Scripture to Read: Daniel 7:1
Daniel 7:1 says, “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon,” which would date this to 553 B.C. By God’s sovereign power, He allowed Daniel to see things in his vision that would take place long after 553 B.C. As Christians, we understand that God revealed history through His prophets. History progresses a certain way under God's sovereign hand. We must always remember that God is in control, yet the only way to get a better understanding of this is to understand prophecy. God gave Daniel this vision when he was in his mid-sixties. Now, we must understand that the Book of Daniel was not written chronologically. Therefore, what was recorded in Daniel 7 and Daniel 8 actually occurred before what was recorded in Daniel 5. A total of fourteen years go by in Daniel 7 and Daniel 8 before the events that are recorded in Daniel 5 occur. Remember that Daniel 5 is when the Persians conquered the Babylonians. Also, Daniel 7 reminds us of what was written in Daniel 2. Daniel 2:1 says, “Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him.” We know from studying Daniel 2 that God had Daniel record a time of history from Nebuchadnezzar’s point of view. However, Daniel 7, though it is a description of the exact same time period, gives the description from his Jewish point of view. As God works through His Word, we must rest and trust in His Spirit to teach us.
Challenge & Application
• What does prophecy teach us about God’s handiwork in history, and also, what does it remind us of about God?
• Why is it so important to rest and trust in God and His Holy Spirit in us to teach us from His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!