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God is Opposed

November 6, 2016 Preacher: Series: Daniel: The Faithfulness of God in Uncertain Times

Scripture: Daniel 11:1–45

Key Truth: God and His people will be opposed in history but His people are to stand firm, take action, and help others to understand His faithfulness to His redemptive promises.

 

Introduction:

Q: What are you most concerned with amidst political opposition to God and His people?

 

Daniel’s Vision of Civil War (Part 1): The Rise of the Seulicids:

Daniel 11:1-19

“The key ideas about these empires are expressed in these early verses, which state that kings shall “arise” (v.2), “become strong” (v. 2), and “shall be broken” (v. 4). These very words (or some form of them) occur over and over again in this chapter as the Lord establishes a pattern for all earthly kingdoms—they arise, become strong, and shall be broken—a pattern that is quite different from the final kingdom predicted, the kingdom of our Lord.”

Bryan Chapell, The Gospel According to Daniel: A Christ-Centered Approach

Q: What/Who do you turn to for comfort in all of the historical turmoil in our world?

 

Daniel’s Vision of Civil War (Part 2): The Rise of Antiochus IV:

Daniel 11:20-35

“(The people of God’s) experience should therefore not surprise them, as if something unexpected and out of control were happening to them. God was in control of these machinations as well. Nor should they seek to take matters into their own hands, as if by rising up against the authorities they could bring about the establishment of God’s kingdom more swiftly. Patient endurance would continue to be the order of the day until God intervened to set up his kingdom.”

Iain M. Duguid, Daniel: Reformed Expository Commentary

Q: What are God’s people called to do without fail throughout the changing historical tides and persecution?

 

Daniel’s Vision of the End Times: The Fall of The Last Anti-Christ:

Daniel 11:36-45

“The bottom line is instructive. It’s as if the Lord says to us: You must be prepared; in the world you have tribulation (cf. John 16:33); but don’t think too much of the ‘tribulator’, for though he may be dreadfully terrifying, he will be easily disposed of. That should put steel in our bones, in case we have to face the final scourge of history.”

Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel: His Kingdom Cannot Fail

Q: What is the most important truth concerning the Last Anti-Christ?

 

Daniel 11:1-45 teaches us that:

-Opposing kingdoms will rise, grow strong, and be broken in God’s sovereignty

-God’s people will suffer as a result but must stand firm, take action, and make disciples

-The Last Anti-Christ will oppose God but will come to his end

More in Daniel: The Faithfulness of God in Uncertain Times

November 13, 2016

God is Victorious

October 30, 2016

God is not a God of Fear

October 23, 2016

God is Redemptive