Daniel 8:1-27; Hard Truths

Sermon in a sentence: I will take God at His Word, even the hard parts.

Introduction

Hard Truths:

God Spoke Through Daniel

Daniel was given this vision during the reign of Belshazzar (vs. 1) [circa 550; Babylon would fall in 539 see Dan 5:31, Persia 539-331, Greece 331-146 BC]

God has spoken. And we have his Word!

Scholars believe Daniel could not have written this, it must have been a 2nd century author. (vs. 15-27)

Mark Twain said he does not have a problem with the parts of the Bible he doesn’t understand, its the parts he does.

Twain is honest, he is facing the clear teaching of scripture and rejecting it. Many “Christians” like to fight about eschatology because that means they don’t have to do all the other stuff the Bible tells them to do.

Ethan Penley

God Spoke Through Prophecy

Prophecy is inherently difficult to interpret. (vs. 15 & 27)

We should have humility when attempting to interpret these texts!

We should be careful to never loose sight of the main thing: God and his glory!

Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative Daniel 8:1–27

William Miller (1782–1849) used a similar method of reckoning to conclude that Christ would return between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844. When the year came and went and Christ did not return, many were discouraged. Samuel S. Snow, one of Miller’s followers, concluded that the 2,300 days/years would end, not in the spring of 1844, but in the fall. He insisted that Christ would return on October 22, 1844, the calendar equivalent of the Jewish Day of Atonement (the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri). What resulted has come to be called “The Great Disappointment” when Christ did not return.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

7th Day Adventist

God Has Spoken Through Christ

Jesus Christ is the perfect fulfillment of God’s plan.

Application

Turn to Christ today for the coming day of judgement!

Make reading God’s Word a priority this week! How?

Join our Sunday School or our Wednesday Night Service.

OR

Study. Take notes, read books and monographs, buy a commentary, and follow along with our sermon series in Daniel.