God’s Hidden Hand

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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Consider all 21 judgments of the book of Revelation (chapters 6-18). The descriptions we are given by the apostle John are twofold. First, he tells us what he saw in the spiritual realm. Second, he tells us how what he saw in the spiritual realm affected this planet and global society in our physical realm. Are the four actual horses with riders or something else? I believe they are actual horses and riders, but I also believe those riders are only visible to those existing in the spiritual realm. People on earth won’t necessarily see riders riding horses, but will see and experience the results of what they create.

In Daniel 7, we learn of the “beasts” that will rise up over time, one after another. It is clear those beasts represent earthly kingdoms and rulers. As in Daniel 2, it all starts (as far as God is concerned), with King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian Empire, to be followed by the Medes-Persians, which is followed by the Grecian Empire, then finally the Roman Empire (and the eventual Revived Roman Empire). Of course, in the text of Daniel 2 and 7, those “beasts” (empires) are not known by name to Daniel, except Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom and later the Medes-Persians Empire.

Clearly then, God chose to reveal human kingdoms as “beasts” to make a point. However, neither Daniel or anyone else expected to see physical beasts rise and fall. What rose and fell were human-led kingdoms. The characterization of them as “beasts” was to reveal the character of each kingdom.

Note in Zechariah 1, when Zechariah sees a vision of four horses with riders. Their job is to go through the earth determining if things are at rest or not and to note exactly what’s happening with Judah and Jerusalem. Except for this vision, would Zechariah have ever seen these horses with riders? No, and neither do we. We can assume that those riders are still riding to this day in this spiritual realm, out of our physical sight.

The same applies to the book of Revelation. Objects and situations are mysterious there because most of the book of Revelation is still yet to happen and the terminology used is often allegorical. The best way to understand prophecy is after it happens. Until then, we are simply using our best educated guest to determine what things will actually look like when they happen.

In Daniel 7, God provided Daniel (and us), with tremendous information concerning not just the first four kingdoms, but also regarding the coming final man of lawlessness or Antichrist (Daniel 7:25). God took the time to tell Daniel what was to come, long before any of it happened. Remember, at the time Daniel received his first vision in Daniel 2, he was living under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel also lived beyond Nebuchadnezzar’s rule to grandson, Belshazzar (Daniel 5), and Daniel was still alive when the Medes-Persians conquered Babylon (Daniel 5:30), under Darius the Mede.

What is fascinating about all of this – at least to me – is the fact that when these things occurred several thousand years ago, it all looked very human or naturally occurring to the outside observer, with one empire growing to the point of being able to conquer neighboring empires or cities and absorb them into that growing kingdom. It is the human way of life due to our sin nature and the curse on Creation. Someone must be top dog it seems.

What we are now witnessing in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran etc., and between Russia and the Ukraine (with the USA), is, at its root, nations jostling for position over another nation. Of course, in the situation with Russia/Ukraine, it is “helped” by people behind the scenes who want war and the fruits of it ($$$). Like spiritual entities, we cannot see what strings those physical people are pulling to make things happen, just like we cannot see the spiritual entities making things happen. For instance, does anyone know what the prince of Persia from Daniel looks like?? I don’t either.

It would be fascinating to see what God is doing behind the scenes, wouldn’t it? This is what makes prophecy so relatable and interesting to us. God often brings things about by using people, without them realizing it. He simply finds someone who already has a particular desire to move in a certain direction.

If we understand what the Bible says and how God works, we see He often uses what seem to us to be very pedestrian situations as a means of putting His will in place. Often it’s not out of the ordinary. Even though God uses people and situations to ensure His will is done, He is still able to hold people responsible for what they create if they have a hand in creating war between nations based on their free choice. Many times, they are not even aware that God has used them at all.

An example of this is found in Ezekiel 38-39. God literally drops ideas directly into the mind of Gog of Magog, who just happens to be open to the suggestions. Whoever this leader turns out to be, one day he will focus on Israel and decides he can simply ride in and take whatever he wants. Easy pickings.

In that particular situation, however, God fights on behalf of Israel as we see in the text (Ezekiel 38:17ff), with a huge earthquake that topples everything, soldiers turning on each other, plagues and bloodshed will be part of it and rain, sulfur and hailstones. To the average human being who is alive when this happens, it will seem like an interesting set of coincidences. However, if we could see into the spiritual realm, we would clearly see evidence of God directing things so that His will is perfectly fulfilled. In our physical realm though, there is nothing out of the ordinary except that it looks as though certain things coincidentally occur.

