Day 264

Visions of the Future

Read: Daniel 7-9

The rest of Daniel consists of the records of visions Daniel had. The first pictures four beasts apparently symbolizing the same empires as were represented in the image made of various metals: Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. But as in the book of Revelation, which takes much of its symbolism from Daniel, there is not only the earthly scene where God’s people are in trouble, but also the heavenly scene where God rules. God is described in terms which are applied to Christ in the book of Revelation, yet another evidence of his deity. In the presence of God is the Son of Man, a name which Jesus used again and again to describe himself. As John in his Gospel said in essence, The Word was with God, and The Word was God (John 1:1).

The vision of chapter 8 tells of conflict between beasts identified as representing the Medo-Persians and the Greeks. The Greek kingdom will be divided into four parts. This happened and one of the four resulting regencies centered in Syria and another in Egypt putting the Jews in the middle. “A king of bold countenance” (8:23) probably refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, who would do great harm to the Jews.

In the vision of chapter 9, Daniel is given information which may indicate the time when Christ would come to earth. God’s timetable includes the first and second comings of Christ.

PRAYER
Father, in the spirit of the New Testament, we pray “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” In his name. Amen.