The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

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 armies, glorious monuments, impressive cities, and dazzling riches).  To the world, these mighty powers are titanic "idols" to be placed on pedestals 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 bloodthirsty beasts of prey, dreadful to behold in their immoral appetites, willful 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 perseverance 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)!

First John - Part 3 "Salvation Assurance; Why You Cannot Lose Your Salvation" NEW STUDY

First John 5:13 is likely the most important verse in the entire epistle, for it is John’s summary statement as to the central purpose for it. He had other reasons (see Part 1 and Part II on our podcast), but his ultimate objective  is that every true believer be confident is his or her salvation.

Assurance of salvation is for the here and now; it is not something only attained when we leave this world and then find out we made it! Faith is not something we are always hoping to grasp "enough of" in order to “make it” in the end.  We can have confident faith right now. Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.  As God’s children, we are to know we have been saved. The word know means absolute assurance. The words “know, knoweth, or known” appear 38 times in this short epistle.

Can a believer really know the joy (abundant life) of the Lord without being perfectly certain he has eternal life – and cannot ever lose it?  Not really, for it is to live in doubt and even fear. As the Puritan Thomas Brooks wrote, “Assurance is the believer’s ark where he sits, Noah-like, quiet and still in the midst of all distractions and destructions, commotions and confusions . . .”  Isaiah 32:17 tells us that where God imputes righteousness in a believer, the effect of that righteousness is peace (“quietness”) “and assurance forever”.

There is no reason for a genuine believer to be on his way to Heaven in a kind of mist – hoping he or something or someone else doesn’t cause “the ark” to sink into the judgment waters of God’s wrath! The ark is Christ! If you entered it, He closed the door – and what He closes is secure and no one can open! He is the Good Shepherd Who promised “He that cometh to Me, I shall in no wise cast out”.

IMPORTANT STUDY! We examine many reasons for why believers doubt their salvation - including the fact that many have been wrongly taught that they can lose it!  Many many passages of Scripture teach the exact opposite and we look at a lot of them! 

First John - Part 2 "Is Your Salvation Real?" NEW STUDY

Seventy percent of the world’s population today is non-Christian, and even among the 30% who label themselves under the broad umbrella of “Christendom,” only 7.9% are evangelical.  The Lord Jesus said, “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).  The tragic truth is that many who think they are “Christian” will one day hear Him say, “I never knew you; depart from Me” (7:23). This is why the Apostle Paul tells us in II Corinthians 13:5 we are to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. He says we are to prove or to test our own selves – if we are in Christ. That is likewise exactly what John essentially invites us to do in his first epistle.  He presents us with a kind of series of self-examination “tests” by which we may know that our salvation is genuine; whether it is authentic and not artificial; whether we truly "possess" the indwelling Holy Spirit or merely "profess" to know Christ. 

Presented from the epistle of First John are such self-examination "tests" as the 1. Belief in the Full Deity and Full Humanity of Christ Test, 2. The Life Test, 3. Fellowship Test, 4. The Sensitive to Sin Test, 5. The Obedience Test, 6. Reject Evil World Test, 7. The Maranatha Mindset Test, 8. Ministry of the Holy Spirit Test, 9. Love the Brethren Test, 10. Answered Prayer Test, and 11. Suffer Rejection Test. 

This self-examination series of tests may well be the most important introspection of yourself you ever make! Be absolutely sure you have eternal life through faith in the one way Divinely provided for man to be forgiven and thoroughly cleansed of sin, and that "Way" is Jesus Christ, the God/Man, our Kinsman-Redeemer Saviour Who laid down His life and shed His sin-atoning blood for our sake.

First John - Part I Exciting Introduction NEW STUDY

In this lesson, we discuss many interesting subjects regarding the first epistle of the Apostle John, including why he was called both a "Son of Thunder" and "The Apostle of Love," and how both titles are evident in his writing. We discuss why boldness for truth and compassionate love need to go "hand-in-hand" in every believer's life and testimony for Christ.

We take a jet-tour look at John's life before, during, and after his physical time spent with "the Word of life" - Jesus. We also speculate on the reason John outlived the other Apostles - as well as how each of those other men was so horrifically martyred for their rock-solid faith in the Gospel Truth of Christ's sin-atoning death, His burial, and third-day bodily resurrection!

We spend time explaining the various lies that false teachers had begun infiltrating into the Early Church, and why John was so intense in his warnings against such "antichrists". Included, also, is our discussion about having full-joy fellowship with God, His Son, and one another in spite of difficult circumstances. 

To explain up-front, this is not an exegetical (verse-by-verse) look at the Apostle John's first epistle; rather, it is an overview of the main purposes of the book (full-joy fellowship, holiness, discernment, salvation assurance). This study was done in a setting that was inter-active - meaning with questions and answers from the attendee/participants. Since their readings of Bible passages, answers to my questions, and other comments could not be heard on our audio recording, we had to make some "cuts" and "pastes," which accounts for the rougher places in this audio.  Sorry,  

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 steadfast 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! 

 

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

This is the first of three messages on three VERY brave and VERY committed 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 determined 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.

Nebuchadnezzar, 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 Committee of 300, the Bilderberg Group, 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-Persia, 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 Captivity 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 perspective 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.  

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 abruptly 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 disturbing 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, steadfast conviction (based on God's Holy Word), boldness for his God, yet with kindness and compassion to all, even his enemies.  He remains an extraordinary 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 religion.  

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 reign 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 present 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 tremendous commendation!

 

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

NEW STUDY - The "grand finale" of the Lord's seven cross-sayings is full of electrifying 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.

7 Sayings and 7 Miracles in 6 Hours - Part III {Forsakeness; A Purposed Cry and Thirst; A Prophetic Closure}

 

Was the 3-hour crucifixion-darkness merely a sun eclipse? No; that would be impossible (find out why).  Was it just over "Skull Hill" or over Jerusalem or perhaps the entire nation of Israel - or did it extend even further?  Are there extra-biblical, historical records to confirm that eerie darkness? Yes - and from some surprising sources!  What was God saying by way of that darkness? Listen and find out! 

To fully pay the wages of sin for mankind, the Lord Jesus had to die both physically and spiritually.  We know from the gospel records and many New Testament passages that He did indeed die physically, but how do we know He also died spiritually - that His soul was separated from His Heavenly Father?  We know from His middle (4th of 7) cross-saying!  He did not cry out (in a loud voice), "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" because He did not know the answer!  (He already answered it, through King David, in Psalm 22:3.)  He cried it out loud so we can rest assured that He died spiritually and the wages of our sin is therefore paid in full.

Discover, also, the reason Jesus cried out (again in an unusually loud voice for someone just minutes from death), "I thirst" (His fifth cross-saying).  There is a lot more in that statement than just the evidence of His Human suffering!  His mind was so incredibly alert - as demonstrated by the reason He spoke of His thirst - that there can be no doubt He is omniscient God!  MUCH TO DISCOVER IN THIS GREAT FOUR-PART STUDY! 

7 Sayings and 7 Miracles in 6 Hours - Part II {Faith; A Penitent Criminal and Love; A Personal Concern}

In this second part of our look at the Lord's Seven Cross-sayings (and the miracles that accompanied His atonement work on "Skull Hill"), we discuss His second and third sayings - plus the first miracle!

There is something significantly special about a dying person’s final words, but this is particularly important when it comes to the final pre-resurrection words of Jesus Christ.  They give us insight (a peek inside) His mind and spirit and as we look at them, it will become quite evident He was absolutely in control over the entire ordeal – from Gethsemane to Golgotha to a Garden Tomb (not the Romans, not the Jews, not the spectators, and certainly not Satan)!  Jesus proved to be both our Saviour and our Sovereign, from beginning to end – from when He was being horrifically nailed to the cross to the moment He majestically bowed His head and regally, as a King, dismissed His spirit into His Father’s hands.

As with everything regarding Christ, His 7 cross-sayings serve as further proof of His Person as the God/Man.  He was dying as a Man (shedding real blood, in horrific agony, thirsting), but His composure, control, character, compassion, and selfless concern – revealed both by His words and the miracles that accompanied His cross-atonement work – testify to the truth spoken by an impartial witness of everything – Truly this is the Son of God.

The salvation of the penitent thief was actually fulfillment of a prophecy found in Isaiah 53!  He also symbolically represents all of us!  Learn new and exciting truths in this lesson.  Also, find out more about the women who were with Christ at the foot of His cross - and why the Lord addressed His mother as "woman," not "mother".  

7 Sayings and 7 Miracles in 6 Hours - Part 1 {Hate: A Provoking Crowd and Forgiveness; A Praying Christ}!

In this message, the stage is set for a wonderful four-part, in depth study entitled, "The Seven Sayings and Seven Miracles in Six Hours".   The title, of course, is about Christ's seven utterances during the six hours of His crucifixion, as well as the seven miracles that accompanied His redemptive work and helped (again) prove His Deity (2 were "Conversion Calvary Miracles" and 5 were "Creative Calvary Miracles").  A primary focus in this discussion is the absolute sovereign control displayed by the Lord Jesus during His entire "ordeal" - from Gethsemane to Golgotha to the Garden Tomb!  

