Participants: Chris Holland
Series Code: IIWC
Program Code: IIWC201515A
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00:01 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY!
00:04 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:09 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:14 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:18 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:23 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:28 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:32 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:37 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 00:43 IIW-PAH-LIONS, LEOPARDS AND BEARS .. OH MY! 01:31 >>Announcer: It has stood the test of time. 01:34 God's book, The Bible 01:38 Still relevant in today's complex world 01:44 It Is Written 01:45 Sharing messages of hope around the world! 01:58 >>CHRIS: We began this series by introducing a very powerful principle that helps us to 02:04 determine whether our claims about the knowledge we have are certain. Simply stated, this 02:11 principle is the principle of probability and reveals that extremely small probabilities 02:18 point to certainty, and eliminate chance as an explanation. This principle of 02:26 probability, when applied to the existence of God, and the reliability of His Word, soundly 02:34 demonstrate that He is real and this Bible can be trusted. Some of the greatest evidence of this 02:45 has been found in prophecy. Over the course of our study of the first 6 chapters of Daniel 02:54 through the lens of probability we have seen some incredible things that defy simple chance 03:02 as an explanation. That was most especially the case in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of Daniel 03:09 2, that Daniel interpreted. That dream outlined over 2,500 years of history in advance. Simply 03:18 amazing, but more than amazing, it points to the existence of an all knowing, all powerful God 03:25 who cares and interacts with us as His creation. This week we turn our attention to the 03:32 prophetic section of the book of Daniel and open the pages of the Bible to Daniel 7. This chapter 03:40 introduces us to a very sinister power that does all kinds of things against God and against 03:47 God's people. In fact, his attacks are so devastating that Daniel wants to make sure that 03:56 God's people are able to identify this menacing agent of evil. Let's turn to Daniel 04:04 7:1-7, here is what God's word says, 05:46 What should stand out first about this amazing dream is that these creatures seen will not be 05:56 seen or show up in any of your local zoos. Each of these animals violate the very laws of 06:02 nature. Have you ever seen a lion with eagles wings, or a leopard with four wings and four 06:09 heads, or animals with iron teeth? Of course not! As we look at this passage there are four 06:18 symbols that we need to interpret: the winds, the great sea, the beasts and the horns. 06:30 Our mission here at It Is Written is to instill the understanding that the Bible 06:36 interprets itself. And so each of these are symbolic representations of something 06:43 else. So then what are those four winds? Well, in Jeremiah 51:1 God said that He would send 07:01 a destroying wind against Babylon. He was speaking of the strife and destruction caused by 07:06 the Medo-Persians. This means that wind represents strife and destruction. But what about the 07:14 sea.the waters?Rev 17:15 is actually quite clear when it states, 07:27 Thus the great sea represents peoples or a populous place. That still leaves us wondering 07:34 about those beasts, what do they represent? 07:56 The beasts represent kingdoms, empires. Interestingly enough Daniel 7:24 declares "The ten 08:04 horns are ten kings," and so the horns also represent kingdoms. What then does all of this mean? 08:11 How do we sort this all out? Let's look at the specific symbols and see what they might 08:19 mean. That first symbol was a lion with eagle's wings. What could that amount to? As a 08:25 beast, it represents a kingdom, but what kingdom? Friends, it is a fitting symbol of Babylon, 08:34 which came to power in 605 BC. Remarkably enough Jeremiah 4:7, 50:17,44 refers to 08:45 Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon as a lion that has arisen out of his lair to destroy the nations. In 08:53 addition, the winged lion is one of the forms that is often pictured in art and inscription 09:00 in combat with Marduk, who was the patron god of the city of Babylon. But Daniel informs us 09:09 that the wings were plucked off that lion and a man's heart was given to it. What an description 09:20 of the fate of Babylon. After Nebuchadnezzar's death, Babylon lost much of its prestige and 09:28 power and ultimately became weak and enfeebled. 