Humbled And Purified
Notes
Transcript
Refresher
Daniel 10-11 relays the explanation of a vision about a great war
The war culminates in Antiochus IV and the “abomination that causes desolation”
This oppression will come to an end in God’s timing
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.
6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
A Time, Times, and Half a Time
Uncertain length time
1 + 2 + 1/2 = 3 1/2 years
Half of 7 symbolically means imperfection
It will get worse, the end will be sudden, and you can’t calculate it
When Power is Broken
What is the power of the holy people?
Why does God want to break it?
What good is a broken people?
Repentance from self sovereignly requires humility
Sanctification For Those Who Seek God
v10a “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked.”
Allusion to a crucible purifying a precious metal
Sanctification always requires submission to God
Blessed Is The One Who Endures
v12 “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.”
More uncertain math just to make sure you can’t calculate it
Cling to God and endure that which seeks to pull you away
Keep Living For God
v13a “As for you, go your way till the end.”
Daniel would not live to see his vision fulfilled
Live for God. Take hope and peace from Daniel. Endure the trials.
God is in Control
From the kings court in Babylon to the defiled temple under Antiochus IV
From Genesis to Revelation
Today!
Are You Being Sanctified?
Knowing God enables peace in the midst of chaos
Peace enables obedient action
What is God purifying in the crucible of your life?
What do power do you need to submit to Him?
