Join us as we enter into the first six chapters of Daniel! We cover the Fiery Furnace, the Lion's Den, and the grave that Christ conquered for us! What does it mean that Jesus descended to the grave/ hell? Well, we answer that in light of this OT narrative displayed for us in our sermon!
Key Doctrine:
The doctrine of Descent: Jesus, when He was laid to rest in the tomb descended to Sheol (under the earth). When He descended He was not there as a victim of sin and death. Rather, He went as Victor and solidified the faith of the OT saints and the damnation of the wicked. Ultimately in His resurrection on the third day, bringing home all those who waited in faith for the coming messiah to be at final rest with God.
Sheol: This is the land of the dead that all of the OT utilizes to talk about two places for the dead: (Psalm 49:15, 1 Samuel 2:6, Job 14:11-14, Job 7:9-10, Isaiah 38:9-11)
- Abrahams’s bosom – Resting place for the faithful saints. Not final, but one where there is separation from the wicked. (Luke 16:22, Job 14:13)
- Hades – A place of torment for the unbeliever. Not final, but the precursor till Christ solidifies to them His reality. (Luke 16:22-23, Isaiah 14:13-15)
o A Prime NT example of this being the truth until Jesus was crucified is Luke 16: 22-26
Psalm 68:18 makes the prophecy that the messiah will lead the captives to home but from where? From the temporal, rest they had till Jesus finished His work on the cross. We see Paul tie this to Christ as he brought victory to the grave. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
Jesus makes two claims on the cross “Into your hands (God’s) I commit my spirit.” & “It is Finished” (John 19:30, Luke 23:46 Psalm 16:10, Ephesians 4:1-16)
- Confidence that as He went to the “under the earth” aka Sheol as the victor, God would raise him up along with the faithful saints of the OT time! (Romans 10:9-10)
This ties us back to Revelation 1: 12-18 passage, Jesus is our victor over death and sin, but He is also sovereign Lord over both the righteous and wicked from the beginning to the end.
Points:
1. Steady peace is found in WHO God is.
a. Experience will change and fail us, divine truth of who God is will never change!
2. In Jesus you are defined! Loved and part of His family!
a. Your emotions and struggles are not who you are, but what you are going through.
3. Stop re-crucifying Jesus. He already conquered this world. Give it all to Him.
Questions:
1. Do the stories of the furnace and the den teach us to rebel against authority for any reason we see fit?
a. Hint: re-read the interactions of the three and with Daniel carefully towards the kings
2. Where is your confidence level in your relationship with Jesus?
a. Daniel was able to say he knew he was innocent before God!
3. Seeing Jesus as the ultimate victor over the grave, does this make us more confident in our salvation?