09:37 It is here that I want to introduce you to how Hebrew thinking works. It is something 09:44 called recapitulation or repeat and enlarge. Our western minds don't quite work like those from 09:52 the east. But here is the basic concept, something is said, then that same thing is repeated or 10:00 restated with greater detail but possibly in a bit different language. Daniel 7 is a 10:09 recapitulation of Daniel 2. It is a restatement of the world's history, but with greater 10:21 detail. And so this description of Babylon as the lion parallels that of Daniel 2 and Babylon 10:28 being represented as the head of gold But after the 2 winged lion, on the scene a bear shows 10:36 up. That bear is raised up on one side with three ribs in its mouth. As you could probably 10:45 guess, this bear represents the Medo-Persian empire. And although Daniel 7 does not 10:52 mention who the three ribs represent, history reveals that they were symbols of the three 10:58 principal powers of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt, that were conquered by the combined forces 11:04 of the Medes and the Persians who came to power around 539 BC. What makes this symbol 11:11 additionally fascinating is the reality that when these powers came together, the Medes were 11:18 the stronger of the two, however over time the Persians grew in strength and became so strong 11:27 that most history books today simply refer to it as the Persian empire. This symbol of 11:34 the bear parallels the chest and arms of silver from Daniel 2. But the bear is moved aside by a 11:42 even stranger looking creature.a leapard with four wings and four heads! This bizarre looking 11:50 beast represents the kingdom of Greece. Now, like the other beasts, leopards are fierce and 11:56 carnivorous, yet they have the added advantage of being swift and agile. Even more, this beast 12:06 has four wings which denote its incredible speed and agility What a fitting representation of 12:14 Greece. It is almost inadequate to describe the amazing speed of Alexander the Great's conquest 12:22 of the known world. Astonishingly, in less than a decade, Alexander and his army 12:29 came into possession of the greatest empire the world had ever seen at the time. One 12:35 commentator put it this way, "there is no other example in ancient times of such rapid 12:42 movements of troops on so large and successful a scale." In 331 BC Alexander's army decisively 12:52 defeated the Persians in the famous battle of Arbela. Yet, Alexander's kingdom would not 13:00 last very long. Alexander could conquer the world, but he could not conquer himself. He died 13:09 from his own lustful exuberance and on his death bed was asked who would succeed him. He simply 13:18 answered.he who is strongest. Greece was weakened by internal strife and civil war. The four 13:28 heads of the leopard represent the four kingdoms that occupied the territory of Alexander's 13:35 conquest. Greece would come to an end. This winged leopard kingdom corresponds with the 13:44 bronze or brass of the statue of Daniel 2. 13:49 But now we are brought to the fourth beast. The description was frightening, it is described 13:57 as dreadful, terrible, exceedingly strong and with iron teeth. You'll remember back in 14:03 Daniel 2, the metals started with gold, then silver, bronze, and finally the fourth symbol in 14:09 Daniel 2 was iron. These iron teeth of this non-descript fourth beast give us a clue to 14:17 who this is in Daniel 7. It is the kingdom of Rome and perfectly matches the order of 14:24 Daniel 2 with the legs of iron. In the vision of Daniel 2 there was no fifth world empire. 14:33 Simply a mixture of iron and clay, a representation of the kingdom of Rome not being 14:40 defeated, but falling apart or dividing. Similarly in Daniel 7 the Bible records that this 14:48 non-descript beast would not give way to another beast or world empire; instead this beast 14:56 has 10 horns, which means that 10 kingdoms would arise out of the Roman Empire. And although 15:03 a score or more barbarian tribes evolved from the Roman Empire the ten kingdoms that would 15:11 represent the division of the Roman Empire are the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, 15:19 Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Heruli, Lombards, and Burgundians. But wait, there is 15:32 more. Three of those