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Daniel and the Revelation

A Message for Postmodern People. Daniel and the Revelation. Postmodernity. Some main characteristics truths vs. Truth Relativism End of grand stories Deconstruction; diversity; difference Reason not only avenue to knowledge Scepticism re science. Postmodernity and Faith.

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Daniel and the Revelation

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  1. A Message for Postmodern People Daniel and the Revelation

  2. Postmodernity • Some main characteristics • truths vs. Truth • Relativism • End of grand stories • Deconstruction; diversity; difference • Reason not only avenue to knowledge • Scepticism re science

  3. Postmodernity and Faith • 1. Hope vs. Pessimism • 2. Balance: head and heart • 3. Problem: Sin and salvation • 4. Community: Belonging and believing • 5. Diversity • 6. Total Integrity • 7. Hesitancy re Commitment • 8. Mission

  4. Hope vs. pessimism(1)‏ • Hope vs. Pessimism: • Daniel • The kingdom comes (2:44, 45)‏ • Delivery (lions; fiery furnace)‏ • Personal salvation: resurrection (12:1,2, 13))‏

  5. Hope vs. Pessimism (2)‏ • Revelation • Promises in 7 letters • Rev. 7: 144.000 and great multitude • Rev. 5 (the Lamb is able!)‏ • Rev. 20, 21

  6. Balance: head and heart: Daniel • No emphasis on doctrinal fineprint • Revelation through dreams • Emphasis on faith and loyalty • Daniel portrayed as a praying person • Nebuchadnessar praises God

  7. Balance: head and heart: Revelation • Revelation through visions • Truth is relational; people of God • Worship (Appeal to all senses )‏ • chapters 4 and 5 • chapter 7 • chapter 11 • chapter 15: song of the Lamb • chapter 19

  8. Sin Problem • Atonement – • key problem for postmoderns • Sin as hubris (Nebuchadnessar; woman on the beast)‏ • Sin as denying right of God to set the rules (Dan. 7:25)‏

  9. Sin and salvation • Core of Christian message: Solution comes from Above • Core of message of Daniel and Revelation • Faith in power of God to deliver • Saving faith is a gift to be accepted • Personal testimonies: It works

  10. A choice must be made • Two opposing camps: Battle for our minds • Triune God • (New) Jerusalem • Bride • Those who are loyal to Him • confederacy of the saints • Message of the three angels

  11. A choice must be made • Unholy Trinity • Babylon • Great Prostitute • Those who worship the beast • confederacy of evil • Three unholy frogs

  12. Community: Belonging and believing • Church • Invisible (souls under the altar)‏ • Visible organisation • 144.000 and great multitude • Presence of Christ (Rev. 1; Dan 7: 13, 14)‏ • Personal metaphors: woman, bride • Victory

  13. Diversity • Celebration of diversity • Nebuchadnessar becomes a believer • Revelation: Jews and Gentiles • ‘All nations, tribes, languages’, etc • ‘Wealth of the nations’ brought into New Jerusalem

  14. Total Integrity • Suffering • Keeping commandments • Purity • Steadfastness • Clear about where their loyalties are

  15. Call for Commitment • Role models: • Daniel • John • Either Jerusalem or Babylon • Two kinds of destinies • Harvest of the grapes • Harvest of the grain • I am with you always

  16. Mission • Daniel: cross-cultural missionary • 3 angels’ messages • Loyal to the Creator • No to ‘Babylon’ • Loyal whatever the cost • Martyr = witness • Result Guaranteed

  17. Why continue to read Daniel and Revelation? • History? • Yes, but… • Prophecy as proof of divine inspiration? • Yes, but … • Information / Warning about end-time issues? • Yes, but … • Strengthen Adventist identity? • Yes, but … • Perspective on history, life • Spiritual nurture

  18. Text Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Rev. 1:3)‏

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