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November 30

Scripture for today: Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 28:23-24

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“In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others” (Daniel 7:2-3 NLT).

From: November 30, 2019

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE FOUR BEASTS?

Moving from Daniel 6 to Daniel 7, is like turning the TV from the History Channel to the SYFY Network–– one has to adjust to understanding images and concepts that are out of this world! Because in this chapter, God pulled back the veil on the world’s kingdoms and the activities in heaven that culminate in God’s everlasting kingdom.

Daniel had a vision of six kingdoms, five worldly and one eternal. His vision was both a reaffirmation and a clarifying restatement of the dream that God gave to King Nebuchadnezzer of the huge statue of a man (See Dan. 2). However, Daniel’s vision had much greater detail, especially concerning the final eternal kingdom. The six kingdoms described were:

LION – A lion with eagle’s wings was a prominent symbol on Babylonian coins and on walls. The lion—the king of beasts—and an eagle—the chief of birds—aptly describes the powerful rule of Babylon from 605 to 539 B.C. In Nebuchadnezzer’s dream this was the head of gold.

BEAR – The fierceness of the Medo-Persian soldiers is depicted in the bear. When they overthrew Babylon, they also conquered Lydia and Egypt. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth represent these three nations—Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. Medo-Persia ruled the Middle East from 539 to 331 B.C. In Neb’s dream this was the breast and arms of silver.

LEOPARD – The leopard is Alexander the Great’s empire, Greece. He conquered with the swiftness of a leopard. Why four heads? When Alexander died in a drunken stupor at age 32 in Babylon, his four generals—Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy—divided up the empire. The Greeks ruled from 331 to 168 B.C. In Neb’s dream this was the belly & thighs of bronze.

IRON BEAST – The Roman empire, “as strong as iron,” conquered the world in 168 B.C. by defeating the Greeks. Under the Caesars, the mighty Roman Empire ruled from 168 B.C. to 351 A.D. In Neb’s dream this was the legs of iron.

TEN HORNS – This is the future and final worldly kingdom. The Roman Empire was never really replaced by a fifth kingdom, but was divided into many smaller ones. The ten horns represent a future alliance similar to Rome. The little horn with the big mouth represents the antichrist of the end times. In Neb’s dream this was the ten toes mixed with clay.

ETERNAL KINGDOM – The little horn is killed and the one called the “Son of Man” is given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world. His rule is eternal. In Neb’s dream this was the stone that destroyed the statue and became a mountain that filled the earth. This prophecy speaks of Christ’s return and eternal reign.

Remember how Jesus taught his disciples to pray? He taught them to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” prayers. The time of worldly nations will soon end. So don’t be afraid of the “four beasts” of this time. The kingdom of God is at hand.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for Your Kingdom to come and for Your will to be done. Not our kingdom, nor our will, but Yours. Help us to be strong and courageous in this age when the kingdom of the beasts still rule, knowing that You are sovereign over all things. In the meantime, empower us to be about Your business. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7:13 NLT).

From: November 30, 2018

WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?

There are two threads of Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. One, speaks of the Suffering Servant, as in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. The second, of the Victorious King, who would judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom, as in the verse quoted above. The first advent (“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival”) was announced by angels to the shepherds in Bethlehem. The second advent, according to Jesus, will be announced by “the mighty blast of a trumpet” (Matt. 24:31) and the appearance of the Son of Man in the clouds (Matt. 24:30).

Who is this Son of Man? When Jesus was brought before the Jewish council and the high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah?” Jesus responded, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). Jesus used the covenantal name of God, “I AM” (“YHWH”) and quoted Daniel 7:13 in His response.

Jesus is both Son of Man and Son of God. He has come and He is coming again.

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 NKJV).

From: December 1, 2017

Light. It reveals that which darkness conceals. It heals that which shadows the soul. It gives life to those who live by it. It is glorious, causing every color in the spectrum to be uniquely reflected in those who walk in its radiance.

How can we know this “light?” Listen to these words of Jesus, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!” (Psalm 119:169 ESV)

From: November 30, 2016

Our communication with God is to be two-way: We talk to Him in prayer and He speaks to us through His Word. Daily prayer and Bible reading is a believer’s lifeline to the Father. Are you facing a difficult decision? Are you in need of encouragement or advice? Go to the Father. Make known your requests. Read His Word. Pray “Lord, give me understanding according to Your Word.” Let the Spirit speak into your situation. Listen. He has spoken. He still speaks.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 NKJV)

From: November 30, 2015

The apostle John opened his first letter as he did his gospel, and as Moses did the Torah, with the phrase: “the beginning.” Also, similar to his gospel, John referred to Christ as the “Word” (Greek: λόγος, logos). In John’s gospel, he spoke of the Word’s divine preexistence and agency in the beginning of creation, but here in John’s first epistle, he spoke of the beginning of the Word’s earthly ministry. In regards to his gospel, John surely spoke by faith and inspiration because he was not present to witness creation. But in his epistle, he clearly wants the reader to know that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s entire ministry. John, speaking of himself and of the other apostles, said, “We heard, saw, closely examined and touched Him.” John essentially said, “We witnessed the whole thing… the miracles, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension…so, you can trust our account and believe!” That’s why John wrote. He wrote so that we might believe.

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

From: 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.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9)

From: November 30, 2013

Confess – ὁμολογέω (homologeó) – literally “say the same,” to agree or admit. When we confess our sin to God it is not news to Him. He knows our sin already. Confession is agreeing with God that we have sinned, so that He can forgive us and cleanse us.

“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)

From: 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.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)

From: November 30, 2011

Confession is agreeing with God that our wrongdoing is sin. God already knows our sin. In confession we admit that we know it too. Having agreed with God on sin’s name, we can receive not only His forgiveness, but His cleansing as well.