A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR JACK VAN IMPE

The Plot Thickens – and Will Get Thicker

It is only within the last century that God has been unsealing the mysteries of this book and Daniel’s dream. While the significance of the first three beasts is relatively easy to interpret because of its solid basis in historical fact, the ten toes (Daniel 2:41-42, 44) and the ten horns (Daniel 7:7, 20, 24 and Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16) must now be addressed in some detail.

To do this, we need to go back to the year 1947 when Benelux came into power: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg-the first three horns on the terrible fourth beast, and the first three nations of what presently comprises the European Union. In 1957, France, Italy, and Germany joined the confederation, making it six, with the Treaty of Rome ratifying this amalgamation. In 1973, Britain, Ireland, and Denmark joined for a total of nine. Then, on January 1, 1981, Greece joined the group to make it ten in number.

At this point many evangelicals were elated, making the assumption that all the members of the group had finally been assembled. However in Daniel 7:8, 20, and 24 we read that the confederation will grow to thirteen. This has already taken place: Numbers eleven and twelve who joined the EU were Spain and Portugal, coming into the confederation in 1986. Then with the arrival of Austria into the movement in 1996, the EU grew to thirteen.

But this is only the beginning. Eventually the fourth beast becomes a world empire-the New World Order, something we are already beginning to witness. Daniel 7:23 states that he shall devour (or engulf) the whole world. Revelation 13:7 adds:

No longer is this fulfillment of prophecy something you and I read about in the Book of Daniel alone, but it is also the subject matter for the correspondents and editors of the pages of your daily newspaper: Prophecy is being fulfilled in black and white each day for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

The Little Horn

Now let’s look at the “little horn” of Daniel 7:8. Who and what is it? What is its influence? Martin Luther said that this little horn is the New Testament Antichrist of the future, and I agree. This little horn’s appearance was not for an earlier period in history, but for the end time of Daniel 12:4. Why? Because this little horn-the Antichrist-arises at the last day out of this grouping of ten nations. Since the European Union is now in place, there is little question that the Antichrist can-and will-arise soon.

The Beast Speaks

Verse 11 says the little horn, or beast, speaks, and his words are great. This event takes place during the Tribulation hour when the little horn, the infamous Antichrist, finally arises and comes to power. Revelation 13:5 and 6 add,

The Antichrist blasphemes God almighty and eventually calls himself God, but at a great cost to this “beast” because Jesus Christ will destroy him with the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). However, there is even more devastation ahead as the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire burning with fire and brimstone (Revelation 19:20). Furthermore, when Satan is cast into the lake of fire one thousand years later, the beast and the false prophet are still in existence-proving that the fires of hell do not annihilate anyone, as some cults teach (Revelation 20:10).

And what about the other beasts in Daniel’s dream? When do they have their dominion taken from them? This is a fascinating question, and an important one. The Medes and the Persians destroyed Babylon; Greece destroyed the Medes and the Persians, and Rome destroyed Greece. Their kingdoms and powers were taken away. Yet, the passage tells us that they still exist because all their customs and cultures were passed on to each nation that conquered them, meaning they are all still with us in some way. Remember that the old Persian Empire is today’s Iran and Iraq. Would you not agree these two nations are still with us, continuing to create havoc in the area and around the world with their commitment to regional conflict and international terrorism?

The Son of Man and the Ancient of Days

In his dream, Daniel had a vision of one like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. This is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. This prophecy is about to happen because the term Son of Man is definitely the Messiah and the Savior. Let’s investigate further. The term Son of Man is the precise one Jesus used repeatedly to describe Himself. Matthew 8:20 says,

Matthew 24:30 tells us,

Now the Ancient of Days-Yahweh-presents the kingdom to His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the moment when the stone cut out without hands smashes the feet of the image in Daniel 2:45. This announces the return of Christ because He is the stone or rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). Then comes the tremendous battle we read about in Revelation 19 when Christ comes on a white horse (v. 11) and the armies of heaven follow Him (v. 14). Verse 19 says,

But they do not prevail. This is the time when the prophecy of the stone smashing the feet of the image is fulfilled. It’s all over for the world powers at this point because Jesus Christ has arrived to set up His Kingdom. However, as the Lord appears, the armies of the revived Roman Empire attempt to stop the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:19-21). Psalm 2:1-6 pictures this final battle:

This will be the great climax, that moment in history when Gentile dominion ends, and when Jesus Christ is seated on the throne of David. Luke 1:32-33 says, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” After the thousand-year reign of Christ, the earth is purged and Christ is recommissioned and rules eternally upon earth (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). That’s why Ephesians 3:21 adds, “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

We will continue our study next week with Daniel’s response to the vision.

FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

The Look

What a dramatic experience it must be for an infant to be born into this world! Leaving the security and warm comfort of its sanctuary just below its mother’s heart, the child is thrust suddenly into the noisy activity and bright lights of a completely different existence…in a whole new world.

How comforting and reassuring it must be for that tiny new being to look up into the face of its mother and gaze into the kindest, most loving eyes it has ever seen. There is grateful acceptance and a joyful welcome in that face, and that first look of love, I believe, is so important that it helps shape the entire life of that youngster. That look should-and usually does-carry special, deep meaning right on through all the child’s years on planet earth.

Sadly, for many children who enter the world these days, that look isn’t there. They never look up and see a gentle expression that says, “I’m glad you’re here.” Such deprivation, it seems to me, must have a negative impact on their early sense of security and well being, and may even affect their ability to relate to others in the critical growing-up years.

I got “the look”

I’m so grateful that I did read that overwhelming welcome in the eyes of my mother and father. As early as I can remember, that look of pride, joy, and approval greeted me every time I looked up at them. And I learned to check for “the look” as a reference point to help me along as I explored the world and ventured out to find my place in it.

When I was trying something new, or attempting to do something on my own, I could read in mother’s eyes-“Yes, go ahead,” or maybe, “Hey, you’d better be careful and hold back just a little bit.” My father was also a great source of guidance and encouragement just through “the look.” My parents never really had to say very much for me to understand where I was headed. I could always read their expressions…especially their eyes.

When I was a child, “the look” helped give me the courage to do my best in performing. I started singing in public when I was just five years old, and there were about 1,500 people in the church we attended. But if I felt a bit apprehensive while standing up before the crowd, all I had to do was look down at my mother. Her eyes would tell me, “You can do this…I’m so proud of you!”

At the end of a musical solo, Mom’s eyes might convey to me, Oh, honey, that’s the best you’ve ever done!

Of course, if I looked at my father, I would always see tears rolling out of his eyes. His eyes were always dripping with love, approval, and caring that said to me, “I can’t even begin to express how I feel, Rexella-I have to do it this way!”

Learning from “the look”

In high school, I was also very active in drama as well as music, and in my academic studies. The experience of introducing my songs before an audience gave me the confidence to try acting in plays. I found that I enjoyed learning to communicate from a different perspective.

But whether a solo performance, a choral concert, or a dramatic production, the first people I looked to after my performance were my parents. I could always determine if I had done a good job or not by “the look” I read in their eyes. Their expression would tell me, “Oh my, we certainly approve.” Or if I hadn’t done as well, I would read that in their expression. Of course, the tears rolled down my dad’s face at school, too-he could never control his emotions when it came to his daughter doing something.

This approval/caution feedback extended on into my adult life. I learned to recognize “the look” on other people’s faces and to be sensitive to their needs and feelings. After I was married and Jack and I were traveling the nation in evangelistic crusades, I found that I could stand before an audience and read body language and facial expressions like a book. In their eyes I saw the true identification of their hearts, and it revealed so much.

There might be thousands of people in an auditorium or stadium, but I could sense the people who needed to be there-those who needed the Lord. There was tremendous communication between them and me just through “the look.” When I stood up to sing, I could tell if they were truly receiving the message of my song or if they were just enjoying-or enduring-the performance.

I especially enjoyed interacting with the children. Youngsters are so openly honest and direct that it is usually easy to tell what they are thinking and how they feel. In more recent years, when we had an open house at our ministry headquarters and invited friends to come, the children would always attract my attention. I felt so free to get down and look into their faces to search out what they wanted to express. Often it was a look that said, “Thank you, Rexella, for having us today. I love being here!”

Communicating through “the look”

Before Jack and I went on television and our demanding production schedule kept us closer to home, I often traveled across the country to various ladies conferences. From the time I was twenty years old until a few years ago, I would speak before women’s groups as often as two or three times a month. So many times the Lord helped me to sense people’s needs, and the Holy Spirit directed my words because of “the look” that communicated so eloquently. Sometimes I’d even change what I had prepared to say and go a different direction. Maybe some little comment I didn’t realize was significant would seem to strike a nerve and reveal a special need. “The look” would instantly say, “Oh, yes! Help me, tell me, teach me!”

I’ll never forget the time in a crusade service when a lady came forward during an invitation-she was one of the pastor’s wives. I was immediately drawn to her because I could read the great need in her soul. Just one glance into her eyes told me the whole story, “Oh, Rexella, I’m not sure that I really know the Lord. I’m just not sure!”

I took her hand and said, “Honey, don’t rely on the past-let’s be sure right now.” I knew I needed to lead her to Christ, and she was so ready. So we prayed the sinner’s prayer together until the light of heaven broke through all her doubt and confusion.

I got a letter from this lady not long ago-she’s now going across Texas sharing her story about how she opened her heart to the Lord during our crusade.

Even more awesome than the marvelous communication between people that is transmitted through “the look” is knowing that the eyes of the Lord have followed you and me from the moment we were born. He knows everything about us, and has seen everything we’ve ever done.

In the Old Testament, God says, For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hidden from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes (Jeremiah 16:17). And He goes on-Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? (Jeremiah 23:24).

The New Testament also testifies that neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him (Hebrews 4:13).

Pondering the wonder of Jesus

While I’m almost overcome by the idea that the Creator of the universe notices me, looks at me, and keeps track of my deeds, I literally tremble to think that He is aware of every failure, and careless act of my entire life. How could we stand before a righteous God if it were not for the amazing love of Jesus who loved us and gave himself as a sacrifice to redeem us from the penalty of our sins?

