Four Kingdoms Fall. One Kingdom Reigns.

Let's continue in our worship to God and our powerful God. The title of our second message today is, Four Kingdoms Fall, One Kingdom Rains. Four Kingdoms Fall, One Kingdom Rains. And if you have your Bibles, I invite you to open them up to Daniel chapter 7. This is where we're going to begin today, Daniel 7. And I'd like to have you consider something this afternoon. And it is the fact that every single one of us is in what we could say the middle of a story. A story which began long before we were born. And it's a story which has unfolded through thousands of years, through the rise and fall of nations and great earthly kingdoms. And it's a story which God has already revealed to us the ending. God has revealed where it's going, where this world is going.

He's revealed where it's been. And he also reveals what needs to take place before Jesus Christ returns. And that's why I believe that Daniel chapter 7 may be the single most important prophecy for God's people to understand, particularly at this moment in history. Why is that? Well, it's because Daniel 7 takes us through thousands of years of history, revealing four great world kingdoms, earthly kingdoms, that would rise and fall just as God foretold. And remarkably, it brings us to a final revival of the Roman Empire, which will exist at the time of Christ's return. And I believe this is where this prophecy becomes immensely personal, because this final world power will challenge the very authority of God, and it will oppose His truth, and it will seek to persecute those who remain faithful to God. And so it's at this point that this prophecy isn't simply about ancient kings or ancient kingdoms. It's about us. It's about our conviction. It's about our faithfulness. It's about our relationship with God, and whether, as we heard, we are developing the spiritual courage and faithfulness to stand to the end. And God hasn't revealed these things that we're going to review today to frighten us. He's revealed these things because He wants us to know, and He wants us to then prepare to be able to persevere, to be part of that final victory of Jesus Christ, because Daniel's prophecies do not end with a triumphant earthly kingdom.

It, in fact, ends with Jesus Christ establishing His kingdom and His faithful men and women sharing in that kingdom forever. So the time to understand and prepare for what God has revealed for tomorrow is today. So with all of that for our consideration, let's give ourselves to Daniel chapter 7 in the time that we have today. Before we start reading, let me sketch in a little background here, because at this moment of Daniel chapter 7, we find Daniel, at this point, had been taken into captivity some 55 years earlier. You know, the events of chapter 1 where Daniel and his family are taken captive. They're here chapter 7. This is 55 years later that they had been in captivity. So perhaps Daniel, at this point, is probably in his early 70s, we could assume. And he now has revealed to him in a vision that of incredible beasts, beasts coming out of the sea. And he receives this interpretation along with the vision from one of God's angels. Here, when we're breaking in here to chapter 7, he is now under the reign of Belshazzar. He certainly must have recalled the vision that he interpreted back in chapter 2, that of the giant human image, that statue you know of there in chapter 2, with its four medals and progression on the statue. It's revealed that those medals actually represent four earthly kingdoms. So that statue of chapter 2 representing four empires and kingdoms now are represented in four beasts that we're going to see here in chapter 7. Four beasts that arise out of the chaos of a sea here. So he must have thought back to that previous vision that he interpreted there. But now comes this prophetic dream of those same empires, four empires represented by four beasts, with the fourth empire reviving and becoming the empire that will be reigning at the time of Jesus Christ. So here it is. Without further delay, Daniel chapter 7. Let's begin reading in verse 1 through verse 8.

Daniel records, In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions in his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, I saw in the vision by night, and behold four winds of heaven were stirring up a great sea. And four great beasts came out from the sea, each different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagle's wings. And I watched until those wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. Suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said to it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. This beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth, and it was devouring, and it was breaking in pieces and trampling the residue under its feet.

