PROPHETIC OF CHRIST'S ETERNAL KINGDOM
Daniel was the first group of captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon (600 B.C.) Daniel was of royal blood (V-3). Josephus a Jewish historian says that Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kin to King Zedekia. That gave them easier entree to the Palace of Babylon. They were brilliant young men, who were under the special care of God. They were trained of God to bear witness to His name in the heathen's court that then ruled the world. The "King's dainties" (V-8), which they refused to eat, probably was food that had been offered in sacrifice to Babylonian idols.
The Book of Daniel contains two parts, history and prophecy. The stories of Daniel are not given simply as stories; rather they illustrate what the prophecies predict.
Daniel wrote the Book of Daniel (Daniel 12:5, 7, 8). Jesus recognized Daniel as the author (Matthew 24:15). Daniel chapter 1&2 deals with a dream that Babylon's ruler, King Nebuchanazzar, had one night. A dream the king knew was very important, but he could not recall it when he awoke. The king called his wise men around and he ordered his wise men to tell him what the dream was and what it meant, and of course, None! could. These "unwise" individuals disappointed their king and faced imminent death. The next day Daniel went before the king... Daniel told the king of his dream.
The king beheld a great image (Statue), an image whose head was of fine Gold, and its breasts and arms of Silver; its belly and thighs of Brass, the legs were made of Iron and part clay. Then fell a Stone (Christ) out from the heavens that smashed down the feet of the Statue to pieces (Daniel 2: 35-38).
The great king was extremely pleased with Daniel - he was right. That was, indeed the dream, but what did it mean? Daniel went on to explain just what this image meant.
The Four World Empires here predicted are generally understood to have been the Babylon, Persian, Greek and Roman Empire. From the days of Daniel to the coming of Christ, these four Empires ruled the world, exactly as Daniel predicted. In the days of Roman Empire Augustus, Emperor 31 B.C. 14 Jesus Christ was born during his reign. Jesus appeared and set up his eternal kingdom approximately A.D. 30. Starting as a grain of mustard seed, and passing through many persecutions, is now giving every evidence that it will become a Universal and Everlasting Kingdom, blossoming into full glory at the Lord's return.
1. The Head of Gold represented The Babylon Empire. Nebuchanazzar's kingdom lasted approximately 70 years.
2. The Breast and Arms of Silver represent The Medo-Persia Empire, which conquered Babylon Kingdom. The Persian Empire lasted approximately 200 years.
3. The Legs were made of Iron representing The Greek led by Alexander the Great. The Brass and Thighs of the statue represent the Greeks with their brazen armor and brass breastplates worn by soldiers. After the death of Alexander the Great, the nation began to lose its power and unity. The Greek's empire lasted approximately 200 years also.
4. The Feet made of Part Iron and Part Clay, represented The Roman Empire. The Iron monarch of Rome broke into pieces, bruised, and subdued kingdoms for nearly 2,000 years. The Romans Empire later became known as the Roman Catholic Church in 320 A.D. by emperor Constantine.
~~~~~ Constantine's a Roman emperor conversion to Christianity. In the course of his wars with Competitors, to establish himself on the throne, on the eve of the battle of Milvain Bridge, just outside of Rome, October 27, A.D. 312, he saw in the sky, just above the setting sun, a vision of the cross, and above it the word, "In This Sign Conquer." He decided to fight under the banner of Christ, and he won the battle, a turning point in the history of Christianity. His edict of Toleration (A.D. 313). By this Edict, Constantine granted to "Christians and to all others, Full Liberty of following that Religion, which each may choose. He favored Christians in every way: exempted Christian ministers from taxes and military service; encouraged and helped in building churches, made Christianity the Religion of his court, and issued a general exhortation (A.D. 325) to all his subjects to embrace Christianity.
~~~ Constantine and Sunday. He made the Christians' day of Assembly, Sunday, a rest day; forbidding ordinary work, and permitting Christian soldiers to attend Church services.
~~~ Houses of Worship. The first church building was erected in the reign of Aenader Severus (A.D. 222-235). After the edict of Constantine, they began to built church buildings everywhere.
~~~ The Roman Empire fell in A.D. 476, but in the name of Christ, and by the aid of the Roman Catholic Church. Rome came to life again by many Catholic Popes through down the ages. Papal Rome ruled the world on a greater extent, and for the longest time, with absolute rule over Pagan Rome and had done more than any world power before it. During those 1,500 years reign, the Catholic Church put to death over 100 million people who were branded as Heretics because they did not believe in the church doctrines.
The Roman Empire was broken up by the invasion of barbaric tribes of Europe. The Western Roman Empire was overrun at last. Out of its ruin emerged the nations of modern Europe: Saxon (English), Franks (French), Alemanni (Germans), Burgundies (Swiss), Lombard's (Italians), Visigoths (Spanish), Suevi (Portuguese), Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Heruli. Many attempts have been made to unite Europe through the centuries. The Popes tried to cement it together under the
Catholic Church.
(Daniel 2: 44, 45) And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall NOT be left to other people, and consumed (outlasted) all these (four empires Babylon, Mede-Persia, Greek and the Romans) kingdoms. It shall stand Forver!. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the Stone! was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the Iron, the Brass, the Clay, the Silver, and the Gold, the Great God, as made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is Certain.
During the Augustus, Emperor the Rome Empire 31 B.C. in his reign, Jesus Christ was born and preaching that the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Galatians 4:4, 45) But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to Redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoptions of sons and daughters. (Hebrews 10:1) For the Law having a shadow of good things to come. (V-4) For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins... (V-8, 9) Sacrifice and Offering and burnt offerings for sin thou (the Father) wouldest not, neither has pleasure therein. He taketh away the First (Old Testament covenant), that Christ may establish the Second (New Testament Covenant). (Colossians 2: 16, 17) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come: But the body (Reality) is found in Christ.
During Augustus, emperor 31B.C.- A.D. 14 in his reign, Christ was born: (Matthew 1: 18-23) now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together (as husband and wife), she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Joseph, fear not to take thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus for he shall Save his people from their Sin."
Now this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, Isaiah saying "Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God is with us."
"The virgin shall conceive and bear a son. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and overshadow you." This is the way God entered into humanity to bring a second Adam. God the Son enfleshed Himself- the Holy Spirit bringing about conception, without the intervention of the normal reproductive cycle of man. That is why Jesus is called the Son of God. He was not the son of Joseph. Jesus was not the son of any human father. The Holy Spirit conceived him. Linking Jesus into the family tree of Mary, however, made Him a descendant of David and Abraham, which fulfilled the various promises that God had made to them. Further, it was from His mother, Mary, that Jesus Received His human nature. So Jesus was unique, conceived by the Holy Spirit, but of "the house and lineage of David."
(Luke 3:1-6) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. He grew up in Nazareth until he was 30 years old. Then Jesus went to John the Baptist, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, preparing the hearts of men and women to be ready to receive Jesus as the Messiah. All flesh shall see Salvation of the God.
Jesus Proclaimed His Eternal Kingdom through Preaching and Believing in Him: (Mark 1:14,15) Now after John the baptist was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The kingdom of God is at hand: Repent Ye, and Believe in the Gospel."
(Luke 4:16-19) And there was delivered unto Jesus the book of Isaiah, when he opened the book, he found the place where it was written, the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to Preach the Gospel to the poor, He has Sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach! deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach! the acceptable year of the Lord (Only 3 1/2 years ministry).
(John 11: 24-27) Jesus saith unto Martha, "I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believe in Me shall never DIE, believest thou this?" She said unto him, " Yea, Lord I believe, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, who should come into the world."
(John 6:63) Jesus said, "It is the Spirit that quickens (alive) the flesh profited nothing: the words that I Speak! unto you they are spirit and they are life."
(John 3: 1-21) There was a man of the Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; the same came to Jesus by night. Jesus said, unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Verily I say unto you, except a man be born of water (the Word of God) and of the Spirit (Receiving the Spirit of God) he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I say unto thee, ye must be Born Again."
(John 3:15-21) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, whosoever believe in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting life.
Jesus' disciples/apostles [A.D. 26] John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathaniel believed in Jesus when John the Baptist baptized Jesus. (John 1:35-51). They accompanied Jesus to Cana, and then went back to their occupation until a later call.
(A.D. 28) After Jesus had finished his early Judean ministry, and as he began his Galilean ministry, He called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to leave their fishing business, and definitely associate them with him. (Mark 1: 16-20). Jesus said unto them "Come ye follow me, I will make you to become Fisher of men." (Matthew 19: 27-30) Then Peter said unto Jesus, "Behold, we have left All, and Followed thee, what shall we have therefore? Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that ye who Followed me, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His Glory, Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, Judging the twelve tribes of Israel, and Everyone that has Forshaken houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
It took Jesus about a year and a half to complete his choice. Then the twelve and Seventy disciples/apostles were with him about two years.
~~~~ [A.D. 32] Jesus sent forth the Twelve on their First mission announcing the Goodnews the Messiah has come to the Lost Sheep House of Israel. (Luke 6: 12-16; 9:1-9).
~~~~ [A.D. 32] Couple months later Jesus appointed another Seventy disciples/apostles and He gave them power to heal, and sent out in pairs, on a similiar mission as the Twelve to the Jews in every city possibly about a month and to announce that the Messiah has come. (Luke 10:1-17)
~~~~ [A.D. 33] Jesus commanded the Apostles and disciples on a final Commission to carry the Gospel to the Jews, Lost sheep house of Israel, and eventually to All Gentitles nations to the end of the earth. (Matthews 28: 16-20).
Before sending forth the Twelve and Seventy disciples/apostles, Jesus said, "The Harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest (The Father), that He would send forth laborers (Apostles/workers) into His harvest.
(Verse-4) Jesus told the Twelve and Seventy disciples/apostles "Carry neither purse, script, nor shoes, and salute no man by the way. (Verse-7) In the same house remain eating and drinking such things as they give. Go Not From House to House! To understand these verses above we must know and understand the Jewish customs in Jesus' days!
This sounds strange to our ears, but remember these Seventy/Twelve apostles had many people to carry the good news in a short period, and not much time left in which they were to accomplish Christ's work for them before he was to be Crucified and put to Death by the Roman soldiers.
When a stranger arrived in a village, the people, and one family after another, must invite him to eat with them. There is a very strict custom involving much hypocrisy; and any failure to observe this law of hospitality is violently resented by the entire neighborhood, and often led to feuds. This hospitality consumes an enormous amount of time, lead to gossip and in every way would counteract to the success of the spiritual mission on which the Apostles were sent to spread the Gospel message that Christ has come.
They were first to find a Suitable place to lodge in and to Remain there until their work for Jesus in that village was accomplished. Jesus told them, " Provide neither gold or silver in your purse, neither two coats. (Matthew 10:9) And whosoever shall NOT receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment, than for that city."
It was a Brief or Short missions that Jesus sent the 70/12 disciples to carry the Goodnews to the Lost sheep House of Israel and to Jews first! and the Gentiles nations later eventually. Christ has come to save his people from their sins. Jesus did not want to burden the 70/12 apostles with material things for their Brief missions for him. "The script" is the whole skin of an animal, dried. It fastened to the belt or a cord, and is throw over the shoulder under the outer garment.
The travelers (messengers) will carry in this script bread, figs, and olives, enough to last on their journey. The apostles were told NOT to take the script with them. Jesus told the 70/12 apostles "Salute no man by the way." This would sound to our ears rather impolite and NOT like Jesus who was kind and friendly. We were only custom to the manner of the western world and think a nod of the head, a smile or a grasp of the hand would be enough.
The 70/12 apostles were sent on a very special and important mission for Jesus, going out as messengers for their Lord Jesus. They must NOT loiter in idle conversation with the people they would meet on the way. If a peasant from the Bible lands should come to our country and watch us hurrying to catch a bus and we would not be friendly, he certainly would consider us extremely impolite. No peasant would ever be so rude. Time is of NO importance to these people in Jesus days.
They questioned each other with compliment speeches, which would take, at the very least, another half-hour, and they embraced again in departure. Because of this very common custom of such long greetings, Elisha said to his servant Ghazi "If thou meet any man, salute him not." (II Kings 4: 29).
This sounds strange to our ears, but remember these 70/12 apostle had many people to deliver the good news to. Perhaps, a month of preaching before the seventy apostles returned from their mission, whom Jesus sent them to proclaim as they go, saying, " The kingdom of God is at hand." The Twelve apostles had a similar mission in (Luke 9) as to the Seventy apostles.
Jesus told the Twelve apostles in (Matthew 10: 5-15) "Go Not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritan, enter ye Not: but rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
~~~~~ Why, did Jesus tell the 12 and 70 apostles NOT go to the Samaritans at this time in Matthew 10 and Luke 10?
