WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:14.900 Turn with me this morning to Daniel chapter 7. 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:21.800 We're going to take one more look at this initial vision of heaven that Daniel records 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:22.559 for us here. 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:29.719 We've been learning together how these clear visions of heaven impact the way we live as 00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:31.339 God's people today. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:38.119 We have seen already in this vision in Daniel 7, the Ancient of Days, God Himself take His 00:00:38.119 --> 00:00:43.159 seat as the ultimate judge to right every wrong and correct every injustice. 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:51.259 Last week we saw the Son of Man, Jesus Himself, bringing the comfort of the gospel to God's 00:00:51.259 --> 00:00:58.359 struggling people as He purely and righteously rules alongside the Father and stands with 00:00:58.359 --> 00:00:58.859 us. 00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:03.479 This morning we will look forward through this vision one more time. 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:09.439 There's the Ancient of Days, the Son of Man, and then several mentions in this glimpse of 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:13.840 heaven of the saints of God or the saints of the Most High. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:18.900 Listen for what we learn about them as I read beginning at verse 16. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:21.280 Daniel writes this, 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:25.700 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:29.879 So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:38.920 These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth, but the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:40.960 kingdom forever, forever and ever. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:47.199 Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly 00:01:47.199 --> 00:01:54.479 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. 00:01:55.179 --> 00:02:00.419 And about the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, 00:02:00.839 --> 00:02:05.479 the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things and that seemed greater than its companions. 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:14.640 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them until the ancient of days came and judgment was given for the 00:02:14.640 --> 00:02:19.240 saints of the Most High in the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:21.460 Thus he said, 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:28.939 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 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:31.500 whole earth and trample it down and break it to pieces. 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:37.879 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:41.740 He shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:50.300 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. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:55.379 And they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:03:02.799 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 00:03:03.299 --> 00:03:11.099 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. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:18.060 Their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them. 00:03:19.079 --> 00:03:24.800 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but these words of our God will indeed stand forever. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:26.780 Let's pray, and we'll look at them. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:31.439 Father, thank you for these words. 00:03:33.100 --> 00:03:45.020 Might we approach them with the reverence they deserve as the holy, inerrant, infallible word of God for us today. 00:03:45.700 --> 00:03:52.020 Might you teach us by your Spirit that you would clear out our wrong thinking, 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:59.860 that you would challenge our wrong actions, and that you would give us hope because of our great Savior. 00:04:00.980 --> 00:04:05.180 We ask that you'd speak to us clearly this morning, and we ask it in Jesus' name. 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:06.540 Amen. 00:04:08.540 --> 00:04:11.320 In high school, I loved playing football. 00:04:12.260 --> 00:04:16.699 Or to be completely clear about it, I loved Friday nights. 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:27.379 I loved the chance to compete for a couple of hours alongside my friends, to sweat with them, to celebrate with them after winning. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:33.759 I especially loved the big games, playoff games, state championships. 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:37.579 That's why I played football for those nights. 00:04:37.659 --> 00:04:38.219 I loved it. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:42.820 What I didn't love so much was practice. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:50.440 Summer two-a-days or three-a-days in heat worse than what's out there right now. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:51.960 I didn't like that. 00:04:52.660 --> 00:04:59.920 I hated all the hitting each other over and over with seemingly no point at all until you got sore. 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:05.500 I hated the up-downs and full pads that never seemed to end. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:14.759 I hated the weight room and the pain of being in there and just getting exhausted and sore and tired. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:16.160 I didn't like it at all. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:25.180 But our coaches told us, and we learned that they were right, that if we wanted to enjoy Friday nights, 00:05:25.640 --> 00:05:32.740 if we wanted to walk off the field with a win, if we wanted to hold the state championship trophy 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:36.640 and have the glory of that moment as high school boys, 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:42.860 we had to go through the pain of practices and heat and headaches. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:47.460 We had to get in shape to have energy left in the fourth quarter. 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:57.379 The path to the glory of the state championship was necessarily marked by the difficulty of the weight room and the practice field. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:02.139 You can learn that same lesson hiking up a mountain, can't you? 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:10.560 There may be a glorious view at the top of the mountain, but the path to get there may be quite difficult. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:15.860 We went to Rock City in Chattanooga a couple of months ago as a family, 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.660 and I'm telling you, if you've never been, it's a beautiful place. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:20.180 The views are indeed glorious. 00:06:20.740 --> 00:06:28.300 But if you throw on a backpack full of water bottles and then carry an exhausted, whiny three-year-old the whole time, 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:31.560 the path to get to those views is very difficult. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:32.199 Difficult. 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:37.819 You see, I love beautiful mountain views. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:39.399 I'm a mountains guy. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.699 And I love winning state championships. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:45.480 I'm intensely competitive, in case you didn't know that. 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:54.980 But my preferred route to get to those glorious destinations is driving in my air-conditioned car up close enough 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:59.259 that you then get out and walk all the way around to the front of the car to lean on the hood 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:01.480 and enjoy the glorious view. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:10.680 I like to have the state championship victory while just showing up for a couple of fun Friday nights 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.600 to enjoy the big games. 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:14.820 That's how I'd prefer to do it. 00:07:15.820 --> 00:07:20.379 In fact, that's the way I'd design Christianity, too, if I were in charge. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:28.620 I want the good things God promises, His blessings, the prosperity, the glory this passage pictures 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:31.620 for God's people reigning forever with Him. 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:34.460 But I want to skip straight there. 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:39.520 I mean, did you notice that the glorious vision of heaven we're given in this passage? 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:43.120 We're told we're going to possess the kingdom forever and ever. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:46.279 That we will reign over all earthly kingdoms. 00:07:46.599 --> 00:07:51.859 That we will sit alongside God Himself and Jesus, our Savior, forever. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:54.659 What a glorious promise that is, right? 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:58.579 Let's just want to go there and have that start immediately. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:03.779 We'll talk more about the details of this glorious vision of heaven in a minute. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:06.399 But that's the kind of Christianity I want. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:08.819 You know, that's what I was signing up for. 00:08:10.559 --> 00:08:16.500 The only problem is that this passage also shows us God's people will encounter challenges 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:17.939 on the way there. 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:25.259 The path to this glorious future, God promises Daniel, will be marked by great difficulty. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:27.479 And we don't just get to skip over it. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.259 It doesn't work that way. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:33.100 You heard it when I read the passage for us a minute ago. 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:35.539 But here's the message of this vision. 00:08:36.439 --> 00:08:37.080 It's this. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:40.019 God's people are on a path to great glory. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:44.700 But they should expect the path to be marked by great difficulty. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:47.480 On a path to great glory. 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:52.139 But we should expect the path to be marked by great difficulty. 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:56.460 This passage doesn't back away from the glory of heaven at all. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:57.279 It's beautiful. 00:08:57.419 --> 00:08:58.000 It's amazing. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:04.200 But it also doesn't back away from the reality of suffering along the way. 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:10.700 So first, when it talks about God's people, when we see this phrase several times in this 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:16.779 passage, the saints of the Most High, we see their difficult path. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.320 Look at verse 21, for example. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.440 Right there towards the beginning of the vision, 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:27.960 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and even prevailed over them. 00:09:28.900 --> 00:09:32.160 Then down to verse 25, it seems to get even worse. 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:37.940 He shall speak words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High. 00:09:38.640 --> 00:09:40.760 And shall think to change the times and the law. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:46.440 And they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:51.080 This is what Daniel sees as the future of God's people. 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:55.600 Being in the midst of warfare and sometimes losing the battle. 00:09:56.300 --> 00:10:00.080 Being exhausted by the relentless attacks of evil. 00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:03.980 Even being given into the hands of their enemies for a time. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:07.759 I'm reminded of Job, right? 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:13.639 One of God's people who was given over to Satan to torment for a time. 00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:18.800 And Job teaches us that there is indeed a time to weep. 00:10:19.180 --> 00:10:26.580 Many times in this life where Christians should be and will find themselves as people of tears. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:32.139 After all, Jesus himself wept in the face of death, didn't he? 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:39.039 Those who follow the suffering king will suffer too. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.699 Daniel learns that here. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:45.799 That's the clear message of God's word over and over and over. 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:51.379 Not merely the suffering of a broken world, but particularly the suffering of persecution. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:57.939 And the attacks of evil are described here particularly in Daniel 7, aren't they? 00:10:57.940 --> 00:10:59.460 We read many of them. 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:05.120 These awful, terrible, terrifying beasts and attacks coming on God's people. 00:11:05.260 --> 00:11:08.060 Jesus said it himself in John chapter 15. 00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:12.440 Remember the word I said to you, a servant is not greater than his master. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:16.480 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.440 He tells his followers. 00:11:19.780 --> 00:11:23.480 Paul tells Timothy this in 2 Timothy 3. 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:30.659 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:37.379 And that's the vision Daniel gets of the future of God's people in human history. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:44.320 It's a vision that makes him physically sick at the thought of the atrocities that God's people will undergo. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:48.640 Does that kind of reaction happen to you too? 00:11:49.160 --> 00:11:52.900 When you see people suffering gravely for their faith? 00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:56.680 Brothers and sisters daily dying. 00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:00.040 Being torn from their families. 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:02.260 Starving to death. 