Different King, Revised Story, Same Result: Lion's Den (Daniel 6)

This is a new king, but certainly an inferior man of action compared to Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to witness the men going against his decree, but Darius throws Daniel into the lions den based on hearsay. He ends up being tormented during the night while Nebuchadnezzar can watch the burning furnace with curiosity. Is the Lord able to deliver his people from such a tormentor? How can we in our current circumstances take comfort in this old familiar story?

Blessed are the Hungry (Matthew 5:6)

We normally do not consider hungry people to be blessed people. However, Christ assures us that the hungry and thirsty are blessed. How can this be?

Why Jacob Over Esau? (Gen. 25:23; Rom. 9:13-18; COD 1:6-11)

The Lord says, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.." The Lord uses strong language against Esau. What did Esau do that is so bad? Why does the Lord love the one child over the other child?

The Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5:1-31)

Nebuchadnezzar is dead and now there is a new king. This king Belshazzar rides the coat tails of Nebuchadnezzar. Will this man take to heart the reality that pride goes before the fall? Will the Lord be able to show that his will is the will and this empire will not rival heaven? Will Belshazzar understand the writing on the wall?

Blessed are the Meek (Matthew 5:5)

Today we encourage people to be active and deliberate in life because the successful are those who seize the day. We think of the meek people as the weak people who will be trampled. How can the Meek people of God be blessed?

We’re Not Worthy (COD Head 1 Arts. 1-5; Eph. 2:1-10)

The Apostle Paul tells us that faith is a gift. Is this a gift that we reach up and grab or is this a gift that is imposed on us? Why would this gift need to be imposed on us? What is fundamentally wrong with man that he would not want this gift and what does God ultimately do about it?

Humbling Babel (Daniel 4:1-37)

King Nebuchadnezzar was not humbled by his first dream. Instead, he builds a great statue decreeing that the empire bows down to the statue. It is a commemoration and celebration that the Babelites had achieved their goal. Now, there is another dream that torments the king. This is a dream that communicates the king will lose his mind and be like the beasts of the field. Will this dream humble the king?

No Millennium? (Revelation 20:1-7; BC 37)

John says that Satan is bound for 1000 years or a millennium. How do we know if we are in the millennium? We work through this issue showing that we do not take 1000 years literally, but communicating the Lord's complete time. We argue that when Christ enters history he brings in his kingdom with the millennium.

The True God Saves (Daniel 3:1-30)

The Lord revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream and through the Lord's prophet Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom will not endure forever. Nebuchadnezzar might think that he is on top of the world and the ruler over the empire that is truly the gateway of the gods. The Lord will show Nebuchadnezzar that Nebuchadnezzar does not lead God around on a leash, but the Lord shows his ability to save the utmost unlike any dumb idol.

Blessed are those who Mourn

When someone is in a state of mourning we do not associate that with blessing. However, Christ says that those who mourn are blseed. How can they be blessed? How can they be comforted when it seems that there is no place to find hope?

The Feast of Life (Rev. 2:1-7; 22:1-21; Art. 37)

John describes for us his vision of our heavenly graduation. The exhortation at the beginning of the book of Revelation is our invitation to enter into the Lord's presence to eat the tree of life's fruit. It is a life buffet where we swim in the river of life and dine at Christ's tree. What is the significance of the tree of life being in heaven? Why would we long for the final judgment?

The King’s Nightmare Revealed (Daniel 2:24-49)

Nebuchadnezzar has a nightmare that plagues him and keeps him up at night. He needs to know his fate, but no one can tell him. His theologians have told him that the gods do not dwell among man. Is this true? Is there a personal God who gives revelation and establishes truth? Is there a God who is reveals his intentions to man?

Why Obey the Government? (1 Timothy 2:1-7; BC Art. 36)

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to live a peaceful and quiet life. This sounds like a life that is full of compromise. What can we do as Christians to be distinctive while still living out this call to be peaceful and quiet? How are we to conduct ourselves in our exile?

The King Nightmare (Daniel 2:1-23)

Nebuchadnezzar is used to getting his way and setting the terms of his reign. He has conquered nations, gods, and has plundered their temples. However, there is one thing that haunts the king. There is one tormentor that needs to silenced. He needs to know how to silence this one who is greater than the world ruler. Will he find this tormentor? Who can reveal the great mysteries that plague this king?

Which Lord Prevails? (Daniel 1:1-21)

Jerusalem's fall is a tragic event. It is an event where a tyrannical king, the king who sees himself as a lord who rivals the true Lord, and it seems that the Lord's redemptive program has fallen flat. Is the Tower of Babel destined to penetrate the heavenly fortress? How does Daniel 1 encourage us to see that God is still sovereign in the midst of Judah's turmoil? Can God overcome those who realize the ideal of fallen man?

Eating Christ's Body and Blood (John 6:52-59; BC 35)

Christ uses strong language to encourage the church to have life. HIs language communicates that we have the literally consume Christ in the sense that he is eaten like we would consume common food. We would drink his blood like we would find nourishment from water. What does Christ mean by these statements regarding our eating his flesh and drinking his blood?

The Lord Sanctify You Completely (I Thessalonians 5:23-28)

We wrap up our series on Thessalonians. It is important to remember that the rabble of the city were agitators who did not like the gospel. They claimed to be part of the church, but did not embrace the substance of the Gospel. How can we be sure that we will persevere until the end? How does the grace of God encourage us to walk in Christ as we die to self?

The Secret to a Happy Life (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22)

The apostle Paul exhorts the church to rejoice always and in all circumstances. This is not very easy to do and we might want to just fake it until we make it. How can we find the strength or the encouragement to do this? How do we rejoice in all circumstances?

The Covenant in My Blood (Luke 22:19-21 ; BC 35)

Our Lord celebrates the passover with his disciples. It is tempting to think that as the Lord celebrates the passover with his disciples that passover and the Lord's supper are exactly the same thing. However, when Christ takes the bread and the wine he does not ground the sacrament in the exodus, but in his work. This tells us that Christ is doing something unique: he is using this as a symbol to assure us that the new covenant is confirmed in him.

Passing our Pilgrimage

This is the last meditation in our series of God’s Pilgrim Citizens.  We can be assured that our citizenship is in heaven because Christ has overcome in our place.  We recall the tree of life and how the opening and closing of scripture shows the ultimate outcome of our victory in Christ. Thank you for listening to this series and I hope it helped solidify your thoughts as it did for me.