Staying True (5) - Confess Wholeheartedly - Daniel 9:9:3-10, 17-19 - October 1, 2023

 

Staying True (5) – Confess Wholeheartedly - October 1, 2023

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “Staying True in a World Far From GOD.”

Our focus scripture is Daniel 9:3-10, 17-19.

Confession and repentance keep us close to GOD.

Unconfessed sin is a barrier between humans and GOD. Under the law, confession and sacrifice were needed to be in right relationship with GOD. GOD sent JESUS, HIS only SON to earth, to live a sinless life for HIM (JESUS) to be the perfect sinless sacrifice for all sin. JESUS shed HIS sinless blood to completely atone for all human sin. Since the atonement of JESUS, every human must confess and ask for forgiveness for his or her sin in order for that person to be saved and receive eternal life through the miracle of Spiritual Birth into GOD’S Family; never to be Spiritually unborn.

Even though a person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, the Spirit-born person must build and maintain their right relationship with GOD by confessing his or her sins. Yes, Spirit born people sin and when we do not confess our sins, they become a barrier between us and GOD.

The same was true in the Old Testament times. Notice, that Daniel confessed his sins as well as the sins of country, government, etc. where lived.

Daniel is an example for every Spirit-born person. He prayed three times a day with confession and repentance as vital parts of Daniel’s prayer life. His relationship with GOD was evident by GOD revealing the mysteries to him specifically through the Prophet Jeremiah. Daniel trusted what GOD revealed to Jeremiah and he acted upon it. That is why we can trust what is written in GOD’S Word. The Bible is a guide for our lives and it reveals the next steps GOD has planned for us and our nation. The key is that we confess any sin in our lives, even though we are Spirit-born, we still sin. There are sins we commit or sins of omission. There is our thought life. That is why Spirit-born believers must confess their sins. We can ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any sin we may be harboring and especially hidden sin e.g. lust.

As Spirit-born, we are not to allow anything to come between us and GOD. When we come before GOD in prayer, and when we know we have sinned, we must confess our sin/sins. If we are not aware of our sin, we need to ask GOD to search our hearts and reveal any wicked way in us.

Staying in right relationship with GOD and JESUS is vital as we get ever closer to the second coming of JESUS. Why? We who have been Spirit-born know the truth and must share that truth with others who are seeking the truth of eternal life through faith in JESUS.

Daniel had the Old Testament to read and study to be his guide from GOD to the things to take place in the future.

Let’s return to our scripture.

Daniel 9:1-6:

In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was made king over the Chaldean kingdom— ² in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy. ³ So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Daniel saw in GOD’S Word, written by Jeremiah that “the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy years”  

Once Daniel saw GOD’S timeline when they would return to Jerusalem, Daniel knew how to pray. In essence, GOD had allowed them as a Nation to be punished for their sin. Then he knew how to pray.

When trouble hits our church, is it due to our sin? We need to go to our LORD and confess because we know something is wrong. Did Daniel do the wrong? NO! But he took ownership of what his fellow countrymen had done and petitioned GOD in their behalf.

Will we humble ourselves and go before our LORD and take ownership of present and past unconfessed sins of former leaders in our     church.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands— ⁵ we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commands and ordinances. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the people of the land.

¹¹ All Israel (America) has broken your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. The promised curse^[a] written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against him. ¹² He has carried out his words that he spoke against us and against our rulers^[b] by bringing on us a disaster that is so great that nothing like what has been done to Jerusalem has ever been done under all of heaven. ¹³ Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our iniquities and paying attention to your truth. ¹⁴ So the Lord kept the disaster in mind and brought it on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all he has done. But we have not obeyed him.

We have many churches in America but how many Pastors are preaching GOD’S Word and living as led by the Holy Spirit? How many Christians even know, as a born-again person, that the Holy Spirit lives within them?

America, it is time for us to wake up and confess our sins of disobedience and lack of faith and be about GOD’S business.

