Lesson 5: The Nations, Part 2

5.3 Daniel 7
Tumultuous Seas and the Unshakable Kingdom of God

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Introduction

In a small teahouse on the outskirts of Shanghai, under the pale glow of countless neon signs, Liang sat alone. It was late; the streets lay empty, and a fine mist hung like a veil over the glistening pavement. Before him lay his well-worn Bible. Tonight he had been studying Daniel 7—the vision of surging waters and wild beasts, of restless nations and a coming King who would one day end all chaos.

As the low hum of the city sounded like distant thunder, Liang felt those ancient words of Daniel strike deep in his own heart.

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Bible Study

Question 1: Read Daniel 7:1–3. What lessons emerge from the image of the raging sea?
In Daniel 7, the four beasts rise out of a turbulent sea—symbolic of nations in turmoil. Violence and power-lust characterize human kingdoms. True order and lasting peace can never come from such realms; they must come from God Himself. Chaos is the inevitable result when humanity governs itself.

Question 2: How does Romans 3:10–19 help us understand this world?
Romans lays bare humanity’s fallen nature: “There is none righteous… no one seeks God.” Men may create new political, economic, or philosophical systems—but sin remains in their hearts. Hence every human order will ultimately fail.

Question 3: Why, then, do we urgently need the gospel, as verse 19 indicates?
Because no one can stand before God on their own merit. The law reveals our guilt—but the gospel reveals our salvation. Without Christ, we would be lost in these turbulent waters.

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s kingdom transcends earthly nations: it stands apart from the chaos to bring it to an end.

• We live between two realms: our hearts must be anchored in Christ’s coming kingdom, not in the shifting powers of this world.

• The gospel is our deliverance: only Christ’s truth offers peace amid history’s storms.

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Daily Application

In a world ever more like a stormy sea—wars in Asia, political unrest, economic crises—we must not fix our gaze on the roiling waves. Instead, we lift our eyes to the coming King and live each day in the hope of His reign:

• Trust instead of fear.

• Faithfulness instead of despair.

• Be light where darkness rages.

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Conclusion

God’s kingdom will come—not by human effort, but by divine intervention. Daniel 7 is not a hopeless vision of violence, but a brilliant assurance: the chaos will end. An unshakeable kingdom awaits the faithful.

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Thought of the Day

“Anchored in Christ, we do not falter—even when the seas of this world roar.”

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Touching Illustration – “The Lantern in the Mist”

The mist had grown thicker.
Liang left the teahouse and wandered the narrow, damp alleys of Shanghai. Pale red and gold lanterns glowed everywhere, reflecting on the wet cobblestones.

He heard voices—heated arguments through open windows, street vendors calling out, radios crackling with political debate. The world around him was one vast roar—just like the turbulent sea Daniel had described.

By a small bridge, Liang paused. In the middle of the slowly flowing river, a single, lonely lantern drifted. Someone had set it afloat for a festival.

Despite the current, the lantern floated calmly, its light firm—a tiny star in the mist.

A gentle warmth filled Liang’s heart.
“That is me,” he thought. “Or at least what I should be.”

Not part of the raging waters, but a light moving steadily through the darkness.
Not trapped by the storms of this world, but guided by another King—the King who is coming.

Softly he prayed, the mist wrapping around him:
“Lord, make me a lantern in this misty world.”

Then he walked on—neither faster nor more fearful, but step by step—toward an unshakeable kingdom.