Nwsltr-081510-Those-of-Understanding
“Those of understanding shall do mighty exploits in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ”
By the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: knowledge, God, Lord, Understanding, exploits, faith, testimony, Jesus Christ, end times, overcame
Words: 2878
Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Daniel 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
I write this today out of duty and also out of faith. If history is any thing to be considered, then out of history will we come to understand anything at all? By that I mean, take recent history! Lets take a more specific recent American history and take a look at who we are. I don’t mean Americans in general, nor America’s public, nor their ideals. I don’t want to look at the constitution, nor the freedoms or even the blessings of this great nation. I want to look at the people who call themselves Christians or followers of the LORD!
I do not nor will I in this piece bring forth names, nor put mud on people nor denominations. My heart to write this is for one reason, that is, do we really understand what God expects of us? I want to take a look at my own church for example. My own pastor, my own friends, and those who went into the ministry at the same time I did. We went to church, prayed, fasted, wept, and went to revival meetings etc. Our best meetings were Sunday night which afterward we would go to the local A and W for a post church snack and fellowship. This was the greatest times there was. Even though we loved to do that, is this what church is about? I could say yes and I would be right, but only partially so. Did we believe in Jesus Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit? Yes, of course we did. Did we believe in miracles, signs, and wonders? Yes! Did we believe in a walk of holiness and obedience to the scriptures as we understood them? Yes.
Then what is the trouble here? The trouble is we are heading into a time warp so to speak that will bring us headlong into trouble. The kind of trouble the church in America or maybe very few of them have ever experienced or seen. Even today the church is many denominations with differing doctrines, and also with varying ideas of faith and duty to Christ Jesus. We even have different names for our Lord. Some call him Jesus, Yeshua, Yoshua, Iesous, Ha Massiah, Ha Massiach, Lord, Christ, the Father, and even other names come up. Now this is not an article on the origins of the name of Jesus from the Greek, Latin, and to English. This is about perceptions, history, and the reality before us.
Today if we get sick, we at least many do, pray, ask for prayer and then we believe for healing. This goes for financial, other ailments and attacks by the enemy. If we fail to get healed we go to the doctor, if we fail to have a solid mental footing we go to a psychologist, and if have financial problems we get loans or other help. Very few of the modern church world in the modern English speaking nations face death, bloodshed, and martyrdom for their faith. But that’s going to change.
As many of the current doctrinal pre- trib rapturists believe they will see none of this, the truth is, unless people die and go be with the Lord, they will see this as a snare upon the earth. I don’t debate this for if they want to believe it, this is fine with me. I don’t stay up late worrying about changing something that is as ingrained as this is. The real trouble is when the enemy comes in like a flood, will we find help in time of trouble? Will we have kept our garments clean and our love for the Lord? Will we be able to meet this enemy on the battlefield?
Moreover, I tell you today that you will indeed face such enemies, in fact the battlefield has already come to America’s shores. It has already come to many nations. Israel has been facing their Islamic enemies for centuries. Even though not all of them seem to be in the radical part that wants to kill all unbelievers, the truth is, they are there alright and have been responsible for the deaths of millions of Christians and Jews to date.
But the real enemy is coming as well. One in particular who will make war with the children of the woman. The woman’s seed are those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Who are these people? It certainly is not the Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ. The seed, is through the Son of David, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. By faith, we are grafted into the vine. The vine is Jesus Christ, the natural branches are natural Israel, and the grafted in branches are the gentiles who by faith are brought into the family of God. See Romans 11, and John 14-18. Below is a scripture of the end times when the dragon, whom Paul calls the ‘Son of Perdition’ will take over the earth. For three and a half years after his ascent to the head of the world, after the wound has been healed, he will lead a terror and murder campaign against all followers of the Jesus Christ and against Israel whom God has chosen.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Still we must ask ourselves “do Christians in America and around the world who know their God have the same “understanding” as those who “know their God” as is described in Daniel 11:32? These verses detail the end times and parallel actual events that Daniel is writing about! But they point to a prophetic time period when certain of Gods people shall “understand” the times in which they live and the God they serve. They will “know their God” and they “shall be strong” and they shall “do exploits”.
Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
These people who “understand” will have others following them whom they shall instruct in this “knowledge” and these together shall go into the time of the end with God going before them literally. It will be a time of “angelic visitation” and the “power of the Holy Ghost” which will bring the supernatural realm into the reality of daily life of the believers. Moreover, events like Philip being carried away by the Spirit from the presence of the Eunuch to another city will be experienced by these believers. Some of these who “understand and instruct many” will face persecution and death. In fact, we find here that they will fall by the sword, flame, captivity, and by spoil for many days. This lines up with Rev 13:10, see context below. Here we find that the saints during this time will face a war brought upon them by the beast. We are told in these scriptures, that during this time, “some will go into captivity, while others will die.” But all will be in this and the enemy will overcome them. This word “overcome” in the Greek means to ‘literally wear out.” Here will be the patience and faith of the saints. But we know also, that it will be a time for those who “keep the commandments of God and testimony of Jesus” to do exploits as is found in Daniel above.
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
These believers will have others who see these exploits and will come join them. Just like the children of Israel had in leaving Egypt, which was a “mixed multitude.” But these will join because of the ‘flatteries’, that is the miracles and being part of this. That is until the enemy comes. During this time, they will betray the leaders and teachers of understanding. Just as Jesus was betrayed so will these be given over. They will face this as Daniel says because it is “to try them, and to purge, and to make them white.” The final note here is a short phrase “even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” I believe, prophetically, this “time appointed” describes the end time war against the Saints found in Revelation.
In this war there also will be a time of supernatural deliverance like when Peter was taken out of Prison by the Angel in Acts. Or the time Paul and Silas in prison sang and an earthquake occurred opening up the jail cells. But in this Paul and Silas stayed where they were knowing that God did this so they could lead the Jailer and his family to Christ.
These are just a few examples from Acts, but make no mistake such supernatural events will occur. For the devil will wage war against the saints and those who truly walk in the Lords commands and keep his faith and testimony will come to “understand” how to go to battle with the LORD. Now I know the Lord will not forsake us! That is not what I am speaking about. How many Christians want healing and don’t find it? How many of them die overseas at the hands of their enemies? How many just are slaughtered?
I know the Word says we “are led as sheep to the slaughter”. I know that we are to be willing to love the Lord even to the death. This is not what I am talking about. There is a place in the prophetic future for the elect of God, the saints to be in that place very few of the believers are today. There is that place of supernatural miracles, the workings of the LORD, and real deliverance. I mean deliverance from all kinds of enemies! Let me give you another scripture here.
The Apostle Paul in Hebrews chapter eleven gives two groups and the choices they made. Now all of these were old testament saints. But the choices they had are like the ones we must make.
Moses for instance chose to suffer affliction with Gods people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin. This my friends is called holiness. Ask yourself where is the modern day Christian in this? Is their heart with Mammon or with God? Further Paul says Moses esteemed the riches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Why? He knew the reward for doing so, following Christ! In these verses we read short descriptive phrases such as: “choosing affliction”, “reproach of Christ”, “he endured”, and “through faith.” All of these phrases perfectly describe what we as true disciples of Jesus Christ must already have in our stalwart walk in Christ. In short, they describe the ‘walk of the cross.’
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 ¶And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
History as recorded in the scriptures above show our ‘forefathers’ who did know the Lord God. Adversaries, troubles, and enemies were head on by these ‘people who knew their God.’ They used tenacity with endurance and faith choosing to follow Christ no matter what. That these people saw God work on their behalf should tell us one thing. God is no respecter of persons. What he did for them, he will do for us, if we have endurance, faith, and choose to follow Christ. These people saw great physical victories in the name of their God! They subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped mouths of lions, quenched fire, escaped the sword. In their weakness they were made strong, and thus waxed valiant in fight. They literally turned to flight the armies they faced. In short, they had no rich American lifestyle to save them. When up against the wall, they found the LORD there waiting for them. In these troubles, they overcame and were victorious in Christ Jesus, so shall we be, if we faint not! Let us learn therefore from this!
Are they any different than us? No, on the contrariwise, we have the “full power and presence of the Holy Ghost” and the “shed blood of Christ.” I tell you this group if living today would say to all enemies, they will not bend, bow, nor serve them. They would stand up and say “thus saith the LORD.” They would say this and believe it. They would see deliverance and not death, miracles and not dismay, and finally they would prevail to prove to the unbeliever that their God is with them and they had better think twice before going against them! This would put the fear of God out front and the terror of the LORD. But it would also meet force with faith, and bloodshed with supernatural deliverance. It would say to these who faced us, you go ahead and call on your God and we will call upon the name of the LORD and whoever answers we will serve that God. Just like Elijah on Mount Carmel and the prophets of Baal, our God would answer!
But let me ask you this! Do you think today’s Christian would dare make such a statement before their enemies? NO they would not! Why? Because they don’t believe it is for them, nor for today! In short, the many Christians today do not see this kind of supernatural deliverance as they should. But be warned, there will be those in the last days who will do just this very thing! God will use them to bring forth the Testimony to the World of Jesus Christ, Yeshua Ha Massiach.
Then there is another group, and this group also has chosen their path! Now look at these who were tortured, others a trial of cruel mocking’s, some scourged, while others faced bonds and imprisonment. In this group are those stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword, wandering about, destitute, afflicted, tormented, and it says of these “of whom the world was not worthy.” They were homeless, going about from place to place, in deserts, mountains, dens, and in caves of the earth. Now why did these people experience this? It says plainly in Hebrews 11:35, that these “Not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.”
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
All of these, both groups; those who saw deliverance and miracles to save them and those who faced and experience things which meant they were not delivered but lost their lives for him whom they believed in. They had faith, both groups. But here plainly we see two choices. Yet we know, that the Lord is in charge. Our lives are in him and in him we shall live!
But the time is coming when Saint, you will have to choose. First choose whom you will serve, then choose how you will believe. In literal deliverance and the power of God, or through faith experience martyrdom for a better resurrection as Paul says above. No matter what you choose or how you choose to live your life before God, the truth is, those with “understanding” in the “end times” shall do “mighty exploits” in the name of the LORD. The devil will war against all saints and he has been given power to overcome them. That is, to kill them. But the saints, even in death, will win, for scripture says of those who overcame:
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
In closing, let me reiterate the point again that some of ” those of Understanding and who do exploits” will also fall, that is be martyred [see Daniel verses at start of this Newsletter]. They will fall scripture says: “to try them, to purge them, and to make them white.” But when they do fall, they will be helped, {holpen} with a little help, for the Lord God will help them, give them strength to stand unto the end. I call this help, the anointing of Martyr-ship! Without Gods help, none of us could stand to the end!
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
