Vessels of Mercy

Vessels of Mercy


Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Jer 18:7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
Jer 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Jer 18:9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
Jer 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.


Good and evil.


Life exists upon these two points…for now.


None would dispute that our lives are filled with tragedies, filled with pain, heartache, along with joys and happy moments. Life is also filled with mediocrity, a lot of mediocrity. But that mediocrity is usually tinged with a negativity, a passiveness, a relenting to being in a state that is neither happy nor sad. I said usually because it's not always that way. Sometimes there is a peace to be found in the middle, in the lengthy in-betweens we find along the spectrum of being bookended by joy and pain.


When we think of life without any heartache and pain, without sadness we do so with a longing for that sort of life. As we enjoy memories of good times sometimes we do so with a hint of longing, of sadness that those joys are gone never to be recaptured.


When man was first formed there was no sin in him, none. Man was not created by God with sin. There wasn't even a pinprick of sin inside him.


We were made to live in a sinless existence- where there is no pain, no heartache, no tragedy, nothing that brings sadness.


When sin entered everything changed.


We are born with an innocence that quickly erodes and the day comes when we begin to make choices between right and wrong. No one can pinpoint that day, it's different for all of us, but even as children we begin to make choices and those choices eventually determine who we become and whether or not we've chosen to live for God or for ourselves.


Our Creator is with us every step of the way, knowing where our hearts are inclined. Our Savior will know our hearts and if we are His- if our hearts belong to Him- because we choose Him over ourselves, over all that would keep us from Him.


So when we read verses about our Potter and how the clay is molded- we have to do so knowing it is US who are flawed and only the righteousness of our Savior, only the mercy and grace of our Lord will save us. He is the perfect vessel that is willing to use HIS righteousness for us.


Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?


A potter molding clay makes many, many vessels. Does he set out to make vessels that are flawed? No. Does it happen that vessels do end up being flawed? Yes. Does this make the potter sad? Yes. The vessels end up in a state other than desired and unlike those inanimate vessels a person who becomes flawed and desires to remain flawed rather than choose the Savior who alone can repair them, is left flawed, is left a vessel fit for wrath.


God endures with MUCH longsuffering.


And there will be vessels of mercy- prepared unto glory!


We need to be vessel of mercy, filled with the mercy of our Savior!


All to HIS glory, all to HIS love!


IN HIM ALWAYS!


AMEN!

Prophecy -39

Prophecy is amazing. It reminds me a bit about what Christ said about parables-

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.


Why speak in parables, why not speak plainly?


Because it's given to some to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven- but to others it's not given.


And that sounds awful doesn't it? Like God is selecting a few and offering them eternal life but not others, which isn't true at all!


Jesus went on to say- 'because they seeing - see not; and hearing they- hear not, neither do they understand'


Jesus also added- 'for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed- lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hear, and should be converted and I should heal them.'


PEOPLE don't want healing! PEOPLE don't want to hear! PEOPLE don't want to see! People don't want to be converted from their evil ways! It's the choice people make, not God's choice. God is willing to heal, willing that all would come to Him, but they won't. Sadly, they won't.


It's the same for prophecy- there can be understanding, pieces can fit together. Logically things can follow order and make sense but to most people it is all just jumbled nonsense that points to the end of days and only then will it all come to pass. The facts don't concern them because it's just too hard to understand it all. Then you'll get those who piece things together somewhat and do so differently than others and so discount another's belief. I know there are many, many people out there that won't agree at all with the interpretations I've posted and that's fine. We all have to follow how God leads us, every single one of us. I'm not writing what I'm writing to convince others of anything. I feel compelled by God on my walk with Christ to study prophecy and that's what I'm doing. I just hope and pray that I'm not deceived, that the Holy Spirit will guide my studying.


Yesterday we studied from the reign of Julius, to Augustus, and then to Tiberius Caesar who lived when our Savior was killed. All the while we're talking about Tiberius we are also talking about the Roman Empire which is the big picture. We cannot separate any of these rulers from the Roman Kingdom- never. So while the prophecy is giving us details it is NEVER leaving the main kingdoms that were first predicted by Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream.


Do you remember how over and over the prophecy is revisiting the same empires- growing in detail each time. Well we have another case of that here.


We know that Augustus Caesar was the man who solidified the Roman Empire. Remember this---


Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus-- is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, he was adopted posthumously by his great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar in 44 BC via his last will and testament, and between then and 27 BC was officially named Gaius Julius Caesar.


Augustus was ruling when Rome (HE) worked deceitfully, becoming strong with a small people.


Dan 11:23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.


'The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman province of Epirus vetus in Greece. Octavian's fleet was commanded by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, while Antony's fleet was supported by the ships of Queen Cleopatra of Ptolemaic Egypt.
Octavian's victory enabled him to consolidate his power over Rome and its dominions. To that end, he adopted the title of Princeps ("first citizen") and some years after the victory was awarded the title of Augustus by the Roman Senate. This became the name by which he was known in later times. As Augustus, he would retain the trappings of a restored Republican leader; however, historians generally view this consolidation of power and the adoption of these honorifics as the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.[1]'

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This victory by Augustus (under the name of Octavian) CONSOLIDATED his power over Rome and its dominions.


'Thus, Octavian's victory at the Battle of Actium gave him sole and uncontested control of "Mare Nostrum" (Our Sea i.e. the Roman Mediterannean) and he became "Augustus Caesar" and the "first citizen" of Rome. This victory, consolidating his power over every Roman institution, marked the transition of Rome from Republic to Empire. Egypt's final surrender following Cleopatra's death also marks the final demise of both the Hellenistic Age and the Ptolemaic Kingdom'

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'Worldwide consequences
Shakespeare turned the story of Antony and Cleopatra into a famous play, but historically, the Battle of Actium had even more important consequences.
Octavian, for his part, remained standing as the sole ruler of Rome in a time when the Republic was hanging on by a thread. Just a few years later, he was renamed Augustus and declared divine head of the new Roman Empire, a system that would last a further 400 years and engulf much of Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East and Africa under its rule.
Rome's influence over the language, religion and architecture of the 2.2 million square miles it once controlled lasts until this day.
By killing Julius Caesar and Cleopatra's son Caesarion, Octavian also effectively ended a 4,000-year tradition in Egypt. There would not be another true pharaoh in that country, which was absorbed under the banner of the empire. '

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NOTICE THIS--


'... divine head of the new Roman Empire, a system that would last a further 400 years and engulf much of Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East and Africa under its rule'


And this--

'Before an assembly thus modelled and prepared, Augustus pronounced
a studied oration, which displayed his patriotism, and disguised his
ambition. "He lamented, yet excused, his past conduct. Filial piety had
required at his hands the revenge of his father's murder; the humanity
of his own nature had sometimes given way to the stern laws of
necessity, and to a forced connection with two unworthy colleagues:
as long as Antony lived, the republic forbade him to abandon her to
a degenerate Roman, and a barbarian queen. He was now at liberty to
satisfy his duty and his inclination. He solemnly restored the senate
and people to all their ancient rights; and wished only to mingle with
the crowd of his fellow-citizens, and to share the blessings which he
had obtained for his country." [4]

[Footnote 4: Dion (l. liii. p. 698) gives us a prolix and bombast speech
on this great occasion. I have borrowed from Suetonius and Tacitus the
general language of Augustus.]

