Category: Sermon Series 2025

A series of sermons on the Book of Daniel. Complete with citations. Possible book in the making, if I can find an original concept. No derivative works.

  • God’s Sovereignty in the Midst of Kingdoms

    Daniel Series #11

    Daniel 11 NRSV

    “As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to support and strengthen him.

    “Now I will announce the truth to you. Three more kings shall arise in Persia. The fourth shall be far richer than all of them, and when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Then a warrior king shall arise who shall rule with great dominion and take action as he pleases. And while still rising in power, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven but not to his posterity nor according to the dominion with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be uprooted and go to others besides these.

    “Then the king of the south shall grow strong, but one of his officers shall grow stronger than he and shall rule a realm greater than his own realm. After some years, they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to ratify the agreement. But she shall not retain her power, and his offspring shall not endure. She shall be given up, she and her attendants and her child and the one who supported her.

    “In those times a branch from her roots shall rise up in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall take action against them and prevail. Even their gods, with their idols and with their precious vessels of silver and gold, he shall carry off to Egypt as spoils of war. For some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north; then the latter shall invade the realm of the king of the south but will return to his own land.

    10 “His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces that shall advance like a flood and pass through and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. 11 Moved with rage, the king of the south shall go out and do battle against the king of the north, who shall muster a great multitude, but the multitude shall be given over to his hand. 12 When the multitude has been carried off, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall overthrow tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. 13 For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude larger than the former, and after some years he shall advance with a great army and abundant supplies.

    14 “In those times many shall rise against the king of the south. The lawless among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail. 15 Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, not even his picked troops, for there shall be no strength to resist. 16 But he who comes against him shall take the actions he pleases, and no one shall withstand him. He shall take a position in the beautiful land, and all of it shall be in his power. 17 He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom. He shall make peace with him and shall give him a woman in marriage, in order to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not succeed or be to his advantage. 18 Afterward he shall turn to the coastlands and shall capture many, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence; indeed, he shall turn his insolence back upon him. 19 Then he shall turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall and shall not be found.

    20 “Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an official for the glory of the kingdom, but within a few days he shall be broken, though not in anger or in battle. 21 In his place shall arise a contemptible person on whom royal majesty had not been conferred; he shall come in suddenly and seize the kingdom through intrigue. 22 Armies shall be utterly swept away and broken before him, and the prince of the covenant as well. 23 And after an alliance is made with him, he shall act deceitfully and become strong with a small party. 24 Suddenly he shall come into the richest parts of the province and do what none of his predecessors had ever done, lavishing plunder, spoil, and wealth on them. He shall devise plans against strongholds but only for a time. 25 He shall stir up his power and determination against the king of the south with a great army, and the king of the south shall wage war with a much greater and stronger army. But he shall not succeed, for plots shall be devised against him. 26 Those who eat of the royal rations shall break him, his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall slain. 27 The two kings, their minds bent on evil, shall sit at one table and exchange lies. But it shall not succeed, for there remains an end at the time appointed. 28 He shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. He shall work his will and return to his own land.

    29 “At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but this time it shall not be as it was before. 30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall lose heart and withdraw. He shall be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and come to an understanding with those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 Forces sent by him shall occupy and profane the temple and fortress. They shall abolish the regular burnt offering and set up the desolating sacrilege. 32 He will flatter with smooth words those who violate the covenant, but the people who are loyal to their God shall stand firm and take action. 33 The wise among the people shall give understanding to many; for some days, however, they shall fall by sword and flame and suffer captivity and plunder. 34 When they fall, they shall receive a little help, and many shall join them insincerely. 35 Some of the wise shall fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed, until the time of the end, for there is still an interval until the time appointed.

    36 “The king shall act as he pleases. He shall exalt himself and consider himself greater than any god and shall speak horrendous things against the God of gods. He shall prosper until the period of wrath is completed, for what is determined shall be done. 37 He shall pay no respect to the gods of his ancestors or to the one beloved by women; he shall pay no respect to any other god, for he shall consider himself greater than all. 38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these; a god whom his ancestors did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall make more wealthy and shall appoint them as rulers over many and shall distribute the land for a price. 40 “At the time of the end the king of the south shall attack him. But the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen and with many ships. He shall advance against countries and pass through like a flood. 41 He shall come into the beautiful land, and tens of thousands shall fall victim, but Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites shall escape from his power. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall gain control of the treasures of gold and of silver and all the riches of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. 44 But reports from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to bring ruin and complete destruction to many. 45 He shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with no one to help him.

    —-

    Brothers and sisters, open your hearts and minds to the majestic tapestry woven by God throughout history as we turn to Daniel 11—a chapter teeming with prophecy, conflict, and the unmistakable hand of our sovereign Lord. In these verses, we witness the intricate interplay of earthly kingdoms, yet above all, we see the unwavering hand of God. Daniel 11 is a testimony that God is not a passive observer. He is the author and orchestrator, sovereign over all authorities, kingdoms, and eras. When the world seems complex—when rulers rise and fall, and when chaos appears to reign—Daniel reminds us that history unfolds precisely according to God’s redemptive design. Let’s delve into this chapter.

    The Vision and Its Historical Fulfillment

    The vision given to Daniel details a series of conflicts between the “king of the north” and the “king of the south.” Historically, these represent the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires, born from the fractured legacy of Alexander the Great. The accuracy of this prophecy is staggering. Centuries before the events took place, God revealed the flow of nations and leaders to Daniel. The “king of the north”—the Seleucid dynasty in Syria—and the “king of the south”—the Ptolemaic rulers in Egypt—fought for supremacy over the promised land. Their actions produced turmoil and suffering, yet every battle, alliance, betrayal, and the relentless vying for power was foreseen by the Almighty, and this vision aligns uncannily with the records of ancient world history.

    As seen in a previous vision, Daniel is shown Antiochus IV Epiphanes, one of history’s most notorious persecutors of God’s people, who emerges from the vision as a figure of concentrated evil—foreshadowing the ultimate adversary of Israel and represented by cosmic evil too. His rise and fall shows us not only the consequences of human pride but the limitations of all worldly powers when it comes to God’s dominion. Remember from Chapter 10 that the cosmic veil has been lifted for Daniel. In this vision it is pulled back completely. 

    A quick warning before reading apocalyptic writings: Discernment in real-time

    Before we look at Daniel through a Christian lens, we must understand that all scripture, including Daniel, invites us to discern the sovereign hand of God in History. Meaning we must understand the context of the writing, to us, to the first intended reader, and to future readers. We must seek to understand how others understand it, including men, women, children, those of other denominations, and those of different religions. For as many different people as there are, there are differing understandings. We must be careful not to approach a text through eisegesis.[1] (Please see the footnote to define and understand this interesting and powerful word.)

    One must be sure to seek the writer’s intent rather than a reader’s viewpoint. As hard as it may be, we must not allow personal agendas or cultural anxieties to color interpretation, resulting in selective reading and weaponizing verses according to personal preference. When one fails to discern the sacred tapestry meant to reveal God’s providence and Christ’s redemptive work, the message becomes instead a canvas for human ideology.

    When eisegesis prevails, it can foster fundamentalism—a rigid, literalistic framework that refuses to recognize nuance, context, or the broader sweep of salvation history. Fundamentalism often elevates specific passages above others, ignoring the harmony of scripture and the ongoing revelation of God’s character from Genesis to Revelation. Prophecies, such as those in Daniel, may be twisted into proof texts for political agendas, divisive doctrines, or apocalyptic speculation unanchored from the gospel of grace.

    Signs of eisegesis and non-discernment. 

