Reflections and Messages of Hope In Persecution
Carol Kinney BIB 3238 Student ID 928059 Dr. Seevers
While the Book of Daniel is set in ancient Babylon and many of the prophesies of which it speaks have already been fulfilled, this book still offers appropriate advice and hope for Christians today. By comparing the scriptures found in Daniel with circumstances today, we can see how to apply the words of this book in our time. Daniel’s words for those in exile still ring true for God’s people today, because the circumstance for the people in ancient times still exists today for Christians.
“Christian Leader Assassinated
in Pakistan” (1)
“Coptic Priest Found Murdered
in Egypt”
(2)
“Ethiopian Muslims Kill
Christian, Burn More Churches and Christian Home In Ongoing Attacks” (3) “Experts say Christian
communities in Middle East will die out unless urgent action is taken” (4)
Top Ten Countries To Watch In 2011 for Persecution Iraq North Korea Iran Burma Saudi Arabia Afghanistan Indonesia Bangladesh Pakistan Egypt
Persecution map 2011
Open Doors©, a mission
organization that aids persecuted Christians, estimates that “100 million Christians around the globe are currently suffering persecution for their faith. Most often persecution takes the form of imprisonment, abuse, and hostilities. In some cases, however…(they) face death.” (5) Image Source: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/find-outmore/persecution-map.php (20 Feb. 2011)
The theme of Daniel is
that God is always in control!
Source: Google Images, 20 Feb. 2011
Messages in Daniel: 1. God disciplines His people. 2. God always cares for His people. 3. God is sovereign over all nations and sometimes He chooses to use His people to show it. 4. He does not leave His people hopeless. 5. God’s glory always prevails.
Source: Google Images, 20 Feb. 2011
Sometimes God allows other people to suppress or persecute His people. This is very hard to understand and accept. We have been taught that God is a loving God and we cannot fathom how a loving God would allow this to happen.
“ In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God.” Daniel 1:1, 2 (NRSV)
Daniel Chapter 9 explains that the reason that God allowed the Babylonians to rule over the nation of Israel, God’s own people, was that “All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice “ (Dan. 9:11a NRSV). Since Israel had sinned against God, God chose to discipline His children by allowing the suppression and persecution at the hands of someone who was not part of His people.
What does this tell us about the nature of God? Is this lesson applicable for us today?
A loving and dedicated father has been there for his son since birth. When the son is in his teens, he begins associate with some bad kids. The father warns his son that something bad will happen if he continues to be friends with this crowd. The father continues to warn his son, even disciplining and grounding him, but nothing tears his son away from the influence of these kids. After several months, the son and his
Is the persecution that occurs
today, God’s discipline?
“friends” get into some trouble with the law. At the court hearing, the son’s “friends” turn on him, so he is the only one who is sentenced. The judge gives the son and the father a choice: serve time in jail or pay a very hefty fine and complete community service. The father is not rich and cannot pay the fine and the son must serve time. While this hurts the father, the son has left him no other option. All he can do is allow it to happen, continue to be there for him, pray that he will soon learn from his mistakes, and wait for him to return to his care. This is the modern day approach to tough love.
It is also the way in which God disciplined his children in Daniel. While it may be hard to understand, it was also necessary and shows that God does love His children,
even if it means delivering them to their enemies .
Since no one can answer this
question with absolute certainty, it is better to not answer with a definitive “yes” or “no.” It is better to understand that despite persecution, God is in control at all times and will still love and care for His children at all times-even if He is angry and finds it necessary to discipline.
