Is anyone really in Control?

We live in difficult times and uncertain days, however, at the same time we live in exciting and good times with the word of God as our guide and revelation. We live in a day and time that it is hard to know who and what to trust. In a world of chaos and desperate times God is in Control.

Remember that Jerusalem lies in rubble and the Israelites are in captivity in Babylon. Now Daniel has a shocking yet encouraging dream.

There seems to be an obvious relationship between Daniels vision and that of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2. In both of them it is a fourfold progression of the kingdoms of this world; in both cases God establishes His kingdom in a dramatic way.

In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream the focus is on the power of the various kingdoms that are eventually overpowered by the kingdom of God. In Daniels vision the focus is on the depravity of the various kingdoms that are outlasted by the righteous kingdom of God. We notice in Daniels vision we have insight not only into the events of history but the events beyond history.

Theme: The continuing conflict between the powers of darkness; the spiritual forces of wickedness, and the throne of God and His kingdom.

Daniel 1-6 Gives credentials for Daniels credibility

Daniel 7-12 The message that God is sovereign

Daniel 7 has been called the most comprehensive prophecy of future events found anywhere in the OT.

Apocalyptic Literature: Derived from the Greek word meaning “revelation,” and used to refer to a pattern of thought and to a form of literature, both dealing with future judgment (eschatology).

Two primary patterns of eschatology line of thinking are found in the Bible, both centered around the conviction that God will act in the near future to save his people and to punish those who oppress them.

In prophetic eschatology the primary form of this in the OT, God is expected to act within history to restore man and nature to the perfect condition which existed prior to man’s fall.

Apocalyptic eschatology expects God to destroy the old imperfect order before restoring the world to paradise. (“Behold I am making all things new.”)

Daniel 7:1–8 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.

Big Idea: God is in control when the world is falling apart.

God shows He is in Control Because......................

1. He stands over the events of Human History

Poll Asks, "Is God in Control of Natural Disasters?" A March 2011 poll surveyed Americans regarding their beliefs about God's involvement in natural disasters. The following are some of the results of this research: 56 percent of the Americans surveyed believe that God is in control of the earth

38 percent believe that God employs events in nature to dispense judgment

29 percent believe that God punishes entire nations for the sins of a fewNearly

60 percent of evangelical Christians agreed that God can use natural disasters to send messages

44 percent of Americans say that the increased severity of recent natural disasters is evidence that we are in the end times

61 percent of Christians from racial and ethnic minorities believe that natural disasters are God's way of testing our faith—and according to the article, that idea "resonates with African-American's history of surviving through slavery and racial discrimination.

"The article concluded: "After one of these disasters [like the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami], people turn to their clergy and theologians and they look for answers, and there are no great answers …. But almost every group believes you have to help people who are suffering."

*He is Sovereign over the Nations and Kingdoms of the World

God is completely sovereign over all the human affairs of the world down to the smallest detail to the most dramatic miracle. He caused a king to have insomnia one night and rescued three men unscathed from a hottest furnace imaginable.

He created all things with a word and caused a virgin to give birth and conceive a son. His Son took on human flesh while still retaining His full godhead and deity and then rose from the dead three days latter. Nothing is beyond the power of my God, and all things work according to His glorious plan.

Here is the problem: people tend to see the world and life through temporal lenses focusing on the present hardships and dangers while missing the eternal glory of God that it is to come.

But God see’s the struggle of His people and He see’s far beyond the plans that are unfolding in front of us. God’s sovereign plan was for the good of Daniel and His friends, and His plan is for the good of you and me. He will remain sovereign throughout all eternity.

EVIL POWERS TERRORIZE GOD’S PEOPLE

Note: The four winds of heaven teach us this is God’s doing. The four winds are stirring up the raging chaos, confusion, and conflict among the nations of the world. Isaiah 17:12 says:

Isaiah 17:12 ESV

12 Ah, the thunder of many peoples; they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations; they roar like the roaring of mighty waters!

DANIELS JUNGLE BOOK (Lions and Tigers, and Bears Oh My)

1st Beast - Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon - like a lion but had eagles wings - both Ezekiel and Jeremiah compare Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon to a lion and an Eagle. (notice he was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet, we remember how Nebuchadnezzar was made to live with the beast of field for a time until he was restored by God).

2nd Beast - We get a picture of a Bear lifted up on one side with three ribs in it’s mouth representing Medo-Persia and it raising up in dominance as the Persians over the Medes. Lot’s of thoughts have been given over the three ribs in the Bears mouth however, most certainly it should suggest the insatiable nature of the beast.

3rd Beast - looks like a leopard with four wings and four heads. It is a powerful beast because it was given dominion. This was most definitely a reference to Greece and Alexander the great who dominated the known world. The story goes that Alexander had such dominion over his men that when they reached the last walled city, those in the city were confident that Alexander could not breach their walls. So, Alexander to show the loyalty of his men and ruthless nature of his dominion ordered his men to about face towards the cliffs behind. Then to the horror of those inside the walled city he ordered them to march toward the cliffs and their sure death.

THE FOURTH BEAST IS DIFFERENT THAN ALL OTHERS

4th Beast - This beast in verses 7-8 is the most frightening of all the beasts. Incredibly strong, with sharp iron teeth, and it trampled everything under it’s feet. It had 10 horns which reflected on its great power, this beast most definitely is the Roman empire. This Beast is different than all of the other Beasts! The horn on an animal is a symbol of Great power on a beast. Animals could use them to gore people to death.

There grows an 11th horn, a little horn which has great intelligence and eyes like the eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things.

This appears to be the one mentioned in Revelation 13 and 2 Thessalonian as the “lawless one,” or the anti-Christ as he is known. This man is doomed for destruction and is the one who will appose God to his face.

Twice Daniel mentions the mouth of this 11th horn, the little horn seemed greater than all the others. The aim of this little horn is turned toward two things.

1)Toward God

2)Toward God’s People

THE ANCIENT OF DAYS HOLDS COURT

Ancient of Days is the name of God on his judgement seat. This is God himself the most High God the one who sits to judge all the earth. He is eternal and perfect in all His ways.

Daniel 7:9–14 ESV

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.

The Ancient of Days

*He is Sovereign in His Purity

Ancient of Days: is a title for God, the picture of a man sitting on a fiery throne and wearing all white. He appeared in a vision to Daniel.

His Clothes: speaks of His Holiness, righteousness and purity.

His Hair: Speaks of His eternal wisdom, we can trust it’s purity and perfection.

His Throne: His throne is flaming, representing he purifying and righteous throne of judgement.

Wheels of Blazing Fire: There is no spiritual limitations to the justice of His judgement. He see’s everything and is present everywhere.

River of Fire: convey’s the righteous fury and wrath of His judgement.

Thousands upon Thousands: Revelation 5:11 as a reference to the angels.

Revelation 5:11 ESV

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

NOTE: The books are opened and now the beast receive their final judgment. The fourth beast is immediately destroyed and his arrogant mouth is shut. The others are allowed to remain for a time.

Double Tap to the Head

The Beast is quickly taken out and killed just as swiftly as he rose up, turn out the lights, the party is over. It is that quick, it is that simple.

Whey God judges the little horn the last remnant of the Roman Empire will be done away with once and for all.

*He is Sovereign in His Judgment

The ancient of Days takes his seat in verse 9, presiding over all the nations, and over all history, to give and execute his final judgement.

Daniel 7:15–28 ESV

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.”

Dashboard Jesus

For about five dollars you can buy a four-inch plastic bobble-head Jesus that bounces on a metal spring and adheres firmly to the dashboard of your car. One advertisement for this product says you can “stick him where you need forgiveness” and he will “guide you through the valley of gridlock.”

The dashboard Jesus has become a cultural phenomenon. In the song “Plastic Jesus” Billy Idol sings, “With my plastic Jesus, goodbye and I'll go far, with my plastic Jesus sitting on the dashboard of my car.” Paul Newman sang it in the movie Cool Hand Luke. The words begin, “Well, I don’t care if it rains or freezes, long as I have my plastic Jesus sitting on the dashboard of my car.”

To lots of people, Jesus, church, and Christianity are cultural trappings but not life-changing realities. Author Josh McDowell warns that many people today see Jesus “like a plastic statue on a car dashboard—smiling, robed, a halo suspended above his head.” But that superstitious or sentimental view of Jesus is a myth. Jesus of Nazareth was no plastic saint. He’s a real-world kind of Savior.

It’s not important whether you have Jesus on your car’s dashboard, but it’s vital to know he’s living in your heart. He isn’t plastic, he’s powerful. He’s not small, he’s infinite. He’s not a good-luck token. He’s the risen Lord of time and eternity.

