Author: Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 11:36-12:13

36 “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. 37 He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.

40 “At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. 41 He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. 44 But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. 45 And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

12:1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Daniel’s prophecy now moves from things that have happened in our history to the last seven years of the “seventy sevens” when Antichrist will come into power doing what he wills and exalting himself above every god. He will speak arrogant blasphemies against Christ. The phrase “he shall pay no attention to the god of his fathers” has been interpreted by some to mean that Antichrist will be a Jew because that phrase is often used to refer to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Most likely it just means that he will reject the religion of his ancestors—he will be thoroughly atheistic. In place of any deity, he will honour the god of fortresses. He will honour the “god” of military power. He will use military might to destroy anyone who dares challenge him. He will be attacked by the king of the south (Egypt and her allies) and his retaliation will overflow them as he sweeps through them like a flood. At this point, Antichrist will invade Israel and will erect his royal tents between the Mediterranean Sea and the holy mountain—Jerusalem. At this time he will pose as Christ and introduce a worldwide government with himself as the leader and a worldwide religion with him as the object of worship. But his reign will come to an end when Jesus appears again.

Daniel’s prayer was out of concern for the destiny of his people, Israel. He is now consoled by two facts. First, his people will be delivered by the intervention of the angel Michael who is Israel’s defender. Secondly, every Jew who has died up to that point will be resurrected. Those who believe in the Messiah will be resurrected to everlasting life while unbelieving Jews will be resurrected to shame and everlasting contempt. Those whose names are written in the book [of life] will shine like the stars as they receive positions of honour in Christ’s millennial kingdom. Daniel was asked to seal up (protect) the words of this prophesy so they would be available for future generations. While Daniel and his early readers could not comprehend all the details, God indicated that knowledge shall increase. As history has unfolded we have seen the significance of much of what was revealed to Daniel. In the end times, the same will be true of those things that have still not happened.

Two other angels were present and one asked how long it will be until the end of these things predicted. The answer was a time, times and a half a time (one year, two years, and half a year—three and a half years). Though the final tribulation will be seven years long, the first half will be a time of relative peace of Israel as the Antichrist enters into a peace treaty with them. But halfway through he will invade Israel and become the greatest persecutor they have ever known. Daniel then asked what the outcome would be after it was all finished. The answer was that during that time many Jews would turn to their Saviour and will be spiritually purified. But the wicked will continue in their ways, following and worshipping the Antichrist. Much of what was revealed to Daniel will remain obscure to them, but the wise will understand. Blessings await those who remain faithful to the end. While Daniel didn’t live to see these prophecies fulfilled, he was promised that because of his faithfulness he would rise again and receive his allotted inheritance in the millennial kingdom.

All who trust in Jesus will have their names written in the book of life and their faithfulness will be rewarded with blessings in His millennial kingdom and into eternity. Are you living your life for rewards now, here on earth? Or are you living in light of eternity with Christ?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Greatest Command: Deuteronomy 6

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 11:1-35

1 “And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

2 “And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills. 4 And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these.

5 “Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority. 6 After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supported her in those times.

7 “And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. 8 He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north. 9 Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own land.

10 “His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. 11 Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. 12 And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. 13 For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies.

14 “In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail. 15 Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand. 16 But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand. 17 He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage. 18 Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed, he shall turn his insolence back upon him. 19 Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.

20 “Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle. 21 In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant. 23 And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people. 24 Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers’ fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. 25 And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. 26 Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27 And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed. 28 And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.

29 “At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. 30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 33 And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. 34 When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, 35 and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

This portion of chapter eleven refers to a period that is now history. The first verse may belong to the previous chapter. In the previous chapter, it was said that the angel Michael helped the interpreting angel (Gabriel) and in this verse, Gabriel indicates that he had provided support for Michael.

The truth Gabriel reveals covers the period from the Persians under Cyrus through the period of the Greeks under Alexander the Great and its subsequent division into four sections after his death. He focuses on two of those divisions and then brings greater attention to Antiochus IV Epiphanes who would be a severe persecutor of the Jews. Antiochus was a type of the Antichrist which is who Gabriel will describe in the verses that follow.

The four kings of Persia are those who came after Cyrus who was reigning at the time of the vision. They were Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, Darius I (Hystaspes), and Xerxes I (Ahasuerus as mentioned in Esther). The mighty king that arose is Alexander the Great who defeated the Persian Empire. After his death, his empire was divided into four sections by his military commanders. Because his sons were murdered, his empire didn’t go to “his posterity”. None of the divisions of the Greek Empire rose to the strength with which he ruled.

