December 4, 2015

DECEMBER 4

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

We have less than a month to go. If you are caught up, that is amazing. If it has been "hit-and-miss" for you, you've still probably read more of the Word than you did last year, and you have some ideas going into the new year of what you'll have to do to stay on target. But let me ask, why are you doing this? On a superficial level, there is no difference between you and someone who hardly picked up their Bible. But if you are pursuing the Lord, what you're doing makes all the difference in the world. Remember Hebrews 11 and the words, By faith. All of those people pursued God by faith and God blessed them, but that blessing was often only in that they grew closer to God. The verses that drive me on are John 14:21-23,

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Since you are finishing up Daniel today, you might treat yourself to a peppermint something.

Daniel 11:36-12:13

Daniel 11:36-45

Vs. 36-39 At this point the words regarding this ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes (AE), begin to directly mirror the future attitude and behavior of the antichrist (AC) in the latter part of Israel's history. Though it was still in the future for Daniel, what is mentioned here happened in 170 B.C. with Antiochus Epiphanes; and yet in the future, during the 70th week, the antichrist will do the same thing. Notice the expression of arrogance and self-exultation that happens here. Not only will the antichrist walk into the temple, as Antiochus Epiphanes did, and set up an abomination, but he too will exalt himself above God. Apparently Antiochus Epiphanes was helped by Jewish traitors who helped him do this, whom he later rewarded. It appears the antichrist will do something similar and through this treachery will also kill the two witnesses before he defaces the temple.

Some of the references to the one beloved by women and the god of fortresses may not make sense to us, but they will be clear to the people who have to go through this worldwide Tribulation.

Vs. 40-45 Not all nations will follow the AC, and since he can't be in more than one place at one time, they will rise up against Israel. Eventually there will be a worldwide showdown in the plain of Armageddon. Remember too, that the conditions of those future days will look very desperate and primitive. There is no reason to believe that oil refineries will be working and that there will be gasoline available for these military ventures. According to Revelation, the king of the east will cross the Euphrates with 200 million foot soldiers to join the party. It is possible that some of these will be on horseback.

V. 41 The area of these countries is present-day Jordan and the area around the Dead Sea. This is important. Jesus said that when the people living near Jerusalem saw the "abomination that makes desolate" in the temple, which the AC will put there, the people were to flee into the mountains. In Revelation, the description of this flight and the pursuit of Satan is scary, but God will save the people in the wilderness. The area of these countries is where the people will go to hide. It's about 15 miles from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. We see how people in mountains can hide now from the mighty, high-tech U.S. military. Imagine how much better they will hide from the AC if God is helping them and if the world has been reduced to very primitive low-tech warfare.

V. 44 And then the AC will hear about these approaching armies from the north and east and decide he has other fish to fry. Still, he will kill many followers of Christ, in Israel and in all other nations. The slaughter of God's people will be a test of the hearts of men and women, and it will confirm the justness of the wrath of God upon mankind.

Daniel 12

Vs. 1-4 This is a summary of the final 3.5 years of the Tribulation and the judgment that follows. Verse 2 is one of the clearest verses in the OT regarding the resurrection. This sounds like what Jesus said in John 5:28-29. And v. 3 sounds like Matthew 13:43, Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Vs. 5-7 It is significant that this number of days is given and that the angel gave it by raising his hands and swearing by God. If you were trying to hang on during that time and knew the day those last 3.5 years began, you'd be happy to know an exact number. That the angel swore by God makes this a very solemn declaration. We don't grasp this.

Vs. 8-12 Daniel's heart was so big toward God and his people; the more he heard, the more interested he became.

V. 9 Shut up and sealed means you will have to be there in that time to understand what is going on. We are not supposed to fully grasp it.

V. 10 During this Tribulation, those who love God will become more purified, and the wicked will become more wicked. It is a time of testing and revealing.

V. 11 The 1290 days extend from the defiling of the temple up to the cleansing of the temple and reestablishment of worship in the temple. Jesus will arrive in about 1260 days, but I'm sure there will be some business to take care of first, like the judgment of the nations. And I think rather than Him just cleaning up supernaturally, there will be people employed to clean and repair the temple and have it ceremonially rededicated. There will be a lot to do in 30 days.

V. 12 Blessed is the person who is there at this celebration. Jerusalem will be cleaned up and the King will officially, before the world, take His throne in Jerusalem and begin ruling the world.

