Daniel

When looking at the identification of the four beasts in chapter 7 of Daniel there are a few different things that have to be talked about concerning this passage. The four beasts are related to as Babylon (the lion), Medo-Persia (the bear), Greece (the leopard), and Rome (the fourth beast).[1] After reading the text book it is really easy to understand why they would be seen as these four kingdoms. Daniel alluded to these four places earlier in chapter 2. The Babylonian Empire used the lion to represent itself, Medo-Persian Empire and its conquest of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt represents the "bear with three ribs in its mouth", Greece was broken into four principle sections which would have been representative of the leopard with four heads, and finally Rome which was more powerful than the others and had a longer dominion.

The other way that this could be looked at is its relationship to the book of Revelation. If you look forward to Daniel 7 verses 15 thru 28 you see the interpretation of these visions. Specifically in verses 20 thru 22 there is definitely a relationship between this vision in Daniel and what is to come in Revelation. Daniel says the he wanted to know more about the 10 horns on the beasts head and the additional horn that came up. This additional horn subdued the other 3 beasts before it.

                The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are the 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:23-25)

Now take a look at what the book of Revelation has to say about the beast and its purpose.

              The 10 horns you saw are the 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. (Revelation 17:12-14)

The Son of Man mentioned in Daniel 7:13 is none other than the Messiah. The Ancient of Days refers to God and His eternal nature. As you read through this passage once again, you are reminded of the Sons power as He destroys the beast in the burning fire.

                Only one person may properly be identified as the "son of man", and that person is Jesus Christ as the New Testament apostles and Christ himself confirmed.[2]

When you relate the "One like the Son of Man" to the Messiah and compare what is happening the this vision to what happens in Revelation, once again events line up.

                Then I saw the beast, the king of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:19-20)

Finally we have the vision of the ram and the goat. You can look at this as the classic battle of good versus evil. You have the ram that is running all around the area, who could not be stood up against and was doing whatever he wanted. Enter the goat, who enter without ever touching the ground that stands up to the ram, and conquers him. Hence the battle between God and Satan.

---

[1] Couch, Mal. "Daniel, Eschatology of." In The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, edited by Tim Lahaye and Ed Hindson, 66-70. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1995.

[2] Miller, Stephen. The New American Commentary: Daniel. Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 1994.

Read More ->>

Capital Punishment

 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in His image.”[1] Does this verse support the concept of capital punishment? Biblically the answer to this question is yes. Though some have opposed capital punishment for ideological and practical reasons, it is important to note that God mandated its use.[2] This divine mandate occurs for the first time after the flood.  “Then God said to Noah, I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them; therefore I am going to destroy them along with the earth.”[3]

In reference to verses 5 and 6 of chapter 9 of Genesis, two things are very clear: human life is sacred and premeditated murder is utterly evil.[4] In fact there are multiple passages in the early parts of the bible that support this fact. Exodus 20:11-17 states that after God finished with the creation of the earth, he rested on the Sabbath and proclaimed loudly 6 of the 10 commandments, to include do not murder. In verses 21:12 of Exodus God states that “Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must be put to death.” Was this capital punishment limited to just murder though? Absolutely not, in verses 14-17 God also commands that those who strike their mother or father, kidnaps another, or curses their parents must also be put to “death”. So just by these few instances in the first 2 books of the bible you can see that God intended for certain punishments to be dealt with by using capital punishment.

So what does the New Testament say about capital punishment and who is responsible for carrying out that punishment? “For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.”[5] So this tells us from the New Testament side of the house the exacting of punishment, whether it is normal or capital punishment, is the responsibility of the state, not the individual. “The state has the responsibility, as God’s civil servant on earth, to protect its citizens and to punish those who harm them.”[6]

It is clearly supported by biblical evidence that capital punishment was instituted, commanded, and supported by God. Not to be questioned since the authority comes from Him and He is the law. Society today needs to look into God’s word and understand that in instances that God has commanded us to do something, it is not up for debate. As far as the subject of capital punishment is concerned I will leave you with this. “The core of the Noahic Covenant was the judicial taking of life, which is the ultimate expression of government. Since that is the ultimate exercise of justice, all other laws of government lead up to that judicial decision and find their credibility in the death penalty.”[7]

---

[1] Genesis 9:6

[2] Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, and Archie England, . Hollman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nasville: Hollman Bible

   Publishers, 2004. Pg 265

[3] Genesis 6:13

[4] Davis, John. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Salem: Sheffield Publishing Company, 1998. Pg 127

[5] Romans 13:4

[6] Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, and Archie England, . Hollman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nasville: Hollman Bible

   Publishers, 2004. Pg 265

[7] Towns, Elmer. Theology For Today. Cengage Learning, 2008. Pg 735

Read More ->>

Journey Student Ministry

Who is? What is? Where are? These are all questions that can be asked of the Journey Student Ministry. I will attempt to tell you exactly who they are, what they do, and where they are. 

Journey Student Ministry or JSM for short, is a dynamic group of Students from First Baptist Church of Rosepine who are committed to sharing the Gospel with anyone and everyone they come into contact with. This small group of Students have big dreams and plans in their walks with the Lord. 

JSM for the first time has been given the power to lead their own ministry and do wonderful things for God, community, and the world. Most of the time when people go to Church all they really look at when it comes to their students is that they are properly supervised and that they stay out of trouble. This is not the case when it comes to the students and parents of the JSM. I can tell you from a leaders perspective that it is evident that the students and parents of this dynamic group want more than just a place to hang out for a few hours on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s. These students actually want to go out into the world and make a true difference for the Kingdom of God, and that is exactly what they are doing.

This year they took on a big project to help and bring awareness to hunger in the world. Now they have done this before in the past, but this year was a little different. The leadership team of this wonderful group approached the 30 Hour Famine Project a little differently this year. Instead of focusing on fun things to keep the students minds off food and how hungry they were, we structured events designed to make them feel every second of the hunger that they would be experiencing. The results of this was staggering, I mean really we have a group of 7-12 grade students who were not allowed to eat and were only allowed to drink water and then we worked them like dogs. From the outset of this event we had the students reaching, sharing, and serving their community. Some of them were given the opportunity to fix up the churches playground so that their younger generation would be able to play again. Some mowed the lawn of one of our most loved widows within the church. Others cooked a meal for the Seniors in the community. Even though this was hard work and it was hot, all of the students felt good about what they had done and felt a sense of accomplishment. They had set a goal to raise $2,000 to send to World Vision to feed 5 children around the world for an entire year. Because of their efforts they raised almost $2,700 and because of them, 7 children this year will not die of starvation.

What I can tell you about these wonderful students is that they are on fire for God. I have been testing them here lately and issuing them challenges, and let me tell you they are rising to every one of them. I have asked them to intentionally reach out to the lost students within their school and pray with them (which they have done). I have asked them to just randomly start telling people that Jesus loves them (which they have done). The only thing that these students needed was a small kick start into their own ministry and some intentional guidance. Once they received this from their ministry leadership, they have taken off like a wild fire. We get messages everyday asking us what we would like for them to do and when we give them a challenge they race to finish it.

The students of JSM are taking off and working for the kingdom of God. It is wonderful to see the younger generation take a stand for what they believe in and the confidence that they have when doing it. If you know someone who fits this description, please send them our way so we can help to foster that passion for God. Our students welcome anyone with open arms, and definitely accept all as they are. I could not be prouder or more honored to have the chance to be a part of these students lives.

In Christ,
Gods Every Day Dude

Read More ->>