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[0:00] If you can turn back to Daniel chapter 7. Before we come to look at Daniel, I want to just read two verses from Luke chapter 11.

[0:23] Now Jesus was praying in a certain place and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.

[0:34] And he said to them, when you pray, say, Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. And I want to focus on the words, your kingdom come.

[0:49] Now what better teacher to teach us to pray than the Lord Jesus Christ. And he gives us here a pattern as to the way that we are to approach God.

[1:08] And he makes clear to us that as we seek to worship God, that that ought to be our primary focus. Glorifying his name.

[1:23] When we seek to draw near to him in prayer, that we would focus our attention on him. And what he's revealed concerning himself.

[1:37] And the coming of his kingdom into this world. And seeking that his will would be done. Very often we rush into prayer.

[1:51] And it's not his will that we have in mind. It's our will. And it's not his glory that's of primary importance to us. It's what's God going to give me.

[2:04] Surely he's going to have to answer me and give me the things that I desire. But the Lord teaches us that that's not the way that we're going to get answers to our prayers.

[2:20] We need to focus on who it is that we're seeking to approach. And he makes clear to us that he's not just like any of the gods that are worshipped throughout the world.

[2:37] That he's a real person. He refers to him as our father. Now that immediately brings to our mind the thought that here is somebody that's able to have a relationship with us.

[2:55] As fathers have children with which they have a relationship. So the God that we seek to worship is one who's not just able to have a relationship.

[3:10] But is willing and desirous to establish a relationship with us. Now it won't be on our terms that the relationship will be established.

[3:23] It will be on his terms. Because his ways are far higher than our ways. Just as children don't tell their parents or ought not to tell their parents how they should live.

[3:37] Parents teach their children how children are to live. And that's how we should approach God. Coming with an open, teachable spirit.

[3:50] Coming seeking his glory. Hallowed be your name. Now as we know scripture makes clear to us that God is known throughout scripture by various names.

[4:07] And all of these names reveal to us something of the character of God. So we are to bring these things to mind.

[4:18] To remind ourselves of the kind of God that we're seeking to worship. That he is the almighty God. That he's not just like any human being.

[4:32] He's our father in heaven. He's highly exalted. Far above anything. Or anybody that's got great power on earth.

[4:44] He is the one who sovereignly rules over all things. And he has exercised his power down through the generations for the good of his children.

[4:57] And we are to remind ourselves of that. Now this isn't for God's benefit. Our prayers don't add anything to God's glory.

[5:09] There's nothing that we can do that's going to add anything to the glory that God already possesses. That's not the purpose that God invites us to draw near to him.

[5:24] And to address him. And to seek to have communion with him. It's so that our faith in him might be encouraged. That we might remind ourselves of his ability.

[5:40] In the light of our own inability. That we might look to him who is merciful. To him who is loving.

[5:52] And to him who is exercising the power of the Godhead for the good of his people. As we heard mentioned in prayer. He works all things for the good of those who love him.

[6:06] Who have been called according to his purpose. So we are to approach him with that boldness. Now when we come to consider his kingdom.

[6:23] Your kingdom come. That means that we are desiring that his reign would be established everywhere.

[6:35] That his laws might be obeyed. That the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ might be proclaimed to the whole world.

[6:46] So that the people throughout the world will come to worship our God. Not the gods of our imagination.

[6:57] Not the gods that are idols. That are statues and glorious paintings made of them. But a living and a true God.

[7:10] The only God. And that we would be desirous to make this God known to the whole world. Now in Daniel's vision.

[7:24] Which we read of there in chapter 7. The overarching concern of that chapter. Is to help us to understand.

[7:37] The conflict that's going to go on till the end of time. Between the kingdoms of this world. And the kingdom of our God.

[7:48] And it appears at times. As Daniel saw in his vision. That the powers of darkness seem to be in control.

[8:01] That it's the beasts that are ruling. That it's them that's having dominion over everyone. But we see in his vision.

[8:14] That kingdoms are going to be destroyed. They will not triumph. Now if we consider the situation that Daniel himself was in.

[8:27] When he had this vision. He was in captivity in Babylon. He was anticipating the deliverance of the kingdom of God from captivity.

[8:44] And he was yearning for that deliverance. For that liberty that God had promised to his people. He was yearning for their return from exile.

