WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.879 Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:04.139 --> 00:00:09.000 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:13.519 that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:19.260 as one community. And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:23.859 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:30.980 week after week to see what God has to say to us in His Word. Now, I know for many of you, 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:35.280 the bandages on my head are a distraction, so I'll just address that at the very beginning. 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:39.939 I've been in Daniel chapter 7 this week. You'll know in Daniel chapter 7 that there's a variety 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:45.260 of beasts. One of them is a leopard with four heads. I'll just say that I am here, the leopard is not. 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:51.679 In all reality, I was on a run in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. I looked at my watch when I should have 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:56.960 been looking at the ground. I tripped, and I introduced my head to a rock. So that's the story. 00:00:58.519 --> 00:01:03.600 Let's put that aside. We're in Daniel chapter 7. As we continue our study in the book of Daniel, 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:08.960 you'll remember that the book of Daniel tells the story of a man named Daniel who is a faithful 00:01:08.960 --> 00:01:15.560 Israelite who is living in exile in Babylon near the end of the 7th century BC, and then mainly what 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:20.780 we've been looking at is the 6th century BC. And you'll remember that the book of Daniel primarily 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:26.620 does two things. First of all, it is meant to encourage us. No matter how bad things get in 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:34.760 the world, God is still in control. He rules, and he reigns over the nations. Not only is it meant to 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:40.500 encourage us, though, it's also meant to instruct us that we would know how to live faithful lives 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:45.939 in a foreign land. Now, we're ending, or we have ended, chapters 1 through 6, which is the narrative 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:50.680 portion of Daniel, and now we're heading into the dreams and visions that Daniel has, beginning with 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:55.680 Daniel chapter 7, which actually is one of the most famous and important chapters in the entire 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:01.400 Bible. And it's actually the background. It explains for us why it is that Jesus refers to himself as the 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:05.560 Son of Man. And so we're going to see some of the same questions and issues that we saw in chapters 1 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:10.439 through 6, but from a different perspective, from a different angle. And that's true this morning. 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:16.879 Our Lord Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 24 that we're going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:22.139 And he tells us not to be alarmed, that this must take place before the end. So we know there's going 00:02:22.139 --> 00:02:27.699 to be chaos in this world. And so our question this morning is this, how does being a Christian change 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:33.099 how we think about the events, the powers of this world? As we read the news, perhaps we're confused. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:38.819 We wonder if God is involved not just in our lives, but also in the world. We can look just this past week, 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:42.900 this past month, all sorts of things that are going around the globe. We are wondering, 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:49.800 is China going to invade Taiwan? We might look this last week at the ongoing conflict between Israel 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:54.379 and Hamas, the ongoing bombing that's occurring in the Gaza Strip. We had hackers take down the 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:59.300 colonial pipeline on the East Coast. And then there's rumors, there's arguments about whether 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:05.300 we are or are not facing inflation. Put another way, we would ask this, how does being a Christian 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:12.600 change how we read the news? How do we maintain hope and confidence that God is still in control, 00:03:12.820 --> 00:03:18.640 that he knows what's going on and he's in charge in the midst of real time, real space, instability, 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:25.700 and wickedness in this world? It's for that reason that Daniel is given this vision in Daniel chapter 00:03:25.700 --> 00:03:30.400 seven. And so I invite you to turn there with me now. You can turn in your worship guide, you can turn 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:35.100 in your Bible, or you can turn on your phone. No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:41.060 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. And it's sweeter 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:47.240 than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. And so that's why we read now Daniel 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:54.539 chapter seven, starting at verse one. In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream 00:03:54.539 --> 00:04:00.240 and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:30.220 Daniel declared, 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:35.199 It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth, and it was told, arise, devour much flesh. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:41.259 After this, I looked and behold another like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:45.400 And the beast had four heads and dominion was given to it. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:46.699 Verse seven. 00:04:47.699 --> 00:04:52.920 After this, I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly 00:04:52.920 --> 00:05:00.040 strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broken pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:03.939 It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:09.960 I considered the horns and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which 00:05:09.960 --> 00:05:15.340 three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the 00:05:15.340 --> 00:05:18.180 eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:19.980 Verse nine. 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:26.720 As I looked, thrones were placed and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white as snow and 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:34.199 the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were burning fire. A stream of 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:40.220 fire issued and came out from before him. A thousand thousand served him and ten thousand times ten thousand 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:46.579 stood before him. The court sat in judgment and the books were opened. Verse 11. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:52.359 I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:58.279 the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:03.879 of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:05.939 Verse 13. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:11.259 I saw in the night visions and behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came one like a son of man. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:17.579 And he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:23.560 and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:28.100 dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. 00:06:28.100 --> 00:06:29.879 Verse 15. 00:06:55.960 --> 00:06:56.920 Verse 19. 00:06:56.920 --> 00:07:01.780 Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:07.319 exceedingly terrifying with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broken 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:12.340 pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:17.920 and the other horn that came up, and before which three of them fell. The horn that had eyes and a 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:24.420 mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:29.900 with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the 00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:34.800 saints of the Most High. And the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:36.800 Verse 23. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:38.800 Thus he said, 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:39.800 And the fourth beast, 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:45.280 There shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole 00:07:45.280 --> 00:07:52.540 earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:58.199 another shall arise after them. He shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 00:07:58.199 --> 00:08:10.699 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. And they shall be given into his hand for a time, times and half a time. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.560 Verse 26. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:19.419 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:26.500 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole earth shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:32.659 and his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:34.200 Verse 28. 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:36.379 Here is the end of the matter. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:43.879 As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart. 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:48.519 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:56.179 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again for your word, which you've given us here in Daniel to encourage us and instruct us. 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:58.959 And we simply ask that you would do that this morning. 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:08.139 You would remind us of the spiritual realities of this world, and you'd encourage us with the fact that you are the most powerful one, and you are still in control. 00:09:08.859 --> 00:09:12.859 We ask these things in the mighty name of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:13.719 Amen. 00:09:13.719 --> 00:09:13.859 Amen. 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:13.919 Amen. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:25.060 I have mentioned to you all before that it's a Capone family tradition, every Christmas to watch the Muppets Christmas Carol. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:31.360 And if you're familiar with the way Muppets movies work, you know it's all the same actors each time, right? 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:32.500 Kermit the Frog shows up. 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:34.460 He's going to play whatever character he needs to play. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:35.800 Miss Piggy's going to show up. 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:37.700 She's going to play whatever character she needs to play. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:43.600 And we also have a character, Sam the Eagle, who's going to show up and play whatever character he needs to play. 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:50.660 And if you've seen the Muppet Christmas Carol, you know Sam the Eagle shows up to play the part of Scrooge's teacher near the beginning of the movie. 00:09:51.180 --> 00:10:00.080 And so as Scrooge is graduating, Sam the Eagle tells him as he's going into business how important it is because it is the American way. 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:04.920 Now, something's off, right, because this is a Charles Dickens novel. 00:10:05.040 --> 00:10:06.200 It's not set in America. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:07.480 It's set in Britain. 00:10:07.900 --> 00:10:12.340 So the character quickly reminds Sam the Eagle that he's actually in the middle of a Dickens play. 00:10:12.400 --> 00:10:15.400 And so he corrects himself and says, it is the British way. 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:21.320 Now, it's a joke, right, that we all get because we know why Sam the Eagle does this. 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.900 He's an eagle, right? 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:25.220 So he represents America. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:25.300 America. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:30.779 It's no surprise that he forgets what character he's supposed to be playing, and he just defaults. 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:35.200 He's supposed to be the most patriotic character at all times, and that's his shtick. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.060 That's what he does. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:41.360 And this reminds for us what we know even today that's also in this passage. 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:49.259 It highlights that we today, just like those in this passage many, many years ago, know that we use animals to represent countries. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:49.939 Okay? 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:55.279 We have eagle, the bald eagle, which is our symbol here in the United States. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:59.419 It's common to talk about the bear when we're talking about Russia, right? 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:06.659 People, economists, will talk about the four Asian tigers, which are the economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:13.559 And so this reality that we know, it's the same reality we get pulled into at the very beginning of Daniel chapter 7. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:19.939 By the way, as we come into Daniel chapter 7 together, there's all sorts of things going on in this book, this chapter. 00:11:20.319 --> 00:11:23.779 We're not going to get dragged down into all of the bunny trails we could go on. 00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:25.939 And so to keep us focused, we're going to look at three things. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:29.079 We're going to look at the nations, the judge, and the king. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:32.439 We're going to look at the nations, the judge, and the king. 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:40.100 And as we look at the nations beginning here at the beginning of chapter 7, we are introduced to these four different animals. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:45.620 Just like we know animals represent nations, we're also given animals here that represent nations. 00:11:45.760 --> 00:11:48.020 Verses 1 through 8, we're introduced to four beasts. 00:11:48.640 --> 00:11:52.580 We have the one like a lion, the one like a bear, the one like a leopard with four heads. 00:11:52.580 --> 00:12:02.020 And we're told in the interpretation later in the chapter, verse 17, that these four beasts are meant to represent four different kings. 00:12:02.900 --> 00:12:08.580 Now this morning, I'm not going to drag us down into the debate of which kingdoms are represented by which animals. 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:10.560 For several reasons. 00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:17.820 First of all, while in chapter 8, the interpretation does tell us which kingdoms are supposed to be with which animals, in chapter 7, it doesn't. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:21.660 Second, it's a matter of great debate among Bible scholars. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:26.620 Third, it actually is not going to affect the main point that we're driving at this morning. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:33.159 Because if we focus on which animals represent which nations, we're going to lose the forest for the trees. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:36.960 Because there's a bigger point here that's meant to be made by this passage. 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:42.639 And so our point here is not as much about the specific identity of each animal, 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:49.779 but about the fact that these animals represent and show for us what the kingdoms and nations of this world are like. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:52.039 We learn a couple things here at the beginning. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:55.759 First of all, verses 2 and 3, they are not simply animals. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.519 They have an origin. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:59.139 They're animals that are pulled up out of the sea. 00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:02.039 And if you're familiar with the imagery of the Old Testament, 00:13:02.219 --> 00:13:08.779 you know that the sea is going to be a place of chaos and disorder and confusion and rebellion against God. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:13.779 And so we see from the very beginning, Daniel is shown what he already knew, 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:21.980 which is that the nations of this world are influenced by the chaos and the confusion and the evil that comes from sin. 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:26.740 As one man points out, just as sin affects us as people, 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:31.019 so also sin affects systems and governments and institutions. 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:34.220 Not only do they come out of the sea, though, 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:37.579 we also see in verses 4 through 6 that these are hybrid animals. 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:39.319 They're not natural. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:43.460 So we have a lion, for example, with wings on it. 00:13:44.260 --> 00:13:45.540 What's supposed to be going on with that? 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.740 We have a leopard with four heads. 00:13:48.400 --> 00:13:51.340 And this highlights, again, the fact that there's something wrong here. 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:54.560 We know at the very beginning of creation, in the book of Genesis, 00:13:54.900 --> 00:13:56.740 that these animals are created naturally. 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.980 There's not a mix between two different kinds of animals. 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:02.900 And yet what we see here is supposed to represent these people reading it. 00:14:03.020 --> 00:14:05.400 Israel would have understood these animals are unclean. 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:08.459 Not only are they coming from a bad place, 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:12.840 they represent something disordered and scary and frightening. 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:15.779 In fact, that's part of the purpose of this chapter. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.860 We'll get to this in a little bit. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:20.039 We're going to see some of the same points that are made in chapters 1 through 6, 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:23.079 but we're going to be given these graphic images to understand them. 00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:27.939 We're going to be given these animals to help us see how frightening reality is. 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.939 So there's something wrong with these animals, right? 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:31.600 They violate the order of creation. 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:36.460 And we see not just that these animals have this origin and this source and this violation, 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:40.379 but then we get to the fourth animal, which is more frightening than all the others. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:43.060 It's not even given an animal that it looks like in our world. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.560 We're just told it's a terrible beast. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:49.379 It has teeth of iron, and it has these ten horns on it. 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:53.480 And so we see not just the wickedness that's involved in the nations, 00:14:53.480 --> 00:15:02.440 but also there are some nations represented by this fourth beast that reach a point of intense persecution and oppression of God's people. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:10.360 If you look later on, you remember this fourth beast is the one who's going after God's holy ones. 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:15.620 That's what we see later on in verses 15 through 23. 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:24.220 And so we have this picture at the very beginning, pulling back the curtain, as it were, to show us what the world is actually like. 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:31.720 And so we understand, as Daniel did, that there are evil forces at work in the nations of this world. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:37.759 Sometimes those nations target God's people in a specific way. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.679 So there's general evil at work in the world. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.559 There's specific evil at work in the world. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:46.600 We know this, right, as we look around at the countries and kingdoms around us. 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:48.980 Some of them have general evil influence. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:51.960 Some of them target Christians specifically. 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:57.899 And so we see this way that Daniel's vision is showing us something about the reality of the world. 