  Are you looking to the skies?  Jesus is coming!

HERE'S HOPE: WE WILL BE PREPARED

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) 

The hope that commenced when we received Christ, and that continues to build as we walk with Christ in this life, will consummate in all its fullness when we see Him face to face.   Having been saved from the penalty of sin in justification, and being saved from the power of sin through sanctification, I will be saved from the presence of sin.  That’s glorification.

I’m "looking for the blessed hope," aren’t you?  Some golden daybreak Jesus will come!  The Savior whom we have heard of, we will see with our eyes! 

This has a very practical effect during this present time.  John wrote, "everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3).   The blessed hope of Titus 2:13 is set in the context of verses12 and 14.   I paraphrase:

teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, [and what motivates us to live godly in the present age is that we are] ‎ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [the One who saved us and we will see someday] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Some decry prophecy and say, “Some are so heavenly-minded they are no earthly good.”  If that is true of anyone, then they have missed the whole point.  Immersed in end-time charts and running from one prophetic conference to another, they are “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim.3:7)

The most important aspect of prophecy is a call to readiness.  I would state it this way and can back it with Scripture, “Only those who are truly heavenly minded are of any earthly good!”  Heed what Peter wrote:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  ‎
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?  ‎
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  ‎
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (2 Peter 3:10-14).

THE WINDS OF WAR

[As we consider current events in the Middle East and particularly in Syria now, this post from this time last year is even more pertinent today.  Read today's news through the filter of God's Word and you will see where things are moving.]

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account. Daniel said, ‘In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea. Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.’” (Daniel 7:1-3 HCSB)

In 1971, Herman Wouk’s novel, “The Winds of War” was published. It is historical fiction, taking real events and people, along with some fictional characters, woven together masterfully to tell of the events leading up to World War II. Later, it was made into a highly acclaimed and hugely successful television mini-series.

It seems the winds of war are blowing again—and this time for World War III. These are the very winds which Daniel describes in chapter seven of his prophecy.

This all rises from THE DREAM he had.

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account.” (Dan.7:1)

It is a dream which gives us a view of heaven and earth—of kingdoms in conflict.

The dream gives us the eternal perspective of THE SOVEREIGNTY OF HEAVEN.

“Daniel said, ‘In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea.’” (Dan.7:2)

As the winds of war begin to blow, we need to be reminded that it is the Creator who unleashes them and directs them. To that point, consider this quote from Haddon Robinson:

“It was Napoleon Bonaparte who, early in his life, said, ‘God is on the side of the biggest artillery.’ Years later, when he was exiled on an island, he reversed his opinion, and conceded, ‘Man proposes, but God disposes.’”

In the maelstrom of human events, never forget that God is on the throne and moving things to the inexorable conclusion of His purposes. Rulers rise to power, kingdoms come—and those same kingdoms crumble into the dust of history. Conflict stirs and battles ebb and flow, but ultimately a sovereign God is on His eternal throne bending all things according to His will, overruling the human rulers.

Even the forces of hell when let loose are channeled to the fulfillment of God’s plan. That is what we see in this verse. The winds of war that blow are demonic powers. Consider Revelation 7:1-3,

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel, who had the seal of the living God rise up from the east. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were empowered to harm the earth and the sea: ‘Don't harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the slaves of our God on their foreheads.’”

Satan has been permitted to function as, “the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.” (Eph.2:2b) But, the angels of the Lord are seen to restrain the winds and will only allow the Devil to work in accord with God’s time and will.

The dream also gives us the earthly perspective of THE SEA OF HUMANITY.

“Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.” (Dan.7:3)

The sea depicts the restless nature of sinful humanity, continually in turmoil as a storm-tossed ocean, waves whipped by the winds. The tides bring the ebb and flow of nations, rising in power and crashing down, only for another wave to roll in. It is a fitting picture of human history.

“’But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waters churn up mire and muck. There is no peace for the wicked,’ says my God.” (Isa.57:20-21)

In Daniel’s prophecy, there are four world empires which are presented. The revelation this dream brought will be followed by the explanation that Daniel sought.

So from THE DREAM we move to examine THE DETAILS.

“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me. I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: 'These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth.

But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.'” (Dan.7:15-18)

This corresponds to Nebuchadnezzar’s vision recorded in the second chapter of Daniel. You will recall it is of a great statue that is made of four different metals, diminishing in value from gold to silver, then bronze to iron and the feet of iron mixed with clay, even as the metals are increasing in strength until the feet which are smashed by a Rock hurtling from heaven, bringing down and supplanting all other kingdoms. These are four world empires and seen from man’s viewpoint are glorious and powerful. But, all will be brought down by the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ, when He brings in the Kingdom of Heaven to reign over the world.
Daniel’s dream presents the Divine viewpoint which sees beyond the external pomp and power to the nature of man’s rule—bestial and fierce in its wickedness.

