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Daniel and Revelation

Part 4 Daniel and Revelation. The Longest Time Prophecy

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Then I heard a holy one speaking;…“How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”

And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

Daniel 8:13-14

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Recap from the last study

In Daniel’s vision, he saw a vicious battle between a ram and a goat.  The two animals are easily identified as the kingdoms of Media-Persia and Greece:

The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of  Media and Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.

Daniel 8:20-21

So, there can be no doubt who these animals represent. History has proved the succession of these nations to be absolutely correct. The large horn of the kingdom of Greece is the first king who history has shown to be Alexander the Great.

As the prophecy predicted, Alexander’s great kingdom of Greece was divided into “four notable” generals: Ptolemy Lysimachus, Cassander, and Seleucus.

Then “from out of one of them came a little horn.”  This little horn power represented pagan Rome, the next kingdom in the succession of conquering kingdoms. This power corresponded to the iron legs in the metal image of Daniel 2 and the “dreadful beast” of Daniel 7.

These prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, and 9 are clearly interpreted from God’s own word within each chapter and further confirmed by the historians looking back on that time period.

This little horn now becomes the center of attention of Daniel.  He understood the rise and fall of the nations, but his main focus is on the little horn power and the destructive events at its hand.

The battles and events have been on a horizontal plane up to this point, but now it turns vertical and a spiritual war against the host of heaven.

And it grew up to the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host, and by him, the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered

Daniel 8: 10-12

This little horn power that “grew up” greatly concerned Daniel.  At this point in his vision, Daniel heard a conversation between the two attending angels:

Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”

And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

Daniel 8: 13-14

Even the attending angels wanted to know how long this little horn power would rule and wage its war against God’s people and even Jesus Himself (Prince of the host). The chapter ends leaving us in suspense because even though the question about “how long” has been answered as “two thousand three hundred days” we have no idea as to the starting point. Daniel is so troubled by this little horn power that he faints and becomes sick. This time period is the only part of this prophecy not interpreted….at least at this point.

And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward, I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

Daniel 8:27

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Daniel’s Prayer

Chapter 8 ends with the words “no one understood it.”  The ram, the goat, the horns were all explained and everyone understood this part, because the angel interpreted the beasts to represent coming kingdoms that would rise and fall.   But the little horn and its time of rule remained mysterious.

Chapter 9 opens with Daniel studying another prophet-Jeremiah. We must remember that Daniel and the Jews were in captivity, but Daniel understood from the book of Jeremiah that their captivity would last 70 years and those 70 years were coming to a close:

“I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

Daniel 9: 2

Starting in verse 3, Daniel begins to pray to God in a state of great humility and confession for himself and his people (Jews) who have sinned against God.  Because of this, they did not enjoy the benefits, mercy, and protection God offers to those who keep His covenant and obey His commandments. They were in captivity!

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,..”

Daniel 9: 3-4

(Note: God’s covenant can be either conditional or unconditional based on the context. In the previous passage, we see that those who love Him and keep His commandments are recipients of His covenant of mercy.)

“As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.

Daniel 9: 13

Such a great truth!  When we separate ourselves from Him and fail to follow His will, disaster is sure to come. But, through connecting back with this merciful God through prayer and turning from “our iniquities” we can find the path of righteousness and protection for our souls!

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As Daniel is praying, Gabriel appears.  He was the angel who interpreted the dream in Chapter 8.  This messenger of God has returned to continue the explanation of the part of the prophecy that concerned Daniel in Chapter 8.

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 

Daniel 9: 20-22

 The context of the following time prophecy is with the 2,300 days until the sanctuary will be cleansed. (Daniel 8:14).  Gabriel has come to help him understand the vision.  What vision?  It was the mysterious part of Chapter 8.  All of it was explained except for the little horn that concerned Daniel and the time part of the vision i.e. 2,300 days. We know this to be true because this is what Gabriel explains.

