WEBVTT

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 We're in CFC, we're going to be in Daniel chapter 6, starting verse 1 this morning.

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!

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 And so we're going to begin in verse 1, picking up where we left off last week.

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 Daniel 6, 1 reads,

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 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps to be throughout the whole kingdom,

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 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one,

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 to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.

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 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all other presidents and satraps,

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 because an excellent spirit was in him.

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 And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

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 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel

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 with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault,

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 because he was faithful.

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 And no error or fault was found in him.

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 Then these men said,

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 We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel,

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 unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.

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 Then these presidents and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him,

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 O King Darius, live forever.

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 All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors,

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 are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction,

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 that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days,

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 except to you, O King, shall be cast into the den of lions.

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 Now, O King, establish the injunction and sign the document,

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 so that it cannot be changed according to the law of the Medes and the Persians,

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 which cannot be revoked.

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 Therefore, King Darius signed the document and injunction.

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 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed,

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 he went to his house,

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 where he had windows in his upper chamber,

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 open toward Jerusalem.

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 He got down on his knees three times a day

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 and prayed and gave thanks before his God,

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 as he had done previously.

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 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

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 Then they came near and said before the king concerning the injunction,

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 O King, did you not sign an injunction that anyone who makes petition to any god or man

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 within thirty days, except to you, O King,

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 shall be cast into the den of lions?

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 The king answered and said,

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 The thing stands fast according to the law of the Medes and Persians,

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 which cannot be revoked.

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 Then they answered and said before the king,

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 Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,

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 pays no attention to you, O King,

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 or the injunction you have signed,

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 but makes his petition three times a day.

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 Then the king, when he heard these words,

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 was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel.

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 And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.

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 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king,

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 Know, O King, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians

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 that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.

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 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions.

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 The king declared to Daniel,

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 May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you.

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 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den,

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 and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lord's,

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 that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

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 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting.

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 No diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

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 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.

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 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish.

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 The king declared to Daniel,

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 O Daniel, servant of the living God,

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 has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?

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 And then Daniel said to the king,

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 O king, live forever.

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 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths,

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 and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him.

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 And also before you, O king, I have done no harm.

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 Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den.

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 So Daniel was taken up out of the den,

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 and no kind of harm was found on him,

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 because he had trusted in his God.

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 And the king commanded,

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 and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel

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 were brought and cast into the den of lions,

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 their children and their wives.

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 And before they reached the bottom of the den,

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 the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

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 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages

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 that dwell in all the earth,

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 Peace be multiplied to you.

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 I make a decree that in all my royal dominion,

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 people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

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 For he is the living God, enduring forever.

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 His kingdom shall never be destroyed,

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 and his dominion shall be to the end.

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 He delivers and rescues.

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 He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.

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 He who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

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 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius

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 and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

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 So, first point,

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 God is still working to fulfill his covenants.

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 I made this point last time I preached,

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 and I think it's worth making again,

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 because we see that all throughout Daniel

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 and really, truly all throughout the entire Bible.

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 But at the beginning, we're introduced to Darius.

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 He's taken over the kingdom, as I mentioned.

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 And many scholars have concluded that Darius in Daniel 6

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 is the same person as Cyrus.

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 Darius can simply mean Lord.

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 It can be a title.

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 Verse 28 makes it clear that Cyrus and Darius

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 were ruling the Meadow Persian Empire at the same time.

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 So it's for these reasons and others

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 that I think this is the same person.

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 And in verses 1 through 3,

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 we see Daniel prospering significantly.

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 He is climbing power, stature, respect, and authority

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 for the second time.

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 He already did it in Babylon.

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 Now he's doing it in the Meadow Persian Empire.

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 And because Darius sees Daniel's worth.

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 Verse 3, this is because an excellent spirit was within Daniel.

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 And I think this is the Holy Spirit empowering,

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 enabling Daniel to perform all the wise, sound,

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 and miraculous things that we've seen him do

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 throughout the book of Daniel.

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 So what does this have to do with the covenants?

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 And for that, you kind of have to look at the historical context.

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 So Cyrus is the king who allows the Hebrew people

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 to return to Israel and build the temple.

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 Ezra chapter 1 and chapter 6

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 show Cyrus paying for the rebuilt temple.

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 It shows Cyrus sending Jews back to Israel

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 to inhabit the land and to remain there.

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 And it also shows that the gold and silver

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 that Nebuchadnezzar stole was to be returned to the temple.

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 Significantly, Cyrus returned many of the Jews

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 and did all these things in his first year of ruling Babylon,

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 roughly 539 to 537 BC.

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 So this means he did this right around the time

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 that the lion's den occurs.

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 What we just read is happening amidst this work.

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 And it is highly likely that Daniel was the voice

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 and perhaps even the writer

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 who produced the legislation that Cyrus signed into decree

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 to allow Israel to do these things.

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 So notice God is using Daniel in this position of authority,

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 this position that he has with Cyrus, with Darius,

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 to provide safe passage for God's people

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 to the promised land.

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 And this is screaming of the Abrahamic covenant,

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 which again, I talked about this last time,

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 but three things comprise that covenant.

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 The people are secure in their offspring and are continuing.

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 They have land,

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 and they are a universal blessing to the nations.

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 So catch this.

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 Even though God directly used Babylon and Meadow Persia

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 to punish Israel for their wickedness in the exile,

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 God never intended to turn his back

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 on his covenants with them.

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 Turn with me real quickly to Isaiah 45.

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 I'm going to read the whole chapter,

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 so you're going to want to turn there.

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 And we're going there because you're going to see

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 that God has always intended to fulfill his covenants,

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 even in the midst of proclaiming his judgment

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 on Israel and Judah.

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 Isaiah 45.

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 Isaiah 45.

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 Thus says the Lord to his anointed,

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 to Cyrus,

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 whose right hand I have grasped,

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 to subdue nations, including Babylon,

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 before him and to loose the belts of kings,

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 including Nebuchadnezzar,

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 to open doors before him

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 that gates may not be closed,

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 and recall, this is interesting,

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 but recall what Clay said last week

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 about Herodotus, the Greek historian.

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 He recorded that the Persians took over Babylon quickly.

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 They snuck in through some open gates

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 near the water well

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 and were able to emerge right up in the palace.

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 So this verse is fascinating,

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 that gates may not be closed.

