Life in a Hostile World: the real picture
Speaker: John Dunn
Date: 23rd May 2010
Passage: Daniel 7:1-14
00:00:00 --> 00:00:11 I'd like you to open your Bibles, please, at that Old Testament reading, Daniel 7, that's page 863.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 Over these past weeks, we've been looking at the life of Daniel.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:30 And now, in this chapter, there is a fundamental change in the whole character of the book.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:41 And as Mari read to us that first half of chapter 7, it's to do with this vision which Daniel had.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 It all made sense, didn't it?
00:00:49 --> 00:00:50 Let's pray.
00:00:50 --> 00:01:00 Father, we do ask for your grace to be able to just understand what you are saying to us in this passage.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 And we ask it in Christ's name.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:04 Amen.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:13 From this point onwards, and by the way, that vision belongs chronologically between chapters 4 and 5.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:22 So it's inserted here as a separate thing from what we've been looking at in these past weeks.
00:01:22 --> 00:01:31 What this vision does is it broadens our perspective, or certainly broadens Daniel's perspective beyond his own time.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 In fact, it broadens it beyond our time.
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 Right up to the judgment day.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:43 And it gives us an insight into what's going on behind the scenes in our human history.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 And there are two things we're going to see.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:57 We're going to see the world manipulated by evil powers, but a world under the control of our sovereign and omnipotent God.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:05 No wonder Steve has entitled this sermon, Life in a Hostile World, the Real Picture.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:11 So it begins with Daniel describing this vision dream.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 Remember, he is in exile in Babylon.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 So verse 1.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:24 In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:29 And visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:34 And he wrote down the substance of his dream.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 I'm very glad he wrote it down.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 You ever had a dream and it's been really quite bizarre?
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 But try writing it down.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 Well, the vision tells us a great deal about the end chapter of history.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:56 And so the question that the Jews would have been asking in exile, where is God in all this?
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 What's he doing?
00:02:59 --> 00:03:03 What about all those great covenant promises that he made to Abraham?
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 It all just seems to have fallen flat.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 What is happening?
00:03:08 --> 00:03:17 And as puzzling as the vision may have been, I don't doubt it was an encouragement to Daniel, even if he wasn't quite sure what it meant.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 But the message is no less relevant to us as it was to him.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 Because we too can lose hope if we're not careful.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:31 Things can go out of focus just in the events of our own personal lives, let alone in world events.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:36 And if we're not careful, our perspective can just become distorted.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:48 Now the thing I want to just make very clear so that we understand where we're heading is that Daniel's descriptions here in this chapter are in symbolic language.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:52 And it's the same sort of language that's used in the book of Revelation.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:59 In fact, many of the things which Daniel says here are virtually repeated in the book of Revelation by John.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 So just look at verses 2 and 3.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:05 Daniel said,
00:04:05 --> 00:04:21 Remember, it's apocalyptic language.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 It's symbolic of reality.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:30 There's a difference between apocalyptic language and literal language.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:39 And these descriptions are intended to convey a picture of reality, but are not literally describing that reality.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 Do you follow what I'm saying?
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 It's exactly the same in Revelation.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 Let me just give you a simple illustration.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 In Revelation, John talks about a bottomless pit.
00:04:50 --> 00:04:54 Now I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as a bottomless pit.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 But have you ever felt like you were in a bottomless pit?
00:05:00 --> 00:05:00 Yeah.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 So that's the point.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:06 It's language which is symbolic.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:11 It's describing something which in itself is not the reality, but it's telling us the reality.
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 Pictorial language.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 All right, four beasts.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 And we read of them there in verses 6 to 8.
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 Horrible beasts rising from the sea.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:28 Now in both Daniel and Revelation, the sea is a metaphor for the nations.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 It's the sea of restless humanity.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 The sea of the nations as they rise and fall.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:47 And we read in Revelation, the waters, the sea that you saw, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:50 Are you with me?
