Lessons from Daniel 4
We are confronted with various diseases, among them mental and psychological illnesses. Depression has become a specific problem in our days. In Daniel 4 we read about King Nebuchadnezzar for the last time, and he is suffering from a mental disease.
Read MoreLessons from Daniel 5
In this chapter the last Babylonian king appears: Belshazzar. In the past, critics had considered the book of Daniel to be historically unreliable. At that time not a single historian nor other material was known to mention Belshazzar. Then the cylinder of Cyrus and a number of clay tablets appeared and confirmed that Belshazzar had…
Read MoreWhat is in Your Heart?: Lessons from a Biblical Character
After the Babylonian exile Ezra led a group of Israelites back to Judah. Several lessons can be learnt from the life of Ezra that are important for our life as Christians today.
Read MoreLessons from Daniel 6
Freedom of conscience and religious liberty are constantly threatened in this world. Again and again there are persecution, imprisonment, and killing of people for their religious convictions. Daniel 6 describes such a situation. This chapter is the last chapter in the historical part of the book of Daniel; it deals with the time of the…
Read MoreLessons from Daniel 7
Nations use images of animals as their representatives, conveying a message about how they see themselves. Some have chosen an eagle, others a lion, and still others a bear or an antelope. Sometimes humans are given animal names. This can be negative or positive. To be called “dog,” “fox,” “wolf, or “ass” is typically negative.…
Read MoreBasic Questions About the Millennium
The study of the millennium in Revelation 20 throughout Christian history has produced a plethora of different views that are investigates in this article.
Read MoreLessons from Daniel 8
So far we have encountered two long-term prophecies in the book of Daniel, covering world history from the time of Daniel until the coming of the future kingdom of God (Dan 2, 7). In Daniel 8 an overview of world history is provided again with additional details.
Read MoreBasic Questions About the Millennium, Part 2: The Issue of Dispensational Premillennialism
The first part of this article on the Millennium dealt with various interpretations of the Millennium and argued—based on the text of Revelation—for premillenniaslism. However, this could still be understood as leaving open two options: historic premillennialism and dispensational premillennialism. This second part of the article will begin with a discussion of dispensational premillennialism and…
Read MoreThe Sabbath Commandment in Deuteronomy 5:12–15
The two different forms of the Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 are complimentary, upholding the sanctity of the Sabbath and providing a powerful theological message.
Read MoreLessons from Daniel 9
When employees want to achieve something with their supervisors, they have a number of options: file a petition, collect signatures, curry favor with the supervisors, or even threaten or bribe them. Daniel uses a different approach with God. He prays. He speaks openly with the Lord.
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