Listen to the Details

Daniel 8:1-4 & 20 In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me. 2 In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. 4 I watched the ram as he charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him, and none could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great…20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.”
 
YOU may be wondering why the Lord brings to Daniel a third vision of nations to come. (Daniel 2 & 7 also) This is also the second vision to point to the end of time. In truth, God repeats his promises and visions often. For example, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God affirmed their future with repeated visions and encounters that pointed to his plan “make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky” (Gen 26:4), which is the church, to cover the globe. In the repeated visions, God gives more specific evidence of the nations to come. Thus, we can more plainly see his sovereignty over all of history. When we know how God has fulfilled his Word in the past, we faithfully trust he will complete his Word for the future.
      God affirms again the Mede-Persian empire will replace Babylon. First, he takes Daniel in the Spirit a long distance to Susa. Babylon is in today’s Iraq. Susa is in today’s Iran. Susa would become the capital of Persia. Susa is where Esther’s story occurred (Esther 1:3). In addition, the angel Gabriel (v. 16) defines the ram in verse 20. Third, a ram was the image of the idolatrous guardian spirit of Persia. Persian leaders took its image into battle. The two horns represent the power of Mede and Persia. Third, in the ancient world the Zodiac sign of Aries, a ram, was Persia. Daniel’s contemporaries reading and hearing his visions, would fully understand the images. God glorifies his name in the details of his visions to the prophets.
    Are you listening to God’s repeated teachings in Scripture? The details of God’s character, commands, grace, sacrifice and salvation are repeated many times. He has given you this knowledge as a means to prepare for the eternal future he has ordained.
    In the meantime, you have work to do. As you confess Christ, you know his command is to make ready a world in need of salvation. The Lord has given you gifts and skills to be a purposeful Christian in your vocation, family, community and church.
    What will be in God’s book regarding your life? Will the details of your life be praised in heaven?
 
Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”