00:05:51 --> 00:05:55 It's out of these nations that these four beasts arise.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 What are they?
00:05:57 --> 00:05:58 What do they represent?
00:05:58 --> 00:06:04 Well, Daniel was so distressed by what he saw that he prayed for understanding.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 Now we've only read the first half of the chapter.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:15 You turn over and look at the second half of the chapter and look at verses 15 through to 16.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 Because this is the interpretation.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 Verse 15.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:25 I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:30 I approached one of those who was standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:33 So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:40 The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will arise from the earth.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 Yes, forever and forever.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 Four beasts, four kingdoms.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:59 Now it was the fourth of these beasts that so disturbed Daniel.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:04 Remember we read in verse 7, he was terrifying and frightening and very powerful.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:10 And Daniel's description is repeated in Revelation.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:16 John said, and I saw a beast coming out of the sea, rising out of the nations.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:22 He had ten horns, seven heads, ten crowns in his horns and on each head a blasphemous name.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:26 Same in principle is what Daniel saw.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:33 Now what we're not told in Daniel, but which John tells us in Revelation,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:38 is that behind this fourth beast is the dragon.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:44 Satan himself giving his authority to the beast.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 No wonder he's incredibly powerful.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:55 Behind this beast is Satan himself, who more than anything else wants to be seen as supreme and in authority.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 He wants to be God.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 What is this beast?
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 What's its mission?
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 What's it represent?
00:08:04 --> 00:08:11 Now many over the centuries have tried to work out what this beast was and what these various things represent.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:19 And so some have said, oh it's this, it was Rome or it was Greece or it was the Medes and the Persians or it was this happening or it was Hitler.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:25 And I think if we try to link it just to one particular individual or a period of time in history,
00:08:26 --> 00:08:31 then we may well just miss the whole point of what this is intended to convey.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:37 Having said that, there are many examples of this beast operating in our world history.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 And we can take Hitler as an example, if you like.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 He was an evil man.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:48 He epitomised the beastliness of fallen humanity, if you like.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:55 But behind all that he did and others like him is the dragon, Satan.
00:08:55 --> 00:09:03 And so it is out of man's beastliness that these tyrants are supported and given power by Satan.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:08 And my friend Jeffrey Bingham once wrote about this beast.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:18 He said, nothing beastly arises which has not come from that which is already beastly.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 Beastliness we understand.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:24 It's being animal-like in the worst forms when in fact we've been created human.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:28 No one can criticise a beast for being beastly.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:32 But humans are not essentially beasts.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:41 The truth of history is that beasts have always arisen from the human beastliness of pride and ambition and selfishness and anger and hatred and wrath.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:49 And the principle of history found here in Daniel burgeons out into terrible ways in the dragon and his beast.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:57 And we will miss the whole point of this prophecy if we do not recognise the elements working in the world today.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:07 Understanding the principle of beastliness, of seeming defeat of the people of God, of the ultimate triumph of God and his kingdom.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:19 We would be wrong if we linked the beast with some past kingdom, say Rome or some present kingdom, say Hitler's Germany or put it all into the future when we will not be here to see it.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:25 Now the important thing is to step back and take the big picture.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:30 On one of my business trips in Europe I visited the Louvre.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:38 And it was very crowded and I remember being sort of, you know, pushed along with the crowd and into one of these very big rooms.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:46 And as I turned here was this big picture and all I could see was just this section right here in front of me with very rough paintwork.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 And I just kept walking.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:58 And it wasn't until I got to the end that I turned back and suddenly saw this vast canvas of this magnificent picture.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 And we can look at the details and miss the big picture.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:08 Romans 13 tells us that all ruling powers are ordained by God.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:12 But Satan is forever perverting those powers.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:22 So he just takes what God has given and instituted for our welfare and he turns it, he twists it into an instrument of oppression.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 That's what he's been doing right down through history.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:28 And that's when we see beastliness in action.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:34 Well, Daniel saw something further in his vision.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:39 He saw the eternal kingdom of God, the ancient of days.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 Look at verses 9 and 10.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:47 As I looked, thrones were set in place and the ancient of days took his seat.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 That's just a way of describing God, the Father.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:56 His clothing was as white as snow and the hair of his head was white as wool.