¹⁵ Now, Lord our God—who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a strong hand and made your name renowned as it is this day—we have sinned, we have acted wickedly. ¹⁶ Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, may your anger and wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become an object of ridicule to all those around us.

¹⁷ Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of your servant. Make your face shine on your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake. ¹⁸ Listen closely,^[c] my God, and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion. ¹⁹ Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name.

Jerusalem was where GOD resided. The Jews and Jewish converts went to Jerusalem to confess their sins and to seek atonement.

Because of the atonement of JESUS, Christians have the greatest news ever. Any person can confess his/her sins, ask JESUS to come into his/her heart, be forgiven for all of their sins and be Spirit-born into GOD’S Family. When a person does this, he/she receives the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit is a person’s guarantee that he/she is GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

That is Good News and must be shared with others as GOD gives us opportunity.

The Seventy Weeks of Years

²⁰ While I was speaking (It is important when we pray that we pause and listen for GOD to speak to us), praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the Lord my God concerning the holy mountain of my God— ²¹ while I was praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the first vision, reached me in my extreme weariness, about the time of the evening offering. ²² He gave me this explanation: “Daniel, I’ve come now to give you understanding. (The Holy Spirit gives us understanding. Please pause when you pray and allow GOD to speak to you in HIS still small voice. Listen! Awesome!!!) ²³ At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God.^[d] So consider the message and understand the vision:

[[[We may think, “wouldn’t it be great if GOD sent an angel to us, as Spirit-born Christians.” He gives us the Holy Spirit WHO indwells within us. Daniel had all he needed. He was in right relationship with GOD. He had the writings from Jeremiah, which were spot on and he trusted GOD to speak through Jeremiah’s prophesy to him. This is the reason for us to study GOD’S word when we seek answers. The Holy Spirit will help us to discern truth from error. Will Satan attempt to confuse us? Most likely. Christians must discern truth from error. Knowing the truth, as printed in GOD’S Word, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, will be our hope in the dark times.]]]

²⁴ Seventy weeks are decreed
about your people and your holy city—
to bring the rebellion to an end,
to put a stop to sin,
to atone for iniquity,
to bring in everlasting righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the most holy place.
²⁵ Know and understand this:
From the issuing of the decree
to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
until an Anointed One, the ruler,^[e]
will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks.
It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat,
but in difficult times.
²⁶ After those sixty-two weeks
the Anointed One will be cut off
and will have nothing.
The people of the coming ruler
will destroy the city and the sanctuary.^[f]
The^[g] end will come with a flood,
and until the end there will be^[h] war;
desolations are decreed.
²⁷ He will make a firm covenant^[I]
with many for one week,
but in the middle of the week
he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering.
And the abomination of desolation
will be on a wing of the temple^[j][k]
until the decreed destruction
is poured out on the desolator.”

Let’s read Daniel 9:7-10:

⁷ Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but this day public shame belongs to us: the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel—those who are near and those who are far, in all the countries where you have banished them because of the disloyalty they have shown toward you. ⁸ Lord, public shame belongs to us, our kings, our leaders, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him ¹⁰ and have not obeyed the Lord our God by following his instructions that he set before us through his servants the prophets.

Let’s read Daniel 9:17-19:

¹⁷ Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of your servant. Make your face shine on your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake. ¹⁸ Listen closely,^[c] my God, and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion. ¹⁹ Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name.

Daniel was praying for Jerusalem and his prayer is an excellent guide for us when we pray for our city, church, state and nation.

Are we moved to pray for our church, state, nation and world? Prayerfully ask our LORD, what can we do as YOU lead us to revitalize each of us, our members, our church, our community, our state, nation and the world? So goes the church, so goes the city and area where we live.

We need to Confess our sins and the sins of our Nation.

Ask for forgiveness

Trust GOD through our faith in JESUS.

The key is that GOD and JESUS are Holy and righteous. Are we, who know the truth of salvation, willing to intercede and ask for forgiveness for the sins of others in our government, state, church or nation. FATHER, bring to our minds how we can join YOU in being effective, as we follow YOU.

