Adventure Day 6 - 2/27/09

Are you finding this week's suggested Bible readings a bit confusing? As I mentioned in last weekend's message, apocalyptic visions would seem strange to us...remember? These kind of writings don't follow an objective narrative format, as say, the morning newspaper. Still, it's not as though they make no sense whatsoever.

Today's passage is Daniel 7:1-28. The prophet Daniel is one of the great heroes of the Bible who served as a adviser to the king in two successive superpower governments of his day. He was an incredibly intelligent, gifted, and highly respected leader to whom God gave supernatural revelation. He attempted to record what he saw as accurately as he could, and fortunately he offers us enough help with the interpretation that we are not left totally on our own.

When working with material like we have in this chapter, you need to get used to leaving some of your questions unanswered. In time, more puzzle pieces will fit, but it's also possible that the picture will not be completed in your lifetime. It certainly wasn't in Daniel's.

In this 50 Day Spiritual Adventure there won't be nearly enough time to answer the many questions that will be raised in these prophetic "end time" passages. Nevertheless, it will get you started in an area of study that without question will make you a better follower of Jesus, anticipating his soon return.

Take a look at today's Bible passage. In Daniel 7:13-14, who is the Prophet seeing in his vision? The vantage point offered by time and history helps us understand this heavenly vision, perhaps much more clearly than Daniel could in his day. A good study Bible or commentary will help clarify the identification of the four beasts or four empires/superpowers mentioned in v.17. You will note many similarities between this passage and Saturday's assignment, Revelation 13. Again, don't get lost in the details, but do allow yourself to be lost in wonder and anticipation of "The Ancient One" (Daniel 7:22) coming to bring in his Kingdom, in which you and I share a part.

God's Peace....
Pastor Paul