The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Christ in Exodus Lesson 4: The Bloody Bridegroom {Moses’ Wife Saves His Life!}

In this lesson, we discuss the "holy ground" event of Moses' burning bush encounter with "I AM THAT AM I" and his commission to return to Egypt and reassure Israel's elders that the God of their forefathers remembered His covenant promises.  He heard their cries and had come down to deliver them from their bondage.

Very interestingly, there were at least seven specifics presented in the burning bush episode that portray the redemption work of Christ on the cross, and you will be amazed to hear about them.

Also in this study is the really strange account of when the preincarnate Lord held  in a death grip that was only released when Moses' wife Zipporah came to the rescue with a flint knife and circumcised her son (and Moses' son)!  This is one of the most avoided passages of Scripture!  Find out more about why this episode is referred to as "The Bloody Bridegroom"!  It is mysterious and bizarre, but you will certainly learn how seriously the Lord takes His covenants! 

Here is truth to ponder:  what the burning bush did not accomplish in Moses, the bloody bridegroom experience did!

Christ in Exodus Lesson 3: Moses at the Burning Bush

Oh my!  Take off your shoes, for you will enter holy ground with this study!  You will likely also learn a whole lot more about Moses than you knew before . . . better than that, however, will be what you learn about the One Who spoke from the midst of the burning, yet unconsumed bush!

Christ in Exodus Lesson 2: The Preparation of Moses

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You have heard the account of young Moses - Pharaoh's infanticide decree for all Hebrew infants to be thrown into the crocodile-infested Nile River, the providential arrival of Pharaoh's own daughter to draw young Moses from that river to raise him as her own, etc., but this presentation will bring the story to life more than any Bible picture book!  

This study of the Living Word Ministry (2019-2020), is one of Katherine's favorite!  There is much more in the Book of Exodus than "the surface" story.  There are deep, rich, exciting pictures of Christ throughout the book.   We think you will be amazed what you learn!

 

Christ in Exodus Lesson 1: Israel’s Labor Pains {God Prepares Israel for Deliverance!}

First lesson from our study on finding the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus in the great second book of the Pentateuch - and He is (as in Genesis) present throughout Exodus!  This first lesson is full of exciting history about how God prepared Israel for her deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

 

Passover Seder {The Gospel in Living Illustration!}

The original Passover was the Gospel in living illustration!  God's primary purpose of the Passover in Egypt was to prophesy of the True Lamb of God" to be slain on Passover day.  It is the oldest, continuously observed holiday in human history, having been celebrated for some 3,500 years by Jewish people the world over in obedience to God's command of Exodus 12:14.

The Passover celebration has a distinct "order" to it; the Hebrew word for "order' is "seder".  In this lesson, we procede through "The Passover Seder" and explain the historical reasons for the various items on the Seder Plate (i.e. matzo, bitter herbs, a roasted shank bone of a lamb, charoseth paste, an egg), what each of four cups of wine symbolize, why there are pillows on the chairs around the table, and an empty chair and place setting, etc.

But the Passover is so much more than a memorial celebration of Israel's physical deliverance from bondage in Egypt.  It is an absolutely INCREDIBLE typological prophecy of Christ and the spiritual deliverance from mankind's bondage to sin.  If you have never experienced a Seder from the Messianic perspective, you are in for "an eye-opener"!  The unity plate with its three wafers of unleavened bread - the middle one of which is BROKEN and WRAPPED IN A WHITE LINEN NAPKIN, HIDDEN from view, and then FOUND amidst great rejoicing and reward for the finder - amazingly pictures Christ's death, burial, and resurrection! 

In fact, the Jews call that broken, wrapped, hidden, and then rejoicefully-found piece of unleavened matzo, the "Afikomen" (a mysterious Greek word in an otherwise Hebrew Seder).  Non-Messianic Jews use this term, but do not realize its significance!  Find out what the word "Afikomen" means in this study!  Share this message with Jewish friends and pray they realize their Messiah has already come!!

Christ in Exodus: Jet Tour of Genesis

In preparing for our study of "Christ in Exodus," we present a jet tour through the Book of Genesis.  Hold onto your hat!

Daniel Lesson 38: Hope for Tomorrow

Daniel chapter 12 is both the crowning and the concluding chapter of the book.  After a three-chapter long "vision" (series of revelations) that presented a lot of "gloom and doom" to the old prophet about his beloved Israel and a long line of egotistical, fighting Gentile kings, the last part of his fourth and final God-sent revelation told him (and Israel) there is light at the end of the tunnel!  There is "Hope for Tomorrow"!  There is the sure hope of resurrection and everlasting life in God's holy presence for those whose faith is in Him and His Saviour, Jesus Christ!

In this prologue to Daniel's final vision, we discuss the Tribulation of the last days, the resurrection and glorification of the saints.  We also discuss the various bodily resurrections of Scripture and when they took place or will yet take place.  Also discussed is the command to seal-up the Book of Daniel until the end times, and God's promise to preserve it.  The pre-incarnate Christ again appeared to Daniel and gave him some additional time frames regarding the last days (30 plus 45 days between Christ's Second Coming and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom).  Find out what those extra days are "all about"!

Daniel Lesson 37: Antiochus to Antichrist

Daniel 11:32-45  Learn about the vile Syrian king named Antiochus Epiphances, who committed an abomination of desolation in Israel, on her Temple and God's Holy of Holies in the Second Century B.C., and how that event led to the rise of the Maccabees and the Maccabean Revolt (and, subsequently, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah).

The reason Scripture presents so much about Antiochus Epiphanes is because he served as a prophetic type of the future Antichrist.  Because so much of the Book of Daniel either foreshadows or reveals the Antichrist of the last days, it has often been called "The Revelation of the Antichrist".

Verses 36 to 39 contain prophecies about the final "fighting king," who is the most vicious king of any in history.  In this lesson, we discuss his character, his conquests, and his conclusion (meaning his "end" - how he will die).  Will the Antichrist be Jewish?  Gentile?  Islamic?  Roman?  Homosexual?  Listen and hear what Scripture says.

Daniel Lesson 36: Historical Warfare {Parade of Fighting Kings!}

The Babylonian Captivity of Israel in the days of the Prophet Daniel was only the beginning of Israel's chastening process.  As a nation, even after 70 years in captivity, she had not genuinely repented of her continual disobedience of God.  It would be a long time before her ultimate "Time of Restoration" in the Millennial Kingdom would occur.  In Daniel chapter 11, Daniel receives a very long and detailed prophecy about a "parade of fighting kings" (Persian kings, Greek kings, Selucid and ptolemaic kings, and a horribly vile king name Antiochus Epiphanes, who is a type of the final Antichrist).

Daniel chapter 11 is one of the most extensive prophetic sections of the Bible.  In just the first 35 verses of the chapter, there are over 135 prophecies given!  Every single one of them we now know came to pass precisely as predicted!  Fulfilled prophecy is one of the greatest proofs of the divine inspiration of Scripture, which is why Daniel chapter 11 is at the heart of the attacks against the entire book.  

Daniel Lesson 35: Spiritual Warfare {Learn more about the battles between fallen and holy angels}

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This important lesson, from Daniel 10:1 to 11:1 presents the prelude to Daniel's final vision, which sweeps over the time in history from Daniel's day to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation.  

Daniel received a special visit from the pre-incarnate Christ, which tells us that the prophetic vision Daniel would receive is of great importance.  The appearance of the Lord caused Daniel to be so stunned, he had no strength in him and collapsed in a faint.  The hand that reached down to lift him up belonged to an angel (possibly Gabriel), who then proceded to tell Daniel about the 21 days of spiritual warfare he had in the heavenlies with "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" until "Michael, one of the chief princes" came to help him (10:10-13).

This is a very interesting lesson on the warfare that takes place in the atmospheric heavens, where Satan is "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), between the fallen angels and the holy angels.  Learn about the hierarchy that exists among the angelic host (i.e. principalities, powers, thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities) and why Ephesians 6:12 is definitely true, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".

Daniel Lesson 34: The Great 70 Week‘s Prophecy - Part II

The saddest tragedy to ever occur for Israel was when she missed the prophetically foretold day of her long awaited Messiah's arrival.  It was not the day of His birth in Bethlehem.  It was not the day of His baptism in the Jordan.  It was not even the day He officially began His public ministry by suddenly appearing in Jerusalem, going straight to the Temple, and single-handedly cleansing it (another clear fulfillment of Messianic prophecy).  None of those events were specifically predicted to the very day of their occurrence by God through one of His prophets.  No, the super-tragic day for Israel was when she failed to "do the math" with Daniel's "Great 70 Weeks' Prophecy" and, therefore, missed the proof of His Identity as "Messiah the Prince" which He presented to her on Palm Sunday.  Because of her failure to receive Him as her spiritual King on Palm Sunday, she ended up crucifying Him on Passover Thursday (see our podcast on why Christ died on Passion week Thursday).

Not only does this great prophecy predict Messiah's arrival, but also His death, and Jerusalem's coming destruction following His death (which did, indeed, occur in A.D. 70).  Furthermore, we discuss the one remaining "week" of seven years for God's overall redemptive program for Israel.  That last "week" is the seven-year Tribulation Period (Revelation 6 to 19)!  Daniel's prophecy, given in the Fifth Century B.C., also predicted the horrific covenant agreement Israel will make with the Antichrist, the abomination of desolation he will commit in the Tribulation Temple, and, also, the destruction of the Antichrist (yeah!). 

This is the most important Old Testament prophecy for you to know - not only to strengthen your confidence concerning Christ's identity as we look back in history, but to strengthen your confidence concerning His plan for the future, which He will fulfill as assuredly and as literally as He assuredly and literally fulfilled all the prophecies relative to His First Coming.  Amen.

Daniel Lesson 33: The Great 70 Weeks‘ Prophecy - Part I

Did you know Jewish rabbis do not want their people reading "The Great 70 Weeks' Prophecy" of Daniel 9:24-27?  Listen to the words of an ancient rabbinic curse (Talmudic Law p. 987, Section 2, Line 28; also Talmud Sanhedrin 97b, Soncino ed, p. 659), "May the bones of the hands and the bones of the fingers decay and decompose, of him who turns the pages of the book of Daniel, to find out the time of Daniel 9:24-27, and may his memory rot from off the face of the earth forever".  Pretty harsh words of warning NOT to study this passage of Scripture!  Why?  Because "The Great 70 Weeks' Prophecy" is the GREATEST PROPHETIC PROOF that JESUS IS THE PROMISED MESSIAH of Israel . . . and Saviour of mankind.

