Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

• Cricut Expression (it really is...lol...I'm not just saying that!)
• a Whisper Mill (grain grinder)
• a camera (like professional type...would love to try my hand in that)
• stereo for my house
• a clutter free house (ha...if only!)
  

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• Haven't received many....this year, cookies in a jar

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• I've got my eye on so many right now...hmmm...I think I want to tackle making a piece of furniture. 

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• I remember getting a whole ton of barbies and barbie clothes and how excited I was. 

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

• Which kid?  LOL  let's see.  video games, dvd's, and everything in between, especially the most expensive stuff!

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

• Pumpkin Pie

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• I can't say...you may be getting it.  lol

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

• The Santa Clause

9. Favorite holiday song?

• I love all Christmas music!  Old stuff best...Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, etc.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

• decorating the house with the kids while we jam out to Christmas music.  We always take pictures.  It's a blast!

II Thess. 2:7  “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work. . .” (KJV) or “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work. . .” (NIV)



    Have you ever wondered why alcoholic parents have alcoholic children?  Or the children of a man who is a liar and a thief will be be prone to the same sins?  Why don’t the children engage in different sins?  Learned behavior patterns are a contributing factor, but they don’t totally explain it.



Exodus 20:5-6

5* You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
 
6* but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (NIV)




I.    The Family of the Herods
   
A.    First generation -- Herod the Great

Matt. 2:1-3
 
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
 
2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
 
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. (NIV)



    Herod “the Great” was part Jewish and part Idumean, i.e. an Edomite or descendant of Esau.  Esau hated the things of God and his descendants, the Edomites, hated the things of God.  There were never good relations between these “cousins,” the Jews and the Edomites.  Herod the Great was half-Idumean and half-Jewish.
   
Herod the Great had issues, issues which resulted in him murdering his own family members.  Yet, he scrupulously observed the Mosaic dietary laws.  Caesar Augustus jested, “I would rather be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son.”
   
God was trying to intervene in Herod’s life.  In Herod’s case, God sent the wise men to Herod, and they told him about the star of Bethlehem.  Herod went to his scribes and asked, “Can you find anything that would help me know if this really is the king of the Jews?”
   
The scribes told Herod, “In the Word it says someone is to be born in Bethlehem and He is to be the King.”  They gave Herod the Word of God.  What does the Word bring?  Light.  The Light of the Word of God was knocking at Herod’s door.
   
What did Herod do with the light?  He refused it, then committed a great atrocity -- the mass murder of the Jewish boy babies under two years of age.



    B.    Second generation -- Herod Antipas
   
Herod the Great had a son, Herod Antipas.  God tried to deal with Herod Antipas.  (Mark 6:14-28)  Herod Antipas had married Herodias, who was still married to his brother, Philip.  John Baptist confronted Herod, resulting in John’s imprisonment.  So much for freedom of speech.



Mark 6:20

“. . Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.  When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (NIV)



    Herod was touched by John’s preaching, though.  Herod’s heart was being turned.  But one night Herod had a big birthday party.  It was a drunken brawl.  Herodias brought out her glamorous daughter, Salome -- who was not Herod’s daughter, but his niece -- and she danced for them.  Herod ended up offering her anything she wanted, up to half the kingdom.  So Salome ran to her mother and asked, “What shall I ask for?”  Well, Herodias was mad about John’s preaching, and told her to asked for the head of John the Baptist.  John was murdered.  Herod Antipas acted in violence and cruelty, just like his father.



    C.    Third generation -- Herod Agrippa

Acts 12:1-5
 
1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
 
2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
 
3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
 
4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
 
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (NIV)



    I would have said, “Forget them!”  But God kept trying to reach the Herod family.  Here is the third generation -- Herod Agrippa.  Herod Agrippa threw Peter in jail, intending to kill him.  The Jews were happy that Peter was in jail.  Herod was politically minded, and knew that pleasing the Jews was beneficial for him.  God reached out to Herod Agrippa.  God sent an angel to release Peter (Acts 12:6-10), and Herod heard of the miracle.



Acts 12:18-19

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
 
19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. . . (NIV)



    Anytime a miracle occurs, God is trying to deal with people.  God was trying to get Herod Agrippa to repent.  Instead of repenting, Herod murdered the guards.  He continued the violence and cruelty of his father and grandfather before him.



Acts 12:21-23

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.
 
22 They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man."
 
23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (NIV)


    God judged Herod Agrippa.



    D.    Fourth generation -- Herod Agrippa II


    Herod Agrippa II was the next Herod in this family’s lineage.  We read of him in Acts 25-26.  He was the great-grandson of Herod the Great.  Herod Agrippa II was called to listen to a man in a courtroom.  The man was Paul.  God was sending the best of the best of His warriors.



Acts 26:24-28

 24 And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
 
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
 
26 For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
 
27 King Agrippa, believe thou the prophets?  I know that thou believe.
 
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian. (KJV)



    Paul said, “King Agrippa, I know you’re not ignorant of these things.”  God wanted to turn the entire Herod family around.  They could have done much good for the cause of Christ.
   
King Agrippa’s reply is quite sad.  “Paul, you almost persuaded me to become a Christian.”  “Almost” is not enough.  You need to be fully persuaded.  Herod Agrippa II lost his chance, and he was the fourth generation.
   
Herod Agrippa II was the last of his family.  They were the rulers of their country, constantly trying to please people in order to continue their rule, but they lost it all.



    History tells us that Herod Agrippa II lost his position and bought a farm on Mount Vesuvius to live out the rest of his life in shame and exile.  Mount Vesuvius was not a good place to buy a farm, because when it erupted and destroyed all the countryside, that was the end of the Herods.
   
God dealt with each Herod, and each one rejected Him.  The sins of the fathers were visited on the children for four generations, and God tried to break the curse at each generation.



Exodus 20:5
 
5* You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,





II.    The Jews

Matt. 27:24-26
 
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.  "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said.  "It is your responsibility!"
 
25 All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
 
26 Then he released Barabbas to them.  But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (NIV)



    The Jews who stood there before Pilate that day willingly took a curse upon themselves and their descendants.  From then until the present age, great suffering has been inflicted upon the Jewish people.


        Pogroms -- throughout the Middle Ages.  They would be driven from their lands, their property confiscated by the government.  Think Fiddler on the Roof.  They weren’t wandering Jews by choice.
        Holocaust -- property destroyed or confiscated, concentration camps.
    These persecutions are the reason Jews typically don’t farm today.  They encourage higher education.  The reasoning is that property can be taken away, but what is in your head (education) cannot be taken away.





III.    Continuing in the Sins of the Forefathers


Deut. 30:19
 
19* This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you and your children may live, (NIV)




    “Choose life, that you and your children may live..”  “Children” refers to descendants, not just one generation.



Lev. 26:39, 40a, 42
 
39 Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their fathers' sins they will waste away.
 
40 "`But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers. . .
 
42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.



    Choose to follow God.  Confess sin and iniquity.  Iniquity - that bent toward sin, that tendency to fall into the same sins which plagued your forefathers, generations before you.
   
I chose to follow God at a relatively young age.  I served Him to the best of my ability and knowledge.  The oddity is that my children have the same problems that my parents and siblings have or had, problems that have not plagued me personally, problems that are not learned behavior patterns because we didn’t do those things.





Conclusion

    Jesus came to break the mystery of iniquity, that secret power of lawlessness, the curse, the power of sin, off people’s lives.  He came as a baby, grew up, experienced the temptations we suffer.
  
Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to search your life and the lives of your family.  Ask God to show you any sins you need to confess, any problems which plague your family.  Then, confess them as sin/iniquity.  God will forgive and cleanse.

Text:    John 10:27

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”


See pic at http://meridianabc.org/coloring/john1027.jpg




I.    God wants fellowship with His people.

I John 1:3

“. . . that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”


    A.    The word “fellowship” means numerous things, but in this context it means, “communion and intimate familiarity.”  This inherently involves communication.  Communication means talking.  God wants to talk with us, to communicate with us.  This is an incredible privilege.  It is God’s desire for His people to get to know Him and to “hear His voice.”  This is not just a promise for the Early Church.  It is for us today.


Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”


See pic at http://www.hopechapelva.org/jcsytf07.jpg




II.    Hearing God’s Voice
   
A.    Skit:    “Stop and Listen,” from Think Again


    B.    How can we learn to “hear” God speaking to us?
       
1.    There are many ways God communicates with us.  When I speak of “hearing” God, I am not referring to a literal audible voice.  Few people ever hear the Lord speak in an audible voice that they can hear with their physical ears.  Some may, but not very many, and not very often.
           
a.    Heavens

Psalm 19:1-2

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge.”



See pic at http://www.4catholiceducators.com/graphics/Psalm19_1-2.jpg


    The heavens contain a revelation of God, the Creator.  The constellations preach Christ.  This is not astrology.  This is the declaration of, the preaching of Christ, from the heavens.  Astrology is a perversion of Psalm 19.  The heavens declare the glory of God.  The heavens do not tell horoscopes.  I found this exposition of Psalm 19 in a book written in the 1800’s.


    1.    Virgo (The Virgin)

The Promised Seed of a Woman

Isaiah 7:14

“. . . Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr18.html


   
2.    Libra (The Scales; Latin for “weighing”)

The Price Owed for Man’s Sin Balanced by the Price Which Covers

Man has been “weighed in the balances, and . . found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27)


Scales and Scorpion

See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr19.html


    3.    Scorpio (The Scorpion)

Seeking to Wound, but Itself Trodden Under Foot

Gen. 3:15

“. . . it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Christ crushed the serpent, Satan, at Calvary.


    4.    Sagittarius (The Archer)

The Two-Natured Conqueror Going Forth “Conquering and to Conquer.”

This is a centaur, both man and horse, representing Christ, who has two natures, both God and man.

Psalm 64:7, 9

“. . God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded.

