Ankeny Free Church

Daniel 12 reveals two eternal destinations awaiting humanity - everlasting life or everlasting contempt. The wicked operate independently of God, believing in their own strength, while the wise recognize their need for the Lord. During unprecedented times of trouble, God calls His people to persevere through ordinary faithfulness. Daniel and his friends demonstrated that simple, consistent obedience to God can accomplish extraordin...

The prophet Daniel, living in exile under Persian rule, studied Jeremiah's prophecy about Israel's 70-year captivity and was moved to pray for his people's restoration. His powerful prayer wasn't based on his own righteousness but on God's mercy, as he confessed the collective sins that led to exile: neglecting God's commands, treating people brutally, and worshipping false gods. God responded through ...

David's life teaches us about facing two types of giants: the obvious ones like Goliath that paralyze us with fear, and the hidden ones within our hearts that can destroy us from within. When David faced Goliath as a teenager, he trusted in God's power rather than his own strength, declaring that the battle belonged to the Lord. Years later as king, David faced a different giant when he allowed boredom and desire to lead ...

Apocalyptic literature like Daniel and Revelation uses symbolic language, visions, and numbers to communicate God's sovereignty over history. Rather than getting lost in identifying every symbol, we should focus on the main message: God is in control, Jesus is returning, and believers are called to faithful perseverance. Christians hold different views about end times events, but the essentials remain the same - Christ's ...

Daniel's vision in chapter 8 reveals a pattern of evil that believers can understand and navigate. The prophecy describes the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who brutally persecuted God's people for approximately six years before being defeated. This historical account teaches us three vital truths for persevering through difficult times. First, evil follows predictable patterns, so we shouldn't be surprised when per...

Two ancient empires, Assyria and Babylon, repeatedly opposed God's people in the Old Testament, each representing different forms of evil. Assyria was a brutal war machine that loved violence and conquest, destroying the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC and scattering the ten tribes. Babylon, in contrast, was a sophisticated cultural center that prided itself on achievements like the Hanging Gardens, but their true danger ...

Daniel chapter 7 reveals the spiritual battle raging behind world events through a vision of four terrifying beasts representing evil kingdoms throughout history. In the midst of this chaos, the Ancient of Days (God the Father) sits on his throne in judgment, while the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) receives eternal dominion over an indestructible kingdom. This passage teaches Christians that the world is not fine as we often tell ourse...

Daniel's story reveals what unwavering faith looks like in practice. At 85 years old, serving under the Medo-Persian empire, Daniel maintained such integrity that his enemies couldn't find any fault with his character or work. When they devised a trap through a royal decree forbidding prayer to anyone but the king, Daniel refused to compromise. He continued his daily prayer routine, facing Jerusalem three times a day, cho...

The fall of Babylon in 539 B.C. reveals timeless truths about pride and divine judgment. King Belshazzar's arrogant feast, using sacred temple vessels to mock God, led to supernatural writing on the wall declaring his kingdom's end. Despite knowing his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God, Belshazzar hardened his heart in pride. Daniel interpreted the mysterious words as God's final judgment - the king h...

Nebuchadnezzar's testimony in Daniel 4 reveals how God deals with human pride. As the most powerful ruler of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar received a troubling dream about a great tree being cut down, which Daniel interpreted as God's coming judgment on the king's pride. After boasting about his achievements, Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God, living like an animal for seven periods until he acknowledged God's soverei...

Faith in the Furnace explores how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated unwavering faith when faced with King Nebuchadnezzar's demand to worship a golden idol. Their three-dimensional faith—assurance in God's ability, confidence in His deliverance, and submission to His will regardless of outcome—led to divine intervention in the fiery furnace. This biblical account challenges us to examine our own 'God Plus&a...

Daniel 2 reveals God's sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms through Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a statue representing four successive empires. When faced with an impossible demand to reveal and interpret the king's dream, Daniel seeks God in prayer with his friends. God reveals both the dream and its meaning, showing how all human kingdoms will eventually fall while God's kingdom, represented by a stone that beco...

Living faithfully in a challenging world requires wisdom from biblical examples like Daniel. When taken into Babylonian captivity, Daniel faced systematic attempts to change his identity, beliefs, and lifestyle. Yet he strategically maintained his convictions while still functioning within the system he couldn't escape. He identified non-negotiables, respectfully proposed alternatives, and trusted God with the results. Today, ...

The final chapter of Acts shows Paul under house arrest in Rome, yet still boldly proclaiming the gospel without hindrance. This seemingly abrupt ending powerfully illustrates the central message: nothing can stop God's mission. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and countless other obstacles throughout his ministry, Paul continued to share the message of Christ. This truth gives us both hope that God's...

In Acts 27, Paul faces a life-threatening storm at sea while being transported to Rome as a prisoner. Despite the captain's poor decisions and a hurricane-force storm that destroys their ship, Paul stands firm on God's promise that he will reach Rome and testify about Jesus there. When all hope seems lost, Paul receives divine reassurance that everyone aboard will survive, which proves true when all 276 passengers safely ...