Podcast Introduction

Today we will complete the book of Daniel 7-12. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “What Time Is It?”

Comments on Daniel 7-10

It’s an interesting fact that throughout history, the focus of the church has not always been what it is today. In the first few hundred years after Jesus left the church with the Great Commission, the church focused on the doctrine of Scripture. Which makes sense, right? In the early years, the church had to define what was and what was not divinely inspired scripture. And then, through the centuries, the focus shifted to the doctrine of the Trinity, to the doctrine of who and what Jesus is, to the doctrine of who and what man is, to the doctrine of salvation, to the doctrine of the church. And it really wasn’t until the last couple hundred years that the church spent much time studying the doctrine of the end days.

Yes, it is true. For most of our history the biblical books of prophecy have been looked at as being impossible to understand. Some of the prophets who wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit even said that they didn’t understand everything they wrote. But that is because it was not time yet to understand them. As we read these books today, we can begin to see glimpses that make sense.

In these chapters having to do with the end times, it is going to be impossible for me to talk about all the possible interpretations or applications to the days in which we are living. Entire books have been, and probably are being written even as I speak about how the book of Daniel applies to today. 

What I’m going to do in the short time we have today is look at a couple verses from today’s reading. 

First let’s take a look at Daniel 8, verse 26. Someone who looked like a man spoke to Daniel about future events, at the end he said, “The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

What did he mean when he told Daniel to seal up the vision? Many people believe that he meant that no one would be able to understand the vision until the end times. “…seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

I disagree. I think he meant, “Safeguard the vision, put it someplace safe because it will be needed later.” 

Here’s an example. My wife, the the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I had a will written for us several years ago. We hope that it won’t be needed for many more years. Do you think we keep it on the kitchen table or the coffee table in the living room? Of course not. We have locked it, sealed it up, in our safe. It’s an important document, and we have put it in a place of safekeeping. 

This is, I believe, what the one speaking to Daniel meant. Write this message down, and keep it safe for the day that it is needed.

As we read this book, it certainly seems as if we are in the end times, doesn’t it? There are so many things prophesied here that it sounds like we’re reading from today’s newspapers. And reading about just the general condition of life in the end times sounds like today, too.

For example, in chapter 12, at the end of verse four, the one speaking to Daniel says, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

In the past, some thought that the “running to and fro” reference means missionaries going throughout the world preaching the Gospel. Others have thought that it means that many would search the scriptures trying to discern the meaning of the words in the prophecies. Personally, I disagree with those interpretations, and I’ll tell you why in a moment. 

The second half of that sentence was, “…and knowledge will increase.” It’s been thought that this referred to the fact that as we enter the end times, we will understand the prophetic scriptures more clearly. I think that is partly right, but I think there is more.

We can’t fault the notions that people in the past had about these scriptures, but how could they possibly know what it would be like to live in our age? We can hop on an airplane and fly from one coast of the United States to the other in a matter of hours. And the U.S. military has aircraft that can do it in about an hour’s time. It’s common for some business people to fly around the world multiple times a week. The point is, mobility for virtually everyone in developed countries is a fact of life. That could be the running to and fro Daniel wrote about. But it also just might refer to the fact that our lives have become so extremely hectic. These days many of us are on the go constantly. We have virtually no leisure time. Even when we are technically “on vacation”, we have our electronic devices with us. Many of us are never disconnected from the internet. Can we even imagine going back to a world where we are not constantly connected? 

Which brings up the second point. “…and knowledge will increase.” Scholars of old could not anticipate the internet. When I was a boy, I had to go the library if I wanted to know something that was not in a book at my house. Today, all I have to do is get online and type in a search. Or now, all I have to do is speak to my phone. “OK Google (or Siri or Alexa). Who won the 2016 World Series?” “What was the score?” “What is the specific gravity of water?” “What is the atomic number of lead?” “Who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1954” “What is tomorrow’s weather forecast?” You get the idea. You can find almost anything that man has learned within seconds. That capability did not exist until about 15 years ago when the first iPhone was introduced. Knowledge has increased, and it continues to increase geometrically. I think we can check that one off the list of things to look for.

Are we in the end times? Perhaps. Jesus said that only the Father knows the exact time, but scripture gives us many, many things to look for.

Are the end times, or last days, something to fear? If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior you might want to worry. Verses 1 and 2 of Daniel 12 say, “…And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

What side are you on? The one who will have everlasting life, or shame and everlasting contempt?

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 7-12 ESV

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The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
Podcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael Haner
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