WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:05.620 Let's take our Bibles and open them up this morning to Daniel chapter 8. 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:10.919 Daniel chapter 8, if you were away for Labor Day last week and you missed chapter 7, 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:14.740 I would say you didn't miss too much, but that would be a lie. 00:00:15.339 --> 00:00:23.300 Chapter 7, we covered God's plan for human history from Babylon all the way to the return of King Jesus. 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:31.660 And this week in chapter 8, thankfully, he narrows it down just a little bit for us to only about 400 years worth of human history. 00:00:31.840 --> 00:00:36.659 And so we got a lot to cover. Hopefully the rain doesn't have you too sleepy this morning. 00:00:36.760 --> 00:00:41.939 We're going to stand up in order of the reading of God's word as I read Daniel chapter 8. Let's stand. 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:58.319 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:05.099 And I saw in the vision, and when I saw, I was in Susa, the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:08.200 And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai Canal. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:13.900 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:20.740 It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:24.640 I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:29.420 No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. 00:01:29.540 --> 00:01:31.359 He did as he pleased and became great. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:39.239 As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west, across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:42.579 And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:47.400 He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal. 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:50.379 And he ran at him in his powerful wrath. 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:56.840 I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him, and struck the ram and broke his two horns. 00:01:56.840 --> 00:02:03.340 And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him to the ground and trampled on him. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:06.480 And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:09.480 Then the goat became exceedingly great. 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:18.020 But when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it, there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:28.060 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. 00:02:28.640 --> 00:02:31.180 It grew great even to the host of heaven. 00:02:31.820 --> 00:02:35.939 And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:39.200 It became great, even as great as the prince of the host. 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:45.040 And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:50.500 And a host will be given over to it together with a burnt offering because of transgression. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:54.799 And it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:59.819 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, 00:03:00.399 --> 00:03:05.560 For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:09.439 and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot? 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.180 And he said to me, 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:18.759 For two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings, then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:26.579 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it, and behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:30.979 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:33.819 Gabriel, make this man understand the vision. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:39.780 So he came near where I stood, and when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:41.359 But he said to me, 00:03:41.799 --> 00:03:45.199 Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end. 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:49.919 And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:52.379 But he touched me and made me stand up. 00:03:53.079 --> 00:03:53.620 He said, 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:58.859 Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:01.620 for it refers to the appointed time of the end. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:06.879 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:09.700 And the goat is the king of Greece. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:13.060 And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:17.019 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:21.579 four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:26.500 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:31.600 a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:35.480 His power shall be great, but not by his own power. 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:39.560 And he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:42.779 and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:46.759 By his cunning, he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:49.360 and in his own mind he shall become great. 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:56.160 Without warning, he shall destroy many, and he shall even rise up against the prince of princes, 00:04:56.620 --> 00:05:00.160 and he shall be broken, but by no human hand. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:04.280 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:07.660 but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now. 00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:11.920 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:15.240 And then I rose and went about the king's business. 00:05:15.900 --> 00:05:19.740 But I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:22.280 This is God's holy word. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:24.560 Lord, we pray. 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:29.600 Father, would you help us to understand what we've written, what we've read, what you've written. 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.340 Father, would you make all things clear. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:34.439 These things are difficult and mysterious. 00:05:35.340 --> 00:05:39.660 Father, we pray you would strengthen and edify us as we search out the wonders of your word. 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:40.620 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:41.580 Amen. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:42.800 You may be seated. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:50.960 I wonder what you would do if I told you how the next 400 years or so might play out. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:54.680 Not everything in crystal clear clarity, of course. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:56.860 Probably not what you would have for breakfast tomorrow morning, 00:05:57.120 --> 00:06:01.420 or what your kids or grandkids might wind up doing, who they might marry. 00:06:01.960 --> 00:06:07.780 But if I told you big picture, major events over the next 400 years or so, 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:11.180 I wonder how do you think you would respond? 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:16.340 It might, of course, depend on whether it was good news or bad news. 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:20.000 Depending on what I told you, you might celebrate or you might cry. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:22.780 Maybe you'd go to Vegas and place a few bets. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:26.560 You might go sell all of your belongings, move to another country. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:27.439 You might quit your job. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.060 You might quit your job. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:35.720 And depending on what you heard, maybe you'd spend the rest of your life in anxious fear over when this thing might come and happen. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:42.300 Or maybe you would trust in a good and sovereign God to accomplish His plan. 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:46.740 And you would go about your life in faithfulness to Him. 00:06:47.960 --> 00:06:55.220 Here in Daniel chapter 8, God shows Daniel what is coming down the pipeline of human history. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:07:01.860 He's letting Daniel and us in on a sneak peek of what's to come over the next several centuries. 00:07:02.080 --> 00:07:06.060 And unfortunately for Daniel, this is not good news. 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:10.860 Ever since coming into exile, you remember the context here of the book of Daniel. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:19.519 Ever since coming into exile in Babylon, Daniel has had his eyes set on these 70 years that's been promised in Jeremiah 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:22.860 when these exiles would return to the promised land. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:30.480 But here, in this vision, the Lord seems to expand His understanding of human history just a little bit 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:38.000 to show Him that what's coming next after this is bad followed by bad followed by bad. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:41.620 Worse followed by worse followed by worse. 00:07:41.780 --> 00:07:46.020 Evil followed by evil followed by evil. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:50.580 And He does so by showing Daniel three key figures in human history. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:53.159 This will be our outline this morning as we follow through this passage. 00:07:53.539 --> 00:07:56.099 Three key figures in human history. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:58.539 The ram, the goat, and the little horn. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:03.379 And we're going to take one, each one in order with its vision and the interpretation. 00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:06.300 So ram, goat, and little horn. 00:08:06.419 --> 00:08:12.279 And we're going to spend most of our time on this little horn because He seems to be the central figure in this vision. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:17.699 So first, verses 1 through 4 here of chapter 8, we see the ram. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:19.419 Look there with me starting in verse 1. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:24.879 Daniel says he has this vision in the third year of Belshazzar's reign. 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:31.120 And in his vision, he was in Susa, the citadel, in the province of Elam at the Ulai Canal. 00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:34.059 Susa was the capital of Persia at the time. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:39.519 And as he raised up his eyes, he saw a ram standing on the bank of the canal. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.360 The ram had two horns. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:44.240 It was one horn up higher than the other horn. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:49.759 And it says the ram was charging westward and northward and southward. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.180 And it was powerful. 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:54.340 There was no one who could stop him or rescue from his power. 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:57.279 He did whatever he pleased and he became great. 00:08:58.180 --> 00:09:04.320 And if we look to the second half of Daniel chapter 8, we see that just as Daniel did last week in chapter 7, 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.860 he seeks help in understanding the vision. 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:12.720 And I don't know about you, but I love when he does this because we don't have to guess at what these things mean. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:16.800 Gabriel, the angelic interpreter here, he makes it clear for us. 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:18.240 He says, verse 20, 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:28.159 Now we've seen these things before, haven't we? 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:32.720 This is the third time now that we've seen these kings of Media and Persia. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:38.000 If you're keeping track here, the silver chest and arms from Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:41.299 There are the second beast from chapter 7. 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:45.939 And now this ram with the two horns, all of these are pointing to the same kingdom. 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:49.079 It's the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians. 00:09:49.199 --> 00:09:52.719 And God says that kingdom, Daniel, is on the move. 00:09:53.599 --> 00:09:56.399 You remember last week, this second beast. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:10:00.759 It was the bear that was told to rise and devour much flesh. 00:10:00.819 --> 00:10:01.919 And here we see this ram. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:05.659 He's advancing to the west, to the north, to the south. 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.939 He is on the attack. 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:13.480 All these directions, as we look back in the history books, 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:17.000 these are all areas that Medo-Persia eventually conquered. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:20.460 Babylon, Syria, Asia Minor to the west. 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:24.040 Armenia and the areas by the Caspian Sea to the north. 00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:26.280 Egypt and Ethiopia to the south. 00:10:27.180 --> 00:10:31.340 But here, before any of this actually happens, 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:34.880 God is revealing, he's showing to Daniel, 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:39.299 that this powerful, battering ram is coming. 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:42.939 Now just put yourself in Daniel's shoes for a minute. 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:46.379 All of this is still future for him. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:50.919 And he's sitting here in the empire, the kingdom of Babylon. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:54.939 And God says, this kingdom is about to be overtaken. 00:10:56.179 --> 00:10:57.320 Daniel doesn't know when. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:59.039 He doesn't know exactly how. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:01.139 He doesn't know who's going to live, who's going to die. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:04.639 What exactly the details of this plan is. 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:10.379 All he knows is that there is a sovereign God who sets up kings and takes kings down. 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:14.139 A sovereign God who reigns and rules over all human history. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:16.679 A sovereign God who's worthy to be trusted, 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:20.600 even when we don't know all the details of the plan. 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:26.439 I think it also sheds a little bit of light on the story of Daniel and Belshazzar. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:32.740 That we read earlier with this feast of Belshazzar as he's feasting at the end of the kingdom of Babylon. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:36.620 And he sees this cryptic hand writing a message on the wall. 00:11:36.760 --> 00:11:39.540 And you remember this message of impending doom. 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:45.520 And who was there providentially prepared, ready to interpret the message with confidence? 00:11:46.640 --> 00:11:47.200 It's Daniel. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:54.040 You see, Daniel is prepared here by God in chapter 8 for the events that we saw already previously 00:11:54.040 --> 00:11:57.040 with the end of the kingdom of Babylon. 00:11:57.300 --> 00:11:59.460 He didn't run and hide at this information. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.820 He didn't build a bunker and hide himself away. 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:08.660 He simply, faithfully, waited for God to bring about what he had told him he would do. 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:14.840 And when the opportunity came, providentially, to fill Belshazzar in, he did so. 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:20.600 Now, as Daniel was considering this ram with two horns, he sees the second important figure, 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.200 the male goat. 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:23.080 Look there to verse 5. 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:24.560 He says, 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:29.800 A male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth without touching the ground. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:34.139 And this goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:36.000 And the goat comes up to the ram. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.600 And what happens? 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:38.200 He attacks the ram. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.080 It says he was enraged against him. 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:43.139 And he broke these two horns. 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:45.700 And the ram was powerless against this goat. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.460 No one could help him. 00:12:47.520 --> 00:12:50.280 And where the ram was great, look here, verse 8. 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:51.100 It says, 00:12:51.280 --> 00:12:54.139 This goat became exceedingly great. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:13:00.759 Again, there's a progression here of evil to more evil to more evil. 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:04.580 And again, leaning on Gabriel's help here, we can see the interpretation. 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:10.160 At verse 21, he tells us that this goat is the king of Greece. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:12.639 We've seen this already, haven't we? 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:16.720 If we're following the order that we've already seen, you remember the order here. 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:19.800 Daniel is here living in the days of Babylon. 00:13:20.400 --> 00:13:22.740 The Medes and the Persians are coming next. 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:23.980 They will conquer Babylon. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:26.379 But then there's an after them as well. 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.360 And who's coming next? 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:30.140 It's the kingdom of Greece. 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:37.539 You remember from chapter 7, Greece was this leopard with four heads and with four wings. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:40.259 And it's a picture of speed and power. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:43.039 And you see that represented here as well by this goat. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:45.759 He's not even touching the ground as he advances. 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:49.580 You know, when I read this, my mind is on basketball. 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:55.299 And I immediately thought of a basketball player named Giannis Antetokounmpo. 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:58.279 I don't know if any of you know that name or not. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:01.899 He's one of my favorite basketball players and he just happens to be Greek. 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:06.579 No connection as far as I'm aware to this goat here in the passage. 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:11.240 But I have seen Giannis Antetokounmpo grab a rebound on one end, 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:15.919 take four dribbles, and dunk on somebody's head on the other end of the court. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.100 It's unreal. 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:21.379 Just sheer speed and power and domination. 00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:26.059 That's what's happening here with Alexander the Great and the kingdom of Greece. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:28.879 This goat is Greece. 