Untitled Sermon (4)

I am curious to know what you understand about the word Apocalypse. What comes to mind when you hear this word? I have been binge the watching the tv series called “The Fear of the Walking Dead”, which is basically about a zombie invasion, what most call a Zombie Apocalypse. The word means “the uncovering” or “the revelation.” As we think through this Biblically, we find that Apocalypse is not about not about zombies taking over the world and feasting on the flesh of living people, but about a setting where the divine rule of God will be established, and the evil kingdoms of the world will be defeated. This is typically portrayed in prophecies or visions that reveal God’s actions and coming judgement in symbolic language using heavenly mediators. In our new Series called “The Clash of Cultures” the book of Daniel, the only Apocalyptic writing in the Old Testament, is the foundation that we will study from.

Daniel chapter 1 sets the theme of the entire book: that God’s Kingdom will triumph over earthly powers.

(May the theme of this book speak prophetically over you. If your life is characterized by serving God, you have already won! You are already triumphant!)

Daniel 1:1–21 NRSV

1 In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God. These he brought to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his gods. 3 Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, 4 young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king’s court. 6 Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. 7 The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. 8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. 9 Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. 10 The palace master said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe.” 14 So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. 16 So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, 19 and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king’s court. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21 And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Every Christian can be confident that when they do not conform to the culture that God will carry out his glorious will in our lives.

Daniel 1 shows us two ways that God will carry out his will through counter cultural believers

1st Way- Don’t Eat what they Eat (v.8)

This food and drink was most likely sacrificed and poured out to idols. This act of idol worship was seen as making the young boys strong and fit.

This is relevant in 2024. Honestly, I have wasted many years of my life chasing my idol, a six pack. I have tried fad diets and sacrificed my own health because I was convinced that a six pack is what makes me valuable.

Has anybody else been in a similar place?

Many people spend endless hours in a gym, not to get fit or break personal records, but to sculpt their body to become influencers. TikTok is over saturated with profiles of people who live pretentious lives, and present this false reality for fame and followers.

I wonder what our spiritual lives would look like if our actions were surrendered to God and not to the people we idolize on social media.

Turn to the person sitting next to you and say, “don't eat what they eat.”

God will always be more fulfilling. Is God your everything today?

2nd Way- Don’t Meditate how they Meditate

The young boys would have been trained for years on becoming priests in the Persian system

in 2024, there is access to so many forms of spirituality and literature. It is important that if we are going to be strong followers of Christ, and live counter cultural, that we do not meditate like the world does.

The young boys were given divine wisdom that none of the others. As we navigate this life to follow Christ, we need the Holy Spirit. We need to trust the Holy Spirit and to learn his voice. As we trust Him, he will help us wisdom that no magician or card reader can give. He gives us the directions of God’s divine will.

In the Walking Dead series, there was scene that portrayed a drought, deep in a desert of Mexico during the zombie apocalypse. A leader of a group of people found a full dam and fortified it, and used it as means of trade. He was evil to the people in need. He was overthrown then a lady by the name of Lora took charge. She cared for the people and was fair. There was immense pressure for her to let go of her values to save herself and her own life, but she would not be evil towards the people, no matter if the culture during the time was survival of the fittest.

This is what it is like to follow the virtue of the Spirit over society.

I wonder if anyone here is in a predicament as leaders or junior Soldiers, who has to make a choice to follow the virtue of the Holy Spirit, or way of the culture. As Soldiers and families, don’t follow the toxic ideologies and culture within our military context. Follow the voice of the Holy Spirit.