WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.020 during the Christmas season. 00:00:01.020 --> 00:00:06.299 And so just the Christmas portion is performed with the hallelujah tacked on to the end. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.700 But the hallelujah only ends part two, and there's actually a whole third part, 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:13.500 30 minutes of really beautiful music left to go, 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:16.879 music about the implications of the resurrection and eternity. 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:22.500 And I was a part of a performance of the Messiah at a church in Florida. 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:26.839 And after we performed, we did a lot of part three, 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:31.859 and after we did Messiah, an older gentleman came up to me and said, 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:35.320 now all that stuff after the hallelujah, did you write that? 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:44.679 And as graciously as I could, I replied to him, why, yes, I did. 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:47.140 Yeah. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:50.859 So the end of Messiah paints for us a picture of eternity, 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:54.600 all made possible because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:58.079 And we find that also in the book of Daniel. 00:00:58.980 --> 00:01:02.399 In chapter 7, this book does the same thing. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:05.599 But we often stop at chapter 6, 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:08.900 because there's a change in tone after chapter 6, 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:10.960 and Daniel becomes more difficult to read, 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:14.819 and we tend to ignore or overlook chapters 7 through 12. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:19.240 And so the story of Daniel in the lion's den becomes, in our minds, 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:22.240 ipso facto the last chapter of the book of Daniel. 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:26.939 For the next few weeks, as we continue in Daniel, 00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:33.379 we are going to encounter beauty, epic drama, horrible enemies, 00:01:33.659 --> 00:01:34.859 and resplendent heroes. 00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:37.919 Daniel is a beautiful work of art. 00:01:39.039 --> 00:01:42.060 And if we are given some keys to unlock its meaning, 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:45.819 we can draw unceasing encouragement from its message. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:49.859 Instead of the three typical points of a sermon, 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:52.979 I'm actually just going to ask two questions. 00:01:53.179 --> 00:01:56.059 The first is, what in the world does all this mean? 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:58.839 And the second question I'm going to ask, 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:00.119 or we're going to ask together, 00:02:00.519 --> 00:02:03.539 is, wow, wouldn't it be great to have a vision like this? 00:02:04.539 --> 00:02:05.280 What does it mean? 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:07.319 Wouldn't it be nice to have a vision like this? 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:08.959 We're asking questions, 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:10.400 and so doing, 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:13.240 we're implying that we need God's help to answer them. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:14.800 So let's ask his help right now. 00:02:14.980 --> 00:02:15.379 Let's pray. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:21.180 Heavenly Father, 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:23.960 ancient of days, 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:28.219 you who sits on a throne of flames, 00:02:28.640 --> 00:02:31.640 you who judges the world and all of its inhabitants rightly, 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:33.460 we need your wisdom 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:35.240 to understand this, 00:02:36.180 --> 00:02:37.840 the vision you gave your servant, Daniel, 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:40.140 that in understanding it, 00:02:40.200 --> 00:02:41.900 we might behold you rightly 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:43.219 and worship you rightly 00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:44.719 and know your plan for us 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:45.939 and for the world, 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:47.259 which you created 00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:48.819 and you love 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:49.920 and are determined 00:02:49.920 --> 00:02:51.659 to rescue and redeem. 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:55.099 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:02:55.920 Amen. 00:02:58.360 --> 00:02:58.840 So, 00:02:59.219 --> 00:03:01.379 what does it all mean? 00:03:01.420 --> 00:03:02.000 I think I asked, 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:03.219 what in the world 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:04.939 does it all mean? 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:06.199 That might sound a bit flippant, 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:07.299 but people do ask, 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.219 what does this all mean? 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:11.419 With a good deal of resignation. 00:03:12.119 --> 00:03:14.619 Because it's very difficult to read. 00:03:14.739 --> 00:03:16.639 It's not the clearest part of scripture 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:19.699 and most people move on to a part that is clearer. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:23.120 This kind of literature is called apocalyptic literature. 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:26.079 Parts of the book of Daniel 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:28.179 and of Ezekiel 00:03:28.179 --> 00:03:29.659 and the book of Revelation 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:32.579 are examples of apocalyptic literature. 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:35.639 Apocalyptic sounds a bit scary. 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:38.059 We hear the word apocalypse 00:03:38.059 --> 00:03:40.339 and we think of vast, fiery destruction 00:03:40.339 --> 00:03:43.259 or world-ending cataclysm 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:45.739 and it gets a little confusing 00:03:45.739 --> 00:03:48.599 because many then try to read 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:50.719 specific current day events 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:51.859 and people into 00:03:51.859 --> 00:03:55.079 these writings 00:03:55.079 --> 00:03:56.019 and it's 00:03:56.919 --> 00:03:58.259 understandable 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:00.399 because it often feels 00:04:00.399 --> 00:04:02.479 like the end of the world 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:04.319 as it does now. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:05.620 I mean, you feel it, right? 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:07.739 I mean, we have like these 00:04:07.739 --> 00:04:09.519 we've come to these two options. 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:11.199 We didn't think 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:12.759 either one would get this far 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:13.879 and now they're both there 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:15.159 at the same time. 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:16.300 The Cubs 00:04:16.300 --> 00:04:17.560 and the Indians 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:19.100 and the World Series 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:19.579 together. 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:20.300 Surely 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:21.699 the end of the world 00:04:21.699 --> 00:04:22.399 is at hand. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:26.560 Apocalyptic literature 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:27.639 has a lot to say 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:29.079 about the end times 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:30.579 but the end times 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:32.159 is not the primary goal 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:33.759 of this kind of literature. 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:35.599 The word apocalypse 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:37.120 actually means 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:38.159 revelation 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:39.779 to reveal. 