I begin by confessing. I am a sinner saved by YOUR Grace. Reveal to me how YOU desire for me to pray and how I should pray.

 

 

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staying True (4) - Live Courageous - Daniel 6:6-23 - September 24,2023

 

Staying True (4) – Live Courageous – September 24, 2023

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “Staying True in a World Far From GOD.”

Our focus scripture is Daniel 6:6-13, 16-17, 21-23.

Do the right thing in GOD’S strength.

Prayer is essential when we are living according to GOD’S will and purpose.

Background – Daniel 6:1-5:

6 Darius decided^[a] to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, ² and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. ³ Daniel^[b] distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. ⁴ The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. ⁵ Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Jealousy is a tool Satan uses to get his work done through humans. Daniel had proved himself to King Darius and was chosen by the King to be put over the whole realm why?

We learn that the King Darius saw something special in Daniel and planned to set him over the whole realm. What do you think King Darius saw in Daniel?

When we are faithful to GOD, we are also faithful to the work GOD gives us to accomplish upon earth.

The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Daniel’s faithfulness reflected GOD. Does our faithfulness reflect GOD in our lives?

Do you recall 1 Corinthians 3:11-14: ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Gold is the reflection of GOD as Spirit-born people go about their daily lives being obedient to the calling of GOD. Daniel was in right relationship with GOD. Today people are in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, thus the miracle of Spiritual Birth into GOD’S Family.

Let’s read Daniel 6:6-10:

⁶ So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever. ⁷ All the administrators of the kingdom—the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors—have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. ⁸ Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” ⁹ So King Darius signed the written edict.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

¹⁰ When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 

Let’s read Daniel 6:11-13:

¹¹ Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. ¹² So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands^[c] and is irrevocable.”

¹³ Then they replied to the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day.” ¹⁴ As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him.

Let’s read Daniel 6:15-17, 21-23:

¹⁵ Then these men went together to the king and said to him, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.”

¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!” ¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. ¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions^[d] were brought to him, and he could not sleep.

The King had to save face with those he had chosen to be leaders in his kingdom. Faith in Daniel led to faith in Daniel’s GOD.

Do you think, when we live according to our faith in JESUS, others are drawn to seek JESUS? That is GOD’S plan and as we approach the second coming of JESUS, Spirit-born people through faith in JESUS will have the opportunity to reveal their faith in JESUS. Non-believers will be encouraged to join them in their walk with JESUS.

Daniel Released

¹⁹ At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said,^[e] “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

The King had faith in the GOD of Daniel. The King cried out to Daniel.

²¹ Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. ²² My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also, before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.”

How did the King respond? WOW!!! What joy flowed over the King.

²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God. ²⁴ The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel^[f] were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Let’s read Daniel 6:25-28:

Darius Honors God

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound. ²⁶ I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: (Now the testimony of the King. When we see in our hearts that JESUS is truly the Son of GOD, we rejoice and that is eternal salvation.)

The King’s testimony -----

For he (GOD) is the living God,
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will never be destroyed,
and his dominion has no end.
²⁷ He rescues and delivers;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth,
for he has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

²⁸ So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and^[g] the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel’s faithfulness to the One True GOD, YAWEH, is still in charge today through HIS only SON, JESUS. GOD, in HIS wisdom, gives to every Spirit-born person the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT to assure and guarantee us that we are GOD’S Son or Daughter. Every Spirit born person’s destiny is eternal life with GOD and JESUS.

Let’s look at the ending verse recorded in 1 Corinthians 3:

¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Nothing from our earthly life will endure in Heaven, except what we do as led by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

Those who have placed their faith in JESUS are eternally secure. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit as found in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: ¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.^[a]

 Spirit-born Christians serve the same GOD that Daniel served. We can trust HIM to take care of us and to educate us as we walk with HIM each day. What is often our problem? Lack of faith.

JESUS told HIS disciples in Mathew 17:20: “Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

If you are a Spirit-born person, do you believe that?

