Daily Encouragement

August 29, 2010 - Daniel's Dream Of The Future

Meditation on Daniel 7

God gave Daniel the understanding of what was to come through a dream. The four beasts that came out from the Mediterranean Sea. The first beast was a lion representing the Babylonian empire of Nebuchadnezzar because that was its symbol. Verse 4 says that it was given a heart of man indicated that the king became a man again after a period of insanity in Daniel 4:28-37.

The second beast represented the Medo- Persian Empire who had conquered three nations historically.

The third beast most likely represented the Greece whose king Alexander moved so quickly like a leopard as he conquered many nations and all these time relying on four generals who eventually divided his kingdom.

Then the fourth beast would be the Roman Empire who would last until the Antichrist would come out among it rulers. The little horn of this beast would correspond to the description of Revelation 13:1-10, and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 about the one who would boast against God and torture the saints for three and half years. (v. 25) But God would destroy him.

This is the program of the future which God had revealed to Daniel. We should study into it. Since the first three kingdoms and the last half of the kingdom had already happened in the world history. The second stage of the last beast shall be revealed soon.

August 30, 2010 - The Model Of An Answered Prayer

Meditation on Daniel 9

Daniel was a man of prayers. His prayer was answered in a powerful way in that an angel was sent to him quickly to explain to him God's program to fulfill the request of his prayer.

Let us learn how he prayed in the following:

First of all he prayed according to the promise of God. He realized from God's word to Jeremiah that the 70 years of desolation of Jerusalem has been accomplished.

Secondly, he confessed his sins and the sin of his countrymen in details and asked for God's forgiveness. (v. 4f, 20)

Thirdly, he held on to the faithfulness of God and His mercy in his prayers. (v. 4, 7, 9, 16, 18)

Fourthly, he prayed for the sake of God Himself and His name. (v. 17-19)

As a result of Daniel's prayer, we have the famous prophecy of seventy weeks from verse 24 to 27. The term means seventy “sevens” years. The first seven week may represent 49 years from the time of the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem to the end of the Old Testament. The sixty two more sevens plus the first seven will be the time when the Messiah will appear. That means that from the time of rebuilding Jerusalem to the time when Jesus Christ began his ministry would be about 483 years. (69x7). Indeed from 457 BC, the time of Ezra's return to Jerusalem to the beginning ministry of Christ at about 27 B.C. would be a fulfilling of the 483 years that Daniel predicted. Then three years later, Messiah will be cut off as verse 26 mentioned. This is a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. During this period, God's program "To finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation of iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy." has been finished. For Messiah has accomplished our salvation. However the final week in verse 27 is still to come.

What a powerful prayer of Daniel! We need to pray like him.

August 31, 2010 - Prophecy Of The End Time

Meditation on Daniel 12

Daniel's prophecy moves from the time of end of the Old Testament to the period of the end time of the New Testament. He affirmed that there will be resurrection for all, some to inherit eternal life and others to eternal punishment. The marvelous prediction of the present age concerning the frequency of travel and the explosion of knowledge was amazing in verse 4. Then the prophecy regarding at the half of the seven years when the Antichrist would break his covenant with Israel was repeated again in verse seven (cf. Daniel 9:27) because that was the concluding period before the re-entry of Christ and the establishment of the millennium kingdom.

Daniel himself must have a hard time to understand all these things. But God told him that he would have rest before all these future things would happen. Much of the prophecy of Daniel needs to be coordinated with the study of the book of Revelation and other prophecies in the Bible. Some good Study Bible would help us to begin our search. One thing is for sure. The detailed fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies should cause us to know that we are in the end time. (v. 4)

September 1, 2010 - The Incredible Love Of God

Meditation on Hosea 3

The prophet Hosea was commanded to marry a prostitute named Gomer and produced three children. This act was meant to illustrate the spiritual harlotry of Israel who departed from God who had a covenant with her. Obviously Gomer left Hosea and continued her lustful life and eventually felt to be a slave.

But in an unbelievable way, this chapter recorded that God asked Hosea to continue to love her and buy her back from a slavery auction. This was to show that God still love the children of Israel even though they worshiped other gods. But Hosea demanded his wife to remain faithful this time and not commit any spiritual act of adultery anymore. And she would be staying alone for many days without any government and religious offerings. (v. 4) Then they shall seek the Lord in the latter days.

It is an incredible love story. But it is real. God's love to you never ceases.

September 2, 2010 - He Has Torn, But He Will Heal

Meditation on Hosea 6

"Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up." (v. 1 NKJV) This was the appeal by Hosea to Israel and Judah. God had been punishing them severely because of their harlotry with idols and their pretense about it. Hosea had also listed their sins against each other in chapter four verse two.

Yet God still desired them to turn back to Him so they could live. But they should not just turned to God for a short time only. And their correct conduct should not appeared like the early dew. (v. 4) On the contrary, they must seek the LORD continuously with all their might. Then the LORD will be with them and gave them blessings like the spring shower. (v. 3) He wanted them to know Him intimately. (v. 6)

September 3, 2010 - Break Up Your Fallow Ground

Meditation on Hosea 10

Hosea had been describing the sins and treachery of Israel against God and one another in graphic detail. In this chapter, he pointed out that their horrible act of lust and violence at Gibeah had remained. (c.f. Judges 19-20) Their human solution by turning to one country to defend them from another invading country would not be successful since God had determined to punish them.

The only thing that could save them was to repent from their heart. Hosea advised them this: "Sow with a view to righteousness, reap up in accordance to kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes to rain righteousness on you." (v. 12 NASB) Their harden heart must be broken up like the hard soil. When they repented of their sins and turned to God, His lovingkindness and unfailing love would come upon them. He then would rain upon them righteousness.

God is good. He pays attention to the repenting heart and would have mercy upon all of us. Would you turn to Him now?

September 4, 2010 - The Unfailing Love Of The Holy God

Meditation on Hosea 11

Humanly speaking, Israel should have been abandoned by God long ago because of their insistence to turn away from God. They had been delivered from Egypt, they have been tenderly cared, and they have been healed by God. Prophets were sent to call them back to God. Yet they still worshiped self-made idols and Baals. Why didn't God give them up?

Verse nine gives the profound reason: "I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror." (NKJV)

Our God is holy God and not man. His lovingkindness is unfailing and enduring. He will always love His children whom He had given birth through the Holy Spirit. Though He would discipline them yet He will restore them. Hosea said that God will roar like a lion to draw His people back to Himself. (v. 10)

Have you heard the roaring sound of God in your heart? He is holy and He still loves you.