Despite God’s disappointment
and anger with the sins of His people, God provided Daniel with the necessary things in which to endure his captivity and persecution
God’s gifts to Daniel and others Gift of dream/writing interpretation: Daniel 1:17; Chapters 2 and 4; Daniel 5:17-28; Chapters 7, 812 (In these last chapters God reveals what He wants Daniel to know, but leaves some things a mystery). Gift of Wisdom to handle difficult situations: Daniel 1:8-17; 4:27; 6:10 Gift of Angelic protection during extreme persecution: Daniel 3:24,25, 27; 6:21-22 Gift of Angelic help: Daniel 7:16; 8:15-19; 19:22,23; Gift of Angelic aid during spiritual warfare:10:812,19; 12:8-13 Gifts of promotion within captor government: Daniel 2:48-49; 3:30; 5:29; 6:1,2
A good reputation among men: Daniel 1:9; 4:9; 5:11, 12; 6:3-5 Source: Google Images 21 Feb. 2011
The ability to speak to and praise God despite persecution: Daniel 2:19-23; Chapter 9
Does God still care for the persecuted today?
©
© Source for all logos and images: Google Images 20 Feb. 2011
© ©
God is in control in His provisions. While we cannot audibly hear God, like in the time of Daniel, He has given us his words in the Bible, which is our primary weapon against evil. If a Bible is not accessible, pray to God to place His Word upon your heart, or pray to Him asking Him to provide scripture to you in some way. God provides conversation with Him through prayer to anyone who chooses to speak with Him at anytime of any day, during any circumstance to gain wisdom and strength to endure persecution and spiritual war. Dr. John Piper says that “prayer is for the accomplishment of wartime mission” (6), to be used to strengthen ourselves in physical and spiritual battles against God’s enemies so that we are able to glorify God in all that we do-especially when faced with persecution. God also raises up the non-persecuted to come to the aid of the persecuted. Through individuals and Christian mission organizations, such as those featured on previous slide, Bibles, correspondence, care, concern, advocacy, prayer, and legal, medical, and financial aid are provided.
Sometimes God still delivers His people from persecution all by Himself, as was the case in China after all of the Christian missionaries were expelled and believers were left on their own-with no one to rely upon except God! When China was again open to foreign travel, Christians throughout the world were amazed to realize the growth of Christianity (7). In fact, believers in China numbered in the millions despite no missionary involvement. Even though China still persecutes Christians, the persecution has somewhat subsided in the past couple of years, without foreign missionary presence there (8).
3. Another gift to the persecuted from God found in Daniel…
Source: Google Images, 2-20-11
“The king said to Daniel, ‘Truly your God is a God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery!’” Daniel 2:47 NRSV __________________________________ “Nebuchadnezzar said “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…Therefore I make a decree:
Any people…that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, shall be torn from limb to limb…’” Daniel 3:28-29 NRSV
Does God still use his people in this way?
“ …King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations…throughout the whole world…I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed and his dominion has no end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:25-27 NRSV
“Nearly five years into the prison sentence of the only Christian in Morocco serving time for his faith, Moroccan Christians and advocates question the harsh measures of the Muslim state toward a man who dared speak openly about Jesus.
Source: Compass Direct News
By the end of December 2010 , Jamaa Ait Bakrim, 46, will have been in prison for five years at Morocco’s largest prison…An outspoken Christian convert, Bakrim was sentenced to 15 years prison for “proselytizing” and destroying “the goods of others” in 2005 after burning two defunct utility poles located in front of his private business in a small town in south Morocco. .. Advocates and Moroccan Christians said, however, that the severity of his sentence in relation to his misdemeanor shows that authorities were determined to put him behind bars because he persistently spoke about his faith. ‘He became a Christian and didn’t keep it to himself,’said a Moroccan Christian and host for Al Hayat Television who goes only by his first name, Rachid, for security reasons. ‘He shared it with people around him. In Morocco, and this happened to me personally, if you become a Christian you may be persecuted by your family. If you keep it to yourself, no one will bother you. If you share it with anyone else and start speaking about it, that’s another story.’ Rachid fled Morocco in 2005 due to mounting pressure on him and his family. He is a wanted man in his country, but he said it is time for people to start speaking up on behalf of Bakrim, whom he said has “zeal” for his faith and speaks openly about it even in prison” (Compass Direct News 2010).
We should always remember to be thankful when God chooses to use us to show His Sovereignty and Glory because He…
Jamaa Ait Bakrim had covered the door of his business and home with Christian symbols and verses before his arrest.
Because King Nebuchadnezzar had seen the works of God through Daniel and his friends on numerous occasions, and was still haughty, claiming his own greatness and accomplishments over God’s, God struck him with an illness until Nebuchadnezzar would reveal who was the one who gave him all of his riches and power and He did not need man to carry out this plan.
“When that period was over, I,
Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most high, and praised and honored the one who lives forever. For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth…Now I…praise and extol and honor the King of Heaven, for all his works are truth, and his ways are justice; and he is able to bring low those who walk in pride. (Dan. 4:3435a, 37).
Throughout Daniel, God
shows that He is in control by actively pursuing deliverance
Daniel is delivered by God from the lions den. Source: Google Images.
of His people from the evil hands of persecution.
In Daniel chapters one through six, God is in control by showing that it was by His hands alone in which deliverance is given. It was God who rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace and who delivered Daniel from the lions den.
In Chapters 7-12, God shows He is in control also. God reveals to Daniel that it is by His hands that His people are delivered and will be delivered from persecution. Persecution of God’s people will continue until His kingdom crushes all oppression, and life will be spent eternally worshipping God in all of His glory. Until this “end of days” (Dan 12:13b) occurs for Christians today, God still cares for His people by giving them hope through the words of Daniel.
Source: Google Images 12 Apr. 2011
http://so4j.com/heaven.php
“As I looked, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them, until the Ancient One came; then judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom.� Daniel 7:21-22
“ …a king of bold countenance shall arise…He shall grow strong in power , shall cause fearful destruction, and shall succeed in what he does. He shall destroy the powerful and the people of the holy ones…Without warning he shall destroy many and shall even rise up against the Prince of princes…
Source: Google images, 27 Mar. 2011
But he shall be broken, and not by human hands.” Daniel 8:23b-25
Seek Understanding, Strength and Courage through Prayer to God – He hears you, is in control and loves you!
“ Do not fear…for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard…” (Dan. 10:12). “How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For I am shaking, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me” (Dan. 10:17) “Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!” (Dan. 10:19)
Source: Google images. 26 March 2011
Do not be afraid Kingdoms will rise, and kingdoms will fall, yet despite appearances, God is in control! Daniel Chapters 8; 10-12
Source for all images: Google Images 28 Mar. 2011
“…but the people who are loyal to their God shall stand firm and take action. The wise among the people shall give understanding to many…” (Dan. 11:32b-33a).
Persecution may be happening and will happen, but remember that time is running out for those who persecute God’s people!
Source: Google Images 4/6/11
“Then the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away… The kingship and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.” (Dan. 7:26, 27)
Happy are those who persevere! (Dan 12:12a)
Source for all images: Google Images 3-28-11
“…your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life…Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. ..when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be accomplished..” (Dan. 12: 2,3,7b)
But before that glorious “end of days” time comes for us when we will receive our reward with Daniel and all of God’s people “written in the book” (Dan 12:1,4,13) to live eternally, worshipping God…
Let us pray together, Daniel’s Prayer to God on behalf of the persecuted (Dan. 9:3-19) 3 Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, 5we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. 6We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. 7 ‘Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8Open shame, O LORD, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. 9To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, 10and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 ‘All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. So the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against you. 12He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers, by bringing upon us a calamity so great that what has been done against Jerusalem has never before been done under the whole heaven. 13Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us. We did not entreat the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and reflecting on his * fidelity. 14So the LORD kept watch over this calamity until he brought it upon us. Indeed, the LORD our God is right in all that he has done; for we have disobeyed his voice. 15 ‘And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made your name renowned even to this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16O Lord, in view of all your righteous acts, let your anger and wrath, we pray, turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become a disgrace among all our neighbors. 17Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, and for your own sake, Lord,* let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary.18Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. 19O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay! For your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people bear your name!’ (Oremus Bible Browser).