All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God. . .”



See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr20.html


    5.    Capricornus (The Goat)

The Goat of Atonement Slain for the Redeemed

Lev. 10:17

Regarding the goat of the sin-offering, “. . . God has given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord.”  This representation of the sin-offering reminds us of Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.


Goat and Water-bearer

See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr21.html


    6.    Aquarius (The Water-bearer)

The Living Waters of Blessing Poured Forth for the Redeemed

John 7:37-38

“. . . If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.  He that believes on me, . . . out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”


    7.    Pisces (The Fish)

The Redeemed Blessed
   
In Hebrew thought, fish symbolize blessing.  Fish multiply quickly, and is the word picture behind Gen. 48:16 speaking of Manasseh and Ephraim, “. . . let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”  The fish speak of the multitudes who will enjoy the blessings of the work of Christ, our Redeemer.


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr22.html


    8.    Aries (The Ram or Lamb)

The Lamb that was Slain, Prepared for the Victory

John 1:29

“Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.”


    The chief star of this constellation, which is in the forehead, is named El Nath, which means wounded or slain.  The second chief star, in the left horn, is called Al Sheratan, meaning bruised or wounded.


Rev. 5:12

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr13.html


    9.    Taurus (The Bull)

Messiah Coming to Rule

The Bull is a prophecy of Christ, the coming Judge, and Ruler, and Lord of all the earth.

Isaiah 26:21

“For, behold, the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

    It is not a mere bull, a mere animal, that is coming.  It is a man, the “Son of man.”  Just to the left of the bull is Orion.  This heavenly constellation shows that the coming prince, the judge of all the earth, is the Son of man.


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr14.html


    10.    Gemini (The Twins)

The Two-Fold Nature of the King
   
This constellation testifies to the twofold nature of Christ, both God and man.  It also testifies to His twofold work, suffering and humiliation at His first coming, and glory and triumph at His second.
   
Look at the star in the head of the twin on the right.  This is the brightest star of the constellation.  It is Apollo.  Don’t think of the pagan god.  The meaning of the name, Apollo, is ruler or judge.
   
The head of the twin on the left holds the second brightest star of this constellation, Hercules.  Don’t think of paganism.  The word, Hercules, means to suffer.  Another star, which is in the left foot of the suffering twin, is called Al Henah, which means hurt, wounded, or afflicted.


Gen. 3:15b

“. . . it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr15.html


    11.    Cancer (The Crab)

The Gathering of the Saints
   
This is not the original sign.  Ancient names for this constellation meant, “to bind together,” or “encircling.”  The idea is the gathering of the saints, the Rapture.


I Thess. 4:16-17

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr16.html


    12.    Leo (The Lion)

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Aroused for the Rending of the Enemy, the Devil


Rev. 5:5

“. . . behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”


See pic at http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/koenig/images/diaphanous/tr17.html


        2.    God speaks to us through the Bible.

Psalm 19:7

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”


    God’s Word is described as being “living and active.”  (Heb. 4:12)  Many times God will speak to someone through His Word.  How does God do that?  As the person is reading and studying the Bible, a particular section or verse will suddenly jump out at him.  He will have a new understanding of it.  He will just “know” without any doubt that God is giving him that verse for instruction, or for a promise.  This is the Holy Spirit speaking to that person, working through a person’s mind.


        3.    Through another person.
   
This is not common.  God’s Word is living and active, and God wants to speak with each of us individually.  If God chooses to speak to you through someone else, it is usually to bring confirmation about something He has already been saying to you, or to bring to our attention something that you would not be able to hear directly from Him because it is not something you would like, or is completely outside anything you could imagine.


        4.    Through our thoughts.
   
When God speaks to our minds, sometimes it is in the form of a clear thought.  Sometimes it is simply a new understanding of something that we did not understand before.  Sometimes it is a strong “impression” of something.


    The problem is that there is more than one source of thoughts in one’s mind.  We can think our own thoughts; God can put thoughts into our minds; and so can the enemy.


II Cor. 10:4-5

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing (thought) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”


See pic at http://images.faithclipart.com/images/3/1221851806511_98/img_large_watermarked.jpg


    Spiritual warfare is primarily waged in the mind.  It is essential that we control our thoughts and figure out if the thought is from God or not.


    Confusing?  Maybe.  God will help us to sort it out.  Thoughts which tempt us to sin or which are depressing/discouraging are from Satan and his demons.  God never tempts us to sin.


Romans 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”


See pic at http://www.stonesoupmusic.org/images/Romans12_2ljm.jpg


    How do we renew our minds?
       
1.    Study of the Word
       
2.    Praise and worship

        3.    Meditating on and memorizing Scripture


Psalm 119:9, 11

“How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word. . .
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.”


        5.    Will I always hear from God clearly?
    No.  Many times we will struggle.  Even the apostle Paul had difficulties.


I Cor. 13:12

“For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”


See pic at http://www.motivationalquotes.com/postcards/cards/1Corinthians13_12.jpg


    Sometimes the Lord will speak to us so clearly that there is no doubt in our minds at all.  More frequently, we will struggle, seeking and praying for clarity, for a confirmation.  God will do so.


        6.    Do I need to “blank out” my mind in order to hear God speak?
    No.  Absolutely not.  We are to take every thought captive.  We are to be in control of our thoughts at all times.  If you blank out your mind, you have opened a door for demonic contact.  “Blanking out” your mind is the first step in occult meditation.  Christian meditation is actively thinking about God and His Word.


        7.    What about when I am in a crisis?
    A crisis situation creates a huge amount of emotional stress.  During these times, it is more difficult to hear from God.
    We serve a wonderful God.  The most precious thing anyone can have is a direct personal relationship with God.  It takes work, patience, and persistence.  You won’t learn to hear from God overnight, but it is worth the effort.

       
8.    Example from an evangelist I have heard speak
    God spoke to the husband, telling him to contract to have a certain amount of work done on their property, and to have the first building constructed.  It would cost several thousand dollars, which they did not have.  The Lord told this man to sign the contract, that He would provide.  So he did.
    Several days later, when traveling to a speaking engagement, this man told his wife about signing the contract.  “The driveway will be in and the building built by the time we get back,” he told her.  Then he mentioned the amount of money it would cost.  She almost fainted.  She told him how small the church was to which they were traveling.  He turned pale, started to stutter, and said, “Well God said that He would provide.  He didn’t say that the love offerings at the speaking engagement would provide.”
    All she could say was, “I sure hope you heard right.”
    They were gone from home for two weeks.  He struggled.  Had he really heard from God or not?  They spoke at three different churches during those two weeks.  None of the churches were big.  They never counted the love offerings at any of them.  They stuffed the checks and cash into a briefcase, afraid to count it.  When they arrived home, the driveway and building were built, and the bill was waiting for them.  In fear and trembling, they got out the briefcase and began counting.  They believed God must have multiplied the money in that briefcase.  They said they had never before seen so many one-dollar bills, and in the end, they had just enough money to both pay the construction bill as well as all of their other living expenses for that month.



Conclusion

Text:    John 10:27

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”


See pic at http://meridianabc.org/coloring/john1027.jpg

Jeremiah 18:1-6

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message."
 
3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.

4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
 
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
 
6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD.  "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.




I.    The Potter
  
I went to the potter’s house again this past week, and watched him work at the wheel.  He took a clod of hard, dry clay and soaked it in water.  The water changed the clod into a moldable ball of clay.  The “water of life,” that “washing with water through the word” changes us, too.


 25 . . . Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
 
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Eph. 5:25b-27

   
The clay said, “I’m clean!  I’ve arrived!”  but the clay was useless.
   
The potter threw the clay onto the wheel.  The moldable clay spun round and round.  The clay has no eyes, so he cannot see the potter, but he can feel him.  The potter added pressure from the outside, which centered the clay.
  
As the wheel turned, the potter added more pressure in just the right spot, and formed a vase, but it wasn’t hollow.  It was full of itself -- like some people are full of themselves.  It was no good as a vase.  The potter pushed his hand inside, slowly hollowing out the inside.  It looked like a vase; it was hollow like a vase, not full of itself anymore, but this wasn’t the plan which the potter had for this lump of clay.
   
As the wheel spun, the potter cut the top off the vase (Ever have your dreams and hopes cut off?), then reshaped it.  The clay thought, “Maybe I’ll be a jug!”, but that wasn’t the potter’s plan either.  The potter cut him off at the top again.  It hurt!
   
The clay thought, “I’ll be a pitcher!  Pitchers are useful.  The potter can use me to serve others, to fill others with the water of life!  The clay was proud of everything he did for other people, so the potter changed his plan.  The potter cut off another section, a bigger section.  It hurt.  The clay grumbled and complained.
   
The clay thought, “Well.  I’ll just be a flower pot.  Everyone loves flowers, b ut I’m the one who holds up the flower.  I’m the one who makes the flower look good.  Everything would fall apart without me.”
  
The potter saw his pride, and cut him off again.  It hurt.
   
Clay said, “Everything I try is a failure.  I’ll just be a bowl.”  It’s kind of like going to college and then getting a job as a dishwasher.
  
The potter reached down and cut him off again.  It hurt.
   
Clay finally said, “Okay.  I’ll be anything you want, just not a mug!”
   
The potter molded him into what he wanted -- a mug.


    Clay had more lessons to learn:
  
    1.    patience:    Clay sat on a shelf to dry, just waiting for the unknown.
       
2.    trust:    The potter finally took Clay off the shelf.  Clay thought he was finally going to do something important.  The potter took him to a new place.  Clay was crowded into a small room with many other mugs.  There was no elbow room (or handle room?).  The potter shut the door.  It was dark.  He couldn’t see the potter.  He couldn’t feel him.  Then the potter lit the fire.
   
All of the mugs became hot, glowing hot, past red hot, past orange hot, past yellow hot, to 2300 degrees.
   
Clay thought, “I’m going to die.  I can’t do this.  This is too much!”
  
The potter knew hot hot to go.  Any less and the mug would be useless.  Any more and the mug will melt.


I Peter 1:7
 
7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.


    The potter turned off the oven.  The next day, he opened the door.  Clay looked at himself.  He was different.  He was firm with a glossy finish.  He has become a vessel of honor.


II Tim. 2:20-21
 
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
 
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
(KJV)




II.    Lessons from the clay
   
A.    We need the “washing of the water through the word.”
   
Time spent in the Word, reading and meditating upon scripture, will cleanse us from sin.


Psalm 119:9-11
 
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
 
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.


    The Bible is not like other writings.  It is alive.


Hebrews 4:12
 
12* For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


    Writings of other religions and of the occult are dry, lifeless, and boring.  I’ve attempted to read both the Koran and the Book of Mormon.  Each was confusing and contradicted itself.  The Bible is alive and powerful.


    B.    Pressures and stress are used by God to create something good in us.


Heb. 5:8
 
8* Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered


Romans 8:28

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Skit:    “In a Box,” Think Again p. 14ff.








Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


See pic at http://oneyearbibleimages.com/hebrews4_12.jpg



Rev. 18:11-13
 
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.




I.    Man -- Body, Soul, and Spirit
   
A.    Scripture

Gen. 2:7

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, . . .”
  
This refers to the creation of the human body.


“. . . and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; . . .”



See pic at http://www.freewebs.com/akimalya/breathofair.jpg


    God gave spirit to man.


“. . . and man became a living soul.”
   
A living soul, a “nephesh,” (Heb. vpn).


    B.    The soul is the personality.  When the spirit and the body were joined, man became a living soul.  The characteristic of angels is spirit.  Lower animals are flesh, body.  Humans are both, but we are neither spirit or body, but soul.  God calls man, “soul.”


        1.    Examples from scripture

Gen. 46:27

And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.


Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.


    C.    Soul = point of union of spirit and body
   
God formed man from the dust of the earth, then gave him life by breathing spirit into him.  The soul was the meeting place, the point of union of body and spirit.
  
Through the body, man is aware of the world.  Through the spirit, man is aware of God.  His soul is between the two worlds, belonging to both.




II.    Adam’s abilities before the Fall
   
A.    Scripture

Gen. 1:27-28
 
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
 
28* And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.


    B.    Adam’s physical ability
       
1.    Suppose a landowner asks his employee to manage two houses.  He makes the request on the basis of the employee’s abilities.  No one person can handle all the houses on a given street.  It is beyond his ability.  Would God ask Adam to do something which he was not capable of doing?  No.  Adam was capable of managing, of ruling, the earth.  To rule requires management and work.


        2.    Scripture

Gen. 3:18-19
 
18* Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; . . .
 
19* In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, . . .


    Before the Fall, Adam had such strength that he never felt tired after work.  It was only after the Fall that God told him, “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread.”
   
After the Fall, Adam couldn’t keep up with all he needed to do.  There was always more work that needed to be done that day, work that should have been done yesterday.  That’s why it seemed like all he grew were thorns and thistles.


    C.    Adam’s intelligence
       
1.    Scripture

Gen. 2:19

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.



See pic at http://www.billcasselman.com/Bestiary.jpg



Adam names the animals of the earth, according to Genesis 2:19-20.

The illumination above is from a 12th-century manuscript of Saint Isidore's Etymology.

       
2.    Cf. us
  
Suppose you took a book of zoology, and read all the names of the animals.  Here is a new one for you.



Mara

Mara have a long neck and head, and hoof-like claws on their feet. They rest like a hare sitting on their haunches. To escape trouble they can run up to 30 mph.  Maras are vegetarian and feed during the day.


What class is this animal assigned to?        Mammals

What does this animal eat?            Grass

Where did this animal live?             Argentina



    If we studied, we could still neither recognize nor memorize all of the names of the animals.  Yet Adam named them.  He did not memorize their zoological names, he gave them names.  His intelligence was brilliant.


    D.    Adam’s management ability
       
1.    Scripture

Gen. 2:15

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

       
2.    Adam’s job
           
a.    God commanded Adam to tend the garden of Eden.  How big was the garden?



See pic at http://heavenawaits.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/tigris-euphrates.jpg


    Gen. 2:10-14 mentions four rivers, the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates.  They all flowed from Eden and divided into four river regions.  It was likely as large an area as the entire Middle East.  Adam was to dress the garden and to keep it, to keep it from being invaded by the enemy.  Adam would have had great ability, inherent in his soul.  Compared to us, his power would seem supernatural, miraculous.




III.    After the Fall
  
A.    The soul possesses great supernatural power.  Since the Fall, however, the soul’s abilities are immobilized, or hidden.  God intended for the soul, each person, to be subject to the spirit’s control; after the Fall, it is subjected to the flesh, the body.