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:42.259 Apocalyptic literature 00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:43.259 reveals 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:45.379 not by predicting per se 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:46.919 but by showing us 00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:47.839 what is going on 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:49.639 behind the veil 00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:50.579 in events 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:51.620 present, past 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:52.560 and future. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:54.379 What we see 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:55.319 behind the veil 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:56.759 is beautiful 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:58.720 and it's terrifying 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:00.420 and it's confounding 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:01.980 all at once. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:04.100 So how do we understand it? 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:07.079 Well, we understand it 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:09.779 by knowing what it is 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:11.300 that it is trying 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:11.980 to accomplish 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:14.139 and by focusing 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:15.759 on what's clear 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:17.319 and what we know. 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:19.100 So what is 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:20.840 apocalyptic literature 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:23.139 trying to accomplish? 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:25.519 Well, biblical apocalyptic 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:26.519 like Daniel 7 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:27.339 has three goals. 00:05:27.459 --> 00:05:27.899 The first, 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.359 to reveal the ending 00:05:29.359 --> 00:05:30.579 of this present age 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:31.399 which is an age 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:32.739 characterized by conflict 00:05:32.739 --> 00:05:34.419 and how it is replaced 00:05:34.419 --> 00:05:35.379 by an age of peace. 00:05:36.239 --> 00:05:36.639 Two, 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:38.539 to reveal the kingdoms 00:05:38.539 --> 00:05:39.399 of this world 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:40.679 and how they are replaced 00:05:40.679 --> 00:05:41.419 by the kingdom 00:05:41.419 --> 00:05:42.620 of our Lord 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:44.000 and of his Christ. 00:05:45.359 --> 00:05:45.859 And three, 00:05:47.099 --> 00:05:47.679 the revelation 00:05:47.679 --> 00:05:48.979 is unfolded 00:05:48.979 --> 00:05:50.219 and complex 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:52.220 and mysterious imagery 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:54.320 in order to comfort 00:05:54.320 --> 00:05:56.180 and exhort 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:57.080 the faithful. 00:05:58.980 --> 00:06:00.060 You might want to 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.200 write these down 00:06:01.200 --> 00:06:02.440 because this could apply 00:06:02.440 --> 00:06:03.060 to Revelation, 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:04.260 Ezekiel, Daniel. 00:06:04.380 --> 00:06:05.380 And if you're going through 00:06:05.380 --> 00:06:06.560 the lectionary, 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:07.780 that's the tool 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:08.760 that Anglicans use 00:06:08.760 --> 00:06:09.500 to go through the Bible 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:10.380 every two years. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:11.220 Right now, 00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:11.880 we're in the book 00:06:11.880 --> 00:06:12.520 of Revelation. 00:06:13.520 --> 00:06:14.660 The three keys, 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:15.860 age of conflict 00:06:15.860 --> 00:06:17.200 replaced by age of peace. 00:06:17.440 --> 00:06:17.680 Two, 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:19.340 kingdoms of this world 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:20.239 are replaced 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:20.859 by the kingdoms 00:06:20.859 --> 00:06:21.839 of God 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:22.679 and of his Christ. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:23.759 And three, 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:25.879 the mysterious imagery 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:26.819 is meant to comfort. 00:06:28.539 --> 00:06:29.519 And comfort is exactly 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:30.139 what Daniel 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:31.679 and his fellow Israelites 00:06:31.679 --> 00:06:32.539 needed. 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:35.839 The vision occurred 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:36.719 in the first year 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.219 of Belshazzar's reign. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.039 Belshazzar's father, 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:41.919 Nabonidus, 00:06:42.179 --> 00:06:43.939 was extremely unpopular. 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:46.039 He left the city 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:46.899 and left his son, 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:47.620 Belshazzar, 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:48.199 and charge. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:50.240 In the same year, 00:06:50.340 --> 00:06:51.180 Babylon would be hearing 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:52.280 rumblings from the north, 00:06:52.420 --> 00:06:53.139 from the east, 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:54.680 about this new power 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:56.860 that's stirring up. 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:58.819 It overthrew 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.379 the Median Empire, 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:02.519 and this new Persian Empire 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:04.100 is big, 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:05.120 and it's led by 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:06.420 a charismatic leader 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:07.519 by the name of Cyrus. 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:09.639 Now, imagine yourself 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:11.000 as an Israelite. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:11.759 Your homeland 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:13.019 has already been wiped out 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:14.040 by the Babylonians. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:15.500 You're in exile 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:16.720 in this foreign land, 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.200 and you've been instructed 00:07:18.200 --> 00:07:19.960 by God 00:07:19.960 --> 00:07:21.200 to work 00:07:21.200 --> 00:07:23.140 and to pray 00:07:23.140 --> 00:07:23.620 for the good 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:24.300 of this city 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:25.260 and to make it 00:07:25.260 --> 00:07:25.900 your home. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:27.160 But now, 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:28.360 this empire's leadership 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:29.620 is extremely unstable, 00:07:30.520 --> 00:07:31.380 and it wouldn't be hard 00:07:31.380 --> 00:07:31.840 to imagine 00:07:31.840 --> 00:07:32.560 this new 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:33.920 northern power 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:35.240 sweeping down 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.660 and destroying everything. 00:07:36.880 --> 00:07:37.640 So what becomes of you? 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:39.820 Are you in exile 00:07:39.820 --> 00:07:41.080 somewhere else? 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:42.860 Do you become a slave 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:43.880 to this new power? 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.980 Do you even survive? 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:47.680 Much less, 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:49.800 can you return 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:51.899 to your native land 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:52.939 someday? 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:57.139 What hope do you have? 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:00.620 And then God lifts the veil, 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:02.959 reveals to Daniel 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:04.459 what is really going on 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:05.420 in the world. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.019 So let's look at this vision. 