THE LORD’S REVELATIONS TO DANIEL, PAUL AND JOHN
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
Daniel is from “Dan,” a judge; and “El” is God: “the judge of God.” Daniel was a Jew in captivity under the king of Babylon, Nebuchadneuar. The apostle Paul was “the apostle of the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:13). Paul was in jail at Rome, suffering as an evildoer even unto chains. (II Timothy 2:8 and 9). Daniel interpreted the king’s “image” dream; and told the king that Rome would be the fourth Gentile world power. Paul was in jail, as Caesar’s prisoner. But Paul called himself “the prisoner of Jesus Christ for Gentiles.” (Ephesians 3:1 to 4). Paul said he was in jail for “the mystery of Christ.” (Colossians 4:3 and 4). Hear the testimony of the apostle John, that apostle whom Jesus loved (John 21:20), in Revelation 1:9: “I John was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Note Daniel’s testimony in Daniel 2:28: “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadneuar what shall be in the latter days.”
“THEN WAS THE SECRET REVEALED unto Daniel in a night vision.” “Blessed be the name of God forever.” “He revealeth the deep and secret things.” (Daniel 22:19 to 23). Then Daniel said to Nebuchadneuar: “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.” (Daniel 2:37).
According to God’s SECRET revealed to Daniel, Nebuchadneuar with his Babylonian Empire, was the head of gold. There were to be three other Gentile world powers—“Media-Persia”—“Greece”—“Rome.” Thus God revealed to Daniel that “the times of the Gentiles,” politically, began about 600 B.C. with Babylon. After revealing the course of “the times of the Gentiles” the Lord told Daniel what Christ told the Jews in Luke 21:24 to 33: that the Son of man - Daniel’s Smiting Stone (Daniel 2:44 and 45), would come to earth and crush what will be left of the toes of the great image.
Study Daniel and the Gospel of Luke together. In Luke 1:26 to 33 and Luke 2:6 to 16, Christ was born in the city of David, as the Seed of David to take the throne of David, to reign over Israel and bring peace on earth. But in Luke 19:42 to 44, we learn that Israel did not know the time of their peace and God’s visitation. In Luke 1:67 to 77 Christ was born to deliver the Jews from Gentile political control. But the Jews’ decision was: “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14). “Away with Jesus, crucify Him;” “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15).
Christ told the Jews they would continue to be captives under Gentile political control “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24). “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” (Matthew 22:21). Caesar’s awful judgment fell on Jerusalem and the Jews, about 70 A.D., in fulfillment of Matthew 22:7 and Luke 21:20 to 23.
But for some years after Christ’s words in Luke 21:20 to 24 Israel continued to be God’s nation for the spiritual blessing of other nations. (John 4:22 - Romans 9:4 to 6 - Matthew 23:1 to 3 - Romans 15:27). The twelve apostles were Jews. Paul and Barnabas and Silas were Jews. The Holy Spirit continued to move upon Jews to give us the Holy Scriptures. Christ was Israel’s Saviour in incarnation. (Acts 13:23 - Acts 5:29 and 30 - Romans 15:8 - Acts 2:22 - Matthew 15:24 - Matthew 10:5 to 8). Christ was Israel’s Saviour in resurrection. (Acts 5:31 and 32 - Acts 13:30 to 41). He was Israel’s twice-rejected Saviour. Then God rejected Israel and sent salvation to Gentiles. (Romans 11:5 to 15 - Romans 11:30). Paul wrote that the fulness of the Gentiles would come in, and Israel’s temporary blindness would be taken away. (Romans 11:25 and 26 - Romans 11:5 to 15). So Paul said, “We turn to the Gentiles.” Thus “the times of the Gentiles,” spiritually, began more than 600 years after “the times of the Gentiles,” politically, began. The culmination, spiritually, is told in Ephesians 4:13 and Titus 2:13. This will come before the culmination, politically. (Luke 21:27 to 33).
The risen Lord revealed God’s SECRET to Paul concerning this special “grace” dispensation and age for Gentiles. “The dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles” is called “the mystery of God’s will,” “the dispensation of the Mystery hid in God from before the beginning of the world.” (Ephesians 1:9 and Ephesians 3:1 to 4 - Ephesians 3:9 - Colossians 1:24 to 27).
Now read Revelation 1:1 and 1:19, concerning John’s Revelation. Daniel knew nothing of “the times of the Gentiles,” spiritually. This Divine Secret was not revealed by Christ on earth, but some years after He went back to heaven. This was God’s Secret during Daniel’s days and during Christ’s days on earth.
Surely John’s Revelation was not concerning “The Church of the Mystery” or “the Dispensation of the Mystery.” Certainly the meaning of the seven churches of Revelation is more than a secret with most Christians.
As we compare Daniel’s Secret with John’s Revelation we certainly learn that, in finding the fulfillment of Daniel’s Prophecy in John’s Revelation, we pass over the parenthetical “Dispensation of the Mystery.”
What is the Gospel?
Believing
Christ died, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto
you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and
wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto
you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Also Read
FREE ON LINE CONCORDANCE
IT’S SO SIMPLE
TO USE
Bible: King James Version
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Share this BIBLE MESSAGE
with a friend
No comments:
Post a Comment