I have never read ‘A tale of two cities’, but the title captures what we are dealing with in Daniel: how to live as a disciple who is discerning, in the power struggle between two powers. In this sense, much of what we will read here of Daniel’s life is strikingly similar to Revelation.

And God’s people have always faced such a life: living as God’s people, in a world that rejects God. This was the case when God’s people were made his mob in Exodus 19. It is the case as God’s mob go into the land he promised them in Deuteronomy 28-29. It is the case as God’s mob are called back by the prophets and remain stubborn, in Daniel. It is exactly what Jesus faced as he expressed his ‘God-ness’ by coming into enemy territory (Phil. 2:5-11). And it is what we face now as we live as God’s mob (just read 1 Peter 2:9-12).

In this place between two powers, every person is subjected to a discipleship (and we will define that soon) programme. God’s mob are no different – and so we must be discerning!