Midweek Message from the Archive
Finding Jesus in Daniel
If you were raised in church or even if you weren’t, you’ve probably heard of the adventures of Daniel. A fiery furnace, the lion’s den, and dreams and visions were all part of his MO but who thinks of the end times, the antichrist, and Armageddon when they remember the stories of Daniel? Yet that’s exactly where we find Jesus. Allow me to explain.
This faithful prophet of God marched off to Babylon as a young man and never returned to Jerusalem from exile. His mission was to receive divine messages from God to inspire and encourage those in captivity. Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome were all kingdoms whose ultimate destructions were predicted by Daniel, however, as two kings declared, the fifth and last kingdom will be everlasting (4:34-35, 6:26-27). That’s the kingdom believers are waiting for: oh, what a glorious day!
Daniel had incredible influence in the Babylonian Empire, as his book portrays, and his ability to interpret the king’s dreams were miraculous, however, as we ponder finding Jesus in this series, chapters 7 and 12 are highlights. Jesus appeared in Daniel’s vision of a courtroom scene (7:9-14) when the Ancient of Days, God the Father, was pictured as a judge opening a book (compare with Rev. 20:12, 21:27). Angels appeared delivering the Son of Man (1 Thes. 4:16-18) and Messiah was presented this final kingdom.
Angels tell Daniel that the four beasts of his vision were future kingdoms (which was historically fulfilled) but that the saints, you and me, will receive this final, eternal kingdom. Daniel is allowed further angelic interpretation that one, the antichrist, will arise in authority and war but the Judge will remove him from power (7:27). Three times it’s repeated that the saints will possess this Kingdom. What an amazing prophecy for a Christian.
Paul echoes this kingdom language of Daniel when he writes that God’s great love and grace raises us up and seats us in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:5-7), therefore, ruling and reigning with Him (Rev. 1:4-7). John also, in the book of Revelation, shows us that the King of kings will appear and take the throne. What a future we have waiting for us.
Chapter twelve describes the end times and promises deliverance and resurrection to those whose name is written in the book. So … how do you get your name included in that book? It’s not complicated: if you’ve humbly confessed your sin and know you’re unable to save yourself but need Jesus to forgive and cleanse you, then His rescue, His salvation is yours. You now begin a journey living a victorious life that reflects Him. Go for it.
All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. Revelation 3:5 NLT
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