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Hosea – Article #4

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Mount Hermon panorama – northern Israel

We are in the 2nd chapter of Hosea. In the previous article we covered the naming of the three children of Gomer. Recall that Gomer is symbolic of the Northern Kingdom of Israel; her offspring the people of these ten Tribes of Israel. From the reading of chapter #1, it is probable that Hosea’s first born son was of his union with Gomer. There is debate per the next two children; Lo-Ruhamah, I will show no mercy. You are guilty as accused) and Lo-Ammi (You are not (no longer) my people because you have put a distance between me (God) and you.)

Chapter 3 [next article] ends the discussion of Hosea, Gomer and the three children as a family. Some of the language in these first three chapters applies to Hosea’s family literally. Some of it applies to the nation (all 12 tribes) figuratively. Some of the language applies to both but in different settings.

It is in Hosea 3:1-5 that Hosea is told to recover for a fee his wife from the slave market. She had fallen so far away and down that she was no longer just a prostitute of desire but a slave owned by a master. After re-purchasing her, she was quarantined by Hosea. This is about a future with which Hosea was not a part of…yet. Israel fell into bondage by totally mixing with those who were heathen; i.e. simply put non-believers but perhaps very religious. This is more than symbolism. It is prophecy; prophecy that has come true in part and some that remains in the timing of God the Father. Always remember that God identifies Israel as HIS bride. Jesus identifies the Church of believers as his bride.

The first born of Hosea, Jezreel, means two things per Israel as referenced in chapter three of Hosea. The ten tribes to the north plus the Kingdom of Judah to the south will be scattered to the four corners of the earth. This has been fulfilled. The Valley of Jezreel, also known as the Valley of Megiddo, is where Jesus will begin to regather the same Tribes of Israel. But a price had to be paid. That, my friends, is the Cross of Calvary. Now the price has been paid, but recall there is a hiatus between paying the price and full reunification of all Israelis. Hosea sequestered Gomer after buying her back from the slave market, but we cover this in our next article; chapter 3. [C.f. Read Hosea 1:11]

Back to Chapter Two

Back to Chapter Two

Note in the first verse of Hosea 2 that the “Lo” has been dropped from the names of LO-Ammi and Lo-Ruhamah. We can assume from this that we are no longer seeing God look at them as “LO”; i.e. NOT to any longer be HIS children scattered to the four corners of the Earth. This is a future tense as in prophetic. But then in the next two verses we see that Israel being stripped naked and made a wilderness was not fulfilled for another 120 years. This is when the Southern Kingdom of Judah was “stripped” of her people by Nebuchadnezzar. Now, all of the lands of David and Solomon were laid bare. Its occupants scattered abroad to the hinterlands.

Hosea 2:4-6 takes us back to prophecy and the path to it. “I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. … Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.’

This wall or barriers to Israel finding her way to or out of self-destruction will be a path bordered by thickets, briars, dangers, and wanderings. Amazingly we see this coming together almost daily and in recent history.

We have discussed possible bible codes per names in previous articles. If we read Hosea’s children’s names as one statement it would read…”Retribution, the hour of punishment has come. I will show no more mercy. You are guilty as accused; no longer my children.”

Hosea 2:9-12 spells out the lack of mercy and the retribution. Verse 13 explains the WHY…but, in verse 14 we find an incredible forgiveness. “I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” …and speak tenderly to her? This sounds more like affection than it does continued retributions. Hosea 2:14 gives us more insight.

“And there I will give her vineyards and make the *Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.”

*The Valley of Anchor takes us back to Joshua 7 and a man named Achan. Space does not permit but Achan had committed a sin for which all of Israel under Joshua was suffering. Here he paid the ultimate price as did his possessions and family. This released Israel from more retribution from God. This is why Hosea states that the Valley of Achor is a door of hope. It is where the wandering Tribes of Israel were released from additional consequences of Achan’s sin.

In Hosea 2:18, then through the end of chapter 2, we find the beginnings of rewards for being chosen by God. This passage is often quoted and pictures depict, but few today know the address of this NEW covenant mentioned in Hosea between God and Israel.

(ASV) And in that day will I make a covenant for them [Israel] with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the land, and will make them to lie down safely. [Hosea 2:18]

This passage seems a bit of a stretch to parallel or juxtapose the world to this promise between Israel, God and nature itself. Hosea specifically points this covenant to Israel beginning in the Valley of Anchor.

It may be of particular value to understand this is END TIME Prophecy. V19 says in the NKJV…”I will betroth you to me FOREVER.” Forever means forever. It is the beginning of eternity; an eternal promise. The final verse in Hosea 2 is both exciting and promising.

Hosea 22:23b “Then I will say to those who were not my people, ‘You are my people!’ And they will say ‘You are my God.’” [C.f. Hosea 1:10]

Rev. Dr. Jstark
Written April 2020

PS: Gavin Finley, MD wrote the following in May of 2004. It is so pertinent to us today.

We want a revival. But we want it our way and on our terms. We forget that we serve a sovereign God. For many of us the very idea of God upsetting our carefully maintained command and control systems in the status quo is a real shock. Most of us are completely unaware of the end-time Revival and how it will happen in the trials and travails of the woman of Revelation 12. We have not been told about this before. But we must face the Holy Scriptures squarely and honestly here. We must search the scriptures and discover for ourselves what the Bible is telling us in true and faithful Berean fashion. Then we must believe what the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit is telling us.

Restricting Restrictions

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Feeling confine….