(Note: In our previous study, we determined through comparing Bible passages about time prophecy that a day represents a year. (e.g Numbers 14:34, etc). So we are talking about 2,300 years.

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God’s Mercy – Daniel’s People Given Time

“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.”

Daniel 9: 24

Th Greek word chathak word is translated “determined” which means “cut-off” or “marked out” Out of the 2,300 years, 70 weeks are cut-off or marked out for Daniel’s people (Jews). Using the day-year principle of interpretation, The 70 weeks are 490 years (70 X 7).  So out of the 2,300 years, 490 are given to the Jews to complete their purpose as God’s chosen people.  Their purpose was to follow and believe God.  To obey His laws within their heart rather than through legalism. Equally important was to bring in everlasting righteousness and end the vision and prophecy via anointing the Most Holy (Jesus)

But when was the time period to start?  When did the 2,300 days begin as well as these 70 weeks (490 years)? The answer is found in the next verse:

“Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street[ shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.”

Daniel 9:29

Here is our starting point for the 2,300 days.  A portion of this time period is allotted or “marked out” for Daniel’s people the Jewish nation.

The starting point is the “command to restore and build Jerusalem.” This was a command still future to Daniel, but we can easily find the time and date of this command from the Bible and history!

This command to restore and build Jerusalem can be found in Ezra Chapter 7 when Artaxerxes gave the commandment in 457 BC. (See the notes at the end)

The Arrival Time of Jesus the Messiah Predicted

Starting with this date, the prophecy is unlocked.  From 457 BC until “Messiah the Prince” would be 69 weeks.  There are 483 days in 69 weeks, but using the day/year principal, we discover that 483 years after 457 BC brings us to 27 AD.  This was the date Jesus was baptized and began his ministry.  The Messiah had arrived right on time! He was “anointed” by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[ saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3: 16-17

Jesus also announced at the beginning of His ministry this message:

“Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1: 14, 15

The time of Daniel’s prophecy had been fulfilled. The Messiah the prince came right on schedule…483 years after the commandment to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” 

This time prophecy is further confirmed by the words of Paul (A great student of God’s word):

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son

Galatians 4: 4

But the prophecy continues

Jesus Ministry Confirms the Covenant

Jesus’ direct ministry would cover the space of 3 1/2 years. That is half of 7 years or the midst of the week. in 31  AD Jesus died on a cruel cross for us and not for Himself, but Jesus’ indirect ministry would continue through His disciples for an additional 3 1/2 years.

And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself…

…Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

Daniel 9: 26

Jesus’ message was primarily to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” first and foremost.  There are many parables and direct statements of Jesus.  He was “confirming the covenant” as predicted in this Daniel 9 prophecy.  Here is one example:

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 15: 24

To continue with the confirmation of the covenant  God made with “Daniel’s people” (Israel) even after the “Messiah the Prince” had been “cut off,” Jesus gave specific instruction to His disciples before they “preached the gospel in all the world“

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel

Matthew 10: 5,6

They obeyed the resurrected and ascended Christ by doing this very thing for an additional 3 1/2 years to complete the prophecy to “confirm the covenant for one week” (7 years).

In 34 AD, Stephen was stoned marking the end of the 70 weeks (490 years) cut off from the 2,300 years before the sanctuary would be cleansed.

After that point, the gospel burden went to the Gentiles and those who accepted Christ as the Messiah became the new Israel. Listen to the words of Paul confirming this understanding of the mission of Christ and the fulfillment of the 70-week prophecy:

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46

Paul would go on to describe the real nation of Israel and how it is identified:

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3: 29

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Romans 2:29

Let’s review the 70 weeks (490 years) through this simple chart:

Here are the important dates:

  • 457 BC-The commandment by Artaxerxes (Ezra 7: 12-26) to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem
  • 483 years later, “Messiah the Prince” appeared right on time. This was in 27 AD when Jesus was anointed and began his ministry primarily to the nation of Israel
  • In 31 AD, Jesus was crucified (3 1/2 years after his ministry to the house of Israel began)
  • 34 AD marked the end of the 70 weeks (490 years) allotted to the nation of Israel to turn to their God. In this year,  Stephen was stoned and the disciples began to be persecuted. Shortly after, Paul would begin his ministry to the Gentiles. He called himself a preacher to the Gentiles:

 I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles

2 Timothy 1:11

  • 70 weeks (490 years) of the 2300 days (years) are used in this section of the prophecy.  1810 years remains.

1810 years from 34 AD leads us to the year 1844. Daniel was told in the longest time prophecy that at the end of the 2300 days (years) the sanctuary would be “cleansed.”  What doe this mean?  We will let the bible interpreted itself in our next study, but here is a short introduction.

The sanctuary services were instituted by God Himself.  The pattern was given to Moses.  This design is a copy of the heavenly sanctuary. Some might think there is nothing applicable to the Christian since these services ended when Jesus was “cut off” and,

“(brought) an end to sacrifice and offering.

Daniel 9:27

But, as we shall understand next time, Paul dedicated a whole book to the study of the sanctuary and its comparison to the ministry of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary.  It is the book of Hebrews. If the earthly sanctuary and its services are a shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, then it must foreshadow the work of Jesus there in heaven.  He has gone to “prepare a place for us.”  Does this mean He is a carpenter and building mansions or is He a priest doing a service of preparation for His people?

The old sanctuary service of “cleansing” is a type of resolution and end of the sin issue. By studying closely the sanctuary services, we will see a picture of what God has planned for the return of Jesus and an end of sin which includes the conquering of the last enemy, death.

Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 8:5

And for this reason, He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:15

Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep you and your family.

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Notes on the Ezra dates:

*Notes about the dates described above:

Ezra has three decrees with different dates that could be used.  Nehemiah has a date also.  But the decision as to which one to use, you must keep in mind the key words of the prophecy: “the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.”The four decrees are :
The decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4)
The decree of Darius I (Ezra 6:1-12)
The decree of Artaxerxes I (Longimanuus) (Ezra 7: 12-26)
The decree of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah Chapters 1 and 2)   Let’s eliminate some of the dates  based on the guiding verse of Daniel 9:25   Ezra 1-gave instruction only for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Said nothing about the whole city.  We can eliminate this date.   Ezra 6-simply the endorsement by Darius of the decree of Cyrus.  Only mentions the building of the “house of God.” We can eliminate this date.   Ezra 7 makes provision for complete restoration of the Jewish state, including the right to appoint magistrates and judges, hold trials, and pass and execute sentence upon violators of the own national laws. This is the date that fits the idea of “restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem.”    Nehemiah 2-Wording has not been preserved but was simply a reinstatement of Artaxerxes original authorization to Ezra recorded in Ezra chapter 7.   Determination of the date of the decree: It was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:7,8)   Biblical evidence for the 457 BC start date:   The dates for Artaxerxes reign are well documented in the ancient sources: Greek historians, Ptolemy’s Canon
The Babylonian business tablets
Elephantine papyri from Egypt
From the above documents, we know that Xerxes was killed in late December of 465 B.C. and the reign of Artaxerxes began at the time.  

Artaxerxes Reign Fall to Fall
First year464/463 B.C.
Second year463/462 B.C.
Third year462/461 B.C.
Fourth year461/460 B.C.
Fifth year460/459 B.C.
Sixth year459/458 B.C.
Seventh year458/457 B.C.

Therefore, the seventh year of Artaxerxes, according to Jewish reckoning, extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B. C.

Prophecies for Our Time

Prophecies for Our Time-The Judgment

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“I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire;
A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated,
And the books were opened.

I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.

Daniel 7: 9 – 11

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Over the last few weeks, we have been studying the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, 8, &9.  Daniel watched in his visions  a period spanning long periods of time.  We saw a 70-year period that was “cut off” or  a given to Israel to come to place in their experience, where they became the light to the world and welcomed in their Messiah.  But Israel rejected their Messiah, The Just One who was foretold in the scripture.