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 In other words, God opened those gates.

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 He made those gates left open

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 so that Babylon would be taken overnight.

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 And back in verse 2,

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 I will go before you

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 and level the exalted places.

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 This is God talking to Cyrus.

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 I will break in pieces the doors of bronze

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 and cut through the bars of iron.

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 I will give you the treasures of darkness

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 and the hordes and secret places

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 that you may know that it is I,

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 the Lord, the God of Israel,

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 who call you by your name.

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 Verse 4.

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 For the sake of my servant Jacob

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 and Israel my chosen,

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 I call you by your name.

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 I name you though you do not know me.

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 So again, recall Isaiah is recording this prophecy

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 long before Cyrus exists.

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 This is before the Babylonian captivity even.

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 Picking back up in verse 5.

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 I am the Lord and there is no other.

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 Besides me there is no God.

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 I equip you though you do not know me

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 that people may know

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 from the rising of the sun from the west

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 that there is none besides me.

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 I am the Lord and there is no other.

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 I form light and create darkness.

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 I make well-being and create calamity.

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 I am the Lord who does all these things.

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 Shower, O heavens, from above

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 and let the clouds rain down righteousness.

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 Let the earth open that salvation

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 and righteousness may bear fruit.

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 Let the earth cause them both to sprout.

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 I, the Lord, have created it.

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 And woe to him who strives with him

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 who formed him a pot among earthen pots.

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 Does the clay say to him who forms it,

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 what are you making?

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 Or your work has no handles.

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 Woe to him who says to a father,

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 what are you begetting?

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 Or to a woman, with what are you in labor?

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 Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel

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 and the one who formed him.

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 Ask me of things to come.

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 Will you command me concerning my children

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 and the work of my hands?

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 I made the earth and created man on it.

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 It was my hands that stretched out the heavens

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 and I commanded all their hosts.

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 I have stirred him up in righteousness

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 and I will make all his ways level.

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 He, Cyrus, shall build my city

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 and set my exiles free,

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 not for price or reward,

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 says the Lord of hosts.

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 Thus says the Lord,

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 the wealth of Egypt

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 and the merchandise of Cush

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 and the Sabaeans,

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 men of stature,

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 shall come over to you and be yours.

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 They shall follow you.

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 They shall come over in chains

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 and bow down to you.

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 They will plead with you saying,

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 surely God is in you

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 and there is no other.

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 No God besides him.

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 Truly you are a God who hides himself,

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 O God of Israel, the Savior.

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 All of them are put to shame and confounded.

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 The makers of idols go in confusion together.

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 But Israel is saved by the Lord

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 with everlasting salvation.

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 You shall not be put to shame

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 or confounded to all eternity.

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 For thus says the Lord

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 who created the heavens,

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 He is God,

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 who formed the earth and made it.

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 He established it

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 and He did not create it empty.

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 He formed it to be inhabited.

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 I am the Lord

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 and there is no other.

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 I did not speak in secret

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 in a land of darkness.

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 I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,

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 seek me in vain.

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 I, the Lord, speak the truth.

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 I declare what is right.

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 Assemble yourselves and come.

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 Draw near together,

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 you survivors of the nations.

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 They have no knowledge

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 who carry about their wooden idols

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 and keep on praying to a God

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 that cannot save.

00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:32.640
 Declare and present your case.

00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.980
 Let them take counsel together.

00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:35.720
 Who told this long ago?

00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:37.020
 Who declared it of old?

00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:38.760
 Was it not I, the Lord?

00:13:39.260 --> 00:13:41.280
 And there is no other God besides me,

00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.180
 a righteous God and a Savior.

00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.820
 There is none besides me.

00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:47.440
 Turn to me and be saved,

00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:48.780
 all the ends of the earth.

00:13:48.900 --> 00:13:50.600
 For I am God and there is no other.

00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.580
 By myself I have sworn,

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.980
 from my mouth has gone out

00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.820
 in righteousness,

00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.700
 a word that shall not return.

00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:59.400
 To me, every knee shall bow,

00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:01.040
 every tongue shall swear allegiance.

00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:04.100
 Only in the Lord it shall be said of me,

00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.940
 a righteousness and strength.

00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:08.259
 To him shall come and be ashamed

00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.180
 all who were incensed against him.

00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.320
 And the Lord,

00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.639
 all the offspring of Israel,

00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:15.940
 shall be justified and shall glory.

00:14:17.160 --> 00:14:17.980
 That's a lot.

00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.580
 But notice as you read that,

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:23.280
 God calls out Cyrus long before Cyrus exists.

00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.120
 And God's declaring what he's going to do.

00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:28.800
 He's going to use Cyrus to bring about his covenants.

00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.680
 In Isaiah 45,

00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:34.720
 we see him prophesy the temple being rebuilt

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.660
 in verse 13,

00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:38.020
 which implies a return to the land.

00:14:39.020 --> 00:14:39.940
 In verse 22,

00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:42.060
 we see God calling out for the salvation

00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.400
 of people around the world.

00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:45.720
 There's that universal blessing piece.

00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:48.960
 And in verses 4, 17 and 25,

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:51.240
 we see God preserving his people

00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:53.320
 who will be numbered as stars in heaven.

00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:56.160
 Now, all of this in Isaiah 45

00:14:56.160 --> 00:14:59.320
 is centered on the idea of salvation

00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.519
 or deliverance,

00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:02.720
 and that God is the deliverer,

00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:03.240
 the savior.

00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.920
 God will deliver his people.

00:15:06.800 --> 00:15:08.779
 And we are going to see this in Daniel 6,

00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.879
 which you can now return to.

00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:12.939
 But he has set the stage.

00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.299
 He's,

00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:15.500
 God's already declared what's to come.

00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.539
 In Daniel's lifetime,

00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.159
 he could have heard Isaiah 45

00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.519
 and known what's to come.

00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:23.360
 But before we see deliverance in Daniel 6,

00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:25.679
 we have to give our attention

00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.439
 to something else in our main text.

00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:31.600
 In all of God's redemptive history

00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.620
 of working to save his people,

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:36.039
 there has always been opposition.

00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:39.719
 And that opposition pops its head in Daniel 6,

00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:41.779
 which leads us to the next point,

00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:42.899
 point number two.

00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.959
 God's people will be persecuted

00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:47.439
 for their righteousness.

