Audio: Finding Jesus in the Prophecies

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Is it your prayer that the Lord will break through some of the darkness that still affects us in this present world? We would see Jesus in all the circumstances of life. It is my prayer that the day star may arise in our hearts. That sure word prophecy as we take heed to it as a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the daystar arise in our hearts. It is my purpose that we may appreciate the value of prophecy in reference to our salvation. Our salvation is often focused upon by merely studying the gospel and so we should study the gospel of Jesus Christ. However it says that the daystar will arise in our hearts because we have a more sure word of prophecy than what Apostle Peter was talking about where he was describing the light they saw in Jesus Christ as the disciples followed him. The disciples reported the gospel but what does he say?

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

That is an interesting statement to make. There is something more sure than the representation of the apostles of their experience of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.

1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:

1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Did you notice that the prophets were diligently searching into and the things that they prophesied? Who prophesied of what? Of the grace that should come unto us. They were searching what manner of time the spirit of Christ. According to these words the prophets actually testified before the sufferings of Christ, the details of the sufferings of Christ. Prophecy actually gave the story of redemption, “to them it was revealed.” The prophets are ministering unto us the gospel which are reported unto you that have preached the gospel. The ministry of the prophets is a more sure than those who reported unto us and have preached unto the gospel. Apostle Peter was saying we are not telling you cunningly devised fables of what we experienced of Jesus but there is a more sure word. The prophets have ministered unto you that which we are reporting, the prophecies received by the prophets to minister unto us the things that are reported by the preachers of the gospel. In other words, the origin of the ministry of the gospel is what?

Prophecy

Prophecy is the origin of the ministry of the gospel. Isn’t that the way it deducts from verse 12? They have ministered unto us the prophets, the things which are now reported unto us by those preaching the gospel. Who was first, the preachers of the gospel or prophecy? Self-evident. I am thrilled with this story for to me as a minster of the gospel I am comforted to know I have not originated anything. It is originated under the inspiration of prophecy. All my life I have heard ringing in my ears that prophecy is so tedious and I did find it tedious but I remember when I was 9 listening to capable preachers of prophecy such George Burnside and John Colthard. These are men who understood prophecy powerfully and I sat in their meetings and my soul thrilled at the amazing descriptions of how prophecy has been portrayed in our time. As I became fascinated with this I began to take it up myself but I would come across expressions such as, that is not as important as Jesus in your life. One minister told me when preparing people for baptism not to burden these simple minds with the detail of prophecy. Some of the dear old ladies can’t comprehend what you are sharing with them. What is so important about the 2300 days or the 1260 days for their salvation? Babylon, medo Persia, Greece and Rome what is that going to do save you from sin? The king of the north and king of the south from Daniel 11, the seven trumpets, the seven seals, the seven churches, is this important for our salvation? I scratched my head at these kinds of suggestions as there is a scripture which does place prophesy apparently into a secondary position. Apostle Paul spoke of the gifts of the church.

1 Corinthians 12:29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles?

12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

Prophets are important but it says I show unto you a more perfect way.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

13:2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

We might know all the prophecies and we might have all faith but is prophecy secondary here? It seems to suggest that. If I have all that but if I do not have love, I am nothing. Many people read this and say what is all that to you if you don’t have love? What do they suggest? Love is more important than this. There is a suggestion in reading this that if I don’t have love there is no point understanding prophecy. It came to me over the years and I pray we can get it clear. The subject of prophecy was important enough that angels were commissioned by the Father and Christ to come to the prophets and explain these things. The problem in prophecy is not that it is not important but that there are so many contradictory interpretations of prophecy that it leads to long drawn out arguments to prove that what I believe is right. Have you had to sit through long studies as people are in disagreement on a subject and it goes back and forth in debate? I can’t see any value here. It takes away my enjoyment in Jesus Christ. Is prophecy the problem? It is man’s laborious proof that I am right in what I’m teaching. That is wearisome. What is needed is that it needs to be shared with love. If I have love I will not make the study of prophecy tedious. I will seek to make it sparkle and shine as it does if correctly researched. The problem in the early Seventh Day Adventist church when the 1888 message came was a need of Christ’s righteousness. They had been preaching the law and the prophecy till they became dry as the hills of Gilboa. I have watched how dry you can become if you study prophecy merely for getting facts straight it is exciting for the moment but after a while it goes dry. Pick up in prophecy the love of an angel that came to Daniel and the love that was shining out of the Revelation. Daniel is very discomforted to learn of Israel and the future.

Daniel 10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.

10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

Here was an angel telling Daniel you are greatly beloved, you have stood faithful through all this time and I have come in the love of heaven to show you and give you understanding.

