The Overcomer

Before returning to prophetic interpretation, we must take a moment to study the “supporting actor” of prophecy- the overcomer.

What is it about the Christian faith that helps people see a purpose for their lives regardless of their circumstances? Perhaps in the example of Daniel we can find some answers. If anyone had reason to lose faith it would have certainly been Daniel. After being taken captive he was taken on a three month journey through the scorching desert until arriving at the courts of Babylon. There Daniel was castrated and given the name of a pagan god as part of his initiation into a heathen culture.

What sort of God would allow this to happen to any human being?- is the common cry of any person when tragedy strikes. Many feel that because tragedy has befallen them they are justified in forsaking God because after all if there was a God how could such bad things happen? But is this a legitimate justification?

To answer this question we must understand the nature of tragedy. Scripture plainly tells us that in the beginning God created a perfect world in harmony with the laws of nature and with God’s spiritual and moral laws. So long as man exercised his free will to keep in accordance with God’s principles no tragedy could befall him. It was only until man disobeyed God that peace could no longer be secured. Tragedy does not come from God, it is the result of mans unrestrained will to seek for ungodly pleasures and desires.

Let us examine this principle at work during the time of Daniel. The Jewish nation at the time of Babylon’s invasion had forsaken God, violated His commandments, and desecrated the Sabbath. As a result, peace was forfeited and their city was no longer under divine protection. Consequently it was vulnerable to ungodly invaders. But Daniel understood this principle only too well. He had acknowledged the sins of his people and understood the reason for the siege. But being a man of faith and understanding he knew that if tragedy was the result of godlessness then faithfulness would yield peace. So he determined in his heart to not defile himself with the portions of the king’s food wanting his mental faculties to remain clear and sensitive to God’s leading. Because of his faithfulness Daniel was brought into favor with his captors and became a person to whom God revealed the mysteries of heaven.

So what allowed Daniel to be an overcomer? First, he did not blame God for his tragic circumstances. He knews his Creator was not the author of pain and suffering. He understood that tragedy existed because of mankind’s unrestrained will to seek after his own pleasures and desires. Second, he accepted that he must eventually suffer because of the godlessness that existed around him. And finally, the most important characteristic of Daniel was his ability to exercise his free will in order to determine to follow God’s ways knowing that faithfulness to his Creator yields peace and security. We can also be overcomers if we follow Daniel’s example.