Warning signs are everywhere. On our roads, lakes, mountains and beaches. They can be found in our cars, our homes, and our workplaces. You can usually tell a warning sign by its brilliant lights and colors, large, bold letters, and commanding orders: "ATTENTION," CAUTION," "BEWARE"!
Ignoring such a warning is not only foolish, it can also be life-threatening. Warnings are there for good reason, most often our protection. Biblical prophecies are like God's own warning signs—they're designed to make you sit up and take notice!
We often skip over these fantastic and mysterious passages of Scripture because they can be difficult to understand. We think to ourselves, "I'll leave that one to the scholars or my pastor to figure out." But if you were driving down a road while vacationing in a foreign country and came across a warning sign you couldn't understand, wouldn't you stop, open your foreign language guide or translator app and figure it out?
Sure, learning a foreign language is one thing and interpreting Biblical prophecies is quite another, but we've been given the Holy Spirit as our personal "pocket translator" for Scripture (Jn. 16:13–14)! We also have access to a wealth of knowledge and insight laid down by godly pastors and scholars who have dedicated their hearts and lives to understanding the Word of God. However, we must always be sure to wrest any outside knowledge back through the lens of Scripture and ask ourselves, "Does this line up with what the Bible is saying?"
God will not contradict Himself; He does not stutter. "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless" (Ps. 18:30, emphasis mine). We may not all agree on what certain prophecies mean, but that isn't license to neglect studying them. The Bible tells us, "All Scripture is God–breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." (2 Tim. 3:16, emphasis mine).
Daniel's dream of the four beasts is about as incredible and bizarre a prophecy as they come, full of strange and terrifying creatures, symbols, and awesome visions of God (Daniel 7). A closer examination of the passage reveals some not-so-subtle parallels between what Daniel saw and Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue (Daniel 2).
At its core, the vision signifies the rise and fall of four earthly kingdoms—Babylon, the Medo–Persian kingdom, Greece, and a resurrected "Rome." The kingdoms are represented by four beasts, respectively: a lion with the wings of an eagle, a bear, a four–headed, four–winged leopard, and a beast "different" from all the rest—a frightening, powerful beast with iron teeth, bronze claws, and ten horns that will devour and crush the whole earth. (Dan. 7:4–7, 23)
While Nebuchadnezzar saw man's dominion on the earth as impressive and glorious, Daniel's vision shows things quite differently. Men, if given the chance to write their own history, will often include much self-congratulation and paint their reign as drawing ever nearer to paradise. God, however, sees the truth. Each beast simultaneously declines in majesty and increases in voracity, cunning and terror.
From the final beast, or kingdom, the Antichrist will arise. He is described as speaking boastfully against the Most High and oppressing the saints of God for three and a half years (Rev. 13:5). He will rule until the day of judgment when his power will be taken away and destroyed forever. (Dan. 7:8–11, 21, 25)
"Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High" (Dan. 7:27). God's kingdom is received, not achieved. The church will not eventually convert the world and hand it over to Jesus; He will give it to them!
So what warnings should we glean from Daniel’s prophecy and others like it? How can we find confidence to navigate the unknown in these mysterious passages, and comfort to face their predicted future?
- Root yourself in Scripture. Jesus warned us: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many" (Matt. 24:5). How do we battle deception, especially in the last days? With the Word of Truth! Scripture will always point us toward the true Christ.
- Don't lose heart. Revelation is full of promises for "him who overcomes" (Rev. 2–3). We should not be surprised as the world continues to grow darker rather than more enlightened, and more dangerous for believers as opposed to more tolerant. To be caught off guard by struggles, trials and persecution leaves us vulnerable to doubt, fear, and the temptation to deny our faith.
- Be watchful. Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father... Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matt. 24:36, 42). We must be wise, ready, faithful—ever awake in our faith lest we miss the signs of the times! Don't be distracted by the things of the world, but set your mind on things above (Col. 3:2).
Prophecies are God's warning signs. Heeding and seeking to understand them protects us from deception, despair, and distraction in our faith. And though things may still seem unclear to us presently, we can trust that God will guide our steps as we remain faithful to Him—leading us in righteousness and making straight the path before us (Ps. 5:8)!
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Word and Your Holy Spirit who guides me into truth! Grant me wisdom, understanding and insight as I read Your Word that I may be thoroughly equipped to live a life pleasing to You. Grow my confidence in studying the mysterious passages of Scripture and help me to trust that, if I do not understand something, Your Spirit will make it clear to me at the proper time. May I be alert in my faith—enduring patiently until the glorious day of Christ’s return! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- Do you tend to skip over passages of Scripture that intimidate or bore you? Ask God to help you cultivate a deeper love for the entirety of His Word, and the Holy Spirit to guide you through such passages as you read your Bible.
- Of the three dangers to our faith—deception, despair, and distraction—which are you most prone to? Write down or memorize Scripture to help you combat this area of vulnerability.