Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Testimony of a King (Part 1)

November 5, 2025 | 29:0

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

#Testimony #Courage #Pride #Success #Selfishness #Anxiety #Worry #Fear #Visions/Dreams #Interpretation #Persecution #Faith #Truth #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Testimony of a King (Part 1) | November 5, 2025

♪ music ♪
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From the pulpit of the first baptist church
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Of dallas, texas,
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This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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Hi, i am robert jeffress
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And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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Pride is a dangerous trap.
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It blinds us to our weaknesses, distorts our perspective,
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And ultimately sets us up for a devastating fall.
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Throughout history,
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We've seen powerful leaders brought low
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By their own arrogance,
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And the bible warns us repeatedly
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About the destructive nature of pride.
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Today, we're going to look
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At one of the most dramatic examples in all of scripture
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When god humbled the most powerful king in the world.
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My message is titled "testimony of a king"
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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In a culture that celebrates compromise
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And rejects absolute truth,
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How can you stand firm in your christian faith?
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The prophet daniel faced this same challenge millennia ago,
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And his unwavering courage
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Offers a powerful example for believers today.
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In the book, "daniel: courageous living in a pagan world,"
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Dr. robert jeffress shares how you can remain steadfast
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And immovable in a culture ruled by darkness.
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Request your copy today when you give a generous gift
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To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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♪ music ♪
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Back in the 1960s,
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There was a very popular movie
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That was remade a couple of years ago.
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By the way, one way you know you're getting older
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Is when your favorite movies are being remade,
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(congregation laughing)
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But it was a movie called "planet of the apes."
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Remember "planet of the apes?"
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Originally, it starred charlton heston and roddy mcdowall,
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And it was a story of a group of astronauts
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Who crash-landed on a planet
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That looked remarkably like planet earth.
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And this planet was inhabited by apes
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That acted like, spoke like, reasoned like human beings,
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And the astronauts were captured by the talking apes.
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They were placed in cages.
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And of course, there was great irony in the movie.
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Animals had become like men,
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And now men were being treated like animals.
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As you saw charlton heston and his crew caged like animals,
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You couldn't help but feel sorry
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For animals that we see around us today.
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You could empathize with maybe what it's like to be caged,
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To lose your freedom,
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To be subject to the whims of someone superior to you,
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To be gawked at by spectators.
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Well, the fact is, 2,500 years ago,
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There was a man who experienced firsthand what it was like
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To live as an animal,
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And we find his remarkable story in the passage tonight.
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If you have your bibles, turn to daniel 4,
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As we look at the events
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That led to the conversion of king nebuchadnezzar.
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Now, remember, in our study of daniel,
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Daniel has spent four chapters
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Detailing not only his 70-year stay in babylon
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Along with the jewish captives,
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But specifically the first four chapters
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Deal with the spiritual pilgrimage
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Of this pagan king of babylon named nebuchadnezzar.
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Why did daniel spend so long writing about nebuchadnezzar?
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'cause the fact is daniel understood
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That he was in babylon not just to be a prophet,
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He was there to be god's representative in a pagan land.
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And daniel cared,
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Cared about the spiritual condition of this man.
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He was working for king nebuchadnezzar.
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By the way, do you understand that it is no accident
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That you're in the place of work you're in,
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Or you're attending the school you're attending,
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Or you're in the neighborhood group that you're in,
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God has you where you are for a reason.
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Remember in philippians 2:15,
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God says through the apostle paul,
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"we are to be children of light
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In the midst of this perverse and crooked generation."
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The late expositor ray stedman used to translate that verse,
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"we are living in the midst
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Of a bunch of crooks and perverts."
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And that's true,
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We are in a crooked and perverse generation,
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But instead of judging people around us,
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We need to influence those around us.
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We need to realize that god has us placed in that classroom,
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He has us in that place of work.
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He has us in the neighborhood we're in
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To be an influence for him.
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Daniel understood that,
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And he did everything he could to lead nebuchadnezzar
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To a relationship with the one true god.
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And so we see nebuchadnezzar's spiritual pilgrimage
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In chapter 1.
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Nebuchadnezzar saw the favor of god upon daniel
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When daniel didn't compromise
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And saw how god made daniel wiser, 10 times wiser,
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Than all the wise men of babylon.
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And then in chapter 2,
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Nebuchadnezzar saw that this god that daniel served
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Had the ability to interpret dreams.