    B.    In the last days, the soul will be a commodity in Babylon, something to be bought and sold.

Rev. 18:11-13

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
 
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.


    Satan wishes to use man’s soul.  When Adam, fell in the Garden of Eden, his power was immobilized, buried inside.  The work of the devil is to stir up man’s soul and to release this hidden power as a deception for spiritual power, as a means to gain power over man.  Satan’s tactics include:
   
1.    hypnosis.  Television can also hypnotize.
  
2.    parapsychology.
   
3.    human potential movement.  By releasing the god within us we all become gods.
   
4.    ouija board
  
5.    demonic healing
 
  6.    Eastern meditation
   
7.    Muslim
  
The Muslims pray three time a day.  They say that if anything needs to be done, pray in one accord with tens of thousands of people.  Military victories have been won by Muslims, for example, Turkey in 1923, through this type of prayer.
   
8.    Hindu
    Some Hindus can walk on fire without being scorched.  It is not fake.  They walk across a long course with their feet walking on red-hot iron, and they are not hurt.  Some of them can lie on beds with nails pointed up without harm.


    These all use the power of the soul.  Those who attempt to develop the power within will be contacted by and used by evil spirits.  This is merchandising the souls of men.



See pic at http://www.comeandsee.org/bible-sword.jpg


Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


    Anyone who has participated in such activities needs to repent of them, and ask God to divide between soul and spirit, so he can no longer be a medium for this power.




IV.    In the church
   
A.    Prayer
       
1.    We are to pray to God, as a child speaking to his father.  It is possible to not pray to God, but to direct your prayers towards the person for whom you pray.  This is dangerous.  Instead of directing your prayer towards God, you concentrate on your thought, your wish, and send it out as a force.  The prayer is like a bow which shoots your thought or desire as an arrow towards the other person.  This type of prayer is oppressive.  We have been the recipient of such “prayers.”  We felt heavy oppression, and didn’t know why, but later realized what others were sending our way.
       
2.    For example, if you pray that a person should be disciplined or punished if he doesn’t do what you want or think he should, your prayer will be used by the evil one and cause the person to suffer.


    B.    Thoughts
      
1.    In order not to pray outside of God’s will, remember Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.




Conclusion
  
Pray to God as His child, as His servant.  Pray for His will to be done.


See pic at http://api.ning.com/files/IKsn30hEoB8wni8lPx-wW8yOV63xMe55CaMiNpP3CzJogSckj2d7cwRpBILXGlzBBZUFgLHeMDgsz8MVMlCHP8LePeqFlI2B/TheLordsPrayer1.jpg



Benediction:    Hymnal #788, “The Lord Bless You”

    Expect Satanic attack.  How?  I don’t know, but we know from scripture and experience how Satan generally attacks.  He uses rumors, gossip, slander, and false accusations.  We don’t see the spiritual world around us.  We do see the effects of the spiritual world on the physical world around us, though.  I imagine he tells people, “Nothing is going on” at our church, since the calendar is not overloaded with special events.




I.    Here Am I
   
A.    I Sam. 3:1-10

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli.  In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
 
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.

3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.

4 Then the LORD called Samuel.  Samuel answered, "Here I am."

5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."  But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."  So he went and lay down.
 
6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!"  And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."  "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."  Then Eli realised that the LORD was calling the boy.
 
9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'"  So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"  Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
     
  1.    Samuel did not hide, like Adam and Eve after the Fall.
       
2.    He was ready to listen.



   
B.    Gen. 22:11

But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

        1.    When God spoke to Abraham in this passage, it was to stop him from sacrificing Isaac.  Abraham listened to God’s voice and obeyed.



    C.    Gen. 31:11, 13

The angel of God said to me in the dream, `Jacob.' I answered, `Here I am.'
I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.'"
     
  1.    God spoke to Jacob, called him by name.  Jacob said, “Here am I.”  Jacob was ready to listen and obey.



    D.    Gen. 46:2

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Here I am," he replied.
     
  1.    In this instance, God was encouraging Jacob to continue traveling to Egypt, to not be afraid.  If I were in Jacob’s shoes, I would have been afraid.  I would have needed the extra encouragement, encouragement that only God could offer.



    E.    Acts 9:10ff

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"  "Yes, Lord," he answered.

11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
 
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
 
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
 
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
 
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
 
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.  Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
 
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised,
      
1.    God spoke to Ananias.  Ananias’ response was “Here am I,” or “Yes, Lord.  What can I do for You?”  Ananias was ready to listen and obey.
       
2.    Ananias told God what he heard about Saul.  God did not deny that it was true.  God gave Ananias more information.  Saul was going to preach salvation through Jesus.
       
3.    If I was Ananias, I might have worried that I did not hear correctly from God.  If Ananias heard wrong, he would be arrested.  He would have been bound in chains and taken to Jerusalem to stand trial for believing that Jesus is the Messiah.  Can’t you imagine Ananias’ friends discouraging him from going?  “No.  Saul is a bad guy.  If he is blind, he deserves it.”
 