I believe as we are getting closer to the return of JESUS, we will witness a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit as we who know the truth work with GOD, as led by the Holy Spirit, in HIS vineyard, earth. JESUS said it best in Matthew 13:30: ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’”

JESUS told HIS disciples to let the weeds and wheat grow together. Why? Because if we try to pull out the weeds before we can distinguish a weed from the wheat, we will destroy that which is good.

Folks we, who know the truth, must be led by the Holy Spirit and trust GOD and JESUS in their leadership and not lean upon our own understanding. We are in the last days and we who have JESUS are the light of the world and it is time, as never before, for us to let our light shine to glorify GOD and JESUS, Amen!

Things upon earth will grow Spiritually darker and those who are Spirit-born will be the only Spiritual light those lost in the ravages of sin will see. So, Spirit-born Christians, let your light shine and be prepared to share the plan of salvation, through faith in JESUS, with those seeking. May others see JESUS in us as we obediently serve HIM as we walk with HIM.

Blessings!!!

 

 

Bible Study - Stating True (3) - Speak Truth Boldly - September 17, 2023

 

Staying True (3) – Speak Truth Boldly – September 17, 2023

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “Staying True in a World Far from GOD.”

Our focus scripture is Daniel 5:13-17, 22-28

Being a bold witness for GOD sometimes means speaking hard truth.

As the world gets older, the inhabitants of earth will experience evil growing worse. How will the people of earth live in an evil world? They must become Spirit-born people by asking JESUS to forgive him or her for his/her sin and ask JESUS to come into his/her heart. When a person is Spiritually born into GOD’S kingdom, the Holy Spirit lives eternally within them to keep evil in check. Wisdom comes from GOD. As we approach the Second coming of JESUS to earth, things upon earth will grow worse. Only the truly Spirit-born people will survive. Now let’s roll back time to the night of October 12, 539 BC, the night Babylon fell. Little did the King know what would take place that night as they were having fun.

Let’s read Daniel 5:5-12: (Background)

Belshazzar’s Feast

5 King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine in their presence. ² Under the influence of^[a] the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that his predecessor^[b] Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines could drink from them. ³ So they brought in the gold^[c] vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines drank from them. ⁴ They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

GOD demonstrated HIS sovereignty over all gods. The thought came to me while typing this --- how many times do we hear of GOD’S Holy Bible to be the only object to survive a devasting fire? GOD’S Word in eternal.

Using vessels dedicated to the ONE TRUE GOD to praise other gods is an abomination to GOD. When that takes place, GOD reveals Himself and takes action!

The Handwriting on the Wall

⁵ At that moment the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the king’s palace wall next to the lampstand. As the king watched the hand^[d] that was writing, ⁶ his face turned pale,^[e] and his thoughts so terrified him that he soiled himself^[f] and his knees knocked together. [This is a very graphic description of what the King was experiencing. ⁷ The king shouted to bring in the mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.” ⁸ So all the king’s wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make its interpretation known to him. ⁹ Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face turned pale,^[g] and his nobles were bewildered.

We know the old saying, “When mother is not happy, no one is happy.” The same is true when the king or other people in leadership positions can’t figure things out. They get unhappy. The king was having a fit and his subjects knew it. So, the Queen rushed to him to offer her advice.                                                                                                                                              

¹⁰ Because of the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen^[h] came to the banquet hall. “May the king live forever,” she said. “Don’t let your thoughts terrify you or your face be pale.^[i] 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has a spirit of the holy gods in him. (GOD equips those HE calls to serve HIM.) In the days of your predecessor, he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. Your predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners. Your own predecessor, the king, ¹² did this because Daniel, the one the king named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and intelligence, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems.^[j] Therefore, summon Daniel, and he will give the interpretation.”

When you want truth, consult the One True GOD, YAWEH. Who could do that? Daniel! Who do we consult when we seek truth? GOD/JESUS. Through our faith in JESUS.

Satan often attempts to distracts us from knowing the truth or speaking hard truth. We do not want to hurt the feelings of others or we fear their retaliation if we say something they do not want to hear.