In this first lesson, we discuss some interesting comparative facts about three men saved during the Lord's crucifixion, and how they represent all people.  We also take a look at His first cross-saying, which was a prayer, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do".  Three of His seven last "words"from the cross were prayers, which was so very much "in character" for the One Who spent His entire life in communion with His heavenly Father.   THERE IS A LOT COMPACTED IN THIS STUDY and YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT (plus the three follow-up lessons)!  (For example, did you know all donkeys have a cross on their backs (why is that appropriate concerning Christ)?  And did you know that, just like Israel's high priest sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat seven times on the Day of Atonement, so Christ, our Great High Priest, shed His blood 7 times?  The Bible is limitless in its riches.  Truly.

Fascinating Details of the Christmas Account! {You‘ll Want to Share!}

In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.comuand scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)

From the well-known account of the circumstances surrounding the conception and birth of the Lord Jesus, we discuss interesting truths not usually included in the re-telling of "The Christmas Account".   It is important for everyone to know about "The Jeconian Curse" (Jeremiah 22:30) and how the Lord Jesus ALONE qualifies to be Israel's rightful King.   It is also important to know the announcement that broke 400 years of inter-Testimental silence and how the two people directly involved in that announcement have Hebrew names which together remind the world that the Lord remembers His covenant promises!

We discuss how important it was that Herod chose the Roman method of taxation rather than the Jewish method, for otherwise Jesus would not have fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of Micah 5:2.  The virgin birth; the significance of the glad tidings being given to Bethlehem shepherds; the two elderly witnesses of Christ, Simeon and Anna; the interesting details about the Magi from the East and their knowledge regarding the curious "star" that appeared in the sky, disappeared, and then reappeared again and how it is connected to Balaam; the fascinating dual-fulfillment prophecy of Isaiah 60:3, 6 - these are all subjects discussed in this lesson.  You will have something NEW to teach this year at Christmas!

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 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 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 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!

Jet Tour of the Life of Christ - Part I

This is the first of six lessons that were a summarization of our long Life of Christ study (which took 8 years the first time taught and 12 years the second time).  We did something unusual - we studied all four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) together, chronologically.  Using Dr. A. T. Robertson's "Harmony of the Gospels," we took Christ's earthly life one step at a time.  One lesson we would be in the Gospel of John; the next lesson in Luke or Mark; sometimes there are events covered by all four gospel writers and sometimes only one was inspired by the Spirit to include an event or a sermon.  

These six lessons serve as a type of "Jet-Tour" through this long study - so hang onto your hats as we cover a lot of territory!

Heaven - Part II {More Misconceptions Corrected in this Exciting Glimpse of The New Jerusalem} NEW STUDY!

In this second part of our evangelistic, Scripture-based study on Heaven, we get a glimpse of the final phase of Heaven and the fulfillment of Christ's name, "Emmanuel" - "God with us". We discuss (among other truths from God's Word) such questions as . . .

When will God finally wipe away all the tears of believers?

How does Revelation 21:1 disprove “The Gap Theory?”

What about the gates of pearl in the wall of the New Jerusalem? What is their significance? 

How large in the Eternal City?

What is the shape of the Eternal City of God? A pyramid or a cube? 

What will the New Earth be like? What might be the reason the New Earth will no longer have seas (oceans)? Will there still be water in Heaven?

How does Revelation 22:1 reveal the presence of the Trinity Members in the New Jerusalem?

Will we eat and drink in Heaven and, if so, what?

How is the one-Divine Authorship of Scripture shown from Genesis to Revelation?

And much more . . . listen and make sure you will spend eternity in this "beyond imagination" final phase of God's dwelling place with the redeemed saints of all the ages!

Heaven - Part I {Often Asked Heaven Questions Answered from Scripture}

For all Caldwell Commentary study books go to

scripturetruth.com  or  Amazon.com

In the first part of this two-part study, we discuss many things (all based solely on Scripture) about the place we commonly call Heaven. Some of the topics we cover are:

Is Heaven a literal place? Who goes there? How? What is "the PassWORD" (so to speak) to Heaven? Can we be sure of our salvation? How does Scripture describe a believer's death ?