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:04.059 I've quoted to you before from this book by a man named Chris Wright called Hearing the Message of Daniel, which I highly recommend. 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:06.799 In describing this reality, he says this, 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:12.639 The apocalypse pulls away the facade of apparent benevolence that human governments like to construct 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:19.000 and exposes the depths of evil, lies, corruption, and violence that lies beneath the facade, 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:24.359 showing the fingerprints of satanic evil all over the reality underneath. 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.839 And that is what happens here. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:34.439 There is, just as there's at work in people, there's at work in nations a real and true satanic evil. 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:37.820 Daniel knows this from his time in Babylon. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:40.180 We know this from our time in the world. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:46.279 Now, he goes on to warn us about the danger of falling off on one side or the other. 00:16:46.359 --> 00:16:47.739 We don't want to give in to extremes. 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:50.459 And we have to remember there's a tension here when we think about governments. 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:52.719 Yes, there are evil forces at play. 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:56.279 Also, Romans chapter 13 tells us that God instituted governments. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.779 They're his gift to us. 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:02.099 They're referred to as his servants in chapter 13, verse 4. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:04.660 So we experience that tension in the world. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:06.079 We need governments, right? 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.319 It's essential. 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:11.960 Also, we know there are evil forces at work and at play. 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:15.559 And so I asked this question at the beginning. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:18.759 How does being a Christian change how we read the news? 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.740 First answer is this. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:25.519 We know as we look at the events of this world, they are not simply benign. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:31.319 But there are evil powers and forces at work behind the scenes. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:38.920 What may appear to be innocent is at times a hybrid beast that has come out of the sea. 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:43.519 And so as Christians, we are not naive. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:48.920 Now, at the very end here, remember the last verse, Daniel's greatly alarmed. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:51.779 And after hearing that, you may be greatly alarmed as well. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:58.720 But we're given not just the reality about the danger, the wickedness of the nations, 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:03.519 but we see even in these verses, these beginning verses, hints that God is in control. 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:07.160 We have these divine, what's called divine passives. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:10.160 So verse 4, when we're reading about the lion, 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.899 his wings were plucked off. 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.220 He was lifted. 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.940 He was made to stand. 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.680 The mind of a man was given to him. 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.980 Well, who's doing all these things? 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.440 God is the one. 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.000 Who's doing all those things? 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:26.960 Yes, these nations have satanic powers at work, 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:30.859 and God is still at work through them. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:36.019 There is evil, and God is still in control. 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:41.319 What's implicit there in verses 1 through 8 becomes explicit in verse 9. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.819 So I invite you to look with me there. 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:46.399 He said this vision of the beasts, now he has a vision of a man on the throne. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.660 And we see in verse 9, he says, 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.040 as I looked. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:52.500 Now I want to pause here for a second on this phrase, as I looked, 00:18:52.540 --> 00:18:54.460 because it's telling us something very important. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:59.320 It is telling us that these are two things that are both going on at the same time. 00:18:59.340 --> 00:19:01.800 And I want you to think about it in this way. 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:04.279 If you've ever watched an inspirational sports movie, 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:07.180 you know there's a training montage. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:09.560 Okay, so I'm going to give you an example. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:14.079 Rocky IV, there's a Russian fighter, Ivan Drago, 00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:16.099 and he comes up against Apollo Creed. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.799 If you know the story, you know Apollo Creed dies. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.940 Sorry to spoil it for you. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:23.839 And so Rocky decides he is going to challenge Drago. 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:27.119 He's going to defend the honor of his friend who's been killed. 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:31.819 Now Drago's afraid that his life is going to be in danger in the United States, 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:35.099 and so Rocky has to go and go over to the Soviet Union to train, 00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:36.940 because that's where the competition's going to happen. 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:39.480 And we see this montage going back before them. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:42.160 Drago is training in this elite gym. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.259 He's taking drugs. 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:46.080 He has all these doctors and trainers surrounding him, 00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:47.340 and we watch him do his thing. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.160 Then we see Rocky. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.980 Rocky's out in the middle of nowhere. 