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From<00:00:00.740><c> the</c><00:00:00.920><c> very</c><00:00:01.159><c> beginning</c><00:00:01.600><c> of</c><00:00:02.060><c> a</c><00:00:02.600><c> person's</c><00:00:03.240><c> interest</c><00:00:03.720><c> into</c>

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the<00:00:04.940><c> holy</c><00:00:05.240><c> scriptures,</c>

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it<00:00:06.059><c> becomes</c><00:00:06.339><c> apparent</c><00:00:06.879><c> that</c><00:00:07.099><c> much</c><00:00:07.339><c> of</c><00:00:07.500><c> the</c><00:00:07.679><c> Bible</c><00:00:08.119><c> is</c><00:00:08.839><c> focused</c>

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on<00:00:10.179><c> or</c><00:00:10.699><c> relative</c><00:00:11.099><c> to</c>

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the<00:00:11.960><c> history</c><00:00:12.419><c> of</c><00:00:12.660><c> Israel</c><00:00:13.240><c> and</c><00:00:14.019><c> the</c><00:00:14.400><c> future</c><00:00:14.960><c> of</c><00:00:15.460><c> its</c><00:00:15.699><c> people.</c>

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The<00:00:18.100><c> history</c><00:00:18.960><c> of</c><00:00:19.399><c> Israel</c><00:00:19.920><c> for</c><00:00:20.280><c> our</c><00:00:20.500><c> purposes</c><00:00:21.120><c> today</c><00:00:22.199><c> begins</c>

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with<00:00:23.640><c> God's</c><00:00:24.300><c> covenant</c><00:00:24.719><c> with</c><00:00:25.500><c> Abraham.</c>

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I<00:00:27.899><c> will</c><00:00:28.140><c> make</c><00:00:28.460><c> you</c><00:00:29.000><c> a</c><00:00:29.539><c> great</c><00:00:30.339><c> nation.</c>

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Now,<00:00:32.740><c> the</c><00:00:32.840><c> name</c><00:00:33.100><c> of</c><00:00:33.359><c> Israel,</c>

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meaning<00:00:34.640><c> a</c><00:00:35.340><c> prince</c><00:00:35.579><c> with</c><00:00:35.920><c> God,</c>

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comes<00:00:37.240><c> from</c><00:00:37.479><c> the</c><00:00:37.679><c> new</c><00:00:37.899><c> name</c><00:00:38.299><c> that</c><00:00:38.579><c> God</c><00:00:39.259><c> gave</c><00:00:39.719><c> to</c><00:00:40.200><c> Abraham's</c>

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grandson,<00:00:41.659><c> Jacob.</c>

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It<00:00:43.600><c> is</c><00:00:43.799><c> at</c><00:00:44.039><c> this</c><00:00:44.320><c> point</c><00:00:44.640><c> that</c><00:00:44.939><c> the</c><00:00:45.200><c> descendants</c><00:00:45.579><c> of</c><00:00:45.880><c> Abraham,</c>

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Isaac,<00:00:46.859><c> and</c><00:00:47.140><c> Jacob</c><00:00:47.640><c> are</c><00:00:48.219><c> often</c><00:00:48.600><c> referred</c><00:00:49.079><c> to</c><00:00:49.460><c> as</c><00:00:50.000><c> the</c><00:00:50.359><c> children</c><00:00:50.899><c> of</c><00:00:51.259><c> Israel.</c>

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God's<00:00:54.000><c> choice</c><00:00:54.399><c> of</c><00:00:54.619><c> Israel</c><00:00:55.600><c> as</c><00:00:56.460><c> his</c><00:00:56.759><c> chosen</c><00:00:57.100><c> people</c><00:00:57.880><c> did</c><00:00:58.299><c> not</c>

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lie<00:00:59.020><c> in</c><00:00:59.200><c> any</c><00:00:59.539><c> special</c><00:00:59.939><c> size,</c><00:01:01.079><c> strength,</c><00:01:02.439><c> or</c><00:01:02.600><c> a</c><00:01:02.740><c> personal</c><00:01:03.140><c> attraction.</c>

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Actually,<00:01:05.879><c> the</c><00:01:05.939><c> nation</c><00:01:06.239><c> of</c><00:01:06.420><c> Israel</c><00:01:06.859><c> was</c><00:01:07.180><c> described</c><00:01:07.920><c> as</c><00:01:08.459><c> the</c>

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least<00:01:09.439><c> in</c><00:01:09.840><c> the</c><00:01:10.019><c> number</c><00:01:10.400><c> among</c><00:01:10.780><c> the</c><00:01:10.939><c> nations.</c>

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God<00:01:12.599><c> chose</c><00:01:12.980><c> these</c><00:01:13.280><c> people</c><00:01:13.620><c> because</c><00:01:14.120><c> of</c><00:01:14.319><c> his</c><00:01:14.640><c> love</c><00:01:14.959><c> for</c><00:01:15.480><c> and</c>

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his<00:01:16.379><c> unconditional</c><00:01:16.939><c> covenant</c><00:01:17.719><c> with</c><00:01:18.359><c> Abraham.</c>

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Therefore,<00:01:21.579><c> we</c><00:01:21.579><c> need</c><00:01:21.939><c> not</c><00:01:22.239><c> conclude</c><00:01:23.200><c> that</c><00:01:23.719><c> God</c><00:01:24.040><c> loved</c><00:01:24.359><c> Israel</c>

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more<00:01:25.739><c> than</c><00:01:26.180><c> other</c><00:01:26.560><c> people.</c>

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It<00:01:28.099><c> was</c><00:01:28.319><c> because</c><00:01:28.799><c> he</c><00:01:29.280><c> intended</c><00:01:29.900><c> to</c><00:01:30.180><c> use</c><00:01:30.500><c> Israel</c><00:01:31.519><c> as</c><00:01:32.640><c> his</c><00:01:32.980><c> means</c>

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to<00:01:35.299><c> love</c><00:01:35.980><c> and</c><00:01:36.239><c> bless</c><00:01:36.939><c> everyone.</c>

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It<00:01:39.659><c> was</c><00:01:39.879><c> God's</c><00:01:40.420><c> plan</c><00:01:40.700><c> from</c><00:01:40.920><c> the</c><00:01:41.120><c> beginning</c><00:01:41.659><c> to</c><00:01:42.780><c> bring</c><00:01:43.099><c> forth</c>

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the<00:01:43.719><c> Messiah</c><00:01:44.340><c> via</c><00:01:44.719><c> the</c><00:01:45.019><c> throne</c><00:01:45.219><c> of</c>

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David<00:01:45.900><c> to</c><00:01:46.959><c> become</c><00:01:47.359><c> the</c><00:01:47.700><c> savior</c><00:01:48.079><c> for</c><00:01:48.400><c> the</c><00:01:48.579><c> entire</c><00:01:49.200><c> world</c><00:01:49.879><c> and</c>

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in<00:01:51.019><c> the</c><00:01:51.299><c> end,</c><00:01:52.319><c> inherit</c><00:01:52.519><c> all</c><00:01:53.340><c> things.</c>

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Ironically,<00:01:57.159><c> God's</c><00:01:57.780><c> chosen</c><00:01:58.140><c> people</c><00:01:59.579><c> have</c><00:02:00.239><c> seldom</c><00:02:00.579><c> been</c><00:02:01.379><c> a</c>

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righteous<00:02:02.239><c> people,</c>

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but<00:02:04.239><c> they</c><00:02:04.480><c> will</c><00:02:04.780><c> forever</c><00:02:05.200><c> be</c><00:02:06.000><c> a</c><00:02:06.620><c> special</c><00:02:06.939><c> people</c><00:02:07.799><c> that</c><00:02:08.300><c> is</c><00:02:09.020><c> a</c>

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holy<00:02:09.819><c> people.</c>

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As<00:02:12.360><c> we</c><00:02:12.539><c> are</c><00:02:12.860><c> told,</c><00:02:13.680><c> the</c><00:02:13.740><c> scepter</c><00:02:14.659><c> will</c><00:02:15.259><c> never</c><00:02:15.520><c> depart</c><00:02:15.979><c> from</c><00:02:16.240><c> Judah.</c>

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Likewise,<00:02:19.919><c> we</c><00:02:19.919><c> are</c><00:02:21.439><c> well</c><00:02:21.939><c> aware</c><00:02:22.639><c> of</c><00:02:23.120><c> God's</c><00:02:23.939><c> sacred</c><00:02:24.419><c> promise</c>

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to<00:02:25.080><c> Abraham</c><00:02:25.800><c> that</c><00:02:26.580><c> he</c><00:02:26.740><c> would</c><00:02:26.960><c> make</c><00:02:27.280><c> him</c>

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and<00:02:27.699><c> his</c><00:02:27.979><c> descendants</c><00:02:28.500><c> a</c><00:02:28.740><c> great</c><00:02:29.039><c> nation,</c><00:02:30.159><c> which</c><00:02:30.439><c> he</c><00:02:30.680><c> did,</c>

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which<00:02:32.159><c> he</c><00:02:32.319><c> is</c><00:02:32.580><c> doing,</c><00:02:33.719><c> and</c><00:02:33.900><c> which</c><00:02:34.180><c> he</c><00:02:34.360><c> will</c><00:02:34.599><c> continue</c><00:02:35.199><c> to</c><00:02:35.639><c> do</c><00:02:36.080><c> forever.</c>

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God<00:02:39.280><c> has</c><00:02:39.599><c> also</c><00:02:39.960><c> promised</c><00:02:40.500><c> that</c><00:02:40.939><c> this</c><00:02:41.419><c> blessing</c><00:02:42.000><c> would</c><00:02:42.860><c> not</c><00:02:43.139><c> only</c><00:02:43.340><c> be</c>

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available<00:02:43.979><c> to</c><00:02:44.259><c> the</c><00:02:44.419><c> descendants</c><00:02:44.900><c> of</c><00:02:45.199><c> Abraham,</c>

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but<00:02:46.960><c> fortunately</c><00:02:47.780><c> for</c><00:02:48.099><c> all</c><00:02:48.379><c> of</c><00:02:48.560><c> us,</c><00:02:50.159><c> to</c><00:02:50.240><c> everyone.</c>

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And<00:02:52.759><c> even</c><00:02:52.960><c> if</c><00:02:53.159><c> some</c><00:02:53.400><c> of</c><00:02:53.740><c> Israel's</c><00:02:54.240><c> number</c><00:02:54.780><c> may</c><00:02:55.259><c> have</c><00:02:55.680><c> considered</c><00:02:56.479><c> themselves</c><00:02:57.419><c> the</c><00:02:58.580><c> privileged</c>

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sole<00:02:59.759><c> recipients</c><00:03:00.479><c> of</c><00:03:00.740><c> God's</c><00:03:01.379><c> blessings,</c>

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God<00:03:03.340><c> extended</c><00:03:04.080><c> that</c><00:03:04.479><c> hope</c><00:03:04.699><c> to</c><00:03:04.979><c> all</c><00:03:05.240><c> mankind</c><00:03:06.120><c> through</c><00:03:06.860><c> the</c><00:03:07.159><c> act</c>

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of<00:03:07.979><c> repentance</c><00:03:08.599><c> and</c><00:03:09.280><c> baptism</c>

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into<00:03:10.860><c> the</c><00:03:11.180><c> name</c><00:03:11.719><c> of</c><00:03:12.080><c> his</c><00:03:12.360><c> son,</c><00:03:13.000><c> Jesus.</c>

