Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
7v1 returns us to the reign of Belshazzar. Daniel's description of the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea from which four great beasts came, probably implies God’s intent behind their rise (7v2-3). As with Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the choice of ferocious beasts shows they represent the inhumane and vicious cruel rule of four kingdoms (7v17), contrasting righteous rule which is to image God. Each is a specific ruler or kingdom: The first three represent Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. A good case can be made that the fourth is Rome. But to my mind, the apparent chronology of the accounts works best if it is the Seleucid Empire, founded by one of Alexander’s generals, and that grew to cover much of the known world. Particularly significant is that Seleucus established his centre in Babylon (where Alexander died), maintaining the sense that these are the successive kingdoms at some point be ruled from Babylon. The ten horns probably therefore represent ten rulers who would grow out of this kingdom (7v24), with the focus on the rise of one in particular who speaks boastfully. This would be Antiochus Epiphanes who, in 167BC, attacked Jersualem, outlawed certain Jewish rites and traditions, ordered them to worship Zeus, and eventually destroyed the city. Daniel also sees God in all his purity and greatness, ready to execute justice according to the books of people’s deeds (7v9-10). This is expressed in the destruction of this boastful king as a marker, that sometime after this God's perfect ruler will come on clouds to God and be given all authority. Like a "son of man," he is not beast-like, but truly Adam-like. And the NT tells us this refers to the ascension of Christ to sit at his Father’s side (Matt 28v18-20, Acts 1v9-11). 7v27 should therefore be understood as speaking of how all the kingdoms of the earth would then bring their power and greatness into the service of Christ’s people. The point of the vision is to tell God’s people suffering oppression under each successive kingdom, that with each one the establishment of God’s kingdom was closer, and would come sometime after the fall of the fourth. We should also be encouraged to such patient perseverance, and to ensuring we are amongst those of 7v27. As you read note what we learn about God and his people.
Daniel 7
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.