Can We Understand Prophecy?
Many persons read prophecy and wonder “what do all these things mean? I cannot seem to understand God’s purpose in all of this.” God has made known to His children all that is needful for them. Jehovah says “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) Moreover, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever ...” (Deuteronomy 29: 29). With these assurances from our loving heavenly Father we can be sure that prophecy can be understood.
In fact, our Gracious Father has said:
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4) And further, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Matt 12:9, 10)
Therefore, Daniel was to be sealed up. But why? How long was it to be sealed? Until “the time of the end” and then the “wise shall understand” this prophecy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ expects us to understand these prophecies for He says “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Dan 24:15)
John the apostle on the isle of Patmos wrote “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)
If the blessing is for those who read and keep the prophecies of Revelation can this book be sealed? The name itself “Revelation” shows that God is revealing something to the reader.
“The time is at hand,”;the great focus of Revelation is Our Lord Jesus Christ coming quickly.
Daniel and Revelation are both one prophecy, Daniel is a “sealed” book and Revelation is the key to Daniel. Studied together, they form a beautiful symmetry in the fabric of God’s will for man. As we dive into to ocean of God’s boundless love revealed in prophecy may we say like the disciples on the road to Emmaus
“32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32 KJV)
In fact, our Gracious Father has said:
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4) And further, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Matt 12:9, 10)
Therefore, Daniel was to be sealed up. But why? How long was it to be sealed? Until “the time of the end” and then the “wise shall understand” this prophecy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ expects us to understand these prophecies for He says “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Dan 24:15)
John the apostle on the isle of Patmos wrote “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)
If the blessing is for those who read and keep the prophecies of Revelation can this book be sealed? The name itself “Revelation” shows that God is revealing something to the reader.
“The time is at hand,”;the great focus of Revelation is Our Lord Jesus Christ coming quickly.
Daniel and Revelation are both one prophecy, Daniel is a “sealed” book and Revelation is the key to Daniel. Studied together, they form a beautiful symmetry in the fabric of God’s will for man. As we dive into to ocean of God’s boundless love revealed in prophecy may we say like the disciples on the road to Emmaus
“32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32 KJV)
Introduction to Prophecy
God has left in His word two types of prophecy, general and apocalyptic. In other words, general prophecy focuses mainly on local or national events of the writer e.g. Isaiah prophecies to Hezekiah concerning his death and also the result of showing the ambassadors from Babylon his treasury in 2 Kings 19. In this case the prophecy deals with a person and a national event.
Apocalyptic prophecy, on the other hand, looks at terminal events in human history e.g. the second coming of Christ “… and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3 KJV) The events associated with apocalyptic prophecy therefore are final and universal. They affect everyone, everywhere for all time.
In these studies we shall be focusing on apocalyptic prophecy.
So why did God give apocalyptic prophecy?
The bible gives the answer “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,1)7
Prophecy is scripture and hence prophecy is to thoroughly furnish the people of God unto good works. Praise the Lord!
“And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises ( comes into being) in your hearts.” (2Peter 1:19 AMP)
Our Saviour says “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16 KJV) Jesus Christ is the morning star, which rises or shines in our hearts. Prophecy is a guide, a light in this dark world to point the all people everywhere to the glorious appearing of the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13 KJV) “…the grace of God that bringeth salvation.” (Titus 2:11 KJV)
God gave prophecy that individuals may have confidence in Him because He alone can tell the future (Isaiah 46:9, 10 KJV). Future events are made plain by prophecy, God outlines what will happen and He provides the opportunity to get ready. It is God’s ultimate purpose that the reign of sin ends and that “everlasting righteousness” (Daniel 9: 24) be brought in. As we study let the Lord show you His purpose for your life as He shows you His will for our world.
17 December 2010
Interpreting Prophecy
Before we get into the subject of Daniel and Revelation we must see how the bible is to be understood. Many persons have gotten lost simply by not knowing where they are and how to get where they are going. Why? They either have no map or have not read the one they have accurately.
In prophecy, many honest Christians fall into the latter group. Scripture says “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, …”(2 Timothy3:16). The bible also says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:16).
Rightly dividing the word of God is not an easy task. But the bible makes is plain that “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13); and further our Lord Jesus Christ says “I am the way, the truth, and the life:”(John 14:6).
Therefore, all prophetic interpretation must be guided by the Spirit of God and also must focus and point to Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Any interpretation that misses this principle must be rejected as false.
Secondly, the bible is the word of God to man. It is God’s medium of communication to humanity. Therefore it has to be written in a way that can be understood by man. And God does not leave it to us to invent ways to interpret His word. He says “that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20) Much rather, scripture says if a person wishes to understand prophecy that individual must be“…comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”(1 Corinthians 2:13) “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah 28:10).
Herein is outlined a timeless principle in the word of God. The Bible is its own interpreter. That is to say, when difficult words, passages, phrases etc. are encountered the diligent bible student turns elsewhere in the word of God, gathers the evidence “line upon line” and puts it together to get the thought of God by the Spirit of God.
Moreover, the bible is not to be taken as it “reads”, but what is meant by the passage. This is critically important. The bible must be searched carefully and “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15) to arrive at truth. The bible must be taken not as it reads literally but the inspired thought that God gave the biblical writers must be carefully searched to gain God’s thought.
Remember that prayer is essential for the Spirit’s guidance into all truth. Entering into God’s word must first be met with earnest prayer for God’s Spirit to make plain His truth to us.
