WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.160 This morning in my congregational prayers, I often do the persecuted church around the world. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:07.820 And right now there's all sorts of things going on. 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:10.419 Our brothers and sisters are suffering in a variety of circumstances. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:14.780 Of course, I mentioned in China, there are people who sell Bibles who are being put on trial. 00:00:14.859 --> 00:00:17.820 It's very difficult in China to get a hold of a Bible. 00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:22.740 And at some level, you're going to be harassed or arrested if you sell Bibles. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:26.960 It's true in India that there are anti-conversion laws. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:30.300 And so it's illegal to try to convert someone to Christianity. 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:35.240 In fact, it's a crime in China to teach Christianity to a child. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:39.640 Actually, sorry, it's a crime in India to teach Christianity to a child. 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:48.019 In Nigeria, there are violent attacks against Christians from extremists and Muslim terrorists. 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:53.159 In Pakistan, Christian women are kidnapped, forced to convert to Islam. 00:00:53.159 --> 00:01:00.379 And so this is something that's going on right now in the church that we're united with by virtue of Christ and the Holy Spirit. 00:01:00.839 --> 00:01:04.239 There is real suffering in real time and space now in 2021. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:09.920 The church faces persecution at various times and various places. 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:12.719 It is an ongoing reality in our world. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:15.659 The same was true in Daniel's time. 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:18.019 Now, of course, we wouldn't have called it the church, right? 00:01:18.039 --> 00:01:18.979 It would have been the nation of Israel. 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:23.200 But it's the one people of God that we see in the Old Testament and the New Testament. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:27.859 And so as we look this morning, talking about the persecution of God's people, we're going to see two things. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:29.760 First of all, the reality of persecution. 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:32.620 Second, the limits of persecution. 00:01:33.380 --> 00:01:37.980 The reality of persecution and also the limits of persecution. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:43.980 Starting with the reality of persecution, we are given some background here at the beginning of Daniel chapter 8. 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:48.780 And we see the same concept that we saw last week, which is that animals represent kingdoms. 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:53.800 And so you remember I told you about Sam the Eagle and the fact that he represents America. 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:56.939 Here we have animals that represent kingdoms as well. 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:02.900 Unlike chapter 7, though, we are given clear explanations of which animals are which countries. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:05.859 And so we see Daniel has a vision, verses 1 and 2. 00:02:05.980 --> 00:02:09.379 In the vision, he's transported to Persia and he encounters two different animals. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:12.639 First of all, there's this great ram with uneven horns. 00:02:13.579 --> 00:02:18.319 And we're told in verse 20, the ram represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:21.460 Now the ram, verse 4, becomes very great. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:26.199 The only problem is that the ram's not the biggest animal in the street. 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:30.199 The ram is then later challenged by a goat. 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:32.439 And this goat, verse 5, has a conspicuous horn. 00:02:32.519 --> 00:02:37.579 And as great as the ram is from verse 4, the goat apparently is even greater. 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:40.140 And we find out in verse 21, the goat represents Greece. 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:43.600 So two animals, ram, Media, Persia, goat, Greece. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:49.080 Now, there's a great battle between the goat and the ram, verses 6 and 7. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:50.380 They duke it out against each other. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:54.960 And we find out that the goat runs at the ram and breaks his two horns. 00:02:55.660 --> 00:02:58.420 So the ram is then trampled. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:00.760 So there's a goat and a ram battle. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:01.600 Okay. 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:03.140 Goat wins. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:06.700 And we're told that this is Media, Persia, Greece. 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:12.919 We now know, in retrospect, there's almost universal agreement here what these kingdoms represent. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:15.859 Greece here, we understand, to be Alexander the Great. 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:17.119 Okay. 00:03:17.139 --> 00:03:18.719 It makes sense that he's so powerful. 00:03:18.859 --> 00:03:22.339 It also makes sense that his kingdom is replaced by four smaller kingdoms. 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:25.000 Because that's exactly what happened in history. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:26.959 So Daniel didn't know that at the time. 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:28.280 We know that now. 00:03:28.959 --> 00:03:32.599 We are being told what was going to happen to Daniel. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:37.299 Not to Daniel, but to God's people, they were going to see, first of all, Persia become great. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:40.379 Second of all, Greece become great. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.079 Alexander the Great was going to be great. 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:46.099 And then his kingdom went split into four different kingdoms. 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:46.539 Okay. 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:49.299 If you're a student of history, you know this. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:51.299 So I'm not going to dig us into the weeds on that. 00:03:51.359 --> 00:03:55.539 This is all historical background for what our focus is this morning. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:03:56.479 And our focus is this. 00:03:56.579 --> 00:04:00.739 It's going to be verse 23, this king of bold face. 00:04:01.419 --> 00:04:07.299 So after the four kingdoms that follow Alexander the Great, we're going to meet this very frightening king. 00:04:07.359 --> 00:04:08.479 Again, verse 23. 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:10.659 He's called the king of bold face. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:12.759 And we find out immediately what he does. 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:15.500 Verses 24 and 25. 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:21.439 He shall destroy, this is verse 24, mighty men and the people who are the saints. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:28.379 And so we see that this person is going to be someone who persecutes God's people. 00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:30.160 That's what it means that he's going after the saints. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.620 Verse 25. 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:35.220 He shall destroy many and he shall even rise up against the prince of princes. 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:37.639 Many people believe that this is a reference to God himself. 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:42.019 So this is going to be a king who's blasphemous in what he does. 00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:45.800 We're told in verses 10 and 11 that he's going to go up against the stars. 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:49.259 And we understand in the Old Testament that that's symbolism for God's people. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:52.740 So this is a king who has it out for Israel. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:56.000 This is a king who's blasphemous. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:58.839 He sets himself up against the prince of princes. 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:00.839 He destroys the people who are the saints. 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:01.980 We see in verse 12. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:04.839 He's going to throw truth to the ground. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:08.959 This is not a normal king. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:13.459 It's not just simply a kingdom like we saw last week that's influenced by demonic forces. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:19.839 This is a king with a special focus and persecution and torment on God's people. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.919 He rises up against the princes of princes. 00:05:22.099 --> 00:05:24.019 He challenges God himself. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:28.759 And just like there's almost universal agreement that in Greece here we're seeing Alexander the Great. 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:33.039 Thankfully we have almost universal agreement today also about who this figure is. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:37.819 There's belief that of course the four kingdoms that come from Alexander the Great, one of them was the Seleucid kingdom. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:43.740 And out of that there came a figure in the 2nd century B.C., a man named Antiochus IV. 00:05:44.599 --> 00:05:49.159 And Antiochus had a special focus on persecuting God's people. 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:54.100 In fact he called himself Epiphanes, which was a way of saying that he was God. 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:57.019 And I'm just going to give you a brief summary of the things that he did. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:00.019 This comes from an Old Testament scholar who says this. 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:18.279 Antiochus IV of Seleucia, who styled himself Epiphanes, meaning God manifest, invaded Jerusalem, despoiled the temple, commanded the burning of the scriptures, forbade the covenant right of circumcision, put to death many faithful Jews, and ultimately instituted pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:26.139 In other words, it would be hard to imagine this man doing worse things to God's people. 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:33.319 And this prophecy given to Daniel has already been fulfilled, right? 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.459 The 2nd century was a long time ago. 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:42.240 And so the question for us this morning is, of what use to us is this passage? 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:47.639 What are we to take away from a prophecy given to God's people that's already been fulfilled? 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:51.680 And what we do in situations like this is we look at a specific instance. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:54.099 This is the specific instance of Antiochus IV. 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:56.019 We draw out a general principle. 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:58.680 We look at something that happened in the past. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:02.339 We draw a principle for how it applies to us today. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:04.019 Remember our principle from last week. 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:07.500 There are demonic forces at work in the governments and kingdoms of this world. 00:07:08.039 --> 00:07:12.319 And some governments focus intensely on persecuting God's people. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:14.919 Often this coincides with blasphemy. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.000 And that's what we see here, right? 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:17.339 He's throwing truth to the ground. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:18.519 He's challenging God. 00:07:18.599 --> 00:07:19.659 He's claiming to be God. 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:22.219 And we see this, as I've already mentioned, around the world. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:28.320 Now, if you were in Sunday school today, Scott Sage talked to you about our focus on missions as a church. 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:34.760 As the missions team has looked at various things, we've seen that there are portions of the world today that experience intense persecution. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:37.300 These are places like portions of Africa. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:39.699 There's places in southern Asia. 00:07:40.099 --> 00:07:41.399 And there's places in the Middle East. 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:44.759 Those are the hot spots of persecution in the world today. 00:07:45.099 --> 00:07:50.620 And our Lord Jesus teaches us the same thing, that persecution is a reality for the church around the world and throughout time. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:52.740 In Matthew chapter 5, verse 11, he says, 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:59.060 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you on my account. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:02.699 And then in John chapter 16, he says this, 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:04.459 They will put you out of the synagogues. 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:09.240 Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:13.399 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me. 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:20.459 But I have said these things to you that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told them to you. 00:08:21.039 --> 00:08:24.679 I did not say these things to you from the beginning because I was with you. 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:26.539 So track with me here. 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:29.419 Specific instance, Daniel's warned about coming persecution. 00:08:29.679 --> 00:08:33.319 General principle, we also know persecution exists. 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:35.100 Jesus teaches the same thing. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:39.159 Jesus tells his disciples why it is he wants them to know this. 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:44.620 That when their hour comes, you may remember that I told them to you. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:50.559 God wants his people to know about persecution in advance. 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:56.519 How does the church persevere in suffering and persecution? 00:08:56.939 --> 00:09:03.100 First of all, the church perseveres in suffering and persecution by knowing it and expecting it. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:07.539 When persecution comes, we are not caught off guard. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:08.740 We're not surprised. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:13.159 Because we know this is the way the world works. 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:17.620 And so the application for us is this. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:22.519 Are you ready to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ? 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:27.980 Are you prepared to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ? 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.759 Daniel was warned. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.860 Our Lord Jesus has also told us the same. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:39.639 There will be suffering for Christians in this life. 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:42.320 We are not surprised when it comes. 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:48.440 In fact, we're told in 2 Timothy 3 that if you're a Christian, you're going to suffer persecution. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.300 Paul says this. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:53.240 All who desire to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:58.620 While evil people and imposters go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.659 Of course, we know that's happening today, right? 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:03.299 There's all kinds of deception going on in our world. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.600 Deception about why we're here. 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:05.759 What's the purpose of life? 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:06.820 What does it mean to be human? 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:09.779 What's the distinction between our creator and the creation? 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:12.480 What are the purpose and limits of human sexuality? 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:17.220 Jesus also tells us in John chapter 15, 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:21.399 Remember the word that I said to you, a servant is not greater than his master. 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:24.679 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:27.899 If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:31.679 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:34.620 because they do not know him who sent me. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:39.720 Remember, we talked about this in the book of 1 Peter over and over again. 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:43.560 There's this principle, as go the master, so go his disciples. 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:44.700 As go the master, so go his disciples. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:46.620 I might say something obvious, but here's the takeaway. 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:48.320 Here's where the rubber meets the road. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:50.759 It's tempting if Christians don't know these things, 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:52.420 they haven't thought through them, and they're not prepared. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.960 When persecution comes, they think, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:56.300 Oh, this proves that God's not real. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:59.759 This proves that God doesn't exist, 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:01.899 because if he did, he wouldn't let this happen. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:06.560 And yet, if we know the Bible, we can know the exact opposite. 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:09.759 Actually, this confirms what Jesus said. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:15.799 This is the pattern that we knew was going to play out. 00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:18.239 Instead of shaking our faith, 00:11:18.619 --> 00:11:21.519 it reminds us of what we already believed. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:24.419 This is what life in the world looks like. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:28.899 That is the fact, the reality of persecution. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:33.219 That's our first step in persevering and continuing. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:35.279 Don't be surprised by it. 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:37.279 Don't let it lead to doubt. 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:40.299 We know about these things in advance. 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:44.559 Jesus has already taught us and warned us. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:48.699 Now, we know persecution is coming. 00:11:48.819 --> 00:11:50.959 Of course, that knowledge by itself is not enough. 00:11:51.119 --> 00:11:52.039 Helpful, right? 00:11:52.719 --> 00:11:54.179 Helpful, but not sufficient. 00:11:54.339 --> 00:11:57.039 And so we see not only the reality of persecution, 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:59.859 but also the limits of persecution. 00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:02.919 There's this question in verse 13 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:06.539 that's asked by the Holy One. 00:12:06.599 --> 00:12:07.719 Then I heard a Holy One speaking, 00:12:07.839 --> 00:12:09.579 and another Holy One said to the one who spoke, 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:12.379 for how long is the vision concerning 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.600 the regular burnt offerings 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.820 and the transgressions that make desolate 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:18.060 and the giving over of the sanctuary and the host 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:19.540 to be trampled underfoot? 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:22.280 In other words, okay, we understand 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:25.280 severe and intense persecution is coming. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:28.639 How long are we going to have to suffer under it? 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.740 How long is it going to last? 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.220 Are we going to be able to hold on? 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:38.920 Of course, this is the question of God's people 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.819 throughout history, right? 00:12:39.839 --> 00:12:40.299 How long? 00:12:40.319 --> 00:12:43.299 How long will this particular suffering last? 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.759 How long will we wait 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.699 till our Lord Jesus comes again? 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:52.360 And there's an answer here immediately in verse 14. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.539 And he said to me, 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:55.539 for 2300 evenings and mornings, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.939 then the sanctuary shall be restored 00:12:57.939 --> 00:12:59.519 to its rightful state. 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:02.279 So this is talking about the heinous things 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.860 that Antiochus IV is going to do 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:06.039 are going to be limited by these 2300 days 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.379 or mornings and evenings. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.960 Now there are three different theories 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:13.600 about what's represented by the 2300 evenings and mornings. 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.159 I am, you're welcome, 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.120 not going to drag you into all the different theories. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:21.860 Regardless of what is meant by 2300 mornings and evenings, 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:24.939 in every instance, the point is this. 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:27.720 There is an end to the time of persecution. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.379 God has set a limit. 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:33.360 He has numbered the days. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:36.899 There is no place or portion of suffering for his people 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:40.460 that he will not bring to an end. 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:44.519 God is still in control. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:47.580 He brings an end to every persecution. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.180 This goes back to what we've seen before. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.820 Remember, we talked about the fact 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:52.519 that God numbers the days of kingdoms. 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.600 He numbers the days of kings. 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:58.539 He numbers the days of those who persecute his people. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:02.019 There is a limit and an end to persecution. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:04.679 And so, of course, we see this also in verse 25. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.559 Look with me there. 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:10.539 By his cunning, he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:13.000 and in his own mind he shall become great. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.100 Without warning, he shall destroy many, 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:18.299 and he shall even rise up against the prince of princes, 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:21.519 and he shall be broken, 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:24.159 but by no human hand. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:28.120 And he shall be broken, but by no human hand. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.839 In other words, no matter what happens, 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:33.699 no matter who rises up to come and persecute God's people, 00:14:33.819 --> 00:14:36.939 that person will ultimately and finally be broken, 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:40.240 not by a human hand, but by God himself. 00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:45.919 This is exactly what we saw in 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 8. 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:50.299 Jesus is going to destroy them with his breath. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:56.279 Now, again, this might sound just like the reality of persecution, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.319 something that's obvious, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:15:00.360 and the Bible is reminding us of obvious things, 00:15:00.479 --> 00:15:03.120 reminding us of the fact that persecution is real. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.159 Yes, we know that. 00:15:04.599 --> 00:15:05.539 We need to remember it. 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:08.419 Reminding us of the fact that God limits persecution. 00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:10.240 Yes, we know that, 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:12.219 and we need to be reminded of it, right? 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:14.719 That's not our gut response when we find ourselves suffering. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.519 We don't think to ourselves, 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.860 oh, this is no big deal because God has set a limit to it. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.639 No, when you're in the midst of suffering, 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:22.200 that's what you forget, right? 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:24.759 When Christians were suffering under communism, 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:27.480 I guarantee to you that they weren't just skipping about, 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.100 thinking to themselves, 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.399 well, this is bad right now, but God set a limit to it. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:34.360 No, have to be reminded and stirred up, 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:37.860 have to be encouraged by the fact 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.720 that God has put an end to every persecution. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:45.500 And so these are things that are simple in some ways, 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.220 but not easy. 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.899 Simple, but not easy to remember 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:51.080 that God is still in control. 00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:52.879 No matter what's going on, carry on. 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.300 Keep going. 00:15:55.160 --> 00:15:55.899 Don't lose heart. 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:59.860 God's church suffers for a time. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.879 She will not suffer forever. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:05.240 There's a reality to persecution. 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:07.700 There's also a limit and an end to it. 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:10.420 Of course, our Lord Jesus tells us 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:13.259 that there is a blessing as well. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.920 He tells us in Matthew chapter five, 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:17.660 blessed are you when others who value and persecute you 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:20.400 and utter all kinds of evil against you on my account. 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:25.700 Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:29.000 For so they persecuted the prophets who are before you. 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:32.360 Of course, Jesus doesn't just offer this blessing 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.000 we've already seen in 2 Thessalonians. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:36.360 He comes and he brings it to pass. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.200 Again, verse eight, 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:39.180 the lawless one will be revealed 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:41.220 whom the Lord Jesus will kill 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:43.180 with the breath of his mouth 00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:47.240 and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.820 And so how is it that God's church 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:53.080 perseveres in suffering and persecution? 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:56.680 We are prepared because we know the reality of persecution. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.220 So we're not surprised. 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:02.159 We take heart and are able to persevere 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:04.299 because we know the limits of persecution. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:06.779 We have hope because we know 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.920 that it will not last forever. 