Here is an outline of what we learned from Daniel 11.
The sermon is available on the church's YouTube channel: Precision & Perspective
Verses 2-4 - Alexander the Great
History hails him as the greatest military commander of all time.
God's evaluation: a passing mention in three verses.
Summary: what matters is not the lens of the world, the media, or the government
God’s verdict is the only one that matters.
Verses 5-20 - The Northern & Southern Kings (Egypt vs. Syria)
The Prophecy is perfectly precise in all that happened.
This is mostly history, but not mere history
Verses 21-35 - Antiochus IV - Epiphanes - the great persecutor of the Jews
Verses 36-45 - Turning our attention to the end and seeing the ongoing pattern of the personification of evil.
What lessons do we learn from this chapter?
1. When you’re pursuing your own will rather than God’s will - there’s no stability
You can achieve a lot of things in the flesh, but they don’t matter and they won’t last
2. The church must guard against being influenced by the World.
The world has influenced the way we think and the way we do things far more than we realize it or want to admit
We must remain strong and stand firm
doctrinally
morally
spiritually
Lest the enemy gain a foothold
3. The enemies goal is always to destroy God’s people.
Even though the enemy plots - God prevails.
4. God is working out His purpose for HIs glory and our good.
One of the ongoing patterns we see in the world is opposition to God.
What are the characteristics of opposition to God?
1. There’s a drive for autonomy
to make all of my own decisions - be in charge
2. There’s a lack of regard for God and a disdain for the Order He created
God made us male and female to reflect His glory.
There’s nothing more basic to life (physical, emotional, social, etc) that male/female.
The attack on male/female today is an attack of the enemy,
3. A reach & desire for power and control
Might makes right
militarily
economically
socially
legistlatively
There is a basic desire to have the power and authority to control others.
Our hope: the end of verse 45 tells us: Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.
When the Lord returns, his end will be sudden, and without fanfare. The enemy will just simply be done.
What everyone will see is the Lord Jesus Christ - nothing else will remain in view.
What do we do with all this?
How are we to live for God in these ungodly times?
1. Believe
Simply trust in God. It's not easy, but it is simple,.
2. Resist
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James)
Stand firm (Ephesians)
We must remain faithful to God no matter what the consequence.
3. Tell Others
We must tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.
Daniel 11:33 – the wise among the people shall make many understand
We are literally commanded always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an
account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect,
4. Pray
“Prayer is the revolutionary activity by which weak, mortal creatures take our stand in the great cosmic
battle and do our part to move heaven and earth towards God’s final victory” (Iain Deguid)
The Kingdom that will endure is the Kingdom of God - not any kingdom of this world.
If you wish to endure to the end, you must place your trust in the only One who saves.
If you would be delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ - you can only do that by turning to Jesus.
Only the power of the blood of the Lamb will bring you into His Kingdom
Only Jesus Christ can grant forgiveness
Only in Him can you be redeemed from your sin.
The Kingdom of God will endure forever
He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
And we will praise His holy name FOREVER
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob
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