Friday, March 29, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 31, 2013
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Over 42,000 readers worldwide
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THE LORD HAS RISEN INDEED
(Receive the risen LORD, and then, share HIM with someone else)
(Luke 24:13-35)

When GOD gave people wills that are free, HE undoubtedly gave us the greatest, and, perhaps, the most perilous gift, the world has ever known. With freewill, a person can choose to either invite CHRIST into his or her life, or, they can choose to allow Christ to pass them by. In Luke chapter 24, verses 13-34, the author of GOD writes of the seven-mile walk, of two of JESUS’ followers, from Jerusalem to Emmaus, just hours after JESUS’ Resurrection victory over death, and satan.
Here, Luke gives his unique and, now famous account, of the story of Cleopus and an unnamed follower of JESUS, who were walking along the road to Emmaus, a town just west of Jerusalem. As they walked along, they were discussing all the events surrounding CHRIST’s arrest, trials, Crucifixion, death, and now, reported Resurrection, that had occurred over that historic weekend in Jerusalem.
Suddenly, JESUS appeared and began walking along with them. Here Luke tells us that GOD kept the men from recognizing who JESUS was. Knowing that the two were discussing HIM, JESUS asks the men, “What are you so concerned about?” They looked at JESUS with sadness in their face, and one of them, Cleopus replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem, who has not heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days”.
When JESUS replied, “What things?”, the men went on to tell HIM about all the events that had taken place in the previous three days. JESUS then says to them, “You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the Prophets wrote in Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted by the Prophets that the MESSIAH would have to suffer all these things before entering HIS time of glory?” JESUS then began to quote Scriptures explaining those writings of Moses and all the Prophets, that where pertaining directly to HIMSELF.
As they neared the end of their journey, the men begged JESUS to stay and have a meal with them, and perhaps, stay the night, because it was almost dark and too late to travel back to Jerusalem. JESUS accepted their invitation, and as they sat down to eat, HE took a small loaf of bread, asked GOD’s blessing on it, broke it, and then gave it to the two men. Suddenly, their eyes were opened (spiritually), and GOD allowed them to recognize who JESUS was, and, at that same moment, JESUS disappeared. Within the hour, the men were on their way back to Jerusalem, despite the fact that it was now dark.
The word “Emmaus”, means “despised people”, and Jerusalem means, “possessor of peace”. These two men, even though they were followers of JESUS, didn’t really know JESUS until that day, during their walk along the Emmaus road. Once their spiritual eyes were open to JESUS, HE allowed them to see their way through the darkness back to Jerusalem. In fact, that very night they went from just being “despised people” (believers in CHRIST), to being “possessors of peace” (true followers of CHRIST), if you get my drift. By the time JESUS was killed, HE had become a “despised person” in Jerusalem. He was despised by the Jewish leaders, and most of the Jewish populace. After HIS “passion” (suffering that weekend in Jerusalem), HE once again, became a “possessor of peace”, as HE ascended back into HIS glory in Heaven.
JESUS always knew that HIS only way back to glory was through the “cross”, and so it is with those of us, who follow HIM. With “open eyes”, JESUS accepted the circumstances of the cross, so that whosoever believes in HIM, would not perish, but rather, would be able to possess the peace of “Eternal Life” in the presence of the almighty “GOD the FATHER” in Heaven.
In Luke 24:25, as expressed in the original Greek, the word Luke uses for “fools” is “anoetos” (an-o-ay-tos). It is used only six times in New Testament Scripture. Five of those times it is used in reference to those who are believers. Unlike the use of the word “fool” in the Old Testament, which is used to describe a person whose problems are moral, this word describes an individual who sees things from a distorted perspective. It describes “one who has not fully adopted the “Divine Viewpoint” of CHRIST.
It is imperative that, we as Christians, not only be believers in JESUS, but also, get to know JESUS, on a personal level. In doing so, we can develop a “Divine Viewpoint”, through that personal, experiential relationship. It is not enough, just to have correct information, but we must also be able to discern and use that information correctly. And when we are able to discern it correctly, it is our Christian duty to then, share it with others. In other words we must first begin to share the mind of CHRIST (the Divine Viewpoint), and then, share that idealism with others. And always remember, the Christian message is never fully ours, until we have shared it with someone else.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, March 22, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 24, 2013
_____________________________________________

Over 42,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

THE LORD’S SUPPER
(Receive the Kingdom and be one who serves)
(Luke 22:7-30)

Scripture shows us again and again how efficient JESUS was in planning and arrangement. We see over and over again how HE did not leave things unprepared until the last moment. All of HIS arrangements seemed to be made far in advance.
In Luke’s account of the last week of JESUS’ life, in chapter 22, starting at verse 9, we see HIS Disciples inquiring of HIM, where HE wanted them to prepare the Passover Feast?  JESUS sent them into Jerusalem with instructions to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water (v.10). This was an obviously pre-arranged signal, as in those days, carrying pots of water was strictly a woman’s chore. To see a man performing this duty would be extremely unusual, and it would be a sure-fire way of identifying the right man.
The disciples were also instructed to follow this man and he would lead them to the owner of a specific house. At that house they were to say to the owner, that THE TEACHER wants to know where your quest room is that HE can use to eat the Passover Meal with HIS disciples. The man would take them to a large upper room that was already set up. The disciples then went and found all of the necessary food items that were to be used for the meal, just as JESUS had said (Vs. 10-13).  
Now, let’s examine why this man’s house would be a good place for JESUS and HIS disciple’s Passover Supper. In those days, the larger Jewish houses had “upper rooms”. They were constructed in such a manner, that they resembled a smaller box that was stacked on top of a larger box. The smaller “upper room”, which could be accessed by way of an outside stairway, served multiple purposes. It could be, and was often, used as a storage area. Then, at times it was used as a quest room, or, even sometimes just as a quiet place of meditation. However, customarily, it was used as a place where Jewish Rabbis would come to teach. This particular man, who JESUS sent HIS disciples to meet in Jerusalem, had just such a house.
The words “in remembrance”, that JESUS uses here in Luke 22:19, in HIS instituting of the LORD’s Supper, or “Communion” into the Christian Faith, dates back to the Old Testament concept of “Zikkaron” (Zik-ka-rone), which is a Festival, Practice, or Object, intended as a link for future generations to a distinctive act of GOD. The name derives from the Hebrew word “zikrown” (zik-rone), which means a memento, or a memorable thing, day, or writing.
Through the Zikkaron, GOD’s people could sense their personal participation, along with the original generation, in the very act that GOD had performed for that previous generation. Thus the LORD’s Supper is a unique institution of “sacrament” that is used to link all generations to the memory of CHRIST’s vicarious sacrifice on the cross at Golgotha.
The “New Covenant” is mentioned many times in the Old Testament, and it is spelled out quite clearly by GOD in Jeremiah 31:31-34. JESUS came to usher in that new Covenant from GOD. It is a Covenant that is far superior to any before or since that time. In fact, it is the most superior covenant from GOD that there is likely to ever be.
This new Covenant provides for the “regeneration” of mankind, and allows for us to be “indwelt” by the HOLY SPIRIT when we come to believe in JESUS CHRIST. The bread, which we eat at the sacrament is common bread, however, for those who have the heart to feel and understand this Christian rite, it becomes the very body of CHRIST.
In the Gospel according to Luke, as expressed in 22:22, in his original Greek writings, the word Luke uses in JESUS’ statement, that translates “determined”, is “horizo” (hor-id-zo). Luke is the only author in Scripture who uses this particular translation for “determined”, and he uses it only here, and in Acts 17:26. In both places it means “decreed by GOD”, and is meant to remind us, from a “time-bound” perspective, that JESUS’ death was a miscarriage of justice, and that, from GOD’s point of view, it was the “keystone” of HIS plan to, not only provide salvation to all mankind, but to also, set all things right with HIM, for all time.
In Exodus 24, verses 1-8, the Israelites accepted GOD’s Covenant, as it had been given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The continuance of that Covenant depended on man keeping his pledge, and obeying the laws of GOD. Man would not then and, quite frankly, will not now, abide by such a Covenant, and our sins, to this day, continues to interrupts our relationship with GOD.
It took the life of CHRIST to restore our lost relationship of friendship with GOD. “This do in remembrance of me”, is what JESUS said to HIS Disciples. But it is also a statement that comes to us, from across the spans of time, in hopes that we too, can share in HIS new Covenant.
JESUS knew how easily the human mind would forget. HE knew that we would become so preoccupied with our own worldly desires, affairs, and activities, that, we would eventually fail to recall, even HIS vicarious sacrifice. And so HE invites us to come in sometimes, into the peace and tranquility of HIS FATHER’s House, and to “Do this in remembrance of HIM”.
It all the more tragic, that, at that very table, on that Passover night, in a dimly lit “upper room”, somewhere in the midst, of the festive atmosphere of Jerusalem, that there sat one, who was a traitor, who would sell JESUS out for the price of a common slave, which was thirty pieces of silver, at that time.
Since the birth of this new Covenant, at every “Communion Table”, there have been those who betray JESUS. If, in HIS House, we pledge ourselves to HIM, and then, go out and fail to reflect HIS image to others, through our own behavior, then we too, like Judas, have become traitors to HIS cause.
Unlike JESUS, we don’t know when our “last supper” will be. For, it is the will of GOD that man not know what his, time, place, or method of demise might be. However, like JESUS, we can all become “great Preparers”, and we can begin, right now, to store up our treasures in a place that JESUS says, “has been prepared for us since the foundation of this World”. That place that Luke, Paul, and other New Testament writers call, in the Greek “Paradeisos” (Par-ad-i-sos), but we call, the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander




                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


Friday, March 15, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 17, 2013
_____________________________________________

Over 42,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

DANIEL’S VISION OF THE RAM AND GOAT
(Our times, like everything else, are in GOD’s hands)
(Daniel 8)

During the third year of Belshazzar’s reign, another vision, similar to the one seen two years earlier (Daniel 7), came to the prophet Daniel. He envisioned himself as being at the fortress called Susa, in the Persian province of Elam, some 200 miles east of Babylon. There he was standing by the Ulai River when he saw the images of a ram and a shaggy goat.
In this vision Daniel first sees the image of a ram having two long horns, with one horn being longer than the other. The two horns did not rise out of the ram’s head at the same time, but rather, the shorter horn sprang up first, and was later overshadowed by the springing up of a, much longer, second horn.
As Daniel was watching, the ram began to charge toward the west, then the north, and then to the south. Nothing could evade the ram’s onslaught, and he conquered all who stood in his way, in all three directions. He went on to become very great in the world, and he did exactly as he pleased (Vs. 1-4).
Then Daniel is shown the vision of a shaggy male goat (Vs. 5-8) with a single, very large horn that arose suddenly on its head, between its eyes. He came out of the west, and was crossing the land so swiftly that its feet didn’t even seem to touch the ground. He charged furiously at the ram, striking it with tremendous force, breaking both of the ram’s horns, leaving it helpless. The goat then knocked the ram down and trampled over it, and nothing and no one could rescue the ram from its demise, as it succumbed under the power of the goat.
The goat became still more powerful, but seemingly at the height of its power, its large horn was broken off. In its place, four new horns grew that pointed in all four directions. And from one of those four horns, a smaller horn grew and became very powerful. It extended toward the south and the east, and toward Israel. Its power even reached the heavens where it attacked the heavenly armies throwing some of the heavenly beings and stars to the ground and trampling on them (Vs.8-10).
This powerful horn even challenged the COMMANDER of heaven’s army by canceling the daily sacrifices that were offered up to HIM by Israel, and, he even destroyed the temple at Jerusalem. And when the army of heaven restrained itself from destroying him for his sin, he then committed sacrilege against the temple ceremonies, and truth was overthrown (Vs. 11-12).
Then Daniel heard two of the holy ones talking to each other, and one of them asked, “How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the temple, and heaven’s armies be trampled on? And the other holy one replied, “It will take 2300 evenings and mornings; then the temple will be restored”.
As the prophet Daniel was struggling trying to understand the meaning of this vision, the voice of the vision of a man called out from the Ulai River and instructed the archangel Gabriel to tell Daniel its meaning. As Gabriel approached Daniel, the prophet fainted and fell down with his face to the ground. But Gabriel touched him and woke him up, and then, helped him to his feet. He told Daniel that the events that he had seen in the vision related to the time of the end, or, the time of wrath (Vs.15-19).
In verses 20-21 Gabriel explains the meaning of the ram with two horns. He tells Daniel that this beast represented Media and Persia, (the same empire that was represented by the “bear” in Daniel 7:5) and even though Media rose first, Persia, who was its partner, would soon overshadow it. That is why the second horn was larger than the first. Persia would go on to expand its empire to the west, north, and south, with an incredible army that numbered more than two million soldiers.