In this lesson, we set the stage for this amazing prophecy.  Hang in there and listen attentively (and then procede to listen to Lesson #34).  This prophecy is so very crucial to a proper comprehension of eschatology (a study of end times).  A person should always "have a handle" on this prophecy before studying the Book of Revelation! A proper understanding of this all-important prophecy refutes the prevalent teaching of Replacement Theology (that God has replaced Israel with the Church; also called "Supersessionism")!  A proper understanding of this fantastic prophecy gives STRONG evidence for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church!  Furthermore, as stated above, this marvelous prophecy, given to one of the godliest prophets who ever lived (Daniel), provides irrefutible evidence as to the identity of the True Messiah, and He is the One Who presented Himself to Israel on Palm Sunday, which was the very day predicted in this INCREDIBLE PROPHECY (see also our 3 lessons on "The King's Triumphant Entry" on this podcast).

This study is from our "Caldwell Commentary" series.  "Daniel; An Extra-ordinary Servant of God in Extra-Ordinary Times, Extra-ordinary Prophecies" (available at www.scripturetruth.com).

Daniel Lesson 32: A Super-Powerful Prayer - Part II

Prayer is the believer's amazing privilege to get involved in God's program for man and history.  In Daniel's powerful prayer of chapter 9, he teaches by his example great truths about effectual, fervent prayer.  Learn how Daniel's entire prayer - his confessions, his praises, and his petitions - were all in complete harmony with Who God is.  He did not express any opinions or bring up any issues or needs that contradicted God's Person or purposes.

God's messenger angel, Gabriel, told Daniel he was "greatly beloved".  It is well worth the time to study the man Daniel - his person, passion, purposed-heart, and prayer life - for who among us would not love to hear the Lord call us His "greatly beloved"?

Daniel Lesson 31: A Super-Powerful Prayer - Part I

One of the greatest men of prayer in Biblical history was Daniel.  We can learn much about fervent, effectual prayer - as well as being a righteous "man" - from him.  He prayed faithfully three times daily, even when doing so meant a lions' den!  Daniel studied Scripture (e.g. the scrolls of Jeremiah) to align his prayers with the Lord's revealed will.  An interesting fact about the super-powerful prayer of Daniel (9:1-19) is 72% of it was confessional. In contrast, we spend about 72% of our prayers in making requests! 

Daniel knew he and his people had no one to blame but themselves for their shameful state as captives in Babylon.  He repeatedly acknowledged Israel at fault for turning from God and ignoring His many warnings of impending judgment if she didn't repent and turn from her wicked ways.  Her sins were worse because she knew better!  

Learn why Daniel's prayer received immediate results, though God's messenger was delayed by a spiritual battle in the heavenlies!  The amazing answer to Daniel's prayer was the most extensive prophetic prophecy in the Old Testament - one you must study: "The Great Seventy Weeks' Prophecy" (see this podcast for Daniel lessons 33 and 34 on that amazing prophecy).

 

Daniel Lesson 30: Signposts to Antichrist

This lesson on Daniel 8:15-27.  

IMPORTANT LESSON on the last fierce king of the last Gentile Kingdom, the Antichrist.

Daniel Lesson 29: Little Horn and Hanukkah

Learn what Hanukkah is all about - very fascinating!  

Who is the "Little Horn"?  Find out.

This lesson is on Daniel 8:11-14.  

Daniel Lesson 28: The Ram and Goat Vision

This lesson is on Daniel 8:1-10.  With chapter 8, we begin to look at the third section of Daniel which we have entitled, "Daniel Prophetic History of Israel".  The prophetic vision of Daniel 8 begins with the conflict of the two world powers that would sequentially follow Babylon (Medo-Persia and Greece), but the focus then narrows down to the specific persecution to occur in a small place on the map called Judah.  In Daniel 7, we learn about the coming "little horn" of the last days - the Antichrist, who will arise from a revived form of Ancient Rome.  In Daniel 8, we learn much about another "little horn" who came out of the Greek Empire to serve as a prophetic type of evil character and actions of the end-times' Antichrist.

Daniel Lesson 27: Seeking Truth

This lesson is on Daniel 7:15-28 and it deals with the divine interpretation of Daniel's God-given dream about the prophetic history of the Gentile nations (from the time of the ancient Babylonian Empire to the Revived Roman Empire of the Antichrist).  Daniel received the dream, but wanted to know more about it from the Lord!  When a person genuinely seeks to know and understand more about God and His plans and purposes, and when he sincerely wants to know Bible prophecy, the Lord honors that seeking soul.  The title for this lesson, "Seeking Truth" is on that very subject.

We look at Daniel's piercing reaction to the prophetic visions of his dream (7:15), his probing requests for further understanding of the dream (7:16-27), and his pensive response to the interpretive answers (from a heavenly sent messenger) he received (7:28).

Learn about the fourth beast and the ten kings who arise from his head - and the eleventh king (also called "the little horn").

Daniel Lesson 26: The Final Dominion Transition {A Benevolent Theocracy}

The God-given dream of Daniel chapter 7 presents progressive revelation about that great day of transition from the kingdoms of men on earth to the Kingdom of God on earth.  That final Kingdom will differ from all others for it will be ruled by the perfect love, justice, righteousness, and grace of the KING of Kings.  It will be a benevolent Theocracy.

