Gabriel Interprets Daniel’s Vision aka Gabriel’s Interpretation
Daniel 8:1, 15-26 or 8:19-26
International Sunday School Lesson
March 17, 2013
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
Deceit. If you don’t take away much more from today’s scripture, please retain your awareness of that word which appears in verse 25 and its theme in verses 23-26.
Deception is what this latter day “king” will excel at and many will not see it because they believe wrongly. Many call this the Apostasy, Paul as we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 refers to it as the rebellion. He refers to this “king” as “the lawless one” where his deception is referred to as being “the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9a-10b
And then comes what I think is one of the scariest couple of verses in the Bible.
“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10a-12
I don’t think I exaggerate when I say that is truly scary and Christ himself took this very seriously and concentrated on it and so that is why I do. He said beginning in Matthew 24 in a long answer to the question concerning signs of the end of the age several times to watch out for this sign of deceit. In fact He begins with that warning, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Verse 4 “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” Verse 11 The idea of being deceived is touched again by Him in 23-26.
My feeling is that the deceit has been going on since the beginning as John said in 2 John that many deceivers had already gone out into the world at that time. And if we understand from Daniel that the end will come like a flood (Daniel 9:26) then it stands to reason that the deception will pick up steam and be pervasive. If it is pervasive than it is hard to avoid and if it is hard to avoid it better be recognized for what it is.
My honest opinion is that everything and let me repeat that, everything should be examined in this day that we live in to see if what and how we are preaching, teaching, and worshiping is scriptural. From who is doing it to how it is being done.
Does this seem too strong? The scripture and our Savior sure seemed to take it serious and to me that means we should too but hey I’m scared by what I just shared from 2 Thessalonians above!
The easiest thing I find to use as a measuring stick is to ask is it popular or palatable to the world? That is what Satan wants it to be because those of the world are his. If the things we condone or teach are not what the scriptures teach then of course the world is going to love it. 2 Timothy 4:3 refers to it by saying that people will not put up any longer with sound doctrine. What they will hear being taught is what Paul referred to as what their itching ears want to hear.
You want to live that way? They are told, sure that’s ok. You want to worship in an irrevereant and disorderly way? They are told sure that’s ok. These are part of the acts of Satan that are being played out in our churches and lives today that is serving up this deceit that was warned about.
Eventually the time will run out and the delusion will be final. How scared will you be and how serious will you take it?
For Discussion:
1. Discuss where Susa is and what Persia is called today.
2. Discuss why the warning about being aware of being deceived is so important to Christians.
3. This “king” is not operating under his own power but Satan’s. Discuss why this is more important to grasp then simply a man.
4. Discuss that even the mighty will be destroyed by Him.
5. Antiochus Epiphanes seemingly fulfilled this in 165 B.C. but clearly Christ referred to today’s scripture in Matthew 24 in the answer to His disciples in the signs of the end of the age answer.
6. Discuss how when those who feel secure that this is when they will fall as mentioned in verse 25.
Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries
3-17-13: Gabriel Interprets Daniel’s Vision aka Gabriel’s Interpretation Daniel 8:1, 15-26 or 8:19-26
3-24-13: The Lord’s Supper Luke 22:14-30
3-31-13: The Lord Lives aka The Lord Has Risen Indeed! Luke 24:13-21, 28-35
4-7-13: The Lord Appears Luke 24:36-53
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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