What are the various “phases” (changes) that have or will take place from the “Pre-Creation” Heaven to the “New Jerusalem” Heaven?

What are the four great announcements of the completion of great Divine works found in Scripture?

What will believers’ resurrection bodies be like? Will we really receive a resurrected body or just live eternally in a bodiless soul? Will we still be "us" (the same personality, gender, race)?

What will our "apparent age" be in Heaven?

Will we be able to do fourth dimensional things, like the resurrected Christ did? Why will there be no marriage in Heaven?

Will we know one another in Heaven? Will we have the same "family" relationships (i.e., parents, spouse, children, etc.) as we had on Earth?

Will we remember our earthly lives in Heaven or will a "memory swipe" be needed to remove all our sorrow and tears?

Are those in Heaven aware of what is happening on Earth?

Is there an “age of accountability”?

Do we become angels when we die?

Is Heaven really without “time”?

How has marriage been a continuous theme and spiritual message in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation?

An exciting study on about a place  you DO NOT WANT TO MISS! The Gospel is clearly presented, so share this message with those who need to know for certainly they will spend eternity with God!

 

 

Revelation Lesson 47: Heaven! All Things New - Part II {Grand Finale of Revelation!}

This lesson is on the last chapter of Revelation, which is the very last chapter of the inspired Word of God.  In Revelation 21 (Lesson #46), we discussed the Apostle John's description of the eternal beauties of our future home in the New Jerusalem.   In chapter 22, we are allowed to enter (through John's eyes) into the heart of the Holy City of Heaven itself, where we are given a brief, enticing glance into the splendors that await every believer in Christ Jesus (the Promised Seed of the woman of Genesis 3:14 - see podcast lesson entitled "The Gospel Seed").

You do NOT want to neglect knowing "the end of the story" (as Paul Harvey used to say)!  Remember the special blessing for the one who reads and heeds the Book of Revelation given in chapter 1, verse 3?  Guess what?  There is another promised blessing for the one who keeps the sayings of the prophecy of Revelation in chapter 22, verse 7, which means we can dogmatically state that if you hear this message with "ears of faith," you will be blessed!

This lesson is from our "Caldwell Commentary" series - Revelation Vol. 2 (available at www.scripturetruth.com)

 

 

Revelation Lesson 46: Heaven! All Things New - Part I

This is the first of two lessons about the climax of God's entire purpose for creation.  The fantastic, glorious final two chapters of the Bible unveil something of the wonders and majesties of the place called "Heaven," where all who have believed on the Saviour, Jesus Christ, will spend the endless ages of eternity.  Many people (if not most) have misconceptions about Heaven; those misconceptions will be corrected in these two lessons as we consider what the Architect and "Carpenter" of Heaven Himself has to say about the magnificence of that LITERAL place on the map of God. 

Learn about the New Jerusalem, the New Blessings (i.e. no more tears), the New Temple, the New Light, and the New Purity of a place more stable, more secure, and more permanent than this earth we presently know.

In my own Mother's final days on earth, she asked me to play these two studies on Heaven for her over and over again.  As she listened, a smile would come upon her face, despite her pain, and she would point her finger upward.  She knew Jesus, and she had the confidence He wants all His children to have about the place He has prepared for us.  "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (I Corinthians 2:9)!! 

This lesson is found in written form in our "Caldwell Commentary" series - "Revelation Vol. 2" (available through www.scripturetruth.com).

Revelation Lesson 45: World Theocracy and White Throne

The great finale!  The returned Lord Jesus establishes His Kingdom on earth, after which there is one final rebellion by Satan (loosed from the Bottomless Pit), ended quickly by Christ.  Satan is banished to the Lake of Fire forever, this present earth and heavens are burned-up and replaced by the New Heavens and the New Earth (the Eternal State), and all unbelievers stand before the Lord at the Great White Throne Judgment, where every knee will bow before the Son of God before being banished from Him for eternity.  It will be too late, but it is not too late today!  The Book closes with one more invitation to come to Christ for salvation, "Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely"!  IF YOU HAVE NOT COME TO CHRIST FOR THE ETERNAL LIFE HE ALONE OFFERS, PLEASE DO SO TODAY!  He is coming quickly (Revelation 22:20)!

 

Revelation Lesson 44: The Glorious Appearing!

