Godchaser Podcast
Join Evan Evans on The God Chaser Podcast, a weekly exploration of faith, spirituality, and personal growth centered on Jesus Christ. Evan, a devoted believer and captivating host guides listeners through engaging conversations and thought-provoking discussions that deepen their understanding of Christ and His teachings.
We delve into topics such as Christ's teachings, the power of prayer, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of community in spiritual growth. The God Chaser Podcast aims to inspire and challenge listeners, equipping them with the tools and insights needed to live a more fulfilling, Christ-centered life.
Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning your faith journey, The God Chaser Podcast with Evan Evans supports and nourishes your spiritual growth. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts and join us each week as we chase after the heart of Jesus, embracing the transformative power of His love and grace.
Godchaser Podcast
Finding Jesus in Daniel's Fiery Faith
The remarkable story of Daniel offers some of Scripture's most vivid portraits of Christ. From Babylon's glittering courts to the brink of lions' jaws, this exile prophet maintained unshakable faith while receiving visions that span the entirety of God's redemptive timeline.
When the world tried to rename and reshape Daniel, he resolved in his heart to preserve his true identity—a powerful model of standing firm in a culture that constantly pressures believers to conform. His unwavering commitment reminds us that our identity isn't determined by cultural labels but by our relationship with God.
Nebuchadnezzar's dream revealed a stone "not cut by human hands" that crushes earthly kingdoms and grows to fill the earth—a perfect picture of Christ's virgin birth and unstoppable kingdom. The third chapter gives us perhaps the most striking Christophany in the Old Testament: the fourth man in the fiery furnace, showing that Jesus doesn't exempt us from suffering but walks with us through our most intense trials.
The prophecy of seventy weeks provides a mathematical timeline that pointed precisely to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, while the Son of Man vision became Christ's favorite self-designation. Through these remarkable revelations, Daniel shows us a Messiah who defeats spiritual powers, transforms human history, and promises resurrection to those who remain faithful.
Whether you're feeling pressured to compromise your values, facing fiery trials, or struggling to maintain faith in challenging circumstances, Daniel's extraordinary life speaks directly to your situation. Subscribe to the God Chaser podcast and discover how to stand firm in your own Babylon while keeping your eyes fixed on the Ancient of Days and His unstoppable kingdom.
Keep chasing after God
Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, where we pursue the heart of God and explore the depths of His wisdom. I'm your host, Evan Evans, and today we're continuing our journey of discovering Jesus in every story of Scripture. Last week, we explored Ezekiel's extraordinary visions of the throne room, the valley of dry bones and the river of life flowing from the temple. Today, we're turning to another prophet of the exile, Daniel, a man whose life and visions give us some of Scripture's most vivid pictures of Christ. From the stone that crushes earthly kingdoms to the Son of man coming on the clouds, from the fourth man in the fiery furnace to the precise timeline of Messiah's coming, Daniel's prophecies map out God's redemptive plan with remarkable precision.
Speaker 1:In this episode, we'll discover how Daniel maintained his identity in a culture that tried to rename him, what the four beasts and the Ancient of Days reveal about Christ's kingdom, why the 77's prophecy gave the exact timeline for Jesus' coming, how the fourth man in the fire pictures Christ in our trials. What Daniel's entire life teaches us about standing firm in Babylon. Whether you're feeling pressured to compromise, like Daniel in the king's court, facing fiery trials like his three friends, needing wisdom beyond human understanding, or simply trying to maintain your faith in a challenging culture. Daniel's story speaks directly to where you are. The God Chaser podcast is committed to helping you see Jesus on every page of Scripture, growing deeper in your faith and understanding God's heart more fully. Whether you're new to the Bible or have walked with God for years, you'll discover fresh insights into how all of Scripture points to Christ.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, the ultimate destination for those yearning to cultivate a passionate, intimate relationship with God. Join your host, Evan Evans, as he explores the depths of scripture, shares inspiring testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God chaser, Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. Let the chase begin.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. I'm your host, evan Evans. Last week we explored Ezekiel's incredible visions the throne of glory, the valley of dry bones, the river of life flowing from the temple. We saw how each vision revealed aspects of Christ's person and work. Today we're looking at another prophet of the exile, daniel, a man who stood faithful in a foreign land and saw visions that reach from ancient Babylon to the end of history itself. Let's begin where Daniel begins, with four young men taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility. The chief official gave them new names to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar, daniel, chapter 1, verses 3 and 7.