    • Loss of Context: Extracting verses from their historical, literary, and theological context leads to distortion and confusion. (Usually, a sermon will use “cherry-picked verses”)
    • Moral Certitude and Exclusion: Fundamentalism may breed exclusion, judgment, and self-righteousness, undermining Christ’s call to mercy, humility, and love. Any theology that lifts you up while pushing others down is a result of eisegesis. This form of theology is deadly. 
    • Spiritual Anxiety: Misinterpretations can sow fear, paranoia, and despair, particularly when prophecy is read as a code to be cracked rather than a promise of God’s ultimate victory. (I would list the multitude of books, cable TV shows, or “secrets revealed podcasts, but I only have so much time.)
    • Division and Discord: Communities fracture when scripture is used as a weapon, fragmenting the unity Christ prayed for among his followers. We are called to be servant-leaders; we must never forget the servant modifier in the title.

    Significance of Daniel’s vision in the Christian Tradition

    In considering what Daniel 11 means for us today through a Christian lens rooted in scripture, we understand that this vision underscores the sovereignty of God over all of history. As the rest of Daniel and all of scripture affirms, God’s providence is at the heart of His governance. Proverbs 16:4 states, “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble,” telling us history is not a series of random events but part of God’s divine plan. All scripture is written for His glory and the good of His people (Romans 8:28). Every kingdom and ruler—be it Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, or even future figures—is ultimately under God’s sovereign will (Daniel 2:21). Prophecy, therefore, is not merely predictive but a guarantee of God’s steadfast rule over the future, as sure as His reign over the past, echoing Isaiah 46:9-10 which declares God’s purpose from the beginning to the end. The might of earthly principalities is temporary; Psalm 2 reminds us that earthly rulers conspire and plot, but the Lord’s anointed, Christ, will establish His everlasting kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9). All political power is human in nature; therefore it is fleeting, and human ambitions are as fleeting as dust before the eternal throne of Christ, who alone is King and whose reign will endure forever (Revelation 11:15). In light of this, the ultimate purpose of history and prophecy is to point us to Christ, the King who reigns eternally, fulfilling God’s sovereign plan for His glory and the salvation of His elect. 

    Application and Call to Action

    In light of this provincial vision and its ultimate fulfillment in history, how do we respond as Christians. We are called to respond with unwavering trust in God’s providence. Even as the world trembles, nations rage, rulers fall, and uncertainty grips the age. Make it your firm conviction that God remains sovereign over all. Do not yield to anxiety over the powers of this passing world; instead, resolutely anchor your hope in the Lord who governs every detail of creation. The fleeting nature of earthly kingdoms frees us to serve Christ with undivided allegiance. 

    As you discern your place, your call, your mission in Christ’s kingdom, know with certainty that no earthly authority can frustrate His sovereign purposes for His people. With confidence, engage the course of history, bear faithful witness to the gospel, and live as citizens of heaven, not of this world. Do not falter, pray and submit to Christ, even in hardship, persecution, or doubt; do so especially in those times.  Just as Daniel did for his entire life. Rest in the assurance that history does not spiral toward chaos but advances toward Christ’s final victory. God’s plan is unassailable—He works all things together for the good of His people and for the praise of His glory. Let us, therefore, live boldly in hope, assured that the Lord’s purposes will stand.

    Conclusion

    Daniel 11 is not simply a record of battles and kings—it is a clarion call to trust, to hope, and to live in the light of God’s sovereignty. While kingdoms rise and fall, while history shifts and sways, we can rest assured that our Redeemer reigns. Stand firm in the certainty that you belong to an unshakable kingdom. Live your life reflecting Christ’s teachings of love and service. May your life declare the glory of the One who rules over all, and may we all anticipate the day when every knee will bow before Christ, the King eternal. Amen.

    Bibliography

    Calvin John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion [Book] / ed. McNeill, John T. / trans. Battles Ford Lewis. – Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960. – Vol. I: II: pp. 197-237.

    Calvin John Comm on Daniel (V2) [Online] // ccel.org / ed. Pantinga Harry. – Calvin University, 1993-2020. – August 10, 2025. – https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom25/calcom25.i.html.

    Meeks Wayne A. [et al.] The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books // NRSV Bible. – New York : Harper Collins Publishers, 1993.

