We were expecting this, keep going with bold faith in the eternal King! - Daniel 11

Daniel 11 “We were expecting this, keep going with bold faith in the eternal King”  

 

Intro: Understand the scriptures and so turn to the Lord!

 

          1) New kings keep arising because all kings die (v1-20)

 

God’s people are to be strengthened for faithfulness;

 

• Under Persian kings (v2)

 

 

• Under Alexander the Great (v3-4)

 

 

• In the middle of conflicts between the Northern Seleucids and the Southern Ptolemies

 

 

We were expecting this, keep going with bold faith in the eternal King!

 

 

           2) The threat of evil seems to grow and deepen (v21-39)

 

Antiochus IV ‘Epiphanes’ – the contemptible person (v21);

 

• Causes havoc across the region (v22-24)

 

• But only for a time (v24)

 

• His end will come at the appointed time (v27)

 

Horror for the people of God in 167BC;

• Heart “set against the holy covenant”, Venting “his fury against the holy covenant”

 

 

• Why? Because of the reality of the spiritual battle we are in. Satan hates God and God’s people.

 

But despite the horror, God’s people have Daniel 11 and so can say; “We were expecting this, keep going with bold faith in the eternal King!”

 

 

         3) A day has been appointed when opposition will come to an end (v40-45)

 

If Daniel stopped there we would have the clarity of sight and the exhortation to faithfulness that we need to battle well. But God is merciful and so Daniel continues so that we can be filled with bright hope even as we battle faithfully;

 

• Antiochus IV sets the pattern of Antichrist that we are to expect until Jesus returns

 

• Verse 40-45 fast-forwarding until the end of time and Revelation 20?

 

• Verses that prepare God’s people for Herod, for Nero, for Hitler and Communism and Iran and Putin ……

 

• A day is coming when evil will be finished with forever

 

• We are to spend our time faithfully and boldly proclaiming King Jesus while we wait for him to return

 

Psalm 37: We were expecting this we are to keep going with bold faith in Jesus.

 

Questions to think through:

• Does the Open Doors video fill you with dread and worry or boldness and zeal? Why do you think you responded as you did?
• In verses 1-20 how should the basic truth, that all rulers and leaders die, impact on God’s people? Why should the detail of this prophesy encourage you?
• In verses 21-39 why does Antiochus Epiphanes hate God’s people so much and carry out so much offense and profanity? How did Scott’s sermon on Daniel 10 prepare us for this?
• Verses 40-45. Whether you agree with the timeline given by Pete or not, why is the amazing anti-climax of verse 45 so confidence giving for followers of Jesus?
• How are you going to live more faithfully and boldly in the light of Daniel 11?