It, this fourth beast, was different from the other beasts that were before it. It had ten horns, and as I was considering these horns, another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom the three of the first horns were plucked out by its roots. And there in this horn were eyes, like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. Let's stop there. Whew! It's not easy, is it? We've only read, like, just the first half of the chapter, and there's so much to take in here. Weird creatures, you can see them up on the screen there, mysterious symbols, perplexing images, horns, horns being plucked up. Little horn, this little horn has eyes and a mouth, speaks. Quite daunting. And because it is quite daunting, many have just vacated any notion of trying to understand it here. But if we want to look into these end-time events, it's important that we don't shy away from a study like this. It's incredible. It gives us incredible spiritual insight by Daniel that we need to hear today. So, where does one begin? Where does one begin when you face a study like this? Well, perhaps the best place to begin is to understand the language that's being employed here. Many have described this language of Daniel and of Revelation. They've put a label on it as being apocalyptic literature. Perhaps you've heard that. Apocalyptic literature. This is a genre which is used out of necessity.

This type of language is used when the Bible wants to describe the drama of a thing, which is so perplexing, so overwhelming. The normal literature mechanisms just don't do the job, you see. How do you describe the undescribable? And how do you describe what's going to happen at the end of the age when all this is brought to an end? How can you use language employed so that the initial readers could understand and yet also be understood by us today here in the 21st century? You know, if it was written exactly the way they might understand it, we might not. Or if it was written in our context within the initial readers in the first century, you couldn't understand it, you see.

So God knows that. It allows for this kind of genre, this apocalyptic literature, to be used here. Lots of imagery here. So verse 1, first year of Belshazzar, Daniel's lying in his bed, no ordinary dream comes to him, and he saw a vision by night. Verse 2, Behold, four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. Four winds of heaven.

That's familiar to us. North, south, east, west, you know, covering all directions. But these winds here, it says they are four winds of heaven. Don't read by that. That's important here.

Four winds of heaven. What could that mean to us today? Well, to me, it means simply that God is in control. God is sovereign. Nothing is out of control. These are four winds of heaven stirring up the sea in which these beasts emerge, you see. Nothing's out of control here. This is the control of heaven to which these beasts emerge.

Four great beasts come out of the sea, each one different than the other. Again, we need not be any doubt these represent four kingdoms. If you just allow your eyes to go down to verse 17, they're very clear. It says, verse 17, those great beasts which are four, well, they are four kingdoms, kings, which arise out of the earth. Very clear there. And if we're correct in connecting this with chapter 2 and the vision of the statue, we're still dealing with those same four empires. What are they? Babylonian Empire, Medo-Persia Empire, the Greek Empire, and the Roman Empire.

I'll say them again very quickly here. Babylonian, history to Daniel, Medo-Persia, future to Daniel, history to us. So, Babylonian, Medo-Persia, and then the Grecian Empire, the Greek Empire, and finally the fourth is the Roman Empire.

Each of these four empires are giving, are connected to an animal, logical. If you think of America, you might think of the eagle, right? Always think at this point, be thankful that Benjamin Franklin didn't get his way, or America would be associated with the turkey instead of the eagle. I think that's history. I think I'm representing Mr. Franklin in the proper way there. But anyway, here we go. Let's get right to it. Vision number one. Well, it's here in verse 3 and 4. This represents the kingdom of Babylon. Verse 3 and 4. And four great beasts came out of the sea, each one different than the other. The first was like a lion, this is the kingdom of Babylon, and had eagle's wings, and I watched until the wings were plucked off, and this beast was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. Let's stop there. Again, this is associated with the head of gold of chapter 2. So it's described this first kingdom like a lion with eagle's wings plucked out, stands up from the ground, a man's heart is given to it. Whatever could this mean?

Well, and does this line up with Nebuchadnezzar in his kingdom? Well, absolutely. Absolutely. Scripture's remarkable in this way. We remember at the time of King Nebuchadnezzar when he was reduced to be in a state like an animal. You remember that context? Cast out of his kingdom to eat grass like an animal, actually. And his hair grew on his back like the eagle's feathers, and his claws became like bird claws. Let's just read that briefly. Keep your marker here. Look back to Daniel 4, beginning in verse 32 through 33 here. Daniel 4, Babylon, this first beast. Nebuchadnezzar was looking out upon all his goods, upon all his earthly kingdom, taking credit for himself. Pride had overtaken his heart, and God then would exile him to humble him, caused him to be like in an animal state for seven years. Chapter 4, verse 32 and 33, And they shall drive you from men, Nebuchadnezzar, and your dwelling shall be with the beast of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen, seven times, seven years shall pass over you, until you should know that the most high rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he chooses. God's in control. In that very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, ate grass like oxen. His body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair had grown like eagle's feathers, and his nails like bird's claws. Let's stop there. So, turning back to Daniel 7, verse 4, this is the imagery that we see, representative of Babylonian empire, that Babylonian kingdom. The plucking out of the lion's eagle wings, symbolizing his reduction from his pride and power, driven out like an animal. But seven years later, he was restored, and he was able to stand up on two feet like a man again, and a man's heart was given back to him, lifting him from that animal-like state. You see.

So, this prophecy here of Daniel 7, verse 4, it is speaking of this kingdom in history there. Very clear. Also, if you know anything about this characteristic of Babylon, particularly during Nebuchadnezzar's time, he constructed the Istargate. The entrance was adorned with yellow lions, like a procession. Beautiful. Blue glazed brick. Istargate was known as one of the initial seven wonders of the ancient world. So, this is the connection with the lion here. So, that's vision number one. No matter how prideful or how much power Nebuchadnezzar had, he would be disposed of and replaced by another. Brings us to the second earthly kingdom, found here in Daniel 7, verse 5.

This is the kingdom of Media Persia. Okay. Daniel 7, verse 5. Suddenly another beast, a second like a bear this time, raised up on one side, had three ribs in his mouth between its teeth. And they said, thus to it, arise, devour much flesh there. So, again, this is the second kingdom, the kingdom of Media Persia. It lines up here with the chapter 2 of the statue of the chest and arms of silver here. This kingdom, the Media Persian kingdom, was led by King Cyrus, conquered and succeeded Nebuchadnezzar here. So, does this imagery line up? Well, amazingly, yes. Persia was absolutely like a bear. Big, a big empire, a frightening empire. And you have this imagery of a bear being raised on one side here. To give us a little insight on that, again, keep your marker here. Turn forward to Daniel 8, just one chapter forward, to another vision which identifies this second beast as the Media Persia kingdom, which followed Nebuchadnezzar in history. So, look at Daniel 8, verse 3 and 4 here, just a moment. We're not going to spend too much time on this, but we have this concept of one higher than the other. Daniel 8, verse 3 and 4, another vision which helps us understand the second beast. Daniel 8, verse 3, Then I lifted my eyes and saw that there was standing beside the river a ram, which had two horns, and the two horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. And I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, southward, so that no animal could withstand him. This is the Media Persia empire overtaking the then known world at that time. Nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.

And then go down to verse 20, where it says, the ram which you saw having two horns, well, they are the kings of Media and Persia. Okay, so going back to chapter 7 and verse 5, we have these two kingdoms identified, one higher than the other. This lines up there. The Persians at that time were absolutely the more dominant section of this kingdom. So one was raised higher than the other, but they had incredible military success dominating at that time. The three ribs, it seems to line up that these three ribs and the bear's mouth are symbolic of the three major conquests that this kingdom accomplished during under the leadership of King Cyrus. So it's absolutely awesome. And this is an incredible vision that God is giving Daniel here of this future kingdom. And how could this be accomplished?

How could God give this prophecy, this knowledge to Daniel in advance? How can God accomplish this? Well, this is only happening by the enabling of the wind from heaven stirring up the sea, granting the ability for these earthly kingdoms to rise, you see. God is in control. No matter what you see around you, never forget that. But the Medo-Persian Empire would eventually fall, as history records, to the Grecian Empire. That brings us to the third beast here, Daniel 7 verse 6. Third beast, the Grecian Empire. Let's hear about it, this third beast, chapter 7 verse 6. After this, I looked, and there was another like a leopard this time. Well, it had four wings on its back, four wings like that of a bird. And the beast also had four heads. And dominion was given to it. Who gives dominion? Well, God allows and gives dominion to these earthly kings here. So this is the powerful Greek Empire, represented by four-winged, four-headed leopard. Powerful, swift kingdom.

This correlates with the next chapter's vision as we consider these four wings and heads here of the leopard. Look at chapter 8 once again, but this time at verse 20 through 22 here, where we have this kingdom identified, the third beast of the kingdom of Greece. Daniel 8 verse 20 through 22. Here's a vision that helps us understand this third beast. The ram which you saw, verse 20, having two horns, they are the kings of Media Persia, and the male goat is the kingdom of Greece, and a large horn was between its eyes is the first king.

As for the broken horn and the four that stood in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of this nation, but not with its power, not with its original power. Let's stop there. So this is the Grecian Empire here. Going back to Daniel 7 verse 6. Daniel 7 verse 6 again. This is the leopard, four heads, four wings on its back. History records that after Alexander the Great's death, four leaders arose at that time, and they actually separated into four different, they separated the Grecian Empire into four different sections, you see, a few years after Alexander's death. So there we see the symbolism there. The leopard, swift and dangerous. Well, if you ever read a biography on Alexander the Great, so swift, so dangerous here, he was able to destroy the Medo-Persia Empire so quickly, a powerful bear of an empire, and he did it so in like 10 years, and he was like 32 years old. And as the world looks on, looked on, they marveled. How could such a young man destroy such a vast empire like the Medo-Persia Empire? Well, dominion was given to it. You see, it wasn't Alexander the Great's power. Dominion was given to it to allow for this prophetic continuance here. So you have to stand far enough back from these beasts here. The winds of heaven are blowing upon the sea, which allows for these beasts to emerge. You see, God is in control. God is in control even over evil earthly kingdoms.

Important to keep in mind, because there is a fourth beast, and he's not like any of the others.

Daniel 7, verse 7 and 8. After this, I saw in the night vision, and behold, the fourth beast, dreadful, terrible, exceedingly strong, huge iron teeth, devouring, breaking into pieces, trampling the residue with its feet. Different from the other beasts that were before it, it had ten horns. And Daniel says, as I was considering the horns, verse 8, there was another horn, this is odd, a little horn, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by its roots. And there in this horn were eyes, like the eyes of a man in a mouth speaking pompous words. Wow! And we know who conquered and took over the kingdom of Greece. Well, it was the Roman Empire. History records that. Signified by iron here, there was a toughness, there was a ruthlessness of this Roman Empire that crushed everything in its path. Rome, the fourth kingdom, was particularly cruel and evil, different from the others. And this kingdom here, as revealed by Daniel, is in fact that Roman Empire, and it began to challenge in such a way unlike anything before. The fourth empire is shown here as speaking pompous words, and we're going to see that those pompous words were actually spoken against God Himself. Now, notice verse 8 again as it speaks of this little horn that plucks out the first three horns speaking pompous words. So here, if we continue to read, we get a little bit more information about this fourth government here to help us understand what that means here.

And I'll do well to remind you, the final revival of this Roman Empire will be in existence at Christ's return. You see, it's very, very personal to us today. It not only, this fourth empire, not only exists, existed in past, history passed, not only exists subsequent nine revivals, but it will in fact be the governing empire at the time of the return of Jesus Christ. Let's read more about this. Daniel 7. Look at verses 15 through 25 here.

Understandably, hearing about this fourth beast, Daniel was very grieved in his spirit. Daniel 7 verse 15 through 25. It says, "'I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near one of those who stood by and asked him the truth of all this. So he said to me and made known to me the interpretation of these things. Those great beasts which are the four kings that will arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most high shall receive the kingdom that possesses the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'" Well, verse 19, Daniel wished to know more. Then I wished to know more the truth about this fourth beast, which was different from the others, exceedingly dreadful teeth of iron, nails of bronze, devoured, broken to pieces, trampled the residue within its feet, and the ten horns that were on its head. And then another horn which came up before which three fell, namely that horn which had eyes and a mouth, which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. I was watching, verse 21, in the same horn that little horn was making war against the saints and prevailing against them until the ancients of days came, future to us. And a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the most high, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. Wow, let's stop there. So we're quickly propelled into not history, but that which is yet to come here. Continuing, verse 23 here. Well, yeah, no, referring to there, verse 23 through 25 there. So this is the incredible fourth kingdom which was and will be. And brethren, this fourth kingdom is going to be exceedingly dreadful here. The fourth kingdom will, in fact, be the kingdom that will rise to challenge the most high himself and the saints, God's people. So again, this is future to us. So what do we know? What do we know here? Let's think about these ten horns here, verse 24. These ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from the kingdom. So very clear here. In other words, by the conclusion of this fourth empire, the Roman Empire, there will be ten different revivals. Revivals throughout history, at different times of history, the rise and fall of these ten different revivals of the fourth Roman kingdom. With the final revival, the Roman Empire's final resurrection into power will occur at the existence of Christ's return. The final revival of the Roman Empire, there will be a king which comes against the most high himself here.

Let's focus in on verse 24 again. The ten horns are ten kings, verse 24, which shall rise from the kingdom, and another shall rise after them. He shall be different from the others, and shall should subdue the three kings. So the little horn pushes up after three horns, and it shall subdue the first three kings. History lesson. There were three revivals of the Roman Empire, and this little horn rises up to join itself with the Roman Empire after three subsequent revivals. And you have this, something's different about this little horn. There's a religious element to it, because it begins to speak pompous words against the most high himself. History understands this. In the fifth century, there were three non-Roman leaders that took control of the of Rome. These first three revivals were leaders that were non-Roman, non-Catholic rulers of the Roman Empire. But after the reign of these first three rulers, the papacy, the Roman Catholic Church, would rise to play a major role in the subsequent revivals. You see, history records the first three reigns of the Roman Empire were these first three horns. They did not involve the papacy. Following those revivals, the Roman Empire would have a different look. Now, with the Roman Catholic Church, they joined this government union.

And the little horn would come onto the scene from the rest of the revivals to come, joining an already dreadful empire here. And it's described as unifying and, in the end, becoming an enemy to God Himself. Again, you can look there at verse 25.

Pompous words. Now, this final revival. Pompous words against the Most High and persecuting the saints. And though we even intend to change times and law, and the saints shall be given over to His hand. There is a certain persecution that we will, some will receive, God's people.

Of course, Constantine, the Roman Empire Constantine, would decide to make Christianity and histories past the official state religion, unifying and strengthening his empire. This was a state-sponsored church, grew and evolved. The Pope, at different various times, had even as much power to depose of kings. That's how much power the Pope had. But this unholy union between church and state would occur, just like it will occur in the future. And its power lies, in a mouth-speaking pompous words, the power to change times and law.

The study of the Roman Catholic Church in history, the first four centuries after Christ died, upheavals would occur, doctrinal upheavals, changes that centered around, changing the very God-given day of worship from Saturday to Sunday, changing times, changing law itself, you see. It's great power. But make no doubt, this is the personification of evil, the eyes and the mouth in opposition to God. And you realize this is what propels us to the prophecies of Revelation and the end time, when John anticipates governmental beast power joining with an Antichrist.

So let's see the culmination of it all. Turn with me to Revelation 13 in verse 1.

Revelation 13 verse 1, where now this little horn is symbolic, is the Antichrist, together with the final earthly kingdom, and they seek to make war empowered by none other than the dragon himself, Satan the Devil, who's working behind the scenes. Look at John's vision here. And you can see how John brings Daniel's vision together in harmony. Revelation 13 verse 1 and 2, And I stood on the sand of the sea, and I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads were blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard. His feet were like that of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. Notice the dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. Let's stop there. So we see the composite of the beast here that we just read about in Daniel. You know, this may give an indication that as each empire overtook another, it took on the previous empire's evil characteristics, you see, to then come together in this fourth beast, and this all empowered by the dragon, Satan the devil himself, to give him his power, his throne, and great authority. And Satan the devil, this dragon of old, deceives the world, will wield incredible power in the end time. John concludes here.

Notice verse 3. And I saw in one of its heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. So there's going to be miracles involved here. Just when you think it's been defeated, it will be healed, and the world marveled and followed the beast, the world.

Now notice this religious dimension, verse 4. So they worshiped the dragon, who gave authority, the dragon gave authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? Who will be able to make war with him?

And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for 42 months. That's three and a half years.

Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blasphem his name, his tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him, it was granted to him, to make war with the saints, to overcome them. And authority was given, so granted, given. Don't miss out on these words here. God is sovereign. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. And all who dwell on earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the book of life, the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Wow! This is incredible. This union between the church and the state, its aim, as it always is, is worship. He wants worship. And you have this world coming together, this unification, unification against God and his people. So this little horn, this false prophet, this unholy union between the Roman Empire and itself will be there at the end, at Christ's return. And it will look to garner worship, even our worship, God's people, if it could. It's going to entangle the world system spiritually, commercially, culturally, and it's absolutely terrifying to think about.

So you let that, you receive the weight of that. But then, we, as God's people, we take a deep breath and we straighten our shoulders. Why? How can we do that? Well, we know who has ultimate sovereignty and control. And did you know there's not only four kingdoms? In fact, there's another one. Daniel's vision doesn't stop with the fourth empire, this fourth superpower. Rather, concerning the Roman Catholic Church and the Roman Empire, there will be an end, a final prophetic fulfillment, wherein the end, the beast, the governmental entity, and the false prophet will be destroyed, making way for a fifth and final government.

The fifth government, then, is what we'll conclude with here. Let's turn back to chapter seven. Daniel chapter seven and the conclusion of the visions, this great vision of this chapter. Daniel seven, let's receive these words to give us our breath, our strength, our very posture, if you will, to stand firm. Daniel seven, let's conclude here verses nine through fourteen with this fifth and final empire. Daniel seven, verse nine, where Daniel says, I watched in until thrones were put in place and the ancient of days was seated.

His garment was white as snow. His hair on his head was pure, was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire, a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him. And thousand thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated and the books were opened. And I watched then, because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking, I watched till the beast was slain and its body was destroyed and given into the burning flame.

As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. I was watching in the night visions and behold one like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He came to the ancient of days and they brought him near before him. Then to him, that's Jesus Christ, was given dominion and glory in a kingdom that all people's nations languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away. In his kingdom, the one which shall not be destroyed.

Amazing! Like we said, brethren, we are in the middle of this story here. I think we're at the end of this story. Getting closer and closer every day. The story began thousands of years ago. We have the rise and fall of these empires just as God foretold. But again, this story does not end with this dreadful fourth beast. Oh no! It will be given authority for a time, but only for a time. And what makes this prophecy so personal and so deeply meaningful to us is that we see the difficulty come into God's people in the end. And God hasn't revealed these things to just simply give us knowledge. He loves us, and He wants us to recognize what's coming so that we can be ready for it.

Something very wonderfully encouraging about how Daniel's vision here ends. Jesus Christ will return and establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed. So allow this remarkable prophecy to become not simply something we know, but allow it to be something that changes how we live. Use this time that God's given us to prepare our hearts, deepen our convictions, and draw us closer to Him so that when Jesus Christ returns, we will be found faithful and be part of this wonderful kingdom He has promised.

Because, in fact, four kingdoms will fall with only one kingdom—God's kingdom—to reign forever.