Daniel 11:2-45 | The One who has Authority over History

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — are joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series in the book of Daniel — and we’re nearing the end — just one week to go of looking at what it means to live in exile. And section of Daniel that we’re in — is a section full of visions, dreams, symbols, prophecies about the future, and so on. And — our verses for today — continue the final vision that Daniel is given. A vision that began back in chapter ten. So let’s turn to our text for today and see what we can learn from Daniel’s final vision. We’ll be in Daniel chapter eleven — beginning in verse two.

Daniel 11:2–45 (NLT)

2 “Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece. 3 “Then a mighty king will rise to power who will rule with great authority and accomplish everything he sets out to do. 4 But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts. It will not be ruled by the king’s descendants, nor will the kingdom hold the authority it once had. For his empire will be uprooted and given to others. 5 “The king of the south will increase in power, but one of his own officials will become more powerful than he and will rule his kingdom with great strength. 6 “Some years later an alliance will be formed between the king of the north and the king of the south. The daughter of the king of the south will be given in marriage to the king of the north to secure the alliance, but she will lose her influence over him, and so will her father. She will be abandoned along with her supporters. 7 But when one of her relatives becomes king of the south, he will raise an army and enter the fortress of the king of the north and defeat him. 8 When he returns to Egypt, he will carry back their idols with him, along with priceless articles of gold and silver. For some years afterward he will leave the king of the north alone. 9 “Later the king of the north will invade the realm of the king of the south but will soon return to his own land. 10 However, the sons of the king of the north will assemble a mighty army that will advance like a flood and carry the battle as far as the enemy’s fortress. 11 “Then, in a rage, the king of the south will rally against the vast forces assembled by the king of the north and will defeat them. 12 After the enemy army is swept away, the king of the south will be filled with pride and will execute many thousands of his enemies. But his success will be short lived. 13 “A few years later the king of the north will return with a fully equipped army far greater than before. 14 At that time there will be a general uprising against the king of the south. Violent men among your own people will join them in fulfillment of this vision, but they will not succeed. 15 Then the king of the north will come and lay siege to a fortified city and capture it. The best troops of the south will not be able to stand in the face of the onslaught. 16 “The king of the north will march onward unopposed; none will be able to stop him. He will pause in the glorious land of Israel, intent on destroying it. 17 He will make plans to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will form an alliance with the king of the south. He will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom from within, but his plan will fail. 18 “After this, he will turn his attention to the coastland and conquer many cities. But a commander from another land will put an end to his insolence and cause him to retreat in shame. 19 He will take refuge in his own fortresses but will stumble and fall and be seen no more. 20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle. 21 “The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue. 22 Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince. 23 With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers. 24 Without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land. Then he will distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich — something his predecessors had never done. He will plot the overthrow of strongholds, but this will last for only a short while. 25 “Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. The king of the south will go to battle with a mighty army, but to no avail, for there will be plots against him. 26 His own household will cause his downfall. His army will be swept away, and many will be killed. 27 Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time. 28 “The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey. 29 “Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different. 30 For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant. 31 “His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. 32 He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. 33 “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. 34 During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. 35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. 36 “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place. 37 He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the god loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all. 38 Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses — a god his ancestors never knew — and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts. 39 Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward. 40 “Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape. 42 He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians will be his servants. 44 “But then news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many. 45 He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.

INTRODUCTION

If you remember — a few times in Daniel I’ve said that there’s a thread that unites the many visions and dreams in the book. And this current vision — which covers multiple chapters — is a more detailed account of the vision we encountered back in chapter eight. That sermon — the one that covered Daniel’s vision in chapter eight — was titled “The Author of History.” That’s the sermon where we looked at two ways to interpret prophecies that we find in the Bible. There’s the way of the higher criticism which doesn’t believe that prophecies are possible — thus — visions like these were written down after the historical events had taken place. And the key being that these visions were written down to appear as if they were recorded prior to the events taken place. But — because — according to higher critics — prophecy is not possible — the only way there are accurate accounts like this in the Bible is because they were written after the historical events had taken place.

