Booklet: Ancient Roman Persecution

 Here is a link to Internet Archive, where I have posted a PDF file of my revised brief survey of persecution of the Christian Church by the Caesars. I wrote and illustrated the contents a number of years ago, and have revised it for our Sunday School on Church History. https://archive.org/details/roman-persecution-terry-reese/page/n5/mode/2up

Bulletin Insert: "A God who sees..."

 

God is Omniscient

(Pastor Terry Reese; Valley GBC, Armagh, PA)

 

A. Divine Omniscience defined:

God knows all things, and knows everything about everything. This all-inclusive knowledge embraces all things actual, possible, and potential, encompassing all things past, present, and future. He knows all things instantly, effortlessly, and equally well.

 

B. Scripture: God knows “all things.”

1John 3:20: “…for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.”

 

Question: “What consists of ‘all things?’”

Answer…

 

1. …All things of the material world (Job 28:24, Ps. 147:4).

 

2. …All things related to the animal kingdom; every habit and move of every animal under the Sun (Job 39:1-2, Matt. 10:29-31, Heb. 4:13).

 

3. …All things related to the spirit-world of the dead (Job 26:6).

 

4. …All things related to the world of living men (Gen 6:5, Ps. 33:13-15, Acts 1:24-25).

 

5. …All of the minute and intimate details of our personal lives (Ps. 139:1-4, Prov. 5:21, Jer. 1:5, Matt. 10:30).

 

6. …All past & future events (Isa. 41:21-24, 46:9-11; Gal. 3:8).

 

7. …All potentialities & possible outcomes, under every conceivable set of circumstances (Matt. 11:21).

 

C. God’s knowledge is eternal, perfect, & complete (Job 37:16, Acts 15:18, Heb. 4:13).

 

D. His knowledge involves moral ends and has ethical purposes (Prov. 15:3).

 

E. The great devotional value of this truth…

i. A consolation unto the righteous (Gen 16:13, Ps. 56:8, Matt. 6:7-8, Ps. 139:23-24).

 

ii. A terror unto the wicked (Ps. 94:6-11 Prov. 15:3).

Studies in Daniel: The Belly and Thighs of Bronze (Dan. 2)

 

iii. The BELLY & THIGHS of BRONZE (vv. 32b, 39b): MACEDONIA/GREECE (cf., 8:20-21).

v. 39b: “…then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.”

o   The nation that vanquishes Persia is clearly identified in 8:20-21:

"The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece…”

 

“…which will rule over all the earth.”

Not only would the conquests of Alexander the Great engulf the Silver Kingdom of Persia, but with enormous speed (cf. 7:6, 8:5) he would extend his rule even to the borders of India before dying at age 33 (323 BC)—a brief decade after invading Asia Minor (i.e., modern Turkey) in 334 BC!

 

 

o   “all the earth;” from Daniel’s perspective. Alexander had commanded that he be called “king of all the world.”

o   The Bronze Kingdom represents both Alexander’s original kingdom and the four Grecian successor states that dominated the Middle East until the time of Roman ascendancy.

o   Bronze: an alloy of copper and tin—far less valuable than gold or silver, but stronger for military use. Suggestive of lessening administrative efficiency, but greater military prowess.

 

Alexander (356-323 BC), one of the most influential conquerors of antiquity…

o   The son of Philipp II of Macedon, the conqueror and unifier of the Greek city states, and a pupil of the philosopher Aristotle.

 

o   Alexander (called the “son of god” by the oracle of Zeus-Ammon) believed that he had a special mission to spread Greek (Hellenic) culture throughout the world, building cities throughout his empire in the Greek mode (16 of which were named after himself—“Alexandria”).

 

 

o   The resulting fusion of Occidental (western) and Oriental (eastern) culture resulting from Alexander’s conquests was known as Hellenistic culture.

 

o   This dissemination of Greek language and culture throughout the world helped pave the way for the coming of the Gospel. The Old Testament would be translated into the Greek, and the New Testament would be written in common Greek—a universal language.

 

o   Alexander is presented as an instrument of Divine judgment and as an antitype of Messiah in the prophecy of Zech. 9:1-10.

 

o   After Alexander’s death from fever in Babylon, the empire was divided amongst four of his generals (the Diadochi, or ‘successors’—the four horns of Dan. 8:8).

Studies in Daniel: the Breast and Arms of Silver

 

ii. The BREAST & ARMS of SILVER (vv. 32, 39): MEDO-PERSIA.

v. 39a: “After you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you…”

 

a. “After you…another kingdom…” How dismaying to the great Nebuchadnezzar! Under God’s sovereignty, the great King’s empire would eventually deteriorate and fall!

 

Jer. 27:7: "All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will make him their servant.”

 

b. The identity of the successor Kingdom: that of the Medes & the Persians (i.e., the Persian Empire). Daniel 5:25-28.

"Now this is the inscription that was written out: 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' This is the interpretation of the message: 'MENE'--God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 'TEKEL'--you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 'PERES'--your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."

 

o   The Persian Empire was one of the greatest empires of antiquity, spanning three continents and arising from the spectacular conquests of Cyrus the Great (c. 600-530 BC), ruler of an obscure province in Iran (a Japhetic people).

 

 

o   Cyrus is refered to in the amazing prophecy of Isaiah 44:28, 45:1-7

44:28: "It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"

 

This prophecy was given a century and a half before Cyrus’ time. Note the following:

ü  The unborn Cyrus is NAMED!

ü  He—a heathen king—is typologically made a Messianic precursor (44:28, 45:1). Cyrus would defeat Babylon and decree that the Jews return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4).

ü  The dualistic character of the Persian religion (Zoroastrianism) seems to be referred to Isa. 45:7. The Persians believed in two creator-gods: one good, one evil. A false religious concept (Deut. 6:4)—but the Persian religion was nevertheless of a higher ethical character than the gross polytheism of the Babylonians.

Farvahar, symbol of Zoroastrianism

 

ü  The Jewish historian Josephus (1^st cent. AD) states that Daniel showed Cyrus the Isaiah prophecy.

 

o   Two arms; Silver.

ü  Two Arms. Suggestive of duality; the Median & Persian elements.

ü  Silver. Silver is approx. 40x’s less valuable than gold.

 

Question: in what sense was Persia “inferior” to Babylon, if its Empire was larger and longer lasting?

 

Answer: the Persian kings did not enjoy the absolute monarchial authority of the Babylonian Kings (Rex-Lex), with the rule of law (Lex-Rex) playing a much more profound role (Daniel 6:8-15). Even the Shah could not overturn his own laws!

 

The Persian Empire allowed conquered peoples a greater degree of nationalistic autonomy than did previous empire-systems—establishing an advanced precedent for others to follow.

 

o   Persian Times figure heavily in various Books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah).

Bulletin Insert (Sept. 27, 2020): God is Immutable

 

GOD is IMMUTABLE (e.g., Unchanging)

 

I. The Doctrine Defined.

There is no change within the Nature, Character, Mind, or Will of God. He never has, and never will become greater or less than what He is today. He does not learn, grow, develop, change, improve, mutate, nor evolve. Immutability refers to God’s freedom from all change, emphasizing His changeless perfection and Divine constancy.

 

II. Scripture.

The Divine Name implies immutability; He is not “becoming;” He IS!

Ex. 3:14: God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

 

God’s promises are unchanging, even as He is unchanging.

Num. 23:19: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

 

His thoughts and plans are also unchanging.

Ps. 33:11: The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

 

His immutability ensured Jerusalem’s doom—and yet, is Israel’s hope!

Ezek. 24:14: "I, the LORD, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I will judge you," declares the Lord GOD.'"

Mal. 3:6: "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

 

What is true of the Father is also true of the Son, in regard to His Deity.

James 1:17b: “the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Heb. 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

III. Practical Applications, with regard to the Doctrine…

a. Immutability is the guarantee of blessing for God’s People! Ps. 33:11-12

b. The survival of Israel is guaranteed by His Immutability. Mal. 3:6

c. When we are tempted, it is not God—who is unchanging—but our sinful selves who are at work! James 1:13-17

d. He is ever constant; our ups & downs do not change either Him or His Plan.  2 Tim. 2:13

e. Divine Immutability underlines some of the key characteristics of a godly person: stability, reliability, immovability, dependability, etc.

f. An assurance that we have at least one true friend & dependable ally, in the Person of God, even if others desert us. Ps. 41:9-13

Bulleting Insert: God is Self-Existent

 

The Fountain of Life; God is Self-Existent)

(Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC, Sept. 6, AD 2020)

 

Q: “Mommy… who made God?”

