Rev. Rob Jones

Tag: christianity

  • All You Need Is Jesus

    For the fourth Sunday of Advent 2025 – Love

    Isaiah 7:10-16
    Again, the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. 13Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
    Matthew 1:18-25
    Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
    23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
    which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

    Introduction: an illustrated story
    John was born on October 9, 1940. He was the only son of Alfred and Julia. Alfred was a merchant seaman who was at sea when John was born. He sent his paychecks home to provide for his family. That lasted about five years. In 1945, Alfred went missing, and the family only found out when the checks stopped coming. When he came home six months later, he found that his wife was with someone else. Alfred tried to take John, but he was not a fit father, and Julia had started a new family with her new man. John was essentially orphaned.
    In 1946, John moved in with his mother’s sister, Mimi, and her husband, George. Mimi and George had no kids of their own, and they took John with love and affection. They taught him to appreciate literature, art, and music. George bought John a harmonica, and John also learned to play the banjo and guitar. He was raised in the church, and he loved to sing.
    At age 15, John formed a band called the Quarrymen. After a few members changed places, they eventually changed their name to the Beatles.
    John Lennon was an orphan, raised and loved by Mimi and George. Their love and sacrifice for him are deeply tied to the spirit of songs like “All You Need Is Love.” Lennon’s life as an “orphan” became so important to the world, to pop culture, and to the music of the 21st century. Many people of a certain age can recall the night the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan Show. How different would the world have been if Mimi and George had not stood up and taken John into their home with love?
    I. The Crisis: Joseph’s Dilemma (v. 18-19)
    In the first chapter of Mathew, we begin with a dilemma: Joseph faces a difficult decision. He has learned that Mary was pregnant before her marriage to him, which creates a challenging situation. As a righteous man, Joseph had to weigh his options and the impact his decision would have on Mary’s life: he could either expose Mary publicly or end their engagement quietly. This seemed to him to be the only two decisions he could make. However, because Joseph was righteous, God gave him an alternative. One that society and the religion of the day would not have approved of.


    The Divine Intervention: Angelic Revelation (v. 20-21)
    In God’s mercy, He sent an angel to Joseph in a dream, comforting him and addressing his worries and confusion. The messenger assured him that the child in Mary’s womb was not the result of human interaction but was conceived by the Holy Spirit according to God’s eternal plan. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus. The angel also explained that this promised Son of God would save His people from their sins, fulfilling God’s promise of redemption made before the foundation of the world.
    III. The Fulfillment: Prophecy Realized (v. 22-23)
    The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy— “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)—has profound significance for Joseph, Mary, and even us today. It means that God chose to enter into humanity’s experience, offering His presence not only to people long ago but also to each of us today. Because Jesus is “God with us,” we can be assured that we are not alone in our struggles, fears, or uncertainties; God is present and actively involved in our lives, offering us hope, forgiveness, guidance, and love.
    Matthew reminds us, by quoting the prophecy, that God’s promises are trustworthy and that He has made a way for us to know Him personally through Jesus. It’s an invitation to experience God’s love, no matter our circumstances, and to ground our faith in the reality that God keeps His word and is always with us.


    Love Is The Secret Ingredient
    Love is something chosen, not guaranteed. John Lennon’s biological parents were unable to give him a stable home. Instead, his aunt and uncle chose to love and raise him. That means, for John, love wasn’t just a biological or automatic thing – it was an act of will and commitment. The same thing is true for God’s love for us. It is an act of God’s will to love us sinners, even knowing who we are.

