Daniel 8:1, 3, 5 (NKJV) — 1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me the first time. 3 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 5 And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

This is the third time God has revealed the rise and fall of kingdoms to Daniel. In each case, God’s kingdom is always established and stands forever. Pastor Weston said on Sunday, “Nations rise and nations fall, God is with us through it all!” Though Daniel may not have understood at first, God reveals His plan to Daniel to give him hope looking through the lens of eternity while he is still living in Babylonian captivity.

In what ways have God’s plans that are revealed in Scripture confused you and in what ways have they given you clarity? 

What assurances do you have that Jesus Christ is with you through your trials and transgressions?

Daniel 8:16, 19, 27 (NKJV) — 16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. 27 And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

God wanted Daniel and us to know what the final outcome will be. This gives us peace and hope knowing He has authority over everything. Pastor Weston told us on Sunday, “We have zero anxiety because we trust in God’s power over everything. Our future hope is solid, not like the ever changing waves in the ocean. Our hope is not in our leaders on earth but in Jesus Christ.” At the end of the vision, Daniel is again visibly shaken from his encounter with God’s message. 

How does your knowledge of the coming judgement inform your faith and hope in the Lord? 

How has God astonished you and what message is His Holy Spirit speaking to you today?