God shows He is in Control Because..........................

2. Jesus is the answer for desperate times.

Revelation 13:1-18 We see all three beasts represented as Daniel gives and his account.

The Dragon Gave Him his power and authority: Daniel continues to reiterate that all authority and power of the kingdoms of this world are given by God. However this final one is given His power from Satan himself. We must note however, that the devil only gives the antichrist the power because God allows him to do so.

The Mortal Wound: The fake death and resurrection hoax perpetrated by the antichrist. In such a hoax he is attempting to mimic the death and resurrection of Christ setting himself on the same ground with God.

All the World Marveled: The world will be astounded and led down a path of complete infatuation with the Antichrist who appears to rise from the dead. His charisma, brilliance and attractiveness through false powers cause the world to follow him unquestioningly.

He was Given: (5-9) The Lord will establish the limits to which the antichrist will be allowed to speak and operate. God will allow him to utter blasphemous things and deceive the world for three and a half years.

He will make war with the Saints: (7-9) “it was granted to him,” God is still in control of everything and allows the persecution of during a time of tribulation; Daniel 7:25 “He will wear out the saints.”

Another Beast: (11-13) The final false prophet will arise who will promote the antichrists power and convince people to worship him as God (like Nebuchadnezzar), he will put an outward show and perform many miracles claiming equal authority with Christ.

Note: A day of judgement is coming where every human being who has ever lived will stand before God. However, not all will stand before God’s great white throne of judgment. (Revelation 20:11-12,15) Speak of God’s horrible throne of wrath, when those whose names are not written in the Book of life shall be cast into the eternal lake of fire.

*God’s people will receive an Eternal Kingdom

All that Daniel had seen up to this point cause him deep distress and terrified him. He approached one of those who were standing by (probably an angel) and asked for help in understanding the vision.

A contrast is drawn between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world. The beasts of the four kings and kingdoms will rise and fall. However, the sign of the coming of the son of man will possess a kingdom that is forever, yes forever and ever. The saints of the most high meaning the believers will rule and reign with Christ in His kingdom. 1 Peter 2:9 calls us a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation receiving mercy where we once were condemned.

So, now the Ancient of Days gives his own dominion which will not pass away. The son of man comes “with the clouds of heaven.” Daniel says “behold” because he doesn’t want us to miss that. Get this: “Behold the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man.” The one who comes on the clouds is God himself. Psalm 104:3 says, he makes the clouds his chariot,” Isaiah 19:1 says, “Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud.”

Despite your present circumstances, and regardless of appearances, God is in control.

THE SAINTS WILL JOIN WITH HIM

Verse 18 - introduces the saints for the first time:

The fourth beast and arrogant mouth were given dominion for a time; and the saints were given into his hand and worn down for a time. And even the little horn made war against the saints and prevailed for them for a time. But the day’s are numbered, “until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most Height, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom”.

In the end, the amazement, in verse 27, is that “the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given...” to whom? To us. To the Church, “to the people of the saints of the Most High.”

God meant for this to bring great comfort to those who are waiting for the revealing of Christ Jesus our Lord in the exile 2,500 years ago.

Despite your present Circumstances, and regardless of appearances, God is in control. He rules. And he will humble and destroy all human kingdoms, and all enemies of the kingdom of God will fall, God is in control despite present appearances.

Ukrainian-Americans Worship God Despite War

New York City has the largest Ukrainian population in the United States, a community of about 150,000. Thousands had come to the United States as Christian refugees, most of them Baptist or Pentecostal, under a special asylum for those fleeing Soviet religious persecution.

As President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces on high alert, some took to the streets to join the protests against Putin’s aggression. But mostly, these followers of Jesus gathered in the churches to pray, weep, lament, and sing to God. They called their praise songs “weapons of war.”

As the nuclear threat escalated tensions, people in the service were in disbelief about how quickly the situation had spiraled. One church leader told Christianity Today, “Our minds fail to understand: How is this possible in this day and age? God allowed this to happen, and we do not know why. But we know God is sovereign, and he is on his throne. There are people who think if they kill someone it will accomplish a goal.”

A worship leader said, “Our hope is in the Lord, the one who holds things together. No matter how things fall apart, the Lord created this world, and he holds things in his hands.” He played music and led worship in tears. But he also told his church family, “Even if a nuclear attack happens, the hope we have is we go home. And we will be together with Jesus, the one we know will help us.”

