Hosea 7- The Battle Against Evil

 

Hosea 7 – The Battle Against Evil

 

The desire for sin can smolder like a fire in an oven and then blaze forth when the opportunity comes. If you have “burning desires,” be sure that they are under God’s control or they may destroy you.

 

If the fire is not watched, it can burn the cake, and then the cake must be thrown away. The people were “half-baked”: there was no depth to their religious experience. The nation was aging and did not realize it, and national death would come much sooner than the people realized. Even the kings and princes were wicked, with hearts that burned for more power.

 

In their foreign policy, the officials flitted between Egypt and Assyria, playing one against the other; eventually the nation was trapped. Instead of trusting the Lord and obeying His Word, they depended on politics and failed.

 

God could not depend on His people. They sinned against Him, lied to Him, and did not profit from His discipline. He tried to straighten them out, but they preferred to be substandard. In the battle against evil, we must be the weapon God can depend on.

 

God longed to heal Israel, but they continued to sin and did not remember that their wicked deeds were before His face. The omniscient God is aware of everything people do.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Hosea 6 - There is Hope

 

Hosea 6 – There is Hope

 

When we come back to God, He brings the dawning of a new day with the refreshing showers. The God who chastens us also heals and revives us.

 

Israel’s loyalty did not last but vanished like a cloud and evaporated like the dew. They brought sacrifices and engaged in religious services, but those activities made no difference in the way they lived. Their sacrifices were substitutes for obedience. (I Sam. 15:21-23.

 

Hosea included the confession that the future repentant generation would speak, asking God to heal, bind up , revive, and raise up. This new generation would be certain of God’s mercy to the repentant and the return of His favor to those who sincerely acknowledged Him.

 

The people of Hosea’s day transgressed the covenant they made with God at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19-20). According to this covenant, God would punish them for their disobedience (Deut. 28). Which was a personal affront to Him (they dealt treacherously with Me).

 

In the middle of his prophecies of impending judgment, Hosea called out to the Israelites to repent: “return to the Lord.” With this warning, Hosea, was in effect, saying there was still hope. Despite God’s punishment, God would restore those who turned back to Him. He would heal, bind up, and revive, if only they would “pursue the knowledge of the Lord.” Sometimes we may feel we have gone too far – that we have sinned too many times or too seriously to ever be forgiven. Hosea’s call to the wicked Israelites demonstrates that if we return to God. He will forgive us.  

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Hosea 5 - Condemnation

 

Hosea 5 – Condemnation

 

God condemns the leadership of the nation of Israel. He says the priest and the people are of the same character. The priests are no more leading the people than the people are following a leader. He rebuked them for their brutality, murder, violence, and war.

 

It is no different today. We talk of war and not of our ministry in bringing the Word of God to our enemies. He rebukes them for their idolatry. It is a sin of a people who had the Word of God and who knew God but had turned from Him and no longer knew Him or worshipped Him. As a result, there was immorality and deterioration of the nation.

 

Does that sound familiar to our nation also? The people have deserted God, but when trouble comes and they have tried every other resource, they will turn to God. God tells them they will not find Him because He has withdrawn from them. For many people, turning to God is the last resort. When trouble comes, it should be our first resource.

 

The Word of God is like a fire extinguisher to most people. They have it on hand and hope they never have to use it, but it is there just in case the need arises.

Not only is this a judgment against Israel, we can consider it is a judgment against our nation also, but there is still hope. Israel will come again seeking the Lord and not as a last resort but in a manner of repentance. They will confess their sins, have a change of heart and obey the Lord. When they come in this fashion, God will turn back to them.

 

We too, must recognize our sins, change our ways, and turn back to God. That is the only way God will recognize us. We must stand up to our wrongs, confess them and change them. It is through God’s mercy and grace that we can do this and be fully confident that we are in God’s favor. God is not our last resort, where we repent only because we got caught sinning but is our first resort in knowing we have sinned, and we want to make it right with God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Hosea 4 - Children of Israel

 

Hosea 4 – Children of Israel

 

God chastised Israel for breaking five of the Ten Commandments. Swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery. He also elaborated on the sin of idolatry. The Israelite people were tripped up by sin and consequently fell to their run. Those who allow the Lord to lead them will not stumble (Isa. 63:12, 13).

 

God wanted Israel to experience Him through their loyal obedience; instead, the people and priests violated His covenant law and forfeited their blessings.

 

The priests were eager to eat up the sin of the people. They did this by urging the people to offer hypocritical, ineffective sacrifices for sins. The more the people sinned, the more the priests ate and sold the sacrificial meat to make money. The people enjoyed sin in excess while the priests, who should have been faithful, encouraged it.

 

Israel’s practice of idolatry included widespread prostitution, and the men who participated were even more responsible in the Lord’s eyes than the daughters who committed harlotry. False religion leads to spiritual adultery, and these work their way into a society and ultimately produce an immoral generation.

 

Israel’s primary shrines were at Gilgal and Beth Aven. The Lord urged Judah to avoid the sins of the stubborn, rebellious Israel. Hosea refers to the Northern kingdom as Ephraim, a reference to the largest of the 10 northern tribes.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Hosea 3 - Addictions

 

Hosea 3- Addictions

 

Addictions are powerful enemies to our relationship with God. Whether the addiction is alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, web-surfing, shopping, or whatever addicted people can attest to their seeming inability to control their desires.

Gomer had an addiction. As a harlot, she sold herself for money. Hosea knew what he was getting in Gomer. She married Hosea, lived with him, and had children, but the children were not Hosea’s but children of her sinful ways. Despite Gomer’s actions, Hosea loved her. She sought comfort not in his love, but in her addiction. She ran to others who made love but did not love her. They used her and left her alone and empty. Then Hosea brought her back.

The story illustrates the power of love, and the faithfulness of God toward His sinful people. It also tragically illustrates the results of an addiction. For Gomer, her addiction pulled her away from her family and then left her alone and empty, needing to have Hosea pay a large amount of money to redeem her. No one else wanted her.           

 

Addictions usually begin very subtly, an experience, substance, or individual that brings pleasure begins to become an obsession. Eventually, the obsession takes control. Rarely can a person escape the addiction without some sort of intervention. Addicts must determine to change, replace the addictive substance with something more wholesome, and then finally find a way to meet their need differently. Addictions destroy individuals, families, friendships, reputations, and careers. Addictions make people victims of their own desires. Despite all this, God offers hope to the addict. God wants to free His people from anything that take His rightful place in their lives. He wants to show them that He can meet all their needs. With God’s help and the compassionate accountability of other believers, addicts can be set free, brought back. Jesus has already paid the price.

When Gomer was committing adultery. God told Hosea to bring her back and love her. Hosea could have refused; he could have had her stoned. Or he could have simply ignored God’s request. In obedience to God, Hosea went to Gomer and used his own money to buy her back. Reaching out after being rejected, being faithful to the unfaithful is difficult. Yet that is the kind of love God has shown us. God reaches out to us every day, calling us back to Him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

 

Hosea 2 - Unfaithful

 

Hosea 2 – Unfaithful

 

Hosea is to remind the Israelites that they are God’s people, and He is merciful. God tells Hosea to go to his wife Gomer and tell her to give up her prostitution and come back to him. After having three children she returned to her sinful nature. The Israelites had left God to go worship their idols. As Hosea still loved his wife, God still loved His people. Mercy was their greatest attribute.

The greatest sin in all the world is not murder, theft, or lying but to become unfaithful to one who loves you. To become unfaithful to God who has redeemed us and loves us. As to the children of Gomer and the children of the Israelites, God says He will not have mercy upon them for they are children of harlotry. Gomer made her life a money-making business, just as the Israelites gave credit to their idols for all the good things that came their way. They did not acknowledge that God had provided for them. Nor did Gomer think that Hosea provided well enough for her. We are ungrateful people. We complain of prices rising, yet we have food on our table and clothes in our closet. We might even have a few luxuries we saved for ourselves. We might even credit ourselves for having an intelligent mind and working hard to get us where we are today. But the fact is that God has provided all those things to us. He is the one who gave us intelligence, a measure of health and strength, and He is the one who provided us with the jobs we had or still have. In fact, He is the one who created this earth with a well-stocked pantry and with clean air, water, and sunshine. Yet we remain ungrateful in our complaints. The charge He had against Israel is the same charge He has against us today. I believe that God sends us calamities to wake us up, to remind us that God is still there. If we had sent our soldiers to foreign countries to be missionaries instead of fighters, there would be less death in this world. Our biggest problem is not recognizing that God is there in all things and in all ways. Someday Gomer will no longer be beautiful, and she will not arouse the interest in her callers. The same is for Israel, they will lose their luster and they will be judged. When that happens then Gomer and Israel will need God again and will go back to God. Our laws are changing to give the sinners the upper hand. When that happens, we lose our reputation as a strong and intelligent nation. We will go deeper and deeper into sin until we realize that what we need most of all is God.  

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

Hosea 1 - A Strange Love Story

 

Hosea 1 – A Strange Love Story

 

At the most obvious level, Hosea details a husbands love for his wayward wife, Gomer. Despite her unfaithfulness, the prophet went to great lengths to find Gomer and bring her home. At a deeper level, Hosea’s experience became a living object lesson for the people of Israel. Their spiritual infidelity had wounded the heart of God, yet He loved them and wanted them back. Hosea reveals both the degradation of sin and the tender side of God. A person cannot read this tragic story of tough love and not be moved by the overwhelming love of God for sinners. He loves us despite our mistakes, failures, and self-centered obsessions. Only this kind of unconditional love can transform our souls.

