2010 Bible Challenge

Author Archive

I have to say that Daniel is one of the most amazing books in the entire Bible and one of my personal favorites. In it we find some of the most incredible acts of faith (Daniel 3:16-18), powerful prayers (Daniel 9:1-23), along with awesome visions of the future that leave Daniel overwhelmed and bewildered (Daniel 8:27). Think about it for a moment, Daniel was given a personal glimpse into the mind and sovereignty of the Creator God of the universe. How remarkable is that? If you have never done it before, I recommend spending some time researching and studying the visions of the Great Image (chapter 2), the Four Beasts (chapter 7), the Ram and Goat (chapter 8), and the 70 Weeks (chapter 9). Thankfully, God was gracious enough to provide interpretations of these visions, otherwise they would be nearly impossible to understand. One of the first things you will notice is that each vision gets more specific than the previous in regard to the people, location, and events involved. Who is the “little horn”?

I have always longed to have a faith in and a relationship with God that would prompt Him to do similarly amazing things in and through me (I Chronicles 16:9). How does that happen? Well, I believe Daniel 9 gives us some insight into how to tap into this same powerful relationship that Daniel possessed… reading the scriptures, prayer, fasting, and confession of sin. It is no guarantee by any means, but if we are engaged in these activities, I believe we significantly increase our potential for God to speak to us and work through us. By the way, what scripture is Daniel is reading? Who wrote it and when? Why is this significant? What are the implications of what Daniel is reading?

For Daniel, what follows is one of the most incredible visions of the future. Who are the 70 Weeks for? When do they begin and end? Why is there a break between week 69 and 70? What historical events are associated with the end of week 69 and the start and end of week 70? Who is the prince/ruler and what do we learn about his nationality (hint: read Daniel 9:27 in several different translations).