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In 34 AD Stephen  gave a powerful sermon found In Acts 7.  This is an important date, for it ended the period of 490 years (70 weeks) for the nation of Israel as a whole. (Please see previous posts that brings us up to this point.)

Stephen  described the history of God’s people (the Israelites)  who constantly rejected God, His law, and His prophets who were sent to encourage them to turn from their evil ways. Now they were continuing that tradition by rejecting the truth from Stephen.

He spoke of their father Abraham and Moses and described how they rejected the prophets. He then begin to talk about Jesus.  He quoted from Deuteronomy:

The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.

Deuteronomy 18:15

As Stephen began to describe the temple, the tone of his sermon changes abruptly and he quickly proclaimed,

 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

Acts 7:51, 52

Their problem is clearly identified here.  They resisted the work of the Holy Spirit just like their ancestors.  The prophets whom God had sent were rejected and persecuted.  They ignored the law given to them and now they had gone so far as to encourage the killing of the son of God of the Just One who was foretold in scripture:

And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.

Acts 7: 52, 53

Here their fate was sealed.  The 70-week prophecy or 490 years came to an end.  This was 34 AD.  490 years after the commandment went forth to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem.”  Just as Daniel was shown in vision hundreds of years earlier.

A few years later, Paul and Barnabas would allude to this prophecy when they said,

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to  the  Gentiles.

Acts 13: 46

Because of the truth, Stephen was stoned; sealing the rejection of Jesus whom Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God.

This 490 period given to the Jews in a special way was part of the of the 2,300 years that stretched to 1844, when the sanctuary was to be cleansed.

From 34 AD until now, there is not longer Greek or Jew, Male or Female. In fact, if we are in Jesus, we have become the new Israel and heirs of the promises given to Abraham:

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:29

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But, Daniel saw even further as described in today’s opening verses.  Daniel saw until the 4th beast with the little horn was destroyed in the flames, when the earth is destroyed when Jesus returns.

“I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”

Daniel 7: 11

As we will see in the coming weeks, this little horn power is also the Anti-Christ (The one who stands in the place of Christ). As mentioned, this beast is destroyed when Jesus returns:

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2: 8, 9

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So in summary, Daniel watched and saw:

1.) Kingdoms rise and fall (Babylon, Medio-Persian, Greece, Rome)

2.) The rise of a cruel and deceptive power we now know to be the Roman Catholic church and their system of Popes (Fathers) and priests that stand in the place of Christ

3.) The judgement scene (1844)

4.) The return of Christ

5.) The end of the little horn power at the return of Christ

6.) Judgment given to the Saints

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We have not talked about the judgement scene much.  As described at the start of this study and repeated here.  Daniel sees the “Ancient of Days” take His seat as thousands minister to him and the books are opened.

“I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;…The court was seated, And the books were opened.

Daniel 7: 9, 10

John describes the same scene in Revelation 20

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20: 12

Let’s notice something here.  Everyone who has ever lived and died stand before God and are judged out of the Book of Life.  Let’s also notice that this is taking place where God’s throne is located, the heavenly sanctuary.  There is an investigation and decisions are being made based on what is being described in the books.

There is more than one book.  The scripture describes at least two other books that are used in the judgement. Besides the Book of Life, there is the Book of Remembrance.

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

Malachi 3:16

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There is much confusion and error about judgement.  The typical view of judgement by many is that it occurs when you die and it is a passage of moving either to heaven or to hell.  Once judged, you either pass through the pearly gates or are assigned a spot in hell.  Of course, there is confusion about hell.  For more information, see the post entitled

 Of course, there is  also confusion about hell.  For more information, see the post entitled Did Jesus talk more about Hell than Heaven?.  Also, see the post that follow it.

But, judgement is not that way at all.  For next few moments, let’s explore some important verses and concepts about judgement.