       4.    So what did Ananias do?  He obeyed God.  He went to the house of Judas on Straight Street, found Saul, and called him “Brother.”




II.    Volunteer
   
A.    Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I.  Send me!"

        1.    More than obeying what God commanded, Isaiah volunteered to preach.  His message would be hard for people to receive, but Isaiah volunteered.  He wanted to serve God.




III.    What do you need?
   
A.    Isaiah 58:9a

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.
     
  1.    In this passage, we are commanded to care for the poor and stand up for the oppressed.  If we do these things that God has asked of us, God will hear us when we call.  God will say to us, “Here am I.  What do you need?  What can I do for you?”




Conclusion
  
“To Boldly Stay” sketch

Introduction:    “Judgment Day” sketch




I.    Scripture reading and overview
  
A.    Babylon: Past, Present and Future video (5 minute section)
  
    1.    Begin with reading of Daniel 7:3-7.
       
2.    End with scene depicting four sections, one for each creature.  Each creature’s section, in turn, opens to reveal its interpretation.
      
3.    Last spoken words are “. . . as corresponding to the Roman Empire.”


    B.    Prophecy had an immediate fulfillment and a future fulfillment.




II.    Immediate fulfillment
   
A.    Lion with eagle’s wings.
 
       1.    This is ancient Babylon.
      
    a.    In power at the time of the vision.
           
b.    A lion with the wings of an eagle is exactly how Babylon pictured herself.


    B.    Bear, raised on its side, with three ribs in its mouth.
     
  1.    Medo-Persian Empire.
           
a.    Medes and Persians were ethnically related peoples.


    C.    Leopard with four wings and four heads.
     
  1.    Greek Empire, ruled by Alexander the Great.
      
2.    The four wings may refer to the speed of Alexander’s conquest in the four directions.  He conquered all of Persia, and most of the civilized world.  His empire included Greece, Macedonia, Asia Minor, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Media, Babylonia, Persia, and stretched through central Asia as far as India.
     
  3.    When Alexander visited Jerusalem, the priests showed him from the book of Daniel that he was prophesied to destroy the Persian empire.  He accepted the interpretation and was favorable toward the Jews, granting them exemption from taxes every Sabbatical (7th) year.
       
4.    Alexander died at age 33.  His only son, born after his death, was murdered.  His 4 generals divided the empire among them.  This is likely the four heads of the leopard.


    D.    Fourth beast, extremely strong, with iron teeth and claws of bronze; different from all the beasts before it.  It had ten horns and devoured and crushed.
     
  1.    Roman Empire
           
a.    Ten horns represent ten kings.
  
In ancient cultures, the idea of a ruler was related to a bull.  In Assyrian, even the words for “bull” and “ruler” or “prince” were the same.  So, the representation of a ruler was having one or more horns.


     
      b.    “Horns:  Symbols of Power” handout

           
    1.    The first figure dates back to the era of the Greek empire.  It depicts a Turkish leader.  The three horns growing out of his head symbolize his sovereignty or rulership.


                2.    The second figure show ancient Abyssinian chiefs, who would have been governors of provinces.  Abyssinia is present-day Ethiopia.


    In many ancient countries, countries which would have had no knowledge of each other, horns were the symbols of sovereign power.  A lesser ruler would wear a circlet, a band, adorned with a single horn (Figure 2).  A royal headband would be adorned with a double horn or a triple horn.  Ancient Egyptian monuments show royalty wearing two horns.  In Assyria, the three-horned cap was sacred, and indicated that the power it represented was of celestial (spiritual) origin.

     
          3.    The third figure shows the Hindu god, Vishnu, with a three-horned crown, indicating spiritual power and authority.  This crown looks very much like a normal crown to us.


                4.    In some places, three horn-shaped leaves were substituted for the three horns.  This is what you see in the fourth figure.

     
          5.    Another progression of this idea of horns representing sovereign power is seen in the fleur-de-lis, shown in Figure 5.  The horn-shaped leaves represent horns, which symbolize sovereignty.

           
c.    The fourth beast of Daniel’s vision had ten horns.
              
1.    There were ten Roman emperors, beginning with Julius Caesar and ending with Vespasian.  During the reign of Vespasian, the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.  The ten horns may represent those ten kings.
              
2.    The ten horns also allude to demonic power.  “. . . and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” (Rev. 13:2b)  This power and authority is from Satan.




III.    Future fulfillment
  
A.    History repeats herself.  These symbols -- lion, bear, leopard, -- are well-known national symbols of contemporary nations.
       
1.    Lion with eagle’s wings
           
a.    British empire.  Throughout most of her history, England has used the crowned lion as the official heraldry symbol of her royal families.  The lion appears on almost every coat of arms in the British royal line going back at least 700 years.  The British lion is usually seen standing up on its two hind feet just the way the prophecy states.  Some coat of arms show the British lion with eagle’s wings.
  
The eagle’s wings were plucked from the lion.  The United States, although a melting pot of many peoples, was “plucked” from England.  We speak English.
   
