Looking Forward
The Bible is filled with prophecies. Why does God tell us ahead of time of what is going to happen? I often pondered this for a long time. For things that already become realized and fulfilled, I praise God for being the all knowing God. I am enlightened, if God so decisively know what is to happen in our future, God must have the ultimate power to control the future events. God is wonderful!
We can find multiple examples of prophecy in Daniel’s dreams alone. Daniel is a very godly person. He not only behaves an upright person, but also he is very concerned with God’s business. Because of his concern in his prayers, God reveals to him to enlighten him. We may learn from Daniel not only to be holy but also be concerned with God’s business, then God may reveal more to us too! Even though you may not be interested in the Babylonian kings’ future, are you not curious of your own future?
Daniel dreamed about the giant statue with head made of gold, shoulders made of silver and toes made of clay and iron. It is nothing other than a story to describe how Babylon will be replaced by Mede and Persia, in turn replaced by Greece and Roman Empire. All these have since come true accurately predicted by the number game of seven. It even predicted when and how the Maccabean desecrated God’s temple by the exact count of number of year. These things having already came true can testify more so God is in charge. That is very exciting. Isn’t it?
The last count of seven 7’s is somewhat interesting too. It predicts Jesus preached for 3.5 years and 45 days after he died, the Holy Spirit came to the Christians, to stay, taking Jesus’s place as he promised to ask God the Father to send.
There are some small concepts if you first grasp them, you may appreciate the dreams and visions more clearly.
The beasts are another way of describing what is going on with the power play.
- The sea = people
- Heads and Horn = power
- Small horn = inconspicuous power
- Overcome 3 other horns = unite with several other, then the rest of 10 horns will submit to it.
- Ten = many
- Clay and iron = democracy of the Greek and dictatorship or strong centralized power.
What is that inconspicuous little horn that eventually become the anti-Christ? You guess! I have no idea yet.
I live in Canada and witness how democracy government is leading the people running here and there in circles. This government promised something the other government reversed when voted in power. I witness how China has recently grown strong because of strong central power and there is only one party no one can easily reverse a policy made by the previous officer in charge. I am not communist, even China is more socialist than communist, I am not pro anyone, I am just making a point how silly democracy government can be. No wonder how a small horn can take over ten bigger horns, in a democratic atmosphere mixed with some sort of central power unfortunately often a minority government!
The prophecy said, at the end, maybe in my future, or is it happening all the time since the Roman Empire, the ten toes will be crushed by a rock from the sky. Because they are made of clay and iron! It only reminds me how untrustworthy the human wisdom and power is. Only God can control our fate. Christians, do not stray too far into the world. Come close to God, He will enlighten you like He did to Daniel.
In fact, the greatest prophecy ever told and realized and fulfilled was about Jesus’ birth, his mission, his salvation, and his kingdom established. Thank God for Jesus Christ! We are looking forward to your second coming. I am certain it will happen as you said.
Stay tuned in the Bible, we can look into Revelation and try to understand the various beasts John is describing and God wants us to know ahead of time, to look at the world with wisdom and with a godly understanding.