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.299
 God's people will be persecuted

00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:52.039
 for their righteousness.

00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.339
 In Matthew 5, verses 10 through 11,

00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.179
 the Sermon on the Mount,

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.620
 Jesus said,

00:15:58.719 --> 00:16:00.919
 Blessed are those who are persecuted

00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.259
 for righteousness' sake,

00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:04.740
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:07.340
 Blessed are you when others revile you

00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:08.340
 and persecute you

00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.840
 and utter all kinds of evil

00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:12.279
 against you falsely on my account.

00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.500
 So persecution is a promise

00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:18.600
 to anyone who is truly following God.

00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.700
 And although persecution can mean

00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.759
 a variety of things,

00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.560
 not just death,

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.860
 it is promised.

00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.840
 But nonetheless,

00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:27.820
 there is also a promise of blessing

00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.580
 or makarios,

00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.740
 the Greek word meaning

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.779
 blessed, happy, or flourishing.

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:34.259
 And that is not material flourishing,

00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.259
 but spiritual flourishing,

00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:39.339
 because the righteous have life in Christ.

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.480
 The kingdom of heaven is theirs.

00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.500
 So looking back at Daniel,

00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:48.120
 we see that the satraps and presidents

00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.600
 all conspire to destroy Daniel.

00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:52.639
 Looking at verse 4,

00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:53.699
 it reads,

00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:55.820
 Then the presidents and the satraps

00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:57.500
 sought to find a ground of complaint

00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:59.340
 against Daniel with regard to the kingdom.

00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:01.960
 But they could find no ground for complaint

00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.879
 or any fault

00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.500
 because he was faithful.

00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.720
 So what do they do now?

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.559
 They maliciously devise a scheme

00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.660
 to trick the king

00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:13.840
 into a position that will cost Daniel his life.

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.259
 They are so determined to bring Daniel down

00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.980
 that these 122 men

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:20.680
 find a way to get together

00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:23.900
 to conspire to plan against Daniel three times.

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:26.539
 Verses 6, 11, 15, each time.

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.519
 They came to agreement.

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.320
 They came to agreement.

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.299
 They came to agreement.

00:17:30.560 --> 00:17:32.519
 They are relentless to kill Daniel

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:34.720
 and that is the measure of their resolve.

00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.580
 They hate him

00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:37.299
 for righteousness sake.

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:41.120
 You see, the satraps and presidents

00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:42.840
 knew that the king would be swept away

00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:44.440
 by such a flattering document.

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.620
 They enticed him to evil

00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:49.140
 by appealing to the idol of self,

00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.160
 to his pride.

00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.400
 But more importantly,

00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:55.740
 they knew Daniel would never worship the king.

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.100
 And as a result of their scheme

00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:59.759
 and Daniel's faithfulness,

00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.820
 he would die in the lion's den.

00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.340
 That was their plan.

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.200
 Now I've got to tell you,

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:09.560
 none of this should surprise any of us,

00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.600
 the least bit,

00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:13.620
 especially if you've even just casually read the Bible

00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.539
 without much study.

00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:17.240
 It is full of this kind of language.

00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:20.340
 It's clear that the world hates Yahweh.

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:22.500
 And his worshipers.

00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:26.120
 It is as old as Cain killing Abel

00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:27.220
 because of his righteousness.

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:29.779
 And that continues all throughout the Bible.

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:32.079
 Zachariah was stoned to death

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:33.059
 for righteousness sake.

00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.980
 2 Chronicles chapter 24.

00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:37.740
 John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.720
 for righteousness sake.

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:40.339
 Matthew 14, 1 through 12.

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.299
 Stephen was stoned to death

00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.319
 for righteousness sake.

00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:44.500
 Acts 6 and 7.

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:47.400
 And James was cut down by the sword

00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.860
 for righteousness sake.

00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.940
 Acts chapter 12, verse 1.

00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.759
 Now Antiochus,

00:18:52.820 --> 00:18:53.559
 this one's a little tricky,

00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:56.380
 but church history testifies

00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:58.440
 that he was burned in a boiling cup.

00:18:58.840 --> 00:19:01.160
 And we know from Revelation 2, 12 through 13

00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.480
 that he was martyred.

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.200
 And of course,

00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.759
 all the apostles were executed

00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.960
 in various forms

00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.299
 and at various times.

00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:10.659
 But the reason was always the same.

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.720
 Righteousness sake.

00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.559
 And there are plenty more examples,

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:15.960
 by the way,

00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.839
 not just in the Bible,

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.399
 but throughout church history.

00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.980
 We have a whole book

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.819
 that covers only a fraction of the names

00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:23.740
 called Fox's Book of the Martyrs.

00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.700
 And again,

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.180
 they all died

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:27.879
 for righteousness sake.

00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:31.520
 Jesus said in John 15,

00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.880
 verses 18 through 19,

00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:35.320
 if the world hates you,

00:19:35.780 --> 00:19:36.960
 know that it has hated me

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.560
 before it hated you.

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.540
 If you were of the world,

00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:42.160
 the world would love you as its own.

00:19:42.260 --> 00:19:42.860
 That's a promise.

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.700
 If you're of the world,

00:19:43.760 --> 00:19:44.820
 the world will love you.

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.500
 But because you are not of the world,

00:19:47.760 --> 00:19:49.500
 but I chose you out of the world,

00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:50.440
 therefore,

00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:51.960
 the world hates you.

00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.700
 That's a promise too.

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:58.539
 But regardless of what the world may say or do,

00:19:58.620 --> 00:20:00.220
 we are called to righteousness.

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.700
 Faith,

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.360
 obedience,

00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:02.900
 worship,

00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:05.240
 into and toward God alone.

00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.480
 And we see that righteousness practice,

00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.900
 the faithfulness of Daniel,

00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:12.940
 as he prays three times to God in verse 10.

00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:15.039
 Notice the beginning of verse 10,

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:18.400
 when Daniel knew that the document had been signed.

00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.100
 So clearly,

00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.559
 Daniel wanted everyone to know,

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.559
 unmistakably,

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.899
 that he worshiped God alone.

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:27.359
 This is why he faces Jerusalem.

00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:30.000
 This is why he prays three times,

00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.940
 which was the custom at the time for Jews,

00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:34.819
 so that it is crystal clear.

00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.960
 More significantly,

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:41.339
 he does this because this is who he is,

00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:43.079
 a worshiper of God.

00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:45.919
 The end of verse 10 tells us

00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:47.940
 that his way of praying was done

00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:50.079
 as he had done previously.

00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:52.779
 This was a way of life for Daniel.

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.779
 He was simply going out

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:56.699
 and living his life as a God follower

00:20:56.699 --> 00:20:58.639
 that he has always lived,

00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.980
 going back to Daniel 1.

00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:02.519
 So like me,

00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:04.159
 some of you may be reading all this

00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:06.000
 and seeing the persecution of the saints

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.659
 and wondering,

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.399
 where is all the justice in this?

00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:12.019
 How is this right that so many innocents

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.720
 should suffer at the hands of wicked

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.919
 and lawless men,

00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.440
 especially Daniel?

00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:19.140
 Perhaps you find yourself

00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:20.920
 thinking about the words of the martyrs

00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:23.279
 recorded in Revelation 6, 9 through 10.

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.980
 John writes,

00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:27.019
 When he opened the fifth seal,

00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:28.380
 I saw under the altar

00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:31.360
 the souls of those who had been slain

00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.559
 for the word of God

00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:34.220
 and for the witness they had borne.

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:37.099
 And they, those souls, the martyrs,

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:39.059
 they cried out with a loud voice,

00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.900
 O sovereign Lord,

00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.920
 holy and true,

00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:45.279
 how long before you will avenge

00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.660
 and judge our blood

00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:48.720
 on those who dwell on the earth?

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:51.759
 It is not a question of if,

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.240
 it is the question of when.

00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:56.100
 God will judge all of those

00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:57.259
 who dwell on the earth.

00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:00.000
 And this leads me to the next point,

00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:00.860
 point number three.

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.779
 And this is the big one.

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.880
 Daniel 6 is a picture

00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:07.460
 of God's deliverance

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:09.039
 for all true believers

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:11.620
 and judgment of all others.

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.600
 So I'll repeat that.

00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:15.220
 Daniel 6 is a picture

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.079
 of God's deliverance

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.200
 for all true believers.

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.799
 and judgment of all others.

00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.759
 We see the king

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.279
 is in genuine turmoil

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:27.400
 when his men find Daniel

00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:29.100
 guilty of violating the injunction.

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.079
 Verse 14,

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.059
 the king is distressed

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:35.140
 and desired to deliver Daniel.

00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.380
 He labored all night

00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.259
 to rescue Daniel,

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.440
 but to no avail.

00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.319
 And why?

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.620
 Because it was the law.

00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.440
 And ironically,

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.920
 the king had no power

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.220
 to do anything about it.

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.980
 He was weak.

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.980
 He was manipulated.

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.700
 He could not save Daniel.

00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.680
 The good thing about this king

00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.420
 is that he was

00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.339
 humble enough

00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.920
 to recognize

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.779
 his own inability

00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.799
 to save Daniel.

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.200
 Verse 16,

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.960
 the king prays to Daniel's God,

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.799
 our God,

00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.000
 and asks him

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.960
 to deliver Daniel.

00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.380
 And the king fasted

00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.019
 all night

00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.519
 while Daniel

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.400
 was in the lion's den

00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.200
 in verse 18.

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:10.680
 And there's no response

00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.920
 that speaks to a man's sense

00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:12.799
 of inability

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.779
 and insufficiency

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.019
 as much as fasting.

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.160
 It is literally

00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.140
 the crying out

00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:18.519
 of God to help

00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:18.960
 and deliver

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.799
 and do everything

00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.059
 because I am helpless.

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.039
 That's what fasting

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.779
 is saying.

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.779
 Verses 14 through 18,

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.440
 we see the law

00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.460
 is going to condemn

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.500
 Daniel to death

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.100
 and the king

00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:31.220
 can do nothing about it.

00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:34.480
 Now, if this is a picture

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.600
 of God's deliverance

00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.319
 and judgment,

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.100
 there has to be

00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:38.620
 a figure

00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.440
 or a type

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.200
 of Christ.

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.360
 So looking at

00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:43.240
 verse 17,

00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.819
 we get a glimpse

00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.120
 of this.

00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.860
 A stone,

00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.160
 verse 17 writes,

00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.839
 a stone

00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.920
 was brought

00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.420
 and laid

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.140
 on the mouth

00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.819
 of the den.

00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.400
 So Daniel

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.920
 is sealed

00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.460
 in this hole

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:53.920
 in the ground.

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.700
 The stone covers

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.519
 his only exit.

00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.759
 He's alone

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.839
 with hungry lions

00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.620
 surrounding him

00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.379
 that could devour

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.399
 him in seconds.

00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:02.599
 But verse 19,

00:24:02.719 --> 00:24:04.019
 then at the break

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.479
 of day,

00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.879
 the king arose

00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:06.579
 and went in haste

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.579
 to the den of lions.

00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.979
 As he came near

00:24:08.979 --> 00:24:09.479
 to the den

00:24:09.479 --> 00:24:10.239
 where Daniel was,

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.839
 he cried out

00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.679
 in a tongue of anguish.

00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.339
 The king declared

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.759
 to Daniel,

00:24:12.979 --> 00:24:13.639
 O Daniel,

00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.939
 servant of the living God,

00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.919
 has your God,

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.759
 whom you serve

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.359
 continually,

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.219
 been able to deliver

00:24:20.219 --> 00:24:21.339
 you from the lions?

00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.519
 Then Daniel

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.319
 said to the king,

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.379
 O king,

00:24:25.479 --> 00:24:26.099
 live forever.

00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.259
 My God

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.239
 sent his angel

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.880
 and shut

00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.940
 the lions' mouths,

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.099
 and they have

00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.920
 not harmed me

00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.599
 because I was

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.279
 found blameless

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.960
 before him.

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.819
 And also,

00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.420
 before you,

00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:36.779
 O king,

00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.380
 I have done

00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.000
 no harm.

00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.519
 So second half

00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.339
 of verse 23,

00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.460
 so Daniel

00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.140
 was taken up

00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:43.839
 out of the den

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:45.039
 and no kind

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.380
 of harm

00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:45.799
 was found

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.299
 on him

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.620
 because he

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.200
 had trusted

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.380
 in his God.

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.240
 And that

00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.819
 should sound

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.920
 very familiar

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:55.039
 to us all.

