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Daniel 8

Another vision for Daniel                                              verse 1- 2 

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar

a vision appeared to me

                         even unto me Daniel

after that which appeared to me at the first

And I saw in a vision and it came to pass – when I saw

            that I was at Shushan in the palace

which is in the province of Elam

And I saw in a vision – and I was by the river of Ulai 

Vision of a ram with two horns                                     verse 3- 4 

THEN I lifted up mine eyes – and saw – and BEHOLD

there stood before the river a ram

 [Medo-Persia] which had two horns

                                    and the two horns were high

BUT one was higher than the other

and the higher came up last

I saw the ram pushing westward – northward – southward

SO THAT no beasts might stand before him

                        neither was there any that could deliver

out of his hand

            BUT he did according to his will – and became great 

Vision of a he goat defeating ram                                  verse 5- 7 

AND as I was considering – BEHOLD

an he goat [Greece]came from the west

on the face of the whole earth

                                    and touched not the ground

            and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes

                        and he came to the ram that had two horns

                                    which I had seen standing before the river

                                                and ran unto him in the fury of his power

And I saw him come close unto the ram

and he was moved with choler against him

and smote the ram – and brake his two horns

            and there was no power in the ram to stand before him

                        BUT he cast him down to the ground

and stamped upon him

and there was none that could deliver the ram

out of his hand 

Vision of he goat’s one horn dividing into four horns   verse 8 

THEREFORE the he goat waxed very great – and when he was strong

            the great horn was broken

and for it came up four notable ones toward the

four winds of heaven 

Description one horn coming from one of the

                    four horns                                                    verse 9- 12 

And out of one of them came forth a little horn [Antichrist pictured]

            which waxed exceeding great

toward the south – east – the pleasant land

            and it waxed great – even to the host of heaven

                        and it cast down some of the host and of the stars

                                    to the ground – and stamped upon them

YEA – he magnified himself even to the prince of the host

            and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away

and the place of HIS sanctuary was cast down

            and a host was given him against the daily sacrifice

by reason of transgression

and it cast down the truth to the ground      

and it practiced – and prospered 

Saints ask “how long” will little horn have power        verse 13 

THEN I heard one saint speaking

and another saint said to that certain saint

which spoke

How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice

and the transgression of desolation 

to give both the sanctuary

and the host to be trodden under foot? 

Other saint gives time frame                                         verse 14 

AND he said to me

            Unto two thousand and three hundred days

                        THEN shall the sanctuary be cleansed 

Gabriel comes to explain vision to Daniel                     verse 15- 18 

And it came to pass – when I – even I Daniel – had seen the vision

            and sought for the meaning – THEN – BEHOLD

                        there stood before me as the appearance of a man

And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai – which called

and said

            Gabriel – make this man to understand the vision

So he came near where I stood – and when he came – I was afraid

            and fell upon my face

BUT he said to me

            Understand – O son of man

for at the TIME OF THE END shall be the vision

Now as he was speaking with me

I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground

                        BUT he touched me – and set me upright 

Gabriel explains two kingdoms                                    verse 19- 22 

AND he said

BEHOLD – I will make you know

what shall be in the LAST END of the indignation

for at the TIME APPOINTED

the END shall be

            The ram which you saw having two horns

are the kings of Media and Persia

            AND the rough goat is the king of Grecia

                        and the great horn that is between his eyes is the

                                    first king [Alexander the Great]

            NOW that being broken – whereas four stood up for it

                        four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation

                                    BUT not in his power 

Gabriel explains little horn                                           verse 23- 25 

AND IN THE LATTER TIME of their kingdom

            when the transgressors are come to the full

                        a king of fierce countenance

and understanding dark sentences

shall stand up

            and his power shall be mighty – BUT not by his own power

AND he shall destroy wonderfully – and shall prosper

and shall practice and shall destroy the mighty

and the holy people

AND though his policy also he shall

cause craft to prosper in his hand

                        and he shall magnify himself in his heart

            and by peace shall destroy many

                        he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes

                                    BUT he shall be broken without hand                                 

 Gabriel tells Daniel to shut up vision – it is future        verse 26 

AND the vision of the evening and morning

which was told IS TRUE

WHEREFORE shut you up the vision

for it shall be for many days 

Daniel was overwhelmed by vision                               verse 27 

AND I Daniel fainted – and was sick certain days

            AFTERWARD I rose up – and did the king’s business

                        and I was astonished at the vision

BUT none understood it 

COMMENTARY:          

 

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers 

:17         As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. “Son of man,” he said, “you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end. (NLT)

: 17      So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and feel upon my face: but he said to me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vison. (KJV) (995 “Understand” [biyn] means consider, perceive, discern, teach, explain, or declare.)