00:11:56 --> 00:12:00 His throne was flaming with fire and his wheels were all ablaze.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:03 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 Thousands upon thousands attended him.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:11 The court was seated and the books were opened.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:17 Now the Bible clearly speaks about the kingdom of God.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:23 And we are told unambiguously that God is in control of all things.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:29 But history and our own experience often gives us a contrary message, doesn't it?
00:12:29 --> 00:12:32 It seems as if everything's out of control at times.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 And we go, well, where's God in all this?
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 Is he really in charge?
00:12:37 --> 00:12:41 And what we forget is that there is a duplicate kingdom.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:45 A counterfeit kingdom headed up by Satan.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 Jesus spoke of it.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 Paul spoke of it.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 John speaks of it many times in Revelation.
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 Satan has a kingdom and he has a throne.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 Read of that in Revelation.
00:12:57 --> 00:13:00 It talks about Satan's throne and the throne of the beast.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:05 So the purpose of these visions, both here in Daniel and in Revelation,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:11 is to show us in symbolic language that all things, including Satan and his pretend throne,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:16 are governed by our Lord, who is on the throne.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:23 And like John, Daniel saw the Lord God take his place on this throne,
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 the seat of all authority and judgment.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:31 As I read, thrones were set in place and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:36 But Daniel saw around this throne this vast throng.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 Thousands upon thousands attending him.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:42 Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:45 Remember John in Revelation said exactly the same thing.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:50 I looked and there was a great multitude that no one can count from every nation,
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 from all tribes and peoples and languages,
00:13:52 --> 00:13:54 standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 And then Daniel saw something even more amazing.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:01 Verse 13.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:09 I looked and there before me was one like a son of man,
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 coming with the clouds of heaven.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:16 He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:20 And he was given authority, glory and sovereign power.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:24 And all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:28 His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:31 And his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:39 And that's what Jesus was alluding to in that second passage that was read to us from Mark.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:44 This is a wonderful description of the Lord Jesus Christ because he's the son of God,
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 the son of man.
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 And to him God has given all authority and power.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:52 We read in both Corinthians, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians,
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 that he's put all things under his feet.
00:14:55 --> 00:15:01 John saw the same thing in Revelation.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:08 Do you remember that he saw that this scroll was brought
00:15:08 --> 00:15:10 and the question was asked,
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 who is worthy to open up this scroll,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:15 to take up this unroll of seals and open the scroll?
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 And no one could be found who was worthy.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 Remember, and John was very distressed.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 And then it was said,
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 ah, yes, no, but here is one who is worthy.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 The lamb that was slain.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 And so we read in Revelation
00:15:29 --> 00:15:32 that he went and he took the scroll from the right hand
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 of the one who was seated on the throne.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:38 And he was able to open the seals.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 And it was as if the father was saying to him,
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 here you are, son.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 Here is the scroll with the seven seals.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 You are to open those seals.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 And every seal you open
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 will be something that happens in history
00:15:51 --> 00:15:54 that will be of enormous significance.
00:15:55 --> 00:16:00 And it can never happen unless you control history.
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 And then the seventh angel blew his trumpet
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 and there was loud voices in heaven saying,
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 the kingdom of the world has become
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 the kingdom of our Lord and his Messiah
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 and he will reign forever and ever.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:17 And so it is through Christ
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 that God is at work in our human history
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 to control it,
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 to sustain it
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 and to bring salvation to his people
00:16:25 --> 00:16:29 and the final defeat of all evil.
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 He's the Lord of history.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 He's the king of the kingdom.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 And he alone has the right
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 as sovereign to rule the nations.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:41 He alone has the full authority of the father
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 and is competent to take the whole world
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 to its final destiny.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 This is the sovereign Lord,
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 the son of man.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:57 That's what Daniel saw in this astounding vision.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 Now whether we realise it or not,
00:17:00 --> 00:17:03 we're engaged in a spiritual battle every day
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 and we're faced with a powerful enemy
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 who was out to destroy God's people.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 Paul tells that to us in Ephesians,
00:17:10 --> 00:17:10 you remember?
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 He says our struggle
00:17:11 --> 00:17:13 is not against flesh and blood
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 but against the rulers,
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 against the authorities,
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 against the powers of this dark world
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 and against the spiritual forces of evil
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 and the heavenly places.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 That's the battle we're in
00:17:21 --> 00:17:23 every day,
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 whether we realise it or not.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 I think most Christians don't.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 And we're told this many times in scripture.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 But none more clearly than here in Daniel 7.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 Look at verse 19.
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 Then I wanted to know the true meaning
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 of the fourth beast,
00:17:44 --> 00:17:47 which was different from all the others
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 and most terrifying.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 Just go down to verse 20.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 I also wanted to know about the ten horns
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 and its head
00:17:56 --> 00:17:59 and about the other horn that came up.
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 Verse 21.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 As I watched,
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 this horn was waging war
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 against the saints
00:18:06 --> 00:18:10 and defeating them.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 Until,
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 verse 22,
00:18:18 --> 00:18:21 until the Ancient of Days came
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 and pronounced judgment
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 in favour of the saints
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 of the Most High
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 and the time came
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 and the time came
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 when they possessed the kingdom.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 Verse 23.
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 He gave me this explanation.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 The fourth beast
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 is a fourth kingdom
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 will appear on earth.
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 It will be different
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 from all the other kingdoms
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 and will devour the whole earth,
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 trampling it down
00:18:39 --> 00:18:41 and crushing it.
00:18:42 --> 00:18:44 And just skipping to verse 25.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 He,
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 that's this beast,
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 will speak against the Most High
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 and oppress his saints
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 and try to change
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 the set times and laws.
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 Just think a moment
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 about that verse.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 What's behind the beast?
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 Who's behind the beast?
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 Satan himself.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 What is Satan trying to do
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 all the time?
00:19:10 --> 00:19:13 He is constantly speaking
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 blasphemies against God.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 We get that from both
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 Daniel and Revelation.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 Never lets up.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 What else is he trying to do?
00:19:24 --> 00:19:26 He's trying to oppress the saints.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 Never lets up.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 What's the third thing
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 he's trying to do?
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 He's trying to change history
00:19:34 --> 00:19:38 to his favour.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 There it is,
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 there in verse 25.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 He will speak against
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 the Most High,
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 oppress his saints
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 and try to change
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 the set times and the laws.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 And the saints
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 will be handed over
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 to him for a time,
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 times and half a time.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 Now that's exactly
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 what John saw
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 in his revelation
00:19:57 --> 00:20:00 in that vision he had.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 Let me read one verse.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 The dragon was allowed,
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 allowed,
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 allowed,
00:20:08 --> 00:20:10 to make war on the saints
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 and to conquer them.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 It was given
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 authority over the tribe
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 and people
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 and every tribe
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 and people
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 and language
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 and nation.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 Job's a good illustration,
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 isn't it?
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 Yes,
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 here was Satan
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 and he was allowed
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 to afflict Job
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 but only up to a certain point.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 We're in a monster battle.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 The New Testament
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 tells us
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 that defeated forces of evil
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 and not yet destroyed.
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 They still have tremendous power
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 to work havoc
00:20:40 --> 00:20:42 and so we must be realistic.
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 Yes,
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 of course,
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 the great victory
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 has been won on that cross.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:50 And we must never forget that,
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 never lose sight of that.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 But meantime,
00:20:54 --> 00:20:56 Satan is out to destroy us
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 and he sometimes
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 and he sometimes
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 is permitted to succeed
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 as these passages
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 tell us so clearly.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 Do you know
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 that in the 20th century
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 it's estimated
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 that some
00:21:06 --> 00:21:09 210 million Christians
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 were martyred?
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 Yes,
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 Satan is allowed
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 to have authority.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 We must never forget it.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 But above him
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 and over him
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 is our sovereign God.
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 Notice that
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 Satan's power
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 is limited.
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 He's not allowed
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 to continue his war
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 on God's people forever.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 Daniel is specifically
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 told
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 that they would suffer
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 under Satan's hands
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 for a time,
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 times
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 and half a time.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 Don't worry about
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 what that means.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 What it says,
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 it is for a set period
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 set by God.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 God is sovereign.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 John was told
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 exactly the same
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 in Revelation.
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 So Satan's days
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 are numbered
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 and so too
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 are those
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 who refuse
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 to come
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 under Christ's lordship.
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 God's judgment
00:21:56 --> 00:21:58 will fall.
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 And that's what
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Daniel saw
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 this day of reckoning.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 Verse 10.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 The court was seated
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 and the books
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 were opened.
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 And John wrote,
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 I saw the dead
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 great and small
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 standing before the throne
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 and books
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 were opened.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 Also another book
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 was opened,
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 the book of life
00:22:20 --> 00:22:20 and the dead
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 were judged
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 according to their works
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 as recorded in the books.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 So as the pages
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 of the books
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 are opened,
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 so the judgment
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 of God
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 is issued.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 And the arrogance
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 and the pride
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 and the power
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 of the beast
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 are now assigned
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 to destruction.
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 Look at verse 11,
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 Daniel 7,
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 verse 11.
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 Then I continued
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 to watch
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 because of the boastful
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 words the horn
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 was speaking.
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 I kept looking
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 until the beast
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 was slain.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 And his body
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 destroyed
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 and thrown
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 into the blazing fire.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 And then just
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 turn over
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 to verse 26.
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 But the court
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 will sit
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 and his,
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 that is,
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 the beast's power
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 will be taken away
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 and completely
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 destroyed forever.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 John says
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 exactly the same
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 thing
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 in Revelation 19.
00:23:13 --> 00:23:13 Well,
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 how has this
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 great victory
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 been accomplished?
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 Daniel's not told.
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 But John knows
00:23:21 --> 00:23:23 and so do we.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 Do you remember
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 Jesus said
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 in John 12,
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 now is the judgment
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 of this world,
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 now shall the ruler
00:23:30 --> 00:23:32 of this world
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 be cast out
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 and I,
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 when I am lifted up
00:23:35 --> 00:23:35 from the earth,
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 will draw all men
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 to myself.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 He's talking about
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 the cross
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 and the great
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 victory of the cross.
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 And so John wrote,
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 worthy is the lamb
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 that was slaughtered.
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 What for?
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 Well,
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 in order to receive
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 power and wealth
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 and wisdom
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 and might
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 and honour
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 and glory
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 and blessing.
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 And then he said,
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 I heard every creature
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 in heaven
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 and on earth
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 and under the earth
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 and in the sea
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 and all that's in them
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 singing to the one
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 seated on the throne
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 and to the lamb
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 be blessing
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 and honour
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 and glory
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 and might forever.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 And then they cried
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 out in a loud voice
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 saying,
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 salvation belongs
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 to our God
00:24:12 --> 00:24:12 who is seated
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 on the throne
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 and to the lamb.
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 He is our sovereign Lord.
00:24:19 --> 00:24:19 And so God
00:24:19 --> 00:24:21 has placed a cross
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 in the centre of history
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 where all evil
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 was defeated
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 and destroyed forever.
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 And so it is the shed
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 blood of the lamb of God,
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 the eternal son
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 by whom God
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 accomplishes
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 this staggering victory
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 over the beast
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 and his cohorts.
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 And as men
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 and women of faith
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 we share now
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 in that victory.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:46 But Daniel sees
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 even more
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 in his vision.
00:24:48 --> 00:24:50 Verse 18,
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 look at verse 18.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 And the saints
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 of the most high
00:24:53 --> 00:24:55 will receive the kingdom
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 and will possess it
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 forever.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 Yes,
00:24:57 --> 00:24:59 forever and ever.
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 And then turn
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 to verse 27.
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 Then the sovereignty,
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 power
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 and greatness
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 of the kingdom
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 under the whole heaven
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 will be handed over
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 to the saints,
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 the people of the most high.
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 His kingdom
00:25:11 --> 00:25:13 will be an everlasting kingdom
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 and all rulers
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 will worship
00:25:15 --> 00:25:15 and obey him.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 Daniel saw
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 that the kingdom
00:25:18 --> 00:25:20 is going to belong
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 to the people of God.
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 God,
00:25:22 --> 00:25:26 this staggering promise
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 is in the process
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 of being fulfilled
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 right now.
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 Here we are
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 sitting in St. Paul's
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 Chatsford
00:25:31 --> 00:25:33 and right now
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 you and I
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 are part of the
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 fulfillment
00:25:35 --> 00:25:37 of that very promise.
00:25:38 --> 00:25:40 We're not there yet.
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 You've probably noticed.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:44 We're on our way
00:25:44 --> 00:25:46 and the full blessing
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 of the kingdom
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 lies ahead
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 and though we have
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 all the promises
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 the father inheritance
00:25:50 --> 00:25:52 is yet to be experienced
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 in all its fullness
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 and it's that
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 for which we hope.
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 That's the substance
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 of Daniel's message
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 and his vision
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 and indeed
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 it's the message
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 of the whole of scripture.
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 We're going to reign
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 with Christ
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 the father.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 Is that an encouragement?
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 Are you bored?
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 Or does this
00:26:14 --> 00:26:16 change your perspective
00:26:16 --> 00:26:18 on where you are now
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 in your life
00:26:19 --> 00:26:21 and within the context
00:26:21 --> 00:26:21 of where we are
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 in the world today?
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 None of us
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 have got any right
00:26:26 --> 00:26:26 you know
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 to God's grace
00:26:27 --> 00:26:30 and so our pressing
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 need and responsibility
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 is to repent
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 of our obscene
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 rebellion and sin
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 to capitulate
00:26:34 --> 00:26:37 and to live
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 obediently
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 to Christ
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 as Lord of all.
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 Throughout
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 human history
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 there's always been
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 this ebb and flow
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 of evil
00:26:45 --> 00:26:47 and the activity
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 of the beast.
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 It's always been
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 that way
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 but our sovereign God
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 has the final word.
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 Let me conclude
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 just by
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 quoting to you
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 Psalm 2
00:26:59 --> 00:27:01 the most quoted
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 psalm
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 in the New Testament.
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 He who sits
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 in the heavens
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 laughs
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 the Lord
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 has them
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 in derision.
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 In other words
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 the rebellious nations
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 and behind them
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 Satan himself
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 he just laughs
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 at them.
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 Then he will
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 speak to them
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 in his wrath
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 and terrify them
00:27:19 --> 00:27:19 in his fury
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 saying
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 I have set
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 my king
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 on Zion
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 my holy hill
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 I have put
00:27:24 --> 00:27:26 the son of man
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 King Jesus
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 in the place
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 of supreme authority
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 and power.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 He says
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 I will tell
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 of the decree
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 of the Lord
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 he said to me
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 you are my son
00:27:36 --> 00:27:36 today I have
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 begotten you
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 ask of me
00:27:38 --> 00:27:38 and I will
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 make the nations
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 your heritage
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 and the ends
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 of the earth
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 your possession.
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 The nations
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 are going to be
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 given to Christ
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 to rule
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 as their Lord.
00:27:47 --> 00:27:51 And the psalmist
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 says you shall
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 break them
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 with a rod
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 of iron
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 and dash
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 them in pieces
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 like a potter's
00:27:55 --> 00:27:55 vessel.
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 This is God
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 speaking of course
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 though they
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 reject the son
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 he will be
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 their judge.
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 Now therefore
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 O kings
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 be wise
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 be warned
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 O rulers
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 of the earth
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 serve the Lord
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 with fear
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 with trembling
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 kiss his feet
00:28:08 --> 00:28:10 kiss the feet
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 of Christ
00:28:11 --> 00:28:14 or you'll be
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 angry
00:28:15 --> 00:28:15 and you'll
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 perish in the
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 way
00:28:16 --> 00:28:18 for his wrath
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 is quickly
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 kindled.
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 Gentle Jesus
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 meek and mild
00:28:25 --> 00:28:29 well we read
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 in Revelation
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 of the wrath
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 of the Lamb
00:28:31 --> 00:28:33 ultimately all
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 humans will bow
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 before the judgment
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 of the Son of God
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 and have to face
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 the wrath of the Lamb
00:28:37 --> 00:28:39 but that psalm
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 finishes
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 happy are all
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 those who take
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 refuge in him
00:28:43 --> 00:28:46 so you and I
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 dare not reject
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 Christ whom God
00:28:48 --> 00:28:48 has appointed
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 as the redeemer
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 and judge of all
00:28:50 --> 00:28:52 believe in him
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 trust him
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 bow before him
00:28:53 --> 00:28:55 take refuge
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 in Christ
00:28:56 --> 00:28:58 that's the overall
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 picture of Daniel
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 7
00:28:59 --> 00:29:02 our Lord God
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 is sovereign
00:29:02 --> 00:29:04 and even though
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 we live in a
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 hostile world
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 headed up
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 with the beastliness
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 of Satan
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 himself
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 we must see
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 the big picture
00:29:10 --> 00:29:12 the real picture
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 and maintain
00:29:14 --> 00:29:17 an eternal
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 perspective
00:29:17 --> 00:29:20 so verse 27
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 of Daniel 7
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 says
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 the greatness
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 of the kingdom
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 under the whole
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 heaven
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 shall be given
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 to the saints
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 of the most high
00:29:27 --> 00:29:29 we're going to
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 reign
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 in triumph
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 with Christ
00:29:31 --> 00:29:34 Paul tells us
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 in Ephesians
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 God the Father
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 has put all things
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 under his feet
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 and has made him
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 head over all
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 things
00:29:41 --> 00:29:43 does anyone know
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 how that verse
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 ends
00:29:44 --> 00:29:50 God has made him
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 head over all
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 things
00:29:51 --> 00:29:53 for the church
00:29:53 --> 00:29:56 for us
00:29:56 --> 00:29:58 that's the
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 perspective we
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 need before us
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 every day
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 let's pray
00:30:02 --> 00:30:04 Father thank you
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 so much for this
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 word
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 thank you Lord
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 for this
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 incredible chapter
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 and how it opens
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 up to us
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 the vast
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 panorama
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 of history
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 where we see
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 that you are
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 Lord and
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 sovereign
00:30:15 --> 00:30:17 even over
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Satan and
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 all his
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 cohorts
00:30:18 --> 00:30:20 help us to
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 recognise
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 that we are
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 in a monster
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 battle
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 but it's a
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 battle where
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 the victory
00:30:24 --> 00:30:24 has already
00:30:24 --> 00:30:26 been won
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 on that
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 cross
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 may we
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 live
00:30:29 --> 00:30:29 in the
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 fullness
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 and the
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 freshness
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 and the
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 reality
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 of our
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 forgiveness
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 and the
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 grace
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 that's
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 come to us
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 in Christ
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 and know
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 that at
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 the end
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 we're going
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 to reign
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 with him
00:30:40 --> 00:30:42 thank you
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 our father
00:30:42 --> 00:30:44 in Christ's
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 name
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 Amen
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 Amen