It would require the pen of Tacitus (if Tacitus had assisted at this
assembly) to describe the various emotions of the senate, those that
were suppressed, and those that were affected. It was dangerous to
trust the sincerity of Augustus; to seem to distrust it was still more
dangerous. The respective advantages of monarchy and a republic have
often divided speculative inquirers; the present greatness of the Roman
state, the corruption of manners, and the license of the soldiers,
supplied new arguments to the advocates of monarchy; and these general
views of government were again warped by the hopes and fears of each
individual. Amidst this confusion of sentiments, the answer of
the senate was unanimous and decisive. They refused to accept the
resignation of Augustus; they conjured him not to desert the republic,
which he had saved. After a decent resistance, the crafty tyrant
submitted to the orders of the senate; and consented to receive the
government of the provinces, and the general command of the Roman
armies, under the well-known names of Proconsul and Imperator. [5] But
he would receive them only for ten years. Even before the expiration
of that period, he hope that the wounds of civil discord would be
completely healed, and that the republic, restored to its pristine
health and vigor, would no longer require the dangerous interposition
of so extraordinary a magistrate. The memory of this comedy, repeated
several times during the life of Augustus, was preserved to the last
ages of the empire…'

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/731/pg731.txt


Dan 11:23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

This deceit was REAL, very, very real in the rule of Augustus!

That Rome became strong with a small people is a reality--


'Peregrinus was the term used during the early Roman empire, from 30 BC to 212 AD, to denote a free provincial subject of the empire who was not a Roman citizen. Peregrini constituted the vast majority of the empire's inhabitants in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. In 212 AD, all free inhabitants of the Empire were granted citizenship by the constitutio Antoniniana, abolishing the status of peregrinus.

The Latin peregrinus "foreigner, one from abroad" is a derivation from the adverb peregre "from abroad", composed of per- "abroad" and agri, the locative of ager "field, country". During the Roman Republic, the term peregrinus simply denoted any person who did not hold Roman citizenship, full or partial, whether that person was under Roman rule or not. Technically, this remained the case during the Imperial era. But in practice the term became limited to subjects of the empire, with inhabitants of regions outside the empire's borders denoted barbari (barbarians).'

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People we were NOT born Roman, made up the majority of ROME! Soldiers that fought for others gave their allegiance to Rome by being made Roman citizens. They took a few and made MANY! He became strong from those people, very, very strong.

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This is enough for tonight, little bit by little bit to digest, to read over and over and compare to Scripture. To go delve deep into our libraries, into historical sources. Do these fit? Does this paint the picture being portrayed? Does it make logical sense? We have so much to learn, so much to study and to understand ALL by the GRACE of GOD! May God help us! May God guide us always!!!


In His LOVE!


Amen!

Prophecy - 38

A few days ago we studied prophecy that revealed the down fall of the Grecian Empire and the rise of the Roman Empire. We left off having seen where prophecy predicted Julius Caesar's demise.


We noted something previously that needs to be noted once again. The continuous use of the North and South as kingdoms, kings. From one leader to the next whoever was in control of the land north of Jerusalem and south of Jerusalem were the kings of the North and South. Very understandable to us because we've lived with the kings of various countries today and when that king dies another becomes the king of that country, that land. The land remains the same even if the kings change over and over again.


Picking up next we're going to see the king who lived when Jesus was born.


Dan 11:20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.


After Julius Caesar came Caesar Augustus.


Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed


'Augustus

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14 is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.

Born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, he was adopted posthumously by his great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar in 44 BC via his last will and testament, and between then and 27 BC was officially named Gaius Julius Caesar.

In 27 BC the Senate awarded him the honorific Augustus ("the revered one"), and thus consequently he was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus. Because of the various names he bore, it is common to call him Octavius when referring to events between 63 and 44 BC, Octavian (or Octavianus) when referring to events between 44 and 27 BC, and Augustus when referring to events after 27 BC. In Greek sources, Augustus is known as (Octavius), (Caesar), (Augustus), or (Sebastos), depending on context.

The young Octavius came into his inheritance after Caesar's assassination in 44 BC.'


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Dan 11:20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.


A raiser of taxes.


Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed


ALL the world should be taxed!


These two verses fit!


As for being destroyed…Augustus was a very sickly man throughout his remaining years, 14 or so after the tax decree went forth as noted in Luke 2:1.


'He was of short stature, handsome and well proportioned and he possessed that commodity so rare in rulers - grace. Though he suffered from bad teeth and was generally of feeble health. His body was covered in spots and he had many birthmarks scattered over his chest and belly.'

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'Though officially retired from public life, he worked tirelessly despite fragile health to reform the political & social structure of the Roman state, producing a long string of projects & edicts that were ratified by the Senate. Rather than personally engaging in military campaigns, he relied on professional soldiers like Agrippa & his stepson, Tiberius.'

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'Octavian was a competent politician and military commander but his real talent was as an administrator. He introduced the administrative reforms that led to the Pax Romana with its flourishing of trade and the arts. He did this while ostensibly maintaining the form of the Roman Republic while in actuality creating the Roman Empire. He did this through diligent hard work in spite of bouts of ill health and personal tragedies. '

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Augustus lived a long time, but only a short time after our Savior was born, and he didn't die in battle like so many leaders did.


Now we need to look at what is next…


Dan 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person...

A vile person shell stand up in this ruler's place- did this happen?


Tiberius was next.


'Tiberius (Latin: Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus;[1] November 16, 42 BC – March 16, AD 37), was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD.'

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Was he a vile person?


'The characterisation of Tiberius throughout the first six books is mostly negative, and gradually worsens as his rule declines, identifying a clear breaking point with the death of Drusus in 23 AD.[86] The rule of Julio-Claudians is generally described as unjust and 'criminal' by Tacitus.[89] Even at the outset of his reign, he seems to ascribe many of Tiberius' virtues merely to hypocrisy.[79] Another major recurring theme concerns the balance of power between the Senate and the Emperors, corruption, and the growing tyranny among the governing classes of Rome. A substantial amount of his account on Tiberius is therefore devoted to the treason trials and persecutions following the revival of the maiestas law under Augustus.[90] Ultimately, Tacitus' opinion on Tiberius is best illustrated by his conclusion of the sixth book:
His character too had its distinct periods. It was a bright time in his life and reputation, while under Augustus he was a private citizen or held high offices; a time of reserve and crafty assumption of virtue, as long as Germanicus and Drusus were alive. Again, while his mother lived, he was a compound of good and evil; he was infamous for his cruelty, though he veiled his debaucheries, while he loved or feared Sejanus. Finally, he plunged into every wickedness and disgrace, when fear and shame being cast off, he simply indulged his own inclinations.[79]'


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He was a very vile person.