V. 13 Just as it says in Ezekiel that the resurrected David will govern the people of Israel, I wonder if the resurrected Daniel will govern the people of Iraq from Babylon. If so, it will not have been the first time.

But for now, we work in the harvest as the clouds approach. When it all comes down, we'll have great seats to see how Jesus will justly judge the world, and we'll be at the celebration of His thousand-year kingdom.

1 John 4

In chapters 1 and 2 John has talked about walking in the light and truth of Christ. Even Christians can walk out of the light. In chapter 3 John began talking about abiding in Christ's love as the evidence that we know that love. Now John begins to talk about the guidance of the Spirit in knowing and living the love of our Lord.

When Jesus told the disciples about what the last days before His coming would look like, He warned them regarding false prophets and false messiahs. (Matt. 7:15, 24:11, 24:24) I'm sure John and the others were surprised how quickly error and false teachers began to come into the church. In the days of the Tribulation it will be far worse.

Note that there is a lot of "love" going on in this chapter. Laura found 27 forms of the word love within just 15 verses. I don't know if that's a record, but it is something to observe and think about.

Vs. 1-6 Up until 3:24 John had not mentioned the Holy Spirit. Notice that the confession of Jesus as God the Son who became flesh is a mark of the Spirit. Anyone could say Jesus came in the flesh without being truly saved, but keeping the commandments of God in the Spirit of God means understanding who Jesus truly is. A false understanding of Jesus springs from a false spirit and leads to a warped walk. As disciples, our obedience and walk are directly connected to our love and understanding of Jesus. Just like in Romans 8 and in John 14-17, it is the Spirit who guides us into a proper balance of understanding. All of this becomes visible by our love for the Word, our obedience to Christ in our walk and in the harvest, and by our love for one another.

Vs. 4-6 Anyone led by the Spirit continues in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, and in our case, the Word.

Vs. 7-12 The evidence of the work of the Spirit in us is knowing the love of God and loving one another. Verse 8 is not stating evidence of salvation, but evidence of knowing God relationally. The true understanding of the love of God is that we love. Even though no one has ever seen God, by loving one another because of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of God's love, we can show that we have a relationship with Him. Notice what Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:5, The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Even in 1 Timothy, the context for this verse is false teaching and teachers.

Vs. 13-18 The evidence that we abide in God is that His love is alive in us and is seen in our love for one another. If we are fully living in the love of Christ, there is no fear of what will happen when we stand in His presence, because there will be no judgment for us.

I know this all sounds like circular reasoning, but here is the simplicity in our walk with Christ that is very visible. You even see this simplicity of the Christian life in Paul's prayer at the end of Ephesians 3. The most important thing for us to be growing in is the love of Christ. This love is grounded in His Word, understood in His Spirit and poured out in His mission. Working together as His people, we express His love to one another inwardly and His love for a dying world outwardly, and we are strengthened in our work for Him. But it all flows out of knowing and showing His love. Love is the key word and the key for our lives in Christ. But, love is not without definition. Love is defined by God and Jesus and their effort to save a lost world. And where do we know this love? Through His Word and by His Spirit. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

An example of what is being said here is that a husband is told to love his wife as Christ loved the church. It is fair to say that if a believing man doesn't do this, he really doesn't know the love of Christ. It doesn't make him unsaved, but it really shows his lack of knowing Christ and his lack of maturity in Christ. This is the point that John and the Spirit are making here, using love for one another as the example of relationship and maturity.

Vs. 19-21 According to John and the Spirit, this is an absolute. We really do kid ourselves and treat God's truth lightly when we claim to love God but cannot get that love to connect to loving others, including the lost and the people of God. I think a lot of churches don't work because they are not following Christ in the harvest. It is appropriate not to feel at home in a group like that. However, in a church that is working to reach out and make disciples, we need to love one another as Christ loved, and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and love.

Psalm 123

Vs. 1-2 As the worshipers walked up those roads leading to Jerusalem on Mount Zion, it was really the Lord they were approaching. It was really the Lord they were seeking. I like v. 2, that they will persist in prayer until the Lord shows them mercy. When the disciples finally asked the Lord to teach them to pray, He restated the Lord's Prayer to them and then added what they had never heard before: the parable of the friend knocking on his friend's door at midnight. Perseverance is necessary and natural; after all we are praying to our Father who loves us. We are appealing to His kindness and love.