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And not only that, in chapter 3,
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Nebuchadnezzar saw that this god who could interpret dreams
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Could also deliver shadrach, meshach, and abednego
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Out of the hands of king nebuchadnezzar.
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All of those things were great revelations about god,
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But they were not enough to lead to a conversion.
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It's not enough just to believe in god to be saved.
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Somebody has said, "when you recognize god as creator,
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You will admire him.
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When you recognize his wisdom, you'll learn from him.
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When you understand his strength, you'll rely upon him.
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But only when he saves you will you worship him."
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And tonight, we're going to look at those events
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That cause nebuchadnezzar to worship god.
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It all begins with an alarming dream.
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Look at verse 1.
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Nebuchadnezzar, the king to all the peoples, nations,
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And men of every language that live on all the earth,
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May your peace abound.
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This chapter is actually a chapter
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That was written by king nebuchadnezzar.
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Remember, i was talking about
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The inspiration of the scripture
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Several sunday mornings ago,
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And i said that the scriptures
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Were written by a variety of men, 40 different men,
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More than 40 different men
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Living in countries far apart from one another
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Over a period of 1,500 years.
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God's word even includes a chapter
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Written by a once pagan king nebuchadnezzar.
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This is nebuchadnezzar giving his personal testimony.
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The events that led him to understand
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That jehovah was the one true god.
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So this is coming from the pen of nebuchadnezzar.
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He's going to share the most humiliating experience
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Any king has ever experienced,
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But he wanted the whole world to know about it
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Because it would lead people to god.
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So, he's going to use a flashback here to tell what happened.
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Look at verse 2.
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"it has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders,
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Which the most high god has done for me.
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How great are his signs and how mightier his wonders.
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His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
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And his dominion is from generation to generation."
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See, nebuchadnezzar, verse 2,
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Recognizes god as the most high god.
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He hasn't yet come to the place
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Where he recognizes he's the only god,
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But he understands that he is the most high god.
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I'll say, but more about that in a moment.
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Verse 4, now here's the flashback.
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"i, nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house
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And flourishing in my palace,"
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And the story begins with nebuchadnezzar
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Trying to drift off to sleep once again.
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And as he was drifting off to sleep,
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He couldn't help but think about all that he had,
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All of his prosperity, all of his great accomplishments.
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What isn't said here but is understood.
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Nebuchadnezzar was thinking to himself,
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"what a powerful and great king i am.
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Babylon has never had a ruler like i am.
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My father was nothing
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Compared to what i have accomplished here."
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Verse 5, he said, "i saw a dream and it made me fearful."
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As we saw in chapter 2,
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Anytime you begin focusing on your success
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And your prosperity,
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Anxiety is sure to follow
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Because when you think you are responsible
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For your success in life,
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Then you also come to the conclusion
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That you are responsible for retaining your success.
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And when you think that, then you begin to think,
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"well, what if this happens?
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What if this happens?
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What if this happens?"
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Every life is either self-focused or god-focused.
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When you think everything depends upon you,
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It always produces anxiety.
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We're going to see that over and over again.
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And so he says in verse 5,
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"i saw a dream and it made me fearful,
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And these fantasies as i lay on my bed
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And the visions of my mind kept alarming me."
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Now, we don't know what those visions are yet,
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But in verse 6 and 7, in response to those visions,
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He did what he did in chapter 2.
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He gave orders for all of the wise men,
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The scholars, the conjurers, the chaldeans, the diviners,
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All to come in and interpret these alarming dreams
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That nebuchadnezzar had.
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Now, at this point,
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Daniel would've been included
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In the group that he called in.
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After all, daniel was wiser, 10 times wiser,
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Than all the others.
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But for some reason, daniel was late in coming.
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I think it was a deliberate tardiness on his part.
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He wanted once again for nebuchadnezzar
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To see how bankrupt human wisdom was,
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How these magicians and conjures
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Were unable to correctly interpret his dream.
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Look at verse 8.
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But finally, daniel came in before me,
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Whose name is belteshazzar,
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According to the name of my god,
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That's the name nebuchadnezzar had given to daniel,
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And in whom is a spirit of the holy gods,
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And i related the dream to him.
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Nebuchadnezzar had changed his name to belteshazzar,
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Literally meaning may bel, that was the god of babylon,
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Protect him.
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And notice, even at this point,
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Nebuchadnezzar did not recognize
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That belteshazzar was a false god.
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He didn't recognize that there is only one true god.
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What he came to recognize was that god is the supreme god.
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He didn't yet understand that he was the only god.
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It reminds me of 1 corinthians 8.
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Remember, paul was writing to the corinthian christians,
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And he said, "you older, more mature christians,
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Don't eat meat that's been offered to an idol.
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The reason is you're going to cause
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A younger christian to stumble.
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These younger christians,
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They don't understand
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That there's no such thing as an idol yet,
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And by eating this meat,
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You're going to cause them to stumble."
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You see, these new corinthian converts,
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They realized that yahweh was the only true god.
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They hadn't yet come to the conclusion
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That he was the only real god.
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And there's a great principle here for us.
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One of the things that is changing in our church,
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And i'm so grateful to see it, and you see it every week,
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Have you noticed how we have people from every background
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Coming into our church?
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They are coming from every religious background,
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They're coming with all kind of different perspectives,
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And they're coming into our church.
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They are drawn by the word of god
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And by the warmth of this fellowship.
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We have a number of new christians
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That are running around this place right now,
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And we need to understand that christians
00:11:38.621 --> 00:11:41.290
Don't come to an understanding of all the truth all at once.
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It takes time before they come to a proper understanding,
00:11:46.061 --> 00:11:49.131
And instead of being judgmental and harsh with them,
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We need to be patient with them.
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I mean, would you ever say
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To a two-year-old child or grandchild,
00:11:55.104 --> 00:11:57.506
"why don't you act like a three-year-old?"
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Well, you don't expect that, do you?
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You understand there's a growth,
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A development that comes along,
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And it's the same way in our spiritual maturity.
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Let's not be harsh and judgmental
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Because maybe some newer christians
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Don't understand everything that we understand.
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They will, the holy spirit will lead them
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To an understanding of all truth.
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Nebuchadnezzar wasn't there yet,
00:12:19.128 --> 00:12:20.996
But he did understand that god was the superior god.
00:12:20.996 --> 00:12:25.167
Verse 9, he says, "o, belteshazzar, that is daniel,
00:12:25.167 --> 00:12:28.137
Chief of the magicians,
00:12:28.137 --> 00:12:29.505
Since i know the spirit of the holy gods is in you,
00:12:29.505 --> 00:12:33.342
Please tell me the visions of my dream,
00:12:33.342 --> 00:12:35.477
Which i've seen along with its interpretation."
00:12:35.477 --> 00:12:38.280
But this time, unlike in chapter 2,
00:12:38.280 --> 00:12:40.716
He doesn't test daniel to say,
00:12:40.716 --> 00:12:42.251
"okay, you tell me what the dream was,
00:12:42.251 --> 00:12:43.886
And then i'll let you know whether you're correct or not
00:12:43.886 --> 00:12:47.289
And can keep your head.
00:12:47.289 --> 00:12:48.691
Now, this time, he trusts daniel, so in verse 10,
00:12:48.691 --> 00:12:51.493
He goes ahead and lays out what the vision was.
00:12:51.493 --> 00:12:54.797
Look at verse 10.
00:12:54.797 --> 00:12:56.398
"now, these were the visions in my mind as i lay on my bed,
00:12:56.398 --> 00:12:59.301
I was looking,
00:12:59.301 --> 00:13:00.736
And behold there was a tree in the midst of the earth
00:13:00.736 --> 00:13:02.371
And its height was great.
00:13:02.371 --> 00:13:04.073
The tree grew large and became strong
00:13:04.073 --> 00:13:06.075
And its height reach to the sky,
00:13:06.075 --> 00:13:07.943
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
00:13:07.943 --> 00:13:10.446
Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant,
00:13:10.446 --> 00:13:13.482
And in it was food for all.
00:13:13.482 --> 00:13:15.317
The beast of the field found shade under it,
00:13:15.317 --> 00:13:17.253
And the birds of the sky dwelled in its branches,
00:13:17.253 --> 00:13:19.855
And all living creatures fed themselves from it.
00:13:19.855 --> 00:13:22.725
I was looking in the visions in my mind,
00:13:22.725 --> 00:13:24.793
And as i lay on my bed, behold, an angelic watcher;
00:13:24.793 --> 00:13:30.132
A holy one, descended from heaven."
00:13:30.933 --> 00:13:32.067
Now according to babylonian culture,
00:13:32.067 --> 00:13:34.503
The angels were a part of a divine council.
00:13:34.503 --> 00:13:38.107
They watched what was going on
00:13:38.107 --> 00:13:39.975
And they dictated what was happening on earth,
00:13:39.975 --> 00:13:42.511
So he says, "i saw this divine watcher,
00:13:42.511 --> 00:13:45.381
Which we would call an angel."
00:13:45.381 --> 00:13:46.749
Now, remember, this is all a dream, verse 14.
00:13:46.749 --> 00:13:48.918
And the divine watcher shouted out and spoke as follows,
00:13:48.918 --> 00:13:52.388
"chop down the tree and cut off its branches.
00:13:52.388 --> 00:13:55.391
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit.
00:13:55.391 --> 00:13:57.927
Let the beast flee from under it
00:13:57.927 --> 00:13:59.261
And the birds from its branches,
00:13:59.261 --> 00:14:01.196
Yet leave the stump with its root in the ground,
00:14:01.196 --> 00:14:05.134
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
00:14:05.134 --> 00:14:08.037
In the new grass of the field.
00:14:08.037 --> 00:14:09.972
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven
00:14:09.972 --> 00:14:13.409
And let him share with the beast in the grass of the earth."
00:14:13.409 --> 00:14:18.681
Verse 15,
00:14:18.981 --> 00:14:20.950
This band of iron that was to remain around the tree
00:14:22.017 --> 00:14:26.155
That had been chopped down,
00:14:26.155 --> 00:14:28.657
This band of iron was apparently to protect the stump
00:14:28.657 --> 00:14:31.860
So that it might grow again.
00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.629
And then look at verse 16, let his mind be changed.
00:14:33.629 --> 00:14:38.934
Notice in verse 15, talking about the stump,
00:14:39.835 --> 00:14:42.738
Nebuchadnezzar said the angel said,
00:14:42.738 --> 00:14:44.540
"let him be drenched with the drew of heaven, dew of heaven,
00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:47.743
And let him share with the beasts
00:14:47.743 --> 00:14:49.611
In the grass of the earth."
00:14:49.611 --> 00:14:50.879
It's very clear that this stump
00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.281
Wasn't just an ordinary tree stump, it was a person.
00:14:52.281 --> 00:14:55.317
It was a person that had been chopped down.
00:14:55.317 --> 00:14:58.120
Verse 16, "let his mind be changed from that of a man,
00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:01.090
And let a beast's mind be given to him,
00:15:01.090 --> 00:15:03.726
And let seven periods of time pass over him."
00:15:03.726 --> 00:15:07.129
Again, this stump is referring to a person
00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:09.965
That suddenly becomes like a beast.
00:15:09.965 --> 00:15:13.302
Verse 17, this sentence,
00:15:13.302 --> 00:15:16.405
And by the way, the seven periods of time
00:15:16.405 --> 00:15:18.173
Is probably seven years.
00:15:18.173 --> 00:15:19.641
This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers
00:15:19.641 --> 00:15:22.578
And the decision of the command of the holy one
00:15:22.578 --> 00:15:24.813
In order that the living may know
00:15:24.813 --> 00:15:27.082
That the most high is ruler over the realm of mankind
00:15:27.082 --> 00:15:30.753
And bestows it on him who he wishes
00:15:30.753 --> 00:15:32.855
And sets over the lowliest of men.
00:15:32.855 --> 00:15:35.524
Now, he concludes in verse 18.
00:15:35.524 --> 00:15:37.926
"this is the dream which i, king nebuchadnezzar, have seen.
00:15:37.926 --> 00:15:41.463
Now, you belteshazzar, that is daniel,
00:15:41.463 --> 00:15:43.932
Tell me it's in interpretation
00:15:43.932 --> 00:15:45.834
Inasmuch as none of these wise men of my kingdom
00:15:45.834 --> 00:15:48.837
Is able to make it known to me."
00:15:48.837 --> 00:15:50.672
He wants help,
00:15:50.672 --> 00:15:52.207
And so daniel is ready to interpret this alarming dream.
00:15:52.207 --> 00:15:54.910
Look at verse 19.
00:15:54.910 --> 00:15:56.178
Then daniel, whose name is belteshazzar,
00:15:56.178 --> 00:15:58.881
Was appalled for a while as his thoughts alarmed him.
00:15:58.881 --> 00:16:04.086
He couldn't speak.
00:16:04.520 --> 00:16:05.554
He was alarmed at what had been told to him.
00:16:06.488 --> 00:16:09.792
Why was daniel alarmed?