Such love is too great for me to comprehend! I can only ponder the wonder of Jesus whose shed blood has blotted out the record of all my sins-the things God has seen in my life of which He did not approve. God saw it all. He kept track of it. The penalty for my sin was a debt I owed that I could not pay. But Jesus paid it all. Everything bad that God saw in my life is gone-never to be remembered again! When I look into His face, there is no accusation of my guilt. His look is only total love and acceptance.

Talk about amazing grace! Why did my Lord love me so? How could He look at me with such compassion and forgiveness?

Do you remember the dramatic story of how Peter stood outside the high priest’s house where Jesus was being accused? Three times he denied that he was one of the Lord’s disciples, or that he even knew Him. About that time a rooster crowed, and the door of the house opened and they led Jesus out.

What’s in a look?

The gospel account says, And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61, 62).

Notice that Jesus didn’t say a word to Peter-He just looked at him. But oh, how much Peter must have seen in that look!

Another gospel story tells how the Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who was accused of adultery and asked if she should be stoned as the Mosaic Law prescribed. Jesus waited a bit, then looked at them and said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” (see John 8:7).

One by one the members of that self-righteous mob slunk away until no one was left except Jesus and the woman. “Where are your accusers?” He asked her, “Who condemns you?”

“No one,” she replied.

And Jesus, looking at her with great kindness and divine love, said, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!”

Oh, the wonder of His love that takes away every mistake – every sin and gives us a perfect heart! How marvelous to claim the precious promise found in 2 Chronicles 16:9-For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Do you realize what this means? Our Lord’s eyes always see us and what we do for Him. He has seen my every performance, every word I’ve spoken on the crusade platform or before the television cameras, every article I’ve ever written. He’s seen everything that you have done in your whole life to serve and honor Him. When we run the race, He keeps track of the course and is aware of the obstacles. He gives us power to endure and supplies us with everything we need to finish the course!

Running for the reward

At the end of the race, when we stand before the Lord, rewards will be given out for our efforts in running the course. We will be rewarded-not just for what we did, but also for the motive behind our performance. Did we do it just for attention, to say, “Look at me!” If so, our efforts were to no avail. But if we did it for souls, for the Kingdom of God, we will receive an eternal reward that we can lay at the feet of our Lord.

And I can’t help but believe that even before the awards are given out, all we will have to do is to look up into the face of Jesus and “the look” will indicate our standing! We won’t have to wait to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” to know. Oh, we will hear those words if we deserve it, but just seeing the look on His face will tell it all!

The Olympics is always a great event with the attention of the world focused on the competitors who come from all over the world. They compete for a temporal reward-man’s recognition and the gold, silver, and bronze medals of achievement. The grandstands are full of cheering throngs of fans, and the Olympic judges are watching-never closing their eyes. They watch, judge, and reward every performance.

The Olympian competitors always appreciate and acknowledge the spectators in the grandstands, but when they finish their competition, they do not watch the fans. Their eyes are fixed upon the judges, watching to see if they can read their look to learn if they will be presented the prize!

The book of Hebrews says that we are in a very similar situation-that the great heroes of faith and all our loved ones and friends who have gone on to heaven before us are looking down and cheering us on. I believe that my mom and dad are in that crowd of heavenly witnesses. And as I run past, I’d love to see that look of approval from them again. But while I am aware of their encouraging presence, I want to finish my race with my eyes on Jesus!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1,2).

Let us seek for the approval of our Lord today and “His look” of approval tomorrow.

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

Dear Rexella,

Your words concerning forgiveness were just what I needed to hear as, in recent months, some around me have attacked me, have been dredging up the past with part of it not being true, accusing me of saying things against them of which I have not, and more. God must have known how burdening it was all becoming and how I was fighting not to get stuck and drown in the muck and mire of unforgiveness because about midway through what you shared, Jesus’ Holy Spirit began to break the chains the enemy was trying to shackle me with. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Rexella. And keep up the good work, Jack.

Sincerely,

Kim

Dear Jack and Rexella,

Thank you for having the courage and strength to tell the truth about God’s Word and the threat posed to it. My Mother and I watch your show every week and we are always inspired and filled with the love of Christ. You are truly blessed and we know you will never sugar coat the truth. We stand with you.

D. and B. L.

God Bless Jack and Rexella, I enjoy watching and learning from their message every week. I ordered the “Beware” video tonight and can hardly wait to receive it. Jack and Rexella you are in my prayers can’t wait until next week’s message!

Rich

Dear Dr.’s Jack and Rexella,

How grateful I am to God for you and your teaching program. I am really grasping a hold on the truth of God’s Word and am sharing it with my family and friends. Thank you for teaching the Word of God and not watering it down to suit itching ears.

I watch the program every Sunday morning and devour every word of it, it’s just like honey from the honeycomb to me. One thing that I love to see and will not turn off the channel until I have seen it is, when Dr. Jack reaches over and take your hand and you pat him on his hand, and then reach for your coffee mug. That is so precious to me, and shows me the love you share with one another.

God bless you and keep you is my prayer, and I love and appreciate you both.

P. W.

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