| Day 63 |
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 The reading for day 63 was Ezekiel 48:1 - Daniel 8:27.
Ezekiel and Daniel are way different in scope and content.
The book of Ezekiel ends with the redistribution of the land of Israel amon the various tribes. I'm not sure what the significance of this is, but it must be significant because its in scriputre. If anyone can tell me the significance, I would be glad to hear/read it. One thing I did see was the very last verse where God says the city will be know forever as "The Lord is There." Wow...what an amaizing thing. The question is...is this a picture of the church or a vision of a future city? 48:35 [It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.
The book of Daniel begins with the story of all of the best and brightest captives being brought to serve before king Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel immediately stands out because he doesn't want to defile himself with the unclean things of the king. How easy would it have been, while in captivity and probably feeling like God didn't care any more (I'm not suggesting that Daniel felt that way, only that I probably would have), to just forget about God's laws and say I want what tastes good? How often do we do that anyway? God blessed Daniel and his three friends because they wanted to taste the sweetness of God and not the best that men have to offer. 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
In chapter 2 Daniel explains the king's dream to him, but he makes sure to let him know that he is not able to do it on his own. 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
The vision the king had was of the statue that represented four kingdoms, his, the Medes/Persians, Greece, and Rome. I guess it really represented 5, four of whcih were to be destroyed by the 5th. The rock cut out without human hands that breaks the statue to pieces that are blown away is Jesus Christ.
2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Most people see the visions in Daniel as being future, but it says "In the days of these kings" God will set up his kingdom that will overcome all of the others. Ladies and gentlemen we serve the king that will not be dethroned. He is reigning NOW! He set up his kingdom through Christ and will continue to reign forever!
In chapter 3 Nebuchadnezzar sets up a golden image (see dream in chapter 2) and proceeds to make all the leaders of his domain to worship it. While the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego is crazy amazing, that is not what I'm going to talk about :) Why would good ole Neb set up a golden image after Daniel explained the dream to him. I guess he didn't get it. It makes me wonder if the golden image was a giant head.
Chapter 4 is the humbling and restoring of ole Neb. He comes away with a real picture of the sovereignty of God over even a sovereign's life. 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? He comes out of his experience humbled and giving praise to God Almighty. God will not give his glory to another. Neb was humbled because of his arrogance. I wonder sometimes why it has never taken something that drastic to destroy my pride. Praise God that He is merciful and patient. 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Compare Daniel 7:13,14 with Revelation 5:9,10. The quesiton for all of you who like to discuss eschatology is...When did Christ receive dominion? I think you probably already know what I think, but I would like to hear/read what y'all think ;)
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