    NRSVue // Holy Bible w/ With Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.. – Washington D.C. : Zondervan, 2021. – Vol. Updated Edition. – National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.


    [1] Eisegesis (eye-so-gee-sis) is the practice of interpreting a text by reading one’s own ideas, opinions, or biases into it, rather than drawing meaning from the text itself in its original context. It’s essentially the opposite of exegesis (ex-é-gee-sis), which aims to understand the text based on its historical and literary context. (This is the process by which all good preachers discern the Sunday message each week.)

  • Delivered at the End: Hope and Promise in Daniel’s Final Vision

    Daniel Series # 12

    Daniel 12 NRSV
    “At that time, Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.”
    5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others appeared, one standing on this bank of the stream and one on the other. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be until the end of these wonders?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was upstream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. And I heard him swear by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be accomplished. 8 I heard but could not understand, so I said, “My lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 From the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the desolating sacrilege is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. 12 Happy are those who persevere and attain the thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13 But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.”

    The concluding chapter of the book of Daniel centers on the prophetic revelations regarding the end times. In Daniel 10:13-14, an angel conveys to Daniel the challenge faced in delivering this message: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.” (NRSV)
    Daniel 11 outlines a detailed prophecy concerning events from the Medo-Persian Empire to the end times. Notably, verse 40 refers to a climactic “time of the end” wherein “the king of the South” will engage in conflict with “the king of the North,” who will then invade the “Beautiful Land”—the Holy Land—and subdue many surrounding nations (Daniel 11:41).
    Continuing in Daniel 12, the angel elaborates on this message, stating, “At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1). This “time of anguish” aligns with the prophetic words of Jeremiah, who lamented, “Alas! that day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob, yet he shall be rescued from it.” (Jeremiah 30:7).
    This yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecy will primarily impact a time even farther in the future than those Daniel has seen thus far. Jesus Himself referenced this tumultuous period in His Olivet Discourse, indicating, “For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.” (Matthew 24:21-22). Christian theologians can only conclude that Jesus is referencing Daniel, who in turn is referencing the coming of Christ on the final day.
    The Bible teaches that no one knows the exact day or hour of Jesus Christ’s return, as stated in Matthew 24:36. However, it does provide vague clues that imply Christ’s return is imminent. Matthew 24:33 says, “When you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” In the lead-up to this significant event, Jesus warned His disciples—and us today—about various occurrences that would characterize this period. These include religious deception, wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes.
    In accord with the testimony of Scripture, these afflictions are not random nor without purpose; our Lord calls them “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8), signaling that such tribulations will escalate both in scope and severity as the day of Christ’s return draws near. In this, believers are reminded to remain watchful, trusting in God’s sovereign plan as it unfolds through history. Additionally, Jesus outlined specific signs to be vigilant for: the rise of false prophets who will deceive many (verse 5), the persecution and killing of many of God’s followers (verse 9), and a general increase in lawlessness (verse 12). Despite these tragic developments, it is emphasized that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations before the end comes (verse 14).
    Jesus tells us that the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the end times. This is the good news that Jesus is going to return to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the message Jesus preached when He lived on earth as a human, and it remains the message that preachers, ministers, pastors, priests, and elders preach every Sunday.
    Mark documents this, writing: “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” (Mark 1:14-15)
    After the first century, those who taught and believed the gospel of the Kingdom were severely persecuted. Many gave their lives for their adherence to Christ’s teaching.

    The concept of resurrection is central to biblical teaching, particularly as articulated in the Book of Daniel. The angel communicated to Daniel that many who have died shall awaken, with some destined for eternal life and others facing everlasting shame (Daniel 12:2). This awakening pertains to the divine act of resurrection, wherein God restores the dead to life. It is revealed that “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).
    Paul believed that this prophecy would come quickly. He taught the concept of the first resurrection, where individuals would be transformed into spiritual beings as they rise to meet Christ in the air upon His return (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:50-52). At that significant moment, God’s faithful who remain alive will also transform and ascend to meet the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
    Those who are transformed into immortal beings during the first resurrection will reign with Christ for a thousand years. Scripture proclaims, “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6).

    How do we conclude that Daniel 12 refers to the future?
    Verse 4 of Daniel 12 then reads: “But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.” This means that Daniel’s prophecies would not be fully understood until the end times, prior to Christ’s return. Previously, Daniel had told King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28). The end time, as described in Daniel 12:4, is characterized by a period when “Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.” “Evil” can also be translated as knowledge.
    Over the last century, the rate of accumulation of new knowledge has increased exponentially. World-changing inventions, such as groundbreaking medications, the atomic bomb, organ transplants, travel to the moon, and the Internet, have seemingly arrived almost simultaneously. Not all of this knowledge has been used for the betterment of humankind. The atomic bomb was considered by its inventors to be a mistake. The realization of the weapon’s destructive power and concerns for the future led many to advocate for disarmament and international control of nuclear weapons. So, now many believe the meaning of the book of Daniel is becoming clearer!
    The wise shall understand
    Although Daniel apparently understood part of what he was inspired to write (Daniel 10:14), he was curious to know the outcome. “So, I said, my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end.’” (Daniel 12:8-9). Then the angel continued, telling Daniel that the wise will understand. But first, there will be a time of desolation. Many have theorized what it will be or when it will occur. This is all done in vain. God will reveal the end when God is ready, and not before. Being the first one to see or understand is not a prize to be one. To Daniel and to God, this is not a game. It is about the salvation of God’s people.
    Daniel prophesied the deliverance of God’s people in the end times.
    As these prophesied events begin to unfold, God’s people need to remember that Daniel was also told that the people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1). In the broadest sense, the return of Christ will bring deliverance not only to the Jewish people, but also to the people of God (who are now of all nationalities and backgrounds) and the whole world. Yet when we specifically consider what will happen to the people of God, the Bible has some important explanations and advice.
    Regarding people who have their names “written in the book,” this phrase seems to be referring to the “Book of Life”—a document containing the names of God’s faithful people (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). A careful study of the passages speaking of the “Book of Life” reveals that those whose names will be included in this book will be obedient to the instructions found in the Bible (especially note Revelation 3:5 and 20:12).
    God said to Church members in Philadelphia, “Because you have kept my word of endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10).
    The excellent news!
    The prophecy in Daniel 12 is not only about a future “time of anguish” that will occur at the end of this “present evil age” (Daniel 12:1; Galatians 1:4). It is also about people being “delivered,” which is the most fantastic news in the Bible! In fact, this is what the entire book of Daniel has been building up to. God is God, Sovereign of the universe, creator, protector, redeemer, and ever-present in our lives. Daniel spent his entire life in service to God, exiled from his home. Yet, he led his people both literally in action and in spirit. The scripture writers, especially Paul in the New Testament, tell us Jesus Christ is going to return and establish the Kingdom of God. As Daniel had explained to King Nebuchadnezzar, this Kingdom will eventually fall and “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)
    Daniel 12 is the final promise to Daniel that his people will complete the rebuilding of the Temple and the wall in Jerusalem. It is also a promise to us that God is with us still, the Holy Spirit is protecting those who believe, and Christ will come on a day like the Son of Man on a rolling cloud, and everyone who is in Him will be raised and be with Him forever. Amen.

    Bibliography
    Calvin John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion [Book] / ed. McNeill, John T. / trans. Battles Ford Lewis. – Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960. – Vol. I: II: pp. 197-237.
    Calvin John Comm on Daniel (V2) [Online] // ccel.org / ed. Pantinga Harry. – Calvin University, 1993-2020. – August 10, 2025. – https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom25/calcom25.i.html.
    Meeks Wayne A. [et al.] The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books // NRSV Bible. – New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1993.
    NRSVue // Holy Bible w/ With Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.. – Washington D.C.: Zondervan, 2021. – Vol. Updated Edition. – National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.