Friday: Further Thought – Daniel and the End Time
Further Thought: “As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. ‘The wise shall understand’ [Dan. 12:10], was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God’s people all through the centuries, the promise is, ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.’ Revelation 1:3”. — Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 547, 548.
Though we tend to look at the book of Daniel in the context of the rise and fall of nations, the judgment (Dan. 7:22, Dan. 7:26; Dan. 8:14), and the final deliverance of God’s people in the time of trouble (Dan. 12:1), we saw this week that the book of Daniel also can give us examples of what it means for us individually to be prepared for trials and persecution, whenever they come. In this sense, these stories present us with crucially important messages in the last days. After all, however helpful it may be to know about the “mark of the beast” and the “time of trouble” and upcoming persecution, if we haven’t had the kind of experience with God that we need, all this knowledge will only condemn us. More than anything else, we need the “born again” experience that Daniel and the others, including Nebuchadnezzar, had.
Discussion Questions:
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How can we be wise to understand? Can we be prepared for His coming if we arn't wise. No. (Who are the wise? In Daniel it is implyed the righteous.) How do we get wise? Prayer, meditating on Him, reading His word, Christian books if they speak as to the Bible, and ask for the Holy Spirit, He will make you wise. This is the only way, I do believe, that we can have the Daniel type of wisdom. Daniel 12:10. Wait, there is another, where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst of us. Matthew 18:20.
All that you say is good advice John, but I would add one more thing. We need to think about how we convert all of that into practical experience. Christianity is above all else, practical living. We can read the Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit, but at the end of the day we have to get out of our comfortable seat and walk out into the real world, meeting and interacting with real people.
As a cook, I can read recipes and study ingredients, but sooner or later, if I am to be a useful cook, I have to get out the chopping board and mixers, pots and pans, and turn up the heat on the stove and do some serious cooking. Nobody appreciates a cook who can only recite recipes!
I just completed some research on the word study in both its noun and verb form. I was also able to learn that it is based on the latin word (studium) and the old french word (estudi / estudier). Based on the above the acquisition of knowledge is in no way a means to have a form of knowledge without usefulness (application into the real world). I agree with your sentiments. Are we prepared to consider the his: We have become so beant on undermining our own faith in the Word of God as Adventists that we are so caught up pointing out what we need to make practical application. There is no way you can be a Christian without a practical application of what the term itself means (see Matthew 25:31-36). Read this portion of the Bible and you will see that without practical application of the principles or characteristics of a Christian lifestyle will result in Christ rejecting us (I do not know you). I find it a bit concerning for us as Adventist to be having this problem of practical application. We are either Christian or we are not.
So, are we truly prepared to get to the truth of what we study and what the Bible says about itself, in this case Daniel's prophecies?
Maurice and Tim, just by sharing with you how to be wise, I have let my light shine and not hid it under a bushel. Thank you both for augmenting. Next time I am cooking I will make sure I am cooking for all to partake. Not just me.
Who are the wise? What is being wise?
What did Jesus teach?
"whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:" (Matt 7:24).
So could we then quote Dan 12:10 as "the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the obedient shall understand."? Does that work?
Now for those who might wonder what is being promoted: this means the obedience of faith. Faith in the "exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.(2 Peter 1:4).
In reflecting back over this weeks lesson and comments, I find myself wondering if it is possible that my focus on the end times could get in the way of the importance of why and how I live each day now? Does it make a difference whether I am facing 'persecution' at the 'end time' or temptation today? Won't my daily walk as an authentic follower of Christ be the same thing that helps me in any situation I might face now or in the future?
In reflecting back on last quarter's lesson focus, Daniel and his 3 companions were essentially faithful stewards each and every day - whether they were walking through the valley of the shadow of death or whether they were going about their daily 'occupations'. They weren't primarily (if at all?) focusing on trying to protect themselves from danger - they were focusing on living Godly lives for the benefit of others and the glory of God and His Kingdom.
And if Daniel and his companions were faithful stewards each day, what might the desires of their hearts have been that motivated them to want to keep being faithful stewards each day? So, what might the desires of my heart need to be each day?
In reflecting across the landscape of Bible history, I can't help noticing the contrast: Daniel, his friends, Jesus (and others) face death and remain faithful. Eve, Adam, David (and others) face no threat of death and ... fall in their faithfulness. I wonder where my focus and 'preparation' actually needs to be?
Phil, what you appear to be suggesting is exactly what the lessons have been suggesting as well. At least that is what I have come away with.
The fact is; that the end of all things and the accountability of each soul is highlighted through scripture, and thus the focus of the lessons this quarter. This is profitable for any who are NOT yet prepared. For those who prepare daily through faith, it is a subject of encouragement where needed and reminder for those who may have slid back from this daily walk of faith.
God has focused on this need to prepare for final judgment out of mercy toward sinners, and we do well to consider it, for it will and must affect every choice, thought, word and action today(where we are), which will affect tomorrow(which none will escape, even by death), with results that are eternal.
What have you seen in these lessons that makes you feel the focus is off the mark?
Hi Robert
I was raising a point that a focus on end times preparation could lead me to primarily focus on my being ready for the end times rather than (or to the exclusion of) living my life each day to honour and serve God and to serve others. I would propose that focusing on the latter will automatically see me prepared for former, while focusing on the former could lead me to miss the latter. Does this risk exist within Adventist culture?
I have raised this point/issue as one that may potentially be discussed in Sabbath School classes.
There can be all these beautiful examples of great and wise men from the Bible, where they seem to be perfect, but they were not! They were men like us! Sinners, humans. Nevertheless, they decided to do the right thing probably every day! This could have given them the strenght to continue in doing so when things were super difficult. It was part of them already to stand by what was right. They chose right in small things, God just tested them to justify their faithfulness! They must have felt fear. But God, by His mercy, delivered them marvelously by giving them the prize they deserved. If God is for us who is going to be against us? Who's side I want to be today? Knowing that God is the owner of all Universe?
James 2:18-19
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
What is real true faith?
People claim they have faith in a TRUE GOD however, they don't show it by there action.They are still worshiping a false God and false image...That Daniel refuse to worship.
This planet we live on rainbow of many beautiful and real color. But we still living in the past and outdated history. God can change us.
1. Daniel reveals in his prayer what it is to have faith. Faith is always a demonstration that will have tangible results that others can witness. The character and promises of God are plainly revealed, but are worthless to those without a knowledge of them and faith in them. Daniel demonstrates the results of knowing God and believing Him, witnessed by his choices and actions.
2. From the view of Daniel and his 3 associates, there was no challenge. It was a simple choice made in faith in each case. OTHERS might see peril or difficulty, but these 4 faithful servants of the "highest God" saw only promises that exceeded the threats against them. Can we see this ourselves? Such important lessons for the taking here in Daniel.
3. Born again? A new start/life with reformed(in the image of the Creator) character and purposes. In the case of what Jesus is speaking of in being born again, it is the desire, commitment, and resulting choices/actions to be faithful to our Sovereign God and His word. In a word: obedient. Sin is the result of disobedience to the eternal Law of God. Sin is loving self while abusing another by taking away their peace and prosperity in some way. Born again will change our views on every decision we are called to make from the simplest daily chore to that which might affect the course of nations, and everything between. To acknowledge God in "all our ways" is the result of the new birth. This calls us to renounce(leave behind) our former ways of sin through repentance, which is the first step in the new life that will spring up; "first the blade...and then at last the harvest"(paraphrase).
(please, for anyone tempted to see the above as a "works" religion, it IS and must be a religion that is seen in good works that glorify our Father in Heaven, yet accomplished only through faith in our Surety. There is no intent to imply good works without faith, since this cannot be accomplished by flesh. I think we all know this by now. What I describe above is the visible result of being "born again", made possible only through faith in God's promises which is exercised in the choices made through faith.)
Well put Robert. A faithful life is consistently saying "Amen, Yes and thank you" for God's promises that He works out in our life if we believe Him by accepting His promises (Philippians 2:13).
Daniel and his 3 friends did just that.
This week's lesson for me just says "Do."
Your right Lyndah. When we are doing His will. When we are doing a Christ relflecting life each day now, we are focusing on end times. and being prepaired for end times. This is practicing a faith that will have tangible(easily seen or detected) results.