Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 34

 

God's Everlasting Love

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom 8:34

It is Christ... Four redemptive acts of Christ:

1. His death

2. Resurrection

3. Ascension (Eph. 1:20)

4. Intercession (Rom. 8:27)

who also maketh... Rom. 8:27, 8:34; Heb. 7:25.

There are four reasons the believer can never be found guilty. Take note of what verse 34 says as it gets into real specifics.

1. Christ died for our sins.

2. He rose again.

3. He sits at the right hand of the Father.

4. He is constantly reminding God that He died to pay the cost for our sins (intercessor).

Heb. 7:24-25 “But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.” “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

The related question here is, Who is He that condemns? The Greek participle ho katakrinōn can have a future sense, “will condemn,” which seems preferable here. (Cf. katakrima, “condemnation, punishment” in Rom. 8:1.) Jesus Christ is God’s appointed Judge (John 5:22, 5:27; Acts 17:31), so Paul answered this question by stating, Christ Jesus. But Jesus is the very One whom the believer has trusted for salvation. Furthermore, He is the One who died — more than that (lit., “but more”) who was raised to life — who is at the right hand of God (cf. Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 1:13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22) and is also interceding for us. The Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Judge, but He is also the One with whom each believer is identified by faith. As a result he is a believer’s Sacrifice for sin (cf. Rom. 5:8; 8:32), his new life (a believer shares in Christ’s resurrection life; Rom. 6:4, 6:8, 6:11; Eph. 2:5-6; Col. 2:13), his Intercessor (cf. Heb. 7:25; also the Holy Spirit intercedes, Rom. 8:26-27) and his Defense (1Jhn. 2:1). Certainly the Judge will not condemn His own who are in Him by faith! (cf. Rom. 8:1).

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 21

 The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:21 "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."

in his estate... This refers to Antiochus IV, called Epiphanes, the Illustrious, who reigned 175-163 B.C. All of Dan. 11:21-34 refers to him. Several details are given concerning things which the last Syrian king, the Antichrist, will also do, and that more completely.

to whom they... The true heir, Demetrius, another son of Seleucus IV, was being held in Rome as a hostage. This gave Antiochus Epiphanes the opportunity of seizing the throne.

How Antiochus Epiphanes Became King

but he shall... Antiochus Epiphanes was on his way from Rome when his father, Seleucus IV, died. Heliodorus who poisoned the king had already declared himself king, as had several others, but Antiochus came home peaceably (not in war) and obtained the kingdom with flattery. He flattered Eumenes, king of Pergamos, and Attalus his brother, and got their assistance. He flattered the Romans, and sent ambassadors to court their favor, paying them tribute which was in arrears. He flattered the Syrians, gained their favor, and took the throne with their backing. Here Antiochus Epiphanes is called a "vile person" because he was every man’s companion. He resorted to the common shops and taverns, drank with the lowest characters, and sang debauched songs with them. For this he was called by some Epimanes, the Madman.

(In verses 21-35), the cruelest king of the North was Seleucid, the Syrian persecutor of Israel named Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He came to the throne when his brother Seleucus was murdered and a son of the dead king who might succeed him, Demetrius I Soter, was held hostage in Rome. In the vacuum, Antiochus seized power in Syria.

Invasion by Antiochus IV Epiphanes

These verses describe Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a son of Antiochus III the Great. This one Seleucid who ruled from 175-163 b.c. is given as much attention as all the others before him combined. He is the little horn of Dan. 8:9-12, 8:23-25. A long section (Dan. 11:21-35) is devoted to him not only because of the effects of his invasion on the land of Israel, but more so because he foreshadows the little horn (king) of Dan. 7:8 who in a future day will desecrate and destroy the land of Israel.

Ten Proofs Antiochus Epiphanes Was Not Antichrist

1. The expression "in his estate" is used in Dan. 11:7, 11:20, 11:21, 11:38 of immediate succession, without a time break of over 2,000 years as would be the case if Antichrist had been referred to in Dan. 11:21-34.

2. There is no break mentioned in Dan. 11:21 as would be the case if there was to be a long period between Seleucus IV of Dan. 11:20 and the future Antichrist of Dan. 11:35-45. There is such a break at the end of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, Dan. 11:34, and the beginning of the prophecy of the future Antichrist in Dan. 11:35 where it is clear that the reference is to the end time.