Speaker 1:The first thing Babylon tried to change was their identity New names, new language, new education, new culture. This is what the world still does, right. It tries to rename us, reshape us, make us forget who we really are. But look at Daniel's response. Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. Daniel, chapter 1, verse 8. The word resolved here means he set it upon his heart. This wasn't just a dietary preference, this was identity preservation. Let's talk about this? Where is the world trying to rename you? Where are you feeling pressure to forget your true identity? Maybe it's at work, where values conflict with your faith? In school, where biblical truths are questioned? In relationships where compromise seems easier. In culture, where Christian identity is mocked? Daniel shows us what Jesus would later demonstrate that true identity isn't determined by cultural labels but by relationship with God. After 10 days on their alternative diet, daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. Daniel, chapter 1, verse 15. This points to something Jesus would teach in the wilderness man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew, chapter 4, verse 4. True nourishment isn't just physical. Daniel thrived because he fed on something greater than Babylon's delicacies. Now let's move to Daniel, chapter 2.
Speaker 1:King Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream no one can interpret. In rage, he orders all wise men killed, including Daniel and his friends. Daniel's response he asks for time and then calls a prayer meeting. Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery. Daniel, chapter 2, verses 17 to 18. That night, god reveals the dream to Daniel. Listen to his response. Praise be to the name of God forever and ever. Wisdom and power are his. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel, chapter 2, verses 20 to 22. What a picture of Jesus who would later say I am the light of the world. John, chapter 8, verse 12.
Speaker 1:Let's dig deeper into Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation. The king saw a huge statue with head of gold Babylonian empire, chest of silver Medo-Persian empire, belly of bronze Greek Empire, legs of iron Roman Empire, feet of iron and clay divided kingdom. Then something remarkable happens While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. The rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Speaker 1:Daniel, chapter 2, verses 34 to 35. This rock is Christ, cut without human hands, virgin birth striking the kingdoms of this world, growing to fill the earth with God's kingdom. Jesus referred to himself as this stone in Matthew, chapter 21, verse 44. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces. Anyone on whom it falls will be crushed. Let's pause and think about this. The kingdoms of this world look impressive, don't they? Political power, military might, economic strength, cultural influence, but Daniel saw their end. A stone not cut by human hands will crush them all.
Speaker 1:Where are you trusting in worldly kingdoms rather than God's unshakable kingdom? Let's move to Daniel, chapter 3, the one of the most vivid pictures of Christ in the Old Testament. Chapter 3, one of the most vivid pictures of Christ in the Old Testament, king Nebuchadnezzar builds a massive gold statue and commands everyone to bow before it. When the music plays, everyone falls down, except three young Hebrews Shadrach, meshach and Abednego. The king gives them one more chance, but their answer is unshakable. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it. But even if he does not, we want you to know, your majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold. Daniel, chapter 3, verses 17 to 18. Let's stop here.
Speaker 1:This kind of faith doesn't come suddenly. It grows through daily choices, daily resolve, daily communion with God. Where do you need this kind of uncompromising faith right now? Maybe you're facing pressure to compromise ethical standards at work, temptation to follow the crowd, morally ridicule for standing on biblical truth. Daniel, chapter 3, verse 25.
Speaker 1:Four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods. Daniel, chapter 3, verse 25. Who is this fourth man? This is a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. What does this teach us about Christ? He doesn't exempt us from the fire, but he joins us in it. Jesus never promised we'd avoid suffering. He promised we wouldn't face it alone. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 2. What fire are you walking through right now? Health challenges, financial crisis, relational breakdowns, spiritual warfare. The fourth man is there with you, not observing from a distance, not cheering from the sidelines, but present in the flames. Notice what happens to the three men in the fire the ropes that bound them are burned away. They walk freely in the midst of the flames. They emerge without even the smell of smoke. Sometimes God uses the fire to free us from what binds us, to burn away what restricts us, to prove what's genuine in us.
Speaker 1:In Daniel, chapter 4, we see Nebuchadnezzar's pride, downfall and restoration. Daniel, chapter 4,. We see Nebuchadnezzar's pride, downfall and restoration. After seven years of madness, the king's sanity returns and he praises God. His dominion is an eternal dominion. His kingdom endures from generation to generation. Daniel, chapter 4, verse 34. Even a pagan king recognized what Jesus would later proclaim my kingdom is not of this world. John 18, verse 36.
Speaker 1:Now let's move to Daniel 5, the handwriting on the wall. King Belshazzar hosts a drunken feast using the sacred vessels from Jerusalem's temple. Suddenly, fingers appear writing mysterious words. No one can interpret them except Daniel, who declares you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Daniel, chapter 5, verse 27. This points to Christ, the righteous judge. Jesus said the father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the son. John, chapter 5, verse 22. That very night, babylon falls to the Medes and Persians. The kingdom that seemed invincible crumbles in a moment. This reveals something profound about Christ's judgment. It often seems delayed, but when it comes it's swift and decisive.
Speaker 1:Daniel, chapter 6 gives us the famous lion's den story. Political rivals trick King Darius into issuing an edict that anyone who prays to any god or human other than the king should be thrown to the lions. Daniel's response. Daniel's response Notice, just as he had done before. Crisis didn't create Daniel's prayer life. It revealed it. What would your crisis response reveal about your prayer habits?
Speaker 1:When Daniel is thrown into the lion's den, the king spends a sleepless night fasting. At daybreak he rushes to the den. Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions? Daniel, chapter 6, verse 20. Daniel's answer my God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel, chapter 6, verse 22. This picture is Christ, who shut the lion's mouth Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 33, and defeated the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5, verse 8. Notice the parallels to Christ's death and resurrection. A stone sealed the den, like Christ's tomb. The king's seal made it official, like Pilate's seal. Daniel emerged alive in the morning, like Easter morning.
Speaker 1:Now we come to Daniel, chapter 7, one of Scripture's most important messianic prophecies. Daniel sees four beasts rising from the sea, representing four world empires. Then he witnesses something extraordinary In my vision at night. I looked and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the ancient of days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power. All nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. Daniel, chapter 7, verses 13 to 14. Let's pause here.
Speaker 1:This title, son of man, appears 93 times in Ezekiel, but with a crucial difference. In Ezekiel it emphasizes the prophet's humanity. Here it's a divine figure coming on the clouds, receiving worship. Jesus adopted this title for himself. When asked if he was the Christ, jesus replied you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. Mark, chapter 14, verse 62.
Speaker 1:The religious leaders understood exactly what Jesus was claiming. He was identifying himself as the divine figure from Daniel's vision. That's why they charged him with blasphemy. This vision reveals something profound about Jesus His human appearance like a son of man, his divine authority coming on clouds, his eternal kingdom, everlasting dominion, his universal worship. All peoples and languages let's talk about this that seem chaotic over personal circumstances, that feel overwhelming over spiritual forces that wage war against you over the future that appears uncertain. Daniel, chapter 8, gives another vision of world empires, focusing on the ram, medo-persia and goat Greece.
Speaker 1:But in chapter 9, we find perhaps the most precise messianic prophecy in Scripture the 70 weeks. It begins with Daniel praying for his people. He confesses their sin and pleads for God's mercy, based on covenant promises. In response, god sends the angel Gabriel with an extraordinary timeline. Seventy-sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place, daniel, chapter 9, verse 24. The prophecy continues with specific periods 7 sevens plus 62 sevens from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed one comes. 483 years After the 62 sevens, the anointed one will be put to death. The city and sanctuary will be destroyed.
Speaker 1:Scholars have calculated that the 483 years 69 weeks of years from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, brings us precisely to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, just days before his crucifixion. This isn't vague prophecy, it's divine precision. It gave the exact time frame for Messiah's coming and his death. Jesus knew this timeline. When he entered Jerusalem on a donkey, he was deliberately fulfilling this prophecy, along with Zechariah chapter 9, verse 9. That's why he wept over the city saying if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace. But now it is hidden from your eyes because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you. Luke, chapter 19, verses 42 and 44. They should have known. Daniel gave them the calendar.
Speaker 1:Let's dig deeper into what the Messiah would accomplish, according to Daniel, chapter 9, verse 24,. Finish transgression. Put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy. Anoint the most holy place. This is exactly what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. As he said on the cross, it is finished. John, chapter 19, verse 30.
Speaker 1:In Daniel, chapter 10, the prophet receives another vision after three weeks of mourning and partial fasting. The vision overwhelms him. I had no strength left. My face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. Daniel, chapter 10, verse 8.
Speaker 1:What follows is a remarkable glimpse into spiritual warfare. An angel tells Daniel that he was delayed by the prince of the Persian kingdom for 21 days until Michael came to help. 21 days until Michael came to help. Daniel, chapter 10, verses 13 to 14. This reveals something Jesus understood that behind human kingdoms stand spiritual powers. That's why Jesus said I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Luke, chapter 10, verse 18. And why Paul wrote our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world. Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 12.
Speaker 1:Daniel, chapter 11, gives detailed prophecies about kings and kingdoms, prophecies so precise that skeptics claim they must have been written after the events. But these serve a purpose to show that God knows the end from the beginning. Jesus displayed this same foreknowledge when he predicted Jerusalem's destruction Luke, chapter 21,. And his own death and resurrection. Mark, chapter 8, verse 31. Finally, in Daniel, chapter 12, we see the promise of resurrection. Finally, in Daniel, chapter 12, we see the promise of resurrection. Jesus confirmed this. The book ends with Daniel being told as for you, go your way till the end, you will rest and then, at the end of the days, you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. Daniel, chapter 12, verse 13. This points to what Jesus promised I am going there to prepare a place for you. John, chapter 14, verse 2.
Speaker 1:Let's look at Daniel's entire life and ministry, not just the famous stories or prophecies, but the pattern of his character that points to Christ. First, consider Daniel's integrity. From the moment he stepped into Babylon, he resolved not to defile himself. Daniel, chapter 1, verse 8. This wasn't just about food, it was about identity purpose calling. His integrity continued for over 70 years through the reigns of multiple kings. As his enemies admitted, they could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Daniel, chapter 6, verse 1.