Is there a book in the Bible more appropriate to the times? Perhaps. But it is definitely a good reminder. This book has so much to teach us.
- Stay faithful to God even when everyone else is going the opposite way, even if it costs your life. God has the final say.
- God knows how things will unfold. It isn’t always pretty. And we don’t go to Christian fatalism. But we can trust that there is a bigger picture.
- No king is above God (Ps 2). Babylonian kings found this out the hard way.
- God cares for people even in their punishment. He never left them alone even as as they were being disciplined by God.
- The cross is the most central piece of all of history. It is when the sacrifices and offerings and the temple was fulfilled in him.
- There have been more than one “abomination that causes desolation” (terrible things leading to dispersion). But God is still with his people.
- Don’t let society or those around you try to change your name. Or the names of others. Or the names of sin and evil. Or the names of people.
- There is hope for those who stay faithful. Those alive will be like stars in the darkness of the night. And those who die will be raised to eternal life.
- There is strength in community
- Stand firm together.