Daniel 8:15-17 English Standard Version

The Interpretation of the Vision

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

Daniel was given a vision for a time of an end. Daniel did not live to see that end.

Here is my question as we live today thousands of years removed from this prophet and this message. The end of what?

The answer to that question identifies the sequencing of events that lead up to the end of something that is poorly defined.

19 He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. 

Indignation, what indignation?

Isaiah 34:1-2 King James Version

1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

2 For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

What does that sound like? The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord perhaps! Perhaps!!

• Joel 2:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
• Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

Read the events of that day in Joel 2 and find these words are found in the midst of it all.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him,

a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?

Matthew 22:21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

1 Corinthians 2:6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Jesus did not advocate for a theocracy.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Jesus died for us so that He could live with us. It is just that simple.

Look at the world right now and all the different types of administrations of civil authority that exist. How many are theocracies? How does their rule of law compare to all the rest?

Even Israel which was set in place to be a city on a hill, to be a shining light, is not a theocracy.

The future we all hope for in Christ is closely tied to the fate of Israel. If we are to believe in God’s promise, in God’s prophetic Word, then looking to the events surrounding Israel is in some ways prophecy played out.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)