The Teachings Of David Koresh
Study On Joel And Daniel 11
Transcription made available by David Bunds [Image]
Dear Brother Steve and friends, this is Vernon speaking. I'm very thankful
that we're able in these days to have the wonderful messages of truth and
we're going to share at this present time with you the understanding God
has given in regards to the writings of the prophets.
Brethren in Wisconsin, Revelation, chapter 10: If you'll turn with me in
your bibles to this chapter let's see what the bible is saying. For those
of you who wish confirmation in any statement from Sr. White, I'd like to
refer you to II Selected Messages, pages 52, where Sr. White says, "Those
who do not accept the word of God just as it reads, will be snared in the
devil's trap." So that's the statement I want to read from Ellen White at
this season.
Now, Revelation chapter 10. What is the lesson to be taught there? John
witnesses a: "mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and
a rainbow {was} upon his head, and his face {was} as it were the sun, and
his feet as pillars of fire:" Rev. 10:1
Notice, this messenger from heaven is a messenger of magnitude. Why is it
that he is in such garments as these, the cloud, face as the sun, rainbow
upon his head, feet as pillars of fire? For those who inquire, the answer
that I can give you is found in Deuteronomy, chapter 32, which begins, God
speaking: "My doctrine shall drop as the rain and shall distil as the dew."
Deut. 32:2a
God's truth, God's word is holy and perfect, we know that don't we? God has
a message for the last days. It's called the refreshing from the presence
of the Lord. People are familiar with Joel 2:28, which God promises the
former and latter rain. This is a message of truth which is to be given to
God's people that may know the work that God has prepared for them to do.
But notice how it comes. An angel is sent from heaven. Okay. Are we to
believe an angel from heaven? Well, notic this angel, verse 2: "And he had
in his hand a little book open:" Rev. 10:2a
What do we think that book is? Could it be the bible? Could it be the book
of Daniel as Adventists believe? For sake of argument it might even be the
book of Obadiah. There's only one chapter in that book and that's
definitely a little book isn't it? But regardless of the point we know that
whatever the angel has to present is found contained in a little book.
"And he set his right foot upon the sea, and {his} left {foot} on the
earth, And cried with a loud voice, as {when} a lion roareth: and when he
had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices." Rev. 10:2b-3
Now notice. If we could really witness an angel, it would wake us up
wouldn't it, or would it? Christ stated that, "if they believe not Moses
and the prophets, though one rose from the dead they would not believe." So
if somebody rose from the dead and we would not believe, I think it hard
that we would even believe if an angel came from heaven. But notice, when
the angel cried as when a lion roareth seven thunders uttered their voices.
Whatever the message is about that little book it's designed to wake us up.
Seven thunders, what more could God use to shake his people that they may
know his purpose as written in the book?
"And when the seven thunders (verse 4) had uttered their voices, I was
about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up
those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." Rev.
10:4
Now notice. Seven thunders uttered and yet sealed. John the Revelator was
not permitted to reveal this truth about the book. Which means simply to us
today that there is a message or a truth contained in the book which God
has not permitted his people to fully understand.
"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up
his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who
created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the
things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein,
that there should be time no longer:" Rev. 10:5-6
Now we as Seventh-Day Adventists understand this to refer to prophetic
time. But who has the right to say that when itself does not say that? The
scripture in its context says, "time no longer." No longer referring to
what? The book? The seven thunders? What is this mystery about the seven
thunders that John was not permitted to write? Well, verse 7 explains by
stating: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel" Rev. 10:7a Not
the third angel, not the fourth, fifth or sixth: "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."
Rev. 10:7
Now notice. Brethren in the Seventh-Day Adventist church. You have
proclaimed for years that you are presenting this message to the world. But
notice. Do you know the writings of the prophets? Can you harmonize and
chroniclize all that they have spoken in the message for the seventh angel?
You, as well as I, must admit you have not this ability. The book of Daniel
is definitely a little book but it contains twelve chapters whereas I know
of many books of the Old Testament dealing with prophecy have of less
chapters than chapter than 12. They have far, far less chapters. But here's
the key. Whatever the mystery may or may not be, it is found in the
writings of the prophets because God has declared to them.
"And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go
{and} take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which
standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and
said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take {it}, and
eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth
sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate
it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten
it, my belly was bitter." Rev. 10:8-10
Now what book of the bible do you think possibly could be considered a
small book and be bitter in the belly? Well, you know the book of Obadiah
for instance it talks about Esau. Esau had an eating problem. But the book
turns out to be a good book when it states that on Mount Zion shall come
forth saviours which shall judge the mount of Esau. Well, that reminds me
of Revelation chapter 14, where there will be a 144,000 on Mount Zion at a
specific time, at a specific place, in a specific manner. But this is just
my thoughts.
But nevertheless what the scripture has emphasized is that "in the days of
the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God should be finished, as he
hath declared to his servants the prophets." John is commanded to take this
book and eat it up. And in his mouth it is sweet but the effect of the book
is bitter in the belly.
"And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again..." Rev. 10:11a
That's the bitter experience. We have not understood the writings of the
prophets. We have not eaten the book. But once upon eating we find there is
responsibility because the prophecies explain what God's people must and
must not do in the latter days to be saved.
"...before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Rev. 10:11b
Was there a second angels message? Was there a third? Yes. "But in the days
of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God should be finished, as
he hath declared to his servants the prophets."
Now for our study let's simply go back to the writings of the prophets. But
see there's a far gap between my understanding and the individuals
understanding pertaining to the prophecies. Let's begin with the book of
Daniel.
Let's review what we have already learned about Daniel. We know that Daniel
was one of the captives taken by king Nebuchad-nezzar according to the
fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 39. Isaiah told king Hezekiah that his sons,
his seed would be eunuchs in the palace of the kings of Babylon. This was a
fulfillment of prophecy. Daniel was told in the second chapter, the history
of the world relating to the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and
Rome. But according to the prophecies of Daniel, additional light came. The
additional light referred to more complex events like for instance in the
seventh chapter of Daniel. Daniel beheld the four winds striving upon the
great sea and he saw four empires rise up. But instead of being symbolized
as a man image with a head of a gold, arms of silver, belly of brass, legs
of iron, feet part of iron and part of clay, he witnessed in this vision
the same kingdoms being illustrated as beasts. Beast kingdoms. A lion, the
bear, the leopard and the eagle. This is the burden of the seventh chapter.
We find that he was given additional information about future events in the
eighth chapter. In the ninth chapter even again Daniel is give certain
prophetic events which must be understood.
Now people say to me consistently, "Vernon, why is it you don't talk about
the gospel? How come you always want to talk about prophecy?" Well, you
see, prophecy, Peter tells us, is a light that shines in a dark place. Now
how would you have liked to have been Cyrus, the king of Persia, who came
according to prophecy and understood the prophecies and demanded that God's
people return to their land and yet they did not because they did not fully
understand the prophecies? How would you have liked to have been Alexander
the Great who died a death because simply he was fulfilling prophecy and
knew not the day of his visitation? How would you like to be the Jews who
did not fully understand the significance of Daniel chapter nine so that
when Messiah came he found them unprepared for his gospel? And yet today we
ourselves are in a period of time when we don't even understand the
prophecies. Revelation 10 is a Messiah to us, that mighty angel who comes
down bears the word of the Lord and states that "in the days of the voice
of the seventh angel the mystery of God will be finished", as he declared
to who? "His servants the prophets."
For instance, let's take a look at Daniel, chapter 10, verses nineteen.
This is Gabriel speaking to Daniel: "And said, O man greatly beloved, fear
not: peace {be} unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had
spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou
hast strengthened me. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto
thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I
am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee
(Gabriel tells Daniel) that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and
{there is} none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your
prince." Dan. 10:21
Now notice, Gabriel is to teach Daniel, in the eleventh chapter, that which
is noted already in the scripture of truth. What books were available to
Daniel in his day? Well, take notice that in Revelation, excuse me, Daniel
chapter 9 we find that Daniel was studying the book of Jeremiah, this is
found in the second verse of chapter 9. Daniel's whole prayer in the ninth
chapter is based upon the deliverance of God's people out of Babylon to be
restored back into their land. Well, we see here whatever maybe contained
in the eleventh chapter, Gabriel explains clearly that the mystery is
simply that he will now show unto Daniel that which is noted in the
scripture of truth. So the book of Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, Obadiah, Jeremiah
and such books were written way before the book of Daniel was written. What
great mystery is contained therein? We are not going to belabor this
chapter. What we are going to simply do is cover some simple ground to make
people think or at least to try to make people think, that they may hunger
and thirst after truth as it is in Christ.
Notice. We see the work of the King of the North as being a work that takes
place all the way from the time of Messiah to the end of the world. Now no
man has really lived that long. But we know there has been a power in the
world who has inspired men to do his bidding as there is a power in heaven
who by the Holy Ghost inspires men to do His bidding. So the power between
good and evil has been a consistent warfare since the beginning of time.
But notice about the King of the North. We find out in verses forty: "And
at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the
king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots,
and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the
countries, and shall overflow and pass over." Dan. 11:40
Now what does this verse mean? Well, at the time of the end. This king of
the South whoever he may or may not be is going to push at who? Him,
referring to the King of the North. Verses 40, chapter 11, that's what it
says, at the time of the end: "...shall come against him like a whirlwind,
with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter
into the countries, (not just one country but many) and shall overflow and
pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many {countries}
shall be overthrown:" Dan. 11:40b-41a
Now notice verse 41. This northern kingdom or King of the North enters into
the glorious land. What it is the glorious land? Well, many people believe
it to be Palestine or Israel. And this must be so because the next verse
says: "...many {countries} shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out
of his hand, {even} Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of
Ammon." Dan. 11:41
Well, clearly the glorious land must be Israel because these nations of
Edom, Moab and Ammon are now known as the Arab countries. Now notice: "He
shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt
(which is a southern country) shall not escape. But he (referring to the
King of the North, verse 33) shall have power over the treasures of gold
and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans
and the Ethiopians {shall be} at his steps." Daniel 11:43
Even the parts of south, north Africa. Now notice. Let's review. From
verses 40 to verses 43 what do we find. The time of the end this King of
the South pushes at the King of the North. The King of the North in turn
comes against the south like a whirlwind. He overflows the countries and
many shall be overthrown by him. He goes into Palestine or the Glorious
Land but the Arab countries escape. He even goes and stretches forth his
hand against Egypt and he has all the powers of gold and silver and
treasure and the precious things of Egypt. "But tidings (verse 44 states,
or news) out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him:" Dan.
11:44a
That's important information to know. After the King of the North has
apparently done away with all of these kingdoms, he hears these tidings
eastward and from the north.
"therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to
make away many." Dan. 11:44 ...or utterly take away many. Who does he want
to take away? Well, let's find out.
"And he (the King of the North) shall plant the tabernacles of his palace
between the seas..." Dan. 11:45a
What seas? Remember now, the Glorious Land is Israel, so we have the
Mediterranean and the Persian, right?
"...in the glorious holy mountain..." Dan. 11:45b
What holy mountain?
"...yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Dan. 11:45c
Now, people say, "Well what do I have to worry about that? I believe in
Jesus." Now notice. Chapter 12, verse 1:"And at that time..." Dan. 12:1a At
what time? The time he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between
the seas and the glorious holy mountain.
"...at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth
for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such
as never was since there was a nation {even} to that same time: and at that
time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written
in the book." Dan. 12:1b
Now brethren, honestly, before God, if we do not know the events that are
foretold by Christ's own testimony, which Revelation 19 tells us, "the
testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of Prophecy", then we can be
assured that our name is not in that book because how can we fulfill that
which we know not? The Pharisees fulfilled prophecy, they killed the Son of
God, did they not? They did because they knew not the truth pertaining to
the events of their day.
But here is a prophecy that tells about the King of the North and it also
tells us about these tidings of which the King of the North hears makes him
go forth with fury to utterly take away many. Now notice. At this time,
Michael stands up, chapter 12, verse 1 says clearly. Verses 2 of chapter
12:"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some
to everlasting life, and some to shame {and} everlasting contempt." Dan
12:2
Not only will many of the righteous be raised but many of the wicked
likewise. Revelation says they shall see Him whom they have pierced. Now
notice. Verse 3: "And they that be wise (the margin says teachers) shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:3
So that's good news. Don't you think it's important to know who the King of
the North is? Don't you think it's important to know why he goes into
Palestine for and who he tries to take away? Now notice. Verses 4, chapter
12: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, {even} to
the time of the end:" Dan 12:4a This books been sealed, even to the time of
the end.
"many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4b
That's a sign we can see today isn't it?
"Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two..." Dan 12:5a
Other two people were there listening to this message, right? Watch:
"...the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that
side of the bank of the river. And {one} said to the man clothed in linen,
which {was} upon the waters of the river, How long {shall it be to} the end
of these wonders?" Dan. 12:5b-6
It's a mystery. How long will it be? Verse 7: "And I 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,..." Dan. 12:7a
Not like the angel of Revelation 10 just holds up one hand, right? This
angel holds up both hands.
"...and sware by him that liveth for ever that {it shall be} for a time
(which is one year), times, and an half;" Dan. 12:7b That says three and a
half years isn't it?
"and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy
people,..." Dan. 12:7c Now wait a second. Who is the "he" brought to view
in this verse? Can anybody guess? Notice in chapter 11, verses 44: "But
tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore
he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away
many." Dan. 11:44 ...or take away many. Verse 7, chapter 12: "...time,
times, and an half; and when he (the King of the North) shall have
accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these {things}
shall be finished." Dan 12:7b
Now wait. The King of the North goes into Palestine. He hears tidings out
of the east and out of the north which trouble him. He goes forth to
utterly take away many and he sets up his tabernacle between the seas and
the glorious holy mountain. He goes to scatter the what? Holy people, which
mean the holy people at this time must be where? The glorious land. Which
is where? Palestine. Now notice: "And I heard (verse
, 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. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but
the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but
the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:8-10
So how can we be wise if we do not know these prophecies and what they
really mean? Key: "And from the time {that} the daily..." Dan 12:11a
The word "sacrifice" being in funny looking letters [italics
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