God meets you where you are
Daniel: Courageous living in troubled times • Sermon • Submitted
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God meets you where you are
God meets you where you are
Opening text not found in Daniel but in the book of Amos
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants the prophets.
God wants us to know what is going to happen,
He communicates this clearly to us and to do this
and as I want to show today, He is a God who meets us where we are.
Prayer
Pray
* Find story
Find story
Can you come to me?
Intro to series
Intro to series
* Daniel: Courageously living in troubled times.
Maybe that is exactly how you would describe your personal situation right now . . troubled.
Maybe you have just discovered you have health issues, or there is a strain on your relationships, or you are troubled by money or finances - or the lack or it, or even where your next meal is going to come form, or where you will stay.
Perhaps
Perhaps you are fearful of your situation and you are concerned about what is going to happen next. All you see ahead is . . .trouble.
Or you are fearful of what is coming, you now it wont be pretty.
Hence you wonder if there is someone who can help, someone who can relate, someone who will come and communicate with you and help you get through this. Someone who can meet your needs and comfort your fears, come to you and meet you where you are.
Well of all the chapters in the Bible you would initially turn to to help in these situations, the passage that we are looking at today probably would not immediately come to mind.
Last week we looked at the story in . In two weeks time Prescott College Southern will look at .
But over the next two weeks we are going to move more into the prophetic section in the book of Daniel. (For an in depth look go to a SS class)
· coming up in two weeks.
· Next two Sabbaths Look at .
· While we will at these prophecy's, today I want to focus on one main message, God meets you where you are.
· While we will at these prophecy's, today I want to focus on one main message.
Daniel has a dream
Daniel has a dream
Daniel has a dream
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.
Belshazzer the king in chapter 5, so this happens before the events that we looked at last week
And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
Belshazzer the king in chapter 5
This happens before the events described last week
Also see that Daniel had a dream, usually the other way around.
Have already seen a number of dreams in Daniel ( and also in )
Similar to the dream in , happen while in bed, and during the night. God gave them to both men.
You remember the dream of ?
Recount dream
Recount dream
When Daniel gave the interpretation he said that they represented kingdoms that would come.
List kingdoms
Could it be that the dream that we are about to look at is related to this?
Lets keep this in mind. On the surface it seems very different.
Lets keep this in mind. On the surface it seems very different.
Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
Nothing that ever resembles a statue here.
Instead we see wind blowing up waves (a storm approaching).
Choppy water out on the ocean
And then coming up out of the sea, presumably moving towards Daniel are there four beasts, or creatures.
In King Nebs dream the statue didn’t move, it was just there.
But here these animals are alive, they are fierce and ferocious.
The two dreams seem far removed until we skip ahead to verse 17 and read
‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.
Dan 7:
Four great kings, four great kingdoms. This is the same subject matter that we saw in chapter 2.
Daniel then explains what he sees
The Lion
The Lion
youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
“The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.
Dan 7:4
Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
Daniel 7:
Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.
A lion - king of the jungle, one of the strongest creatures there is.
Eagle king of the bird of the air.
This lion had wings on its back, could you image a flying lion? Its a scary thought. Yet this represented a kingdom.
Could this kingdom be the same one as the head of gold, that king Nebuchadnezzar saw? Undoubtedly it is.
In 2001 I had the opportunity to go to Europe, and one of the places that I visited was the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. In the museum they have the Ishtar gate, one of the gates into the ancient city of Babylon.
Here is a picture of it.
Amazing thing is one of the creatures that is displayed on the wall.
Here I am pointing to it, it is Lion, but if you look more closely, you can see that it is actually a lion with wings.
There can be no doubt that this represents the same kingdom as the head of Gold - Babylon.
The fact that it had wings represented the speed that was demonstrated in Babylons early conquests under Nebuchadnezzar.
•In the dream the Wings are plucked out
–Possible reference to 7 years of Madness
- But more probably the lessor kings followed Nebuchadnezzar, who began to see the kingdom decline.
* It was lifted up, lost some of its lion’s features, a mans mind, or the NKJV says a mans heart was given to it.
- Would you prefer to be called Lion hearted or Man hearted?
•Lifted up
–A lion lifted up looses is a lot less like a lion.
There can be no doubt that that this beast perfectly represented Babylon.
