Sermon Snippets

EPIC.

This term has become more and more popular over the last decade, especially by the youth of our nation.

My memory is probably totally wrong, but I seem to remember it finding its way into our everyday vernacular after the Lord of the Rings movies and others came out that featured broad and detailed plots. It began to be used about anything that was really enjoyable and great in scope.

Surfing a big wave could be 'epic'. A road trip with college buddies could be 'epic'. A TV show could be 'epic'. Even a wedding could be 'epic'.

Daniel chapter seven reminds me that God invented 'epic'.

God gives Daniel a vision in a dream that displays for him hundreds of years of human history symbolized by beastly creatures who represent human kingdoms that are to come.

Daniel is overwhelmed and dumbfounded by the images and the interpretation he receives. Twice he records that the color left his face (vs.15, 28). This epic vision really is nightmarish, but at its core, it has a message of hope.

While the earthly empires are powerful and terrifying, they are only temporary. God will establish his kingdom and it is one that will never end.

It's a bit of a mystery where we find ourselves exactly within this epic vision, but we know that the Son of Man will return and fully establish the Kingdom of God. We as Christians have a bright hope. While there will be pain and suffering, it's going to be EPIC.