 

Hosea pointed others to God, while Gomer illustrated the depths of sin. Through this marriage, God painted a picture of His relationship with Israel. Hosea showered his wife, Gomer with love despite her chasing other men. God had unconditionally loved Israel despite their pursuing other gods. God loves His people so much that despite their sin, He constantly seeks to bring them to Himself. God demonstrates His own love toward us, “in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

 

We always like stories that end with a Happily Ever After. Hosea’s marriage was hardly that kind of story. God told Hosea, the prophet, to live his prophecies by taking a wife of harlotry. Hosea obeyed, knowing that his heart would be broken through Gomer’s unfaithfulness. God sent His son, Jesus to the cross, knowing that His heart would be broken over and over again through our unfaithfulness.

 

Gomer’s first child was named Jezreel which means “God will scatter.” Jezreel became the name of a famous city where the Northern Kingdom was scattered, and much blood was shed. Her daughter was named Lo-ruhamah, which means “never knew a father’s pity”. God was telling the Israelites through this birth that they will not know God’s pity for He was not their Father. Their gods were their father. The last child was named L0-Ammi which means “not my people”. God was telling the people that they are not His people, and He will not be their God. Judah is the only people he holds out and keeps His promise to David. God is not finished with Israel. In the days to come, God will gather them all back to Him and they will worship Him.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Daniel 12 - The Great Tribulation

 

Daniel 12 – The Great Tribulation

 

The Angel Michael is the only angel that is given the title of Archangel. His name means “like unto God”. He is the one that is going to cast Satan out of heaven. He is the one who protects the nation and Israel and stands in her behalf. All the remaining Israelites that believe will be preserved. All the Gentiles who are to be saved during that time will be preserved also. Those who died that were part of the Israelites and the believing Gentiles that died will be raised up to everlasting life. The dead in Christ shall rise first.

 

Those that will be raised to shame, and everlasting contempt will be the unbelievers and they will face judgment at the end of the 1000 years. When Christ establishes his kingdom on earth then the Old Testament prophets will rise and serve their master once again.

 

There will be many who turn to righteousness, not by their works but by their faith.

 

This prophecy has been sealed up to the end of time. We don’t know when that time will be, but we need to keep our lives focused and waiting for the glorious appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

In our day people are studying the Bible more thoroughly and because of this our knowledge will be increased. None of the wicked will understand prophecy more clearly but the wise shall understand.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

Daniel 11 - Warring Kings of North and South

 

Daniel 11 – Warring Kings of North and South

 

Daniel predicts a long war between the North and the South. The Southern Kingdom is known as Egypt and the Northern as Syria. Because Israel was situated between the two kingdoms, they were often caught in the middle with the war taking place on their land.

 

Antiochus became the ruler of the South. He was an evil man with no regard for God and his people. His invasion of Egypt involved much loss of life. When he turned North, he vented his anger on Israel. Rome came in and defeated Antiochus which made him so angry that he slaughtered multitudes of God’s children and raped and killed many women. Those who were against God’s covenant supported him, but the true people of God opposed him.

 

In the future, the Antichrist will come and consider himself under no authority, setting himself up higher than the gods. Speaking blasphemies and demanding worship of him until Christ comes in the end of tribulation and defeats him. The god of fortresses demonstrates his pride in his military might. The Antichrist will also worship gold and silver, obtained by oppressing others. Major military conflict will announce the end of the age. His victories and power will increase until he has control of the wealth of these nations. Yet his global empire will slowly disintegrate with the word coming out of the east and the north, forces that challenge his claim to global dominion. These will culminate in the forces of Satan, under the direction of the Antichrist, fighting the forces of Satan from the East to the North and marching to their destruction at the Battle of Armageddon.

 

While these forces are battling each other the judgments of God (Rev. 6-19) will fall on the earth. There has never been or will there ever be, a time of greater trouble and persecution for Israel, when all of Satan’s fury is poured out on the nation. Let us continue to pray for Israel.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Daniel 10 - Spiritual Discipline

 

Daniel 10 – Spiritual Discipline

 

Spiritual disciplines are personal habits that create a focus on God. These habits help believers in their spiritual walk and spiritual growth. Such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and meditation on scripture aid believers to deepen their relationship with God. They do this to strengthen their faith, not to gain salvation, but out of love for Christ and a desire to be like Him.

Four years later Daniel had another vision that he understood. It was the time for his people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild. It grieved Daniel that some of the people did not want to return but wanted to stay in pagan land. He grieved so much that he fasted and did not bathe for three weeks. The answer to his prayer came while he was by the Tigris River on the 24^th of Nisan. This vision was of Christ. The description compares to John’s description in the book of Revelation. This vision was for Daniel’s eyes only. Those that were with him were frightened by a quaking of the earth and fled. The best time to meet God is when we are alone.

This vision zapped Daniel of his strength and apparently lapsed him into unconsciousness. When he awoke Christ had left but an angel had come to minister to him. The angel (possibly Gabriel) stands him up and tells him that he is greatly beloved. He told Daniel that his words were heard but the angel was detained by a heavenly war that was going on for 21 days. This tells us that God and Satan are still battling it out even in high places. Evidently Satan didn’t want God’s answer to be given. So, the prince of Persia and this angel were battling it out until Angel Michael came to help him. Being in prayer with God will ensure the fact that God is on our side, and we will not relent to the devil and his evil ways.

The Christian life is a bigger endeavor that any of us dreamed it to be. We need to recognize how much we need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how much we need the presence of Christ.

When this angel tells Daniel of the coming days, he is talking about the Israelites during the time of Tribulation. The angel strengthens Daniel and spoke of another angel who would come from Satan, this angel is to return and continue the fight with the satanic angel until the end of tribulation. We too are in a spiritual warfare and the only way to fight is with our sword, the Holy Bible and through prayer.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Daniel 9 - Six Ways to Pray

 

Daniel 9 - Six Ways to Pray

 

Daniel was a man of prayer. We learn from his prayer life that there are 6 ways to pray. First, we pray with a purpose. It is not a prayer of repetitions or idle words, pretty phrases, or flowery words. We must pray with thanksgiving and supplication. His prayer was a painful performance. He prayed with fasting and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel was plain in his confession. He was straightforward and to the point. He had a powerful petition and believed that if he asked, he would receive. Most of Daniel’s prayers were done in private. Daniel’s prayers were heartfelt to the throne of God. They were very meaningful.

Daniel is living under the rule of the Medes. The first year of Darius. Daniel studies the prophecy of Jeremiah and realizes he is near the end of the 70 years of captivity. It is coming to the time that these people can return to Jerusalem. He is concerned for his people, so he goes to the Lord in prayer. Fasting is not a requirement in prayer but can be done beyond what is needed if our heart is right in doing so. Daniel is very personal with God, he calls Him “MY God”. He knows of God’s mercy and grace. He identifies himself with his people and confesses not only his sins but their sins also. He labels them as iniquity, wickedness, rebellion, disobedience, and refusal to hear God’s word. He acknowledges that they were wrong, and God was right to send them into captivity. He made no excuses for their sins but confessed them outright. He asked God to deliver them because of His righteousness. God is always righteous when He extends His mercy to us. Christ paid all our penalties for our sins on the cross. Daniel was concerned about the name of God and the glory of God. It was at this time that while he was praying an angel named Gabirel appeared in human form to Daniel. When the angel spoke of 70 weeks, he didn’t mean it literally, In Hebrew language, it meant units of measure. We have no idea how much time that is. But the end of that time will be when Christ returns. Still, we have unfinished business. The transgression needs to be finished. God said that He will pour upon the house of David and Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications.  So far that has not been fulfilled.  Secondly, “to make an end of sins and to bring everlasting righteousness.” This won’t be accomplished until Christ returns. At that time all visions and prophecies will be sealed up. God’s temple will be anointed. We are now living in the age of grace and have a heavenly home to look forward to.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

Daniel 8 - Vision of the Ram and Goat

 

Daniel 8 – Vison of the Ram and Goat

 

This vision was during the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, near the end of the Babylonian Empire. In this dream, Daniel was in Shushan which is another word for palace, then he was by the river. The events in this dream were fulfilled within two hundred years. The two horns were Medes and Persia. They were pushing in all directions, except the East which would have put them in India and China.

While they were moving in all the other directions, there came a goat from the West which represented the Greek. Alexander the Great was under Xerxes at that time. They moved at such speed that they didn’t touch the ground. This goat was so full of anger and hatred toward the Ram that he was moving to destroy it. Since one Greek soldier was equal to ten Mede-Persians, they had no trouble defeating the enemy.

When the Greeks reached Salamis with their 300 soldiers on the Sea, a great storm rose and defeated them. When Xerxes heard that his fleet was destroyed, he went down to the Sea and took off his belt and beat the waves with it. Alexander became a great leader and had conquered so many worlds that he sat down and cried when there was no more to conquer. He later was seized by a fever after a long night of drinking and died at the age of 32.

When he died his empire was divided among four men. Antiochus,(the little horn) prospered and did great abominations in the temple, God allowed him to do this for a time. Then one of God’s saints, Angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel. He told Daniel that Antiochus would prosper until the end of the tribulation period, the end of the times of the Gentiles. This man is demon-possessed, he is a picture of the coming Anti-Christ. He is a Syrian and will be terrible in slaughtering the Israelites. He will prosper in craft. He will be like Satan full of pride and will blaspheme and magnify himself. He will come in as a lamb and go out like a lion. He will bring about false peace. He will oppose and stand up against Christ.

