I plagiarized the title of this post from the Dresden Files book series by Jim Butcher. Beyond the basic escapism of well written mystery stories, the author vividly portrays hyper dimensional beings which helps me better conceptualize that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places,” to understand what the early pagan converts understood.
Most of all, I like how the protagonist, Harry Dresden, portrays the essential right-eous character of self-sacrifice and perseverance against insurmountable odds in the face of death. You just don’t find heroes like him in contemporary Christian writing.
Everyone knows that the famous prophet Daniel served in the Babylonian and Persian governments,
“And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel…in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace…among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel…he gave the name Belteshazzar [i.e. Daniel was adopted by the national god, ergo, made a citizen with rights and privileges]” (Daniel 1:2-7)
“Then the [Babylonian] king Nebuchadnezzar…made Daniel…ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.(Daniel 2:46-48)
It pleased [the Persian king] Darius to set over the kingdom…three presidents; of whom Daniel was first:” (Daniel 6:1-2)
Henry Kissinger would be a good example of the equivalent role in our time. His ethnicity was Jewish, his nationality was German, he was forced by war to emigrate to America where he became a naturalized citizen and his circle of influence grew to include the whole world.
Henry A. Kissinger, in full Henry Alfred Kissinger, (born May 27, 1923, Fürth, Germany), American political scientist, who, as adviser for national security affairs and secretary of state, was a major influence in the shaping of U.S. foreign policy from 1969 to 1976 under Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford. In 1973 he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam for their efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the Vietnam War.
Kissinger’s family immigrated to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazi persecution of Jews. He became a naturalized citizen in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and in the postwar U.S. military government of Germany. After leaving the service, he entered Harvard University, where he received a B.A. (1950) and a Ph.D. (1954). In 1954 he joined the faculty as an instructor, becoming professor of government in 1962 and director of the Defense Studies Program from 1959 to 1969. He also served as a consultant on security matters to various U.S. agencies from 1955 to 1968, spanning the administrations of Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Kissinger’s Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy (1957) established him as an authority on U.S. strategic policy. He opposed Secretary of State John Foster Dulles’s policy of planning nuclear “massive retaliation” to Soviet attack, advocating instead a “flexible response” combining the use of tactical nuclear weapons and conventional forces, as well as the development of weapons technology in accordance with strategic requirements…Kissinger’s reputation as a political scientist led to his role as…assistant for national security affairs. He eventually came to serve as head of the National Security Council (1969–75) and as secretary of state (September 1973–January 20, 1977).
Likewise, Daniel’s “people”, while including his nation of origin, also included all the non-Jews / Gentiles in their four empires, AKA “times.”
Once we understand that Daniel’s people are the Hebrews – all the spiritual sons of Abraham from all nations – we get a whole new perspective on his prophecies.
“And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house [blood dynasty] of Jacob, and tell [another entity] the [adopted] children of Israel…IF ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people…And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” (Exodus 19:3-6)
“they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of [the Hebrew] Abraham, are they all children…That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed…Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles...they be called the children of the living God.” (Romans 9:6-8, 24-26)
“Peter, an [Messianic Jewish] apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers [newbies, previously Gentiles]…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time…ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy…Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (I Peter 1:1-5, 2:9-12)
In contrast to many current religious leaders who demonstrate just enough biblical literacy to be dangerous, Yeshua’s disciples were solidly grounded in the entirety of Old Testament prophecy so had a depth and breadth of context in which to fit Jesus’ terse reply to their question of timing. Just like Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years’ incarceration was extended to 70 x 7 years of parole, so Yeshua broke the bad news that, despite the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70 weeks, “the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6)
Just think where the Gentile would be, or more accurately, wouldn’t be, if Jesus had returned when Stephen saw him poised to do so, and passed judgment on the rulers, including the Pharisee Saul / Paul. Are we beginning to understand the multiple reasons why Jesus delays his return?
“and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit…And Saul was consenting unto his death.” (Acts 7:58-8:1)
Even when opposing the Christ, like all the other world rulers YHVH used to chasten and conform his people into his image throughout the preceding 490 years, Saul / Paul accomplished YHVH’s will as recorded, though not understood, by Daniel.
“How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
- And I [Daniel] heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be…
- when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:7-9)
“Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
- All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:17-20)
“As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
“And I [John] saw another mighty angel come down from heaven…And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth…lifted up his hand to heaven. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever…
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- that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
- And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book…Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” (Revelation 10)
We have more than the two requisite witnesses to a truth: Daniel, Luke documenting Paul’s memories, John, and an angel from heaven.
The End Doesn’t Happen Until YHVH’s Unique Power THROUGH Death Is Scattered Throughout The World BY God’s Faithful Followers
Saul / Paul exemplifies for all who claim to witness of the Christ by bearing his name / identity that this entails suffering, and a self-sacrificing love for people whatever ethnicity they may be, however much they may have harmed us.
“he is a chosen vessel / messianic one unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel…great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:15-16)
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites…Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 9:1-5)
Nobody can deny the persecution that all the apostles did in fact experience, including suffering and martyrdom, and that their Christ-likeness is what spread the Gospel through the known world.
They were killed because they claimed to be eyewitnesses of Christ’s death and resurrection. They all died because of an unwavering, unrelenting claim that Christ rose from the grave…This article doesn’t cover all the evidence so you might want to check out 14 Evidences for the Resurrection of Jesus and 14 References.
The gruesome death of the apostles…is one of the greatest gifts God ever gave to the Church. It contributes much to Christian apologetics by answering the question “How can you be sure of the resurrection of Christ?”
“Then shall they deliver you [Christ’s followers] up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another…And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:9-14)
What we find when we don’t just hop and skip over Bible passages like a Chinese menu, choosing only the ones we like, is that ALL followers of YHVH’s Savior are called to witness of the resurrection of Christ through our faith that we too will be resurrected. And the greatest evidence of our faith in resurrection to a higher quality of life is our willingness to give up the lesser, though admittedly valued, benefits of this life, to be despised, rejected by family and friends, to lose our self-importance to identify with YHVH and his Savior, even to die if called to follow in that path.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And…became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him…to become the sons of God…we are the children of God:…if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Hebrews 5:7-8, John 1 :12, Romans 8:16-18)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ…unto the church of God which is at Corinth…Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” (II Corinthians 1:1-10)
“I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach [talk about, debate] Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death…stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (Philippians 1:12-30)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (I Peter 5:8-10)
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an [even just one] ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the [Gentile] churches. (Revelation 2:9-11)
As in any good book, the Bible stays true to its theme from its introduction, expansion through the middle, to the climax at the end.
The take-home message: Winners stay in the battle through worsening circumstances.
“Beginning: “of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it…lest ye die…And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said…Hast thou eaten of the tree…?
- And the man said, Yes – because The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree after she had eaten and I wouldn’t abandon her in death.
- Adam was not…in the transgression.
- Marriage is honourable…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
- So that we – having this proof – may also boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear.” (Genesis 3:3-12, I Timothy 2:14, Hebrews 13:4-6)
Middle: “O LORD, how long shall I…cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!...spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention…the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.” (Habakkuk 1-3)”
- Who shall separate us from the love of God’s Chosen Savior? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
- Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
- For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in His Chosen Savior our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
End: “the fourth kingdom upon earth…shall…wear out the saints of the most High…unto the end. And [then!] the kingdom and dominion…under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High.” (Daniel 7:21-22)
Kingdom Come 