Some may seek horoscopes, fortune tellers, readers of tea leaves, but nothing from the occult can provide truth. Oh, they may give a reply but it is a lie.

Daniel was summoned to appear before the King. Daniel complies.

Let’s read on in Daniel 5:13-17:

Daniel before the King

¹³ Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my predecessor the king brought from Judah? ¹⁴ I’ve heard that you have a spirit of the gods in you, and that insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom are found in you. ¹⁵ Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation. ¹⁶ However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.”

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him. (At no charge because it will be a witness to you of the power of the ONE TRUE GOD, YAWEH, WHO I Serve.)

¹⁸ Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ Because of the greatness he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages were terrified and fearful of him. He killed anyone he wanted and kept alive anyone he wanted; he exalted anyone he wanted and humbled anyone he wanted. ²⁰ But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him. ²¹ He was driven away from people, his mind was like an animal’s, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky until he acknowledged that the Most High God is ruler over human kingdoms and sets anyone, he wants over them.

²² “But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. ²³ Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. The vessels from his (GOD’S) house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in his hand and who controls the whole course of your life.^[k]

Note:

My prayer is that no reader of these lessons misses the mark for his or her need of salvation through the miracle of Spiritual birth (Born-again) through faith in JESUS. There are no shortcuts to salvation – faith in JESUS is the only way for a person to have eternal life!

When we, as humans, realize that we are sinners and bound for Hell, unless we change from being just a human to being a Spirit-born human, our destination is Hell. How can a person be Spirit-born?

JESUS told Nicodemus in John Chapter 3 that a person had to be born-again. This blew Nicodemus’ mind. He asked JESUS how that was possible. JESUS brought up the subject of wind. We do not know where the wind comes from or where the wind is going. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. It goes and comes. We can see and feel its affects.

A person that is born-again by the Holy Spirit is eternally changed. When a person realizes that he or she is spiritually lost because of sin and needs to be born-again in his/her spirit by the Holy Spirit, that is why JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to be the perfect sinless sacrifice to pay, in full, for all our sin. This is GOD’S free gift to every person who will be born on earth. It is like every gift; it must be received. Will you accept eternal life by accepting JESUS as your Savior?

At the instant a person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, that person will never be Spiritually unborn. Salvation is eternal and heaven is your eternal dwelling place. However, once we are Spirit-born, GOD in HIS wisdom leaves us upon earth to teach and tell others about such a great gift of eternal life.

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

WOW! What an amazing gift from GOD through the finished work of JESUS.

So, folks, have you been Spirit born into GOD’S family? If not, what is keeping you from it?

Let’s read Daniel 5:24-30:

²⁴ Therefore, he (GOD) sent the hand, and this writing was inscribed.

The foreknowledge of GOD does not predestine the people of earth. It helps us to know where to go with the message of salvation because GOD does not desire for anyone to go to Hell and it’s not the cool place to go because your friends will be there. Let’s continue -----

The Inscription’s Interpretation

²⁵ “This is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. ²⁶ This is the interpretation of the message:

‘Mene’^[l] means that God has numbered^[m] the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end.

²⁷ ‘Tekel’^[n] means that you have been weighed^[o] on the balance and found deficient.

²⁸ ‘Peres’^[p][q] means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”^[r]

²⁹ Then Belshazzar gave an order, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Did the king think if he embellished Daniel that GOD would change HIS mind? NO! No one can bargain with GOD.

³⁰ That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was killed, ³¹ and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

GOD is in control and HE places WHO HE wants to lead countries and nations. GOD also replaces those who do not measure up.

This is true in the final days leading up to the rapture of the true church/true believers from earth.

GOD places the leaders into the positions HE chooses and HE also removes them.

Folks look around and consider the signs of JESUS’ second coming. I believe JESUS will return soon to take all Spirit-born people to Heaven. We will receive our new bodies designed for Heaven and eternity in the twinkling of the eye.

Please join us through faith in JESUS! If you haven’t already.

Blessings!!!