    The idea behind the song “All You Need Is Love” is that love is the essential, saving force in life, not money, not status, not even conventional family structures. God understood this idea 2000 years ago. Even in the Christmas story, we often overlook Jesus’s blended family. It took Joseph’s love to demonstrate God’s love to Mary and Jesus.
    When Love is Manifest, It Can Change the World
    We know how Jesus changed the World, but God’s love continues to do so.
    Mimi and George didn’t just give little John Lennon food and shelter; they gave him encouragement and culture through literature, art, and especially music.
    Buying him a harmonica, a banjo, and a guitar are not minor details; they are acts of love that literally helped create The Beatles. Lennon’s later message that love transforms people and societies is rooted in the fact that love quite literally transformed his life from a potentially tragic orphan story into one of the most influential artistic careers in history. Each of us can recall a Beatles tune. I bet many of you have been quietly singing, “All you need is love… bum da dada da!” even while you are reading this article.


    Love is a gift from God that heals wounds.
    It is no secret that John Lennon was troubled in his personal life. He carried deep emotional wounds from abandonment and loss. Being embraced by Mimi and George didn’t erase his pain, but it kept him from being entirely consumed by it. When we hear him sing about love, there’s a sense that he knows the opposite of love—neglect, instability, fear. It is a rhetorical device that musicians have used to craft some of the greatest songs in history.
    Understanding God’s love for us and knowing what Jesus gave for us on the cross provides the song “All You Need Is Love” more weight: it’s not a slogan from someone who had an easy life; it’s a plea and a conviction from someone who knew what it was like not to be fully loved by his parents.


    Conclusion
    John Lennon’s story—marked by abandonment, loss, and longing for love—mirrors the human condition in the aftermath of the fall. By our nature, we are marked by brokenness, instability, and fear, not only in our families but before a holy God. The ache we hear in Lennon’s music is, in many ways, an echo of a deeper spiritual reality: our hearts were made for a love we cannot secure or sustain on our own.
    Enduring love does not begin with us, but with God. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The love Lennon longed for—and often missed in his childhood—is a faint shadow of the covenant love God shows in Christ: a love that chooses, pursues, and holds fast, not because we are worthy, but because God is gracious. In Jesus, the abandoned find adoption, the insecure find a sure foundation, and the unloved discover a love that will never let them go.
    When Lennon sings, “All You Need Is Love,” he is closer to the truth than he knew—but not just any love. What we truly need is the steadfast, redeeming love of God revealed in the gospel. Only this love can bear the full weight of our hopes, heal wounds that run back to our earliest memories, and answer the fear of never being fully known or fully accepted.
    So, Lennon’s plea can point us beyond itself. His life reminds us that human love, precious as it is, will always be fragile and incomplete. But even in an old rock-n-roll song, God directs us to the One whose love is neither fragile nor incomplete—in Christ, God takes orphans and makes them sons and daughters and meets our deepest abandonment with an unbreakable promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” In the end, all we need is love—but that love has a name, a cross, and an empty tomb.
    I will leave you to contemplate that love and the invitation it entails.

    In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

    Bibliography
    Kenny, F. (2018). The Making of John Lennon. Bloomington, Indiana: Red Lighting Books.
    NRSV Updated Edition Holy Bible. (2021). Holy Bible With Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament, Updated Edition. Washington, D.C., USA: Zondervan.

  • Bridging the Chasm

    September 28, 2025

    Luke 16:14-15, 19-31

    The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. 15 So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts, for what is prized by humans is an abomination in the sight of God.

    19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house-28for I have five brothers-that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

    Reflection–

    I so enjoy how scripture can speak directly to us. I especially like how the parables of Jesus speak to situations in our lives, even when we are unaware of them until we read them. I find it fascinating how Jesus can tell a story 2,000 years ago, and it still hits me square in the heart today. The most interesting aspect of Jesus’ parables is that they evolve as we do. As we grow up, grow older, and our circumstances change, the parables reveal something different to us. 

    We are often told that parables were an essential element of Jesus’ ministry. They enabled Him to reveal the mysteries of God’s Kingdom in memorable and subversive ways. Parables disclosed spiritual truths to His followers, while concealing them from those with hardened hearts. Occasionally, however, Jesus shared a parable so powerful and direct that there was little room for misinterpretation, forcing us to grapple with its clear message even today. This gospel reading is one such example.

