A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Jack Whytock at the United Reformed Church of Prince Edward Island, morning service, February 7, 2021. The text is Daniel 7:1-8, 23- 28.
The sermon begins at the 31:47 mark. The marginalization of God’s people that will take place as they live faithfully in this present world is mentioned here. Calvin’s view of the Antichrist as one who opposes nature and God’s Word — the two universals — follows. The climactic vision of Christ’s glorious return and reign begins here.
- Kings come and kings go. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall. God is in control. We should take comfort. We should take hope. The saints have passed this way before. The Ancient of Days who sits on the throne rules over them.
- The Antichrist is a person, but he is larger than a particular person. Antichrist is anything that is in opposition to Christ and his sovereign mediatorial reign. The term is descriptive of a great spiritual battle between anti-christian forces and the people of God and the Lord. There are two words in this world — there is the word of God and there is the word that opposes the word of God — sola Scriptura. God’s word will triumph. Be of good cheer. Men will speak against this word in speech, writing, communication. Persecution and opposition come with this — keep it in perspective. “They shall change the times and the laws”: as Calvin suggested, the laws of nature and God’s word — which were viewed as universals — natural instincts, natural desires. This fits what is going on in our generation — opposition to natural law which is in accord with God’s law.
- The Ancient of Days, the Son of Man shall reign forever and ever. Who is this man? He is the Son of Man in relation to the Father in trinity. Come in the flesh, incarnate. Exalted in the resurrection and again on the 40th day — exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father, seated in session for his people even now.
- Daniel saw him and was overwhelmed. And He shall return in a glorious second exaltation and advent and he shall judge the nations of the earth and his nature and his rule shall be eternal and everlasting and just — all in contrast with the four kings shown in Daniel.
The Son is coming. Keep perspective. Where is your hope? In faith, we are members of his never-ending kingdom. Keep it in perspective as you live in this world and live your life. The spirit of antichrist shall be with us in every generation. Keep it in perspective. Christ shall reign — and he does reign even now.
A Youtube rendition of Onward, Christian Soldiers alluded to in the sermon. The verse referenced by Dr. Whytock:
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain;
gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