Considering Revelation 6, we read that John saw certain things taking place in the heavenly realm of God’s throne room. The introduction of each new seal judgment reveals the words, “When the Lamb opened…” This definitively tell us that God is in charge, that He directs all events. Without Him, these things would not be occurring. It is the Lamb who opens each and every judgment listed in Revelation. However, to us in this realm, it will appear to be man vs man, creature vs man, weather vs man, or sickness vs man. Only a few times do people of the earth start to think God is actually angry. God controls and directs the action in the spiritual realm and on earth. Every seal, trumpet and bowl judgment represents God’s wrath against humanity, regardless of the vehicle used.

We can see this clearly when we compare 1 Chronicles 21 with 2 Samuel 24. In the former, Satan moves David to count his troops. Satan wanted David to sin and so tempts him through whatever means he had available (fear? pride?). However, in the 2 Samuel 24 version, there is no mention of Satan. Instead, we learn that God was angry with Israel and caused David to turn against the Israelites, which ultimately brought God’s judgment.

So which version is correct and is there a contradiction? There’s no contradiction between the two texts. God did what He did using Satan to get things done. This was the exact same thing God did when He used/allowed Satan to test Job (Job 1). In both cases, whether 1 Chronicles 21 or 2 Samuel 24, the outcome is the same, but if a person never read the 1 Chronicles 21 version, they would not know how God used Satan to bring about God’s will.

I don’t believe there is any such thing as man’s wrath vs man or Satan’s wrath vs man. All of it comes under the auspices of God’s full control and sovereignty. What happens in this life is due solely to what God either directly brings about or allows to occur – all for His sovereign purposes and glory.

I’m beginning to think that as we start seeing more prophecy unfold, it will appear to us as very naturally occurring. Some things will appear more supernatural in origin, without obvious explanation. I’m referring to the way the average person will see things. When Gog attacks Israel, it will seem no different to most people from when Hamas invaded Israel last October 7, 2023 and killed thousands of innocent people indiscriminately.

What occurred in the spiritual realm the moment Hamas ran into Israel to kill and destroy? I don’t know what that looked like, but I’m sure there was a good amount of spiritual activity. The fact that God allowed that invasion and destruction tells me He had a purpose. This does not mean that the Hamas terrorists are somehow not accountable because they are and those who have died since October 7 now understand exactly how badly they messed up and how culpable they are for what they did (just as Judas remains accountable for what he did; Matthew 26:24). Yet, God allowed it for some reason that we may never know other than the general realization that as the end times progresses, Israel will stand completely alone and will ultimately come to realize that they are dependent on God and Him alone. Right now, they don’t think that way, but they will.

Everything that happens here on earth has its beginning in the spiritual realm. Whether it’s the UN stating that nations must literally pledge allegiance to the UN (meaning that the nations will turn their sovereignty over to the UN) [1], Bill Gates’ climate change push, a growing surveillance world, or numerous other things beside, we can rest in the knowledge that before things happen here, God has in some way approved them.

All of this should be comforting for the Christian because it is extremely easy to get caught up in the worry, the frustration, and the concerns of this world. We do so because we are not appreciating the fact that nothing happens here without God’s permission/approval. But if we are worried, it means we are not trusting God and His purposes. If we are frustrated, it means we are unable to see God’s hand in the situation. If we are bogged down by the cares of this world, our focus is not on God but on situations that might occur.

In knowing this then, it becomes more clear why we are told repeatedly in His Word to cast all of our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25-27; John 14:27; Psalm 55:22, etc.). God just doesn’t tell us to not worry. He provides a way in which we can release our fears, worries, and concerns to Him (Philippians 4:6-7), and it can take some work to get to that point. That’s why it’s called exercising our faith.

Unfortunately, we cannot see into the spiritual realm. Frankly, that’s probably a good thing as I can only imagine what I’d see. But God wants us focusing not on what’s occurring in the spiritual realm or necessarily in this physical realm, but on Him! He is the Mover and Shaker. He allows and directs. He is in full control and has never abdicated His throne. There is nothing anywhere in the universe that can dislocate God from His supremacy. Not one thing.

It takes time to develop that outlook. It takes the study of His Word and the continuation of prayer in all things. It takes our deliberate choice to praise Him in all things. These are things that you can start doing right now. God will grant peace of mind even when we do not know how He will guide us through situations.

[1] https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=7325

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2024/09/20/gods-hidden-hand/