Dear Friends & Bible Study Partners,
The Kingdom of Heaven mysteries are the key to understanding much of the Word of God. The truth of the Kingdom of Heaven (physical kingdom) in mystery form, ruled by Satan, by permission from God (Luke 4:6-7), is the system that is in place today. 1 John 2:15-17 instructs us to not love the world that God has saved us out of (Ephesians 2:1-3).
We laid the groundwork for discussing the 12 mysteries listed in Matthew 13, with understanding the 4 types of ground that make up our world today — wayside, stony ground, thorny ground, and good ground. All human beings are in one of these 4 categories.
Our brief excursion into Daniel 2 & 4 was quite a crazy time. The dreams Nebuchadnezzar had were quite revealing concerning the world system. There are 7 world kingdoms throughout history — Nimrod’s kingdom – Genesis 10; Egypt / Pharaoh – Genesis 12 – Exodus 34, Assyria / Shalmaneser – 2 Kings 17; Babylon / Nebuchadnezzar – kingdom of Gold- 2 Kings 20:17-18, 2 Kings 24 – 25; Daniel 1-5; Medo-Persia / Darius & Cyrus – kingdom of silver – Daniel 5 – 2 Chronicles 36:23; Greece / Alexander – kingdom of Brass; Rome / Caesar – kingdom of iron / iron mingled with clay – Luke 2:1 – current countries and events. The contrast of the physical kingdom / tree in Daniel 4 to the spiritual kingdom / mustard tree in Matthew 13 is another illustration of how Satan counterfeits the truth with his false kingdom.
We will continue our walk through the mysteries next week. Let us all remember to study to show ourselves approved unto God and pray one for another, and for our country, as we elect a new president and legislators.
Your fellow soldier,
Ken Wooten
2 Timothy 2:1-5