DEVOTION:  The Bible sometimes can be confusing. The visions of Daniel in the Old Testament were given to show him God’s plan for the future. God knows everything. HE knows everything that will happen in your life.

HE is there to help you make the right decisions but will not force you to. Our choice is a gift from HIM. HE wants us to make the right choices but sometimes we don’t and HE is willing to forgive us if we ask.

Daniel asked the angel Gabriel for help in understanding the vision. One of the things that he told Daniel was that the vision was going to happen in the future. It was not going to happen in his lifetime.

End times are events that are going to happen just before the return of Jesus Christ after a seven year period of Tribulation here on the earth. Those who are believers today will be watching the seven years in heaven. They will return with Christ to conquer this “little horn” that represents the followers of the Devil. One of his followers is known as the Antichrist. He is someone who is the opposite of Jesus Christ.  He will make false promises to the children of Israel to have them sign a peace treaty but he will break it after three and a half years.

There is more but we will share it in the future as we continue our study of the Word of God together.

CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to learn what we can from the Word of God and apply it to our daily life as the LORD gives us wisdom to help others as well as ourselves. 

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers 

: 25      And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.        (4820 “craft” [mirmah] means deceit, treachery, false, dishonesty, or deception.)

DEVOTION:  One of the ways that false leaders keep their people in line is to lie to them. They use deceit to keep them in line. They use any method they can find to keep the people following them afraid to change leaders. This is what was happening during the reign of the “little horn” in this chapter of Daniel.

In history the little horn was Antiochus Epiphanes who went into the Temple in Jerusalem and offered a pig on the altar of the LORD. He was a very proud ruler. He liked to think of himself as a god. He was not. He was a type of the Antichrist that was coming to make war on the people of Israel and on the Prince of princes. The

This leader was able to fake peace with the people of God and then cancels their worship of the LORD. He wanted them to worship him alone. This is the Antichrist of the end times. However, he doesn’t win in the end. He has his fifteen minutes of glory but then he is defeated they the Prince of princes. This Prince of princes is none other than the returning Messiah. This is Jesus Christ who died for our sins. HE will defeat the Satanic trinity in the end times. HE would do it by the word of HIS mouth. HE didn’t need an army.

Remember that Satan and his followers are always lifting themselves up in pride. Pride comes before the fall. We need to learn a lesson from this passage. The leaders of nations come and go as the LORD wills. There is only one who will be the Sovereign Ruler of the universe and that is Christ. HE will only have to speak the word and Satan is defeated.

We can have victory before the end if we turn to the LORD for our daily strength. Are we asking for HIS help daily? Are we in his WORD daily? Are we serving HIM daily? It is a daily choice. Watch out for false leaders!!! Watch out for fake peace!!

CHALLENGE: Discernment is important in our walk with the LORD. There are many who will say Peace to us but really mean War. Remember our enemy appears as an “angel of light.”

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                 : 25                   “Through his cunning

                                    He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;

                                    And he shall exalt himself in his heart.

                                    He shall destroy many in their prosperity.

                                    He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;

                                    But he shall be broken without human means. (NKJV) 

DEVOTION: There are many cunning people in our world. They are those who take advantage of those who are weak or not too smart. They can trick them into believing anything they tell them because they sound good. They are convincing in their attitude.

All they are doing is deceiving people. We have had many people in recent history who have taken people for all their money. They spend their money until they get caught and then spend some time in jail. However, the ones they hurt usually never fully recover from their loss.

These individuals start not trusting anyone which includes the LORD. The one revealed in this passage is one what will deceive people into believing that he can bring peace to the world. He will offer a treaty and then break it. He is a liar.

The good thing about this passage is that he is going to meet the LORD and be defeated. The LORD is Sovereign in our world. HE can defeat anyone who deceives us.

We need to watch who we listen to and what we believe. The message of the Gospel is true. This individual will cast down the truth. He will sound like he is saying the truth but it will be a lie. He has many followers not only outside the church but some inside the church as well.

CHALLENGE:  Don’t give up on all people just check them out through the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will give you discernment.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 27      And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. (2470 “sick” [chalah] means ill, weak, to be worn down in strength, to be tired, be exhausted, or afflicted.

DEVOTION:  Each of us receives a gift from the Holy Spirit to be used in the local church to bring glory to God. Some receive more than one gift but again they are to be used to serve HIM in the local body.

Daniel was a servant of the LORD in public office. He had many responsibilities even in his old age. He was given another vision that was hard for him to understand. It upset him. It troubled him. He was one who liked to understand and always asked questions regarding the future according to God’s plan.

He was given an answer by the angel Gabriel. Luke 1:19 informs us that it was the angel Gabriel that told Mary about the birth of her son Jesus. Each angel has a given responsibility in the service of the LORD. Remember it is thought that there are about twenty- two different types of angels in the service of the LORD.

Gabriel answered his questions but he was still exhausted from the experience. God told him that he was to seal up the vision until the end times. What was being explained was not going to happen for many days. In fact, they still haven’t happened completely even now. It is what is going to take place in the time of the Great Tribulation.

We are to realize that when we work for the LORD

HE sometimes uses us until our strength is all gone. HE knows we need a time of rest after a time of service.

Pastors who preach the Word of God each Sunday are to receive their message through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. If they preach with all their heart what they hear from the LORD for the people of God on Sunday they will be tired. It is a good tired.

Our God understands that sometimes HE stretches us to the end of our strength to get HIS message across to us, so that, we can get the message to the rest of the people of God.

CHALLENGE: If the LORD has given you a message, share it with others. Remember that any message from the LORD always agrees with the rest of Scripture.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD) 

                     Daily sacrifice                                                                      verse 11, 12 

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group) 

                      Daily sacrifice                                                                     verse 11, 12
                      Sanctuary cleansed                                                            verse 14 

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah) 

                        Prince of princes                                                              verse 25 

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)    

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil) 

                       Gabriel (appearance of a man)                                         verse 16

                        Interpretation of vision                                                   verse 16- 26

 

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation) 

King Belshazzar                                                                 verse 1

Shushan                                                                             verse 2

Ram = Media & Persia                                                      verse 3, 4, 7, 20

He goat = Greece                                                             verse 5, 21

            great horn = first king

Little horn =                                                                     verse 9

Four kingdoms                                                                verse 22

King of fierce countenance                                             verse 23- 25

            understanding dark sentences

            power was mighty

            stand up against the Prince of princes

                        but he shall be broken without

                        hands 

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels) 

False worship                                                                  verse 11

Transgression                                                                  verse 12

Cast down the truth                                                       verse 12

 Transgression of desolation                                          verse 13

                        Transgressors are come to the full                              verse 23

                        Craft                                                                             verse 25

                        Magnify self                                                                 verse 25           

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins) 

Saint                                                                               verse 13

Understanding                                                               verse 17

Holy people                                                                   verse 24

 

Israel (Old Testament people of God) 

Daniel (son of man)                                                       verse 1, 15, 17

Vision of Daniel                                                             verse 1- 15

            I was at Shushan in the palace

                        in the province of Elam

            I was by the river of Ulai

            Saw ram with two horns

            Saw a he goat -smote the ram

                        waxed very great

            saw four notable ones

            Little horn – waxed exceedingly great

            Touched by the angel

Holy people                                                                   verse 24

Daniel fainted                                                                verse 27

            astonished at the vision 

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events) 

Time of the end                                                            verse 17

Latter time                                                                     verse 23 

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QUOTES regarding passage

8:17 Gabriel approached Daniel to interpret the vision, but the prophet was “terrified” and fell upon his face. As explained earlier, this reaction most likely was due to the presence of God in the place (“one who looked like a man,” v. 15), not the fear of Gabriel. Immediately the angel began to explain the vision, which would have reassured Daniel that he had no reason to be alarmed. Gabriel referred to Daniel as “son of man,” which is the Hebrew ben-ʾādām. This phrase emphasizes Daniel’s weakness and mortality, ʾādām connoting that which is from the ground, earthly (“a mere ‘mortal’ ”). In Ezekiel the term is used ninety-three times with this same meaning.43

According to the heavenly messenger, “the vision concerns the time of the end.” Yet if this vision describes Antiochus IV, how can it speak of the “end”? Keil explains: “ ‘Time of the end’ is the general prophetic expression for the time which, as the period of fulfillment, lies at the end of the existing prophetic horizon—in the present case the time of Antiochus.” Baldwin presents a good case for this interpretation and cites a number of passages that use “end” in other ways than to designate the end of the age.

On the other hand, some scholars insist that the phrase does, in fact, speak of the eschatological end (as in 11:40 and 12:4). Whitcomb interprets vv. 23–26 to be direct predictions of the Antichrist (or even the “eschatological king of the north,” who he believes to be different from the Antichrist) and the final tribulation period. Wood and Campbell understand the prophecy to have a double fulfillment that involves both Antiochus IV and Antichrist.47

Probably in this context “the time of the end” should be taken to mean the end of the events prophesied in this chapter, namely, the persecution of the Jews and their deliverance in the Maccabean period. Antiochus IV is certainly in view here. Though “the time of the end” does indicate the eschatological end in 11:40 and 12:4, the phrase must be interpreted in context, and the context here seems to be the second century b.c. A direct prediction of the Antichrist in these verses appears exegetically untenable. Even the double fulfillment view in which both Antiochus and Antichrist are prophesied has difficulties. For example, Antichrist comes from Rome, not Greece as does Antiochus (the little horn of this chapter).

Nevertheless, it is still possible to be true to the text and allow that the little horn of chap. 8, Antiochus IV, may be a type of that one spoken of in chap. 7, the eschatological Antichrist, for the parallels between their characters and careers are striking. Leupold explains: “King Antiochus is seen to be a kind of Old Testament antichrist like unto the great Antichrist; the overthrow and the defilement of the sanctuary shall correspond to similar experiences of the church; the suffering of the holy people corresponds to suffering in the last great tribulation. When this is borne in mind, the chapter loses its isolation from present-day events and is seen to be typical in a very definite sense.” The typical interpretation is not predicated upon the use of the phrase “the time of the end,” for as the above discussion has shown, this expression likely refers to the end of the period of Antiochus’s persecution. Yet the typical view is strongly supported by the parallels between the life and activities of Antiochus and Antichrist (a listing of these parallels is presented at the end of the chapter). (Miller, S. R. (1994). Daniel (Vol. 18, pp. 231–232). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

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15–18 These verses describe the awesome confrontation between Daniel and the angel Gabriel, who is here named for the first time (v.16). Some other heavenly being, not otherwise specified, commissioned Gabriel—who later appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce the coming of Jesus—to explain the meaning of the vision to the swooning prophet (v.17). Gabriel was instructed to identify the coming world empires and the climactic events of the “time of the end” (ʿeṯ-qēṣ). The overwhelming splendor of Gabriel’s presence affected Daniel somewhat as John on Patmos was to be affected by the angelic appearance (Rev 22:8); Daniel was rendered completely helpless and unable even to speak (v.18). Yet the angel’s transforming touch restored Daniel to consciousness. (Archer, G. L., Jr. (1986). Daniel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, pp. 103–104). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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The Roman Little Horn will be an apostate Christian in league with the personal Antichrist, who will take unbelieving Israel under his wing so long as it suits his purposes. The Grecian Little Horn is likely an utter infidel, the successor to Mohammed, actuated by inveterate hatred to the Jews, and probably the bitter foe of the future emperor of the west. The angel tells Daniel, in verses 23 to 25, that “in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” Now it is evident that much that is here written cannot possibly apply to Antiochus. He answers quite fully to the vision, but he does not meet the requirements of the interpretation. In the first place, the prophecy is to have its complete accomplishment “when the transgressors are come to the full”; an expression which might refer to the ripening of iniquity in Syria of old were it not that the kingdom was not destroyed upon the death of Epiphanes, as it would have been if its sins had reached the limit set by the Moral Governor of the universe. It seems far more likely that the expression refers to the Time of the End, when the whole world will be ripe for the judgment of God. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed., pp. 148–149). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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8:17 frightened and fell. Loss of consciousness is a common reaction to heavenly visitation (cf. Eze 1; Is 6; Rev 1). time of the end. This term likely has a double sense of fulfillment. First, the “end” (as v. 19), “final” or “latter period” (vv. 19, 23), and “appointed time” (v. 19) refer to time late in the specific span that the historical prophecy has in view. That time is the period defined by the empires in these verses, Persia (Ram) and Greece (Goat), when the Grecian sector will be divided into 4 parts (v. 8). One of these, the Syrian under Seleucus (see note on v. 22), will eventually lead to Antiochus Epiphanes (175–164 b.c.) as the “little horn” meant in v. 9, who persecutes the people of Israel (v. 10) and defies God (v. 11). Cf. 11:21–35 and see notes there. Secondly, this “little horn” in v. 9, the Antichrist in the last days at the time of the eschatological fulfillment, sees Antiochus as a pattern of the Antichrist, who in many ways will be like him, though far greater in power, and will exercise his career in the end of the age just before Christ’s return. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Da 8:17). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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Ver. 17. So he came near where I stood, &c.] The angel immediately obeyed the divine Person in human form, and came near the prophet, in order to instruct him, and carry on a familiar conversation with him: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face; not being able to bear the glory that attended him; and especially when he considered him as the messenger of a divine Person sent to instruct him, and being conscious of his own frailty and weakness: but he said unto me, understand, O son of man; give attention in order to understand the vision, which the angel, by a divine command, was about to give him the full meaning of; and which he could not so well attend unto in his present circumstance and posture; and therefore suggests he should shake off his fear, and stand on his feet, and listen to what he was about to say: he calls him son of man, a title only given to him and Ezekiel; and so may be considered as a mark of honour and respect, as being one greatly beloved and honoured by the Lord; or to express his tender regard to him, and accommodating himself to him, considering he was a frail mortal man; or to put him in mind that he should so consider himself, though now among angels, and favoured with revelations of secrets, that so he might not be exalted with them above measure: for at the time of the end shall be the vision; or rather, for a time is the end of the vision; there is a set, fixed, and determined time, when the vision shall end, and have its full accomplishment; namely, when the 2300 days are expired. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 335). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING: 

2 Kings 18
Hezekiah institutes a reign of righteousness.
INSIGHT

It is wonderful that such a wicked man as Ahaz had such a righteous son as Hezekiah. It is difficult to stand against moral disintegration—especially when it is all around you and generally accepted. It is also likely the fall of the Northern Kingdom is a great incentive to root out idolatry. God richly rewards Hezekiah for his moral courage and leadership, demonstrating the validity of 2 Chronicles 16:9: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (Quiet Walk)

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WHAT TO PRAY FOR IN REVIVAL

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

1 Peter 1:11-12 

Consider God’s unusual attestation, this indication that the church is His, that it is His power that is within her, that she is unique, that this is not of men. A man can preach without the Holy Spirit. We need the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. “The Holy Ghost [was] sent down from heaven”—the descent of power, this uniqueness, this special manifestation of the presence and of the power of God. That is always the most urgent petition in the mouths and on the lips of those who see the position as it is and who see the need of revival—“Authenticate Thy word. Lord God, let it be known beyond a doubt that we are Thy people. Shake us!” I do not ask Him to shake the building, but I ask Him to shake us. 

It is clear that revival is nothing that man can produce or organize; it is plain that it is an act of God. God authenticating His people, their work, and their message, and saying, “Yes, these are My people. And I am doing something in their midst that I never will do among anyone but My own people.” Are we clear that the prayer for revival is not the prayer for regular blessing on the work—we must always go on doing that—it is the prayer for the unusual on top of it, in addition to it, something special, something that authenticates God and His work among His people. 

A Thought to Ponder: Revival is nothing that man can produce or organize; it is an act of God. (From Revival, pp. 185-186, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
)

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Elisha’s Bears

“And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.” (2 Kings 2:23-24)
This account has occasioned much criticism by skeptics, charging Elisha with petulant cruelty in sending bears to kill the little children who were taunting him. Actually, it was God who sent the bears, not Elisha.
The fact is, however, that Elisha did not curse little children at all. The Hebrew word for “children” used with the phrase “little children” can be applied to any child from infancy to adolescence. The word for the 42 “children” torn by the bears, however, is a different word commonly translated “young men.” Actually, both words are used more often for young men than for little children.
The situation evidently involved a gang of young hoodlums of various ages, led by the older ones, with all of them no doubt instigated by the pagan priests and idolatrous citizens of Bethel. The bears that suddenly emerged from the woods “tare” (not necessarily fatally in all cases) 42 of the older hooligans.
The jeering exhortation to “go up, thou bald head” was both a sarcastic reference to Elijah’s supposed ascension, as well as an insult to God’s prophet. This was actually a challenge to God and could not be excused. So, God made good—in miniature—on a warning issued long before: “And if ye walk contrary unto me. . . . I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children” (Leviticus 26:21-22). It can be a dangerous thing, for young or old, to gratuitously insult the true God and His Word. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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We must come to the point in our lives when we realize that a blessing might be entailed in our hurt. (p. 92)

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I’ve had to conclude that God would not allow spear throwers into my life if He did not intend that their arrows bear fruit in my life. (p. 92)

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Finally, wait for the Lord and trust Him to use you in your struggles. (p. 93)

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How could David have written what he did unless God had put a Saul over him with a

spear pointed in his direction? David’s suffering became my source of encouragement. (p. 94)

            (When You’ve Been WRONGED by Erwin W. Lutzer)

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