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REFLECTIONS

The theme for our reflection is Daniel’s vision of the beasts. The book of Daniel belongs to the category of books in the Bible known as Apocalyptic literature. The word Apocalyptic comes from the Greek word “apocalupsis” which means revelation. It will be observed that Apocalyptic books such as Daniel in the Old Testament and John’s Revelations in the New Testament are books that contain prophecies through dreams and visions. Some of these prophetic messages contain vivid descriptions of cosmic or celestial creatures and events to depict future occurrences that believers must be aware of. In Daniel chapter 7 we are told “Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. ² Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. ³ Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea … “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. ¹⁶ I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: ¹⁷ ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. ¹⁸ But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’ Daniel 7:1-3,15-18)

Beloved in the Lord, Daniel’s revelation gives us an assurance that no matter the era in which we find ourselves and regardless of the powers that be, one thing is constant, God reigns supreme, therefore, no human kingdom or authority shall exist in perpetuity. Believers or God’s holy people must remain faithful to God who is described as the Ancient of days. God, the Ancient of Days will send Jesus, His Son known as the “Son of Man” to rescue believers or the Saints from tribulations and will defeat all the beasts, including the fourth and the most fierce beast who is the representation of an evil and ungodly Kingdom ruled by the antichrist. Daniel’s revelation assures us that “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14) Many centuries after Daniel’s era, the Son of Man came into the world to inaugurate the Kingdom of God and to break the power and dominion of the powers that be whether mortal or spiritual and assured us that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18) It is for this reason, Paul wrote that “…God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11). Dear friend, Daniel’s vision of the beasts is a great encouragement to us believers that “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39). Indeed, beasts of all kinds in the form of wicked human rulers and evil kingdoms will come and pass, all forms of sinister regimes will come and pass, certainly, satanic and spiritual forces will threaten their dominance but with Jesus on our side we shall overcome for, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:8) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, deliver us from the evil reign of the beasts of the world and grant us victory in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.