READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 25 

SEPTEMBER 18

Psalms 44, 74, 79, 80, 85, and 89 were written long after David lived.

Psalm 44 (of the sons of Korah) is a great reminder that it is God who gives us victory.  Yet the writers also cry out to God for deliverance from their enemies. 

Psalm 74 (Asaph) remembers God's deeds in the past and yet he cries out to God to once again defend their cause and defeat their foes. 

The destruction of Jerusalem before the Babylonian captivity is written by Asaph in Psalm 79.  Asaph bemoans the fact that God is disciplining them for their sins and is asking God to pour out His cup of wrath on their enemies instead.  The writer seems to be saying at the end of this psalm that God deserves praise only because of what He does for them.  In reality, God deserves our praise simply because He is God, not just because of what He does for us.  

Also in Psalm 80, the writer continues to promise to turn back to God after God does something to somehow "earn" it.  "...revive us and we will call on your name..."  instead of "we will call on your name, then please revive us."

 "...make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved."

Just because God's face shines upon us doesn't automatically mean that we will be saved.

Ethan writes in Psalm 89 of God's faithfulness in the past of crushing the enemies of His people.  Ethan knows that God restored His people in the past and will do it again, even though it's not happening in Ethan's lifetime right then.  Great lesson for us as well.  Blessed are those who have learned to praise Him and walk in His light no matter the darkness that surrounds us. 

Some additional lessons that we have learned in Psalm 89.  God disciplines His children to bring about a change in actions just as we humans discipline our children to make a correction in behavior. (ex. we may smack the hand of a two year old that reaches for a hot stove).  Another lesson is that we need to crave God's discipline and learn from it, otherwise it is no more than punishment and if we don't correct our behavior, the discipline must continue.  Ethan ends psalm 89 with one great lesson we've learned.  God disciplines us in different ways, but our response should always be as Ethan's "Praise be to the Lord forever!  Amen and amen."

In today’s reading of the psalms of a people in exile, we are reminded that while they are reflecting on and confessing their sins, they seem to have forgotten that the prophets had been telling them all along this would happen. They certainly understood who had the power. It wasn’t with them. It was with God.

Psalm 44:5-8
Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. (In God We Trust)

Selah at the end of this passage (and many other psalms) is most likely a musical notation indicating an intended pause. Sounds as if we are supposed to stop and contemplate that great truth. It’s all about Him and not about us. "Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and amen."

SEPTEMBER 19

As we reflect on the Old Testament commanded Feast of Tabernacles, this verse in the psalm is especially meaningful. 

Psalm 102:16
For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.
In the millennium, the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem and He will appear there, once again coming to “tabernacle” with His people. 

Psalm 102:18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.

What a wonderful way to think about Scripture - that it was written with us in mind so that we may read it and praise His name.

Psalm 106 is an example of reviewing all the things that God has done for His people.  Something that we should do as well - remember all the things that God has done for us collectively as a nation, as a church, and as individual believers.

Psalm 102:25-27
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

The earth and the heavens will one day perish. 

2 Peter 3:12-14
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
The heavens will be destroyed by fire and there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne, and Him sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And a place was not found for them. 

Revelation 21:1-2
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

What an image!

SEPTEMBER 20

As we revisit the book of Daniel, remember...Jesus told us to pay attention to what Daniel the prophet wrote.

Matthew 24:15
Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand). 
The prophet Daniel is given a vision of four beasts that also illustrate prophetic events concerning nations as recorded in Daniel 7. The individual beasts, the lion, the bear and the leopard represent specific nations that will be in power during the last days. The fourth beast is different from the other three. This fourth beast represents the joining together of the other three beasts and is much more powerful than the individual beasts.

The apostle John was also given a prophetic vision of a beast.

Revelation 13:1-2
And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

This beast coming up out of the sea represents the three individual nations that have consolidated into one confederation of nations represented by the fourth beast. It is a combination of the other three beasts, the lion, the leopard and the bear. This beast in Revelation 13 is the same as the fourth beast in Daniel 7. This beast is also represented by the feet and toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue (Daniel 2). All three prophetic visions represent nations in the Mediterranean and Mid-east area that will unite into a dominant government alliance during the last days.  We can see the prophetic fulfillment being played out in the headlines of today. 

(See the book These Last Days - Second Edition)

Daniel was given many prophetic visions. Satan did not want Daniel to know these revelations from God, even to the point of trying to prevent the angel Gabriel from delivering the message. Gabriel, however, was successful in delivering the message. (Daniel 10:12-13)

One of the most important prophetic visions of all is given to Daniel.  It is a spectacular scene as described in Daniel 7 and Revelation 20- the Great White Throne.  Imagine this.

