Message to Kings - A Biblical History of Man

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream. In this dream, God gave Daniel insight into four world empires and the end of the age. The four beasts represented the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, while paralleling the rule of the antichrist at the end of the age. In conclusion, God overthrows these kingdom and judges the world. www.messagetokings.comDaniel 7

Heroditus, the Athenian Historian, documented the birth and early raising of Cyrus. In addition, he chronicled the detailed account of Astyages murderous attempt on his life. In this episode, we cover the first years of Cyrus' life , the attempts on his life and his rise in power in Persia and the land of the Medes.www.messagetokings.com

A rebellion has broken out in the land of the Medes. When Daniel finds out the rebellion is led by a man named Cyrus, he is moved with intercession and excitement for the man of prophecy has arrived on the world scene. In this episode, we cover Isaiah's Cyrus prophecies and we set the stage for the Herodotus account of the birth and rise of Cyrus on the world stage. Isaiah 44:24 - 45:13www.messagetokings.com

At the height of his power, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that disturbs him. Daniel interrupts his dream and declares its meaning to Nebuchadnezzar with a prophetic rebuke to repent of his sin and his ways. Nebuchadnezzar's repentance was only temporary. A year later, Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace and when high lifted up prideful words begin to leave his mouth, judgment falls on Nebuchadnezzar just as the dream predicted. Proverbs 16:18Daniel 4www.messagetokings.com

Years after the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel continued to receive prophetic revelations of the restoration of Israel as well as the end of the age. In this episode, we cover the perspective of Daniel studying and understanding and praying the prophecies of Isreal's restoration from Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Ezekiel 37, 43-47Jeremiah 29:10-14www.messagetokings.com

Delayed until the Destruction of Jerusalem, we celebrate Message to King's five year anniversary with this episode. Filled with thoughts on God and History, we casually discuss five years of podcasting. Matthew 13:52Revelation 19:10www.messagetokings.com

Taking a break from our normal episode, we cover a Bible study looking at the word 'king' from the Book of Proverbs. These verses can be classified into four categories: the heart of the king, security, justice and other. In this episode, we turn these verses into a personal devotion. Foundation of the Throne - Psalms 89:144 Categories of the word 'King' from the Book of ProverbsThe King's Heart - Proverbs 14:35, 16:13, 16:15, 21:1, 22:11, 22:29, 25:2, 14:28, 25:3, The King's Security - Proverbs 16:12, 20:28, 25:5, 29:4, 29:14The King's Justice - Proverbs 16:14, 19:12, 20:2, 20:8, 20:26, 8:15Other - Proverbs 30:22, 30:27, 30:28, 30:31, 31:3, 31:4, 24:21, 25:6www.messagetokings.com

After the destruction of Jerusalem, an Israelite named Gedaliah was named the Babylonian Governor over Judah. He represented a hope for Israel, but his assassination cut his life short. In this episode, we cover his brief governorship and the escape to Egypt of the survivors in Judah. Jeremiah 40-44www.messagetokings.com

Lingering in the pit of desolation, the Prophet Jeremiah compiles a list of five mournful poems titling them Lamentations. In addition, a prophet named Obadiah received a vision regarding Edom. The Book of LamentationsThe Book of ObadiahMatthew 5:4www.messagetokings.com

According to all accounts, the people of Jerusalem fought with great alacrity and zeal. Despite Jeremiah's prophecies and his preaching from the courtyard of the guard, the people failed to repent even to their very end. Pulling from Biblical, historical and Jewish traditional accounts, we cover the siege and the destruction of Jerusalem in this episode. Jeremiah 392 Kings 252 Chronicles 36Psalm 137www.messagetokings.com

The Book of Joel spans the many ages of man, from the current podcast time period to the New Testament Age to the End of the Age. In this episode, we cover the Book of Joel and the broad span of time frames covered in the short book of Joel. The Book of Joelwww.messagetokings.com

After eight years of servitude to the King of Babylon, King Zedekiah revolted from the Babylonians despite the word of the Lord from the prophets. Throughout the siege, Jeremiah continued to prophesy the destruction of the city. In this episode, we cover the siege of Jerusalem and Jeremiah's courtyard prophecies and his near-death experience in the cistern. Jeremiah 32, 37, 38www.messagetokings.com

After Nebuchadnezzar trashes and loots Jerusalem, Jeremiah sees the future of his city in visions and prophecies. The prophecies are directed at the nations of the earth and the new wicked King of Judah Zedekiah. Zedekiah, a young fool, refuses to listen to Jeremiah and is constantly pulled astray by his wicked advisors and friends. Jeremiah 24, 27 - 29www.messagetokings.com

Following the Prophet Ezekiel's God encounters and first assignments, he has numerous experiences where he taken to Jerusalem to prophesy. In these experiences, Ezekiel witnesses many supernatural things and horrible judgments on the people of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 9-11, 21www.messagetokings.com

From the safe distance of Babylon, God raises up another judgment prophet. In this episode, we cover Ezekiel's God Encounters and his first prophetic assignments. Ezekiel 1-5Ezekiel 33James 3:1www.messagetokings.com

After Nebuchadnezzar conquers all of his enemies, he lets it go to his head. Building a statue similar to the one from his dream, he commands all of his officials to bow down and worship it. Anyone who doesn't, he commands their death. When Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to worship the statue they sentenced themselves to death. God's response was the Fourth Man in the Fire. Daniel 3Matthew 28:16-20Mark 16:18Revelation 13:11-18John 15:13www.messagetokings.com

Meanwhile, back in Judah, Jehoiakim continues his reign in Jerusalem. Seduced by promises of support from Egypt, Jehoiakim stops making his tribute payments to Babylon. In turn, Nebuchadnezzar marches his army to attack Jerusalem. Fearing the worst and the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies, Jehoiakim opens the gates to the Babylonians again and pleads for mercy. 2 Kings 24:1-172 Chronicles 36:5-10www.messagetokings.com

During Daniel's second year of schooling, Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream. He forgets his dream, yet the trauma from it bothers him. Thus, he demands the wise men of his kingdom to tell him the dream and interpret the dream. When they fail to interpret the dream, he orders the death of all of the wise men. When the guard arrives to kill Daniel and his friends, Daniel goes to the king and pursues his God to learn of the dream. In this episode, we cover Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the interpretations of it and what it means to us today. Daniel 2Proverbs 16:10Acts 17:26-27Revelation 17:12-14Revelation 19:11-16www.messagetokings.com

In Babylon, Daniel and his friends are put in a rigorous academy of the world's gifted. When faced with a challenge to their faith, they prove faithful and receive God's favor and blessing setting up another Joseph-like story in the midst of Babylon. Daniel 1Proverbs 3:7www.messagetokings.com

After the Babylonians took Jerusalem, Judah became subject to Babylon. The humility of being subject to another nation was not enough to humble Jehoiakim. Thus, the Lord sent the prophet Jeremiah to rebuke him for his sin. In this episode, we cover Jeremiah's rebuke of Jehoiakim and the nation of Judah and the burned scroll. Jeremiah 25Jeremiah 36Jeremiah 45www.messagetokings.com

Upon the death of King Josiah, Jehoahaz becomes king of Judah. His reign is only three months as the Egyptians assert their dominance over Israel. With massive war tribute demanded of him and the aggressiveness of the prophet Jeremiah in his courts, the wicked Jehoiakim rules the crumbling and judged nation of Judah. In the forth year of reign, the long awaiting conflict between Egypt and Babylon cumulates in the Battle of Carchemish. 2 Kings 23:31-372 Chronicles 36:1-8Jeremiah 26Daniel 1:1-7www.messagetokings.com

As the Assyrians escape westward to Carchemish, they find an unlikely ally in Egypt. When the Babylonians march west to attack the Assyrians at Carchemish, Pharaoh Necho force marches his army to the relief of the Assyrians. To get there in time, he must march through King Josiah's territory. In this episode, we cover the battle that occurs between Pharoah Necho and King Josiah and the consequences and spiritual thoughts on the battle. 2 Chronicles 35:20-242 Kings 23:29-30www.messagetokings.com

In this episode, we cover the eighteen-year decline and fall of the Assyrian empire. It begins with the death of Ashurbanipal. Upon his death, a civil war breaks out in Assyria which severely weakens the Assyrian empire which enables every conquered nation to rise up against Assyrian dominance. At the gates of Ashur, an alliance of nation states led by Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, and Cyaxeres, king of Media, is formed set on the total annihilation of the civilization of Assyria. In this episode, we cover the sieges of Ashur and Ninevah and the fulfillment of prophecies and the resetting of nation states.The Book of Nahumwww.messagetokings.com

Within the palace of Jerusalem, another prophet of judgment arises. The prophet Zephaniah prophesies about the absolute destruction of the world, yet he ends his prophecies with hope and God's love for his people. The Book of ZephaniahPsalm 37:4www.messagetokings.com

After King Josiah conducts his revival in Judah, geopolitical circumstances invite Josiah to expand his policies and revival into Northern Israel. Invading Northern Israel with this army, he sets his priority to the tearing down of strongholds vs. kingdom expansion. His actions at Bethel are prophetic and speak to a potential Biblical theory on the history of civilizations. 2 Kings 22:15-251 Kings 13:1-3Genesis 15:12Acts 17:26www.messagetokings.com

Josiah became king at the age of eight. In his sixteenth year, he began to encounter God and around his twenty-sixth year, something overtakes him. Upon the discovery of the lost scrolls of Moses, he is overcome with Godly grief, yet filled with a zeal to fulfill God's law, word for word. His actions personify the Zeal of the Lord. 2 Kings 222 Kings 23:1-14Matthew 12:29www.messagetokings.com

Modelling conversational prayer, the Prophet Habakkuk beseeches the Lord about the wickedness of the world. The Lord's answer speaks to the end of the Assyrians and the rise of the Babylonians. Not satisfied with another world empire, Habakkuk asks for the Lord himself to judge. The Lord's response is the most powerful part of the book of Habakkuk. The Book of HabakkukRevelation 8:1www.messagetokings.com

The calling of the prophet Jeremiah parallels the calling of the prophet Samuel, due to their age, the relational aspect and the immediacy of the prophecies. Despite this, something significant separates the calling of Jeremiah. Its the first words of his calling, 'before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.' It's these words that set apart his calling and the callings of men and women of God. Jeremiah 1John 14:21www.messagetokings.com

Join us as we introduce the next generation of kings and prophets. In an age of prophecy judgment and the resetting of empires and the introduction of new ones, we spend extra time presenting our future actors in the drama ahead. www.messagetokings.com

Following the Destruction of Sennacherib, the Assyrian empire recovered and rose to its highest heights. In this episode, we cover the Assyrian invasion of Egypt, its dominance of the region and the beginning of its decline and the prophecies of the Prophet Nahum. Book of Nahumwww.messagetokings.com

After the death of Manasseh, Amon becomes king of Judah. His reign is very short and tragic. By comparing the life of Manasseh and Amon, we make an observation on the power of generational intercession. 2 Kings 21:1-19-26 2 Chronicles 33:21-25Luke 15:11-24Ephesians 5:25-17Proverbs 22:6www.messagetokings.com

After the death of Hezekiah, Manasseh became king of Judah. Instead of following his father's ways, he pursued the exact opposite path going down evil path imaginable and he leads his nation astray. He proceeded to do everything in his power to undo the Godly works of his father. When it appeared darkness had taken over full control of Judah, Manasseh was hauled away a prisoner of Assyria only to repent in a dungeon in Babylon. The account of Manasseh is one of those accounts that teaches us that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord can be saved. 2 Kings 21:1-182 Chronicles 33:1-20www.messagetokings.com

The prophet Isaiah serves even after the death of Hezekiah. He prophesies about the Babylonian empire, the Persian Empire, a future ruler named Cyrus, the end of the world yet the majority of his prophecies is about one man. The man is none other than Jesus Christ and Isaiah covers in detail the power and divine exchange that occurs at the cross. Isaiah 40-66www.messagetokings.com

Special thanks and outtakes episode on the Night of Azrael Audio Drama.Credits: Brett Heaston: NarratorJohn Gillis: King Hezekiah, Kena Russ Stewart: The Prophet Isaiah, Funiah Brant Frost: Sennacherib Joshua Taylor: Joah, Senuava, Eliakim, Rabshekah, Rhema, Gersori, Marduk-Baladan, other characters Audio Effects: Audioblocks

Join us for a special audience participation Message to Kings Audio Drama of the Events of 701BC: THE NIGHT OF AZRAEL. Credits:Brett Heaston: NarratorJohn Gillis: King Hezekiah, KenaRuss Stewart: The Prophet Isaiah, Funiah Brant Frost: SennacheribJoshua Taylor: Joah, Senuava, Eliakim, Rabshekah, Rhema, Gersori, Marduk-Baladan, other charactersAudio Effects: Audioblocks

Join us for a special audience participation Message to Kings Audio Drama of the Events of 701BC: THE NIGHT OF AZRAEL. Credits:Brett Heaston: NarratorJohn Gillis: King Hezekiah, KenaRuss Stewart: The Prophet Isaiah, Funiah Brant Frost: SennacheribJoshua Taylor: Joah, Senuava, Eliakim, Rabshekah, Rhema, Gersori, Marduk-Baladan, other charactersAudio Effects: Audioblocks

Join us for a special audience participation Message to Kings Audio Drama of the Events of 701BC: THE NIGHT OF AZRAEL. Credits:Brett Heaston: NarratorJohn Gillis: King Hezekiah, KenaRuss Stewart: The Prophet Isaiah, Funiah Brant Frost: SennacheribJoshua Taylor: Joah, Senuava, Eliakim, Rabshekah, Rhema, Gersori, Marduk-Baladan, other charactersAudio Effects: Audioblocks

Join us October 28 for the audience participation Message to Kings Audio Drama THE NIGHT OF AZRAEL Part I.

The Assyrian army arrives at the Gates of Jerusalem. Instead of receiving the gold stripped from the temple doors as a bribe, Sennacherib demanded the complete surrender of Jerusalem. Receiving the death threats and written blasphemy of God, Hezekiah runs into the Temple of the Lord demonstrating one of the most powerful moments of intercession in the Old Testament. 2 Chronicles 322 Kings 18:17-37, 2 Kings 19Isaiah 36, 37www.messagetokings.com

After the fall of Lachish, the Assyrian army marches on Jerusalem as Hezekiah falls deathly ill. In this episode, we cover the events surrounding this moment and Hezekiah's healing. 2 Kings 20:1-11Isaiah 38www.messagetokings.com

Even before the Assyrian invasion of Philistia, Hezekiah falls deathly ill. Coinciding with the loss of huge sections of his country, populace and army, Hezekiah's health deteriorated quickly. All of Philistia falls to the Assyrians, an Egyptian army is destroyed and we conclude with the siege of Lachish. Micah 1:13-16Micah 2:12-13Ephesians 6:1-3Isaiah 20www.messagetokings.com

As we enter into one of the most exciting stories in the Old Testament, we cover Hezekiah's engineering achievement and we prime up for all of the events that occur around the 701BC time period including the Assyrian invasion of Judah, the Egyptian and Babylonian involvement in the campaigns, Isaiah's prophecies, Hezekiah's sickness and the clash of spiritual and physical arms outside Lachish. 2 Kings 18John 9:6www.messagetokings.com

The story of Hezekiah is a lesson on how to radically change a country. Starting as regent or co-ruler with his father, Hezekiah begins by rebuilding Jerusalem's defenses and reestablishing Israel's army and commissioned engineers to start an engineering project. Upon his father's death, Hezekiah introduced his spiritual reforms by reopening the temple doors, cleansing the temple and reinstating the worship of God. Sending out evangelists into the desolate region of Northern Israel, Hezekiah calls the entirety of the people of Israel back to God and to reinstitute all of the practices of David and Solomon. In this episode, we cover the remainder of the revival of Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18:1-122 Chronicles 29-31www.messagetokings.com

After a three year siege, Samaria falls to the Assyrians marking the end of the nation of Northern Israel. In this episode, we cover the siege and the end of Northern Israel and discuss its best and worst kings and their highest and lowest moments with personal feedback learned over the last few years of studying the kingdom of Northern Israel. 2 Kings 17:6-402 Kings 13:4-5www.messagetokings.com

At the height of the siege of Jerusalem, King Ahaz sent riders out to Ninevah to offer his submission to Tiglath Pileaser of Assyria. His riders make it to Ninevah and offer Jerusalem's treasures, but the treasures made no difference because Assyria had already invaded Aram and Northern Isreal. The invasion of Aram led to the end of the state of Aram and the submission of Northern Israel. All that remained of Northern Israel was the city of Samaria and other hilltop cities. In one last grasp for power, King Hoshea tries to play his cards but is called on the mat by Assyria's next king Shalmaneser V who invades and besieges Samaria. 2 Kings 16:7-92 Kings 17www.messagetokings.com

In a final bid for survival, Aram and Northern Israel join forces and attack Judah leaving a devastating wake of destruction and death in their wake. The wicked King Ahaz and the rest of the nation of Judah hide behind their remaining cities and their city walls. In the midst of the siege, the prophet Isaiah brings a message of hope to a desperate nation and its wicked king. Isaiah 7Matthew 1:20-23www.messagetokings.com

While the prophet Isaiah prophesies from the city, Micah prophecies from the country. The prophecies of Micah focus on the location of Judah and Israel, they vary dramatically from the time perspective. Speaking judgment words in his generation, Micah also speaks to the Messianic age and the end of the age. In this episode, we cover the significant prophecies of Micah. The Book of Micahwww.messagetokings.com

When Uzziah was struck with leprosy, Jotham became king In Jerusalem. He proves to be a faithful and great king. Upon his death, Ahaz becomes king and proves to be one of the wickedest kings to ever rule in Israel. In this episode, we emphasize the wickedness of Ahaz and set the scene for one of the greatest prophecies of all time. 2 Chronicles 27www.messagetokings.com

In preparation for a life of visions and prophecies, Isaiah has a most powerful heavenly encounter. Tune in as Isaiah encounters the Lord in a heavenly vision and we recount other prophets and their experiences in heaven and we meet the four living creatures who reside at God's throne in heaven. Isaiah 6www.messagetokings.com

In this podcast episode, we cover the five kings of Israel from King Zechariah to Pekah and we end this episode foreshadowing Northern Israel's destruction as a nation. 2 Kings 15:8-26www.messagetokings.com