For all Caldwell Commentary study books go to

scripturetruth.com  or  Amazon.com

At long last - the most anticipated event of human history, "The Glorious Appearing" of the Lord Jesus in His Second Coming!  This event will not only be the ultimate fulfillment of all His promises to return, but as He then judges the world and sets up His Kingdom on earth, it will be the fulfillment of all prophecy (other than His final judgments on Satan and unbelievers).  

"The Glorious Appearing" will be the event to forever silence the mouths of those who have denied the Truth of Scripture, of Jesus Christ, and the validity of the Gospel.  The King of kings and Lord of lords will come in full, unveiled glory to set the record straight once and for all that He is the rightful Owner of Earth, for He is both its (and our) Creator and Kinsman-Redeemer.

This is the most dramatic chapter in the Word of God - it tells of the event that every Christian should anticipate more than even the Rapture (find out why as you listen).  Learn about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Armageddon, the Super of the Great God, and the permanent end of Antichrist and the False Prophet as we cover two main outline divisions: "Joy in Heaven" and "Judgment on Earth".

Revelation Lesson 43: Economical Babylon’s Fall

Whereas the Babylonian harlot system of Revelation chapter 17 is the false, one-world religious system of the first half of the Tribulation, the Babylonian harlot system of chapter 18 is commercial in character.   "Materialistic Babylon" will be headed-up by the Antichrist.  He will bring about a (temporary) great economic boom for the nations, with a one-world monetary system, which will open the door to vast international trade and banking.  Men will gladly give their allegiance to the man-beast for having improved their financial portfolios because what they really worship is the money-beast.

Antichrist will devour ecumenical Babylon in the middle of the Tribulation, replacing the false religious system with his own religion: worship of him!  On the other hand, economical Babylon will come tumbling down "in one day" near the end of the Tribulation by the vial judgments that come directly from the Lord Himself.  

Revelation Lesson 42: Ecumenical Babylon’s Fall

In this lesson on Revelation 17, we meet a woman so old, she was around before Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees; yet, she is beautifully seductive to behold (from the world's perspective).  She is very clever with her cosmetics and her creative ways to manipulate mankind into her web of deceit and keep them there.  She has strongly influenced many political governments, often dominating and dictating her will.  She has been paid great homage by billions of admirers, who, in paying her exorbitant services, have made her massively wealthy.  For all her external appeal, however, the woman is evil.  Her hands are stained with blood.  She has single-handedly sent more souls to Hell than anyone besides Satan himself.  She is one of his greatest accomplishments.

Who is she?  We could call her "Mother Babylon".  She is the vast international system of error and apostacy that has its roots in the ancient city of Babel and the satanic religion of Babylonianism, from which all false religions can trace their origin.

Revelation Lesson 41: Undiluted Wrath

Revelation chapter 16; the vial (bowl) judgments.  The vial judgments differ from the seal and trumpet judgments in that they are far more severe, both in their global extent and intensity.  Divine mercy is no longer mixed with judgment and wrath.  They are given to warn men of even greater wrath to come - they ARE the greater (earthly) wrath!  Nor are they are given to convict men of their sins, but are the pure expression of God's righteous wrath and vengeance.  The only glimpse of mercy in that they are relatively short in duration.  They are horrendous, but will only last a few years, after which the sky will remain sunny and clear for 1,000 years!

Revelation Lesson 40: Here Comes the Judge!

Revelation 14:14 to 15:8.  The Son from Heaven (His grain and grape harvest), The Sign from Heaven (the seven plagues, sea of glass, and saints of victory), The Songs of Heaven, and The Scene in Heaven (God's holiness portrayed, God's righteousness and glory portrayed, and God's wrath prepared!  A lot to cover in one lesson!

Revelation Lesson 39: Five Victory Visions!

Revelation chapter 14.  In the parenthetical break between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments, the Holy Spirit inspired John to write about things that would bring comfort to the saints of God, particularly to those living during the Tribulation.  Through the presentation of seven pronouncements - or visions, assurance is given regarding the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan and the two beasts and His judgment on all who follow them.

This lesson stands in stark contrast to the previous one on chapter 13.  Here, the subject is Christ; in 13, the subject was Antichrist.  Here, we look at the True Lamb; in 13, we looked at the false lamb.  Here, we read of those sealed with the mark of God; in 13, we read of those sealed with the mark of the beast.  In place of the multitudes worshipping Antichrist and blaspheming God in chapter 13, we hear the hosts of Heaven praising God!

The five visions discussed in this lesson are: the vision of the faithful virgins, the vision of the flying gospel, the vision of the fallen Babylon, the vision of the future wrath, and the vision of the future rest.