Dan. 11:21 '... to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom…'


Tiberius, the second emperor of Rome, was not the first choice of Augustus and was not popular with the Roman people.

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Tiberius did not have the favor of the people of Rome at all.


'Tiberius was cold and unpopular in his manners, awkward and even timid in his carriage, but a master of dissimulation. The only person of whom he stood in awe was his mother Livia; but he lived in constant fear of insurrection. Aelius Sejanus, the Prefect of the Praetorians, had long been the friend and chief adviser of the emperor. Sejanus was cruel, unscrupulous, and ambitious in fact the proper instrument of a tyrant. In A.D. 27 Tiberius hid himself in the island of Capri where he built twelve villas in different parts of the island living with a few companions. No one was allowed to land upon the shores of Capri except of course Sejanus and even fishermen who broke this rule through ignorance were severely punished. Every day, however, dispatches were brought from the continent and he still continued to direct the affairs of his vast empire. Sejanus was left to govern Rome but eventually Tiberius realised that Sejanus had become so powerful that he himself was at risk. Tiberius sent a letter to the Senate in which he denounced Sejanus as a traitor. Sejanus was flung into the Mamertine Prison, and there he was strangled in 31AD. The people of Rome threw his body into the Tiber. Great numbers of his friends or relatives perished with Sejanus, and a general massacre filled Rome with terror. Tiberius, meanwhile, seems to have become a raging madman. He put to death his niece Agrippina, with her two children and ruled over the Senate with pitiless cruelty. Tiberius died on March 16, A.D. 37. He is believed to have been smothered with a pillow. Tiberius left the empire in a prosperous condition. His cruelty, in fact, seems to have been exercised upon the great and the rich, while the people of Rome lived in relative security.'


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Did the following happen?

Dan. 11:21… but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.


Yes. He didn't come in warring for the position, it was handed to him by Augustus, who didn't really want him in there but he was the only obvious choice left for him. He obtained the kingdom not by war but by flatteries. Read this...


'In response, a series of potential heirs seem to have been selected, among them Tiberius and his brother, Drusus. In 24 BC, at the age of seventeen, Tiberius entered politics under Augustus's direction, receiving the position of quaestor,[8] and was granted the right to stand for election as praetor and consul five years in advance of the age required by law.[9] Similar provisions were made for Drusus.[10]'

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'With Tiberius's departure, succession rested solely on Augustus' two young grandsons, Lucius and Gaius Caesar. The situation became more precarious in AD 2 with the death of Lucius. Augustus, with perhaps some pressure from Livia, allowed Tiberius to return to Rome as a private citizen and nothing more.[27] In AD 4, Gaius was killed in Armenia and Augustus had no other choice but to turn to Tiberius.[28][29]

The death of Gaius in AD 4 initiated a flurry of activity in the household of Augustus. Tiberius was adopted as full son and heir and in turn, he was required to adopt his nephew, Germanicus, the son of his brother Drusus and Augustus' niece Antonia Minor.[28][30] Along with his adoption, Tiberius received tribunician power as well as a share of Augustus's maius imperium, something that even Marcus Agrippa may never have had.[31] In AD 7, Agrippa Postumus, a younger brother of Gaius and Lucius, was disowned by Augustus and banned to the island of Pianosa, to live in solitary confinement.[29][32] Thus, when in AD 13, the powers held by Tiberius were made equal, rather than second, to Augustus's own powers, he was for all intents and purposes a "co-princeps" with Augustus, and in the event of the latter's passing, would simply continue to rule without an interregnum or possible upheaval.[33] Augustus died in AD 14, at the age of 75.[34] He was buried with all due ceremony and, as had been arranged beforehand, deified, his will read, and Tiberius confirmed as his sole surviving heir.[35]'


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He was adopted into the position.


Dan 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him and shall be broken;….'


Arms of a flood, overflown. We cannot forget that these were still tumultuous times with constant battles being waged for territory- unlike today when we actually see very little battle waged for territories. Yes, there are some, but not like back then, not by a long shot.


Read this…


'Rise and fall of Germanicus

Problems arose quickly for the new Princeps. The legions posted in Pannonia and in Germania had not been paid the bonuses promised them by Augustus, and after a short period of time, when it was clear that a response from Tiberius was not forthcoming, mutinied.[45] Germanicus and Tiberius's son, Drusus Julius Caesar, were dispatched with a small force to quell the uprising and bring the legions back in line. Rather than simply quell the mutiny however, Germanicus rallied the mutineers and led them on a short campaign across the Rhine into Germanic territory, stating that whatever treasure they could grab would count as their bonus.[46] Germanicus's forces smashed across the Rhine and quickly occupied all of the territory between the Rhine and the Elbe. Additionally, Tacitus records the capture of the Teutoburg forest and the reclaiming of standards lost years before by Publius Quinctilius Varus,[47] when three Roman legions and its auxiliary cohorts had been ambushed by a band of Germans.[47] Germanicus had managed to deal a significant blow to Rome's enemies, quell an uprising of troops, and once again return lost standards to Rome, actions that increased the fame and legend of the already very popular Germanicus with the Roman people.[48]

After being recalled from Germania,[49] Germanicus celebrated a triumph in Rome in AD 17,[47] the first full triumph that the city had seen since Augustus's own in 29 BC. As a result, in AD 18 Germanicus was granted control over the eastern part of the empire, just as both Agrippa and Tiberius had received before, and was clearly the successor to Tiberius.[50] Germanicus survived a little over a year before dying, accusing Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, the governor of Syria, of poisoning him.[51] The Pisones had been longtime supporters of the Claudians, and had allied themselves with the young Octavian after his marriage to Livia, the mother of Tiberius; Germanicus's death and accusations indicted the new Princeps. Piso was placed on trial and, according to Tacitus, threatened to implicate Tiberius.[52] Whether the governor actually could connect the Princeps to the death of Germanicus will never be known; rather than continuing to stand trial when it became evident that the Senate was against him, Piso committed suicide.[53][54] Tiberius seems to have tired of politics at this point. In AD 22, he shared his tribunician authority with his son Drusus,[55] and began making yearly excursions to Campania that reportedly became longer and longer every year. In AD 23, Drusus mysteriously died,[56][57] and Tiberius seems to have made no effort to elevate a replacement. Finally, in AD 26, Tiberius retired from Rome altogether to the island of Capri.[58]

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They SMASHED across the Rhine. They QUICKLY occupied. Deal a SIGNIFICANT blow. Return LOST standards to Rome. INCREASED the fame and legend.


They most certainly did act as a flood and they literally overflew any that were trying to threaten any of their territory and then some.


And the next bit of prophecy…


Dan 11:22 '... yea, also the prince of the covenant.'


Without any doubt this was fulfilled perfectly.


Who is the prince of the covenant? OUR SAVIOR!


Was our Savior broken before Tiberius' reign? Yes.


'Tiberius (Latin: Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus;[1] November 16, 42 BC – March 16, AD 37), was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD.'

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Our Savior died in 31 AD we've proven that already beyond a doubt. Tiberius was ruler until 37 AD.


Our Savior was broken- our Savior was KILLED under the reign of this man just as prophecy predicted!!!!


By the grace of God may we continue to follow history and watch prophecy unfold!


It's only through the love of our Savior, only through His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His righteousness that we can hope, all our hope is in HIM now and forever!!!


Please Lord lead us, Please Lord guide us! Please Lord give us all we need to understand all that you would have us understand, not by our wisdom, not by anything we possess at all whatsoever, but all by YOU! For Your honor, Your glory, for You, for YOU Lord, our Creator, our Savior!


Amen.

Cleanse me from secret faults!

Psa 19:1-14


To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.


The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.


Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.


Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.


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Oh by the grace of God this is my prayer!



Cleanse me from secret faults!
Keep ME from presumptuous sin- let them NOT have dominion over me! Please Lord Let me through Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, Your righteousness- be upright , be innocent from the great transgression!


Please Lord, please - let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.


This says so much, so incredibly much.


Unfortunately I hurt one of my fingers so I'm going to keep this very short tonight. This Psalm is so incredible though and deserves to be studied, to be read, to be a part of our lives.


It's all through the grace of our Savior's love!


AMEN!

Prophecy - 37

Prophecy - 37


History rich. We are very history rich. We are blessed with the recorded history we have, blessed beyond measure. To many people history is dull and very boring to trudge through. And yes, I imagine it can be tiresome to those who have absolutely no interest in the past. Any serious Bible student knows that prophecy is proven by history. Even if it's a prophecy for something to happen a day later, history proves it comes to pass.


Do we need to be serious Bible students? Or do we just have to be casual Bible readers? Give it some thought, this isn't something to take lightly. Is it just fine to read a single Bible verse once a day? Or once a week?


Who am I to answer these questions? Seriously.


Every single one of us needs to walk the walk we are called to and not everyone is called to walk the same walk. Am I copping out? I don't think so. It's true, I can't judge a single person for how often or how much of the Bible they read. I could be accountable to read so much more than I do, we all have to answer to God in our own way, we really, really do.


Having said all that I have to say I think we need to study the Bible diligently if we are called to do so. If the opportunity is ours we need to take it. I suppose I'm feeling the need to say this because I know how long and detailed all this is, and how tedious to read it can be. Every bit of it though is confirmation of prophecy, and as confirmation of prophecy we are assured that every single word of God's prophecy WILL come to pass without any doubt whatsoever. People ask how can you know the Bible is real, they ask how can you know God is real, they say that the Bible and all that prophecy stuff are fairy tales, fables, nonsense. As history has proven the truth of prophecy HOW can there be doubt? How can there be a single shred of doubt? There can't be.


May God help us as prophecy unfolds in history.

*******
(KoN- King of North KoS- King of South)


Dan 11:10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.


'Seleucus II Callinicus or Pogon...was a ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire (KoN), who reigned from 246 to 225 BC.

After the death of this father, Antiochus, (KoN) he was proclaimed king by his mother, Laodice in Ephesos, while her partisans at Antioch murdered Berenice and her son, another Antiochus.


This dynastic feud began the Third Syrian War.


Ptolemy III (KoS), who was Berenice's brother and the ruler of Egypt, invaded the Seleucid Empire (KoN) and marched victoriously to the Tigris or beyond. He received the submission of the Seleucid Empire's eastern provinces, while Egyptian fleets swept the coast of Asia Minor.


Seleucus (KoN) managed to maintain himself in the interior of Asia Minor. When Ptolemy (KoS) returned to Egypt, Seleucus recovered Northern Syria and the nearer provinces of Iran. However, Antiochus Hierax, a younger brother of Seleucus (KoN), was set up as a rival in Asia Minor against Seleucus by a party to which Laodice herself adhered.


At Ancyra (about 235 BC) Seleucus (KoN) sustained a crushing defeat and left the country beyond the Taurus to his brother and the other powers of the peninsula. Seleucus then undertook an anabasis to regain Parthia, the results of which came to nothing. According to some sources, he was even taken prisoner for several years by the Parthian king. Other sources mention that he established a peace with Arsaces I, who recognized his sovereignty.


In Asia Minor, Pergamon now rose to greatness under Attalus I. Antiochus Hierax, after a failed attempt to seize his brother's dominions when his own were vanishing, perished as a fugitive in Thrace in 228 or 227 BC.


About a year later, Seleucus (KoN) was killed by a fall from his horse. Seleucus II married his cousin Laodice II, by whom he had five children and among them were: Antiochis, Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great. He was succeeded by his elder son, Seleucus III Ceraunus, and later by his younger son Antiochus III the Great. (KoN)'


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Sons--


He was succeeded by his elder son, Seleucus III Ceraunus (KoN), and later by his younger son Antiochus III the Great. (KoN)


Prophecy-- ONE shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.


Let's take a look at these sons- will ONE of them overflow, pass through, return?


SON ONE-
'Seleucus III Soter, called Seleucus Ceraunus (... 243 BC – 223 BC), was a ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Kingdom, the eldest son of Seleucus II Callinicus and Laodice II. His birth name was Alexander and was named after his great uncle the Seleucid official Alexander. Alexander changed his name to Seleucus after he succeeded his father as King. After a brief reign of three years (225 BC-223 BC), Seleucus was assassinated in Anatolia by members of his army while on campaign against Attalus I of Pergamon. His official byname "Soter" - Greek: S?t?? means "Saviour", while his nickname "Ceraunus" …'


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seleucus_III_Ceraunus


SON TWO-
'Antiochus III the Great (Greek:.. 241–187 BC, ruled 222–187 BC), younger son of Seleucus II Callinicus, became the 6th ruler of the Seleucid Empire as a youth of about eighteen in 223 BC. Ascending the throne at young age, Antiochus was an ambitious ruler. Although his early attempts in war against the Ptolemaic Kingdom were unsuccessful, in the following years of conquest Antiochus proved himself as the most successful Seleucid King after Seleucus I himself. His traditional designation, the Great, reflects an epithet he briefly assumed after his Eastern Campaign (it appears in regnal formulas at Amyzon in 203 and 202 BC, but not later). Antiochus also assumed the title "Basileus Megas" (which is Greek for "Great King"), the traditional title of the Persian kings, which he adopted after his conquest of Coele Syria.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_III_the_Great


Surely it is obvious one son rose far up above the other and passed Him by, stirring up a fortress.


Dan 11:11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.
Dan 11:12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.


Read this--


'The Battle of Raphia, also known as the Battle of Gaza, was a battle fought on 22 June 217 BC near modern Rafah between the forces of Ptolemy IV Philopator, king of Egypt (KoS) and Antiochus III (KoN)the Great of the Seleucid kingdom during the Syrian Wars. It was one of the largest battles of the Hellenistic kingdoms of the Diadochi and was waged to determine the sovereignty of Coele Syria.'


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King of the South (KoS) and King of the North (KoN) fighting.


Who took away the multitude?