00:12:03.280 --> 00:12:06.020 Because of their faith in Jesus. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:12.480 Perhaps we don't feel it as much like that day in, day out in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:22.180 But around the world, most agree that the 20th century was by far the worst century for Christian martyrs in the history of the world. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:30.879 Every year still, thousands upon thousands around the world lose their lives for following Christ. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:35.060 Daniel longed for the beautiful view. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.720 It's what he wanted. 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:40.139 For the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:43.660 For God's people to enjoy victory and rest. 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:51.800 And this terrible attack of those who set themselves against God and against his people is too much for him to bear. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:53.480 He can't look at it. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:55.560 It makes him physically sick. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.879 Does your heart break like that? 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:04.500 But God gives us this vision this morning. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:13.019 He gives the vision to his people so that we understand the path to glory for the Christian is not as easy as we would like. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:16.439 Even for us here today. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:21.019 If you are following Christ and haven't faced persecution, you will. 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.940 That's what those verses tell us. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:26.840 It's what's on the path following our Savior. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:31.660 The pathway always goes down before it goes up. 00:13:32.780 --> 00:13:35.620 And God wants you to know this so you won't be surprised. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:39.360 So you won't be surprised at the suffering you encounter. 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:43.259 So you'll be prepared to hold on to him in the midst of it. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:57.399 When you're riding a roller coaster, if you've done that recently, you'll remember that one of the things that helps you when you're riding on a very fast ride with a lot of turns is seeing which turn is coming next, right? 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:03.519 When you see what's about to do it, how you're about to be jerked, your body braces for it, doesn't it? 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:07.080 You prepare yourself for what you see coming. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:11.120 You may know you're about to drop and you can lean back. 00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:16.460 You may see a sharp right coming and your muscles tense up in the right direction. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:22.220 We recently rode the Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Disney World. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:24.160 It's a fun ride. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.440 It's a good roller coaster. 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:28.120 But the mine is very dark. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:32.480 You can't see who's sitting in front of you in the train. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:36.440 So you definitely can't see what turn is about to happen. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:39.060 My neck came out of there a little bit sore. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:44.700 It throws you around a little bit because your body's not prepared for the turns the roller coaster is about to take. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:49.779 They may not be the biggest turns, but when they happen and you're not ready for them, they can get you. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:57.200 When you don't know what to expect because you can't see anything else, it can really throw you off. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:09.060 And I think part of God telling us about the suffering and persecutions we will face as his people is so that we can set our expectations appropriately and, as it were, brace our hearts. 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:16.240 Christian, the brokenness of this world is bad enough and brings tears. 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:21.500 It brings enough tears to us, but the evil one will attack your family. 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:26.160 He will inflame the idols of your heart. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:32.919 It will persistently war against you, Daniel says, until your strength to resist wears thin. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:44.699 The intention here in telling us this, that this is on the path to glory for Christians, is not in any way to minimize the evil. 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:46.819 Oh, well, it happens to everyone. 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.620 No big deal. 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:48.339 No. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:51.620 It's not to minimize the pain. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.879 Oh, well, you know, you'll get over it. 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:55.360 Everybody deals with it. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.800 It doesn't hurt that much. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.480 That's not the point. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:08.320 Rather, God tells us this to set the expectations of our hearts, to hang on tight to God and to the promises of his word. 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:12.180 And so to build our faith, our trust in him. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:16.620 That's how we brace ourselves for the turns, so to speak. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:20.220 By clinging tightly to God and to his word. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:25.399 Daniel, it's going to look like you're losing oftentimes. 00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:29.779 It's going to feel like my promises aren't coming true. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:33.420 But you need to know something very clearly, Daniel. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:38.519 This suffering you're enduring is not a detour from the path. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:42.439 It's not an indication that you're out of my care. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:47.279 But rather, it's an indication that you're being held in my hand. 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:50.779 I know this is coming for you. 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:52.120 And I won't leave you. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:54.860 This is what the path to glory feels like. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.360 It hurts. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:58.200 It's hard. 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:04.420 And God in his word doesn't instruct us how to avoid the suffering on the path. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:08.460 But rather, how to endure in the midst of it. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:16.240 I spend so much time trying to devise ways for me and my family to avoid the suffering. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:22.240 But I often miss the opportunity to learn endurance in the midst of it. 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:26.500 What God is trying to teach me and how he's supposed to grow my faith. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:34.000 I'd ask you this morning, where has life in general or the attacks of evil made you hurt? 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:40.240 Where has it made you hurt so badly that you've concluded you're off track? 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.720 You're on the wrong path. 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.200 You're out of God's care. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:47.900 God says, do not be surprised. 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:54.819 Do not be surprised, 1 Peter 4, at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you. 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:57.840 As though something strange were happening to you. 00:17:59.080 --> 00:18:02.620 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings. 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:07.559 That you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:12.539 You see the connection between the sufferings, the difficulties and the glory? 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.879 Both of them. 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:17.940 The fiery trial is right on the path to God's glory. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:23.240 Even and perhaps especially when it doesn't feel like it or we wouldn't have designed it that way. 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:26.980 I don't know how to have picked any of them ahead of time. 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:34.899 It's right there on that path because that's the path where the ancient of days shows up to deliver. 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:38.599 Look how that happens twice in this vision. 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:45.099 When does the tide turn for God's people losing the battle, wearing out against the evil one? 00:18:45.199 --> 00:18:46.059 They're exhausted. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:54.659 Verse 21, the horn is making war with the saints and prevailing over them until the ancient of days came. 00:18:55.079 --> 00:19:02.259 And judgment was given for or on behalf of, in favor of the saints of the Most High. 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:06.039 And the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:12.039 Let's go down to verse 25 where we saw him getting exhausted and see what happens. 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:17.079 He's going to speak words against the Most High and wear out the saints of the Most High. 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.819 And they're given into his hand. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.879 But the court shall sit in judgment. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:24.619 That's the one where the ancient of days is on the throne. 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:28.279 And his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed. 00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:32.059 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:35.959 shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:40.599 The glory to come is assured by God. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.239 He shows up. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:45.279 He has always remained in control, right? 00:19:45.459 --> 00:19:49.459 Even when he's given his people over to persecution. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:53.740 And both times God's people are wearing out. 00:19:54.200 --> 00:20:00.240 And at the end of themselves he shows up and rescues those who've never left his hand. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:05.640 And we begin to get a clear picture of the glorious destination. 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:09.460 We've seen the ancient of days. 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:12.160 We've looked at the Son of Man in heaven. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:15.039 But when we get a vision of heaven, what do we see? 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.900 The saints of God, where are they? 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.980 What are they doing? 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:21.599 The summary is right up front in verse 18. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:29.500 The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:32.039 That's the bottom line. 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:38.700 Jesus affirms this reality that we're going to have the kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.400 You may know these as the Beatitudes. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.920 But they say things like, 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:45.160 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:48.940 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.140 They're going to own it all. 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:55.720 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:59.300 For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:05.220 When they have endured, they will reign. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:09.360 Those who have battled against the evil one to the point of exhaustion. 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:12.460 Who have suffered severely. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:19.660 They will indeed prevail to inherit the earth, to rule in the kingdom of heaven. 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:23.279 It's what 2 Timothy 2 says. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:28.160 If we endure, we will also reign with Him. 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:36.059 If we suffer, but if we endure in the midst of that difficulty, we will reign with Him. 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.899 It's a glorious picture, isn't it? 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.899 This is the picture. 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:42.460 It's one that empowers us to hope in the midst of pain. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:50.380 The ancient of days and the Son of Man, enthroned forever in heaven, right alongside them. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:57.620 The saints of the Most High, with them, forever, seated right with them. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:03.840 The vision of heaven we need to get a clear picture of this morning in the midst of our struggles, 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:11.220 is of God Himself, Jesus, and all God's people reigning together, 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:15.240 sitting in judgment, having won in victory, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:19.419 judging the kingdoms of this world and over the camp of the evil one. 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:26.099 Did you realize that picture of ruling and judging alongside Jesus was a biblical one? 00:22:27.459 --> 00:22:29.480 Have you thought about heaven that way? 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:36.240 Jesus tells His disciples specifically in Matthew 19 that they're going to be there. 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:40.620 Truly I say to you in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:45.640 you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:51.480 And Paul broadens it to those following Jesus after them in 1 Corinthians. 