05/04/13

The world worships the golden image

Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.


One needs to give attention to the silent features of the Bible to understand things in a better perspective. For example the languages used to write the scriptures and their properties are very important to get the correct rendering and understanding of scriptures. Daniel shows this in his book. As he was meditating on the scriptures of Jeremiah and other Prophets of his time, the Lord was opening them up and giving him an understanding of them through visions. This he documented in 2 languages, half in Aramaic (chapters 1-7) and other half in Hebrew (8-12); the understanding of the prophecies also are classified according the 2 languages.

The kingdoms and prophecies given in Aramaic are more worldly, and those given in Hebrew are more spiritual. For example the little horn in chapter 7 speaks of the kingdom that still exist but under a religious cover. As given in Daniel all the historical facts of this kingdom match perfectly showing the prophecy fulfilling to the T.

After the Roman Empire fell, 10 kingdoms (horns) came up in Europe.
The little horn is 'little' kingdom.
We see this little horn did uproot 3 kingdoms of Ostrogoths, Vandals, and Heruli.
The head of this kingdom was a man unlike others and spoke unlike others for the head was religious figure and he spoke unlike others.
He speaks great words, in other words he speaks blasphemy like being god on earth, having authority over Heavenly beings.
He wears out the saints (people of God).
This kingdom lasts for more than 2000 years (until a time and time(s) and the dividing of time).

You may say why are we talking about this kingdom in today's message?

You will be surprised that the image promoted by this kingdom has been in existence since history. If one studies the different religions recorded one will find many clues and common elements which are prominent or silent among all these religions.

For example the element of 'All Seeing Eye' is there in most religions right from ancient religions to the current religions like Hinduism. Even in Islam if one turns the stone at the Kaaba by 90 degrees and you get an 'eye'. This same symbol is also in the monuments of the little horn within paints or as prominent design in religious objects. Similarly are many other common factors like 'mother' / 'devi maa' (either man or object) or the star (sun) and crescent moon / god in a womb, between all other religions which show there is not much different between each other.

People mistake that Satan who was a cherub wanted to be God. He was having wisdom more than humans and not that foolish like man to think such a thing. Scriptures specify what king of god he wanted to be and it says he wanted to be god over the people (Ezekiel 28:2 'midst of the seas'). Bible also says Satan fears God and trembles, but due to his hardened heart he still does not change his ways. So we see even though we see many religions yet he rule over them all.

What we see in the Bible as the story of King Nebuchadnezzar is the shadow of the Babylon the Great (out of anger God selected him, blessed him and when he lifted himself above God, God bought him down). It is when this Babylon will manifest with great glory the image (a woman, as we see it happening) that will cause the fall of this kingdom (as noted in Revelation). The kingdom will go bankrupt and will flee Europe and will take refuge in a former communist country.

Today's message talks of the times we are in, where people bow down to the golden image not only among the so called Christians but across most religions. We Christians are called to be like Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refuged even unto the point of death. The Lord was with them and by the power of God they were safe.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are a Jealous God and You will not share your glory with anyone or thing. Satan knowing his destiny want to destroy us also there wants us to worship him as god so that we come under your wrath and be destroyed. Lord, we pray people's eyes be opened and they be saved from being destroyed...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Daniel 7:23-27
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Ezekiel 28:1-3
1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.
15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.

Revelation 12:9 - And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

Leviticus 26: 1 - Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)