Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

A story that includes characters like a lion with wings, a tusked bear, a four-headed leopard or a beast with ten horns is not what I prefer reading.  If Daniel chapter 7 was a novel I’m sure they would have illustrated the cover with these disturbing creatures and I would have never picked the book up.  But as my mom always said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.  

Pastor Chuck Swindoll writes that while Daniel chapter 7 “appears to be a confusing collection of animals, persons, nations and events, it is actually a harmonious collage of the Lord's sovereign activity in human history." [Bible Study Guide: Daniel - God's Pattern for the Future, page 62, 1986].

The prophecies given to us in the book of Daniel reminds us that God is in control, He has anticipated every event and He has a plan for the future.  The never ending news cycle filled with stories of war, acts of violence, political and social unrest does not have to overwhelm us. “Because of God’s sovereignty in the past we can remain confident that the present is not falling apart but coming together for the capstone event: the Second Coming of Christ.”  [https://www.preceptaustin.org/daniel_7_commentary1https://www.preceptaustin.org/daniel_7_commentary1]

It was the sixth game of the 2011 World Series and the Cardinals were down 7-4 in the eighth inning and guess what I did?  I went to bed.  I thought it was easier to bury my head in a pillow and let slumber take me rather than watch my beloved Birds on the Bat lose game 6.  I didn’t know what was to come.  But today, thanks to the Bible and the prophecies in Daniel and Revelations, we know what is to come.  God has shared his plans, he will overcome evil and we will spend eternity singing His praises!

Brenda Wooff