InPerspective

Harry Reeder: There is an unremitting, continual, seemingly unfathomable ability of Satan to rebel against the kingdom of God by raising up false prophets, false teachers, and particularly using the kingdoms of this world to rebel in cosmic treason against the King himself and the kingdom of God.

Guest (Male): Putting life in biblical perspective with Dr. Harry L. Reeder. This is In Perspective, a radio and internet ministry of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. One consistent theme in apocalyptic biblical literature is Satan's relentless rebellion against God's kingdom, using false prophets, false teachers, and the world's kingdoms as pawns in his cosmic treason.

Thankfully, another consistent theme is the constant reminder that no matter how badly things seem to be going at any particular time in history, God ultimately wins. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder takes us to Daniel chapter seven for today's teaching, part two of his message: The Triumph of the King and His Kingdom.

Harry Reeder: Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarm me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart. In other words, Daniel hasn't yet quite been settled. We've got more visions to come. So we're not going to settle everything with this vision.

But what has this interpretation told us? Well, first of all, it's one that doesn't amaze us, that actually all of these beasts represent kings and kingdoms. That shouldn't surprise us. We still do it today. We even have kings and kingdoms represented by things like eagles today, don't we? Do you all remember one? Well, you live in it. That's how people know us is the eagle.

Of course, if Ben Franklin had had his way, they'd know us as the turkey. That's what he wanted us to have as our symbol was a turkey. But there's the eagle. And you've got Russia and you've got China. You've got the bear. You've got things that are still out there today. And of course, there are those who would try to take modern language that is being used about nations today and put it to these particular kingdoms.

But I don't believe so. I think the Scriptures are pretty clear here that what we have is Babylon, and then Medo-Persia, and then we have Greece, and then we have the Roman Empire. But the Roman Empire is different from all the rest because it doesn't just end. It keeps going and it has spawned numerous—its legacy empires have continued. And we even live in that legacy today throughout Europe and the West.

And those legacy empires have continued with it, and other empires have risen up in trying to respond to it. And so it continues, and there has been warfare of its kings and its kingdoms, and all of those things have been taking place with a constant rebellion against God. And constantly looking for these legacy empires that have come out of the Roman Empire, they have continually done what?

Sought to make war against God, his kingdom, and to wear out the saints and seemingly at times prevail upon them. The hundred plus million that died in China, the millions under Pol Pot, the millions that died in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution—there has been in kingdom after kingdom this assault upon the people of God through the kingdoms of this world.

And there seems to be this one kingdom manifestation of that Roman Empire by one powerful leader who will be one standing against the Ancient of Days—this Antichrist, a man who will boast great things, even to the changing of things. How the changing of laws, the denying of God's laws, the denying of truth, the denying of all that is right. And this one who will usurp with great power seemingly to the point of prevailing until the Ancient of Days sends the Son of Man. And he brings the victory and his kingdom, and then will ultimately bring it to glorious triumph.

Well, let me take on just a couple of takeaways for us here. Just a couple of things to download from this. Now remember, we're going to be building on these visions. But the first thing I want you to see is just kind of take a look at where we've come from the vision to Nebuchadnezzar that Daniel interpreted—that's the first takeaway, the vision that was given to Nebuchadnezzar that Daniel interpreted—to this vision that was given to Daniel.

And so here is a vision that's given to Daniel and a vision that goes back to Nebuchadnezzar's vision. And we see that there is a relationship that's there, and it's very clearly a relationship that the rebellion against God and his kingdom is directly related to the kingdoms of this world. My forefathers, who had a Christian world and life view when they put this country into place, they knew.

They knew you've got to have limited government because every experience in government had always been not only tyrannical, but ultimately rebellious against the true and living God. That power in the hands of men corrupts them. It corrupts them. And so we have had a history of it. From Babylon, before that, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persians, Greeks, Romans, and then all of these legacy empires that have come out of it since then in these years upon years upon years.

There's a clear connection back there. The Nebuchadnezzar's vision is that the kingdoms rise up in pride and arrogance against God, thinking that they are greater than him. But the kingdom of God, that small stone, shall smash them. But now look, in this, the division that's given to Daniel, there's not only a parallel that's here, and instead of a stone that's been cut loose that destroys the image, now the Ancient of Days sends one like the Son of Man, who will destroy the kingdoms of this world and whose kingdom shall know no end.

You see the parallel that continues. But in this case, the point of the beast is not their pride and arrogance, but their ferocity and unremitting warfare against God and his people. Thus, there will be many martyrs, and the blood of the martyrs will cry out to the king, how long, how long? The second thing I want you to see is that we are promised with this vision that we live in an age and a season of persecution and assault.

Now this is not new. What did Jesus say? All you've got to do is just take a look in the Gospel of John, and you go to chapter three or to chapter 16, and here's what he'll say. He'll say this: In the world you have what? Tribulation. In me you have what? Peace. Take courage. Son of Man's overcome the world. I've won the victory. I have won the victory.

But in this world, you will be under assault. Or, beware of men. They will deliver you up to the synagogues and the trials. But I will give you what to say and how to say it. As your days are, so shall your strength be. So that we are warned and told that we are like sheep that are led to be slaughtered because we live in an age where seemingly the kingdom of God would be taken by force if men were able in the power of the kingdom of this world.

Here's the third thing from the text: a reminder of unending conflict with the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God, yet in their rage, God remains sovereign. If you'll go read the history of nations, very few nations last beyond 200 to 300 years. Very few. I know this. It's not the United States that makes Christianity. It is God's kindness and grace and providence that has allowed the United States to be a part of what he's done and benefited from it.

And I believe that my country will only enjoy more blessings unless it has an awakening. And unless there's a revival, there won't be an awakening. And unless there's a reformation in the leadership of the church—elders and deacons and pastors—with confidence in the gospel and denial of self and an exaltation of Christ. If that doesn't happen there, then I don't think the church will be revived.

And if the church isn't revived, I don't think there'll be an awakening. The other thing about my country is this: I think God has blessed this country because it's welcomed his church. And when it quits welcoming his church, then I believe it comes directly under the assault of God. He will bless those who bless his people. And his people there, living for him, become a blessing to them.

But the kingdoms of this world, just look at the stroke of them. 100 years, 150 years. I mean, the Lord raised up Babylon just basically for enough time to take care of what he wanted to do in disciplining his people for 70 years. And so the kingdoms of this world are here and they rise up, and they rise up, and every time we see them, we think they are unstoppable, they're unconquerable, and they are going to win the victory.

But in fact, they don't last long. They don't last long. But the kingdom of God is forever. And the kingdoms of this world only stand at God's allowance and command in his sovereign appointment. This is one that I have a hard time communicating to young people about because you just didn't live when I lived in the 1950s when I was in grade school and our atomic war alerts, where we hid under desks or got in a bus and rode out to a country school somewhere to escape the inevitable bomb that was going to drop.

And I lived one block off of Independence Boulevard and listening to the sirens every night wondering, is this the blast that's telling us to leave the city because they're going to attack us? And then the Berlin Wall fell. If you'd told me the Berlin Wall was going to fall when I was in school, I'd told you you're crazy. May fall on top of us! I'd told you you're crazy.

But our God is the God of glory, and he is sovereign, and kingdoms and kings only stand at his appointment and his allowance and are circumscribed by his providence and his decrees. Here's the fourth thing from the text: there is the assurance of the victory of the King of Kings. There's the assurance of the victory of the King of Kings. Why did Jesus come into this world?

To save us from our sins, to glorify the Father, to seek and to save the lost. Can I give you another reason he came into this world? To go to war. He came to defeat Satan. First John tells us this: I have come, the Son of Man appeared to destroy the works of Satan. He came to destroy the works of Satan. Well, how'd he do? Take your Bibles and go to Hebrews with me. Hebrews.

Look at chapter two. The Son of God becomes the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days sends him. Look at Hebrews 2:14. What happens when he does? He came to destroy the works of the evil one. Look at verse 14: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death, through death, he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil.

And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Is there still death in this world? Absolutely. Is Satan still in a death struggle? Absolutely. But he's been defeated. The death blow has been given to him. The serpent's head has been crushed. The Son of Man's heel was bruised, but the serpent's head—heel's not a death blow, head is a death blow.

That's why Jesus said, "I see Satan falling like lightning." That's why Jesus said, "I have bound the strong man. I've come and won the victory." He does not prevail. I have prevailed over him and his principalities and the authorities of darkness. In fact, if you would just keep going to the left to Colossians. Look at Colossians chapter two. Look at Colossians chapter two.

When he went to the cross and won this victory and defeated Satan, and he saved you and me who were dead in our sins, how'd he do it? Well, look at verse 13. You were dead in the trespass, the uncircumcision of your flesh. God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all of our trespasses. How did he forgive me my sins and free me from Satan and death and sin?

Here's how he did it: by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, he nailed it to the cross. What did he do at the cross? He disarmed the rulers and authorities and he put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him. The King triumphed in his death and we have been set free, and he has won the victory—the one the Ancient of Days sent. Seemingly all would prevail until the Ancient of Days sent the Son of Man.

Now has that victory been consummated yet? No. The King's coming again. But he has won that victory. He has won it in all of its glory. Therefore, resist the evil one and do not fear those who can kill the body. Do not fear them, for you have the Lord God who has won the victory and you can't kill me. You can kill my body, but you can't kill me.

I already died. And it is no longer me who lives, but Christ that lives in me. So that the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. Well, one final thought. Daniel seven feeds two passages in Revelation. I'm just going to read them and then I'm going to close in prayer. Turn to Revelation chapter 20. Revelation chapter 20.

Remember the Ancient of Days is going to send the Son of Man, and he's also going to have a day of judgment. And on that day of judgment, that Son of Man is going to be the lamb upon the throne. Look with me to that judgment throne that Daniel seven talks about. Revelation 20:11: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it, from his presence earth and sky fled away, no place was found for them.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and—there they are, remember the quote from Daniel?—the books were opened. But wait, now there's another book. Oh my goodness. Look. The books were opened. Then another book was opened. This is the book of life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books according to what they had done.

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, death and Hades gave up the dead who were in it, and they were judged, each one of them according to what had been done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

So there is that day with the Ancient of Days and there is that savior who is the judge of all. He is the judge of all from the books which contain the record and merits and demerits of my life and I stand before God guilty. But praise God because the Son of Man has come and won the victory. There's another book. It's not just the books. There's another one called the Book of Life.

And all of us will appear before that judgment seat. And the key, what happens, is which book are you in? Those in the books are cast into the lake of fire. Those in the Book of Life have been redeemed by the lamb. Then slip back if you would to Revelation chapter 13. And you see now the language from Daniel seven. We're going to come back to this, so don't get upset. Harry only took a minute and a half with this. I know. But I'm coming back to this.

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea. Oh, does that sound familiar? I saw a beast rising out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads and ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, its mouth was like a lion's mouth. Is all this sounding familiar?

And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed. Does that sound a little bit like that little horn? And its mortal wound was healed. And as they followed the beast, they worshiped the dragon, for he had given the authority to the beast.

And they worshiped the beast saying, "Who is like the beast and who can fight against it?" And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling and to those who dwell in heaven.

And it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all who dwell on earth will worship it, and everyone's name who is not written before the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the lamb who was slain. And if anyone has an ear, let him hear.

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes. If anything is to be slain with the sword, with the sword it must be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. Here's this first beast. By the way, there's going to be a second beast. We're going to come back to take a look at him. He's in the last half of that chapter.

But here is the first beast that comes up out of the sea, the kingdoms of this world that are right. There's going to be another beast that comes up out of the land, a false religion beast. But here is the beast of power with the nations of this world that give birth to this Antichrist and this final rebellion against God with the kingdoms of this world against him.

It's going to have a religious element, an economic element. But here is this political, powerful, military element that rises up, speaking blasphemy, denying the glories of God and bringing war against the people of God and living with absolute authority and wielding the sword upon any and all to maintain its power. But it is the Lord who will have the victory over this beast.

Turn back to Daniel seven. Just let me show you because I know in your minds you're sitting there and you're thinking, "Harry, you didn't even say anything to me about that time and times and half a times and three quarters of a time and everything." Just here's your last thought. Please don't go home and buy any books that tell you what the times and the times and the half-times are.

Can I tell you now, save you the money? He says that they will be at work for a time and a times and a half-a-time. Their time, times, half-a-time, and that that will be there for that period of time. Harry, why is that there? Is that three and a half years? Is that 350 years? What is that? How am I to know what that is? I think that is simply this. Look back in verse 12.

As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. But what did we learn about the kingdom of God? Go down to verse 13. There came one like the Son of Man. He came to the Ancient of Days who was presented before him and to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom that all the peoples, nations, and language should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion, it shall not pass away, his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. It is forever. The rage that we endure is for a season, a time. The kingdom and the King who owns you, Jesus, is forever and ever and ever. Amen.

Father, thank you for the time that we could be together. We look and we see there will be raging against you to the end by the kingdoms of this world. But we have a King, not one coming to win the victory. The one who came and has won the victory. So in the confidence of him, we now stand. And we look for that day when he will come and bring it all to completion.

Father, help us to see that as we continue to work our way through this book. Thank you. We have a King who rules forever. His kingdom is forever. And the kingdoms of this world will not prevail, for he has won the victory. Jesus, I thank you in his name. Amen.

Guest (Male): You are listening to In Perspective, featuring the teaching of Dr. Harry L. Reeder. Our current sermon series: Daniel's Memorable Memoirs and Message. For additional teaching by Dr. Reeder, visit inperspective.org. John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with the water of repentance." Yet Jesus, who was without sin, came to John to be baptized by him.

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And once again, if you would like to receive this month's free gift offer, the series entitled Unlocking the Relationship of Baptism and the Great Commission, call us at 1-800-488-1888. Occasionally two rams will clash horns until one asserts supremacy. Join us again next time as Dr. Reeder explains how Daniel's vision of a similar conflict foretells one historical battle with significantly higher stakes. That's next time as we turn back to the Scriptures to put life in biblical perspective.