    The differences between Lazarus and the rich man are precise and deliberate. The rich man wears luxurious purple linen, dines daily in extravagance, and exudes status and comfort. Lazarus, in sharp contrast, is destitute—sick, clothed in rags, hungry, and weak. He is the type of person most would, and do, avoid. The funny thing is that these men knew each other, and we may recognize them in our own lives.

    Lazarus gazes at the rich man’s banquet, longing for even a single crumb from his table. Considering today, how much food is routinely discarded, it’s sobering. Today in America, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted—food that could feed the hungry, instead rotting in landfills. Strict aesthetic standards from grocery chains force usable but unappealing vegetables to be discarded. We often overbuy and let a lot of food spoil. Overpreparing food leads to the excess being thrown out of homes, restaurants, and churches. Abundance often diminishes our appreciation for what we have. In contrast, scarcity forces others to understand how precious a resource food and even drinking water are. 

    The rich man is also acquainted with Lazarus, seeing him at his gate daily and even knowing his name. Still, he does everything possible to ignore him. One wonders how often he asked Lazarus to leave, or if he tried to have him removed, perhaps even investing in hostile architecture to keep him away. Today, some municipalities invest in measures such as spikes placed on the ground under overpasses and divided park benches to discourage activities like loitering, sleeping, and congregating, making public spaces uncomfortable or even inaccessible. At the very least, the rich man and his guests likely became experts at avoiding eye contact as Lazarus pleaded for mercy.

    Jesus clearly affirms that a right choice must be made, and the consequence of rejecting it is dire. Lazarus, though deserving nothing on his own merit, is received into heaven solely by God’s grace. After enduring suffering in a fallen world, the angels extend comfort and fellowship to him—a kindness his community failed to show. Conversely, the rich man ends up in Hades (Greek for Hell), not by accident, but because of his sinful choices. He willingly abandoned his neighbor in need, broke the bonds of brotherhood, and wasted his resources in selfishness, disregarding God’s call to mercy and charity.

    It may be pertinent to note that the word Hades is not translated as ‘Hell’. Is the mention of Hell something that we do not want to see, just as the wealthy in the story do not want to see the poor? Does the mention of eternal damnation touch upon the sensibilities of Luke’s readers? I find it fascinating that even as Jesus is telling the crowds that they need to make better choices with God’s blessings, the translators find it a step too far to say Hell is where those rich people are headed.  

    God’s grace is sovereign, and our response matters deeply. Jesus’ parable reminds us that it isn’t our works or surface-level goodness that saves us, but genuine repentance and faith, evident in what we do. Our stewardship of God’s resources reflects what is in our hearts. If we neglect to act in love and mercy, we undermine God’s image in us and fail to do what Jesus commands. The unfathomable chasm between the rich man and Lazarus powerfully depicts the consequences of failing to do good with the time and blessings we are given.

    The good news is this: Jesus tells this parable to those Pharisees to give them and us time to act. We have opportunities now to repair broken relationships and restore equity between those with abundance and those lacking—whether that’s money, privilege, or influence. We must evaluate our situation, count our blessings, and assess how we are using those blessings for God’s glory. As good stewards, let’s be mindful of those on the margins, seeking our mercy and generosity. Our daily choices as Christians are not only personal—they reflect God’s presence to the world. We are called to extend compassion in practical ways, so that our lives bear witness to God’s grace.

    Lazarus was rejected for being sick and poor. Today, we continue to judge people by their health, wealth, appearance, age, and status—creating modern-day Lazaruses among us. If we do not recognize the image of God in those who are suffering, can we truly see it in ourselves? This parable is direct and leaves room for very little interpretation. I’ll leave that for you to seek in your personal reflections. 

    Bibliography

    Kittle, Gerhard, ed. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, D. Litt., D.D. 1983 reprint. Vol. IV. Grand Rapids: WM.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967. X vols.