1.) The final message of judgement to mankind is found in Revelation:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 14: 6-7

This angel’s message (1 of 3 messages) is the everlasting gospel or the good news about Jesus.  The angel (or messenger) gives a message that judgment is come.  The judgement has started and worship of the Creator is contrasted with a world that does not believe in creation nor a Creator.  Does that sound familiar to you?  Yes, we live in that world where evolution is considered the source of life and order.

Yes, we live in that world where evolution is considered the source of life and order.  The judgement has started and worship of the Creator is contrasted with a world that does not believe in creation nor a Creator.

There is a commandment that points to the great Creator.  It is the 4th Commandment:

 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Revelation 20: 11

Regarding the Sabbath, one author has said,

“Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man’s thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel.”

Great Controversy, Page 438

So in the last day, the angel is urging the people of the earth to return to honoring the Lord of the Sabbath and the Great Creator-Jesus.  Along with this encouragement comes the proclamation that judgment has come or it has started.

2.) The standard of judgment is the 10 commandments:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,”also said,“Do not murder.”Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2: 10 – 12

3.)  Our name can be blotted out of the book of life if we fail to be overcomers, but if we are converted our sins will be blotted out instead:

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:5

Please keep in mind, that overcoming sins in our lives is the work of God in our life by faith.  We can never be victorious without faith in the one who also redeems us!  If we yield to the conviction and power of God, he will make us overcomers.  Do not make the mistake that you have to focus on being good.  Focus on Jesus only. In the end our sins will be blotted out and not our name.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 3:19

4.) We are not condemned if we are “in Jesus” and our lifestyle is to follow the urging of the Spirit.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

5.) Since Jesus is our mediator, He can save us completely.  This means not only salvation from eternal death, but salvation from the power of sins in our lives now.

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:24 – 25

If you have sin that pulls you down, have you turned to your high priest in heaven and asked for intercession?  If not, maybe you are trying to overcome on your own carnal strength.  This is an impossibility, for Jesus said,

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 

Just like a branch gets its nourishment from the tree, we can our strength to overcome through the main tree-Jesus. How?  By trusting in Him and remaining or abiding in Him!  Abiding does not mean a casual once a week experience, but an ongoing one.  The branch doesn’t detach itself and then reattach every weekend.  It remains in Christ throughout the week!

6.)  The work of Judgment by the Ancient of Days is complete before Jesus returns, because when He comes, He brings His reward with Him.

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.

Revelation 22:12

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The judgment scene is  described both in Daniel 7 and Revelation 20.  It is a period just before Jesus returns.  The Ancient of Days sits and thousands of angels attend Him.  The books are open, not for God’s sake, but for the sake of those in attendance. These records are to demonstrate that God is just.

Again, here is the companion verse to Daniel as found in Revelation:

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books

Revelation 20: 12

Notice the dead are judged.  Your spirit or body does not stand in front of the judge as the picture in this post suggests.  It is those who are dead now.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but afterthis

Hebrews 9:12

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There is also a period where we will be provided opportunity to see that God was just.  The scripture tells us this about judgment:

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1 Corinthians 6:2

It is during the 1,000 years after Jesus returns that the saints (us) will be able to understand fully that our God is just and fair. For more information on the Thousand Years, click see the post called Part 4-Second Coming-1,000 Years

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.

Revelation 20:4

This is not a decision about who gets to have eternal life or not because the Ancient of Days or God has already made those decisions before Jesus returns.  It is a determination about the mercy and grace of God.  It will demonstrate that those who are lost were given every opportunity to repent and turn to God.

Our God is a just and fair God.  His judgments are right and true. May you be blessed as you consider the things of God’s word.

Next time, we will begin to study another form of judgment.  It is a judgment upon the wicked and evil of the earth.  We will see that Revelation is only understood in the light of Daniel’s visions.  We will discover more about the beast and his image.

Until then, may the Lord bless you and your family. – Eddie