Dan 2:31-45; 7:1-28, The Age of the Gentiles

Luke 21:24 (ESV) They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.



• Jesus alludes to the ending of the time of the Gentiles


Dan 2:31-35 (ESV) "You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32  The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33  its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.



• Observation of this "image"
• Imagery
• Great image - these are great empires
• Exceeding brightness - not sure if this is an allusion to Satan who is also called the angel of light
• Stood before God - in the sense that it opposes God
• Frightening appearance - these empires scare people, because they don't care about people but about power and riches
• Parts
• Head of fine gold
• Chest and arms of silver
• Middle and thighs of bronze
• Legs of iron
• Feet of partly iron and partly clay
• Stone, not cut out by human hands (emphasizes a divine origin; possible also perfect)
• Strike the image on the feet (broken in pieces)
• Then the whole image is broken in pieces
• Wind blows it all away
• Stone (that destroyed the image) becomes a great mountain that fills the whole earth
• Interesting things about the metals
• Increase in strength
• Decrease in value
• Possible interpretations
• Each one was more powerful than the other (increase), and there was a decrease of the character authority and rule (value side)

Babylon	absolute monarchy; monarch above the law
Medo-Persia	monarch not above the law who could not change his own laws
Hellenstic kings	no dynastic or royal right to rule
Roman imperialism	republic that degenerated into mob rule merging with the imperial form of government
	Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations. From <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/imperialism>

• Now we move on to the interpretation


Dan 2:36-45 "This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. 39  Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 40 And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. 41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, 45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure."



• The time of the Gentiles begins with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Solomonic temple in 586 BC by the Babylonian empire
• This is the head of gold
• It is the first nation to destroy Jerusalem
• There will be temporary control return but full return will not happen until the end of times
• Babylon (and specifically Nebuchadnezzar) is granted control over the whole world, although he does not choose to exercise this control
• See Jeremiah 27:5-8
• [But the culture / worldview of Babylon does take over the whole world, Rev 17]
• The two arms of silver united in the breast are the two nations, the Medes and the Persians who establish the Medo-Persian empire
• It is inferior to the Babylonian empire
• It lacked the inner unity of the Babylonians
• The people were never fused into one people
• The government was not above the law
• The Greek or Hellenistic empire is the third empire symbolized by the belly and two thighs of bronze.
• The two thighs may represent the embracing of east and west. ((Another possibility is that they represent Syria and Egypt which arose out of it and also controlled Jerusalem.))
• It has the same grant as Babylon but does not choose to exercise the grant
• Greek thinking does take over the western world
• Later we will get more detail on this empire as it splits into four
• The fourth image is the fourth Gentile empire. It goes through several stages
• United stage (vs 40)
• Two division stage (vs 41) but with still the strength of iron
• Ten division stage represented by the ten toes
• Fifth empire will be of divine origin (a mountain is a symbol for an empire)
• Fruchtenbaum says it is Jewish but I don't see that
• Clearly it is established by God
• Clearly it ends the Gentile empires


Dan 7:1-8 (ESV) In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, 'Arise, devour much flesh.' 6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.



• There are multiple visions. The first vision considers only three empires
• The great sea is probably the Mediterranean (to Daniel)
• Most see the sea representing the Gentile world
• The four winds are the same number as the four beasts suggesting that it is God orchestrating their coming
• Four Gentile empires arising out of the sea
• First empire/ beast: like a lion and had eagle wings
• Nebuchadnezzar does actually become like a beast at some point before his mind returns to him
• Babylon was a lion. It devoured the countries of the world. Nebuchadnezzar really was the lion, the absolute authority
• The symbol of Babylon was a lion with wings
• Second empire / beast: lopsided bear with 3 ribs in its teeth
• Historically, the 3 ribs represent the 3 kingdoms conquered by the Medo-Persian forces: Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt
• The bear is not as majestic as the lion
• The bear is bulky and weighty. It conquered areas by sheer force of numbers
• Third empire / beast: leopard-like with four wings of a bird. Also four heads and dominion given to it
• The leopard is faster than the lion or bear. Incredibly, Alexander the great conquered the Medo-Persian empire in an unbelievably short time
• The four wings represent the four kingdoms that grew out of Alexander's empire
• The four heads are the four generals who take control of the four kingdoms
• Ptolemy over Egypt, Israel, and Arabia Petrea
• Seleucus over Syria, Babylonia, and all the way to India
• Cassander over Macedonia and Greece
• Lysimachus over Thrace and Bithynia
• The second vision (or possibly a series of night visions) follows in verses 7-12
• Fourth empire / beast
• Terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong (It is characterized but not described by a specific animal)
• Great iron teeth; devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet
• KEY: it was different from all the beasts before
• It has ten horns
• An eleventh horn, a little horn, uproots three of the horns
• Eyes like the eyes of a man
• Mouth speaking great things
• KEY: the fourth gentile empire undergoes changes and is different from the other empires


Dan 7:9-14 (ESV) As I looked,


 thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of days took his seat;
 his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
 its wheels were burning fire.
10  A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
 a thousand thousands served him,
 and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.


11 I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.


13 I saw in the night visions,


and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14  And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
 his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.


• This section contains the third vision, verses 9-12, and the fourth vision, verses 13-14
• The third vision takes place where? In heaven
• It is a courtroom
• God the Father, the ancient of days sits
• Judgment is being delivered
• The Angels are standing ready to execute the judgment
• Who is being judged?
• The fourth Gentile empire
• The little horn
• Characterized by big words (blasphemy)
• Satan
• The other three beast are maintained for a period of time (see next passage)
• The fourth vision is a vision of what?
• The second coming (of Jesus Christ), vs 13
• The establishment of the millennial kingdom, vs 14
• Next we get the interpretation


Dan 7:15-28 (ESV) "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17  'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.'


19 "Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20  and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.


23 "Thus he said: 'As for the fourth beast,


there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
and it shall devour the whole earth,
and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24 As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
25  He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.
26  But the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
27  And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
 their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey them.'


• The beasts come from the earth
• They are human, not divine, kingdoms
• Daniel's interest is primarily in the fourth beast, likely because of how "different" it is from the other (verses 19-22). The word "different" is a constant theme with the fourth empire
• Add a little more to the original vision
• Little horn was greater than the other horns
• Little horn has eyes and mouth that spoke great things
• Little horn will make war against the saints
• Little horn's war against the saints will succeed
• Only the Ancient of Days judgment stops the little horn and gives to the saints the kingdom
• Interpretation
• The fourth kingdom is different from all the kingdoms
• It begins in a united stage
• It then devours the whole earth (one world government)
• The phrase, "as for the ten horns" immediately addresses Daniel's questions (potentially leaving out intervening stages)
• Ten kingdoms and ten kings arise from the fourth empire
• Another king arises and puts down three of the kings
• This king (the Antichrist)
• Speaks words against the most High
• Wears out the saints of the most High
• Thinks to change the times and the law
• Suggestion of religious rule changes
• Develops his own feasts
• Institutes new modes of worship
• Institutes new articles of faith
• Appoints his own leaders
• He rules for 3 1/2 years
• Judgment will ultimately end the fourth empire (this is the purpose of tribulation)
• It will be consumed and destroyed AT THE END. The "end" is the second coming of Christ as we will see later
• A new kingdom follows
• This kingdom is given to the saints
• We shall rule with Christ in this kingdom
• The fourth kingdom is not Rome but imperialism (that is why it is different)
• It is control achieved either through actual in-place leaders or other forms of coercion. It does not necessarily mean armed military control (although the military is always behind it)
• The fourth empire exists until the return of Christ
• Stages
• United stage is Rome
• Two division stage starts in 364 AD
• Roman empire divides into an east-west axis
• Eastern remained in Constantinople until conquered in the Turkish invasion. Rulers called themselves "Czars" which is Russian for Caesar. Eventually Russia gave itself the title of the Third Roman Empire. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the eastern power is still shifting
• Western division remained in Rome until 476. Then shifted to France with Charlemagne, calling itself the Holy Roman Empire of the Frankish nation. Otto I defeated the Franks and set up the Holy Roman empire of the German nation. They called themselves "Kaisers" which is German for Caesar. After WW I, the power has been shifting among the western nations
• Ultimately the two-division stage will break down and lead to a one-world government (it will devour the whole earth, Rome never did)
• This will lead to a ten kingdom stage
• This is followed by the Antichrist rule (8 Kingdoms, with 7 giving allegiance to the one king, and three having been conquered by the one king)
• APPLICATION: We can disagree on how much of life is manipulated by God. But God controls the times and season of rulers.