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:32.059 Alexander the Great is the horn in the middle. 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:38.399 And you might remember that the Greeks, they rose to power just quickly, rapidly. 00:14:39.239 --> 00:14:44.579 Maybe you've seen some of those videos of fireworks shows where they accidentally set off all the fireworks at once. 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:48.759 It's this loud, big bang explosion. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:51.419 All of them explode at once and then the show's over. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:55.500 That's a little bit what Alexander the Great was like. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:15:05.319 He became general at age 21, conquered the ancient world by age 26, and then he was dead by age 33. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.699 Over as quickly as it started. 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:12.180 But his influence on the ancient world was massive. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:19.240 And his death, it marked the beginning of what we call the Hellenistic period that echoed all the way through the Roman Empire 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:21.960 and even to our modern Western civilization. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:27.960 In fact, after the death of Alexander the Great, there were 40 years worth of wars. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:33.879 And there were four major divisions that came from his Greek kingdom. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.679 Four major powers emerged. 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:40.000 It was the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt and the Seleucid Empire in the east. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:44.960 The kingdom of Pergamum in Asia Minor and the kingdom of Macedon. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:49.019 His kingdom splintered into four divisions. 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:53.659 Which is exactly what verse 8 said would happen. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:54.620 Look there with me. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:59.840 The goat, Greece, became exceedingly great. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:04.060 But when he was strong, the great horn, Alexander, was broken. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:11.620 And instead of it, there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:18.200 Can we just pause here for a moment and reflect on the beauty of biblical prophecy? 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:26.800 And you may look at me and say, Jonathan, there's nothing beautiful about rams and goats and horns getting broken and battering each other. 00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:29.080 I happen to disagree. 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:29.720 Okay? 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:30.860 Listen to this. 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:39.500 This prophecy is so exact that critics of the Bible who want to discredit the word of God say, 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:42.879 Well, this had to have been written after the fact. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:51.840 There is absolutely no way that anybody could predict with this degree of accuracy this many events in human history. 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:55.279 And to which we would reply, absolutely, you're right. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:17:02.279 There is no way anybody could do that unless there is a God who reigns and rules over human history. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:07.059 A God who has orchestrated all of the events of human history. 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:14.240 And a God who reveals his plan to his servants in his own wisdom and for their good. 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:16.259 That's exactly what's happening here. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:20.679 The passages like this, whether or not we understand every detail of what's happening, 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:25.759 passages like this ought to deepen our trust in the word of God. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:35.440 These prophecies ought to be like solid steel beams that support and uphold and undergird our confidence in God's word. 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:40.679 That goat, Alexander, is broken. 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:44.379 These four horns come up just as God said they would. 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:47.559 Gabriel tells us that these are the four kingdoms. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.740 They weren't as strong as Alexander's Greece. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:54.159 And out of one of those four kingdoms, verse 9, 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:58.480 out of them came a little horn. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:03.919 This is the last and the most important figure in the vision. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:08.640 So here's where we'll camp out for a little bit because he's the centerpiece here. 00:18:09.800 --> 00:18:12.539 We're told that he's another king of bold face. 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:16.519 Verse 23 says he's cunning and he's deceitful. 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:24.039 And this little horn, verse 9, it says that he grew exceedingly great towards the south, towards the east. 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:25.140 But here's the focus here. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:33.080 The difference between him and all the others before him is that he grew great towards the glorious land. 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:34.519 Now this is new, isn't it? 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:42.980 In other words, what stands out most about him is that he's not just headed in any sort of general direction. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:48.759 This little horn is headed towards the direction of God's people. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:55.259 This is a narrowing of the vision of human history now. 00:18:55.960 --> 00:19:00.299 It is no longer concerned with the north and the south and all these other kingdoms of the world. 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:07.960 Now we are zeroing in on one particular little horn and his opposition to the people of God. 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:11.299 And this is why God is showing all of this to Daniel. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:15.019 He's not just giving him a history lesson in advance, is he? 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:20.440 He's showing him what is to come for the people of God after Babylon, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:25.279 after Medo-Persia, after Alexander's Greece. 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:30.600 There will be a little horn and he will terrorize the people of God. 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.340 What will he do? 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.279 What will he do? 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:36.539 Verse 9 says he will oppose the land. 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:39.820 He will oppose God's people. 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.140 That's what verse 10 says. 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:45.420 These stars and these hosts that he tramples to the ground are the people of God. 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.960 He's attacking the saints. 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:49.620 At least that's how Gabriel interprets it in verse 24. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.420 He will oppose God himself. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.960 Verse 11. 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:58.779 If you have a KJV, I actually think that they got the translation correct here. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:03.560 It says, KJV, that he magnified himself even to the prince of the host. 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:06.460 He's not as great as the prince of the host. 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:09.900 It makes it clear he's going to be struck down by the prince of the host. 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:11.860 But he thinks he's as great. 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:13.120 He wants to be as great. 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:15.880 He desperately wants to be like God. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:18.980 So he magnifies himself to be like God. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:23.780 He opposes the practices God has put in place for his people. 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.400 Verse 11. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.280 The burnt offering is taken away. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.320 The place of the sanctuary is overthrown. 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.880 He opposes God's truth. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:32.040 He throws truth to the ground. 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:39.080 And in all of this, God says, Daniel, he is going to look like he is succeeding in what he does. 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:45.519 Some of the people of God will be given over to him together with the burnt offering. 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:51.400 And if I'm Daniel and I'm seeing this vision of terror against God's people, I'm saying, God, why? 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:54.860 Why is all of this happening? 00:20:56.980 --> 00:21:01.080 It says, because of transgression. 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.660 You see that? 00:21:03.780 --> 00:21:06.320 Because of transgression. 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:10.960 Now, some understand this to be the transgression of the little horn. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:13.159 Of course, he is transgressing, yes. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:21.019 But I think a closer look will show us that all of this judgment, all of this evil coming against the people of God 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:25.939 is the judgment of God for their transgression. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:34.440 God is, in his infinite wisdom, revealing to Daniel a plan that would have been horrifying for him. 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:40.920 To give some of Israel over into the hands of a deceptive enemy. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:46.840 To allow his own temple and his own sanctuary to be desecrated. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:50.220 To allow his own word to be overthrown. 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.660 Why? 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:58.480 Because of the continued sinful idolatry and rebellion of his people. 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:03.299 But even so, the vision isn't hopeless. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.400 God gives Daniel a glimmer of hope. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:08.299 This judgment would be for a defined, limited time. 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:10.059 2300 evenings and mornings. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:14.079 And then the sanctuary shall be restored to his rightful state. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:17.319 This vision, he says, is for the time of the end. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:22.439 Meaning the end of this little horn is for the time of judgment against him. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:25.599 The end of God's wrath and indignation against his people. 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.319 The end of the little horn. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:30.639 Does any of this cycle sound familiar to you? 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.700 It should. 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:41.439 Because this is exactly what happened to bring Daniel and his friends into Babylon to begin with. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:48.340 They are in Babylon because of God's judgment against their sin. 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.279 Their idolatry. 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:53.660 And God had told them again in Jeremiah 70 years. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.740 And my judgment will be finished. 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.500 And I will bring you back. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:01.140 Daniel's lived his whole life in hope of that moment. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:07.259 But here God shows him, Daniel, a return from exile will not fix the problem of your sinful hearts. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:10.879 This cycle will continue to rebel. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.079 You will continue to sin. 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:14.980 And your rebellion will continue to earn my judgment. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:23.660 And round and round and round and round we go until I send my own son to solve this sin problem for good. 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:29.700 And bring all my people out of their exile and into the true promised land. 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:33.140 Where sin and death and the devil are no more. 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:38.960 Chapter 8 is a hard truth for Daniel. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:46.600 We have to see it and read it and understand it in light of the glorious, better hope of chapter 7. 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:53.540 He says to Daniel, that promised land that you're hoping for, that's not the ultimate answer for you, Daniel. 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:55.840 There's something even better coming. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:59.119 A glorious kingdom that will be forever. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:04.419 That's purchased and reigned and ruled over by one like a glorious son of man. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:15.319 But until he comes, you can expect the beastly kingdoms of this world to continue to act like beasts. 00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:17.399 Prime example. 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:23.519 This little horn wages war against my people. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.180 Who is he? 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.240 Who is he? 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:29.100 Who is this little horn? 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:38.060 At first glance, you might think that it's the same little horn as chapter 7. 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:44.079 And we heard about a little horn that opposes God and persecutes the saints in chapter 7. 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:48.000 But if you look a little bit closer, I think we'll see that's not the case. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:51.500 This little horn comes out of Greece. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.879 Not out of Rome. 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:55.299 He comes out of this third beast. 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.179 Not the fourth beast. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:59.679 He comes out of one of these four horns that came out of Greece. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:02.679 He's not uprooting three horns out of the fourth beast. 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:06.000 They're not the same little horn. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:11.160 And again, as Daniel looks forward into the fuzzy picture of biblical prophecy, 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:16.700 we have the luxury of looking backwards and seeing how all of this has played out. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:21.460 This little horn is somebody named Antiochus Epiphanes. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:25.240 Antiochus Epiphanes. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.940 Let me tell you a little bit about Antiochus. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:31.099 And you tell me if this fits the description in Daniel chapter 8. 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:38.439 Antiochus came out of one of these four divisions of Alexander's Greece. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:41.419 He came out of the Seleucid Empire. 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:44.559 He ruled over the Seleucid Empire from 175 B.C. 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:46.959 until 164 B.C. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:52.939 And his desire was that everyone would embrace Hellenistic culture. 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:58.240 which meant that everyone would worship the Greek gods, 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:59.799 especially Zeus. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:06.160 In fact, Antiochus went so far as to set himself up as Zeus incarnate. 00:26:06.820 --> 00:26:08.940 He claimed to be God in the flesh. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:12.559 He gave himself the name Epiphanes. 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.600 That's not his legal name. 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:16.779 He titled himself Antiochus Epiphanes. 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.120 And Epiphanes, you know what it means? 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.980 It means God manifest. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:23.460 He said, I am God in the flesh. 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:27.140 He stamped every coin in the empire with the words, 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.720 God in the flesh. 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:32.180 Antiochus Epiphanes, the most illustrious God. 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:34.700 This man was so power hungry and evil 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:36.980 that many of his contemporaries called him Epiphanes, 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:39.420 which is a little twist on Epiphanes. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.960 And it doesn't mean God in the flesh. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.140 It means madman. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:48.079 He magnified himself to be like God. 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:53.839 And this man set his sights towards the promised land. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:56.179 He went into Jerusalem, 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:59.539 and Antiochus killed 40,000 Jews 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:02.359 within a span of three days' time. 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:07.000 He outlawed many of the requirements of God's law. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:10.379 He forbade them from practicing circumcision. 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:13.500 He forbade them from holding their feasts. 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:16.139 He forced the Jews to profane the Sabbath. 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:20.140 Antiochus Epiphanes, he prevented sacrifices, 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:22.060 burnt offering sacrifices, 00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:24.680 from being offered for three whole years. 00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:26.480 He burned the scriptures. 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:30.460 He made the Jewish people eat unclean meat. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.300 And then listen to this. 00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:36.120 He marched himself into the temple, 00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:38.100 into the Holy of Holies, 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:40.820 that is the most sacred place of the temple. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:42.980 And he placed idols there, 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:45.059 set up statues of Zeus there 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.200 and what was left of the temple. 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:49.740 And he sacrificed pigs and human flesh 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:51.779 there in the temple of God. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.819 It was a horrible, 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.799 awful, 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:59.799 offensive time 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.079 in human history. 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.279 This awful 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:04.919 persecution of God's people 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:06.399 and attack on God himself. 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:08.920 But here's my question 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.300 and maybe you're wondering the same thing. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:15.060 If that isn't the little horn of chapter 7, 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.820 then why in the world 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:18.440 do they sound so similar? 00:28:19.540 --> 00:28:20.540 Are you asking that question? 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.980 They share the same playbook, don't they? 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:25.380 Speak against God. 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:27.600 Deceive and destroy God's people. 00:28:28.040 --> 00:28:29.280 Overturn God's laws. 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.780 Discard God's truth. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:31.180 In fact, 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.700 I think you can go a step further 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:34.140 and you can rightfully say 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:36.180 that Antiochus Epiphanes 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:38.200 is anti-Christ. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.420 Jesus Christ hasn't appeared 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:42.080 on the scene of history quite yet, 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:43.200 but you think about it. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.000 Everything that Antiochus opposed 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.420 pointed to 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:48.960 and is fulfilled by Jesus Christ. 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:53.360 He persecutes the people of God, 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.380 the body of Christ. 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:57.380 He attacks the temple of God, 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.259 truly fulfilled, 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.019 and Christ, 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.900 the true temple. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:02.500 He discards the sacrifice of God, 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.240 pointing us forward 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.500 to the true ultimate sacrifice 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:06.359 of Jesus Christ himself. 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:08.240 He opposes the priesthood of God, 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.359 which pointed us forward 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.660 and is fulfilled by Christ, 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.680 our great high priest. 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:13.440 He discarded the word of God, 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:13.940 Christ, 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.579 the living and true word of God. 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:17.940 Everything Antiochus represents 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.819 is anti-Christ, 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:22.599 and that's exactly the point. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.559 Here's the point, church. 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:29.480 in every age, 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:33.440 the spirit of Antichrist 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:37.399 wages war against God and his people. 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.299 In every age. 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.899 This is the hard news. 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:45.220 This spiritual battle 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.559 is not just simply something 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.659 that's left entirely 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:49.500 for some future generation 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.460 to experience. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.880 We are in it. 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.860 The spirit of Antichrist 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:56.460 echoes throughout history. 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.259 That's the hard news, 00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:59.319 but here's the better hope. 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.840 The good news of the gospel. 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:04.299 That Christ Jesus 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.460 has triumphed 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.200 over the powers 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.279 of sin and darkness. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.360 Christ Jesus 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.640 has triumphed 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.660 over the powers 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.259 of the enemy 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.600 and his perfect life 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.400 in our place, 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.660 in his sacrificial death 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.660 on behalf of sinners 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.220 and in his victorious 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.220 resurrection 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.380 from the grave. 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.180 So we say, 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.940 death has no claim 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.140 on us. 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:27.800 He triumphed 00:30:27.800 --> 00:30:28.360 over the powers 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.100 of sin and darkness 00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:30.240 in his first coming, 00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:31.920 and when he comes again, 00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:33.240 he will finally 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.759 destroy and defeat 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:36.380 every enemy. 00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:40.259 1 John 2.18 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.880 tells us, 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.220 children, 00:30:41.320 --> 00:30:42.660 it is the last hour. 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.380 And as you have heard 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.300 that Antichrist 00:30:46.300 --> 00:30:47.040 is coming, 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:49.139 so now many Antichrists 00:30:49.139 --> 00:30:50.279 have come. 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:51.940 See, 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.339 that final Antichrist 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.779 of chapter 7 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:57.680 will be of the same mold 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.639 as the thousands 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.920 of Antichrists 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:01.200 that have come before him. 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.920 It is nothing new. 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.899 So if we want to know 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:06.539 what that final little horn 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.220 will be like, 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.039 all we need to do 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.500 is look at all 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.460 the other leaders 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.559 and rulers 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.639 and teachers 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:14.240 throughout human history 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.039 who have opposed 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.259 opposed the kingdom 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.079 of God. 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.200 We can look at Pharaoh 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.639 or Herod 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:20.539 or Nero 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.759 or Domitian 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.579 or here, 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:24.539 Antiochus Epiphanes. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.399 And if we want to know 00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.879 how that final horn 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:27.700 will play out, 00:31:28.659 --> 00:31:29.359 we can look at 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.200 what happened here 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.639 to Antiochus. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.240 What does it say? 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.339 He waged war 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:35.539 with God's permission, 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:38.099 with God's own strength, 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:40.119 and he was squashed 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.899 by God's own power 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:43.419 as soon as God said 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:43.859 it's done. 00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:46.879 All of this 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:49.519 would have been earth-shattering 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.740 for Daniel to hear. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.399 Again, 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:53.379 he lived his entire life 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.699 waiting and hoping 00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.539 just to get back 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.139 to the land, 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.419 but here in chapter 8 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.559 God gives him 00:31:58.559 --> 00:32:00.500 a look at the future 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.500 and shows him, 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:01.859 Daniel, 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:04.419 you are not home yet. 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:07.620 This present evil age 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.340 is marked 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:10.080 by a prolonged 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:11.480 underlying 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:13.180 spiritual conflict 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:13.800 that began 00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:15.360 in Genesis chapter 3 00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:17.380 and will not be finished 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.800 until the Lord Jesus 00:32:18.800 --> 00:32:19.620 returns. 00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:21.500 There is no perfect 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:22.560 promised land here. 00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:25.580 So how does Daniel 00:32:25.580 --> 00:32:26.779 respond? 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.060 How should we 00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:30.400 respond? 00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:31.000 You know, 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.340 some look at texts 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:34.200 like this, 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.360 the back half of Daniel, 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.220 Daniel chapter 8, 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.019 and their minds 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.900 go immediately 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:39.660 to the end end, 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:41.580 to the end of all things. 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.940 They obsess over it. 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.519 They think that 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.759 every war, 00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:46.660 every persecution, 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.920 every current event 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:49.720 is a sign of the end. 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.000 Harold Camping, 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.799 anybody recognize that name? 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.299 Harold Camping. 00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:56.980 He predicted 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:58.019 the end of the world 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.059 12 times. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:00.980 He wrote 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.960 a best-selling book, 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.180 1994, 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:05.200 in which he predicted 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:06.080 the end of the world 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:07.680 in 1994. 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.380 It sounds silly, 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.100 but the thing is, 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.100 church Christians 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:14.220 eat this stuff up. 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.700 In that book, 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.560 it went on to sell 00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:18.080 over a million dollars 00:33:18.080 --> 00:33:18.700 worth of copies 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.600 in just four weeks. 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:22.000 The Millerites, 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.299 you may know that name. 00:33:23.340 --> 00:33:23.880 This is the group 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.720 that eventually became 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.160 the Seventh-day Adventists. 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.080 William Miller 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:29.299 studied this passage. 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.320 He studied 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.579 Daniel chapter 8. 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:33.039 He determined, 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.939 with what he said, 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:37.419 was 99.9% confidence 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:38.899 that Jesus Christ 00:33:38.899 --> 00:33:39.579 would return 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:41.159 on October 22, 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.579 1844. 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.700 The people 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.939 believed him. 00:33:47.159 --> 00:33:47.539 Many 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:49.200 quit their jobs, 00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:50.299 moved their families, 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.539 gave away their possessions. 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.919 October 23rd came, 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.019 and they eventually 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.980 had to go on 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.819 with their lives. 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.720 They call it 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.819 the great disappointment. 00:34:00.899 --> 00:34:01.659 Let me just say, 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:02.279 church, 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.379 as we apply this passage 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.299 to us this morning, 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.799 that is not 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:07.379 how we ought to respond 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.519 to this text. 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.900 How did Daniel 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:12.920 respond to all of this? 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.659 How did he respond? 00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.619 I just want to 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:16.199 apply these responses 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.139 to us as we close. 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.039 Look there with me 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.840 to verse 27. 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.239 See, 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:23.039 three ways 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.259 that Daniel responded. 00:34:24.260 --> 00:34:26.460 for one, 00:34:26.540 --> 00:34:27.440 he was concerned. 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:29.520 He was concerned. 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.820 So concerned 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:32.300 that it says 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:34.360 he was physically sick. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.200 It's amazing to me 00:34:35.200 --> 00:34:35.800 to think that 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.800 Daniel knew 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:37.300 that this was 00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:38.700 far down the line. 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.640 He knew 00:34:39.640 --> 00:34:40.120 that this wasn't 00:34:40.120 --> 00:34:40.940 happening to him. 00:34:41.020 --> 00:34:41.660 It wasn't happening 00:34:41.660 --> 00:34:42.460 in his lifetime. 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.880 But he was so 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.260 deeply concerned 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:46.900 for God's glory 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:48.280 and the good 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:49.420 of God's people 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:50.540 that Daniel 00:34:50.540 --> 00:34:51.640 was sick to his stomach 00:34:51.640 --> 00:34:52.680 about what he saw. 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:54.180 That's one response. 00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:54.600 You know, church, 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:56.400 it ought to bother us 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:57.720 the terrible persecutions 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:58.740 that our brothers 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.720 and sisters in Christ 00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.340 go through 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:02.320 all over the world 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:03.500 right now. 00:35:04.540 --> 00:35:04.940 And we shouldn't 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.680 ever be deceived 00:35:05.680 --> 00:35:06.980 by the relative ease 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:08.380 that we have had here 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.000 into thinking that, 00:35:09.100 --> 00:35:09.700 well, that won't ever 00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:10.280 happen to me. 00:35:11.600 --> 00:35:13.220 If we aren't bothered 00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:15.420 by the spiritual war 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.380 that we're in, 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.920 then something's off. 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:20.720 we should be concerned 00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:21.720 and we should take 00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:22.480 those concerns 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.200 to a sovereign God 00:35:24.200 --> 00:35:24.900 in prayer 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:26.340 against the forces 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:28.240 of spiritual darkness 00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:28.680 and evil 00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:29.280 that are at work 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.139 against us, 00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.139 that are at work 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:32.240 against our church, 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.159 that are at work 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:33.860 against our brothers 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:34.420 and sisters 00:35:34.420 --> 00:35:35.619 throughout the world. 00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.900 Daniel was concerned. 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:38.480 Second, he was also confused. 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:41.079 He was also confused. 00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:42.900 You know, 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.659 the end of this chapter 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.320 ought to make us all 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:44.980 feel a lot better, 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:45.360 shouldn't it? 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:47.440 He said, 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.320 I was appalled 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.099 by the vision 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.860 and listen to this, 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:52.700 I did not understand it. 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:55.180 He didn't understand 00:35:55.180 --> 00:35:55.900 every detail 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.660 of this vision. 00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:57.820 He didn't have charts 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.680 and graphs 00:35:58.680 --> 00:35:59.539 and timelines 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.640 that you see tossed around 00:36:00.640 --> 00:36:01.380 with his book. 00:36:02.220 --> 00:36:03.920 He didn't set dates. 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:04.900 He didn't know. 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.780 What he knew 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.840 and what he was content 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.440 with knowing 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:10.019 is that there is a God 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:11.480 who rules over 00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.480 human history. 00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:14.559 That God is guiding 00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:15.840 his people through. 00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:17.980 Yes, the danger lies ahead 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.659 but at the end 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:20.480 he knows God will triumph. 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.679 I'm so thankful 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.659 for Daniel's confusion. 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:24.320 It makes me feel 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:24.880 a lot better. 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.759 We don't have to have it 00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:28.900 all mapped out. 00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.739 God does. 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.199 That's enough. 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.840 There's one final response 00:36:34.840 --> 00:36:35.880 here, church, 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.059 and it's third, 00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:39.199 that he was constructive. 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:42.480 He was constructive. 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.340 Look what he did. 00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:45.880 He has just peered 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:47.640 into the pages 00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:48.980 of the future. 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:49.840 What does he do? 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.900 He doesn't sell his stuff. 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:53.400 He doesn't quit his job. 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:55.620 He doesn't build a bunker. 00:36:55.800 --> 00:36:56.400 What does he do? 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:57.600 He says, 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:58.539 Then I rose 00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:00.120 and I went about 00:37:00.120 --> 00:37:01.079 the king's business. 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.539 He got up 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:05.780 and he went back to work. 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.019 Church, 00:37:08.120 --> 00:37:09.240 I need us to realize 00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:09.760 this morning, 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.580 Do you understand? 00:37:10.700 --> 00:37:12.580 We know far more 00:37:12.580 --> 00:37:14.300 about what the future holds 00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:15.120 than most people do 00:37:15.120 --> 00:37:15.600 in this world. 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:18.260 We know with certainty 00:37:18.260 --> 00:37:20.020 what the future holds. 00:37:20.180 --> 00:37:21.320 Maybe not every detail 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:22.620 but big picture. 00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:25.180 We know what the future holds. 00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:25.740 What do we know? 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:28.020 We know that soon 00:37:28.020 --> 00:37:29.260 and very soon 00:37:29.260 --> 00:37:30.900 Jesus Christ will return. 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.700 That Jesus Christ 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:34.640 has conquered sin and death. 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:36.040 Jesus Christ has risen. 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:37.320 Jesus Christ is reigning 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:37.900 from heaven 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:39.380 and he will return 00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.599 to judge the living 00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:41.179 and the dead. 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:43.139 We know with confidence 00:37:43.139 --> 00:37:44.579 that when he comes 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.900 he will finally 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:46.639 put an end 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.900 to every enemy. 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:48.719 He will put an end 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.279 to sin, 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.179 to death, 00:37:50.300 --> 00:37:51.619 to the devil for good. 00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:52.380 He will wipe away 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.460 every tear from our eye. 00:37:54.759 --> 00:37:55.920 We know with confidence 00:37:55.920 --> 00:37:58.179 that those who belong to him 00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:59.400 will reign with him 00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:00.679 for the rest of eternity. 00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:01.699 We know with confidence 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.980 nothing here will last. 00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:05.219 No treasure here will last. 00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:06.899 No kingdom here will last. 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:08.019 And we know with confidence 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:09.439 that when he comes 00:38:09.439 --> 00:38:10.379 there will be wailing 00:38:10.379 --> 00:38:11.699 and gnashing of teeth 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:13.259 for all who don't know him 00:38:13.259 --> 00:38:15.319 and joy and relief 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:16.279 and worship 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:17.259 and celebration 00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:18.279 for those who do. 00:38:20.139 --> 00:38:21.219 We know with confidence 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:23.239 and with much greater clarity 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:24.319 than Daniel 00:38:24.319 --> 00:38:25.719 that when Jesus comes 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:27.399 everything that Daniel hoped for 00:38:27.399 --> 00:38:28.399 will be realized 00:38:28.399 --> 00:38:29.719 finally and in full. 00:38:30.839 --> 00:38:33.139 All the people of God, 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:35.279 Jew and Gentile alike 00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:36.500 from every tribe, 00:38:36.799 --> 00:38:37.079 tongue, 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:37.819 and nation 00:38:37.819 --> 00:38:39.179 will be brought out 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:40.480 of our exile 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:43.579 and into the true promised land. 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:45.420 The new heavens 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.159 and the new earth 00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:48.019 to be with our king 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:49.299 for the rest of eternity. 00:38:49.299 --> 00:38:49.659 Church, 00:38:49.739 --> 00:38:50.920 we know that this is where 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:52.519 all of human history 00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.480 is headed. 00:38:54.879 --> 00:38:56.179 The right response 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:58.299 to this incredible knowledge 00:38:58.300 --> 00:39:00.740 is to go about 00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:01.960 your business as usual 00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:05.260 with the sovereign plan of God 00:39:05.260 --> 00:39:07.820 shaping everything you do. 00:39:09.120 --> 00:39:12.039 Live faithfully as an exile. 00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:14.760 Live faithfully 00:39:14.760 --> 00:39:16.260 in your God-given role 00:39:16.260 --> 00:39:17.200 as a father, 00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:19.300 as a mother, 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:21.400 as a husband, 00:39:21.600 --> 00:39:22.300 as a wife. 00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:24.519 To teach your children 00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:25.760 about this king, 00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:27.000 to live faithfully 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.600 in your role 00:39:27.600 --> 00:39:28.900 as an employee at work. 00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:31.180 To work as unto the Lord 00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:31.960 and not for man. 00:39:32.040 --> 00:39:33.180 To live faithfully 00:39:33.180 --> 00:39:34.780 as a member of this community. 00:39:35.100 --> 00:39:35.960 To love your neighbor. 00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:38.080 To seek every opportunity 00:39:38.080 --> 00:39:38.760 to do good 00:39:38.760 --> 00:39:39.920 for the glory of God 00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:41.660 and to share this message 00:39:41.660 --> 00:39:42.560 of the gospel 00:39:42.560 --> 00:39:44.200 with those who are perishing. 00:39:44.560 --> 00:39:46.440 This is what it looks like 00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:48.780 to wait on the Lord. 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:52.060 The call for us 00:39:52.060 --> 00:39:53.820 and for God's people 00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.640 in every age 00:39:54.640 --> 00:39:56.620 is to look to Him 00:39:56.620 --> 00:39:57.500 in faith. 00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:59.680 To trust in His goodness 00:39:59.680 --> 00:40:00.640 and His sovereignty 00:40:00.640 --> 00:40:02.880 and to live as His people 00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:04.640 wherever you may be. 00:40:05.840 --> 00:40:07.340 Does this describe your life? 00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:11.240 How will you respond 00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:13.140 to knowing with certainty 00:40:13.140 --> 00:40:14.180 what the future holds? 00:40:14.280 --> 00:40:14.360 You know, 00:40:14.400 --> 00:40:15.480 for some that may mean 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.539 for the first time 00:40:16.539 --> 00:40:17.620 trusting in the Lord 00:40:17.620 --> 00:40:18.480 this morning. 00:40:19.320 --> 00:40:20.220 Calling out to Him 00:40:20.220 --> 00:40:20.500 and saying 00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:23.140 I'm lost without you. 00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:24.019 I need to repent 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.619 of my sin 00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:25.339 and put my faith 00:40:25.339 --> 00:40:26.139 in Jesus Christ. 00:40:26.219 --> 00:40:27.159 That may be your response 00:40:27.159 --> 00:40:27.659 this morning. 00:40:29.279 --> 00:40:29.779 For others, 00:40:29.879 --> 00:40:30.559 it may be simply 00:40:30.559 --> 00:40:31.279 to ask ourselves 00:40:31.279 --> 00:40:32.059 once more, 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.420 what does it look like 00:40:33.420 --> 00:40:34.859 for me to live faithfully 00:40:34.859 --> 00:40:36.500 in my God-given roles 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.119 of my life 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:38.019 right where I am 00:40:38.019 --> 00:40:38.599 as I wait 00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:39.659 on the return 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.980 of the Lord? 00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:42.879 I'd like to close 00:40:42.879 --> 00:40:43.779 this morning 00:40:43.779 --> 00:40:44.219 with the words 00:40:44.219 --> 00:40:45.659 of 2 Peter. 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:48.059 He says, 00:40:48.059 --> 00:40:48.739 Do not overlook 00:40:48.739 --> 00:40:49.860 this one fact, 00:40:49.980 --> 00:40:50.199 beloved, 00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:52.179 that with the Lord 00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:53.039 one day is as 00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.920 a thousand years 00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:54.960 and a thousand years 00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:56.019 is as one day. 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:58.099 The Lord is not slow 00:40:58.099 --> 00:40:59.239 to fulfill His promise 00:40:59.239 --> 00:41:00.380 as some count slowness, 00:41:00.480 --> 00:41:01.699 but is patient toward you, 00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:03.299 not willing that any 00:41:03.299 --> 00:41:04.039 should perish, 00:41:04.259 --> 00:41:04.799 but that all 00:41:04.799 --> 00:41:05.619 should reach repentance. 00:41:06.679 --> 00:41:07.739 But the day of the Lord 00:41:07.739 --> 00:41:08.900 will come like a thief 00:41:08.900 --> 00:41:10.179 and then the heavens 00:41:10.179 --> 00:41:10.960 will pass away 00:41:10.960 --> 00:41:11.559 with a roar 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:13.239 and the heavenly bodies 00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:14.059 will be burned up 00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:14.579 and dissolved 00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.400 and the earth 00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:16.239 and the works 00:41:16.239 --> 00:41:17.119 that are done on it 00:41:17.119 --> 00:41:18.219 will be exposed. 00:41:19.259 --> 00:41:20.679 Since all these things 00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:22.079 are thus to be dissolved, 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:23.559 what sort of people 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.739 ought you to be 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:26.239 in lives of holiness 00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:27.399 and godliness, 00:41:28.339 --> 00:41:29.099 waiting for 00:41:29.099 --> 00:41:29.699 and hastening 00:41:29.699 --> 00:41:30.539 the coming of the day 00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:31.099 of God, 00:41:31.279 --> 00:41:32.000 because of which 00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:32.799 the heavens will be 00:41:32.799 --> 00:41:33.619 set on fire 00:41:33.619 --> 00:41:34.279 and dissolved 00:41:34.279 --> 00:41:35.219 and the heavenly bodies 00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:36.359 will melt as they burn? 00:41:37.399 --> 00:41:39.119 But according to His promise, 00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:40.439 we are waiting 00:41:40.439 --> 00:41:41.619 for new heavens 00:41:41.619 --> 00:41:43.059 and a new earth 00:41:43.059 --> 00:41:44.519 in which righteousness 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.479 dwells. 00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:46.360 Therefore, beloved, 00:41:47.059 --> 00:41:47.800 since you are waiting 00:41:47.800 --> 00:41:48.300 for these, 00:41:48.380 --> 00:41:48.860 be diligent 00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:50.199 to be found by Him 00:41:50.199 --> 00:41:51.099 without spot 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:51.980 or blemish 00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:53.659 and at peace. 00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:55.159 Let's pray. 00:41:58.300 --> 00:41:59.360 Lord, we thank You 00:41:59.360 --> 00:42:03.539 for Your sovereign goodness 00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:05.219 in which we trust. 00:42:06.760 --> 00:42:07.639 And although we don't know 00:42:07.639 --> 00:42:08.260 all the details 00:42:08.260 --> 00:42:09.940 of what will happen 00:42:09.940 --> 00:42:10.980 this very afternoon, 00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:11.760 Lord, You do. 00:42:12.480 --> 00:42:13.079 And You are working 00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:14.199 all things for our good 00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:15.019 and for Your glory, 00:42:15.939 --> 00:42:17.000 for the exaltation 00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.759 of Your Son 00:42:17.759 --> 00:42:19.239 who has come 00:42:19.239 --> 00:42:20.239 and conquered every enemy 00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:22.019 and who will come again soon 00:42:22.019 --> 00:42:23.519 to establish His kingdom forever. 00:42:24.379 --> 00:42:25.099 We love You, Lord, 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:25.559 and we pray 00:42:25.559 --> 00:42:26.779 that You would be honored 00:42:26.779 --> 00:42:28.500 and that we would be transformed 00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:30.199 as we reflect on these truths. 00:42:30.299 --> 00:42:30.619 We love You 00:42:30.619 --> 00:42:31.919 and pray this in Jesus' name. 00:42:32.699 --> 00:42:32.939 Amen. 00:42:32.939 --> 00:42:33.039 Amen. 00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:33.059 Amen. 00:42:33.059 --> 00:42:33.099 Amen. 00:42:33.099 --> 00:42:33.139 Amen. 00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:33.159 Amen. 00:42:33.159 --> 00:42:33.199 Amen. 00:42:33.199 --> 00:42:33.259 Amen. 00:42:33.259 --> 00:42:35.139 Amen. 00:42:35.139 --> 00:42:35.159 Amen. 00:42:35.159 --> 00:42:35.259 Amen. 00:42:35.259 --> 00:42:37.259 Amen. 00:42:37.259 --> 00:42:37.299 Amen. 00:42:37.299 --> 00:42:37.339 Amen. 00:42:37.339 --> 00:42:37.359 Amen. 00:42:37.359 --> 00:42:37.419 Amen. 00:42:37.419 --> 00:42:39.259 Amen. 00:42:39.259 --> 00:42:39.299 Amen. 00:42:39.299 --> 00:42:39.339 Amen.