To Obey Or Not Obey - That Is The Question

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To Obey Or Not Obey - That Is The Question

“And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king’” (Luke 23:2 ESV).

These perverse men thought Jesus forbad obedience to the government. If He forbids us to pay taxes, He must forbid us to obey anything that’s offensive to our liberty. They could not discern the difference between rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and rendering to God what belongs to God. Tyranny belongs to Caesar and the Ten Commandments belong to God.

It is true that “Tyrants do not have a right to rule,” but God is the one that raises them up as a punishment for sin. The tyrant Nebuchadnezzar was called “Lucifer,” but God also called him, “My servant.”  Tyrants may not have a right to rule, but neither do tyrants have a right to overthrow tyrants. And God has a right to put tyrants in power. The Jewish tyrants rebelled against Rome and God destroyed them. When Peter used the sword, Jesus said, “No more of this” (Luke 22:51 ESV).

The only way to overthrow tyrants is the way English Parliament did it in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the way American Colonies did it. In both cases the lesser magistrate did it. The lesser magistrate has both a right and a duty to obey God rather than man. The lesser magistrate has a right to raise an army and resist tyranny because the sole duty of law is to protect the public from plunder.

When Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile himself with the king’s food, did he demand his rights or did he humbly request permission? The Bible says, “he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan 1:8). When the time came to rebuild the temple, did the Jews demand their rights or did they submit to the king? When Nehemiah wanted to rebuild Jerusalem, did he demand his right or did he ask permission? He first prayed that God would cause the king to give him permission. Then he said, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Neh 1:5).

The only time for individuals to disobey Caesar is when Caesar commands us to sin. Rebellious hearts cannot discern the difference between submitting to being slapped and submitting to sin. If Caesar slaps us, we are to turn the cheek just like Jesus did. If Caesar commands us to carry 100 pounds for a mile, we are to go the second mile. That is not a sin. It is obedience to the law of Christ. But rebels cannot draw the analogy. Their rebellious hearts will not allow it.

When the government commanded the three Hebrew children to bow it was time to disobey because it is sin to bow to an idol. When the government commanded Daniel to not pray, it was time to disobey because it is a sin not to pray and it is a sin to hide our light under a bushel. When the rulers commanded the apostles not to preach in Jesus’ name, they obeyed God rather than man. To flee persecution is not the same as sassing cops and wrestling with them. If the cop is breaking the law, do what Paul did. Appeal to the magistrate, not to the cop (Acts 16:36-37). Rebels cannot discern between good and evil. “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:14).

 

When Did The Disciples See Christ Coming Before They Died?

When Did The Disciples See Christ Coming Before They Died?

By Ron Smith

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Mat. 16:27-28).

         Some say it was when He destroyed Jerusalem. Others say it was when He was transfigured, or His resurrection, or the Day of Pentecost, or the tremendous growth of His kingdom. I asked the Lord this question and He seemed to bring Daniel 7:13 to mind. When One like a Son of Man came to the Ancient of Days is when He came in the glory of His Father. The disciples saw that in Acts chapter one. They saw Him fulfill that “coming.” The ascension to the Father fulfilled Daniel 7:13. That is when they saw “the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

         This “coming” in Daniel 7:13 was at the time of the fourth beast that was making war with the saints (Rome, Dan 7:21). It was when the heavenly court was set and a judgment was made (Dan 7:10, 22). Jesus fulfilled this judgment when He went to the cross, died, descended, and ascended to the Ancient of Days. Just before He went to the cross He said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31). It was when “Ten thousand times ten thousand” angels were present Dan 7:10). This happened “When the Son of Man [came] in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He [sat] on the throne of His glory” (Mat 25:31) and could say, ““All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Mat 28:18).

         He is now seated in the court session as Conqueror judging and making war (Rev 19:11). Now “He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (I Cor 15:25). “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion [heaven]. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” (Psalm 110:1-2). “Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land” (Exodus 23:30). “Your people shall [increase] and be volunteers In the day of Your power” (Psa 110:3). “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor 15:24).

Is Christ Winning?

         The Father promised David, “I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:8). The Father fulfilled that promise and David conquered every king within the Promised Land. What God promised David is also promised to Christ. The only difference is that David’s Promised Land was limited as a shadow and type of the whole world. The Father promises that His Son “would be the heir of the world” (Romans 4:13). He is now reigning in the midst of His enemies and conquering them little by little. Some say He is not yet ruling. They say He will not rule until His second coming. But Scripture says, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies” (Psalm 110:2). When Jesus comes again He will have no enemies anymore. “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor 15:24).

In the year 100 A.D. there was one Christian for every 360 people.

In the year 1000 A.D. there was one Christian for every 220.

In the year 1500 A.D. there was one Christian for every 67 people.

In the year 1900 A.D. there was one Christian for every 27 people.

In the year 1950 A.D. there was one Christian for every 21 people.

In the year 1980 A.D. there was one Christian for every 11 people.

In the year 1989 A.D. there was one Christian for every 7 people.

In the year 2010 A.D. there was one Christian for every 3 people.

 

Psa 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.

Isa 54:3  For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations….

Psalm 86:9      All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name.

Psalm 102:15    So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory.

Psalm 111:6     He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.

Isaiah 19:23-25     In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.  In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."

Psalm 22:27     All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.

Psalm 102:22    When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Hab 2:14      For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.  For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Churchofthekingmcallen.com

The Return Of Israel To The Land With A Risen David

Ezekiel 37:24-25 “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.”[1]

            The promise of a return by Israel includes two inseparable parts:

1.     They will serve the LORD and David their king.

2.     They shall dwell in the Promised Land.

            To interpret this promise, we need to use the spiritual method of the apostles. The carnal method would lead us to conclude that 1.) The promise is to carnal Israel. 2.) Their king is literal David. 3.) Their land is literal Palestine. The spiritual method sees David their King as Christ. If David is a symbol for Christ, then Israel and Judah must also be figurative for God’s people. God’s people are His people by any other name. This promise is given to the “Israel of God.” The Apostle Paul calls the church, “The Israel of God.” “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16).

            To which rule is Paul referring? He is referring to the apostolic rule of interpreting the Old Testament spiritually and not carnally. Paul’s rule is: “…it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7 ESV). “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:29 ESV).

            Since Israel is spiritual Israel, and David is Christ, then do we switch to the carnal method and say the land is Palestine? The Promised Land was a type and shadow of the whole world. God promised the land to Abraham, but Paul says God gave Abraham the whole world.   “For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world…” (Romans 4:13). Jesus said the true worshippers do not worship in Jerusalem or in Samaria, but in Spirit and in truth. The Promised Land is not a geographical location. It is a spiritual location. It is a place of rest and fulfillment. Those with a “wander lust” are still searching for it. They who are contented in Christ have found it, no matter where they live. To be searching for a literal Promised Land is to turn again to the weak and beggarly elements of the law (Gal 4:9).

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[1] Jer 30:9 “But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.”

Ezek 34:23-24 “I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them--My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Hosea 3:5 “Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days.”

When Did The Apostles Find Out Jesus Is Coming Again?

They did not find out about the second coming until He had disappeared in a cloud after the resurrection (Acts 1:11).

         John the Baptist asked, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Where did he get that expression? What did the disciples mean when they asked, “What will be the sign of your coming…” (Mat 24:3)?  Since they did not even believe that He would die and arise from the dead, how could they be asking about His second coming? The only coming they knew about before that was the one mentioned in Daniel 7:13. In that coming He was ascending to the heavenly court scene of the Ancient of Days. He was going up; not down.

 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him” (Dan 7:13).

Jesus said to the high priest, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). [When did the high priest see this? He saw it when He died 10 years later, in A.D. 40.]

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Mat 16:27).  [Coming in the Father’s glory has to do with rewards on Judgment Day.]

        

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory” (Mat 25:31).

         [When did He sit on the throne of His glory? It was when He ascended and sat down at the right hand of God the Father.]

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him” (Rev 1:7) [Every eye will see this on Judgment Day.]

Time Indicators

 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat… a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:9-10).

 “The Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made…” (Daniel 7:22).

When Did This Judgment Take Place?

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:31-33).

         Jesus said this a couple days before He was crucified. The judgment mentioned by Daniel 7:9 & 22 then took place at the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. He ascended to the Ancient of Days, the court was seated, the books were opened, and a judgment was made against the beast and in favor of the saints. At that time He came in the glory of His Father and sat down at the right hand of power “from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool” (Heb 10:13).  “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:24-26).

         Jesus cursed the scribes and Pharisees seven times while in the temple and said,  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:37-39 ESV). Then He walked out and told His disciples that a day was coming when not one stone would be left standing in that place. The disciples asked when that would happen and what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. He answered that it would be fulfilled in that generation (Mat 24:34). Forty years later (A.D. 70) His prophecy was fulfilled. The destruction of Jerusalem was not His coming. It was the sign of His coming. It was the sign that He had come. They did not ask when He would come. They asked what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. The destruction of Jerusalem was both. It was the end of the Old Testament age.

         Stephen was stoned to death for saying, “Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us” (Acts 6:14).

         Jesus came in His glory to the Ancient of Days, and all the angels with Him. “A thousand thousands ministered to Him” (Dan 7:10 & 13).

The Nations Are Now Gathered Before Him

          “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32 ESV).

