If you don't
have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
NOVEMBER 30
This is a red letter day. Today you'll begin 1 John and finish Psalm
119. Tomorrow you will begin your final month reading The One Year Bible
this year. Hopefully you feel encouraged. Don't give up if you've fallen
behind. Just begin again on January 1. Everything you've learned in the Word
this year will seem familiar as you begin reading in January. Also, you've
learned some stuff about yourself, and this next year you'll be more likely to
be more regular about reading every day. It might take you three to five years of
reading The One Year Bible to develop the habits that will keep you on
track for a full year. Imagine, there are people who have been believers 40
years to whom the Word is a familiar, yet foggy, book. Their quiet times come
out of secondary sources that only reference the Word. They are attuned to the
words of men about God, but not God's Word. They've never invested five years to
set their hearts on developing a life-long walk with God every day in His
truth. And if you are meeting regularly with 2-3 others, sharing what the
Spirit is teaching you, the effect of walking with the Lord like this is
magnified 100 times and becomes a disciple-making way of life.
Daniel 7
Daniel
is either liked because of the "children's" stories in chapters 1-6,
or because of the apocalyptic portions where beasts are doing beastly stuff, or
because angels are warring with one another. In my opinion, if you only look at
the first six chapters as interesting kids' stories, you miss the entire point,
and with that, Daniel ends up in the lion's den as a 20-40 year-old man.
Clearly in the first six chapters, God is moving and influencing the nations
for the return of Israel to their land. Now, in chapters 7-12 we need to ask
ourselves what God's purpose is in letting us have this information. I would
say that God is showing how He will also be moving the nations and influencing
them for the return of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. Yet,
there is still the question of why God is giving us this future information.
Think about that.
V.
1 The first year of Belshazzar's reign means this vision is given to Daniel
about 14 years before the lion's den. Why did God give this to Daniel now? It's
all speculation; but I think, among other things, He wanted to encourage Daniel.
When Belshazzar was given the rule in Babylon, while Nabonidus was living the
high-life elsewhere, that must have felt bad. The empire began to decline even
faster. Daniel was powerless and was now demoted. This might have been to
inspire Daniel to know that God was still in charge and that this weakening of
Babylon was a part of His plan to bring about the next empire. That might be a
reason for all of these chapters. One thing all of these empires had in common
was their rule over Israel, God's people.
Many
people on this planet feel powerless regarding the direction of their country,
government, and the trends of culture. Daniel felt that, but what God showed
Daniel has to help us too. We are disciples following Christ in the harvest on
a dying planet that will ultimately experience the wrath of God. We are no
longer people identified by a nationality like Jews or Greeks, or identified by
a geological area like the USA, China, or Europe. We belong to the kingdom of
God, and just like Jesus sent the 70 ahead of Him into every place where He
Himself was coming, we are heralding the coming of our King and His offer of
forgiveness. We need to wake up and do our work. We were meant to love our
cultures and care for our people, but this time must come to an end because of
the ravages of sin and the rule of Satan. God says that things will only get
worse before the coming of our Lord. But as the clouds roll in before the
storm, many people will be stirred and will open their hearts to Christ. We are
here for Christ to reach out to them.
This
is the final chapter that is in Aramaic. Now, you could understand chapters 2-6
being in Aramaic, since they were like news communications in the empire, but
what about chapter 7? This again is speculation, but I think that as chief of
the wise men, Daniel published this in their literature. Chapter 7, as well as
chapter 2, hang together and help interpret one another. The rest of the
chapters deal exclusively with Israel and how nations and events will impact
God's people. Those chapters, specifically for the Jews, are written in Hebrew.
Chapter 7 belongs to the explanation of chapter 2, and so I think this was also
included in the official records of Babylon, though maybe, only under the note,
"for wise guys only."
Just
as an aside, we have no idea as to what Daniel did among the wise men. I can't
imagine they just did card tricks all day. He must have had some input into
their learning and doings. You know that the wise men who visited Jesus after
His birth came from the east, from the region Daniel ruled. How do you think
they knew about this coming King who would set up an eternal kingdom? Although
you can't say for sure it was the influence of Daniel, it would be silly to
exclude that possibility. I don't know how, but I think that through Daniel,
God gave the information to the wise men that would culminate with the journey
of the Magi to worship the young child Jesus.
Vs.