So do you feel restricted, shut in, bored, uneasy or as they used to say “got ants in your pants?” Well, you are not alone. At least by reading many posts on social media it seems the cornoravirus has really “upset the apple cart” of many lives. We have entered a new territory for many. Never before do I remember the Governor order people to stay home due to a virus. We are a Nation on the go. Before this most of us were out working, going to school, movies, sports, vacations, and the list goes on. In fact, a family usually meant a group of people who are related living under one roof but seldom seeing each other. Since the order of staying home, perhaps families will sit at the table and have supper together. Having supper together was the normal thing to do when I was a kid. We didn’t kill each other. We learned to get along. So there are some potential good things that can r esult fro having restrictions to stay home. Yet, there are many not so good results including loss of jobs, loss of businesses, loss of education, loss of mobility to those who need pool or other therapy.

Many have asked me how I am holding out being restricted/quarantine. Not much has changed for me. For many years the only places I went has been doctor appointments and to pool therapy. Sometimes I got out to church on Sunday. I do get out to the back yard daily to walk my Service dog Zilla. This whole thing has been an awakening to me how not normal I am. It is incredible how much other people get out. It seems to drive them crazy to stay home. Since I have had Multiple Sclerosis and many other issues that place limitations on my ability to get out; I want to share with you that we don’t have to allow restrictions to restrict us. I don’t and I won’t be restricted. To me, it is a heart issue.

Even when we are restricted to our homes we truly are a blessed Nation. Do we really know what living a restricted life is all about? Ask someone bedridden or in a wheel chair. Or how about a person thrown in jail in China, tortured or persecuted for their faith in Christ. When I start feeling confine by chronic pain and weakness, I think of my friend Bill Sweeny; he writes his blog using his eyes to type one letter at a time. He has ALS. Bill is a true inspiration to me. If you want perspective on being confine check out his blog at http://www.unshakeablehope.com Regardless if our only restriction is what the government puts on us or if it is our body that restricts us in every way, the truth is: we can be free. Totally free. When we choose this freedom; no chains can hold us, no disease can steal from us, no government can control us.

Jesus said the “Truth will make you free.” (John 8:32 NKJV) How? I will be celebrating Resurrection Day unrestricted but confine in my small apartment with my Service dog, Zilla and cat Abby. The Truth is Jesus set us free from death when He died for our sins and rose again. When we accept Him as LORD and Savior the chains of death are broken off. Life is fresh and our hearts are changed. As we build our relationship with the LORD through studying His Word and prayer we “SEE” differently, Things that used to be so important to us before are no longer important. The great thing is the things that used to upset us in life, no longer matter. Some of the most inspiring people in the world are those who have “lost it all in one way or the other” and found true freedom in their earthly losses. As a follower of Jesus Christ, we may be restricted by government but that is just circumstantial. We are free in Christ Jesus. Jesus went to the cross and He paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Knowing Him is freedom. He has a purpose for you and me as we journey in this life. We have joy unspeakable in the midst of grief over losses as it is not a joy the world gives. It is joy the Holy Spirit puts in our hearts. We can have peace in the midst of war. Restrictions or quarantine are things that will pass. Our Hope in Christ is knowing this life is but a vapor and then the party begins. We will be with the King of kings, LORD of lords. No more elections. No more fake news. No more pain or tears. We will have pleasures evermore and a freedom and love we never experienced on this earth. Why don’t the restrictions or quarantine bother me? My eyes are set and focused on the JOY set before me. Jesus. He is Life– unrestricted.. If you don’t know Him, you need to.

–Brenda McKee

http://www.prevailinghope.com

Article #35 of Daniel

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Article #35 of Daniel
Daniel 11:36 – 45

 36 “The king (the anti-Christ) will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods (https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/2%20Thessalonians%202%3A4) He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed [7 year Tribulation; i.e. last 3 ½ years as Jacob’s Trouble], for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38[This is the same description that scripture gives of the anti-Christ; II Thessalonians 2:4] Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will *distribute the land at a price.

*Socialism at its best of false promises. It has been and always will at the expense of achievers, previous ownership, earned rights to any property, best defined as bribery or redistribution of wealth but only to those who will follow the so-called white horse ‘peace maker’ anti-Christ.

 40 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots (armored tanks; military vehicles?] and cavalry [Infantry] and a great fleet of ships.

JIV NOTE: “At this time of the end…” This is a critical Daniel passage very much needed to better help our understanding of a previous article in this study per a future yet not here. We previously discussed the fact that neither the Jewish people nor the Islamists will relinquish their (G)god to follow the other. We stated that by comparison of the Ptolemy (Egypt) and the Seleucid (Syria) kingdoms of Daniel 11 we discover a two-pronged prophecy. The first prophetic prong has already been fulfilled between the time of Alexander the Great and the time of the Roman Empire. The second prong is the End Time 70th week of Daniel’s Seventy 7s; that is, the 7 year tribulation. We very possibly will have a northern anti-Christ kingdom and a southern Islamist kingdom. They both will challenge each other…until Jesus Christ comes to finish it all by setting up HIS millennial kingdom.

He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood [Antiochus IV did this after Rome warned him to make a decision before stepping out of the circle in the sand]. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land [Jerusalem/today’s Israel. Antiochus IV did this after being ejected from Egypt by the Romans]. Many countries will fall, but [the territories of…] *Edom, *Moaband the leaders of *Ammonwill be delivered from his hand [*Land of Jordan today, 2020]. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will [eventually] not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites (Nubians/Ethiopians) in submission. 44 But reports from the east [possibly China] and the north [possibly Russia] will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he [antichrist] will come to his end, and no one will help him.

