Currently, my discipleship group is doing a study of the book of Daniel. I like Daniel, but not just because he and I share the same name. Daniel is a powerful mix of prophecy and very applicable wisdom on how to live in a world that is not always in harmony with our Christian faith.
Of course, Daniel understood this very well, in view of the fact that he was living in a foreign kingdom that was pagan to the core. And yet, Daniel was able to live his faith authentically, even in the face of severe persecution. Think Daniel in the lion's den-and all because he prayed to God.
That event is in the first half of the book. The second half of the book is largely filled with prophecy. People are often scared by prophecy because they don't know what all of the strange imagery means. Others may simply read the notes in a study Bible to get the "answers." However, for our inductive Bible study, the rule is that we cannot read any study notes or commentaries until we have first read the passage (observation) and have written down our interpretation. Actually, I prefer this method because I believe that much of prophecy is better read not by being able to attach historical meanings to the strange imagery, but by understanding the themes of the passage.
Let me give a specific and very timely example. In Daniel 7, Daniel describes a dream he has about four very strange beasts. Consider the description of the third beast, "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule" Daniel 7:6. Talk about a strange image! The passage leads us to believe that this beast represents a ruler / national power. But who or what does it represent? At this point, you might be tempted to read a commentary.
However, if you read this verse in the context of the passage as a whole, you find that more important than trying to pinpoint the historical figures these beasts might represent, is understanding the basic message. What is that message? Simply, there will be a time when rulers who do not honor God will be in power. In fact, they may even persecute God's people and attack the Christian faith. However, God knows and He is still working out His great plan. And in the end, we are promised that every power which stands in opposition to God will be destroyed and God's people will be rescued and blessed. Consider what we read in the conclusion of Daniel 7, verse 27, "Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him." These promises are so unlike the reality we see around us. Even in our supposedly Christian nation, more and more legislation is passed that stands in stark opposition to God's Word. But isn't this just what we are promised in Daniel-times when world leaders will use their rule in opposition to God's will and God's people? However, it is so good to be reminded of what the end of the story is-our triumph. We will receive the Kingdom which will never be destroyed.
May God help us to genuinely live in view of this reality. May God help us to look to the everlasting Kingdom of the living God, not the temporary kingdoms of man. May God help us not to despair in the face of temporary losses, but to glory in our Eternal Reward. May God help us not to be filled with anger over injustices, but to hope in the day when He will make everything right and to share that hope with our world. Amen!
Pastor Dan