Title Daniel 11:20~27 (2011.2.9)
Contents
Title: Battle for the throne
Text: (Daniel 11:20-27)
Hymns: 370. me in the state
Date: February 9, 2011 (Wednesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
Human history is a history of betrayal. Betrayal, intrigue, and murder take place between family members, brothers, friends, and military officers to claim the throne or the throne. Like a flower in the grass, she bleeds for a fleeting glory. However, believers should not live for temporary glory, but live for eternal glory.
1. The lowly one becomes king
After the death of Antiochus III, his son (Seleucus IV) succeeds to the throne. He appoints an oppressor (Heliodorus) to pay war reparations for the defeat of his dead father. But he banishes the king and kills him. The servant killed the king. Upon learning of this, Antiochus Epinanes ascended the throne after slaying Heliodorus.
Humans do not choose any means and methods to achieve their goals. It doesn't matter who the opponent is. But Christians are people who value the process for good results. Both the process and the result must be done God's way. Then God helps us with our plans.
2. Specific heat begets specific heat
After becoming a mean king, Epiphanes continues to use mean methods. First, allies with other kings to eliminate large armies that are ‘like overflowing water’. He makes false pacts with his allies and invades when they are vigilant, subduing his kings. The spoils taken from the allies are distributed among their troops, servants, and people to win favor. He doesn't do anything in a fair way. Success in a mean way cannot be called true success. Because it is not God's will and way. Anything that is not done in God's way will inevitably result in God's judgment.
How do we like to choose? Do you not walk away from God's will by human means and methods? You need time to look back.
3. Powers to defeat
Epiphanes invades Egypt, the southern kingdom. Egypt is a country in which his sister had a son who was married to him, and he has a nephew (Ptolemy VI) as king. Before he invaded, he bribed the entourage of the king of Egypt, which led him to defeat. And a new king was established in Egypt. The one Egypt was divided in two. In order to weaken the power of Egypt, he forced him to make a peace treaty with him. To satisfy their political ambitions, they killed and suppressed anyone. It clearly shows the evil heart of human beings who want to satisfy their desires. I hope that you will come out of the path of destruction by realizing that Satan's work is behind your desires.
The Apostle Paul said, “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15). Greed is a shortcut to tragedy. Let us pray that we may achieve salvation by giving up greed and enduring all tribulations until the final judgment comes.
<Prayer>
1. Help me to seek God's vision, not my desire!
2. May the church be filled with the Word and grace!
3. Heal and restore the weak!