2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Today only, I will stray just a bit from the subject of spiritual warfare, because there is something that helps us to study the Scriptures that God wants me to discuss. I will return to the main subject at hand tomorrow. I am led to say something about how we can know that IS 14: 9-15 is speaking about Satan when the term, "king of Babylon," is used in this chapter. This is one of several places in the Scriptures where a discussion about a human king is begun and then, somewhere in the text, it becomes evident that a double meaning occurs. We all know that the Bible is a book that can and should be read on many levels. These range from the obvious narrative, to great literature, to a spiritual treatise on God's teaching, to a historical document, to a source for great artwork, to a how-to in learning and keeping God's will, to plays on words, acrostics [particularly in the Psalms], to great wisdom, to symbolic and alliterative presentations of visions, prophecy, and so on. The most competent theologians agree that in certain places in the Bible, the meaning of something being discussed can be broadened to include God's bigger picture. An example is IS 14: 3-8 is clearly speaking about a human king of Babylon. By IS 14: 9-15, the meaning can be broadened to include discussion of a non-human king of Babylon, the devil, thus making it understood on two levels. Verse 12 really clarifies that assertion, "King of Babylon, bright morning star, you have fallen from heaven! In the past you conquered nations, but now you have been thrown to the ground."
For the sake of a deeper understanding, let's look at a couple more examples where this broadening of meaning applies. JOEL [JL] 2: 28-32 deals with the Day of the Lord. Placing a date on when Joel, one of Israel's minor prophets, wrote this little book is difficult. Joel is considered to be an early book, fitting the style of the earlier classical period better than the post-exilic era of Haggai, Zecharaiah, and Malachi. The fact that no king is mentioned may be due to it having been written when Jehoiada, the high priest, was regent during the boyhood years of King Joash, who reigned from 835-796 BC. Also, Judah's enemies mentioned in Joel are the Phoenicians and Philistines in addition to the Egyptians and the Edomites. I mention this information on dates because it gives us the full breath of God's hand in its prophetic value. Now let's look at the passage mentioned. "Afterward I [God] will pour out My Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim My message; your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. At that time I will pour out My Spirit even on servants, both men and women. I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke. The sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. But all who ask the Lord for help will be saved. As the Lord has said, 'Some in Jerusalem will escape; those whom I choose will survive.'" If we look at (28-29), this could be seen as a prophecy of the Pentecost, which is described in AC 2: 1-4, a part of our past. However, once (30) begins the meaning can certainly be broadened to include the Tribulation, which is part of our future. Note the similarity between REV 6: 12 and JL 2: 31 which really shows what I mean.
Another place where this principle of broadening of the interpretation to more than one level occurs in DN 11: 35-36. "Some of those wise leaders will be killed, but as a result of this the people will be purified. This will continue until the end comes, the time when that God has set. The king of Syria will do as he pleases. He will boast that he is greater than any god, superior even to the Supreme God He will be able to do this until the time when God punished him. God will do exactly what He has planned." Verse 35 is part of a discussion of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the most evil of the Selucid kings and the perpetrator of the first Abomination of Desolation [sacrificing a swine on the highest altar of the Temple in Jerusalem in 168 BC]. However, as we progress into verse 36, it is perfectly appropriate to broaden the interpretation to a description of the antichrist, who will hold sway over earth during the seven years of the Tribulation and will commit the second Abomination of Desolation at its midpoint [REV 13: 5-6; MT 24: 15; MK 13: 14; REV 21: 27].
My reason for this diversion from the main topic is that I know in my heart that God wants us to open the way for the Holy Spirit to give each of us a deeper understanding when we study the Scriptures. God's amazing consistency in the entire Bible is revealed, as is His will. Knowing His will for us is crucial "combat intelligence" in dealing with spiritual warfare, just as it is in every other aspect of our lives. It is my sincerest prayer that each of you will come to know God and love His word as I do. What great texture, comfort, direction, protection, provision, and love is brought into our lives when we do!
PRAYER: O Lord, You lead me to PS 119 and reveal to me Your will and Your love in it. PS 119: 65-66 & 72 expresses the feeling You have placed in the depths of my heart. "You have kept Your promise, Lord, and You are good me, Your servant. Give me wisdom and knowledge, because I trust in Your commands...The law that You gave means more to me than all the money in the world." You created us for Your pleasure, and You find pleasure in us when we love Your law (teaching). PS 119: 97-99 & 103-104, "How I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commandment is with me all the time and makes me wiser than my enemies. I understand more than my [human] teachers, because I meditate on Your instructions...How sweet is the taste of Your instructions, because You Yourself are my Teacher. I gain wisdom from Your laws and so I hate all bad conduct." PS 119: 105, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path." You, Dearest Abba, are the Source for all good in my life. I am willing to obey You with joy. PS 119: 124-125,& 127 "Treat me according to Your constant love, and teach me Your commandments. I am Your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know Your teachings...I love Your commandments more than gold, more than the finest gold." You are a good and merciful God. I am saved through the death of Your Son on the cross and my faith in Him. You bring me closer than ever to You through prayer, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and Your wonderful word. To You this day, I bring confession of my sins and humble adoration. To You belongs the glory, honor, and praise for all that is good in my life. I offer You thanks and will trust and obey You for eternity. That is my pledge in Christ's name, amen.
Today, I wrote the prayer in the first person. That was not because I am praying it alone. Instead, I am hoping that each of you will pray it for yourselves too. We are the beneficiaries of an awesome, loving, compassionate, consistent, and patient God. Our Lord is eager to bless and love us. Now, that's my idea of bliss. Tomorrow, I will pose the question: Did God create anything that was evil? Then, we can examine that issue in the light of spiritual warfare in general and specifically, the devil's origin. Bask in the warm glow of our Abba's love today and always. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn