Scripture Study

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This Week’s Reading: Daniel 10, Revelation 1, Acts 9, Ephesians 6   Daniel 10 offers a rare and breathtaking glimpse into the connection between our earthly struggles and the spiritual reality behind the scenes. As Daniel mourns, prays, and fasts for his people, he is drawn into a divine encounter that shakes him to his core. This chapter reminds us that God sees, hears, loves us and moves Heaven on our behalf.   1. Fasting & Prayer – Read Daniel 10:1-4 –    The chapter begins with Daniel (around 85 years old) burdened by the challenges facing his people, committing himself to three weeks of mourning and prayer. He abstains from rich food, wine, and personal comforts, choosing instead to focus entirely on seeking God. This act of fasting and prayer reveals Daniel’s intense desire to align his heart with God’s purposes during a season of discouragement.     Daniel’s example invites us to deny our everyday comforts and wholeheartedly seek God in our moments of uncertainty. His disciplines of prayer and fasting remind us that intimacy with God often requires setting aside our pleasures to pursue Him more deeply.     Reflection: Is there something weighing on your heart that you need to bring before God in focused prayer?     2. A Radiant Encounter – Read Daniel 10:5-9 –  While standing by the Tigris River, Daniel has a vision of a heavenly figure whose appearance radiates divine majesty. Dressed in linen (a symbol of purity and priestly service), with a golden belt (denoting royalty or judgment), this figure’s description emphasizes both holiness and authority. Most scholars suggest this figure is an angel, perhaps Gabriel, given his role in earlier visions. Others note how the overwhelming effect on Daniel and the description of this man closely relate to the description of Christ Jesus in Revelation 1:12-16.   Only Daniel sees the vision. But his companions feel the supernatural presence so strongly that they flee in terror. This encounter echoes Paul’s encounter on the Damascus Road, where only Paul saw Christ, while others experienced his power indirectly (Acts 9:1–7).     This moment reminds us of the vastness of God’s glory. His presence–as well as his messengers’ presence–shake us, humble us, and leaves no room for pride. Yet, it also reveals the beauty of encountering a God who is beyond our comprehension.     Reflection: How does the majesty of God inspire awe and reverence in your relationship with Him?     3. Loved & Heard – Read Daniel 10:10-14 –  As Daniel lies face down, a heavenly messenger touches him and reassures him that he is “greatly loved.” The messenger reveals to Daniel that from the very first day he began praying, his words were heard in Heaven. Daniel is not only loved by God, he is also heard. Yet God’s response to his prayers took time—spiritual opposition resisted the messenger for 21 days until Michael, the leading angel, intervened.     This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the spiritual realm highlights the significance of our prayers. Even when we don’t see immediate results, our persistent prayer does two things: (1) moves the heart of Heaven and (2) moves both the earthly and spiritual realms.     Reflection: You, too, are “greatly loved” and heard by God. How does that reality change your prayer life?   4. Strength in Weakness – Read Daniel 10:15-19 –  As the vision continues, Daniel feels utterly overwhelmed and drained. But the messenger gently reassures him, saying, “Fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” With this encouragement and a second touch, Daniel finds his strength restored and his spirit renewed. Heaven’s response to Daniel’s weakness is tender care. Daniel is not left to struggle on his own, but is provided the strength and peace he needs to endure.    Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s peace and strength lifting you out of exhaustion or discouragement.   5. The Unseen Battle – Read Daniel 10:20-21 –  The chapter closes with the messenger explaining that the spiritual battle is far from over. He must return to confront the “prince of Persia” and later deal with the “prince of Greece.” These are not worldly princes, these are spiritual forces of darkness. However, Daniel is reassured that the angel Michael, Israel’s protector, stands with God’s people. While spiritual forces may influence events, God’s purposes will always prevail.     This entire passage reveals several key truths about angels. Angels are real and play an active role in both the spiritual and earthly realms. There are both good and evil angels: good angels serve God and accomplish His will, while demonic forces oppose God and oppress His people.    This all points to the reality of spiritual warfare. As unbelievable as it may sound: angels, demons, and believers are engaged in an ongoing battle– which explains why life can always feel conflicting. This is what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”    That can seem discouraging and intimidating. The good news is that “you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The Stronger One–Jesus–is here and alive and able to fight off the darkness in your own life.   Reflection: We exist in a spiritual war. How can you trust Jesus in this battle and stand firm in Him?   Prayer Lord,  Thank You for loving me and hearing me.  Would you give me the kind of spirit That is desperate for you in discouragement. Remind me that even in unseen battles,  You are fighting for me and accomplishing Your purposes.  I rest in your sovereign care and glory.  Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This Week’s Reading: 1 Peter   The New Testament often draws on the Old Testament to help us understand the Christian life, and Peter’s letter to “exiled” and persecuted Christians is a powerful example. His letter mirrors the themes found in Daniel’s story, showing us what it means to live faithfully as God’s people in a foreign land that does not honor Him.  As you study 1 Peter, you’ll uncover surprising connections between Daniel’s exile in Babylon and Peter’s encouragement to exiled Christians living in Rome—which Peter symbolically refers to as “Babylon.”   – Read 1 Peter 1 –    Peter opens his letter by addressing believers as “elect exiles” (1:1)—a term that would have instantly reminded readers of Daniel’s story. Just as Daniel lived as an exile in Babylon, Christians are described as resident aliens, living in this world but ultimately belonging to the kingdom of Heaven. Despite their hardships and persecution, Peter reminds believers that their true identity in Jesus is unshakable. They are “born again to a living hope” through the resurrection of Jesus (1:3), and their inheritance is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1:4). While Rome sought to compromise their identity, Peter called them to remember their true belonging in Christ. From this identity flows their activity. Just as Daniel remained secure in his identity and faithful to God in Babylon, Peter calls Christians to do the same: to hope (1:13), to pursue holiness (1:15-16), to live reverently (1:17-19), and to love one another earnestly (1:22). Reflection: How does knowing your unshakable identity in Christ—chosen, beloved, born to a new hope and redeemed by the blood of Jesus—shape the activity of your day-to-day life?   –Read 1 Peter 2 –    In chapter 2, Peter continues highlighting the believers’ collective identity as the family of God. They are being “built up as a spiritual house” with Jesus as the cornerstone (2:5-6). They are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession” called to proclaim God’s great grace to the watching world (2:9-10).  Although he was an exile in other kingdoms, Daniel’s life reflected God’s kingdom. Similarly, Christians are called to live as exiles reflecting God’s kingdom: by abstaining from sin and refusing to be shaped by the world’s values (2:11), by serving faithfully (2:12), and by honoring others, even those in authority who may not honor God (2:13-17). Having laid the foundation of their identity, Peter moves to address the believers’ suffering. As seen in Daniel’s life and the life of Christians addressed by Peter, persecution and suffering are a part of following Christ. In order to persevere through persecution, believers need encouragement and hope.  To uplift exiled believers, Peter points to Jesus as the great example of a suffering servant. Jesus suffered for his own people. He did not revile, nor threaten, but entrusted himself to God and bore our sins so that we might be healed by his own wounds. His persecution had a purpose: it was for us! Daniel’s story also includes suffering for the glory of God and the service of others—even those who opposed him! Reflection: Does your life reflect God’s kingdom, or the world’s values? Does your life honor those who live around you, even those you disagree with or who don’t honor you in return? Who could you choose to honor today?   –Read 1 Peter 3-4 –    In chapters 3 and 4, Peter shifts his focus to how Christians should live in community and endure suffering together. He calls for unity, humility, and love (3:8-9), encouraging believers to respond to persecution with gentleness and respect, always pointing to their hope in Jesus (3:15). Daniel exemplified this as he endured persecution with perseverance, conviction, and kindness. Peter reminds believers that they suffer similarly, and that their suffering strengthens them and makes them more like Jesus (4:1-2). The fuel that helps the exile engine run for both Daniel and for Peter is…hope. Hope is confidence that God will come through for his people in the future. As the prophecies of Daniel point to the future, so does the instruction of Peter: “the end of all things is at hand” (4:7). The believer has a confident expectation that glory awaits them when Jesus returns (4:13). Reflection: How do both Jesus’ example of suffering and the hope we have of future glory encourage you in your own suffering?    –Read 1 Peter 5 –    Peter concludes his letter with encouragement to church leaders and all believers. Leaders are to lead people with humility and a servant’s heart (5:2-3). And all Christians are to “clothe yourselves with humility” (5:5). With confidence in God’s care for them, believers are to cast their anxieties on Him and resist the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion (5:7-8). Peter’s closing words echo Daniel’s story. Daniel was humble before others and faithful toward his God who continually sustained him in Babylon. The same was true for Christians in Rome and is true for Christians everywhere today. Peter reminds believers that God is the one who ultimately restores, strengthens, and establishes them through His grace (5:10). It is that powerful grace that we are to stand in now as God’s chosen, holy, and dearly loved people. Reflection: How can humility and trust in God’s care sustain you as you face challenges in your life?   Prayer Father, Thank you for giving me a new, unchanging identity in Jesus. I am your beloved child, holy and redeemed by the blood of Christ.  Help me walk in this identity, reflecting your kingdom as I exist in the world’s kingdoms.  Teach me to hold fast to Jesus and the hope I have in Him in suffering. Grant me humility and trust in your sovereign, loving care  as I follow You and await Christ’s return. Amen

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This Week’s Reading: Daniel 9, Jeremiah 25 & 29, Matthew 24   Before you read…    We find ourselves in the first year of Darius the Mede’s reign. Daniel is now in his 80s, still faithfully serving and seeking God despite having been in exile for decades. The end of the exile is nearing, so Daniel turns to the LORD…   –Read Daniel 9:1-23–    Daniel’s Situation (9:1-3). In the first year of Darius, Daniel surveys Scripture and reflects on Jeremiah’s prophecy that Jerusalem’s desolation would last 70 years (See Jeremiah 25 & 29). Realizing that the time spoken by Jeremiah was near, Daniel turns to the LORD God with fasting, signs of remorse (wearing sackcloth and ashes), and prayer over the wrongdoing of himself and all of Israel.    Daniel’s Adoration (9:4). Notice how Daniel starts his prayer: adoring God by acknowledging his greatness, awe, covenantal nature, and loyal love. Daniel’s confession and petition to God follow his praise for God.   Daniel’s Confession (9:5-15). Daniel’s prayer then moves to honest confession. He does not shift blame, make excuses, or hide. Rather, he openly admits the faults of himself and all of Israel. He takes personal ownership of their plight. Notice all verbs Daniel mentions: “We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled”… “We have not listened”… “We have sinned against you.” Daniel recognizes that Israel had not simply violated a moral law; they had violated their God, to whom righteousness, mercy, and forgiveness belong.    Daniel’s Petition (9:16-19). Daniel then transitions to a heartfelt plea for God’s mercy. He asks God to turn His anger away from Jerusalem, His holy city, not because of Israel’s righteousness but because of His great mercy. Daniel’s petition is urgent and passionate: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act.”   Meditations Adoration. Daniel’s prayer began with adoration. The character of God drives his prayer life. Spend a moment adoring God for who he is and what he has done for you.   Confession. Daniel realized that he and all of Israel had turned away from the whole life God intended for them. Realizing his transgression, Daniel didn’t blame or hide but confessed. Spend a moment confessing to God the ways (both big and small) you have neglected his instruction and guidance.    Petition. Daniel’s prayer didn’t end at confession. He also had the confidence to make a petition—to ask. Daniel asked that God listen to them, forgive them, and move on their behalf. Spend another quiet moment asking God to move on your behalf.    Prayer Lord, You are faithful and just,  abounding in mercy and loyal love. I confess my shortcomings and wrongdoings. Forgive me,  not because of my righteousness,  but because of Your great mercy. Strengthen me to seek Your face  with humility and confidence. Amen. – Read Daniel 9:20-27–   What happened? Heaven’s Response (9:20-23). While Daniel is still praying, the angel Gabriel appears and assures Daniel that his prayer was heard the moment he began to pray and that he is “greatly loved.” Heaven’s response to Daniel’s confession is compassion. Gabriel also brings Daniel a message of insight and understanding.   Heaven’s Plan (Seventy ‘Sevens’) (9:24-27). Gabriel’s prophecy of the “Seventy Sevens” ultimately outlines God’s redemptive timeline for his people. Most agree that the “sevens” (also translated “weeks”) represents years– totaling 490 years. These 490 years are divided into three periods: seven sevens (49 years) from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to its completion, sixty-two sevens (434 years) leading to the arrival of the “Anointed One” (understood as Jesus), and one final seven (7 years) marked by desolation and destruction.   Interpretations of this prophecy vary. One interpretation thinks the timeline culminates in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, believing the prophecy was fulfilled in His redemptive work and the events that followed in the 1st century. Another interpretation understands the numbers symbolically, seeing the current Church age as now existing within the final seven years. A third interpretation separates the 69 sevens (483 years) from the final seven, believing the last period will be in the future as a time of tribulation, viewing the current Church age as a gap until then.    Despite these differences, the prophecy foretells God’s faithfulness. What is important is this: God’s plan for his people, through Jesus, is to finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for iniquity, and bring in everlasting righteousness.  Meditations “You are greatly loved” Gabriel’s immediate response to Daniel’s confession reminds us that God responds with grace to our honest confession. In the same way Daniel is “greatly loved,” so are you. How does knowing you are “greatly loved” impact your confidence in prayer?   Putting an End to Sin This prophecy promises that Jesus will put an end to the very thing that tears life apart: sin. Jesus will pay for it and defeat it. Spend a quiet moment thanking Jesus for being the hero that has already come to deal with sin, and will one day eradicate it forever.  Prayer Lord, You work all things according to Your perfect plan. Thank you for meeting my prayers with grace.  Thank you Jesus: The Solution to all brokenness.  I long for the day when you restore all things and your kingdom reigns forever. Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This Week’s Reading: Daniel 7, 1 John 2:18-27, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Revelation 13 Before you read…   Daniel 7 stands at the center of the book of Daniel. Many believe it is one of the most important chapters in the Old Testament, especially since Daniel’s dream is referenced multiple times in the New Testament. This moment occurs during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign, before the events of chapters 5 and 6. At this point, Daniel is around 67 years old and has served under several kings. Daniel’s dream contains apocalyptic symbols that unveil deeper truths: Heaven rules history.   –Read Daniel 7–   What did I just read? In Daniel 7, Daniel receives a dream in the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign. In this vision, he sees four beasts rise from a chaotic, stormy sea, symbolizing the turbulent world of nations (7:2).   The first beast (7:4) is a lion with the wings of an eagle, representing Babylon. Its wings are torn off, and it stands on two feet, suggesting the humbling of Babylon’s pride and the transformation of its power—possibly a reference to Nebuchadnezzar’s journey of humility (remember Daniel 4!).   The second beast (7:5), a bear, rises next. Raised on one side and holding three ribs in its mouth, it signifies Medo-Persia, with Persia as the dominant side of the alliance. The bear’s command to “devour much flesh” represents Medo-Persia’s brutal military campaigns.   The third beast (7:6) is a four-winged, four-headed leopard, symbolizing Greece. The wings emphasize Greece’s swiftness in conquest under Alexander the Great, while the four heads foreshadow the division of his empire into four parts.   The fourth beast (7:7-8) is unlike any known creature, terrifying and iron-toothed, symbolizing Rome. With its crushing power and ten horns, it represents Rome’s extensive reach. A “little horn” emerges, symbolizing a ruler who will defy God, oppress His people, and create chaos (7:19-26 expounds on this vision of the fourth beast). However, its reign will be limited, and it will be judged and destroyed. The prophecy echoes in the New Testament, where Paul (2 Thess. 2) and John in Revelation describe a future antagonist who will oppose God and His people.   The Ancient of Days (7:9-11). The scene shifts from chaos to order as Daniel sees the “Ancient of Days” taking His seat on a throne ablaze with fire. The Ancient of Days, clothed in white with hair like pure wool, represents God and his eternal authority, purity, and wisdom. Judgment flows from His throne, and thousands upon thousands attend Him. Here, ultimate justice is executed as the fourth beast is destroyed, signaling the end of its oppressive rule.   