A: “He who causes everything else to be is created by no one.”

 

I. A definition of God’s Self-Existence (i.e., aseity):

God is utterly independent; He does not exist as the result of another’s cause or action; He has the power of Being and the Life Principle within Himself. He does not depend upon anyone or anything outside of Himself.

 

II. Scripture.

a. Only God is the Eternal I AM…

Ex. 3:14: God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" [Jn 8:58: "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM."]

 

b. All life is from God; other beings derive their life from Him.

Ps. 36:9: “For with You is the fountain of life…”

Acts 17:28: “…in Him we live and move and exist.”

Ps. 90:1-2: “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Jer. 2:13: "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

Gen. 2:7: “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Ps. 104:29b-30: “You take away their spirit, they expire and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the ground.”

 

c. God is not dependent upon anyone.

Acts 17:25: “… nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things…”

 

d. The Father and the Son are both Self-Existent.

Jn 5:26: "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself…” [Jn 1:4: “In Him was life”]

 

III. Spiritual application & personal benefits unto us…

a. This is the ultimate guarantee of our eternal resurrection-life.

b. We exist for GOD…not the other way around!

Studies in Daniel: The Interpretation of the Dream of the Great Colossus (The Head of Gold)

 

o   The Colossus takes the form of a MAN—representing the reign of Fallen Man and the progress of his civilization, until Messiah comes to reign.

 

o   The Dream recalls the story of David and Goliath (1 Sam. 17), when a blasphemous Gentile colossus attempting to halt the progress of the People of God is felled by a single stone—and by David, the forerunner of Messiah!

 

c. The Inspired Interpretation of the Vision (2:36-45).

v. 36a: “This was the dream…”

No hesitation; a bold & authoritative declaration of fact. 

o   How astounding this must have seemed to the King: Daniel knew the hidden burden of his heart!

v. 36b: “…now we will tell its interpretation.” Daniel had credibility!

 

------------------------------------

 

i. The HEAD OF GOLD (vv. 37-38): BABYLON.

The Chaldeans became a regional superpower after destroying the Assyrians, overpowering the Egyptians, and subduing many lesser nations.

v. 38: “You are the head of gold.”

Both Nebuchadnezzar himself (vv. 37-38), as well as his empire (v. 39), with which he was identified, are represented by the Head of Gold.

 

The Neo-Babylonian (i.e., Chaldean) Empire was the inheritor of Mesopotamian civilization, centered in the “Fertile Crescent” and Tigris-Euphrates Delta, an ancient “cradle of civilization.” 

Babylon, their capital, became the greatest city in the world, boasting in architectural greatness (including the famous Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World).

The founder Nabopolassar and his son, Nebuchadnezzar, were amongst the greatest & most powerful kings of antiquity—but their successors were far inferior, and the Empire was short-lived.

 

"You, O king, are the king of kings…” God granted awesome sovereignty unto Nebuchadnezzar (vv. 37-38; cf., Jer. 27:5-8; 28:14; Dan. 5:18-19), the Head of Gold. Theoretically, this sovereignty could have embraced the entire world!

 

Religiously, the Babylonians were grossly polytheistic, and the gods were ethically capricious and arbitrary. Ritual idolatry, the occult sciences, & astrology dominated.

GOLD, the most precious of metals, was appropriate to symbolize this Kingdom, which made great use of this substance in its ornamentation.

o   Babylon was a complete oriental despotism; the powers of the Kings of Babylon was absolute… their word was law.

o   The Kingdom represented a centralized and unified Sovereignty…

 

Each metal represents…

1.    …the progressive debasement of sovereignty…

Each metal is less precious and valuable than the one that proceeds it. With each, we see the deterioration of personal autocratic authority.

 

For example, we see this played-out in the history of men’s political affairs:

 

Monarchy=one man rule…

Oligarchy=rule by a small elite group…

Democracy=the people rule through chosen representatives…

Anarchy=lawless mob rule…

 

2.    …the progressive strengthening of military might.

Each metal is stronger, harder, & better suited to military purposes than the one that proceeds it. Ultimately, however, the last stage reveals the brittleness of mass-sovereignty.