IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
In our last article, (“The Thrones Were Cast Down,” dated December 10, 2017), we saw that there were four worldwide kingdoms that had ruled from Babylon to Rome. We see them listed in Daniel 7:3-7. The Chaldeans were first and compared to a lion. (7:4). And in the image of the man in chapter two, its kingdom was stated to be “the head of gold.” (2:38).
Then comes the kingdom of the Medes and Persians set forth as a bear. (7:5). And in the image of the man they are said to be “the breasts and arms of silver.” (2:32). Then there is the Greek kingdom that is “like a leopard.” (7:6). And in the image of the man is said to be “the belly and thighs of brass.” (2:32). Then the Roman Empire is said to be a “dreadful and terrible” beast. (7:7). And in the image of the man are said to be “legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.” (2:33). And these prophecies came true on the world’s stage exactly as set forth!
But what about the next kingdom? Why would the exactness of the prophesy of the kingdoms over the span of hundreds of years fail now? The head of the image was the only kingdom not divided! It was one whole golden head without division. But the silver breast was then divided into the two arms – the Medes and the Persians. And so was the Greek divided as seen in the two thighs. And how detailed is the Roman legs and feet and toes? It was not only split into two empires, but finally, losing it’s power, like iron turning into clay, diffused into various minor states.
So with this kind of absolute, unalterable proof, why does no one hold to the present reign of Jesus Christ in his spiritual, eternal kingdom? Let’s take time to read that 44th verse again: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
This fifth and final kingdom was set up in the days of these kings! Jesus Christ set up his kingdom in the days of the Roman empire, the last of the worldwide kingdoms! – It was set up by none other then the God of heaven! – It is a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. – And not only shall it not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever! Does this have any relevance to us? Not unless we are born of the Holy Spirit! For none but those can either see, or enter this kingdom. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
And we even have the animal listed which represents the King of this final kingdom, who is said to also be going forth to conquer. Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
The Greek word translated, hath prevailed in verse five of chapter five is the exact same Greek word translated conquering and conquer in Revelation 6:2. It is also the exact same Greek word translated shall overcome in Revelation 17:14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Therefore we are equally instructed in the successfully conquering Lion of the fifth kingdom, set up by God, as we were in the four preceding it! Did Nebuchadnezzar conquer? The Lord Jesus does more so! Did Darius conquer? Then the Lord Jesus does more so! Did Alexander the Great and Caesar conquer? Even so does the Lord Jesus.
Here, in his own words, is set forth his conquering of souls from Satan’s grasp! For Satan may be “a strong man,” but the Lord Jesus is “stronger then he.” Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
And the Christian minister is referred to as a “soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And true evangelism is spoken of as of being in a “warfare.” 1 Corinthians 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 1Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
And there will be none to conquer his kingdom. It shall be everlasting! Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
But why do not even those who claim to be the true church in our age know and preach the present reign of Christ? They cannot see the glory of the cross! For there is where he conquered! There is when he bound the strong man! Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
He cried with a loud voice at his victory! Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. He cried with the same loud, victorious voice at the tomb of dead Lazarus! John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He was conquering death, hell and the grave, and bringing satisfaction to his Father! Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. – Religion only looks at the outward appearance – at the nails, thorns and spear! But the Lord God was looking at the travail of his heart! THAT is what granted the Father his “satisfaction!”
We need eyesalve to anoint our eyes for spiritual sight! We see only Jesus’ discomfort on the cross and assume that his discomfort is for our comfort! But he didn’t die to make us comfortable! He died to make us holy! Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Consider those two verses, just listed from Revelation 5:5 & 6. Who was John told to look at in order to stop his weeping of hopelessness? – the Lion of the tribe of Juda! But when he looked what animal did he see? – a Lamb as it had been slain! The Lord Jesus Christ is not a braggart! He does not ‘toot his own horn!’ He is meek and lowly! Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. But meekness is not weakness!
The Prophet Isaiah prophesied that he would not advertise himself! And Matthew recorded that the did not do so! Isaiah 42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
Matthew 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
But settle it, dear Reader, The Lord God has already ‘highly exalted” him! Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
The heavenly Voice says, “Lion!” But due to the poor sinners weeping helplessly back on earth, Jesus Christ is revealed to him as “a Lamb as it had been slain!” All glory to God and the Lamb forever!! He hath made Himself weak that we may be made strong! He hath ‘emptied himself’ in order that we might be ‘filled with all fullness!’ He has become poor in order that we might be made rich in grace, mercy, and eternal peace! Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Let those of us who are spiritually born, with sanctified eyes, join in with the heavenly host in singing His praises for having already taken unto himself his great power and is presently reigning! Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
One future ‘day’ every knee of every creature, reprobate or redeemed, demonic or divine, shall bow before him! And every tongue, sanctified or satanic, all ‘loosened tongues shall employ’ to name him as King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Revelation 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
But why not now? How can we be assured that we shall be in the number of the glorified redeemed, praising him eternally if we have not praise for him now? How can we say that we love God whom we have not seen if we are not of a loving spirit now? 1John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? How can we think to be included in that number around the only throne that shall exist throughout eternity, if we are not seeing our Lord ruling and reigning now?
May God have mercy!
Pastor Gene Breed
December 12, 2017
