Source: Tyndale House Publishers Inc.
Leviticus 23:1-4 God established several national holidays each year for celebration, fellowship, and worship. Much can be learned about people by observing the holidays they celebrate and the way they celebrate them. Take note of your holiday traditions. What do they say about your values? In what ways do your celebrations and holidays reflect your relationship with God?
Isa 14:12 “Shining star, son of the morning” could be names used to worship the kings of Assyria and Babylon. More likely, it means that they will fade like the morning star when the sun rises.
Isa 14:12-14 There are several interpretations for the fallen one in these verses.
(1) He is Satan, because the person here is too powerful to be any human king. Although Satan may fit verses 12-14, he does not fit well with the rest of the chapter.
(2) This could be Sennacherib or Nebuchadnezzar, kings with supreme power. Their people looked upon them as gods. These kings wanted to rule the world.
(3) This could refer both Satan and a great human king, possibly Nebuchadnezzar, because Babylon is pictured as the seat of evil in Revelation 17-18. Pride was Satan’s sin as well as Babylon’s. Common to all three viewpoints is the truth that pride willfully opposes God and will result in judgment. Israel made the mistake of being too proud to depend on God, and we are vulnerable to that same mistake.
Ezek 20:12-13 The Sabbath, instituted by God at creation, was entrusted to Israel as a sign that God has created and redeemed them (Exodus 20:8-11; Deut 5:12-15). This day of rest was a gift from a loving God, not a difficult obligation. But the people repeatedly violated the Sabbath and ignored God (see also Ezek 20:20-21). It was meant to be a reminder that they were God’s special people. Today many Christians celebrate the Lord’s day, Sunday, as their Sabbath. Whatever the day, we must be careful to fulfill God’s purpose for the Sabbath. He wants us to rest, to refocus, and to remember him.
Ezek 22:26 The priests were supposed to keep God’s worship pure and teach the people right living. But the worship of God had become commonplace to them; they ignored the Sabbath, and they refused to teach the people. They no longer carried out their God-given duties(Lev 10:10-11; Ezek 44:23). When doing God’s work becomes no more important than any mundane task, we are no longer giving God the reverence he deserves. Instead of bringing God down to our sinful human level, we should live on ways that reflect his holiness.
Ezek 28:12-19 Some of phrases in this passage describing the human king of Tyre may also describe the human king of Tyre may also describe Satan. Great care must be taken to interpret these verses with discern-ment. It is clear that at times Ezekiel describes this king in terms that could not apply to a mere human. This king had been in the Garden of Eden (Ezek 28:13), had been “ordained and anointed … as the mighty angelic guardian” (Ezek 28:14), and had access to the holy mountain of God (Ezek 28:14), but was banished from there (Ezek 28:16-17). Ezekiel, therefore may have been condemning not only the king of Tyre but Satan as well, who had motivated the king to sin.
Ezek 36:25-27 God promised to restore Israel not only physically but spiritually. To accomplish this, God would give them a new heart for following him and put his Spirit within them (see Ezek 11:19-20; Ps 51:7-11) to transform them and empower them to do his will. Again God promised the new covenant (see Ezek 16:61-63; 34:23-25), ultimately to be fulfilled in Christ. No matter how impure your life is right now, God offers you a fresh start. You can have your sins washed away, receive a new heart for God, and have his Spirit within you – if you accept God’s promise. Why try to patch up your old life when you can have a new one?
Dan 2:1-11 Dreams were considered to be messages from the gods, and the astrologers were expected to interpret them. Usually the astrologers could give some sort of interpretation as long as they knew what the dream was about. But this time Nebuchadnezzar demanded to be told the dream also. God sent a series of dreams to Nebuchadnezzar with prophetic messages that could be revealed and understood only by a servant of God. People from other time periods who received dreams from God include Jacob (Gen 28:10-15), Joseph (Gen 37:5-11), Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and his baker (Gen 40), Pharaoh (Gen 41), Solomon (1 Kgs 3:5-15), and Joseph (Matt 1:20-24).
Dan 2:10-11 The astrologers told the king that “no one on earth” could know the dreams of another person. What the king asked was humanly impossible. But Daniel could tell what the king had dreamed, and he could also give the interpretation because God was working through him. In daily life, we face many apparently impossible situations that would be hopeless if we had to handle them with our limited strength. But God specializes in working through us to achieve the impossible.
Dan 2:10-11 The astrologers were unable to persuade the king with any amount of logic or rational argument. The king asked for something impossible and didn’t want any one to change his mind. When power goes to a leader’s head, whether at work, at home, or in the church, that leader may sometimes demand the impossible from subordinates. At times, he may motivate workers to achieve more that they thought they could. At other times, they may ignore his rantings and ravings. Just as Daniel dealt wisely in the situation, we can ask God to give us wisdom to know how to deal with unreasonable bosses.
Dan 2:11 The astrologers admitted that their gods did not “live are among people.” Of course their gods didn’t — they didn’t even exist! This exposed the limitations of the astrologers. They could invent interpretations of dream but could not tell Nebuchadnezzar what he had dreamed. Although his request was unreasonable, Nebuchadnezzar was infuriated by their reply. It was not unusual in these times for astrologers to be in conflict with the king. They sometimes used their craft to gain political power.
Dan 2:11 By answering that the gods “do not live here among people,” the astrologers betrayed their concept of the gods. Theirs was a hollow religion, a religion of convenience. They believed in the gods, but that belief made no difference in their conduct. Today, many people profess to believe in God, but it is also a hollow belief. In essence, they are practical atheists because they don’t listen to him or do what he says. Do you believe in God? He does live among people, and he wants to change your life.
Dan 2:16-18 Daniel was at a crisis point. Imagine going to see the powerful, temperamental king who had just angrily ordered your death! Daniel did not shrink back in fear but confidently believed God would tell him all the king wanted to know. When the king gave Daniel time to find the answer, Daniel found his three friends and they prayed. When you find yourself in a tight spot, share your needs with trusted friends who also believe in God’s power. Prayer is more effective than panic. Panic confirms your hopelessness; prayer confirms your hope in God. Daniel’s trust in God saved not only himself but also his three friends and all the other wise men of Babylon.
Dan 2:19-23 After Daniel asked God to reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to him, he saw a vision of the dream. Daniel’s prayer was answered. Before rushing to Arioch with the news, Daniel took time to give God credit for all wisdom and power, thanking God for answering his request. How do you feel when your prayers are answered? Excited? Surprised? Relieved? There are times when we seek God in prayer and, after having been answered, dash off in our excitement, forgetting to give God credit for the answer. Match your persistence in prayer with gratitude when your requests are answered.
Dan 2:21 If you know that you still have much to learn in life, and if you have ever wished that you knew more about how to deal with people, then look to God for wisdom. While educational institutions provide diplomas at great expense, God gives wisdom freely to all who ask. (See Jas 1:5 for more on asking God for wisdom.)
Dan 2:21 When we see evil leaders who live long and good leaders who die young, we may wonder if God is still in control. Daniel saw evil rulers with almost limitless power, but he knew that God “removes kings and sets up other kings” and that he controls everything that happens. God governs the world according to his purposes. You may be dismayed when you see evil people prosper, but God is in control. Let this knowledge give you confidence and peace no matter what happens.
Dan 2:24 Daniel did not use his success to promote his own self-interest. He thought of others. When striving to succeed or survive, remember the needs of others.
Dan 2:27-30 Before Daniel told the king anything else, he gave credit to God, explaining that he did not know the dream through his own wisdom but only because God revealed it. How easily we take credit for what God does through us! This robs God of the honor that he alone deserves. Instead, we should be like Daniel and point people to God so that we give him glory.
