Daniel 10-12

Sunday

Daniel concludes today with visions pertaining to the end times.

Following the vision, there is an interpretation of the vision. This vision may apply to the restoration of Israel following the overthrow of Antiochus IV around 175 BC (The time of the Maccabees).  Or the vision may foreshadow a future event that has not occurred yet. We know that Jesus talks about some of Daniel’s prophecies in Matthew 24:15-28 and Mark 13.

In the end, Daniel is told to go on with his life. By this he is basically told not to question what is beyond his understanding, but rather be at peace. For us to speculate on when these events will happen I feel is a misreading of the point of all of these visions. We just need to know that they will happen and in God’s timing. I’ve heard so many times in my life, people who have felt they have figured out when the rapture will occur (like actual dates that have come and gone.) When I was in my 20’s I attended a church that the pastor preached for 6 weeks on Revelation and was convinced that the rapture would happen before the end of the 80’s. Well, I guess he was wrong. There have been many people who have been duped into giving all of their possessions because some cult leader had convinced them of “knowing” when the rapture would come.

We could say that certain events in our time have fulfilled some of the prophecies found throughout the scripture, but whether it will happen in our lifetime or not, our purpose should never waver beyond what we have been commanded to do: spread the gospel message (Matthew 28), live holy and obedient lives, and love God and our neighbors with all our hearts and… stay alert.

Blessings on the day,

Pastor Kathy


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