There is THE FIRST WORLD EMPIRE: BABYLON.

“The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind.” (Dan.7:4)

This image was well-known in the ancient world and has been unearthed by archaeologists—the lion with wings was the popular representation of Babylon. The great king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, is alluded to here. His experience of being judged for his arrogance is recalled, where for seven years he was like a beast, until God lifted him up and restored his sanity (see Daniel 4).

THE SECOND WORLD EMPIRE: MEDO-PERSIA replaced Babylon.

“Suddenly, another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up! Gorge yourself on flesh.'” (Dan.7:5)

The bear—a large, lumbering brute—accurately depicts the battle tactics of Persian warfare. They used mass waves of soldiers to overwhelm their enemy. When Iran (the descendents of the Medes and Persians) waged war with Iraq in 1980-1988, they employed the same strategy—and sending their soldiers into the teeth of modern weaponry saw the sands soaked with blood. But, it was much more effective in ancient times.

Note that the bear had three ribs. That is, the Babylonians being conquered were assimilated into the kingdom of the Medes and Persians—three peoples blended together in this second empire. Each successive empire becomes an amalgamation of those preceding it.

THE THIRD WORLD EMPIRE: GREECE next came to dominance.

“While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule.” (Dan.7:6)

The leopard is known for its speed—and this is an accurate depiction of the “blitzkrieg” methods of military tactics which Alexander the Great employed. The scope of his conquest of the known world is only dwarfed by the speed with which it happened. Alexander died as a young man before being able to enjoy the spoils of his success. The four wings of the leopard symbolize his four generals who divided up his kingdom after Alexander’s death.

THE FOURTH WORLD EMPIRE: ROME would be the final human empire.

"While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns.

While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man's, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly.” (Dan.7:7-8)

Daniel is so overwhelmed by this image, that he seeks more understanding.

“Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left.  [I also wanted to know] about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell-the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. As I was watching, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

This is what he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings.  He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.” (Dan.7:19-26)

The legions of Rome trampled the nations under their iron-soled boots. Historians have documented the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. But, Rome was not destroyed—only divided. This empire will be reconstituted in the last days—a United States of Europe, if you will. Ten horns (symbols of power) represent ten nations that form an alliance. This kingdom is described in Revelation 13:1-2:

“And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. He had 10 horns and seven heads. On his horns were 10 diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. The beast I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear's, and his mouth was like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”

The “little horn” is the Antichrist, the Beast, the Man of Sin—he is Satan’s surrogate and dictator of this regime. Following the rapture of the church, he will be revealed and will awe the world (see 2 Thess.2). For three and one-half years, he will portray himself as the messianic savior of Israel—pledging their protection and enforcing a peace in the Middle East. During this time, the Jews will have a rebuilt temple and reinstituted religious ritual. But, then the Antichrist goes into the temple and demands to be worshipped. He attacks Israel and initiates a holocaust where during the last three and one half years of his reign of terror, he seeks the genocide of the Jews. All this climaxes with Christ’s return to cast down the Beast into the bottomless pit and Jesus inaugurates 1,000 years of peace on earth.

This brings us to THE FINAL WORLD EMPIRE: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

“As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.

A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time.

I continued watching in the night visions,

and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him.

He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people,
nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (Dan.7:9-14)

“The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.'” (Dan.7:27)

Verses nine and ten correspond to John’s vision in Revelation four and five. Chapters six through nineteen unfold the seven years of tribulation during which the Antichrist will hold sway over the earth. At the end of chapter nineteen of Revelation, and the following chapters, is a description of the return of Christ, overthrow of Antichrist, the opening of the books and judgment, with the Millennial reign of Christ which gives way to the eternal state in the creation of new heavens and a new earth. This is what Daniel summarizes in 7:11-14, 27.

THE DREAM and ITS DETAILS lead to THE DISTRESS Daniel felt.

“This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself." (Dan.7:28)

He was doubtless distressed because of THE SINS OF THE PERISHING.

As a godly and compassionate man he would find no joy in this judgment. God finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and neither would Daniel. But, he was nonetheless disturbed over the rebellious nature of man and refusal to honor God. The brutality and bloodshed that have marked the march of armies was disheartening.

We anticipate the end with the same mix of emotions. While we are thankful that righteousness will be vindicated and Christ exalted, the horror of the judgments that accompany that should distress us.

Are we burdened for those who are lost? Are we warning them?

Daniel’s distress would have also been linked to THE SUFFERING OF HIS PEOPLE.

He understood that the Jews were going to face a slaughter. He had a vision of a man that would almost make Hitler seem an amateur compared to Antichrist’s assault on Israel.

We look today at the Middle East. A fire has been kindled. The winds of war may soon whip it into an inferno that will engulf the globe.

How should we respond?

“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, [it is clear] what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat.

But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.” (2 Peter 3:10-13)

Be prepared!