"Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days."
Daniel 8:27
Daniel 8:27
I want to say, "Then I, Wendy, was overcome." Can anyone substitute my name with their own name? Whew! Laying sick for several days, no. Completely overwhelmed, yes.
A few points I want to make about today's reading:
- Thank you God for explaining Daniel's visions. Even though the explanations are overwhelming and encrypted with symbolism we have them for deeper study and interpretation.
- The horn is a symbol of power. We see throughout today's reading the rising and falling of powers. We see the sovereignty of God as He allows evil power to reign but only for a short time then He, the Ancient of Days will ultimately rule. (I love the new name of God we learned.) The rising and falling of powers took me back to Daniel 2:21-22:"He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him."
- His kingdom will last forever. AMEN!
- I want to be standing on the side of the Most High when every race and nation and language will obey Him.
5 Comments:
Dear Wendy and others, I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day holiday!
I am back in CA for a couple of weeks and I am very thankful that I have access to my NIV study Bible again. I had not taken it with me to Switzerland, and over the last few days I have used it to help me interpret the passages. The interpretation of the dreams, as you have said Wendy, are rich! There is a diagram of the visions in Daniel that correlates each vision to actual events in history. The first two each cover the Babylonian era, followed by the Medo-Persia era, then Greece as the leading empire with Alexander the Great as "the Leopard with four wings", and finally Rome. The third vision only deals with the middle two empires; Medo-Persia and Greece. Alexander the Great is the Goat's "large horn" according to the notes in the NIV.
One part that also caused me to pause was the verses in 8:24-28;
24 Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. 25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
26 “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. 27 Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”
According to the historical notes, these passages refer to Antiochus IV. He called himself "Epiphanes" which means God Manifest. He caused great destruction and tried to wipe out the Jewish faith. he died by illness or accident; God destroyed him.
I love the way Daniel's vision is like John's in Revelation with the Ancient One being surrounded by millions of Angels and the Book being opened and judgment beginning. I also love the way we are given a view of Christ in 7:13-14:
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
And Gabriel makes an appearance too! I love the way the Bible is so richly woven together; one part foreshadowing the next, another part bringing to fulfillment prophesies of the earlier parts... I am so thankful we are taking this journey together!
I read again today the verse you encouraged us to write in the front of our Bibles many months ago when we were in Deuteronomy. The verse is Deuteronomy 29:29 - “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions."
Still so true!
Have a blessed day with your families or whatever your holiday holds!
Karen
Happy Labor Day~Dear Sister's! Thank you Wendy for your post, and yes, today's reading is full of symbolism. I'm sure I only understand 1%; but, it just makes me want to dig deeper! :)
Daniel, a prophet who was spirit-filled, saw the world empires, not as impressive giants, but as cruel beasts. Symbols of selfishness, cruelty and bitter conflict. These world emperor’s rebelled against God as they battled for mastery over their competitors. Selfish ambition to reach worldly superiority has lowered men to the level of beasts.
Today, we deal with the “impressive giants,” too. Some are even good things to buy and places to go. These impressive “giants,” steal our time- if we yield to them. We, daily, have to read God’s Word, and seek His Presence by allowing ourselves to be led, guided, and counseled, as we remain on His path. That is where the accountability partners come in. It is so important to have accountability partners in our life. Godly charactered-people who will always turn us back to His Truth. Not friends that will jump in the pit with us and pull us astray!
Satan would love to keep us busy doing things that have no eternal outcome or fruit!
Sweet Jodie, waiting in anticipation for the news! Praying for you and the rest of "my sisters" across the miles! Love to you all!
Looking forward to swimming and barbequing today! Enjoy! Lori - AZ
Karen, THANK YOU, for your insights!
Rich reading with much meaning!
Lori, AZ
PS I too, love seeing how the Bible is so woven together. This is such a fun journey that we are on together! I am so blessed by all of you guys!
Blessings of the day to all of you!
Daniel's visions are indeed overwhelming..I am right there with you, Wendy...insert my name as well!
It gave me serious pause to understand that a good deal of our challenge in this millenium is to realize we do not need to be overcome and pale or weak in the knees as we are taught the things that pertain to the very end of time.
We have Jesus, and he has won the battle! We must cling to him all day and all night long, for the enemy knows us well and looks for any crack or broken spot to slither his way in to lie, steal and destroy our Joy!
The life of God's servant Daniel clearly illuistrates it is not always easy to be obedient. It is one thing to be told a delicious secret...such as there will be Cake(!)...it is quite another to be told there will be destruction - and even more to see a preview of it!
It's a responsibilty to be blessed with wisdom, insight and understanding...like Daniel, we might be faced with difficult tasks, moved out of our comfort zones and stretched - called to correct others.
That is where spiritual self-control and faith come in, I believe - that we do not fear any portion of the spiritual battle, for we know how it turns out! We just keep saying "Yes!" to God as he walks with us on the path to our eternal home.
He has shown us he is faithful and keeps his promises. He has redeemed us through the blood of his precious son,and he has equipped us with his spirit that we might stay connected to him and be filled with him every day.
Truly glorious!
Praying that the writing on our walls proclaims us to be obedient servants who cheerfully follow the heart of God!
I'm so grateful to be walking with and learning from all of you. I praise God for connecting us!
Whatever your day brings, I pray God's peace be in you and go with you!
Liz
AK
Oh Wendy, how I could replace my name there these days! I know the feeling all too well.
Karen, Lori and Liz, thank you for all your added comments. WOW!!!
Jodie, as I've been catching up on these posts and reading and commenting over the past several days, I was so sure I'd read news here about "Thumper". Praying for you.
The following verse grabbed at my heart today: “The army of heaven was restrained from responding to this rebellion.” Daniel 8:12
Lord, why? Times when evil appears to prosper and flourish. All things good and right seem denied. We question, where is God and why is He allowing satan to go unchecked? Doesn’t the Lord see our suffering and pain? Doesn’t He hear our prayers and cries for intervention? Why is the army of heaven restrained from responding on our behalf?
I wish I had an answer. The truth is, I don’t know. I have, now and again, been blessed with hindsight when a trial is over and enjoyed the gift of seeing how God used a certain situation to glorify Himself. Other times, not so much. At the end all I see is confusion, bewilderment and pain, yet the truth of God’s Word tells me that this too is working out somehow for my good and His glory.
There are just so many things right now to which I am saying, “Lord, where are You?” I mean, I know His presence is with me, that is not what I am doubting and questioning. But, Lord, where are You working in these circumstances? Why must these dear ones endure so much? Lord, You tell us You won’t give us more than we can bear, and that with the burdens, if we remain yoked with You, You will bring Your strength to carry us, but how much more Lord…how much more? Oh that You would loose the army of heaven to conquer our foe and let us see the victory that is ours through Your Son. We know eventual victory is promised and we trust You Lord, but how we long to see You overcome in these situations promptly.
Yet, maybe the victory right now will not come through positive answered prayer or the removal of rebellion, but by remaining faithful.
Lord, will You come alongside these precious ones right now who are weighed down, discouraged and despaired and let them feel You, shoulder to shoulder? Will you whisper in their ears that they are not alone, abandoned or forgotten? Father, strengthen their faith. One especially is fairly new in their walk with You. Lord hold this dear one so close that they feel Your heartache for them and heartbeat in them. Lord, may they not give up. Surround them with Your presence. May we who are soldiers in Your army here on earth, rally around them and offer the support and help we can. Maybe heaven’s army is restrained because there are those of us here You want to release and use in answering their prayers. Father show us what we can do today to be part of Your relief and rescue mission as these dear ones wait for the rebellion to end.
Trusting,
Joy
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