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If<00:03:16.159><c> our</c><00:03:16.419><c> salvation</c><00:03:17.620><c> were</c><00:03:19.439><c> dependent</c><00:03:19.979><c> solely</c><00:03:20.520><c> on</c><00:03:20.800><c> our</c><00:03:21.099><c> own</c><00:03:21.400><c> integrity,</c>

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we<00:03:23.379><c> might</c><00:03:23.639><c> be</c><00:03:23.979><c> very</c><00:03:25.900><c> concerned</c><00:03:27.620><c> about</c><00:03:28.020><c> our</c><00:03:28.360><c> final</c><00:03:28.879><c> outcome.</c>

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Fortunately,<00:03:32.340><c> we</c><00:03:32.539><c> have</c><00:03:32.800><c> the</c><00:03:32.960><c> option</c><00:03:33.500><c> of</c><00:03:33.719><c> taking</c><00:03:34.060><c> on</c><00:03:34.379><c> the</c><00:03:34.500><c> name</c>

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of<00:03:34.960><c> Christ</c><00:03:35.639><c> and</c><00:03:36.080><c> becoming</c><00:03:37.120><c> the</c><00:03:37.639><c> seed</c><00:03:38.000><c> of</c><00:03:38.199><c> Abraham</c>

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and<00:03:40.139><c> in</c><00:03:40.340><c> turn,</c><00:03:41.879><c> fellow</c><00:03:42.020><c> heirs</c><00:03:42.539><c> according</c><00:03:43.199><c> to</c><00:03:43.419><c> the</c><00:03:43.620><c> promise.</c>

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Notable<00:03:46.699><c> leaders</c><00:03:47.240><c> of</c><00:03:48.120><c> Israel's</c><00:03:48.979><c> past,</c><00:03:49.479><c> such</c><00:03:49.659><c> as</c><00:03:50.439><c> King</c><00:03:50.879><c> David</c>

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and<00:03:51.979><c> King</c><00:03:52.319><c> Solomon,</c>

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left<00:03:54.199><c> an</c><00:03:54.500><c> incredible</c><00:03:54.960><c> mark</c><00:03:55.439><c> on</c><00:03:56.020><c> Israel's</c><00:03:56.780><c> history.</c>

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Unfortunately,<00:04:01.240><c> not</c><00:04:01.419><c> all</c><00:04:01.960><c> of</c><00:04:02.479><c> Israel's</c><00:04:03.400><c> historical</c><00:04:03.780><c> past</c><00:04:04.599><c> smacks</c><00:04:05.460><c> of</c>

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such<00:04:05.939><c> elegant</c><00:04:06.500><c> grandeur.</c>

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Not<00:04:08.879><c> all</c><00:04:09.180><c> their</c><00:04:09.479><c> kings,</c><00:04:10.960><c> prophets,</c><00:04:11.419><c> and</c><00:04:11.599><c> judges</c><00:04:12.360><c> were</c><00:04:13.400><c> as</c><00:04:13.620><c> focused</c><00:04:14.099><c> on</c>

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God's<00:04:15.000><c> instructions</c>

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and<00:04:16.060><c> warnings</c><00:04:16.600><c> of</c><00:04:16.939><c> the</c><00:04:17.180><c> potential</c><00:04:17.660><c> consequences</c><00:04:18.579><c> as</c><00:04:19.639><c> they</c>

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should<00:04:20.100><c> have</c><00:04:20.300><c> been.</c>

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And<00:04:21.120><c> in</c><00:04:21.319><c> the</c><00:04:21.560><c> end,</c><00:04:22.160><c> the</c><00:04:22.420><c> results</c><00:04:22.959><c> were</c><00:04:23.720><c> disastrous.</c>

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One<00:04:28.199><c> might</c><00:04:29.120><c> reasonably</c><00:04:29.980><c> conclude</c><00:04:30.639><c> that</c><00:04:30.939><c> God's</c><00:04:31.600><c> continuing</c>

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miracles<00:04:32.600><c> on</c><00:04:32.980><c> behalf</c><00:04:33.399><c> of</c><00:04:33.660><c> Israel,</c>

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such<00:04:35.240><c> as</c><00:04:35.519><c> their</c><00:04:35.720><c> dramatic</c><00:04:36.300><c> deliverance</c><00:04:36.939><c> from</c><00:04:37.220><c> Egypt,</c>

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would<00:04:39.079><c> have</c><00:04:39.279><c> had</c><00:04:39.560><c> long</c><00:04:39.939><c> and</c><00:04:41.740><c> lasting</c><00:04:42.519><c> positive</c><00:04:43.319><c> impacts</c><00:04:44.019><c> on</c>

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their<00:04:44.980><c> behavioral</c><00:04:45.740><c> and</c><00:04:46.420><c> thinking</c><00:04:46.819><c> process.</c>

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Unfortunately,<00:04:50.600><c> it</c><00:04:50.839><c> very</c><00:04:51.160><c> often</c><00:04:51.860><c> did</c><00:04:52.459><c> not.</c>

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About<00:04:55.220><c> three</c><00:04:55.579><c> years</c><00:04:55.920><c> after</c><00:04:56.339><c> Solomon,</c><00:04:57.180><c> in</c><00:04:57.519><c> the</c><00:04:57.980><c> reign</c><00:04:58.139><c> of</c><00:04:58.319><c> his</c>

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son,<00:04:59.600><c> Rehovim,</c>

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x
the<00:05:01.800><c> once</c><00:05:02.199><c>-united</c><00:05:02.759><c> Kingdom</c><00:05:03.379><c> of</c><00:05:03.660><c> Israel</c><00:05:04.139><c> split</c><00:05:04.560><c> into</c><00:05:04.819><c> the</c><00:05:05.019><c> Northern</c><00:05:05.339><c> Kingdom</c><00:05:05.720><c> of</c><00:05:05.860><c> Israel</c>

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x
and<00:05:07.279><c> the</c><00:05:07.480><c> Southern</c><00:05:07.740><c> Kingdom</c><00:05:08.379><c> of</c><00:05:08.800><c> Judah.</c>

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x
When<00:05:11.019><c> these</c><00:05:11.360><c> kingdoms</c><00:05:11.779><c> were</c><00:05:12.060><c> not</c><00:05:12.459><c> squabbling</c><00:05:13.120><c> amongst</c><00:05:13.519><c> themselves,</c><00:05:14.600><c> which</c>

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wasn't<00:05:15.740><c> very</c><00:05:16.139><c> often,</c>

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x
they<00:05:17.779><c> were</c><00:05:18.180><c> unknowingly</c><00:05:18.740><c> paving</c><00:05:19.279><c> the</c><00:05:19.540><c> way</c><00:05:20.019><c> for</c><00:05:20.500><c> numerous</c><00:05:21.000><c> invasions,</c>

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x
including<00:05:22.480><c> the</c><00:05:22.779><c> Assyrians</c><00:05:23.480><c> and</c><00:05:24.379><c> the</c><00:05:24.660><c> Babylonians,</c>

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x
which<00:05:26.519><c> in</c><00:05:26.860><c> turn</c><00:05:27.220><c> would</c><00:05:27.620><c> profoundly</c><00:05:28.279><c> alter</c><00:05:28.860><c> Israel's</c><00:05:29.699><c> future</c>

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x
for<00:05:31.000><c> centuries</c><00:05:31.519><c> to</c><00:05:31.860><c> come.</c>

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x
After<00:05:34.860><c> the</c><00:05:35.139><c> Assyrians</c><00:05:35.620><c> conquered</c><00:05:36.060><c> the</c><00:05:36.300><c> Northern</c><00:05:36.620><c> Kingdom,</c>

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x
it<00:05:37.819><c> didn't</c><00:05:38.060><c> take</c><00:05:38.420><c> long</c><00:05:38.839><c> for</c><00:05:39.120><c> the</c><00:05:39.379><c> Israelites</c><00:05:39.879><c> to</c><00:05:40.259><c> start</c>

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x
embracing<00:05:41.319><c> Assyrian</c><00:05:42.399><c> deities,</c>

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x
despite<00:05:44.100><c> the</c><00:05:44.480><c> warnings</c><00:05:44.959><c> from</c><00:05:45.420><c> earlier</c><00:05:45.980><c> prophets.</c>

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x
In<00:05:47.920><c> a</c><00:05:48.180><c> similar</c><00:05:48.500><c> fashion,</c><00:05:50.180><c> the</c><00:05:50.339><c> Southern</c><00:05:50.620><c> Kingdom</c><00:05:51.040><c> of</c><00:05:51.420><c> Judah</c>

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x
faced<00:05:52.720><c> its</c><00:05:53.000><c> own</c><00:05:53.300><c> invasion</c>

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x
and<00:05:54.459><c> downfall</c><00:05:55.120><c> at</c><00:05:55.339><c> the</c><00:05:55.600><c> hands</c><00:05:56.120><c> of</c><00:05:56.360><c> the</c><00:05:56.579><c> Babylonians.</c>

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x
The<00:05:59.060><c> Babylonians</c><00:05:59.899><c> besieged</c><00:06:00.500><c> Jerusalem,</c>

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x
exiling<00:06:03.160><c> its</c><00:06:09.759><c> inhabitants,</c>

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x
and<00:06:11.339><c> immediately</c><00:06:11.980><c> began</c><00:06:12.360><c> the</c><00:06:12.600><c> process</c><00:06:13.339><c> of</c><00:06:14.079><c> indoctrinating</c><00:06:14.920><c> them</c>

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x
in<00:06:16.120><c> the</c><00:06:16.279><c> ways</c><00:06:16.600><c> of</c><00:06:16.939><c> Babylonian</c><00:06:17.600><c> culture,</c><00:06:18.860><c> religion,</c><00:06:20.420><c> and</c><00:06:20.560><c> society.</c>

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x
Brothers<00:06:26.600><c> and</c><00:06:26.980><c> sisters,</c><00:06:28.060><c> Sunday</c><00:06:28.319><c> school</c><00:06:28.680><c> students,</c>

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x
there<00:06:30.660><c> are</c><00:06:30.920><c> not</c><00:06:31.139><c> many</c><00:06:31.459><c> books</c><00:06:31.899><c> and</c><00:06:32.379><c> prophets</c>

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x
but<00:06:34.019><c> compare</c><00:06:34.540><c> to</c><00:06:34.779><c> the</c><00:06:35.040><c> intensity</c><00:06:35.699><c> of</c><00:06:36.459><c> the</c><00:06:36.600><c> book</c><00:06:36.779><c> of</c><00:06:37.019><c> Daniel.</c>

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x
This<00:06:39.199><c> morning,</c><00:06:39.839><c> I</c><00:06:40.319><c> plan</c><00:06:40.600><c> to</c><00:06:40.800><c> take</c><00:06:41.000><c> advantage</c><00:06:41.560><c> of</c><00:06:41.920><c> today's</c><00:06:42.519><c> reading</c><00:06:42.800><c> of</c>

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x
Daniel<00:06:43.420><c> 5</c>

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x
and<00:06:44.879><c> look</c><00:06:45.079><c> at</c><00:06:45.199><c> some</c><00:06:45.459><c> of</c><00:06:45.660><c> the</c><00:06:45.959><c> history</c><00:06:46.560><c> and</c><00:06:47.019><c> examples</c><00:06:47.600><c> that</c><00:06:48.160><c> the</c>

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x
first<00:06:48.660><c> five</c><00:06:49.139><c> chapters</c><00:06:49.779><c> of</c><00:06:50.079><c> Daniel</c><00:06:50.959><c> provide.</c>

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x
The<00:06:54.519><c> prophet</c><00:06:54.980><c> Daniel</c><00:06:56.259><c> wrote</c><00:06:56.939><c> his</c><00:06:57.180><c> book</c><00:06:57.459><c> roughly</c><00:06:58.399><c> 500</c><00:06:59.060><c> years</c>

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x
after<00:06:59.939><c> the</c><00:07:00.120><c> rule</c><00:07:00.339><c> of</c><00:07:00.519><c> King</c><00:07:00.740><c> David</c>

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x
and<00:07:01.980><c> 500</c><00:07:02.379><c> years</c><00:07:02.899><c> before</c><00:07:03.399><c> the</c><00:07:03.720><c> birth</c><00:07:03.980><c> of</c><00:07:04.139><c> Jesus.</c>

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x
Daniel<00:07:06.579><c> records</c><00:07:07.459><c> historical</c><00:07:08.259><c> events</c><00:07:08.920><c> starting</c><00:07:09.420><c> at</c><00:07:09.740><c> the</c><00:07:09.899><c> occupation</c><00:07:10.579><c> of</c>

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Jerusalem<00:07:11.420><c> by</c><00:07:11.819><c> King</c><00:07:12.180><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c>

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x
and<00:07:15.279><c> the</c><00:07:15.579><c> carrying</c><00:07:15.839><c> away</c><00:07:16.420><c> of</c><00:07:16.819><c> the</c><00:07:17.180><c> captives</c><00:07:17.879><c> to</c><00:07:18.160><c> Babylon.</c>

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x
Within<00:07:20.699><c> these</c><00:07:21.100><c> early</c><00:07:21.480><c> chapters,</c>

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x
Daniel<00:07:23.740><c> provides</c><00:07:24.360><c> us</c><00:07:24.800><c> with</c><00:07:25.360><c> a</c><00:07:25.839><c> historical</c><00:07:26.459><c> introduction</c>

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x
into<00:07:28.120><c> the</c><00:07:28.399><c> events</c><00:07:28.660><c> of</c><00:07:28.879><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:07:29.720><c> besieging</c><00:07:30.680><c> Jerusalem</c>

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x
and<00:07:32.160><c> taking</c><00:07:32.480><c> away</c><00:07:32.959><c> articles</c><00:07:33.560><c> of</c><00:07:33.879><c> the</c><00:07:34.060><c> house</c><00:07:34.300><c> of</c><00:07:34.560><c> God,</c>

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x
including<00:07:36.879><c> the</c><00:07:37.480><c> king,</c><00:07:39.019><c> the</c><00:07:39.240><c> deportation</c><00:07:40.220><c> of</c><00:07:40.500><c> assorted</c><00:07:40.980><c> members</c><00:07:41.519><c> of</c>

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x
the<00:07:42.279><c> nobility,</c>

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x
members<00:07:45.019><c> of</c><00:07:45.259><c> society,</c><00:07:46.100><c> and</c><00:07:46.100><c> of</c><00:07:46.220><c> course,</c><00:07:47.420><c> Daniel</c><00:07:47.459><c> himself.</c>

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x
Daniel,<00:07:50.420><c> who</c><00:07:50.759><c> along</c><00:07:50.959><c> with</c><00:07:51.139><c> his</c><00:07:51.439><c> friends</c><00:07:51.899><c> were</c><00:07:52.259><c> determined</c><00:07:52.740><c> to</c>

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x
keep<00:07:53.199><c> the</c><00:07:53.379><c> word</c><00:07:53.519><c> of</c><00:07:53.800><c> God</c><00:07:53.959><c> in</c><00:07:54.100><c> their</c><00:07:54.379><c> hearts</c>

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x
despite<00:07:56.199><c> being</c><00:07:56.660><c> subject</c><00:07:57.139><c> to</c><00:07:57.420><c> a</c><00:07:57.720><c> complete</c><00:07:58.300><c> assimilation</c><00:07:59.139><c> into</c>

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x
Babylonian<00:08:00.779><c> culture.</c>

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x
The<00:08:02.980><c> book</c><00:08:03.220><c> contains</c><00:08:04.139><c> many</c><00:08:04.899><c> familiar</c><00:08:05.459><c> stories</c><00:08:05.959><c> about</c><00:08:06.300><c> Daniel</c>

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x
and<00:08:07.079><c> his</c><00:08:07.339><c> companions</c>

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x
which<00:08:08.699><c> emphasize</c><00:08:09.500><c> love,</c><00:08:11.060><c> the</c><00:08:11.420><c> resistance</c><00:08:12.019><c> of</c><00:08:12.279><c> temptation,</c>

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x
and<00:08:14.319><c> examples</c><00:08:14.939><c> of</c><00:08:15.240><c> men</c><00:08:15.779><c> who</c><00:08:16.500><c> overcame</c><00:08:17.379><c> adversity.</c>

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x
Chapter<00:08:21.339><c> 1</c><00:08:23.040><c> also</c><00:08:23.639><c> sets</c><00:08:23.899><c> us</c><00:08:24.860><c> on</c><00:08:25.639><c> a</c><00:08:25.879><c> journey</c>

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x
that<00:08:27.240><c> can</c><00:08:27.439><c> only</c><00:08:27.699><c> be</c><00:08:28.040><c> seen</c><00:08:28.379><c> as</c><00:08:28.779><c> a</c><00:08:29.000><c> testament</c><00:08:29.579><c> to</c><00:08:30.500><c> the</c><00:08:31.319><c> sovereignty</c><00:08:32.000><c> of</c><00:08:33.820><c> the</c><00:08:33.960><c> God</c><00:08:34.200><c> of</c><00:08:34.399><c> Israel.</c>

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x
Center<00:08:36.970><c> to</c><00:08:37.549><c> Daniel</c><00:08:37.990><c> and</c><00:08:38.190><c> his</c><00:08:38.450><c> companions'</c><00:08:39.289><c> faithfulness</c>

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x
was<00:08:40.990><c> a</c><00:08:41.370><c> lifestyle</c><00:08:41.990><c> reflective</c><00:08:42.809><c> of</c><00:08:43.850><c> living</c><00:08:44.110><c> a</c><00:08:44.429><c> life</c><00:08:44.649><c> in</c><00:08:45.009><c> daily</c><00:08:45.370><c> prayer,</c>

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x
of<00:08:47.190><c> fasting,</c><00:08:48.210><c> and</c><00:08:48.450><c> of</c><00:08:48.690><c> fellowship.</c>

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x
Their<00:08:50.929><c> dedication</c><00:08:51.690><c> is</c><00:08:52.289><c> rewarded</c><00:08:52.769><c> as</c><00:08:53.049><c> God</c><00:08:53.389><c> responds</c><00:08:54.110><c> to</c><00:08:54.389><c> their</c><00:08:54.610><c> faithfulness</c>

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x
through<00:08:55.909><c> a</c><00:08:56.149><c> series</c><00:08:56.429><c> of</c><00:08:56.750><c> events</c><00:08:57.250><c> by</c><00:08:57.909><c> increasing</c><00:08:58.549><c> Daniel</c><00:08:59.129><c> and</c>

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x
his<00:08:59.610><c> friends'</c><00:09:00.070><c> abilities</c><00:09:00.669><c> and</c><00:09:01.169><c> favor</c><00:09:01.629><c> before</c><00:09:02.470><c> the</c><00:09:02.809><c> king.</c>

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x
In<00:09:05.929><c> time</c><00:09:06.230><c> to</c><00:09:06.529><c> come,</c><00:09:07.929><c> in</c><00:09:08.009><c> fact,</c><00:09:08.730><c> right</c><00:09:08.929><c> up</c><00:09:09.090><c> to</c><00:09:09.210><c> this</c><00:09:09.509><c> present</c><00:09:09.769><c> moment</c><00:09:10.110><c> in</c><00:09:10.429><c> time,</c>

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x
the<00:09:12.309><c> book</c><00:09:12.529><c> of</c><00:09:12.730><c> Daniel</c><00:09:13.509><c> continues</c><00:09:14.370><c> to</c><00:09:14.750><c> provide</c><00:09:15.049><c> us</c><00:09:15.389><c> a</c><00:09:15.730><c> source</c>

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x
of<00:09:16.490><c> strength</c>

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x
as<00:09:18.169><c> how</c><00:09:18.409><c> to</c><00:09:18.690><c> deal</c><00:09:19.009><c> with</c><00:09:19.330><c> the</c><00:09:19.809><c> spiritual</c><00:09:21.330><c> crisis</c><00:09:22.730><c> that</c><00:09:23.169><c> creeps</c>

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x
into<00:09:23.769><c> life</c>

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x
and<00:09:25.049><c> to</c><00:09:25.370><c> provide</c><00:09:25.950><c> encouragement</c><00:09:26.769><c> moving</c><00:09:27.629><c> forward.</c>

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x
A<00:09:30.110><c> perfect</c><00:09:30.409><c> example</c><00:09:31.049><c> of</c><00:09:31.309><c> this</c><00:09:31.950><c> reward</c><00:09:32.429><c> follows</c><00:09:33.049><c> a</c><00:09:33.330><c> most</c>

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x
unusual<00:09:34.250><c> event.</c>

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x
Keep<00:09:36.250><c> in</c><00:09:36.529><c> mind</c><00:09:36.730><c> that</c><00:09:36.990><c> despite</c><00:09:37.389><c> the</c><00:09:37.750><c> overthrow</c><00:09:38.250><c> and</c><00:09:38.590><c> looting</c>

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x
of<00:09:39.830><c> Jerusalem,</c>

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x
King<00:09:41.269><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:09:42.389><c> is</c><00:09:42.850><c> not</c><00:09:43.149><c> an</c><00:09:43.470><c> entirely</c><00:09:44.389><c> wicked</c><00:09:44.870><c> man,</c>

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x
and<00:09:46.549><c> he's</c><00:09:47.070><c> certainly</c><00:09:47.389><c> not</c><00:09:47.690><c> a</c><00:09:47.929><c> fool.</c>

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x
From<00:09:50.049><c> the</c><00:09:50.269><c> moment</c><00:09:50.549><c> his</c><00:09:50.909><c> troops</c><00:09:51.169><c> invaded</c><00:09:51.610><c> Jerusalem,</c>

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x
his<00:09:52.590><c> orders</c><00:09:53.129><c> were</c><00:09:53.490><c> to</c><00:09:53.710><c> bring</c><00:09:53.929><c> to</c><00:09:54.210><c> Babylon</c><00:09:54.690><c> the</c><00:09:55.049><c> best</c><00:09:55.429><c> and</c><00:09:55.649><c> the</c>

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x
brightest<00:09:56.169><c> citizens</c><00:09:56.750><c> of</c><00:09:57.009><c> Jerusalem</c>

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x
so<00:09:58.389><c> that</c><00:09:58.669><c> their</c><00:09:58.970><c> talents</c><00:09:59.370><c> and</c><00:09:59.750><c> skills</c><00:10:00.370><c> could</c><00:10:00.830><c> be</c><00:10:01.190><c> utilized</c><00:10:01.769><c> for</c><00:10:02.009><c> the</c><00:10:02.350><c> advancement</c><00:10:02.909><c> of</c><00:10:03.389><c> Babylon.</c>

00:10:05.929 --> 00:10:11.289
x
In<00:10:06.289><c> Daniel</c><00:10:07.009><c> chapter</c><00:10:07.889><c> 2,</c><00:10:09.029><c> King</c><00:10:09.149><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:10:10.570><c> had</c><00:10:10.750><c> a</c><00:10:11.049><c> dream</c>

00:10:11.289 --> 00:10:12.850
x
of<00:10:11.490><c> a</c><00:10:11.730><c> great</c><00:10:11.889><c> image.</c>

00:10:13.529 --> 00:10:16.490
x
So<00:10:13.909><c> threatened</c><00:10:14.269><c> was</c><00:10:14.590><c> he</c><00:10:14.990><c> that</c><00:10:15.309><c> after</c><00:10:15.690><c> he</c><00:10:16.029><c> awoke,</c>

00:10:16.490 --> 00:10:22.250
x
he<00:10:16.950><c> demanded</c><00:10:17.490><c> all</c><00:10:17.889><c> his</c><00:10:18.190><c> wise</c><00:10:18.509><c> men,</c><00:10:19.110><c> magicians,</c><00:10:20.649><c> astrologers,</c><00:10:21.529><c> Chaldeans,</c>

00:10:22.629 --> 00:10:26.730
x
to<00:10:22.830><c> not</c><00:10:23.009><c> only</c><00:10:23.429><c> interpret</c><00:10:24.330><c> his</c><00:10:24.769><c> dream,</c><00:10:25.850><c> but</c><00:10:25.970><c> to</c><00:10:26.230><c> tell</c><00:10:26.350><c> him</c><00:10:26.529><c> what</c>

00:10:26.730 --> 00:10:28.870
x
it<00:10:26.970><c> was</c><00:10:27.309><c> that</c><00:10:27.549><c> he</c><00:10:27.690><c> had</c><00:10:28.029><c> dreamed.</c>

00:10:29.409 --> 00:10:32.470
x
If<00:10:29.590><c> they</c><00:10:29.750><c> were</c><00:10:30.009><c> able</c><00:10:30.230><c> to</c><00:10:30.529><c> tell</c><00:10:30.769><c> the</c><00:10:31.009><c> king</c><00:10:31.269><c> the</c><00:10:31.529><c> dream</c><00:10:31.889><c> and</c><00:10:32.110><c> the</c>

00:10:32.470 --> 00:10:35.450
x
interpretation,<00:10:33.809><c> they</c><00:10:34.029><c> would</c><00:10:34.330><c> be</c><00:10:34.649><c> honored.</c>

00:10:36.169 --> 00:10:39.929
x
If<00:10:36.450><c> they</c><00:10:36.830><c> failed,</c><00:10:38.190><c> they</c><00:10:38.490><c> would</c><00:10:38.730><c> be</c><00:10:39.029><c> killed.</c>

00:10:42.169 --> 00:10:46.690
x
Obviously,<00:10:44.210><c> no</c><00:10:44.350><c> one</c><00:10:44.529><c> was</c><00:10:44.830><c> able</c><00:10:45.070><c> to</c><00:10:45.269><c> tell</c><00:10:45.429><c> the</c><00:10:45.750><c> king</c><00:10:46.029><c> what</c><00:10:46.409><c> he</c>

00:10:46.690 --> 00:10:50.490
x
had<00:10:46.850><c> dreamed,</c><00:10:47.830><c> much</c><00:10:48.169><c> less</c><00:10:48.610><c> interpret</c><00:10:49.210><c> the</c><00:10:49.629><c> dream.</c>

00:10:51.149 --> 00:10:54.730
x
So<00:10:51.389><c> the</c><00:10:51.509><c> king</c><00:10:51.789><c> commanded</c><00:10:52.269><c> to</c><00:10:52.629><c> kill</c><00:10:52.830><c> them</c><00:10:53.070><c> all</c><00:10:53.690><c> until</c><00:10:54.149><c> Daniel</c>

00:10:54.730 --> 00:10:56.629
x
stepped<00:10:55.110><c> up</c><00:10:55.350><c> to</c><00:10:55.490><c> the</c><00:10:55.730><c> plate.</c>

00:10:57.230 --> 00:11:01.309
x
In<00:10:57.370><c> answer</c><00:10:57.789><c> to</c><00:10:58.070><c> his</c><00:10:58.429><c> prayer,</c><00:10:59.129><c> God</c><00:10:59.490><c> provided</c><00:11:00.090><c> him</c><00:11:00.509><c> with</c><00:11:00.929><c> both</c>

00:11:01.309 --> 00:11:04.350
x
the<00:11:01.590><c> dream</c><00:11:01.990><c> and</c><00:11:02.830><c> its</c><00:11:03.190><c> interpretation.</c>

00:11:05.030 --> 00:11:09.690
x
Daniel<00:11:05.830><c> Forthwith</c><00:11:06.490><c> told</c><00:11:06.889><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:11:08.230><c> that</c><00:11:08.669><c> the</c><00:11:09.090><c> God</c><00:11:09.350><c> he</c>

00:11:09.690 --> 00:11:14.950
x
worshiped<00:11:10.549><c> had</c><00:11:10.750><c> revealed</c><00:11:11.350><c> the</c><00:11:11.669><c> dream</c><00:11:12.090><c> and</c><00:11:12.450><c> its</c><00:11:12.789><c> interpretation</c><00:11:13.529><c> to</c><00:11:13.809><c> him.</c>

00:11:15.789 --> 00:11:18.850
x
After<00:11:16.169><c> sharing</c><00:11:16.549><c> this</c><00:11:16.850><c> information,</c><00:11:17.629><c> the</c><00:11:17.769><c> king</c><00:11:18.029><c> spared</c><00:11:18.529><c> the</c>

00:11:18.850 --> 00:11:22.269
x
lives<00:11:19.350><c> of</c><00:11:19.690><c> his</c><00:11:19.889><c> so</c><00:11:20.289><c>-called</c><00:11:20.669><c> wise</c><00:11:21.129><c> men,</c>

00:11:22.289 --> 00:11:27.529
x
and<00:11:22.529><c> Daniel</c><00:11:22.929><c> was</c><00:11:23.389><c> praised,</c><00:11:24.769><c> honored,</c><00:11:25.690><c> and</c><00:11:25.950><c> promoted</c><00:11:26.509><c> at</c><00:11:27.309><c> the</c>

00:11:27.529 --> 00:11:29.289
x
voice<00:11:27.830><c> of</c><00:11:28.049><c> the</c><00:11:28.230><c> king.</c>

00:11:30.069 --> 00:11:35.509
x
In<00:11:31.049><c> Daniel</c><00:11:31.490><c> chapter</c><00:11:32.009><c> 3,</c><00:11:34.029><c> King</c><00:11:34.110><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:11:34.970><c> erects</c><00:11:35.389><c> a</c>

00:11:35.509 --> 00:11:37.669
x
massive<00:11:36.029><c> golden</c><00:11:36.529><c> statue</c>

00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:42.929
x
and<00:11:38.190><c> gets</c><00:11:38.570><c> suck</c><00:11:38.789><c> it</c><00:11:38.950><c> in</c><00:11:39.129><c> by</c><00:11:39.470><c> certain</c><00:11:39.850><c> Chaldeans</c><00:11:40.690><c> to</c><00:11:41.250><c> a</c><00:11:42.470><c> decree</c>

00:11:42.929 --> 00:11:48.129
x
that<00:11:44.049><c> all</c><00:11:44.529><c> must</c><00:11:44.809><c> worship</c><00:11:45.370><c> at</c><00:11:45.870><c> the</c><00:11:46.169><c> sound</c><00:11:46.570><c> of</c><00:11:46.809><c> the</c><00:11:46.950><c> music.</c>

00:11:49.250 --> 00:11:54.110
x
Shadrach,<00:11:50.009><c> Meshach,</c><00:11:51.309><c> and</c><00:11:51.529><c> Abednego,</c><00:11:53.090><c> despite</c><00:11:53.429><c> being</c><00:11:53.830><c> given</c>

00:11:54.110 --> 00:11:59.409
x
a<00:11:54.409><c> second</c><00:11:54.629><c> chance,</c><00:11:56.230><c> flat</c><00:11:56.490><c> out</c><00:11:57.190><c> refused</c><00:11:57.870><c> to</c><00:11:58.149><c> comply,</c>

00:12:00.409 --> 00:12:03.750
x
leading<00:12:00.669><c> to</c><00:12:01.009><c> them</c><00:12:01.190><c> all</c><00:12:01.490><c> being</c><00:12:01.830><c> sentenced</c><00:12:02.190><c> to</c><00:12:02.470><c> death</c><00:12:03.129><c> in</c><00:12:03.509><c> the</c>

00:12:03.750 --> 00:12:05.169
x
fiery<00:12:04.090><c> furnace.</c>

00:12:06.169 --> 00:12:10.190
x
Before<00:12:06.809><c> being</c><00:12:07.250><c> sent</c><00:12:07.549><c> off</c><00:12:07.809><c> to</c><00:12:08.029><c> their</c><00:12:08.289><c> deaths,</c><00:12:09.330><c> they</c><00:12:09.710><c> verbally</c>

00:12:10.190 --> 00:12:12.649
x
confessed<00:12:10.850><c> their</c><00:12:11.250><c> faith</c><00:12:11.590><c> in</c><00:12:11.950><c> God,</c>

00:12:12.649 --> 00:12:20.629
x
stating<00:12:13.490><c> that</c><00:12:13.889><c> he</c><00:12:14.049><c> can</c><00:12:14.429><c> save</c><00:12:14.769><c> them,</c><00:12:15.250><c> but</c><00:12:15.269><c> even</c><00:12:15.549><c> if</c><00:12:15.710><c> he</c><00:12:15.830><c> does</c><00:12:16.190><c> not,</c><00:12:17.210><c> they</c><00:12:17.389><c> will</c><00:12:17.710><c> not</c><00:12:18.049><c> serve</c><00:12:18.330><c> Nebuchadnezzar's</c><00:12:19.389><c> gods</c><00:12:19.870><c> or</c>

00:12:20.629 --> 00:12:23.409
x
worship<00:12:21.149><c> his</c><00:12:21.710><c> golden</c><00:12:22.330><c> statue.</c>

00:12:25.330 --> 00:12:30.169
x
To<00:12:26.110><c> Nebuchadnezzar's</c><00:12:26.889><c> astonishment,</c><00:12:29.049><c> they</c><00:12:29.210><c> survived</c><00:12:29.850><c> the</c>

00:12:30.169 --> 00:12:32.149
x
flames<00:12:30.669><c> unharmed,</c>

00:12:32.529 --> 00:12:37.950
x
accompanied<00:12:32.950><c> by</c><00:12:33.470><c> a</c><00:12:33.850><c> fourth</c><00:12:34.110><c> figure</c><00:12:34.570><c> in</c><00:12:34.809><c> the</c><00:12:35.049><c> flames,</c><00:12:36.110><c> whom</c><00:12:36.210><c> the</c><00:12:36.389><c> king</c><00:12:36.590><c> acknowledges</c><00:12:37.570><c> as</c>

00:12:37.950 --> 00:12:39.149
x
a<00:12:38.129><c> divine</c><00:12:38.669><c> being.</c>

00:12:39.149 --> 00:12:44.049
x
This<00:12:40.610><c> miraculous</c><00:12:41.450><c> deliverance</c><00:12:42.409><c> prompts</c><00:12:42.789><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:12:43.730><c> to</c>

00:12:44.049 --> 00:12:47.690
x
praise<00:12:44.429><c> the</c><00:12:44.649><c> god</c><00:12:44.909><c> of</c><00:12:45.190><c> Shadrach,</c><00:12:45.769><c> Meshach,</c><00:12:46.429><c> and</c><00:12:46.529><c> Abednego,</c>

00:12:48.070 --> 00:12:51.669
x
and<00:12:48.149><c> issue</c><00:12:48.509><c> a</c><00:12:48.690><c> decree</c><00:12:49.149><c> that</c><00:12:49.370><c> anyone</c><00:12:49.730><c> who</c><00:12:50.090><c> speaks</c><00:12:50.350><c> against</c><00:12:50.769><c> their</c><00:12:51.149><c> god</c>

00:12:51.669 --> 00:12:54.529
x
shall<00:12:52.549><c> be</c><00:12:53.330><c> punished.</c>

00:12:57.890 --> 00:13:03.649
x
Chapter<00:12:58.810><c> 4</c><00:12:59.730><c> presents</c><00:13:00.889><c> a</c><00:13:01.429><c> somewhat</c><00:13:01.809><c> troubling</c><00:13:02.429><c> scenario.</c>

00:13:04.350 --> 00:13:09.549
x
At<00:13:05.149><c> this</c><00:13:05.529><c> point,</c><00:13:05.970><c> following</c><00:13:06.450><c> the</c><00:13:06.750><c> events</c><00:13:07.070><c> of</c><00:13:07.509><c> Chapter</c><00:13:07.929><c> 2</c><00:13:08.549><c> and</c><00:13:08.929><c> 3,</c>

00:13:10.029 --> 00:13:13.429
x
it's<00:13:10.309><c> getting</c><00:13:10.570><c> difficult</c><00:13:11.090><c> to</c><00:13:11.429><c> tell</c><00:13:11.789><c> if</c><00:13:12.149><c> King</c><00:13:12.370><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c>

00:13:13.429 --> 00:13:17.429
x
is<00:13:15.210><c> genuinely</c><00:13:15.750><c> being</c><00:13:16.470><c> swayed</c>

00:13:17.429 --> 00:13:23.470
x
to<00:13:17.610><c> recognize</c><00:13:18.350><c> that</c><00:13:18.750><c> the</c><00:13:19.049><c> god</c><00:13:19.269><c> of</c><00:13:19.549><c> Daniel</c><00:13:20.049><c> is</c><00:13:20.669><c> in</c><00:13:20.950><c> fact</c><00:13:21.250><c> the</c><00:13:21.509><c> one</c><00:13:21.750><c> true</c><00:13:22.029><c> god</c><00:13:22.629><c> and</c><00:13:23.090><c> is</c>

00:13:23.470 --> 00:13:27.389
x
prepared<00:13:24.009><c> to</c><00:13:24.710><c> acknowledge</c><00:13:25.330><c> God's</c><00:13:26.490><c> sovereignty.</c>

00:13:28.250 --> 00:13:35.330
x
Once<00:13:29.129><c> again,</c><00:13:29.769><c> the</c><00:13:29.850><c> king</c><00:13:30.009><c> is</c><00:13:30.309><c> suffering</c><00:13:30.769><c> the</c><00:13:31.289><c> effects</c><00:13:31.629><c> of</c><00:13:31.929><c> another</c><00:13:32.250><c> troubling</c><00:13:32.830><c> dream,</c><00:13:34.750><c> which</c><00:13:34.970><c> only</c>

00:13:35.330 --> 00:13:36.990
x
Daniel<00:13:35.649><c> can</c><00:13:35.970><c> interpret.</c>

00:13:37.529 --> 00:13:41.190
x
The<00:13:37.750><c> dream</c><00:13:38.129><c> foretells</c><00:13:38.889><c> Nebuchadnezzar's</c><00:13:39.950><c> fall</c><00:13:40.169><c> from</c><00:13:40.470><c> power</c>

00:13:41.190 --> 00:13:43.129
x
due<00:13:41.649><c> to</c><00:13:41.850><c> his</c><00:13:42.110><c> pride.</c>

00:13:44.029 --> 00:13:49.009
x
Despite<00:13:44.610><c> his</c><00:13:44.990><c> initial</c><00:13:45.509><c> arrogance,</c><00:13:46.549><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:13:47.490><c> is</c><00:13:47.909><c> humbled</c><00:13:48.389><c> when</c>

00:13:49.009 --> 00:13:53.529
x
he<00:13:49.289><c> loses</c><00:13:49.789><c> his</c><00:13:50.450><c> sanity</c><00:13:50.970><c> and</c><00:13:51.389><c> lives</c><00:13:51.769><c> like</c><00:13:52.049><c> a</c><00:13:52.250><c> wild</c><00:13:52.570><c> animal.</c>

00:13:54.269 --> 00:13:58.929
x
This<00:13:55.110><c> period</c><00:13:55.730><c> of</c><00:13:56.049><c> madness</c><00:13:56.610><c> lasts</c><00:13:57.169><c> until</c><00:13:57.570><c> he</c><00:13:57.990><c> recognizes</c><00:13:58.570><c> that</c>

00:13:58.929 --> 00:14:02.730
x
the<00:13:59.210><c> Most</c><00:13:59.570><c> High</c><00:13:59.889><c> is</c><00:14:00.350><c> sovereign</c><00:14:00.750><c> over</c><00:14:01.149><c> all</c><00:14:01.509><c> kingdoms</c><00:14:01.909><c> on</c><00:14:02.330><c> earth</c>

00:14:02.730 --> 00:14:13.889
x
and<00:14:03.710><c> restored</c><00:14:04.370><c> with</c><00:14:04.690><c> his</c><00:14:05.129><c> final</c><00:14:05.669><c> recorded</c><00:14:12.370><c> words</c><00:14:12.909><c> as</c><00:14:13.230><c> being,</c>

00:14:13.889 --> 00:14:19.049
x
Now<00:14:14.950><c> I,</c><00:14:15.409><c> Nebuchadnezzar,</c><00:14:16.950><c> praise</c><00:14:17.330><c> and</c><00:14:17.570><c> extol</c><00:14:18.149><c> and</c><00:14:18.490><c> honor</c><00:14:18.730><c> the</c>

00:14:19.049 --> 00:14:23.669
x
king<00:14:19.330><c> of</c><00:14:19.549><c> heaven,</c><00:14:20.690><c> all</c><00:14:20.870><c> whose</c><00:14:21.190><c> works</c><00:14:21.570><c> are</c><00:14:21.950><c> truth</c><00:14:22.409><c> and</c><00:14:23.129><c> his</c>

00:14:23.669 --> 00:14:25.090
x
ways<00:14:23.970><c> judgment,</c>

00:14:25.509 --> 00:14:31.470
x
and<00:14:25.970><c> those</c><00:14:26.450><c> that</c><00:14:26.909><c> walk</c><00:14:27.190><c> in</c><00:14:27.490><c> pride</c><00:14:28.070><c> he</c><00:14:28.850><c> is</c><00:14:29.230><c> able</c><00:14:29.730><c> to</c><00:14:30.250><c> abase.</c>

00:14:32.730 --> 00:14:38.570
x
Which<00:14:33.250><c> brings</c><00:14:33.590><c> us</c><00:14:34.009><c> to</c><00:14:34.330><c> today's</c><00:14:35.090><c> reading</c><00:14:35.570><c> of</c><00:14:36.590><c> Daniel,</c><00:14:37.149><c> Chapter</c><00:14:37.610><c> 5.</c>

00:14:39.010 --> 00:14:42.690
x
Now,<00:14:39.850><c> as</c><00:14:40.009><c> most</c><00:14:40.309><c> of</c><00:14:40.490><c> you</c><00:14:40.610><c> know,</c><00:14:40.929><c> I</c><00:14:41.129><c> don't</c><00:14:41.529><c> generally</c><00:14:42.090><c> follow</c>

00:14:42.690 --> 00:14:44.710
x
the<00:14:43.029><c> standard</c><00:14:43.409><c> Bible</c><00:14:43.809><c> reading</c><00:14:44.190><c> plan,</c>

00:14:44.889 --> 00:14:48.409
x
other<00:14:45.149><c> than</c><00:14:45.429><c> for</c><00:14:45.690><c> the</c><00:14:45.970><c> purpose</c><00:14:46.389><c> of</c><00:14:47.029><c> exhortations,</c>

00:14:48.529 --> 00:14:54.309
x
as<00:14:48.889><c> I</c><00:14:49.149><c> prefer</c><00:14:49.490><c> the</c><00:14:50.110><c> continuity</c><00:14:50.929><c> of</c><00:14:51.830><c> reading</c><00:14:52.129><c> a</c><00:14:52.409><c> book</c><00:14:52.789><c> from</c><00:14:54.029><c> one</c>

00:14:54.309 --> 00:14:55.710
x
end<00:14:54.490><c> to</c><00:14:54.649><c> the</c><00:14:54.809><c> other.</c>

00:14:56.669 --> 00:15:00.190
x
Daniel's<00:14:57.110><c> a</c><00:14:57.230><c> good</c><00:14:57.350><c> example</c><00:14:57.830><c> of</c><00:14:58.009><c> how</c><00:14:58.210><c> reading</c><00:14:58.570><c> multiple</c><00:14:59.070><c> chapters</c><00:14:59.570><c> within</c><00:14:59.889><c> the</c>

00:15:00.190 --> 00:15:02.470
x
same<00:15:00.490><c> book</c><00:15:01.129><c> makes</c><00:15:01.769><c> it</c><00:15:02.049><c> easier,</c>

00:15:02.509 --> 00:15:05.789
x
at<00:15:02.789><c> least</c><00:15:03.090><c> for</c><00:15:03.330><c> me,</c><00:15:04.370><c> to</c><00:15:04.590><c> follow</c><00:15:04.950><c> and</c><00:15:05.250><c> appreciate.</c>

00:15:05.789 --> 00:15:13.269
x
As<00:15:07.730><c> followers</c><00:15:08.509><c> of</c><00:15:09.169><c> Christ,</c><00:15:10.929><c> Daniel,</c><00:15:11.110><c> Chapter</c><00:15:11.509><c> 5,</c><00:15:12.070><c> will</c><00:15:12.269><c> hopefully</c><00:15:12.809><c> cause</c>

00:15:13.269 --> 00:15:20.610
x
us<00:15:14.009><c> to</c><00:15:14.309><c> appreciate</c><00:15:14.950><c> the</c><00:15:15.250><c> consequences</c><00:15:16.190><c> of</c><00:15:16.889><c> pride</c><00:15:17.629><c> and</c><00:15:17.970><c> disrespect</c><00:15:18.789><c> towards</c><00:15:19.370><c> God.</c>

00:15:21.070 --> 00:15:29.610
x
If<00:15:21.409><c> Daniel</c><00:15:21.830><c> teaches</c><00:15:22.269><c> us</c><00:15:22.649><c> anything,</c><00:15:24.049><c> it</c><00:15:24.190><c> is</c><00:15:24.529><c> the</c><00:15:24.769><c> value</c><00:15:25.370><c> in</c><00:15:25.929><c> remaining</c><00:15:26.389><c> humble,</c><00:15:27.929><c> respectful,</c><00:15:29.330><c> and</c>

00:15:29.610 --> 00:15:31.669
x
mindful<00:15:30.269><c> of</c><00:15:30.570><c> our</c><00:15:30.909><c> actions,</c>

00:15:31.669 --> 00:15:37.090
x
and<00:15:32.909><c> also</c><00:15:33.350><c> to</c><00:15:33.529><c> be</c><00:15:33.730><c> mindful</c><00:15:34.190><c> that</c><00:15:34.610><c> ignoring</c><00:15:34.950><c> God's</c><00:15:35.549><c> commandments</c><00:15:36.070><c> can</c><00:15:36.809><c> lead</c>

00:15:37.090 --> 00:15:39.269
x
to<00:15:37.370><c> our</c><00:15:37.570><c> own</c><00:15:37.889><c> downfall,</c>

00:15:39.389 --> 00:15:43.870
x
just<00:15:39.529><c> as</c><00:15:39.950><c> it</c><00:15:40.210><c> caused</c><00:15:40.529><c> Jerusalem</c><00:15:41.210><c> to</c><00:15:41.490><c> be</c><00:15:41.809><c> trodden</c><00:15:42.389><c> down</c><00:15:43.149><c> time</c>

00:15:43.870 --> 00:15:45.710
x
after<00:15:44.389><c> time.</c>

00:15:47.029 --> 00:15:51.309
x
Chapter<00:15:47.250><c> 5</c><00:15:47.710><c> also</c><00:15:48.190><c> brings</c><00:15:48.490><c> us</c><00:15:48.990><c> to</c><00:15:49.190><c> a</c><00:15:49.309><c> new</c><00:15:49.529><c> point</c><00:15:49.809><c> in</c><00:15:49.990><c> history.</c>

00:15:52.169 --> 00:15:54.350
x
Belshazzar<00:15:52.950><c> is</c><00:15:53.350><c> now</c><00:15:53.769><c> king.</c>

00:15:54.350 --> 00:15:59.070
x
Verse<00:15:55.549><c> 2</c><00:15:55.909><c> refers</c><00:15:56.330><c> to</c><00:15:56.570><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:15:57.309><c> as</c><00:15:57.590><c> his</c><00:15:57.889><c> father,</c><00:15:58.730><c> which</c>

00:15:59.070 --> 00:16:01.330
x
I<00:15:59.450><c> imagine</c><00:15:59.690><c> he</c><00:15:59.970><c> probably</c><00:16:00.509><c> was,</c>

00:16:01.370 --> 00:16:04.590
x
although<00:16:01.710><c> some</c><00:16:02.049><c> historians</c><00:16:02.710><c> suggest</c><00:16:03.230><c> that</c><00:16:03.389><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c>

00:16:04.590 --> 00:16:07.090
x
is<00:16:05.070><c> the</c><00:16:05.269><c> new</c><00:16:05.509><c> king's</c><00:16:06.090><c> grandfather.</c>

00:16:07.649 --> 00:16:13.509
x
Regardless,<00:16:09.570><c> it</c><00:16:09.710><c> would</c><00:16:10.070><c> seem</c><00:16:10.330><c> that</c><00:16:10.570><c> if</c><00:16:10.850><c> any</c><00:16:11.110><c> lessons</c><00:16:11.549><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:16:12.490><c> may</c><00:16:12.730><c> have</c><00:16:13.029><c> learned</c><00:16:13.289><c> in</c>

00:16:13.509 --> 00:16:14.909
x
his<00:16:13.870><c> lifetime,</c>

00:16:15.529 --> 00:16:20.370
x
it<00:16:15.909><c> didn't</c><00:16:16.429><c> seem</c><00:16:16.730><c> to</c><00:16:16.889><c> make</c><00:16:17.029><c> an</c><00:16:17.370><c> impact</c><00:16:17.850><c> on</c><00:16:18.789><c> his</c><00:16:19.110><c> descendant.</c>

00:16:21.470 --> 00:16:28.450
x
So,<00:16:22.710><c> as</c><00:16:23.009><c> we</c><00:16:23.250><c> read</c><00:16:23.409><c> this</c><00:16:23.769><c> morning,</c><00:16:25.049><c> King</c><00:16:25.629><c> Belshazzar</c><00:16:27.690><c> desires</c>

00:16:28.450 --> 00:16:33.750
x
to<00:16:29.110><c> host</c><00:16:29.470><c> a</c><00:16:29.809><c> great</c><00:16:30.090><c> feast</c><00:16:30.669><c> for</c><00:16:31.950><c> a</c><00:16:32.169><c> thousand</c><00:16:32.470><c> of</c><00:16:32.669><c> his</c><00:16:32.950><c> lords,</c>

00:16:34.129 --> 00:16:39.049
x
during<00:16:34.450><c> which</c><00:16:34.789><c> time,</c><00:16:35.909><c> while</c><00:16:36.269><c> drinking</c><00:16:36.730><c> wine,</c><00:16:37.769><c> he</c><00:16:38.049><c> orders</c><00:16:38.490><c> that</c><00:16:38.850><c> the</c>

00:16:39.049 --> 00:16:40.450
x
gold<00:16:39.409><c> and</c><00:16:39.570><c> silver</c><00:16:39.929><c> vessels,</c>

00:16:40.549 --> 00:16:43.149
x
which<00:16:40.730><c> were</c><00:16:40.970><c> taken</c><00:16:41.269><c> from</c><00:16:41.509><c> the</c><00:16:41.730><c> temple</c><00:16:41.990><c> in</c><00:16:42.169><c> Jerusalem</c><00:16:42.750><c> many</c>

00:16:43.149 --> 00:16:44.169
x
years<00:16:43.549><c> back,</c>

00:16:44.169 --> 00:16:48.850
x
be<00:16:45.029><c> brought</c><00:16:45.389><c> forth</c><00:16:45.830><c> so</c><00:16:46.210><c> that</c><00:16:46.389><c> his</c><00:16:46.710><c> princes,</c><00:16:47.549><c> his</c><00:16:47.809><c> wives,</c><00:16:48.649><c> his</c>

00:16:48.850 --> 00:16:52.970
x
concubines,<00:16:50.029><c> and</c><00:16:50.250><c> his</c><00:16:50.570><c> guests</c><00:16:50.909><c> may</c><00:16:51.250><c> drink</c><00:16:51.610><c> from</c><00:16:51.970><c> them.</c>

00:16:54.029 --> 00:16:57.590
x
In<00:16:54.149><c> an</c><00:16:54.350><c> act</c><00:16:54.509><c> of</c><00:16:54.789><c> defiance</c><00:16:55.330><c> and</c><00:16:55.590><c> disrespect,</c><00:16:56.509><c> they</c><00:16:56.710><c> drank</c><00:16:57.129><c> from</c>

00:16:57.590 --> 00:16:58.649
x
these<00:16:57.850><c> sacred</c><00:16:58.210><c> items</c>

00:16:58.649 --> 00:17:04.049
x
in<00:16:58.830><c> order</c><00:16:59.129><c> to</c><00:16:59.389><c> toast</c><00:16:59.610><c> their</c><00:16:59.909><c> false</c><00:17:00.350><c> gods</c><00:17:00.830><c> of</c><00:17:01.149><c> gold</c><00:17:01.590><c> and</c><00:17:01.850><c> silver,</c><00:17:02.409><c> bronze,</c><00:17:03.570><c> iron,</c>

00:17:04.329 --> 00:17:05.750
x
wood,<00:17:04.690><c> and</c><00:17:04.890><c> stone.</c>

00:17:06.370 --> 00:17:12.849
x
Suddenly,<00:17:09.509><c> a</c><00:17:09.509><c> disembodied</c><00:17:10.210><c> hand</c><00:17:10.769><c> appears</c><00:17:11.509><c> and</c><00:17:12.309><c> writes</c><00:17:12.589><c> on</c>

00:17:12.849 --> 00:17:14.750
x
the<00:17:13.069><c> palace</c><00:17:13.430><c> wall,</c>

00:17:16.390 --> 00:17:21.589
x
identifying<00:17:17.190><c> the</c><00:17:17.990><c> situation</c><00:17:18.650><c> at</c><00:17:18.970><c> hand</c><00:17:19.369><c> and</c><00:17:19.809><c> causing</c><00:17:20.210><c> absolute</c><00:17:20.890><c> terror</c>

00:17:21.589 --> 00:17:23.250
x
in<00:17:21.950><c> Belshazzar.</c>

00:17:24.130 --> 00:17:26.710
x
He<00:17:24.410><c> immediately</c><00:17:24.950><c> summons</c><00:17:25.309><c> his</c><00:17:25.630><c> wise</c><00:17:25.910><c> men.</c>

00:17:27.289 --> 00:17:30.309
x
Now,<00:17:27.490><c> there</c><00:17:27.670><c> seemed</c><00:17:27.869><c> to</c><00:17:27.990><c> be</c><00:17:28.130><c> an</c><00:17:28.269><c> awful</c><00:17:28.490><c> lot</c><00:17:28.990><c> of</c><00:17:29.150><c> summering</c><00:17:29.910><c> of</c>

00:17:30.309 --> 00:17:33.869
x
the<00:17:30.589><c> wise</c><00:17:30.910><c> men</c><00:17:31.509><c> in</c><00:17:32.230><c> the</c><00:17:32.430><c> days</c><00:17:32.609><c> of</c><00:17:32.930><c> Babylon.</c>

00:17:34.630 --> 00:17:38.890
x
He<00:17:35.430><c> summoned</c><00:17:35.750><c> them</c><00:17:36.029><c> in</c><00:17:36.150><c> order</c><00:17:36.529><c> to</c><00:17:37.390><c> interpret</c><00:17:37.789><c> the</c><00:17:38.049><c> writing,</c>

00:17:39.029 --> 00:17:44.490
x
but,<00:17:39.670><c> true</c><00:17:39.890><c> to</c><00:17:40.150><c> form,</c><00:17:41.470><c> they</c><00:17:41.890><c> were</c><00:17:42.490><c> unable</c><00:17:43.089><c> to</c><00:17:43.349><c> do</c><00:17:43.569><c> so.</c>

00:17:47.269 --> 00:17:50.809
x
This<00:17:47.670><c> further</c><00:17:47.990><c> distressed</c><00:17:48.529><c> the</c><00:17:48.849><c> king,</c><00:17:49.690><c> leaving</c><00:17:49.930><c> his</c><00:17:50.309><c> nobles</c>

00:17:50.809 --> 00:17:54.009
x
equally<00:17:51.490><c> confused</c><00:17:52.309><c> and</c><00:17:52.789><c> terrified.</c>

00:17:56.509 --> 00:18:02.269
x
At<00:17:57.309><c> this</c><00:17:57.730><c> point,</c><00:17:58.690><c> the</c><00:17:58.869><c> queen,</c><00:17:59.890><c> most</c><00:18:00.170><c> likely</c><00:18:00.690><c> the</c><00:18:01.170><c> king's</c><00:18:01.609><c> mother</c><00:18:01.930><c> or</c>

00:18:02.269 --> 00:18:04.230
x
perhaps<00:18:02.690><c> his</c><00:18:03.210><c> grandmother,</c>

00:18:04.470 --> 00:18:09.210
x
suggests<00:18:04.910><c> that</c><00:18:05.210><c> Daniel,</c><00:18:06.190><c> who</c><00:18:06.329><c> was</c><00:18:06.609><c> known</c><00:18:06.849><c> for</c><00:18:07.130><c> his</c><00:18:07.450><c> wisdom</c><00:18:07.970><c> and</c><00:18:08.390><c> ability</c><00:18:08.869><c> to</c>

00:18:09.210 --> 00:18:11.849
x
interpret<00:18:09.630><c> dreams</c><00:18:10.109><c> in</c><00:18:10.369><c> the</c><00:18:10.450><c> days</c><00:18:10.670><c> of</c><00:18:10.910><c> Nebuchadnezzar,</c><00:18:11.710><c> be</c>

00:18:11.849 --> 00:18:13.029
x
called<00:18:12.130><c> upon.</c>

00:18:13.769 --> 00:18:17.289
x
So<00:18:14.009><c> Daniel</c><00:18:14.250><c> is</c><00:18:14.609><c> brought</c><00:18:14.890><c> before</c><00:18:15.309><c> the</c><00:18:15.650><c> king,</c><00:18:16.450><c> who</c><00:18:16.809><c> promises</c>

00:18:17.289 --> 00:18:20.869
x
him<00:18:17.690><c> great</c><00:18:18.049><c> rewards</c><00:18:18.730><c> for</c><00:18:19.109><c> interpreting</c><00:18:19.630><c> the</c><00:18:19.990><c> writing.</c>

00:18:21.949 --> 00:18:28.470
x
However,<00:18:23.190><c> Daniel</c><00:18:23.369><c> refuses</c><00:18:24.089><c> the</c><00:18:24.390><c> rewards</c><00:18:24.970><c> and</c><00:18:25.750><c> agrees</c><00:18:26.390><c> to</c><00:18:26.829><c> interpret</c><00:18:27.410><c> the</c><00:18:27.950><c> message,</c>

00:18:28.930 --> 00:18:32.269
x
making<00:18:29.289><c> it</c><00:18:29.809><c> clear</c><00:18:30.109><c> that</c><00:18:30.369><c> the</c><00:18:30.650><c> interpretation</c><00:18:31.329><c> did</c><00:18:31.690><c> not</c><00:18:31.970><c> come</c>

00:18:32.269 --> 00:18:36.069
x
from<00:18:32.490><c> him</c><00:18:33.210><c> or</c><00:18:34.049><c> from</c><00:18:34.329><c> the</c><00:18:34.529><c> idols</c><00:18:34.750><c> of</c><00:18:35.069><c> Babylon,</c>

00:18:36.769 --> 00:18:42.789
x
but<00:18:37.049><c> from</c><00:18:37.289><c> the</c><00:18:37.450><c> Most</c><00:18:37.730><c> High</c><00:18:38.009><c> God,</c><00:18:40.210><c> who</c><00:18:40.410><c> made</c><00:18:40.910><c> himself</c><00:18:41.509><c> known</c><00:18:42.150><c> to</c>

00:18:42.789 --> 00:18:43.950
x
King<00:18:43.009><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c>

00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:48.470
x
and<00:18:44.829><c> whom</c><00:18:45.109><c> King</c><00:18:45.430><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:18:46.250><c> acknowledged</c><00:18:47.009><c> and</c><00:18:47.910><c> decreed</c>

00:18:48.470 --> 00:18:50.650
x
commandments<00:18:49.190><c> concerning.</c>

00:18:53.309 --> 00:19:00.630
x
Daniel<00:18:53.549><c> further</c><00:18:53.910><c> makes</c><00:18:55.109><c> Belshazzar</c><00:18:56.369><c> aware</c><00:18:56.970><c> of</c><00:18:58.089><c> how</c><00:18:58.349><c> God</c><00:18:58.670><c> dealt</c><00:18:58.990><c> with</c><00:18:59.210><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c>

00:19:00.630 --> 00:19:05.289
x
and<00:19:00.890><c> how</c><00:19:01.130><c> the</c><00:19:01.410><c> Most</c><00:19:01.730><c> High</c><00:19:02.069><c> God</c><00:19:02.430><c> gave</c><00:19:02.789><c> Nebuchadnezzar</c><00:19:03.789><c> a</c><00:19:03.950><c> kingdom</c><00:19:04.509><c> and</c>

00:19:05.289 --> 00:19:08.910
x
majesty<00:19:06.029><c> and</c><00:19:06.609><c> glory</c><00:19:07.150><c> and</c><00:19:07.750><c> honor.</c>

00:19:09.589 --> 00:19:17.289
x
Daniel<00:19:10.549><c> further</c><00:19:11.150><c> scolds</c><00:19:12.150><c> Belshazzar</c><00:19:13.069><c> for</c><00:19:13.690><c> not</c><00:19:14.170><c> learning</c><00:19:14.470><c> from</c><00:19:14.769><c> Nebuchadnezzar's</c><00:19:15.849><c> humiliation</c><00:19:16.690><c> at</c>

00:19:17.289 --> 00:19:20.990
x
the<00:19:17.529><c> hands</c><00:19:17.809><c> of</c><00:19:18.109><c> God</c><00:19:18.569><c> due</c><00:19:19.150><c> to</c><00:19:19.390><c> his</c><00:19:19.809><c> arrogance.</c>

00:19:23.450 --> 00:19:28.009
x
Daniel<00:19:23.710><c> then</c><00:19:24.650><c> proceeds</c><00:19:25.210><c> to</c><00:19:25.549><c> explain</c><00:19:26.009><c> the</c><00:19:27.509><c> writing,</c>

00:19:28.430 --> 00:19:34.029
x
meaning<00:19:28.829><c> that</c><00:19:29.529><c> God</c><00:19:29.950><c> has</c><00:19:30.630><c> numbered</c><00:19:30.970><c> Belshazzar's</c><00:19:32.250><c> kingdom</c><00:19:32.690><c> and</c><00:19:33.470><c> brought</c><00:19:33.750><c> it</c>

00:19:34.029 --> 00:19:35.289
x
to<00:19:34.150><c> an</c><00:19:34.309><c> end.</c>

00:19:35.789 --> 00:19:39.990
x
He<00:19:36.349><c> has</c><00:19:36.609><c> been</c><00:19:36.869><c> weighed</c><00:19:37.349><c> and</c><00:19:38.430><c> found</c><00:19:38.890><c> wanting.</c>

00:19:41.170 --> 00:19:45.210
x
And<00:19:41.630><c> as</c><00:19:41.910><c> revealed</c><00:19:42.329><c> in</c><00:19:42.609><c> the</c><00:19:42.869><c> dream</c><00:19:43.150><c> of</c><00:19:43.390><c> Nebuchadnezzar's</c><00:19:44.210><c> image,</c>

00:19:45.710 --> 00:19:49.829
x
his<00:19:46.069><c> kingdom</c><00:19:46.549><c> is</c><00:19:46.910><c> to</c><00:19:47.049><c> be</c><00:19:47.349><c> divided</c><00:19:47.849><c> and</c><00:19:48.569><c> given</c><00:19:48.930><c> to</c><00:19:49.269><c> the</c><00:19:49.509><c> Medes</c>

00:19:49.829 --> 00:19:51.349
x
and<00:19:50.109><c> Persians.</c>

00:19:52.750 --> 00:19:59.089
x
That<00:19:53.069><c> very</c><00:19:53.390><c> night,</c><00:19:54.970><c> Belshazzar</c><00:19:55.710><c> is</c><00:19:56.589><c> killed,</c><00:19:58.109><c> and</c><00:19:58.329><c> Darius</c><00:19:58.750><c> the</c>

00:19:59.089 --> 00:20:01.210
x
Mede<00:19:59.430><c> takes</c><00:19:59.829><c> over</c><00:20:00.150><c> the</c><00:20:00.369><c> kingdom.</c>

00:20:01.710 --> 00:20:11.009
x
In<00:20:02.970><c> short,</c><00:20:04.809><c> Daniel</c><00:20:04.990><c> 5</c><00:20:06.349><c> powerfully</c><00:20:07.369><c> underscores</c><00:20:08.210><c> the</c><00:20:08.650><c> consequences</c><00:20:09.289><c> of</c><00:20:09.690><c> pride</c><00:20:10.230><c> and</c>

00:20:11.009 --> 00:20:13.289
x
disrespect<00:20:11.710><c> towards</c><00:20:12.210><c> God,</c>

00:20:13.430 --> 00:20:17.509
x
as<00:20:13.569><c> well</c><00:20:13.849><c> as</c><00:20:14.009><c> the</c><00:20:14.329><c> importance</c><00:20:14.730><c> of</c><00:20:14.990><c> acknowledging</c><00:20:15.670><c> his</c><00:20:16.410><c> sovereignty.</c>

00:20:19.650 --> 00:20:24.329
x
Based<00:20:20.049><c> on</c><00:20:20.390><c> ongoing</c><00:20:21.269><c> events</c><00:20:22.009><c> in</c><00:20:22.609><c> the</c><00:20:22.930><c> Promised</c><00:20:23.210><c> Land,</c>

00:20:24.829 --> 00:20:29.329
x
it<00:20:25.390><c> is</c><00:20:25.670><c> clear</c><00:20:26.069><c> that</c><00:20:26.410><c> God's</c><00:20:27.089><c> promise</c><00:20:27.410><c> to</c><00:20:27.710><c> Abraham</c><00:20:28.309><c> is</c><00:20:28.869><c> still</c>

00:20:29.329 --> 00:20:30.789
x
being<00:20:29.809><c> fulfilled.</c>

00:20:31.509 --> 00:20:35.549
x
Accordingly,<00:20:32.769><c> God's</c><00:20:33.069><c> promise</c><00:20:33.450><c> to</c><00:20:33.670><c> bless</c><00:20:33.970><c> all</c><00:20:34.309><c> people</c><00:20:34.690><c> through</c><00:20:34.970><c> Israel</c>

00:20:35.549 --> 00:20:38.670
x
is<00:20:36.289><c> still</c><00:20:36.750><c> absolutely</c><00:20:37.690><c> apparent.</c>

00:20:39.990 --> 00:20:44.849
x
The<00:20:40.430><c> teaching</c><00:20:40.970><c> of</c><00:20:41.730><c> the</c><00:20:41.950><c> death</c><00:20:42.170><c> and</c><00:20:42.430><c> resurrection</c><00:20:43.029><c> of</c><00:20:43.769><c> Jesus</c><00:20:44.250><c> Christ</c>

00:20:44.849 --> 00:20:50.869
x
and<00:20:46.009><c> the</c><00:20:46.309><c> growth</c><00:20:46.730><c> and</c><00:20:47.069><c> influence</c><00:20:47.730><c> of</c><00:20:48.470><c> his</c><00:20:49.069><c> word</c><00:20:49.690><c> through</c><00:20:50.089><c> the</c><00:20:50.309><c> world</c>

00:20:50.869 --> 00:20:57.250
x
have<00:20:51.829><c> been</c><00:20:52.269><c> made</c><00:20:52.910><c> possible</c><00:20:53.569><c> through</c><00:20:54.130><c> God's</c><00:20:54.890><c> choice</c><00:20:55.509><c> of</c><00:20:56.009><c> Israel</c><00:20:56.589><c> as</c>

00:20:57.250 --> 00:20:58.609
x
his<00:20:57.529><c> people.</c>

00:20:59.930 --> 00:21:05.809
x
It<00:21:00.289><c> therefore</c><00:21:01.670><c> behooves</c><00:21:02.809><c> people</c><00:21:03.369><c> who</c><00:21:04.069><c> accept</c><00:21:04.329><c> Jesus</c><00:21:04.769><c> as</c><00:21:05.069><c> the</c><00:21:05.329><c> Christ</c>

00:21:05.809 --> 00:21:10.670
x
to<00:21:06.470><c> appreciate</c><00:21:07.109><c> the</c><00:21:07.470><c> great</c><00:21:07.670><c> blessing</c><00:21:08.069><c> of</c><00:21:08.369><c> God</c><00:21:09.109><c> channeled</c><00:21:09.849><c> through</c><00:21:10.269><c> his</c>

00:21:10.670 --> 00:21:14.289
x
chosen<00:21:11.089><c> people,</c><00:21:12.269><c> the</c><00:21:12.430><c> nation</c><00:21:12.930><c> of</c><00:21:13.349><c> Israel.</c>

00:21:14.849 --> 00:21:21.750
x
In<00:21:15.609><c> short,</c><00:21:17.750><c> the</c><00:21:17.849><c> history</c><00:21:18.329><c> is</c><00:21:18.769><c> revealed</c><00:21:19.130><c> by</c><00:21:19.450><c> Daniel</c><00:21:19.950><c> and</c><00:21:21.390><c> is</c>

00:21:21.750 --> 00:21:24.470
x
real<00:21:22.210><c> and</c><00:21:22.930><c> alive</c><00:21:23.329><c> today,</c>

00:21:24.789 --> 00:21:29.410
x
just<00:21:25.109><c> as</c><00:21:25.349><c> much</c><00:21:25.569><c> so</c><00:21:25.990><c> as</c><00:21:26.150><c> it</c><00:21:26.369><c> was</c><00:21:26.650><c> when</c><00:21:26.849><c> Daniel</c><00:21:27.410><c> was</c><00:21:27.910><c> walking</c><00:21:28.289><c> the</c><00:21:28.529><c> earth.</c>

00:21:30.650 --> 00:21:35.210
x
So<00:21:31.029><c> today</c><00:21:31.410><c> we</c><00:21:31.690><c> read</c><00:21:32.029><c> of</c><00:21:32.210><c> the</c><00:21:32.490><c> destruction</c><00:21:32.910><c> of</c><00:21:33.150><c> Jerusalem</c><00:21:33.750><c> and</c>

00:21:35.210 --> 00:21:37.529
x
the<00:21:35.430><c> captivity</c><00:21:35.970><c> of</c><00:21:36.230><c> its</c><00:21:36.470><c> people.</c>

00:21:38.029 --> 00:21:44.930
x
Today<00:21:38.630><c> we</c><00:21:39.029><c> still</c><00:21:39.529><c> see</c><00:21:39.990><c> the</c><00:21:40.210><c> nations</c><00:21:40.630><c> in</c><00:21:40.910><c> upheaval,</c><00:21:42.089><c> not</c><00:21:42.589><c> trusting</c><00:21:43.009><c> in</c><00:21:43.269><c> their</c><00:21:43.509><c> governments</c><00:21:44.089><c> or</c>

00:21:44.930 --> 00:21:46.029
x
the<00:21:45.170><c> media.</c>

00:21:46.970 --> 00:21:50.849
x
We<00:21:47.309><c> know</c><00:21:47.630><c> that</c><00:21:47.950><c> the</c><00:21:48.390><c> dream</c><00:21:48.569><c> of</c><00:21:48.809><c> Nebuchadnezzar's</c><00:21:49.730><c> image</c><00:21:50.130><c> has</c>

00:21:50.849 --> 00:21:53.589
x
been<00:21:51.269><c> playing</c><00:21:51.589><c> out</c><00:21:52.009><c> through</c><00:21:52.369><c> history</c>

00:21:53.849 --> 00:22:00.690
x
and<00:21:54.269><c> will</c><00:21:54.529><c> continue</c><00:21:54.990><c> to</c><00:21:55.250><c> do</c><00:21:55.470><c> so</c><00:21:56.289><c> until</c><00:21:56.910><c> the</c><00:21:57.349><c> stone</c><00:21:57.750><c> strikes</c><00:21:58.250><c> the</c><00:21:58.609><c> feet</c><00:21:59.029><c> and</c><00:21:59.690><c> the</c><00:22:00.029><c> glory</c><00:22:00.329><c> of</c>

00:22:00.690 --> 00:22:03.750
x
God<00:22:01.210><c> fills</c><00:22:02.210><c> the</c><00:22:02.769><c> earth.</c>

00:22:05.730 --> 00:22:14.809
x
One<00:22:06.470><c> day,</c><00:22:09.750><c> Belshazzar</c><00:22:10.569><c> was</c><00:22:11.910><c> partying</c><00:22:12.450><c> with</c><00:22:12.750><c> a</c><00:22:13.049><c> thousand</c><00:22:13.470><c> noblemen.</c>

00:22:15.289 --> 00:22:18.230
x
He<00:22:16.029><c> had</c><00:22:16.309><c> not</c><00:22:16.470><c> a</c><00:22:16.829><c> care</c><00:22:17.009><c> in</c><00:22:17.210><c> the</c><00:22:17.390><c> world.</c>

00:22:19.329 --> 00:22:23.690
x
He<00:22:19.509><c> was</c><00:22:19.829><c> king</c><00:22:20.230><c> of</c><00:22:20.490><c> the</c><00:22:20.769><c> greatest</c><00:22:21.130><c> nation</c><00:22:21.589><c> on</c><00:22:21.970><c> earth</c><00:22:22.269><c> in</c><00:22:22.569><c> that</c><00:22:22.849><c> era.</c>

00:22:24.670 --> 00:22:28.289
x
More<00:22:25.029><c> money</c><00:22:25.589><c> and</c><00:22:26.069><c> property</c><00:22:26.509><c> than</c><00:22:26.789><c> he</c><00:22:27.009><c> could</c><00:22:27.309><c> ever</c><00:22:27.650><c> possibly</c>

00:22:28.289 --> 00:22:30.450
x
spend<00:22:28.970><c> or</c><00:22:29.549><c> use.</c>

00:22:31.289 --> 00:22:36.170
x
Making<00:22:32.089><c> merry</c><00:22:32.569><c> with</c><00:22:32.809><c> his</c><00:22:33.069><c> nobles,</c><00:22:34.509><c> eating</c><00:22:34.670><c> food,</c><00:22:35.730><c> drinking</c>

00:22:36.170 --> 00:22:40.349
x
wine,<00:22:37.329><c> and</c><00:22:37.549><c> in</c><00:22:37.569><c> short,</c><00:22:38.450><c> enjoying</c><00:22:38.470><c> himself</c><00:22:39.150><c> immensely.</c>

00:22:41.670 --> 00:22:45.750
x
By<00:22:42.009><c> the</c><00:22:42.190><c> end</c><00:22:42.329><c> of</c><00:22:42.509><c> the</c><00:22:42.609><c> night,</c><00:22:44.150><c> he</c><00:22:44.309><c> was</c><00:22:44.730><c> dead.</c>

00:22:47.430 --> 00:22:54.369
x
Young<00:22:47.690><c> people,</c><00:22:49.769><c> brothers</c><00:22:50.069><c> and</c><00:22:50.390><c> sisters,</c><00:22:52.730><c> let's</c><00:22:53.089><c> not</c><00:22:53.410><c> be</c><00:22:53.730><c> fooled</c><00:22:53.970><c> into</c>

00:22:54.369 --> 00:22:58.029
x
thinking<00:22:54.809><c> that</c><00:22:55.250><c> the</c><00:22:55.509><c> same</c><00:22:55.769><c> couldn't</c><00:22:56.170><c> happen</c><00:22:56.630><c> to</c><00:22:56.990><c> any</c><00:22:57.250><c> of</c><00:22:57.450><c> us.</c>

00:22:58.029 --> 00:23:03.029
x
If<00:22:59.150><c> we</c><00:22:59.430><c> were</c><00:22:59.630><c> to</c><00:22:59.849><c> allow</c><00:23:00.289><c> the</c><00:23:00.490><c> ways</c><00:23:00.730><c> of</c><00:23:01.089><c> society</c><00:23:01.630><c> to</c><00:23:02.509><c> dominate</c>

00:23:03.029 --> 00:23:08.130
x
the<00:23:03.309><c> hope</c><00:23:03.470><c> of</c><00:23:03.789><c> salvation</c><00:23:04.410><c> that</c><00:23:04.690><c> God</c><00:23:04.950><c> has</c><00:23:05.250><c> prepared</c><00:23:05.829><c> since</c><00:23:06.829><c> the</c><00:23:07.089><c> beginning.</c>

00:23:09.349 --> 00:23:13.990
x
As<00:23:09.390><c> we</c><00:23:09.769><c> prepare</c><00:23:10.069><c> now</c><00:23:10.930><c> to</c><00:23:11.529><c> share</c><00:23:11.789><c> this</c><00:23:12.130><c> communion</c><00:23:12.690><c> of</c><00:23:13.390><c> the</c><00:23:13.670><c> cup</c>

00:23:13.990 --> 00:23:15.349
x
and<00:23:14.349><c> the</c><00:23:14.549><c> loaf,</c>

00:23:15.690 --> 00:23:21.009
x
let<00:23:15.869><c> us</c><00:23:16.150><c> remember</c><00:23:16.569><c> that</c><00:23:16.849><c> Jesus</c><00:23:17.369><c> is</c><00:23:17.950><c> that</c><00:23:18.410><c> rock</c><00:23:18.769><c> which</c><00:23:20.069><c> is</c><00:23:20.390><c> coming</c><00:23:20.589><c> to</c>

00:23:21.009 --> 00:23:26.710
x
shatter<00:23:21.289><c> the</c><00:23:21.609><c> kingdom</c><00:23:21.890><c> of</c><00:23:22.210><c> man</c><00:23:22.609><c> and</c><00:23:23.349><c> replace</c><00:23:23.829><c> it</c><00:23:24.509><c> with</c><00:23:24.789><c> the</c><00:23:25.029><c> kingdom</c><00:23:25.410><c> of</c><00:23:25.789><c> God.</c>

00:23:26.909 --> 00:23:32.029
x
Let<00:23:27.569><c> us</c><00:23:27.869><c> continue</c><00:23:28.730><c> with</c><00:23:29.250><c> the</c><00:23:29.529><c> faith</c><00:23:29.829><c> of</c><00:23:30.089><c> Daniel,</c><00:23:31.349><c> Shadrach,</c>

00:23:32.369 --> 00:23:34.470
x
Meshach,<00:23:33.190><c> and</c><00:23:33.329><c> Abednego.</c>

00:23:35.410 --> 00:23:39.549
x
And<00:23:35.529><c> may</c><00:23:35.710><c> it</c><00:23:35.869><c> be</c><00:23:36.069><c> said</c><00:23:36.250><c> of</c><00:23:36.490><c> all</c><00:23:36.750><c> of</c><00:23:36.890><c> us</c><00:23:37.569><c> that</c><00:23:38.089><c> we</c><00:23:38.750><c> were</c><00:23:39.069><c> waiting</c>

00:23:39.549 --> 00:23:42.910
x
and<00:23:40.289><c> watching</c><00:23:40.710><c> until</c><00:23:41.710><c> the</c><00:23:41.970><c> end.</c>

00:23:43.349 --> 00:23:46.769
x
Even<00:23:43.630><c> so,</c><00:23:44.069><c> come</c><00:23:44.250><c> Lord</c><00:23:44.549><c> Jesus.</c><00:23:45.970><c> Amen.</c>