SCRIPTURE: Daniel 9:1-19 OBSERVATION: Daniel has read Jeremiah’s words about Israel’s exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12), and is praying for the end of the exile. The right response before God is always humility and repentance, and Daniel demonstrates this. Honesty about our failures is hard, we usually minimize or justify our failures, yet Daniel is very explicit about their…
Sep 8 — Daniel 8:15-27
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 8:15-27 OBSERVATION: The angel Gabriel (looking like a man, yet frightening) explains that the vision applies to the future rise and fall of kingdoms (Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, etc.). Unsettling times are coming – for the world and for God’s people (v.24), not peaceful, quiet years. Gabriel assures that the rise and fall of worldly…
Sep 7 — Daniel 8:1-14
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 8:1-14 OBSERVATION: Another bizarre vision, rams and goats with horns (is the goat a unicorn, v.5?). It is a symbolic vision depicting the ongoing political upheavals that characterized the world at that time (and still today). In the process, the Jewish nation will be trampled, the temple destroyed, and the people trampled underfoot. But…
Sep 6 — Daniel 7:15-28
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 7:15-28 OBSERVATION: A brief summary of the vision, four great kingdoms, but the saints of the Most High will receive a never-failing kingdom. The four kingdoms (Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome); the fourth kingdom will take over the known world and will persecute God’s people, but they will ultimately triumph. The expression “time, times and…
Sep 5 — Daniel 7:1-14
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 7:1-14 OBSERVATION: A bizarre, frightening vision! The beasts seem to represent powerful kingdoms with differing qualities and results, followed by a little horn that speaks boastfully and defeats the beasts. Whatever the specific references in this vision, the end of the vision shows that God (the Ancient of Days) is on the highest throne,…
Sep 4 — Daniel 6:17-28
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 6:17-28 OBSERVATION: Not even the king’s love for Daniel could get him to change his decree. Daniel is said to be saved by God because he was innocent. Those who accused Daniel, as well as their wives and children, are thrown to the lions, and they are not so lucky. The king recognizes that…
Sep 3 — Daniel 6:1-16
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 6:1-16 OBSERVATION: Daniel is a man of integrity who makes it big in Babylon, but it makes him enemies. Daniel was diligent to keep himself God-focused by praying daily – with humility and gratitude to the God that had sent him into exile. Daniel’s faith and integrity does not spare him from persecution and…
Sep 2 — Daniel 5:17-30
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 5:17-31 OBSERVATION: Daniel reminds the king that the God of Israel is not just a local god, a statue made of silver or gold, but He is the God of everything and everyone. Nebuchadnezzar was a “sovereign” king, but only because God put him there; God also brought him down. Daniel says that Belshazzar…
Sep 1 — Daniel 5:1-16
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 5:1-16 OBSERVATION: This banquet was probably an orgiastic affair. Belshazzar attempts to mock the God of Israel by using the temple goblets. God uses this occasion to bring glory to Himself, to humble the king and to use his servant Daniel. The bodyless hand must have been frightening! Though they do not understand Daniel…
Aug 31 — 3 John 1:1-14
SCRIPTURE: 3 John 1:1-14 OBSERVATION: A personal letter because the church leader (Diotrephes) wouldn’t allow the letter to get to the members (v.9). Walking in the truth (not just believing it) equals demonstrating love (doing good, showing hospitality, offering help). By doing this we work together for the truth (ie Jesus). John speaks quite boldly when he…