[CF Devotionals] 2006-06-25 - Daniel

Installment 5

  1. Theme

    The focus of Daniel is the prophetic foundation of scripture.

    "The book is the key to all biblical prophecy. Apart from an understanding of the great eschatological disclosures of this book, the entire prophetic program of the Word of God remains sealed. Jesus' great Olivet Discourse (Mt 24-25; Mk 13: Lk 21), as well as 2 Thess 2 and the entire book of Revelation, can be unlocked only through an understanding of the prophecies of Daniel. The great themes of NT prophecy, the manifestation of the Antichrist (the man of sin), the Great Tribulation, the second advent of Messiah, the times of the Gentiles, and the resurrections and judgments are all treated in Daniel." 7

  2. Conclusion

    As we consider the book of Daniel, we will be considering the man himself and what we can learn from his life. Dr. McGee identifies the factors that make him a man after which we should model ourselves. And two of the three should be found in the life of every believer. We will consider these in detail, as we examine him and his writings.

    "There are three words which characterize Daniel's life: purpose, prayer, and prophecy." 8

    1. Purpose: As we examine the life of Daniel, we will see that his focus and motivation were always God-directed. Everything, whether it was what he ate, or acted in a foreign land, was based on what he saw as God's will for his life.

      "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." … "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room, where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before" (Daniel 1:8, 6:10).

      As we consider Daniel, we must also consider ourselves. Do we have the same sense of purpose? Are our choices based on expediency, self- preservation, self-interest, or a desire to please and serve the Lord in a fallen world, in light of His coming judgment?

    2. Prayer: Daniel is a man of prayer. He seeks God whenever he needs to take action or make a decision. But he also is seen spending time with God as a normal part of his life. In fact, this was to be a source of hostility towards him from those jealous of his political power.

7 Larson, Gary N., revised, The New Unger's Bible Handbook, Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1966, p. 293.

8 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 3, "Daniel," Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville,TN 1982, p. 525.

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

[email geoff] GKragen@aol.com
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