The Pats play the Ravens this weekend. Nobody knows the
outcome of that game. On ESPN, the
analysts look at stats, charts, and past performance to make a prediction, but
it’s just that – a prediction. Some will be wrong. Some will be right. I just my team shows up in Foxboro ready to
play to win! Yes, it’s just a game and
knowing the outcome is not of great consequence. But, how would you like to know the outcome
of life? How would you like to know what’s in store for this world?
Someone does know the outcome of history and He’s revealed
it to us. Daniel calls Him “the Ancient of Days.” Yes,
God has a plan for human history and time is marching to the finale at His
Throne! Daniel, that wise and godly
prophet in exile in Babylon, was privileged to see glimpses of the future. He
saw the empires that would rise and fall – Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and
Roman – in his visions.
And, then he saw
a terrifying development for the end of human
history. Arising out of the ashes of
the Roman Empire, another rule arose, ruthless, lawless, and hating God and His
people.
Here’s how Daniel saw it. "I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so
different from the others and so terrifying. It devoured and crushed its
victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, and it trampled what was left beneath
its feet. I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the
little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This
was the horn that seemed greater than the others and had human eyes and a mouth
that was boasting arrogantly. As I watched, this horn was waging war against
the holy people and was defeating them, until the Ancient One came and judged
in favor of the holy people of the Most High. Then the time arrived for the
holy people to take over the kingdom." (Daniel 7:19-22, NLT)
The increasing godlessness of this world will lead to the
emergence of a ‘horn,’ (Biblical symbol of power) who will do amazing, yet
terrible things, when he takes control. His influence will extend world-wide,
the Bible teaches. John nicknames him, “Anti-Christ.” (the adversary of Christ) His rule will produce a time of ungodliness
without precedent in history. He will
appear to destroy the Church, attempting to erase the name of Christ from the earth. But, Daniel ‘saw’ the whole story! It did not end with the rise of the
Anti-Christ. "As my vision continued
that night, I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of
heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was
given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so
that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is
eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed." (Daniel
7:13-14, NLT) The Son of Man, Jesus
Christ, comes! God speaks! “Then
the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and
completely destroyed. Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the
kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. They
will rule forever, and all rulers will serve and obey them.” (Daniel
7:26-27, NLT)
The sum of all this mystery is that no matter how bad things
appear, God wins! We are invited to
enter into His Kingdom, right here, right now. The benefits of the blessings of
eternal life, of total assurance in the face of earth’s great uncertainties, belong
to us who are children of the Ancient of
Days through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. Christians who think that knowing Him is only
about a marginally better life for this day, about gaining a few trinkets in
their possession, are missing the point.
Christ brings us LIFE, eternal and glorious, and brings us into the
favor of the Living God. Oh, we need a
bigger vision.
Daniel’s life of solid commitment, faithful service, and
excellence in all things is a model for all those who would live godly
lives. Though he lived his whole life in
exile, his hope never wavered. Why? Because he looked beyond the end of this world and glimpsed the world that
exists outside of time, beyond the reach of sin and suffering, in the Presence
of the Father. My prayer is that the
Lord will give us a vision that powerful!
And, having caught sight of Heaven, we will, like the old prophet, stand
steady, give ourselves to the Kingdom, and prepare for our appearance at the
Throne of the Ancient of Days.
Here’s the word from the Word. Keep the faith!
"Each one of
these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still
believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their
greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People
who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If
they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they
wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You
can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them."
(Hebrews 11:13-16, The Message)
"God had a better
plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one
completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours."
(Hebrews 11:40, The Message)
________________
Come Ye Sinners Poor
And Needy
Come ye sinners poor
and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick
and sore.
Jesus, ready, stands
to save you,
Full of pity, love,
and power.
I will arise and go to
Jesus,
He will embrace me in
His arms.
In the arms of my dear
Savior,
O there are ten
thousand charms.
Come ye thirsty, come
and welcome,
God's free bounty,
glorify.
True belief and true
repentance,
Every grace that
brings you nigh.
Come ye weary, heavy
laden,
Lost and ruined by the
Fall.
If you tarry ‘till
you're better,
You will never come at
all.
Let not conscience
make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly
dream.
All the fitness He
requires,
Is to feel your need
of Him.
CCLI Song # 1783576
Joseph Hart | Royce Eckhardt
© Words: Public Domain
CCLI License # 810055
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