Daniel 7 introduces another vision in which Daniel sees four great beasts rising up from the sea. Each is described in detail and given distinct features that represent the character and nature of their power. Daniel 7:14 makes it very clear that these beasts represent four kings (heads of governments) which will arise out of the sea. The sea represents peoples; in this case the human race. Where else do we a succession of four kingdoms or powers? There is no previous mention of such a succession expect for Daniel 2. Here the Scripture is reinforcing the important role of these four distinct powers. So who are these powers? Daniel in his interpretation declared Babylon to be the first power in the line of prophetic world powers (Daniel 2:37,38). So it would be within sound reason to begin here. History has left no doubt as to what empires followed after the fall of Babylon: Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Again, more can be said about these nations but we will not discuss those matters at this time.
Each of these nations was established by cunning men who took advantage of the political and regional strife of the time and with the aid of great armies were able to carry out their vain ambitions. One thing that needs to be clear is that a beast in prophecy is not representative of heavenly power or government. There is no doubt that these powers were brought forth by mighty men and are therefore human institutions.
This rule of interpretation is to be applied in the prophetic records of Daniel and Revelation. More will be written on the subject of the beasts in prophecy but for now it is sufficient to understand how they are to be interpreted.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
2300 Days
“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” (Daniel 8:14).
Only a few Christians are aware of this time prophecy even though it is the longest prophetic time period found in the Bible. Others who have heard of it may not fully understand the relevance of the prophecy in light of modern Christianity. Many have dismissed the prophecy as ancient history with no bearing on today’s gospel message. The fact of the matter is that this prophecy has everything to do with the gospel message. Let me explain.
First, we must establish the length of 2300 days. In prophetic interpretation one day equals one year, so 2300 days would equal 2300 years. The starting point for this prophecy has been determined to be 457 B.C. when king Artaxerxes gave the command to restore Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1; Daniel 9:25). This being so, 2300 years would bring us to 1844 (there is no “zero” year). So this prophecy covers a period from 457 B.C. to 1844 A.D. What a marvelous thought that God would prepare His people for events covering a span of 2300 years!
This prophetic period was given to Daniel in the context of establishing a time line which would serve to mark significant events for both the Jews and the Christians. This time frame, which began from the command to restore Jerusalem in 457 B.C. (Daniel 9:25), would include periods of oppression and relentless persecution against God’s people, both Jews and Christians, by both pagan powers and later papal Rome. But for God’s faithful people a Messiah was predicted to appear who would bring hope and restore the faith of those who suffered and died for His cause.
The Christian world recognizes Jesus Christ as the predicted Messiah who would bring hope and faith into this world. But the prophetic time period stretches far beyond Christ’s earthly life. What hope and faith can possibly exist in the year 1844? Well, as the passage suggests, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” something of great importance happened in 1844. According to the Old Testament, the cleansing of the sanctuary happened once a year during the Day of Atonement. This was the day that the High Priest interceded on behalf of the sins of Israel before the throne of God (the Ark of the Covenant) thus imparting righteous judgment upon the people. Since the sanctuary services of the Old Testament were no longer practiced anywhere on earth in 1844 this could only mean that the passage refers to the heavenly sanctuary where the same Jesus who walked this earth is interceding for us in heaven as our High Priest. That is the message of hope and faith for the Christian today! Although the story of Christ’s death on Calvary is an important part of the gospel message, it means nothing without the message of Christ’s intercession on our behalf. This prophecy points us to that wonderful scene.
Only a few Christians are aware of this time prophecy even though it is the longest prophetic time period found in the Bible. Others who have heard of it may not fully understand the relevance of the prophecy in light of modern Christianity. Many have dismissed the prophecy as ancient history with no bearing on today’s gospel message. The fact of the matter is that this prophecy has everything to do with the gospel message. Let me explain.
First, we must establish the length of 2300 days. In prophetic interpretation one day equals one year, so 2300 days would equal 2300 years. The starting point for this prophecy has been determined to be 457 B.C. when king Artaxerxes gave the command to restore Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1; Daniel 9:25). This being so, 2300 years would bring us to 1844 (there is no “zero” year). So this prophecy covers a period from 457 B.C. to 1844 A.D. What a marvelous thought that God would prepare His people for events covering a span of 2300 years!
This prophetic period was given to Daniel in the context of establishing a time line which would serve to mark significant events for both the Jews and the Christians. This time frame, which began from the command to restore Jerusalem in 457 B.C. (Daniel 9:25), would include periods of oppression and relentless persecution against God’s people, both Jews and Christians, by both pagan powers and later papal Rome. But for God’s faithful people a Messiah was predicted to appear who would bring hope and restore the faith of those who suffered and died for His cause.
The Christian world recognizes Jesus Christ as the predicted Messiah who would bring hope and faith into this world. But the prophetic time period stretches far beyond Christ’s earthly life. What hope and faith can possibly exist in the year 1844? Well, as the passage suggests, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” something of great importance happened in 1844. According to the Old Testament, the cleansing of the sanctuary happened once a year during the Day of Atonement. This was the day that the High Priest interceded on behalf of the sins of Israel before the throne of God (the Ark of the Covenant) thus imparting righteous judgment upon the people. Since the sanctuary services of the Old Testament were no longer practiced anywhere on earth in 1844 this could only mean that the passage refers to the heavenly sanctuary where the same Jesus who walked this earth is interceding for us in heaven as our High Priest. That is the message of hope and faith for the Christian today! Although the story of Christ’s death on Calvary is an important part of the gospel message, it means nothing without the message of Christ’s intercession on our behalf. This prophecy points us to that wonderful scene.
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