God is in Control
The end times can be a scary thing to think about. But No matter what is going on around us or what is to come, God is in complete control of it all. And God wins and triumphs over evil. And the amazing thing is that this great, kind God sees us and considers us precious in His sight.
Bible Reading of the Day: Daniel 7-12
We are reading the second half of the book of Daniel today and we read about some pretty amazing dreams that Daniel had. The visions terrified and overwhelmed Daniel.
Overview of Today’s Reading
In Chapter 7 is Daniel’s vision of the four beasts and the court in Heaven.
Chapters 8-12 contain a vision involving a ram, a goat, and several horns – also referring to future kingdoms and their rulers.
Got Questions.org
Daniel chapter 9 records Daniel’s “seventy weeks” prophecy. God gave Daniel the precise timeline of when the Messiah would come and be cut off. The prophecy also mentions a future ruler who will make a seven-year covenant with Israel and break it after three and a half years, followed shortly thereafter by the great judgment and consummation of all things. Daniel is visited and strengthened by an angel after this great vision, and the angel explains the vision to Daniel in great detail.”
“Daniel’s vision of the four beasts provided a prophetic look at future world events. Looking back from our perspective, we see these events as world history and can easily see the correlation between each beast and a world empire. However, there was more to Daniel’s vision, and some of it is yet future, even for us.”
“Given the fact that the Antichrist emerges from the fourth beast leads us to surmise that, in the end times, there will be a “revival” of the Roman Empire, featuring a coalition of ten world leaders. The Antichrist will take his position of leadership at the expense of three of those leaders, and he will eventually wield global authority. A true tyrant, the Antichrist will demand worship and seek to control all aspects of life (see Revelation 13:16–17).”
“Daniel’s vision of the four beasts warned Israel that there would be a procession of enemies and world rulers holding authority over them; however, they should not lose heart. In the end, God is in control, and the Messiah to come will defeat the kingdoms of this world and establish His throne forever (Daniel 2:44; 7:13–14; Revelation 11:15).”
From the Easy English Bible Commentary
“The first kingdom was the kingdom of Babylon. The kings of Babylon thought that they were like lions and eagles. In the book that Ezekiel the prophet wrote, an eagle means Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 17:7-12).
When Daniel had the dream, this kingdom was nearly finished. Belshazzar was the last king (Daniel 5:30-31). The power of the *kingdom was almost gone, like the animal without its wings.
Somebody made the first animal stand up like a man. They gave it the mind of a man. This reminds us about Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34-36).
Then the kingdom of the Medes and Persians came. The third kingdom was the kingdom of Greece. It defeated people quickly like the third animal. The fourth kingdom was the kingdom of Rome. The fourth animal had iron teeth. The image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream had iron legs. Its feet were partly iron and partly clay.
All these kingdoms seemed very powerful, like the animals. It seemed that nobody could defeat them. But God was the judge. He was in control. He only allowed them to be powerful for a certain time.
The kingdom that God gives to Jesus will never end. Nobody can defeat it. The people who are loyal to God will be in Jesus’ kingdom.”
God is in Control—He is the Supreme Judge
As someone who has had my days in court, courthouses still turn my stomach. But there is something about this court in Heaven. Judgement is perfect there. Because God is the perfect Judge. Remember a couple of days ago I shared about the joy in being numbered in the Book of Life. There are some scary visions, but we who are in Christ have the victory.
God is in Control—He Knows the Future
“11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. 12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.
13 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. 14 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.
15 I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. 16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: 17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”
There is good news for us – we don’t have to be terrified of the future. Our God holds the future in His hands. He knows the end.
Scripture of the Day: Daniel 9:22-23
“22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.”
God is in Control—You Are Precious in His Sight
“10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.
God is in Control—He Hears Our Every Prayer
12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.”
From the first prayer, God hears. His timing is not our timing. He views us as precious in His sight and we are in His book of life when we have accepted His free, glorious salvation.
Friends, we need to be in prayer. The end is coming – we don’t know when. But God knows the end.
Those Who Know God Have Nothing To Fear
Daniel 11:31-32
31 “His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. 32 He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.”
Daniel 12:1-2
12 “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”
9 But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.”
Application
- Our prayers are heard. Don’t stop praying.
- We are precious in God’s sight. Don’t let anyone take your worth.
- We don’t have to be terrified of the future. God holds the future in His hands.
7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Day #213: Daniel 7-12
Scripture of the Day: Daniel 9:22-23
Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Dan.7
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