Daniel and the Lions

[Witness]

 

“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.  Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.”  1 Pet 5:8,9

Watchtower 15/5/15 - The apostle Peter likened Satan to “a roaring lion.” According to one reference work, the Greek word translated “roaring” denotes “the howl of a beast in fierce hunger.” How well that describes Satan’s vicious disposition! Although the whole world already lies in his power, Satan is hungry for more victims. (1 John 5:19) To him, the world might be a mere “appetizer.” In effect, Satan has turned his attention to the “main course” —the anointed remnant, who are accompanied by their companions, the “other sheep.” (John 10:16; Rev. 12:17) Satan is intent on devouring Jehovah’s people The waves of persecution he has unleashed against Jesus’ followers from the first century until now give evidence of his vicious spirit.” 

It is true; Satan is intent on killing off the “main course” – the anointed ones.  How is it being accomplished?  Since Satan is the Master of Deception, what tools would he use to carry out his ploy to mislead and effectively trap, the “main course”? Eccl 9:12; 2 Cor 11:14  A fairly new trend has developed among members of the Watchtower, that “Jehovah’s people” are a “happy people”; a peaceful people, contented by the understanding that they reside in a safe haven and a spiritual paradise.  As a JW, I felt I also was protected inside its walls, and was continually on alert and wary of Satan’s tactics that may come against me or my family as originating in the “world”, anywhere outside of the organization.  However, the well-polished and camouflaged brainchild of Satan, IS the organization, where the promise of “truth” and spiritual safety is its motto.  Jer 23:16;8:11; 1 Thess 5:1-3  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eccl+9%3A12%3B+2+Cor+11%3A14%3B++Jer+23%3A16%3B8%3A11%3B+1+Thess+5%3A1-3&version=NIV

In Daniel’s day, where were the lions that were ready to devour him?  Were they the actual lions in the den he was thrown into; or, did they walk right alongside Daniel?  Under the rule of Darius the Mede, Daniel was an administrator along with two others.  Within this kingdom, 120 Satraps were appointed over their selective territories; yet…

“Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm.”  Dan 6:3

Satraps were “protectors of the realm/province”; those in a subordinate position to the administrators who bore the title “eye of the king”, of which Daniel was the most prominent.

As we know the administrators and Satraps planned to destroy Daniel through deceptive moves.  Daniel worshipped the Most High God, while the Medes and Persians worshipped their idols.  Jealousy over this Jew receiving superior attention for his righteous and blameless acts, fueled the conspiracy to come against him.  We’re familiar with the story, Darius was tricked by the administrators and satraps resulting in Daniel being thrown to the lions.  The anxious shout from Darius has deep significance - 

“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  Dan 6:20

Most certainly, did God save Daniel not only from the physical lions, but from the men who sought to devour him.  Job 5:12-16  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+5%3A12-16&version=NIV

“My God sent His angel and SHUT THE LIONS’ MOUTHS, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”  Dan 6:22

His accusers and families were thrown into the lion’s den under the orders of Darius.  These men were well aware that no guilt could be found with Daniel:

“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. ⁵ Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel UNLESS WE FIND IT AGAINST HIM CONCERNING THE LAW OF HIS GOD.”   Dan 6:4,5

They convinced the King to pass a decree that no god other than Darius could be petitioned for a brief period of 30 days.  Today, the anointed ones who have especially been appointed by God to serve Him and Jesus Christ in the Kingdom, face their accusers as well; men who have rule over the various territories of the Watchtower kingdom, and who walk right among them.   As long as the anointed follow the outlined decrees of the organization; which is to serve its needs, to show adulation and loyalty to its image as “spirit-directed”; and to obey the direction of the elder body and its wicked slave, they are left alone, at least at first glance it seems this way.  No “lion” appears ready to devour them under the ‘protective’ umbrella of the organization.  Rev 13:1,8,14-17 (Matt 24:48-51)  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+13%3A1%2C8%2C14-17%3B+Matt+24%3A48-51&version=NIV

UNLESS…..THEY “FIND IT AGAINST HIM CONCERNING THE LAW OF HIS GOD.”