When the church is “raptured up, then Christ will turn again to His purpose with Israel and the Gentile nation. Read Matt. 24:24 and Rev. 13:17.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee

 

Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision

 

Daniel 7 – Daniel’s Vision

 

The vision of Daniel concerns the 4^th. beast. The vision spoke of the four winds on the great sea. Winds in a vision could be “agitation, propaganda, public opinion or disturbance”. The sea suggests masses of people, a mob, and the peoples of the Gentiles. Daniel sees a great disturbance among the Gentile’s of the nation. That would include us. We are Gentiles. Customarily the wind blows in one direction, but this is a tornado coming from 4 directions. We are in the last stage of the fourth kingdom. It is the Roman Empire which consists of Italy, France, Germany, Spain and all the nations in Europe which were once a part of the Roman Empire. In today’s technology of speed and computerized thinking there is a lot of confusion that disturbs the world. We are desperately trying to avoid World War III. There is a lot of brainwashing going on, especially in our schools where evolution is being taught. They are teaching our children that there is no God.

When the Anti-Christ comes in the world, he will have a strong foothold. He will act like a lamb, but he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We need to brainwash our children with the Word of God to reduce the immorality of the world. Only God’s Word can tell us the truth we need to hear to outlast Satan and his maneuvers on this world.

Daniel tells of the four beasts, first was the lion with eagle’s wings. This is Babylon. They determined speed. He who can move the quickest with the greatest power will be the ruler of the world as was King Nebuchadnezzar. The second beast was a bear representing the Medes and the Persians. The three ribs in its mouth were Babylon, Lydia and Egypt. The Medes and the Persians moved like a roaring bear and overtook these three countries, taking every family with them. The third beast was a leopard representing Greece and the Macedonians. This was the kingdom of Alexander the Great. He moved like a leopard who pounces on his prey suddenly and with great speed. They overtook these countries while they were drunk and then divided the kingdom into fourths because not one leader after Alexander could handle them as one country. The fourth beast is in this time when the ten horns are beginning to manifest themselves. This beast is described as “dreadful and terrible, and exceedingly strong.” The Roman Empire will come together in ten kingdoms. It will be ruled by the Anti-Christ. This world will become a democracy, but God’s government will be a real dictatorship. There will be no election. God will rule the world as He sees fit. Unless we conform to His image, we will be uncomfortable under His rule. He will put out anything that offends and rebels against Him. Satan will be cast away and Christ will reign for a thousand years.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Daniel 6 - Daniel in the Lion's Den

 

Daniel 6 – Daniel in the Lion’s Den

 

Daniel was a savvy political consultant. He knew that his enemies were lying in wait for him, and he knew the penalty for praying to God. After weighing these concerns, Daniel concluded that they were nothing compared with the prospect of disrupting his relationship with God. So, “with windows open.. he knelt on his knees three times that day and prayed.” Daniel was unwilling to change his prayer habits, even at the risk of his own safety. He knew that where spiritual calling and everyday concerns clash, spiritual calling always takes precedence, no matter what.

 

King Darius had such confidence in Daniel that he placed him next to him in position and power. However, there were men among them that were jealous of his position and sought to do him harm. They wanted Daniel out of the picture. Because they couldn’t find anything wrong with Daniels life, they concocted a decree that would surely be disobedient to the Persian law. Not knowing the extent of what this decree was to bring about, the King readily agreed and put his signature to the decree. He succumbed to the flattery of men. When the king realized what this decree brought about for Daniel, he was truly sorry.

 

When King Darius had Daniel thrown into the lions den his perspective on the miracle that took place was different from Daniels. The king mouthed faithful sounding encouragement when Daniel was thrown into the pit but his sleepless night didn’t show faith in God. Daniel, on the other hand, approached his sentence with complete confidence in God’s will. As a result, Darius was only able to witness the event as a spectator, only able to appreciate it from afar. In contrast, Daniel experienced the miracle firsthand and felt the loving, protective hand of God. “Because he believed.” When we trust in God, we will recognize His touch in our lives.

 

Through God shutting the mouths of the lions, Daniel was spared but not so much for the men who brought about the decree. They were thrown into the lion’s den and devoured.

When a person sins against God’s children, you can rest assure that the sin would backfire on that individual because God protects His own. We are always safe in the arms of God, and nothing can prevent God’s will from taking place.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Daniel 5 - Feast of Belshazzar

 

Daniel 5 – Feast of Belshazzar

 

Belshazzar’s drunken party has a notorious place in history. The royal celebrations of a conquering dynasty became a final gasp before defeat. Belshazzar set his tables that night with the precious items taken by the Babylonians’ victorious armies. Among those silver and golden bowls and cups were many taken from God’s temple in Jerusalem. Those dedicated utensils were filled with party wine. God’s property was dishonored.

 

While the king and a thousand of his officials engaged in a drunken bash at the royal palace, the invading army of the Medes and Persians surround the city. At the high point of the festivities, the fingers of God wrote a message of judgment on the wall of the palace. The message indicated that the Babylonian Empire would fall to the Medes and Persians that very night. History records the fact that the invading army diverted the course of the Euphrates River, tunneled under the walls of Babylon, and took the city without any resistance. In their state of drunkenness, Belshazzar and his officials were incapable of resisting the invaders.

 

Most drug or alcohol abusers discover sooner or later that their surrender to those controlled substances renders them defenseless. Their decision-making abilities suffer badly. Choices that appear wise through a drunken haze or drug-induced high often prove tragic. Temporary sobriety usually provides more of an opportunity to survey the disaster than to repair what has been damaged or lost. Right in the middle of enjoying everything he thought he had, Belshazzar awoke to discover he had nothing. His life went from unmanageable to unlivable in one night. He lost both the kingdom and his life.

 

Countless others have followed Belshazzar’s way of life. They may not have had as much to lose, but they lost it all anyway. Self-abusive lives like Belshazzar’s always end sadly. But those who surrender to God and live for Him receive a gift of eternal life that they can never lose. They never have to face the handwriting on the wall.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Daniel 4 - Testimony of Nebuchadnezzar

 

Daniel 4 – Testimony of Nebuchadnezzar

 

At the peak of his popularity and reign, Nebuchadnezzar testified of the Lord’s powerful work. Then he had a dream and called the same wise men who had failed him in the past. At their failure to decipher the dream, he summoned Daniel for one reason, “in him is the spirit of the Holy God.”

 

The huge tree in Nebuchadnezzars dream was a symbol of prosperity and life, then a watcher, a holy one entered the dream and ordered that the tree be chopped down in its prime. Daniel confirmed that this tree is Nebuchadnezzar.

 

The very fact that God gave the dream to Nebuchadnezzar as a warning shows God’s mercy. Even so, Nebuchadnezzar would not break off his sins and acknowledge that the Most High rules. He deemed himself as an equal to God, all powerful. He says “my house, my palace: Giving God only limited credit. His own words betray his overwhelming pride. His pathway proved that pride is the fastest road to self-destruction.

 

God gave the king a year’s opportunity for repentance, but he continued in his sins. Then God humbled him. The king learned his lesson, and when he was restored, he gave the glory to God.

 

No matter what position we have in life, God gave it to us, and He is sovereign. When man tries to take the place of God, he becomes like a beast. God still resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

 

Daniel 3 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

Daniel 3- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

King Nebuchadnezzar reveals his pride in himself and his kingdom. He does this by erecting a gold statue of himself. In today’s measurements, it would be 90 feet tall. Building this statue was a direct rebellion against God. A show of self-pride, asking the people to see him as a deity or a god himself. Also, it was his attempt to have one religion worldwide. This is the kind of movement we could see in our world today that would lead to the Great Tribulation, to the man of sin, and the false prophet. This is after God’s people are removed from the earth.

 

When Nebuchadnezzar ordered the people to come and worship his image, all were present, except Daniel and his three friends. Although their lives were threatened many times, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced their greatest test when they were ordered to bow and worship the statue. The friends recognized that obedience in this case meant more than simply giving honor to their king as their leader. It involved a choice between loyalty to God or to the king. For them, the choice was clear. They would serve the king, but they would not worship him.

 

When the three men were confronted and threatened, they offered a courageous statement of faith. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. It that is the case our God whom we serve can deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand. O King, but if not, let it be known to you that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image.” Their tone was respectful, confident, and uncompromising, and showed a display of faith toward God. They were clearly ready to die than deny God.  

 

The depth of our faith and loyalty can only be measured against resistance. Sometimes, as in this case, the test becomes a miracle. It’s one thing to walk into a fiery furnace with the knowledge that God will protect us. It’s another thing to walk into that same furnace knowing that God may choose to let us die for reasons we don’t understand. Faith is not a matter of believing that God will do what we think is best for us. It is whatever God does is best, regardless of how it seems to affect us. King Nebuchadnezzar clearly seen this as a miracle and declared God to be superior to his god.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar

 

Daniel 2 – Nebuchadnezzar

 

Nebuchadnezzar’s advisory council consisted of magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. He gathered these men to interpret a troubling dream, unaware that God intended it as a vehicle through which He would reveal His purposes.

 

Nebuchadnezzar could conquer empires, but he could not conquer his own anger (Prov. 16:31). He understood how to defeat the enemy, but he could not understand the message of God. Daniel had patience and self-control and could explain the mysteries of God. A pure heart is better than a powerful throne.

 

Daniel and his friends knew the “God of heaven” who is merciful, answers prayer, reveals secrets, establishes rulers, and will one day set up His kingdom. Because the four men could come to God’s throne, they had no fear of Nebuchadnezzar’s throne.

