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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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?
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.
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!
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.