God Shows He is in Control Because.........................

3. There is a Solid Hope in Times of Chaos.

Where do we find hope?

The entire Bible declares the story of an unshakeable hope in the Living God.

Romans 8:18-25 “For I consider these present sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us....

Revelation 21:1-5 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.....”

Psalm 93:1-3 “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.......................

Our solid hope is in the fact that God is faithful despite our current circumstances of appearances.

Remember what Jesus told Pilot at the end of His trial.

Matthew 26:64 ESV

64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Hope remains faithful despite appearances. Our God is in control and Heaven rules, he rules over all the kingdoms of men and over every time and season including ours.

*Solid hope reminds us of the durability of evil.

The Devil deceives people away from the Truth of God.

Daniel’s sense of horror and his resulting concern for God’s people are an example to us all. We may live in a day and a place where life is relatively tranquil for Christians. Do we remember to pray for those who know evil’s full force. Are we concerned, as Daniel clearly was, for the saints of God in the future who will face such trials.

The devil is crafty and his deceptions can seem convincing. But there is one way to discern truth from lies: anyone who denies Jesus as the only source of salvation is speaking a lie. We must point people towards the only Hope which is in Jesus.

*Solid hope reminds us that the kingdom of God is marked by suffering.

The forces of hell will not prevail against it, but they will do all in their limited power to overwhelm the saints. Suffering of one kind or another is integral and an expected part of being a Christian.

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

This thought may devastate meany believers, but if we learn to accept it, it may also stabilize His great hope inside of us all. Remember that every one of the apostles counted it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ. This does not mean we go out of our way to experience suffering. However, it does mean that suffering should not surprise us when it comes our way.

Purpose in Chaos There are, in every situation, two factors: there is what happens, and there is how we take what happens. How we take what happens goes back to what kind of person we are, and what kind of belief we have about life as a whole.

If the whole scheme of life is not a scheme at all but a chaos, if there is no thread of purpose running through it all but only confusion, then our misfortunes are just part of the general mess. But if God is, and if life is His creation, with meaning in the middle of it, then we may hope to discover a pattern which will both give coherence to it all and help to interpret any one event in the unfoldment

*Solid hope reminds us to look beyond our situation to the throne of God.

Only in the assurance that He reigns will we be able to live triumphantly when we cannot trace or understand His plan of victory. Our great hope as the people of God does not rest in the center of world power or political structures. Our aim is not to build the kingdoms of this world.

We are to share in and build the kingdom of the world to come which is an everlasting kingdom. He has already established His everlasting kingdom among men. He reigns now. All kingdoms that stand against His have been judged in the courtroom of God and are destined to fail. Even the little horn cannot overthrow his rule.

Colossians 3:3 ESV

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

CLOSING

So how do we live when everything seems so out of control?

God is seated on His throne and in complete control of all the nations and kingdoms of the world.

God showed his ultimate control by sending His answer which is Jesus.

There is a Solid hope for us in the middle or this chaotic world we live in.

Romans 5:4–5 ESV

4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Shame Breaking Hope

The shame free eternity isn’t a self-hype but a sure hope. We are waiting for the day of complete healing, we now live in a day of lavish love. This world is not our hope, this world is not our home.

Vasco da Gamma and the Cape of Good Hope

In the Middle Ages the sea route to India seemed an impossibility. it was often discussed in the great economic and political centers of Europe. They used to wonder whether there would be a route around the bottom tip of Africa to that rich land of the spices. Many had tried and all had failed. The tip of Africa had become known as the Cape of Storms. Then an explorer called Vasco da Gama decided he was going to try again. He succeeded. Ever since he returned to Lisbon it could never be doubted again that it could be done. He proved that to use that treacherous way wasn't inevitably disastrous. The Cape of Storms eventually became known as the Cape of Good Hope. Possible Preaching Angle:

Jesus has done that for death. The treacherous route has been transformed. Jesus suffered and went through death and rose victorious. This means that his people follow, and likewise the storms of death hold no fear for us. He has conquered.

The Resurrection of Jesus offers us unshakable hope because we have God’s peace, presence, and power.

What are you hoping in today? When the world appears to be falling apart around you is your hope firmly planted in the keeper of the stars, the one who holds the key to the Kingdom of God, or are you hoping in your job, your family, your reputation to get you through this life and to the life after....

God is present in your Hope when you put your faith and trust in His unshakable plan.