Today’s Reading: Dan 11:1–12:12, 2 Thess 3:1–18, Job 42:10–17
Today’s Theme: Victory over darkness
Today’s theme is the victory of God’s light over the darkness of the enemy and sin. We came to the end of three books today all with God’s victory over the enemy being established. For example Job’s sad story ends in victory for him and his friends through God’s mercy and revelation.
It is significant that today the world celebrates darkness and evil for Halloween so remember to pray and rejoice in God’s victory today.
Daniel 11:1–12:12
Know God and stand
He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. (Daniel 11:32, ESV)
We must know God in the midst of religious and political deceptions. Knowing God means we will stand firm in our convictions and take action.
Don’t give empty lip service
When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, (Daniel 11:34, ESV)
We must be careful, many join the church with just lip service, we will know them by their fruits.
Trials designed by God
and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. (Daniel 11:35, ESV)
Our stumbling and trials have been designed to refine and purify us.
The Archangel Michael
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1, ESV)
This is the great tribulation to come where the angel Michael will deliver Israel and the redeemed. This is not Jesus as ‘The Watchtower’ claims.
The information age
But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4, ESV)
This is true of our time, they even call this The Information Age.
2 Thessalonians 3:1–18
May God’s word speed ahead
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, (2 Thessalonians 3:1, ESV)
Yes Lord may your word speed ahead to the ends of the earth.
Pray for our God’s ministers
and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. (2 Thessalonians 3:2, ESV)
We must pray this for ours and all ministers
Faith is not a given it is a special gift from God given to the elect.
God, our guard
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV)
Yes Lord, thank you for being our guard.
Ask God to direct your heart
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)
Yes Lord, direct our hearts to and in Your Love, Hallelujah.
Banish idleness
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6, ESV)
May idleness be banished from all our lives.
Toil, Labour and Work
nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (2 Thessalonians 3:8, ESV)
The mandate for all believers, especially for the workplace.
Be encouraged in doing good
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13, ESV)
We take this encouragement and may we all be encouraged in doing good work.
Church discipline
Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:15, ESV)
This is a picture of biblical church discipline, as believers we should not resist this but embrace it for our good.
Job 42:10–17
Double for your trouble
And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10, ESV)
The restoration appears to be a reward for praying for his friends.
A popular saying in our time is, you get double for your trouble.
God’s heart for his daughters
And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. (Job 42:15, ESV)
The naming, emphasis and inheritance given to these daughters in a time of inequality towards women. This shows God’s heart towards all of His daughters.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition on 2 Thessalonians 3