So that’s door number one — a door I’d recommend you not take. The second option is to take God at his Word. Where we use some of the same methods of the higher critics — looking at the dating of the original writings, authorship, and so on — but do so without eliminating the possibility that God can have history written down prior to it taking place. And — in that sermon on Daniel chapter eight — I strongly encouraged us to take God at his Word — to understand that he is the Author of history. And — being history’s Author — he can have history written down before events take place as easily as he can have it written down afterwards.

With that being said — here’s our big idea for today. Because God is the Author of history, he has authority over history. Notice that the word authority has the word author in it — the words are related to each other. Our big idea — again — is: Because God is the Author of history, he has authority over history.

One example where we find this idea in our chapter is in the last half of verse thirty-two — where — having described the influence of an individual known as the “king of the north” — his flattery and winsomeness even though he is absolutely ungodly — at the rise of him seeming to have no rivals — we read…

Daniel 11:32b (NLT)

32b But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.

There is a remnant — the faithful — those who won’t bow their knee to this ungodly man. And why? Our answer reminds me of a theme we find throughout Scripture. When Elijah was on the run from the wicked King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, at one point he went and hid in a cave just to survive.

1 Kings 19:9b–10 (NLT)

9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

aAfter displaying his presence God — again — asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?” And — again — Elijah said…

1 Kings 19:14 (NLT)

14 “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

Elijah was certain that he was all alone — that he was the last faithful person left. In response — God gives Elijah some instructions and he promises Elijah that he will be protected from the wicked people who are trying to kill him. And then God says this.

1 Kings 19:18 (NLT)

18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

Elijah thought he was all alone but there were seven thousand others who will also remain faithful. But — our question is: Why will they remain faithful? God’s Word tells us that they will remain faithful because he — God — will preserve them. He will keep them from worshiping the false god. God — because he is the Author of history — has authority over all of history — including preserving seven thousand who would remain faithful to him.

So back to the people of Daniel’s vision who will know their God and will be strong and will resist the king of the north — why will they do so? Because God is the Author of history and he has authority over all of history — including giving these individuals the strength and perseverance to resist a wicked king in the future.

This idea is also found in the New Testament when Paul — writing about the Jewish people’s rejection of Jesus as the Messiah — refers back to Elijah’s situation and says…

Romans 11:1–6 (NLT)

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!” 5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace — his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is — free and undeserved.

Why — according to Paul — did some of the Jews remain faithful and not reject Jesus as the promised Messiah? Paul says these Jews remained faithful “because of God’s grace — his undeserved kindness in choosing them.” Choosing them for what? To remain faithful. For God is the Author of history — thus he has authority over all of history.

And — to be clear — God is the Author of history. He’s not the Recorder of history. He’s not the Archivist of history. Or the one who keeps the diary of history. This isn’t about God’s ability to look into the future and no the decisions humanity will make and then write down our decisions ahead of time. That is not authorship of history — that’s recording history that others are writing. And this is so critical to our view of God — of your view of God: Is he the Author of history or not? And — if he’s not — who then is history’s author?

The God who gives prophetic visions to his people — as recorded in Scripture — is the One authoring history — he’s the One writing history — he’s not giving visions of events that he has not control of and no authority over — no — the certainty of the events — like the preservation of seven thousand who refused to worship a false god in Elijah’s day or the Jews who worshiped Jesus in Paul’s day — the certainty of events is because of the authority of our God who is authoring all of history.

And this is meant to give God’s people great comfort as they live in this world of exile. For the future is not up to chance — or whoever has the most power — or nature — or whatever else others consider to be the ultimate authority over history. The future — our future — your future — the future of everyone and everything — is in the powerful, loving, and just hands of the only wise God. May this give you comfort if your future right now is causing you anxiety, fear, or worry.

GOD HAS DETERMINED THE BIG PICTURE OF HISTORY

Two angles of this truth — that God — in being the Author of history — has authority over all of history — that we’re going to briefly look at. The first angle is this: Since God is the Author of history and has authority over all of history — he has determined the big picture of history. He has determined the big picture of history.