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

    “NRSVue.” Holy Bible With Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Washington: Zondervan, 2021.

  • The Sovereign King and the Eternal Kingdom   

    Daniel Series #7

    Daniel 7 NRSV

    In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: 2 I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, 3 and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then, as I watched, its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a human being, and a human mind was given to it. 5 Another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, had three tusks in its mouth among its teeth, and was told, “Arise, devour many bodies!” 6 After this, as I watched, another appeared, like a leopard. The beast had four wings of a bird on its back and four heads, and dominion was given to it.7 After this I saw in the visions by night a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth and was devouring, breaking in pieces, and stamping what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that preceded it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns when another horn appeared, a little one that came up among them. Three of the original horns were plucked up from before it. There were eyes like human eyes in this horn and a mouth speaking arrogantly. 9 As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 11 I watched then because of the noise of the arrogant words that the horn was speaking. And as I watched, the beast was put to death and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. 16 I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter:17 “As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever.” 19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet; 20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn that came up and before which three others had fallen—the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly and that seemed greater than the others. 21 As I looked, that horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them, 22 until the Ancient One came; then judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom. 23 This is what he said: “As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth that shall be different from all the other kingdoms; it shall devour the whole earth and trample it down and break it to pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. This one shall be different from the former ones and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the ritual calendar and the law, and they shall be given into his power for a time, two times, and half a time. 26 Then the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and totally destroyed. 27 The kingship and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.” 28 Here the account ends. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly terrified me, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter in my mind.

    Introduction:

    Daniel 7 stands as a profound testimony to God’s sovereignty over the affairs of nations, a truth held dear in the Reformed tradition. Here, after years of exile, Daniel is granted a vision not to satisfy curiosity, but to reinforce the bedrock conviction that the Lord ordains every kingdom’s rise and fall. As the Heidelberg Catechism teaches, “All things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand” (Q&A 27).

    Throughout redemptive history, God has often disclosed His purposes by means of dreams and visions—Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28), Joseph’s sheaves and stars (Genesis 37), and Nebuchadnezzar’s multi-metallic statue (Daniel 2). Each dream reiterates, in different forms, the same unassailable reality: God governs the destinies of individuals and empires alike. In Daniel’s vision, the shifting imagery—from the beasts of Daniel 7 to the statue of Daniel 2—highlights both the diversity and depravity of world powers, yet also their utter subservience to the divine will.

    From a Reformed perspective, we see that these visions are not intended to predict the details of history, but to strengthen faith in God’s providence. Calvin wrote, “God so regulates all events that nothing happens except by His counsel and will,” (Calvin, 1960)pointing us, as Daniel’s dream does, away from the seeming chaos of earthly kingdoms and toward the unshakeable throne of God, the Ancient of Days. Here we see the familiar lesson in a new perspective. 

    I. The Vision of the Four Beasts (Daniel 7:1-8)

    Daniel begins by recounting a vivid dream: four fantastic beasts rising from the sea, each different and ferocious. Like the Statue dream in chapter 2, these beasts symbolize successive kingdoms—empire after empire—that dominate the earth. Their ferocity and diversity highlight the corrupt and idolatrous nature of human governments, which are driven by sin and rebellion against God.

    In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a magnificent statue composed of various metals that is ultimately shattered by a stone “cut without human hands,” symbolizing the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. Daniel 7 echoes this structure but shifts the perspective from the outward splendor of world empires to their true character: instead of metals, Daniel sees the four bizarre beasts emerging from the sea. While Daniel 2 presents the kingdoms as impressive and glorious in the eyes of humanity, Daniel 7 reveals them as ferocious and chaotic from God’s vantage point, emphasizing how God sees them in their moral corruption and instability.

    Both chapters conclude with the same hope: all human kingdoms are temporary, and God will establish an everlasting kingdom that will never be destroyed. By reading these visions together, we see a holistic picture—God is sovereign over history, and no matter how imposing earthly powers may appear, His kingdom alone stands forever.