'Antiochus (KoN) initially set up his camp at a distance of 10 (about 2 km) and then only 5 stades (about 1 km) from his adversary's.(KoS) Many skirmishes took place before the battle due to this proximity. One night, Theodotus the Aetolian, formerly an officer of Ptolemy, sneaked inside the Ptolemaic camp and reached what he presumed to be the King's tent but Ptolemy was absent and so failed to assassinate him.


After 5 days of skirmishing, the two Kings decided to array their troops for battle. Both placed their Phalangites in the center. Next to them they fielded the light armed and the mercenaries in front of which they placed their elephants and even further in the wings their cavalry. They spoke to their soldiers, took their places in the lines — Ptolemy(KoS) in his left and Antiochus(KoN) in his right wing — and the battle commenced.


In the beginning of the battle, the elephant contingents on the wings of both armies moved to charge. Most African elephants, the species used by Ptolemy, retreated in panic before the impact and ran through the lines of friendly infantry arrayed behind them, causing disorder in their ranks. At the same time, Antiochus had led his cavalry to the right, rode past the left wing of the Ptolemaic elephants charging the enemy horse. At the same time, the right wing of Ptolemy was retreating and wheeling to protect itself from the panicked elephants. Ptolemy rode to the center encouraging his phalanx to attack, while on the Ptolemaic far right, Ptolemy's cavalry was routing their opponents.


Antiochus (KoN) routed the Ptolemaic (KoS) horse posed against him and pursued the fleeing enemy en masse, believing to have won the day, but the Ptolemaic (KoS) center eventually drove the Syrians back and soon Antiochus(KoN) realized that his judgment was wrong. Antiochus(KoN) tried to ride back, but by the time he rode back, his troops were routed and could no longer be regrouped. The battle had ended.

After the battle, Antiochus(KoN) wanted to regroup and make camp outside the city of Raphia but most of his men had already found refuge inside and he was thus forced to enter it himself. Then he marched to Gaza and asked Ptolemy (KoS) for the customary truce to bury the dead, which he was granted.

According to Polybius, the Syrians suffered a little under 10,000 foot dead, about 300 horse and 5 elephants, 4,000 men were taken prisoner. The Ptolemaic losses were 1,500 foot, 700 horse and 16 elephants. Most of the Syrian elephants were taken by the Ptolemies.' (KoS)

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Clearly the King of the South won!

Who took away the multitude? The king of the South!


But…
Dan 11:12 '...but he shall not be strengthened by it.'
Dan 11:13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
Dan 11:14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.


Did this happen as Scripture said it would? Did this prophecy come true? It's God's prophecy, it came true!


'The Battle of Panium (also known as Paneion) was fought in 200 BC between Seleucid (KoN) and Ptolemaic (KoS) forces as part of the Syrian Wars. The Seleucids were led by Antiochus III the Great, while the Ptolemaic army was led by Scopas of Aetolia. The Seleucids (KoN) won the battle. Details of this battle are not clear, but it is known today that major factor in the Seleucid victory was that the Seleucid army used the cataphract in a decisive manner. The cataphracts attacked the Egyptian cavalry on the flanks and drove the enemy cavalry off, leaving the backs of the enemy infantry to the front of the line exposed. The Seleucid cataphracts then attacked their infantry in the rear, thus leading to an Egyptian rout. The specific equipment used by these relatively early cataphracts is not clearly known.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Panium we have to realize all the time passing here- soon another force was going to come into play and it came in gradually not all at once, kingdoms were formed by winning battles. Great kingdoms are formed by winning A LOT of battles and conquering many. We know from our previous prophetic visions that after Greece, and after the four divisions and after that kingdom begins to wan then the Roman kingdom would begin its rise.


Now


Let's see if this isn't the beginning of Rome's influence here-


Dan 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.


'Palestine had passed from the Egypt-based Ptolemaic rule to that of the Syrian-oriented Seleucids after Antiochus III was first checked at battle of Raphia in 217 B.C., but then succeeded against his Egyptian foe at Panion in 198 B.C. Antiochus III's triumph in Palestine was to be short-lived, however, for his ambitions in Greece crossed the Roman dare-line. '


'The Romans thrashed the Syrian monarch in Thrace in two land battles and a naval campaign at Corycus that served notice that the Romans were now a factor to be considered on water as well as land.'


'A client of Rome, Ptolemy V Epiphanes (KoS) assumed the throne of Ptolemaic Egypt in 205 BC at the tender age of 5, only to see his dominion wracked by civil war and reduced by the invading armies of Antiochus III (KoN) of Persian and Philip V of Macedonia, who had plotted a secret alliance to divide the Ptolemaic kingdom between them. In 201 BC, an attempt by Antiochus (KoN) to seize Palestine and Gaza was rebuffed by the Ptolemaic army.(KoS) In 200 BC, Antiochus again struck out from Syria with an army of invasion. The Ptolemiac army under Scopas (Skopes) marched north to block their route at the head of the Jordan valley. But Antiochus had already reached the high ground at Mt. Hermon and made his camp there to await the Ptolemiac approach.'

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Rome steps into the picture but not the all conquering Rome we know of history- this was it's beginning and in its beginning there were failures.


Dan 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, (ROMANS) neither shall there be any strength to withstand.


Neither his chosen people- why are these the chosen people, because the King of the South chose Roman to align with, these was also God's chosen to become the next great kingdom.


Antiochus (KoN) prevailed over the KoS (Ptolemiac Army) and the Romans help them.


So what happened next?


Dan 11:16 But he that cometh against him (KoN) shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him (KoS -Roman power rising) : and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.


'War against Rome and death

Main article: Roman–Syrian War


Antiochus (KoN) then moved to Asia Minor, by land and by sea, to secure the coast towns which belonged to the remnants of Ptolemaic (KoS) overseas dominions and the independent Greek cities. This enterprise brought him into antagonism with Rome, since Smyrna and Lampsacus appealed to the republic of the west, and the tension became greater after Antiochus (KoN) had in 196 BC established a footing in Thrace. The evacuation of Greece by the Romans gave Antiochus his opportunity, and he now had the fugitive Hannibal at his court to urge him on.

In 192 BC Antiochus invaded Greece with a 10,000 man army, and was elected the commander in chief of the Aetolians. In 191 BC, however, the Romans under Manius Acilius Glabrio routed him at Thermopylae and obliged him to withdraw to Asia. The Romans followed up their success by attacking Antiochus in Anatolia, and the decisive victory of Scipio Asiaticus at Magnesia ad Sipylum (190 BC), following the defeat of Hannibal at sea off Side, delivered Asia Minor into their hands.

By the Treaty of Apamea (188 BC) the Seleucid king (KoN) abandoned all the country north of the Taurus, which Rome distributed amongst its friends. As a consequence of this blow to the Seleucid power, the outlying provinces of the empire, recovered by Antiochus, reasserted their independence. Antiochus mounted a fresh expedition to the east in Luristan, where he died in an attempt to rob a temple at Elymaïs, Persia, in 187 BC.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_III_the_Great


'The Battle of Pydna in 168 BC between Rome and the Macedonian Antigonid dynasty saw the further ascendancy of Rome in the Hellenic/Hellenistic world and the end of the Antigonid line of kings, whose power traced back to Alexander the Great.
Paul K. Davis writes that "Pydna marked the final destruction of Alexander's empire and introduced Roman authority over the Near East."[1]'

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The Iron rule of Rome was coming up fully doing away with the last remnants of Greece rulership.


Dan 11:16 But he that cometh against him (KoN) shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him (KoS -Roman power rising) : and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.


The dividing rule of North and South was slipping away as Rome became ruler over all the land.


Within the Roman rule however there was a lot of internal strife and there were many years of fighting amongst themselves.


Now we have to look at prophecy and it say- HE shall stand in the glorious land. Where is the glorious land?


Eze 20:6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands


Jer 3:19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.


Zec 2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.


So the one to rise and none stand against him would do so in the glorious land (Palestine)- let's look at history but first let's read this--


Dan 11:16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.


'Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey ... (September 29, 106 BC – September 29, 48 BC), was a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic. '


'Pompey in the east

….

'Pompey in the Temple of Jerusalem, by Jean Fouquet

At Pompey's approach, Mithridates strategically withdrew his forces. Tigranes the Great refused him refuge, so he made his way to his own dominions in the Cimmerian Bosporus. Pompey secured a treaty with Tigranes, and in 65 BC set out in pursuit of Mithridates, but met resistance from the Caucasian Iberians and Albanians. He advanced to Phasis in Colchis and liaised with his legate Servilius, admiral of his Euxine fleet, before decisively defeating Mithridates. Pompey then retraced his steps, wintered at Pontus, and made it into a Roman province. In 64 BC, he marched into Syria, deposed its king, Antiochus XIII Asiaticus, and reconstituted this, too, as a Roman province.[34] In 63 BC, he moved south, and established Roman supremacy in Phoenicia and Coele-Syria.[35]


In Judea, Pompey intervened in civil war between Hyrcanus II, who supported the Pharisee faction against Aristobulus II and the Sadducees in Judaea's civil war. The armies of Pompey and Hyrcanus II laid siege to Jerusalem. After three months, the city fell.[36]


"Of the Jews there fell twelve thousand, but of the Romans very few.... and no small enormities were committed about the temple itself, which, in former ages, had been inaccessible, and seen by none; for Pompey went into it, and not a few of those that were with him also, and saw all that which it was unlawful for any other men to see but only for the high priests. There were in that temple the golden table, the holy candlestick, and the pouring vessels, and a great quantity of spices; and besides these there were among the treasures two thousand talents of sacred money: yet did Pompey touch nothing of all this, on account of his regard to religion; and in this point also he acted in a manner that was worthy of his virtue. The next day he gave order to those that had the charge of the temple to cleanse it, and to bring what offerings the law required to God; and restored the high priesthood to Hyrcanus, both because he had been useful to him in other respects, and because he hindered the Jews in the country from giving Aristobulus any assistance in his war against him." (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, book 14, chapter 4; tr. by William Whiston, available at Project Gutenberg.)


During the war in Judea, Pompey heard of Mithridates' suicide; his army had deserted him for his son Pharnaces.[34] Rome's Asian protectorates now extended as far east as the Black Sea and the Caucasus. Pompey's military victories, political settlements and annexations in Asia created Rome's new frontier on the east.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompey


But Pompey had others that would stand before him - who is this person? Who would continue what Pompey had begun?


Dan 11:17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
Dan 11:18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.


'Gaius Julius Caesar[2] (13 July 100 BC[3] – 15 March 44 BC)[4] was a Roman general and statesman. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.


In 60 BC, Caesar entered into a political alliance with Crassus and Pompey that was to dominate Roman politics for several years. Their attempts to amass power through populist tactics were opposed within the Roman Senate by the conservative elite, among them Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Cicero. Caesar's conquest of Gaul, completed by 51 BC, extended Rome's territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both when he built a bridge across the Rhine and conducted the first invasion of Britain. These achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse Pompey's standing.


The balance of power was further upset by the death of Crassus in 53 BC. Political realignments in Rome finally led to a standoff between Caesar and Pompey, the latter having taken up the cause of the Senate. Ordered by the senate to stand trial in Rome for various charges, Caesar marched from Gaul to Italy with his legions, crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC. This sparked a civil war from which he emerged as the unrivaled leader of the Roman world.


After assuming control of government, he began extensive reforms of Roman society and government. He centralised the bureaucracy of the Republic and was eventually proclaimed "dictator in perpetuity". A group of senators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus, assassinated the dictator on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC, hoping to restore the constitutional government of the Republic. However, the result was a series of civil wars, which ultimately led to the establishment of the permanent Roman Empire by Caesar's adopted heir Octavius (later known as Augustus). Much of Caesar's life is known from his own accounts of his military campaigns, and other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the historical writings of Sallust. The later biographies of Caesar by Suetonius and Plutarch are also major sources.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar


'REIGN OF JULIUS CAESAR (48 - 44 BC)
Julius Caesar, who lived from 100 - 44 BC, finally settled his struggle with Pompey in 48 BC at the Battle of Pharsalus. In this battle Pompey was killed, and Julius Caesar then became the undisputed ruler of the Roman Empire. Antipater, who had previously supported Pompey, was an excellent diplomat and managed to convince Julius Caesar that he was now loyal to him. Julius Caesar allowed him to remain in his position of power in Palestine.

Julius Caesar also manifested a very lenient attitude toward the Jewish people throughout his kingdom, and granted them many special favors, among which was the right of full religious freedom. A year after Julius Caesar came to power Antipater died, and his son Herod became Procurator of Judea. Three years later, in March, 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated.'

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Dan 11:17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
Dan 11:18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.


The upright ones? God's chosen people. The Jewish people and Julius Caesar got along well together.


Who was the daughter of women?


'Cleopatra VII Philopator (...Late 69 BC[1] – August 12, 30 BC) was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.


As pharaoh, she consummated a liaison with Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne. She later elevated her son with Caesar, Caesarion, to co-ruler in name.'

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'...but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.' (Dan. 11:17,18)


After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, she aligned with Mark Antony in opposition to Caesar's legal heir, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (later known as Augustus). '

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'Caesar even took steps to transform Italy into a province, and to link more tightly the other provinces of the empire into a single cohesive unit. This addressed the underlying problem that had caused the Social War decades earlier, where individuals outside Rome and Italy were not considered "Roman", and thus were not given full citizenship rights. This process, of fusing the entire Roman Empire into a single unit, rather than maintaining it as a network of unequal principalities, would ultimately be completed by Caesar's successor, the emperor Augustus. '

*

'On the Ides of March (15 March; see Roman calendar) of 44 BC, Caesar was due to appear at a session of the Senate. Mark Antony, having vaguely learned of the plot the night before from a terrified Liberator named Servilius Casca, and fearing the worst, went to head Caesar off. The plotters, however, had anticipated this and, fearing that Antony would come to Caesar's aid, had arranged for Trebonius to intercept him just as he approached the portico of Theatre of Pompey, where the session was to be held, and detain him outside. (Plutarch, however, assigns this action to delay Antony to Brutus Albinus.) When he heard the commotion from the senate chamber, Antony fled.[74]


According to Plutarch, as Caesar arrived at the Senate, Tillius Cimber presented him with a petition to recall his exiled brother.[75] The other conspirators crowded round to offer support. Both Plutarch and Suetonius say that Caesar waved him away, but Cimber grabbed his shoulders and pulled down Caesar's tunic. Caesar then cried to Cimber, "Why, this is violence!" ("Ista quidem vis est!").[76] At the same time, Casca produced his dagger and made a glancing thrust at the dictator's neck. Caesar turned around quickly and caught Casca by the arm. According to Plutarch, he said in Latin, "Casca, you villain, what are you doing?"[77] Casca, frightened, shouted, "Help, brother!" in Greek ("?de?f?, ß???e?!", "adelphe, boethei!"). Within moments, the entire group, including Brutus, was striking out at the dictator. Caesar attempted to get away, but, blinded by blood, he tripped and fell; the men continued stabbing him as he lay defenceless on the lower steps of the portico. According to Eutropius, around 60 or more men participated in the assassination. He was stabbed 23 times.'


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar


'Cause it to turn upon him' Dan. 11:18 Indeed Julius Caesar caused those he thought his own to turn upon him.


Prophecy- History.


So much to learn, so much to study and by the grace of God we will understand this as we are meant to understand. Step by step, bit by bit it does unfold and will continue to unfold.


You might have notice I'm taking a lot of my reference from the online- wikipedia. Why? Because it's a source that EVERYONE can contribute to, not just one person's opinion. We need to have a source that is non-bias in a lot of way and strictly informational. Not that people don't post their opinions but if any one finds out it is just an opinion and not a fact then they're called on it right away. Is it perfect, no, not by any means. By the grace of God we will be able to learn truth and only His truth.


In His amazing LOVE!


Through HIS righteousness, only HIS righteousness!


Amen.

Prophecy - 36

Yesterday we discuss Daniel 11: 1- 4 which brought us right up to Alexander the Great's divided kingdom.


How many main compass directions are there? North, South, East and West, right? So when we read this next verse we have to keep in mind that we'd just discuss the divided kingdoms.


Dan 11:5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.


How was Alexander the Great's kingdom divided to the South, North, East, West? We need a starting point don't we? Well, because we are reading from our Bible and this is Biblical prophecy it only seems sensible to use the Holy City, the city from which Daniel had been taken, Jerusalem.


• The following is taken from a site online but it sums it up nicely- if you go to the site you'll see a map and chart.



North
-taken by Lysimachus- Thrace, Asia Minor
Later conquerered by Seleucus (281)
Roman rule-Pompey (63 BC)


South
- taken by Ptolemy- Egypt, Palestine,
Roman rule- Octavian (31 BC)


East
-taken by Seleucus- Syria, Babylon, Persia,
Later conquered by Ptolemy Ceraunus
Roman rule- Pompey (63 BC)


West
-taken by Cassander- Greece, Macedonia,
Later conquered by Lysimachus (288)
Roman rule- Aemilius Paullus (168)


After the death of Alexander without an heir, the Greek empire was eventually divided among four successors. Ptolemy, Seleucus and Lysimachus were his generals and Cassander was the son of his general Antipater.

After a while, the empire was reduced to a northern and southern kingdom.

Diadochi Wars.

SOUTH

The Greeks started a new dynasty of kings (Ptolemies) in Egypt. They were defeated in the battle of Actium in 31 BC.

NORTH

The generals in the north were at war.
• Lysimachus. In 288 BC, Lysimachus allied with Pyrrhus of Epirus and invaded Macedonia then he expelled Pyrrhus in 285. Now he controlled Greece, Macedonia, Thrace and Asia Minor.
• Seleucus 1 Nicantor. In 281 BC, he killed Lysimachus in the battle of Corupedion. Now everything except Egypt belonged to him, but not for long.
• Ptolemy Ceraunus. In 281 BC, he murdered Seleucus 1 Nicantor and controlled the north.


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So now we have to advance with this prophecy and history-


Dan 11:5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.


The king of the South- Egypt- this king would be strong but another would be stronger than Him and have a greater dominion than he does. Does this reflect history? The ruler who took over Egypt was Ptolemy, let's see what history reveals.

~

'Seleucus I (given the surname by later generations of Nicator, i.e. Seleucus the Victor) (ca. 358 BC – 281 BC) was a Macedonian officer of Alexander the Great and one of the Diadochi. In the Wars of the Diadochi that took place after Alexander's death, Seleucus established the Seleucid dynasty and the Seleucid Empire. His kingdom would be one of the last holdouts of Alexander's former empire to Roman rule.

They were only outlived by the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt by roughly 34 years.

After the death of Alexander, Seleucus was nominated as the satrap of Babylon in 320 BC. Antigonus forced Seleucus to flee from Babylon, but, supported by Ptolemy, he was able to return in 312 BC.

Seleucus' later conquests include Persia and Media. He formed an alliance with the Indian King Chandragupta Maurya. Seleucus defeated Antigonus in the battle of Ipsus in 301 BC and Lysimachus in the battle of Corupedium in 281 BC. He was assassinated by Ptolemy Ceraunus during the same year. His successor was his son Antiochus I.

Seleucus founded a number of new cities, including Antioch and Seleucia.'


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Seleucus was supported by Ptolemy and went on to form a greater empire than Ptolemy. This holds true to prophecy. The king of Egypt supported (one of his princes) Seleucus and then he went on to be strong above the king of Egypt garnering more land through his conquests. This divide took the four (N,E,S,W) and the split was more between two (N,S).


Now it is incredibly important to understand that the kingdoms of these various directional divisions N,S are the focus. The land of the North, the land of the South- we cannot logically keep it to the ruling kings of the time because it would make absolutely no sense whatsoever. The land has to be the main focus. We understand that those who controlled the divided kingdom, not by happenstance, split it between North and South by design, God's design.


So when Seleucus died not long after gaining his great kingdom encompassing much of the Northern territory that had once belonged to the conquering Alexander the Great, the lands fell to his successor and they become the *kings* of that territory.


Now let's look at the next verse--


Dan 11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.


This is very detailed. The king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement- did this happen? Yes.


'Berenice, also called Berenice Syra, was the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and his first wife Arsinoe I of Egypt.
In 261 BC she married the Seleucid monarch Antiochus II Theos (King of the North), who, following an agreement with Ptolemy(King of the South) (249 BC), had divorced his wife Laodice I and transferred the succession to Berenice's children.'

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HISTORY! PROPHECY!


Berenice daughter of Ptolemy (King of the South) married the Selecuid (Seleucus') monarch Antiochus II Theos(King of the North)- following an AGREEMENT with the king of the south to divorce his current wife and give all succession to the daughter of the South's children.


