Choose the Victory of God

Daniel  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  39:57
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Daniel and his friends experienced a forced adventure when they were taken away to Babylon. And every choice they made led to a specific consequence. However, these men made choices based on their faith in God, and God blessed and preserved His faithful ones in a dangerous foreign land. Today we have the same opportunity to decide to follow God and trust Him. The vision in chapter 7 reveals the end of the story in which God wins. And all who choose to follow Him may find the encouragement to remain faithful even when it means that they will suffer. It is better to choose God’s way because He will divinely judge evil and cycles of oppression through Jesus Christ, our Savior. We know how the story ends; therefore, we can confidently choose to remain with God.
Daniel 7 ESV
1 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. 2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 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. 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.’ 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. 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. 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. 9 “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. 10 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. 11 “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. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 “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. 14 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. 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. 17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’ 19 “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, 20 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. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 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. 23 “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. 24 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. 25 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. 26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 27 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.’ 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.”

A Different Kind of Story

We know the difference between a love letter and a medical report and that each is to be read differently. You will quickly notice that Daniel 7 is different from the previous chapters. The Bible contains different kinds of literature or writing styles. The rest of the book of Daniel contains sections that fit within the Apocalyptic genre. This style is different from the straightforward storytelling and legal decrees we have seen so far in Daniel. Apocalyptic writing contains these characteristics:
Symbols and unreal creatures
Radical changes and tumultuous events
A dramatic climactic ending that is not pessimistic but full of joy and optimism
This style of literature typically seeks to communicate a big picture of what God is doing so that His people will remain faithful and confident. Other examples of this type of writing are sections of Ezekiel and the book of Revelation.

The Challenge of Symbols

Apocalyptic writings often use symbolic language. Because we are removed culturally and historically from the ancient world, we will have to work harder to capture the impact of the symbols. The ancient people would have more easily recognized them. Before we begin, let me offer some helpful advice.
Be careful not to get stuck in identifying every detail as if we were trying to decode a hidden message.
Be cautious about holding an interpretation of the symbols lightly. Some people can be obsessed with insistence on the identity of the symbols. Instead, we should focus on the bigger story and goal of apocalyptic writing, that God wins.
Recognize that the dramatic descriptions are meant to draw our attention to the great victory that comes from God alone. His victory is a warning to those who choose to rebel and a blessed comfort those who trust.
We will look at the three concepts in Daniel’s vision: The Beasts, The Heavenly Court, and the Dominion of the Son of Man.

Three Parts of the Vision

Daniel describes four beasts that appear like animals but are deformations that represent corruption and rebellion toward God. They arise out of the sea (a poetic, symbolic location in opposition to God, Psalm 18:15). But the fourth beast is the most dramatic and destructive. It has iron teeth symbolizing strength in devouring others. And it has ten horns. ( Horns typically describe honor, godly or ungodly (1 Samuel 2:1) But there appears an eleventh little horn that turns out to be quite different. This horn represents prideful rebellion against God.
Daniel’s vision then changes to a heavenly courtroom scene. Seated in the place of judicial authority is the Ancient of Days which we should easily identify as God. This title reminds us that God is eternal, in comparison to the temporary beasts, and He is full of wisdom and ready to release his fire of judgment. The fourth beast and others are killed, but the little horn remains in rebellion for a time.
Daniel then sees the clouds reveal a son of man. This term describes a unique person that has a human nature but receives dominion, glory, and the kingdom. And all people will serve the King who inherits an everlasting kingdom.

Interpreting the Vision

We may find it odd that Daniel, who had a reputation for interpreting dreams, cannot fully understand this vision. Thankfully an angelic type character enlightens Daniel. But as Daniel hears the interpretation, a troubling element is added. The little horn will make war against the saints of the Most High for a time. But the heavenly court will judge this little horn, and the saints will receive the everlasting kingdom and serve God.
We should first recognize that this vision sounds a lot like the dream given to Nebuchadnezzar concerning the statue in Daniel 2. In that dream, we are told that the sections are kingdoms, and likewise, we are told that the beasts are four kings or kingdoms, but which ones are they? Like before, we are not given their identities, neither are we told who the rebellious and deadly little horn is. So what are we to make of the identity of the creatures?
I recommend that we tread carefully in taking a position in which we use to create divisions within Christianity. Unfortunately, this already occurs, but let’s be brave and humble enough to admit that our best efforts on determining the identity may be wrong. We will have to wait and see. But we do know the identity of the main character and the big story.

Jesus is the Son of Man

We ought to recognize that although we may not assuredly know the identity of the various creatures, we do know the identity of Ancient of Days and Son of Man. As previously stated, God is the Ancient of Days and the Most High. Daniel and those who read this vision could only speculate and anticipate who the son of man would be. But because we live after the incarnation and revelation of Jesus Christ, we can assuredly identify this as Jesus. Let’s look at a section from the gospel.
Matthew 16:13–20 ESV
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Jesus uses this description of himself at least 30 times in the gospel of Matthew. This title and description were more than a way to identify that he was human. It was a way to point to the special priority He had in God’s plan concerning the Kingdom of God. When Jesus used this, He called back to the description found in Daniel, thus identifying himself as the one who would receive the kingdom as the Christ, the Messiah.
How does the Son of Man receive the kingdom? Jesus does this through the cross. The cross is the pivotal point of God’s plan. It is the thing that moves the battle from a seeming loss into a solid victory. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus give us new life and bring us into a relationship with God.
Colossians 2:13–15 ESV
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Jesus is the one who brings victory. But just like Daniel, we also await a future victory preceded by temporary suffering.

Comfort for the Suffering Saints

It may bother us to see that the little horn wages war against the saints of the Most High. They suffer unjustly under the hands of evil people. But as we learned last week, God may allow us to experience the challenge of suffering for our decision to place our trust in Him and obey. This is what we see in the lives of those in this vision. But God promises that whatever amount or level of suffering that they endure, it will be temporary. It may even appear that they have lost and are fools for trusting in God, but the story is not over. All who place their faith in God have the promise that we may suffer for a time, but God will overturn it. And the victory is not won with politics, wealth, or military power. God will supernaturally bring it all to an end.
God gave Daniel this vision during the reign of King Belshazzar, who exalted himself against God in chapter 5. His pride lasted for a time before God judged him, so too will any who place themselves as enemies of God. They will receive their consequence. And those who suffer under the hands of these sinful leaders find hope because God will vindicate his faithful ones and judge their oppressors.

Choose Your Own Adventure

What is your vision of God? When we read the scripture, we may feel great inspiration. But when we see our problems and troubles, we may quickly forget that God is greater. We may not have the oppression of evil tyrants weighing down on us. But some of us are overwhelmed by the heavy emotional weight of the day. If we look to the news, we will find liars and a host of people trying to make sense of the problems by offering a solution that does not depend upon God. It may seem that we can only sink deeper into doubt, depression, and discouragement. But here is where we need to encourage ourselves with the Word of God. We need to remind ourselves of the vision that says, "God is still in control!" If God is in control, we can place all our heaviness upon Him, and we will find victory because victory was won at the cross.
Since we know how the story will end, we can confidently choose to place our whole selves in Christ. What will you choose?
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