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:53.380 He's in a cabin in the snow, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:55.559 and he's using farm equipment to train. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:58.440 So Drago's got a real bar with weights, 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.759 and he's doing his overhead press. 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:01.180 And then we see Rocky. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:03.539 He's got a big log that he's overhead pressing. 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:08.259 In other words, there are two things going on at once. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:13.639 Yes, Drago is scary, and Rocky is training. 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:16.859 There's not just one reality. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.119 There is another reality. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.879 That's what we're being told here when we said, 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:24.259 as I looked, he's watching both things happen at the same time. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.539 Yes, the nations are ferocious. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.019 Ferocious. 00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:31.899 And guess who's also at work? 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:36.399 It is this character we meet, the Ancient of Days. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:41.039 We're told in verse 9 that he has this clothing and this hair that's white. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:43.440 This is here meant to represent his holiness. 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:46.980 You can imagine Gandalf the White, if you want, just emanating power. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:52.099 And not only does he have this whiteness that's showing his purity and this holiness, 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:55.819 but also this throne that he's sitting on is surrounded by fire as well. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:21:00.099 And so we see there not just his power, but also his judgment. 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:05.179 There is this great and terrifying figure that is meant to remind God's people 00:21:05.179 --> 00:21:08.959 that in spite of the wickedness and threats of the nations, 00:21:09.179 --> 00:21:11.379 their judge is still on the throne. 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:19.360 And he is filled with purity and holiness and power and justice. 00:21:21.020 --> 00:21:26.140 And in fact, that's the justice that we see him bring in verses 26 and 27. 00:21:26.760 --> 00:21:27.900 First of all, verse 11, 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:33.640 As I looked, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:37.660 This is the fourth beast that's persecuting God's people. 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:41.060 The Ancient of Days doesn't stand for it. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.760 Instead, he judges it. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:46.040 Same thing in verses 26 and 27. 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:48.180 But the court shall sit in judgment, 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:52.020 and his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 00:21:52.520 --> 00:21:56.200 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole earth 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:58.820 shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.320 His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:04.340 and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.200 And so the point is this. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:11.519 Our God evaluates and judges the kingdoms of this world. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:15.339 Yes, they are frightening and ferocious. 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:19.200 He is more powerful still. 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:25.380 Now, if you've been with us in the book of Daniel, we've seen that before, right? 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:28.140 In a sense, this is a form of repetition. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.440 And so you might be asking, 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.240 what does this passage have to give us that's new? 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:38.079 Why do we need to be in verse 7 through 12 when we've already gone through chapters 1 through 6, right? 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:40.160 We've already seen that God's the one in control. 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:43.019 We're already seeing that he rules and reigns over the nations. 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:45.420 One answer is this. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:52.680 This apocalyptic vision gives us images to hold on to and remember. 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:59.920 In other words, this vision of the beasts, this vision of the ancient of days, it's not instrumental. 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:05.860 It's not for us to pull out some kind of sentences and then leave the image behind. 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:08.940 No, the image is meant to capture our imagination. 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:13.039 It's meant to show us something that we remember and sticks with us. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:20.819 We are meant to look at the reality of this world and also remember the reality of God's greatness and his power. 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:23.139 And so I want you to think about this, right? 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:28.920 It's not just that God is in control, but that the author of this book has given us something to remember. 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:32.940 So I brought with me my weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:37.579 I've asked you this question, how do we read the news differently as Christians? 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:40.859 And so I'm just going to give you a few examples. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:45.079 First of all, this weekend we have Israel ramps up Gaza bombing. 00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:47.359 How should I think about that as a Christian? 00:23:47.939 --> 00:23:49.719 Well, I know that's going on. 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:57.519 Also, the ancient of days is sitting on his throne in pure white and splendor surrounded by fire. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:24:02.819 No matter what's going on, he is still in control. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:10.859 We have things going on here, not just with Israel. 00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:15.200 We have a hacking group that's been shutting down a gas line on the East Coast. 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.899 How do I think about that? 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.279 Well, I know that's going on. 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:24.179 Also, I know that the ancient of days is sitting on his throne in pure and blinding whiteness, 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:26.299 surrounded by fire and coming in judgment. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:32.519 I think it's possible, at least the news tells me, that China might want to invade Taiwan. 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:34.039 How should I think about that? 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.119 Well, I know that's happening. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.819 I also know that God's in control of the nations, 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:43.940 and he's sitting on his throne as a judge in pure and blinding whiteness, surrounded by fire. 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:48.059 Brothers and sisters, the point for us is this. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:54.099 It is tempting at times for us to read the news in the foreground and keep God's sovereignty in the background. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:57.599 What Daniel's vision is telling us is the opposite. 00:24:57.980 --> 00:25:02.619 We put the news in the background, and we keep God in his sovereignty in the foreground. 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:14.179 No matter what is happening, it is always happening underneath and below the fact that God is the great king and judge who is in control of the world. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:21.120 And no matter what happens now, he will win in the end. 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:30.279 It is meant for us to have what I've mentioned before, a heavenly perspective on an earthly reality. 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:35.680 If you take nothing else from Daniel chapter 7, I want you to remember this. 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:40.420 No matter what happens in the world, the ancient of days is on his throne. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:48.980 He has pure and splendid and blinding whiteness because of his purity and his holiness and his power. 00:25:49.300 --> 00:25:51.860 And because of his judgment, he's surrounded by fire. 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:57.600 The purpose of this is for us to take that image and remember it. 00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:04.019 And to keep it in our minds so we remain in touch with reality. 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:11.019 The rise and fall of nations, geopolitical events, God is at work in all of them. 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:13.519 God is in control. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:17.220 And so how do we read the news as Christians? 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:21.379 First of all, we remember there are evil forces at work in the world. 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:27.480 Second of all, we remember that God is still on his throne. 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:30.099 There is more than meets the eye. 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:39.099 Not only is he in his throne, though, we've already seen here there's going to be a new kingdom. 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:43.299 I've told you all along that God rules and reigns over the nations, right? 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:49.119 Daniel chapter 7, we're told, in a sense, that's not always going to be true 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:51.980 because there's going to become a time where there's only one kingdom. 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:54.219 There won't be multiple kingdoms. 00:26:55.179 --> 00:26:57.539 There won't be nations that he rules and reigns over. 00:26:57.539 --> 00:27:01.619 There will be a kingdom and only one kingdom. 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.740 Remember, and look with me at verse 27. 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:08.659 The kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms unto the whole earth 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:12.180 shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:15.399 His kingdom, singular, shall be an everlasting kingdom. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:18.700 And all dominions shall serve and obey him. 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:25.279 Not only are the nations under the influence of evil forces, 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:29.840 not only is God our great judge, but he has a coming kingdom. 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.460 A coming kingdom, by the way. 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:34.720 Again, verse 27, when the saints of the Most High, that's us, 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:37.799 will rule and reign with him. 00:27:37.840 --> 00:27:40.559 And so that brings us not just from the nations and the judge, 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:42.819 but also to the king. 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.700 Look with me now at verse 13. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.340 Verse 13. 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:51.580 We see this vision of a different kind of ruler. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:54.720 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, 00:27:54.840 --> 00:27:57.019 there came one like a son of man, 00:27:57.160 --> 00:28:00.039 and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented for him. 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.799 Note immediately the contrast here. 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:04.400 At the beginning, we saw hybrid animals. 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.880 Here, we see a man. 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:07.700 Okay? 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.880 They have rule. 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.680 He's also going to have rule. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.360 Verse 14. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:15.019 And to him was given dominion and glory in a kingdom, 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:17.759 that all people's nations and languages should serve him. 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:21.680 His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away. 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.720 So he's different. 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:27.620 Also, his origin, his source is different. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:31.720 Remember, the four animals, the four beasts, came up out of the sea, 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:33.580 a place of chaos and rebellion. 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:35.120 Where does the Son of Man come from? 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.920 Not from the sea, but from the heavens. 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:40.880 He is coming on the clouds. 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:44.660 Now, I've already ruined this a little bit for you with Acts 1. 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:49.200 But we know from the Old Testament, when someone comes on the clouds, 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:51.340 that is a sign that they are divine. 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:54.120 It's a sign that it's God coming. 00:28:54.260 --> 00:28:58.160 And so for the first time, we have this image here of someone who's both a man 00:28:58.160 --> 00:29:00.020 and also God. 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:05.120 And this person who's a man and also God is going to come, 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:09.240 and he is going to be the final and ultimate king. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:11.920 He's going to be the one who has glory and dominion. 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:15.460 All peoples and nations and languages shall serve him. 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:17.880 He's going to have a forever kingdom. 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:21.920 And so it's not just that the Ancient of Days is in control, 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:26.339 but that one day only his kingdom will stand. 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:30.000 And his kingdom is going to be one that's given to this man, 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.539 this man who is also a God. 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:36.279 Now, we understand this passage even more than Daniel did, 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:38.679 because we have the New Testament. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.439 We have the Gospels. 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:41.819 We have the record of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:46.000 who identifies himself over and over again as the Son of Man, 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:49.399 referring back to here, to Daniel 7. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:51.319 This is part of why this is such an important chapter. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.859 Now, the reason why Jesus chooses that title, 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.679 a whole other discussion. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:56.679 We can talk about that later if you'd like. 00:29:57.179 --> 00:30:00.619 But we know this, that he is claiming by that title 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:03.779 to be the one from Daniel 7 who's coming on the clouds. 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:06.319 And in fact, that's what we read in our New Testament 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:08.639 reading earlier today from Mark chapter 14. 00:30:09.919 --> 00:30:11.879 Remember, he's being questioned, verse 61. 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:14.579 He remained silent and made no answer. 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:16.099 Again, the high priest asked him, 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:18.159 are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:22.560 And Jesus said, I am, and you will see the Son of Man 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:24.300 seated at the right hand of power 00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:26.279 and coming with the clouds of heaven. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:29.860 In other words, I am the Daniel 7 king 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:32.060 coming to rule over the world 00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:34.380 and have the service and submission 00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:36.540 of every dominion in every kingdom. 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:40.880 And the high priest knows that's what he's saying, 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:42.140 because what does he say next? 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:46.080 Verse 63, the high priest tore his garments and said, 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.000 what further witnesses do we need? 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:51.039 You have heard his blasphemy. 00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:56.119 Jesus is the king who is coming back. 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:59.299 He is involved in the kingdoms of this world, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:02.799 and he will one day surpass, judge, 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.779 and replace those kingdoms. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.399 Now, as we've talked about before, 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:09.379 we know that that kingdom has already come in part. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:11.220 Remember Mark chapter 1, verse 15, 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.439 Jesus comes and he says, 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.779 the kingdom of God is at hand, right? 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:17.579 The forever kingdom has already begun. 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:21.259 And then we already look this morning at Acts chapter 1. 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:23.319 We saw Jesus go up into the clouds. 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:26.819 We know he has not yet come back on the clouds. 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:29.200 And so the kingdom has begun in part. 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:31.899 We still look and long for the day 00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:35.099 when Jesus does come and fully and finally 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:36.539 fulfill what we see here. 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:40.799 He comes back for us just in the way that he left. 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:43.639 And so for us Christians, 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.960 the point is this, 00:31:45.159 --> 00:31:47.480 we long for Jesus to return. 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.980 No matter what happens, 00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:54.159 we know he is coming to bring his kingdom back. 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:57.680 He is coming to rule and reign 00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:00.180 over everyone and everything. 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:03.500 That's our hope, our comfort, our encouragement, right? 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.399 As we read the news, 00:32:04.659 --> 00:32:06.159 we remember the ancient of days, 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:09.160 we remember the son of man returning on the clouds. 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:12.100 For those of you who are not Christians, 00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:14.340 the takeaway for you is this, 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.259 not to long for Jesus' return yet, 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:19.340 but to remember that God is the great judge. 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:23.019 Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:25.779 we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:28.160 so that each one may receive what is due 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.720 for what he has done in the body, 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.759 whether good or evil. 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:36.140 All of us will stand before that great judge. 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.519 The question is this, 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:41.339 will we be able to stand and remain or not? 