Daniel - his visions and the pre-references to God's Salvation. Week Four of Advent

Daniel -  his visions and the pre-references to God’s Salvation,   Week four of Advent

Of course the Book of Daniel is Apocalyptic and as others apocalyptic nature was written at a time when great persecution was prevalent especially from 200 BC to 100 AD.  Not considered prophetic, they did present some prophecies that lead us to the advent of God’s Son coming as the last vestige of salvation we shall view during this season of the Birth of Jesus.

During the visions of the Four Beasts (cf chapter 13 RV with the two beasts) a lion with eagle’s wings;  a bear given an order to devour much flesh; a leopard with four wings and it had four heads.  The fourth beast was terrifying with extraordinary strength.  These were symbolic to the scene in Revelation. “ From the vision Daniel was considering the ten horns this fourth beast had when suddenly a little horn sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it.  This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly.  As I watched, the Throne was set up and the Ancient One took his throne.  His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire.  A  surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat;  Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him.”  

“The court was convened, and the books were opened.  I watched then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up.”  (Dn 7: 8 - 11).  

“As the visions of the  night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven;  When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received  dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.”  (Dn 7: 13 - 14).

Finally from Revelation; “When he took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb.They sang a new hymn:  Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.  You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.  I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:  To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.  The four living creatures answered Amen, and the elders fell down and worshiped.”  (Rv. 5: 8 -14). 

Perhaps the most scrutable narrative pointing  to Advent as a reminder of the birth of Jesus is the only way to find God’s forgiveness and see how even through a non-prophetic book the plan of his Father was still written for all to glean.

Ralph B. Hathaway