Daniel 7.1-3, 7.15-18

1 In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: 2 I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, 3 and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. 16 I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: 17 ‘As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever.’

 

 

REFLECTION

I am continually challenged by people into my understanding of what lies beyond death. I had a conversation with a person who believes there is nothing after death but shared an experience of having a friend die and then seeing that friend. It was not a dream or an illusion. I was surprised that having had the experience that they did not believe there was something after death. They saw it as a part of the leaving. 

Daniel shares an experience that came in the form of a dream. What an impact this dream had on Daniel that he had to write it down. I wonder if the attendant was a part of the dream or after the dream. Daniel finds a explanation for the images he saw and though in the form of animals, the dream is about earthly rulers and the divine ruler. there is another kingdom. Can we trust Daniel's dream? 

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Psalm 149

1 O praise the Lord, and sing to the Lord a new song:

O praise him in the assembly of the faithful.

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:

let the children of Zion be joyful in their king.

3 Let them praise him in the dance:

let them sing his praise with timbrel and with harp.

4 For the Lord takes delight in his people:

he adorns the meek with his salvation.

5 Let his faithful ones exult in his glory:

let them sing for joy upon their beds.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths:

and a two-edged sword in their hands,

7 To execute vengeance on the nations:

and chastisement upon the peoples,

8 To bind their kings in chains:

and their nobles with fetters of iron,

9 To visit upon them the judgement that is decreed:

such honour belongs to all his faithful servants.

Praise the Lord.

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Ephesians 1.11-23

11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. 15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

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REFLECTION  

Paul's letter to the Ephesians is to encourage them to continue into the renewing of the minds and their hearts into the mind and heart of God. To pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to direct them in to the life God has called them. Live into God's kingdom now. Live into the blessings. Important it is not done by a will or personal strength, but through a relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

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Luke 6.20-31

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
    for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
22 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.
23 Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24 ‘But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have received your consolation.
25 ‘Woe to you who are full now,
    for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
    for you will mourn and weep.
26 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
27 ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

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REFLECTION

There is a similarity in Lukes's account with the beatitudes of Matthew. Matthew's account looks at those who will be blessed by God for their life on earth. It leaves us with the choice to whether we want to think about those who do not fall into the blessed groups. Luke, however; presents the other side. There is a consequence for those who are part of the blessed groups worldly suffering. It can be a challenging thought to think about the two sides of life and yet it is what we live with every day. I do not believe this is about God's design or plan, but about the reality of human behaviour. The Kingdom of God is a place of sanctuary of peace, love and support. There is no angry, jealousy, greed, or selfishness. God does not reject the person only the behaviour. The act of our faith is the desire to be rid of these behaviours and to enter into the behaviours of God's Kingdom. Today is remembering those we believe have entered into this kingdom and received God's blessings.

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