Daniel - Closer to Home: God Can Be Trusted
Pastor Phil Moser
02.27.22
Pastor Phil Moser
02.27.22
âAs 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."
Daniel 7:9-14
Daniel 7:9-14
The kingdoms of men will not endure, but the kingdom of God will last forever.
(1)When the world feels uncertainâŚ
(2) When leaders flaunt powerâŚ
(3) When wrongs are committedâŚ
(4) When other kingdoms failâŚ
1) When the world feels uncertain, God's plan will come to pass (7:2, 17).
- Babylonian Empire: winged lion - v4
- Only through humility will you see yourself in relation to God properly (4:29-30).
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- At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, âIs not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" While the words were still in the kingâs mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, âO King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from youâŚ34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever." (4:29-34)
- Persian empire: bear - v5
- Our best protection is not found in our strength but in God's.
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- And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. (5:22-23)
- Grecian empire: 4-headed leopard - v6
- Even when nations quarrel among themselves, God is in control (8:20-23).
- Roman empire: the beast - v7-8
- Especially when world events frighten you, God is in control (7:7-9).
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- [The antichrist] is âone of the human race, in whom Satan will wholly take up his residence in bodily form.â
Jerome, circa. 400 AD
- [The antichrist] is âone of the human race, in whom Satan will wholly take up his residence in bodily form.â
2) When leaders flaunt power, God's strength is far better (7:11-12).
Daniel 7:11-13
âI 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. 13 âI 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.
Daniel 7:11-13
âI 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. 13 âI 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.
3) When wrongs are committed, God's justice will prevail (7:9-10).
- The wheels of justice turn slowly but grind exceedingly fine.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellowâs translation of âRetribution"
Daniel 7:9-10
âAs 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.
âAs 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.
4) When other kingdoms fail, God's plan will endure (7:12-13).
Daniel 7:12-14
As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 âI 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.
Matthew 26:63-64
âŚAnd the high priest said to him, âI adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.â 64 Jesus said to him, âYou 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.â
Ephesians 1:20-23
âŚaccording to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Daniel 7:12-14
As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 âI 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.
Matthew 26:63-64
âŚAnd the high priest said to him, âI adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.â 64 Jesus said to him, âYou 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.â
Ephesians 1:20-23
âŚaccording to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.