The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Daniel 7-9
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People
Background Information: Daniel 7-9
Daniel’s vision takes us back to the reign of Belshazzar. He sees four beasts, representing four earthly kingdoms. The first beast was given the mind of a man, pointing to Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon. The second beast represents the Persians who conquered the Babylonians. The third is the rise of the Greek kingdom, and the four heads may be the rulers who divided the kingdom after the death of Alexander. The fourth beast points us to the rise of the mighty Roman Empire. Then comes the vision of the judgment throne of God. The fire and the white speak of his holiness and wisdom. Multitudes serve and worship him as the earthly kingdoms are all brought low. Suddenly, in the midst of these epic visions, comes “One like a son of man,” who approaches the throne of God and is given an everlasting kingdom. Jesus favorite self-designation was “Son of Man.” He said that he would establish an everlasting kingdom. At his ascension, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Daniel is privileged to see the coming of the Messiah in his future. The visions depict, with remarkable historical accuracy, what was yet to come. For instance, the rise of the terrible Greek King Antiochus, who defiled the Temple altar, forbid obeying the Law of God, and set himself up as a god. After three years, the temple was cleansed and offerings were restored by a group of men known as the Maccabees. These events would happen four hundred years after Daniel lived and saw the visions. The language of seven times seven is rooted in Leviticus and the year of Jubilee. That year came every forty-nine years as a time of freedom, rest, and celebration for the land and the people. It was an ongoing picture of the future Kingdom when rest and freedom from slavery would become permanent. All of this pointed to Jesus, who was born during the final days of the Roman Empire. There is no consensus on how much of Daniel’s visions are in our past and how much are yet in our future, but there is consensus on the ultimate victory of Jesus. His kingdom was inaugurated two thousand years ago, and it will be consummated in our future. The details of Daniel’s future have been validated by history. God revealed to him what only God could know. The details of our future will be validated by history as well. God has said that the Son of Man will return and that his Kingdom will be without end.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to encourage the young women leading Christian Challenge small groups as they gather this evening. Pray that God would use these young women to lead others to faithfully walk with Jesus.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.