3. The kingdom was not given to Antiochus Epiphanes (Dan. 11:21), but in the case of Antichrist, he is given a crown (Rev. 6:1-2) and power to rule (Rev. 13:1-5).

4. Antiochus Epiphanes was forced to go back into his own land by the Romans (Dan. 11:28-30), but Antichrist is not to be so forced by the Romans or anyone else until Christ comes. He will do according to his own will (Dan. 11:36).

5. Antiochus Epiphanes made 2 invasions of Egypt (Dan. 11:25-31), while Antichrist will make only one (Dan. 11:40-45).

6. In the 2nd invasion of Egypt Rome forced Antiochus Epiphanes to return to Syria (Dan. 11:29-30), but when Antichrist takes Egypt (Dan. 11:40-45) the Romans will surrender to him (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:12-17).

7. Antiochus Epiphanes was deeply grieved at the Roman opposition but finally yielded to their demand to liberate Egypt (Dan. 11:30-31), while Antichrist will have no such opposition nor will he yield to Rome or any other power desiring to liberate Egypt (Dan. 11:40-45; Rev. 17:12-17).

8. The exploits of the Maccabees are definitely referred to in Dan. 11:32-33, as proved in the books of 1Macc. and 2Macc. of the Apocrypha (1Macc. 1:10-24,54; 2Macc. 4:4-22; 2Macc. 5:11-21; 2Macc. 6:2).

9. The spoiling of Israel many days by the sword, flame, and captivity could not apply to Israel in the days of Antichrist, for the woman representing Israel at that time reaches the wilderness safely, without destruction or captivity (Rev. 12:6, 12:14-17).

10. The whole passage (Dan. 11:21-34) was too literally fulfilled concerning Antiochus Epiphanes, not to refer to him as we shall see in the comments on this passage. It seems very clear that prophecy of the future Antichrist begins in Dan. 11:35.

Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 33

 

God's Everlasting Love

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Rom 8:33

who shall lay... Greek: engkaleo, call to judicial account (Acts 19:38). God justifies the elect.

of God's elect... Greek: eklektos. See Luke 18:7.

No charge is admissible, because the Father justifies, in that the Son died, was raised and now intercedes for us. Who can successfully accuse someone whom God has declared righteous?

Some young children learned the hard way not to insult God’s elect (in 2Kgs. 2:23-24). They had made fun of Elisha’s bald head. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord and 42 of them were torn of she bears. It is a very dangerous thing to say bad things about God’s elect.

Another example of how God will not allow this is when Miriam spoke against Moses and became leprous. She was cleansed when Moses prayed for her (Num. 12:10).

These 2 instances remind us not to come against God’s elect. God fights their battles for them. We who are God’s are not justified by our own deeds but we are justified because we have been cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We are justified, because we have taken on the righteousness of Christ.

The next two questions Paul raised and answered are forensic or legal in nature. Who will bring any charge (enkalesei, “make a formal accusation in court; press charges”; cf. Acts 19:40; 23:29; 26:2) against those whom God has chosen? Satan is identified as “the accuser” of God’s people (Rev. 12:10; cf. Zec. 3:1). His accusations are valid, because they are based on the believer’s sinfulness and defilement. But Satan’s accusations will be thrown out of court, because it is God who justifies. The Judge Himself declares the accused person righteous on the basis of his faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24; 5:1). As a result all accusations are dismissed and no one can bring an accusation that will stand.

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 20

 The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:20 "Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes [in] the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle."




Then shall stand... The tax raiser who succeeded Antiochus the Great was his son, Seleucus IV, called Philopater, who reigned 187-176 B.C. His kingdom then consisted of Syria, Cilicia, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Media, and Persia.

raiser of taxes... Seleucus IV was called a raiser of taxes because he was compelled to pay a yearly war indemnity exacted by Rome. He raised money from many new sources, even sending his minister, Heliodorus, to Jerusalem to plunder the temple. Rome required Seleucus IV Philopator to render tribute. The Romans put heavy payment requirements on all those they controlled. The Syrian set out to tax his subjects heavily to raise the tribute.

but within few... What is meant by the "few days" is not stated. It could not be that he ruled only a few days, for he reigned 11 years. This perhaps refers to his quick death from the time he sought to plunder the Jewish temple at Jerusalem to get the money deposited there, which is here called "the glory of the kingdom."

he shall be... This refers to the manner of death of Seleucus IV—not in anger and not in battle fighting with the enemy, but basely and treacherously assassinated by Heliodorus who sought to be king, the one in whom he trusted. He died of poison.



Antiochus III’s son Seleucus IV Philopator (187-176 b.c.) heavily taxed his people to pay Rome, but he was poisoned (destroyed… not in… battle) by his treasurer Heliodorus.

Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 32

 

God's Everlasting Love

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:32

The hardest thing for the carnal mind to understand is why God would sacrifice His Son for a bunch of sinners.

We read in Romans Chapter 5:

Rom. Chap. 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Paul’s point was, would God do less for His children than He did for His enemies?

The amazing thing is that God loves the worst sinner. God provided through His Son a way out for all. Jesus died for all sin. The way out is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The problem is that many will not accept this way out and therefore will die in their sin. The beautiful story in Genesis in the O.T. of Abraham about to sacrifice his son Isaac, is a type and shadow of God sacrificing His Son for all of mankind.

A type or shadow is not exact in every detail, but makes you think of the happening it is shadowing. Both Abraham and God were about to sacrifice the one who meant the very most to them. In the case of Abraham, God stopped him and gave him a substitute. In God’s case, there was no one greater than Himself to stop him.

Jesus Christ (the only begotten of the Father), was the substitute for all mankind. The greatest gift of love in all time was God loving us enough to give His Son to save us. We deserved to die on that cross, but God the Son took our place for us. He was our substitute.

We read earlier in Rom. 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1Cor. Chap. 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.”

God has given us life in Jesus Christ. What more can we ask?

He is for believers to the extent that He… did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all. The word “spare” (epheisato, from pheidomai) is the same word used in the Septuagint in Gen. 22:12 where the NIV translates it “withheld.” God said to Abraham, “You have not withheld your son.” Then God directed Abraham to spare Isaac and to offer a ram as a substitute (Gen. 22:2-14), whereas God offered His own Son as the Sacrifice for sin (John 1:29). In view of this supreme act of God’s grace, How will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Since God gave the greatest Sacrifice of all, His own Son, He will certainly not hesitate to give believers all other things pertaining to and leading to their ultimate sanctification (cf. 2Pet. 1:3).

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 19

 The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:19 "Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found."

Then he shall... This refers to Antiochus III the Great turning back to his own fort in Antioch. He was obliged to raise 15,000 talents for Rome, to pay for the war. He marched into his eastern provinces to exact the unpaid taxes and perished in a war in Luristan, 187 B.C.

Antiochus III returned from defeat to his own land compelled by Rome to relinquish all his territory west of the Taurus and to repay the costs of his war. He was likely killed by defenders of a Persian temple he tried to plunder at night (to get money to pay reparations required by Rome).

Antiochus returned to his own country in 188 and died a year later.




Antiochus III the Great had carried on the most vigorous military campaigns of any of Alexander’s successors, but his dream of reuniting Alexander’s empire under his authority was never realized.

Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 31

 

God's Everlasting Love

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Rom 8:31

What shall we... Questions 46-52. Next, Rom. 9:14. We must conclude from these doctrines that God is for us and will freely give us all things; that God alone is our judge; that Christ and the Holy Spirit are our helpers; that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ; and that we are more than conquerors over all enemies through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Greek construction is better translated “Since God is for us.”

We read (in 1 Corinthians):

1Cor. 8:12 “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”

God fights for us and gives us the victory. God causes even our enemies to live at peace with us, if we are Christians. Those who are opposed to God’s people are really opposed to God.

It is astounding to realize that God’s plan of salvation for people is a program that reaches from eternity past to eternity future which God will carry out perfectly. Recognizing this, Paul asked and answered (in Rom. 8:31-39) seven questions to drive home the truth that a believer’s eternal salvation is completely secure in God’s hands. The first question is general, What, then, shall we say in response to this? (cf. Rom. 4:1; 6:1; 9:14, 9:30) The obvious response to Rom. 8:28-30 would be to say “Hallelujah,” or to stand in open-mouthed amazement.

This leads to a series of six more specific questions. The first is, If God is for us, who can be against us? Obviously, Satan and his demonic hosts are against believers (cf. Eph. 6:11-13; 1Pet. 5:8), but they cannot ultimately prevail and triumph over believers. God is the self-existent One and the sovereign Creator and, since He is for believers, no one can oppose believers successfully.