SUMMARY OF DR. PÉTER HACK’S SERMON ON APRIL 14, 2024
Through faith, people have the opportunity to connect to eternity. At creation, the visible world was created within the invisible, in such a way, that the visible still exists. So let us not rely on our experiences only, though experiences are important. Everything that happens to us originates from the invisible, and we must provide the right responses to it.
The invisible spiritual world consists of two parts. One part is the Kingdom of God, and with God, there are His angels as well. Most people have a very distorted image of the angels. We should not imagine these beings based on the images painted by artists, but rather be guided by the events described in the Bible about them, and they appear with power and authority.
The invisible reality has another part, the Kingdom of Satan. Everything that happens in the visible world, was created under the influence of one of these two parts. Winning over problems is only possible with intensive spiritual life because this is the only way for us to get into a tight relationship with the living God.
WE CAN DEMAND NATURAL SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THEIR ROOTS ARE IN THE INVISIBLE. THEREFORE, IF WE MANAGE TO WIN THE WAR THERE, THE SOLUTION WILL COME INTO THE VISIBLE AS WELL.
Do not except solutions from people, because that would be like leaning on a broken reed, which will only lead to trouble. Let us trust in God! He can bring blessings to our lives directly or through people. A spiritual person does not worry but trusts in the Lord, though not passively, as cooperation is needed in prayer and spiritual warfare.
God does not hide the events of the last times from people. He was ready to give a revelation to Daniel about the future of Israel and the nations. This happened through two prophecies. One involved the great statue, and the other the beasts rising from the sea. Through these, He showed the history of humanity very accurately.
Nebuchadnezzar was the Babylonian ruler through whom God punished His people for sins for which He had previously warned that punishment would come. No one but Daniel could interpret the king’s dream. This dream outlines the succession of empires.
IN THE OTHER PROPHECY OF DANIEL, WE READ ABOUT THE WARFARE OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS. SATAN WANTED TO USE THE PRINCE OF PERSIA TO PREVENT THE MESSAGE OF GOD FROM REACHING ITS DESTINATION.
The archangel of Gabriel brought the message of God to Daniel. During his visit, the prophet could not stand on his feet, which can be a response to prejudiced people, who make baseless accusations about our church. When a person encounters supernatural power, it leaves a mark. In such moments, they gain experience of the invisible world, as they have collided with it.
Daniel had a special anointing. God granted him the ability to see the future of humanity, he could interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, witness the battles of archangels, and receive revelations about the future of Israel as well. We can believe that a spiritual person can also receive revelations in response to their prayers concerning important decisions in their life.
THOSE WHO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND LIVE IN HOLINESS CAN ASK FROM HIM, AND THEN WAIT FOR HIS ANSWER.
We should ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we have important questions in our lives since He knows better what is good for us than ourselves.
It is very important in the prophecy of Daniel, that in the warfare Gabriel and Michael archangels and their armies are on the side of God, and on His other side are the Princes of Persia and Greece. Evil spiritual forces have operated here as obstacles, and the roots of the current Israel-Iran conflict can be traced back to this.
Persia had a dual role in relation to Israel. Cyrus, the Persian king, allowed the captives to return from Babylonian captivity after the Persian Empire defeated Babylon. During the formation of modern Israel, the only ally of the Jewish people in the region was Iran – this is the modern name of Persia. This remained true during the reign of the Shah of Iran. However, this changed drastically when the Ayatollahs came to power, leading to a fundamental shift. Today, Iran is one of the greatest enemies of Israel, with the goal of destroying the Jewish state.
YET, WE DO NOT THINK, THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE ACTIVITY OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW, THAT THERE ARE EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES BEHIND THEM.
On a global level, this is a spiritual conflict, and essentially the same thing happens in the lives of individuals. We live in a struggle between good and evil forces, and by making good decisions, we can align ourselves with the plan of God.
It is very likely that the evil spiritual being referred to as the Prince of Persia played a significant role in the change of power in Iran, with the goal of transforming a regime sympathetic to Israel into one that is hostile towards it.
This evil force will play a role in other events as well, such as the battle of Gog and Magog, where the Bible specifically names Persia. We cannot be certain if the current situation in the Middle East is a preparation for this war, but it is already clear that more and more nations are seeking to join the alliance against Israel.
SOMEHOW ISRAEL NEEDS TO KNOW WHO TO TRUST. THE LORD IS THEIR GOD, WHO WILL NEVER FORSAKE THEM AGAIN.
The plan of God is for us to be strong, and be able to stand. Jesus said, not to be startled, when hearing of wars, because the end of the story will be good for us. We live in a time when strength and trust are needed. Let us not be mad at people, but at Satan, and shout out to God, to extend His protection to us and Israel.
We should pay attention to prophecies because they do not originate from human will but from the Holy Spirit. The establishment of Israel shocked many people, as it was realized in a two-thousand-year perspective exactly as the prophets had foretold. This can only mean that the Bible is true. Those who hate Israel do so because its existence does not validate their ideology. Whoever hates Israel also hates the Church; both share a hatred towards the living God.
The arm of God has not been shortened, He will help Israel and us as well. Let us work together with Him in this, and be ready for spiritual warfare, with the assurance of victory.
SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:
- Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
- The Book of Daniel 10:1-21
- The Book of Ezekiel 38:1-23, 39:28-29
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- 2 Peter 1:19-21
Magyarra fordította: Heibl Eszter
Eredeti cikk: Hrabovszki György