Category: Daniel

Pastor Chris, Aaron and Bryan live out the text of Daniel. Join us as we see what shenanigans they get into on their journey to the wilds of Oklahoma and all places in-between.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 12:1-13 (day seven)

“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

“You are the light of the world […] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14a, 16

This prophecy of Daniel, perfected by Jesus, puts an enormous task on the people of God: to become the light. It is nothing of our own doing though. This prophecy becomes true when we willingly hand over our life into the hands of The Light and His Holy Spirit fills us. Our light is not produced by us but by an overflow of His glory in us. So how can this little light of mine shine into the darkest parts of the world? Light becomes brighter when it is surrounded by other lights. Let us shine a bright light in downtown San Antonio!

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 12:1-13 (day six)

¹³ “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.” Daniel 12:13

What I find comforting in this encounter, is not only a reassurance of a secure future, but also God’s personal word for Daniel…for the now. Much of the time Daniel is caught up in sweeping visions of apocalyptic proportions, but not in verse 13.

As for you…

These three simple words remind us that we are not lost in the crowd of humanity’s history or future. God knows us, and even more, has a word for us that is relevant now.  While God guides all of human history to its end and new beginning, he loves us still…personally. He knows. He cares. He loves. He redeems. He provides.

God is big, and He is small. He spoke the universe into existence, and He whispers to us.

It’s personal. He’s personal.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 12:1-13 (day five) “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
Does the future frighten you?  Pandemic? Economy? Return to “normalcy”?
Daniel is reminded of a delicate balance that helps bring perspective and hope. The balance between “the now” and “the future”.  What he believes about life now and what he believes about the future are both important. Daniel is reminded that there is service, ministry, and mission to be accomplished now (today). He is also keenly aware that the future finally finds its end with the reign of the Lord and rest of the people. Perhaps our fears of the future would be eased somewhat if we looked far enough to see this picture of the very end.

The lesson Daniel learned in this balance helps us in the present and in the future.  God does not forget. He remembers and reminds His children of His faithfulness for the future and His nearness and involvement in each human life in the present.
One takeaway from the book of Daniel is that from the present moment till the end of time, God does not forget which means His children will not be lost in the shuffle (now and forever).

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 12:1-13 (day four)

Blessings await those who persevere to the end…this is the message and promise that Daniel gives to his people.  There will be very difficult times along the way, but the end result will be worth it.  “Can’t we just skip the pain and difficulty and just move straight to the blessing! “ Our society in modern day has the same mindset…we do not want to go through heartache in order to arrive at blessing.  We want immediate reward…’take out blessing’ that is available right now.

Somewhere along the way, God’s people have gotten the idea that if we are obedient to God and have enough faith, everything in our life will be positive.  We will not experience any heartache or trials and we will always be prosperous and successful.  This model does not fit with biblical teaching…Daniel’s vision tells us that just the opposite will be true.  When hard times come though, we have God’s promise that blessing awaits those who persevere to the end.  Hold tight…it will be worth it!

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 12:1-13 (day two)

 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Vs. 2-3

I love the poetry of these verses. There is enough mystery in them to fire the imagination, but still they are filled with the promise of hope. I love these verses because the point to a moment where those resting redeemed will shine are receive the reward of the righteous. Not often in the Old Testament do we read about what happens after death. Our greater understanding of eternity comes from Jesus and what he taught, and further from the great Revelation. In the midst of what must come, the war, the rebellion, and all the accompanies those, this is an oasis to the faithful. A life lived for Jesus is worth it.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 11:1-45 (day seven)

“Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time.” vs 35

Daniel was given a word that would shape the future of God’s people. It wasn’t a word of fear but of hope. It was a word that would influence the events surrounding the Maccabean Revolt. Those who remain faithful to God may fall, but their persecution will make them stronger. This word would influence first century Christians as they encouraged the early church, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3) These words would shape millions of Christians in the next 2,000 years, many of whom did fall, but God’s people always came out stronger. From the words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result.” From the beginning of time, God has taken what others meant for evil and refines, purges, and purifies it for His good. That is hope!

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 11:1-45 (day six)

“The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.” -Sorcerers, Magicians, and Chaldeans. Daniel 2:11 (NLT)

There are many Old Testament scholars who argue that Daniel is not real history simply because the historical details match up too nicely. No one could have written with that kind of detail in the sixth century BC, they would say.

They draw the same conclusion as Nebuchadnezzar’s sorcerers and magicians, gods don’t reveal mysteries to men. Their practical atheism deny God’s ability to handle the details of human history. The irony is, the purpose of Daniel is to prove the opposite; the only true God is the revealer of mysteries and riddles.

God is in all the details, present and distant future, guiding them to certain ends.

Righteousness forever more.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 11:1-45 (day four) “And now I will tell you the truth:” Chapter 11 is distinctively different than the rest of the book. No visions. No dreams. No pictures.  Just words. Did reading Daniel’s spoken apocalypse (chapter 11) feel different without any visual content?  Our culture has shifted to place for more importance on the visual rather than the verbal. Perhaps the influence of TV and computers. In fact, a nickname for a younger generation is “digitals”.   Have we come to value what is seen more than what is spoken? Sounds like Thomas (unless I see, I won’t believe). In God’s economy, the verbal (words) matters more than the visual (visions, pictures).   “Faith comes from hearing”.  Pictures, visions, and examples are all important, but not more than the words that accompany them. Words bring clarity and certainty. God please speak to us that we might hear, trust, and obey!!