JIV NOTE: To-date [2020], the above paragraph has not come about in history; only parts of it materialized under the wrath of Antiochus IV. It is yet to be played out by forces we are not yet able to specifically name and identify. We know their generic (pronoun) identities from Daniel 11 as a ruler of the north and a ruler of the south. When Christ returns to set up HIS millennial Kingdom, there will be none to stop this from happening. There will be no one to come to the aid of either the king of the north or the king of the south.

The global gathering will be the Battle of Armageddon. Megiddo exists today. It is about 50 miles north of Jerusalem best known for its’ massive valley plains. It also is where massive oil deposits have been recently discovered. https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/zion-oil–gas-signs-agreement-to-begin-3-d-seismic-acquisition-in-israel-300902653.html

Oddly, and according to the silent media, Russia through Hungary has already succeeded at signing an “oil field development contract” with Israel in this territory. (see map to the right; agreement signed between Zion Oil & Gas and Acoustic Geophysical Services KFT (“AGS”), an international seismic company based in Budapest, Hungary.

This is where Daniel swings into full future prophecy; prophecy yet to be completed in 2020 or beyond. Some fundamental theologians suggest this is evidenced beginning around verse 36 (We suggest beginning the dual prong prophecy begins in Daniel 11:22) until the end of this chapter. The absolute historical accuracy of verses 11:1-36 makes many historians, mediocre bible believers and historical bible revisionists want to suggest that this portion of Daniel was written AFTER the fact. If true, Daniel 11:1-36 was inserted in the text of the Book of Daniel long after this history/prophecy was complete after Daniel was deceased. In turn, this suggests that the prophecy was not futuristic, but history after the fact denying the inspired, infallibility of scripture and prophecy. [This is the secularist’s and liberal preacher point of view; denying scripture prophecy as telling of a future that had not yet become a history]

The underlying doubt of such a rather naïve suggestion is that verses 36 to the end of this chapter are part of a history but cannot be connected to any historical events. Such scripture revisionists are not real bible believers and don’t want to admit that Daniel’s prophecies came from his own hand inspired of God therefore denying prophetic words. They want the bible to be good, but not THAT GOOD AND ACCURATE. This in itself [End Time prophecy] is how those who play church [but in my own personal opinion] are singing from the wrong songbook.

Thank you for taking the time to read this for yourself. It took me many months of research to find the correct secular and historical names with events to fit the passages between verse 1 and 36/37. If I made any error it is unintentional. I could suggest that this transliteration of is about as close to actuality as we will get until God sends his Son to redeem and rapture the Church, telling us the real facts as recorded in Daniel 11. I suspect we won’t really care at that time. Praise God and pray for His quick return.

Dr. Jstark
2-25-2012/11-11-2013
Revised February 2020

Article #32 – Chapter Outline in Daniel

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ARTICLE #32 – OUTLINE of each Chapter in Daniel
NOTE: The chapters of Daniel are not sequential as recorded

I. Daniel’s Dedication, 1:1-21
A. Daniel’s Circumstances, 1:1-7
B. Daniel’s Dedication, 1:8-16
C. Daniel’s Rise to Favor, 1:17-21

II. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: The Great Image, 2:1-49

A. The Dream received by Nebuchadnezzar, 2:1-6
B. The Dream revealed to Daniel, 2:7-23
C. The Dream recited then interpreted to Nebuchadnezzar, 2:24-45
D. The Promotion of Daniel in the Babylonian Empire, 2:46-49

III. The Fiery Furnace: A Lesson in Faith, 3:1-30

A. The Test of Faith, 3:1-12
B. The Demonstration of Faith, 3:13-18
C. The Vindication of Faith, 3:19-30

IV. Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of the High Tree, 4:1-37 (chopped down but the stump remained).

A. The Vision Narrated by Nebuchadnezzar himself in the first-person, 4:1- 18
B. The Vision Interpreted by Daniel, 4:19-27
C. The Vision Fulfilled by God, 4:28-37

V. Belshazzar’s Feast, 5:1-31

A. Belshazzar’s Contribution to the Feast: Unrestrained Sensuality, 5:1-4
B. God’s Contribution to the Feast: Handwriting on the Wall, 5:5-6
C. Daniel’s Contribution to the Feast: Announcement of Doom, 5:7-29
D. Darius’s Contribution to the Feast: Destruction of Babylon, 5:30-31

VI. Daniel in the Lions’ Den, 6:1-28

A. The Position of Daniel, 6:1-3
B. The Plot Against Daniel, 6:4-9
C. The Prayer of Daniel, 6:10-11 [This is more like a prayer we should recite or follow as an example of prayer in church. The Lord’s Prayer was preceded by the command to do that prayer in a closed closet of private communion with God the Father]
D. The Prosecution of Daniel, 6:12-17
E. The Protection of Daniel, 6:18-28

VII. Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts, ten horns, little horn and the Ancient of Days, 7:1-28

A. Historical Data, 7:1-3
B. The Vision and the Interpretation, 7:4-15
C. The interpretation 7:16-28

VIII. Daniel’s Vision of the Ram, Goat, and Little Horn, 8:1-27

A. The Vision, 8:1-14
B. The Interpretation, 8:15-27

The Ram

1. The ram, 8:15-20
2. The goat, 8:21-22
3. The little horn, 8:23-25
4. The effect on Daniel, 8:26-27

IX. Daniel’s Prophecy of Seventy Weeks of 7 Years each week, 9:1-27; i.e. the seventy 7’s prophecies. We translate the 70-7’s as 70 weeks but this is incorrect Hebrew. Not weeks but seven years per each of the 70 years: 7 weeks; 62 weeks; 1 week (End Time anti-Christ).

A. Historical Data, 9:1-2
B. Daniel’s Prayer, 9:3-19
C. The Prophecy, 9:20-27

X. Daniel’s Prophetic Landscape, 10:1-12:13

A. Daniel’s Vision, 10:1-9
B. Daniel’s Strengthening, 10:10-11:1
C. Prophecies Concerning the Nations, 11:2-45

1. Persia, 11:2
2. Greece, 11:3-4
3. Egypt and Syria, 11:5-20
4. Antiochus Epiphanes, 11:21-35 (nicknamed Epiphmanes: ‘the insane’by many of his vindictive but so-called friends and administrators)
5. Antiochus’s actions parallel those of the End Time Antichrist, 11:36-45

D. Prophecies Concerning Israel; Daniel 12:1-13

JIV Note: per my comments in bible classes or from the pulpit, God’s covenants with Israel and the covenants for the New Testament church can follow parallel lines but are not always in-common. Quick example: Israel is promised the “Promised Land;” physical property in the Middle East during the Millennial Reign. The church is promised a rapture and Heavenly Promised Land.

Ephesians 6:12, 13 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to [take a] stand.” (Emphasis mine)

Take a Stand

Self-Discussion: The Book of Daniel discusses the battles between angels, angelic forces and the necessity to be prepared for such deception and attacks of the prince of darkness. This Old Testament book gives us a better understanding of why Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God; not to fight fellow mankind believers, but to resist the devil and his fallen legions in spiritual warfare [See Daniel 10 for examples].

This discussion between the angel Michael and Daniel in chapter 11 actually begins in Daniel 10:14 where he tells Daniel… “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people(Israelites) in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” Daniel and the angel Michael are talking about Israel and the chosen people; not the church. What more could have happened to God’s chosen people since the split in the nation of Israel into two separate kingdoms; i.e. the total dispersion of the Northern 10 tribe Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians into the hinterlands of the world and in Daniel’s time the Southern Kingdom of Judah to Babylon? These are latter day events yet to be fulfilled.

Only a very few of these Judeans (Jews) returned to Judah/Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Ezra, and finally Nehemiah. The New Testament “Jews” are the descendants of those who returned from Babylon, not from the Assyrian diaspora or dispersion of the tribes from the Northern Kingdom.

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Article #6 of Daniel Series

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seriesArticle #6 of Daniel Series

Daniel 1:3

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

As we have just noted in our previous article #5, this also is fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah to Hezekiah. Two observations that we can make here are that Daniel may have been of the royal line “of the king’s (David) seed” and secondly, he would probably have been made a eunuch once in Babylon. This was a common practice because a conquering king would not want to have fertile chief advisers around the palace, for if they produced offspring they may conspire against the king and attempt to establish their own ‘royal’ line. It also meant that they were less likely to get distracted from their tasks by the king’s harem!

JIV NOTE: An inscription was found on a monument that is now in the Berlin, Germany museum confirming the person of Ashpenaz; the inscription reads: “Ashpenaz, master of the king’s eunuchs” – so once again confirming the historical accuracy of Daniel.

Daniel 1:4

Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

The practice of carrying away the best and brightest of a conquered nation was a good strategic move. First, it meant that the losing kingdom or nation is robbed of its future leaders as Russian or Germany did to the Poles in WWII. Second, it would help to keep the conquered nation in subjection, knowing that its favorite sons were ‘hostages’ under the ruling regime. The ancient cultures knew that a wealth of a nation is not only its silver and gold but its youth; if the next generation were to be destroyed the empire would crumble. What a contrast to today where our youth are being systematically destroyed by the eroding of morals and a sense of accountability. Today we send our young people to the “humanist training camps” we call universities where morals and the fear of God are sucked out of them. Then we commission research agencies to try to discover why suicide among young people is so high, why teenage pregnancy is out of control, why violent crime is on the increase etc. etc.evolution

Can we really be surprised when Evolution underpins almost all further education, teaching young people that we are here by chance, we are nothing more than animals and that there are no absolutes? Evolution is anti-God and anti-science. The Bible tells us that “the fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’” (Ps 14:1) and that “the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom 1:20) In other words, by the study of things that are made, i.e. science, we can clearly see that there is a God. This is what our young people need.

We read in Ecclesiastes 10:2 “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” We teach – You decide.

Daniel 1:5

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

They wanted these boys to be fit and healthy to serve the king as his advisors, so a three-year intensive preparation program was put in place. A three year training program had to include language studies. These boys spoke Hebrew, not Chaldean.

Daniel 1:6-7

6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nebo

Part of this training program was subtle indoctrination. By changing their names they would begin to dissolve the ties with their homeland and the remembrance of their God. With Babylonian names they would better fit into Babylonian culture and eventually this would become ‘home’. SIGNIFICAN NOTE: This merging into the culture and forgetting one’s past was a successful tactic for the Babylonians as can be seen in the fact that after the exile, only 59,000 Jews returned home; the rest had taken root in Babylon. They remained “scattered.” Those who return home are the Judean Jews who became the Judeans of Jesus’ time (N.T. accounts are of these we now collectively call Jews).

Daniel, whose name meant ‘my God is Judge’ became ‘may Bell protect you’. Hananiah meant ‘God is gracious’, he became ‘Alumin by Rah’; i.e. commanded or enlightened by Aku.

Mishael was ‘Who is like the Lord’, he became ‘Who is like Aku’. Azariah’s name was changed from ‘The Lord is my help/salvation to ‘The servant of Nebo’. Odd but true, we remember many movie stars by their character names, not the given names. Even they change their birth names to Hollywood names BEFORE they also become characters in a TV series.

How much this change of names influenced Daniel’s thinking can be seen in the fact that only once does Daniel call himself by this new name, and it only appears ten times in total in the book – including this occurrence. He uses His Hebrew name 75 times.

Our next verse tells us of Daniel’s resistance to change away from his Hebrew:

Daniel 1:8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not [neither] defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself

What an incredible statement by a young teenage boy. And even more remarkable when one tries to picture the following:

A 14-16 year old Daniel and his friends leave Jerusalem and travel for weeks across desert terrain. Suddenly they see a city in the distance. As they get closer the scale becomes clear. This is a city that is 15 miles per side, walls that are 330ft high and 80ft thick – wide enough for the Babylonians to have chariot races around the walls – six a breast! 250 towers are around the walls; 80ft brass gates reflecting the sun and shining for miles around, and the infamous hanging gardens that were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Euphrates River ran through the city under the walls. Babylon had orchards and vineyards inside the city as well as grazing for the herds; all kinds of trees and foliage – in the middle of a desert! It was completely self-sustaining. A siege of Babylon could not succeed.

There were over 200 open alters throughout the city, 153 different temples including one that had an 8 mile perimeter. Another had a perimeter of 3 miles. One table from the temple of Marduch was 40ft long and 6ft wide made from pure gold. The city was about 225 square miles inside, which is about 4-5 times the size of London today.

Into all of this come these four young Hebrew boys. One can hear the taunts: ‘Don’t tell us about your God – He’s the one whose temple we have just ransacked in Jerusalem, and we’ve brought all of His golden cups and bowls and shields to put them in the temple of our gods – you better start worshipping our gods, they’re the ones with real power!’ ‘You don’t want to keep those Hebrew names either, people will make fun of you – being named after that God. You need new names that people here will respect. Daniel, what’s the use of being called ‘my God is Judge’ from now on you should be called ‘may Bell protect you’. Hananiah, there’s no point being called ‘God is gracious’, if He was, you wouldn’t be here would you! ‘You can be ‘Illuminated by Rah’. Mishael, people will laugh if they hear you being called ‘Who is like the Lord’, so why not be ‘Who is like Aku’ one of our gods. And Azariah, you need to rethink your name ‘The Lord is my help/salvation; after all you are not in Jerusalem but Babylon. You should be called ‘The servant of Nebo’. Now what would be the problem with eating a bacon sandwich? Or maybe an Oyster? After all Daniel was now a long way away from those who would disapprove, what harm would it do and who cared in Babylon anyway, everyone else would be doing it and no one would think less of him?

WHO IS LIKE THE LORD?

JIV: BUT…put these four names together as a statement we get: “Who is like the Lord. The Lord is my salvation. I am a servant of God. God is my judge.” Consider this as a personal statement and hidden message via names; something to remember daily.

This was the temptation facing these young teenage boys, yet we read: “He purposed in his heart ” This was not a spur of the moment decision but a way of life that Daniel was not
prepared to compromise for anyone or anything. As Joseph in Egypt had rejected the lust of the flesh for the sake of his God, so did Daniel. Purity was the key; but it is so easy to give in, one only needs to do it once and there’s no going back. May we too purpose in our hearts not to remember the meanings of these four teenagers names.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:11-14)

“Who is like the God? God is my salvation. I am a servant of God. God is my judge.”

Daniel 1:9

Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7)

Next week we pick it up at verse 10.

Article 3 of our Daniel Study

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authenticProphecy. This needs no explanation other than to say that prophecy is one of the infallible and undeniable proofs that God has given us to show that His word is true (see 2 Peter 1:19). Jesus Himself in Matthew 24 pointed to a prophecy in the book of Daniel as the key to understanding the end-times, yet it is astonishing that so many Christians are ignorant regarding the prophecies in the Bible. Job said: “Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?” (Job 24:1). Jesus held the Jews accountable for not understanding the prophetic scriptures, and rebuked the Pharisees because, although they could predict the weather, they didn’t understand the signs of the times.Miscellaneous facts about the book

 

Author: Daniel – how do we know? Because seven times we read “I Daniel…” and secondly because Jesus said Daniel wrote it (Matt 24:15). “If you don’t believe what Jesus said you’ve got much bigger problems than the authorship of Daniel!” – Chuck Missler

Daniel uses his own name 75 times.

When was it written?: About 606-530 B.C.

Daniel is one of only a few people in scripture of whom no sin is recorded, Joseph being another – this doesn’t mean they didn’t sin, Romans 3:23 makes that clear, but in this way they become a type of Christ.

Daniel is called ‘beloved’ (Dan 9:23 / 10:11 / 10:19), the same title is given to John in the NT. Both Daniel and John were given revelations of the climax of world events. It appears that God reserves His most intimate secrets for those who are His beloved. The church is also called His beloved (Rom 9:25) – i.e. these secrets are for us – what a privily The History of the Times of Daniel

Before we begin our study it would be profitable to do a crash course in ancient history to give us some of the background of the times that Daniel lived i

facts

Israel as a nation became divided during the reign of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. Thorthern part of the nation became known as ‘Israel’, the southern part as ‘Judah’. Israel went from bad to worse and God sent prophet after prophet to warn them to repent or face judgment. All of this is recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles. There was not a good king among the kings of Israel and so eventually God allowed the Assyrians to conquer Israel in around 722 B.C.