In Lesson 25, we discussed Daniel's introduction to his own dream (7:1-3) and then we looked at the dreadful invasion of the various beast of the dream, which represented the successive Gentile kingdoms from ancient Babylon to the final kingdom of the Antichrist.  In this lesson, we discuss what Daniel's dream prophesied about the future time of Divine intervention on the entire anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-Israel, anti-Christian world system (represented by all the beasts).

There will be justice at last!

Daniel Lesson 25: Lions, Leopards and Bears, Oh My!

Daniel 7:1-8  Another God-sent, very important prophetic dream, which was this time given to Daniel.  It corresponded to King Nebuchadnezzar's God-sent dream of chapter 2, but rather than the Gentile world empires being pictured in the sequence downward of the body parts on a giant statue, they are portrayed as four successive beasts.  The primary difference in the two dreams is that the pagan king (Nebuchadnezzar) was shown the course of the Gentile kingdoms as the world sees them - almost godlike in their power (with their massive armiess, glorious monuments, impressive cities, and dazzling riches).  To the world, these mighty powers are titanic "idols" to be placed on pedastals and worshipped (which Nebuchadnezzar did in chapter 3 and as the Antichrist will do during the final Gentile world power).  So, Daniel chapter 2 saw the world powers from the humanistic view.

Daniel chapter 7, however, views these same world powers from God's perspective, and, to Him, they are like a procession of increasingly blood-thirsty beasts of prey, dreadful to behold in their immoral appetites, wilfull blindness to the truth, carnal, callous brutality toward their fellow man, and cruel animosity toward the Jewish people.  

Daniel Lesson 24: Divine Preservation in the Den

The greatest "test" of Daniel's life was "The Lions' Den Test" - but perhaps the greater miracle of that true account was not his preservation from the lions, but his perseverence in prayer!  Knowing the consequence he would face (lion food) if he persisted in his daily routine of praying to El Elyon, the Most High God, yet he flung open his window, faced East toward Jerusalem, got on his knees, and prayed knowing his jealous enemies could see him.  How's that for a non-compromising, stedfast, courageous faith?

In a very real sense, Israel's destiny (as with America today) was decided in the prayer rooms of Daniel and the other faithful Jews in Babylon.  Human responsibility mysteriously works together with God's Sovereign will.  The great spiritual battle for Daniel took place and was won on his knees before an open window - not in the lions' den!  Daniel was willing to yield his body in the den, but, before an open window, he yielded his will (much like Christ in Gethsemane).

Remember:  God sometimes chooses to keep us safe in the lions' den, but not safe from the lions' den!  We, today, could substitute the words "Corona Virus" for "lions' den".  It brings the Lord more glory when He saves us in our troubles than when He saves us from our troubles!

Daniel Lesson 23: Persecution by Ravenous Liars {Sounds Like Today!}

No matter how often you may have read or studied your way through the true account of Daniel's in the lions' den, there are always new depths, insights, and personal applications to discover.  That will very likely be the case as you engage with us in this in-depth two-part study on the famous Daniel chapter 6.

The setting for the "lions' den" episode is in the new Medo-Persian Empire.  The "lion king" was Darius the Mede (vassal king over the city of Babylon).  Daniel was the pre-eminent president serving under the king, who liked and trusted Daniel - but allowed his ego to trap him by signing a decree that put Daniel in serious danger if he continued to pray to the Most High God, which he did (faithfully, three times a day, as he always did).  Daniel is an extra-ordinary man - we all can learn so much for his prayer life and his commitment to God!  His life definitely revealed the reality of his faith.  It is in this lesson that he really encountered his true enemies, and they weren't the ravenous lions; they were the ravenous liars (the tools of Satan)!

Daniel Lesson 22: Time‘s Up! {Belshazzar’s Sudden End - the Prophetic Significance}

Daniel chapter 5 contains the downward spiritual journey of the last king (Belshazzar) of the ancient Babylonian Empire - it is also a microcosmic, prophetic picture of the downward spiritual journey of the whole anti-God, Israeli-oppressive world system.  As the proud young king rejected the testimony of his grandfather (Nebuchadnezzar) about the truth of Daniel's Most High God and had not sought wisdom from God's true "wise man," Daniel during all the years of his rule - preferring to trust in his false "gods" and the flattering false counsel of his foolish young peers, so has gone world history.  As Belshazzar, his lords and their women fulfilled the lust of their flesh and deceived themselves into thinking that "peace and safety" prevailed within their Babylonian fortress, the fact was that their enemies were in the very process of infiltrating the city!  

Since Babylon's fall the night of Belshazzar's foolish feast, the world's nations and people groups have likewise foolishly neglected to keep out the great thief, Satan.  They have fallen prey to his many "alluring tricks" that numb their minds from the truth of the perilous condition without God.  Every ruler, nation, and individual without Him in, like Belshazzar, "one hour" from sudden destruction.