Dan 2:31ff The head of gold on the statue in the dream represented Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the Babylonian Empire. The silver chest and two arms represented the Medo-Persian Empire, which conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. The belly and thighs of bronze were Greece and Macedonia under Alexander the Great, who conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (334-330 B.C). The legs of iron represented Rome, which conquered the Greeks in 63 B.C. The feet of clay and iron represented the breakup of the Roman Empire, when the territory Rome ruled divided into a mixture of strong and weak nations. The type of metal in each part depicted the strength of the political power it represented. The rock cut out of the mountain depicted God’s Kingdom, which would be ruled eternally by the Messiah, the King of kings. The dream revealed Daniel’s God as the power behind all earthly kingdoms.
Dan 2:44 God’s Kingdom will never be destroyed. If you are upset by threats of war and the prosperity of evil leaders, remember that God, not world leaders, decides the outcome of history. Under God’s protection, God’s Kingdom is indestructible. Those who trust in God are members of his Kingdom and are secure in him.
Dan 2:47 Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel and Daniel’s God. If Daniel had taken the credit himself, the king would have honored only Daniel. Because Daniel gave God the credit, the king honored both of them. Part if our mission in this world is to show unbelievers what God is like. We can do that by acts of love and compassion; and if we give God credit for our actions; they will want to know more about him. Give thanks to God for what he is doing in and through you.
Dan 2:49 After being named ruler over the whole province of Babylon and placed in charge of the wise men, Daniel requested that his companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, be appointed as his assistants. Daniel knew that he could not handle such an enormous responsibility without capable assistants, so he chose the best men he knew–his three Hebrew companions. A competent leader never does all the work alone but knows how to delegate and supervise. Moses, Israel’s greatest leader, shared the burden of administration with dozens of assistants. (See Exod 18:13-27)
Dan 7:1 The book of Daniel is not order chronologically; Daniel 7 takes place before Daniel 5. At this time, Belshazzar had just been given a position of authority (533 B.C.), and Daniel was probably in his late sixties. The first six chapters of Daniel present history; the last six chapters are visions relating mainly to the future.
Dan 7:1ff Daniel had a vision of four huge beasts, each representing a world empire. This was similar to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2), which covered the political aspects of the empires; Daniel’s dream depicted their moral characteristics. These nations, which would reign over Israel, were evil and cruel; but Daniel also saw God’s everlasting, indestructible Kingdom arrive and conquered them all.
Dan 7:4-8 The lion with eagles’ wings represents Babylon with its swift conquests (statues of winged lions have been recovered from Babylon’s ruins). The bear that ravaged the lion is Medo-Persia. The three ribs in its mouth represent the conquests of three major enemies. The leopard is Greece. Its wings show the swiftness of Alexander the Great’s campaign as he conquered much of the civilized world in four years (334-330 B.C.). The leopard’s four heads are the four divisions of the Greek Empire after Alexander’s death.
The fourth beast points to both Rome and the end times. Many Bible scholars believe that the horns corresponds to 10 kings who will reign shortly before God sets up his everlasting Kingdom. These 10 kings had still not come to power at the time of John’s vision recorded in the book of Revelation (Rev 17:12). The little horn is a future human ruler or the Antichrist (see also 2 Thes 2:3-4). God is illustrating the final end of all worldly kingdoms in contrast to his eternal Kingdom.
Dan 7:7 In the book of Revelation, John also recorded a vision of a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns (Rev 17:3). The angel told John that the ten horns were ten kings (Rev 17:12). Most likely these would be ten rulers who would rule under the Antichrist. The number ten may be literal; or more likely, it symbolizes the totality of the powers on earth that would serve the Antichrist and war against Christ. In John’s day, Rome was the world power, but would be followed by other powers. Whatever the identity of the ten kings, they would give their power to the Antichrist and make war against Christ and his followers.
Dan 7:9 Here the prophecy shifts to the end times. This judgment scene is similar to one that the apostle John saw (Rev 1:14-15). The Ancient One is almighty God, who assigns power to kingdoms and who will himself judge those kingdoms in the end.
Dan 7:10 The book of Revelation records a similar picture of God with angels surrounding his throne. John recorded that there were “thousands and millions” (Rev 5:11-12). On other words, angels too numerous to count surround God’s throne and minister to him. Created by God, angels are spiritual beings who help carry out his work on earth.
