To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Gen 3:17-19
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
1. A Broken World
Let’s start where it all began the Garden of Eden.
Adam and Eve had everything good. But when they chose to go their own way instead of trusting God, sin entered the world. That one decision broke the perfect relationship between people and their Creator. Since then, every war, lie, sickness, and act of hate has been a ripple of that first rebellion. Humanity fell—and the fall still echoes in us today.
2. Daniel’s Terrifying Visions
Fast-forward hundreds of years to Daniel. He’s living far from home, serving under kings who don’t worship God. In chapters 7 and 8, Daniel has two wild, frightening visions.
He sees beasts, horns, rams, and goats—all symbols of violent kingdoms and proud rulers. It’s like watching world history through a nightmare—wars, persecution, and people who think they can rule without God.
Daniel was shaken, but he didn’t lose faith. He held on to what he knew: God still rules, even when the world looks out of control.
3. The Ancient of Days
Then Daniel saw something greater, a throne blazing with fire and the Ancient of Days (that’s God Himself) sitting in judgment. Books were opened. Every act, every word, every sin was seen and weighed. Then Daniel saw “one like a Son of Man” that’s Jesus, coming with the clouds, receiving everlasting power and glory. That vision tells us this: God’s justice will win. Evil won’t last forever. Jesus will rule forever.
4. Why This Matters
Daniel’s visions are not just ancient history, they’re a mirror. The same pride and rebellion he saw are alive in our world and our hearts today. When I ignore God’s rule, I’m replaying the fall all over again. When nations reject God’s ways, they’re like those beasts, strong for a moment, but destined to fall. But when I trust in Jesus, the Judge becomes my Savior. He took my judgment on the cross so that I could stand innocent before the Ancient of Days.
5. Hope in the Darkness
Daniel felt scared and heartbroken, but he never lost hope. He knew God’s kingdom would outlast every empire. We can have that same hope. Even when the world feels dark; wars, injustice, pain - God is still writing the story. For everyone who trusts in Jesus, judgment turns into joy, and the end becomes a new beginning.
God’s people have eternal hope, even in the darkness. Physical life and this world will end, but eternal life with God sheds the light of life on believers. In this world’s darkness, evidenced in current affairs, personal relationships, and various threats or uncertainties where do you seek God’s light? How can you share God’s light with those in your life who might be walking through a valley of darkness?
Jesus removed the weight of God’s judgment from the shoulders of believers. Jesus bore the brunt of every sin you have committed. How does this freedom impact your daily life? Knowing that His judgment passes over you, how might you joyfully express your appreciation to God? To whom is God drawing you to share the freedom from judgment that God offers through faith in Jesus Christ?
Closing Thought
- The fall explains why our world hurts.
- God’s judgment explains why evil must end.
- And Jesus, our King explains how hope can live again.
- So like Daniel, we hold fast:
- Even when life feels like Babylon, God reigns, Jesus saves, and His kingdom lasts forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment