Daniel 10-12, Job 22, John 13:31-38, Jude 17-25 Daniel 10-12: Daniel’s vision of a “man” is powerful, frightening, glorious:

I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves (10:5-7)

Then in chapter 11 Daniel is told of the succession of kingdoms and the persecution of the Jews, which also points to the persecution experienced by the church by anti-Christian forces, and yet is encouraged that deliverance finally will come:

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 (12:1)

We are to take lesson to have godly wisdom and righteousness:

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever (12:3)

God is shown to be sovereign over the affairs of nations, with such sovereignty focusing on the God-Man Jesus Christ. In the context of that, we, like Daniel, are encouraged to be faithful, wise, godly, and “turn many to righteousness” through our witness and testimony to Jesus Christ. To receive God Centered Bible devotionals directly in your inbox, sign up here.]]>