         God tells His Son, “For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, And those nations shall be utterly ruined” (Isaiah 60:12). “Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:8-9). He is doing it by converting them. The stats below prove it.

churchofthekingmcallen.com

http://ronsmithmission.blogspot.com/

The Four Horsemen Identified

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      Comparing Scripture with Scripture and using no commentary, one can see the identity of the white horse in Revelation 6 not as Christ, but as conquest or captivity (predatory beasts). Scripture explains itself in the chart below. This same symbol is used of Christ in Revelation 19 as the conquering king. In a sense, God rides all four horsemen: “O LORD,… Was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation?” (Hab 3:8)

         Scholars I highly respect have identified the white horse of Revelation 6 as Christ.  But “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” (Proverbs 18:13&17 ESV).

         The Catholic Encyclopedia says, “They signify conquest, slaughter, dearth and death” If that is true, the white horse is conquest, the red is war, the black is dearth, and the pale is death.

         Revelation 6:8 summarizes them as beasts (white horse), sword (red horse), famine (black horse), and pestilence (pale horse). The white horse goes forth conquering and to conquer just as the predatory beasts of Daniel 7 conquered the world.

         In Jeremiah 15:3, God calls them “Four forms of destruction.”  In Ezekiel 14:21, God calls them “My four severe judgments.”  What are these four forms of judgment? 

My Four Severe Judgments

“For thus says the Lord God: ‘How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword and famine and wild beasts [captivity] and pestilence—to cut off man and beast from it?’” – (Ezekiel 14:21)

         God calls them, “four forms of destruction” in Jeremiah.

Four Forms Of Destruction

‘“And I will appoint over them four forms of destruction,’ says the LORD: ‘the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy’”  (Jeremiah 15:3).

         The chart below proves that the white horse, as conqueror, is called beasts. These verses describe beasts as the hand of Nebuchadnezzar in some places, or into all kingdoms, under the yoke, or carried captive, etc.

         Christ is depicted as the Coming Conqueror on a white horse (Rev 19:11). The prophet Habakkuk reveals that God rides all four. “O LORD… Was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation?” (Hab 3:8). God says these four severe judgments are His. “I send My four severe judgments” (Ezek 14:21). They cannot ride unless God sends them. The devil can do nothing without God’s permission. For example, did God send the “9/11” destruction on the twin towers? The Bible gives the answer: “If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it?” (Amos 3:6) Why does He do it? He does it as His judgment for sin.

God Is The Absolute Sovereign

         Whenever there is conquest, war, famine, and pestilence, they are sent as God’s four forms of destruction as His judgments for sin. The word accident cannot be found in the Bible. There is no such thing. Therefore, nothing can happen unless God does it. The buck stops with God.

         The world is in a mess not because God is not in control. It is in a mess precisely because He is in control. God sends death, destruction, crime, slavery, and war because of sin. The devil and evil men are simply God’s tools of wrath. But nothing can happen to those chosen by God unless He permits it. And if He does, it is for their good (Romans 8:28).

         This is exactly how the Bible portrays God. Men resent this. Man wants to be the god to judge God. Rebellious man feels betrayed. He imagines that his rebellion can somehow save him.

“The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile” (Psalm 94:11).

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest”

(Mat 11:28).

Dr. R.D. Smith

Churchofthekingmcallen.org

http://ronsmithmission.blogspot.com

The Eternal Session

Have you ever wondered why the modern world has electricity? It is not because of evolution. The real cause is the…

The Eternal Court Session

         Jesus died, he descended, He arose, He ascended, and He sat down in the court session at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. It’s called, “The Session.” He is still seated there judging and making war. That is the gospel of the kingdom.

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548 years before Jesus came, Daniel predicted

The Situation Leading Up To It

Daniel 7:7-27

          After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast… and it had ten horns. [8] I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots…

         Daniel saw this during the Babylonian Captivity. Because of the broken covenant, God sent four beasts to enslave His people: Babylon, Then Persia, conquered Babylon. The third beast, Greece, conquered Persia. Then the fourth beast ruled God’s people, Rome.

          Because of sin, God cast David’s throne to the ground. Psalm 89 says, “You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust… [46] How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?” (Psalm 89:44-46 ESV)

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How Long?

… would it be before David’s throne would be restored? God gave the answer to Daniel. In chapter 9 of Daniel God revealed it would be 490 years from the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. And in this chapter God revealed Rome would be in charge when the judgment would be made: the 4^th beast.

[9] “As I looked,

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Thrones Were Placed,

and the Ancient of Days took his seat… [10], and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. Verse 22 repeats this. It says,  “the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints.” Verse 26 repeats it again: 26 “But the court shall sit in judgment.” This is the session.

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John Also Saw This Same Scene

He said, “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed” (Rev 20:4).

