Unshakable Week 11 (10/11/20)

Unshakable Week 11 (10/11/20)

October 17, 2020

“Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece. “Then A MIGHTY KING will rise to power who will rule with great authority and accomplish everything he sets out to do. But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts. It will not be ruled by the king’s descendants, nor will the kingdom hold the authority it once had. For his empire will be uprooted and given to others. (Daniel 11:2-4 NLT)

  • Verse 2 talks about the rise of the Persian empire with Xerxes as the 4th King who rises up against the Greek empire.
  • In verse 3 we see the rise of Alexander The Great who became King at the age of 20 and in just 4 years conquered everything from the Babylonian empire all the way to India.
  • On his death bed at the age of 32, he divided his empire among of his 4 generals. The 2 largest and most power regions were the North and the South.
  • The North is what we now call Syria went to Seleucus and formed the Seleucid empire.
  • The South is what is now call Egypt went to Ptolemy and formed the Ptolemic empire.
  • Sandwiched right in the middle, Israel will become a source of conflict for years to come between the Kingdom of the North and the Kingdom of the South.

Remember chapter 11 was written as prophecy but to us it is mostly 375 years of history. Here’s a summary:

  • The kings of the North and South would form alliances through marriages and battles but none of them would last.
  • For over 130 years, The kings North and South would fight over the control the Holy Land.
  • These prophecies in Daniel 11 were so detailed and precise that some people will discredit the Book of Daniel.

But we know the truth: God knows things before they even happen.

  • You see we can talk about history all day long. But if we fail to see God’s sovereignty at work we can miss God. If we miss God, we miss God’s plan for our lives.
  • Here’s what the word says about His plan for you:

For YOU are God’s masterpiece. He has created YOU anew in Christ Jesus, so YOU can do the good things he planned for YOU long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

  • His plan for your life starts at the cross, when you are made new!
  • The more you submit to His sovereign plan for your life, the more you see this masterpiece being put together piece by piece.
  • The same applies for humanity, God is sovereign and He has a plan.

In verses 21-34, almost 200 years later, a King of the North rises to power and takes control of that entire region especially Israel.

  • Now we have met this King before in Chapter 8- His name is Antiochus IV

21 “The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue. 22 Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince. 23 With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers. 24 Without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land. Then he will distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich… (Daniel 11:21-24 NLT)

  • He would persecute the Jewish people. Ban all sacrifices. Outlaw circumcision.
  • He would desecrate the temple by killing a pig and placing it in the temple. He would set a statue of Zeus inside the temple.
  • In verses 36-45 we refer to King Antiochus is the harbinger or the foreshadow for the antichrist to come right before the church is raptured.
  • This is what Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:15 as the “abomination of desolation”. A marker for the revelation of the antichrist. Jesus was referencing Daniel 11:31
  • Israel will become his center stage He will turn against Israel with brutal force.

AS LONG AS WE RECOGNIZE THAT GOD IS SOVEREIGN, THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE!

Sandwich in between the Kings of the North and South we find this hope gem: verse 32: “but the PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD shall be STRONG, and CARRY OUT GREAT EXPLOITS” (Daniel 11:32 NKJ)

  • The crisis of today or tomorrow will not phase you because you know your God!

EARTHLY CRISIS requires GODLY COURAGE

BE STRONG and of GOOD COURAGE, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJ)

 

  • Sometimes God delivers us from the crisis and sometimes God delivers us through the crisis
  • Just be strong, Be courageous. Move by faith and not by sight!

Have you ever asked yourself this question: Why is Israel the center stage of global politics, crisis in the middle east, peace, the end times? Why is Israel, only about 8000 square feet, the size of New Jersey, the most important and most contended piece of real estate on the planet?

  • I can give many political reasons such as this the only known democracy in the region where there is freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, etc.
  • But here’s the Biblical truth: Israel is the only nation in the history of the world that was created by a sovereign act of God. A title deed signed by God through a blood covenant between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:7-8)
  • The Jewish people do not occupy the land of Israel – they own the land.
  • Israel is called the apple of God’s eyes, His elect, His child, His possession.
  • Without Judaism, there is no Christianity. “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22)
  • God promises that I will bless them who bless you and curse them who curse.

CONCLUSION:

  • What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

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