If Revelation is regarded the New Testament’s most mysterious book, it is probably the book of Daniel that is its Old Testament equivalent. Whilst some of its story such as Daniel in the Lion’s Den are very familiar, there are other parts of it (most obviously in chapters 7-12) that can appear extremely off putting and bizarre. However, as we found with Revelation, Daniel has an immense amount to say to our current culture context with its dramatic message about both the challenge to faith and what happens when the kingdoms of the world are confronted by the kingdom of God.
During October and November 2013, we studied the first half of Daniel with its stirring stories of God’s people keeping faith within a pagan context.
During January and February 2014, we looked at Chapter 7-12 of the book. This is where stirring stories of the first six chapters give way to a series of lurid and complex visions. These passages, however, play a crucial role in Daniel’s overall message about the kingdom of God triumphing over the kingdoms of the world. Like the visions contained in Revelation, they are passages which also have a great deal to say to our current situation as we see the seeming domination of so much evil within the world. Like Revelation, the book of Daniel shows how this evil will eventually be defeated and particularly highlights the role that the suffering of God’s faithful people will play in this.