2-7 In chapter 2, we had four metals as a part of one statue. In the last of
those kingdoms, something funny happened in the feet that was a part of that
last kingdom, a continuation of some sort. In the days of those last kings, God
sets up His eternal kingdom. Here we have four beasts, and in the days of that
final beast something funny happens. Like the iron legs of the statue that have
these toes, this final beast will eventually have ten horns. After those horns,
God will set up His kingdom. So, we have two visions with one meaning. But now
Daniel is shown something about that final kingdom and God has Daniel
particularly concerned with a little horn.
Note,
God used the sea often as a symbol of rebellion to His rule. Out of that sea of
human rebellion come the nations that will claim world domination, and
particularly domination of Israel.
V.
4 Just as the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar and was given prominence, this
beast is also given some honor in its description. God removes the wings and
gives it the mind of a man. This is probably alluding to God's education of
Nebuchadnezzar, making him rational and understanding that the living God
ruled.
V.
5 The bear representing the Persian Empire would have been the breast and arms
of silver on the statue. The bear was lopsided, some suggest, because it was of
the Medes (weaker side) and the Persians (the stronger side.)
V.
6 This is Greece, the bronze torso and thighs of bronze on the statue. The
animal imagery here is very direct. The leopard was a symbol the Greeks used;
and after Alexander's death, the empire was divided into four kingdoms: north,
south, east and west.
V.
7 Breaking into pieces sort of describes this empire, both in the legs of iron
and in this beast with its teeth of iron. I don't know my history, so I don't
know that the Romans were more brutal than all other empires, but they did have
the distinction of being the empire that both killed the Messiah and destroyed
Jerusalem and the temple. The ten horns, as we'll see, are ten kings and they
would correspond to the toes on the statue. In the description of the statue in
chapter 2, it mentions the days of those
kings. Since we know here, that there are ten kings ruling at once, looking
back on that phrase and those ten toes makes sense. I think that because of the
way both of these visions help interpret each other, Daniel wrote this in
Aramaic, probably to put it together in the file with the vision of the statue.
V.
8 So, in the days of those ten horns, a small one comes up and plucks up three
of the others by their roots, meaning, totally removed. The description of the
eyes must have to do with some special dark intelligence given to that horn.
While it is saying these great things…
Vs.
9-10 …God takes His seat to pronounce judgment on mankind. This is like the
beginning and duration of the Tribulation. Notice that some of this description
of the glory of God sounds like what Ezekiel saw.
Vs.
11-12 Eventually this horn was judged. The dominion of the other beasts (Iraq,
Iran, Greece and Italy) has been taken away, but their lands remain. We don't
have enough information on this final manifestation of the final beast, but
with everything that is said here and elsewhere about the horn, the killing of
the beast seems to be talking about a man.
Vs.
13-14 This would be the coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation.
As a result of v. 13,
the Jews had a title for the Messiah, the "Son of Man." Imagine the
distress of the religious leaders, when they heard Jesus refer to Himself as
the "Son of Man." As you read through the Gospels next year,
underline "Son of Man." It will give you an idea of how often Jesus
used this title. Here are a couple of times Jesus said this of Himself.
Mark 2:10-11 But that
you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"
-- he said to the paralytic -- 11"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home."
Matthew 26:63-65 But
Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by
the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64Jesus said to him, "You have said so.
But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right
hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65Then the high priest tore his robes and
said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You
have now heard his blasphemy.”
Vs.
15-18 Daniel seeks help and is given a very brief summary, with the assurance
that God will fulfill His promise to Israel. Remember, this vision is given to
Daniel as the Babylonian Empire was crumbling. Daniel is shown and told that
God will sovereignly guide Israel to fulfill the promise given to Abraham.
Vs.
19-22 Now, some of this seems like a review of what he saw, except for the part
of the horn beating up the people of Israel/followers of Christ until God puts
an end to it. Daniel didn't mention this persecution before, but God knew it
would catch Daniel's eye. What concerned Daniel was that this king was fighting
and beating the "saints" / people of Israel and followers of Christ
during the Tribulation. Why would God allow that?
Vs.
23-28 Notice that this last kingdom, in the final years before the return of
Christ, will have power over the whole earth. Those who stand and survive
against this power will be few. There will be believers on the earth and there
will still be nations that will resist God and the antichrist. As C. S. Lewis
said, "The dwarfs are for the dwarfs."
V.
25 What is significant in this description of the antichrist is that he will be
given power to kill the followers of Christ during the Tribulation, who will
mostly be Jews. We will see this when we read the book of Revelation, and
there, we'll see God's purpose in it. Remember Romans 8:36.