Dan 7:10 The phrase “the books were opened” refers to judgment. Revelation refers to this final judgment where the “books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books” (Rev 20:12). The Book of Life is the heavenly registry of those who have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation (Rev 3:5). All believers’ names are written in the Book of Life and they need not fear judgment. Unbelievers, however, will be judged according to their works, but their works, no matter how good, will not be able to save them.
Dan 7:10 Daniel saw God judging millions of people as they stand before him. We all must stand before almighty God and give an account of our lives. If God judged your life today, what would he say about it? How would he measure it against his will for you? We should live each day with the full awareness that we must appear before God to give account for how we used our life. How will your life measure up?
Dan 7:11-12 The slaying of the beast represents the fall of Rome. While this beast was destroyed, the other beast were allowed to live for a period of time. The kingdom (or their cultures) continued to be recognizable in some form; history did not end when God intervened with his judgment.
Dan 7:13-14 This one “like a son of man” is the Messiah. Jesus used this verse to refer to himself (Matt 26:64; Luke 21:27; John 1:51). The clouds of heaven portray the Son of Man as divine; throughout the Bible, clouds represent his majesty and awesome presence. God’s glory appeared in a cloud at the giving of the law at Sinai (Exod 16:10; 19:9). The book of Revelation also records Christ coming with the clouds of heaven (Rev 1:7).
Dan 7:18 The “holy people of the Most High” are the true Israel, the people ruled by the Messiah. Jesus Christ gave the Kingdom to the new Israel, his church, made up of all faithful believers. His coming ushered in the Kingdom of God, and all believers are its citizens (see also Dan 7:22,27). Although God may allow persecution to continue for a while, the destiny of his followers is to possess the Kingdom and be with him forever.
Dan 7:21-22 This “horn” that wages war against God’s people is also described in Revelation as the beast who is “allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them” (Rev 13:7). For a while, the “horn” will defeat God’s people. But in reality, those who die for the faith will be the ultimate overcomers, for they will receive great rewards. In the end, the Ancient One himself will defeat the horn.
Dan 7:24 The 10 horns, or 10 kings, are also mentioned in Revelation 17:12. There were also 10 toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision (Dan 2:41-42). While all do not agree concerning the identity of these 10 kings, they will make war against Christ (Rev 17:12-14), but as the King of kings, he will conquer them. The other king mentioned here is the future man of lawlessness (see 2 Thes 2:3-4).
Dan 7:25 The exact meaning of this “time, times, and half a time” is debated. Many scholars believe that
“time” means one year;
“times” means two years;
and “half a time” means half a year.
Thus, this would refer to three and a half years. God’s people will be placed under this king’s control and the persecution will continue only a relatively short time. God has promised to give his Kingdom to his holy people.
Dan 8:9 Antiochus IV Epiphanes (“the small horn”) attacked Israel (“the glorious land”) in the second century B.C. He was the eighth ruler of the Seleucid Empire (Babylonia and Syria). He overthrew Israel’s high priest, looted the Temple, and replaced worship of God with a Greek form of worship. A further fulfillment of this prophecy of a powerful horn would occur in the future with the coming of the Antichrist (see Dan 8:17, 19, 23; 11:36; 2 Thes 2:4).
Dan 8:14 The phrase “evenings and mornings” means evening and morning sacrifices; it refers to the time from the desecration of the altar in the Temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to the restoration of Temple worship under Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C.
Dan 8:17 The “time of the end,” in this case, refers to the whole period from the end of the Exile until the second coming of Christ. Many of the events that would happen under Antiochus IV Epiphanes would be repeated on a broader scale just before Christ’s second coming, During these times, God deals with Israel in a radically different way, with divine discipline coming through Gentile nations. This time is sometimes referred to as the “period of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24).
Dan 8:23 This fierce king describes both Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Antichrist at the end of human history (Rev 13:1-18)
Dan 9:25 These “strong defenses” show that Jerusalem will be rebuilt as a complete fully functioning city.
