Today, we went on a whirlwind tour of the foreknowledge of God, and how his omniscience guided the writers of our Bible to reveal not only world empires that were to come, but also how He interacts and intervenes in our individual lives. As we walked through some powerful verses in Daniel, we came to understand the simple one sentence definition of the meaning of scripture – It is about a King and a Kingdom. From start to finish, God’s prophetic program moved through history, making a record and revealing prophecy that pointed to the everlasting kingdom of Messiah King Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Understanding how to use the folding chart when reading your Bible is critical to rightly dividing the word of truth. It gives you a physical picture of how to identify what is written to you in this dispensaiton of the grace of God, and what is written for you in “times past.” We live in the “But now” section of scripture, looking forward to the “ages to come.”
Ephesians 2:4-7: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:11-13: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Walking through Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 and seeing how it matches perfectly with Revelation 17 was quite an adventure. The colossus of Daniel 2 revealed the four great world empires from Babylon to Rome, and how we today are experience the pangs of seeing God’s prophetic program come to life right before our eyes. The world is in great turmoil in preparation for our departure and the establishment of a one world government, and a one world monetary system.
Visible Condition of the World and the Church:
2 Timothy 3:1-9 reveals the overall attitude of mankind in these “last days” – 18 of the worst kind of attributes of human beings, all the while giving an air of spirituality, but empty.
Revelation 4:14-21 reveals the outward condition of Christianity at large, just before the rapture of the church age saints – rich, increased with goods, and needing nothing, but Jesus reveals the inward spiritual condition of the Church in the last days – spiritually wretched and miserable, spiritually poor, blind, and naked.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4 describes the spiritual condition of many within the ranks of Christianity – departing form the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, without sound doctrine, etc. etc. etc..
As I stated this morning, we are right where we are supposed to be on God’s calendar of events! We should not be weary in these perilous times, but emboldened in who we are in Christ! Take heart dear friend, for the great God and our Savior is in complete control of where this world is headed! The time of Jacob’s trouble is coming upon this world, but not upon us, for we, as the bride of Christ must be taken out to be prepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb! Amen!
Your Fellow Bible Student,
Ken Wooten
2 Timothy 2:15