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:55.019 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? 00:22:55.019 --> 00:23:02.379 The destination for God's people at the end of the persecution is not undetermined. 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:04.980 It's not, well, I wonder if they'll make it. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.599 No. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.660 It's not uncertain. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.579 God has figured it out. 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.799 It's not unclear. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:18.480 All the glory and judgment and authority and all those things we've talked about Jesus having, 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:22.720 He determines to share with those connected to Him by faith. 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.660 Isn't that incredible? 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:31.080 All of the glory He has, He wants to share it with you who are connected to Him. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:35.279 His dominion, we've been reading this week after week in the book of Daniel. 00:23:35.560 --> 00:23:39.400 His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:44.920 and His kingdom, one that shall not be destroyed, Daniel 7, 13, and 14. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:51.700 And now, by the end of the chapter, their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:56.000 and all dominions shall serve and obey them. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:01.480 It's difficult enough that some commentators even get confused and don't know what to do with it. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:06.200 Is it talking about Jesus or about His people, those who trust Him? 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.880 What's the answer to that? 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.700 Yes. 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:11.779 Yes, it is. 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:21.360 That's how incredible the grace of our Savior is, that He would share His glory and His ruling authority with His people. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:25.500 One commentator describes this beautiful union this way. 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:30.279 So the servants have no kingdom apart from their king, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:34.659 and the king does not reign without His servants. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:39.539 Jesus just cannot stand being separated from His people. 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.759 Dale Ralph Davis. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:45.559 Jesus can't stand to be separated from us. 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:48.240 We never will be separated from Him. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:50.500 We are connected to Him by faith. 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:52.379 We will reign with Him. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:58.960 And so because of that, because we are bound to Jesus and He will never let us go, 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:05.359 a day is coming, brothers and sisters, when you will not be trampled on and oppressed again. 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:10.879 A day is coming when Satan and his demons will be told, 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:15.080 no more, you can touch them no longer. 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:24.260 A day is coming when the sin that seems to get the upper hand on you will no longer plague you at all. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:31.800 A day is coming when you sit enthroned in heaven and the whole earth is yours 00:25:31.800 --> 00:25:35.240 to rule righteously on behalf of the true king, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:38.520 the way He always created you and intended for you to do, 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:43.059 to rule over every corner of His creation that He has entrusted to you. 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:43.359 Amen? 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:45.139 Isn't that going to be glorious? 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:47.619 Because you're going to be doing it alongside Him, 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:51.900 free from sin and free from the attacks of the evil one forever. 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:54.139 That day is coming. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:58.579 And Daniel wants you to know that it's coming because he's seen the pain. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.859 He knows the suffering you're going to walk through. 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:03.899 And he wants you to know that glory is sure. 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:07.099 The path may indeed go down first. 00:26:07.199 --> 00:26:10.039 And it may be painfully difficult when it does. 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:13.939 But it will just as surely go back up. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.599 The end is glorious. 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.639 The persecuted will triumph. 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:21.099 The view at the end when we finally reach our destination 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:22.699 will be worth it. 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.379 And it will never fade. 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:29.000 That's a view we can be looking forward to, isn't it? 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:33.040 The great Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon said it this way, 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:38.380 We do not know yet, beloved, of what happiness we are capable. 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:42.800 We can't even fathom how glorious the destination will be from this side. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.100 Oh, may I be there. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:48.800 If I may but see the king in his beauty and the fullness of his joy 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:53.120 when he shall take by the right hand her for whom he shed his precious blood 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:56.419 and shall know the joy which was set before him 00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:59.639 for which he endured the cross, despising the shame, 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:02.019 I shall be blessed indeed. 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:05.699 Oh, what a day that will be when every member of Christ 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:08.439 shall be crowned in him and with him 00:27:08.439 --> 00:27:10.739 and every member of the mystical body 00:27:10.739 --> 00:27:14.199 shall be glorified in the glory of the bridegroom. 00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:16.239 What must it be to be there? 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:20.379 Every one of us glorified in the glory 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:23.760 of the one and only Son of God 00:27:23.760 --> 00:27:26.220 with him. 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:31.760 Why is it so important for us to have that view we look forward to? 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:35.960 Among other reasons, it's so we have our hope 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.460 in the right place 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:40.720 so that we don't expect the glory God has promised us 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:43.020 to be fully ours here and now 00:27:43.020 --> 00:27:45.960 but that we keep in mind the best is yet to come. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:49.460 Seeing clearly that vision of heaven 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.860 that we are a part of 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:54.259 helps us believe the reality of the eternal 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:58.259 so that our eternal glory becomes so real 00:27:58.259 --> 00:28:01.140 it has to be, you have to taste it 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:03.759 that it's that real that it's coming 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.519 so that it outweighs the sufferings 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:07.220 we're undergoing now 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:09.840 because we don't forget those, do we? 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:13.500 We don't forget the pain we're experiencing in the moment 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:16.160 it's too real to us, we feel it 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:20.619 and so God wants us to feel equally clearly 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:24.359 the weight in the reality of eternity 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:27.960 as we dwell on the glorious reality of heaven 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:30.440 our grip on earth loosens a bit, doesn't it? 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:34.839 As we remember the eternal glory that awaits us forever 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:38.140 the difficulty in comparison of a few days 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:40.160 even a few years 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:43.780 becomes not less difficult in itself 00:28:43.780 --> 00:28:45.440 don't hear me say that 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:50.080 but less weighty on the other side of the scale of heaven 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:54.180 it doesn't mean we care less about life 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:59.000 it does mean we need less from it to fulfill us 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:02.300 it doesn't mean we love others less 00:29:02.300 --> 00:29:05.680 it does mean we value their eternity 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:07.120 more than their present 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:10.819 it doesn't mean we wallow in self-pity 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:14.659 it does mean our tears are not alone 00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:18.379 but are always accompanied by hope 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:22.539 one final application 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:25.059 not only do we need to remember 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:27.799 that the view at the end will be worth it 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.959 and look forward to that day 00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:32.159 we need to remember now 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:36.319 that we have a companion on the path today 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:39.119 when you're hiking up a mountain 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:40.839 and you're really tired 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.919 and you're ready to quit 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:44.179 before you get to the view at the pinnacle 00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:46.419 one of the most helpful things to have 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:48.259 is someone walking alongside you, right? 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:51.379 a companion who can be there with you 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:53.079 who can encourage you 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:54.019 and say keep going 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:56.480 you know, just somebody to talk to 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:58.960 as you walk the difficult path 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:03.039 one of the reasons that the path to glory 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.799 for God's people is marked 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:06.900 by the difficulty of suffering 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:10.500 is because that is where we meet Jesus 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:14.100 Jesus is calling us to walk the path 00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:15.640 He Himself has walked 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:19.120 He left glory and was born into our humble 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:20.620 and painful world 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:23.640 He was reviled by men 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.759 mocked 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.840 and persecuted 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:27.360 treated as nothing 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:28.660 as worthless 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:31.660 and of course He humbled Himself 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.880 to the point of death 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:34.800 for us 00:30:34.800 --> 00:30:37.800 so that the difficult path is worth it 00:30:37.800 --> 00:30:40.180 because we meet Him there 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.380 and knowing Him 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.940 really is the best 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.740 and most valuable thing 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.800 it's knowing Him 00:30:45.800 --> 00:30:47.040 and being connected to Him 00:30:47.040 --> 00:30:47.560 after all 00:30:47.560 --> 00:30:48.680 that will have us reigning 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:50.060 with Him forever 00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.720 right? 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:54.039 did you know 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.980 it's even better than that? 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.700 He's an even better companion 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:00.120 than that 00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:00.740 you see 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:02.380 He's not just with us 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:04.000 to encourage us today 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:06.640 He's not just coming alongside us 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:07.019 to say 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.839 come on 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.819 you can do it 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:11.019 you can make it to the top 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:14.360 He's ahead of us 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:17.720 He has been there Himself 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:19.860 and now will carry us 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.799 to glory 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:22.079 He's ahead of us 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:23.339 looking back and saying 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.659 I have done it 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:26.619 and when you are exhausted 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.879 from the persecution 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:29.659 and you can't take another step 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:32.159 when you are feeling defeated 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:33.659 and you know you will fall 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.479 again 00:31:34.479 --> 00:31:36.519 when the difficulty of life 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.519 has blinded you 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:39.359 and you can't even see 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.699 the view at the top 00:31:40.699 --> 00:31:41.959 you're tempted to give up 00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:43.299 He says 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.339 I will lift you 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:46.179 in my strong arms 00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:47.919 and I will carry you 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.360 to sit with me 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.500 at the top 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.300 I've already 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:52.519 gotten there 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:54.259 I will have you 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.340 reign with me 00:31:55.340 --> 00:31:56.660 and share my glory 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.920 because you are connected 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.460 to me 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.080 forever 00:31:59.080 --> 00:32:00.560 I will not let you 00:32:00.560 --> 00:32:01.000 stop 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:02.039 on the path 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.779 that's the companion 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:05.140 that we have 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.539 what a great companion 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:08.880 not just an encourager 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.700 but one who's 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.779 made it to the top 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.240 for you 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.060 and will see 00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:12.980 that you are there 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.039 with Him 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.799 what a glorious Savior 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:17.460 cast yourself 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.359 on Him 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:18.920 this morning 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:20.019 see yourself 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.559 this morning 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:22.039 connected to Him 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:23.099 and see yourself 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:23.599 at the end 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.859 of a difficult path 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:26.779 enjoying His glory 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.819 forever 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.480 let's pray 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:31.759 Jesus 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.579 would you give us 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.460 a clear picture 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.980 of that 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:36.220 some of us 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.279 need to know it today 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.819 some of us 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.460 will need to know it 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.960 tomorrow 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:40.200 and some of us 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:40.980 will need it 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.799 particularly in our lives 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.419 at a time 00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:44.339 that you know 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:46.680 would you 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.919 just emblazon 00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:48.659 that vision 00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:49.379 on the 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:51.740 minds of your people 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:53.180 that they would 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.539 see their Savior 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:56.599 and they would 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.559 see themselves 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:59.259 seated with Him 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.740 even already 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:02.019 it's that real 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.779 and sure 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:04.139 your word tells us 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:05.059 that we're there 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:06.079 with you now 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:09.779 Jesus 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.559 the realities 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.279 of our lives 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.220 are very real 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.700 to us 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.299 would you make 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:13.980 the glories 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.539 of heaven 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.779 that much 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.460 more real 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.100 and that much 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:18.000 more significant 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.839 that we might 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.980 long for it 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:22.039 and that we might 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.480 indeed 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:24.400 see you there 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:26.180 and have hope 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.600 for today 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:28.480 and forever 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:30.120 we ask it in your name 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:30.980 Amen 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:36.160 for more information 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.460 visit us online 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.759 at southwood.org 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:42.779 listening to our 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.440 2021 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.140 and 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:44.539 someone 00:33:44.539 --> 00:34:00.640 who