Vs. 3-4 It is a truth that we often seek God because outside circumstances show us we need Him. It is also true that God allows these circumstances to come to us to drive us to Him.

Proverbs 29:2-4

Sometimes, just for the fun of it, try taking a triad of verses like this and restating them. For example:

When the righteous increase, when children love wisdom and the king builds his land with justice, the people rejoice and fathers are glad. But when the wicked rule, when children live in passion and rebellion and when bribes are common, the people groan and the wealth of a land is squandered.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link ^{http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/.} If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to ^{https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.} You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

December 3, 2015

DECEMBER 3

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Daniel 11:2-35

As we enter into all the detail of the prophecies in the last two chapters of Daniel, there are a couple of things to take note of. First, what we're reading today will all take place before the birth of Christ, during a very dangerous time in the life of Israel. Tomorrow will deal with the Tribulation and the events just before the second coming of Christ. Second, we need to understand what the purpose of this detailed prophecy is. Rather than simply showing us that God knows everything and coordinates everything in advance, it is meant to be a help to the people going through these events and distresses. For example, in our reading today, historians can look back and verify the details of what is said here and give names to the people and identify the events. But for the Jews who went through this, it not only gave them an idea of what would happen, but it gave them incredible hope and courage as they saw the Scripture coming true and the events unfolding. It was almost like having tomorrow's newspaper. They understood that God was with them and that nothing was outside of His control. With some of this detail, they could even plan ahead. Much of what we read about the Tribulation in the book of Revelation seems foggy and hard to understand for us, but for those people who will go through the Tribulation, what God has written is going to make perfect sense. It will give them hope and courage.

V. 2 Xerxes was this fourth king and was the husband of Esther. He is mentioned here because of his wars with Greece. He was hugely defeated and got the Greeks incredibly mad.

Vs. 3-4 This is the rise and fall of Alexander the Great.

Vs. 5-20 The four kingdoms of Greece will constantly fight with one another, and Israel will be in the middle of a lot of that fighting. For the Jews that lived during that time, these words in Daniel assured them that God was in control of the chaos.

Vs. 21-35 These are the adventures of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (AE), the precursor of the coming antichrist. If you want some good, but not overly lengthy information on him, read the Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, pp. 1369-1370.

V. 21 Apparently AE wasn't an obvious ruler. There was deception and intrigue that led to his sudden rise to power. In the same way, it probably won't be apparent who the antichrist is until he is suddenly in power.

V. 22 The prince of the covenant was apparently a priest who AE had put to death.

V. 28 Somehow AE will already resolve to fight against Israel, probably because of their stubborn insistence on worshiping Yahweh.

Vs. 29-30 As AE was in Egypt, he was confronted by the growing Roman Empire and he was forced to retreat. In fact, AE was personally humiliated by the Romans who drew a circle in the sand around him, forcing him to make his decision then and there to agree to their demands.

V. 30 Those who forsake the holy covenant are traitorous Jews.

Vs. 31-35 And so AE vented his anger on Israel. These verses describe how he tried to stop the worship, desecrate the temple and exterminate Judaism. This anger and frustration, and the reasons thereof, probably foreshadow why and what the antichrist will do in the Tribulation. During the Tribulation, in spite of Satan's power and the supernatural authority he gives the antichrist, unbelieving nations will still rebel against him, blind to the real drama being played out.

V. 32 AE will win over those who really don't like to follow Yahweh.

V. 35 Even as the angel is explaining this to Daniel in such detail, it seems he makes a transition to begin talking about the time of the end. In the Maccabean Revolt that occurred because of the actions of AE, there were godly men who understood these words of prophecy and sacrificed their lives for God. Some of what happened during that period will mirror some of what will happen during the Tribulation, especially the cunning working of AE and the antichrist.

We can understand the importance of these prophecies to the people who went through those very hard times, if we look at all of the information God has given us to encourage us during this time. As disciples following Christ, working in the harvest we understand more of what is happening in life, both on this planet and in the spiritual dimension, than any other peoples in the history of redemption. Jesus Himself told His disciples that they were seeing and hearing what others had longed to know, but were never able to see or hear. We continue in what Jesus said to His apostles in that we have the complete Word of God. Not living with this book in hand as we walk through this spiritual tragedy on earth is an awful mistake. We should be understanding our times and all the challenges, working in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples. If we don't live by this book daily, we become lost on earth and live a faith without His strength or purpose. We have been given a great treasure and resource, and we ignore it to our own harm.