Daniel 10:18 Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

10:19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace [be] unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Daniel even had trouble understanding what he had been shown in the previous visions of the image. He had already been explained the beasts of Daniel 7 and the experiences of Daniel 8. He had been shown all these things and still he had problems and so comes the love of God that helps him to understand.

Daniel 10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

10:21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

I am here to explain to you and I have to deal with Persia and Greece these ungodly nations. I’m active in something here and as I’m doing this there is someone working with me and who is it? Michael your prince. Who is that? Jesus Christ. Indeed, prophecy has to do with our Prince of love, the King of love my shepherd is. Prophecy did not contain the element of unchristian love at all but the Prince of love. He was right in the midst of all that prophecy. This Prince of love that was sent to help us.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A question was often asked me, what was the world that he loved? Aren’t we told not to love this world? God so loved the world that prophecy was describing it. Did he love Nebuchadnezzar? He loved him, he wanted to save him. Did he love Alexander the Great? Did he love Cyrus? Did he love the people of the nations and what was he looking at? He was looking at the dilemma of warfare, strife and black darkness of hope as they were fighting each other as we see today. In warfare we are surrounded with civilians being slain in the midst of conflict. Darkness, horror, misery and multitudes in tumult. To these people in the darkness of the tumult of the nations, he gave his only begotten Son. He loved them to save them.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

God loved these people that were ready to perish. He said I have given you light the day star will arise in the darkness of prophecy. The prophecy in the events of the nations. Light will come but men loved darkness rather than light. Why? Because through prophecy their evil deeds will be revealed and they don’t like it as prophecy is a light that sines in a dark place. Indeed in the darkness of human depravity in the conflict of nations, war, bloodshed, famines and strife, Michael our prince arises. Michael our prince is revealed standing before Pilate, the Roman prelate in the course of unfolding prophecy.

Jesus In front of Pilate

John 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

What was Jesus king of? Truth.

John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at all].

Did he stay long enough to wait for what the truth was? He walked out. What is truth? Jesus says I am king of the truth and I’ve been born for that purpose on this planet. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The king of truth, here he was and what was he saying? In a world of fight, conflict, war, one nation rising against the other, I the king of the Jews am not engaged in physical warfare. If I was of this world then would my servants fight. As he was standing before Pilate the consequence of his words continued to crowd upon him as before he went there he had already met the plight of the human race in Gethsemane when he himself was overwhelmed by the darkness.

Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

As he was in this agony, what did the angel say to Daniel? There is none with me in this but Michael your prince. As prophecy was unfolding and there he was. There was a fulfilment of prophecy that identifies him standing there suffering. As he is suffering the angel with whom he had been engaged in all the previous prophecy was there to strengthen him. Recall the picture of Jesus head upon the bosom of Gabriel. Gabriel and Michael were engaged in the darkness of this planet and here is Jesus engaging in a way that most don’t understand is part of prophecy of the nations. In such darkness all humanity becomes afflicted as Christ himself was. He was affected by human depravity which his rampant on this planet. As he was perspiring the angel encouraged and strengthened him saying, we’ve been through this along the way and we’ve got to come through. The prophetic picture was raised in the mind of Christ as much as it will be in you and me when we are in the grossest darkness of our experience. The very thing that Jesus went through was depicted through to the end and I believe the angel reminded him of that.

Isaiah 63:1 Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

63:2 Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

This prophecy is where Jesus found himself in the first section. I have trodden the winepress alone. As he was perspiring those drops of blood, his garment was tainted and he was referring to the time when it will again in the history of the nation’s first in Gethsemane and now at the end.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

19:12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

19:13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

19:14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

From Isaiah 63 through the story of Jesus before he came to this planet, through to the point where he was suffering in Gethsemane and on through the history of nations through to the point in time when he will back on horseback with the angels and Isaiah 63:3 will take place. This is a spanning prophecy and when the heart is overwhelmed in the life span we live in just now, there is prophecy that will illuminate our darkness as it did for Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

In the darkness when our mind can only comprehend reasoning from cause to effect and everything looks absolutely disastrous where you can’t make sense of anything anymore. We are a people with an intelligence that wants to see sense and nothing makes sense in the events of life around you. As darkness is in your heart and you look at prophecy, God who can bring light out of darkness shines in your heart and the day star arises. This is what happened to Jesus that kept him going when he fulfilled prophecy. When he comes again to fulfil prophecy it is imperative that I have knowledge of prophecy to be saved out of that darkness. Find Jesus the day star that can arise in our hearts to have a correct appreciation of prophecy.

The First Advent

If you were there in the time of Christ and you saw a man and if today a man would arise and say all that Jesus said, how would you respond? Would you say yes that is Jesus Christ? How do you know? He is doing all the works of Jesus. We are told false Christs would arise. Back there was Jesus and the leaders of the church didn’t believe and accept him. Why not? What was the problem? Would you have been any different to the people of that time if you were there?