Daniel Lesson 21: Handwriting on the Wall

The arrogant, degenerate young King Belshazzar of Babylon had directly challenged God by using the holy vessels stolen from God's House (the Temple in Jerusalem) to praise his worthless chunks of metal, wood, and stone that his pagan culture called "gods".  Putting his ridiculous "gods" against the all-powerful Supreme God was extremely foolish and met with an immediate, very frightening response!  Supernatural fingers appeared from out of nowhere to write a cryptic message on the candlestick illuminated plaster wall near the king's throne!  Belshazzar's drunken red face instantly turned deathly white.  His knees knocked together in total fear.  Not a single idol-worshipper in his kingdom could interpret the message.  So, finally the king met Daniel, whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar.  

Learn the mysteries of "The Handwriting on the Wall," for they are fascinating and rich in meaning.  Remember this: God not only numbers our days, He weighs our lives!  

Daniel Lesson 20: A Bankrupt Banquet

In Daniel chapter 25, which is the record of events that took place 25 years after King Nebuchadnezzar's public testimony to the greatness of the Most High God (see 4:2, 37), we meet Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, Belshazzar.  He turned out to be the final king of the ancient Babylonian Empire.  He was a degenerate, drunken fool, who learned nothing from the experience of his grandfather.  He brazenly desecrated the Temple vessels of God in drunken toasts made to his false "gods" with all his young and equally foolish and immoral peers.  It marked the end of him and the end of the Babylonian Empire.  Everything ended abruptly in one night, just as Mystery Babylon the Great and the king of the final Gentile world empire will come crashing down in one day (Revelation 14:8; 18:8).

Daniel Lesson 19: A Dream Come True!

Will post a blurb on this lesson on Daniel 4:28-37 at a later time.

This lesson is about King Nebuchadnezzar's great humiliation, as he lived like an ox in the field for seven years, after he claimed for himself glory that belongs only to God.  It is also on the king's great humiliation, when he lived like an ox in the field for 7 years after having claimed for himself the glory that belongs only to God.

Daniel Lesson 18: Choice: Grace or Graze {The Humbling of a King}

Daniel 4:19-27

Telling the most powerful man on earth he is about to be "cut down" is not the most desirable aspect of the "job description" of a prophet, who doubled as a prime minister, but that was exactly what God required of Daniel.  As soon as Daniel heard Nebuchadnezzar's second God-given dream, his God-given gift of dream interpretation "kicked in," for he knew what it meant.  It predicted great shame and disgrace for the king, and Daniel had come to love the king - as chapter 4 shows us. 

Learn about the meaning of the great tree of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the significance of it being cut down and trimmed, but leaving the stump with the roots in the ground.  Find out the judgment, purpose, and  hope of the dream and listen to Daniel give personal counsel to the king; that counsel was essentially this: "King, you have one of two choices.  You can either humble yourself before the Most High God and accept His grace, or you can experience great humbling for 7 years".  

What did the mighty king decide to do?  Listen and find out.

 

Daniel Lesson 17: Timber! {How the Mighty are Fallen!}

Daniel 4:1-18.  It will surprise many to find that Daniel chapter 4 is one of the great love stories of Scripture!  How in the world can the account of the fall of a mighty king be considered a love story?  The answer is simple, for this is the record of God demonstrating His merciful, unconditional love on an arrogant king until that man was humbled and became a true believer in Him (YHWH)!  This is the climax of King Nebuchadnezzar's spiritual journey.  The first four chapters of  Daniel present (along with other great truths) the workings of Sovereign God in the heart of a lost man, who happened to be the most powerful man on earth at that time.  You will love this love story!

Daniel Lesson 16: Fiery Furnace Tests of Life {No Burning!}

The grande finale!  You DO NOT want to miss this exciting end to the account of Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, who were cast into the fiery furnace for their stedfast obedience to God's command to not bow before any other "god".  Lo and behold, they were not instantly "turned to toast"!  In fact, they were so completely protected and preserved from the flames of great tribulation, there was not even the smell of smoke upon them!  Their greatest blessing, however, was that they enjoyed fellowship with none other than the preincarnate Son of God, Who was in the furnace with them!

Did you know those three Hebrews are picture-types of the 144,000 sealed, believing Jews of the "fiery furnace" Tribulation days?  Where was Daniel in this story?  Why wasn't he among the three who would not bow to an idol (the Antichrist will also set up an idol of himself and force the world to bow to it)?  For sure, if Daniel had been there, he would not have bowed or budged - and then, like his friends, he would not have burned.  Daniel was not present because he pictured believing Jews of the Church, and the Church will not be thrown into the fiery furnace of the Tribulation Period on earth (see our podcast on the Rapture, under the tag "Revelation and End Times").

Daniel Lesson 15: Fiery Furnace Tests of Life {No Budging!I}

This is the continuing account of the three brave, bold, and purposed-to-stand for the True God young men King Nebuchadnezzar tried to force to bow before the golden image (of himself).  Although literally thousands obeyed the king's command and bowed low before the colossal idol, those three alone stood tall.  Even when given a second opportunity to avoid the horrible consequence for disobedience to the king's decree, they refused to budge. 

Nebuchadnezzar went into a wild rage!  How could anyone dare to refuse his command - and do so in the face of being instantly turned into a crispy critter in a fiery furnace!  How could they possibly be so confident in their God that they could say to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  If it be so, our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king" (Daniel 3:16b, 17)?  There would be "No Budging" with these guys! 