Oh what a wonderful privilege to study the word of God to get God’s understand the mind and heart of God towards us His children.
The Prophecy of Daniel 2 Part 1- Verses 1-30
We shall begin our prophecy studies looking at the books of Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9 and touching on 11 from time to time. Also we will look at the book of revelation in further studies because the books of Daniel and Revelation are one prophecy.
Now, turning our attention to Daniel 2, we find Daniel the prophet a mere youth of about 17 or 18 taken captive to Babylon far from his family and most of his friends. God had given the king of Babylon a dream. Although idolatrous, God sought to use the king of Babylon and the empire itself to fulfill His purpose of spreading the gospel to the world.
Daniel’s whole life was a preparation for this one moment. Imagine that! God had seen the captivity of Israel and written it down before and the faithful mothers in Israel prepared their children in strict habits of temperance and trust in the Almighty God.
When, the proud king fell asleep he had a dream that troubled him. He called the scholars and wise men of the day. But the thing is, the king could not remember the dream. If these men were as wise as they claimed surely this was no impossible feat.
But listen to their response “And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (Daniel 2:11)
God had set the stage for His man Daniel to exalt His name before this heathen king and indeed before the world. The contest was really between Jesus Christ- the Way, the Truth and the Life; and Satan.
Satan had created a gigantic system of error, that is, the magicians who claimed knowledge of the future, astrologers who claimed information from the stars and sorcerers among others. All this he amassed to distract men from God.
Daniel put the matter before his friends, who placed it in God’s hands and they gave all they glory to Jehovah. Daniel in the presence of the king said “…The secret which the king
hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” (Daniel 2:27, 28)
God had done the impossible, not only to interpret a dream but give the dream itself which the king could not remember. Daniel, though captive, came boldly before the king and exalted the name of Jehovah.
God had shown the folly of man’s ways and shown that He alone holds the future.
The dream that the king of Babylon saw was a dream that reached from his time to the end of time. God graciously allowed king Nebuchadnezzar to see the future and to know that He alone is God.
Now, turning our attention to Daniel 2, we find Daniel the prophet a mere youth of about 17 or 18 taken captive to Babylon far from his family and most of his friends. God had given the king of Babylon a dream. Although idolatrous, God sought to use the king of Babylon and the empire itself to fulfill His purpose of spreading the gospel to the world.
Daniel’s whole life was a preparation for this one moment. Imagine that! God had seen the captivity of Israel and written it down before and the faithful mothers in Israel prepared their children in strict habits of temperance and trust in the Almighty God.
When, the proud king fell asleep he had a dream that troubled him. He called the scholars and wise men of the day. But the thing is, the king could not remember the dream. If these men were as wise as they claimed surely this was no impossible feat.
But listen to their response “And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (Daniel 2:11)
God had set the stage for His man Daniel to exalt His name before this heathen king and indeed before the world. The contest was really between Jesus Christ- the Way, the Truth and the Life; and Satan.
Satan had created a gigantic system of error, that is, the magicians who claimed knowledge of the future, astrologers who claimed information from the stars and sorcerers among others. All this he amassed to distract men from God.
Daniel put the matter before his friends, who placed it in God’s hands and they gave all they glory to Jehovah. Daniel in the presence of the king said “…The secret which the king
hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” (Daniel 2:27, 28)
God had done the impossible, not only to interpret a dream but give the dream itself which the king could not remember. Daniel, though captive, came boldly before the king and exalted the name of Jehovah.
God had shown the folly of man’s ways and shown that He alone holds the future.
The dream that the king of Babylon saw was a dream that reached from his time to the end of time. God graciously allowed king Nebuchadnezzar to see the future and to know that He alone is God.
The Prophecy of Daniel 2 Part 2- Daniel 2: 30-49
In Daniel 2, king Nebuchadnezzar saw “a great image” (Daniel 2:31) in the form of a man and it was composed of precious metals. The image was “…excellent … and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. [He] sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.” (Daniel 2:32 – 34)
It is very significant that the king of Babylon received the dream in the form of precious metals. God works with us according to our understanding. God has given to His creatures freedom of choice, and as such He respects our choice and works with us at our level. The king saw the dream as precious metals. God presented the dream in a way that the king could understand and remember.
In Daniel 7, the same scene is presented but the prophet Daniel now sees these world ruling earthly kingdoms in their true light as ferocious beasts. This chapter will be dealt with at a later date.
After Daniel revealed the dream, the king was astonished. The dream had details concerning the events that were to befall human history from Daniel’s time down to ours.
Daniel further said “Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.” (Daniel 2: 38, 39).
It is clear then, from these words of scripture, that the image represents 4 world ruling kingdoms. The first kingdom is the kingdom of Babylon.
It is very significant that the king of Babylon received the dream in the form of precious metals. God works with us according to our understanding. God has given to His creatures freedom of choice, and as such He respects our choice and works with us at our level. The king saw the dream as precious metals. God presented the dream in a way that the king could understand and remember.
In Daniel 7, the same scene is presented but the prophet Daniel now sees these world ruling earthly kingdoms in their true light as ferocious beasts. This chapter will be dealt with at a later date.
After Daniel revealed the dream, the king was astonished. The dream had details concerning the events that were to befall human history from Daniel’s time down to ours.
Daniel further said “Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.” (Daniel 2: 38, 39).
It is clear then, from these words of scripture, that the image represents 4 world ruling kingdoms. The first kingdom is the kingdom of Babylon.