V.
27 This is clearly the Millennial Kingdom with the Jews being a witness to the
world and Christ reigning. For another prediction of this, see Isaiah 55:5.
V.
28 Daniel was distressed because of the damage this king will do to the saints
of God. Revelation explains a little more about this. Those days are still
future for Israel, but then there will be full vindication from God.
So,
knowing that God has everything in His hands, now is the time to work in the
harvest, sharing and witnessing the blessings and power of the gospel as we
follow Christ, reaching out to the lost and making disciples, who make
disciples.
1 John 1
After
reading Paul and Peter, what we'll find in John's letters will fall right in
line. John wrote this after many churches were established, probably in the
60's A.D., and before the persecution by Nero. What marked this time was the
rise of false teaching in the church. God, of course, knew it would come and so
He used this rise in false teaching as a help for us to see the apostles
address the issues. In dealing with the false teaching, John will also express,
in his unique way, the focus of disciples following Christ in the harvest.
Vs.
1-4 Like the introduction to John's Gospel, the focus is immediately on Jesus
and His message. See how many things you can find in this introduction that
would caution the believers to resist false teachers.
V.
4 As with Paul, John’s joy was in seeing disciples joyfully and faithfully
following Christ, making disciples.
Vs.
5-10 This section is definitely aiming at something. Now, even if there weren't
false teachers, there would still be the presence of inappropriate lifestyles
and the warped rationalizations that supported those in the guise of being OK
with God.
Vs.
5-6 We've seen people in Corinth doing all sorts of sin, from immorality to
idolatry, justifying it before God. Apparently there were teachers who were not
only rationalizing this, but they were promoting it.
V.
7 Notice how this great truth not only rebukes those not honoring Christ in
their lives, but it says that as disciples follow Christ, God continually
cleanses them from the sins they will inevitably commit. This led John into the
next extreme in teaching.
Vs.
8-10 There is no sinless perfection on this earth, whether we say, "Oh
that's just the flesh and it doesn't count," or if we say, "I've
reached that higher plane of existence." John and the Spirit didn't have
much patience for any opinion that says we don't continually need to ask
forgiveness before God.
V.
9 This is forgiveness in the family. When a child or spouse sins, it doesn't
mean they are out of the family, it means that until someone says they're sorry,
you can't pretend that nothing happened. On the basis of the power of what
Jesus did, He can justly forgive us and cleanse us as often as we sin. We only
need to confess.
V.
10 Again, since this is addressed to Christians, this is not talking about sin
before conversion, but sinning while walking with Christ. A disciple will keep
a very short, and sensitive, account of his sins and will be talking with God
often. It's part of the joy of that closeness with the Lord.
Psalm 119:153-176
Isn't
it interesting that David used this alphabet pattern to write this entire
psalm. Then in the first part of each section, he refers to something about his
life, but the second part always says something about the Word. He goes out of
his way to refer to the Word in different ways, yet it is always the same. He
couldn't live without being in God's Word in every situation every day and
every hour. We need to learn to do the same.
As
you read, notice again all of the references to distress or trouble and how the
Word helped him.
Vs.
153-154 This is David's plea to God in this section. God knows those who are
His and He will deliver them, according to His wisdom and His plan. Sometimes
heaven is that deliverance.
Vs.
155-160 God's salvation and compassion are based on a person's relationship to
Him. The wicked do not seek or obey God's Word. David not only read and obeyed,
but he also loved God's Word.
Vs.
161-162 In the face of unjust persecution, David focused on God's Word to the
point of having joy. Notice here that v. 161 sort of echoes John 15:25, They hated me without a cause.
Vs.
163-168 Notice all of the emotions in this section from v. 161 to 168: awe,
joy, praise, love, peace, hope and love.
Vs.
169-176 Underline let in this
section. Notice too how crying, pleading, and praising are mentioned.
V.
176 David asked God to seek him when he went astray. God did this for David.
Proverbs 28:23-24
V. 23 I was reading this morning how Jesus strongly cautioned His
disciples to avoid the leaven of the Pharisees, which was hypocrisy.
Immediately afterward He told them not to worry about death or persecution. To
live as honestly and transparently as we should for Christ, apparently, could
get us into trouble. At least Jesus must have thought so.
V. 24 Having just read 1 John 1:10, isn't this a funny
"coincidence?" We need to call a sin a sin.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a one-year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His
harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be
willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their
growth as disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular one-year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is
welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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