Monday, May 05, 2008
wow...time for a thought again!
Seems forever since I've published an actual thought on here. Well, this one comes from what we are currently examining at church...the book of Daniel. Wikipedia puts this charachter of the bible as an Israelite who becomes an adviser to Nebuchadnezzar, a Babylonian King. The story of Daniel(whos name is changed to Belteshazzar after his "enslavement") includes his fierce allegiance to God, despite being ordered to worship the kings...his devotion to god was respected by many of these lords, however...as especially was his interpretations of his majesty's dreams. He is referred to by Christians as one of the four great prophets, and Jesus is quoted as referring to him as "Daniel the prophet" in Matthew 24:15(and one of the verses in Mark, too, I guess)...
What fascinates me most about Daniel, though...is this ability to know what dreams his kings have had, and come up with the answers god has put forth. His visions of the end of our world and the antichrist have also peaqued my interest greatly...as I have had a lifelong fascination with how the world around me might be heading this direction. Of course, without being able to read such works as "Daniel and Revelation : a study of two extraordinary visions" by James M Efird, I can only begin my study by saying these verses in the latter half of Daniel's book are frightening, yet comforting. To know that it is possible, according to Daniel, that we have until the year 3000 or so for all this to play out is also comforting for me...but scary for any ancestors that might be born in the next decade...Oh, well...as the old saying goes..."we shall see!"
What fascinates me most about Daniel, though...is this ability to know what dreams his kings have had, and come up with the answers god has put forth. His visions of the end of our world and the antichrist have also peaqued my interest greatly...as I have had a lifelong fascination with how the world around me might be heading this direction. Of course, without being able to read such works as "Daniel and Revelation : a study of two extraordinary visions" by James M Efird, I can only begin my study by saying these verses in the latter half of Daniel's book are frightening, yet comforting. To know that it is possible, according to Daniel, that we have until the year 3000 or so for all this to play out is also comforting for me...but scary for any ancestors that might be born in the next decade...Oh, well...as the old saying goes..."we shall see!"