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:11.139 The first thing 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:12.439 that Daniel sees 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.539 is a sea. 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:14.759 In the Bible, 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:15.659 the sea is a symbol 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:16.439 of chaos 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:17.079 and opposition 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:17.819 to God. 00:08:18.359 --> 00:08:19.000 Then out from this 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:19.839 tempest 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:20.699 of rebellion 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:21.719 comes four 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:23.419 creatures, 00:08:24.299 --> 00:08:24.779 beasts, 00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:26.000 what you heard about, 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:26.560 and we can call them 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:27.159 monsters. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:28.479 They're hideous, 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:29.599 and each beast 00:08:29.599 --> 00:08:30.959 is followed by another, 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.120 more hideous, 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:33.419 more gruesome. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:34.460 The first three 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:34.960 have features 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.860 that resemble 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.860 earthly animals. 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:37.720 The fourth, 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:39.779 I don't know 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:40.300 what the fourth is. 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:40.960 It's hideous. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:42.480 With iron teeth 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:43.680 that devour 00:08:43.680 --> 00:08:45.080 and chew 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:47.159 and strong legs 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:48.320 which crush 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:49.620 anything it doesn't 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.039 devour. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.440 And then it has 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:52.060 ten horns. 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:53.460 And three of those 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:54.200 horns are replaced 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:55.539 by another horn, 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:56.659 and that horn 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:57.399 has eyes 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:58.759 and teeth. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:00.740 Well, 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:01.519 later in this chapter 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.620 we learn that the beasts 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:04.180 are kingdoms. 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:07.500 The vision declares 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:09.179 that Daniel's world 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:10.259 is being run 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:11.379 by a succession 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.699 of fearsome monsters 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:13.979 that will go 00:09:13.979 --> 00:09:14.899 from bad 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.939 to worse, 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:17.379 each one more frightening 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:18.439 than the one before it. 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:21.559 So who or what 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:23.019 do these monsters represent? 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:24.339 Well, 00:09:24.359 --> 00:09:25.239 if you look at the structure 00:09:25.239 --> 00:09:26.739 of Daniel, 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:27.939 chapter seven 00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:28.759 seems to be 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.419 a companion chapter 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:31.339 to chapter two. 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:32.339 Now in chapter two 00:09:32.339 --> 00:09:33.919 we saw a vision. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:36.199 that Nebuchadnezzar 00:09:36.199 --> 00:09:36.620 had 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.919 of a statue 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:38.620 which represented 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:39.259 the kingdoms 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.459 of Babylon, 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:41.359 Persia, 00:09:42.359 --> 00:09:42.699 Greece, 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:45.000 and Rome. 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:47.359 And is that what 00:09:47.359 --> 00:09:49.719 these four beasts 00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:50.579 represent? 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:50.779 Well, 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:51.579 probably. 00:09:52.719 --> 00:09:53.620 Now can we identify 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:55.120 those ten horns? 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:55.379 Well, 00:09:55.439 --> 00:09:56.059 some people have tried 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:56.879 to identify them 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:57.739 as perhaps 00:09:57.739 --> 00:09:59.559 different caesars 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:01.019 that were particularly bad, 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:02.679 or maybe these are 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:05.039 ten or so rulers 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:06.460 throughout history 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.299 that have been 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:08.220 particularly bad 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:08.639 and there have been 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:09.559 efforts to identify 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:10.799 them. 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:13.460 Well, 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:14.139 Daniel himself 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.279 asks for an interpretation 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:17.179 of this vision. 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:18.019 He's especially 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:19.840 curious and frightened 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.299 probably 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:21.759 of this fourth beast 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:23.139 and the angel 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.019 obliges 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:25.220 and actually interprets 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:26.299 the dream for him 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:28.419 but doesn't identify 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:28.879 the kings 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.439 or the kingdoms, 00:10:29.859 --> 00:10:31.000 which is important. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:31.399 Remember, 00:10:31.459 --> 00:10:31.859 we stick with 00:10:31.859 --> 00:10:32.339 what we know. 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:34.319 So because these 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:35.919 identities remain 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.859 unknown, 00:10:36.979 --> 00:10:37.620 the attempt to 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.539 identify 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.819 the various beasts 00:10:39.819 --> 00:10:40.359 or horns 00:10:40.359 --> 00:10:42.120 actually detracts. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.240 it directs us 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:44.820 away from 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:45.860 the proper 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.519 interpretation 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.779 of the vision. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:48.539 Now here's why. 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.379 Any interpretation 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:49.940 that says 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:50.919 that fourth beast 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:52.080 lies in the past 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:53.879 or lies 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.320 in the future 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:57.620 presumes 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:58.279 that our current 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:58.980 situation 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:01.060 is less beastly. 