Psalm 46:10, Daniel 2:44

This week we explored how God remains sovereign over the nations throughout history—and how prophecy reveals His ultimate plan to establish an eternal kingdom that will replace all earthly powers.

Sunday – “The First Command: When Knowledge Brings Consequences”

In Eden’s perfect classroom, God gave humanity their first command—not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God wasn’t trying to keep good things from Adam and Eve. He was protecting them from pain that would follow if they tried to run things their own way instead of following His loving guidance. This choice between God’s way and our way continues to shape human history.

Monday – “When Everything Crumbles, What Remains?” (Bolivia)

In the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku high in Bolivia’s Andes Mountains, archaeologist Miguel Alvarez showed students how even the mightiest civilizations eventually return to dust. Like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue with a head of gold but feet of clay, human kingdoms grow less valuable yet more unstable over time. But Daniel’s prophecy gives us hope—God’s kingdom, pictured as a stone not made by human hands, will grow to fill the whole earth and last forever.

Tuesday – “Beasts from the Sea: Surviving in a World of Competing Powers” (Vietnam)

During a monsoon storm in Hue, Vietnam, 81-year-old Grandmother Linh shared with her grandson how Daniel’s vision of beasts rising from a troubled sea helped her survive decades of war and political turmoil. “The beasts always emerge from the sea,” she taught him, “but they never have the final word.” While nations fight like angry waves, Daniel 7 shows us that God sits on His throne above it all, working out His plan.

Wednesday – “Where Land Meets Sea: Finding Solid Ground in a Shifting World” (Iceland)

On Iceland’s volcanic coastline, tour guide Ingrid showed visitors how the island itself stands at the boundary between land and sea. In the Bible, the sea often represents troubled nations and chaos, while the land represents stability and safety. The small white church standing safely above the crashing waves reminded visitors of how God has often provided places of refuge for His people when persecution comes, just as the “earth helped the woman” in Revelation 12.

Thursday – “Sweet Promises, Bitter Truths: When Faith Demands Action” (Ethiopia)

In Ethiopia’s ancient Debre Libanos monastery, Father Dawit shared precious manuscripts preserved for 1,700 years, while Bible worker Aster explained Revelation 10’s angel standing with one foot on sea and one on land. Like John who found God’s message sweet to taste but bitter to digest, Ethiopia’s Christians experienced both joy and suffering while preserving Scripture through centuries—reminding us that God’s final message must reach all nations before Christ returns.

🔥 Personal Reflection:

• Which of this week’s images (crumbling statue, beasts from the sea, land versus sea, or the little book) speaks most directly to challenges you’re facing right now?
• How does understanding prophecy’s big picture help you make sense of today’s chaotic world events?
• What is one simple way you could share God’s love with someone from a different background or culture this week? (Perhaps through a kind word, sharing a meal, or learning about their traditions?)

🙏 Prayer: Sovereign God, when nations rage like troubled waters and human powers rise and fall, thank You for being our solid ground. We’ve seen Your hand throughout history—from Bolivia’s ancient ruins to Vietnam’s turbulent past, from Iceland’s dramatic shores to Ethiopia’s preserved treasures. Help us stand firm like that little Icelandic church above the churning sea. Give us courage to internalize both the sweet promises and bitter truths of Your Word. As we witness the crumbling of human kingdoms, fix our hope on Your eternal mountain that will fill the earth. May we be part of carrying Your final message to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people before Jesus returns. In His name, Amen.