So, the Ancient Jews believed in a "Day of the Lord". A day when God would come in judgement--striking His foes down and saving His people. Daniel shows visions of such a day. As you read, remember this context. Also remember we are reading a TINY piece of a much larger book.
Remember, this would be the stuff that was half belief and half legend. Something told by campfires and talked about in hushed whispers in the exile.
Read Daniel 7:9-14 several times. Then read the entire chapter.
1) How does the small selection point to Jesus.
2) If you were an Ancient Jew, what kind of Messiah would you be looking for?
3) How does reading the larger selection change your mind or views?
4) What part of the reading stuck out to you?
Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Blessings!
Emily
Blessings!
Emily
3 comments:
1. I see references to Jesus in 7:13-14. "son of man", given authority from God to rule. Also, I think that "Most High" refers to Jesus.
2. If I were an Ancient Jew, I would be looking for a Messiah with lots of power. And Jesus does have the power of God, but I might be looking for a more early power. The power of a king, with lots of servants, land, and riches. Someone with earthly power. I guess I probably would have been one of the ancient Jews worshiping that golden calf if I were looking for all the earthly symbols of power.
3. Reading the larger section helped me to understand what the smaller section was talking about. Beasts and horns? Well, maybe I'm still confused!
4. The reading reminded me a lot of Revelation (the four creatures, the beasts with horns, trumpets... compared to the four beasts and horns here). Anyone else reminded of that?
1. The son of man coming with the clouds of heaven reminds me of Jesus ascension in the clouds and the angels telling the disciples that he would return the same way. And at the end of time, Jesus is to rule all in an everlasting kingdom.
2. An ancient Jew would look for a powerful king to defeat Israel's enemies and the powerful kingdoms of the time- Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome.
3. I think Daniel is describing how God will, in the end, rule over all by defeating evil.
4. What sticks out to me is how these stories are so similar, Revelation, Ezekiel, Daniel's visions of God, Jesus, the Throne, The defeat of the beasts, the fire, the thousands worshiping God.
I think the words are meant to encourage us to keep the faith, that despite persecution, evil empires, and beasts of all kinds, people who remain faithful to God despite all kinds of troubles will worship Him eternally.
Becky here:
I see I didn't get back to this until after Emily's post--oh well. I just mostly wanted to comment on what stuck out to me. Maybe it was because we were to read the small sections several times, (which I tried to do on more than one day) but what stood out to me was the image of God coming to his throne and rendering judgement. I found a certain sense of hope and peace in knowing that the judgement will be rendered against evil and that evil will be completely consumed by fire. I take this as an assurance that God will not let evil go unpunished when we just don't get what is going on in this world. There is hope that something bigger than ourselves exists. And we are to keep moving toward God and spreading his message.
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