THE ANCIENT OF DAYS
Today’s Reading: Daniel 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Today’s reading mentions “a ram” and a “male goat.” Here’s one of God’s creatures from Haiti. Reynold has been there several times to initiate Crosssroads missions projects, particularly after the great natural disasters. The painted horns indicate to all the villagers that this goat is owned by a particular person.
Key Verses: Daniel 7:13-14
I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7 picks up Daniel’s life where chapter 4 leaves us. Nebuchadnezzar is dead and this time it is Daniel who has a dream, which he interprets as a further amplification of the four kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream: (1) Babylon (2) Persia (3) Greece (4) Rome. Daniel’s greatest concern is “the fourth beast” (7:19 & 7:23). Daniel saw 10 horns on its head and then a little horn that comes to dominate the others. Scholars who have written on prophecy are almost unanimous in identifying this horn that rises with the Antichrist.
In Daniel 8 the ram and the male goat meet in fierce battle, and the male goat is the victor (Rome defeats Greece about 300 years after Daniel writes this prophecy). The experience was so powerful that this strong man, Daniel, fainted and had to take several days off work.
Jesus took Daniel’s prophecy so seriously that when He stood before the Jewish High Priest and Ruling Council, He quoted Daniel 7:13. Read Matthew 26:62-68! It was obvious to all the rulers that condemned Jesus for blasphemy that Jesus claimed to be the One Daniel called, “The Ancient of Days!” (Daniel 7:9 and 7:13). Daniel prophesied in these chapters of the coming of the One whose “dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away!” This could not possibly be anyone other that the Eternal Almighty God showing Himself in human flesh as the Son of Man and Son of God!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Ancient of Days, Most High, Ruler over the Everlasting Kingdom, I bow before You as one whom You created from the dust of the earth. I’m humbled and, like Daniel, astonished at the greatness of Your Person. I can ask for only one thing in my prayer, “Have Dominion over my life!” I make You my Lord in my surrender to Your dominion. I worship You Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I do this in the Name of Jesus, the One whom we will see “coming in the clouds of Heaven!” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m aware from the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus of the unspeakable evil of the Greeks, particularly under Antiochus Epiphanes IV, who desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem with what the prophets call “The Abomination of Desolation” (sacrificing a pig on the altar in the Holy of Holies – 175 years before Christ). We are much more aware of the Roman brutalities because of the record of the Gospels. But these horrors will be surpassed by the coming one whom the Scriptures call “the man of sin” or “the Beast” who sets up an image of himself in the Holy of Holies of a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, gives it the power to speak (perhaps a hologram image), and anyone who does not worship the image is put to death (Revelation 13:1-9).
To the reader who desires to understand the many prophesies by the prophets, the apostles, and Jesus Himself, I recommend a book by Dr. Mark Hitchcock called The End. He’s been a guest for an entire month on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. Mark takes the complex and make it understandable. Be ready for very serious study and then order Mark’s book from the Crossroads e-store (click here). Also, take the time to watch some of Mark’s teachings from 100 Huntley Street (click here for a series of his teachings you can choose from).
Yours to help us understand the one-third of the Bible which is broadly called “Prophecy,”
David
Daniel was a very gifted prophet and so much was revealed to him. I can imagine how exhausted he must have been. Very profound and powerful scripture, today, with the end times. Thank you David for your prayer and message. I look forward to Dr. Mark Hitchcock’s study. Very cute ram in the photo! God’s blessings to all, dearest saints, in the Lord!
“For the Lord thy God is a merciful God. He will not forsake thee.” Deut 4:31
Burning In My Soul, Matt Maher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGykYvgQAQI
“O dear soul, do not despise your school of sorrow. It is bestowing on you a unique part in the heavenly song.” George Matheson
“Is the midnight closing ‘round you ?
Are the shadows dark and long ?
Ask him to come close beside you,
And he’ll give you a new, sweet song.
He’ll give it and sing it with you;
And when weakness slows you down,
He’ll take up the broken cadence,
And blend it with his own.
And many a heavenly singer
Among those sons of light,
Will say of his sweetest music,
“I learned it in the night.”
And many a lovely anthem,
That fills the Father’s home,
Sobbed out its first rehearsal,
In the shade of a darkened room.”
From Streams in the Desert, May 30
Beautiful Beverlee! I love “Streams in the Desert”! Prayed your prayer, David. What prophecies God gave to His trusted servant Daniel. I would like to think God would entrust me with a few things as well and I know He has entrusted you with a lot David. God bless all you saints!
I don’t always comment as I usually read the blog on my Iphone 4 and cannot “reply” unless I register again with a name and password. I don’t want anymore names and passwords! Anyway, I am on my computer just now and I am wondering what it means that the enemy will be allowed to fight the saints and overcome them (not the precise wording). Will God really allow the enemy to attack the saints and win? I know it talks a little farther on about those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life but it is hard for me to fathom what this “overcoming” means.
Here is a good full description of the end times, Doreen:
http://www.compellingtruth.org/end-times.html
We are to remember The End Times – Before the Tribulation
Rapture—The Rapture is when Jesus returns to the sky and takes up the believers, dead and alive, so they will not have to suffer God’s wrath during the Tribulation. They are judged at the Bema Seat of Christ, rewarded for their good works, and given glorified bodies. The marriage supper of the Lamb will also take place. There are no precursors to the Rapture; it could happen at any time.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11-4:5; Revelation 19:7-9
But it goes on to explain everything further than that, which is just the beginning on the link.
thank you Beverlee. I printed it off and will study it (had an incredibly busy day today so I’m quite tired. I was confused by the Revelation 13: 1 – 9 (specifically verse 7 where it says “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them”. That sounded unusual to me. That is in the NKJV. Thanks again. I will let friends and family know about that http://www.CompellingTruth.org
Prayed your prayer Pastor David. Even though we studied the book of Daniel in our morning Bible study!! It is a Powerful Study, and needs much time and attention. Only by God’s Holy Spirit and interpretation is one able to receive a glimpse of its meaning!!
Thank you for you sharing your thoughts and prayer with us!!
Praying for you Ger! Praying all is well, praying God will give you all the strength you need AMEN
I was thinking of my life as a young person, I had a very “typical” dysfunctional family! In spite of the the alcohol problems, growing up problems, mental health issues, my parents would go to church every Sunday, some 25 miles, fine in the good months, but my dad was responsible for seeing that the roads were ploughed in the winter and in Alberta, well, we got snow! But we always went to church! Sometimes we would fight all the way to church, then go and sing and pray, and back home, fighting all the way! It’s funny now! But I am thankful for that time, and I am so amazed how God worked through it all in spite of all the dysfunction! Thank you Lord, thank you , in Jesus Name AMEN
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Thank you Sah for your prayers! Well my parents are both gone of course. My mother was a saint but I led my father to the Lord on his death bed; actually the Lord gave him a spirit of repentance in the hospital’s intensive care unit before he came home to die but he was very willing to pray with me then in about fifteen minutes he passed quietly away. Such an easy death and he was raising his arm up and down; perhaps seeing something or saying goodbye. May the Lord bless. Ger