JUL 10

Daniel 7:1-8
Memorise Romans 11:25-26
“Until the Ancient of days came…”

DO END-TIME PROPHECIES CAUSE YOU TO DESPAIR?

While the dream of Daniel 2:31-45 and the vision of Daniel 7:1-8 represent the same prophecy, one marked difference is the mention of the “little horn” (Daniel 7:8) that has no equivalent in Nebuchadnezzar’s image.

Though the fourth beast with its ten horns (signifying the Roman empire) seems all-powerful, it has an inherent weakness. Its equivalent was described in the great image of Nebuchadnezzar. There we see that it is made up of part iron and part clay (a newly constituted and revived Rome). As such “the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken” (Daniel 2:42-43). This describes the secret of its Achilles’ heel and its ultimate destruction.

As Daniel beheld the Ten-horned Beast, focusing on the horns, he was amazed indeed to see a new drama. This little horn, according to Daniel’s further explanation, “had eyes and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows”. This little horn rose up and uprooted three of the ten horns. Daniel continues, “I beheld, the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (7:21-22).

This little horn describes a great and powerful ruler who will rise up to international prominence, crushing three of the ten kingdoms before him (7:24). The “eyes of man” (7:8) suggest that he will be a man of great brilliance and intelligence. This ruler will rebel against God and blaspheme against God with his mouth (7:25). This brilliant yet blasphemous ruler will wage war against the saints and have victory for a while; until the sovereign God, described as the Ancient of Days, returns with judgment.

Dear teen, do you feel despair when you read of such scenes of the end times? Yet, it should also remind us of God and His sovereign control over all things. As much as there is great cause for fear and uncertainty even in our time today, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God is the “Ancient of Days” and He reigns supreme over all things even today. Even as these frightening things unfolding before your eyes today, look to the “Ancient of Days”!

Thought: God is in total control of history and world events.
Prayer: O Lord God, Thou art Sovereign, and Thou rulest over all!