Sermon Tone Analysis

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.”)

1st Section: 1-14 The Dream

2nd Section: 15-28 The Explanation of the Dream

Several Scenes

Scene #1 “Daniel Saw”

Big Idea: When the world is falling apart God is in Control.

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:

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.

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.

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.

Dashboard Jesus