Chapters 1-6 of Daniel are in chronological order. Starting in Chapter 7 that is no longer true. Chapter 7 is about a dream Daniel had in 563BC which was the first year of the Belshazzar's reign. The beast in his dream represents kingdoms. The lion refers to Babylon, the beast is the Medo-Persian Empire, the leopard is Greece, the fourth beast with the iron teeth is the Roman Empire. The ten horns on the fourth beast are ten different kings. A smaller horn comes out of the ten horns which will overpower the saints and will rule for a time, times and a half a time (3 1/2 years). The Ancient of days will then pass judgment in favor of the saints who will take possession of the kingdoms putting an end to the ruling of the little horn.
We know Daniel is known for his dreams, visions and interpretations. In Chapter 8, however, Daniel has a vision that he cannot understand. God then tells Gabriel to explain this vision to Daniel. Gabriel tells Daniel that this vision is about the end times. This vision takes place in the third year of Belshazzar's reign. In this chapter the ram represents the king of Media and Persia. The goat is the kingdom of Greece. It is important here to note that the Greek Empire happened two hundred five years after Daniel. Verse 8 tells of the death of Alexander the Great and the division of the Greek Empire into four parts. Ptolemy from the South took Egypt. From the East Seleucus took Syria. Cassander from the West took Greece and Lysimachus from the North took Asia Minor.
In Leviticus we find that for a time span of 490 years the Israelites did not give the land the sabbath rest so they owed God 70 Sabbaths which is equal to 70 years. By the time Darius became king 67 of those years have passed. Chapter 9 takes place in 539BC with three years left of the captivity of the people of Jerusalem. In this chapter it is talking of the end times.
God opens Daniel's eyes to future happenings through dreams and visions so that he could be a witness for Him and to help others to understand God's power, might and love. To us it says God's promises to Israel has never failed and it will not fail us either. We know God's word is true.
Again, I love Daniel's prayer. He was burdened for the people of God, and it shows. It's amazing to me that "as soon as Daniel started praying" God sent a messenger to give him and answer to his prayer.
ReplyDeleteI also love, Ms. Boots, what you pointed out about the Israelites owing God seventy sabbaths. Wow....I never noticed that before!
We know from these chapters that God has kept his word...so we can also know that He will for the future yet to come.
FANTASTIC post Ms. Boots!!! You did an AMAZING job of connecting all of that together with the events in history that actually happened. I also did not know about the 70 sabbaths that the Israelites owed God. So VERY interesting!!! God's Word is just so utterly exact and just continues to confirm for us OVER and OVER that it is THE TRUTH and that it is TRUSTWORTHY as is our Lord! AMAZING STUFF!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the prayer of David! I tend to put him on a bit of a pedestal in my own mind, but he clearly took ownership of the sins of his people! Words like "we" and "our" and "us", abound! And, I couldn't help but hear that song "City on it's Knees" in my head while reading vs 17-19, WOW! I read the part about the four beasts and the boastful horn to my children....creatures like that stir amazing conversation! Loving this book!!!
ReplyDeleteThis verse jumped out at me: "...we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth." That is a verse worth pondering for a few days! You ladies are right... there is so much to this book!
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