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.700
 It should

00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.279
 remind us

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.220
 of Jesus,

00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:58.899
 of Christ.

00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.519
 If you recall,

00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.180
 Pilate,

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.839
 the governor,

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.799
 the Roman governor

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.119
 who was in charge

00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.339
 during Christ's

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.720
 lifetime,

00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.319
 Pilate

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.599
 desired to

00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.339
 set Jesus

00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.299
 free the way

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.460
 Cyrus desired

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.379
 to set Daniel

00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:11.839
 free,

00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:12.960
 yet both

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.799
 were powerless.

00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:14.859
 You see that

00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.740
 in Matthew 27,

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:17.220
 verses 15-23.

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.500
 Daniel

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.480
 prays in the

00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.139
 upper room

00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:21.759
 while waiting

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.859
 for his captors.

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.039
 Likewise,

00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.000
 Jesus prayed

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.660
 in the garden

00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.400
 waiting for

00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.160
 his captors.

00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.620
 Matthew 26,

00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.920
 36-46.

00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.440
 Cyrus rolled

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.040
 a stone

00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:33.600
 over to

00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.340
 seal Daniel

00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:34.759
 in what

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.220
 would become

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.880
 his tomb.

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.200
 And likewise,

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.680
 Joseph rolled

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.080
 the stone

00:25:39.080 --> 00:25:39.660
 over Jesus'

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.240
 tomb

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.259
 and Pilate

00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.820
 sealed it.

00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.240
 Matthew 26,

00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.960
 verses 60-66.

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.340
 Daniel's

00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:47.820
 deliverance

00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.100
 from the

00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.660
 lion's den

00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.220
 becomes a

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.040
 legal issue.

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.019
 So in the

00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:55.200
 Meadow

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.680
 Persians,

00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.740
 I was about

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:56.940
 to say

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.500
 Babylonians,

00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:57.859
 in their

00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.299
 empire,

00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.079
 if an

00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.579
 execution

00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.319
 didn't work

00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.899
 overnight,

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:01.639
 they were

00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:02.180
 set free.

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.619
 They viewed

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.079
 that as

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.879
 divine judgment

00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.519
 of sparing

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.139
 the individual.

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.379
 So because

00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.399
 Daniel survived

00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:07.819
 the night,

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.839
 it was law

00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.420
 that he had

00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.019
 to be spared.

00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:10.740
 That's why

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.000
 they don't

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.359
 keep him

00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:11.859
 down there.

00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:13.639
 So in

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:13.980
 other words,

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.359
 his deliverance

00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:15.639
 from the

00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.039
 lion's den

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.740
 overcame

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.339
 the law.

00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:19.359
 Likewise,

00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.079
 Christ's

00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.500
 resurrection

00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.000
 was a

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.619
 legal matter

00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.519
 that overcame

00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.119
 the power

00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.959
 of the law.

00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.899
 Colossians 2,

00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.240
 11-15.

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.240
 I could go

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.439
 on,

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:28.839
 but I think

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.240
 you get the

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.459
 point.

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.199
 Daniel is

00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:30.740
 a type

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.500
 of Christ.

00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.500
 Daniel is

00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.319
 foreshadowing

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.939
 the work

00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.720
 of Christ,

00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.099
 namely,

00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:36.139
 his death,

00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:36.839
 resurrection,

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.159
 and ascension.

00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.980
 Daniel ascends

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.319
 out of

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.959
 lion's den

00:26:40.959 --> 00:26:41.359
 and then

00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.099
 prospers

00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.839
 as a ruler

00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.539
 at the end

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.000
 of chapter

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.839
 6,

00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.720
 verse 28.

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:47.220
 Just as

00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.299
 Christ ascended

00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.880
 to be seated

00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.380
 at the right

00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.079
 hand of the

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.460
 Father.

00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.440
 Mark 16,

00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.319
 verse 9.

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.460
 I mean,

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.039
 sweet Moses,

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.660
 the irony

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.319
 of the king's

00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:56.700
 question,

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.200
 has your

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.740
 God been

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.420
 able to

00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.259
 deliver you?

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.339
 And the

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.779
 answer is

00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.059
 yes,

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:01.559
 a thousand

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.360
 times yes.

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:02.819
 He was

00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.160
 able to

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.779
 deliver him

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.039
 and prosper

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.940
 him abundantly.

00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.400
 And that

00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:07.839
 picture of

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.660
 deliverance is

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.400
 all throughout

00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:10.299
 Daniel 6,

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:10.720
 and it was

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.559
 prophesied in

00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.519
 Isaiah 45,

00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.220
 as we saw.

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:16.240
 But so

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.819
 is judgment

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.500
 prevalent in

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.019
 this chapter.

00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.120
 The opposers,

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.019
 the satraps,

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.680
 and presidents

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.500
 were wicked

00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.240
 in their

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.700
 schemes.

00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.559
 They manipulated

00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.380
 this entire

00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.900
 ordeal,

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.360
 thinking it

00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:28.980
 was by their

00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.460
 hand that

00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.019
 these things

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.779
 were to be.

00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.620
 But look at

00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.360
 verse 24.

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:33.880
 And the king

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.480
 commanded,

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.980
 and those men

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.420
 who had

00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.240
 maliciously

00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.000
 accused Daniel

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.000
 were brought

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.559
 and cast

00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:39.920
 into the

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.680
 den of lions,

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:41.779
 they,

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.440
 their children,

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.019
 and their

00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.559
 wives.

00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:44.660
 And before

00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.140
 they reached

00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.539
 the bottom

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.160
 of the den,

00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.019
 the lions

00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.340
 overpowered

00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:48.860
 them and

00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.380
 broke all

00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:49.940
 their bones

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.660
 in pieces.

00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.820
 This image

00:27:52.820 --> 00:27:53.460
 is shocking,

00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:53.960
 terrifying,

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.640
 and even

00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.380
 hard to digest

00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.019
 at first

00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.259
 when you

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.620
 picture the

00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.440
 families included.

00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.460
 On the one

00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.779
 hand,

00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.180
 you might be

00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.820
 relieved to

00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:03.100
 read this

00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.680
 and think

00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:05.240
 justice has

00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.840
 been paid.

00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:06.799
 They got

00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.120
 what they

00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.559
 deserve.

00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:08.160
 There's a

00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.500
 sense in

00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:08.900
 which this

00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.460
 is right.

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.200
 On the other

00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.440
 hand,

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:11.740
 you might

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:11.940
 be

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.480
 heartbroken

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.000
 for them,

00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.100
 knowing that

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.620
 you deserve

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.140
 the same

00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:15.680
 because you

00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.019
 too have

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.779
 lied and

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:18.039
 manipulated and

00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.500
 all other

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.920
 kinds of

00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.360
 sins have

00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:19.799
 been committed

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.440
 by you,

00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:20.960
 by me.

00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.259
 And I

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.460
 want to

00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.980
 suggest to

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.220
 you that

00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.600
 on the one

00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:24.820
 hand,

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.240
 you should

00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.820
 feel 100%

00:28:26.820 --> 00:28:28.220
 sorrow for

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.680
 these people,

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.000
 that you

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.480
 should be

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.039
 mourning their

00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:31.200
 suffering since

00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.740
 you know you

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.680
 deserve the

00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.019
 same.

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.220
 But even

00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.660
 so,

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.460
 you should

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.059
 also feel

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.759
 100%

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.900
 thankful that

00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.420
 God is

00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:39.900
 just.

00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:41.420
 We worship

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.000
 God for

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.440
 all that

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.280
 he is and

00:28:43.280 --> 00:28:43.660
 all that

00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.200
 he does,

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.519
 no exceptions.

00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.519
 And it is

00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.140
 as simple as

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.440
 this,

00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.320
 if you do

00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:49.820
 not want

00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.160
 there to

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.740
 be justice,

00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.180
 then you

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.560
 do not

00:28:51.560 --> 00:28:52.240
 want God

00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.080
 because God

00:28:53.080 --> 00:28:54.140
 is just.

00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.860
 And recall

00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:57.140
 that we

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.460
 come to

00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.019
 God only

00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.660
 because his

00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.600
 justice was

00:28:59.600 --> 00:29:00.080
 carried out

00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.560
 on our

00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.240
 sins which

00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.900
 Christ bore

00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.500
 on our

00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.080
 behalf.

00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.580
 And remember

00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.220
 the words of

00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.980
 the martyrs in

00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.240
 Revelation 6.10,

00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.000
 they were

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.519
 martyred for

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:09.920
 being a

00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.420
 witness to

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.700
 the word.

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:10.960
 In other

00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.099
 words,

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.599
 these were

00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.240
 evangelists,

00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.599
 these were

00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.059
 missionaries,

00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:13.339
 these were

00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.860
 people who

00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:15.200
 sought to

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.579
 see the

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.420
 world saved.

00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.420
 And yet

00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.120
 these people

00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:19.200
 say,

00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.120
 O sovereign

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.420
 Lord,

00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:20.980
 holy and

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.240
 true,

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.259
 how long

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.799
 before you

00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.500
 will judge

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.099
 and avenge

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.839
 our blood

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.279
 on those

00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.660
 who dwell

00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:25.900
 on the

00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.180
 earth?

00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.180
 God will

00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.779
 judge and

00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.440
 condemn every

00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.039
 person who

00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.440
 does not

00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.259
 repent and

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.660
 place their

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.059
 faith in

00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.779
 Jesus Christ

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.480
 and then

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.000
 obey him.

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.160
 And that

00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.740
 judgment will

00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.359
 come quickly

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.000
 and swiftly

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.519
 like a

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.019
 thief in

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.500
 the night.

00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.319
 Do not

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.619
 delay.

00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.180
 And this

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.660
 leads me to

00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.119
 our final

00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:45.660
 point this

00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.039
 morning,

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:46.940
 point number

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.319
 four.

00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.640
 Our

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.359
 response to

00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.720
 God's

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.319
 deliverance

00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.940
 and judgment

00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.220
 is worship.

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.519
 Our

00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.119
 response to

00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.359
 God's

00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:54.880
 deliverance

00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.359
 and judgment

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.119
 is worship.

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.299
 Looking at

00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.140
 verse 25,

00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.559
 in response to

00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.119
 seeing God

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.920
 deliver Daniel

00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.420
 from the

00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.099
 lion's den,

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.579
 this Darius

00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.359
 Cyrus guy

00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.799
 wrote to

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.299
 all the

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:06.659
 peoples,

00:30:06.899 --> 00:30:07.240
 nations,

00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:07.859
 and languages

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.539
 that dwell on

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.979
 the earth.

00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:09.579
 There's that

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.699
 universal blessing

00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:11.619
 language again.

00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:12.839
 And he said,

00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.699
 peace be

00:30:13.699 --> 00:30:14.419
 multiplied to

00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:14.699
 you.

00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:15.979
 I make a

00:30:15.979 --> 00:30:16.879
 decree that

00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.359
 in all my

00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.979
 royal dominion

00:30:17.979 --> 00:30:18.519
 people are

00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.119
 to tremble

00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.659
 and fear

00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.279
 before the

00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.659
 God of

00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.000
 Daniel.

00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:21.959
 For he

00:30:21.959 --> 00:30:22.259
 is the

00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.879
 living God

00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.259
 enduring

00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.679
 forever.

00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.019
 His

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.259
 kingdom

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.779
 shall never

00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.439
 be destroyed

00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.279
 and his

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.679
 dominion

00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:27.059
 shall be

00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.439
 to the

00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:27.779
 end.

00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:28.699
 He

00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:29.199
 delivers

00:30:29.199 --> 00:30:29.519
 and

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.119
 rescues.

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.579
 He

00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:30.859
 works

00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.479
 signs and

00:30:31.479 --> 00:30:31.859
 wonders

00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.399
 in heaven

00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.019
 and on

00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.319
 earth.

00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.019
 He

00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.220
 who

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:34.419
 has

00:30:34.419 --> 00:30:34.720
 saved

00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.099
 Daniel

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.519
 from the

00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:35.839
 power

00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.359
 of the

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:36.819
 lions.

00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.519
 This

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.859
 language

00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.399
 is all

00:30:39.399 --> 00:30:39.879
 worship,

00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.419
 praise,

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.119
 and adoration.

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.019
 And we

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.419
 see this

00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:42.819
 kind of

00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.099
 worship

00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:43.500
 in the

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.139
 final days

00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:44.639
 of God's

00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.099
 final

00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.939
 deliverance

00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:46.480
 and judgment

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.200
 as well.