1 John 3:7-24

As you read this section, notice how often John mentions loving one another. That thought of a common love in Christ flows through this entire section of the letter. The tension in what we will read is that there were some in these churches who were not believers. It seems that the vast majority were believers, yet they were very immature, living according to the old nature, and not the new nature in Christ. The importance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is to show a believing couple who were motivated by the desire for status in the church. When Peter said to Ananias, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land," it showed that children of God can follow the flesh and be led by Satan. We know that, right? We don't have room here to find all the places in Paul's letters where this is shown or said, but keep this tension in mind as you read these verses in John. John isn't always saying people are not believers. He is saying that as believers they shouldn't be following the impulses of the devil, but those of the Spirit of Christ. John does say which impulses are from whom.

Vs. 7-10 Notice again that those addressed are little children, even the 70-year-old little children. I think John's purpose in this is to say, as Paul did, that we should walk worthy of Christ. It is clear from other letters that Christians are capable of all sorts of sin, from idolatry to immorality. In 2 Timothy 2:26, it mentions how Christians can be captured by Satan to do his will. In 1 Timothy 5:15 it talks about believers who have turned aside to follow Satan. Children of God should not act like children of Satan. If people are not unified in love, they are not being influenced by God, but by the devil. Our salvation in Christ and our mission for Him is supposed to bind us together. If being a believer and going to church means anything other than salvation and mission, it degenerates to a social club.

Vs. 11-15 If the last verses had to do with the influence of Satan, this block of verses seems to deal with the influence of the world. If believers are too focused on being accepted by the world, they will not love one another. Again, in a mature group of disciples, this wouldn't be a problem, but not all believers are mature and living from the principle of their new life. Paul told believers that they should put off the works of darkness and put on the Lord. That means that as believers, it is possible to live according to darkness, in death, and not in our new eternal life in Christ.

Vs. 16-18 You can see here that John was aiming high, at a cross-bearing kind of discipleship modeled after Jesus' sacrifice and love for us.

Vs. 19-24 Notice how often John mentions commandment in this section. It makes me think of David's passion in Psalm 119. Probably, in order to appreciate what John is writing here, we'd need to read John's Gospel, chapters 14-17. Verse 22 is a promise given often in that section of John. The love of Christ in the mission of Christ is what makes possible the kind of brotherly love God talks about. If a person is living that love, following Christ, regardless of failures, God forgives and overwhelms their guilty conscience. The Spirit within us is given to us to keep abiding in Christ and moving forward in the harvest. The fact that we keep moving forward, following the Spirit in the love and mission of Christ, is visible evidence that the Spirit is within us.

Again, believers can hide from following Christ. But then, what evidence do they have of the Spirit in them, or that they are abiding in Christ? And then too, they miss out on all the blessings of the gospel. I grew up in a very Catholic area and the common motto was, "God helps those who help themselves." Actually, this is not true. If we don't abide in Christ and follow Him in the harvest, if we are protecting ourselves from persecution and hardship, why should He help us? We are helping ourselves, dependent on ourselves, and not on Him.

If you want an interesting example of this help, look at Luke 12:8-9. Now, as you read it, understand that by Christ acknowledging us before the angels of God, He is actually saying He will send them to help us when we are in that situation. Those people who "help" themselves by not acknowledging Christ, and are therefore avoiding the punishment or scorn of men, don't need His help; and therefore, He doesn't "acknowledge" them and send spiritual aid. Remember, Jesus addressed this passage in Luke to His disciples, not to unbelievers.

Psalm 122

Both the house of the Lord and Jerusalem are lifted up in this psalm. We've seen in Ezekiel how the city and the temple, though destroyed, will both be rebuilt and will become the destination for generations in the future. Daniel's prayer in chapter 9, and the massive prophecies he was given by Gabriel, show the restoration of Jerusalem and the anointing of the King. Who knows, in the Millennium as people fly into Jerusalem, maybe they will sing this psalm as they travel from the airport up to the city to see the Lord.

Vs. 1-2 This was a passion of David's heart, forged in long years of running from danger and having to remain distant from the tabernacle. David worshiped God in spirit and in truth in the wilderness, but longed for the time he could stand before the tent which housed the ark of the covenant. That is where he knew God was present.