That's not all of it though. The verse goes on-- ' but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. '


The daughter would NOT retain power- they would not stand- they would be given up that brought her and begat her and strengethened her- read this….


'In 246 BC, when Ptolemy died, Antiochus II took up again with his first wife, Laodice. The Syrian King died shortly after, many suspect from poisoning. Queen Berenice claimed the Regency for her son, Seleucus and conquered Soloia with her army, however, she and her son were both poisoned by Laodice as well. Berenice's brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes succeeded their father and set about to avenge his sister's murder by invading Syria and having Laodice killed.'

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The daughter of the king of the South did NOT stay in power with the king of the North- the king of the North brought back his first wife. Then the king of the North died and the first wife claimed everything for her son- even going on to kill the daughter of the king of the South and her children, and her entire entourage that had come with her from the South. Such treachery and all predicted by Daniel's prophecies, God's prophecies through Daniel.


Let's read more of this fascinating history predicted LONG before it occurred.


Dan 11:7 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:
Dan 11:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
Dan 11:9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.


Out from the fallen daughter of the king of the South (Berenice) came her family to avenge her. Just reread a bit of the history already noted above--

'Berenice's brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes succeeded their father and set about to avenge his sister's murder by invading Syria and having Laodice killed.'

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Berenice's brother - King of the South avenged the death of his sister and the murdering Laodice was killed.


'Due to a falling out at the Seleucid court, his eldest sister Berenice Phernophorus was murdered along with her infant son. In response Ptolemy III invaded Syria.[6] During this war, the Third Syrian War, he occupied Antioch and even reached Babylon.[7] In exchange for a peace in 241 BC, Ptolemy was awarded new territories on the northern coast of Syria, including Seleucia Pieria, the port of Antioch. The Ptolemaic kingdom reached the height of its power.'

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The king of the South went into the kingdom of the North and he gained much- 'awarded new territories' , the kingdoms of the South reached the HEIGHT of its power.


Amazing facts! Amazing truths! Amazing history! Amazing prophecies!


There is no doubt to be left here, the pieces once again fit into place.


Why is it so important that we piece together the prophecy with history? Because it will lead us right up to the end… to prophecy not yet filled.


We have to remember though, and remember it good- there will come a time when God's people will be living in the last prophecies, they will, or maybe I should say -we will, be living as prophecy is being fulfilled. We are blessed with being able to watch and pray. We are blessed with being able to discern the signs of the times we live in. All through history people had to live through prophecies as they were fulfilled- and only as we've looked back can we see where things have come to pass as predicted, but at the end there will be no looking back. It's so important for us to piece this together as God allows, as the Holy Spirit guides us so we can understand our own position in prophetic time.


By the grace of God we will understand more and more of His truth and all the truth we need to be prepared for Him fully, known by Him, all in His amazing LOVE!


More tomorrow by God's amazing grace!


Amen.

Broken Compass

Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul…


If we truly believe that we WRONG our own souls when we sin against God, why do we find it so incredibly easy to sin and so awfully hard not to? Do we care about wronging our souls? We need to, we really need to.


The trouble is, with sin so accepted we don't comprehend the wrong we are doing to ourselves or others. With the love of many waxing so very cold, sin has lost all it's horror. We call it being enlightened when we say we are not taken in by that old, out-dated, dinosaur concept of sin. We know better now. We have evolved. We no longer have to believe in something so silly. Sure we might believe in right and wrong, everyone knows that it's wrong to do certain things, but all those other things that people used to call sins, well they're old wives tales, middle ages stuff. It's all that religious stuff that made our ancestors act crazy and kill people. Yeah, religion has killed more people than anything else in the world- they should all be outlawed. Why, just today when reading comments on the Norway bombing one commentator said something along those same lines- religion is the cause of all the terrorists acts. People believe all this! People support all this! A whole generation of people are being brought up that it's wrong to speak the name of Jesus, in fact they can get in trouble it they bring up Jesus in school. They're also being taught it is wrong to be prejudice against others religions. Do you see? They are being told not to be bold about their own religion but to be accepting other religions. In fact they are told they have to be tolerant to religions that promote the doing away with their own religion. I'd have NO problem with that if it were being taught as 'loving your neighbor, turn the other cheek', but that's not the case here. They are being indoctrinated to believe there is something really wrong with their religion, but not the others.


Back to sin…


I read a very good book that clarified really nicely about the moral concepts we have of right and wrong, how they had to be formed from something- not just happenstance. How all over the world every society has the same concept of general right and wrong. The book is called 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis and is definitely worth the read.


It is true that this moral compass exists for the majority of people yet people make up lots of excuses to bend that moral compass to point more in the direction they want it to go in than the direction it would point if left alone, if left not tampered with. That moral compass has been skewed so badly that in our society today if you believe in God's ten commandments- yes, all ten of them; and if you believe it is a sin to break those ten commandments- then you're one demented person, with a few screws loose, and you ought to be dealt with delicately, tip toeing around your crazy self. Seriously, hold up God's ten commandments as your standard and people will nod and smile, they're good in theory but impossible for people to keep. They're okay and all, you know they like the one about not stealing, and not killing, but hey people have to lie, and they have to covet it's just plain natural, so is not honoring your parents- sheesh didn't they have awful parents back when God gave those commandments? Not all parents deserve to be honored that is for sure, so take out all those pointless commandments as being sin and worthy of death, and while you're at it take out those pesky commandments about having just one God and all that too- people today know better. It's okay that there are several gods as long as people get along and don't try to kill each other. And hey, that sabbath thing- it's kinda nice to have a day off work, but you do what you gotta do and work when you have to especially nowadays with work so scarce. There, that about sums up the normal take on the ten commandments, nice guidelines but not really that important, God won't reject someone because they see things differently than He does. Of course that's all assuming the people believe in God at all. It's just downright stupid to hold on to a faith that has no substance, childish and silly.


Today's moral compass is definitely broken, not just bent, it's broken and it's only going to get worse.


Sin.


Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul…


Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.


Our deeds.


We have a raised standard.
We have a Savior who died because He knew we could never save ourselves.
We have the Love of God in sending His Son to save us.
We have His word, His wisdom and if we sin against our God, against the wisdom He wants us to have then we are condemning ourselves, we are wronging our own souls.
We have to know that sin exists and that we need a pardon for that sin.
We have to recognize the sin that exists around us- the candy-coated sins, polished up nice 'n shiny to make them more acceptable- we have to recognize the sin and if we find the sin in our lives we need to throw ourselves at the feet of our Savior and beg His forgiveness.


By the grace of God may we NOT sin against Him! May we realize, really realize that we condemn ourselves when we sin and even a fool should know that condemning yourself, hurting yourself, is not right in any way, shape, or form. And I already know that many people do hurt themselves and strangely enough find solace in doing so- this world is so corrupt- that compass is so incredibly broken we have to cling tightly to our Savior as He leads us to Him as the entire world follows the broken compass.


In His amazing LOVE!

By His grace and mercy!

Only through HIS righteousness!


Amen.