Judah was not a great deal better, with many bad kings who did not seek God but indulged in idolatry but all descended from King David. However there were a few good kings such as Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 17:1-6), Joash (2 Chron 24:1-4), Hezakiah (2 Chron 29:1-2), and Josiah (2 Chron 34:1-2).

Josiah reigned in Judah from about 641 to 609 B.C. However Josiah’s death was brought about by a strange event that is recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:19-27.

Assyria had been the dominating world empire, having already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel as mentioned above; but their days were numbered as God had prophesied through Nahum. In 612 B.C. *Babylon and Media formed an alliance and conquered Assyria’s capital, Nineveh. Three years later Pharaoh Necho, the king of Egypt attacked Assyria and defeated it at a place called Carchemish.

*Odd alliance as it was the same Media with Persia who eventually conquered Babylon.

 
The Times of Daniel
Charchemish

In 2 Chronicles 35:19-21 we read: “

Josiah had prepared the temple, (for Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him. But he sent messengers to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain from meddling with God, who is with me, lest He destroy you.” NKJV

Now remember that Assyria had been Israel’s enemy for centuries; remember Jonah’s reluctance to go and preach to them; and king Sennacherib’s taunts against Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32). So the question has to be asked, why did King Josiah go out against Necho who was on his way to destroy

Israel’s enemies? Surely Josiah should have been fighting with him if anything, not against him. The answer may be found in the opening line of verse 19: “After all this, when Josiah

had prepared the temple” – prepared it for what? Reading chapters 34 & 35 of 2 Chronicles we discover that Josiah had been presented with ‘the book of the law’ that had been discovered as they were starting to repair the temple. After reading it, Josiah realized how far away from God the nation had gone – the same is true today, reading God’s word will show how far from God our nation has gone. Not if we simply read it for awareness, but for knowledge and understanding.

Josiah set about restoring everything according to the Law of Moses, however in verse 3 of chapter 35 he tells the priests to put the holy ark in the house that Solomon had built. they were to put it in there, it was obviously not in there at that time. So where was it

Noah's Ark

The Ark…so where is it? Next week we will show you scripture that gives us that answer.

J Stark

May, 2019

Britannica and Wikipedia

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fake news

BEWARE!

Encyclopedia Britannica joins Wikipedia is deceiving (history revisionists)

Not only has Wikipedia gone sour on Christianity in their online encyclopedia of histories, *Britannica online has now joined them dispersing false or revised historical facts. The unlearned is being greatly deceived today. It appears the “church” is simply sitting back and accepting these false histories to disseminate. Here is another example how the unlearned may not recognize something stated but is fake history. This is what the people in the churches and students in secular colleges accept as fact without even a whimper of challenge.

* https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Book-of-Daniel-Old-Testament

“The language of the book—part of which is Aramaic (2:4–7:28; [a truth]—probably indicates a date of composition later [a deception/lie] than the Babylonian Exile (6th century BC). Numerous inaccuracies connected with the exilic period (no deportation occurred in 605 BC; Darius was a successor of Cyrus, not a predecessor; etc.) tend to confirm this judgment. Because its religious ideas do not belong to the 6th century BC, numerous scholars date Daniel in the first half of the 2nd century BC and relate the visions to the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164/163 BC).”

Let’s look at this above information as copied and pasted from Britannica’s online encyclopedia concerning the Book of Daniel. My goal is not to refute or add actual secular history supporting what the bible states. It is to caution believers in Christ and the bible to the fact we are already in End Times when false doctrines will fill the pages of written news, broadcasts, and deception prevails (Matthew 24:4-5).

  1. “…probably indicates a date of composition later than the Babylonian Exile (6th century BC).”
    “    PROBABLY?” This word alone makes it purely a supposition or guess. Caution: many readers will see it as from the reputable encyclopedia Britannica so this word “probably” is dismissed from mind. They also state that it is written later than the Babylonian Exile of the 6th century BC. Such a statement becomes a false fact for two reasons. First, it means Daniel did not prophecy but simply recorded history after the fact…almost 300 years after the fact. In this case, written by Daniel hundreds of years after he has already died and been buried in Susa, Persia. Second, it means Daniel either did not exist or was not who the bible tells us he was because he is fiction making the bible itself a story book; i.e. a fiction story book one might say.

We must add, how does “The Language of the book – part of which is Aramaic (2:4-7:28)” translates into this “document being written at a later date?” Aramaic was like the English of today; spoken almost universally; a business language common to this world just as Aramaic was common to the then known world of nations.

  1. “Numerous inaccuracies connected with the exilic period (no deportation occurred in 605 BC” Inaccuracies???? Stone reliefs and archeological evidence exist telling of King Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, conquests, overrunning and destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, his three exports of Judeans from Judah to Babylon, and evidence of Daniel’s burial tomb in Susa. Susa is Persian: Šuš; [ʃuʃ]; Hebrew: שׁוּשָׁן Šušān; Greek: Σοῦσα [ˈsuːsa]; Syriac: ܫܘܫ‎ Šuš; was an ancient city of the Proto-Elamite, Elamite, First Persian Empire, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian empires of Iran, and one of the most important cities of the Ancient Near East.Here is a quote from archeological records as recorded in:

    https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-exiles-life-in-babylonia-revealed-1.5367088… A little known collection of more than 100 clay tablets in Cuneiform script, dating back to the Babylon Exile some 2,500 years ago, was unveiled this week [February 2015], allowing a glimpse into the everyday life of one of the most ancient exile communities in the world. 2500 years ago? Do the math. 2019 minus 2500 years puts us back to the Daniel record, not the one recorded as “probable” fact by the encyclopedia Britannica.