Dan 9:26 The Messiah, the Anointed One, will be rejected and killed by his own people. His perfect, eternal Kingdom will come later.
Dan 9:26-27 There has been much discussion on the numbers, times, and events in these verses, and there are three basic views:
(1) The prophecy was fulfilled in the past at the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 168-167 B.C. (see Dan 11:31);
(2) it was fulfilled in the past at the destruction of the Temple by the Roman general Titus in A.D. 70 when one million Jews were killed; or
(3) it is still to be fulfilled in the future under the Antichrist (see Matt 24:15).
Dan 11:35 God’s messenger described a time of trial when even wise believers would fall victim to persecution. If we persevere in our faith, any such experience will only refine us and make us stronger. Are you facing trials? Recognize them as opportunities to strengthen your faith. If you remain steadfast in these experiences, you will be stronger in your faith and closer to God.
Dan 11:36-39 These verses could refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Titus (the Roman general), or the Antichrist. Some of these events may have been fulfilled in the past, and some have yet to be fulfilled.
Dan 11:37 The “god loved by women” may refer to Tammuz, a Babylonian fertility god. Tammuz is also mentioned in Ezekiel 8:14. In other words, this person won’t recognize any deity or religions at all, not even pagan ones. Instead, he will proclaim himself to be divine and the ultimate power.
Dan 12:7 “Time, times, and half a time” may add up to three-and-a-half years and may be taken as either literal or figurative.
Dan 12:7 “The holy people” seem to be shattered again and again throughout history, God’s recurring purpose in this is to break the pride and self-sufficiency pf his rebellious people and to bring them to accept him as their Lord.
Zechariah 3:2 God punished Judah through the fire of great trials, but he rescued the nation before it was completely destroyed, like “a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”
Zechariah 3:2-4 Zechariah’s vision graphically portrays how we receive God’s mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness and holiness of God; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 4:24; Rev 19:8). All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s Righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God.
Zechariah 3:5-7 The Greek name for Jeshua is Jesus, meaning “the LORD SAVES.” He is seen here as a symbol of Jesus, the Messiah.
Zechariah 3:7-10 There was no priesthood during Exile, so it had to be reinstated upon the return to the land. In this vision, Jeshua is installed high priest. One of the high priest’s duties was to offer a sacrifice on the Day of Atonement to make amends for all the sins of the people. The priest was the mediator between God and the nation. Thus, he represented the coming Messiah (Isa 11:1), who would change the entire order of God’s dealing with people’s sin (Heb 10:8-14 explains this in detail). Jesus, the Messiah was the High Priest who offered, once for all, the sacrifice of himself to take away our sins. In the new order, every Christian is a priest, offering a holy, cleansed life to God (1 Peter 2:9; Rev 5:10).
Zechariah 3:8-9 The “Branch” refers to the Messiah. The meaning of the stone with seven facets is unclear. It could mean
(1) the Branch himself as the foundation stone of the Temple,
(2) the rock struck by Moses that produced water for the Israelites (Num 20:7-11), or
(3) the renewed spiritual priesthood of the church (1 Peter 2:5). These verses were fulfilled hundreds of years later by Jesus Christ. God said, “I will remove the sins of this land in a single day,” and this was fulfilled in Christ who “suffered for our sins once for all time . . . to bring you safely home to God” (1 Peter 3:18). You cannot remove your sins by your own effort. You must allow God to remove them through Christ.
Zechariah 3:10 God promises that each person will have their own place of security during Christ’s reign (see also Mic 4:4).
Zechariah 13:8-9 This “third” was a remnant, a small part of the whole. Throughout the history of Israel, whenever the whole nation seemed to turn against God, God said that a righteous remnant still trusted and followed him. These believers were refined like silver and gold through the fire of their difficult circumstances. Determine to be part of God’s remnant, that small part of the whole that is obedient to him. Obey God no matter what the rest of the world does. This may mean trials and troubles at times; but as fire purifies gold and silver, you will be purified and made more like Christ.