Daniel 11 is more than nearly four centuries of historical intrigue leading up to the coming of Messiah. It is a prophetic forewarning of the constant political upheaval of the world powers that struggled for supremacy in the Middle East and beyond with the returning exiles caught up in the middle. These pagan anti-God kingdoms appear so powerful compared to the 'littleness and weakness' of God's people returning from exile. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The people of God are not to be caught off guard and paralyzed into inaction by the trials and tribulations that threaten to destroy them. Those who know their God will stand firm and take action, resting in the truth that the proud ambitions of earthly kings will always be destroyed by God's enduring kingdom. The Kingdom of God towers over the puny kingdoms of this world including the rival kingdoms we are prone to set up in our own hearts. Even the death dealing anti-Christ who sets Himself up as God cannot stand before the overcoming, resurrection power of God's Kingdom. The big boys are on the block but not for long!

The last few weeks we have been reading and listening to the final six chapters of the book of Daniel. These chapters contain three visions that Daniel receives from God—visions that reveal to him, in stark and troubling images, the hand of God at work among the nations. The first two visions occupy a chapter each, but the final vision is spread across the last three chapters of the book. Daniel describes it as "a great conflict." Chapter 10 sets the scene for this final vision. And in it, Daniel is shown a shocking truth: there is more going on than meets the eye. Behind the scenes of human history there is a spiritual conflict taking place between principalities and powers. And remarkably, Daniel's prayers are caught up in God's purposes within that unseen conflict. What Daniel sees is troubling. What he cannot see is even more significant. Because behind the visible events of history, God is at work.

The time is drawing near for Daniel and his people to be sent back to Jerusalem. Daniel knows this from reading the prophet Jeremiah– the seventy years are almost up! And so, with that great hope before him he prays to his 'great and awesome God'. He pleads for mercy and forgiveness for himself and for his people and for the Lord's own sake. The Lord hears his prayer and responds immediately! The reply, however, is not what Daniel expected. Yes, the city would soon be restored but it will not be the end of their trouble. In fact, there is even more destruction to come. And yet, this word of great desolation is at the same time a vision of awesome love when transgression and sin will be put to an end and everlasting righteousness will be brought in. How can this be so? An anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. Please pray for myself and one another as we consider these tremendous truths.

In the final chapters of Daniel we are invited to a number of 'behind the scenes' tours as he describes the visions God has given him - a heavenly perspective of the events to take place on earth. And if we are honest, much of the future revealed in Chapter 8 looks rather grim. Terrifying even! And yet Daniel is shown these things so that he and his people can be prepared for what is to come and comforted in the knowledge that the Lord is the one directing each and every scene of history. However appalled or overwhelmed we might be at the state of the world today, we too can be comforted in the same knowledge - the Lord is the one directing the days of our lives and the nations of the world. We too, in Christ, can be prepared and persevere in faith and 'rise up and go about the king's business,' trusting the God of gods and Lord of kings whose kingdom endures forever.

Daniel 7 is a little different. As we've journeyed through the first six chapters of Daniel, we've encountered a series of remarkable narratives. In each one, Daniel and his friends remain faithful to God before powerful foreign kings, often under the threat of severe consequences. At first glance these stories seem to be about Daniel and his friends—but it doesn't take long to realise they are ultimately about God. They reveal the Lord who reigns over every king, every kingdom, and every nation, no matter how powerful. Daniel 7 marks a dramatic shift. Instead of narrative we enter the world of apocalyptic literature filled with vivid imagery and powerful symbolism. Yet while the style changes the message does not. The God who ruled over Babylon in Chapters 1–6 is the same God who rules over all history. This vision lifts our eyes beyond the rise and fall of earthly empires to the day when every human kingdom will be judged and the everlasting kingdom will be openly given to the Son of Man. That is a message of profound hope, comfort, and confidence for God's people today. Join us on Sunday as we discover why.

"Don't be surprised that the world hates you." And when it does, "put not your trust in princes… in whom there is no salvation." In Daniel 6 we see these very things playing out in real life, all the way to the lions' den. Daniel doesn't fit in with the crowd and he is hated for it. But he doesn't allow this enmity to compromise his faith nor his devotion to the Lord. Instead, he puts his trust in the Lord who 'delivers and rescues.' This is our God! He who shut the mouths of lions in Daniel's day will one day shut every mouth when we stand before him. On that day the blood of Christ will speak for all who trust in the Lord, declaring us to be his! – righteous and blameless in his sight. He truly is the Lord who delivers and rescues.

In Daniel 5 we meet a new king, Belshazzar. Yet instead of learning from King Nebuchadnezzar's humbling in Daniel 4, he lifts himself up against the Lord of heaven (5:22-23). The writing was on the wall for King Belshazzar. Is the writing on the wall for us today? As we live in a world consumed by pride, and as we recognise this pride within our own hearts, where can we find hope?

When the Lord chooses to pursue us with his goodness and mercy not even the most stubborn or unlikely convert can escape the grace of God. It may surprise us to learn it sometimes takes the wielding of an axe to soften our hard hearts. But praise be to God that he does so in his severe mercy and lavish grace. As Nebuchadnezzar learns himself, and then teaches us, "all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble." Pray that our own hearts would be humbled to hear the Word this week.

Who do you worship? This is the question we face when reading Daniel Chapter 3, looking at Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and the two gods being worshipped between them. One god is made by a man and displays as much power as a man can. The other is able to save.

"There is a God!" This is King Nebuchadnezzar's first formal introduction to Yahweh – 'God of gods and Lord of kings' who 'reveals mysteries.' Have you met him? Do you know him? He certainly knows you. We will either be greatly comforted by this truth or completely terrified by it. Because in the end every earthly endeavour to make a name for ourselves will come to nothing and only the kingdom of God will remain. As he reveals himself to us in his Son, Jesus Christ, let's not reject the stone that all other kingdom builders have rejected. For it is only through faith in him that we are welcomed and adopted into his kingdom family forever.