The book of Daniel is an amazing book. Daniel was among the first of the people of the land of Judah who were carried into captivity in Babylon. He rose to recognition and power in the Babylonian empire by showing the king what was to happen in the future. He told the king about a dream that told of the coming of future kingdoms and more. The stories of the first six chapters are taught to children in Sunday School to teach the power of God. The last six chapters are studied by scholars, especially those studying eschatology (the study of the events of the last days of life in this world as we know it). Historians studying the last six chapters easily identify how Daniel understood from the writings of Jeremiah how Israel would be in captivity for seventy years. But in visions Daniel detailed future events explaining details about kings and even the daughter of a king (Cleopatra) would be shifting control back and forth across the land of Israel. He also told of a future ruler (history shows to be Antiochus Epiphanies) would desecrate the Jewish temple and despoil the worship there. He also told of the time that the Messiah would come. (Can’t remember for sure but it was something like so many years from the Jewish restoration (483 and 490 years come to mind- I believe it was the 483 years and the last 7 years making the 490 were for the last seven years studied in eschatology).) Aside from those last seven years studied of the end times, a few passages describe events that were to be recognized in those days. This is just one short passage. Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. (KJV) The transgressors are those who refuse to come to our Creator. We are all sinners, but those who are saved are covered by the blood of Jesus. Still, even those who are saved will be judged for the works done in this fleshly body, though they are saved from the great wrath of eternal separation from their Creator, and have homes with their Creator forever. Looking at this world today, the time of the transgressors seem to be at (or at least very near) being come to the full. This king of fierce countenance certainly represents the Anti-Christ king who will be against the holy people (holy means ‘set-apart’ and refers to the Jews as being set-apart from the time of the promise to Abraham). Though he claims to be bringing peace into a world of chaos, this Anti-Christ king will destroy many might and set-apart people. When I was much younger, I enjoyed studying the end times (it was something of a fad then). Now I don’t study it so much, but recognize that many things happening today do point to those last days being very near (perhaps imminent). For how many times I’ve read Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation (which are the main studies in eschatology) and the commentaries and other books “explaining” the end times, many things seem to agree. There are some details on which scholars do not agree; though each explanation has many points that would make it seem plausible. Even so, I try to avoid discussing the subject. This seems to be best left to the scholars. I mostly leave the details to God, and try to focus on knowing Him and learning more of His law of love. Though the overall scheme of the end is a good subject for all to look into, but I wouldn’t be too concerned with the details (unless you’re a scholar), because the important thing to me is to see the accumulating signs that the end is near, and the need for spreading the truth of the gospel to all mankind.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Feb 2014 03:05:54 +0000