Ten thousand times ten thousand will stand in worshipful anticipation as they encircle the radiant and glorious throne.  All holy ones will be in their proper places as they await His approach.  With eager expectation thousands upon thousands of holy angels will encircle the throne as they anticipate His entrance, calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."  With loud voices they will sing, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" All creatures will respond with voices singing, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

Surely a hush will fall over the entire assembly as the Ancient of Days enters.  His glory will fill the place of His throne. Robed in majesty and splendor dressed in pure white clothing He will enter and take His seat on a throne blazing with fire.  A river of fire will flow from the center of this throne.

A trumpet call from the throne will resonate throughout the place.  The archangel will give the loud command and all people alive and dead good and bad will be changed into spirit and brought into His presence.  Heaven and earth will vanish.

A glowing cloud will emerge from the distant vacant expanse and travel ever closer to the holy throng. This glowing cloud, a multitude of holy angels, will escort Jesus as He makes His exalted entrance before the mighty throne.  He will approach the Ancient of Days and will be ushered into his presence. Jesus will announce that He is victorious over all dominion, power and authority.  He will proclaim that all enemies are defeated, including death.

In response to this declaration, the Ancient of Days, God the Father, will hand over to God, the Son, all authority glory and sovereign power as judge of all. 

Ten thousand times ten thousand will anticipate this final judgment at the Great White Throne. The court will be seated.  The books will be opened.

The first set of books that are opened will be the book of deeds.  The dead will be judged according to what they have done, both good and bad.  Believers and unbelievers will each have deeds written in each of the books and will be judged and sentenced or rewarded based on the deeds that are written in the books. Then as they each have been judged, another book will be opened, the book of life.  Those whose names are not in the book of life, the unbelievers, will be eternally condemned and will be thrown into the lake of fire.  For most they will cease to exist.  This is the second death. Others who are so sentenced will suffer punishment determined by the books of deeds.  They will spend parts of eternity there, depending upon the severity of their sins as recorded in the books of deeds. 

All believers will have eternal life.  Their names were put into the book of life before the creation of the earth. The books of deeds will determine position and rewards in the heavenly kingdom as the redeemed will live forever." (excerpt from These Last Days)

All of Daniel’s words are there for a purpose…the words concerning the judgment and even the words concerning the animals, beasts and statues. They were written to teach us. They are not there to confuse us but to encourage us and give us hope in the knowledge of these last days. (Romans 15:4)

SEPTEMBER 21

Several kings had reigned since Nebuchadnezzar as they relate to Daniel; Evil Merodach, Nebuchadnezzar II, Nabonidus, Belshazzar, and Cyrus.  Often in Scripture, the word "father" may appear.  It doesn't necessarily mean literal father, it can mean an ancestor. 

This “hand” that wrote on the wall at King Belshazzar’s banquet…was it the same hand that wrote the Ten Commandments? 

Daniel's prayer is a great prayer for us to read and pray for today.  Daniel mentions that disasters have happened because the people have not sought the Lord, turned from their sins, and have not given attention to the truth. ( 2 Chronicles 7:14...if my people)

In today’s reading, Daniel is given a message from the angel Gabriel, an overview of prophetic events spanning many years, which include the coming of a Messiah (future for Daniel, past for us). The keepers of the scrolls in Jesus’ day knew this prophecy from Daniel about the future Messiah. They could pinpoint the time that the Messiah would come based on the date of the issue to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. This decree was proclaimed by Cyrus king of Persia. The Pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders of Jesus’ day knew all about this. Why then, could they not recognize the Messiah when He was standing right in front of them?

The prophecy also addresses the conditions during the last days in which the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with many.

Daniel 9:27
He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

More to come on the “abomination that causes desolation”…

SEPTEMBER 22

What a familiar story…Daniel in the lion’s den. Daniel was high in rank in the kingdom. And another familiar story surfaces… a modern day story …jealousy in the workplace.

Daniel’s fellow administrators tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel but could find none and so they resorted to some underhanded acts. Sound familiar? Connections to the business world, or politics perhaps???  Daniel was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent - great characteristics of any leader - spiritual or political. 

Daniel 6:7
The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den.

They certainly counted on the king’s ego to go along with their plan. It worked.  He issued the decree.

Daniel was faithful to his God and did not waver.

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

As a result, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, even though Darius regretted having to do that. However, God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Was this the same "angel" that walked around earlier in the fiery furnace with Daniel’s three friends? Hmmm...

God's wrath was displayed in His actions toward the men responsible for wanting to harm this holy man of God.

By the way...Daniel was a descendant of Ithamar, one of Aaron's sons, which made Daniel a Levite...with  impressive credentials.(Ezra 8:2, Exodus 28:1)

King Darius it appears became a believer once he discovered that Daniel had been saved from the lions.  He issued a decree that all people of the kingdom fear and reverence the God of Daniel. 

SEPTEMBER 23

King Cyrus issues a decree to restore the temple in Jerusalem.  This was foretold by Jeremiah and also Isaiah in Isaiah 44:28, about 150 years before it happened.   This decree begins the countdown to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem just before the crucifixion.

Most of the people living in Persia at the time of this decree had never been to Israel. And yet many return, much like the Jews returning to Israel today. 

Among those exiles who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity are a few who were unable to prove their genealogy as priests. This tells us of the importance of the genealogical record. In order to be included into the priesthood, they needed to consult the Urim and the Thummim. These were two stones (one white, one black) carried by the priest to determine answers to questions.

In Ezra 3 we read about the altar that was built by those who returned to the land from captivity, despite the fear of the people around them.   And almost always what followed a spiritual awakening in Israel was the observance and celebration of one of God's Feast Days, most often the Feast of Tabernacles – which is what happened at this time at the beginning of the rebuilding of the temple.  Great lessons to be learned from this.   God wants His feast days honored.  

The people who settled back into the land of Israel came together "as one man" (or in unison) to build the altar, sacrifice, and worship God, despite their fear of the people living in the land.  Another great lesson for us - we should do the right thing in God's eyes, no matter what other people may think.  

Wow! What worship when they laid the foundation for the temple! What joyous celebration! (Ezra 3:10-13)

Then right on the heels of the celebration and worship…the enemies feign help. They really wanted to infiltrate the feast days with paganism, claiming that they were worshiping God. Isn’t that so characteristic of Satan? He can’t stand it when God’s people rejoice or when they honor one of the God-ordained Holy Days.

Does it make us want to rejoice even more today? 

SEPTEMBER 24

Remember that Jesus said to pay attention to the words of Daniel the prophet. (Matthew 24:15)

In Chapter 10 Daniel tells of a vision in which he saw a "man dressed in linen".  Descriptions follow that are very similar to descriptions found in Revelation 1:12-16, clearly describing God, the Son.  In this vision there are two entities; one of them is God, the Son and the other one is an angel (possibly Gabriel) 

Some great insights are in these passages in Daniel concerning the spiritual realm.  These phrases, "prince of the Persian kingdom", "chief prince", "prince of Greece", "your prince" are all references to high ranking angels in the spiritual realm.  Evil powers had kingdoms over the kings of the earth then, as well as now.  

In the first part of Daniel 11, he records a prophecy that has already been fulfilled (future for Daniel, past for us). In the last part (beginning with verse 2) he records a prophecy that will be fulfilled in our future. 

Daniel 11:21-23
"He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.

This contemptible person is the Antichrist who has no legitimate right to the power that he will take during the last days. The Antichrist will take over as the people have been lulled into a false sense of security. Many more details concerning the battles between the armies of the north and the south can be found in the book These Last Days - Second Edition. 

Some revelations of future events were given to Daniel to be sealed until the time of the end. (Daniel 8:26, Daniel 12:9) As recorded in the book of Revelation, John was told not to seal up the words of prophecy because the time of the end is near. (Revelation 22:10) Guess that means it's nearer now!

SEPTEMBER 25

The reading today gives us some comic relief.

You just have to chuckle at the letters going back and forth between the leaders of Trans-Euphrates and the two kings, first Artaxerxes and then later Darius.

Artaxerxes agreed and gave in to the leaders of Trans-Euphrates and stopped the building of the temple. Then, the temple construction was started again a few years later when the people listened to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.

When the leaders of Trans-Euphrates “tattled” on them, Darius took a quite different approach than his predecessor. He not only approved the building of the temple, he told the leaders of Trans-Euphrates to pay for the expenses from their treasury! And, they were to provide the animals for the daily sacrifices at the temple. They were to do this without fail or else…well you can read for yourself what would happen to anyone who changed the king’s edict. No surprise that the leaders carried out the edict with diligence!

Darius' decree is seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of things, however, it is highly significant in determining the time of Jesus' appearance as Messiah as recorded in Daniel 9:24-27.