The king of the south begins with Ptolemy I Soter of Egypt and follows the leaders of Egypt through the next two centuries. the king of the north begins with Seleucus I Nicator and follows the leaders of Syria. History has shown the accuracy of each alliance, marriage, divorce, betrayal, and murder so much so that some believe the book of Daniel was written much later after these events actually took place.

This all comes to a climax with Antiochus IV Epiphanes who is the “little horn” of Daniel 8. He rose to power through flattery assuming the throne that rightly belonged to his nephew. He created treaties with the nations around him to his own advantage and the king of the south at the time was unable to withstand him. Eventually, Antiochus directed his evil against Israel killing many. He discontinued the daily sacrifices, erected an idol in the temple, and desecrated the temple by offering a sow on its altar. This brought about the Maccabean revolt led by Judas Maccabaeus. Apostate Jews sided with Antiochus, but the faithful were strong, “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action” (Dan 11:32). Some of these heroes might be those mentioned in Hebrews 11:34-35.

Gabriel began by saying he would show Daniel “the truth”. History has shown that everything that has happened up to today has happened exactly as predicted with such detail that some believe it was written after the fact. This should give us great faith and hope that those things still to come will happen exactly as God has revealed. As the world diverges further away from God’s way of doing things, let us not move with the times but be people who know their God and stand firm and take action.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Balaam and the Donkey: Numbers 22

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 10:1-21

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Daniel’s final vision came in the third year of the reign of king Cyrus. Some of the exiles had returned to Jerusalem and begun rebuilding the temple. Everything was going well for the nation when this vision shattered any hopes that their peace would last for long. Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks. The reason for his mourning may have been stalled work on the temple rebuild at that point. He fasted by eating no choice food and avoiding excesses of personal grooming. Daniel was again humbled in prayer and fasting before the Lord looking for answers about Israel’s future. On the twenty-fourth day of the month, Daniel was on the bank of the Tigris River when he saw a man shrouded in bright light. Those with him didn’t see what he saw but, perhaps seeing the light without the detail, they hid in fear. Daniel’s description of the man he saw is similar to the description of Christ in Revelation 1:13-16 and Daniel’s reaction indicates that this man was of great significance. What Daniel saw drained him of all his strength and he fell asleep with his face to the ground.

Then an angel woke him with a message from God. Again Daniel was greeted as one greatly loved by God. This angel may have been Gabriel, the one who brought the previous message to Daniel. He was assured that from the moment he began praying, God heard his prayer and His message was sent. What follows is a glimpse into the spiritual battles that rage on in the unseen realms. Gabriel, if that is the interpreting angel, was delayed because he was resisted by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. This prince was likely a demon assigned to Persia by Satan (or possibly Satan himself). As Persia ruled the world, Satan would have concentrated his efforts in that area to exert influence over that nation’s world impact. Michael, one of the chief angels was dispatched to help and allow Gabriel through with his message. In God’s sovereignty He allows evil to exert influence in ways we don’t always understand but it is always restrained to work within His will. God has set limits within which Satan can operate (Job 1:12; 2:6). Paul reminds us that this spiritual realm is very real and our real battle as Christians is also spiritual (Eph 6:12).

Gabriel then explained that the purpose of his visit was to provide the insight Daniel had been praying for about the future of Israel. Daniel was overcome with emotion and rendered speechless. The angel touched his lips to give him the strength to speak and told him not to be afraid. Before revealing the detail of his message, the angel explained that he would return to fight against the prince of Persia and after that, the prince (demon) of Greece would come. Persia and Greece are the two nations that this final vision focuses on.

We don’t often think about the spiritual battles that rage on between angels and demons. If you consider the potential spiritual battle in the unseen realms, does that affect how you view God’s delay in answering prayer? Daniel wasn’t content to simply ask once and wait. He prayed and fasted for three weeks until he received an answer from God. How fervently do you pray for the things you need and for the needs of those around you? Are you prepared to deny yourself in fasting to earnestly pray for God’s kingdom plan on earth?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Water from the Rock Part two: Numbers 20

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 9:20-27

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

While Daniel was praying, confessing his sins and the sins of Israel, and pleading with God to restore Jerusalem, God sent Gabriel. Daniel was concerned about God’s plan for Israel. He had been studying the prophecies of Jeremiah which revealed God’s plan up until that time. Now God sent the angel Gabriel with a revelation of God’s plan for Israel’s future. Gabriel arrived at the time of the evening sacrifice. Because of the exile to Babylon, no literal sacrifices were taking place but times of the morning and evening sacrifices were likely two of the three daily times Daniel would have prayed. Daniel’s humility and fervent prayer invoked a special response from God. He was greeted as one greatly loved by God. God loves all His children, but there is a special relationship for those who draw close to Him and walk with Him in humble reliance (John 15:4-5).

Gabriel revealed that God’s future program for Israel would take place over seventy weeks (seventy sevens). While there is no unit specified, it makes sense that the message refers to seventy groups of seven years (490 years). God had instituted seven days as the week and seven years as the sabbatical year of rest. One of the results of Israel’s seventy-year exile to Babylon was that the land was allowed to rest to make up for all the sabbath years they had failed to keep. Because seventy groups of seven days don’t make sense in the context, seventy weeks of years are generally accepted. These seventy weeks deal specifically with the future of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. By the end of this time period, God promised to fulfill six things. God would finish the transgression of Israel. Israel’s continued rebellion would come to an end as the nation repents and accepts Jesus as her Messiah. God will put an end to sin. This was made possible by Jesus’ death on the cross and will be made permanent when Christ returns. God will atone for wickedness. God would make a way to forgive sin while remaining true to justice and His righteousness. Jesus was the atonement for all sin on the cross. God would bring everlasting righteousness. The end of the seventy weeks will usher in a period of righteousness that will last for eternity. God will seal both vision and prophet. When Christ returns in glory, every vision and prophesy will have been fulfilled, and with Him forever present, there will be no further need for either. Finally, God will anoint a most holy place. This is likely the dedication of the millennial temple described in Ezekiel 41-46.

Gabriel unveiled that the period of seventy weeks would begin with the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. This was the decree by Artaxerxes in 444 B.C. (Neh 2:1-8). The 490 year period was divided into three segments; seven sevens (49 years), sixty-two sevens (434 years), and the final seven (7 years). The first period of 49 years includes the time in which Jerusalem was rebuilt. The walls were restored in a short time under Nehemiah, but the full restoration of the city would have taken a lot longer. The next 434 years extend up until the time Messiah appeared to Israel. This period has been calculated to have concluded on the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, just before he was “cut-off” at His crucifixion (the prophecy specified that the anointed one would be cut-off after the conclusion of the 62 sevens). When Jesus was crucified he had nothing just as prophesied. He did not receive the royal throne of King David and the few possessions He had were divided and lots were cast for them as He hung on the cross. Following the rejection of the Messiah, judgment came on Israel when Jerusalem was destroyed by A.D. 70.

There is a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks. This gap is the church age in which we now live. It extends from Pentecost until the Rapture. This period is never mentioned in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, it is referred to as a mystery or secret that was hidden by God from the foundation of the world until it was revealed by the apostles and prophets of the New Testament. Jesus illustrated this gap when he read from Isaiah 61:1-2 but cut short the reading of verse 2 indicating that there would be a time between “the year of the Lord’s favour” and “the day of vengeance of our God” (Luke 4:18-19). The final seven years will be divided into two halves. In the beginning, the Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel but after three and a half years he will break the covenant, put an end to sacrifices and offerings and he will set up an abominable idolatrous image in the temple persecuting those who refuse to worship the image. Terrible persecution will befall Israel for the last half of the seventieth week before God finally destroys the Antichrist and casts him into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20).

God is not finished with the nation of Israel. But in His mercy, He included a gap in His plan to allow all nations to be included in His promise to rid the world of sin. Jesus’ death on the cross didn’t just atone for the sins of Israel but for all who believe.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Scouting Canaan: Numbers 13-14

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 9:1-19

1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

This chapter takes place during the reign of Darius the Mede. Daniel had been studying the book of Jeremiah when he realised that the seventy years of captivity were coming to an end. Daniel turned to the Lord in prayer in an attitude of confession and pleading for God’s mercy. Daniel’s confession included himself when he prayed on behalf of his nation. Daniel’s prayer describes God as the One who is great and awesome, who keeps His covenants and shows steadfast love toward those who love Him and keep His commandments. He then contrasts this with the Jewish people who had sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned aside from His commandments and rules. They had not listened to the prophets, God’s messengers to the kings, leaders, and the people of the land. On the one hand, God was righteous and on the other, Israel deserved open shame because they had sinned against Him.

