WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.220 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:11.679 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:15.519 Special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:18.940 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:22.160 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:22.300 --> 00:00:26.640 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:30.679 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:35.760 And so that's why we come back week after week to see what God has to say to us in His Word, 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:38.640 because we believe He has something to say to everyone. 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:42.240 He has something to say to people who've been Christians for a very short amount of time, 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:43.679 maybe a few weeks or months. 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:48.240 He has something to say to people who would consider themselves Christians their entire lives, 00:00:48.260 --> 00:00:52.380 and He also has something to say to people who would not consider themselves Christians. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:55.640 God's Word is that powerful. 00:00:55.640 --> 00:00:58.980 And so we're turning again in our study in the book of Daniel. 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:00.280 This is our last week. 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:05.439 We've been in Daniel for several months now, and we come finally to the end of chapter 12. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.060 And you'll remember, as I've been telling you over and over, and I'll tell you one last time, 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:12.980 the book of Daniel takes place in the 7th and 6th century B.C. 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:19.400 It tells the story of a man named Daniel, who's a faithful Israelite living in exile in Babylon. 00:01:19.780 --> 00:01:21.799 And the book has two basic points. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:24.240 First of all, it is meant to encourage us. 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:29.099 No matter how bad things get, God is still in control. 00:01:29.699 --> 00:01:31.579 He rules and He reigns over the nations. 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:39.439 It's meant not just to encourage us, however, but also to instruct us how to live faithful lives in a foreign land. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:43.019 And it's with those two points that we come to the very end. 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:49.500 And by the way, I've also told you that Daniel itself gives us its own summary in Daniel 11, verse 32, 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:53.859 that the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 00:01:53.979 --> 00:02:02.459 And so it's been our goal this whole time as we've gone through this book that we would know our God so that we would be able to stand firm and take action. 00:02:02.459 --> 00:02:08.879 And so as we come to the end, we're continuing the scene that began in chapter 10. 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:13.719 Remember, chapter 10 and chapter 11, we were asking the same question. 00:02:14.239 --> 00:02:19.500 What do we do with our discouragement that comes from facing the evil that we see in this world? 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:25.180 You remember from chapter 10, Daniel was so overwhelmed that he fell down to the ground. 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:27.439 He needed an angel to help him stand up again. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:34.800 And then in chapter 11, we saw the way that we as Christians can understand and view history so that it gives us perspective, 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:41.639 so that we are able to stand up in the face of all the wickedness we see in the world around us. 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:47.240 As we're ending this scene and also ending the book, we're going to ask a similar but related question. 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:48.919 We're going to ask a question about perseverance. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:51.740 How do we make it to the end? 00:02:52.900 --> 00:02:56.680 Not just how do we face the discouragement that comes from evil, 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:02.840 but how do we keep walking in this life as Christians day after day, week after week, year after year, 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:09.420 as we face so many things that challenge us in this world, as we see the pressure coming in on us, 00:03:09.760 --> 00:03:17.060 as we say no to pleasures and experiences that our culture offers, that they tell us we cannot live without, 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:22.200 as we're told that the goal of life is to embrace independence and individualism, 00:03:22.200 --> 00:03:26.580 that sexual fulfillment and peak experiences are what it's all about, 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:31.620 that independence and individualism are the end-all and be-all of life. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:39.340 How do we persevere when believing what God tells us is right about this world results in us being called names? 00:03:39.420 --> 00:03:42.659 People think that we are bigots or we hate other people. 00:03:43.700 --> 00:03:45.240 And in short, what I'm saying is this. 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:49.060 Being a Christian is to be out of place in this world. 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:54.539 And so, this is our simple question as we come to this final chapter. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:56.400 How do we make it to the end? 00:03:57.180 --> 00:04:00.659 What are the resources that God has given us that we would persevere? 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:02.360 I invite you to turn with me now. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:03.699 We're in Daniel chapter 12. 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:06.360 You can turn near the end of your worship guide. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:07.800 You can turn in your Bible. 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:08.939 You can turn in your phone. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:12.039 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:16.480 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:04:17.019 --> 00:04:21.100 And it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:04:21.339 --> 00:04:25.100 And so, that's why we read now, starting at Daniel chapter 12, verse 1. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:52.740 And some to shame and everlasting contempt. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:57.120 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:05:01.800 And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:07.199 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:11.460 Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:12.699 Verse 5. 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:20.680 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:25.860 And someone said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the stream, 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:29.340 How long shall it be till the end of these wonders? 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:30.759 Verse 7. 00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:34.620 And I heard the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the stream. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:40.639 He raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:44.500 that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:48.959 And that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:50.879 all these things would be finished. 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:53.759 I heard, but I did not understand. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:58.759 Then I said, O my Lord, what shall be the outcome of these things? 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:00.459 Verse 9. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:05.980 He said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:10.860 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined. 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:13.800 But the wicked shall act wickedly. 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:18.980 And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:22.900 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away 00:06:22.900 --> 00:06:26.000 and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:29.100 there shall be 1,290 days. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:35.540 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:44.220 But go your way till the end, and you shall rest and stand firm in your allotted place at the end of the days. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:48.740 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:49.760 --> 00:06:54.340 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again that you have not abandoned us 00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:57.620 or left us alone as orphans in a merciless universe, 00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:00.400 but instead you have given us your word. 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:03.899 Lord, you've spoken to us in ways that we can understand 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:08.979 so that we would know who you are and how we live in this world. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:10.739 We ask this morning that you would help us, 00:07:10.799 --> 00:07:14.019 that you would speak clearly to us by your spirit. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:18.639 And we thank you that we don't have to earn or deserve any of these things, 00:07:18.739 --> 00:07:21.879 but instead we simply ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:22.679 Amen. 00:07:22.679 --> 00:07:22.859 Amen. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:22.900 Amen. 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:29.400 In her second book, Farmer Boy, 00:07:30.280 --> 00:07:33.939 Laura Ingalls Wilder tells the story of her husband, Almanzo, 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:38.920 when he was a boy growing up in upstate New York in the 1860s. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:44.020 And she talks about when July 4th comes around for him and his family, 00:07:44.400 --> 00:07:46.740 they're very excited to go into town, 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:49.360 and so they dress up in their Sunday best. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:53.280 Almanzo puts on his suit that he's typically only allowed to wear to church. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.840 They go into the town, 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:57.639 and they take part in this parade that happens in the town square. 00:07:58.259 --> 00:08:01.600 And while he's there, Almanzo runs into some of his friends, 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:04.180 and there's people selling lemonade there on that day, 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:06.259 which, of course, that's what you do on July 4th, right? 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:10.960 And one of his friends comes up and buys a glass of lemonade with a nickel. 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:16.900 And he tells Almanzo that his father gives him a nickel whenever he asks. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:19.319 Now, Almanzo, of course, wants lemonade as well, 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:21.379 and he tells him, well, my father would do that too. 00:08:21.739 --> 00:08:24.459 The only problem is his father has never done that before. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:29.179 In fact, his father only gives him a penny on Sundays to put into the offering plate. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:33.120 His friends keep goading him, though, knowing his father probably won't, 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:37.959 and so he has to build up this courage to go and ask his father for a nickel to buy lemonade. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:41.539 His father figures out what's going on in the situation. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.679 He says, look, I'm going to do you one better. 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:46.719 I'm not just going to give you a nickel. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:49.439 I'm going to give you a half dollar. 00:08:50.319 --> 00:08:51.479 But here's the thing. 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:56.259 You can use that half dollar, and you can use it to go buy some lemonade, 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:57.919 or I'm going to give you another idea. 00:08:58.219 --> 00:09:01.659 You can go and use that to actually just buy a pig. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:05.319 Now, if you buy a pig, that pig will have a litter of pigs, 00:09:05.459 --> 00:09:08.879 and you're going to be able to sell each of those pigs for $4 or $5. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:10.819 Now, I did the math here. 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:14.780 Here, he's basically saying you can take this half dollar, 00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:17.320 and you can end up maybe making $40 out of it. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:20.300 So I'm going to give you 10 times more than you asked for. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:22.980 You just asked for a nickel, but I want you to think about it. 00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:25.560 Do you want to spend it on lemonade, 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:30.280 or do you want to invest in something that will give you a return? 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:33.240 He said you do as you want. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:34.920 It's your money. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.980 So Almanzo has a choice, right? 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:39.740 He can actually go and spend it on lemonade if he wants. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:43.659 Of course, as he thinks about it, right, this makes no sense to do that. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:46.539 And so he ends up doing what his father suggests. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:49.240 He goes, and he finds himself a pig that day to buy. 00:09:49.680 --> 00:09:50.639 He calls it Lucy. 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:55.399 And then we hear throughout the rest of the book about his adventures raising Lucy. 00:09:55.539 --> 00:10:01.060 Of course, to do this, he has to be willing to sacrifice the present for the future. 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:03.699 He has to be willing to persevere. 00:10:04.239 --> 00:10:08.139 He has to have what we might call delayed gratification. 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:09.959 And so what does he have to do? 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.979 He has to have something that motivates him. 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.639 He has money, of course, that motivates him. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:17.299 He has potentially this $40 that's waiting for him at the end. 00:10:18.239 --> 00:10:20.279 This relates to what we're talking about this morning, 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.619 because our question is, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:26.599 what motivates us to continue and persevere in the Christian life? 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:30.000 What motivates us to have delayed gratification, 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:33.740 to say no to things that are temporary and tempting 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:37.980 for something that's greater and more beautiful in the future? 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:41.700 Now, you might think this is the exact same illustration I gave you last time. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:43.420 It is similar, but it is not. 00:10:43.540 --> 00:10:45.279 So last time we were talking about investments, 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:48.159 and that was in terms of thinking about how history works. 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:51.220 Do we think in terms of a day or a decade? 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:55.060 This is not so much about thinking about the working of history, 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:57.519 but about delayed gratification. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:01.719 Almanzo gives up pleasures and experiences now 00:11:01.719 --> 00:11:05.399 for what he can gain and have in the future. 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:06.799 And so as we look at this chapter, 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:11.299 we're ending with a final word about how we persevere until the end, 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:13.459 how we hold on. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:15.199 As we do that, we're going to see three things. 00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:17.639 First of all, our suffering is limited. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.579 Suffering produces joy. 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:23.119 Suffering ends in joy. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.459 Suffering is limited. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.820 Suffering produces joy. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:29.700 Suffering ends in joy. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.920 First of all, suffering is limited. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:33.320 Look with me at verse 1. 00:11:33.420 --> 00:11:35.879 We find out there's going to be a time of trouble, 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:39.100 and we see that this time of trouble is going to take place, 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:41.519 verse 2, right before the end of the world, 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:44.120 because it's happening right before the resurrection. 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:46.500 That's what verse 2 is telling us about. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:50.740 We're also told about this end time of trouble in verses 11 through 12, 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.820 where we hear about this abomination that makes desolate. 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:56.640 Now, this might sound a lot like what we've talked about before, 00:11:56.720 --> 00:12:00.879 the persecution that happened during the second century under Antiochus IV, 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:03.740 when he came and desecrated the temple of God. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:09.860 However, verse 2 helps us understand that this is talking about the time at the end of the world. 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:12.440 Regardless of what position we take on this, 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:17.960 the principles for us are the same when we think about suffering in the Christian life. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:21.460 So we know there's this time of suffering, this time of trouble that's coming. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:25.600 It's indicative of what we talked about in the pattern of history from chapter 11, 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:30.139 that we see suffering of the church, of God's people, over and over again. 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:35.480 That is part of what we expect and anticipate as God's people until his return. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:39.100 And so the question here that's asked perhaps is the same question that you have. 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:41.500 Verse 6, this angel asks, 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:44.700 How long shall it be till the end of these wonders? 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:47.259 In other words, how long are we going to have to wait? 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:50.560 How long will this suffering last? 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:54.399 And we get an extremely clear answer in verse 7. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:56.240 We're told, and we all know what this means, 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:59.300 it's going to be a time, times, and half a time. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:03.019 I joke. 00:13:04.219 --> 00:13:05.620 Time, times, and half a time. 00:13:05.719 --> 00:13:10.799 Of course, you might feel like Daniel in chapter 8 who has trouble understanding 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:12.279 what is meant by these times. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:18.919 Well, we get some clarity for us in verse 11 where we're given an exact number of days, 00:13:19.359 --> 00:13:24.699 1,290 days, which just happens to be 3.5 years. 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:29.680 Now, whatever view you take of these years, these days, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.540 it's been pointed out that at some point, 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:35.360 you have to recognize that these are symbolic numbers, 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.920 just like we've talked about in the past. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.820 So I want you to think about it in this way. 00:13:38.900 --> 00:13:41.180 When we were in Daniel chapter 9, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:44.400 remember we talked about the fact that we had the 70 years, 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.580 which was 10 times 7. 00:13:46.780 --> 00:13:49.340 7 is this number of fulfillment or completion. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:53.259 3.5 is, wait for it, half of 7. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:58.259 In other words, it's half of the number of completion. 00:13:58.439 --> 00:14:01.399 It's half of this full number, this complete number, 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:08.059 which is a way of saying this suffering is going to be limited in time and scope. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:12.659 It is not going to be as long as it could be. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.419 It's going to have an end to it, 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:18.399 and we're comforted as we have been in earlier chapters by this precision. 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:20.200 We see the exact number of days. 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:26.040 In other words, God has numbered down to the minute when the suffering of his people will end. 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:28.680 It will not go on forever. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.879 God has set a limit to it. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:34.420 There is a limit to suffering and persecution. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.259 Now, you might be thinking, 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:37.320 thanks a lot, Matthew. 00:14:37.400 --> 00:14:40.740 This is the same thing you've been telling us throughout all of the book of Daniel. 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:42.340 Why do we have to hear it again? 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:48.440 And I would say, congratulations, you are a wonderful Western English-speaking person. 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:54.200 Because it is a Western idea of thinking that we only need to hear something once. 00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:58.399 When I was in seminary, one of the jobs that I had was working at a writing center 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:00.600 where I would help other students with their papers. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:03.180 I cashed in on my English teacher experience. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:07.220 And one of my main jobs was to work with students who came from other countries. 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:09.160 English was not their primary language. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:12.220 And so they needed extra help writing their academic papers. 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:15.100 Of course, I can't even imagine writing a paper in a second language. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.960 So I had nothing but respect for these students. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:21.720 And in my training for this, I had to read about what it's like to come from another country 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:23.240 and encounter English writing. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:28.200 Because in other cultures, they don't value precision in the same way that we do. 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:31.320 Repetition is understood and expected. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.720 I have a big surprise for you. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:36.160 The book of Daniel was not written in the West. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:39.299 Daniel didn't speak English. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:46.299 God, in his word, uses repetition to teach and emphasize things for us. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:49.500 He knows we need to hear things more than once. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:55.360 And so we know how important it is to God for us to know that he's limited the extent 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:59.819 and time of suffering that he has numbered the very exact set of days 00:15:59.819 --> 00:16:03.519 because he is so sovereign and in control of this world. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:08.139 He will not let his people suffer one more minute than he chooses. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:13.860 God has set a limit to suffering in this world. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.919 And this is the same thing we talked about last time. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.960 There's a pattern to history. 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:19.860 We see these things come and fall. 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.159 So I'm going to give you some examples. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:26.740 The emperor Nero, one of the greatest persecutors of God's church in the first century in the Roman Empire, 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:31.000 ruled for a grand total of 14 years. 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:35.339 Many of you, most of you, have lived longer than 14 years. 00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:36.600 He was there for a time. 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.659 Then he was gone. 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:41.219 When we were in the book of 1 Peter, I told you over and over about Corrie ten Boom, 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:46.059 who was in a concentration camp during World War II for helping the Jews. 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:49.319 Now, if you think about it, you might think she was there for years and years, right? 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:52.179 No, she was imprisoned in February of 1944. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.599 She was released in December. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.619 Less than a year. 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.039 Okay? 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.699 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:03.279 In 2003, Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled. 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:08.059 Richard Wurmbrand, who was famous for being persecuted for the gospel in Romania under communism, 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:11.039 was imprisoned for only 14 years. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:16.359 In other words, when we face suffering in this world, hold on. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:19.539 It is only for a moment. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:23.419 We need to have an eternal perspective as God's people. 00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:29.079 14 years in the scope of someone's life is not that long. 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:32.119 In the scope of eternity, it is even shorter. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:39.119 What we believe about the future determines the type of hope we have now. 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:43.579 When we face suffering, when we face persecution in this world, 00:17:43.699 --> 00:17:46.239 we know it is for a limited time. 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:48.399 God has numbered the days that it will last. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:52.419 It will not last for very long. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:58.239 Long term, every Christian should be an optimist. 00:17:58.739 --> 00:18:00.079 God wins. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:05.699 God wins in temporary historical moments by bringing down evil rulers. 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:09.699 God wins ultimately, fully, and finally in the future. 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:13.359 Now, if you're a cynic, you might be thinking, yeah, that's great. 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:17.079 It's also been 2,000 years since Jesus came, 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:19.419 so it seems like maybe it's not that limited. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.339 And I would remind you of this. 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:23.859 First of all, we talked about this a lot in 1 and 2 Peter. 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:28.819 Second of all, even if persecution is not limited in the way that you want it to be, 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.379 your life is. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:34.379 Every single one of you will die. 00:18:35.439 --> 00:18:37.759 You will not live 2,000 years. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:44.220 What we face in this world during our lives is limited by our humanity. 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:46.379 Psalm 144 tells us, 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.960 Man is like a breath. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:50.920 His days are like a passing shadow. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.680 You will die sooner than you think. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.180 And I tell you that not to be morbid, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:19:01.260 but to help us to live with an eternal perspective, 00:19:01.260 --> 00:19:03.680 to live with the end in mind. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:08.400 What we are going through now is short and temporary. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.860 So how do we persevere to the end? 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:16.420 We persevere because we know that suffering is limited. 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:19.779 God has set an end to it. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.100 Now, if that's all we knew, 00:19:22.560 --> 00:19:24.360 that might sound still pretty bad, right? 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.400 If that's all there is, 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.480 then I'm just telling you, 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.840 we're just gritting our teeth. 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.600 We're just trying to make it through to the end. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:32.779 All we have to do is have our grip strength needs to be good enough 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.740 that we can hang on. 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.079 Thankfully, though, 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:38.319 that's not the only word we receive here at the end in this chapter. 00:19:38.459 --> 00:19:42.740 It's not just that good comes after suffering and persecution. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:48.980 We find here that goodness comes in and through suffering and persecution. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.740 Look with me at verse 6. 00:19:51.719 --> 00:19:53.259 Remember, it was the question of how long. 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.699 We've answered that question. 00:19:55.219 --> 00:19:56.199 3.5 years. 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:58.019 Half of a full time. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:00.599 We have another question, though, in verse 8. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:03.160 Daniel gets his chance to raise his hand. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.299 He says, 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.680 I heard, but I did not understand. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.139 We can sympathize with him. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.619 He says, 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:11.099 Oh, my Lord, what shall be the outcome of these things? 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:11.900 So, okay. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.079 Thanks a lot for answering the question about the length. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.500 What's going to happen? 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.740 Well, we get another answer. 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.920 This one's actually clear. 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.599 Verse 10. 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:24.660 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.900 but the wicked shall act wickedly, 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:29.300 and none of the wicked shall understand, 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:32.800 but those who are wise shall understand. 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:39.960 In other words, God's people will grow and change as a result of this. 00:20:40.280 --> 00:20:46.160 God is going to use suffering and persecution to purify and refine his people. 00:20:46.280 --> 00:20:50.000 He is going to use it to make them more holy and more godly. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:54.980 He's going to use it to emphasize and highlight what really matters in this world. 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:58.940 And so it's not just that we're gritting our teeth, right, saying, 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.259 Well, this isn't going to last forever, 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:06.799 but we are actually seeing real and beautiful things spring up in our lives here and now. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:14.919 Many of you read Christ and the coronavirus about the many good things that God can do through a pandemic. 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:18.220 I think we may still have copies in the lobby that are for free if you want one. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:23.119 I'm going to give you some other ideas about some of the good things that come through suffering. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:26.680 These are some of the ways that God refines us in the midst of persecution. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:32.320 First of all, and we saw this during the coronavirus, people rediscover community. 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:37.400 They rediscover how valuable human connection is in this world. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:41.759 They rediscover that it's really a beautiful and rare thing that we shouldn't take for granted, 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:46.940 that we can actually gather together as people in the same room and worship God with one voice. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:52.160 As people in the West, not only do we underestimate the power of repetition, 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:55.640 we underestimate the power of community. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:22:00.640 And so suffering breaks the power of that, breaks the power of materialism, right? 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:03.160 Because we have less when things are hard. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:04.900 What do you want? 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:07.259 Do you want to have nothing in this world, 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:12.320 but be surrounded by others to have rich community, rich human connection? 00:22:13.320 --> 00:22:18.440 Or do you want to be alone, surrounded by stuff and things? 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:23.279 Do you want to have very little, but rich community? 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:27.619 Or do you want to be alone and be rich in things? 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:31.139 Suffering clarifies this for us. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:33.259 It tightens our grasp on one another. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:36.460 It loosens our grasp on the things that we can't keep. 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:43.180 Related to that, it also helps us experience greater freedom from the love of money, 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:45.579 from anxiety that comes around money. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:49.099 There's a joy that comes from having our values clarified, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.619 from understanding what really matters in the world. 00:22:51.699 --> 00:22:53.379 So there's something beautiful about it, right? 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:58.379 There's a joy that comes when we know what really and truly matters. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:23:03.079 There's things that we think we want, stuff and possessions and money, 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:08.559 that bring with it also anxiety and fear and control. 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:15.779 We overestimate how much blessing we have during times that are easy and good. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:20.639 Another thing that suffering does that refines God's people 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:23.319 is it clarifies our commitment to Christ. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:26.419 In other words, it breaks us from the fear of man. 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:31.359 You have to make a choice when people are looking at Christians in this world 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:33.639 and calling them names and ruling them out. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:38.000 You realize, wow, the voice of man really doesn't matter as much as I thought it was. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:43.279 I don't have to care as much about what other people think about me. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:48.339 I can be freed from the anxiety, the fear of walking around constantly worried 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:51.839 what other people believe about me or say about me. 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:53.420 There's a real beauty there. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:58.880 And so it breaks us not just of our love of money, it breaks us of the fear of man. 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:01.599 It grows our love and commitment to one another. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:05.480 It takes away the idolatries that we have in this world. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:08.400 By the way, that's a wonderful experience. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.599 It's not pleasant to have fear. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.960 At least I don't think it's pleasant to have fear. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:15.980 The fear of man, the Bible tells us it's a snare, it's a trap. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:20.200 God uses the suffering of his people to free them up. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:25.460 He uses their suffering to give them joy they had not experienced before. 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:32.100 Finally, of course, we could go on all day about the ways that God refines and purifies his people in suffering. 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.600 But I'll simply end with this. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:35.900 He grows our hunger for his word. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:40.039 Remember when quarantine was over. 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:46.539 And you were finally able to come back to church, right, with other people in the same room. 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:50.099 There's things we didn't take for granted anymore, right? 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:55.259 The same is true for all the sufferings of God's people. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:25:00.240 He grows our understanding of our need to be fed by him. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:04.759 And so we grow in our love for Christ. 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:09.400 It is not just that suffering is limited. 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:12.380 Suffering produces joy. 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:20.400 Suffering frees us from the things that we think that we love that actually ensnare us and entangle us. 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:23.019 I'll say quickly, this is a sub-point. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.660 We could have a whole other sermon about this. 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:33.980 But verse 3, those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:41.880 In other words, suffering is a chance to tell other people how good and wonderful and beautiful God is. 00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:45.580 Those who turn many to righteousness. 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:50.759 In other words, those who help, those outside of us who are not a part of our community. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:55.240 Maybe those who do not consider themselves Christians to understand how beautiful these things are. 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:59.299 How wonderful God's grace is. 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:04.339 If you read about the early church in the book of Acts, of course you see these things. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:06.240 The church experiences tremendous suffering. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:13.440 It also experiences this exceptional level of joy and community and fellowship and word and prayer and worship. 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:16.339 That people continue to long after today. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:18.879 People will say, why can't we be like the church in Acts, right? 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:21.380 You want to be like the church in Acts? 00:26:21.520 --> 00:26:24.480 Well, maybe there's some suffering that needs to happen, right? 