Thursday 17 October 2013

d25 Daniel 7-9

Read Daniel 7-9 in the bible http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage.aspx?q=daniel+7&t=ceb&t2=esv
An overview of Daniel

In the Hebrew Bible, Daniel is placed under writings instead of prophets because instead of oracles, the book of Daniel consist of court stories and apocalyptic visions. In other words, Daniel does not bring warning oral messages to his contemporaries instead God reveals mysteries which Daniel writes down in the form of literature. You may like to think of Daniel's vision as futuristic fantasy narratives.
 
"Because they were literary, most of the apocalypses were very formally stylised. There was a strong tendency to divide time and events into neat packages. There was also a great fondness for the symbolic use of numbers. As a consequence, the final product usually has visions in carefully arranged often numbered sets"--which may not be arranged chronologically. (Taken from How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Gordon Fee)
 
Can you visualise the passages? Here are some depictions
Do you find the imagery frightening?
What do the visions tell you about God?
 

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