Sermon Notes

Introduction

1. We are living in some of the most dramatic times in history; Jesus referred to times like these as “birth pains” which would intensify and become more frequent His return gets closer.
2. What I am teaching may save your life/protect your soul…it’s how to be a wise bridesmaid of Matt.25 and fully prepared for the ET.
3. What is God doing?
   1. He is maturing and uniting His Son’s Bride. Before Jesus returns, His Bride on the earth will reflect Him to the earth! We will be a visible expression to the world of Jesus! Many have turned away from Jesus b/c of the Church, but in the End many will turn to Jesus b/c of the Church. 
   2. John 17.21-23 – We are seeing this prayer being answered. Do not be misled by extremist who want to hijack the unifying work of HS to make the Bride of Christ of one. Greater unity will lead to greater power.
   3. Eph.4.13-16 – THIS IS WHAT GOD IS DOING NOW!!!
   4. John 14.12 – For greater works there must be greater unity.
4. The maturing of the Bride of Christ and Babylon the Prostitute.
   1. The rise of both the Beautiful Bride of Christ and the Brazen Prostitute Babylon. These two ladies are emblematic of two Kingdoms, the KOG and kingdom of darkness; mature/abiding believers & sinful/rebellious unbelievers. 
   2. They are maturing at the same time! They are coming into the fullness of their destiny at the same time in history.
   3. (I do not know when the Bride will be raptured away. I do not think she will experience the extreme judgments of God that are mentioned in Revelation. I do know that whenever she is raptured she will be strong, beautiful and mature. Jesus is not returning for a weak, immature, lukewarm Bride!!)
5. At the beginning of the bible in Gen.10-11 &  at the end of this age, Rev.17-18, we visibly see her influence over the earth. She is a system of false beliefs and values that influences all spheres of society – economic, political, educational, religious, entertainment, media. She has been around since Satan was cast from heaven. She has walked the streets for thousands of years but when the Restrainer is removed from this planet (2 Th.2.7) she will stand to her feet and take her place as queen.  She isn’t “out there” and one day will show up with the false prophet and anti-Christ in tow. She’s here now. She’s around us. She’s influencing and trying to dominate us.
6. She wants to assimilate and control you through compromise, so that you take upon her beliefs and practices and you get your identity from her.
   1. What we learn from Daniel and his three friends is if you do not submit to her, she will try to dominate you through fear, intimidation, marginalization and active persecution.
7. Daniel is a prototype of how we must live in this hour of history. He and his three friends are the example of how the Bride of Christ lives in Babylon. 
   1. Dan.12.9 – I believe during the ET, Daniel’s prophecies will be clarified to the ET believer and Daniel’s lifestyle will be lived by the mature ET believer. We will understand what it means and how to live.
   2. While in Babylon, they show us how to live a supernaturally powerful life while being tempted and persecuted by a culture that tries to control through compromise or domination.
8. How do we live in Babylon? Whiteboard Illustration from 8.9.20.

Daniel’s Babylon

1. Story of the Exile – 900 mile journey
2. Images of Babylon
   1. Map
   2. City
   3. Temple to Marduk
3. Facts:
   1. It has been estimated that Babylon was the largest city in the world from around 1770 BC to 1670 BC; and then again between 612 BC and 320 BC. It was perhaps the first city to reach a population above 200,000. 
   2. The walls around the city were 10 miles long and 40’ high and wide enough for two chariots to race atop of them. The temple dedicated to their god Marduk was over 200’ high.
   3. The Babylonian civilization developed the first ever positional number system in which the value of a digit depends on both the digit and its position. 
   4. Babylonia also contributed significantly to Mesopotamian art and architecture; and built massive and marvelous structures like the Ishtar Gate. 
   5. Their civilization occupies a pivotal place in the history of modern scientific astronomy and it laid the basis for all western astronomy. 
   6. This was a intellectual, religious and military power center of the world and it’s in this culture Daniel & his friends enter. 
   7. This culture captured these men and now it tries to convert/assimilate them into the ways of Babylon.
   8. Daniel 1 – breaking their biblical/God-called convictions…and so they stood up. 

Living as the Bride in Babylon, we have three choices.

1. Compromise – Daniel & his friends could’ve eaten the food and just given in to their faith convictions. They believed the first covenant that whatever they ate would pollute & corrupt them morally and spiritually. This was the best food prepared by the best cooks. They could have justified it – why rock the boat; it’s not that big of deal; we’re not with our people; nobody will know; I deserve it.
2. Rebelled – Put their feet down and fought against the system. “you aren’t making us” and led a violent protest or riot. 
3. Loyalty to God & permeate the culture.
   1. They learned the language, customs, literature and knowledge of Babylon. They took upon the clothing and look but they did not compromise their loyalty to God & Biblical conviction.
   2. While standing by their values and identity, they honored the king and permeated the culture. Their stance caused a change in the system. It made a positive impact on how training future leaders was done.
   3. They did not compromise or rebel, but rather honored leadership, provided an answer and changed culture. It set them apart.
4. Our Call – We live in a Babylonian system that touches every part of our lives. 
   1. Loyalty to God – His Word & Ways; His voice & values; his passions & people. No compromise on foundational biblical truth & lifestyle. 
   2. Take action – permeate the culture (the environment where you have influence – family, social or interest groups, work place, school & community). Don’t isolate or war against; don’t yield or compromise.
      1. Salt, seed & yeast – small insignificant items that make dramatic impact both in the moment and for all eternity. It’s demonstrating kindness, goodness, humility, honesty and joy; it’s praying faith-filled prayer for your family and co-workers; it’s treating those you disagree with respect and honor; it’s believing the best in others and always knowing people are not beyond transformation; it’s standing for truth when there is an injustice and when you are mocked you bless. It’s keeping your eyes away from impurity and guarding the words that come from your mouth. It is living a godly and pure life that is a stream of life to your family. 
         1. It is the Sermon on the Mount Lifestyle.
      2. Jeremiah 29.1,3-7,10-14: Jeremiah’s words to Daniel & others in Babylon – Work for the peace and prosperity of the city.
         1. This is exactly what Daniel & His friends did and they prospered even while being pressured by Babylon and persecuted for their loyalty to God.
         2. Daniel lived 50+ years in Babylon

Conclusion

As we live in this Babylonian world system, we are not helpless pawns.  During the ET, the Jesus needs faithful and true witnesses; the wise bridesmaids to sign the Light during the dark season.

When in Babylon…be loyal to God and permeate the culture.