 

When he explained the dream, Daniel gave the glory to God and shared the credit with his three friends. He also saved the lives of the king’s wise men (the Chaldeans) when he could have exposed them as frauds. The presence of a believer can mean deliverance for unbelievers (Job 2:7-10; Acts 27:21-25), and we must be forgiving to our enemies. After all, we want to win them to the Savior.

 

Daniel is a good example of a good leader. He spoke with sound counsel and deep wisdom to the authorities and took time to seek God for his words. Impulsiveness is not of the Lord; instead, it points to a person who forges ahead, impatient for God’s answer. Responsiveness is the mark of one who lets God guide in His time.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

 

Daniel 1 - A Man of God

 

Daniel 1 – A Man of God                                                                      

 

When Nebuchadnezzar began his conquest of Judah, he deported several Jews to Babylon, including Daniel and his friends, who were probably teenagers at the time. God blessed Daniel and gave him important places of service under four different rulers who represented three different kingdoms.

 

The world always wants the best, but these young men determined to give their best to the Lord. It is possible to serve the Lord even in Babylon. Think of Jospeh in Egypt and Esther in Persia. Don’t complain about the place where God puts you. Ask Him to use you while you are there.

 

The world wants to change you and make you a “conformer”, but God can help you become a “transformer” (Rom. 12:1-2). Daniel and his friends had a new home, strange new names, new teachings, and were even offered a new diet; but they kept the same heart’s dedication to the Lord (Prov. 4:23).

 

God can give us favor in difficult places. Daniel was courteous to his guards and did not create problems for them. He was following the counsel of Jeremiah (Jer.29) and the example of Joseph (Gen. 39:4).

 

When everything in your life is upsetting and you find yourself in new circumstances that you cannot control, let the Lord take over and work out the plan He has in mind. If your heart is right with Him. His hand will work for you.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Ezekiel 45-48 - The Holy District

 

Ezekiel 45- The Holy District

 

According to J. Vernon McGee he states the reason why there will be sacrifices after Jesus Returns is because the literal blood of Christ is going to be in heaven. Our salvation from sin and hell unto heaven was a pretty big job, one that only God could undertake. The blood of Christ will be in heaven to remind the church of this, and the sacrifices will be restored here on earth to reveal to the people how they were redeemed.

 

The Levites will inhabit a large portion of territory as their inheritance, although it will not be considered theirs, but the Lord’s. God exhorts the leaders of the millennial kingdom to be the sort of godly men God had always sought to lead His people. Very practical measures and directives are given.

 

Two feasts will take place, Passover, and the Feast of the Tabernacles.

 

Ezekiel 46 – The manner of Worship

 

In the Millennium, a family’s property must remain in their possession and not be permanently sold or transferred to someone else. Not even the prince or leader could give away his family’s property, and neither could he take anyone’s property away from them. Justice will prevail in this kingdom of the Lord’s holiness.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

 

Ezekiel 47-48 – Depths and Dimensions

 

This river speaks of the healing and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit of God (John 7:37-39). No matter how deep you want to go into the things of God, the opportunity is there. It’s tragic that too many linger in the shallows when they could be enjoying the depths.

God assigns our inheritance, and He will keep His promise to Abraham and give Israel their land.

The important thing about the land is not the river or the borders but the glorious presence of God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible

 

Ezekiel 44 - Laws Governing Priests.

 

Ezekiel 44 – Laws Governing Priests.

 

Once the Lord has entered the temple through the gate that faces the east, the gate is to be closed permanently. The shut gate is a symbol of the Lord’s presence.

 

The identity of the prince is not known, but clearly it is not the Messiah, since this prince needs to make a sin offering for himself and is said to have children. This prince or leader carries out many of the duties that the high priest of OT days formerly handled.

 

The glory of the Lord will fill this temple as it did in Moses’ day (Ex. 40:34,35) Solomon’s day (I Kings 8:10-12). Ezekiel had said that the glory of the Lord left the first temple before its destruction, and so the glory of the Lord was not said to fill the rebuilt temple in Haggai’s day. That new filling awaits the construction of the Millennial temple.

 

Somebody must serve in the new temple, so God gave Ezekiel instructions concerning the Levites and priests and the manner of worship He wanted. The emphasis is on the word (My); My sanctuary, My food, My covenant, My holy things, etc. One reason the temple was destroyed is that the priests and Levites forgot it was the house of God, and they did whatever they pleased.

 

It is a privilege to minister for the Lord! Never lose the wonder of belonging to God and being asked to serve Him.

 

Unfaithfulness in service can lead to loss of privileges, but faithfulness can mean being able to draw near to serve the Lord. The priests had to be careful what they wore, what they ate and drank and how they looked. How could they teach the people to have discernment if they did not practice discernment.