• Had a Mans heart
–Would you prefer to be called Lion hearted or Man hearted?
The question I want to ask today and come back and dwell on, is if this represented the same power - why was it presented to Nebuchadnezzar in the form of the head of the statue and to Daniel as a vicious lion? Why the difference?
Describe four beast - each one individually
We will come back to this.
Having established the pattern we can see that the next beasts also fit.
Having established the pattern we can see that the next beasts also fit.
The Bear
The Bear
“And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’
Dan
• Here we see a Bear instead of a Lion. Bear is not the king of the jungle – inferior. (Just like Silver is inferior to Gold).
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him.
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.
–Bear is not the king of the jungle – inferior.
•Raised up on one side - in other words one side was more dominate than the other and history tells us that the following Kingdom composed of two parts Medes and Persians, the latter becoming the dominate force.
–Kingdom composed of two parts Medes and Persians, the latter becoming the dominate force.
•Three ribs –Could represent the three powers that Medo-Persia conquered to obtain power.
It is a match.
–Could represent the three powers that Medo-Persia conquered.
Interestingly, this parallel that we are seeing, we can also see it in .
There a Ram appears and this ram has two horns one longer than the other and in verse 20, it identified as the kingdom of Medio-Persia.
So the sequence fits well.
The Leopard
The Leopard
“After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
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.
Daniel 7:
Daniel 7:
• Like a Leopard. –Fierce, but very quick and agile.
–Fierce, but very quick and agile.
•Wing of a Bird on its back. –The only thing quicker than a leopard is a leopard with wings on its back.
–The only thing quicker than a leopard is a leopard with wings on its back.
–Greece took over the world very rapidly. Alexander the Great conquered the whole of the ancient Near East in three short years from Egypt to India .
Here is a map of the territory he conquered and owned. An amazing feet, considering that he had to march his soldiers everywhere, and that he died at the age of thirty two.
•Four heads, represented the fact that Greece broke up into four (then three) kingdoms when its leader died.
–Greece broke up into four (then three) kingdoms when its leader died.
Again in , we see this represented by by a Goat charging at the ram with a huge horn. The horn was broken off showing Alexanders early death.
The description and accuracy of this is amazing.
The Fourth Beast
The Fourth Beast
“After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
• Dreadful and Terrible - Look at these words terrifying and frightening and very powerful.
–No beast comparable to it. Horrific
• It had, Iron Teeth - nothing break iron - and iron was the same metal used in the legs of the statue.
• This beast had ten horns, while the statue had ten toes representing the different kingdoms that came after this power
The Roman Empire.
•It Had ten horns
WHY TWO DREAMS?
WHY TWO DREAMS?
– Statue had ten toes representing the different kingdoms that came after Rome.
WHY TWO DREAMS? The real message
WHY TWO DREAMS? The real message
Let’s just pause for a moment and remember that all of this was predicted when Babylon was the world power. In other words this was prophesied BEFORE it happened.
This is a remarkable fact, (so much so that some have even suggested that the book of Daniel was written during the Roman Empire. How else could Daniel know all this). But there are multiple reasons why we cant go with this, including the fact that Jesus himself called Daniel a prophet).
How could these dreams be so accurate?
- the only answer is that God gave them the dreams.
God gave the dream to Nebuchadnezzar to reveal the future to him, just as God gave this dream to Daniel to reveal the future to him. The same meaning but different images
But this brings us back to the question.
Clearly the two dreams are very closely related. Let’s remember that all of this was predicted BEFORE it happened.
But this brings us back to the question.
But this brings us back to the question.
Why was one dream in the form of a statue and the other in the form of beasts? Why the difference?
Sure, one reason is so that we can fit more details in, but why for one is it all golden and shiny and for the other it is frightening and scary?
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.
Describe four beast - each one individually
Dan 1:2-3
Include .
Before the horn ask the question.
The same meaning but different images
The two perspectives
The two perspectives
Let look at this from their different perspectives.
Sure so that we can fit more details in but why for one is it all golden and shiny and for the other it is oall different.
For the king - Kingdoms are great things, the are full of power and authority.
Let look at this from the different perspectives. Differences between kings perspective of Kingdoms and Daniels
Why he himself is a king so to have kingdoms represented by something that is grand and big and golden and shiny - he can very much relate to that.