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:03.679 Remember, 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.960 one purpose 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.799 of this type 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:06.379 of literature 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:08.460 is to shed light 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:09.279 on the current 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.500 age of conflict 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.799 and of the kingdoms 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:13.120 of this world. 00:11:13.839 --> 00:11:14.339 Now it's 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:15.919 in one sense 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:17.419 true 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:18.299 that we are 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:19.500 in the same age 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.639 as Daniel. 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:21.639 A big age. 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:22.799 An age of conflict. 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:24.879 And I'll explain 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:25.620 how that's true 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:27.079 in a minute. 00:11:29.959 --> 00:11:31.039 But the situation 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:31.719 for God's people 00:11:31.719 --> 00:11:32.939 has always been 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:34.219 beastly. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:37.059 The dream tells us 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:37.759 that it continues 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.740 to be beastly 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:39.359 today. 00:11:39.979 --> 00:11:40.959 In a brief survey 00:11:40.959 --> 00:11:41.679 of world 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:42.539 Christianity 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:43.479 would quickly 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:44.359 reveal this to you. 00:11:44.719 --> 00:11:45.159 So take 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.639 Asiya Bibi, 00:11:46.739 --> 00:11:47.319 a Christian mother 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:48.139 of five, 00:11:49.099 --> 00:11:49.579 who has been 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.219 on death row 00:11:50.219 --> 00:11:50.819 in Pakistan 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.939 since 2010 00:11:51.939 --> 00:11:52.579 on a charge 00:11:52.579 --> 00:11:53.279 of blasphemy. 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.539 Take Christians 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.019 in Kenya 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:55.639 being targeted 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:57.019 by Al-Shabaab. 00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:58.379 148 were killed 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.019 last year 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:00.239 in an attack 00:12:00.239 --> 00:12:00.979 on a university. 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:01.879 Six were killed 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.120 just earlier this month 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.399 on a border raid. 00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:06.179 Christians targeted 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:08.559 by this extremist group. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:09.639 Or take Christians 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.279 who have recently 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:11.519 fled from Mosul 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.859 to Turkey. 00:12:13.619 --> 00:12:14.759 Just two days ago, 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:15.599 three days ago, 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:16.119 on Thursday 00:12:16.119 --> 00:12:17.059 in the Wall Street Journal, 00:12:17.739 --> 00:12:18.419 there was an article 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:19.439 about how Turkey 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:20.559 is not going to let 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.059 Christians 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:22.639 return to Mosul 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.039 their homes, 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:26.359 their hometowns. 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:28.019 The situation 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:28.940 for God's people 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:31.240 is beastly. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.399 Verse 25 says, 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:35.100 The beast 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.100 shall speak words 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.159 against the Most High, 00:12:38.060 --> 00:12:38.820 shall wear out 00:12:38.820 --> 00:12:39.240 the saints 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.019 of the Most High, 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:41.539 and shall think 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:42.700 to change the times 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:43.720 and the law, 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:44.919 and they shall be 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.980 given into his hand. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:49.000 So how long 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.100 will that last? 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.340 Does it go on forever? 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:53.019 In ancient mythology, 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.019 yes, 00:12:54.180 --> 00:12:54.920 the answer would be yes. 00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:55.840 It does go on forever. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.240 These two equal 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.440 ultimate realities, 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.320 chaos and order, 00:13:00.420 --> 00:13:01.440 just continue in conflict 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.700 forever and ever. 00:13:02.780 --> 00:13:03.160 But that's not 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:04.360 what the Bible says. 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:06.680 Daniel says 00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:07.440 that the struggle 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.940 lasts for a time, 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.320 times, 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:11.860 and half a time. 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.460 And there have been 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:14.040 efforts to figure out 00:13:14.040 --> 00:13:14.660 what that means, 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.399 how many days, 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.320 months, weeks, years, 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:16.879 does that mean? 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.379 Let's focus on 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:18.980 what we know. 00:13:19.300 --> 00:13:19.960 We know that it's 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.620 a finite time. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:24.060 It doesn't last forever. 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:26.539 Here and elsewhere, 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:28.299 the Bible repeatedly declares 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:29.559 that God alone 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:30.259 is ultimate, 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.619 and that in the end, 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:32.879 his order will prevail. 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.579 These four beasts, 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:38.219 they look nightmarish, 00:13:38.619 --> 00:13:39.739 but the focus of the passage 00:13:39.739 --> 00:13:40.879 isn't on the beasts 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.379 per se. 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:47.139 It's on the ultimate fate 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:49.319 that they look forward to, 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:51.060 on the day of judgment. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:52.300 On that day, 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.180 God wins 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.500 the final victory. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:55.920 God will have us 00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:57.580 not look at the beasts, 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.920 but to look at the throne. 00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:01.020 And there we see 00:14:01.020 --> 00:14:02.420 the Ancient of Days, 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.440 wise, 00:14:04.140 --> 00:14:04.680 glorious, 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:05.900 beautiful, 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.320 powerful. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.780 The English Puritans 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.780 would have used words like 00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:10.900 awful 00:14:10.900 --> 00:14:12.700 and terrible. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.980 There he sits on his throne, 00:14:15.380 --> 00:14:15.760 righteous 00:14:15.760 --> 00:14:17.000 in judgment. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.840 And someone like 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.620 a son of man 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.200 is presented 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:21.299 to the Ancient of Days. 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.200 What is Daniel seeing here? 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:23.779 What is this 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:25.120 one who looks like 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.860 a son of man? 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:27.600 Well, 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.019 son of man 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.860 simply means 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.039 human, 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:32.179 much like 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.620 how the Pevensies 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:35.480 are referred to 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.779 in the Chronicles of Narnia 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:38.860 as sons of Adam 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.100 and daughters of Eve. 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:40.440 Just 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.480 human. 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.539 But this verse says 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.799 like a son of man. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.480 So this figure 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.419 represents, 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.639 excuse me, 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.399 resembles humanity. 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.759 But he also comes 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.500 with the clouds 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.360 of heaven. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.699 Now that's an expression 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:56.459 that the Bible 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:57.500 uses to refer 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.039 to God. 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:01.360 So Daniel would have 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.860 seen someone 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.620 that was 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.659 like human 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.419 and God 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.279 at the same time. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.039 Now it just so happens 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:10.039 that this expression, 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.240 son of man, 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.279 was one of Jesus' 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.360 favorite titles 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.539 to apply to himself. 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.740 As a matter of fact, 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.560 the night before 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:18.519 he goes to the cross, 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:19.560 he is before 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:20.419 the chief priest 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.740 and the elders 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.220 and the scribes 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.840 and he says to them, 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.639 this is great. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.180 It's just wonderful 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:29.980 to see the Bible 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.799 like tie 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.639 all together. 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:32.299 He says, 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:33.060 I tell you, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.840 from now on, 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.539 you will see 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.320 the son of man 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.240 seated at the right 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.139 hand of power 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.180 and coming on 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:38.840 the clouds 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.600 of heaven. 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.159 And then they go nuts. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.779 This is blasphemy, 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.340 they say. 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:43.860 Because they know 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.659 exactly what he's 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.340 trying to do. 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.539 He's referring to 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.159 Daniel 7. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.879 He's identifying 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.940 himself with this 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:49.639 figure who is 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.940 human and God 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:52.360 at the same time. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.180 And in Daniel 7, 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.259 which direction 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.919 is this figure 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.560 who is like 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.399 the son of man 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:00.019 going? 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.700 Is he descending 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.279 on clouds? 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:02.460 No. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.240 He's going up. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.759 He's ascending. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:09.200 We see in Daniel 7 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.840 the ascension 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.500 of Christ. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.140 That event 00:16:12.140 --> 00:16:12.720 that happened 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.840 40 days 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.700 after the resurrection. 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:17.780 In Acts chapter 1 00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:18.259 we read, 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.259 as Jesus' 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.200 disciples 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:21.280 were looking on, 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.120 he was lifted up. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.940 And a cloud 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:26.420 took him 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.259 out of their sight. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.000 One of my 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.900 favorite illustrations 00:16:30.900 --> 00:16:31.879 from the Bible 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.040 is by the German 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:33.920 Albrecht Durer. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.819 it's the ascension 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:36.399 of Christ. 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.279 It's actually 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.879 on the cover 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.740 of your bulletin. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.479 It's very clever. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.259 You can just see 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.059 Jesus' feet. 00:16:46.699 --> 00:16:47.419 And you see 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:47.899 the cloud, 00:16:47.979 --> 00:16:48.139 right? 