Vs. 3-5 It was in Jerusalem, once the ark was there, where people came to seek the Lord for judgments and mercy.

Vs. 6-9 Because of the temple, peace and security should rest on Jerusalem. It would have been the presence of the Lord that would have brought that peace. It makes you think of what John was writing above. If the Lord is present, His presence will be evidenced by peace and love.

Proverbs 29:1

Those of us with stiff necks are grateful for God's "gentle breaking," before we did irreparable damage.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link ^{http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/.} If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to ^{https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.} You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

December 2, 2015

DECEMBER 2

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Daniel 9-11:1

These are two very interesting chapters in Daniel. Chapter 9 not only contains the second greatest prayer (my opinion) in the Bible, but it has the prophecy of the 70 weeks. Chapter 10 opens the curtain a little on the spiritual warfare going on behind the nations of the world and, actually, all of life. Buckle up.

Daniel 9

V. 1 Notice that this prayer is in the first year of the change of government. This was probably the year that Daniel was thrown into the lion's den. Very few people see the association between chapters 6 and 9, but you do; and it should make chapter 6 seem much more important and understandable. Just for trivia, let me ask you—what is the last visible, obviously supernatural, miraculous event God did in the OT? I think it is found in Daniel 6.

V. 2 What does this imply that Daniel had in his possession? Even Daniel read his Bible every day. Not only would Daniel have had full copies of everything written since Moses, he also had a copy of Jeremiah. Unknown to us, an entire culture of biblical scholarship had grown up and become established in the Jewish community in Babylon, complete with schools and a synagogue type of worship. I wasn't there but I'll bet it was financed and directed by men like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I'd bet Ezekiel was part of it.

Vs. 3-19 Here is the prayer. As you read this, think of Daniel being a teen when brought to Babylon, and now, 70 years later, saying this prayer. What a heart he had for God and for his people. I would guess that this is what Daniel was praying three times a day, and was praying on that day when he was thrown into the lion's den.

I only have a couple of observations here.

First, notice that Daniel identifies with his people. He uses "we" and "us" quite often. Notice too that he identifies with and confesses the sins of the fathers. In Ezekiel we read that Daniel was probably the most righteous lover of God on the planet at that time. Why would he identify with the sordid sins of his idolatrous countrymen? Well, I'm sure it was because he was a humble guy, but not only that, he was an obedient man and knew his Bible. Read these two passages and you'll see that Daniel not only knew the Word, but he also obeyed it:

·         1 Kings 8:46-53 - This is Solomon's dedication of the temple.

·         Leviticus 26:33-45 - This obscure passage will blow you away. I'm sure that Daniel knew these portions of the Bible and that his knowledge of what God commanded in these sections guided Daniel in his prayer.

Second, notice what Daniel's real concern was in vs. 16-19. Notice the mention of Jerusalem. This isn't just a patriotic desire on his part. God had promised to dwell in that city. Notice, too, the desire that God's name should be honored and glorified in the world. I wish I always had that concern guiding my heart and actions. Interestingly enough, it is the same thought that's in the first line of the Lord's Prayer.

Vs. 20-23 Now I don't know if this was before or after the lion's den that Daniel was praying this and that Gabriel was sent to talk to him. I suspect it was after the lion's den, and that Daniel had proven his desire to live and die for God and his people. Notice that Gabriel came flying. I wonder what that looked like. I don't know if you know this, but in the early Superman comics, Superman often flew standing. Apparently wind resistance isn't a problem if you're super. I wonder if that's what Gabriel looked like. Second, notice in v. 23 that Daniel is greatly loved. God loves us all, but of how many people in the Bible does God say this? For most people, Daniel seems like a very insignificant character in the Bible. God didn't think so.

In Chapter 10 we meet an unnamed angel, but because Daniel had already met Gabriel twice and because of the reference to Daniel being greatly loved, some think that that angel in chapter 10 is also Gabriel.

Vs. 24-27 Here is the interesting thing about the vision of the 70 weeks. It is an answer to the question Daniel was not asking. Daniel wanted to know when the Jews could return to Jerusalem, assuming that would end the desolations of Jerusalem. The answer given tells when Jerusalem will finally be restored forever in peace and when the Jews will enjoy the kingdom with their Messiah. Notice that v. 24 will be all of human history until the beginning of the Millennium. That means that some of this has not yet occurred.

In short, the 70 weeks work out like this. Each week is seven years.