Rev 3:14-22, The church of the apostasy

Rev 3:14-22 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  17  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  19  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  21  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  22  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

DESCRIPTION:

• Destination is Laodicea
• The name means "people ruling"
• Tatford writes that the Laodiceans had a reputation for saying and doing whatever was necessary to preserve their own wellbeing
• Also very susceptible to earthquakes but declined Roman assistance to rebuild the city to do it themselves using their own wealth
• The wealth of the inhabitants created a taste for the arts of Greeks. Also, science and literature were important. A large medical school was established there. Very considerable trade at a major cross-road
• Known for raven black wool production
• A special salve was developed for the eye and another treatment for the ear
• City ruins bear the stamp of Roman extravagance and luxury

LITERAL / UNIVERSAL

• What is the point of the description of Jesus?
• Jesus is described as the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation
• This church is in contrast to Jesus' name. They are neither faithful or a witness, and they believe that they ruled over God's creation
• What do we learn about the church from the commendations?
• This is the only church among the seven that receives no commendation from God
• What do we learn from the condemnation, first their temperature?
• They are neither hot nor cold in their love for God. They were apathetic. They didn't really care
• Interesting Laodicea received their water from a spring 6 miles away that traveled by aqueduct and it arrived lukewarm
• Next door neighbor, Hierapolis had hot, spring water that was valuable for its medicinal effects
• Nearby Colossae had cool water that was refreshing as a beverage (Hemer)
• God disputes their opinion of themselves (rich and not needing anything). What does God call them?
• Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (these all refer to their spiritual condition). They probably were wealthy but God is not commenting about their wealth
• What does God tell them that they need, and what does it mean?
• Gold refined in fire. Character qualities and a spiritual witness
• White clothes to wear. In scripture this usually refers to righteousness that a believer receives when he comes to Christ
• Plus, they are naked which means that they did not have any clothes
• I disagree with certain authors who believe this letter was written to a Christian church. Most of the language suggests otherwise
• Salve to put on your eyes so that you can see. A believer can see but an unbeliever cannot see. These are not believers (in my opinion)
• God tells the people
• He rebukes and disciplines those he loves (could be suggestive of a believer but God loves the world)
• They need to repent (an unbeliever also needs to repent)
• Jesus calls them to enter into a relationship with him by opening the door to their life  (or heart). These last two sentences sound like a salvation call and not a return to faith
• The promise is "to sit with Jesus on his throne"
• Only a believer can rule with Jesus in the millennial kingdom
• This church needs to believe

PROPHETIC

• For the purpose of the historical-prophetic interpretation,  Laodicea is the "Church of the Apostasy" and covers the period of AD 1900-present
• The Philadelphian time  period was a great time for the church, but this last church is not so good
• Apostate means to leave something that was previously held
• This is the western church today, apathetic, not believing they have any need, not on fire for the Lord, nor necessarily cold to spiritual things, just not wanting to get too close. The church though is blind, poor, and naked. In other words, the church or Christendom is made up of mostly unbelieving churches
• Paul taught that in the latter days, apostasy would come first
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
• 1 Timothy 4:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
• 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV) — 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
• 2 Timothy 4:1–4 (ESV) — 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
• This is clear the church
• A number of major trends in this century has hastened this departure
• Questioning of the scripture as not inerrant (movement began in Germany)
• Interpret bible doctrines in light of natural law and human reason
• Evolution weakened the confidence in scripture (life from random chaotic events), although without reason
• An unnatural break between science and religion
• Mocking of religion by the elite; 2 Pet 3:3-7
• Commentary:
• Bennetch takes a softer view to the church
• "Faith that accepts the good gifts of God represents the purchase price. Three boons the Laodiceans need to request from the exalted Head for the sake of restoration to fellowship, according to the pronouncement: wealth, dress and sight, which the world could not give. Individually the three may symbolize: faith active in good works, a character unspotted by sin, and spiritual discernment. These gifts were needed to remedy the three failings of Laodicea: fruitlessness, worldliness and blindness." (Bennetch, J. H. (1939). The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Bibliotheca Sacra, 96, 362.)
• APPLICATION: We need to recapture the heart of the Philadelphian church in terms of how God can use us to change nations and a people. We need to make sure we don't fall in love with the world and the things of the world and become apathetic toward God. God wants to use us. But God can only use those who have his clothes, his riches, and his vision for the world

Rev 3:7-13, The Church of Philadelphia, Brotherly love and an open door for the gospel

Rev 3:7-13 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8 "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.  10  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  11  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  12  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  13  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

DESCRIPTION

• Destination is Philadelphia, which means brotherly love or literally "one who loves his brother"
• Founded by a Pergamenian king, Attalus II who had a special devotion to his brother
• The city was founded with a missionary emphasis, to promote Hellenism in an Oriental land (Tatford)
• Because it experienced earthquakes from time to time, more of the population than normal lived outside the city (Constable)
• The AD 17 earthquake resulted in the emperor Tiberius relieving the city of having to pay taxes
• It was the doorway to three countries in the east
• It housed an imperial cult

LITERAL / UNIVERSAL

• What is the point of the description of Jesus?
• Described as him who is holy and true
• Holy emphasizes his righteousness (which really is a key part of the gospel message)
• True is the genuine-ness of the message
• Described as him who holds the key of David
• It could be a reference to a story in the old testament of Hezekiah's servant, Eliakim, who had authority over all of David's house, including his treasures or resources
• It could also be part of the description of the person who opens and closes doors
• Described as the door opener (and closer)
• We will see in a minute that there has never been a point in history where the gospel had the freedom it did
• What do we learn about the church from the commendations?
• He knows their works (they are active, doing something)
• God has placed an open door and they have been obedient
• They are two promises as a result of the commendation
• One, they will have an impact among these cults (many cults make an argument that they are the true people of God)
• Two, they will not have to go through the tribulation
• This makes much more sense in the UNIVERSAL and PROPHETIC sense
• What is the exhortation and what does it mean?
• Hold on to what you have (you have an earned a crown)
• Or you are doing well, keep it up
• What do we learn from the condemnation?
• One of only two churches that have no condemnation
• The promise is "to be a pillar in the temple of my God," but what does it mean?
• When Solomon built the temple he named two of the pillars, establish and strength
• The idea is of a firm position. Unlike the earthly temple, God's temple will never be shaken
• The permanence of the relationship is emphasized by the writing of the names. The threefold writing of the names is a threefold assurance of his identity with God

PROPHETIC

• For the purpose of the historical-prophetic interpretation,  Philadelphia is the "church of the great missionary movement" and covers the period of AD 1648-1900
• Period of the British Empire
• The sun never sets on the British empire
• Every nation in the world was open to the gospel. These two centuries was a time where the entire world was open to the gospel. To a certain extent, the British empire was the door
• Men like Hudson Taylor, Adoraim Judson, William Carey, and others went all over the world with the gospel (Charles G. Finney, Charles H. Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, D. L. Moody, R. A. Torrey, George Mueller, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, E. M. Bounds' Charles Chiniquy, J. A. Wylie, and A. T. Pierson)
• They had little strength. It was actually a minority of believers who God used during this time. But they were faithful to his calling. Men like George Mueller who did extraordinary things by faith. Revivals would sweep whole countries even though they started out by only a few people praying
• It is not your size that defines your success, it is your obedience
• God's job is the numbers. The lack of numbers is not an indication of failure. Now, they did see some huge numbers, but for many it wasn't until much later
• During this time, ministries to Jews actually took root and by 1900, 250K Jews became believers, starting in Germany, then England, and finally the US
• But the synagogue of Satan (who are not Jews) probably refers to cults, people who see themselves as replacements for God's people: Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Christian Science, and others. Often the cults claim to be the real Jews by declaring themselves to be the 144K Jews or the ten lost tribes of Israel
• APPLICATION: it is not the size and numbers that define success, but obedience to what God has called us to. As evidenced by John's mission late in life, none of us are yet too old for God to use. What is he calling us to do? Stop putting it off and saying no. Be obedient to the call of God