Daniel

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“And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end'” (Daniel 12:9 NKJV)

December 4, 2015

God revealed many details about Israel’s future to Daniel. Some of what was revealed pointed to Christ’s first coming and has already been fulfilled. But there is much that remains in Daniel’s prophecy that still awaits the “time of the end.” Daniel, like many of the other prophets, wrote of things that he himself didn’t fully understand. We can study these “end times” prophecies, but must admit, as Daniel did (Dan. 12:8), our lack of comprehension. Yet, as the “time of the end” draws closer, the opaqueness of these prophecies will grow steadily more clear to those who have the wisdom to understand (Dan. 12:10). In the meantime, Daniel was to “go his own way.” In other words, he wouldn’t see the fulfillment of this prophecy in his lifetime, so he should get back to living for today.

‘“Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end”‘ (Daniel 8:16b-17 NKJV)

December 1, 2015

In Daniel’s vision, an angel named “Gabriel” (Hebrew: “God is my strength”) is charged with explaining the vision, so that Daniel might understand it. The Old Testament recorded many other angelic visitations, but Daniel is unique in that he is the only one to whom their names are revealed (“Gabriel” in 8:16; 9:21 and “Michael” in 10:13, 21; 12:1). Yet, even with Gabriel’s help, the vision is beyond his understanding (8:27). While the vision most likely contains “already/not yet” dual fulfillment material, the identification of the “Medes and Persians,” and of the kingdom of Greece points to the time leading up to the birth of Christ. The fact that Gabriel is the angel explaining this to Daniel and then later announcing it to Joseph and Mary in the gospels is not to be overlooked. Daniel saw a vision that has partially been fulfilled in Christ’s first coming. But there is still part that is yet unfulfilled, that must point to His return.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8 NKJV)

November 25, 2015

Daniel knew what it was like to live out his faith within a foreign culture. Even though he was carried off from his Jewish homeland as an exile to Babylon, God blessed him with the wisdom to live in Babylon without becoming a Babylonian. His life is a study in how a believer might live in today’s secular culture. As Christians in America, we live in an ever increasing secular society. It is no longer united by a common Judeo-Christian worldview. Yet, we can learn from Daniel how to navigate our culture with godly grace and wisdom.

“I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge” (Daniel 7:9 NLT)

November 30, 2014

Daniel 7 is the prophetic vision of five kingdoms, four worldly kingdoms and one eternal. The vision of the heavenly seat of judgment stands in stark contrast to the four beastly images of human government. Many have tried to identify the four human kingdoms, but the identity of the fifth kingdom is clear. Human governments will become progressively more powerful, boastful and violent, but in the end, God’s judgment and government will prevail. Daniel’s prophecy contains information that is now both historic and predictive. Some of it has been fulfilled, some has yet to come to pass. Yet, one thing is certain, God is sovereign over all things, will judge all things and will work all things together for good. God has not hidden these things from us, but has revealed His purposes to us, His people.

“My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:22 NLT)

November 29, 2014

What should you do if the government bans prayer? Ask Daniel. Daniel’s story is instructive to those who must live as a religious minority under a worldly government. God gave Daniel wisdom to navigate the political tangle of Babylonian and Persian rule and yet remain steadfast to his faith. Even so, he still often experienced persecution and threats to his life. How do we live out our faith at work or school, when expressing our faith is discouraged by company policies or prohibited by federal laws? As Daniel did, we should submit to the authorities over us, unless they cause us to break faith with the ultimate Authority, our God. Daniel feared the Lord more than the lions. And the Lord rescued him.

“Go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days” (Daniel 12:13)

December 4, 2013

After Daniel received a vision of the end of days, he was greatly troubled and asked for more detail. But the angel replied that the words were sealed until the end. The comfort that Daniel was given wasn’t the details of the outcome, but the promise that he would “rest” and then “stand” at the end. In the meantime, Daniel was to keep going the way he was going. In other words, “Don’t worry Dan, God has the end of things all worked out. Just keep being faithful during your days. He’ll make sure you stand with Him at the end of days.”

“You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored” (Daniel 5:23b)

November 28, 2013

This is part of the interpretation that Daniel gave Belshazzer after a hand appeared and wrote on the king’s wall. God holds our next breath and all our future days in His hands. Whom do we honor? To whom do we offer worship and give thanks?

“The king answered and said to Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery’” (Daniel 2:47)

November 26, 2013

Nebuchadnezzer, king of Babylon, had a dream concerning his and all future human kingdoms. He knew it was important, so he asked his wise men to tell him both the dream and its meaning… or die. They could not. But God revealed both to Daniel, one of the Hebrew captives from the Babylonian conquest of Judah. After Daniel gave the interpretation, the king promoted him to his right hand in command and proclaimed the above truth about God. When we share God’s wisdom with the world, sometimes it gets us elevated and sometimes persecuted, but always noticed for His Name’s sake.

“’Don’t be afraid,’ he said, ‘for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!'” (Daniel 10:19)

December 2, 2012

The One speaking to Daniel had a similar appearance and effect as Christ did on John in Rev. 1. When we encounter God’s holiness (His wholly otherness and righteousness), it causes fear. Yet, Christ says, “Fear not. For you are very precious to God.” What joy! This is the message of Christmas: “Peace. Fear not. Be encouraged.” For Christ has come and is coming again!

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14)

November 30, 2012

Daniel’s vision of the coming Messiah. The Messianic title, “Son of Man,” was taken up by Jesus, especially as recorded in Luke’s gospel. Christ’s coming in the clouds to rule forever is a not-yet-fulfulled prophesy that Daniel saw. We celebrate His first coming at Christmas. Someday, we’ll celebrate His second coming as Daniel prophesied.