The Son of Man (7:13-14). In Daniel’s vision, “one like a son of man” comes with the clouds of heaven and is presented before the Ancient of Days. He receives authority, glory, and sovereign power, and His dominion is everlasting. In the New Testament, Jesus identifies Himself with this “Son of Man” (Mark 14:62), asserting that He is the one who will fulfill this prophecy, establishing a kingdom that will never be destroyed.   The Kingdom of the Saints (7:18, 27). The angel explains that the “saints of the Most High” will inherit the kingdom alongside the Son of Man, reigning with Him forever. Although earthly kingdoms rise and fall with pride and oppression, God’s people are assured a lasting kingdom filled with justice and peace. Meditations Heaven Rules History In the chaos of the world, Daniel’s vision shows us a truth we can cling to: God reigns. Empires rise and fall, but the “Ancient of Days” sits on a throne of fire, and His rule is unshakable. No matter what storms rage around you, remember: God’s authority is absolute. His justice is perfect. His kingdom will never end. Heaven rules history.   Reflection: What in your life feels out of control? What would it look like for you to trust in God’s control today?   It’s All About Jesus Heaven’s rule looks like a “Son of Man” coming to bring a kingdom. Jesus calls himself the “Son of Man” (Mark 14:62), identifying himself as the one Daniel saw in his vision. He is the true King, the center of history, that will ultimately upend evil. Jesus is the King we await, the hope we hold, and the promise that lasts forever.   Reflection: History culminates in the coming of Jesus. How focused are you on Jesus coming again?   We Rule With Him Daniel’s vision promises that the saints will reign with God in His eternal kingdom. We’re not mere bystanders; we’re invited to rule alongside Jesus, sharing in His victory forever. Though persecution will come, the Christian’s hope remains unshaken—an unending reign with Christ in a kingdom that will never fade. Reflection: In what small ways can you partake in the Kingdom of God today? Prayer Lord,  You reign over all.  Help me trust Your control. Forgive me for when I trust in my own control. Jesus, I long for Your second coming. Your Kingdom come,  Your will be done. Amen

Have you ever wondered how things will transpire at the culmination of history? When the end comes, what will it be like? What will happen to those we love who have already passed away? What will happen to us? For centuries, humanity has wrestled with these and many other important questions surrounding the last days. This resource provides a short, clear breakdown of the different positions and views surrounding the end times. There are three main positions throughout the generations of the Church. This indicates to us that while it is important to study and research the different positions, adhering to one exact view is not a central tenant of orthodox faith, meaning that there is not one particular view that has been believed everywhere, at all times, and by all believers. Rather, as followers of Jesus, we are invited to study the Scripture and decide how we, in accordance with wisdom and the Spirit, interpret these verses, and, as a result, aim to embrace a tangible way of living that trusts God, shares His gospel, and endures hardship and suffering with faith and steadfastness. Regardless of your final position, we who follow Christ are all exiles in this fallen world, and we are all saved by grace through faith for the glory of God.    Key Terms: Eschatology: from the Greek word eschatos, which means ‘last’. Eschatology is the term used to describe the study of the end times or last things. Millennium: the 1,000-year period (literal or symbolic) where Christ will reign and rule on the earth as described in Revelation 20.Tribulation: The term generally describes the suffering and anguish of the people of God throughout history. In eschatology, it refers to a specific and intense seven-year period of suffering in the last days, often known as the Great Tribulation.Rapture: Refers to the event where believers will be “caught up” or rise into the sky to join Christ as He returns to earth. Three Views Of The Millenium The millennium is a 1,000 period where Christ will reign and rule and reign on earth as described in Revelation 20:1-6. These verses describe an event that will take place in the last days. In verse 2, we read about the 1,000-year reign known as the Millennium. This is the only place in the Scripture where there is a reference to this 1,000-year reign. For centuries, Theologians have worked to interpret and understand the meaning behind the Millennium. While many minor positions have developed over time, we will focus on the three leading views that have developed throughout Church history. While there are some things that all positions must agree on (listed below), each of these positions has been or is currently held by smart and respectable bible believing Christians. The three leading positions we will discuss are premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. The essential common ground among differing views: Jesus will bodily return to earth as a conquering King. [Acts 1:11]Jesus will cast out Satan forever. [Rev 20:10]Jesus will right all wrongs and is making all things new. [Rev 21:5]God will judge the living and the dead. [2 Tim 4:1]Believers/saints will live with God forever in the new heaven and new earth. [Rev 21:3]The unrighteousness will be eternally separated from God in everlasting suffering. [Rev 20:15]    View 1 – Premillennialism   The premillennialist perspective believes that Christ will return prior to (pre-) the millennium. This position takes a literal reading of Revelation 20:1-6 and believes that Christ will physically and bodily return to earth, ushering in a literal 1000-year reign on earth by binding Satan, gathering and saving all Israel, and reigning with the resurrected saints. This reign will begin with the binding of Satan (Rev 20:4). Christ will then usher in the literal 1000-year earthly reign and completely fulfill all promises, specifically regarding the land (Gen 17:8). The literal thousand-year kingdom on earth will enable the completion of the Davidic (2 Sam 7:11-16), Abrahamic (Gen 15:7-21), and New Covenant promises (Jer 31:31-40; Eze 36:24-30).   Supporting Scripture Genesis 15:7-21, 17:8; 2 Samuel 7:11-16; Jeremiah 31:31-40; Ezekiel 36:24-30; Acts 1:6-7, 3:19-21; Revelation 20:4.   Scriptural Tensions Luke 17:20-21 speaks of the kingdom of God as something that is not observable but already in our midst. John 18:36 – Jesus states that His kingdom is not of this world, making the literal establishment of his kingdom on earth problematic. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 – Some take this verse to support the coming kingdom as a symbolic reign as opposed to literal, while premillennialists point to verse 23 as great support for a physical kingdom. Some interpret the first resurrection in Revelation 20:1-6 as speaking of salvation, which would shift the interpretation of the millennium. Finally, many will point to Matthew 24:34 as the reason why passages of Scripture often taken to support the premillennial perspective should be understood as being immediately fulfilled in AD 70. View 2 – Amillennialism   Amillennialism treats the 1,000-year reign of Christ as symbolic, happening now, or taking place exclusively in heaven, and certainly happening before the second coming of Jesus. This view is built around the idea that Christ, during His earthly ministry and following death and resurrection, ushered in His kingdom and authority over Satan, effectively welcoming a type of “Church age” or “millennium,” where Satan is bound, no longer able to deceive the nations, and therefore, the gospel can and will be spread to the gentile nations of the world.  Amillennialism does not believe that the Church will progressively redeem the earth until a final tipping point where Christ returns (as is popular in the postmillennial view), but rather believes that even though Satan is bound, sin is still present and active on Earth, therefore resulting in current tribulation and a call for the saints to endure. Amillennialism also allows for a greater, more intense tribulation in the future before the second coming of Christ. At that second coming, Amillennialists believe that sin is fully defeated, evangelism is finished, the final judgment occurs, and a new heaven and new earth are ushered in. There is no rapture of God’s selected people before the tribulation, nor is there a coming, literal 1,000-year reign after the second coming of Jesus and before the final judgment.   Supporting Scripture  Matthew 4:17, 12:29, 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Romans 8:18-23; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28, 50-57; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2;  2 Thess. 1:5-10; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 3:8-13; Revelation 20:3    Scriptural Tensions How to interpret 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, which seems to speak to a physical, bodily “rapture” or a calling up into the air before the Day of the Lord.How do we determine that the 1,000-year reign in Revelation 20:1-6 is symbolic?How to interpret Old Testament prophecy texts like Daniel 7 or Jeremiah 23. An Amillennial viewpoint would conclude that these texts were spiritually fulfilled during the life and ministry of Christ and are not prophetic of a future tribulation or time to come.One primary tension with amillennialism is that it leads to an over spiritualization of the Old Testament prophecies, leaning heavily away from a future, literal interpretation and claiming either a spiritual application or an eternity-specific application. View 3 – Postmillennialism Postmillennialism takes an optimistic view of the future in which the world will successfully be evangelized, and Christ’s kingdom will reign amongst the nations. This golden age will usher in the second coming of Christ and final judgment. Post Millennials believe the millennium is a spiritual reality in which Christ is reigning in heaven spiritually, while the earth is slowly coming under the reign of Christ through the spread of the gospel and the kingdom of God on earth. Once all the nations are “made a footstool,” Christ will return and “deliver the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.” (1 Corinthians 15). They take spiritually the 1000-year reign of Christ in heaven, yet they take literally the fulfillment of the promise that the kingdom of God has come and the nations will literally be made a footstool by the success of the gospel throughout the world.   Supporting Scripture  Isaiah 2:2-4; Habakkuk 2:14; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Revelation 20:1-6   Scriptural Tensions Matthew 24:21-22 – These verses seem to paint a picture that is very different from the golden age era that postmillennialists believe will precede Christ’s second coming. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – The description of the last days in these verses suggests that they will be filled with moral decline and godlessness, which is the opposite of what post millennials believe. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – This scripture seems to paint a picture of decline and opposition to the gospel in the end times rather than the postmillennialists’ optimistic view.Revelation 20:7-10 – Some see this text as being in tension with the postmillennial view due to the ongoing conflict and final judgment described. Luke 17:26-30 – Another text that describes a decline in morality at the end rather than a gradual and optimistic evangelization of the world.  The Rapture Many noteworthy Christian scholars believe the Bible teaches that there will be a ‘Rapture’ of the Church, where God will remove His people from the earth to meet Jesus, the coming King, in the clouds. The idea is based primarily on a text in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul describes a day when the Church will be “caught up” to “meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16-17). While a rapture of the Church may seem obvious from reading this one text, there are many Bible verses that complicate this prediction by indicating that followers of Jesus will remain on the earth through the duration of the Second Coming of Jesus.  There is another layer to the argument in determining whether this ‘rapture’ will take place before or after a tribulation period (known as the Pre-Tribulation and Post-Tribulation views). While there are multiple verses in Scripture suggesting that the Church will be rescued before a time of tribulation (Revelation 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; John 14:2-3), there are also a variety of verses suggesting the Church will be present during the infamous tribulation period (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 7:13-14; 2 Peter 3:10-13).  Whether or not the Church will be ‘raptured’ is a matter of debate. Determining if this event occurs before or after the “tribulation period” of Revelation 6-19 adds an additional layer to the dispute. When the dust of the debate settles, what is certain is that followers of Jesus will be protected from the impending judgment of God that will come at the end of time. Thanks be to God for sending Jesus to rescue us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10)!  Origin: The term ‘Rapture’ was coined, and the argument was kindled in the 19th century by John Nelson Darby and other premillennialist thinkers. However, it is worth noting that rapture-esque ideation was present as early as AD 90 (Shepherd of Hermas) and present in third and fourth century commentary (Commentary on the Apocalypse).    Supporting Scripture  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, John 14:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Revelation 3:10, Philippians 3:20-21, Titus 2:13.   Scriptural  Tensions Matthew 24:29-31 – This passage seems to suggest that the gathering of believers (which some equate with the rapture) happens after the tribulation. It begs the question, is there a ‘rapture’ in this picture that Jesus gave? If so, what is the purpose if the tribulation has already passed?2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – This text suggests believers will be “gathered” after the tribulation period and the arrival of the “man of lawlessness.” Unless this is a post- or mid-trib rapture, this text seems to contradict the idea of a Pre-Tribulation rapture, and it supports views against belief in rapture.Revelation 7:13-14 – This text suggests there are Christians present during the tribulation period. Either people convert during the tribulation or the Church is present during the tribulation, according to this passage.Luke 17:34-27 – If Jesus is saying that the “dead” person is the one taken, then this text suggests that it is the unbeliever who is removed, not the believer who is ‘raptured’.Revelation 20:4-5 – This text is problematic for rapture views because:  It appears Christians are alive during the tribulation (beast) period.It appears that the resurrection of the dead takes place after the Tribulation and after the Millennium. Those holding to a pre-trib rapture suggest this ‘first resurrection’ is of tribulation saints (people who come to faith during the tribulation), and the ‘second resurrection’ is of the lost (who resurrect after the Millennium). Matthew 13:24-30, 13:36-43 –  In this analogy, Jesus suggests believers (wheat) will remain on earth until the time of the judgment (when the weeds will be removed). This is problematic for the rapture theory because it does not appear as though the “wheat” is removed before the “weeds.”

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This Week’s Reading: Daniel 6, Acts 5:29, Psalm 55:17, Hebrews 11:33   As Daniel 6 opens, a shift of power has placed Persia in command, but Daniel, now in his 80s, continues to serve faithfully in this new kingdom. His integrity and faithfulness from past trials will soon be tested again, this time under the watchful eye of a new king and the jealousy of new co-workers.   – Read Daniel 6:1-18–   What happened? As power shifted from Babylon to Persia, Daniel, now over 80 years old, continued serving under this new empire that King Darius led. Persia had become the world’s largest empire. To manage its vast territories, Darius appointed satraps—regional officials known as “protectors of the kingdom.” He placed three administrators over those satraps, with Daniel among them (6:1-3).   Daniel’s integrity and excellence set him apart, earning the king’s favor. This success stirred jealousy among his peers, who sought to discredit him. Finding no fault in his character, they saw his faith in God as their only means to trap him. Daniel’s devotion to God was public and unwavering, making him stand out in the polytheistic Persian Empire (6:4-5).   The envious officials conspired to set Daniel up. They proposed a loyalty test: a decree forbidding prayer to any god or person but the king for 30 days. Darius, likely flattered, signed it, unaware of their true motive. Once signed, the decree couldn’t be altered—not even by the king himself (6:6-9).   When Daniel learned of the decree, he remained steadfast. As was his rhythm three times a day, Daniel went home, got on his knees, and prayed to his God. Daniel knew that the decree was out, but personal risk would not prohibit him from praying to his God (6:10). Sometimes, the believer must break the law of the land in order to obey the law of the LORD. Hence, Peter and the other apostles told Jewish authorities, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).   The conspirators caught Daniel praying and reported him. They emphasized that he was an “exile from Judah,” highlighting his foreign origins to distance him from Persia. Realizing he had been tricked, Darius grew distressed and sought every possible way to save Daniel, but the officials pressed for the decree’s enforcement (6:11-15).   Reluctantly, Darius ordered Daniel into the lions’ den. As Daniel was sealed inside, the king expressed hope, saying, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.” Darius returned to his palace, fasting and unable to sleep, anxiously waiting for dawn (6:16-18).   At dawn, Darius rushed to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel, hoping for a miracle. He asked if Daniel’s God had saved him. To the king’s relief, Daniel replied, saying God had sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Because of his faith, Daniel remained unharmed (6:19-22).   Darius, overjoyed, ordered Daniel’s release and cast the conspirators, along with their families, into the den. Unlike Daniel, they were devoured instantly. Darius then issued a decree, commanding all people to honor the God of Daniel, “the living God” who “rescues and saves” and whose kingdom stands forever (6:23-27).    Once again, Daniel’s faith changed a king’s heart, and he continued to prosper under Darius and beyond (6:28). What to remember?  King Darius appointed officials for Persia, and Daniel stood out (6:1-3).  Jealous officials convinced Darius to ban prayer to anyone but the king for 30 days (6:4-9).  Daniel prayed openly to God, ignoring the decree (6:10).  The officials caught him praying and reported it to the king (6:11-13).  Darius tried to save Daniel but couldn’t change the decree (6:14-15).  Reluctantly, Darius sent Daniel to the lions’ den, hoping God would save him (6:16-17).  Darius fasted and couldn’t sleep that night (6:18).  At dawn, Darius rushed to the lions’ den and found Daniel unharmed. God had shut the lions’ mouths (6:19-22).  Darius was happy and ordered Daniel’s release. He threw the conspirators to the lions, and they were devoured (6:23-24).  Darius told everyone to honor Daniel’s God, who saves and rules forever (6:25-27).  Daniel thrived under Darius and Cyrus (6:28).   Meditations “An excellent spirit was in him” (6:3) Daniel exemplified what it meant to work with excellence. His faith in God did not hinder his work; it fueled it. While others may have exploited their positions for personal gain, Daniel remained committed to serving faithfully.    A true relationship with God enhances our integrity and work ethic. We should strive to cultivate this same excellent spirit in our daily tasks. Would your coworkers say you have an excellent spirit? What is hindering you from such?   “He got down on his knees three times a day” (6:10) Daniel’s commitment to prayer was unwavering. He didn’t just pray once a day; he marked his daily schedule with several moments dedicated to God. In persecution, he continued to pray with thanksgiving. Daniel delighted in the daily office of prayer. Do you?   What would it look like for you to have this kind of prayer life? Are there moments throughout your daily schedule where you could pause to pray? Maybe you want to set some daily reminders on your phone to bring you back to this posture.   “He is the living God… he delivers and rescues” (6:26) King Darius, who was unable to save Daniel, recognized the power of Daniel’s God, who could save him. The chapter ends with Darius turning to the One who truly saves: “He is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues.” While he could not rescue Daniel from the lions, God could.   This chapter foreshadows Jesus. Like Daniel, Jesus faced false accusations and arrest while praying in the garden. Like Daniel, Jesus remained steadfast in the face of persecution. Like Daniel thrown and sealed in the lions’ den, Jesus was thrown to his death and sealed in a tomb. Yet, Jesus is the Son of the Living God who raised him from the dead. Why did Jesus come, live, die, and rise? For you. To deliver and rescue you. That’s your God… the living God.   Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for Daniel’s example of excellence.   Help me to embody an excellent spirit and integrity in my daily tasks.   Teach me to remain faithful and steadfast in my commitment to You.   Guide me to prioritize prayer throughout my day.   Thank You for being the living God who delivers.   I praise You for Jesus, our ultimate rescue and salvation.   Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This week’s reading: Daniel 5   Before diving into Chapter 5, it’s helpful to recall the events of Daniel 4. Nebuchadnezzar, the proud king of Babylon, was humbled by God, living like an animal for a time until he repented and acknowledged the LORD. By the end of his life, Nebuchadnezzar was praising the one true God.   In Daniel 5, we see a new ruler on the throne. Years after Nebuchadnezzar’s reign ended, we meet… Belshazzar. The Greek historian Xenophon referred to Belshazzar as “the wicked king.” He also recorded a moment when Belshazzar murdered a governor’s son on a hunting trip out of jealousy. Pride, violence, and arrogance marked Belshazzar. Interestingly, most historians believed the records of Belshazzar to be ancient myths until archeological evidence was found supporting the existence of Belshazzar in the 19th century.    As the saying goes, “Pride comes before the fall.” It is Belshazzar’s pride that leads to the collapse of Babylon. The fall of Babylon has been recorded by many historians, but Daniel 5 tells the collapse of one of the greatest empires in history from Heaven’s perspective…   —Read Daniel 5—   What happened? Daniel 5 opens with prideful, petty, and violent King Belshazzar holding a lavish banquet for his nobles. In a drunken act of disrespect, he ordered that the sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem be brought out so he and his guests could drink from them (Daniel 5:1-4). These were the same vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken during his conquest of Jerusalem, and they were meant to be holy and set apart for God. But Belshazzar used them for a drunken party, praising false gods. The sensual party turned sacrilegious as Belshazzar mocked the LORD of heaven.   Suddenly, a hand appeared and began writing on the wall. The mysterious writing terrified Belshazzar, and none of his wise men could interpret it. His mother remembered Daniel, who had once served Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was brought in to interpret the writing (Daniel 5:5-16).   Daniel boldly confronted Belshazzar. He reminded him of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling experience and how God had taught Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge His rule. Despite knowing all this, Belshazzar refused to humble himself and continued to worship lifeless objects.    What was the writing on the wall? MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN— a message of judgment. Daniel explained that Belshazzar’s days were numbered, he had been weighed and found wanting, and his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:17-28). To be found “wanting” was to be found lacking or deficient. Because of his refusal to repent, Belshazzar lacked any sort of right standing with God and would be divided and judged.    That very night, Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, fulfilling God’s judgment (Daniel 5:30-31). What to remember? King Belshazzar (the new ruler of Babylon) displays his power with a great feast (5:1-2)At the feast, King Belshazzar mocks the LORD’s vessels (5:3)The hand writes on the wall (5:5-9)Daniel recalls Nebuchadnezzar’s story and confronts Belshazzar (5:18-23)Daniel interprets the writing on the wall (5:25-28)Belshazzar is judged and killed, and the kingdom falls (5:30-31)   Meditation You have been weighed and found wanting (5:27) Belshazzar was weighed in God’s balance and found wanting… or lacking. His refusal to repent led to his downfall. Similar to Belshazzar, we all feel a sense in which we have been weighed in God’s balance and lack righteousness within ourselves. We are helpless within our own means before judgment…    However, the beauty of the Gospel is that “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). In the world’s greatest moment of love, Jesus bore our judgment so that we could have his righteousness. Unlike Belshazzar, we do not turn inward to find righteousness within ourselves (because it’s lacking!), but we turn to Jesus, who became our righteousness on the cross.   You did not honor the God who holds your life in His hands (5:23) Daniel’s rebuke of Belshazzar hits hard: You have not honored the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways. Belshazzar failed to recognize that his life and his kingdom were derivative from God.    We often forget that every breath we take is sustained by God’s hand. This moment reminds us that every aspect of our life is under God’s sovereign control. Do you live with an awareness of God’s constant provision in your life? Do you honor Him in the way you live, work, and interact with others?  Prayer Father, Help me to live with a heart  that is humble before you. May I live each day with a sense of your holiness and a deep desire to walk in your ways. I love you, LORD. Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.   This week’s reading: The Book of Esther (Esther 1-10)   The book of Esther is like a song that echoes a chorus we’ve heard throughout the Scriptures. We hear and see again that God puts His people in places of power for His eternal Kingdom purposes. And yet, not once is the name of God mentioned in this book. Although we don’t see Him, we take note of His familiar hand, which is doing what it’s done before: putting people in the most unexpected places for the most glorious of purposes (His own). Esther stands in history with Daniel, Joseph, and many others as a believer who remains faithful in a faithless society. Let’s take a look.   — Read Esther 1-4 —   Esther, Part 1 Esther is a Jewish exile living in the capital city of the Persian empire, Susa. She’s here living among a community of Jews, including her uncle (and caretaker), Modercai. The reigning king in Persia at the time was King Ahasuerus, a man we find in Chapter 1 to be driven by impulses, indulgence, and anger. In a turn of events, Esther is gathered among many young women in the city to be presented to the king as he looks for a new queen. After months of beautifying rituals, these women are presented to the king and the king is wholeheartedly taken with Esther. Yet little does he know; he’s just placed a Jewish girl in his courts and crowned her a Persian Queen. And here, we begin to see the plan of God unfold as He moves Esther inside a palace of power.    Esther’s placement as queen is quickly followed by a fortunate discovery. Mordecai discovers a plot against the King. He shares this information with Esther, who tells the king. This not only protects the king’s life, but it gives Esther trust and favor in the sight of the king. This will prove critical for her Kingdom assignment.   Yet another storyline begins to unfold that threatens to disrupt Esther’s influence. Haman, a Persian official, advises the king to rid the land of all Jews because of the “threat” they pose to his kingdom. Seduced by his speech, the king authorizes Haman to create a decree to accomplish this.   Mordecai and Esther learn of this decree and become devastated. Yet, Mordecai sees an opportunity to leverage Esther’s influence as queen. Amidst her own fear, he pleads with her to consider that it is for this purpose and for this time that she has been set in the king’s court. It’s time for her to understand the greater plan of God at play.      See the Similarities: Esther & Daniel   Unlikely favor in high places: The circumstances of Esther are mysteriously providential. Her delivery into this city, under the care of her uncle, and into the king’s court put her in a place of great influence quickly. Just like Daniel, who God gave “favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs” and the king (Daniel 1:9-19), we see that “[t]he king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight” (Esther 2:17). This was no accident or chance encounter or fairy tale. As we continue to read, we see that this placement was profoundly and intentionally purposeful – not just for Esther’s family but for a whole nation.    Pressure reveals commitment to God*: When Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman, we should recall the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their refusal to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue (Daniel 3:8-12). In both Esther and Daniel, we see the community surrounding our main “characters” remain steadfast in their faith under trial. Although bowing to Haman has less to do with worship and more to do with respect, Mordecai’s defiance was a declaration: I am committed to the LORD. Esther and Daniel do not stand as lone rangers when they appear before King Ahasuerus and King Nebuchadnezzar; they stand boldly with the knowledge that they share a community who are behind them and beside them with tested dedication to the same God. *Yet we see in both instances that the faithful decisions of God’s people are not celebrated, but reviled against (Esther 3:6, 8 and Daniel 3:12).    (K)ingdom placement for Kingdom purposes: Daniel and Esther are both placed inside a kingdom’s walls for heavenly Kingdom purposes. We see Daniel set exactly in the place to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and proclaim, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27), and we see Esther set exactly in the place to save the Jews. This is not merely an opportunity for them, this is a Kingdom mission (Esther 3:14).    Meditation I will never be able to see God’s full plan. Can I trust Him even when I can’t see Him? Consider Esther.  What is her story? She’s a woman and an orphan being raised by her uncle in a community of people who have been displaced to a kingdom hostile to their beliefs. Where could God be in this?    He’s there. Working ever so wisely, carefully, and powerfully to weave Esther’s story into His redemptive narrative that He’s been writing for all time. She’s chosen as queen in this hostile kingdom. She’s given access and leverage in a powerful place. She’s right there as a plot against her own people unfolds. Although God may seem hidden, He’s not absent.    Prayer God,  you are the LORD of my story.  Help me recognize You,  even when I can’t feel You. Amen   — Read Esther 5-10 —   Esther, Part 2 Knowing what is at stake in the kingdom, Esther enacts a plan. She hosts two separate banquets for King Ahasuerus and for Haman. At the first banquet, she requests a second banquet so that she may bring another special request to their attention. (Note: Requesting a request is indeed necessary here as her presence before the king rests solely on his favor toward her; she has no right to be before him unless he’s pleased with her. Let this be a loud reminder to you that this is not how our relationship with our Father God is.) The night between banquets, the king cannot sleep and he commands to have the book of memorable deeds read to him. During this reading, he hears of Mordecai’s heroic interruption to the plot against him from chapter 2. In such a sovereign moment, Haman comes in to tell the king that he has prepared gallows for Mordecai the Jew. The king demands that Mordecai must be given the highest honor and led through the town square by Haman in order that he may be praised for his deeds.    The story of Esther now reaches its crescendo. During her second banquet, Esther reveals her Jewish identity to the king and Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews. Now, the king realizes he can no longer be apathetic about this issue; this is a plot that directly affects his queen. Because of this, the king has Haman hanged on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai.    Yet, the issue is not solved. The order against the Jews was a decree signed by the king, and therefore, it could not be retracted. After a conference with Mordecai and Esther, the king gives them permission to write another decree that might supersede what has already been written. An edict was written that the Jews could defend their lives, no matter the cost. This decree was swiftly spread, and yet again, we see a sovereign reversal: “In the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them” (Esther 9:1). Esther and Mordecai then declare a two-day feast shall be observed, days of gladness among them and generosity to the poor, in order to commemorate the Jews delivery from destruction.     See the Similarities: Esther & Daniel   More sovereign sleeplessness: Both King Ahasuerus and King Nebuchadnezzar’s sleepless nights are critical turning points for the stories of Esther and Daniel. For Esther, we see that the king’s sleepless night brings news of what could have been his death, yet Mordecai saved him. For Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar’s terrifying dream of the destruction of kingdoms brings a radical warning, yet Daniel tells him what is true and what he must do. In these leaders’ vulnerability (both realize they are not as invincible as they might think), we see them honor the believer.   Radical wisdom and boldness: Both Esther and Daniel face profound fear as they walk inside these foreign, threatening kingdoms. Yet, they choose to wait, calculate, speak, and act in such a way that is radically supernatural in the face of their circumstances (see Esther 4:15-5:4, 7:1-6, 8:3-8 and Daniel 2, 4). Although the places they are in do not favor them, God, in His kindness, sovereignty, and power, is able to lead them through the most gruesome places for His most glorious purposes.    Meditation Was the book of Esther just a book full of coincidences? No. Let’s review some of the sovereign moments and ironic reversals:  Esther, the Jew, was chosen as the Persian queen.Mordecai the Jew overhears and disrupts a plan to kill the Persian king. The king, in a sleepless fit, hears of Mordecai’s heroic act because he commands him to read a book of memorable deeds.Mordecai the Jew was raised up in honor by the king in the sight of his enemy, Haman, who was seeking his death. Haman was killed in the very place he prepared for Mordecai’s death. Esther is welcomed into the king’s presence. She speaks boldly and undermines Haman’s plot as she reveals her true identity. The Jews, who were decreed to be killed, celebrated in the end with a feast.    God is at work here.    Can you see His hand? The LORD is leading the story. God is kind to move and use His people in a powerful way whether they realize it or not. He does that even now in our own story. And He invites us to participate with Him. Just like Daniel and Joseph, the LORD put Esther in a place for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) to be an instrument and example of His glorious sovereignty, majesty, and redemption. Where has He put you for such a time as this?    Prayer LORD,   Thank You for Esther’s story,  which shows us that You have a plan  beyond what we can anticipate.   May I be so bold as to follow You and be faithful to You,  even in places I can’t quite see you.Help me trust Your heart,  even when I cannot see Your hand.   Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.   This week’s reading: Daniel 4   Before diving into Chapter 4, it’s helpful to recall the earlier chapters of Daniel. In Chapter 1, Daniel and his friends, exiled in Babylon, refused the king’s food, demonstrating their loyalty to the LORD. Chapter 2 revealed Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, outlining the LORD’s plan for future kingdoms. In Chapter 3, Daniel’s friends boldly faced the fiery furnace, standing firm in their faith.   Commentators believe the events here in Chapter 4 occurred thirty years later, with Daniel now in his fifties. This chapter continues to reveal God’s work through Daniel and records the dramatic transformation of King Nebuchadnezzar.   – Read Daniel 4–   What happened? Daniel 4:1-3 begins with King Nebuchadnezzar praising… the LORD?! That seems surprising. The self-important ruler of Babylon, who once glorified only himself, is now joyfully proclaiming the greatness of God. What led to such a dramatic change? The rest of Daniel 4 reveals how this transformation came about. Verses 4-37 serve as Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony, recounting the story of God’s grace in his life.   It all began when Nebuchadnezzar was disturbed by a dream—this wasn’t the first time his visions troubled him (see Daniel 2). As before, he sought answers from his counselors, but none could provide an interpretation. So, he called upon Daniel.   Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was of a towering tree that reached the heavens, visible to the ends of the earth. The tree provided food and shelter for all, but a divine messenger ordered it to be cut down, leaving only a stump bound with iron and bronze. That tree, Daniel explained, represented Nebuchadnezzar himself.    Judgment was coming—the king would be humiliated and isolated. But there was a purpose: “so that you may know that Heaven rules” (4:26). Daniel’s interpretation came with an application. He urged Nebuchadnezzar to break away from his sin, to practice righteousness, and to show mercy to the oppressed.   Sadly, a year later, Nebuchadnezzar chose pride over repentance (4:28-30). As a result, he was humiliated–driven from his palace–and isolated like an animal, just as the LORD had warned. His downfall was the direct consequence of his pride. Yet even in judgment, the LORD was patient and gave Nebuchadnezzar a year to repent.   At the end of his days, Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was finally transformed. He “lifted his eyes to heaven” and publicly proclaimed the goodness of God. His kingdom was restored, but he was never the same. Nebuchadnezzar had learned that while God will judge sin, He desires to save the sinner, offering grace even to the most hardened heart. What to remember? King Nebuchadnezzar praised the LORD (4:1-3)King Nebuchadnezzar troubled by a dream (4:4-17)Daniel dismayed by the dream’s interpretation (4:19)Daniel interpreted the dream (4:20-27)King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride leads to his fall (4:28-33)King Nebuchadnezzar’s repentance and restoration (4:34-37) Meditation Break off your sin (4:27) Daniel urges King Nebuchadnezzar to “break off your sin.” This call to action isn’t merely a suggestion; it is a plea for genuine transformation. Sin can often entangle us like a weed, wrapping around our hearts and minds and stifling our growth. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride had led him to isolation and humiliation, and Daniel confronted him.    Maybe you feel like Nebuchadnezzar. You’re clinging to money, pride, anger, materials, or status to find freedom, but you’ve found slavery. Daniel reminds us to break up with sin and find freedom. What areas of your life need to be surrendered?   Maybe you feel like Daniel. You gently need to tell a loved one that they need to break up with sin. They’re at rock bottom. Their freedom has become slavery. You want to see their salvation, not humiliation. How could you help a loved one break up with sin?   I lifted my eyes to heaven (4:34) A look can change everything. The once-arrogant Nebuchadnezzar was changed when he “lifted his eyes to heaven.” Lifting his eyes symbolized a shift from self-reliance and pride to God-reliance and humility. He recognized that the true King, the One who reigns above all, is the LORD.   We are prone to look at ourselves, our success, our circumstances, our worries, or our failures. Before we know it, that self-absorption leads to destruction.    But there’s an escape. There is a direction to turn our gaze that does not destroy us, but delivers us. What are you currently fixating on? Lift your eyes to Jesus.  Prayer Father,   Like King Nebuchadnezzar,  help me break off my sins and find true freedom in you.  As I lift my eyes to you,  remind me of your power and grace in my life.  Thank you for your patient love.  I love you, LORD.  Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives. This week’s reading: Genesis 37-47   Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not exist in a vacuum. They stood in the long history of God’s people, drawing strength from the Scriptures and examples of those who came before them. How does a believer in God remain faithful in a faithless society? They needed to look no further than the story of Joseph.   — Read Genesis 37 (skip 38), 39-40 —   Joseph, Part 1 Joseph was the favored son of Jacob (also known as Israel). At age seventeen, he received two dreams that foreshadowed his future prominence, provoking jealousy and bitterness among his brothers. Those brothers conspired against him, first throwing him into a pit and later selling him into slavery in Egypt—the pagan power of that day. In short, Joseph the promised one became the abandoned one.   In Egypt, Joseph was far from his family but the LORD was near to him. He quickly found favor in Potiphar’s (an officer of Pharaoh) house, where he was successful and entrusted with significant responsibilities in Egypt.    Despite the pressures to compromise, Joseph remained allegiant to the LORD in Egypt and rejected the advances of Potiphar’s wife. He was then falsely accused and imprisoned. Despite this setback, the LORD remained with Joseph, granting him favor even in prison.    In prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, predicting correctly their fate. He asked the cupbearer to remember him when he returns to Pharaoh, but the cupbearer forgot Joseph after his release. See the Similarities: Joseph & Daniel Favor with the LORD and political authorities: Despite being cast into Egypt, “the Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2). Not only did he have favor in the eyes of the LORD, he also found favor in the sight of Egyptian authorities. Even when he was thrown into prison, “the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (39:21). Do you remember who else found favor with the LORD and political authorities? Daniel! Go back and read Daniel 1:17-21.Conviction over compromise: When Joseph’s master’s wife tried to seduce him, he held firmly to his convictions and “refused” her advances, saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8-9). What could have been a moment of temptation became a powerful display of integrity. Likewise, Daniel “resolved” not to defile himself with the king’s food (Daniel 1:8). Both men saw their allegiance to the LORD’s kingdom as far greater than the allure of earthly kingdoms.The LORD reveals: Joseph saw two men who were troubled by dreams in prison and looking for interpretations. Instead of telling them he could, he humbly admitted that “interpretations belong to God” (Genesis 40:8). Humanity cannot discern these messages, but there is a God in Heaven who can. Sound familiar? Daniel answered the King the same way: “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27).  Meditation Have you ever felt like God’s presence is distant, or like your life has gone off course? Look at the story of Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers, separated from his family, sold into slavery, surrounded by the temptations of Egypt’s wealth and power, falsely accused, and imprisoned—yet through it all, Joseph remained faithful to the LORD. He trusted that God was with him, whether in the palace or the prison, and used his trials as an opportunity to demonstrate his faith. Faithfulness to God isn’t just possible in hard times—it’s powerful.    Joseph’s story, along with Daniel’s, reminds us that God is always near, even when we feel alone or out of place. Their unwavering trust in God calls us to do the same—holding fast to our convictions and trusting that God will work through our faithfulness, even when the path forward is unclear. Where is God calling you to be faithful today? Prayer Lord Jesus,   Thank You for the examples of Joseph and Daniel,  who trusted You in the hardest moments.  Help me to stay true to You  when I face temptation or feel alone.  Remind me that You are always near, turning my trials into opportunities for trust. Amen.   — Read Genesis 41-47 —   Joseph, Part 2 After being forgotten by the cupbearer, Joseph remained in prison until Pharaoh was troubled with dreams. The cupbearer remembered Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams and recommended him to Pharaoh. Joseph was brought from the prison to the palace, where he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, revealing a coming famine and advising on how to prepare. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command over all of Egypt.   During the years of abundance, Joseph collected grain to prepare for the impending famine. When the famine struck, it affected not only Egypt but surrounding lands, including Canaan, where Joseph’s family lived. His brothers came to Egypt seeking food, not recognizing Joseph, who now looked like an Egyptian leader.    Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had changed since selling him into slavery. After several encounters, he revealed his identity and forgave them, recognizing that the LORD had used their actions for good. He reconciled with his family and invited them to live in Egypt, ensuring their survival during the famine. See the Similarities: Joseph & Daniel Troubled Kings with Dreams: The most powerful men are powerless over their sleep. Both Pharaoh and King Nebuchadnezzar experienced distressing dreams that troubled them deeply, prompting them to seek interpretations from those around them. Their struggles set the stage for the LORD to reveal truth through Joseph and Daniel. Favor in a Foreign Land: Just as Joseph found favor with Pharaoh (Genesis 41:40-41), Daniel received favor from King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:46-49). Both stories demonstrate that the LORD will often elevate His servants even in foreign lands. Enemy Love: Joseph extended love and forgiveness to his brothers, welcoming them back despite their betrayal. Similarly, Daniel and his friends showed concern and courtesy to those who violently opposed him. Both men exemplified the call to love those who persecute us. Meditation From prisoner to prime minister, Joseph trusted God’s plan even in the darkest moments. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20). His ability to forgive his brothers and see God’s hand in their betrayal challenges us to view our struggles through a lens of faith.   The stories of Joseph and Daniel remind us that God is working behind the scenes. As we trust him with today, God is working together forever. Where is God asking you to trust Him today? Prayer LORD,   Thank You for Joseph’s story,  which shows us that You are sovereign in every situation.   May I find courage to forgive, just as Joseph did,   and recognize Your hand at work in my life right now.   Amen.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives. This week’s reading: Daniel 3, Isaiah 43, Psalm 16, John 15:18-27, Matthew 10:28   Before diving into Chapter 3, it is essential to recall the first two chapters. In Chapter 1, Daniel and his friends, exiles in Babylon, refused to defile themselves with the King’s food, demonstrating their commitment to the LORD. Chapter 2 reveals Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which showcases the LORD’s ultimate unfolding plan for Babylon, other kingdoms, and His everlasting kingdom. Together, these chapters lay a foundation for the trials the Hebrew men will face in Chapter 3, where their devotion will be tested once again.   – Read Daniel 3:1-18–   What happened? In Daniel 3:1-18, King Nebuchadnezzar made a towering golden statue on the plain of Dura, reaching ninety feet high. The massive structure should remind readers of Chapter 2, when Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of such a figure that represented the kingdoms that would rise and fall.    Nebuchadnezzar then ordered all government officials–everyone who was anyone–gather for the statue’s dedication. At the sound of the orchestra, every person present was to bow down and worship the statue. The penalty for refusal was death by extremity– burning in a fiery furnace. All the officials bowed down, except for three men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The Chaldeans came to the King and “maliciously accused” (or “ate to pieces”) these men for three reasons: they ignored the King’s command, they did not serve the gods of Babylon, and they would not worship this statue.   Furious, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and offered a second chance to worship the statue. The Babylonian King was certain that there was no such god that could deliver anyone from such extreme power and punishment. The Hebrew men remained faithful to the LORD and felt no need to give a defense. Their minds were made up that their allegiance belonged to the LORD. They were confident that He was able to deliver them from the furnace but acknowledged that even if He did not, they would still not bow to another god. They trusted in LORD’s ability and his sovereignty. What to remember? King Nebuchadnezzar made a giant statue of gold (3:1)All government officials were to worship the statue (3:2-5)A fiery furnace was the punishment for not worshipping the statue (3:6)The Chaldeans informed the King that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the statue (3:8-12)King Nebuchadnezzar gave the men a second chance (3:13-15)The men proclaimed their loyalty to their LORD (3:16-18) Meditation The Popularity of Idolatry Three times readers are given the long list of government officials present at the dedication and worship ceremony. Four times readers are told the various instruments that were played. Eleven times is the word worship used here. All this repetition should grab your attention. Everyone who was anyone was partaking in the worship of this statue.    There is a deep inclination in humans to “go with the flow” and worship what everyone else worships. The masses always find an image to get their meaning from–be it a politician, popstar, nation, or lifestyle. You face a similar predicament as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Will you worship the things of this world with everyone else, or will you resist the world’s idolatry because of your loyalty to Jesus?   Our God is able While King Nebuchadnezzar believed no god could rescue from his power, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted that their God was able to pull off such a rescue. But their faith went beyond deliverance—they declared, “but if not” they still would not bow. Their confidence was in God’s ability and his sovereignty– a deep trust that he works all things together for the good of his people.   Do you have a confidence in God’s ability to see you through your current trials? Do you have a confidence in his sovereignty to work these trials together for your good? Prayer LORD,  Thank you for your sovereign power and abiding presence.  Would you graciously give me an unwavering faith in your power to deliver, and a humble trust in your will, even when the path is unclear? Would you keep me steadfast in my devotion to you, that I may resist the idols of this world?  Would you forgive me for the time I have run to earthly idols? Thank you Jesus for living and reigning, now and forever.  Amen. ___________________________________________________________   – Read Daniel 3:19-30–   What happened? Because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s unwavering trust in the LORD and refusal to bow to Babylon’s idols, King Nebuchadnezzar became enraged and ordered the men to be thrown into the furnace. His fury was so intense that he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual—likely an idiom meaning “as hot as possible.” The fire was so extreme that it killed the soldiers who threw the three men into the flames.   After they were thrown into the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar was astonished to see the men unharmed and unbound, walking in the fire. Even more surprising was the presence of a fourth man, who appeared “like a son of the gods.” While some scholars interpret this fourth man to be an angel, most Christian scholars believe this to be the pre-incarnate Christ. Regardless, this moment fulfilled the LORD’s promise in Isaiah 43:2, “when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”     Recognizing the miracle, Nebuchadnezzar declared that the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was the “Most High,” proclaiming, “there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” In other words, salvation belongs to their God alone. The chapter concludes with Nebuchadnezzar issuing a decree for all of Babylon to honor their LORD and promoting the three Hebrew men for their courage. What to remember? King Nebuchadnezzar, filled with fury, had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace (3:19-23)The three men, accompanied by a fourth, were unbound and unhurt by the fire (3:24-26)King Nebuchadnezzar made a decree for all of Babylon to revere the LORD (3:29)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted (3:30) Meditation The Fourth Man Despite being bound and thrown into the blazing furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were untouched by the flames. Not even their hair or clothes were singed. But the most astonishing part of the story is the presence of a fourth man, described as “like a son of the gods” who was with them in the fire. Here we learn that the LORD does not just rule over kings and kingdoms, but also enters the fiery trials (literally) of his people.    The LORD is not just over your story; He is in your story. Just as He walked with them in the furnace, He has come and walked into ours. Through Jesus, the God of the Heavens became Immanuel– God with us. You may face trials that seem overwhelming, but you are never alone. Jesus is present in the midst of your struggles, protecting you and guiding you through them. Will you trust His presence, even in the heat of the fire? Prayer Jesus, I praise you for being with me in the fires of my life. You do not just rule over my life, you walk with me through life. I pray for the confidence to know that you are always with me.  Thank you for saving me from the fire of my impending judgment.  You, alone, are my salvation. Amen

The faithful transmission of the Gospel message from one generation to the next is at the heart of the mission of God’s people. Paul, the foremost missionary of the Christian faith, spent his life investing in others in the hopes that the message he proclaimed would continue throughout the world long after his death. Two thousand years later, we are the fruition of Paul’s labor and the recipients of the same blessed burden: to take up the mission of spreading the good news of Jesus to the world around us.  Over the next twenty days, we’ll open the scriptures and study Paul’s second letter to Timothy, a young pastor in the city of Ephesus. Guided in our study by Ben Stuart, we’ll dive into writing dripping with emotion as the aging Paul begs his beloved Timothy to stay true to the faith in an age where the culture at large was rejecting Christianity.  Timothy’s hurdles to continuing the work of God were immense, and maybe you can relate, but Paul urged him, and by extension us, to be diligent in the face of obstacles in order to properly care for God’s people. Maybe you’re like Timothy, called to ministry in a difficult day, or maybe you are simply trying to shine with the light of Jesus in dark times. No matter where God has you today, there is so much to learn from this letter from a mentor to his beloved disciple.  Each day of our study will consist of a short video, and we encourage you to read along with us, take notes, and set aside the time to meditate on or even discuss what you learned with a friend or small group so you can deepen your faith. These days are going to be life-changing, so let’s get started.