But for Daniel the feelings are different.
Differences between kings perspective of Kingdoms and Daniels
Remember Daniel is in exile. How does he feel about powers that have come and ripped him by force from his homeland? How does he view these kingdoms and powers? Powers that set about to trample on and hurt God’s people and his kingdom?
Remember Daniel is in exile.
This isn’t something that should be represented as nice and new and shiny, in fact the exact opposite.
How does he feel about powers that have come and ripped him and his force from his homeland. How does he feel about these kingdoms?what does he thing about kingdoms? They tample on Gods kingdom.
Can you see what is happening here? God has a message, and in delivering this message, he communicated it in such a way that it fit the one he was communicating to.
Here is the thing that I want you to know from today.
God meets you where you are. He communicates to you in ways you can understand. He comes down to you, connects with you, no matter where you are, or what you are going through. The old song, He came down your level when you couldn't get up to his is true. So today instead of spending all I time trying to show who the ten horns represented and proving who the little horn is, I just want to go away knowing this simple fact.
God meets you where you are
Go meets you where you are
Where do you need God most right now? Where do you need to hear him? Have you stopped and spent time listening and asking for his voice. Sometimes if we rush on too quickly we can miss it.
The other thing we see which is very much related here is that, God uses language of the past, to describe the future.
It communicating with Daniel, one of the things that we see is that, God uses language of the past, to describe the future.
This is what we also see here. And closely connect to this is the fact that, God uses language of the past, to describe the future.
Also God uses language of the past, to describe the future.
Also God uses language of the past, to describe the future.
As Daniel was looking at this dream - he would have be going wait a minute
winds blowing over the water
That would have reminded him of of something he knew very well, something you might recognise as well.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
This is the creation story - it begins in much the same way as Daniels dream Something is hovering over the waters.
In Genesis the next thing we see is God creating, and at one point a series of animals. (Sound familiar). It is paralleling the creation story.
* Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Parallels creation story
A series of animals appear.
Thats what happened at creation
As we will soon see as the dream continues a son of man appears and is given dominion over these nations, Just as Adam appeared and had dominion over the animals.
The picture of the history of the world, is seen as a new creation.
God is using the language of the past, language and concepts that Daniel is very familiar with to provide the language of the future.
God meets people where they are. It doesn't matter what time and culture - he communicates to his people in ways that people understand.
And to Daniel we also had a warning to give for the future generations of his people.
Time and culture - he communicates in ways that people understand. He comes down to us,
ration - maybe missionary miracle with local appearing. Needs what are you - where do you need to hear God most right now. .
The Warning about the Little Horn.
The Warning about the Little Horn.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, 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. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 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.
His Message
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,
But Daniel as I am here meeting you, where you are I have got to warn you. I have a warning for your people. There is a different power coming, watch out for it.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
But Daniel as I am here meeting you, where you are I have got to warn you. I have a warning for your people. There is a different power coming, watch out for it.
“While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
Dan
You have to watch out for this one Daniel. That is why I am telling you so you can pass this onto my people. Verse 21
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,
Daniel
Yes this end time power is going to declare war on my people. In fact it goes further than that.
He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
Things are going to get a little rough. My People will be oppressed by this power. And for a time the holy people will be delivered into his hands.
Not only that he will try to change the laws, the holy law of God, the ten commandments . These are the laws that I have written with my own finger in stone, and he arrogantly think that he can change them.
There is one in particular that he is going to be after. There is only commandment that deals with a set time. This power is going is going to try and change the Sabbath. This special day that came into being at the end of creation week, that I gave so that my people would remember to take time or the most important things in life, relationships with God and relationships with others. This power is going to come and try and change this, to get rid of it.
So watch out, be alert. I had to warn you about this, I am meeting you and my people where you are. I wanted to let you know what is going to happen.
Watch out, be alert. I am meeting you and the people where you are. I wanted to let you know what is going to happen.
Watch out, be alert. I am meeting you and the people where you are. I wanted to let you know what is going to happen.
Let me talk to the Adventists for a moment. If you have been to a seminar you know all this. For some of you seeing these prophecies fulfilled and come alive is part of the reason you join the church. We are a prophetic movement.
But often we spend a long time looking at the identity marks of the little horn, proving who this power is. (Clearly it is a distinctly religious power, and one that arises out of Rome).
Clearly it is a distinctly religious power, and one that arises out of Rome.
However, while it is important to do this, I think we can miss something by pulling out the identity markers from the text, and missing the overall narrative.
Let me explain it this way - Lets put ourselves in Daniels shoes.
Here he is in exile, and on a whole he has been reasonable well treated. I mean he even became one of the top advisors in the land. But now God is revealing to him want will continue to happen to God people down through time and it is not pretty.
Put yourself in Daniels shoes. - Here he is in exile, and on a whole he has been reasonable well treated. I mean he even became one of the top advisors in the land. But now God is revealing to him want will continue to happen to God people.
Daniel is in Babylon the first of the kingdoms, and he is hearing about all the horrific things that Gods people will face in the future. No wonder at the end of the chapter he says that he was deeply troubled by it all.
Kings are going to arise, the war that the little horn would declare on the saints, the blasphemous words, the wearing out of the saints, the changing of the times and the laws, the fact that it would seem that he is going to win for while. This is distressing stuff, fearful stuff.
But remember God meets people where they are. He wants to let them know what is coming ahead, but he also wants to assure them, don’t be afraid I am in control.
I find it interesting that every time this little horn power is mentioned in this chapter, it is immediately counteracted with the actions of God. Every single time.
I find it interesting that every time this little horn power is mentioned in this chapter, it is immediately counteracted with the actions of God. Every single time.
Every time the actions of the little horn are mentioned, it is counteracted with God’s actions.
God turns up in our time of need, he communicates to us, don't be afraid I am still in control, he meets us where we are.
Let me show you what I mean.
In we are shown this horn that speaks boastfully, or pompous words. Look what Daniel sees immediately after this.
“As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened.
“As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
Yes there is a power that will arise on earth, but he’s got nothing on this power, the Ancient of Days in Heaven.
Yes this horn may speak pompous words, but they will be recorded the books, these books will be opened, he will be judged by what he does, justice will take place.
Yes this horn may think he has heaps of followers, but look how many surround and come before the ancient of days.
Daniel, I am showing you this, because you need to know, But don’t worry - when you look a little higher you see that I am in control.
This scene painted here is a breath taking one. And I think it would have been hard to takes ones eyes away from it, but this horn power was vying for his attention.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, 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. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 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. 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.’ 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. 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. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 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.
“As I looked,
thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.
A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
“I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
“As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 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. ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
“Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
“Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast,
there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
and it shall devour the whole earth,
and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.
But the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
“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.”
In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal. I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.
As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?” And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”
When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”
And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”
And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
“O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
“And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills. And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these.
“Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority. After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supported her in those times.
“And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north. Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own land.
“His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies.
“In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail. Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand. But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand. He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage. Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed, he shall turn his insolence back upon him. Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.
“Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle. In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant. And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people. Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers’ fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed. And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.
“At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.
“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.
“At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.
“Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
Dan 7:
Don’t worry Daniel, I need to tell you what is going to happen, that this power is not going to last. In fact let me show you where the power and dominion that will never fade can be found.
“Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.
Dan
Don’t worry Daniel this power is not going to last, In fact let me show you where the power and dominion that will never fade can be found.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Dan 7:13
Yes there is
One way to study the Bible and understand it better is to look for key words - words that appear over and over in a biblical narrative.
I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
In , such a key word is repeated and repeated - the word “Dominion” This word occurs seven times in chapter 7 (vss.. 6,12,14,26,27). The NIV translates it more broadly as authority, dominion, power and rulers . . (yet) when we realize that the word “dominion” become evident that is proves to be the key to understanding this chapter.
Dan 7:
Babylon had dominion for a while
but then lost it to Persia
who had it for a little longer time, but still lost it to Greece. Strong as Greece first appeared under Alexander the Great , is soon lost dominion too. Rome which looked like an eternal kingdom, did not last nearly as long as expected, and it too lost its dominion. Even the little horn, its dominion isn’t going to last.
BUT GODS DOMINION WILL.
It is eternal it never ends. Again the same message from . There is only one kingdom that will last. Other kingdoms may seem indestructible, they maybe be doing horrific things, but it will not last. God is in control. He is the one who has true dominion.
There is only one kingdom that will last. Other kingdoms may seem indestructible, they maybe be doing horrific things, but it will not last. God is in control. He is the one who has true dominion.
And this text tells us why. It tells us that one like “a son of man” approached the Ancient of Days.
There is only only kingdom that will last. It maybe be doing horrific things, but it will not last, God is in control
In other words a person like a human being approaches the throne of God in heaven to receive God’s eternal kingdom on planet earth. This can only be referring to one person, it is Jesus.
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 4 13. Like the Son of Man
Instead of the translation “a son of man” the translation “One, human in form” would more adequately represent the Aramaic phrase. God chose to present His Son in prophetic vision with special emphasis on His humanity (see MB 14).
At the incarnation the Son of God took upon Himself the form of humanity (John 1:1–4, 12, 14; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; etc.) and became the Son of man (see on Mark 2:10), so uniting divinity with humanity by a tie never to be broken (DA 25). Thus, repentant sinners have as their representative before the Father “one like” themselves, One who was in all points tempted like as they are and who is touched with the feeling of their infirmities (Heb. 4:15). Comforting thought!
Andrews Study Bible Notes Chapter 7
7:13 One like the Son of Man. A person like a human being approaching the throne of God in heaven to receive God’s eternal kingdom on planet Earth (compare 2:44). This must be Christ, the divine Son of God (Matt. 26:63–64; 27:54; Mark 1:1), who also spoke of Himself as the Son of Man and is coming to earth again to set up His eternal kingdom (Matt. 16:27; 19:28). By itself the expression “son of man” can refer to an ordinary human being (Ezek. 2:1, 3, 6, 8), but the person in Dan. 7 is special. When Christ comes to earth a second time, His kingdom will already have been determined in terms of the people who belong to it (Matt. 25:31–46; Rev. 22:11–12). So the judgment in heaven that determines human destinies (Dan. 7:9–14) is before Christ’s Second Coming (compare Rev. 14:6–7). Notice that Dan. 7:13 distinguishes between two divine personalities belonging to the holy Trinity: Christ the Son approaches the “Ancient of Days,” who must be God the Father (compare Matt. 6:9; 7:21; 28:19).
It is the exact thought that I want to make - GOD MEETS US WHERE WE ARE. This is so important to him that he took on humanity, so that we could relate, so that we had someone we could go to, so that we could find the victory in Him.
Lets think about this from God’s perspective. He has tried over and over again to try and get a message through to his people. The cry of his heart is to simple tell them what he is like, how much he loves them, how He is in control. But sometimes his messages don't sink in. so he does the unthinkable. Gods son took on human flesh . . . he came down to our level, He meets us where we are.
The author of Hebrews puts it this way . .
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
What needs are you facing? What situations do you need victory over in your life? What is scaring you at present? What temptations or trials are you facing?
Are you wondering how God can help you in these.
What needs are you facing? What situations do you need victory over in your life, what is scaring you at present, what temptations or trial are you facing? Are you wondering how God can help you in these. Here is what I want you to know
Are you wondering how God can help you in these.
Jesus can relate. He meets us where we are! He took on human flesh - he became one of us yet was without sin. He was crucified and buried, but rose again on the third day and now he is seated on the throne. and his Dominion will never end. He gained the victory.
So allow God to Jesus Christ the Son of God,
God meets you where you are. It doesn’t matter what you have done or where you have come from, there is a
And allowing God to meet you where you are, telling him whats going on, inviting him and accepting him into your heart you can gain the victory as well.
God meets you where you are. It doesn’t matter what you have done or where you have come from, there is a
IT is NOT referring to his second coming as he approaches the Ancient of Days
IT is NOT referring to his second coming as he approaches the Ancient of Days
Let’s look at this son of Man
And there is something about this son of man, who will ensure the victory.
God is communicating to Daniel, he does nothing without first telling his servants the prophets.
am com
God is communicating to Daniel, he does nothing without first telling his servants the prophets.
Hebrews 1:
God meet you where you are.
lumping it all together.
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.”
God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
But - speaking boastfully - He will be judged for this.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Daniel
Heb 1
God meets us where we are, he can do this because of the son of man, Jesus. The o
-18
God meets us where we are, he can do this because of the son of man, Jesus.