In verses 21-22 Gabriel gives Daniel the meaning of the goat with the single large horn between its eyes. He tells him that the goat represents Greece, and the single large horn is “Alexander the great”, the first king of the Greek Empire (This is the same empire that is represented by the “winged leopard” in Daniel 7:6). Remember Alexander came from the west, Macedonia, with a small swift army that conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia in less than seven years. At the height of his power (age 33) he was cut down by malaria and alcoholism, while in Babylon (323 B.C.). Alexander’s kingdom was divided between his four generals, Ptolemy, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, the four smaller horns in the vision.
Out of one of the four smaller horns, and, at the height of their sins, Gabriel says that there would arise, a fierce king, who would be a master of deception. He would become strong with demonic power (given to him by satan himself), and cause a shocking amount of destruction and seem to succeed at everything that he does. He would destroy powerful leaders (stars) and devastate holy people (GOD’s anointed), catching them off-guard, and without warning, destroying them. He could only be broken by divine power, for human power was incapable of subduing him (Vs.23-25).
The evil king referred to, here, in this passage, is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who inherited the kingdom from Seleucus’ dynasty (the Seleucids), one of the four horns, or generals, of Alexander the greats’ army. He was called “Epiphanes” by his friends, which means “the illustrious one”, but the Jews referred to him as “Epimanes”, which means “the madman”. Antiochus went on to defeat Egypt, (his growth in power to the south), and then decided to subdue Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem were subjugated to him, and the temple there was desecrated, and robbed of its treasures.
Antiochus then returned to Egypt, but was forced out by Rome. He then decided to make Israel a buffer zone between himself and Egypt. He attacked Jerusalem, and killed many of its Jewish citizens in the process. He disallowed them to follow Mosaic Laws such as observing the Sabbath, annual feasts, and traditional sacrifices. He even went as far as to forbid the Jews from circumcising their children. He also set up altars to idols, and forced the Jews to offer unclean sacrifices to GOD, and to either eat the meat of swine, or die.
The 2300 days that are mentioned in this vision, represent the time from when Antiochus first invaded Jerusalem (170 B.C.), until the time that the temple was restored by Judas Maccabeus, the great Jewish hero, in 164 B.C. Antiochus achieved great power by killing and subduing others. He also rose to power by offering false security, and, by deception. He was intelligent, and, he was persuasive. He was controlled by a power that was not his own (demonic power from satan). He was an opponent of CHRIST and Israel, and his reign was ended by divine judgment from GOD, in the person of Judas Maccabeus.
However, the vision in this chapter of Daniel has to take on a dual meaning because the archangel Gabriel tells us that it is a vision that also relates to the “end times” which is yet to come. Therefore, Antiochus IV Epiphanes can also be seen as foreshadowing of a future person or persons, who will embody the demonic characteristics and influence of an eschatological “antichrist” near the end of days. And so Daniel is ordered to seal up the prophecy and preserve it for a future time as a warning to Israel (the Church, or the Body of CHRIST).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


Friday, March 8, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 10, 2013
_____________________________________________

Over 41,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

DANIEL’S PRAYER
(Pray and be heard)
 (Daniel 9:1-19)

