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At the conclusion of chapter 8 Daniel describes his reaction to the vision and the explanation given by the angel Gabriel, saying, “I, Daniel, was overcome [exhausted] and lay sick for some days … I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.” His confession of failure to understand the vision must refer to his failure to understand why the devastation, destruction, and persecution of his people, which the vision foretold, should be necessary. It is the reason he was appalled. He was appalled in the same way any of us would be if God should give us a vision of some future period of great suffering. Continue reading

When these magi, however many there were, arrived in Jerusalem, they began asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” The Greek construction (saying is a present participle emphasizing continual action) suggests that they went around the city questioning whomever they met. Because they, as foreigners, knew of the monumental birth, they apparently assumed that anyone in Judea, and certainly in Jerusalem, would know of this special baby’s whereabouts. Continue reading

Painting by Sandro Boticelli of the three magi. Boticelli was an early renaissance painter living in the 15th century who died early in the 16th century. Boticelli painted a number of depictions of the magi this particular painting is found in the London museum. This depiction is one I appreciate because it is more true to the reality. According to Matthew’s account of the visit in his Gospel the magi brought three gifts. Continue reading

What we are seeing in the second half of Daniel deals with a particular era in Jewish history – they predict the end of this era and thus anticipate a new era of gentile and Jewish blessing. Continue reading

The first and second halves of Daniel are quite different, and in the minds of many the value of a slow study of the second part is doubtful. Why? It is because the first half is narrative and the second half is prophecy. True, there is some overlap. The first half also contains prophecy, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the great statue composed of different types of metals. Continue reading

It is interesting that Jesus referred to Daniel 7:13–14 in His teachings and applied the title Son of Man to Himself. There are many titles for Jesus in the New Testament. He is the “Lord,” “Christ” (Messiah), the “Good Shepherd,” the “bridegroom.” He is “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” He is “the first and the last.” Many titles of God the Father are given to Him. He is the great “I Am.” Continue reading