Daniel 8
Scripture
Daniel 8:27
“Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days. Afterward I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it.”
Observation-What does it say?
Daniel had another one of his terrifying visions of the world's end. This vision entails a ram and a goat, (of course everything in Daniel's vision symbolizes something or someone else). Daniel was unable to understand and interpret the vision he just had. So God sent the angel Gabriel to help Daniel understand the meaning of it. In a nutshell, the vision Daniel had was regarding the end times and how the Antichrist will assume power during these times. In verses 21-25 it explains how the Antichrist is destined to do evil, is dramatic in appearance, dynamic in leadership, demonic in power, destructive in reign, deceitful in practice, will deify himself, will disguise cruelty with peace promises, and ultimately will be destroyed supernaturally. The vision as a whole had Daniel feeling sick for days.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Although the end times may seem grim, and the enemy may seem overwhelming, our God is in control, He is almighty and powerful, and will not forget His children.
Like Daniel, (and many of us), I too was terrified and confused when I came upon these visions. I still remember when I was young and my dad was teaching a Bible study on the end times... It literally scared the hell out of me! I knew I didn't want to be left behind during those end times. It wasn't much later when I accepted Jesus into my life to save me from a fate like those described in Daniel's visions (as well as John's visions in Revelation).
Looking back now, and being more mature now in my faith, I realize that yes, these visions of the end times can be a bit scary, but only to those who don't know the Lord. For those of us who have found our salvation in Jesus, it should be a time to be celebrated. Our King will return to bring back order, do away with sinfulness, and do away with the enemy once and for all!
If there is one thing being a comic book nerd has taught me, it is that good will always conquer evil. And although the villain may seem all powerful and unstoppable, it is to simply paint a picture to show the reader just how much more powerful, mighty, and awesome our hero truly is.
That is how I now see these visions of the end times. Things do look grim and scary, but I KNOW my God is good, and when all the smoke clears, and the dust settles, it is God who is victorious. It is God who saves the day and saves His people. It is God who will bring justice and judgment to all!
Life Application
Although the end times shouldn't scare those of us who are saved, there are still scary things that await those who aren't.
Father God, thank You for saving me through Your Son Jesus. It's because of Him, I am no longer afraid. I am no longer scared of what's to come. I know You hold my future and You are in control. Father God give me a heart for the lost souls out there. Help give me courage to share the good news with them before it's too late. Help me to not procrastinate on these things, but instead act with a sense of urgency. In Your name I pray Jesus, Amen.