The Reformed Olive Press

                                                 Who is the Prince of Persia in Daniel 10? It has long believed in the Dispensational camp that the Prince of Persia is a territorial spirit. However, a deeper look would help the reader come to a more accurate interpretation for Daniel 10. In “Wrestling with the Prince of Persia: A Study on Daniel 10 by William H Shea.” Shea introduces various views, but the one that stands out the most is John Calvin’s. He suggests that at this time that Cyrus and Cambyses were co-regents. Cambyses was in charge of Babylon while Cyrus had charge over the rest of Persia. Prince and King can be used interchangeably in the Bible. It can be a Prince, King, Ruler, or Royalty in general. During that time period, the Temple project was under physical and spiritual attack by Gentile enemies that were able to convince Cambyses (through br...

                                   Nephilim, the Sons of God, and Morning Stars are NOT Angels Genesis 6:1-4 English Standard Version 6 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward , when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.   NOTE 1: Read the Angels in Hades blog before reading this blog. This will remo...

How the Angels in 2 Peter and Jude are linked to Korah’s Rebellion There have been various interpretations in regards to the angels of 2 Peter and Jude. Many have tried to force a connection with the Nephilim in Genesis 6. This is incorrect. These so-called Nephilim passages are questionable. Therefore, they should not be presupposed upon 2 Peter and Jude. Below, we can see how Malachi 2:7 refers to the Levites as messengers of God. Messengers and angel are used interchangeably in the Bible depending on its context. ·          Malachi 2:7 English Standard Version 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts .   ·          NOTE: The Hebrew word- Malak is also used for the Angel of the Lord (Genesis 16) and the two angels who go out to Sodom & Gomorrah (Genesis 19). As we can see, Korah and ...

  Christ as the Day of Atonement Goat Sacrifice in 70AD-Reflecting on the Passover Lamb 1.       If you could say which event in the OT was the most important, which one would you choose? Passover, Crossing the Red Sea, the Law at Mt. Sinai, and/or the Hebrews entering the Promise Land.   2.       If you could say which event in the NT was the most important, which one would you choose? The Cross, First Fruits and Christ’s Resurrection, Ascension, the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and/or the Saints entering Heaven.   The answer is they are ALL equally important for their respective paradigm.   Each one was part of a process of salvation. You take cannot limit each paradigm to ONE event. One major event that is not fleshed out enough is how Christ’s Passover Sacrifice is considered a Day of Atonement (DOA) Sacrifice. The Passover is a propitiation for sin in the OT, not expiation. It represented an event th...

  Zechariah 1-The Vision of the Horsemen and Horns/Craftsmen Zechariah 1 begins during the reign of Darius I- the Great (Persia ruler) with a call to the Jews to repent and turn back to God. Then, we see a man riding on a red horse near the myrtle trees. Behind the rider were red, sorrel (red-brown), and white horses. The rider is The Angel of the Lord/ Christ as the Holy Warrior (verse 11) - See also Isaiah 63:1-6, Revelation 19:11-16. The myrtle trees is a humble bush that is symbolized by peace, restoration, and the Feast of Tabernacles (See Isaiah 41:19-20; 55:12-13, Leviticus 23:40, Nehemiah 8:15). The horses are angels who monitor the events of the ancient world after the judgment of Jerusalem, defeat of Babylon, and the rise of Medo-Persia. The Gentile world is now at peace and the Jews are filled with discouragement. The horses are used to monitor and bring about the events of the ancient world in fulfillment of God’s will. The angels were assigned to observe the afterm...

 

                                                             Theonomy   Theonomy has a flawed hermeneutic of Old Testament priority. ·          Same logic as infant baptism, if it is not forbidden, it is still permissible. ·          Same logic as Dispensationalism, saying that the promises of the OT are awaiting a future fulfillment in a new Ethnic Israel. ·          Both lack a New Testament focus. Over-emphasis of the Old Testament. The latter parts are supposed to clarify the earlier parts. ·          Theonomy is not compatible with the WCF and LBC.   Gentiles were never under the ...