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:43.759 Only those who have faith in Jesus Christ 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:46.599 because Jesus is the one who takes our punishment 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.900 and his death on the cross 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:49.299 and who lives the perfect life 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:52.140 that we could not live as a man here on this earth. 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.180 And so our hope and our only hope 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:56.319 is that we're able to claim him 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:59.039 when we face this ancient of days. 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:01.659 So the question is this, 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:03.480 the kingdom is coming, 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:05.879 will you be part of it or not? 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:12.180 Will you repent and have faith in Jesus Christ or not? 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:16.579 There are two kingdoms and only two kingdoms. 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:21.099 There are two options and only two options. 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.960 Because no matter what the nations do, 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:26.019 we know that there's a judge 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:28.079 and we know that there's a king. 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:31.680 In her book, 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:33.839 A Beginner's Guide to America, 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.920 a woman named Ruya Hakakian 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:38.039 tells about the experience 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:40.259 of people who are immigrants to this place, 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:42.619 experiencing America for the first time 00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.639 and understanding what it's like 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:45.720 to be torn between two worlds. 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:48.899 And she talks about being torn between two worlds 00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:51.779 when it comes to knowing what time zone we're in. 00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:52.859 She says this, 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:54.420 people who are not homesick 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:57.159 set their clocks to the standard time 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.160 of their own region. 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.180 So we set our time, 00:33:59.320 --> 00:34:00.540 clocks to mountain time here, right? 00:34:01.300 --> 00:34:02.000 But in exile, 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:04.640 when homesickness is at as a peak 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:06.560 and every thought chases the next 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:07.480 in a loop of regret, 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:11.000 the hours pass according to the standard time 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.840 of the displaced. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:15.960 Here the body may slouch towards east, west, 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.860 north, or south, 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:18.920 but the heart is ever fixed homeward 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:21.420 to the city you just left. 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.880 Brothers and sisters, 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:26.019 we live in this world now 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:28.380 and we never forget 00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:30.920 the time of the coming kingdom. 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:34.840 We know that we belong in this world 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:38.039 and we also look to the world to come. 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:41.000 We do not hold one or the other, 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.980 but we hold both. 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:44.360 We know the time zone we're in now 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:46.719 and we look and long 00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:49.119 and hold on to the time zone 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:50.240 that we look forward to. 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.199 We look to the time 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:55.300 when the whole world is filled with God's glory, 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:57.400 that our prayer this morning would be answered, 00:34:57.659 --> 00:35:00.119 that God's kingdom would come here on earth 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:02.139 as it is in heaven. 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:04.219 We look forward to verse 27, 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:05.519 when the kingdom and the dominion 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.699 and the greatness of the kingdoms 00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.740 under the whole heaven 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:09.300 shall be given to the people 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.639 of the saints of the most high. 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:13.259 His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:16.699 and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.639 Let's pray. 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.519 Our Father in heaven, 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:23.159 we thank you for your encouragement 00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:24.659 and your reminder to us 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:27.400 that you are the judge and the coming king. 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:29.019 We ask that you would give us hope 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:32.579 and firmness and stability and faith 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.500 as we remember that, 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:35.119 that we would cling to your promises 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:37.599 and we believe what you've told us. 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:39.199 We ask all these things 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:41.339 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, amen. 00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:45.119 I invite you to stand for our closing hymn. 00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.839 Again, 00:35:45.839 --> 00:35:49.059 I invite you to stand for our closing hymn now. 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.719 Thank you. 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:50.279 Thank you. 00:35:50.799 --> 00:35:51.099 Take care. 00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:51.799 Bye-bye.