    Reformed believers acknowledge that God’s providential rule governs the course of history. These kingdoms, while powerful, are limited and transient. They serve God’s purposes, whether they are aware of it or not. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” No matter how mighty these kingdoms appear, they are accountable to the Sovereign Lord.

    In our own lives, we see worldly powers rising and falling, yet we are assured that God’s sovereignty remains unshaken. Our hope is rooted not in earthly kingdoms but in the unchanging reign of Christ.

    II. The Judgment of the Beasts (Daniel 7:9-12)

    Next, Daniel describes a scene of divine judgment. The Ancient of Days, God, sits on a throne—His clothing is white as snow. His throne of fiery flames has wheels of fire, evoking imagery from Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:15-21). The judgment is set, and the beast, the scary one, with the little horn, that had eyes and a mouth speaking arrogantly, was destroyed.

    God is not only sovereign but also just. His justice will judge every injustice committed by earthly rulers. As Revelation 20:11 declares, ” Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them.” We can trust that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. No matter how evil or powerful a kingdom may seem now, it will not escape God’s righteous judgment. Knowing that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead, does this motivate you to live faithfully? God wants His people to know this, and to ensure their understanding, He gives Daniel a preview of what is to come. God shows us a visual representation of what He showed John in Revelation (Revelation 1:7). 

    III. The Son of Man and His Kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14)

    In the midst of this celestial judgment, Daniel beholds One like a Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days. To Him, the Sovereign Lord graciously bestows dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom—a realm that shall never pass away. From a Reformed perspective, this Son of Man is Christ Himself, the Mediator of the covenant, who receives all authority from the Father. The New Testament confirms this, as Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man who fulfills Daniel’s prophecy (Mark 14:62), establishing His reign not by worldly might, but by His atoning work and sovereign grace.

    Christ’s kingdom is both already present and not yet fully consummated; it is spiritual, unshakeable, and governed by His Word and Spirit. All earthly powers, no matter how formidable, are subject to God’s providential rule and are mere instruments to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The certainty of Christ’s reign is an anchor for the saints, assuring us that, despite temporal chaos, Christ is enthroned, and His kingdom endures forever. In this vision, we are again reminded that God, who alone is sovereign, has given all things into the hands of His Son, who will one day return to perfect His kingdom and judge the living and the dead. 

    (Fun Trivia Fact: Daniel 7 is thought to take place in the year 553, the first year of King Belshazzar, 553 years before Jesus was born, and 643 years before John wrote Revelation. The same event in two dreams, about a man who wasn’t born when it was first revealed and who was raised from the dead when the second was revealed. Something for those who say that the Old and New Testaments have nothing practical in common theologically.)

    IV. The Saints and the Everlasting Kingdom (Daniel 7:15-28)

    Daniel then sees that the saints—those who belong to God—are given dominion and participate in this everlasting kingdom. Despite opposition from worldly powers, God’s people are secure in Christ’s reign. 

    Reformed theology emphasizes that the saints’ participation in Christ’s kingdom is through union with Him by faith. Our perseverance is rooted in God’s election and grace. As 1 Peter 1:5 assures us, we are “being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” It is more than a coincidence that Jesus and Peter quote Daniel. As believers, we are called to remain faithful, trusting that God’s promises are sure. There is no denying that we face opposition and trials, but our hope rests in the certainty of Christ’s victory and the promise of eternal life found at the foot of the cross.

    V. Why the Unshakable Reign of Christ Matters for God’s People

    At the heart of Daniel’s dream lies the triumphant truth of Christ’s unquestionable sovereignty and the everlasting nature of His kingdom. We see the empires of the world as they truly are, not as the world sees them, and certainly not as they see themselves. (Remember, every great army believes that God is on their side.) The kingdoms of this world, no matter how formidable, are passing shadows subject to the sovereign will of the Ancient of Days. 

    This is no mere abstraction: the Bible teaches us that God’s providence governs all things, great and small. The certainty of Christ’s reign is a cornerstone of our hope. All Christian preachers, Bible teachers, Sunday school teachers, and theologians from all walks of life strive to convey that from eternity past, God has ordained the coming of His Son, who now reigns at His right hand and will one day bring all things to a consummation. Just as the teachings of the Bible are unchanging, though our interpretations may vary, our assurance rests in God’s unchanging purpose—He is not surprised by the shifting tides of history, nor is His kingdom ever at risk. The end will always be the same; Christ will come and judge the quick and the dead. 

    VI. Pastoral Comfort and Encouragement

    This has been our enduring comfort from the beginning, even before Christ was born. The kingdom of God offers both comfort and courage to believers facing trials, persecution, or discouragement throughout history. This world of sin is marked by instability and injustice; Our theology, what we find when we study God’s word, calls us to anchor our confidence in the eternal reign of our Lord. All earthly rulers are subject to Christ, and nothing can separate God’s people from His sovereign love. This is the good news.

    For the saints, our participation in this kingdom is secured by God’s grace alone, through union with Christ. We persevere not by our strength, but because God preserves His elect. Our perseverance through suffering and temptation is grounded in His faithfulness. The promise that the saints “will possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever” (Daniel 7:18) sustains us with real hope. This is the good news. 

    As believing, practicing Christians, the call summons us to live as citizens of the unshakable kingdom—bearing witness to Christ’s lordship in every sphere of life, to everyone we meet. We are called to faithful obedience, gospel proclamation, and patient endurance. Our hope is not set on worldly systems or fleeting power, but on the sure foundation of Christ’s reign. This is the good news.

    We do this through humility and gratitude. Since all that we have is by God’s grace, we respond by worshipping the Sovereign King and longing for His return, when He will make all things new and establish perfect justice. This is what we sing about when we sing so many of the great church hymns. This is the good news.

    Finally, this Dream of Daniel is just one of many lessons God sends us to encourage us to lift our eyes from the chaos of earth to the glory of His eternal kingdom. It assures us that our perseverance, our hope, and our inheritance are secure—not because of our merit, but because of Christ’s victory and God’s unbreakable covenant. This is the good news. 

    As we await the consummation of all things, let us rejoice and rest in the truth that “the Lord is King; let the earth rejoice” (Psalm 97:1). In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

    Bibliography

    Book of Confessions, Study Edition [Revised] [Book] / auth. OGA PC(USA). – Louisville : Westminster John Knox Press, 2017. – Kindle Edition : p. 76. – Part 1 of the Constitution of the Prebyterian Church (U.S.A.).

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

    Daniel / auth. Creasy Dr. Bill. – [s.l.] : Logos Bible Study, 2011. – Second Edition. – Audible Lecture.

    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.

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

  • God’s Sovereignty and the Hope of Redemption

    Daniel Series #8

    Daniel 8:1-17 NRSV

                In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had appeared to me at first. 2 In the vision, I saw myself in Susa, the capital, in the province of Elam, and I was by the Ulai Gate. 3 I looked up and saw a ram standing beside the gate. It had two horns. Both horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up second. 4 I saw the ram charging westward, northward, and southward. All beasts were powerless to withstand it, and no one could rescue from its power; it did as it pleased and became strong.

    5 As I was watching, a male goat appeared from the west, coming across the face of the whole earth without touching the ground. The goat had a horn between its eyes. 6 It came toward the ram with the two horns that I had seen standing beside the gate,[f] and it ran at it with savage force. 7 I saw it approaching the ram. It was enraged against it and struck the ram, breaking its two horns. The ram did not have power to withstand it; it threw the ram down to the ground and trampled upon it, and there was no one who could rescue the ram from its power. 8 Then the male goat grew exceedingly great, but at the height of its power, the great horn was broken, and in its place, there came up four prominent horns toward the four winds of heaven.

