James K Crews

Prophets of the Old Testament, Volume 4 James K Crews

After Judah's defeat, most Jews were exiled to Babylon. Daniel and Ezekiel were among them faithfully serving God, the king and the Jewish people. DANIEL (605-535 BC) was promoted to rule with the kings of Babylon and Persia. He interpreted dreams and visions of future world kingdoms: Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, leading up to Christ's millennial kingdom on earth. He also provided rich details of end time events in our future: the coming of a New World Order, a one world government with one economy and a single religion forced upon the world by the man we call "the antichrist." Daniel describes the antichrist being defeated by the return of the Messiah and His kingdom of righteousness. Daniel also narrated stories of Jewish victories in Babylon. These stories promoted God and exalted Him above all false gods and idols. They provided vivid lessons for living as aliens in a foreign culture: "serve God boldly," "worship Him alone," "be humble before Him" and "obey God and trust Him completely." EZEKIEL (593-571 BC) was also exiled to Babylon after Judah's initial defeat, but he wrote extensively about the situation in Jerusalem and the city's inevitable, complete destruction. He used these facts as object lessons in hopes that exiles in Babylon would realize God was righteous and worthy of their trust. The prophetic sections of Ezekiel are rich in detail and imagery, but they have been the source of much discussion among commentators and Bible expositors.