Interestingly, one of the most famous British rulers was Richard the Lionhearted -- instead of a lion with a man's heart, this king was styled as a man with a lion's heart.


        2.    Bear
     
      a.    The bear “. . . was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth.  It was told, Arise, devour much flesh."
  
The bear is widely recognized as the universal symbol of Russia and her various satellite nations during the era of the Soviet Union.  The imagery associated with the bleak Russian winters probably contributed to this symbol.  The fact is, in political cartoons, historical essays, and native Russian symbolism, the bear is identified with the Russian state. Even Time Magazine once ran a major story that depicted Russia as a hungry bear on the cover.

        
   b.    Three ribs -- possibilities
 
               (1) Karl Heinrich Marx, born. May 5,  1818, died. Mar. 14, 1883, was a German economist, philosopher, and revolutionist whose  writings form the basis of the body of ideas known as MARXISM.
      
        (2) With the aid of Friedrich ENGELS he produced much  of the theory of modern SOCIALISM and COMMUNISM
            
   (3) Vladimir Lenin, founder of the modern Russian  Communist party, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, and first head of state of  the USSR.


            c.    That the bear is told to "devour much flesh" was certainly fulfilled by Joseph Stalin.  He brutally executed approximately 50 million people.

     
  3.    Leopard
  
While other prophecy observers have noticed the similarities between the British Lion and the Russian Bear, it is the third beast that has caused all the trouble.  The scripture describes it as ". . . like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast has also four heads; and dominion as given to it."
        
   a.    Germany
  
A leopard is sometimes called a panther.  The German people seem to have a particular fondness for the panther.  The term is used much in German culture.  In the German television industry, for example, a major vendor is Panther Electronics.  In the military, two prominent naval vessels (a cruiser and a gunboat) were both named The Panther.  Under Hitler'sThird Reich, the primary tanks were named Panthers, while another tank was the Panther's relative the Tiger. The armored divisions of the Nazi's were known as Panzer divisions -- a reminder of panthers.


    Other similarities:
   
Alexander the Great ruled for “12 years,” and was  “conquering the world in record time.”  The Greek army of Alexander the Great was able to conquer the known world in an 11-year campaign (334-23 BC).  He ruled one year before he started his aggressive campaign.
  
The panther would probably be the best predatory animal image of the German military of both world wars.  As the big cat is known for speed and agility, so was the military machine of the Germany during both world wars.  Adolph Hitler ruled for “12 years” as well, Adolf Hitler-1889-1945, dictator of Germany 1933-45.  Hitler's aggressive expansion give rise to the Blitzkreig (Lightning War) of World War II. His armies were finally defeated by the Allies in May 1945.
  
The Leopard in Daniel's vision was described as "having four wings like those of a fowl" as well as "four heads."  Unlike the eagle's wings mentioned in connection with earlier British/Lion figure, this states there were four wings, i.e. two sets of wings, or perhaps two forces that assist the panther.  History records the forces of The Axis encompassed Germany, Italy, and Japan.  Both Japan and Italy were active in the air war, so it's possible this refers to Germany's two air power allies that backed Hitler in World War II.
   
In reference to the "four heads," they possibly refer to the fourfold division of authority that occurred under the four victorious allies under the occupation of Germany after Hitler's defeat.  After the war, four military commanders controlled Germany.  A Russian general controlled the Eastern zone, a British general ran the Northwestern zone, a French general ran the Southwestern zone, and an American general administered the western zone.
  
Just as the the Grecian empire of Alexander the Great was replaced by four generals, Nazi Germany was also replaced by four generals, one from U.S., one from England, one from France, and one from Russia.  Both third kingdoms were noted for the speed in which they conquered surrounding nations. Both third kingdoms culminated in the death of their charismatic leader, and both kingdoms had  a transitional government composed of four military leaders.


        4.    Identifying the fourth kingdom
   
The fourth kingdom was the Roman empire, the most powerful military and political confederation in antiquity.  The Romans were in power when Jesus Christ was born, crucified, and resurrected.
  
This identification means the four kingdoms provided a countdown to the first appearance of Jesus Christ.  The four contemporary kingdoms provide us with a prophetic countdown to Jesus’ Second Coming.  We need a global perspective, however. Every verse in The Bible implies he is a global figure.  The vast majority of prophecy teachers state that the European Community is the final empire that will host The Antichrist.  That may be true.
  
There is a global political entity in the world today.  It has claimed absolute authority in establishing jurisdiction over the land of Israel.  Its members include virtually every government on the face of the Earth.  When the League of Nations was first formed after WWII, some preachers proclaimed that it was the world power of end-times.  I believe they were and are correct.  The United Nations is running the world NOW.
  
"After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly, and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped the residue with its feet; and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns." (Daniel 7)
  
With this world government now in power, we can be certain that Jesus Christ will soon return.  We can be certain we are about to witness the emergence of The Antichrist, for the Apostle Paul warns us that the return of Christ, characterized in Thessalonians as The Day Of The Lord, ". . . shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."