I. Video. What nations will be involved in the Ezekiel 38 War?
II. Video details. John Ankerberg Show. Dr. John Ankerberg, (M. Div., D. Min.), Dr. Ron Rhodes (Th.M., Th. D.), Dr. Mark Hitchcock (Th. M., J.D. Ph. D.)
III. Daniel 2:31-35. The Great Image/Statue. Scofield note.
A. Verses. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway.
B. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1.2:31-35. The dream: the great image. (Nebuchadnezzar’s dream).
2. The monarchy-vision. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, as interpreted by Daniel, gives the course and end of “the times of the Gentiles” Luke 21:24. (See Scofield “Luke 21:24- :“) that is, of Gentile world-empire. The four metals composing the image are explained as symbolizing Daniel 2:38-40 four empires, not necessarily possessing the inhabited earth, but able to do so (Daniel 2:38), and fulfilled in Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece (under Alexander), and Rome. The latter power is seen divided, first into two (the legs), fulfilled in the Eastern and Western Roman empires, and then into ten (the toes) See Scofield “Daniel 2:38- :. As a whole, the image gives the imposing outward greatness and splendor of the Gentile world-power.
3. The smiting Stone Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:35 destroys the Gentile world-system (in its final form) by a sudden and irremediable blow, not by the gradual processes of conversion and assimilation; and then, and not before, does the Stone become a mountain which fills “the whole earth.” (Cf. Daniel 7:26; Daniel 7:27). Such a destruction of the Gentile monarchy-system did not occur at the first advent of Christ. On the contrary, He was put to death by the sentence of an officer of the fourth empire, which was then at the zenith of its power. Since the crucifixion the Roman empire has followed the course marked out in the vision, but Gentile world dominion still continues, and the crushing blow is still suspended. The detail of the end-time is given in Daniel 7:1-28; Daniel 7:1-28 and Re 13.-19. It is important to see
a. that Gentile world-power is to end in a sudden catastrophic judgment (see “Armageddon,” Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:21).
b. that it is immediately followed by the kingdom of heaven, and that the God of the heavens does not set up His kingdom till after the destruction of the Gentile world- system. It is noteworthy that Gentile world-dominion begins and ends with a great image. Daniel 2:31; Revelation 13:14; Revelation 13:15.
IV. Daniel 2:36-38. The first world empire, Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar (cp. 7:4).
A. Verses. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway.
B. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1. The interpretation; first world empire. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar (cp. 7:4).
2. 2:38. “wherever they dwell.” Universal dominion is indicated. It was never fully realized, but divine authority was given for it. See v 31 note (The dream: the great image, which shows the vision of the world empires).
V. Daniel 2:39. The second and third world empires.
A. Verse. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway.
“After you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.”
B. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1. The second world empire: Medo-Persia ( cp. 7:5; 8:20).
2. The third world world empire: Greece (cp. 7:6; 8:21).
VI. Daniel 2:40-43. The fourth world empire: Rome (cp. 7:7; 9:26).
A. Verses. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway.
B. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1.2:41. “firmness of iron.” From the head of gold (v. 18) to the iron of the fourth kingdom (Rome) there is a deterioration in fineness, but increase in strength (v 40). Then comes the deterioration of the fourth kingdom in that very quality-strength.
a. Deterioration by division: the kingdom is divided into two, the legs (eastern and western empires), and these are again divided into kingdoms, the number of which, when the Stone strikes the image, will be ten (toes, v 42; compare 7:23-24). And,
b. “deterioration” by mixture: the iron mixed with the clay.
VII. Daniel 2:44-45. Christ’s kingdom to be established on earth (see Mt 3:2, and note).
A. Verses. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+2%3A44-45&version=NASB1995
B. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1. The Divine Kingdom.
2. 2:44. Scofield note.
a. The passage fixes authoritatively the time relative to other predicted events, when the kingdom of the heavens will be set up. It will be “in the days of those kings,” i.e. the days of the ten kings (cf. Daniel 7:24-27 symbolized by the toes of the image. That condition did not exist at the advent of Messiah, nor was it even possible until the dissolution of the Roman empire, and the rise of the present national world system. See “Kingdom (O.T.)” ; Genesis 1:26; Zechariah 12:8 “Kingdom (N.T.)” ; Luke 1:31-33; 1 Corinthians 15:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28 (See Scofield “1 Corinthians 15:28- :“) note (defining “kingdom of heaven”). Verse 45 repeats the method by which the kingdom will be set up. (Cf) See Scofield “1 Corinthians 15:28- :” ; Psalms 2:5; Psalms 2:6; Zechariah 14:1-8; Zechariah 14:9.
b. The ten toes did no exist at the advent of Messiah, nor was the federation even possible until the dissolution of the Roman Empire and the rise of the present nationalistic world system.
VIII. Matthew 3:2. The announcement of the kingdom to Israel.
A. Verse. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway.
B. Scripture. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
C. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1.The phrase, the kingdom of heaven (lit. of the heavens), is peculiar to Matthew and signifies the Messianic earth rule of Jesus Christ, the Son of David. It is called the kingdom of the heavens because it is the rule of the heavens over the earth Matthew 6:10 The phrase is derived from Daniel, where it is defined ; Daniel 2:34-36; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:23-27 as the kingdom which the God of heaven will set up after the destruction by “the stone cut out without hands,” of the Gentile world-system. It is the kingdom covenanted to David’s seed 2 Samuel 7:7-10 described in the prophets; (See Scofield “2 Samuel 7:7-10.7.10- :“) and confirmed to Jesus the Christ, the Son of Mary, through the angel Gabriel Luke 1:32; Luke 1:33.
2. The kingdom of heaven has three aspects in Matthew:
1. “at hand” from the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist Matthew 3:2 to the virtual rejection of the King, and the announcement of the new brotherhood Matthew 12:46-50
2. in seven “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,” to be fulfilled during the present age Matthew 13:1-52 to which are to be added the parables of the kingdom of heaven which were spoken after those of Mt. 13., and which have to do with the sphere of Christian profession during this age;
3. the prophetic aspect–the kingdom to be set up after the return of the King in glory. Matthew 24:29-46; Luke 19:12-19; Acts 15:14-17 See “Kingdom (N.T.)” ; Luke 1:33; 1 Corinthians 15:28 Cf. “Kingdom of God,” (See Scofield “1 Corinthians 15:28- :“) .
IX. I Corinthians 15:28. Kingdom In The New Testament, Summary.
A. Scripture. NASB 1995, pasted from Bible Gateway.
B. Verse. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
C. Scripture identification; Scofield notes.
1. Kingdom (N.T.), Summary: See “Kingdom (O.T.)” Genesis 1:26-28. (See Scofield “Genesis 1:26-1.1.28- :“) . Kingdom truth is developed in the N.T. in the following order:
a. The promise of the kingdom to David and his seed, and described in the prophets 2 Samuel 7:8-17; 2 Samuel 7:8-17; Zechariah 12:8 enters the N.T. absolutely unchanged. Luke 1:31-33. The King was born in Bethlehem ; Matthew 2:1; Micah 5:2 of a virgin. ; Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 7:14.
b. The kingdom announced as “at hand” (See Scofield “Isaiah 7:14- :“) , by John the Baptist, by the King, and by the Twelve, was rejected by the Jews, first morally, See Scofield “Isaiah 7:14- :“, and afterward officially Matthew 21:42; Matthew 21:43 and the King, crowned with thorns, was crucified.
c. In anticipation of His official rejection and crucifixion, the King revealed the “mysteries” of the kingdom of heaven, (See Scofield “Matthew 21:43- :“) to be fulfilled in the interval between His rejection and His return in glory Matthew 13:1-50.
d. Afterward He announced His purpose to “build” His church Matthew 16:18 another “mystery” revealed through Paul which is being fulfilled contemporaneously with the mysteries of the kingdom. The “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and the “mystery” of the church Ephesians 3:9-11 occupy, historically, the same period, i.e, this present age.
e. The mysteries of the kingdom will be brought to an end by “the harvest” Matthew 13:39-43; Matthew 13:49; Matthew 13:50 at the return of the King in glory, the church having previously been caught up to meet Him in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17.
f. Upon His return the King will restore the Davidic monarchy in His own person, re- gather dispersed Israel, establish His power over all the earth, and reign one thousand years Matthew 24:27-30; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 15:14-17; Revelation 20:1-10.
g. The kingdom of heaven (See Scofield “Revelation 20:1-66.20.10- :“) thus established under David’s divine Son, has for its object the restoration of the divine authority in the earth, which may be regarded as a revolted province of the great kingdom of God See Scofield “Revelation 20:1-66.20.10- :“. When this is done (1 Corinthians 14:24; 1 Corinthians 14:25) the Son will deliver up the kingdom (of heaven), Matthew 3:2 to “God, even the Father,” that “God” (i.e. the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) “may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 14:28). The eternal throne is that “of God, and of the Lamb” Revelation 22:1. The kingdom-age constitutes the seventh Dispensation, See Scofield “Revelation 22:1- :“.