John 1:9 [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

Here is the picture. In the time of the first advent, he the Son of God came and he was not received by his church. There was darkness. The bewilderment and conversion of the believers was where is Jesus? Where is the Son of God? We believe he might be the one but we are not sure as the teachers and leaders of the law are not in agreement with him. Does that sound familiar? How confused are the people today with all the doctrines being taught in Adventism? Are they in harmony with each other? What was the darkness?

As the Jews had departed from God, faith had grown dim, and hope had well-nigh ceased to illuminate the future. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people, death was a dread mystery; beyond was uncertainty and gloom. {DA 32.4}

We are told they were dwelling in the land of the shadow death, darkness and the most horrible oppression living under at the first advent.

For more than a thousand years the Jewish people had awaited the Saviour’s coming. Upon this event they had rested their brightest hopes. In song and prophecy, in temple rite and household prayer, they had enshrined His name. And yet at His coming they knew Him not. The Beloved of heaven was to them “as a root out of a dry ground;” He had “no form nor comeliness;” and they saw in Him no beauty that they should desire Him. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” Isaiah 53:2; John 1:11. {DA 27.1}

What a sad story and how is it today? The Jews had departed from God. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. Because those words were uncomprehended, what happened? How important was prophecy to them? Could they be saved without it? How can they recognise Jesus? We will look at prophecies that would have helped them to see light in darkness. Matthew has reference to the prophecies that will hasten our research. Joseph was in perplexity as his espoused wife was pregnant.

Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

This is also Isaiah 7 a prophecy. To Joseph it was now, oh this is it, a virgin shall bring forth a Son. Prophecy had made it clear. Joseph had to leave Egypt as Mary was pregnant. How would you like to go on a donkey just at the time of birth?

Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

2:6 And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

The Jews told the three wise men it would be there as they knew the prophecy and they still didn’t comprehend it. You can study prophecy and still not comprehend it. If they had listened they could have saved their soul.

Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

The child was in danger of being slain.

Matthew 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

If only they would have listened and comprehended prophecy.

Matthew 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Because Herod has slain all the babies. Prophecy to identify light out of darkness.

Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Besides all that we know in Daniel 9. What was written there? A time prophecy that they could have known if they had comprehended. How important was this time prophecy? If they had known the 2300 prophecy they would have recognised Jesus when he was baptised. This is the 70 week prophecy, the building of Jerusalem:

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

9:25 Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

If they had gone into the 2300 they would have recognised Jesus when he was baptised right on time in 27AD. But they didn’t comprehend prophecy. Isaiah 53 told them what he would be suffering but they jeered at him when prophecy was fulfilling and by failing to heed prophecy the disciples heat broken that Jesus was now taken from them in death, they couldn’t see any value. Why? Because they didn’t comprehended prophecy. Jesus had to restore them as they were walking on the road to Emmaus when he said to them oh you fools not knowing what is written in the prophets and he showed them from the prophecies. Then they said didn’t our heart burn within us as he spoke to us in the way. For us today prophecy is more imperative. As they rejected prophecy, what was their dilemma? The words of Jesu were very sobering.

Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

What a heartache. What a destruction of Jerusalem. That disaster could have been averted if they would have obeyed prophecy. Is prophecy important for your salvation? It is imperative. There is beautiful prophecy of the detail of your salvation that you can never find in the gospels. Our next study will reveal that you may have in reference to our sins a light that shines in darkness when sin overwhelms us. Prophecy gives a description that saves our soul. It is because of that ignorance that the Christians of today, this love sick sentimental Christianity has taken root that you just believe in Jesus and it matters not, whatever happens you are going to be alright, just love, love with the prophecies yes. How important is it for us if we want to be saved in these last days upon whom the ends of the world are come? Is God concerned with you and me? Like in the first advent, do we turn with loathing from prophecy to something that is a bit lighter because the debate over prophecy renders it tedious? Shall we walk away as it’s so heavy and difficult? The apparent most tedious prophecy that my experience carries within its bosom is the preciousness of the Saviour. The revelation of salvation in the most tedious prophecy of study but practical way of salvation is denoted in that prophecy. Practical terms need to be understood if we are going to survive the severe darkness coming upon us. If I do not have this prophecy correct, I will be caught unawares. Jesus warned about it. Daniel 10, 11 and 12 is one vision and that one vision is the most difficult study of unravelling the prophecies throughout the books of the bible. It took me some years to see the value of studying it. When I finally did, I fell out of all blue skies. I met Jesus as I had never met him before. He still vibrates within my heart when I look at Daniel 10-12. This is the entire vision. What a valuable description of the day star is portrayed in the darkness of the human conflicts that existed over those ears form the time it was given through to our time now.

Daniel 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.

He would come and show what God’s people would go through in the latter days. Are you interested so you may know before hand when it’s happening you don’t have to become destroyed like the Jews who didn’t comprehend the prophecies?

Daniel 10:21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

He began to proceed from chapter 11 onwards to take Daniel point by point through the unfulfilled in history in minute detail from Persia to Greece and its split when Alexander died and it split into four and as the conflict amongst Greece took place among the generals, it split finally into the north and the south. That item continues through to Rome and Augustus Caesar who was the one who caused Jesus to be born in Bethlehem by calling for a census to make this unpleasant journey for a woman ready to give birth on donkey back. A horse more comfortable.

Tiberius Caesar was reigning when Jesus was baptised. Under which reign was Jesus crucified? Augustus Caesar.

Daniel 11:20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes [in] the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

The prince of the covenant will be broken in the period of Tiberius Caesar. It could have been understood that under Augustus Caesar the gatherer of the taxes that Jesus would be born and under Tiberius Cesar Jesus would be baptised and under him Pilate would have him reigned up in the hall.

But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God’s purposes know no haste and no delay. Through the symbols of the great darkness and the smoking furnace, {DA 32.1}

When you study Daniel 10, 11 and 12 it is a long drawn out study but when you come to the end what is found?

“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiah’s coming. {DA 32.2}

Study it in Daniel 11 the coming of the deliverer.

At this time the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave. {DA 32.3}

Jesus was in prophecy and the Jews did not comprehend it. The wonderful opportunity for a worldwide knowledge as it was in Nebuchadnezzar’s time when he submitted, it could have happened there. Darkness prevailed why? Because of lack of the knowledge of prophecy and from that point in time the detail of Daniel 11 continues to unfold right through to Daniel 11:45 and Daniel 12:1. If we don’t have this correct we will be in the same dilemma as the Jews.

Daniel 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

This is the time of the close of probation. When? When the king of the north shall come to his end and none shall help him. If we have a wrong concept of the king of the north as there is a wrong concept as some teach that the king of the north is the papacy we will be lost. When will the papacy come to his end? The papacy will come to his end when Jesus comes and he is thrown in to the lake of fire but if we believe it is the Catholic Church that is the king of the north, I’m going to be waiting past the time of trouble past the time of trouble waiting for Jesus to come. That is what people are teaching. They are saying that when Jesus comes you will be changed and they are misconstruing the story. Jesus gave a warning when he was on earth to this very problem. This is salvation and if we do not have it right can we be saved? Jesus warns watch, study carefully.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

What does he say? Watch carefully. Watch because it is going to catch you unawares. If you are not watching you will be caught in the time of Jacobs’s trouble and you will not be saved. What is Jesus saying you are to watch? His coming. What coming is here referred to? Is it the coming of Jesus?

What time is here referred to? Not to the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but to His return from His ministration in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, when He lays off His priestly attire and clothes Himself with garments of vengeance, and when the mandate goes forth: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: {2T 190.1}

The prophecy of Daniel 11 if we will know it and understand it, it will help us not to be caught unawares. As we see the king of the north coming to his end and none shall help him, we will know what Jesus meant that we must be ready. We will know in all this prophetic description in the gospel of Jesus how we are going to be saved by correctly understanding the story of Daniel 11.

What We Must Do To Be Ready

Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits].

11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, [many] days.

11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

11:35 And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.

If I am going to be found ready for Jesus to finish his work in the sanctuary, what must I go through? An experience that is blackness to you. You will fall to try you. When you fall do you think you are now finished? You will fall to try you to make you white even to the time of the end. When we go through these experiences prophecy illuminates what can save you if you will do what Jesus did. When you have fallen, drastically in a way that is unforgivable and you take hold of the Gethsemane experience of Jesus and you see light because you have fallen to purge you, not to destroy you, this is part of the preparation for the last days. Those who are not watching or vividly appreciative of these things will lose their way as did the Jews. If we have a false comprehension of anything of God’s word that is necessary for the time in which we will live, we will not be saved. Our salvation is manifest via prophecy. Our time as in the first advent is a time of darkness. We are looking for Jesus to come and yet it has delayed so long. Let us learn from the Jewish church the importance of Daniel 12:10. The wise will understand. Let us understand the importance of Revelation 1:1-3, the revelation of Jesus Christ. As you plough through the seven trumpets, churches and seals to you will be revealed Jesus Christ where you stand with him today and the hope you have of salvation. May God add his blessings to these things and we may continue to keep a mind focused to the pure reading of prophecy and all of God’s word so we may have salvation.

Amen.