  2. “Darius was a successor to Cyrus, not the predecessor.” This is deception at its best. Tell the truth but not the whole truth. Ancient records of history tell us that there were three named or titled Darius who ruled in Babylon. Example: There was Darius the Mede who was appointed the first king of Babylon but only ruled two years; Darius the Great *4th Persian ruler of the Achaemenid Empire of Medo-Persian Babylon) (Bīsitūn inscription); Darius III (c. 380 – July 330 BC), originally named Artashata and called Codomannus by the Greeks, was the last king of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. Deception once again in 2019…there were three Kings of Persia named or title Darius. This in no way proves King Cyrus was followed by or came before Darius. There was a short time ruler (for two years as he was 62 when he took charge) named or titled Darius before and after King Cyrus. Two other kings of this area who were called or titled Darius who were successors to Cyrus.
  3. “Because its religious ideas do not belong to the 6th century BC, numerous scholars date Daniel to the first half of the 2nd century BC. Its religious ideas? What does this mean? Perhaps its intended negative challenge to canonized scripture, evangelicals, bible believers? What numerous scholars? Were or are they scholars in languages; English; geology; lab sciences? One might suggest this information in Britannica is once again deceptive and deliberately misleading of the ignorant of facts and the under-studied, just as prophesied in the very bible this section of Britannica Encyclopedia is trying to undermine as “the word of God.”
  4. “…and relate the visions to the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164/163 BC).” “Relate the visions…” can only mean Daniels recorded vision are records of fact but only AFTER THE FACT. This totally discredits the bible recordings as inaccurate or altogether false. Why limit this to Antiochus IV since there are hundreds of records of Jewish suppressions, exiles, holocausts such as Nazi Germany or the oft misreported 1492 – 1503 A.D. Spanish inquisitions. This is taught in history books but does not mention it focused upon the execution or dispersing of Jews in Spain by the Catholics. Their third choice was to change their Jewish names to ‘christian’ (Pope acceptable) names. We only know it as the inquisitions. Do history books in public schools also mention 1492 (Columbus) to 1503 AD as a time when Ferdinand and Isabella consolidated their rule tried to rid the Iber Peninsula (Spain) of all Jews?

Is our education and depth of knowledge per the WHOLE TRUTH of histories controlled by secular liberals? We can call them by their real identities: History revisionists!

Rev. Dr. Jstark
March 2019

http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/BBabylonianExile586BCE.html

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-biblical-city-of-libnah-identified-1.5303117

Decoding Daniel – Part 2

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research

RESEARCH

When doing research I am always personally open to the possibility of what I set out to discover and validate ends up changing my mind or position in some way, major ways, or affirm my position. It is called UNDERSTANDING. I leave my doors of new knowledge open to these possibilities. This position is also steeped into reasoning out why Daniel is written in Syriac/Aramaic (non-Israelis) and in Hebrew (to the Tribes of Jacob and the Old Testament Covenant).

Much of Daniel’s chapter 8-12 prophecies are exclusive to the Israelites (12 Tribes) with particular attention given to the Tribe and Kingdom of Judah then dispersed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. to a 70 year captivity; i.e. better said not allowed to return to Judah/Jerusalem. The Kingdom of Israel meaning the Northern Ten Tribes were dispersed by Assyrians in 732 B.C. and again in 720 B.C. In 605 B.C. and again in 586 B.C. the Kingdom of Judah went into their 70 year exile. Gentiles (the church) can safely consider that we are not in the same river or current of future events as those promised to God’s chosen People. Christians; i.e. The Church of believers may NOT be the primary target in some of Daniel’s prophecies, but could be caught up in the vacuum of events in Israel as Christians if the Church is not a pre-tribulation rapture event. If the Tribulation is targeted to Israel alone, the church body of believers will already be missing due to the Rapture (the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial view).

My sources represent a mix of liberal and conservative scholarly theologians who hold diverse views. These will be listed separately at the end of this work-in-progress study of Daniel. In no-way can I conclude or offer possible insights to all of the meaningful sources until they have been added to this work-in-progress. I will attempt to weed out that which is purely speculation, one-sided denomination planks, tickling ear syndrome not supported by scripture.

In this initial commentary, it is my goal to begin the awareness and some loose understanding of the prophetic blend and practical teachings of the Book of Daniel. God the Father ultimately controls every nation, having determined the times set for them and the exact places where these events will unfold. For that reason, I have structured Decoding Daniel upon God’s Sovereignty in the Rise [and fall] of *Four Hebrew, Five World Empires, and their Princes. These men and nations are but a methodology used of God to fulfill his covenants with Old Testament Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and the Church established in the early pages of the New Testament. *Four Hebrew powers: 1) the Judges; 2) the Nation of Israel; 3) the divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah; 4) the Covenant with His people to bring them back to a Promised Land but yet to be fulfilled; i.e. a work still in progress.important-

IMPORTANT JIV NOTE: We should conclude by the end of this Bible study that politics is nothing more than an earthly tool of Satan to distract, derail, confuse and hide the fact that the real issues is between Lucifer’s fall from Heaven and God’s creation giving mankind, made in HIS own image, the opportunity to share in Satan’s destiny or God’s preferred destiny.