are removed and replaced by a little horn. 15:42 At this point, we need to notice that as we have read Daniel 7, we will not find Daniel 15:47 identifying the little horn. He doesn't say that it is Christianity, or the little horn 15:53 is Islam, or Buddhism, or Hitler, Napolean or some other power. Daniel does not provide 15:59 us with a short concise statement telling us who the little horn represents. However, 16:05 instead of a short statement, Daniel describes the various characteristics that make up the 16:11 identity of the little horn. God in His wisdom has provided this much better approach. How so, 16:20 you might ask? Quite simply, the probability of misinterpreting or falsifying one statement is 16:28 much greater than the probability of misinterpreting or falsifying many 16:33 characteristics that describe one entity. Think about in this way, let's say, for example's 16:40 sake, that you were robbed by someone at gun point who stole your belongings. After the 16:47 event, the police visit you and police ask you to describe the robber. So you tell them he was 16:53 light skinned, average height, average build, long hair, mark on his face, and spoke with an 17:00 accent. Friends, there are going to be several problems with this description if that is the most 17:07 precise you can be. His long hair can be cut; the mark on his face can be removed, and he can 17:13 modify his accent.if you can even remember what type of accent it was. See all of those 17:21 characteristics are too general. Maybe your son or nephew could match that description? The 17:29 probability of getting the wrong thief increases greatly with such general characteristics. 17:36 But the probability of getting the right thief increases with specific characteristics.he was 17:44 5'9", black hair down to the shoulders, brown eyes, crooked nose, spoke with a British 17:50 accent and was missing his left ring finger. That type of description greatly helps catch 17:59 the thief. 18:02 It is in the same way, that probability of wrongly identifying this little horn of 18:06 Daniel 7 greatly decreases with more specific characteristics and descriptions. So God, in His 18:13 infinite wisdom did not limit the identification of the little horn to one statement. He give 18:20 nine characteristics or nine features to this little horn power Those nine characteristics 18:27 would be like, using our earlier illustration, finding the thief's fingerprints everywhere 18:38 in the house. And, in addition in your struggle with the thief , you scratched the thief and 18:45 had some of his skin and hair under your fingernails. With DNA now in hand, the probability of 18:53 correctly identifying the thief is almost sure. And that is what we have here in Daniel 9.the DNA 19:04 of the little horn power. What we are about to reveal is 9 characteristics of the little 19:12 horn power that no one else on the face of the earth will be able to fulfill other than one 19:18 identifiable power. With all of that, we are now ready to reveal the 9 specific characteristics 19:27 of Daniel 7 that identify the little horn power. 1. According to verses 8 and 24, It rose out 19:38 of the "fourth beast." 2. Verses 7 and 8 tell us It arose "among" the "ten horns" - 19:47 geographically. 3. Verse 24 iterates that It appeared after "ten" other "horns." 4. Verse 19:58 25 states It was allotted special powers for "a time, two times, and half a time." 5. 20:08 Verses 8 and 24 also state that "It was to "put down three kings" so that, as it arose, 20:18 "three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots." 6. Verse 25 tells us that It was to 20:28 "think to change the times and the law." 7. Verses 8 and 20, inform us that It was "little" 20:40 when it was first seen, but in time it became "greater than its fellows.". 8. Verses 8 and 25 20:48 outline that it had "eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things," and it 20:54 spoke "words against the Most High." 9. And finally, verse 25 says It was to "wear out the 21:02 saints of the Most High." History clearly tells us who this power was and is. Of the 21:11 ten kingdoms that rose out of the Roman empire, the Heruli were the first to be eliminated, 21:17 after them the Vandals fell and finally there was a decisive blow against the Ostrogothsin 21:23 538 AD. Why would this little horn choose these kingdoms to eliminate? Well the little horn 21:31 warred against God. The Heruli, Vandals and Ostrogoths represented Germanic 21:40 Christianity. Germanic Christianity consisted of a more pure and Biblical religion that 21:48 derived from the East, many of them kept all the commandments of God including the fourth, 21:56 which remembers the seventh-day Sabbath. The espoused a belief in Christ as the only mediator 22:05 between God and man. They also believed that Christ was not created, but a divine being. 22:14 While they rejected the Nicene Creed, it was for other reasons, but were labeled as being Arian 22:26 tribes. For this little horn power, that warred against God, it needed to make sure that they 22:36 disappeared. The last of those was defeated in 538, this marks the beginning of the time, times 22:50 and half a time. You'll remember from our last show that that phrase is equal to 1260 22:56 prophetic days or 1260 literal years. In addition 538 represented theyear that Emperor 23:06 Justinian made a decree which established Catholicism as the religion of the empire. Thus, 23:14 any Christians outside of Catholicism were either forced to accept Roman Christianity or 23:20 suffer the death of martyrdom. In addition in 538 at the third synod of Orleans, a church-state 23:30 system that was set up that made Christians to be punished for violating or desecrating Sunday, 23:42 "not as the civil authorities may direct, but as the ecclesiastical powers may 23:50 determine." 23:52 Each of these nine characteristics, give us a clear picture of who the little horn 23:58 power must be. It would be utterly impossible for any human being to try to predict by 24:03 chance processes some of these characteristics. No, there is a precision that outlines 24:10 characteristics that clearly identify it. Perhaps the characteristic that most clearly 24:16 defies chance processes is the prediction that this little horn's activity would last for 24:21 1260 years. But, when we account for this time period along with the geographical location in 24:30 which it arose; the fact that it arose after the fall of Rome and after the 10 horns; that it 24:36 would intend to change times and laws; that it would put down three kings as it arose; that it 24:42 would have a man at the head; that it would speak blasphemous words against God, and that it 24:48 would persecute the saints throughout the 1260 year period; the only reasonable conclusion 24:56 is that the information that Daniel 7 contains did not originate with any human source. 25:03 Isaiah the prophet states, 25:36 God has spoken and His words are clear. This power is clearly identified. It is now speaking 25:44 of a person or a peoples, but rather a system. As system of religio-political magnitude that 25:54 actually opposes God and His mission. The beautiful promise of scripture is that this power 26:00 doesn't win. God wins. The future is in His hands. He is coming again. And here Daniel 7 26:10 further emphasizes what we have seen over and over again. God is real. God cares. And God wants 26:20 to be in relationship with you. 26:25 Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are in control of all things. Please be with us we 26:31 pray in Jesus name, amen. 26:49 Our God is an awesome God 26:52 He reigns from heaven above 26:56 With wisdom, power and love 27:00 Our God is an awesome God 27:04 Hail Him the King of glory, 27:08 Once the Lamb for sinners slain; 27:11 Tell, tell the wondrous story, 27:15 "Jesus comes to reign." 27:21 Tell it to every kindred and nation, 27:28 Tell it far and near; 27:30 Earth's darkest night will fade with the dawning, 27:33 Jesus will soon appear! 27:37 Hail Him the King of glory, 27:41 Once the Lamb for sinners slain; 27:45 Tell, tell the wondrous story, 27:49 "Jesus comes to reign." 27:55 Children of God look up with rejoicing; 27:58 Shout and sing His praise; 28:02 Blessèd are they who, waiting and watching, 28:06 Look for the dawning rays. 28:10 Hail Him the King of glory, 28:14 Once the Lamb for sinners slain; 28:17 Tell, tell the wondrous story, 28:22 "Jesus comes to reign." 28:28 Jesus Christ, He reigns 28:34 Our God is an awesome God 28:37 He reigns from heaven above 28:41 With wisdom, power and love 28:45 Our God is an awesome God 29:01 >>CHRIS: Friend, would you like to learn more about these amazing prophecies? I want to 29:05 offer you the "Living in the end time prophecy study guides" for today's offer. Here is the 29:10 information you need. 29:45 >>CHRIS: Friends, thank you so much for watching. God cares for you, God loves you. Join us 29:50 again next week. Until then remember, It Is Written, man shall not live by bread alone, 29:56 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. 30:03 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ |
Revised 2016-01-15