Daniel 7-9 The End Times.  Daniel is one of those books of the Bible I usually just skimmed over, especially during the prophetic parts.  I think the reason I have skimmed in the past is because I haven’t really understood.  I still don’t understand, but perhaps I’m not meant to understand.  The angel Gabriel told Daniel that he was precious to the Lord — that’s why the Lord was revealing this information about the coming end times to him. As I read these chapters, I see glimmers of history that has already come true, such as the fact that the … Continue reading Turning the tables

Daniel 4-6 I always wondered about the king in the account of Daniel in the lion’s den.  Was he really so gullible that his advisors convinced him to pass a law that would virtually guarantee the death of one of his best employees?  Did he not know Daniel well enough to know that Daniel would never agree to stop worshiping the Lord? At any rate, I noticed in my fresh reading today that the king was “anguished” about Daniel’s fate.  He fasted.  He passed on entertainment.  He couldn’t sleep.  I wonder if he was feeling any fear of retribution from … Continue reading The door moves

Daniel 1-3 I love the story of the fiery furnace!  Most of all, I am captivated by Daniel’s prayer at the opening of the book of Daniel: “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for … Continue reading Following into the flames

Joel Again my head is filled with prophetic language…language that just so happens to be reflected in the words that Jesus spoke when he talked about the signs to look for at the end times.  In Joel, we read: 15 The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine. Then in Matthew 24, Jesus repeats the same message: 29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. One of … Continue reading When the lights go out