The End of the World with Daniel

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Lesson

So talk about the end of the world or the apocalypse, Armageddon (which is actually a battle that will happen during that time, not the end of the world), the eschaton, whatever you want to call it, talk about this topic usually peaks interest and gets people excited…

This is what Daniel chapters 7-12 is about…

Chapters 1-6 is the setup for 7-12…

Hopefully you’ll learn some things, find it interesting, and most importantly praise and honor God for his goodness in it. But I can not guarantee that you’ll have all your questions answered!

History is hurtling towards the end that God has set for it.

God is directing history.

This is so clear from everything in the book of Daniel.

When I was younger, I had fun playing with Hotwheel race tracks. Now my boys are loving playing with them. These race tracks vary from track to track, but some of them have room for the cars to bounce and move around a little bit, but the sides are raised so the cars can’t get off the track. Ultimately they will get to where the track designer wanted them to go. This is a fair metaphor for the path that humanity and creation is taking and God’s role in it, but God is still hands on with us.

Chapter seven is the vision of the beasts.

show the pictures

This goes back to the dream Neb had of a statue in chapter two.

Chapter eight has a goat and a ram.

show pictures

Chapter nine is Daniel praying for his people because he sees that a time is coming.

We should have similar prayers for God’s people today, to be ready and live for the coming Kingdom.

Then a time line is laid out for the end of the world.

These “weeks” are generally believed to be seven years. Most would say we are in the 70th week or in a break between the 69th and 70th week.

Chapters 10-12 feature some angels that come to Daniel in a vision and tell him how the next several hundred years will go and then how the world will end.

Daniel receives the vision as an answer to prayer.

10:12

Our God answers prayer!

The prophecy in these chapters is so detailed it’s crazy. There are some who do not believe that these events were foretold, rather they were written after the fact.

The only reason to suspect that, as far as I have seen, is if you do not want to believe in a God who knows the future because He has planned it.

Our God rules over the kingdoms of men and gives it to whomever He will.

This has been the point of the last several weeks as we’ve studied Daniel. God is using those for him and those against him to accomplish his will.

11:4

So we can trust that no matter what, no matter who is in control, no matter who wins in November, God is good and working out his plan for history.

Let that give you comfort and peace, but don’t let it make you think that you are not still called to serve him in your community and nation!

We need that peace, because history tells us that it’s possible for some really terrible people to make it to power.

Humanity needs a Savior

These visions and prophecies make that so clear. Humanity is broken, sinful, prideful, power hungry. To differing degrees, but everyone of us.

Romans 3:23 CSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

Have you ever seen bugs fly into the zapper? That’s like humanity and sin. We see it and we are mesmerized. We can’t help but head to it.

This is abundantly clear through Scripture and experience. So then, what can we do about it? Nothing. So God did something about it. The prophecies end with Jesus winning.

Jesus wins

7:13-14

This ends really well for God’s people.

His kingdom is not a fly-by-night empire that is here today and gone tomorrow, an empire and kingdom that is little more than dust in the wind… He brings rebellion to an end, puts a stop to sin, wipes away iniquity, and and brings in everlasting righteousness. What a contrast are these power hungry dictators with the humble King from Galilee who put the needs of others far ahead of his own. -Daniel Akin

Revelation 21:3–4 CSB

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

So what do I do?

Live in light of the coming Kingdom, not today’s kingdom.

Put your faith in the King who is able to save, King Jesus.

Do not pursue the power, greed, and pride of this world. Humble yourself. Be a servant.

Matthew 20:26–27 CSB

It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave;

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Next week

For the MS service, sixth graders are first in line. We want to welcome y’all to the student ministry!

For HS, seniors are first in line!

Tomorrow nights I’ll let everyone know if we are full.

Just message, call, text, have a parent reach out to me to get a seat!