If you are currently a persecuted Christian remember…
God is ALWAYS in control of EVERY circumstance!even if it doesn’t seem like it.
To pray to God at all times.
To ask God for supernatural gifts and angelic help to endure persecution and spiritual warfare, and to be used to show the Sovereignty and Glory of God to the nations.
Never give up hope that God has abandoned you.
Never forget the promises of God will ring true and are for His people even in our times-no earthly authority can ever take that away from you.
To stand firm in your convictions and faith to the Lord of lords, King of kings (Dan. 2:47)
That God has raised up others to pray for you and help you and He is with you.
That even if you lose your life now, you will gain everlasting life when “all these things would be accomplished” (Dan. 12:7b)
If you are not currently being persecuted remember…
God is in control of that, also!
To pray to God at all times.
To dedicate yourself to learning God’s word, such as the Book of Daniel, so that if persecution should come your way, you will have a firm foundation in which to endure.
Remember to stand firm in your convictions and faith to the Lord of lords, King of kings at all times, even in peaceful times when it is easy to become complacent.
Those who are currently persecuted in your prayers.
To ask God to use you to help those who are persecuted in any number of ways from a mission organization such as Open Doors©, Christian Freedom International©, International Christian Concern©, Voice of the Martyrs©, or any other Christian organization that specializes in this very special ministry.
This is no time for fear This is a time for faith and determination Don't lose the vision here Carried away by emotion Hold on to all that you hide in your heart There is one thing that has always been true It holds the world together
CHORUS God is in control We believe that His children will not be forsaken God is in control We will choose to remember and never be shaken There is no power above or beside Him, we know God is in control, oh God is in control History marches on There is a bottom line drawn across the ages Culture can make its plan Oh, but the line never changes No matter how the deception may fly There is one thing that has always been true It will be true forever
CHORUS He has never let you down Why start to worry now? Why start to worry now? He is still the Lord of all we see And He is still the loving Father Watching over you and me Watching over you, watching over me, Watching over every things Watching over you, watching over me Every little sparrow, every little things Every little things
Source: Google Images 7 Apr. 2011
An mp3 download of this song may be purchased at Rhapsody.comŠ
Christian Freedom International. 2011 www.christianfreedom.org. 20 Feb 2011.Top Ten countries to watch for persecution found at website. From Home page, scroll down to “Top Ten Persecuted Countries in 2011 on right side; click on link. Slide 3. Compass Direct News. 2011. www.compassdirect.org .14 Mar. 2011. Compass Direct News is a news organization dedicated to reporting news about persecuted Christians around the world. Slide 2 , items numbered 1-4. --- 2011. www.compassdirect.org/english/country/morocco/25655 . 26 Mar. 2011.Slide 12. Coogan, M. ed. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. 3rd ed. NRSV. New York: Oxford University Press. 2001. All scripture quoted in this presentation is taken from this Bible, with the exception of that of which is found on slide 21.Slide 23. Opendoorsusa. 2011. www.opendoorsusa.org. 20 Feb. 2011. Path: From the home page,click on the “Persecution” link at top of page. Slide 4, item numbered 5. --- No date. http://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecuted-christians/persecuted-country-profiles/china/. 12 Apr. 2011. Slide 10, item numbered 8.
Oremus Bible Browser. No date. http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Daniel+9 . 28 Mar. 2011.Text for Slide copied and pasted from this website in NRSV text. Slide 21 Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions. 9th ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2007:49. Slide 10, item numbered 6. Waldron, Arthur. “Religious Revivals in Communist China.” Spring 1998. Web. Foreign Policy Research Institute. http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln270/Waldron-revivals.htm. 12 Apr. 2011. Slide 10, item numbered 7. Wright, Twila Paris. 1993. “God is in Control” song lyrics. Lyrics on Slide 23 cut and pasted 7Apr. 2011 <ahref="http://www.lyricstime.com/avalon-god-is-in-control-lyrics.html" title="Avalon - God Is In Control Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com">Avalon - God Is In Control Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com</a>. Slide 25.
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