Isn't this the kind of trust and conviction we need in our day - NO BUDGING to the ways and the wills of the wicked world's opposition to Christianity (our faith, values, and our Saviour)?  How would we do in a "Fiery Furnace Test"?  How well are we doing in "A Pandemic Panic Test"?  Are we trusting God no matter what, or are we more concerned we will run out of toilet paper?  😊

Daniel Lesson 14: Fiery Furnace Tests of Life {No Bowing}!

This is the first of three messages on three VERY brave and VERY commited believers in Almighty God, and we like to use their godly Hebrew names:  Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael.  How often are our decisions, attitudes, and behavior detemined by either external or internal pressures?  We do what we do and we say what we say based either on inner convictions or external pressures.  Most people yield to external pressures in order to "fit in" with their prevalent culture or their peers.  But these Hebrew young men functioned entirely on internal principle!  They did not care what external pressures were used to get them to compromise their convictions, they refused to cave (and the pressure was death in a fiery furnace - talk about extreme pressure).  

Thus, this first lesson on the true account of the three Hebrews in "The Fiery Furnace Test" is entitled, "No Bowing!".  The lesson to follow (Lesson 15) is called, "No Budging!" and the third in this series (Lesson 16) is called, "No Burning!"  They are informative and very convicting lessons, and you will absolutely admire these great examples of Christlikeness in times of crisis.

Daniel Lesson 13: Dream Interpreted {One Future Godly Kingdom} Part III

In concluding his interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's God-given dream prophecy, Daniel spoke of the Stone cut out without human hands that came from the sky and smashed the colossal image on its feet and toes.  The entire statue, representing the whole godless world system, came crashing down, broken into pieces that became like chaff which the wind carried away.  The Stone then became a great mountain that filled the whole earth.

The Stone is the Lord Jesus at His Second Coming.  The great mountain is His Kingdom on earth, known as the Millennial Kingdom.

Nebuchadnessar, a pagan, was overwhelmed with all he heard from Daniel, and he fell on his face before him!  He even acknowledged that the God of the Hebrews was greater than "the gods" of Babylon, who were unable to help their "wise men" at all when it came to revealing and interpreting the dream.  Daniel was given the position of chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon!  It was the equivalent of being made Prime Minister!  Thus, at a young age, and a recent stranger to and captive of the great golden Babylonian Empire, Daniel was exalted to the highest position of honor that could be conferred on a subject of the king.  He was going to have a tremendous influence on the king.

Daniel Lesson 12: Dream Interpreted {One Yet-Future Gentile Kingdom} - Part II

nKing Nebuchadnezzar learned from Daniel that his God-sent dream of a huge image represented successive kingdoms, beginning with him (Babylon, the head of gold).  The various body parts and metallic substances perfectly symbolized each of the four Gentile kingdoms directly involved with Israel in the period of time known as "The Times of the Gentiles".  From Daniel's time in the Sixth Century B.C., all the kingdoms of the image except Babylon were yet-future; from our time in history, there is only one kingdom represented on the statue (by the feet and toes) that yet awaits fulfillment - that final Gentile kingdom is the subject of this lesson on Daniel 2:41-44.

We discuss some very interesting things in this lesson, such as the connection between the ancient Roman Empire and a Revived form of it in the days of the Antichrist (the most dreadful beast this world will have ever seen).  We discuss the push today for A New World Order (by such global think-tanks as the Club of Rome, the Trilateral Commission, the Committe of 300, the Bilderberg Gruop, the European Union), which is why there is such a demand for globalism and a growing disdain for nationalism (nations with border).

Daniel Lesson 11: Dream Interpreted {Four Past Gentile Kingdoms} - Part I

This is the beginning of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's God-given prophetic dream.  The colossal image of the dream corporately represents the whole, anti-God world system; the various parts of the image represent four successive now-past Gentile Kingdoms - which were yet-future (except for the head of gold, representing Babylon) at the time of Daniel.  The four Gentile kingdoms are: Babylon, Medo-Perisa, Greece, and Rome.  The feet and toes of the image represent the yet-future kingdom of the Antichrist.

The image represents what is called "The Times of the Gentiles"; the timeline of this amazing dream-prophecy is from the Babylonian Capitivty to the Return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation!  This prophecy perfectly aligns with the Book of Revelation, which is yet another proof of the Divine Authorship of the entire Scripture.

If you want God's persepective on history, you really need to have a good understanding of this very important prophetic dream!  History comes alive when it is seen from God's eyes!

Daniel Lesson 10: Dream - A Statue and A Stone!

Daniel reveals the content of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which presents the blueprint for all Biblical eschatology!  Concisely stated, the dream is about "A Statue and A Stone"!  In this lesson, we look at the statue's description, the statue's devolution, the statue's destruction, and the Stone's dominion!

Learn how the giant colossus of Nebuchadnezzar's God-sent dream disavows (refutes) the evolutionist's worldview of science and history!

Daniel Lesson 9: Christlike in a Crisis

In this lesson on the Prophet Daniel and his providential intervention the night King Nebuchadnezzar had a (God-given) disturbing dream, which nobody could interpret (because he did not tell them what it was), we learn incredibly important lessons on being "Christlike in a Crisis".  It truly was a crisis; Nebuchadnezzar threatened to cut into pieces all his "wisemen" and turn their homes into dunghills if they could not interpret his dream.  Daniel and his 3 Hebrew friends were included among those to be "diced" and "dunged".

