THE ANCIENT OF DAYS IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL (Outline)
November 1, 2020 - Reformation - DANIEL 7:9-14
INTRO.: One of our greatest joys is our confident trust in God’s Word of truth. The Ancient of Days sits on his throne in completer control. Looking at the world and even our nation we see chaos, confusion, and concern. Children of God our loving, heavenly Father controls all things for the good of all those who love him. “Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises his voice. The earth melts. The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us” (PSALM 46:6, 7). God is our fortress. THE ANCIENT OF DAYS IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. I. God sits on his throne. II. God rules over nations. III. God’s kingdom is eternal.
I. GOD SITS ON HIS THRONE
A. Verse 9a. “I continued to watch”. The Lord gave Daniel a vision for comforting God’s people.
1. The Ancient of Days sat on his throne. White clothing = the purity, sinlessness of God.
2. Verse 9b, 10a. Flames of fire referred to the Lord’s divine judgment. It was coming.
B. Verse 10b. On the Last Day the Lord will be on his throne of judgment. Judgment Day.
1. The angels will accompany him. The number of them are beyond counting.
2. Court seated. Books opened. The book of life contained the names of the saved in it.
C. Here is our great comfort: God’s throne is a throne of power, judgment, and mercy. Rejoice fellow believer! Rest assure that the Ancient of Days is in complete control. Our loving, heavenly Father directs our footsteps. Even when everything seems out of control the Lord of Armies is still in complete control. His throne of power overcomes all our enemies. Defeats the devils deceptions. “Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence, and no place was found for them” (REVELATION 20:11). God’s glorious power fills everything completely.
D. God’s throne is also a throne of powerful judgment. The Lord’s righteous judgment for believers is paid for by our Savior Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven. The Lord’s righteous judgment for the wicked is a final and complete judgment. "And now, by that same word, the heavens and earth have been stored up for fire, since they are being kept until the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly" (2 PETER 3:7). The way of the wicked will perish. God sits on his throne of power and judgment.
THE ANCIENT OF DAYS IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. God sits on his throne of power.
II. GOD RULES OVER NATIONS
A. Verse 11. “I kept paying attention”. The Lord’s vision to Daniel was important. Paid attention.
1. “boastful horn” referred to earlier verses. This small horn seemed small, powerless.
2. The small horn uprooted 3 large horns, world leaders. Boastful = blasphemy against God.
3. “beast was killed” referred to earthly kingdoms. Kingdoms rise and fall. God’s control.
B. Verse 12. Rest of kingdoms (beasts) lost their power. Kingdoms rise and fall. God rules over all.
C. The Lord God of Armies rules over all nations. He does this whether those in authority recognize it or not. There are good rulers. There also are wicked rulers. Both types are under the authority of God. How sad it is when those ruling do not submit to the One who allowed them to rule. The children of Israel endured the period of kings. Most were wicked. The children of God suffered terribly at the hands of evil kings. The wicked always try to usurp the Lord’s power. The Lord God is still in control. Complete control. Always. “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God, and the authorities that do exist have been established by God" (ROMANS 13:1).
D. In today’s world of chaos, confusion, and concern we may wonder about just how much the Lord is in control. God is in control from the top down. Even wicked rulers ultimately carry out the plans of the Lord. In their ignorance and rebellion the will of God is done. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. The LORD saved him. The king praised the LORD. The LORD saved three men in the fiery furnace. The king praised the LORD. The Ancient of Days rules from his throne to change even bad events into good results. "He changes times and eras. He removes kings, and he brings kings to power. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have good judgment” (DANIEL 2:21).
THE ANCIENT OF DAYS IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. God rules over nations and people.
III. GOD’S KINGDOM IS ETERNAL
A. Verse 13. “I kept watching the night visions”. Third time Daniel states his focus on God’s vi-sions.
1. Now Daniel saw the Son of Man coming to the throne of the Ancient of Days.
2. Judgment Day had arrived for Jesus to carry out. Just as Jesus would tell his disciples.
B. Verse 14. “Dominion, honor, and a kingdom” rightly belonged to the Savior, Jesus.
1. “All peoples, nations, and languages will worship him.” People saved from all over the world.
2. “His dominion is an eternal dominion”. God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed. Never, ever.
3. Great comfort for Israel. They were in captivity. Their earthly kingdom destroyed.
C. Today we still gather around the Word of God. Living. Active. Powerful. God’s Word is our Refuge. Our Strength. This makes all the difference in the world for each one of us. The Lord of Armies reminds us of his eternal kingdom. The Ancient of Days sits on his throne of power. Judgment. Mercy. Daniel was one person who stood up for the Lord against an unbelieving ruler. Martin Luther was one person who stood up against the false teaching of the church. Both men did this because they believed in the power of God’s Word. Trusted the truth taught only in the Scriptures. “Amen I tell you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter, or even part of a letter, will in any way pass away from the Law until everything is fulfilled" (MATTHEW 5:18). Eternal kingdom.
D. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall. God’s kingdom endures forever. God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed. The kingdom of God is powered by the Word of God. Even the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. Against God’s Word. Children of God we are members of God’s kingdom by faith alone. Scripture alone. Grace alone. Christ alone. Our joy, our comfort, and our strength comes from the certainty of God’s eternal kingdom. "The kingdom of God is not coming in a way you can observe, nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘Look, there it is!’ because the kingdom of God is within you” (LUKE 17:20b, 21). False prophets come and go. God’s kingdom is living in us.
CONC.: Chaos, confusion, and concern rules the world. Christ and comfort controls our lives. God sits on his throne of power, judgment, and mercy. God rules over all nations for the good of all those who love him. Those called according to his purpose. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall. God’s kingdom endures forever. THE ANCIENT OF DAYS IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. “Now to the King eternal, to the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 TIMOTHY 1:17). Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
REFORMATION rdgs: DANIEL 6:10-12, 16-23; GALATIANS 5:1-6; MATTHEW 10:16-23; (PSALM 46)
SERVICES: 8:00am @ McCook (SUN) / 10:30am @ Redeemer (SUN) BIBLE STUDIES following worship
redeemernorton.org & trinitymccook.com
