David Bahn – Reflections

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Yet he shall come to his end

“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

2 “And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.4 And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these.

5 “Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority.

20 “Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom.

45 And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him. – From Daniel 11

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Henry Leu Gardens | Orlando, Florida | January 2018

“We will bury you!” I was an impressionable 5 years old when Nikita Khrushchev spoke those powerful and angry words, banging his shoe on the table. I remember thinking that it would be a good thing if someone else were president of Russia. My dad wisely said, “You never know; someone else might be worse.” Indeed: what if another Stalin – the so-called Butcher of the Ukraine were to become leader of Russia.

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin may be better or worse than Khrushchev. But one thing for sure. Khrushchev has given way to Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko, Gorbachev, and so the list goes.

There is nothing new under the sun. Daniel is given a revelation of one ruler after another who comes and goes. And all who rule apart from God’s purposes will come to the same end as the last ruler in the list of leaders in this chapter: “Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.”

I’m not hoping to face persecution or experience the rule of an evil tyrant. But even when we are under the worst rulers their rule and reign will not stand. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. But the rule and reign of our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal. There will be no end to his rule. And he is good; his mercy endures forever.

 

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2 responses to “Yet he shall come to his end”

  1. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
    Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

    “Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him” stands out to me – specifically the words, “his end” and then the words, “with none to help him”.

    his – that which he has chosen for himself
    end – no more of like kind to follow

    Reply
  2. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
    Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

    (The puppy temporarily in my care sent my comment before it was complete! :/)

    with none to help him – a VERY desolate ending place

    What a sorrowful state of affairs to realize how many today choose this desolate end instead of the Glorious Riches of Jesus our risen Savior, who is not only our help but our defense and who suffered horrendously paying for all we’ve done and are yet to do. Falling under Jesus authority as the one who rules and reigns seems simple but then it seems many want no ruler but themselves. God help them all. God help us to help them see your wonderful grace and mercy as a gift of eternal fullness not a mere relinquishment to another here-today-gone-tomorrow-ruler of desolation.

    Also, what wise words from your own father!

    Reply

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