00:26:25.320 --> 00:26:28.500 That's what brings that sort of community and joy. 00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:32.020 There's a principle of life, right? 00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:34.140 If you're not failing, you're not growing. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:37.740 We might say the Christian version of that is if you're not suffering, you're not growing. 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:40.020 Or at least, it's much harder. 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:41.780 It's much more challenging. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:47.779 And so we see God gives us what we need to persevere into the end. 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:52.319 It's not just that the suffering that we experience is limited, although it is. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:56.599 It's also that he's using it here and now to bring us joy. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:27:00.839 And finally, it's not just that we have joy now. 00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:04.859 It's not just that God offers us good things in the here and now as he refines his people. 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:07.959 He also offers them good things in the future. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:11.240 And so we see suffering doesn't just bring joy. 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:13.919 Suffering ends in joy. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:16.379 Look with me again at the very beginning of this chapter. 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:18.799 We've encountered the angel Michael before. 00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:21.240 Remember I told you Michael's our SF angel. 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.599 He's in the special forces. 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.019 He's a Green Beret. 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:26.379 So he's at a higher level than some of the other angels. 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:31.680 And so we know that when Michael shows up, it's time for evil to end. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:36.160 Michael shows up and we find what's going to happen at the end of the world. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:38.200 Verse 2, there's going to be a resurrection. 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:40.220 As I mentioned during our confession of faith, 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:45.079 this is the same thing that our Lord Jesus teaches us at the end of John chapter 5. 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:48.160 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:54.180 some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 00:27:55.040 --> 00:28:01.920 In other words, as we persevere in this life, there is a reward that waits for us at the end. 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:06.960 There is something good and great and beautiful that we look forward to. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:12.720 I talked earlier about this idea of delayed gratification. 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:14.299 That's what Almanzo models for us. 00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:17.860 And this is a concept in now what people talk a lot about, 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:21.059 which is this idea of being mentally strong or having grit. 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:24.279 And there's this book called The Mental Toughness Handbook. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:27.279 It talks about delayed gratification and he says this. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:30.900 Let's clarify what it means to delay gratification. 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:35.740 It's the decision to resist enjoying something we crave in the present 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:39.259 for something we crave even more down the road. 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:46.380 In other words, we as Christians want to crave what God offers us in the future 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:48.700 more than what this world offers us now. 00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:55.100 And if you're anything like me, it is hard to wrap your mind around heaven. 00:28:55.660 --> 00:29:00.780 It is hard to wrap your mind around what the goodness of the world to come is going to look like 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:03.619 when we see so many good and pleasant things now. 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:06.720 And so I just want us to pause here for a second 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:10.039 and talk about what is going to make heaven so good. 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:15.200 Why is it that we should crave that more than what we desire now? 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:19.859 I'll give you a few examples, things that are simple but hopefully profound. 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:22.839 There's one man who's inside I love who points out that in heaven, 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:25.859 we're going to have only a wonderful relationship with food. 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:28.579 So we're not going to worry about eating too much. 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:31.199 We're not going to worry about eating too little. 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:34.919 Food will only be good and a blessing. 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:37.319 It will never be bad and a curse. 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:40.259 We will not have scales in heaven. 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:43.419 People won't have scales in their bathroom in heaven. 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.299 Okay? 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:47.639 That's part of what we crave about the world to come. 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:53.339 When it comes to money, there's going to be no more poverty in heaven. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:55.099 People aren't going to worry about having enough. 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:58.699 In fact, I'm going to say they're going to have too much probably or more than enough. 00:29:58.879 --> 00:30:01.079 That's what we actually see in the story of the Bible. 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:05.159 In Genesis, Adam and Eve exist in this place of tremendous wealth. 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:09.039 The very first book in the Bible, the very last book in the Bible, Revelation, 00:30:09.199 --> 00:30:12.839 we're seeing the new heavens and the new earth as a place of tremendous wealth. 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:16.379 There will be no one who doesn't have enough. 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:17.859 Okay? 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:20.980 That's what things are going to look like in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:24.200 Now you might be thinking, yeah, I'm not too worried about that. 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.240 I have enough money now. 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.279 Things are all right. 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:30.839 There are many of us in this room who have very comfortable lives, right? 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.819 That's not a wrong thing. 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:34.440 It's not wrong to have a comfortable life. 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:39.400 There are many of you, as you've gotten older, your wealth has grown, right? 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:45.019 And there are many things, as you've discovered, that money can't buy. 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:54.240 You can live a comfortable life, and many of you, I'd say all of us at some level, face heartbreak in this world. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:57.619 Our marriages did not turn out the way we had hoped. 00:30:58.579 --> 00:31:04.460 Our children, as we watched them become adults, do not turn out in the way we had dreamed. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:09.220 Our careers don't always end as we expected. 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:17.799 We can be comfortable, and we still feel the sting of life in this world. 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:21.579 We still long and crave for something more and better. 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:24.100 We desire heaven. 