The Forever New Normal // Travis Cook
Channel: Park Cities Baptist Church
Date: 2020-07-26

Daniel 7-10
Here we come to the center of the book. Daniel receives a vision that essentially shows that human kingdoms have become beasts (a collective of sin, in “mob form”). 

Central Truth: God’s people are not protected against all suffering, hardship, and persecution. To be a Christian does not mean being freed from all that is negative. Christians must understand that our faith does not lead us to lives without pain and sorrow, otherwise we may throw away faith in God when distress and grief reach us. However, there is One who notices everything, who is present with us and carries us: Jesus Christ, the “son of man” (Hebrew 4:14–16). So, we are not alone when we suffer. The One who supports us has Himself experienced the most bitter pain and unprecedented suffering. He is with us through it all.

In spite of all the evil we encounter in the world, we know about victory. We expect the kingdom of God, and even advance the kingdom - which is ultimately free from everything negative, disturbing, and distressing. Therefore, we orient our lives, focus each day on the kingdom of God. We live with a realistic hope and with a deep (illogical to most) joy. When we see problems with the environment, the economy, warfare, and many other things, we step in and seek to make a difference, knowing that the glory of God’s kingdom is advancing and will ultimately come.

Central Passage: Perhaps Daniel 7:14-27 
Daniel’s dream is confusing to him and ironically, he can’t understand it- until a messenger explains it to him- the beasts are the kingdoms to come, and at last, the final beast, symbolizing a kingdom of this world. God, “the Ancient of Days”, will destroy the super-beast. The “son of man” is God’s presence personified- the King of His people. Three stories of faithfulness but they suffer because the human kingdoms have rebelled against God- but God will come and vindicate His people. These visions encourage patience and perseverance. 

Another angle: 
A Pattern and a Promise in the New Normal - Ch. 8-10 
Central Truth: We’ll need to focus in on one passage within the broader context of the visions. Chapter 8, 9, 10- tell us when these battles will be fought. By Chapter 9, Daniel is confused. The time of exile and oppression is debated – but we see the Persians, Greece, Alexander the Great- and more then kingdoms to come. We could look at the third vision- revisiting the overall story of the visions, and look a few interpretations, (but note that none of them match up perfectly). So, in a sense, all interpretations of various times and eras of history and human kingdoms are right- the visions offer hope for all of God’s people- in each and every era in history. This sermon could be a final summary of the message for us all living in exile– there is a Pattern: Human beings (and their collective kingdoms) become beasts when they don’t acknowledge God’s kingdom. And a Promise: God will one day confront the Beast and rescue His people and all of creation. This message of hope should give us courage and forge commitment to Jesus in our days of exile. When we live with courage and in opposition to the things of this world, we shine like stars in the Universe and point others to Jesus. 
As Philippians 2:13-15 says: 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”