Prayer Thought:

The Bible is a book which discloses the principles of right and truth. It contains whatever is needful for the saving of the soul, and at the same time, it is adapted to strengthen and discipline the mind. If used as a text book in our schools, it will be found far more effective than any other book in the world, in guiding wisely in the affairs of this life, as well as in aiding the soul up the ladder of progress which reaches to heaven. God cares for us as intellectual beings, and he has given us his word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our pathway. "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." [Psalm 119:130.] It is not the mere reading of the word that will accomplish the result that is designed by Heaven, but the truth revealed in the word of God must find an entrance into the heart, if the good intended is obtained. {CE 108.1}

This quarter we will be focusing on the Book of Daniel. The scriptures say, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev. 1:3.)

As it was known to us SDAs that Daniel is a prophetic book while Revelation has been revealed which complement the other in the old Testament.

Inspiration says, "Let none think, because they cannot expound the meaning of every symbol in the Revelation, that it is useless for them to search this book in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The one who revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who 'hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein'. " -- "The Acts of the Apostles," p. 584.

"In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, 'But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end'." -- Id. p. 585.

Now, let's proceed with how to understand the Book of Daniel. There are Five Principles set forth in our SSLesson and we shall deal with them.

1. The Center: Jesus

In Daniel's story, Jesus, speaking of the same incident, says: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand.") (Matt. 24:15.)

Jesus calls the "daily" and the "sanctuary," "holy place." No Pagan sanctuary would the Master call "holy place," neither can it be polluted, for it has always been unclean. No pagan daily can be holy. Therefore, the "daily" and the "sanctuary" must hold truth vital to the Christian church, and the prophet declared that it was to be "trodden under foot." The word "sacrifice" in relation to the "daily" was shown to be supplied by man's wisdom, as previously stated. It was also pointed out that the word "daily" is correct. Therefore, it cannot be supplemented by another word; it must remain as it is.

The Sabbath doctrine is the only Bible truth in the Christian dispensation that has to do with a definite day, hence, it is called "daily." The word "daily," in the Hebrew by Isaac Leeser is rendered "continual." Thus it clearly bears the evidence that the Sabbath (daily doctrine) is a continual and everlasting truth.

Besides from these, in every chapter Jesus could be represented:

• Chapter 1 - Luke 2:52 - Jesus received wisdom from above.

• Chapter 2 - Christ's Kingdom will be established on earth as vindication of His character and sovereignty. Dan. 2:35, 44, 45; Dan. 7:27

• Chapter 3 - Jesus manifested as one with Daniel's friends in the fiery furnace.

• Chapter 4 - Jesus intervene by taking Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom for him that he may learn the lesson of humility.

• Chapter 5 - The fall of Babylon typifies the end of modern Babylon and Jesus will have victory at last.

• Chapter 6 - The plot against Daniel is similar to that of Christ Jesus.

• Chapter 7 - Christ will be given dominion over the earth - it will be under Theocratic Government and Christ as the King of kings -Dan. 7:27

• Chapter 8 -Jesus Christ as our advocate in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

• Chapter 9 - Jesus Christ is the last Lamb to be slain for the sake of humanity - a new covenant between God and humanity.

• Chapter 10-12 - Christ is the Captain of His flock - as He fights through His people (stand on Mt. Zion with 144,000 - Dan. 12:1; Rev. 14:1). The final Redemption of His people from the usurper Satan. God will be vindicated finally!

2. The Literary Structure

The Book of Daniel has been written in two languages: Hebrew and Aramaic. In understanding this book we need to know how it was written. Chapters 1, 8-12 were written in Hebrew while the Chapters 2-7 in Aramaic.

Notice the parallels:

1. In chapters 4 and 5 shows a parallel, that is Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar has been judged but in different response - Nebuchadnezzar positively acknowledge God's sovereignty while Belshazzar didn't. See: 5. From Pride to Humility and 6. From Arrogance to Destruction.

2. In chapters 3 and 6 reveals how God delivers His servants from the fiery furnace and from the lion's den. See: 4. From Furnace to Palace and 7. From Lion's Den to Angel's Den.

3. In chapters 2 and 7 depicts visions of the empires of the world through prophetic symbols, metallic and animals (beasts). See: 3. From Mystery to Revelation and 8. From the Stormy Sea to the Clouds of Heaven.

We are in equal need of divine illumination. God has called us to give the last message of warning to the world. There will be voices heard on every side to divert the attention of God's people with new theories. We need to give the trumpet a certain sound. We do not half realize what is before us. If the books of Daniel and the Revelation were studied with earnest prayer, we should have a better knowledge of the perils of the last days, and would be better prepared for the work before us--we should be prepared to unite with Christ and to work in his lines. {RH, February 9, 1897 par. 13}

3. The Difference with Other Prophecies

Prophecies in the Old testament maybe presented in different types and symbols but they depicts the same aim and goals. God wants to communicate His will to His people in the last days. Inspiration declares, "God has spoken through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity. The messenger of the covenant, the Sun of Righteousness, must rise upon the world. His voice must be heard in his own temple. Christ must come to utter words which would be clearly and definitely understood. He, the Author of truth, must separate truth from the chaff of man's utterance, which had made it of none effect. The principles of God's moral government, and the plan of redemption, must be clearly defined. The lessons of the Old Testament must be fully set before men". {ST, April 15, 1897 par. 3}

The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days. The Scripture says, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4). When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, "Time shall be no longer." (See Revelation 10:6.) The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days. {2SM 105.1}

4. The Timescale

There are three ways theologians interpret the prophecies in the Book of Daniel: For the sake of information, let's know them:

Preterism •All the events have occurred in the past (supposing Daniel wrote this book in the 2^nd Century B.C.)

Futurism •All the events will occur in the End Time.

Historicism •The events cover the history between Daniel and the End Time

Increased light will shine upon all the grand truths of prophecy, and they will be seen in freshness and brilliancy because the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will illuminate the whole. {1888 513.3}

The Bible is a wonderful book. It is a HISTORY that opens up to us the past centuries. Without the Bible we would have been left to conjectures and fables in regard to the occurrences of past ages. It is a PROPHECY that unveils the future. It is the WORD OF GOD unfolding to us the plan of salvation, pointing out the way by which we may escape eternal death and gain eternal life. Of all the books that flood the world, however valuable, the Bible is the Book of books, most deserving of our study and admiration. It gives not only the history of this world but a description of the world to come. It contains instruction concerning the wonders of the universe, it reveals to our understanding the character of the Author of the heavens and the earth. In it is the revelation of God to man. {ST, January 30, 1893 par. 6}

The Bible warns us, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:19-21. {BEcho, August 19, 1895 par. 1}

God Reveals Through His Prophets

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos. 3:7

EGWhite predicts an interpreter,

The Lord says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, "You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." {1SM 412.2}

See: https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/11-the-golden-bowl-zec-4?authuser=0

5. The Practical Relevance

The book of Daniel contains important lessons for the 21st Century.

God is sovereign over our lives

He cares for each one of us. He is with us in our trials and temptations

God is in control of history

He quietly and patiently controls history and fulfills His plan on the nations’ history

God provides an example to follow in the

End Time

Don’t compromise your faith. Remain faithful to your commitment to God. Be useful for the country and the society you live in.

Ministers should devote time to reading, to study, to meditation and prayer. They should store the mind with useful knowledge, committing to memory portions of Scripture, tracing out the fulfillment of the prophecies, and learning the lessons which Christ gave His disciples. Take a book with you to read when traveling on the cars or waiting in the railway station. Employ every spare moment in doing something. In this way an effectual door will be closed against a thousand temptations. . . . {GW 278.4}

The end...