V. 25 The decree to rebuild Jerusalem, not the temple, begins the clock. This decree was given to Nehemiah.

From Nehemiah to Jesus' crucifixion was 69 weeks (7 + 62) or 483 years. There are all sorts of calendars and such, but when you work it out, it is right on the money. If you have the Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, you can read Dwight Pentecost's discussion of this time between Nehemiah and Jesus on page 1363.

So, even though the walls went up with Nehemiah, seven 7’s, or forty-nine years, were needed to completely restore the houses and streets of Jerusalem. Then for the next sixty-two 7’s (434 years) Jerusalem existed in very unsure times. The seven weeks and the sixty-two weeks have no break between them. We know this because of Jesus' death.

V. 26 Notice that the anointed one, Jesus, is cut off after the conclusion of the sixty-two weeks (or sixty-nine weeks if you put them together). This is significant in that it shows there is a gap between the 69th week and the 70th week. The anointed one is cut off after the 69th week, yet before the 70th week. The day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of the donkey was the final day of that 69th week. The 70th week will begin with the Tribulation.

Notice also that the people of the prince who is to come, not the prince himself, destroy Jerusalem. This is in the gap of time between the 69th week and the 70th week. This happened in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. This prince, as we'll see in the next chapter, was the "guardian" angel who will guide Rome. More on this in chapter 10.

V. 27 Now then, the 70th week is the seven years of the Tribulation. He is that prince of those people; that is, the prince is the antichrist. Remember in chapter 7 we saw that the last empire would have a "horn" or king who would rise and war against the Jews. This is the antichrist who will make a seven-year peace treaty with Israel, and in the middle of that "week" the antichrist will kill the two witnesses, break the treaty, desecrate the temple and launch a worldwide persecution against the Jews. As we'll see in the book of Revelation, God will judge the earth and bring all nations to a place of ruin during the first 3.5 years of that week, and by doing so, the followers of Christ will have a chance to hide and survive and reach out to any who are willing to hear during the final 3.5 years.

So, the 70 weeks are for Israel, specifically for the city of Jerusalem. After the 69th week there has been a pause in the action for the church to be busy in the harvest. Look at Romans 11:25-26 to see Paul's summary of this. When that 70th week begins, it will be all about Jerusalem and about Israel fulfilling its role in this final chapter of their redemptive mission before the coming of Christ. There really won't be a need for the church per se in this 70th week. The focus of that last week will be the city of Jerusalem and the people of Israel fulfilling their mission as witnesses to the world. Everything will have to do with the Jews and the return of their Messiah. This is a reason why the taking of the church at the beginning of the Tribulation makes good sense. It is about the Jews reaching the world. We'd just be in the way, and it won't be about us. It will be all about the city of God and the people of God. This won't be hidden to people. Even the most rebellious and godless will be able to see the handwriting on the wall.

Daniel 10

Daniel 10 will actually continue to the end of the book. The angel who comes as a result of Daniel's prayer and fasting will give him the details of chapters 11 and 12. Note that Daniel 11:1 is a parenthetical note by the angel, saying that he was led by God to stand up and support Darius during his first year as ruler over this part of the Persian Empire, even though the "prince of Persia" would not have appreciated that help. We know why the angel strengthened Darius, right? Darius took a huge chance by making Daniel part of his government and chapter 6 shows that the man had faith. As mentioned above, although no name is given for this angel, some people think it is still Gabriel.

V. 1 Daniel was given a word about a conflict involving his people and he understood it and was deeply distressed by it.

Vs. 2-9 As a result of the disturbing content of that word from God, he went before the Lord, fasting and praying for 21 days. Verse 7 reminds me of Acts 9:7 and Paul's conversion. In case you are wondering if this could be Jesus, the angel of the Lord, you'll see why this is impossible.

Vs. 10-14 This is interesting news. This angel was sent to Daniel the first day of his praying, but was held off by the prince of the kingdom of Persia for 21 days. Obviously, if this angel had been Jesus, there would have been no battle. This prince of Persia was one of Satan's angels. Satan has been given the authority over nations, as he told Jesus. I think this was part of Satan's guardianship to help humans. Now that humans are in rebellion and under God's judgment, Satan's authority defaulted to a place of a ruling guardianship, controlling mankind as if we were inmates in a prison.

How do angels fight with each other? How was this angel neutralized for 21 days? What difference did it make that Michael helped him? Did Michael have a trick move or bigger biceps?