Daniel confessed that God had only done what He said he would all the way back in the days when he brought Israel out of the land of Egypt. Because Israel transgressed God’s law and refused to obey Him, the curse and oath that had been written in the Law of Moses had come to pass (Deut 28:48–57, 64–68). But Moses had also revealed what was needed for God to lift the curse, and that was for Israel to return to God and obey His voice (Deut 30). Daniel admitted that as a nation they had not entreated the favour of the Lord by turning from their sins and gaining insight by His truth (turning to and living by the Scriptures). Daniel reiterated that God remained righteous in His actions and the calamity that had befallen Israel was their own doing because of their sin.

Finally, Daniel petitioned God to show favour and mercy toward them and restore the temple and Jerusalem which lay in desolation. Daniel asked God to look upon the situation and to do what was best for His glory. Daniel was not making his appeal based on the nation’s righteousness but because of God’s mercy.

This is such a great model for prayer. When we find ourselves in a tough situation, it is often because of our own doing. But even when we are innocent, we are never righteous in ourselves. Our appeals to God should always be based on His mercy and on Him receiving the glory in our lives. Have you been praying from a position of entitlement? How can you change your prayers to focus on God receiving the glory in your life?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Complaints and Rebellion: Numbers 11-12

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 12:1-11

1   Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2   A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3   No one is established by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4   An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5   The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6   The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7   The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.
8   A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is despised.
9   Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
10   Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11   Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Psalm 59

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

1   Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
    protect me from those who rise up against me;
2   deliver me from those who work evil,
    and save me from bloodthirsty men.
3   For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
    fierce men stir up strife against me.
  For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
4     for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
  Awake, come to meet me, and see!
5     You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
  Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
    spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah
6   Each evening they come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.
7   There they are, bellowing with their mouths
    with swords in their lips—
    for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”
8   But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
    you hold all the nations in derision.
9   O my Strength, I will watch for you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress.
10   My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
    God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
11   Kill them not, lest my people forget;
    make them totter by your power and bring them down,
    O Lord, our shield!
12   For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
    let them be trapped in their pride.
  For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13     consume them in wrath;
    consume them till they are no more,
  that they may know that God rules over Jacob
    to the ends of the earth. Selah
14   Each evening they come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.
15   They wander about for food
    and growl if they do not get their fill.
16   But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
  For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17   O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 8:1-27

8:1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. 2 And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal. 3 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 4 I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.

5 As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. 6 He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. 7 I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. 8 Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.

9 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. 10 It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. 11 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. 12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?” 14 And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

18 And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. 19 He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. 20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. 22 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. 23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. 24 His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. 26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Two years after the vision of the beasts, Daniel saw another vision. In his vision, he found himself in the Persian palace of Susa in Elam at the Ulai canal. On the bank of the canal, he saw a ram with two horns. Both horns were tall but the one was taller than the other and it had come up second. This ram began charging westward, northward, and southward. The ram became great because nothing could stand up to him and he did as he pleased.

While Daniel considered the ram and what it might mean, a male goat from the west came across the earth without touching the ground. This goat had an oddity, a horn between his eyes. He ran with full anger and hit the ram with all his might and broke its two horns. The ram was unable to stand up to him and was thrown to the ground and trampled. No one could rescue the ram from the goat’s power. Then the goat became great, but when he became strong his horn was broken and in its place came up four horns each aiming in a different direction.

From one of these horns came a little horn and it grew large towards the south, east, and Palestine. It grew large towards heaven and even threw down some of the host and stars of heaven and trampled them on the ground. This horn, which clearly typifies a man becomes so arrogant that he considered himself as high as God almighty (The Prince of the host). Finally, this man is used to bring about God’s judgment against the nation of Israel as it throws truth to the ground and prospers in his actions against God and Israel. Then two heavenly beings ask how long will the period of his vision take and the answer was 2,300 days before the sanctuary is restored for proper worship.

When Daniel sought to understand the vision, he saw God, perhaps Jesus because of the appearance of a man, and He called Gabriel to help Daniel understand the vision. Daniel was so frightened, by being in God’s presence, even if only in a vision, that he fell into a deep sleep which Gabriel woke him from. Gabriel told him that the vision was for “the time of the end” which must refer to the time the prophecy encompasses and not the “end times” because though the little horn very closely resembles the Antichrist, it differs in some significant details.

Gabriel plainly explained that the ram with two horns represented the kings of Media and Persia, and the goat represented the king of Greece, Alexander the Great. The goat moved over the earth without touching the ground indicating the speed with which Alexander was able to conquer the Near East. When Alexander the Great died, Greece was divided and four of his military leaders took power, but not with the same power Alexander had wielded. The little horn turned out to be Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 BC) who was the eighth ruler of the Seleucid Greek Empire. Antiochus rose to power despite his nephew being the rightful heir to the throne. He went on to persecute the Jews in Palestine beginning in about 170 BC with the assassination of the high priest Onias III and it ended when the temple was rededicated in December 164 BC (this 6 year period fits 2,300 days), shortly before his death in 163 BC. Antiochus stopped the Jews from following their religious laws (dietary, circumcision, Sabbaths, and feasts) and he stopped temple sacrifices. He desecrated the temple by erecting an idol of Zeus in the temple and offered sacrifices including swine on the altar. Antiochus died naturally, not in battle or by assassination (“not by human hand”).

Daniel was told to seal up the vision because it refers to events many days from when he received it. Sealing it didn’t mean to hide it, but to keep it safe because this prophecy would be an encouragement to the Jews who would know there was an exact length for the persecution they would suffer. Daniel was sick and appalled by the vision and battled to fully understand it. He didn’t have the hindsight of knowing the events that history has revealed to us.

God knows the future. The Bible contains many prophecies that have come to pass. Because of this, we can know that those things that the Bible says are still to come will indeed happen. How is your faith strengthened when you consider the accuracy of how Daniel’s vision played out in history?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Aaron Becomes Priest: Leviticus 8

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 7:15-28

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

19 “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast,

  there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
    which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
  and it shall devour the whole earth,
    and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24   As for the ten horns,
  out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
    and another shall arise after them;
  he shall be different from the former ones,
    and shall put down three kings.
25   He shall speak words against the Most High,
    and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
    and shall think to change the times and the law;
  and they shall be given into his hand
    for a time, times, and half a time.
26   But the court shall sit in judgment,
    and his dominion shall be taken away,
    to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
27   And the kingdom and the dominion
    and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
    shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
  his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
    and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’

28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The vision Daniel had seen left him feeling anxious and troubled. He approached one who stood there and asked for help in understanding what he had seen. This unnamed interpreter was possibly the angel Gabriel who is named later (Dan 8:16; 9:21). The four beasts are now explicitly shown to represent four kings who rise out of the earth. These kingdoms are earthly kingdoms but eventually, the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. At the end of the age, Jesus will return and rule on the earth and that rule will usher in eternity.

Daniel was most concerned about the fourth beast because it was so different from the others. It was exceedingly terrifying. Not only did it have teeth of iron but it also had claws of bronze which only added to its destructiveness. The little horn that rose up among the ten is now described to be greater than its contemporaries. It also wages war with the saints and prevails over them until God, the Ancient of Days, brings judgment and assigns the kingdom to the saints.

The interpreter explains that the fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will cover the whole earth. Rome rose to control the most significant portions of the earth compared with Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece before it. Coming from this kingdom will be ten kings who form an alliance. History has revealed the kingdoms of the four beasts but the ten-king alliance has not yet been seen. This time of the Gentiles that Daniel describes seems to be separated by the time of the church. The saints refer to the Jews. In the future, we can expect this ten-king alliance to form from what was the Roman Empire and usher in the end-times described here. From the ten kings, another will arise and put down three kings who likely resist his power. This new king is the Antichrist and he will blaspheme the Most High. While Daniel doesn’t describe the contents of his blasphemous words, we know that he will demand to be worshipped (2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:8,12). He will also persecute the saints by changing the times and the law. These changes represent religious oppression restricting religious observances and holidays (Dan 9:27) and forcing people to follow him (Rev 13:16-17). The Antichrist will have authority for three and a half years (time, times, and half a time which corresponds with the 42 months of Rev 13:5 and 1,260 days of Rev 12:6). But his authority will come to an end when God the Father, the Righteous Judge convenes the court and his dominion is taken away and he is destroyed (2 Thess 2:8; Rev 19:20). From that time, Jesus will assume the throne of David and He will rule over the Jewish people, the saints of the Most High. That kingdom will not be overthrown or superseded by another. Instead, all peoples will worship and obey Him.

Daniel concluded the description of this vision and said that though what he had seen alarmed him, he pondered the matter in his heart.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream revealed the kingdoms of the earth as valuable metals and a strong structure while Daniel’s dream revealed them as beasts. One seems to be a human perspective of the kingdoms while the other shows how God sees them. What is your perspective of the way of the world? Do you see them as ways to embrace or are you living and longing for the eternal kingdom of Jesus?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Golden Calf: Exodus 32

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Daniel 7:1-14

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ 6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 “As I looked,

  thrones were placed,
    and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
  his clothing was white as snow,
    and the hair of his head like pure wool;
  his throne was fiery flames;
    its wheels were burning fire.
10   A stream of fire issued
    and came out from before him;
  a thousand thousands served him,
    and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
  the court sat in judgment,
    and the books were opened.

11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

13 “I saw in the night visions,

  and behold, with the clouds of heaven
    there came one like a son of man,
  and he came to the Ancient of Days
    and was presented before him.
14   And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
  that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
  his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
  and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The first six chapters of Daniel are historical and the last six are prophetic. Chapter seven returns to the time before the lions’ den, during the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon. During that time, when Daniel was about 68 years of age, he had a dream while he slept. He had interpreted dreams for King Nebuchadnezzar and now he was the recipient of dreams.

He saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the sea. The winds could also be translated spirits, so he may have seen angels. The great sea would refer to the Mediterranean Sea meaning this vision was related to that part of the world. Out of the sea came four great beasts, each different from one another. The four beasts correspond with the four parts of the figure in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome respectively.

The first beast was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. As he watched, the wings were plucked off and the beast rose to stand on two feet like a man and it was given the intelligence of a man. Elsewhere in the Bible, Nebuchadnezzar is symbolised as a lion (e.g. Jer 4:7) and an eagle (e.g. Jer 49:22). The symbolism of the wings being plucked off and the lion lifted up and given a human mind likely refers to Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling through insanity and later restoration to honour.

Then a second beast came out which looked like a bear and was raised up on one side. In its mouth, it had three ribs between its teeth. It was told to arise and devour much flesh. The bearish beast symbolises the Medo-Persian empire. Being raised on one side likely indicates the dominance of Persia over Media in the alliance. The ribs in the beast’s mouth probably refer to its large conquests over Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. Its instructions to devour much flesh point forward to its continued conquests that led to the empire controlling more territory than any other up to that time. It was also given the instruction meaning it was fulfilling God’s purpose.

The third beast to come out of the sea was like a leopard with four bird’s wings on its back. The beast had four heads and dominion was given to it. This beast represents Greece. The wings on its back gave it tremendous speed symbolising the Grecian conquests. Alexander the Great invaded Asia Minor in 334 BC and within ten years he had conquered the entire Medo-Persian Empire and reached India. After Alexander died his kingdom was divided into four parts.

The fourth beast to come out was the worst of the lot. It was terrifying and dreadful. It was incredibly strong and had large iron teeth. it devoured with its teeth, destroyed things to pieces, and decimated what was left with its feet. The significant difference about this beast was the ten horns on its head. As Daniel pondered the horns, a little new horn came out and caused three others to be plucked out by their roots. This extra horn had eyes like a man and a mouth which spoke arrogantly.

The vision then switches to the Ancient of Days seated on the throne with clothing and hair white like snow and wool respectively. His throne is fiery flames with wheels which is reminiscent of Ezekiel’s vision (Ezek 1; 10). This is the eternal God who is seated as the righteous judge and books are opened. These books contain the wicked deeds that will confirm that those judged deserve their judgment.

In comparison to the great and eternal God, the little horn continues to spurt forth words of arrogance. But while Daniel was watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed by fire. The rest of the beasts lost their dominion but they were allowed to live for a period (as they were absorbed into subsequent empires).

The vision reaches a climax as with the clouds of heaven One like the son of man is presented before the Ancient of Days. This is someone in human form but so much greater than a mere man. Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of Man” based on this prophecy. Jesus is pictured in the vision as receiving dominion and glory and an eternal kingdom in which all peoples, nations, and languages will serve Him.

While aspects of Daniel’s vision can be confusing and even debated, what is clear is that God is sovereign over all the rulers of the world. No matter how large any human dominion reaches, God always sits as the righteous judge who will bring about His kingdom in His time. We can rest in the knowledge that God is always in control.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Ten Commandments: Exodus 20

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake