Day 48 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

John 1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Prologue

1 In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 All things were created through Him,

and apart from Him not one thing was created

that has been created.

4 Life was in Him,

and that life was the light of men.

5 That light shines in the darkness,

yet the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man named John

who was sent from God.

7 He came as a witness

to testify about the light,

so that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light,

but he came to testify about the light.

9 The true light, who gives light to everyone,

was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was created through Him,

yet the world did not recognize Him.

11 He came to His own,

and His own people did not receive Him.

12 But to all who did receive Him,

He gave them the right to be children of God,

to those who believe in His name,

13 who were born,

not of blood,

or of the will of the flesh,

or of the will of man,

but of God.

14 The Word became flesh

and took up residence among us.

We observed His glory,

the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

15 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed,

“This was the One of whom I said,

‘The One coming after me has surpassed me,

because He existed before me.’”)

16 Indeed, we have all received grace after grace

from His fullness,

17 for the law was given through Moses,

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has ever seen God.

The One and Only Son—

the One who is at the Father’s side—

He has revealed Him.

John the Baptist’s Testimony

19 This is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: “I am not the Messiah.”

21 “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?”

“I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?”

“No,” he answered.

22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know Him. 27 He is the One coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.”

28 All this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the One I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know Him, but I came baptizing with water so He might be revealed to Israel.”

32 And John testified, “I watched the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He rested on Him. 33 I didn’t know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One you see the Spirit descending and resting on—He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God!”

35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are You staying?”

39 “Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which means “Anointed One”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Rock”).

Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day He decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus found Philip and told him, “Follow Me!”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!”

46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him.

“Come and see,” Philip answered.

47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, “Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him.”

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.

49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I assure you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  Today's reading finds us in John's narrative, which begins with the beginning of time, placing Jesus at the center of creation (v2) and ends with the calling of the first of the disciples.  This part of our journey is important, because the Bible says that though he was the Creator of the world, the world did not know Him.  At times during this season we too can get our eyes off Him, and worry about  parties, or gifts, or decorations, when all along, Jesus is among us, humbling patiently awaiting us to notice Him.  Over the next 2 days, yes look into the Nativity, and ponder the crowded inn, think about the journey of the wisemen or the herald of the shepherds, and marvel at how it all came to be.  Also I beg of you, to squarely put the Ministry of Christ into the center of your focus, because He is the Gift, He is the Sheperd, He is Wisdom and He is the King. 

Discussion Topic:  Discuss how you can better reflect Jesus, the True Light, who gives Light to everyone.

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Prayer:  Father, Great is Your name, and Holy to be praised! Your blessings are from Everlasting to Everlasting, your Gift, from the Beginning to the End.  Jesus is our gift, given over to humanity, as an eternal sacrifice for the sin of mankind.  We accept Your Gift, and offer You our sins in exchange.  The beauty of Your grace, the marvel of Your mercy, warms the candle of our heart as we look to You during this time of celebration.  Thank You, forever and ever, thank You! In Your name,  Amen!

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image - http://touchyaneighbor.com/2011/04/13/the-reality-of-christ-bible-study-1-john-11-4/

Day 47 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Matthew 1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1 The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

From Abraham to David

2 Abraham fathered Isaac,

Isaac fathered Jacob,

Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,

3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar,

Perez fathered Hezron,

Hezron fathered Aram,

4 Aram fathered Amminadab,

Amminadab fathered Nahshon,

Nahshon fathered Salmon,

5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab,

Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth,

Obed fathered Jesse,

6 and Jesse fathered King David.

From David to the Babylonian Exile

Then David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam,

Rehoboam fathered Abijah,

Abijah fathered Asa,

8 Asa fathered Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat fathered Joram,

Joram fathered Uzziah,

9 Uzziah fathered Jotham,

Jotham fathered Ahaz,

Ahaz fathered Hezekiah,

10 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh,

Manasseh fathered Amon,

Amon fathered Josiah,

11 and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brothers

at the time of the exile to Babylon.

From the Exile to the Messiah

12 Then after the exile to Babylon

Jechoniah fathered Shealtiel,

Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel,

13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud,

Abiud fathered Eliakim,

Eliakim fathered Azor,

14 Azor fathered Zadok,

Zadok fathered Achim,

Achim fathered Eliud,

15 Eliud fathered Eleazar,

Eleazar fathered Matthan,

Matthan fathered Jacob,

16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary,

who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, 14 generations.

The Nativity of the Messiah

18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 See, the virgin will become pregnant

and give birth to a son,

and they will name Him Immanuel,

which is translated “God is with us.”

24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  The verse of the day is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.  This prophecy can be found in Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel."  Throughout the Old Testament (or Old Covenant) we have been guided lovingly to this very point in time; the birth of our Savior and King who has first come as a living sacrifice for us all, and then, in His second coming, will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Here, on the night of His birth, prophecy is fulfilled.  From this point on, our focus is on #nonebutChrist.