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.599 And as an aside, 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:51.299 what I particularly 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.319 like about this 00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:52.919 illustration 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:54.479 is it doesn't 00:16:54.479 --> 00:16:55.099 present Jesus 00:16:55.099 --> 00:16:56.000 as having gone 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.419 miles and 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:57.879 miles 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.779 into the sky. 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:03.519 Jesus ascends 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:03.799 to heaven 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.759 but he remains 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.220 near. 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.039 You see that? 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.500 He will remain 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.480 close to his people. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.920 Christ's ascension 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.879 is the culmination 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:14.740 of his redemptive 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.839 work here on earth. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.339 That redemptive 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.420 work included 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.180 his suffering, 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.920 his crucifixion, 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.119 his burial, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.079 and his resurrection 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.740 from the dead. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.079 And it's 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.920 redemptive 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.700 and we need it 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.519 to be redemptive 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.539 because of what we read 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.560 in Daniel chapter 7 00:17:32.560 --> 00:17:33.180 verse 10. 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:34.900 There is a court 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.640 that sits in judgment 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:38.200 and books 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.779 are opened. 00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:40.860 So when the books 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.420 of our lives 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:42.019 are opened, 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.660 the books of our lives, 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.000 what shall be found? 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.680 Well, we know 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.080 what's going to be found 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:48.300 because we confess 00:17:48.300 --> 00:17:49.640 every Sunday 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.900 that we have sinned 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.300 against God 00:17:52.300 --> 00:17:53.140 and thought, 00:17:53.300 --> 00:17:53.539 word, 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:53.860 and deed 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.779 by what we have done 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.039 and by what we have 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.340 left undone. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.279 But in love, 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.379 the ancient of days 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.700 sent his own son 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.799 to endure the punishment 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.599 that we deserve 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:04.160 and to conquer death 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.599 for us, 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:05.559 something we couldn't do 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.339 for ourselves. 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.000 We become one 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.839 with God's son. 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.079 And that is how 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.359 we too will be given 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.000 the kingdom 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.319 to possess 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.200 forever. 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:15.879 Forever 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:17.200 and ever. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.839 There's something 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.079 interesting about the timing. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:24.699 We said that the 00:18:24.699 --> 00:18:26.039 biblical apocalyptic 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.220 shows us how the 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:29.199 current age of conflict 00:18:29.199 --> 00:18:30.679 is replaced by 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.559 the kingdoms of our 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.799 Lord and of his Christ, 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.879 by an age of peace. 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.879 Now in Jesus' time, 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.939 the Jews believed 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:38.299 that this moment 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:40.179 in kingdoms here 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:40.699 or replaced by 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:41.460 the kingdoms here 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.079 and this age 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.000 replaced by this age 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.379 is one decisive event. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.559 The king would come, 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.419 judge his enemies 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:49.579 and bring the age of peace. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:51.299 But in Jesus, 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.879 this is what happened. 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.480 The ages 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.159 overlapped. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.559 And this is how 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.240 we can be in the 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.379 same age as Daniel. 00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:02.099 And yet the kingdom 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.179 of God has still come. 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:05.539 There was a decisive event 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.879 but it hasn't been 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.980 consummated yet. 00:19:08.699 --> 00:19:09.599 And so we live 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.579 in the current age 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.980 and in the age to come. 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.740 It's the already 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:14.259 but not yet. 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.799 And so the saints 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.740 must still wait. 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:20.259 Even while the kingdom 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.759 of God renews the world 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.480 and while we enjoy 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.420 our participation 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.539 in that renewal 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:27.240 by feeding the poor, 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.680 preaching good news, 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.599 welcoming the stranger, 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:35.140 even in the midst 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.160 of this renewal, 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.960 the beasts still trample 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.079 and devour 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.660 and destroy. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:43.279 So, 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.920 while the beasts 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.660 are doing that 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.519 and while we wait, 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.620 wouldn't it be great 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.220 to have a vision? 