Let me explain.  Satan works both sides of this coin. If Satan was getting at the anointed through other means such as the earthly political field, why isn’t it happening?  Who is coming against the ANOINTED while in their protective “spiritual paradise”? Is it Russia?  Has Russia reached out and trapped every anointed person within the organization? No.  Russia, nor any other country has inside knowledge of who are the anointed ones.

Other “lions” are at work, seeking to devour their prey.

Revelation’s “spirit-breathed” Wild Beast, carrying blasphemous names has been granted to “make war with the saints and to overcome them.”  This Beast has “a mouth like the mouth of a lion”. It has been given power, a throne and great authority – OVER THE “SAINTS”; THE ANOINTED ONES.  Rev 13:1,2,5-7   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+13%3A1%2C2%2C5-7+++&version=NIV

The Beast is also revealed in another passage describing it as a locust army with teeth like lion’s teeth.  Rev 9:7,8  Again, how does this army of Revelation 9:1-3,7,8 identify its prey? It is the anointed “who do not have the seal of God on their forehead”.  Joel 1:6 explains this locust “nation” that comes against God’s “land” as,

“Strong, and without number;
His teeth are the teeth of a lion,
And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+9%3A1-3%2C7%2C8&version=NIV

Also, Daniel explains Revelation’s fourth Wild Beast as having huge iron teeth; that tramples, crushes and devours its victims.  Again, who are those victims? 

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the SAINTS (anointed) of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time.”  Dan 7:25

This is spiritually discerned only in the organization.  The anointed priesthood has been overtaken and “trampled” by the given authority from a false prophet to the Body of Elders. Matt 24:15; Dan 11:31; 2 Thess 2:4  Rev. 11:1-3,7,8;13:11,15  As I write this, it wells up within myself  just how utterly astounding it is, that the Temple priesthood and God’s dwelling/”land” must obey MEN, before their God and Master; otherwise, they are thrown into Watchtower’s version of a “lion’s den” – a judicial committee that can stamp them as spiritually “dead” for disobeying any decrees of the organization. Dan 6:17  What is equally astounding, is the organization calls itself “Zion”, stealing this identity from those they intend to crush!  It is the counterfeit of the anointed Body of Christ and the Temple of God -  the counterfeit Mount Zion.   Anointed are not only “trampled” by this rule of abomination over them, but are then outlawed as rebels for serving only the Most High God and His Son Jesus Christ.  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A15%3B+Dan+11%3A31%3B+2+Thess+2%3A4%3B++Rev.+11%3A1-3%2C7%2C8%3B13%3A11%2C15%3BDan+6%3A17++&version=NIV

 

A lion’s first move on a prey is to jump on its back, wrestling it to the ground.  (Isa 51:21-23; Rev 12:4) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa+51%3A21-23%3B+Rev+12%3A4&version=NIV

“Representing the royal priesthood are appointed elders, who serve in positions of responsibility in congregations of Jehovah’s people around the earth. These men deserve our respect and wholehearted support, whether they are of the anointed or not. Why? Because, through his holy spirit, Jehovah has appointed the older men to their positions.   RATHER THAN CHALLENGE THEIR AUTHORITY, we truly appreciate our hardworking elders!” w02 8/1 pp. 9-14

 

A chokehold is accomplished by its four large canines.  It tightens its grip on the throat and sometimes the mouth of the prey, cutting off all ability to breathe and its efforts to escape.  (Daniel 12:11; Rev.6:9; Rom.6:3; Psalm 51:17)   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel12%3A11%3B+Rev.6%3A9%3B+Rom.6%3A3%3B+Psalm+51%3A17&version=NIV

“Anointed Christians do not feel that they should spend time only with other anointed ones, as if they were members of a club. They DO NOT TRY to find other anointed ones SO THAT THEY CAN TALK ABOUT BEING ANOINTED OR MEET IN GROUPS TO STUDY THE BIBLE.” Wt 16/1 pp 20-26

