Anchor Verses

Daniel 1:1-21, Revelation 21:1-5, Philippians 3:20-21

Focus Statement

God has not abandoned His people. Until King Jesus establishes His Kingdom in full, we are called to live faithfully in Babylon without letting Babylon live in us.

Introduction – Living Between Two Cities

  • Revelation ends with New Jerusalem descending from heaven.
  • Before New Jerusalem comes, God’s people must live in Babylon.
  • Daniel wasn’t written merely to teach prophecy.
  • Daniel teaches God’s people how to remain faithful while living in Babylon.
  • The question isn’t:
    • “How do I escape Babylon?”
  • The question is:
    • “How do I remain faithful while I’m here?”

Babylon Will Try to Redefine Your Identity

  • Daniel 1:6–7
    • Babylon changed:
      • Daniel’s name
      • His friends’ names
    • Babylon’s goal wasn’t simply new names.
    • It was new identities.
    • Today, Babylon still asks:
      • Find your identity in success.
      • Find your identity in politics.
      • Find your identity in relationships.
      • Find your identity anywhere but Christ.
  • Key Truth: People may try to rename you. Only God has the authority to define you.

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Babylon Will Try to Reshape Your Mind

  • Daniel 1:4–5
    • Daniel spent three years learning Babylonian culture and literature.
    • Notice:
    • He didn’t refuse the education.
    • He refused indoctrination.
    • He learned Babylon’s language.
    • He never adopted Babylon’s worldview.
    • Application
      • Know culture.
      • Engage culture.
      • Don’t let culture disciple you.
    • Key Truth: Know what you believe before Babylon tells you what to believe.

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Babylon Will Try to Redirect Your Worship

  • Daniel 1:8–16
    • The issue wasn’t vegetables.
    • The issue was allegiance.
    • Daniel could serve in Babylon.
    • He would not worship Babylon.
    • Revelation Connection
    • Babylon continually demands our loyalty.
    • Jesus alone deserves our worship.
  • Key Truth: Daniel lived in Babylon…but he never allowed Babylon to live in him.

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Walking it Out – Live Like a Citizen of New Jerusalem

  • Every day we wake up in Babylon.
  • We:
    • Go to work there.
    • Raise our families there.
    • Consume its media.
    • Feel its pressure.
  • But…
    • We belong to another city.
    • Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
  • Until Jesus returns:
    • Know who you are.
    • Know what you believe.
    • Know who you worship.
    • Don’t become Babylon.
    • Be a glimpse of New Jerusalem.
  • We are called to be living tomorrow’s reality today.

Next Week…

  • As we conclude Churchology, we’ll revisit the journey we’ve taken together—from prayer and community to generosity, the sacraments, evangelism, and Revelation—and see how each piece reveals God’s design for His Church. Join us as we celebrate what we’ve learned and look ahead to what God is calling us to become.

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