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:28.000 You could be an Olympic athlete here in Olympic City, USA, 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:33.920 and if God blesses you with old age, you will one day be old and slow. 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:35.700 Okay? 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:48.620 In heaven, you will no longer have anxiety or frustration or anger with the need to justify yourself and prove that you're right. 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:52.480 In heaven, people won't have anger fantasies. 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.640 You know what an anger fantasy is? 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:57.279 It's exactly what it sounds like. 00:31:58.080 --> 00:32:01.580 You're so frustrated with someone else, it just consumes your mind, right? 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:04.420 You think about what you want to say to them, and they need to hear. 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:06.680 Is that a pleasant experience? 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:11.120 No, anger fantasies are not pleasant in any way. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:15.840 No one in heaven will leave home to fight wars. 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:19.320 In heaven, people will not talk about deployments. 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.100 That won't be a thing. 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.380 Okay? 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:23.440 That's not part of what's in heaven. 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:28.660 In heaven, there won't be tension between different people of different races and backgrounds. 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:33.920 You won't wonder what someone thinks of you because you have a different color of skin. 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:38.539 You won't wonder if someone's suspicious of you because you come from a different country. 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.300 That's not a thing in heaven. 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.160 Okay? 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:46.680 We're not going to be suspicious of people that we don't know. 00:32:46.800 --> 00:32:47.900 And I could go on and on, right? 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.759 We could keep talking. 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:54.140 But what I want you to do is capture a vision, a sense of what life is like in heaven. 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:58.480 That we can have the hope that God gives Daniel here and also to us. 00:32:58.580 --> 00:33:04.920 That as we want to persevere in this world, we have something great and beautiful to look forward to. 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:13.840 Verse 2, many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting content. 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:17.980 We look forward as Christians to that day. 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.800 We long for it. 00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:20.720 We crave it. 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:26.140 We want to crave it more than we crave the things now that we can make it to the end. 00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:34.040 Of course, it's worth pointing out here, too, that not everyone is involved in that resurrection to everlasting life. 00:33:34.100 --> 00:33:36.400 The Bible presents to us that there are two ways to live. 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:38.400 There are only two destinations for people. 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:41.580 Those who have faith in Jesus Christ and those who do not. 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:45.759 As we've talked about many times, Charles Spurgeon gives us the definition of faith. 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:47.660 Faith is, first of all, knowledge. 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:50.480 It's knowing the truth of what God gives us in the gospel. 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:53.279 The knowledge that we are people who are sinful. 00:33:53.540 --> 00:33:55.259 We deserve God's punishment. 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:57.340 We deserve his punishment eternally. 00:33:57.720 --> 00:34:03.040 But he sent his son to die for us on the cross to take the punishment that we deserve. 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:05.440 Live the perfect life that we did not live. 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:07.040 That's the knowledge, right? 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:09.440 Spurgeon tells us, though, that knowledge is not enough. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.960 We actually have to believe those things. 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:14.639 So there are people who know that's what Christians teach and they don't believe it. 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:20.920 If we're Christians, if we have faith, if we want to be those who are resurrected to eternal life, 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:22.420 we don't just know those things. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.079 We believe them. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.039 We believe they're true. 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:26.619 We believe that we're sinners, that we need God's forgiveness. 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:30.259 And then finally, Spurgeon points out it's not just knowledge and belief. 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:32.400 It's also trust or what I might call action. 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:35.519 We live our lives as if those things are true. 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:39.779 We live as Christians following after God. 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:43.699 And so that is both the celebration for those who are Christians 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:45.179 and the warning for those who are not. 00:34:45.419 --> 00:34:47.719 As we live in this world, there is a better place. 00:34:47.919 --> 00:34:52.939 And only those who have faith and trust in Jesus Christ are going there. 00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:55.579 Heaven is a real place. 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.500 People are going there. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:59.539 Hell is a real place. 00:34:59.939 --> 00:35:02.559 People are going there as well. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:08.099 Christian, meditate and long for the joys of heaven. 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:17.460 If you're not a Christian, think about, consider Jesus' invitation to you. 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:20.039 He tells us to us in Mark 1, verse 15. 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:21.440 We'll be there pretty soon, by the way. 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:24.279 He says, repent and believe the gospel. 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:27.779 Later in the book of Mark, he uses the words of following. 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:30.139 He invites people to follow after him. 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:38.819 And so we've seen, as we look to persevere, God's given Daniel here and us three ways. 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:41.159 First of all, we know that suffering is limited. 00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:43.799 We know that suffering produces joy. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:47.139 We know that suffering ends in joy. 00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:51.440 And as we just talked about, we need to crave something more in the future 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.839 than we crave things in the present. 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:58.920 And yet we also know it's very difficult, at times impossible, to change our cravings. 00:35:58.920 --> 00:36:02.860 And so part of what the gospel does to encourage us is it reminds us of the truth 00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:06.880 that we cannot change ourselves and we must change. 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:10.440 We cannot change ourselves and we must change. 00:36:10.579 --> 00:36:14.940 We have desires that we need someone else to change for us. 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:18.240 And so we want to want Jesus more and crave him more. 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:21.099 And we need to know the truth of Ephesians chapter 1, 00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:24.940 that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power at work in us. 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:27.599 We can't change our affections. 00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:29.819 And God changes them for us. 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:32.259 We see the same thing in Philippians chapter 2. 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:37.139 It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:42.000 And so we look to Jesus as the one who changes our affections and our desires 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:45.699 that we can take confidence and hope for what he gives us here. 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:50.980 And of course, it's our Lord Jesus who teaches us the same thing in Matthew chapter 24. 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.219 He teaches that there will be suffering. 00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:57.039 He teaches that those who persevere to the end will have a reward. 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.739 He says this, 00:36:57.739 --> 00:37:26.899 That's another way of saying the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:33.340 Now, many of you know, I mentioned last week that I was in St. Louis a week ago 00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:36.420 for our denomination's national gathering. 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:39.240 And there's many things I loved about being in St. Louis. 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:41.639 There's one thing that I really hated. 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:44.599 As I am becoming an old man, 00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:49.880 I have grown in my hatred of airports and airlines. 00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:51.920 I hate flying. 00:37:52.680 --> 00:37:55.539 And I hate flying for a variety of reasons. 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:57.260 First of all, it's roundabout. 00:37:57.400 --> 00:38:01.380 So when I flew back from St. Louis, I had to first fly to Orlando. 00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:04.880 If you're familiar with U.S. geography, 00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:09.140 you know that Orlando is further away from Colorado Springs, not closer. 00:38:09.680 --> 00:38:11.059 So it was roundabout. 00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:13.880 Flying was not the direct journey that I wanted. 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:16.960 Not only was it roundabout, it's longer than I wanted. 00:38:17.019 --> 00:38:20.119 I left my Airbnb in St. Louis a little bit after 8 a.m. 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:23.460 I got back here to the Springs a little bit before 10 p.m. 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.660 Maybe I could have driven. 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:26.260 I don't know. 00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:30.860 Also, it's super uncomfortable. 00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:33.400 So would love to sleep on the plane. 00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:35.880 It's not a great position for sleeping. 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:37.640 When I've leaned my chair back in the past, 00:38:37.700 --> 00:38:39.559 I've been rebuked by the person behind me. 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.880 So I don't do that anymore. 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:44.980 I would love to be hyperproductive and listen to audiobooks. 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:47.400 The only problem is that it's usually pretty loud right now. 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:49.059 At least it was last Saturday. 00:38:50.119 --> 00:38:51.699 There's so much noise, right? 00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:55.400 When I was leaving, I was staying with a friend of mine. 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:55.900 He asked me, 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:59.340 What are you looking forward to most about returning back to Colorado Springs? 00:38:59.460 --> 00:39:00.799 And I thought for about half a second. 00:39:01.159 --> 00:39:01.619 And I said, 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:04.920 I am looking to be back in my house. 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:08.960 I am excited about being home. 00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:13.440 Why do I fly even though I hate it so much? 00:39:14.180 --> 00:39:19.780 I fly on the airline going to Orlando first before Chicago and then to Colorado Springs. 00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:24.200 I put up with sitting in this stupid seat that's too small for me and I can't sleep in. 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:27.460 And I deal with all this noise, unable to listen to my audiobook. 00:39:27.659 --> 00:39:31.159 Because brothers and sisters, that is the way home. 00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:41.879 In other words, the destination far eclipses and outshines anything that is difficult or challenging about the journey. 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:44.960 There was no moment in Orlando in which I thought, 00:39:45.319 --> 00:39:46.179 This is really stupid. 00:39:46.299 --> 00:39:47.359 I'll just stay here. 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:51.960 And now that I'm back in Colorado Springs, 00:39:52.199 --> 00:39:53.879 there's no part of me that questions, 00:39:54.099 --> 00:39:54.980 Was it worth it? 00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:59.460 Maybe I should have just stayed in St. Louis so I could have skipped that flight. 00:39:59.460 --> 00:40:02.539 No, of course not, right? 00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:06.099 The destination is so much better. 00:40:06.240 --> 00:40:09.880 Brothers and sisters, as Christians, the same is true for us. 00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:17.179 Our destination far eclipses and outweighs anything that is hard or challenging about the journey. 00:40:17.720 --> 00:40:21.980 It seems at times that God is taking us on a path that is out of the way. 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:28.300 There are times it seems like it is much longer than we want or need and expect. 00:40:28.300 --> 00:40:32.280 And it is much less comfortable than we would like. 00:40:32.620 --> 00:40:35.039 And at some level, it doesn't matter. 00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:37.440 I was Colorado Springs or bust. 00:40:38.260 --> 00:40:42.360 We as Christians are heaven or bust. 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:49.480 And when we are there, there is no part of us that will look back on the sufferings of this life and wonder, 00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:50.680 Was it worth it? 00:40:51.360 --> 00:40:59.880 We will know that all of it is nothing compared to the great glory and joy of being with our Lord in heaven, 00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:05.160 experiencing fully and finally everything he promises and offers to his people. 00:41:05.159 --> 00:41:13.099 Our destination far eclipses anything that goes along on the journey. 00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:16.199 And so, brothers and sisters, how do we persevere to the end? 00:41:16.420 --> 00:41:19.879 We do it because we know that our suffering is limited. 00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:23.460 We know that it brings joy. 00:41:23.859 --> 00:41:26.219 And we know that it ends in joy. 00:41:26.219 --> 00:41:30.059 In other words, we can read the verses at the end of chapter 12. 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:35.759 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:44.299 But go your way till the end, and you shall rest and stand in your allotted place at the end of days. 00:41:45.079 --> 00:41:45.779 Let's pray. 00:41:45.780 --> 00:41:54.040 Our Father in heaven, we thank you and praise you for your word which you give us to strengthen and build and encourage us. 00:41:54.120 --> 00:41:59.120 We ask that you would use your encouragement to Daniel as encouragement to us, 00:41:59.260 --> 00:42:03.900 that we would continue following after you in this world no matter what, 00:42:03.960 --> 00:42:08.660 because we know that you are more beautiful and more glorious than anything else. 00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:12.460 And we thank you that you are the one who changes our desires. 00:42:12.620 --> 00:42:14.080 We cannot change them our own. 00:42:14.079 --> 00:42:16.500 And so we ask for your help and your spirit now. 00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:21.319 And we thank you that as we ask these things, we know we haven't earned them, but we don't have to, 00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:24.279 because we ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:42:24.619 --> 00:42:24.860 Amen.