Vs. 15-19 It seems to me that the normal state of man in the presence of an angel is debilitation. Notice how often the angel has mentioned that Daniel is greatly loved.

Vs. 20-21 More interesting information. This angel had to go back and fight with the prince of Persia and when that was done, the prince of Greece was coming. Apparently every nation has a "prince" assigned over it. According to Deuteronomy 32:8-9, When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. ⁹But the LORD's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. Those sons of God are angels. God only kept one nation for Himself to further His redemption of mankind and that nation was Israel. Therefore, God assigned His own "prince" for Israel, the archangel Michael. We don't know who this unnamed angel is, although it is probably Gabriel, but only he and Michael fight for Israel.

Daniel 11:1

As mentioned above, this seems like a parenthetical thought, that this angel began giving spiritual support to Darius back in the first year of his reign. Since this angel fights for Israel, he needed to strengthen Darius for the events surrounding the lion's den, the making of that decree allowing the Jews to worship only Yahweh, and for Cyrus to make the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

It seems to me, that for us to do our work in the harvest, there must be unseen forces protecting and strengthening us too. Our battle begins in the Word and on our knees. Thankfully, we have the Spirit of God within us.

1 John 2:18-3:6

1 John 2:18-29

Vs. 18-20 John is now directly addressing the issue of false teachers. It seems that what John is saying is that now that we are in the last times, and that the antichrist is coming, little antichrists will arise. Notice that these came from within the church, but John says they were not believers, or they would have stayed in the church.

The anointing by the Holy One is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at rebirth.

Vs. 21-25 This is the key issue here. People were denying that Jesus was the Messiah. I don't know if this was a Jewish influence, but obviously you can't have the Father without the Son (John 5:23). The Jews would have been pressing to have the Father, but not Jesus. Though a believer can still be a child of God in disobedience and rebellion to his Father, a person who is religious, but doesn't believe that Jesus is the Christ and Savior, was never in the family.

Vs. 26-29 Notice that everyone is being spoken to as little children. I think John is calling on them to live in simplicity of faith and devotion. (See Luke 18:17.) We have read many encouragements to Christians to hold fast to their confession. In both Galatians and Hebrews, there was a call to people to remember that they began in Christ and received salvation through faith in Him. Having begun that way, they needed to hold fast to the teaching they were given at the beginning.

1 John 3:1-6

Vs. 1-3 This is the key to true salvation and following as disciples, knowing the love of God. Of course, this love is seen in and defined by Jesus and the plan of God. John has just called them little children and now he is talking about how they became children, by the love of God.

V. 3 This is the yearning as children to be with Christ. I was reading this morning that Jesus told, even warned, His disciples to have their loins girded and their lamps burning and to be like men waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast that they might open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. There should be that yearning and excitement born out of love.

Vs. 4-6 This gets into the gray areas of who is and who isn't saved, but God knows. Paul knew this was a problem in the church and told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:19, "The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” Paul and Timothy both struggled with this. The sure indicator of true faith is that a believer loves Christ, and though they sin, they keep coming back and asking for forgiveness, and they keep following.

In all we are reading here, you understand the need for good, godly elders in a church who are themselves following Christ in the harvest, and who are shepherds and protectors of the flock. When Paul says elders need to be able to teach, it is not just for making disciples, but for protecting the church.

Psalm 121

In this song of ascents, as the pilgrims were traveling to Jerusalem, because of Jerusalem's height, all roads led up to Jerusalem. In this sense, looking up to the hills was looking toward Jerusalem, to the house and throne of God.

Vs. 1-2 This is easy to say, but trusting it in the storm proves our hearts.

Vs. 3-4 I was just reading about what Jesus said in Luke 12:6, concerning the sparrows, and not one of them is forgotten before God. And we are of more value to God than many sparrows.

Vs. 5-8 God is not only our "sunscreen" but also our shield and defender. It's good to know this truth in our heads, but even better when it is in our souls and hearts.

Remember, as the people obeyed God and went to Jerusalem, they often had to leave their homes and possessions unguarded. They needed a protector and God had promised to be that for them.

Proverbs 28:27-28

V. 27 Jesus said that disciples were to give to everyone who begged of them. A disciple shouldn't have an emotional hang-up here.

V. 28 Amen!

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link ^{http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/.} If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to ^{https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.} You can download these to use on your computer or to print.