Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Sunday Review, November 9, Daniel 4-5 outline

We began this week with the salvation of a king, and ended with the destruction of another. We saw the head of gold give way to the arms and chest of silver, as the grandson of the great king wasted the kingdom and lost it to the great Persian/Mede empire. From the greatest kingdom on earth to a vassal state.

Without the Lord, the king was just a beast. Not surprisingly, the Christ-rejecting scientists throughout the world consider that man is nothing different than the beasts. And they, once the light has been removed, will be nothing but shadows of themselves, clawing and groping in outer darkness. But the king looked up and "reason entered him again". Those who believe "see the light" and are restored all the blessings God intended for them.

Then there are generational unbelievers. They have been handed down the gifts that God has given their fathers and wasted them, like Belshazzar. They have no fear of God and easily blaspheme, for they did not see God as their fathers did. Until suddenly the handwriting is on the wall, and judgment has come.

We use a saying "a drop in the bucket". Do you know we took this from Isaiah 40:15? "Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust."

Matthew 25 shows that there will be a judgment of nations, how they treated those in their care. We also know that nations will continue after this dispensation of Grace, where all nations will come before Jerusalem to serve the King Jesus as He sits on the throne of David during the Millennial dispensation. And when the New Heaven and New Earth are formed, they will continue, displaying the glory which with they have been blessed from the Lord, before Him in the New Jerusalem:

"And I saw no temple in the city, for the temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and the gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:22-27)

It's hard for sinners like us to imagine a world where there is nothing detestable, nothing unclean, nothing false. I imagine each nation with the individual characteristics God has gifted them, bringing the glory into the Kingdom and standing before the throne of the Lamb. I imagine the various cultures we see throughout the world today "wowing" one another as we expand and develop in knowledge unique to what God has gifted us. Continued growth, continued discovery of the Almighty Trinity.

From glory to glory to glory! The continuation of the will of God. Our purpose is still the same, maintaining the kingdom as His servants, testifying of His greatness and the amazing things He brings into our lives.

Only there will no longer be sorrow. People will not mock or kill us for what we preach and testify, but say "Amen", and give their own testimonials that will be renewed day by day, living in the glorious will of God.

The will of God does not change. We love Him with all that we have, and love one another as we, as one body under the headship of God live in the joy and peace offered us from the beginning. Partaking of the Tree of Life, in the Paradise created for us from the beginning.

If you have not believed, and feel that burning desire, that longing to be a part of God's heavenly Kingdom, Jesus is calling you! The Holy Spirit is at the door of your heart. Turn to Him today. Let Him wash away your sins by falling upon the Rock of Ages.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps:

Review these five chapters. As you lie down to sleep, hash them over in your mind. Tell the story to yourself, and then tell the story to friends and family. These are especially vivid and exciting, even for children. If you take it just one little step at a time, soon you will acquire a wealth of the knowledge of God's word, and be able to tell others.

Chapter 1: "Daniel is faithful to the ONE and ONLY God"
Chapter 2: "Daniel 2 interpret Nebuchadnezzar's NEW dream."
Chapter 3: THREE brave Jews in a fiery furnace: Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego.
Chapter 4: "The King on all FOURS like a beast."
Chapter 5: "The FIVE-fingered "HAND" writing on the Wall: Babylon HANDED over."