Jim Phillips

The Book of Daniel Jim Phillips

Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacobs trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7 The book of Daniel is like the pictures of my family that I carry in my wallet for when I am away on trips. These pictures can never replace my family for they are only pictures and not the real thing. My pictures cannot hug me, nor give me a kiss because they are only a shadow of what is real, but they do serve a great purpose. They remind me of what I have waiting for me back at home. The book of Daniel is like a picture album of the nation of Israel as they go through the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble just prior to the millennial kingdom. Imagine what it would be like to have a photo album of your future to look at, God does that with the book of Daniel. While the events are actual accounts of the trials that Israel had to go through in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar and others, each of these events foreshadow future events that will take place just prior to the Messiah's Kingdom reign. They were dress rehearsals for the big show. Prior to Israel's captivity in Babylon for its sin, God had warned Israel that she would serve Babylon as captives. She was not to fight Babylon because God had sent Nebuchadnezzar and Israel was told that they would actually be fighting against God if they did. God used the Nation of Babylon to not only punish Israel, but also to sustain her just as he did for her in the land of Egypt. He will do the same thing during the time of the tribulation period that is coming upon Israel which is known as Daniel's Seventieth Week. Beware Israel! The very same person who saves you at the onset of this Seventieth Week will turn out to be your biggest enemy as you shall see in the example found in chapter three. God has given the believing Remnant in that day this truth in advance to help them through that terrible time. Throughout the Bible you will notice that God often speaks in types or similitudes. He does this to conceal truth from his enemies, and to reveal it to those who love him. Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.