(Acts 3: 11-26) Peter and John said to the Jews, "Ye children of the Prophets, and of the covenant (Old Testament) which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindred's of the earth be blessed. Unto You (Jews) First, God having raised up his son Jesus sent him to bless you."
(Acts 13: 42-47) Then Paul and Barnabas waxed boldly and said, "It was necessary the Word of God should FIRST have been spoken to You (Jews) but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy! of everlasting life, we go to the Gentiles.
(Acts 22: 1-21) Jesus told Paul, "Depart, for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. (Gal. 2:8-9) Peter/James/John and the rest of the 12 aposltes were to preach Mostly to the Jews and Lost sheep House of Israel. And Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Silas, John Mark, Luke, Apollo, Tychicus, Aristacus, Ephaphas, Demas, Ephraroditus, etc.. to preach the Goodnews to the Gentiles.
~~~~ Paul wrote about Timothy, Titus, and Silas:
In (II Cor. 1: 19-22) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ was Preached! among you by us! even by me, Silas, and Timothy... now He has established us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God. He has also sealed us and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(I Cor. 16:10,11) Paul wrote: Now if Timothy! comes, see that he may be with you wtihout fear, for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him but send send him forth in peace...
(I Thess. 3:2) Paul wrote: Sent Timothy! our brother, and Minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith.
(Phillippians 1:1) Paul wrote: Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to All the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
~~~~ Paul wrote about Silas and Titus:
In (I Thess. 1:1) Paul, Silas, and Timothy unto the church of the Thessalonians.... (II Cor. 8:23) When any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concering you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are Messengers! of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
(Titus 1:4,5) To Titus mine own son after the common faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. For this cause I left thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are unfinished, and Ordain! elders in every city, as I had appointed thee...
(Acts 26: 1-23) Jesus said to Paul, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest...for I appear to thee for this purpose to make thee a Minister and a Witness both of these things... Now I send thee to the people to Open their eyes, and to turn them from Darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive Forgiveness of Sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in Me."
Jesus, the Lord God Yahweh/Jehovah of the Old Testament has kept God's promised to Abraham that the Jews would get the First opportunity! to hear the Good news that the Messiah has arrived before the Gentiles get to hear the same message of Salvation also. Jesus sent the 12 and 70 apostles to proclaim the Gospel to the lost sheep house of Israel and the Jews that the Messiah they had been waiting for many years have come to save them from their sins.
~~~~ However, in (John 4: 1-42) Jesus took time to help the Samaritan (half Jews and Gentiles) woman at the well. (Verse 39) Many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him and many believed because of his words.
(Matthews 15: 21-28) Behold, a woman of Canaan (half Jew/Gentile) saying, "Have mercy on me, my daughter is grievous vexed with a devil. But Jesus (was trying to test her faith) saying, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Then she came and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me. True Lord, yet the dog's eat the crumbs, which fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is thy faith." And her daughter was made whole that very hour.
(Matthews 9:10-13) Jesus sat at meat in the house of many Publicans and Sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees (self-righteous Jews) saw it, they said to the disciples, " Why, eat your master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick...For I am come NOT to call the righteous (Pharisees) but Sinners (lost sheep) to repentance."
Jesus sending forth the 12/70 apostles instructions in (Matthew 10; Luke 10: 1-24) were only Temporary applications during those short, brief month/s missions such as: "Take no money, provide neither gold or silver, no scrip for the journey, neither two coats, neither extra shoes, and go not from house to house." Here we read Paul and his fellow-laborers stayed in different Christian's homes in different places throughout Europe, Turkey, etc..
(Acts 16: 14,15) Lydia, a seller of purple, after she was baptized and many of her family as well, constrained Paul and his companions in her home. (Acts 18: 1-3) Paul Stayed in the home of Aquilla and Priscilla.
(Acts 21: 1-10) Paul and his companions Stayed with the disciples in Tyre seven days. When we had finished our course from Tyre we came to Ptolemaic, and saluted the brethren, and Abode with them One Day. And the next day we came unto Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelists, and Abode with him. The Seventy men whom Jesus sent as His Messengers in the same chapter (Luke 10: 17-14) returned from their short mission with JOY, saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
Jesus said unto them, saying "No man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father, and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will Reveal Him, I thank thee, O Father, thou has hid these things from the Wise and Prudent (of this world), and has reveal unto babes (childlike spirits), even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight."~~~~~ The Training of the Twelve and Seventy Apostles:
The choosing and training of the Twelve and Seventy Apostles to whom Jesus was to entrust the Gospel was an extremely important part of Jesus' early ministry. Jesus' primary purpose in coming into the world was to die as The Lamb of God to atone for human sins and to Rise from the Dead to bring Eternal Life to Humanity. But His Life, Death and Resurrection would be Useless to the world unless the world knows about it. If the men whom Jesus Entrusted should fail Him, then his coming to earth would have been in vain.
The first sending of the Twelve apostles and later another Seventy in (Luke 10:1-9) were part of their training intended to give them practice work, and was a part of Jesus' method of advertising to the Jewish nation that the Messiah has arrived. There were no newspapers. The only means of spreading the news was by the word of mouth. These men authenticated their message by Special miracles (healings, casting out demons etc.) not only to attract attention, and to fulfill scripture that the Messiah would perform Miracles just like Moses did in the Old Testament to Prove to the Children of Israel, he was sent by God as a Deliverer to Redeem them out of the slavery and bondage in Egypt. The Miracles are also to indicate to the Jewish nation the extraordinary nature of Christ the Messiah whom they proclaimed.
With the power to heal and performing miracles, the Seventy Apostles and the Twelve Apostles there would be no difficult about their lodging, meals, money being supplied by those who got healed through them. Later on they were told to take money. (Luke 22: 35-38). Their training was not an easy task, for they were being trained for a work utterly different from what they thought they were being trained for. They began to follow him as politicians, with no thought whatever of becoming Preachers, as they turned out to be. They were expecting, that, as the Messiah, Jesus would establish a Political World Empire, of which they would be administrators. The people wanted to make Jesus King. (John 6: 14-15).Most of the Jews in Jesus' day thought of a Political Kingdom, in which they, under their Messiah, would rule the world. King Herod shared that same notion, and tried to destroy Jesus when Jesus was a baby, because he Thought that Christ's kingdom would be a rival Political Kingdom to his own. The Twelve Apostles share the same notion till after the resurrection. The last question they asked Jesus was, "Lord, will you now Restore the kingdom of Israel?" (Acts 1: 6). Their minds were on Political Independence for their country from the Roman Empire, rather than personal eternal salvation. (John 18: 18-36) Pilate said to Jesus, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world, if my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but My Kingdom is not from here. Jesus' kingdom is a Spiritual Kingdom! (Matthews 26: 47-56) Then Jesus said to "Peter, put up thy sword... Thinkest thou that I cannot Now! pray to my heavenly Father, and He shall presently give me Twelve Legions (144,000 angels) Angels? But now then shall the scripture be fulfilled.What was the kingdom that Jesus came to Establish here on the earth? NOT a political kingdom, but a Spiritual kingdom, which Jesus wants to Reign in the Hearts of Men and Women, Boys and Girls. Through their hearts God controls and transforms their lives. The Human heart is where Jesus came to Reign. To make all humanity to Love Him and to change us into His own image. Out of an affection for Him, a devotion to Him and the Transformation of Character, the regeneration of the soul through believing in Christ.~~~~~ The apostolic fathers writings: About the Seventy apostles.
~~~ Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) To James the Just, and Peter, the Lord imparted knowledge After His resurrection. These imparted it to the rest of the apostles. And the rest of the apostles imparted it to the Seventy; of whom Barnabas was one. (I Cor. 15:4-8)
Apsotolic Barnabas was One of the Seventy and a fellow-worker of Paul who in person preached the word of God along with him in the ministry to the Gentiles. (Acts 14: 14)
~~~ Turtullian (A.D. 207) Jesus chose also Seventy other apostles besides the Twelve. Now, the Twelve followed the number of the Twelve fountains of Elim. Therefore, why should NOT the Seventy correspond to the like number of the palms of that place?
~~~ Eusebius (A.D. 315) After Jesus was risen from the abode of the dead and was received into heaven, Thomas the apostle.... by an impluse from God, sent Thaddaeus to Edessa to be a Preacher and proclaimer of the teaching of Christ. Now, this Thaddaeus was himself also numbered among the Seventy disciples of Christ.
