Prophecy

November 26

Daniel 11-12

Psalm 132:1-10

Proverbs 28:12

2 Peter 1

Prophecy

“And we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.  Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”  2 Peter 1:19-21 LSB 

In the reading today, we finish the book of Daniel.  It is filled with prophecy about the rulers, kingdoms and powers of this world.  In the last two chapters God gave Daniel an overview of world events that would occur over the next several centuries.   The important thing to note is that every single event described in 11:2-35 has already come to pass.  They can be tied to specific events recorded in secular history and they happened exactly as they were predicted to happen.  Because we have the proof of these prophecies we can rest assured that the events described in 11:36-12:13 will happen just as they are described as well.  God is true to His Word.  There will be an antichrist, a Great Tribulation, and Jesus will return to establish His Millennial Kingdom.  Those who have believed and accepted Him as their personal savior will enjoy eternal life with Him and those who have not will suffer eternal damnation in Hell.  The events described in Daniel are confirmed in Revelation.  Together the books fill in many of the puzzle pieces about what we can expect to happen in the last days. 

It is fitting that while we are reading the prophecies laid out by Daniel, we are reminded by the apostle Peter that the prophecies given in God’s Word are sure and “we would do well to pay attention to them as a lamp shining in a dark place.”  Peter also explained us clearly that the prophecies included in God’s Word do not come from the interpretation of the one giving the prophecy, but they are “being moved by the Holy Spirit spoken from God.”  We can rely on them and hope on them because they come directly from God.  In coming weeks as we read Revelation, it is important that we remember Peter’s words and approach our study with faith asking God to give us insight and clarity.  If it is included in His Word, it is important to study and understand.  God provided us glimpses into the future to give us hope and confidence to face what is ahead.  Studying the end times can be scary and intimidating, but we don’t have to fear because God is in complete control and we can trust that He will take care of us.