Anxious in Babylon

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If you have not listed to the message entitled Seasons in Babylon that we preached back in April you might want to go back and listen to it.

SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on the Book of Daniel called Not From Here, we explore Daniel 7 as Daniel receives a vision that leaves him anxious and alarmed. While filled with strange beasts and apocalyptic images, this chapter offers us more than prophecy—it gives us a powerful perspective for living faithfully in anxious times. Together, we’ll see how the chaos of world events is no match for the unshakable Kingdom of God, and how believers can stand strong in hope, prayer, and purpose.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin the 2nd sub point(WHAT should my response) be?” the last point(The QUESTIONS).

Series | Not From Here

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.

I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.

At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.

We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y su familia.. se-sien-tan bien… a-tend-idos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series called…

Series | Not From Here

This is a series about the man Daniel, the faithful exile.

Daniel was taken as a slave into a foreign land - to live amoung other gods and a culture he did not agree with.

As a believer, you may look around at the people and culture around you and feel much like him.

Well... if you missed any of the messages in our series you can catch up…

o By listing on most Podcast sites

As well as…

o Watch…. on our Youtube

By the way didn’t Pastor Bruce do amazing?

I love that our Kids get great preaching and a youth pastor that really cares… if your students are not on Wed night they are missing out on a vaulble part of their spiritual formation….

A parent asked me how to help his family grow.. I told them.. come on Wed… its another way to grow as a family and engage with fellow beleivers aroud the word.

Chapter 7 Set-up

Today we are going to be looking at Daniel 7

-if you missed week 4 called seasons in Bablyon you might want to go back and watch it.

Chapters 1-6 Historical Narrative

For our bible nerds… Daniel is a unique book in the sense that the first 6 chapters fall in the Historical Narrative genera of biblical literature.

As we look at the book from a 1000’ view we notice God has been primarily been speaking to the gentile Kings through

Nebuchadnezzars Tormenting dreams and his Grandsons Belshazzar’s vision of the writing on the wall.

As we step into the next 6 chapters we move into a new biblical Genre… called Apocalyptic literature

Chapters 7-12 Apocalyptic Genre

We also see in these chapters that God turns form speaking to the gentile Kings and now has a word for his own people, Southern Israel, as he speaks to Daniel through 4 Apocalyptic visions.

Where do we get the word Apocalypse?

It comes form the greek word “apokalypsis” that we find in Rev. 1:1

Apokalypsis simply means- revelation or to unveil -

Type of literature unveils truths about the End of time.

Apocalyptic writtings often contains dramatic symbolism, strange visions, w/ shocking and frightening figures, it’s often metaphorical, and cataclysmic.

Im going to do a little more TEACHING today becuase of the nature of this content.

So…with that today might be a bit out of your biblical comfort zone - so hang in there - becuase we will have some very practical application in the end.

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | Anxious in Babylon

We’re going to see in Ch 7 that Daniels is ALARMED by the vision he receives

You might NOT have received a vision from God - but have you ever opened the scriptures and been alarmed - felt an urgency regarding the things of God.

Before we open the Scriptures to see what alarmed Daniel lets pray

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

Introduction

The Key verse for our text is Dan. 7:28… lets look at it together

28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”

Daniel is anxious as he see’s what takes place in human history starting in Babylon. Even though he see’s there is good news in whats to come it does not change the fact that what he see’s startles him.

I don’t know about you… but even though I have Christ on my side… there are times I open scripture and consider whats to come or I look around at the world around me and I find myself anxious just like Daniel.

Lets look to see why he was so anxious… we’ll be looking at verses

Daniel 7:1-8, 15-18

Beginning here in Daniel 7, the rest of the book it reveal both current and future events. But there’s no clean timeline—Daniel teleports across history, sometimes zooming in with detail, other times staying high-level. So over the next few weeks, we’ll do our best to unpack this without repeating content or spending eight more weeks here-which could easily be done. We won’t read straight through but will focus on key sections that help us understand the prophetic flow. This is why we are only focusing on these verses in Ch 7

As we spend these next few weeks on the End Times. It’s importnat to know that there is a lot of variance amoung the body of Christ regarding the order of these events Danile talks about.

Our church believes in a pre-tribulation rapture. We will unpack the meaning of this as we go.

It’s important to know This is NOT a salvation issue, it’s NOT a major doctrine in this sense.

But its importnat for those of you who hold this view to at the least - understand why you hold it.

Ok here we go…

The first thing I want you to notice as we enter the opening of Ch 7 we see IN YOUR NOTES is…

The BEAST. v.1-8, 15-18

-Typo on my part it should be Beast’s

Yea… We see this as we open the chapter.. … Daniel has a vision of a series of beasts.

Remember there is not a clean timeline… in fact if you have been tracking… as of Dan. 6… Babylon has been Destroyed and the Medo-Persians have begun to rule… Starting off in v. 1 Daniel….

Teleports Backwards “To the time of Babylon”

We see this begining in v.1...

Daniel 7:1-18 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon,

Scripture continues…

Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up… the great sea.

By the way… the sea in scripture is most always represented as a place of Chaos where evil rules.. we can understand this as a metaphor of our chaotic earth disrupted by sin and evil.

So as the sea was being stirred up…

v. 3 says…

3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.

Now as a quick spoiler alert… I want you to understand what these beast are…

The good news is that… we don’t have to guess what these Beast are… becuase scripture tells us

Let fast forward to v.17 … What are these beast? Here is what it says

Daniel 7:17 “‘These four great beasts ARE WHAT? …. four kings… who shall arise out of the earth (out of the great sea).”

So… as we see these Beasts.. we are actually looking at 4 Kings or ruling Kingdoms.

Does this sound familiar?

As we read, notice the clear parallel between this vision of the beast and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2.

Both show a succession of Gentile kingdoms, ending with God’s eternal Kingdom.

Both focus most on the fourth kingdom more than the first three

The first beast we see IN YOUR NOTES… is

Described as a LION. v. 4, Jer. 50:17, Jer. 48:40

We see this beginning in v. 4.. it says…

4 The first was like a LION and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.

This first beast is described like a LION regarding its strength and swiftness like an eagle.

Who is this Beastly Lion?

Jeremiah the profit gives us clues as to who this is as he was a profit to to the Souther Kingdom of Israel before they we’re taken into captivity.

Let’s check it out… Jer. 50:17… he give this as a warning

Jeremiah 50:17 “Israel is a hunted sheep… driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones.”

Notice the next reference Jeramiah makes in 48:40…here about the Eagle…

Jeremiah 48:40 “For thus says the Lord: “Behold, one shall fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab(A region dominated by Babylon)

***GO ahead and put the image on Screen

Here we see this Beast is referring to none other than the Lion, Nebuchadnezzar.

This beast is the same head of Gold that Neb saw in his dream…

And Danile see’s here in Ch 7

Scripture continues in the 2nd half of v.4 as it says,

“its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.

Remember what happened to King Neb when he failed to recognize God?

His wings or strength to rule were plucked from him by God… and he was humbled.

But when he recognized the power of God… He was raised up - he stood back on his two feet… began to rule with wisdom.. as God restored him to his throne.

***Friends… don’t ever underestimate what God can do with with a once prideful man… when he recognizes the power of God.

Ok… lets look at the 2nd beast we see… IN YOUR NOTES… this beast is…

Described as a BEAR. v. 5

We see this beginning in v. 4 lets look at it on the screen

5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a BEAR. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’

Scripture does not give as much clarity on the Bear… yet most evangelical scholars agree this is the next Kingdom that overthrew Babylon. T

***GO ahead and put the image on Screen

This appears to be the Medo-Persian Empire of Dan. 2

With the fierceness of a Bear… he takes these ribs… which are representative of 3 major conquest of Lidia, Babylon, and Egypt… these conquest made this empire a dominating power.

Ok… lets look at the 3rd beast IN YOUR NOTES… this beast is…

Described as a LEPARD. v. 6,

We see this in v.6 - lets look at it on the screen.

6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a LEOPARD, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

This next kingdom …. is described like a Leopard - who is known for it’s speed.. but scripture goes on to emphasize the speed by the 4 wings on its back.

***GO ahead and put the image on Screen

The beast that rose after the Medo-Persion was non other than Alexander the Great.

It took centuries to build the Medo-Persian empire…

Yet… Alexander the great concord it with utter speed in just 4 years.

After Alexander died - it was parcel out and ruled together by 4 regional leaders… oddly enough.. scripture describes this in last 1/2 of V. 6 that the beast had 4 heads that ruled - many scholars believe that it’s highly likely this is the 4 leaders that ruled in cooperation after Alexander the Great.

*************15min left**********

Ok… lets look at the 4th and final beast… IN YOUR NOTES… this beast is…

Described as TERRIFYING. v. 7,8, Rev. 14

Unlike the 3 previous beast that we’re given an animal like description… this one is ominously nameless… as it seems to stand out amoung the others… and Danile seems to be very interested in it.

We see this in v.7. Let’s look at it together

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet.

This 4th beast resembles the Legs in Neb. ch 2 as we see it’ great Iron teeth which is representative of the Roman Empire.

***GO ahead and put the image on Screen

This beast eventually rises to such power that it stamps out what is left amoung man.

-There is an additional Kingdom in Neb’s dream which are the feet that are Iron mingled with Clay..

-As we notice they arm combine here in Daniel 7… but still identifable.

-Many suspect who this Kingdom will be… the fact that the Roman empire imploded on itself and was NOT actually defeated…

-We have yet to see these 10 toes(iron mingled with clay…. rise in power…

Lets see how Dan. 7 talks about these 10 toes..

Teleport Forwards To a future time when this beast takes over…

Most scholars agree we have yet to see this take place…

Lets read v.7b

It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

***GO ahead and put the image on Screen

***Take a breath… this imagery is bizzaar…I know…

By the way.. We also see this is the same Beast of Rev. 13

Horns are often a symbol of power in the bible…

Many translate this part of the statue as a future world empire… a revived Roman Empire -(Something similar to what we see with the European Union) represented by these 10 horns.

Another POWER rises that represented by a small horn, eyes of man and mouth speaking great things (Uttering great pompous words)

This power that rises amoung these 10 Kingdoms is none other than the Beast of Rev. 14… the Anti-Christ.

This will be a person or world power that will rise up demanding the worship, dominion and authority that belongs to God. This figure will be Anti-Christ… against-Christ… a hater of God and his people.

IN a couple week Pastor Krista will talk in greater detail about this Anti-Christ.

As for here in Ch 7

This cooperating group of 10 nations will be divided as 3 of the kingdoms break off… just like was fortold in Dan. 2 with the Iron mingled with Clay.. this world power will be short lived - as the ANTI CHRIST TAKES OVER.

Lets skip down to v.15…. as this is interpreted for Daniel

Daniel’s Vision Interpreted 15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.

Transition: We’re talking about….

Sermon Title | Anxious in Babylon

This concerned Danile… I DON’T BLAME HIM…as he see’s what v17 describes as 4 beast…

17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.

I like what scripture says next… it… says BUT… This is another time reference… as we are teleport forward again to a time after the terror of this 4th beast the AntiChrist

What does scripture say? This is where you can shout… this is our GREAT HOPE

18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

despite these 4 beast that rise and terrorize the earth…. what can we know eventually will happen with the people of God? We will receive the Kingdom of God and possess it For ever and ever.

-Dan. Ch 2 told us there was a small stone that obliterated the final Kingdom of Man and there was no trase left of him.

In other words… I believe God is saying… you wont be in distress for ever - hope is coming…

SOMEONE SAY… WOW - Are you ok… that was a LOT…

Ok lets GET REAL PRACTICAL… IN YOUR NOTES is… lets address

The QUESTIONS.

People have always had a lot of questions about the end times.

Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions…

WHEN will this be? Matt. 24:36

Here is what scripture says regarding the timing of the Lord return

Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour(The day of the Lord and his final judgement) no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

Many want to create timelines and predict Christ’s return, but Scripture is clear—no one knows the day or hour. Don’t listen to fear-mongering voices or date-setting YouTube prophets. If you’re a believer, remember: perfect love casts out fear. Stay grounded in truth… NOT FEAR.

WHAT should my response be? Phil. 4:6-7

What should you do with this information about the end?

Philippians 4:6–7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

-Yea… do let anxiety rule your life… Paul shows us right here how we should respond… that will ease our anxieties

Our response should be IN YOUR NOTES

PRAYERFUL. (Phil 4:6a)

We should pray through our anxieties.

Prayer is about talking, being, and resting in the presence of God.

We can’t expect to be a rest if we don’t do this…

Prayers is gods gift and tool for anxious times.

Question: Do I have a rhythm of prayer?

If so, what is it?

If not, what can you do to get started today?

Our response should be IN YOUR NOTES

THANKFUL. (Phil 4:6b)

We could be lost in dark thoughts… but we could also be lost in thankful thoughts - we get to choose…

So I suggest… We should thank our way through our anxieties.

We all have a million things to be thankful for…. take time to list them out and read them daily as a reminder

Question: What am I thankful for?

Both a prayerful AND a thankful heart produce a mind that is at peace with God.

Listen, God has given his peace as a gift… but we have to access that gift through the stewardship of our time with God and attitude of our heart.

Our response should be IN YOUR NOTES

CARING.(2 Cor. 6:2)

We should care enough about the eternal destination of the lost that we share the Good News with others.

Becuase we do NOT know the day or the hour…

Becuase as the author of 2 Cor. in ch 6…verse 2 says… “Today is the day of salvation”

We should live as if it can come in our next moment. (I am as guilty as the next person regarding this urgency.)

I presume if we really understood the reality of eternity without Christ… we would not waist time on frivolous matters and we would share the Gospel much more often that we do.

Question: Who has God invited me to share the Good News with?

Write their name down.

Transition: As I close today….

***JUST PIANO - NO SONG

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day

Salvation Altar Call

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Resources

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary on Daniel by J. Paul Tanner

The Preacher’s Complete Homiletic Commentary on the book of Daniel by, Rev. Thomas Robinson, D.D.

Old and New Testament Commentary and Critical Notes by Adam Clark

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? Dan. 7

What am I anxious about? Phil. 4:6-7

What is your rhythm of prayer? Phil. 4:6a

What am I thankful for? Phil. 4:6

Who has God invited me to share my faith with? 2 Cor. 6:2

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).