A day or two before He was crucified,

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Jesus Told Exactly When This Judgment Would Be Made

…in John 12:31: ‘“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:31-33). The world puts Jesus on trial when they say, “We have no king but Caesar. Crucify Him and give us a revolutionary!” But their judgment on Jesus brings God’s judgment on them. Verse 22 says, “the Ancient of Days came to the court, and…

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The Judgment Was Given For The Saints

         While the Ancient of Days was seated on His throne, Daniel says in verse 13, “behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. [14] And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

         When Jesus was born there was great expectation for this event. When the baby Jesus was presented in the Temple Simeon was looking for the consolation of Israel and Anna spoke of the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Joseph of Arimathea was also waiting for the kingdom of God. They were looking for a human, one like a son of man, to ascend with the clouds and come to the Ancient of Days to make a judgment in favor of God’s people. That would be The Coming of the Coming One to take dominion over heaven and earth.

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Daniel Saw Him Coming Up, Not Down

…coming to the Ancient of Days, God the Father Almighty. The disciples saw Him ascend into the clouds and the angels in heaven saw Him coming through the clouds to the Father. Daniel 7:10 says, “a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.” “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints” (Jude 14).  “…the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31 ESV).

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The Coming One

         This is what John meant when he asked, “Are you the Coming One or do we look for another?” This is what the disciples meant when they asked, “What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?” They knew the coming of Daniel 7:13 had not yet taken place. His birth was not that coming. His signs and wonders were not that coming. His sermons were not that coming. His coming was what Daniel saw. They were not asking about His second coming. His second coming was not revealed until after He ascended with the clouds in Acts chapter one.

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The Destruction Of Jerusalem Was Not His Coming

It was the sign of His coming and the end of the age… the Old Testament age. Daniel 9:26 foretold that Messiah would be cut off and would also destroy the Temple. Stephen was stoned for saying Jesus would destroy that place and change the customs. That destruction was the sign of His coming, the sign that He had come to the Ancient of Days. That is the gospel of the kingdom. Through that sign, the destruction of Jerusalem, every eye saw him coming. Every eye shall also see Him at death coming on Judgment Day. Every eye shall also see Him coming the second time to destroy death. There will be no secret rapture.      Every eye will see Him.

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There Is Only One Rapture

It won’t be a secret and it won’t be soon. The session of Christ will be successful on two levels: 1.) one, progressively successful in the conversion of nations, and 2.) secondly in the final destruction of the last enemy, death. God promised that He would not cast the enemy out all at once, but little by little (Exodus 23:30). But all progress toward the restoration of all things is due to only one thing, the judgment that was made when He ascended. For this reason alone you have freedom; and for this reason alone you have electricity.

         Many think this is His second coming.

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The Coming In Daniel 7 Was Not His Second Coming

There are two proofs for this: 1.) Daniel clearly says He was going up and not down. 2.) Secondly he clearly says it was in the days of the fourth beast. The first beast was Babylon, the second was Medo/Persia, the third was Greece, and the fourth was Rome. There is no promise of a revived Roman Empire. 3.) Thirdly, just before the crucifixion, Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world.”

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The Ten Horns

…were the ten provinces of Rome. Each province had a king. For example Herod was over Palestine, Brutus was over Greece, Cassius was over Syria, and Mark Anthony was over Egypt.

14

The Little Horn

…that uprooted three other horns was the dynasty of the seven Caesars. All seven heads on the beast were the seven kings in the dynasty of Caesar. The three horns that Caesar uprooted were Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Anthony. If you don’t know basic history you can’t possibly see how this prophecy was fulfilled.

 [21] As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, [22] until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

         [25] He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 

         The Caesars claimed to be gods. They had a mouth that uttered blasphemies. Their government was to be worshipped. Agustus Caesar said, “There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name Caesar. Julius Caesar changed the calendar, times, and law. We still use it today. Nero Caesar wore out the saints for 3 years and a half from 64 A.D. to 68 A.D. when he killed Peter and Paul. Daniel saw all this hundreds of years beforehand.

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The Court Shall Sit In Judgment

Daniel 7:26

But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

         This verse shows that the destruction of the beast is ongoing to the end. What Christ did to Rome and Jerusalem is a pattern of what God is like and what God is still doing in the court session. Just as the beast’s dominion was taken away, so every beastly government shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end little by little.

         Christ is still in session seated in the court of heaven at the right hand of the Father judging and making war. “The Lord is a man of war.” “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!” (Psalm 110:1-2 ESV)

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Psalm 110 says, Your people shall be

Volunteers In The Day Of Your Power

         [27] And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ (ESV)

          “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy… And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth’” (Rev 5:9-10). “…and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth” (Rev 14:3).

         Can you sing this song, that believers are kings and priests meant to reign on earth and not just heaven?   If so, be a volunteer. Volunteer to witness door to door. Also, we need volunteers to register voters or to be a poll watcher. The time has come for the saints to possess the gate of their enemies.