00:30:48.439 --> 00:30:48.759
 Revelation

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.639
 19.1

00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.079
 reads,

00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:50.339
 and the

00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.859
 context of

00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.159
 this is

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:51.759
 right after

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.279
 that final

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.639
 judgment

00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.000
 and that

00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.319
 final

00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.919
 deliverance.

00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:54.740
 And

00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.019
 Revelation

00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.659
 19.1

00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:56.059
 reads,

00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.759
 After

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.240
 this,

00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.019
 I heard

00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.500
 what seemed

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:58.859
 to be a

00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.379
 loud voice

00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.659
 of a

00:30:59.659 --> 00:30:59.980
 great

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.419
 multitude

00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:00.720
 in

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.059
 heaven

00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:01.940
 crying

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.299
 out,

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.379
 Hallelujah,

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.319
 salvation

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.039
 and glory

00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.700
 and power

00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.379
 belong to

00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.399
 our God.

00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.559
 For his

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:08.940
 judgments

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.639
 are true

00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:10.460
 and just.

00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.659
 For he

00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:12.099
 has judged

00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.519
 the great

00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.079
 prostitute

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.619
 who corrupted

00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.119
 the earth

00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.480
 with her

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.159
 immorality

00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:15.899
 and has

00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.279
 avenged

00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:16.599
 on her

00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.079
 the blood

00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.519
 of his

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.039
 servants.

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.019
 Once

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.480
 more they

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.720
 cried

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.919
 out,

00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.319
 Hallelujah,

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.119
 the smoke,

00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.559
 meaning the

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.079
 tormenting

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.440
 fires,

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.079
 the smoke

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.799
 from her

00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.319
 goes up

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.859
 forever

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.980
 and ever.

00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:28.119
 And this

00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:28.379
 is one

00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:28.559
 of the

00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:28.819
 reasons,

00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.279
 by the way,

00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:29.539
 that I

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.119
 think Cyrus

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:31.139
 was regenerate

00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:31.940
 because he

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.319
 sounds an

00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.000
 awfully lot

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.500
 like the

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.119
 saints in

00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.500
 Revelation

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.599
 19 when

00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.019
 he praises

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.000
 God in

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.740
 Daniel 6.

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.799
 When people

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.579
 see God's

00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.139
 deliverance

00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:41.700
 and judgment,

00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:42.299
 they cannot

00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.159
 help but

00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:43.740
 worship him

00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.099
 and that is

00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.539
 the pattern

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:44.940
 throughout

00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.839
 all of

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.179
 scripture.

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:47.799
 And that

00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.159
 is why

00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:48.779
 every knee

00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.480
 shall bow

00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.299
 and every

00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.619
 tongue

00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:51.700
 confess that

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.419
 Jesus Christ

00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:53.139
 is Lord

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.460
 because he

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.799
 will make

00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.279
 it so

00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:57.180
 because he

00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:58.379
 is Lord.

00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.119
 And I

00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.440
 think it's

00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:03.960
 important to

00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.160
 note,

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.379
 though,

00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.160
 the deliverance.

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.220
 It's easy

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:06.539
 to get

00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:06.960
 caught up

00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.420
 in judgment.

00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.200
 It's easy

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:10.220
 to question

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.460
 it.

00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:10.839
 It's easy

00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.899
 to wonder

00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:13.759
 about God's

00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.019
 love,

00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.660
 his character.

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:15.920
 Sometimes we

00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.319
 don't always

00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:16.859
 see how the

00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:18.279
 scales balance

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.539
 out,

00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:18.839
 but the

00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.539
 comfort in

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:19.920
 Revelation

00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.899
 19 is that

00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:21.779
 that is a

00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.379
 prophecy of

00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.720
 us praising

00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.240
 God and

00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.640
 saying that

00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:24.980
 he is

00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.240
 just.

00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.559
 That's a

00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.140
 prophecy of

00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.100
 us saying

00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.600
 the scales

00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:28.160
 are balanced

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.519
 and now

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.059
 we see

00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:30.319
 that you

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:30.860
 are just,

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.319
 you are

00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:31.579
 holy,

00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.079
 you are

00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.740
 love.

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.500
 And we

00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:34.900
 see that

00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.360
 in Daniel

00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:36.600
 being risen

00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.200
 from the

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.640
 lion stone,

00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.420
 being spared.

00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.700
 So I want

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.220
 to close

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:41.880
 with some

00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.460
 application.

00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:43.920
 The first

00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.319
 one being

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.019
 fill yourself

00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.700
 with knowledge

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.380
 of God's

00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.799
 covenants,

00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:47.380
 his promises.

00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:49.240
 If you

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.680
 are faithful

00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.180
 to God,

00:32:50.280 --> 00:32:50.580
 then you

00:32:50.580 --> 00:32:51.320
 will face

00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:52.040
 persecution.

00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.940
 And if you

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.400
 want to stand

00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:55.000
 strong as

00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.520
 Daniel did,

00:32:55.560 --> 00:32:55.860
 or better

00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.100
 yet,

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.620
 as Christ

00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.400
 did perfectly,

00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:58.500
 then you

00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:58.940
 must have

00:32:58.940 --> 00:32:59.520
 something to

00:32:59.520 --> 00:32:59.920
 place your

00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.340
 hope in.

00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:01.400
 And that

00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:01.800
 is God

00:33:01.800 --> 00:33:02.100
 and his

00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:02.580
 promises.

00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:05.040
 The other

00:33:05.040 --> 00:33:05.980
 application is

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.660
 rid yourself

00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.520
 of anxiety.

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.000
 I mentioned

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.760
 this one last

00:33:09.760 --> 00:33:10.660
 time, but I

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:10.980
 thought it was

00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.460
 even more

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.160
 fitting for

00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.800
 this text as

00:33:12.800 --> 00:33:13.200
 well, and I

00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.580
 couldn't help

00:33:13.580 --> 00:33:14.660
 but include

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:14.940
 it.

00:33:16.260 --> 00:33:16.860
 Notice how

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.339
 Daniel is

00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.279
 prospering in

00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.639
 the beginning

00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.119
 of chapter

00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.559
 6.

00:33:19.699 --> 00:33:20.359
 He's on the

00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:20.899
 rise, he's

00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.279
 about to be

00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.699
 set over the

00:33:21.699 --> 00:33:22.219
 whole kingdom,

00:33:23.179 --> 00:33:23.740
 then all that

00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.459
 stuff happens

00:33:24.459 --> 00:33:25.059
 which makes it

00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:25.639
 look like he's

00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:26.299
 going downhill

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.599
 quickly, looks

00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:27.859
 like he's

00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.419
 going to die.

