Confusion

The Book of Daniel begins with the tale of two kings, Jehoiakim king of Judah and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. This scenario gave me a contrast of two different forces in this universal and I am lured to picture  Jerusalem as the Church and Babylon represents the world. The name "Jerusalem" is a compound of two Semitic roots, "s-l-m" meaning wholeness, peace, harmony or completeness, and "y-r-h" meaning to show, direct, instruct, or teach. Jerusalem means "Abode of Peace," "Teaching of Peace", or "Whole or Complete Instruction". The word "Babylon" in Hebrews mean "confusion" (of languages), from the verb balbal, "to confuse by mixing". So, King Nebuchadnezzar is a king of confusion. 

During Daniel’s time, when Jerusalem was being besieged, some of the articles of the temple of God were also being delivered to king Nebuchadnezzar and he carried them off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Some of the articles  of the temple of God were with king Nebuchadnezzar and king Nebu indeed had made full use of these articles by mixing them with the teaching of the world.

King Nebu told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to get some Israelites from the royal family and nobility, young men who were healthy and handsome, intelligent and well-educated, good prospects for leadership positions in the government, perfect specimens, and indoctrinate them in the Babylonian language and the lore of magic and fortunetelling. The king then ordered that they be served from the same menu from the royal table the best food, the finest wine. After three years of training they would be given positions in the king's court.

The redeemed have all the criteria this king Nebu is looking for. The redeemed are from the Royal family and nobility. The redeemed are healthy and handsome, intelligent and well-educated, good prospects for leadership positions in the government, perfect specimens, all because of the redeeming quality of our Redeemer, Christ Jesus. King Nebuchadnezzar takes pleasure in indoctrinating the redeemed with Babylonian language (Message with mixture of Law and Grace) and conspires to fascinate them with the lore of magic and fortunetelling of which he calls prophecy...

This king Nebu is no fool to dispense the worldly teaching alone; he mixes the worldly teaching with the truth from God (Remember he got the articles of the temple of God?). He would indoctrinate the redeemed to work hard for God for it is good that we work hard for God because He had already delivered His begotten Son just for us and save us. Now that we are saved, we have to work hard for Him. In case (well, most of the cases) if we do not have the strength to go on, ask for His grace as His grace is sufficient for us…

To sum up, Babylonian teaching emphasizes on our commitment with self effort plus Jesus’ effort; our hard work plus Jesus’ finished work; our obedience plus Jesus’ obedience; our sacrifice plus Jesus’ sacrifice; we nailing ourselves on the cross plus Jesus’ crucifixion at the cross! That’s not all, he would indoctrinate us to focus on Moses who represented the Law and Elijah the prophet, so as to divert our focus on Jesus, our Savior and water down the Gospel that we first received.

Mind you, the Father in Heaven rebuked Peter for suggesting on making three tabernacles. Peter himself gave the testimony on how he witnessed Jesus receiving from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory saying: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" The Bible also clearly proclaims that the Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John the Baptist and Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for EVERYONE who believes. 

Well, have you ever wonder whether this king Nebu is in your Jerusalem? Are you confused in your Christian walk? For the Bible says, know the truth, the truth will set you free. Are you free? Or are you still wondering for the truth?

I tell you the truth, the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The Truth is with Grace and Grace is Jesus Personified… This Grace that we share a lot is the glory of the Gospel of Christ! For the Gospel of Christ  is the power of God to SALVATION [(so-tay-ree'-ah) means rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.] EVERYONE who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek... Salvation here is not only save us from hell but our every situation in life! If you are confused, the Gospel of Christ can save/deliver you from your confusion!