DAY OF JUDGMENT
Lesson 10 Part l
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We have studied the
failures of the Jewish nation and the
Christian Church. Just as
Christianity came from the cradle of
Judaism, Protestantism developed
within Catholicism. The force
behind each movement was a pursuit of
truth about God. Truth needs
restoration from time to time.
Man becomes careless and
forgets. Man-made teachings
gradually displace the Word of
God. Without divine light, we
stumble in darkness. The
farther we stray from God’s
Word, the darker the darkness.
In spite of the vast technological
knowledge we have today, are we
entering the new dark ages?
Jesus reserved the
continent of North Americaas a haven
for Protestantism. This new
world discovery became a refuge for
all seeking religious freedom.
During the past two centuries,
millions of immigrants arrived on
these shores seeking religious
freedom and opportunity. No one
argues that God has immensely blessed
this nation. But it is not the
natural wealth of this country that
made us great. The United
States became great because she was
God-fearing and lived by the
principles of righteousness.
The troubles we face
now are due to the fact that we have
lost sight of our Creator. Like
the Jews of old, we have forgotten
God. As a nation, we seek
pleasure more than
righteousness. We love things
more than we love God. We have
become a nation of idolaters.
TV feeds our degenerate souls by
glamorizing sin a thousand times each
day. Our minds are filled with
meaningless and empty
diversions. We never have
enough money or enough time.
(If you don’t believe it, ask a
friend for some of either!) We
have become poor managers of our
natural resources. Evidence all
around indicates that America is
headed downhill fast!
At the end of the
American Revolution one of our
forefathers wrote, “The spirit
of the times may alter, will
alter. Our rulers will become
corrupt, our people careless. A
single zealot may commence
persecution, and better men are his
victims. It can never be too
often repeated, that the time for
fixing every essential right on a
legal basis, is whole our rulers are
honest and we united. From the
conclusion of this war we shall be
going downhill. It will not then be
necessary to resort every moment to
the people for their support.
They will be forgotten, therefore,
and their rights disregarded.
They will forget themselves, and in
the sole faculty of making money,
they will never think of uniting to
affect a due respect for their
rights. The shackles,
therefore, which shall be knocked off
at the conclusion of the war, will
remain on us long, will be heavier
and heavier, till our rights shall
revive or expire in a
convulsion.” Thomas
Jefferson Notes on Virginia, Vol 8,
page 402
Was Jefferson
prophetic? Are his 200
hundred-year-old remarks on
target? If you think
Jeffersonwas prophetic, Bible
prophecy is even more accurate for
God alone declares the end from the
beginning.
Another look at Daniel
7
We need to study
Daniel 7 more thoroughly because
we’re seeking an understanding
of the importance of 1844. How
can we know for sure that 1844 marks
the “appointed time of the
end?”
Daniel’s four
beasts, discussed in the last lesson,
parallel the same kingdoms that
Nebuchadnezzar saw. These
kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia,
Greece and Rome. Even though
history removes any doubt about the
identity and chronological
progression of these kingdoms.
Daniel 7 has information greater than
the rise and fall of 4 kingdoms!
Daniel 7 contains an
important key that unlocks the
significance of 1844. Notice
what Daniel says, “As I
looked, thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his
seat. His clothing was as white
as snow; the hair of his head was
white like wool. His throne was
flaming with fire, and its wheels
were all ablaze. A river of
fire was flowing, coming out from
before him. Thousands upon
thousands attended him; ten thousand
times ten thousand stood before
him. The court was seated, and
the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:9,10
What did Daniel see
taking place in heaven? What is
the meaning of this courtroom
scene? Daniel saw the judgment
of mankind! Reread the verses
above and reflect on the following
points for a moment:
1.
Thrones (plural) were put in place or
arranged. Heaven was made
ready for a great event.
2.
The Ancient of Days, the Father
presides. His appearance is
greater than the brightness of the
sun. His throne (compared to
the other thrones) is so bright that
it appears to be on fire. The
glowing angels that encircle him
appear to Daniel as wheels of fire.
3.
This is no ordinary convention in
heaven. Billions of angels
throughout the universe have been
summoned to this special occasion.
4.
The Father takes his seat. The
court was seated. And the books
of record were opened. But the
scene doesn’t end with these
verses. There’s more.
Daniel says, “In my vision at
night I looked, and there before me
was one like a son of man, coming
with the clouds of heaven. He
approached the Ancient of Days and
was led into his presence. He
was given authority, glory and
sovereign power; all people’s
nations and men of every language
worshipped him. His dominion is
an everlasting dominion that will not
pass away, and his kingdom is one
that will never be
destroyed.” Daniel 7:13,14
5.
In this vast assembly of angels,
Daniel sees a being that looked very
different than the heavenly host.
This being looked like a “son of
man.” Consider the
significance of this. Billions
of angels are gathered in the
courtroom and center stage stands a
being that looks like one of the
human race! This “son of
man” can only be Jesus.
6.
Jesus is taken before the Ancient of
Days by a retinue of holy angels.
7.
As Daniel watches, Jesus receives
authority, glory and sovereign power.
8.
Daniel concludes the vision saying
that Jesus is ultimately worshipped
by everyone in heaven an on the earth
and His kingdom will never pass away
or be destroyed. (Contrast this
with the 4 beasts representing
kingdoms that rise and fall.)
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