00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.500
 But by the

00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.079
 end of it all,

00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:31.759
 he is saved,

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.219
 and in verse

00:33:32.219 --> 00:33:33.359
 28, we see

00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:33.719
 that he

00:33:33.719 --> 00:33:35.259
 prospered once

00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:35.599
 again.

00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.759
 As Christians,

00:33:37.899 --> 00:33:38.259
 we have the

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.059
 unique benefit of

00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.579
 knowing where

00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.379
 everything began

00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:40.919
 and where it

00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.819
 all is going.

00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.119
 There's absolutely

00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.839
 no need to

00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.539
 fret over the

00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.579
 details of the

00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.179
 here and now.

00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.719
 These moments

00:33:47.719 --> 00:33:48.259
 are fleeting,

00:33:48.659 --> 00:33:49.039
 and we know

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.779
 that heaven

00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.419
 awaits us

00:33:50.419 --> 00:33:50.839
 where God

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.319
 will comfort

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.319
 us as we

00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:52.799
 worship him

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.199
 for all

00:33:53.199 --> 00:33:53.639
 eternity.

00:33:55.219 --> 00:33:56.119
 So anxiety

00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:56.740
 is needless,

00:33:56.919 --> 00:33:57.399
 and it is a

00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.979
 sin, and the

00:33:58.979 --> 00:33:59.500
 antidote to

00:33:59.500 --> 00:33:59.919
 that is to

00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.500
 place our

00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.219
 trust fully

00:34:01.219 --> 00:34:02.119
 in Christ.

00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.659
 Third application

00:34:04.659 --> 00:34:05.979
 is to prepare

00:34:05.979 --> 00:34:06.639
 yourself for

00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:07.559
 persecution from

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.000
 a hostile

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.779
 culture.

00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:10.000
 In other

00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.599
 words, count

00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.199
 the cost.

00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:13.099
 Jesus tells

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.559
 us that if

00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:13.899
 we are to

00:34:13.899 --> 00:34:14.359
 follow him,

00:34:14.419 --> 00:34:14.699
 we must

00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.319
 first deny

00:34:15.319 --> 00:34:15.799
 ourselves,

00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.359
 take up

00:34:16.359 --> 00:34:16.939
 his cross,

00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.519
 and then

00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.219
 follow him

00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:19.539
 after 1624.

00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.679
 We have

00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:22.139
 to be willing

00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.819
 to die for

00:34:22.819 --> 00:34:24.019
 Christ, and

00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.259
 we should

00:34:24.259 --> 00:34:25.379
 expect persecution

00:34:25.379 --> 00:34:26.079
 because Christ

00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.960
 promises we,

00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:27.559
 the blessed,

00:34:28.299 --> 00:34:28.799
 will be

00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:29.319
 persecuted.

00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.239
 And if you've

00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:31.779
 never been

00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:32.839
 persecuted, perhaps

00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.539
 it's because you

00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.480
 are not practicing

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.000
 righteousness.

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.599
 And to be

00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.019
 clear, we are

00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.639
 not going into

00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:38.199
 the world and

00:34:38.199 --> 00:34:38.699
 trying to get

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.359
 killed for being

00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:39.719
 annoying.

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.879
 We are

00:34:40.879 --> 00:34:41.299
 trying to be

00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.239
 faithful, which

00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:42.579
 the world

00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.039
 hates.

00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:45.500
 So we want

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.039
 to practice

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.639
 righteousness.

00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.079
 And the

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.799
 final application

00:34:49.799 --> 00:34:51.019
 is this, we

00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.179
 obey God, not

00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:52.500
 man.

00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.419
 I think it is

00:34:54.419 --> 00:34:55.379
 significant that

00:34:55.379 --> 00:34:56.219
 at no point in

00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:57.239
 Daniel 6 do we

00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:58.059
 see Daniel speak

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.359
 lowly of the

00:34:59.359 --> 00:34:59.599
 king.

00:35:00.419 --> 00:35:01.319
 He never called

00:35:01.319 --> 00:35:02.139
 him weak or a

00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.699
 puppet, though

00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:03.259
 there were clearly

00:35:03.259 --> 00:35:04.000
 grounds to do

00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.319
 so.

00:35:05.299 --> 00:35:06.199
 Rather, Daniel

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:07.559
 expressed respect

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.639
 for this God-given

00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.259
 position.

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:10.580
 He said in

00:35:10.580 --> 00:35:11.140
 verse 21,

00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:12.020
 O king, live

00:35:12.020 --> 00:35:12.540
 forever.

00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.740
 And we too

00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:15.380
 should respect

00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:16.060
 our authorities,

00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:16.920
 whether they be

00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:18.020
 government officials,

00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:19.260
 parents, employers,

00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.360
 coaches, or what

00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:20.800
 have you.

00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.160
 However, at the

00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.780
 end of the day,

00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:24.860
 when you get a

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.740
 command from man

00:35:25.740 --> 00:35:26.520
 that conflicts

00:35:26.520 --> 00:35:27.540
 with a command

00:35:27.540 --> 00:35:28.120
 from the Lord

00:35:28.120 --> 00:35:28.900
 of the universe,

00:35:29.560 --> 00:35:30.160
 the one you

00:35:30.160 --> 00:35:30.760
 should obey is

00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.120
 obvious.

00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.620
 The chain of

00:35:31.620 --> 00:35:32.720
 command is clear.

00:35:34.040 --> 00:35:34.920
 Yes, render to

00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.640
 Caesar that which

00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:36.380
 is Caesar's, but

00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.320
 never squander or

00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:37.980
 forget to render

00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.740
 to God that

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:40.019
 which is God's.

00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:41.860
 We are citizens

00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.679
 of the kingdom

00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.519
 of heaven before

00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.320
 anything else.

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.019
 We're not

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:46.019
 Americans, Mexicans,

00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:46.840
 Germans, or what

00:35:46.840 --> 00:35:47.280
 have you.

00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.460
 We are followers

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.619
 of Christ.

00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.760
 Let's follow him

00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:52.519
 now through prayer.

00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.099
 Let's go.

00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.099


00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.099


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00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.099