• A last thought on the people of God and politics. In chapter 7 of Daniel’s prophecy, he is transported and haunted by a vision which reads in part: “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”
• Daniel doesn’t understand what’s happening, so he turns to someone nearby in the immense throng. Though there are threatening visions of the kings of the earth, the anonymous bystander assures him “ the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” Perhaps the most evocative and intimate moment is later, as the vision continues to unfold and Daniel is so “greatly alarmed” that the color drains from his face, he finds himself standing before a terrifying, angelic apparition. He hears a “man’s voice” say “Gabriel, tell him what all this means.” So Gabriel speaks, after which Daniel falls into a deep sleep with “his face to the ground” — by which we understand (as if we don’t already) the holiness of the moment.
• When the night has passed, Daniel is overcome and sick in bed for several days, “appalled” by a vision he does not understand (8:27). Eventually he rises and goes about “the king’s business.” The king, in this case, is the Babylonian ruler Belshazzar, one of the most powerful men on earth at the time, head of a wealthy empire and military powerhouse. But after all that Daniel has just seen, serving in the household of Belshazzar is like being a cashier at Walmart. Daniel structures the story well and we cannot miss the point.
• I’m sure you know where I’m going with this. It’s about perspective. Daniel wrote to a people, many of whom did not understand that the Ancient of Days was a “consuming fire” and Belshazzar — or Darius, or Pharaoh, or Caesar Augustus — was just a dude. Years ago, in evening worship we used to sing the hymn, The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended. Here’s the last stanza: “So be it, Lord: Thy throne shall never/Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:/Thy kingdom stands,/and grows forever,/Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.”
• My point is not that you shouldn’t care about or be involved in politics; my point is you should keep perspective. As the bystander said in Daniel’s vision, “the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” This is most of what Jesus means when the disciples ask him about paying taxes to an occupying, foreign emperor (imagine the humiliation), and he replies, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mk 12:17). Jesus isn’t saying to disregard the politics of the hour; he is saying, “keep them in their appropriate place.” Presumably, all Christians agree and know their citizenship is in heaven, so we “desire a better country… a heavenly one” (Heb 11:16). So keep all your earthly and national responsibilities — seriously — but don’t be foolish: don’t hope in them.
• Keep praying. Wonderful news on the Walter’s house, Doug Dedo’s passing his PA (Physician’s Assistant) exam, Jennifer MacDonald’s aunt’s surgery, and Jim Roecker’s job. “I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy” (Ps. 116.1). Please keep praying for three things: John Trindle (and Rachel and the boys) following the loss of John’s mom, including his trip back to Oklahoma. Also, please pray for CPC’s admin, Terry Ciraulo, whose father had estranged himself from the family decades ago. This week, Terry discovered his obituary online which, as you can imagine, has been very difficult. Please keep her and Ron in prayer. Finally, keep praying for Dee Hopper who is undergoing preventative daily radiation for the next several weeks. Pray for encouragement, joy and rest; pray against pain and fatigue. Thanks!