What do we learn from Daniel?  Well, we learn about having honorable courage in a time of crisis.  We learn to face a crisis with not only courage, but prayer!  Before going boldly, but reverentially, before the raging king, Daniel and his fellow believers communicated their dilemma to Almighty God.  Are you praying about this "CORONA CRISIS" and, more than you own protection, are you praying for many to turn to the Lord Jesus?  

Daniel kept close to the Lord even in a foreign land, separated from family, and saturated in a pagan culture.  He kept close to the Lord in the face of grave danger, and the result was God gave him wisdom, discernment, peace, godly abilities, and courage in the midst of a crisis.  He will do so for us, too, when we live by faith.  Remember, God's best works are revealed in impossible situations because then He alone gets the glory!  

Daniel Lesson 8: The Dream Test

The questions answered in Daniel chapter 2 (which we discuss from this lesson through lesson 13) are questions mankind in general asks:  What does the future of the world look like?  Will there ever be a day of peace, harmony, and prosperity among the nations?  Will lawlessness, immorality, violence, wars, envies, and injustices always dominate the world scene?  Will there ever be a day when righteousness and a true spirit of brotherhood among men prevail?  Will peace on earth, good will toward men ever be a reality?

In Daniel chapters 2 through 7, the future and destiny of the nations are foretold.  In chapter 2, God revealed - through a dream He sent to King Nebuchadnezzar - that the Gentile nations will rise and fall, seeking always to dominate one another economically and militarily.  This will continue through the time of the Antichrist, who will dominate the entire world for a few years, until his global reign is abrupty ended by the Return of Christ to establish God's Kingdom on earth.

Learn of the dreamy insomnia of Babylon's king, the impossible demand he made of his "wise men" as a result of a distrubing dream, the defense those "wise men" tried to make to the irrational king as to how impossible his request was (tell him his dream and interpret it), and the incensed decree he then issued - that they would all be "cut in pieces" if they did not come through for him!

Daniel Lesson 7: A Healthy Pulse (A Bold Request by a Bold Young Man)

Lesson from Daniel 1:8-21, in which we discuss Daniel's daring proposal to have the king's "meat and wine" replaced (for him and his three friends) with "pulse and water" for ten days.  Daniel was so determined not to disobey God's dietary laws, he risked offending the king himself with his request.  He was confident the Lord would bless their obedience by making them healthier in appearance than all the other young captives who compromised by eating the Babylonian delicacies - and He did!  

Daniel Lesson 6: Dare to be a Daniel in Difficult Days

If there is one thing this world (caught up in pandemic panic and fear of death and/or financial ruin) desperately needs, it is men, women, and young people like Daniel, the servant of the Most High God!  For centuries, Daniel has stood as an extraordinary example of solid faith, uncompromising spirit, stedfast conviction (based on God's Holy Word), boldness for his God, yet with kindness and compassion to all, even his enemies.  He remains an exraordinary example of Christlikeness to us today.  This study reminds us to stand tall for God, to speak out for God, and to absolutely trust God as we, too, "Dare to be a Daniel in Difficult Days"!

It may be hard to believe, but this entire lesson is on half of one verse in Scripture (Daniel 1:8a)!  Tune-in and learn how there could be so much to say about Daniel's "Purposed Heart".  Hopefully, you will also purpose in your heart to do that which is right in God's eyes, regardless of the popular trends or the potential danger doing so may bring!  The world needs a lot more "Daniels"!!

Daniel Lesson 5: The Babylonian Brainwashing Academy

There are consequences to disobeying God's commandments, which is what Israel encountered in the Babylonian Captivity for having turned to the worship of idols, embracing "the queen of heaven cult," and disobeying the Law of the Sabbatic year.  The captivity was used to purge His people, and Babylon certainly had a way of sifting "the tares" from "the wheat" and causing the godly "wheat" to grow stronger in their faith!  

In this lesson, we discuss the clever indoctrination program of King Nebuchadnezzar concerning the teen-aged young men of Judah's royal family taken in the First Exile to Babylon.  His plan was to mold the youth of conquered nations into full-fledged Babylonian citizens, who would be loyal and dedicated servants to him and his kingdom.  Those who exhibited extra leadership and character skills were given special training in what we have called "The Babylonian Brainwashing Academy".  Among those selected for this 3-year school to melt-down and remold the captive, royal youth into palace administrators for the king were Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael.  The plan was to get the roughly 60 Hebrew lads to join the Babylonian lifestyle, because it is a huge step toward then succumbing to the Babylonian philosophy and relgion.  

As we proceed in our study of the Book of Daniel, we will see how Daniel and his three friends "scored" in the Brainwashing Academy and in God's much more important Character/Compromise Test!

 

Daniel Lesson 4: The Captivity Begins

The Book of Daniel begins in the year 605 B.C. with the First Exile of Jews from Judah to Babylon, ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar.  Included in the first group of captives snatched from their families, homeland, and culture was the young teen, Daniel.   In this lesson, we discuss Daniel's Personal History.  We also again address an issue the critics of the Book of Daniel make regarding a seeming contradiction in the dating of the reign of King Jehoiakim's regin between Jeremiah and Daniel.  The matter is easily resolved!