2. Then, finally, when he delivers up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he has done away with every rule, and every authority and power (for he must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet), the last enemy, death, is destroyed.
X. My Bucket List shows the references, of people and documents, that I use when I write my articles. Please check my Pages and click on Bucket List.
XI. My Websites To Follow.
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity
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https://success2693.wordpress.com/ Israel, History And Prophecy
XII. Scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible 1995, and are pasted from Bible Gateway.
XIII. Scofield notes come from the reference notes of Dr. C.I. Scofield, and the Scofield Study Bible.
XIV. The listed world empires are those which are mentioned in Daniel 2:36-45, and follow in succeeding order until the future time, following the Tribulation, in which Christ sets up His millennial Kingdom on earth (603 B.C., Scofield Study Bible note).
ADDED.
XV. In reference to para VIII, B, (2), (b). “The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to be fulfilled during the present age.” The source of the following information is shown in para XVI.
A. The period of time between the rejection of Israel in Matt 12:24, and the acceptance of Jesus as King at the end of the Tribulation (Zech 12:10), is an Interim Age (due to Israel’s rejection of the kingdom offer, resulting in the messianic kingdom’s postponement, Matt 23:37-39). Christ began to explain the spiritual conditions that would prevail during the kingdom’s absence. This interim program includes Christ’s revelation of the kingdom mysteries (Matt 13) and the church (Mat 16:18). A New Testament mystery is not a matter of confusion, but information that was not revealed in the Old Testament until God revealed its understanding. In the context of the revelation coming, it came through Jesus in the Gospels, and through other New Testament writers (such as Paul, Rom 16:25). (p 78, 80).
B. Deuteronomy 17:14-15 states that Israel must accept God’s chosen king. The rejection of Jesus as God’s appointed king, resulted in the interim age of mysteries that Jesus discussed in the parables of Matthew 13, and shows what the heirs of the Kingdom will have to endure until Jesus returns from Heaven and sets up His earthly kingdom, which takes place in Matthew 24: 29-30, Zech 14:1-5, 9, and Revelation 19:11-20:5, with the redeemed of Christ coming with Him, at the end of the Tribulation (p 100).
C. Though the present, interim age, came about as a consequence of Israel’s rejection of the kingdom offer, in no way implies that it is an afterthought or less important in God’s mind in comparison to His program with national Israel. On the contrary, per Ephesians 3:11, the church was “in accordance” with God’s “eternal promise.” In other words, God always knew and purposed that He would create and work through the church. Although Israel’s program is revealed in the Old Testament, the church’s program is unrevealed. However, this distinction does not mean that God’s unrevealed program for the church is of less importance than God’s revealed program for Israel. Furthermore, although the church represents an interruption or parenthesis between God’s past and future dealings with Israel, this in no way implies that the church is of lesser importance than God’s past of future dealings with national Israel. The dictionary definition of a parenthesis simply conveys the idea of an interval rather than something of less importance. Thus, understanding that the church as a parenthetical break in this manner in no way suggests that the church represents “Plan B” in relation to God’s purpose for Israel ( p 100)
D. In summary, Israel’s rejection of the kingdom offer has led to a genuine new age of time between Christ’s two advents. This intervening age is something that was never before disclosed up until Christ’s teaching in Matthew 13. Although this new age represents an important time period when God is clearly and authentically at work, it should not be confused with the David Kingdom. Its source is Christ’s present session at the Father’s right hand where He functions in His role as Melchizedekian priest (Hebrews 7:1-3) rather than as Davidic King (p 101).
XVI. (Above ) ADDED. (per “The Coming Kingdom,” Dr. Andy Woods, Th. M.; J. D.; Ph. D.)
Eternity 