If we take a step back — and zoom out on all of the history recorded in chapter eleven — we see that we’re covering hundreds of years of time — time still to come from Daniel’s point of view. History that is certain to come — history that we know has come — as both Christian and non-Christian scholars agree on the historical events that fulfilled what’s written about in the book of Daniel — which we looked at in the sermon on Daniel chapter eight.

From kings and presidents, to wars and peace treaties — God is over and above all of history. Orchestrating history so that his will is done. For the Christian — this is a truth that should not be debated for the hope of our faith — that Jesus Christ came to earth to live, die, and rise from the dead is the culmination of God’s plan for all of history. And if he lacks authority over other events in history — how could we not conclude that God lacked authority over his plan of salvation for his people? Or — to state it positively — since we believe that God had authority to execute the salvation of his people — an event culminating in the historic events of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection — we believe that he has authority over all of history. For God’s authority is not limited to just our salvation — he is working out all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

As one person has said, “It is because Christ has suffered and died and risen again that history has meaning and purpose.” (Duguid)

This is true even for the history that has yet to come — from our point in history — and this is true even when that history — that is yet to come — will bring trials and tribulations, persecution, pain, and even death for God’s people. We can trust God’s Word when it tells us that there are great battles ahead of us — and yet face them with confidence because we trust in the One with authority over all of history — the One who empowers his people to stand firm — to remain faithful — to not bow down to the false gods of our day but remain committed to the One who has called us according to his good purpose.

For our God — your God, if you believe in Jesus — is the One who said.

Revelation 22:13 (NLT)

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Alpha and Omega — as you may know — are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet — they’re the beginning and the end. And — here — Jesus tells us that he is beginning and the end — that he is eternal — he existed before history and will exist after history — that’s what it means to be the Author of history after all— And he has given us his Word — in Scripture — to testify about things that are still to come so that his people might hold fast to his promise that he is coming soon.

This is why Daniel received his vision — so that he and God’s people would hold fast to the promise that God’s Messiah was coming soon. And this is why we have words in Scripture that tell us of Jesus’ promised return — so we will hold fast — as we live in this land of exile — remembering all of God’s promises to us. Promises guaranteed because he is the Author of history and has authority over all of history. And no one and no thing can stop his plan from coming to pass.

GOD HAS DETERMINED THE DETAILS OF HISTORY

That’s the big picture when it comes to God’s Authorship and authority over history. Now — let’s explore the second angle of this truth: Since God is the Author of history and has authority over all of history — he has determined the details of history. God has determined the details of history.

Here’s why this matters to you. As one pastor has said, “If the Lord cares only about the big picture, individuals could fear that they would get lost or used in the grand schemes of empires and kingdoms. So with the sweeping revelations of eons and empires, the Lord also reveals his attention to particulars.” (Chapell)

God’s authority over the details of history — including your history — is where intimacy with him is experienced. For — if God can give Daniel such specific details about the future regarding individuals we covered in a previous sermon — people like Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus, and Alexander the Great, and Antiochus Epiphanes — and new details in our chapter — fulfilled by Egyptian rulers, a Syrian king who tried to get his daughter to seduce the Egyptian rulers young son so he could take over Egypt — which didn’t work — just like we see in this vision of the future — if all of these people fulfill the details of Daniel’s vision — if God has Authorship and authority over the details of their lives — why would we question his Authorship and authority over the details of our lives?

Here’s why: We experience pain and suffering. Daniel’s vision of the future isn’t going to be pain free and no suffering for God’s people, right? Yet we — Christians here in the US — have bought into a lie that God’s will for his people is a life without difficulty or pain or suffering as we live in this land of exile. And I try to figure out why we’ve bought into this lie. I mean — it can’t be from knowing our Bible — I know that much — because it’s not an easy task to find someone in the Bible who doesn’t experience suffering, pain, and difficult.

From the first two people mentioned in the Bible who experienced the murder of their son — a murder committed by their other son.

To Noah who experienced the destruction of world through a flood.

To Abraham and Sarah who experienced decades of infertility — the consequences of their distrust in God’s promise to them — and the conflict — still going on today — between the offspring of their two sons.

Whether it be Moses who had to flee for his life and experienced leading a grumbling, distrusting, and disgruntled people in the wilderness for forty years — only to forfeit his right to enter the Promised Land.

