And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

I continue my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 7:1-14 as I lean on my commentary for this text.  The commentary outlines two divisions for this text:

• God Is Sovereign over the Nations (7:1-8): The commentary first starts by emphasizing how God reigns amidst the chaos (depicted as raging seas in v2 where this image is also used in scripture (see also Isaiah 17:12, Job 41:31, and Revelation 17:15) in the world around us, including how nation states rise and fall.  It portrays the beasts which the commentary portrays as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome.  The fourth beast is also described as the anti-Christ. Ultimately all of these kingdoms, and all kingdoms rise and fall at the mercy of God's hand.
  
• God Is Sovereign over His Kingdom (7:9-14): this text is described in the commentary as "the most important verses in Daniel and some of the most important verses in the whole Bible. They are important theologically. They are important eschatologically. And they are important Christologically."  The commentary uses text from these verses to describe attributes of God: holy, pure, righteous, omnipresent, omniscient, wise, judge, in all things at all times, and both loving and wrathful. How the first three beasts are stripped of their power and authority demonstrates how God is full of grace and patience but still ultimately sovereign. Then in v13-14 we see how God is sovereign in how both God the Father and His Son reign. The commentary shares how the reference to the "Son of Man" v13 is a clear reference to Christ as scripture elsewhere refers to this description, including how this was Jesus's own "favorite designated title" (se also Acts 7:56, Revelation 1:13, Mark 10:45, etc.).
  

We should rest in how, despite the chaos in the world around us - don't you see it? - God is in control, and He is saving a place in heaven for us and the victory over sin and death is already won! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome and You are before, in, and in control of all things and I know You love and You have sealed me and my salvation for eternity - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me and saved me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You...daily.  Help me grow in my faith and glorify You.  Please provide Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.

Daniel 2

 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44

I pause in my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 2 as I lean on a commentary for its observations for v31-49. Here the commentary highlights a few key themes, starting with how the text - by describing Daniel's vision of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation - reveals "a God who is absolutely sovereign in what he knows (omniscience) and what he will do (omnipotence)."  The commentary then discusses how, although there is some debate about the text among biblical scholars, the dream demonstrates how God both creates and destroys all ruling authorities and empires.  There is general agreement about how the dream represents Babylon, followed by Medo-Persia, Greece, then Rome, all of which rise and fall by the hand of God. Daniel's interpretation climaxes in v44, where we see a prophecy of Christ's eternal kingdom, including how God will destroy all the kingdom's succeeding Babylon as described earlier in the interpretation of the dream.  The commentary then caps Daniel's interpretation by sharing that in v45 "Daniel brings his interpretation to a close with two resounding affirmations: (1) a great God has revealed this, and (2) “the dream is certain, and its interpretation reliable[.]” The commentary then points to Nebuchadnezzar's reaction to Daniel's interpretation, how Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God's power and how God works through Daniel, and the commentary then wraps by sharing as well how "God honors his servants who faithfully serve him" - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and Your kingdom lasts forever!  I can count on You as Your promises all come true and You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless and provide for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Isaiah 28-29

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Isaiah 28:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, looking at Isaiah 28-29, I move along to Lesson 11, Day 3, which looks more closely at Isaiah 28:16 and related references in scripture, including:

• Isaiah 8:13-15 > for Jews that did not see Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus became stone of offense, rock of stumbling
  
• Romans 9:33 > NT reference to Isaiah 8:13-15
• Psalm 118:22 >Jesus, the stone the builders rejected became the cornerstone
  
• 1 Peter 2:6-8 >Jesus as cornerstone, whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame
  
• Matthew 21:33-46 > NT reference to Psalm 118:22
  
• Acts 4:8-12 >Jesus as cornerstone, no other name under heaven by which can be saved
  
• Daniel 2:31-45 >kingdoms of this world are all from Christ but will will pass away, God's kingdom will overcome (and destroy earthly kingdoms) all other kingdoms and last forever
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose kingdom will last forever - and You are saving a place for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.