00:16:09.792 --> 00:16:11.193
It's not because he couldn't interpret the dream.
00:16:11.193 --> 00:16:13.729
He knew exactly what the dream meant,
00:16:13.729 --> 00:16:16.698
God had given him the spirit of interpretation.
00:16:16.698 --> 00:16:20.135
But he was fearful of telling nebuchadnezzar what it was.
00:16:20.135 --> 00:16:24.640
And in verse 19b, he says, "o, nebuchadnezzar,
00:16:24.640 --> 00:16:29.178
If only what i could tell you
00:16:29.178 --> 00:16:31.814
Was referring to somebody else,
00:16:31.814 --> 00:16:35.150
I would give anything if this dream had to do
00:16:35.150 --> 00:16:37.920
With one of your enemies."
00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:39.588
But in verses 20 to 22, he recounts the dream.
00:16:39.588 --> 00:16:42.291
In verse 22, he says, "it is you, o king.
00:16:42.291 --> 00:16:48.297
This tree that is cut down and been left as a stump
00:16:49.298 --> 00:16:52.267
That has been turned into an animal,
00:16:52.267 --> 00:16:53.869
I wish it were somebody else, but it is you."
00:16:53.869 --> 00:16:57.706
It reminds me of nathan
00:16:57.706 --> 00:16:59.108
Pointing his finger at david the king and saying,
00:16:59.108 --> 00:17:01.610
"thou art the man."
00:17:01.610 --> 00:17:05.114
One preacher of yesteryear said,
00:17:05.114 --> 00:17:06.815
"there are some things we must speak abruptly,
00:17:06.815 --> 00:17:10.819
Or we will never speak them at all."
00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:13.222
Sometimes, as god's representatives,
00:17:13.222 --> 00:17:15.424
Not just preachers, all of us.
00:17:15.424 --> 00:17:17.493
Sometimes, we are called to tell a truth
00:17:17.493 --> 00:17:19.862
That is unpopular to tell.
00:17:19.862 --> 00:17:21.663
It may be in a group, it may be in a classroom,
00:17:21.663 --> 00:17:24.233
It may be in a one-on-one conversation with a friend.
00:17:24.233 --> 00:17:27.102
God has told us what needs to be said,
00:17:27.102 --> 00:17:29.605
A truth that needs to be shared from his word,
00:17:29.605 --> 00:17:31.773
And it's not going to result in popularity.
00:17:31.773 --> 00:17:34.042
It may end the relationship, it may cause great harm to us,
00:17:34.042 --> 00:17:37.946
But if we are god's representative,
00:17:37.946 --> 00:17:40.149
We understand it's not about our popularity,
00:17:40.149 --> 00:17:42.851
It's about our faithfulness
00:17:42.851 --> 00:17:44.319
To do what god's commanded us to do.
00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.989
That was daniel.
00:17:46.989 --> 00:17:48.624
He understood that he had to tell the truth
00:17:48.624 --> 00:17:51.393
To nebuchadnezzar.
00:17:51.393 --> 00:17:52.494
And by the way, he told the truth
00:17:52.494 --> 00:17:53.662
Because he loved nebuchadnezzar.
00:17:53.662 --> 00:17:55.430
He was concerned about his spiritual wellbeing.
00:17:55.430 --> 00:17:58.567
Some people are so fearful about sharing their faith
00:17:58.567 --> 00:18:01.303
With a family member or a friend.
00:18:01.303 --> 00:18:03.138
"what if they reject me? what if they get angry with me?"
00:18:03.138 --> 00:18:06.909
The most hateful thing we can do
00:18:06.909 --> 00:18:09.478
When we're talking to a friend or family member
00:18:09.478 --> 00:18:11.847
Is to put our own popularity with them
00:18:11.847 --> 00:18:13.849
Above their own self-interest.
00:18:13.849 --> 00:18:15.684
If you truly love that family member, that friend,
00:18:15.684 --> 00:18:18.620
You will tell them the truth, no matter how unpopular it is.
00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:22.791
Verse 25, he says that you may be driven away from mankind
00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:26.728
And your dwelling place.
00:18:26.728 --> 00:18:27.896
Be with the beasts of the field
00:18:27.896 --> 00:18:29.464
And you will be given grass to eat like cattle
00:18:29.464 --> 00:18:31.800
And drenched with dew in heaven.
00:18:31.800 --> 00:18:33.368
And seven periods of time, that is seven years,
00:18:33.368 --> 00:18:35.938
Will pass over you
00:18:35.938 --> 00:18:37.239
Until you recognize that the most high is ruler
00:18:37.239 --> 00:18:40.909
Over the realm of mankind
00:18:40.909 --> 00:18:42.611
And bestows it on whomever he wishes.
00:18:42.611 --> 00:18:45.047
Daniel said, "nebuchadnezzar,
00:18:45.047 --> 00:18:46.448
You are going to be reduced to an animal,
00:18:46.448 --> 00:18:48.750
And it's going to last until you are willing to repent
00:18:48.750 --> 00:18:52.821
And recognize god as the only sovereign."
00:18:52.821 --> 00:18:56.592
Verse 26, and in that, it was commanded to leave the stump
00:18:56.592 --> 00:19:00.262
With the roots of the tree.
00:19:00.262 --> 00:19:01.763
Your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize
00:19:01.763 --> 00:19:05.968
That it is heaven that rules.
00:19:05.968 --> 00:19:08.003
That band of iron around the stump,
00:19:08.003 --> 00:19:11.106
That was god's way of saying to nebuchadnezzar,
00:19:11.106 --> 00:19:13.442
"yes, judgment is coming, but there is hope for the future.
00:19:13.442 --> 00:19:17.346
Your life is going to be saved
00:19:17.346 --> 00:19:19.147
So that the kingdom can be restored to you if you repent."
00:19:19.147 --> 00:19:23.986
And then in verse 27,
00:19:23.986 --> 00:19:25.787
Daniel concludes with this word of unsolicited advice
00:19:25.787 --> 00:19:29.758
To nebuchadnezzar.
00:19:29.758 --> 00:19:31.159
I mean, after all,
00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:32.461
After hearing such a devastating prophecy,
00:19:32.461 --> 00:19:34.463
Nebuchadnezzar was probably distraught.
00:19:34.463 --> 00:19:36.765
And look at what daniel said.
00:19:36.765 --> 00:19:38.133
He said, "therefore, o king,
00:19:38.133 --> 00:19:40.269
May my advice be pleasing to you.
00:19:40.269 --> 00:19:43.472
Break away now from your sins by doing righteousness
00:19:43.472 --> 00:19:47.809
And from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor
00:19:47.809 --> 00:19:50.879
In case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity."
00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:55.817
He said, "nebuchadnezzar, if you will repent,
00:19:55.817 --> 00:19:59.454
You can spare yourself of this terrible judgment
00:19:59.454 --> 00:20:02.758
That is coming to you."
00:20:02.758 --> 00:20:04.559
There are some of you here tonight,
00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.662
Some of you listening to this message,
00:20:06.662 --> 00:20:10.265
Who have no idea
00:20:10.632 --> 00:20:13.302
How very close you are
00:20:13.802 --> 00:20:15.671
To experiencing the judgment of god in your life.
00:20:15.671 --> 00:20:19.408
God has warned you, and warned you,
00:20:20.175 --> 00:20:23.545
And warned you.
00:20:23.545 --> 00:20:25.580
His bow is bent.
00:20:25.947 --> 00:20:27.783
The arrows are about to be released,
00:20:28.550 --> 00:20:31.320
The arrows of judgment into your life,
00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:34.089
But god has given you one last chance to repent.
00:20:35.057 --> 00:20:41.063
That was true of nebuchadnezzar.
00:20:41.697 --> 00:20:43.632
Daniel said, "if you will only repent,
00:20:44.466 --> 00:20:47.469
You can be spared this judgment."
00:20:47.469 --> 00:20:49.705
And god said through ezekiel the prophet,
00:20:50.572 --> 00:20:51.873
"as i live," sayeth the lord,
00:20:51.873 --> 00:20:53.241
"i take no pleasure in the death of the wicked,
00:20:53.241 --> 00:20:56.345
But i desire that the wicked turn from his evil way.
00:20:56.345 --> 00:20:59.281
Turn, turn for your wickedness, for why will you perish."
00:20:59.281 --> 00:21:04.386
Now, look at verse 28.
00:21:04.886 --> 00:21:06.955
It's very clear that nebuchadnezzar hardened his heart
00:21:06.955 --> 00:21:09.524
And didn't repent.
00:21:09.524 --> 00:21:10.492
Look at verse 28.
00:21:10.492 --> 00:21:11.927
All this happened to nebuchadnezzar the king.
00:21:11.927 --> 00:21:16.698
One sentence.
00:21:16.698 --> 00:21:18.300
Everything that god prophesied came to pass.
00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:22.871
All of this happened to nebuchadnezzar.
00:21:22.871 --> 00:21:25.407
Look at verse 29.
00:21:25.407 --> 00:21:27.042
12 months later.
00:21:27.042 --> 00:21:30.345
Will you underline that?
00:21:30.345 --> 00:21:31.813
12 months later.
00:21:31.813 --> 00:21:34.716
It didn't happen immediately.
00:21:34.716 --> 00:21:36.785
God said this was going to happen,
00:21:36.785 --> 00:21:38.587
But it didn't happen immediately.
00:21:38.587 --> 00:21:40.422
If you don't remember another thing i say tonight,
00:21:40.422 --> 00:21:42.591
Remember this, although god's judgment is not always swift,
00:21:42.591 --> 00:21:47.863
It is always certain.
00:21:48.363 --> 00:21:49.765
Although god's judgment is not always swift,
00:21:50.665 --> 00:21:52.868
It's always certain.
00:21:52.868 --> 00:21:54.403
You see, we confuse god's mercy with god's tolerance.
00:21:54.403 --> 00:21:58.907
We think because judgment hasn't befallen us yet,
00:21:59.908 --> 00:22:02.711
That it isn't coming at all.
00:22:02.711 --> 00:22:04.713
And just because we get away with the same thing
00:22:05.647 --> 00:22:07.315
Over, and over, and over again, and nothing happens,
00:22:07.315 --> 00:22:09.251
Maybe god doesn't care that much.
00:22:09.251 --> 00:22:12.421
Maybe there are other sinners he needs to give attention to
00:22:12.421 --> 00:22:14.790
Who are worse than we are.
00:22:14.790 --> 00:22:16.258
Maybe god doesn't even exist.
00:22:16.258 --> 00:22:19.027
Don't confuse god's tolerance with his mercy in your life.
00:22:19.027 --> 00:22:22.831
Ecclesiastes 8:11 says,
00:22:22.831 --> 00:22:24.433
"because the sentence against an evil deed
00:22:24.433 --> 00:22:27.068
Is not executed quickly,
00:22:27.068 --> 00:22:29.504
The sons of the hearts and the hearts of the sons of men
00:22:29.504 --> 00:22:32.574
Are fully given to do that which is evil."
00:22:32.574 --> 00:22:35.777
That's just human nature
00:22:35.777 --> 00:22:37.279
Because judgment doesn't come the moment we sin.
00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:40.215
We think god doesn't care,
00:22:40.215 --> 00:22:41.550
And so we continue to sin, and sin, and sin.
00:22:41.550 --> 00:22:44.820
♪ music ♪
00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:49.558
The story of king nebuchadnezzar
00:22:50.192 --> 00:22:51.893
Serves as a stark warning for us today.
00:22:51.893 --> 00:22:55.096
When god issues a warning through his word,
00:22:55.096 --> 00:22:57.866
We would be wise to listen and respond.
00:22:57.866 --> 00:23:01.369
Well, at "pathway to victory,"
00:23:01.369 --> 00:23:02.604
We're committed to delivering
00:23:02.604 --> 00:23:04.005
The unfiltered truth of scripture
00:23:04.005 --> 00:23:06.041
To people around the world.
00:23:06.041 --> 00:23:08.009
Every day, through television, radio, and digital streaming,
00:23:08.009 --> 00:23:11.780
We reach millions who are searching for answers
00:23:11.780 --> 00:23:14.749
In an increasingly confusing culture.
00:23:14.749 --> 00:23:17.652
And this bold approach to bible teaching only exists
00:23:17.652 --> 00:23:21.590
Because of faithful friends like you.
00:23:21.590 --> 00:23:24.059
Your generous support
00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:25.360
Makes it possible for us to proclaim god's word
00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:28.129
Without compromise or apology.
00:23:28.129 --> 00:23:31.066
Whether you're a pathway partner or give an occasional gift,
00:23:31.066 --> 00:23:34.569
Thank you for standing with us in our mission.
00:23:34.569 --> 00:23:37.772
Together, we're equipping believers
00:23:37.772 --> 00:23:39.708
To grow stronger in their faith
00:23:39.708 --> 00:23:41.910
And introducing countless others
00:23:41.910 --> 00:23:44.279
To the life-changing message of jesus christ.
00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:47.849
Now, stay right there.
00:23:47.849 --> 00:23:49.150
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:23:49.150 --> 00:23:51.553
In just a moment.
00:23:51.553 --> 00:23:52.888
Our world is spinning out of control.
00:23:53.688 --> 00:23:56.224
Speaking up for biblical truth
00:23:56.224 --> 00:23:57.959
Often leads to tremendous backlash.
00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:59.961
Nebuchadnezzar, first of all,
00:23:59.961 --> 00:24:01.296
Changed daniel and his three friends' names.
00:24:01.296 --> 00:24:04.232
Secondly, he changed their culture, their education.
00:24:04.232 --> 00:24:07.402
And finally, he asked them to change their diet,
00:24:07.402 --> 00:24:10.238
And this is where daniel drew the line.
00:24:10.238 --> 00:24:12.173
He was not going to disobey god's law.
00:24:12.173 --> 00:24:14.910
In these dark and confusing days,
00:24:14.910 --> 00:24:17.145
Christians need the courage to stand in the gap,
00:24:17.145 --> 00:24:20.081
Like daniel.
00:24:20.081 --> 00:24:21.583
In my book, "daniel: courageous living in a pagan world,"
00:24:21.583 --> 00:24:25.787
I'll help you live out your faith
00:24:25.787 --> 00:24:27.889
In an increasingly hostile culture.
00:24:27.889 --> 00:24:30.592
Daniel was a young prophet who spoke boldly for god,
00:24:30.592 --> 00:24:34.262
And i believe his story will fill you with courage,
00:24:34.262 --> 00:24:37.332
Inspire you to be steadfast,
00:24:37.332 --> 00:24:39.501
And empower you to live as a light in this present darkness.
00:24:39.501 --> 00:24:44.773
Request your copy
00:24:45.206 --> 00:24:46.508
Of "daniel: courageous living in a pagan world"
00:24:46.508 --> 00:24:48.610
When you give a generous gift to support the ministry
00:24:48.610 --> 00:24:51.146
Of "pathway to victory."
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And when your donation is $125 or more,
00:24:52.881 --> 00:24:56.184
We'll also send you "daniel:
00:24:56.184 --> 00:24:57.786
The john walvoord prophecy commentaries,"
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Give us the resources we need
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And to pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
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Perhaps you're watching right now
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And you sense god's conviction in your life
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About a specific area of sin
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Or a pattern of disobedience you've been ignoring.
00:25:33.855 --> 00:25:37.025
Don't mistake god's patience for indifference.
00:25:37.025 --> 00:25:40.829
His judgment may not be immediate,
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But it is absolutely certain.
00:25:43.365 --> 00:25:46.267
Next time, we're going to witness
00:25:46.267 --> 00:25:47.769
Nebuchadnezzar's dramatic transformation,
00:25:47.769 --> 00:25:50.972
From a proud king to a man living like an animal,
00:25:50.972 --> 00:25:55.043
And ultimately his remarkable restoration
00:25:55.043 --> 00:25:58.546
When he finally humbled himself before god.
00:25:58.546 --> 00:26:02.183
Stay tuned for a preview
00:26:02.183 --> 00:26:03.451
Of what's coming up next in our series,
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"courageous living in a pagan world."
00:26:05.553 --> 00:26:09.190
Peter says, "humble yourselves, trust god,
00:26:09.190 --> 00:26:13.862
And the result will be a peace
00:26:13.862 --> 00:26:15.630
As you cast your anxiety upon him."
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I believe, ladies and gentlemen,
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This passage teaches us
00:26:20.902 --> 00:26:23.138
That god will use any means necessary.
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He will go to whatever extent necessary
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To humble us to the point that we have to depend upon him.
00:26:29.210 --> 00:26:34.616
♪ music ♪
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Set your dvr and join us next time
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For part 2 of the message "testimony of a king"
00:26:38.586 --> 00:26:42.257
Here on "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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Take a journey through alaska's awe-inspiring wilderness
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On the 2026 "pathway to victory: cruise to alaska"
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With dr. robert jeffress
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Aboard holland america's magnificent koningsdam.
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Share laughter with dennis swanberg.
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Be inspired by award-winning musician
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Michael o'brien's powerful worship.
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Make plans to set sale
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For an unforgettable week of adventure.
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June 13th through 20, 2026.
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♪ music ♪
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Robert Jeffress - Testimony of a King (Part 1)

November 5, 2025 | 29:0

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