Read through the visions in the second half of the book of Daniel (Daniel 7-12). Is there anything here that seems key to the survival of the Jewish people? How would having the book of Daniel have helped the Jewish people go through difficult times, e.g., the time of Antiochus Epiphanes?
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Apocalyptic Visions of Daniel (extra credit)
Read through the visions in the second half of the book of Daniel (Daniel 7-12). Is there anything here that seems key to the survival of the Jewish people? How would having the book of Daniel have helped the Jewish people go through difficult times, e.g., the time of Antiochus Epiphanes?
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The visions of Daniel could have been nice for the jewish people. They would know that in the end they would be delivered from their captors and that there would come a kingdom in which they would live that could not be destroyed. Kings that would have oppressed them, such as Antiochus would fall. God would not let the wicked reign. These messages would be good for the Jewish people to hear for hope and the future.
ReplyDeleteDaniel would help the Jewish people know that their suffering is temporary. The time that comes afterward would be ten times as great as the prior time was terrible. They will eventually live in a place and a way that they will not be destroyed. These visions troubled Daniel and for good reason but God will bring his people through that time to a better one.- Zach Kuhlman
ReplyDelete13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an important verse because it gives hope to everyone but especially people going through turmoil or anguish. This is something that the Jewish people could very much relate to because their times in which they felt they were abandoned or fallen upon rough times.
tom quigg
Danial 9 3" So I earnestly pleaded with the Lord God, to end our captivity and return us to our own land. As I prayed, I fasted, ahd wore rough sack cloth, and sprinkled my self with ashes and 4. confessed my sins and those of my people. "O Lord" I prayed, " you are a great and awesome God; you always fulfill your promise of mercy to those who love you and who keep your laws."
ReplyDeletei think these are important because as long as you pray and acknowledge God and love him and worship ho, you will always have his love
jason schumacher
Daniel's vision of the four kingdoms could have been used as a key to survival of the Jewish people. Although the fourth (and newest) kingdom will temporarily crush the other three, eventually the kingdom of the saints of the Most High will prevail and have dominion over the others. This could have been encouragement to keep their faith and to hold tight during trying times. Another vision which held a key to their progressive betterment was 12:13 - 'But go your way till the end; and you shall rest, and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.' Now after these scary visions of fire and warfare there is only one way out - to be like Daniel and to be right with the Lord. There will be some troubling times but you will be saved and in your 'allotted place' if you keep the commandments and do not act corruptly.
ReplyDeleteSince the book of Daniel is mostly people dreams, it is hard to follow at times. Daniel's dream of the four beast (Daniel 7:1-14) is one that can strick both fear and hope into someone. The first beast is believed to represent the neo-Babylon empire, the second beast, bear, represents the persians with the three ribs being the three main conquest of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt. The four wings representing Alexander the great swift conquest of the region. The third beast, leapord,had four heads signifying the four main divisions of the empire after he dies. The fourth head is believed to be the Roman Empire, ironically, Isreal is eventually taken over by the Romans too. The Fourth beast, represents Christ's coming and second coming. This is great weight lifted off of our sholders because we know that one day we will be with him forever. This is something that gives all men, women, and children hope even if you are looking for an earthly king not a heavenly king.
ReplyDeletechapters 7-12 contain Daniels prophetic dreams, and can be extremely difficult to follow. some of these include the coming of the messiah, as well as the apocalypse and the end of the world. From a secular point of view, biblical prophecy seems irrelevant to any interpretation of history, but to someone who believes the word of God, these prophecies can be viewed as metaphors for the jewish people and their suffering. It could mean that their suffering was only temporary, also i found that the prophecies containing the son of man could mean the coming of the messiah. This book could just be dreams, but it could also be a beacon of light and hope to a people who had little at that time.
ReplyDeleteTyler Muunson
ReplyDeleteThese visions that Daniel is havving shows that the Jewish people will be delivered from their captors is due time. With this book it is easy to see how the jewish people were able to survive because of one thing, hope. Hope is the great equalizer and it is the foundatiion they used to build a strong tradition.
The book of Daniel was key to the Jewish survival it let them know that even though things are going bad for them now at the end, if you stay righteous in God's word you will be purified, made spotless and refined and the wicked will remain wicked, and will be blessed but put out. This book help many Jews because it made them understand if you follow God your ending result will be blessed and fruitful.
ReplyDeleteWith the visions of Daniel, he is basicaaly told that if the people return to God, they will be saved in the end. These visions puzzled Daniel but he was eventually given the interpretations and that the people need to return to righteousness and if they do they will be saved again and prosper again under God.
ReplyDelete