Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Feeling Worn Out?
We had an amazing time at our Intercessory Prayer Team meeting last night! It started off by the leader asking about a scripture where the antichrist is wearing out the saints. We moved on for about an hour or so, and we ended back up at that same scripture when we spoke of the scriptures saying the law brings joy. Interestingly enough the series of teaching at church is entitled “Myth Busting: Breaking Free From Lies We Believe.” Now that breaking free part sounds good if we are weary, right? Could there be lies we believe that are wearing us out? We all thought the one we were originally looking for was in Revelation or the writings of Paul. It turns out it was a part of one of Daniel’s visions.
Before looking at that scripture, let’s go back to the original reason for the search – do we feel worn out? If so, why is that, since there are so many scripture promises about a good life? In Daniel 7:25, there is an explanation of one of Daniel’s visions taking place. In that part of the explanation it reads:
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (KJV)
I found it interesting that the wearing out of the saints occurs in the same sentence as the actions of the antichrist in changing of times and laws. There appears to be a connection. It get’s very interesting when we look at the Hebrew words for “times” and “laws”. It turns out the best translation of these words comes to us from the New Living Translation: “He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws,…” Hmm. I think it was the church that did that way back in the first century when they set aside the Feasts (sacred festivals) and combined elected to “Christianize” certain holidays and dates from pagan religions so everyone could worship on the same day, right? There was also a movement away from the law. Problem is, the new covenant is the law written in our heart according to Jeremiah 31:33 and Romans2:15. Hmm.
So the antichrist uses the changing of the keeping of the Feasts of Leviticus 23 and the departure from the law to wear out the saints? Hmm. Well, if Daniel was saying that keeping other sacred festivals (holidays and traditions) was a tool to wear out the saints, part of his vision may have been about shopping for Christmas on Black Friday! Seriously though, are we wearing ourselves out by going along with this change in the Feasts and the law? Or, as the current teachings we are having at church are titled, should we be “Breaking Free From The Lies We Believe”? Hmm. Interesting.
Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High God. We don’t want to be weary. We don’t want to be a part of wearing other people out. Please come and restore us. Please come and heal us. Pleas show us what these things mean. In Yeshua’s (Jesus) name. Amen.