To David who was on the run for quite a bit of his life — only to become a king who experienced the consequences of his adulterous and murderous affair.

To people who — as far as we know — did nothing to deserve their pain, suffering, and hardship. The woman with constant bleeding — she’d spent all the money she had trying to find a cure. Timothy who suffered from stomach pains. The many women who experienced the death of their children just because they were born around the time Jesus was born.

Again — how could anyone read the Bible and conclude, “God’s will for his people is a pain free — no suffering — life”?

Much less if we turn to Jesus does this lie make any sense to believe. Jesus is called the Innocent Sufferer. The Sinless One. The One who…

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The One who…

1 Peter 2:22–25 (NLT)

22 …never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

The One who is the Author of history and has authority over all of history — has written every detail of your life. Even the details of his example of suffering so that you know — know matter the suffering or pain or horror you experience — you have assurance in knowing that you too can leave your case in the hands of God — who always judges fairly. That — because Jesus carried your sins in his body on the cross — you are now dead to sin and alive to righteousness. And — by his wounds — you have been promised healing — full restoration of life the way the Author of history has promised it to be. A promised life of no suffering. No pain. No sorrow. No death. Promises because the Author of history entered into history to suffer and die for his people.

CONCLUSION

So I can’t tell you specifically why God has allowed you to suffer — to experience the pain you’ve experienced — to go through that season of darkness or depression or disappointment — I’m not the Author — he is. But what I can do is point you to his Word — his promises — his a future that is sure to come because the Author of history has determined it to be. And he has said…

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Remember — Daniel was reading from the prophet Jeremiah when this vision began. This promise could very well have been on his mind during all of this — “God, how will this promise and this vision come to pass — for both are from you the Author of history?” Despite the vision — this is the promise Daniel is holding on to for his people. Despite the promised pain and suffering there’s a promise of hope. Despite the pain and suffering you have or are experiencing — do you believe God’s promise of hope to you? For example — this promise — that I alluded to earlier.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

And everything means everything. God is causing everything to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. This is the hope we have. Hope that we haven’t earned — hope that — just like a promised remnant or seven thousand who remained faithful — hope that’s guaranteed because God has said it will be done.

May who God is — the Author of history — and all that he has and will do — because he has both the authority over the big picture of history and the authority over the details of your story — may this be the reason for your hope today, tomorrow, and all your days as you live in this land of exile. Your God is One who has authority over all of history. Let’s pray together.

PRAYER

Father of all history, what comfort and hope in knowing that everything in history is not random, is not up to chaos or chance or nature — but is under your Authority. This gives us confidence in promises like, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord” (Jer 29.11) and that you have claimed us as your “possession since we were predestined according to your purpose — you — the One who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of your will.” (Ephesians 1:11) Your Authorship and authority are not threats — they are comforts for your people. Guarantees of the promises you’ve made to us. The only rational reason for us to have any hope for our eternity.

Spirit of God, would you so imprint these promises into our hearts that our confidence in your — not in ourselves — but in your faithfulness increases. For it’s so easy to relate to Elijah — feeling like we’re all alone — when there are seven thousand others you’ve kept from straying away — a remnant of faithful, persevering, Word and Spirit Christians who are generous, and Kingdom-minded, and focused on making disciples to be welcomed into your family. Increase our faith and trust that you are Authoring the best story — even the best story for us — for this is when we endure with hope and joy.

And — Jesus — you endured suffering and abandonment and betrayal and death because of the joy set before you. The hope that your life was in your Father’s hands — the same hands our lives are in because you suffered and died for our sins. This is the grandest display of love — suffering and death — for us. And the grandest display of God’s authority over all of history is you rising from the grave three days later — ensuring that the plans your Father has for us — plans for good and not for disaster — plans of a future full of hope — where everything is working together for our good — your defeat of death guarantees that the plans you have for us will come to pass. May we keep our hope fixed on your wonderful promises to us all our days as we live in this land of exile — anticipating our arrival in the eternal land that is our home. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May who God is — the One who has authority over all of history — be the reason for your hope as you live in this land of exile. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

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