Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

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  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is interesting. Th

Daniel - "God's Sovereignty Over The Nations"

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The book of Daniel relates not only past but also future events.  What the book of Revelation is in the New Testament, the book of Daniel is to the Old.  From the first chapter to the last, prophecies are evident– revealed by God through His angel to Daniel. Chapters 7-12 are especially full of symbols that speak of what is yet to come.

Also evident in the book of Daniel is God’s sovereignty.  He is in control, not only over the lives of individuals but also of nations.  God’s hand can be seen in the rise of Babylon, the Jews’ resulting exile, the testimony of Daniel and his three friends, (Daniel 1), Daniel’s gaining the king’s favor (Daniel 2), God’s amazing deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3), God’s humbling of king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) and God’s deliverance of Daniel while he served as one of the top officials in the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 6).

Familiar to most of us from the book of Daniel is the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.  This story is actually just one of the many remarkable events in Daniel’s life.  While in exile at Babylon, Daniel and his friends faced severe challenges because they lived out their faith.  Praise God that Daniel and his friends remained unmovable! They had determined in their hearts to be committed to the Lord (Daniel 1:8; 3:16-18).  Chapters 1-6 especially relate Daniel’s faithfulness and obedience to God.  Twice he was called “a man greatly beloved” (KJV) or “a man of high esteem” (NASB and NIV) (Daniel 10:11, 19).

How are we?  Are we like Daniel who remained committed to the Lord in the midst of a wicked and ungodly people? Are our trust in God? May we not forget that despite trials and difficulties, God is sovereign; and what God has spoken, He will fulfill.

 

 

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