In 539 B.C., 66 years after Daniel had been taken into exile by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, at age 62, overthrew his successor, king Belshazzar, in a coupe that launched the Medo-Persian Dynasty. It was an event that had been revealed to the Babylonian king, in fact, on the night of his death, through Daniel’s interpretation of the “Hand-writing on the wall” dream (Daniel 5:13-31).
This overthrowing of the Babylonian Kingdom was a part of GOD’s plan, as HE was now preparing the way for the liberation of the Jews, who had been in captivity in Babylon since Nebuchadnezzar’s first invasion in 605 B.C.
Moved by the Medo-Persian’s victory over the Babylonians, Daniel searched the scriptures to try and clearly understand this momentous event, of which he had so obviously played a role in. He needed to know how this event would affect himself, and his people, in the near future. He already understood that Darius’ victory was a signal that the Jew’s captivity in Babylon was nearing an end, but he didn’t, however, grasp the full ramifications.
As Daniel searched the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, he is made aware that the city of Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years before they could return to it. It was Daniel’s study of the scriptures that led him to fast and pray a prayer of confession and repentance that was heard by GOD at the very moment that he began to pray (Daniel 9:23).
This is the only fast by Daniel that is recorded in the book that now bears his name. Contrary to what some modern-day pastors (mostly those who struggle with bringing their bodies under submission from food so that they can focus more clearly on GOD) might think, Daniel 1:8-16 is not a fast, but rather, it is simply a “vegetable diet”. To fast means “to go without food” period. To “limit oneself to specific foods” is defined as “dieting”, “not fasting”.
Daniel’s wearing of sackcloth and sprinkling of ashes over his body symbolized his “mournful grief” and “GODly sorrow” for his sins, and, the sins of Israel. In Deuteronomy 28, Moses lays out the criteria by which GOD would deal with HIS covenant people regarding sin, or disobedience. There, he spells out to everyone, that, obedience will bring blessings, and disobedience will bring curses, or discipline. One of those forms of discipline would be to subjugate the Jews to Gentile dominance (Deuteronomy 28:48-57). However, if they returned to the ways of GOD, their nation would be restored to blessing (Deuteronomy 30).
In Daniel’s prayer, he confesses the sins of Israel, and also, he identifies himself with those sins just as though he were personally responsible for them. The sins of Israel, like all sin, is a personal rebellion against GOD. Still, GOD, by way of HIS abounding grace, had sent prophet after prophet, to plead with the Israelites to return to HIM, but, they had steadfastly refused to do so.
After having prayed for the removal of GOD’s wrath, Daniel then prays for GOD’s favor, mercy, and forgiveness. The whole world was now mocking Jerusalem and GOD’s people because of the defeated state of existence that they had lingered in for almost 70 years. Daniel asked that GOD put an end to their shameful condition, and desolation for HIS OWN namesake, not because they themselves deserved any help.
Here Daniel is basing his request on GOD’s great mercy, and not on the righteousness of Israel, because Israel, in and of itself, had no righteousness. Daniel was showing his concern for GOD’s reputation in the world, and wanted GOD to glorify HIMSELF to the world, by restoring the people to prominence, who bore HIS mighty name.
Oftentimes, we lack sincerity and remorse when we confess our sins before GOD. But it is sincere confession and repentance that appeals to the mercy of THE ALMIGHTY. We, as Christians, are stirred to repentance in various ways, however, when we come to GOD for help and forgiveness, we must all approach GOD with the same reverence, trust, and GODly sorrow, in our hearts.
Daniel called GOD “great” and “awesome” and he also stressed GOD’s “faithfulness” to HIS fallen people. By focusing on GOD’s great sovereignty over all things concerning our existence, we automatically acknowledge our sincere reverence and trust in HIM to help us in our times of need. When we sincerely repent, GOD’s mercy immediately begins to gravitate to us.
Divine love is the motivation behind everything that GOD does for us, and we are to love GOD in return by obeying HIS divine commands. GOD always answers the prayers of those who righteously seek HIM, and, HE responds very graciously to a sincere prayer of repent. And as long as we continue to righteously seek GOD, our prayers will be prayers that are immediately heard by “The ONE WHO sees us” from on High (Daniel 9:23).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, March 1, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 3, 2013
_____________________________________________

Over 41,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

DANIEL’S VISION OF CHANGE
(GOD has dominion over us now and always)
(Daniel 7:1-14)

The vision of the prophet Daniel that is chronicled in chapter 7, verses 1-14, was revealed to him during the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon. According to Babylonian history, Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, actually became a co-regent with Nabonidus in 553 B.C. This was approximately 14 years before Daniel’s famous encounter with the lions in the lion’s den, near the end of Israel’s Babylonian exile.  Daniel had been taken into captivity in Babylon in 605.B.C. when he was 16 years old. He was now 68, and had been there prophesying in Babylon for a total of 52 years.
In verses 1-8 Daniel sees the vision of four beasts that, eventually, kill and supplant each other as world powers. This vision, no doubt, prophesies of four kingdoms; the current Kingdom of Babylon (the lion), and the coming kingdoms of Medo-Persia (the bear), Greece (the leopard), and Rome (the strong beast). The first thing Daniel sees, however, is a great storm that stirs up the surface of the sea, with strong winds that blew from every direction (v.2). Out of that great storm came these visions of the four great beasts that would rule the world:
·         In verse 4 the first beast rises from the water. It appears to Daniel as a lion, with eagle’s wings. Both the lion and the eagle were symbols of Babylon in those days (Jeremiah 4:7 & 14 and Ezekiel 17:3), and as he watched, the beast’s wings were pulled off (symbolizing the death of Nebuchadnezzar), and it was left standing on its hind legs, as a human would stand. Daniel says that it was even given a human mind (the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar by GOD, just prior to his death). This vision represents the current kingdom in power, which was Babylon.
·         In verse 5 Daniel sees a second beast that looks like a bear. The bear reared up on one side (Persia soon overshadowed Media in their joint empire), and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth (Egypt, Lydia, and Babylon – three nations that the Persians and Medes conquered together). The bear was told by a voice (GOD’s) to go out and devour many people (All earthly kingdoms operate by divine appointment from GOD). This formidable beast represents Medo-Persia who came into power after the fall of Babylon.
·         In verse 6 we see described by Daniel, a third beast that looks like a leopard, however, this beast had four wings on its back, and it also had four heads and wielded great authority. A leopard is an animal that is swift and cunning just like the nation that conquered the Persians and Medes, and that nation of course, was Greece lead by Alexander the Great, who completely took them over in less than four years (334-330 B.C.). And after Alexander’s death at the ripe old age of 33, his kingdom was divided into four parts that were ruled by his four greatest generals.
·         In verse 7-8 Daniel goes on to describe yet a fourth beast, one more terrible than the first three. This beast was very different from the others as it had ten horns, and it devoured all (conquered the lion, the bear, and the leopard, and re-organized and assimilated them under its own rule), and literally crushed what was left of its adversaries, beneath its feet. As he watched the beast, suddenly he saw another small horn (a king that seems insignificant at first) come up amongst the other ten (ten kings that resulted from the assimilation), and three of the ten (kings) were wrenched out by the root (killed) to make room for it (him). This horn had eyes like human eyes (intelligence) and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly (blaspheming GOD).  
In verses 9-10 Daniel envisioned a throne of judgment being set up by GOD, the ONE WHO assigns power to all kingdoms, and exercises authority over all men. HE is the judge of the entire world. Here Daniel paints a sovereign and powerfully regal scene of a just GOD sitting on HIS throne dressed in holy white garments, with literally millions of angels ministering to HIM, and a hundred million waiting to serve HIM. HE sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire flowed from HIS presence. Then the holy and divine court begins it session.
Daniel continues to watch as the little horn continued its boasting, even in the sight of the LORD. He kept watching until the fourth beast was destroyed by fire. And, as for the three other beasts, their authority was taken away from them by GOD. However, GOD does allow them to exist, a little while longer (Vs.11-12).
Verses 13-14 depict the coming of JESUS, the “SON of man”, moving with the clouds of Heaven. This is the only Old Testament reference to JESUS as being “the son of man”. HE approaches GOD and is led into HIS presence. HE is given authority, honor, and royal power over all of the nations of the earth, so that people of every race and nation and language, would obey HIM. HIS rule is everlasting, and HIS Kingdom will never be destroyed.
What we see here is the vision of a total change for the better, and, as we can see, it is a change that only GOD is able to make, not man. That is why GOD has never instructed man to go out and make the world a better place to live in. The world is “a spiritual prison of sin”, long since contaminated by satan, and so GOD does not want us to remain in it, trying to adapt to living in a world of sin. Instead, GOD instructs us to make disciples of men (educate men about HIMSELF), so that they will be able to come out of the world (prison), and then, when HE returns, HE HIMSELF will make the world a better place in which to live (the Millennial Kingdom of JESUS).
All who reject GOD’s rule and seek to be “self-directing” will ultimately fail. Man cannot travel through, or overcome the gravitational pull of this fallen world system alone, and it is a foolish waste of time to try. Man has long since proven that, without GOD, he can’t do anything right for too long.  Only those who wish to live willingly under GOD can enjoy the peace, protection, and provisions that only GOD can provide, promise, and deliver, in this life, and, in the life to come.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website