There's A Just Judge Coming | Devotional | Daniel 7:11-12

At the beginning of this vision, Daniel sees four beasts coming out of the sea representing four empires — the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman. Yesterday, we discovered that this courtroom scene followed the visions of these beasts. A great throne room, with Jesus sitting on the chief throne surrounded by flames of fire, and he opens his books before many people to judge the beasts.  And here's what happens next: I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. — Daniel 7:11-12 Clearly, in this text, the great beast killed was the Roman empire. And as we know, it was destroyed and burned. This means that Daniel saw its destruction hundreds of years before the Roman empire existed. He saw to the end of a 1700-year empire. Yet, at the same time, we discover there will be some lingering effects from these empires and their sin and suffering. So what can we learn? Fella's, suffering for God's man has two effects. It has an immediate effect and a prolonged effect. By nature, we don't like suffering because it's perpetuated by wicked and sinful people who inflict pain on us. Yet we, too, perpetuate sin that leads to suffering for others. This is precisely why Israel was punished, and the four empires began. But, in suffering, there is never a time that the Lord is not in control. He sees what is happening and takes note of wickedness and those who do it from his throne. He is writing it down in his book. And while we suffer through the immediate and prolonged effects of sin, there will be a day and time he comes to judge sin and those who perpetuate it. And he will destroy them both. The good news for us is this. Jesus has come. During the apex of the Roman empire, Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again. His suffering was our sacrifice. His resurrection is our victory. He suffered sin and all its effects, paying the penalty so that we will not be destroyed when he comes again to judge all the earth. So if you are suffering as a man of God today, remember a day is coming when Jesus will judge all things and suffering will come to an end. And if you don't know Jesus, maybe today is a day to turn to him as your Lord and Savior. Because you will meet Jesus. You can either meet and know him in this life and be delivered from your sin and its judgment or meet with his justice at the great firey throne where he will throw the book at you, and you will suffer for eternity. ASK THIS: How have you been suffering as of late? DO THIS: Remember Jesus will end all suffering. PRAY THIS: Lord, I look forward to the day suffering will end. Till then, be my salvation! PLAY THIS:  The Lord Is My Salvation. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller