Title Daniel 2:36-45 (2011.1.9)
Contents
Title: Waiting for the Kingdom of God
Text: (Daniel 2:36-45)
Hymns: 208. my lord's country
Date: January 9, 2011 (Sunday) 5:00 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
If there is a way to know the future, life in the present may be a little easier. But no machine or sage in the world can predict our future. But the Bible, made 2,000 years ago, tells us about our future. What message will God deliver to us living in the last days?
1. We must listen to the word of God (verse 36).
(Text verses 37-45) is Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Daniel clearly declares that Nebuchadnezzar's position, authority, and glory were not obtained by his own power, but was given by God, who is in control of the history of the world. Such a declaration must have come as a shock to Nebuchadnezzar, who was then the largest empire in the world. The ‘golden head’ in (verse 38) symbolizes the Babylonian Empire. The reason Nebuchadnezzar was identified with the Babylonian Empire was that he was superior to any other king of Babylon, and the Babylonian Empire grew into a world-class empire with his accession.
Do we not hear things that make us feel uncomfortable, such as the words of repentance and the words of authority, as if they were spoken to others? The Word has nothing to throw away. We must be spiritually awake to hear God's word toward us with humility.
2. We must hope for the eternal kingdom of God (verse 44).
It not only shows the huge statue that symbolizes the kingdoms of the world, but also hints at the next country to come. Christ smashed the iron and clay feet of the image. It was a huge statue, but it was shattered. Human wisdom and science strive to build a utopia, but human history will never end with a utopia. The great historical philosophy that history will end with the kingdom of God established by Almighty God is contained in this revelation. Now the stone that struck the idol will form a great mountain and fill the whole world. The kingdom of the world will eventually become the kingdom of Christ, and Christ, the King of kings, will be the last.
3. We must wait for the Lord's return (verse 45).
The kingdom of God revealed through the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar gives us hope. As God's chosen people, we must view the world in the light of the Word. God will keep us from the world in the last days. We must be the five wise virgins preparing for the coming of Christ. Like Daniel, we must realize and acknowledge that the entire universe is under God's control. What God wants is to perfect His chosen people and use them as instruments for His glory. On the day of the second coming of Christ, the kingdom of the world will be destroyed and the kingdom of God will be consummated and will last forever. Waiting for that day, please dedicate yourself to being used as an instrument of God's glory.
Christ is with us in every situation. The Lord will complete the kingdom of God in His own way. In the last days, the saints who have worn out their faith through suffering and tribulation in the midst of the world will be praised. As we look forward to the last days, we hope that we may submit to our heavenly rule. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
<Prayer>
1. Prepare for the kingdom of God and live in hope!
2. Make it a vital worship service and allow many faithful new families to register!
3. Heal the sick! (Elder Kim Eul-su, Deacon Park Jong-rok, Deacon Kim Young-sik, Deacon Kim Wan-jin, Deacon Jeong Mi-ra, Brother Kim...)