 

Once the prey is down, it is chewed into manageable chunks using the “carnassails” that effectively crush the bones along with the skin and flesh.  (Micah 3:2,3; Dan 12:7)  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+3%3A2%2C3%3B+Dan+12%3A7&version=NIV

 “They (anointed) know that Jehovah does not necessarily give anointed ones more holy spirit than he gives his other servants. And they do not feel that they can understand Bible truths more deeply than anyone else.”  Wt. 16/1 pp. 20-26

Oh, dear JWs.  Can you see how this “army” to come against God’s people through trampling and crushing its prey with such twisted brainwashing, will cause YOU to barely recognize that the anointed reside with you? 

Will YOU allow yourself to be rendered helpless at the mouth of the “lions” as well?  Jer 5:31; 2 Cor 11:4  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+5%3A31%3B+2+Cor+11%3A4&version=NIV

 Each step the organization takes to make such condemnatory accusations, brings the anointed priesthood into irreversible submission under the Beast and False Prophet/wicked slave. Luke 21:24 If, through an anointing one receives Holy Spirit and the laws of God inscribed on their heart, it should be obvious they have been designated for an important assignment, and equipped to do so. 2 Cor 3:3; Rom 2:28,29; Heb 8:10;1 John 2:20,21  However, Watchtower’s leaders fabricate their own rules and defy God’s laws; deliberately treading on those who carry God’s laws in their hearts!  It has built its own Zion, disregarding the true Zion and Temple of God. 1 Cor 3:16,17;  Eph 2:20-22; Heb 12:22; Rev 14:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21%3A24%3B+2+Cor+3%3A3%3B+Rom+2%3A28%2C29%3B+Heb+8%3A10%3B1+John+2%3A20%2C21%3B++1+Cor+3%3A16%2C17%3B++Eph+2%3A20-22%3B+Heb+12%3A22%3B+Rev+14%3A1&version=NIV

Our defense against the army having lion’s teeth like iron, is to resist such accusations, become firm in the faith spoken of in scripture, and not in the doctrines of a false prophet who “inspires” its idol with demonic expressions. Jer 16:16-18; Zech 13:9; John 8:32; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor 6:14-18   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+16%3A16-18%3B+Zech+13%3A9%3B+John+8%3A32%3B+Acts+26%3A18%3B+2+Cor+6%3A14-18+++&version=NIV

Daniel was persecuted for his firmness in worshipping only God; yet, never abandoned by the Father.  1 Pet 5:10 tells us that by resisting Satan’s bogus claims issued through the mouths of the Wild Beast and False Prophet, we establish and strengthen our faith in the God of grace and his Son, Jesus Christ.  Job 4:7-11; Ps 25:15; 2 Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Pet+5%3A10%3B+Job+4%3A7-11%3B++Ps+25%3A15%3B+2Cor.10%3A3-5%3B+Eph.6%3A12%3B+2Tim.4%3A7&version=NIV

“To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”. 

Pearl Doxsey:

Satan's lie (6), is that "Jehovah's Witnesses" are God's spirit-directed organization, rather than Satan's demonic-directed organization.

The false prophet's lie (6), is that he is the "faithful and discreet slave", rather than the wicked steward who poisons God's sons, with "wormwood".

The Beast's lie (6), is that the Gentile "elders", are consecrated to serve as God's priests, instead of those whom God has chosen as His priests and kings.

These three lies (666) (demonic exhalations), combine.

 In combination, this collection of demonic lies, backed by lying signs and portents, succeed in misleading and rendering powerless, God's nation. Satan's power of deception, has created the great tribulation (great testing/sifting) and Armageddon (spiritual war between truth and lies), now at work in our midst.

“666” 4womaninthewilderness

“Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;
⁴ say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you.”

⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer,
    and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert.
⁷ The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

⁸ And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.
⁹ No lion will be there,
    nor any ravenous beast;
    they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
¹⁰  and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
    everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”  Isa 35:3-10