Day 263 Reading Schedule: Daniel 7-9

Daniel 7: Vision of the Four Beasts

[Overview]

This chapter contains a description of Daniel's dream. Daniel had a dream about four beasts, which appeared as fierce beasts such as a lion, a bear, and a leopard. Since all the beasts came out of the sea, it can be understood as a prophecy that all the nations of the world will be ruled by evil spirits (verses 1-8). However, Daniel again sees the appearance of God sitting on the throne, and he also sees a vision of the nations being ruled by Him and further being judged by the Son of Man (verses 9-14).  During this dream, Daniel realizes its meaning. The nations represented by the beast will show off their power in history, but the fourth nation will be so powerful that it will devour the world. After that, the saints will suffer much hardship, but the kingdom of God will rule the nations through the chosen people (verses 15-28). 

Daniel 8: The Ram and the Goat Vision

[Overview]

Following the previous chapter that prophesied about the Son of Man who will appear at the end, this chapter prophesies about the phenomena of judgment that will take place at the end. This is because the Son of Man who will appear at the end will inevitably bring about the final judgment and salvation of mankind. In the third year of King Belshazzar, Daniel sees a vision in which a ram with two horns, one longer than the other, appears and acts as it pleases and becomes powerful on its own (verses 1-4). Also, a little later, a he-goat with two horns appears, tramples the ram, and becomes extremely powerful (verses 5-8).  The horn of the male goat was greatly enlarged and reached the glorious earth and the host of heaven, and the sanctuary and the sacrifices were desecrated for two thousand three hundred days and nights (verses 9-14). The vision that Daniel saw was about the end of God's appointed time, and it was a prophecy that at the end of the world, a powerful and deceitful person would appear and destroy the holy people (verses 15-27). 

Daniel 9: Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy

[Overview]

This chapter shows Daniel's understanding of the meaning of the seventy weeks, the prophecy that God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, in the book. Daniel first confesses to God all the sins of the Israelites who have sinned. God wanted to make a covenant and bless the Israelites, but the princes, ancestors, and even the current people of Israel repented for not listening to God's words (verses 1-16). Daniel also prayed to God to forgive all the sins of his people.  Daniel understood that only God's mercy can save sinners (vv. 17-19). While Daniel was praying, God's angel Gabriel appeared and explained the meaning of the seventy weeks. It was revealed that after the seventy weeks of Israel's suffering, the prophecy would be fulfilled and a holy one would be anointed (vv. 20-27).