    9 Out of one of them came another[g] horn, a little one, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the beautiful land. 10 It grew as high as the host of heaven. It threw down to earth some of the host and some of the stars and trampled on them.11 Even against the prince of the host, it acted arrogantly; it took the regular burnt offering away from him and overthrew the place of his sanctuary. 12 Because of wickedness, the host was given over to it together with the regular burnt offering; it cast truth to the ground and kept prospering in what it did. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is this vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled?” 14 And he answered him, “For two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”

    When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it. Then someone appeared standing before me, having the appearance of a man, 16 and I heard a human voice by the Ulai, calling, “Gabriel, help this man understand the vision.” 17 So he came near where I stood, and when he came, I became frightened and fell prostrate. But he said to me, “Understand, O mortal, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

    Introduction: 

    Beloved, Daniel 8 presents yet another powerful vision of God’s sovereign hand at work throughout human history. We see empires rise and fall, evil powers oppress God’s people, and yet God remains in control. This message is as relevant today as it was in Daniel’s time. Amen!?

    Daniel receives a vision during the third year of King Belshazzar. In the vision, he sees himself in Susa, where a ram with two horns rises in power, charging in all directions unopposed. Suddenly, a male goat from the west, with a single prominent horn, attacks and defeats the ram. The goat becomes powerful, but its large horn is broken and replaced by four others. From one of these four horns emerges a small horn that grows in power, challenges heavenly powers, ends regular offerings, desecrates the sanctuary, and casts truth to the ground. Daniel hears a holy one’s question about the duration of these events and learns the period will last 2,300 evenings and mornings, after which the sanctuary will be restored. Like in chapter 7, Daniel could not understand what he saw. So, God instructs Gabriel to explain to Daniel what the vision means. Gabriel is the same angel that John tells us announces both John the Baptist and Jesus to their mothers.  

    1. God’s sovereignty over kingdoms 

    So, Gabriel explains what the ram, the goat, and the horns symbolize. We can also deduce from history what this vision means. Like all the dreams and visions in Daniel, the animals represent real history. The two-horned ram symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire. The goat that followed with a great horn represents the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, who defeated Cyrus the Great. The description of how fast the goat moves across the earth is indicative of Alexander’s prowess as a logistical military commander. The four smaller horns offset the great horn, representing the sudden death of Alexander the Great at age 32, when his four generals split his kingdom. (All this, and the imagery from the last chapter, would be very familiar to John when he writes Revelation 13) One must keep in mind the rest of Daniel as these visions unfold; kingdoms do not rise by chance, but under God’s sovereign decree. Daniel knows this by instinct and through faith. Recall what he says in 2:21, “He [God] changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.” God is not a passive observer but the sovereign ruler over history. Isaiah 46:9-10 also reminds us that God declares, “9…I am God, and there is no one like me, 10 declaring the outcome from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention,’”. Therefore, even when the world seems chaotic, God’s plan is unfolding perfectly.

    The little horn: Opposition to God’s people. 

    The vision then shifts to a “little horn” arising from one of the four horns, speaking boastfully and opposing God’s people. Historically, Antiochus IV Epiphanes fits this description. As ruler of the section of the Greek empire that held Jerusalem, he persecuted the Jews and desecrated the temple.

    History Lesson:

    The Seleucid Empire, originally tolerant of Jewish customs in Judea, saw a dramatic policy reversal under Antiochus IV. A conflict over the High Priesthood and potential political unrest led Antiochus IV to intervene violently in Jerusalem, resulting in a massacre and the installation of his preferred High Priest, Menelaus. He then issued decrees outlawing Jewish religious practices, desecrated the Temple by introducing Greek religious rites and sacrificial practices, and established a military fortress (the Acra) to control Jerusalem.

    These unprecedented attempts to suppress Judaism and enforce Hellenization, combined with brutal military actions, led to the Maccabean Revolt. Traditional accounts portray the uprising as a national resistance to foreign oppression; however, some modern scholars suggest it was also fueled by internal conflict between traditionalist and Hellenized Jewish factions. The crisis instigated by Antiochus IV catalyzed a significant revolt, ultimately reshaping Jewish society and establishing the Hasmonean dynasty. During the revolt in 1 and 2 Maccabees, the celebration of lights, or Hanukkah, comes from. 

    Yet this “little-horn” figure also points us forward in time to the ultimate Antichrist, described by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, “Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.” Not to mention the beast of Revelation 13. 

    Daniel is being shown a preview of what will happen in a few years, as well as what John will write about in his first two letters and the book of Revelation. None of this is shown to Daniel to scare him. No, it is shown to reassure him and as a moral lesson to God’s people. Daniel’s vision is a warning for believers to be vigilant, to stand firm in our faith, and to keep our eyes on his victorious King and coming Messiah, Christ.

    God’s Judgement and Redemption. 

    Daniel is not shown the specific details of Antiochus IV or the Maccabean revolt; he is only given the big picture, but despite the little horn’s apparent success, Daniel is assured that its end is destruction. Daniel 8:25 says, “But he [the little horn] shall be broken—but not by human hand.” Again, reflecting the assurance of God’s authority stated in chapter 2, a reassurance that God’s judgment is indisputable. Ultimately, Christ, the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14), will reign forever. Paul, who is also very familiar with the tales of Daniel, encourages us in Romans 8:28, saying, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” 

    This vision, both familiar and confusing, teaches us that no matter how dark the times or powerful the opposition, God reigns supreme. There is Hope in God’s sovereign plan, resting in His control over history—a plan of redemption of God’s people and creation. Gabriel encourages Daniel to stand firm against the spiritual forces that oppose God; likewise, we are encouraged to stand against any force that opposes Christ and His teachings. Knowing the promise and the life-changing power of Christ, as well as the life-giving promise of God’s grace, we are called to live as faithful witnesses, confident that God’s kingdom will prevail.

    Call to Action 

    Daniel’s vision is a reminder for us to take time to examine our hearts: Are we placing our trust in God’s sovereign plan or allowing anxiety about the future to take hold? How would you react to a vision like this from God? How would you handle Gabriel explaining it to you? Daniel’s vision is a call for us to commitment to daily prayer and reading Scripture—especially passages that remind us of God’s supreme authority, such as Psalm 46 which says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” or Romans 8 which says, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    As I reflect on this passage, providence brings to my attention the news of a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia, with a tsunami sweeping the Pacific coasts of the United States and Hawaii, on this day, July 30, 2025. In moments like these, the truths of Psalm 46 become not just words but anchors for the soul: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When we witness so many calamities—whether earthquakes, floods, heatwaves, violent storms, or even tragedies wrought by human hands—we are reminded that our sovereign God guides all of history according to His perfect will.

    Therefore, let us hold steadfastly to the faith once delivered to the saints. Let us pray fervently for creation and one another, as well, trusting not in our own wisdom or strength but in the gracious providence of our King. Encourage the church and every believer to persevere, knowing that Christ reigns and His kingdom cannot be shaken. Above all, we rest in the blessed assurance that our Lord will return in glory to consummate the redemption He accomplished on the cross—a truth attested by the angel Gabriel to Daniel and fulfilled in the finished work of Christ. In this sovereign hope, we endure, comforted by the knowledge that God’s purposes will stand, and His people shall never be forsaken.

                In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

    Bibliography

    Daniel / auth. Creasy, Dr. Bill – [s.l.] : Logos Bible Study, 2011. – Second Edition. – Audible Lecture.

    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.

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

  • 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.

    2 “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. 3 Then a warrior king shall arise who shall rule with great dominion and take action as he pleases. 4 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.

    5 “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. 6 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 7 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. 8 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; 9 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.