The importance of the Book of Daniel

  1. It is an indispensable introduction to New Testament prophecy.
  2. It bridges the gap between Israel’s historical books and the New
    Testament.
  3. It reveals details about the *comings of the Anointed One, the Antichrist and other princes.
      1. The coming of Christ, anointed Son of God
      2. The Rapture of the Church
      3. Jesus on the Throne during the Millennial reign from Jerusalem
  1. It tells of the Tribulation, followed by the Lord’s return to rule from the Throne of David in Jerusalem for 1,000 years.
  2. It speaks about the resurrections and the judgments of God.
  3. It covers “the Times of the Gentiles.”
  4. It shows that God is sovereign in the affairs of man.
  5. It provides compelling evidence that there is a God in heaven who rules history.
  6. It uncovers a great spiritual warfare among the angelic and demonic forces.
  7. It illustrates what true dedication to God means, and what God is willing to do through and for those who are committed to Him.
  8. It provides a solid basis for comfort in the midst of adversity.
  9. It discloses Godly principles for politicians and officials.
  10. It offers hope for God’s people so they will not fall away.
  11. It challenges God’s people to faithfulness and perseverance.
  12. It contains an unusual amount of practical truth that is applicable to Christians today.
  13. It predicts an everlasting kingdom ruled by the Son of Man.

During the Olivet Discourse Jesus directed our attention to the prophet Daniel (Matthew 24:15). By referring to Daniel, Jesus was drawing our attention to some of the most amazing last day prophecies of the Bible. Daniel’s prophecies were written during the sixth century BC, after the Babylonians had conquered Israel and taken them into captivity. Secular theologians state it was written in the first century BC due to its accuracy. Daniel received several visions and prophecies during this time, beginning when he was a youth under king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Olivet Discourse didn’t happen until several hundred years later; about 30 A.C.

The Apocrypha adds three additional moments to Daniels’ life in Babylon. These events are found in Bel and the Dragon found in the Vulgate as Daniel 14; Susanna found in the Vulgate as Daniel 13; *The Song of the Three Children; Vulgate, Daniel 3:24-90. The standard Evangelical Bible typically stops after chapter 12 in the Book of Daniel.

* This passage includes the sorrowful prayer of Azariah (Abednego) in Babylonian while the three youths were in the fiery furnace. It is a brief account of a figure who met them in the furnace and was unburned (an angel, or interpreted by fundamental Christians as a pre-figurement of Jesus Christ, in the same vein as Melchizedek); and the hymn of praise they sang (with the refrain, “Praise and exalt Him above all forever…”, repeated many times, each naming a feature of the world) when they realized they were delivered.

AHAMOMENT: The history of Hanania, Misheal, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego) was under Nebuchadnezzar, a Babylonian King. The historical reference to Danial in the Lion’s Den was over 70 years later under the new Medo-Persian Ruler, Cyrus. These are NOT stories. They are history that ss to some degree mentioned on the *Black Oblisk and other written tablets of ancient Babylon and Persia.

* Black Obelisk of the Assyrian King Shalmaneser III

 

Rev. Dr. James Stark
original copy 3/20/2013
Revised March 2, 2019

 

Acts 24

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palace2

King Herod’s Palace

Governor Felix asks Paul what country is he from. Paul tells him Cilicia. He then agrees to hear the case once Paul’s accusers arrive. He is held in the great palace that King Herod had built for himself long ago. This is where we left off in our previous Acts article, chapter 23.

High Priest Ananias is summoned to appear before Felix arriving five days late. He brings along a spokesperson. Interestingly the bible calls him, not a lawyer but an hray’-tore; an orator, someone skilled in the use of language and persuasion. We already know by Paul’s own words that he himself is not a man of flowing words nor trained in such [1 Corinthians 2:1 & 2 Corinthians 11:6]. No doubt the Sanhedrin charges against him had knowledge of this. Their hopes probably were that since they know Paul had not committed a crime against Rome, by comparison, a fluent and influential speaker named Tertullos could simply make Paul sound foolish. What is even more interesting is that this Tertullos is a Roman, not even a Jew or from the Sanhedrin.

This polished orator begins this case by flattering Felix as to *how quiet it is around this Roman province and kingdom. Keep in mind as pointed out in the previous JIV NOTE that just a couple years later, there is a significant 4 or 5 year Jewish revolt against Rome. Rome retaliates by destroying the very Temple these guys from Jerusalem are saying Paul disparaged. So much for flattery even Festus recognized. Recall that Festus replaced Felix as governor and was “the new sheriff “ in this Roman Province. He was handed the case by the outgoing Felix who left Paul in prison [Acts 24:27] “because he perceived it pleased the Jewish leadership.”

*JIV NOTE: Two years after Paul began his two year “imprisonment’ in Caesarea, the Roman governor Felix put down a Jewish uprising with such brutality that the Jewish Sanhedrin complained bitterly to Rome. Felix was recalled to Rome and Porcius Festus had just arrived in the Roman “province” (Acts 25:1) of Judea as its new governor.

KEEP THE PREVIOUS MENTIONED JEWISH REVOLTING!!!

This Roman orator hired by the Sanhedrin drops the blame of the Jewish unrest in this province of Rome right into the lap of Paul (Acts 24:5a). “This man is a plague who stirs up the Jews.” So it is all Paul’s fault that the Jews as a whole people hate the Romans. Hmmmm?

Dr. JStark