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:12.339 Some of you will remember I mentioned this 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.440 at one point last year 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.279 when we were going through COVID together. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:18.720 I told you the story of the Stockdale paradox 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.579 that Jim Collins tells in his book, 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.099 Good to Great, 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:22.599 about Admiral Jim Stockdale, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.799 who was the highest ranking military officer 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.379 in the Hanoi Hilton. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:28.700 He was a prisoner of war during Vietnam 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:31.160 and he was imprisoned for eight years 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.560 and he was one person 00:17:32.560 --> 00:17:33.820 who was able to make it out alive 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.800 when many people did not. 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.800 And so Jim Collins asked him this question, 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.740 who didn't make it out? 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.600 Who did not survive the Hanoi Hilton? 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:43.240 And he said, oh, that's easy. 00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:44.580 The optimists. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.200 The optimists? 00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:48.200 I don't understand, I said now, 00:17:48.280 --> 00:17:49.200 completely confused 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:51.060 given what he'd said 100 meters earlier. 00:17:51.760 --> 00:17:52.760 The optimists. 00:17:53.020 --> 00:17:54.220 Oh, they were the ones who said 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.360 we're going to be out by Christmas 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.579 and Christmas would come 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.440 and Christmas would go. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.740 Then they'd say 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.900 we're going to be out by Easter 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.000 and Easter would come 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.720 and Easter would go. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.380 And then Thanksgiving 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:04.900 and then it would be Christmas again 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:06.880 and they died of a broken heart. 00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:09.579 Then he turned to me and said, 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.740 this is a very important lesson. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:14.200 You must never confuse faith 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.980 that you will prevail in the end, 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.140 which you can never afford to lose, 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:20.140 with the discipline to confront 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.440 the most brutal facts 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.600 of your current reality, 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.079 whatever they might be. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.200 Brothers and sisters, 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.680 the church perseveres in persecution 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:30.600 because we are never confused 00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.400 about our fate 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:33.480 that we will prevail in the end. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.839 We know that Jesus is coming. 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.460 He set a limit to persecution 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.680 and he will destroy 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:40.039 with the breath of his mouth. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.539 We also are able to face 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.620 the most brutal facts 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.579 of our current reality. 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.579 Persecution is real. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.600 As goes the master, 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:51.019 so go his disciples. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:53.480 And so God's people persevere 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.099 because we know 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:57.379 that we will prevail in the end. 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.539 We are prepared 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.319 by the reality of persecution 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:02.039 and we're encouraged 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:04.279 by the limits of persecution. 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.680 And so we can know 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.759 the words of our Lord. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.539 Remember the word 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.240 that I said to you, 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.539 a servant is not greater 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.319 than his master. 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:12.220 If they persecuted me, 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.639 they will also persecute you. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.539 If they kept my word, 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:17.359 they will also keep yours. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:19.019 But all these things 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.719 they will do to you 00:19:19.719 --> 00:19:20.779 on account of my name 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.959 because they do not know 00:19:21.959 --> 00:19:23.219 him who sent me. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.899 Let's pray. 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.419 Our Father in heaven, 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.959 we thank you for your word 00:19:28.959 --> 00:19:29.959 that challenges us 00:19:29.959 --> 00:19:30.779 and encourages us 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.719 and we ask that you would 00:19:31.719 --> 00:19:34.099 do both things this morning for us, 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.919 that you would drive 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:36.799 this vision deep into our hearts, 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.719 that we would remember 00:19:37.719 --> 00:19:38.959 that no matter what happens, 00:19:39.459 --> 00:19:41.240 you truly are in control. 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:43.019 You are the one 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:45.059 who allows us to go in persecution 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.939 and you are the one 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:46.799 who sets its limits. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.720 And so we praise you 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.180 and thank you 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.079 and we do that in the name 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:50.000 of our Lord and Savior, 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:50.819 Jesus Christ. 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.539 Amen.