Daniel 7-12
Rev. Dwight Yoo
The first half of Daniel is narrative. The chapters here deal with prophetic visions. They speak of the coming victory of God. There is too much detail to cover, so I'll be summarizing and distilling things down to some applicable points. When approaching apocalyptic passages, we need to be aware that there is a lot of metaphor and symbolism. So we need to be careful in taking it too literally.
For the believer, suffering and struggle is the norm
Daniel has visions, but he is deeply disturbed. He's had visions before, but these affect him. His color changes, he felt sick, and he is emotionally troubled. God wins at the end, but the people of God will suffer throughout history. They will be trampled. Daniel sees God's plan through history and he sees how believers and followers of God will continue to go through hard times. The grass is not greener on the other side. Life continues to be difficult for the believer. It is the norm. You can do everything right, like Daniel, and still suffer and experience trouble. He was exiled... Lived and died in a foreign land under a foreign king... Never to see his homeland again.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Hebrews 2:10 ESV
We are to live life expecting tough times. That is the Christian way and path. Jesus suffered, even though he lived a sinless life. We are to share in Christ's suffering and to suffer well.
There is more to our suffering and struggles than our eye can see.
There are angelic brings named in the visions. There is a fight unseen that is raging. God's kingdom is opposed. There is an enemy and he is in a spiritual battle. There is a demonic opposition looking to restrict the growth of God's kingdom. Do not underestimate the enemy.
We must not overestimate the enemy.
We need to stay in God's word and in prayer. Daniel's prayer is answered by an angel.
Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
Daniel 10:12 ESV
We are not fighting a physical battle. This is a spiritual battle. As you share with your friends about Christ, pray. As you serve the small group, pray just as hard. Prayer works. Prayer matters.
It is through suffering and trouble that victory comes.
Under the final Prince, the Antichrist, things will go from bad to ridiculously worse. We don't know all the details, but we know enough that we are to live faithfully.
He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. ...
But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
Daniel 12:9, 13 ESV
Jesus died. How dark a time that must have been. But his death (and resurrection) has bought Christians victory.
In this day and age, many bemoan the loss of Christian morals in this country. But Christianity seems to do best when Christians are marginalized. This day and age are an opportunity. Perhaps the greatest revival will come when following Christ is no longer mainstream.
Suffering is not just about us. It is also a way that God demonstrates the gospel. Our suffering shows how Christ anchors and keeps us.
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