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The church is under constant attack these days, which can be very discouraging. Matthew 16:13-19 states the beginning of the church. It was founded on Peter’s belief that Jesus was the anointed one and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar wanted his astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed and the interpretation. This was not possible. He ordered them to be killed. Daniel was given both the dream and the interpretation by God. Daniel gave glory to God for telling him the interpretation.
The statue of Nebuchadnezzer’s dream depicted the different kingdoms that would rule. The message of Daniel is that empires rise and empires fall, but the church continues. God is over the kingdoms of the world and over times and seasons. Kings do not live forever, but our God does.
Satan has tried to distract us from Christianity through prosperity and persecution. The church spread throughout the known world from the effects of persecution.
In Romans 5:1-5, Paul talks about hope. What does it mean to glory in trials? Through trials, we develop perseverance and character. In the midst of suffering, what brings us hope? The harder the trials, the more the hope will grow in us. God is faithful and will walk with us through them. Our hope is not mythical. Our hope is that God has promised that the church will endure. In Revelation, the churches all had problems, but they were all given hope. The hope of the church depends on God, his goodness, and his mercy. God will make certain that there is a remnant following Him.