[8:58] And he was given this vision. To encourage him. But God in his mercy.

[9:09] Didn't just give him a small vision of what was going to happen. In his own experience. And in the experience of the people that were in Babylon at that time.

[9:22] He gave him a panoramic view. Of what was going to happen to. The kingdoms of this world. And the kingdom of our God.

[9:34] In all of history. He sees two things. Primarily in his vision. He sees first of all the throne room.

[9:45] Of our God. The judge of all the earth. And that would encourage him to persevere. In the situation that he found himself in with the people of God.

[10:02] It encouraged him to know that. Although things might appear to be out of control. And the people of God are being oppressed.

[10:14] That that is not always going to be the case. Because God is the one who sits on the throne. And who rules over the whole earth.

[10:25] And the outcome of the conflict. Is not going to be in any doubt. God has already decreed his judgment.

[10:39] His people are going to inherit a kingdom. The second thing that he sees in the vision. Is that.

[10:50] The beasts are going to be destroyed. Now that's linked with. The coming of the son of man. To the ancient of days. If we can read again.

[11:03] From verse 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.

[11:15] And its body was destroyed. And given over to be burnt with fire. For the rest of the beasts. Their dominion was taken away. But their lives were prolonged.

[11:26] For a season and a time. And I saw the night vision. And behold. With the clouds of heaven. That came one like the son of man. And he came to the ancient of days.

[11:38] And was presented before him. And to him was given dominion. And glory. And a kingdom. That all people's nations.

[11:49] And languages. Should serve him. Now that's a vision. That was fulfilled. By the coming of the son of man.

[12:01] Our Lord and saviour. Jesus Christ. And with him offering up his own life. At Calvary.

[12:11] He slew the beast. He took away him. Who had the power of death. He has triumphed. And conquered over our greatest enemy.

[12:23] He has risen. He has risen. And he has ascended. Up on high. And he was given a kingdom. He encouraged his disciples.

[12:37] Before he left this world. Before he ascended. All power. In heaven and on earth. Have been given to me.

[12:48] Now that's the vision that Daniel saw. The son of man. Coming to the ancient of days. The Lord Jesus Christ.

[12:59] Ascending up to heaven. Entering into the presence of his father. And as Psalm 110. Gives us an insight. Into what took place. When Christ ascended.

[13:11] The father saying to him. Sit at my right hand. Until I make your enemies. Your food store. So he's reigning.

[13:28] And he's encouraged his people. To go forth. To all the nations. To proclaim the gospel.

[13:39] That will set them free. We're told. That he will continue to reign. Until. He brings his enemies.

[13:50] Under his feet. Now just as in Daniel's vision. Wherefore the beast was destroyed.

[14:02] We see that the ten horns continue. And a little horn arose. That caused. A lot of trouble.

[14:14] For the saints. He continued to make war. Against the saints. He exercises this power. For a time.

[14:27] And that's our experience. We know that Satan. Has been slew. We know that he has. No more power over us. We know that sin.

[14:39] Will no longer. Have dominion over us. Yet we're still. Being troubled. And assailed. By the purge of darkness. But that's only going to be.

[14:52] For a time. That was the vision. That Daniel had. That's what the rest. Of the scriptures teach. That Christ is going to come again.

[15:03] In judgment. In verse 21. We. We diluted. This horn made war. With the saints. And prevailed over them. That shows us the power.

[15:17] That the kingdom of darkness. Still has. But he hasn't got the ultimate power. Until the ancient of day.

[15:27] Days came. And judgment. And judgment was given. For the saints. Of the most high. And the time came. When the saints. Possessed the kingdom.

[15:40] Now there's a picture. Of the second coming of Christ. When he. Just as he said. To the Sanhedrin.

[15:51] And the high priest. When they. Had him on trial. You will not see me again. Until I come. With the glory of heaven. He is not coming.

[16:02] Like the son of man. He is coming. Like the ancient of days. He is coming. With the glory. Of his divine. Nature. And he's going to execute.

[16:14] Judgment. As Daniel saw. And he's going to give. The kingdom. Over. To the saints. He'll say to them.

[16:31] As we read. In Matthew's gospel. Come ye. Blessed of my father. Inherit. The kingdom. That was. Prepared for you. From before.

[16:41] The foundation. Of the world. Then he delivers. The kingdom. Up to the father. As we read. In. First Corinthians.

[16:52] Then comes the end. When he delivers. The kingdom. To God the father. When he puts an end. To all rule. And authority. And power. For he must reign.

[17:05] Until he has put. All enemies. Under his feet. Now when all things. Are made subject. To him. Then the son. Himself. Will also be subject.

[17:15] To him. Who put all things. Under him. That God. May be all. And in all. The kingdom. Of God. Will cover. The whole earth.

[17:28] His glory. Will be seen. Worldwide. Now. Throughout. Throughout. This chapter.

[17:41] We see. That. Until that happens. Kingdom. Kingdom. Will war. Against kingdom. Just as Christ. Prophesied.

[17:54] The kingdom. Of Christ. In this world. Until he comes. Again. Is going to be. A suffering kingdom. And we shouldn't. Expect. Anything else. In this world.

[18:06] We will have. Tribulations. That's. What. Daniel. Saw. That's. What. The Lord. Jesus Christ. Told us. But that's.

[18:17] Not going to be. The end. Of the matter. Because the day. Is coming. When we will. Inherit. The kingdom. That was prepared.

[18:28] For us. Before. The foundations. Of the world. So. When we pray. In this petition. Your kingdom. Come. We are praying.

[18:39] That Christ. Would first. And foremostly. All in our hearts. That his will. Would be done. In our lives. That we would submit.

[18:50] To his authority. And that we would. Acknowledge. That. His ways. Are better. Than our ways. We are wanting.

[19:01] His way. In our lives. Because we know. That this is. What's going to deliver us. From the power. Of sin. And when we submit.

[19:11] Ourselves. To Christ. That's exactly. What we're doing. We're coming. Under his yoke. So that we might. Crucify the flesh. And the desires.

[19:23] Of the flesh. Because. Our hope. Is not for this world. Our hope. Is for the world. That is to come. Our vision.

[19:35] Must see. Beyond. The horizon. Of time. And we must. Remain. Focused. On that. And not allow. The things. Of this world.

[19:46] To get in the way. Of that vision. We must keep. Our eyes. Fixed. Upon Jesus. And we must. Press on.

[19:57] Towards. That mark. The prize. Of the high. Calling. Of God. In Christ. Jesus. But such. Is the corruption.

[20:08] Of our nature. That until. That time. Comes. We're well aware. That there are. So many. Evil.

[20:19] Tendencies. Within us. The corruption. Of our nature. It's like. An army. Of Satan. Servants. That are.

[20:29] Seeking. To destroy us. Not. Not only. Are they. Around. About us. In the world. But they are. Within us. They are.

[20:39] Part of. Our own. Corruption. God. And. That's. That's why. We. We. Need. To submit. Ourselves. To the one. Who will. Deliver us.

[20:51] That's. Why. We need. To establish. This relationship. With God. And God. Wants us. To establish. This relationship.

[21:03] So. That sin. Will not. Have. Dominion. Over us. When we are. Praying. For ourselves. We are. Also. Praying. For the world.

[21:14] Because. The world. Will be. The world. We complain. About. The things. The immorality. That we see. Prevailing. In our midst. In our society.

[21:26] But the world. Are just doing. What the world. Does. Because it knows. No better. And the problem. Is not. With the world. The world.

[21:37] Are being. Themselves. The problem. Is with. God's people. We are not. A lie. To them. As we ought to. We are not.

[21:48] Acting. Like the conscience. That convicts. Them. Of the sins. That. Are prevailing. So. Things. Are going.

[21:58] To be reversed. It must. Start with us. It's us. That needs. To be corrected. It. So that. We will be. The witness.

[22:09] That this world. Needs. So that the world. Will see. That there's another kingdom. And that there's a people. Who are willingly. Submitting. To the king of glory.

[22:21] Who are willing. To forgo. The pleasures. Of the flesh. So that they might. Be obedient. To this king. And when we start.

[22:32] Becoming. The light. And the salt. That this world. Needs. Then we might see. Society changing. But it must start.

[22:43] With us. And we all need. To look at ourselves. And we all need.

[22:53] To pray. Fervently. Your kingdom come. Because if it doesn't. The world. Are going to perish.

[23:07] Friends. And family. Are going to perish. Unless. They submit. Themselves. To the lordship. Of the lord. Jesus Christ.

[23:18] Whilst. They are in this world. Because that's. Where that needs. To take place. Here. Because this is. The day of salvation.

[23:30] This is. The time. Of mercy. And we should. Be praying. Fervently. That his kingdom.

[23:41] Would come. That it would be. Established. In our hearts. So that we might. See. That having.

[23:52] An effect. On those. Around about us. Now as we. Continue. In our journey. In this world.

[24:03] Seeking. To live. In obedience. To the lord. Jesus Christ. The cry. Of our heart. Because we know. That Christ.

[24:13] Is going to come again. Surely. I come quickly. Our hearts. Should be crying out. Amen. Lord. Come quickly. Come.

[24:24] And do a work. In our hearts. Come. And establish. Your kingdom. Here. In our midst. So that we would see. Sinners. Being saved.

[24:34] Come quickly. Lord. Come. In your power. Because without. The power of God. Nothing is going to happen.

[24:47] In our church. Or in our society. Part of the problem. Is that we've adopted. The philosophy of the world. And we're looking to.

[25:01] Great people. Who have outstanding gifts. So that the church. May be changed. And that sinners. Will be drawn in. That was the mistake.

[25:12] That the Corinthians made. They were emphasizing. Their preacher. And they were looking. To their gifts. And that's the danger.

[25:23] For yourselves. As a congregation. That's vacant. That you're looking. For people. With great gifts. With great abilities.

[25:34] And Paul. Makes clear to them. They haven't got. The power to save. Some of you. Are following Paul.

[25:45] Some of you. Are following Apollos. Some of you. Are following Peter. And the pious. Amongst you. Are claiming. To be following Christ. But can't you see. The division.

[25:55] That's in your midst. And whilst. There's division. In your midst. Nothing's going to happen. You're grieving. In the Holy Spirit.

[26:08] Now I'm not saying. That that's what's happening. Amongst you. As a congregation. I see that. There's a unity. In your midst. But the danger is.

[26:18] That you might be. Looking to people. To change. Your congregation. Paul says. The power. The power doesn't. Belong to the preacher.

[26:31] The power. Belongs in the message. That the preacher. Is sent to give. And he wasn't ashamed. Of the gospel. Of Jesus Christ. And he said.

[26:44] To the Corinthians. I didn't come. With wisdom. Of words. I didn't come. With eloquency. Of speech. I came.

[26:55] In the power. And in the demonstration. Of the Holy Spirit. Because only God. Can do it. And it's not.

[27:06] In the preacher. It's in the message. And it's not. Just in the message. It's in the attitude. That we have.

[27:17] As we seek. To draw near. To God. When we come. To church. Do we come. To hear the preacher. Or do we come. To hear. God speaking.

[27:28] To us. Are we coming. To worship God. Because of certain. Preachers. Aren't there. Certain people.

[27:38] Won't turn up. But if. In the right spirit. They will come. Not to hear. The preacher. But to hear. God speaking.

[27:49] God speaking. And if we have. That desire. And if we have. That spirit. Within us. We will experience. The power of God.

[28:00] Even as individuals. Because when we come. With the right attitude. Seeking. To glorify God. Our family.

[28:11] Which art in heaven. Hallowed. Be your name. They desire us. To worship you. To give you. The glory. To acknowledge. That we can't do anything.

[28:22] To save anyone. The power belongs to you. Let your kingdom come. Let your will. Let us be made willing. To do your will here.

[28:34] On earth. So that we might experience. Heaven on earth. Because that's. What our foretaste of heaven is. That we are made willing.

[28:44] That we are reconciled. To God. And that we are deciding. That his will would be done. And not our will.

[28:56] And when we have that spirit. We will experience his power. We will know. That we've been in the presence of God.

[29:07] God. And whatever anybody else. Experiences in the church. We will leave the church. Knowing. That we have met with God.

[29:18] Because we have had communion. In our souls. Regardless of who the preacher is. And may God grant.

[29:30] That he would make us wise. To give heed. To the instruction. That our Lord and Savior. Gives us. In the attitude. That we ought to adopt.

[29:42]  When we seek to approach him. In worship. We're going to conclude.