Nebuchadnezzar's Nightmare.

The king's nightmare  was nearly the death of many of his subjects. He couldn't remember it and expected his wise ment to conjure it up and interpret it. They couldn't. Nechadnezzar  wasn't a tolerant ruler. Fortunately Daniel came to their rescue by Yahweh's intervention through  him. 

What was given by God then is still relevant for us to day.

Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the four World Empires outlines the Biblical view of History. The huge statue portrayed  Babylon, then Medes and Persia followed by Greece and climaxing in Rome. The final Empire is seen to break down into ten distinct divisions yet belong to the one idolatrous system. It is interesting to note the degenerating nature of the Empires and their ferocity according to Daniel 7.

The Roman Empire has come and gone, apparently. So how authentic is the vision Daniel interpreted for the king of Babylon? Something must have intervened to forestall the climax when the Stone from Heaven smashes the fourth (and including the previous three) empires. From Ephesians 3 we understand this to be the Church, the Body of Christ.

In the book of Revelation we come face to face with the fourth Empire and its 1o toes. This book actually helps us to understand Daniel’s presentation to Nebuchadnezzar. We tend to separate the empires when in reality they are infused by the one spirit, the one guiding life force and the one aim.  The head is Babylon and whilst the Kingdom state has ceased the ‘head of the Idol’ continues to rule. It is the energising power of the other three empires.

The first mention of Babylon in Scripture is in Genesis 10:8-12 and 11:1-9. Its founder opposed the Lord Yahweh and initiated a religious system diametrically opposed to the character and purposes of the eternal God. It is the occult and has influenced all the anti-Yahweh, anti-Christ, anti-Judeo/Christian Scriptures across history. The Bible at the appropriate time unveiled the animating power of Babylon. Isaiah 14:12-14. It is Lucifer, the one known as the Devil, Satan and the Serpent.

It is the longing of the Babylonian spirit to rule. It is its desire to occupy the land Yahweh has described as His own. It is the underlying reason for all the effort by Gentile nations to claim the holy mount Zion and raise a statue called in Revelation 13:14-15 ‘the image of the Beast.’ At present such a scenario painted by John is held in check. This is the teaching Paul stressed in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 which in turn is preceded by 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Whenever that happens the final week [0f years] as foreseen by Daniel (9:24-27. 12:1-11) is about to begin. What he didn’t explain the apostle John detailed! In Daniel the demolishing force is described as ‘the stone cut from the mountain without hands’ is revealed in Revelation as Jesus. He is the Warrior Lord, the Lord of Hosts. He and He alone has the power and the authority to overthrow the spirit of Babylon. By the breath of His mouth Jesus prevails. By His presence returning to His land, Israel, His mount, Zion, the kingdoms portrayed in the idol are shattered and scattered into eternity’s dust. He comes to fulfil His promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. He comes to vindicate the Covenant of God with the nation of Israel. Amos 3:2 declares that ‘you [Israel] only have I known of all the families of the earth…’ (Psalm 147:19-20). He comes and then Scripture will be fulfilled which says every creature and all creation will bow before Him and through Him render praise to the Father!

When that takes place the promised 5^th kingdom begins. It is the Kingdom of God on earth. The number 5 is significant. For that number speaks of God’s grace shown to humanity. The redeemed across history are appointed a place in the promised 5^th kingdom. He who is the Son of God and Son of Man, King of Israel and Head of the Church is our Redeemer. We should be thankful to king Nebuchadnezzar for his nightmare as it laid a foundation for us to understand God’s sovereignty in and over history.

© Ray Hawkins July 2016.

Is Tolerance a one way street?

To be tolerant is a current ‘buzz’ word being asked mainly of people from the Christianised western cultures. This is especially due to the avalanche of refugees storming into Europe. Tolerance is meant to be a two way street if it is to endure the pressure of clashing beliefs, morals and expectations. When only one side is expected to be tolerant such a one lane road ends in a precipice.

This is happening in Europe, especially Germany at the moment. Genuine refugees with desperate needs are being overshadowed by Islamic intolerant and arrogant infiltrators. Because of their views about women, culture, sharia law and infidels they have violated much of their hosting countries. The results of their belief system is to be intolerant while grasping all the benefits possible. Meanwhile, the desperately needy suffer. A strong backlash is surging within some of the host countries which can only bring more sorrow to all concerned.