We also take a look at Nebuchadnezzar, the Conquering King used by God to carry out His chastisement on Judah.  Then, we will also look at the Cultural Contrasts between Jerusalem and Babylon.  Concluding, we look at the Captives' Qualities (the characteristics of the young men, like Daniel, who were taken in the First Exile - and why they were chosen by the Babylonian king).

Daniel Lesson 3: Jet-tour of HIS-story (also Why Fallen Angels Not Redeemable}

We continue (from Lesson 2) to look at the setting for the Book of Daniel, and, to do so, we presesnt a jet tour of history back to the very beginning!  This is a very, very, very informative lesson!

In this lesson, we discuss the free-will test of the angelic host in the FALL OF LUCIFER; we discuss WHY THE FALLEN ANGELS ARE NOT REDEEMALBE, HOW GOD PROTECTED THE HUMAN RACE FRom LIKEWISE BEING NON-REDEEMABLE, God's KINGDOM PROGRAM, and His REDEMPTIVE PROGRAM, and a quick, fascinating look at ISRAEL'S HISTORY from Abraham to the days of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar!

Daniel Lesson 2: Introduction {An Attacked Book } - Part II

If something is meaningful to the heart of God, you can be guaranteed Satan will attack it.  Thus, he attacks both the truthfulness of Scripture and the Deity of Christ!  Satan has launched an incredible attack specifically against the Book of Daniel because it so strongly upholds the truthfulness of God's Word!  How is that?  It is because no other book of the Bible contains as many already fulfilled prophecies as Daniel!! 

For over 100 years, the Book of Daniel has become the main target of the Bible critics.  They think it is Scripture's "Achilles' heel".  They think that, if they can discredit Daniel, then the entire "colossus" of the Bible will come crashing to the ground, turn to dust, and be blown away by the winds of "progressive" liberalism (like King Nebuchadnezzar's dream-image of chapter two).

In this lesson, we ANSWER THE SKEPTICS (as we continue to do throughout the entire 12 chapters of Daniel)!!

 

 

Daniel Lesson 1: Introduction {An Extraordinary Book} - Part I

This is the first lesson on what is easily one of the most fascinating and intriguing books of Scripture.  Daniel is one very appropriate book for the extraordinary times in which we live.  At a time in history when humanism dominates the decision processes of both government and its citizenry, and when hostility toward Christians and Israel is increasingly overt, the Book of Daniel reminds us the Sovereign of the universe still reigns from His throne!  The omnipotent God has not deviated from His plan for the culmination of history.  Everything He prophetically revealed through the Prophet and Statesman Daniel is taking place right on schedule!  We must remember, it is God Who appoints the rulers of the world to their positions of power.  He also removes them and brings those who are evil to their ruin. 

The Book of Daniel is a perpetual warning to leaders, nations, and the empires of the world, in every age, that every leader and governing body will one day be held accountable before the one and only Living God for the privileged responsibility they were given.  

In this first lesson, we take a look at the history of Israel at  the time of Daniel.  We take a look at the extraordinary man Daniel, of whom not a single negative word in Scripture is recorded!  From a teen to an elderly man, the one criticism of Daniel came from jealous, ungodly men who accused him of his fanatical devotion to his God!  That was actually a tremedous commendation!

 

Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part VI

This is the sixth and final episode of our chronological synopsis of "The Life of Christ" from the four gospel of the New Testament.

Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part V

The fifth in a six-part "jet tour" summarization of Christ's earthly life, studied chronologically through the four gospel account of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  See Part I for a longer blurb on this study.

Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part IV

See lesson entitled "Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part I" to learn about this six-part quick study of the earthly life of the Lord Jesus.

Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part III

The third in a series that summarizes our lengthy "Life of Christ" chronological study through all four gospel accounts.  See Part I for the blurb to explain more about this six-part study.

Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part II

This is the second in our six-part study on "The Life of Christ" - a "Jet Tour".  Learn quickly a great deal about the Saviour of the world!

7 Sayings and 7 Miracles in 6 Hours - Part IV {Victory; A Paid-in-Full Confirmation and Trust; A Princely Consummation} NEW STUDY

NEW STUDY - The "grand finale" of the Lord's seven cross-sayings is full of electrying power and will give you spiritual heartburn for sure!  We not only discuss the Lord's great, "It is finished" declaration and all that was included in His declaration, but we point out the four times when God declared - or yet will declare - the completion of His various works (i.e., His creative work, His redemptive work, His judgment work, and His re-creative work)!  We also talk about how Jesus Himself was not finished at all - in fact, part of the joy set before Him while He endured the pain and shame of the cross was the anticipation of the many "new beginnings" He had before Him!

In His seventh and final cross-saying, which was again a prayer (and one that showed He was again united spiritually with His Father), was filled with both Human submission and faith and Divine authority!  No one took His life from Him - He dismissed His own spirit into His Father's care as a King would dismiss a servant!  Again, His death (like everything in His life) proved He was Who He claimed to be - the very Son of the Living God!  The fantastic series of miracles that accompanied the moment of His death - and the resurrection of dead saints from their graves on Resurrection Sunday (after Christ's bodily resurrection) - all again served the purpose of testifying to the truth that "Surely, He IS the Son of God" (did the Roman centurion get saved? It certainly seems so)!

By the way, you don't want to miss hearing about the significance of the Temple veil renting in two right as Christ royally bowed His head and gave up His own spirit.