Discussion Topic:  Who would have thought, at that moment in time, at the birth of a boy child, that a new chapter in the war against the enemy had begun.  With Jesus on earth, it signaled the Kingdom of God's invasion into the enemy's territory.  Do you think Mary and Joseph had any idea of exactly what the significance of Jesus' birth was?

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Prayer:  Oh Lord, Your plan from the beginning was to create a people in Your image who would choose to love, obey and worship You of their own free will.  Sin came into the world in the Garden of Eden, but even then You knew that the day would come when You send Your only Son to rescue us from Your judgment of our sins and bring us back into a relationship with You.  Father, there are no words to describe how thankful I am that You sent your Son, my Savior, to this earth to save me and to make me a child of the Living God.  As I meditate on what was begun on that night, may your Holy Spirit wash over me and fill me anew, that I may sing songs of joy and raise up praises to You with a clean heart and a renewed mind and may this Christmas season offer us many more opportunities to share the gospel with others.  To You be the glory and honor and praise forever and ever!  Amen!

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image - Believers Journey

Day 46 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Malachi 3

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 “See, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple, the Messenger of the covenant you desire—see, He is coming,” says the Lord of Hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who will be able to stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire and like cleansing lye. 3 He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord as in days of old and years gone by.

5 “I will come to you in judgment, and I will be ready to witness against sorcerers and adulterers; against those who swear falsely; against those who oppress the widow and the fatherless, and cheat the wage earner; and against those who deny justice to the foreigner. They do not fear Me,” says the Lord of Hosts. 6 “Because I, Yahweh, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.

Robbing God

7 “Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.

But you ask: “How can we return?”

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!”

You ask: “How do we rob You?”

“By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. 9 You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. 10 Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the Lord of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the Lord of Hosts. 12 “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of Hosts.

The Righteous and the Wicked

13 “Your words against Me are harsh,” says the Lord.

Yet you ask: “What have we spoken against You?”

14 You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”

16 At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name. 17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. 18 So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

(Note: Read Chapter 4)

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  Again, in biblical prophecy, we are encouraged by the promise of the One who will judge mankind.  What does God do?  He warns those who are in sin to repent.  Judgment could have taken place that very day if the Lord so chose, but again, in His love and patience He continues to give the world time to repent.  Every moment of every day is an opportunity for those living in sin to repent and give their life to the Lord.

Discussion Topic:  God has created a "book of remembrance."  It is a special book for those who fear Yahweh and have high regard for His name.  Not only is our name written in the Book of Life, but now we see that it's also written in the Book of Remembrance.  We need to fill up those pages!!!  Most likely all of us have been procrastinating about doing more in regards to our spiritual walk with the Lord.  What are some of the things you want to accomplish before the Lord returns... what are those things you want to do that will end up in the Book of Remembrance?     

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Prayer:  Oh heavenly Father, I know that You have so much more for me to accomplish before the Bridegroom returns to take us to the bridal chamber.  I pray that You will give me the opportunity and the encouragement to go beyond what I have already accomplished through Jesus, and to enter in to a new area of discipleship.  Please lead me into a deeper walk with You as Your Holy Spirit guides me toward new opportunities to share Your word and make new disciples of Jesus Christ.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image - Glowing Book: teachinglikeits2999.blogspot.com

Day 45 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Zechariah 3

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Fourth Vision: High Priest and Branch

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan: “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn't this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

3 Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the Angel. 4 So the Angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before Him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then He said to him, “See, I have removed your guilt from you, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”

5 Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him in garments while the Angel of the Lord was standing nearby.

6 Then the Angel of the Lord charged Joshua: 7 “This is what the Lord of Hosts says: If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, you will both rule My house and take care of My courts; I will also grant you access among these who are standing here.

8 “Listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your colleagues sitting before you; indeed, these men are a sign that I am about to bring My servant, the Branch. 9 Notice the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave an inscription on it”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts—“and I will take away the guilt of this land in a single day. 10 On that day, each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  As we round the corner, and near the end of our journey to see Christ, we stop by the prophet Zechariah.  Zachariah, was an important prophet during the return from exile.  He, like Isaiah prophesied both of the Messiah birth, and His death.  In this 4th vision, he sees the High Priest Joshua, before the Angel of the Lord.  Joshua's clothes are filthy, and he is given new ones, to represent his sin being removed.  As we draw closer to Christmas day, think about how the Lord removes your filthy rags, and clothes you in righteousness.  What an amazing Gift, the Father chose to give us.  

Discussion Topic:  Vs 7 says that if you walk in His way, and keep His commands you will rule in His house, and take care of His courts.  What does that look like in your life?

Jointhe Discussion on G+

Prayer:  Father, oh glorious and all knowing Father.  Your name is Holy, Holy, Holy.  You call us into Your throne room, and clothe us in righteousness, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus did on our behalf.  We thank You for that.  Teach us Your commands, show us Your ways, so that we can rule in Your house and take care of Your courts.  In Jesus mighty name, Amen! 

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image -http://www.holypal.com/profiles/blogs/joshua-the-high-priest

Day 44 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Micah 5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

From Defeated Ruler to Conquering King

1 Now, daughter who is under attack,

you slash yourself in grief;

a siege is set against us!

They are striking the judge of Israel

on the cheek with a rod.

2 Bethlehem Ephrathah,

you are small among the clans of Judah;

One will come from you

to be ruler over Israel for Me.

His origin is from antiquity,

from eternity.

3 Therefore, He will abandon them until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of His brothers will return

to the people of Israel.

4 He will stand and shepherd them

in the strength of Yahweh,

in the majestic name of Yahweh His God.

They will live securely,

for then His greatness will extend

to the ends of the earth.

5 He will be their peace.

When Assyria invades our land,

when it marches against our fortresses,

we will raise against it seven shepherds,

even eight leaders of men.

6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

the land of Nimrod with a drawn blade.

So He will rescue us from Assyria

when it invades our land,

when it marches against our territory.

The Glorious and Purified Remnant

7 Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among many peoples

like dew from the Lord,

like showers on the grass,

which do not wait for anyone

or linger for mankind.

8 Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among the nations, among many peoples,

like a lion among animals of the forest,

like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which tramples and tears as it passes through,

and there is no one to rescue them.

9 Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries,

and all your enemies will be destroyed.

10 In that day—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

I will remove your horses from you

and wreck your chariots.

11 I will remove the cities of your land

and tear down all your fortresses.

12 I will remove sorceries from your hands,

and you will not have any more fortune-tellers.

13 I will remove your carved images

and sacred pillars from you

so that you will not bow down again

to the work of your hands.

14 I will pull up the Asherah poles from among you

and demolish your cities.

15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath

against the nations that have not obeyed Me.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  As I read this prophecy in Micah, I am encouraged to know the town of our saviors birth was also mentioned in prophesy.  In pondering the rest of the prophesy I see where the Jewish people could be confused as to why Jesus didn't rule with a physical sword.  Yet I am also led to the statement Jesus made in Matthew 10:34 when he stated that he in fact did not come for peace, but that he came to bring the sword.  In light of that, I think in that case, prophesy fulfilled, end of story, the Assyrians spoke of were only physical representation of a spiritual enemy.  We are nearing the end of our journey, think about the spiritual aggression you face, and know that Jesus has come to rule and protect with His Sword (which is the Word of God our Bible) and that no weapon formed against you will prosper.   

Discussion Topic:  With only a week to go, how are you making Jesus, Lord and King of your everyday life?

Second Discussion Topic:  Do you think the 7 even 8 leaders of men in this prophesy are the 7 deacons plus Stephen ordained in Acts 6?

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Prayer:  Father in Heaven, Holy is Your name and worthy to be praised in Heaven and on Earth.  Thank You for revealing Your plan through the ministry of the prophets.  Thank you for showing us Your ways in the Truth of Your word.  Forgive us oh Lord, as we take our eyes off You, and teach us to forgive others the same. Thank you for ruling with a Spiritual Sword, and coming to bring true peace, that can only come from You.  We eagerly await Your return, King Jesus.  Amen. 

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork - http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/16362/O-Little-Town-Of-Bethlehem

Day 43 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Daniel 7

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account. 2 Daniel said, “In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea. 3 Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.

4 “The first was like a lion but had eagle’s wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind.

5 “Suddenly, another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up! Gorge yourself on flesh.’

6 “While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule.

7 “While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns.

8 “While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man’s, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly.

The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man

9 “As I kept watching,

thrones were set in place,

and the Ancient of Days took His seat.

His clothing was white like snow,

and the hair of His head like whitest wool.

His throne was flaming fire;

its wheels were blazing fire.

10 A river of fire was flowing,

coming out from His presence.

Thousands upon thousands served Him;

ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.

The court was convened,

and the books were opened.

11 “I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time. 13 I continued watching in the night visions,

and I saw One like a son of man

coming with the clouds of heaven.

He approached the Ancient of Days

and was escorted before Him.

14 He was given authority to rule,

and glory, and a kingdom;

so that those of every people,

nation, and language

should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that will not pass away,

and His kingdom is one

that will not be destroyed.

Interpretation of the Vision

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me. 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’

19 “Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. 21 As I was watching, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24 The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. 25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever. 27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’

28 “This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  On today's leg of our journey to Christ, we find ourselves deep in the dream of Daniel (of lions den fame).  In this dream we see 4 beasts, these 4 beast represent 4 different kingdoms.  In reading this my mind wonders at the depth of this dream, and the fact that we see it unfolding before our eyes.  The great thing about these beasts is that all of them are eventually overruled by the Ancient of Days.  

Discussion Topic:  Who would you describe the 4 beasts mentioned in this prophecy as?  

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Prayer:  Father, this prophecy overwhelms me.  Help us to keep our eyes on you, because though, these beast have been given dominion for now, we know that You overcome, and Your kingdom prevails.  Which is one of the reasons we celebrate Your birth.  Thank You for coming to lead us out of darkness.  In Your name, the Name above all names, Jesus.  Amen. 

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork - Four Beasts: dtcwee.files.wordpress.com/