How Long?

Daniel is expecting change. It is very close to the 70 years that Jeremiah prophesied.

It is time for God to restore Jerusalem to glory!

But the people are not ready. they have not repented, nor do they put the things of God first in their lives.

So Daniel prays -- for Your sake and glory, restore Jerusalem.

Then the vision and the angel come and answer this question of how long will it be.
The answer is that there is an end game - 6 goals that must be accomplished before the restoration is complete.

This of course will only take 70 sevens (plus a few years of interlude) to accomplish.

The true answer for Daniel, and for us is the same. Trust God, for He has a plan and an endgame. He will bring it about when the task is done.

How long is a good question, but the best answer is to trust our Lord.

God Bless,
Pastor Wayne

The Forever Kingdom

Kingdoms come and go.

In our world today, we are seeing the rise and fall of many kingdoms. The fall of the Soviet Union, the struggles of Europe fiscally, the unsustainable direction of the US, the fall of a number of middle east kingdoms like Egypt, Libya, Yemen among others. We see the rise of China, and Iran, and perhaps Canada. What will our world look like in a year?

Daniel was semi-retired and close to 70 years old. His world was changing, and he remembered the statue from 50 years previous. When would the change come? When would the golden head change to the silver chest and arms? What would his world look like in a year?

Then he received the vision of Chapter 7 and it troubled him. Some of the vision was understandable, but some just did not make sense. It seems like he struggled with the message of the vision, just as we continue to struggle with our world today.

What was the true message, and why should it bring comfort instead of a troubled spirit?

May we take heart and be encouraged in our changing world.

Pastor Wayne

Unjust Death

What happens when one is innocent, yet found guilty and condemned to die? Sometimes this happens physically, and sometimes relationally.

In Daniel chapter 14, we have the story of Susanna as an illustration of how wise Daniel was. As a young man, Daniel already was able to see thru the subterfuge of the old elders who judged in the name of the Lord, yet did all for their own desires.

Susanna was delivered, just as Daniel was delivered from the lions and Jeremiah was given strength to endure to the end. These three contemporaries were each delivered in their own way, just as God will deliver us when we are unjustly condemned.

God provides people of wisdom to stand with those in need. Perhaps we might be a Daniel to someone who is condemned.

May God make us Daniels.

Pastor Wayne