00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.120 Why does Daniel 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.640 get this vision? 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.000 Why can't I 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.640 in the middle of the night 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:53.000 have this amazing vision 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.019 of the ancient of the days 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.680 with hair 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:57.300 that's bright white 00:19:57.300 --> 00:19:58.220 like wool 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.880 and rivers of fire 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:01.560 flowing from his throne? 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.080 Wouldn't that 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:03.540 encourage you? 00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.120 I would love, 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.680 I think, 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:08.539 to have a vision 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.080 like that. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.700 Think how encouraged 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.180 you would be. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.299 But here's the thing. 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.240 God has given us 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.100 something better 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:21.440 than this vision. 00:20:23.060 --> 00:20:24.320 He's given us Jesus. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.820 Hebrews 1.1 00:20:27.820 --> 00:20:28.440 says 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.180 that long ago 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.759 at many times 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.680 and in many ways 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.039 God spoke to our fathers 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.920 by the prophets. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.980 He spoke 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.160 through a vision 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:39.440 to one of his prophets, 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:39.900 Daniel. 00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:40.400 But, 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.660 in these last days 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.920 he has spoken to us 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.920 by his son 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.400 whom he appointed 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.420 the heir of all things. 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.620 The son beats any vision 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.500 you could ever have. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.820 He's the ultimate revelation. 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.640 We see the son 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.480 and we see 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.580 who God is 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:53.120 and we see 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:54.580 what God's plan is 00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.460 for us 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.600 and for a creation 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:57.500 that he loves 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.700 and is intending 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:00.400 to fully redeem 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.960 and rescue. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.400 Dreams and prophecies 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.960 are helpful 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:06.119 but they're incomplete. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:09.119 It's the person of Jesus 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.839 who most clearly 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.339 shows us 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:10.980 who God is 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.039 and what his plan is. 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.859 The person of Jesus 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:16.339 who walked on this earth, 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.240 he ate 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.940 and he drank, 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:20.160 he stubbed his toe 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.619 and laughed with his friends 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:23.299 and wept when they died. 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.279 Look on him. 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.119 Magnify him. 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.420 When you're anxious 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.619 or fearful 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.819 or sad 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:32.000 or depressed 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:33.259 or lonely 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.940 or despondent 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.839 or afraid. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:39.200 How do we do that? 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.759 We look to the Gospels. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.940 The first four books 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.700 of the New Testament, 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:46.160 Matthew, Mark, Luke 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.920 and John 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:49.119 give us four portraits 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:51.960 of this figure 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.700 who was like 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.579 the Son of Man. 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:58.819 So if you lack hope 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:01.139 or if you have 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:01.699 a deep 00:22:01.699 --> 00:22:03.539 unfulfilled longing, 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.779 spend time in Matthew. 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.819 Immerse yourself 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.139 in Matthew. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.879 Matthew gives us 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.359 a picture 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.639 of Jesus 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:14.079 who came to fulfill 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.000 the hope of a nation, 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.599 Israel, 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:16.639 and fulfilled 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.559 all the prophecies 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.559 made about the Messiah. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:21.859 If you feel like 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.319 you lack 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.200 power 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.839 and authority, 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.740 that is, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.339 if you feel 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.079 sin 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.919 or sickness 00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.980 or addiction 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.919 or depression 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:32.139 or workaholism 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:34.259 has you beat, 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:36.639 then immerse yourself 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.940 in the book of Mark 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.759 who paints 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.399 a picture 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.119 of Jesus 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:41.059 who was like 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.899 an action hero 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.980 going from victory 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.139 to victory, 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.799 conquering 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.519 the devil 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.220 and his works, 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:47.759 conquering 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.759 sin 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.559 and sickness 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.799 and then he 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.099 confers that authority 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.960 on those 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.700 who follow him. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.139 If you 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:58.599 feel like 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.500 you are 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.240 on the margins 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.639 or if your heart 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.200 breaks 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.839 for those 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.519 who live 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.200 on the margins, 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.480 if you feel 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.220 like you lack 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.480 belonging, 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.379 then live 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:12.859 in the book 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.259 of Luke 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.440 which paints 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.899 a picture 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.619 of Jesus 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.759 constantly 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.679 going to those 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:17.919 who are 00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:19.059 on the fringes, 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.099 loving them 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.839 and identifying 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.379 with him. 00:23:22.739 --> 00:23:23.219 And if you 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:23.579 feel like 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.119 the world 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.679 is full 00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.799 of darkness 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:27.899 and despair, 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.659 then live 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.000 in the book 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.500 of John 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:33.579 which paints 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.319 a picture 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.899 of Jesus 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.039 as being 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.599 light, 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.479 light that has 00:23:37.479 --> 00:23:37.959 come 00:23:37.959 --> 00:23:39.299 into the darkness, 00:23:39.479 --> 00:23:40.179 Jesus who brings 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:40.719 light 00:23:40.719 --> 00:23:42.179 and life. 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.719 if November 00:23:46.719 --> 00:23:47.359 8th scares 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:47.879 you to death, 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.259 then return 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.739 to Daniel 00:23:52.739 --> 00:23:53.519 chapter 7. 00:23:55.239 --> 00:23:56.079 Look behind 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.479 the veil. 00:23:58.219 --> 00:23:59.639 See God, 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.399 the judge, 00:24:00.719 --> 00:24:01.559 on his throne 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:03.139 and you will 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:03.679 see something 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.299 Daniel didn't 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.159 know to look 00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.479 for. 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.159 You will see 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.539 Jesus, 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:08.279 the one, 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:09.059 like a son 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.519 of man, 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.339 being given 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.919 dominion 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.060 and glory 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:13.220 and a kingdom 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.160 that all 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.560 peoples, 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.100 nations, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:15.860 and languages 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.740 should serve 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:16.980 him. 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.039 His dominion 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:19.160 is an everlasting 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.940 dominion which 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.680 shall not pass 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.580 away and his 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:22.420 kingdom one that 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.140 shall not be 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.660 destroyed. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.820 Take heart, 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.600 you saints. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.460 For though it 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:30.960 seems like the 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.560 powers of this 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:32.720 world may prevail, 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.759 the Ancient of 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.680 Days comes 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:36.539 and you will 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.500 possess the kingdom, 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.279 an everlasting 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.720 kingdom. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:42.019 let's pray. 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.460 God of our 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.000 ancestors, 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:54.779 God of our 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.180 people, 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:55.880 before whose 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.579 face the human 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.539 generations pass 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:57.900 away, 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.160 we thank you 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.680 that in you 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.259 we are kept 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.980 safe forever, 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.100 that the broken 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.019 fragments of our 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.779 history are gathered 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.519 up in the redeeming 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.480 act of your dear 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:05.980 son. 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.579 Help us to walk 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.159 daily in the 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.759 communion of 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.159 saints, 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.099 declaring our 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.699 faith in the 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:14.319 forgiveness of 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.859 sins and the 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.500 resurrection of 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:15.899 the body. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.619 For your glory, 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.539 not for ours, 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:21.759 for yours and 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.279 yours alone. 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:23.980 We pray in 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.619 Jesus' name. 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:25.559 Amen. 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:25.679 Amen. 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.460 Amen. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:26.820 Amen. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.900 Amen. 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.259 Amen. 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.140 Amen. 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.440 Amen.