September 7 - Daniel 7:1-8:27, Daniel 5:1-31

Good morning everyone,

Wow! Daniel chapter 7 is filled to capacity with information and wonder. So much more than one little devotional could ever begin to cover. Right? Chapters 7 and 8 actually take place chronologically between chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 7 is a foundational chapter in understanding bible prophecy and God’s plan for the nations. Daniel sees a vision, which maps out the course of nations, leading to the kingdom of God. 

The vision Daniel has is of four great beasts rising out the tumultuous  waters of the great sea. In addition to the four beasts Daniel, also sees events taking place in Heaven. He describes the Ancient of Days, and please use your mind’s eye to see Him in his clothing white as snow, the hair on his head white like wool regally taking his seat on his throne that was flaming with fire while then thousand times ten thousand stood before him. What a glorious sight that will be! For sure!

In chapter 8 Daniel, on the heals of the previous vision, has another vision or was caught up in the Spirit and taken to Persia which is present day Iran, where he sees a ram with two horns representing Persia and the one horned goat representing Greece.  The focus turns to the succession of kingdoms and points to an end-time event regarding the Jewish Temple and the stopping of sacrifice. 

In verses 26-27 it reads, “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.” Yeah, me too. Though I was not appalled by any of it, I did feel like there was so much, so very, very much to chew on in chapters 7 & 8. I will have to slow it down, study on it some more to adequately articulate the everts described; but whether you totally understand all of what’s in today’s chapters or if like me you’ll need to study on it some more, what we all need to take from this is it is not a fairy tale. It is the real deal. Daniel for sure received this prophecy describing an actual event in future for everyone. We will all see the courtroom with the Ancient of Days presiding and it will be a sight to behold, for sure!

In the meantime, we should all be reaching out to those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We should not be content to just sit back and cruise through our walk our Savior. Jesus told us to, "Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature". And in Matthew He said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Notice it is not a suggestion but a command and these words were addressed not only to the Apostles but also to all His followers, that would be all Christians. So, like Daniel who got up and went about the king’s business, I would challenge us all get up and go about King of King’s business. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..