Heb 4:
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Lets finish off by observing the continuing pattern of when wordly power are mentioned it is immediately counteracted with the actions of God. As Daniel is having the dream interpreted he is told
Daniel is seeing this magnificent scene in heaven and normally we would say that this is something that he couldn’t take his eyes off.
But there is this little arrogant horn
We find out it is ultimately destroyed - .
The son of man comes to the ancient of Days.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion , his kingdom is on that will never be destroyed.
The same message from .
.
And often we spend a long time looking at the identity marks of the little horn so that we can be certain of the identification Of it.
Clearly it is a distinctly religious power and the and second phase of Rome.
However, while it is important to do this, I think we miss something by lumping it all together.
Here he is in Babylon the first of the kingdoms, and he is hearing about all the horrific things that Gods people will face in the future. No wonder at the end of the chapter he says that he was deeply troubled by it all.
The kings that would arise, the war that the little horn would declare on the saints, the blasphemous words, the wearing out of the saints, the changing of the times and the laws, the fact that it would seem that he is going to win for while. This is distressing stuff, fearful stuff.
But remember God meets people where they are. He wants to let them know what is coming ahead, but he also wants to assure them, that he is in control.
But remember God meets people where they are. He wants to let them know what is coming ahead, but he also wants to assure them.
I find it interesting that every time this little horn power is mentioned in this chapter, it is immediately counteracted with the actions of God. Every single time.
He turns up in our time of need, he communicates to us, don't be afraid I am still in control, he meets us where we are.
He turns up in our time of need, he communicates to us, don't be afraid I am still in control, he meets us where we are.
As Daniel is having the dream interpreted.
‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.
As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
BUT
But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
BUT
The only way that it is even possible for us to accept the kingdom, is by accepted the one who came down to us, the Son of man.
At times it might seem like we are in a loosing battle or a loosing situation. It did to Daniel
At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,
Dan 7:21
The people of God were loosing the fight
until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
“Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet,
Dan 7:
Adventist say this Judgment is happening now, the tide is turning. The Ancient of Days can pronounce judgment in favour of the people of God, because of what the son of man has done.
Even when it gets to the most damming actions God reveals how he responds.
He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
Daniel
BUT
Feeling worn out
* Feeling worn out
A battle of the times and the laws including a battle over the Seventh-day Sabbath
He is going to try and change all that. Doesn’t want you to know the truth about Gods laws, doesn;t want you to know the trust about this special day he has given to show that you are a true follower of him.
In fact for a time, the saint will be given into his hand
BUT
“ ‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’
Dan 7:
God meets you were you are,
* Feeling worn out
A battle of the times and the laws including a battle over the Seventh-day Sabbath
He is going to try and change all that. Doesn’t want you to know the truth about Gods laws, doesn;t want you to know the trust about this special day he has given to show that you are a true follower of him.
In fact for a time, the saint will be given into his hand
God meets you were you are,
He communicates in ways you understand.
He assures you that no matter what you are going through, no matter what you can see, He is the one in Control, he is the one who has dominion.
He is the one who has revealed this to you. He meets you where you are.
CONCLUDING STORY.
Accept this comfort, accept this help, accepting him standing for you before the ancient of day
That is worth praising him over.
And then join in with others declaring his love, glory, dominion and power.
AMEN.
CONCLUDING STORY. Showing God’s providence.
SHowing
*****
*Offended by what others think about your God and your belief in him
* Feeling worn out
A battle of the times and the laws including a battle over the Seventh-day Sabbath
He is going to try and change all that. Doesn’t want you to know the truth about Gods laws, doesn;t want you to know the trust about this special day he has given to show that you are a true follower of him.
In fact for a time, the saint will be given into his hand
In , such a key word is repeated and repeated - the word “Dominion” This word occurs seven times in chapter 7 (vss.. 6,12,14,26,27). The NIV translates it more broadly as authority, dominion, power and rulers . . (yet) when we realize that the word “dominion” become evident that is proves to be the key to understanding this chapter.
Babylon had dominion for a while
but then lost it to Persia
who had it for a little longer time, but still lost it to greece. STrong as Greece firt appeared under Alexander the Great , is soon lost dominion too. Rome which looked like an eternal kingdom, did not last nearly as long as expected, and it too lost its dominion. EVn the little horn, its dominion sisn;t last.
BUT GODS DOMINION WILL.
It is eternal it never ends.