What is the Christian response to a one-sided tolerance?

Are we to compromise our faith and heritage for some perceived niceness to the ungrateful? Is tolerance merely compromise leading to surrender? Our Christian faith calls on us to care for those in need. It requires us to try and understand and in a much abused word ‘to love’ them. This demand places us under strong pressure to be patient and make allowances. We are facing this in regard to Christmas, Australia Day, Anzac day, Easter, planning permission for mosques and halal certification. It is a big galling I must admit when this is demanded but not reciprocated in Islamic countries. Tony Abbot had his faults but he recognised a problem from a belief system which wanted our agreement to their demands. It was a one way street. They didn’t want to adopt or tolerate our way of life. What is brewing? Strife!

Some may ask how Jesus would handle this matter! We know He was tolerant but He had a cut-off point. He warned certain cities about future judgement because of their abuse and rejection of His grace (Matthew 11). Also there is the dramatic episode of Him overturning the table of the merchants in the Temple. Towards us the Lord has been patient over many years but we also know He will and has acted with discipline. What then is to be expected when His Name, His word and His people are violated and exploited? Judgement! The book of Revelation is a no compromise comment on that.

While we believe vengeance belongs to the Lord we are not excused from defending and declaring our faith and morality. Nor should we be silent in urging our Government to stand true to our Christian heritage, values and history. If the Government puts tolerance before truth and votes before virtue then our society is sold-out. The tyranny of the toughest will dominate and humiliate.

Grace is still to motivate tolerance with long-sufferance. This doesn’t mean silence or

surrender. I wonder what the Good Samaritan would have done if the robbers had jumped on him, using the wounded man as a trap? I think he would have defended the wounded and resisted the attackers. Surely that is where tolerance and justice meet.

 Ray Hawkins Jan 25 2016.

God's messages in Stone #3.

The Destroying Stone.

Dreams play a prominent part in the Bible’s history. One of the most famous is found in Daniel 2. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he couldn’t recall. A young Jewish captive had been enrolled in the King’s Magi school. He undertook the life threatening task of revealing both the dream and its meaning. Daniel gave the honour and glory for this to God.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was of a huge idol It had head of fine gold, chest and arms of silver, the middle and thighs of bronze, the legs of iron and feet a mixture of iron and clay. Then a Stone comes hurtling out of the heavens and strikes the idol around the base and feet. It is shattered to smithereens.  Part of God’s message through Daniel and hence to us was ‘God…reveals…what will happen at the end of days.’

The Lord God of Glory has not left us in ignorance of future events. He has spelt out coming events to warn us to make Him our personal place of safety. We do this by calling out to Him to save, to forgive, to keep us in His care.

As you read Daniel’s account you notice the four kingdoms degenerate and the fourth become much more oppressive, especially of God’s people. The fourth one is featured in the New Testament book of Revelation.

Who is the Stone? Again Daniel supplies the clue in chapter 7:9-14. It is The Son of Man. He who was the Rejected Stone; He who was charged with blasphemy because He claimed to be the Conquering and Ruling Stone mentioned in Daniel 7:13-14; He who was crucified, buried and rose again. The Rejected Stone has become the Destroying Stone. We know Him as Jesus Christ.

Why is He coming to overthrow?

Because the leaders of the world powers set themselves up as gods. This culminates in one single person rising to power. He opposes the Person of Jesus Christ, the reality of the Triune God, the morality God requires and the truth of the Bible. This evil king also seeks to destroy the nation of Israel and all who are followers of Christ Jesus. He is termed ‘The Anti-Christ.’

The Bible doesn’t spell out the time frame for the beginning of this event. It does however guarantee it will take place. Jesus as the Stone will come to vindicate His name, save His people and also establish the fifth Kingdom. This coming kingdom has eternity written all over it. The Bible says in effect ‘don’t mess with the Stone of Heaven but make Him your life’s foundation Stone.’

When that happens the rejected stone becomes the destroying stone will become the eternal ruling stone.

Ray (safe from the Destroying Stone) Hawkins.

Next week.  The Foundation Stone.