The prince will only worship at the threshold of the gate and the people only at the entrance, but we have the privilege today of entering into the presence of God (Heb. 10:19-25)/

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

 

Ezekiel 41-43 - Heaven is a Motivation

 

Ezekiel 41, 42 – Heaven is a Motivation

 

Ezekiel’s vision describes the main room of the temple, sometimes called the holy place (Exodus 26:33). There is little said about the temple decorations, other than windows and carvings of palm trees and cherubim (I Kings 6:15). While the text does not give the significance of either the palm trees or the cherubim, ever since the Maccabean revolt, palm trees signified political independence to the Jews, and cherubim were usually connected to the holiness of God.

 

Ezekiel’s temple set aside an enormous amount of land for the sanctuary, almost a square mile in area.

 

Ezekiel 43 – The Glory Returns

 

The temple will be a place of sacrifice and singing and a place where God’s glory will dwell. Ezekiel had described how the glory left the old temple, and now he describes how the glory returns and fills the house.

The sacrificial offerings were memorial offerings. They did not atone for sin but looked to the future work of Christ (John 1:29). The beauty and grandeur of the temple mean nothing if God is not present.

 

Today, the bodies of God’s people are His temple (I Cor. 6:19-20), and so is His church (ph. 2:19-22). Just as God has a beautiful plan for His future temple in Jerusalem, so He has a plan for His people individually (Eph 2:10) and His church collectively. We are to be a holy temple, dedicated to Him alone, we are to radiate the glory of God.

The whole millennial temple is designed to broadcast the holiness and grandeur of God; it is built on a grand scale to impress those who see it and use it that they serve and worship a God who is far greater than any enticement to sin. The structure itself is designed to help them remember the past but also to glory in God, and in the good present He has brought about.

The millennial sacrifices will constitute a memorial of Jesus’ death, much as observing the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of His death (Luke 22:19). Also, just as the Old Testament sacrifices looked forward symbolically to Christ’s death, so the sacrifices of the millennial kingdom will look back in remembrance to His sacrifice on the cross.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Ezekiel 40 - A New City, A New Temple

 

Ezekiel 40 – A New City, a new Temple

 

The center of worship in the Millennium will be the temple. This will be an altogether new temple constructed especially for use during the thousand-year reign of Christ.

 

Ezekiel received this vison a little over a third of the way through the 70 years of captivity prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer. 29:10). A dozen years after the destruction of Jerusalem the exiles needed a fresh word of hope to keep them focused in a positive way on the future. They needed a reminder that God would indeed return them to the Promised Land, and Ezekiel’s vision of a staggering new temple brought encouragement to their hearts.

 

It is very likely the temple Ezekiel saw belongs to the period of the Millennium and is in Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2; Micah 4:1).

 

A divine messenger, a being, who had the appearance of bronze served as Ezekiel’s tour guide for the temple. The messenger made it very clear that the prophet was to pay attention to everything he saw and heard in the vision, and then communicate everything in the vision with care to the countrymen. While the wealth of detail may not seem very important or interesting to us, it communicated to the exiles that God had very meticulous and expansive plans for the nation of Israel, despite the present captivity.

 

One day the scattered people would be regathered, and the defiled people cleansed. The land would be restored to beauty and fruitfulness, and there would be a new city, a new temple, and a new priesthood serving the Lord in holiness.

 

This vision was to be declared to the people so that they would repent their sins. The assurance of a glorious future helps to sustain God’s people during the trials of life (John 17:22-24)

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible

J. Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Ezekiel 39 - Gog's Armies Destroyed

 

Ezekiel 39 – Gog’s Armies Destroyed

 

Ezekiel tells the people that the Lord will knock his weapon out of Gog’s left hand, implying that not even a little battle with Israel will take place. God will strike dead the invading hordes wherever they enter Israel, whether from the plains or the mountains. He will also send fire on the homeland of Gog and his allies, thus demonstrating that He is the God of the whole earth.

 

The armies that unsuccessfully invade Israel will be so massive that it will take seven years for the Israelites to burn the weapons left behind. This seven-year period refers to the tribulation period spoken of in Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 11:3; 13:5, placing the battle just after the Rapture and early in the tribulation.

 

The massive number of corpses left behind by Gog’s obliterated armies requires the people of Israel to engage in an unprecedented burial operation, a marvel that takes seven months to complete. This enormous operation prevents travelers from moving freely in the region for a time and requires both volunteer and professional help to complete.

 

After having dealt in judgment against the invading enemy from the north, allows the antichrist to be the world ruler for the remainder of the tribulation period. Then the Lord Jesus will come to the earth to establish His kingdom (Rev. 19).

 

Liars should stop lying, thieves should stop stealing, the lawless should become law-abiding, and righteousness should prevail in the city. Only then, God will acknowledge it and rain blessings on His people. God never blesses that which is wrong. Mankind is not going to escape judgment. We might think we will get away with our sin, but we will not. (Heb. 2:3). God’s Holy name will be vindicated.

 

He has loved us enough to give His Son, but if we reject His mercy and grace He will reject us. This is His universe, this is His earth, and He is running it according to His perfect plan. We need to get in step with Him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible