Bible In 90 Days 27: DANIEL

Today is Day 66 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

Although the book of Daniel isn’t near as long as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, it is deep. In fact, Daniel’s visions and prophecies are the keys to unlocking some of the mysteries surrounding the return of Christ, the Rapture, the Tribulation, and more. His book is the only Old Testament book that is classified as “apocalyptic.”

Daniel was in his teens when he was among the first Jewish captives taken to Babylon. Because of God’s favor on him, he quickly worked his way up the ranks and became one of the king’s go-to guys. His ministry lasted at least 70 years and 4 kings played an important part throughout his book: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus.

Daniel had many visions and interpreted many visions throughout the 12 chapters of his book. The words “dream” and “visions” are very prominent throughout the book. Many of them were in regards to Gentile nations, but many also pointed to the coming kingdom of God.

One interesting thing about the book is that Daniel wrote it in 2 different languages: Hebrew (1:1-2:4a and 8:1-the end) and Aramaic (2:4b-7:28). There’s no explanation given for the different languages. It may have to do with who was the most prominent subject – Jews (Hebrew), Gentiles (Aramaic).

One thing that really stood out to me throughout the book are the ways that the kings ended up honoring God after they learned their lesson the hard way…

Nebuchadnezzar after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survived the furnace:

Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way. – Daniel 3:29

Nebuchadnezzar after he was restored from eating grass in the field like an animal (I know it sounds weird):

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. – Daniel 4:37

Darius, after Daniel survived a night in a den of lions:

I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. – Daniel 6:26

All of these instances (and more) take me back to what Paul would write hundreds of years later to the church in Philippi:

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:10-11

One day, EVERYONE will bow and recognize that God is God. So since you’re going to do it one day anyway, why not do it today, while you have the choice?

Daniel is a powerful book that proves Who is in charge and Who knows the mysteries and secrets of what is to come. Sometimes He gives specifics, but most of the time, He gives us just what we need to know and tells us to trust Him. Do you trust Him?

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