October 21: PROGRESSIVE REVELATION AND PRESENT TRUTH
Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:8-9
The concept of progressive revelation is a beautiful companion to growing trust. The identification of our amazing and Almighty God as the One who is and who was and who is to come (Revelation 1:8) is a succinct greeting that highlights His complete view and knowledge of all time as compared to our limited view. His acts in history up until Daniel’s day were known and treasured by Daniel, per his study of the written word of God, whose marvelous deeds of the past are a sure foundation upon which to build the trust needed to live a life of obedience today, in addition to dissolving worry about the future.
Daniel is being lovingly reminded here that God has everything under control. A man greatly beloved (Daniel 10: 11,19) has faithfully received everything that God had for him, the main one being a love relationship founded upon complete trust. Daniel’s study of the Scriptures (see 9:2) shaped his daily life as he served in the royal courts of Babylon and Persia. His willingness to write this little book (opened later for us; see Revelation 10) is an indescribable blessing to you and me. It is astounding to think of our faithful brothers of the past who penned for our benefit Scriptures that they did not understand (see 1 Peter 1:10-12). Daniel’s writings, rich with prophecy for our time, the time of the end, also provide for us a precious dimension of the story of the birth of Christ, for the wise men who traveled from afar to worship Him would not have known, except that they studied Daniel’s writings. Those wise men well symbolize those of the Gentile nations who, by faith, receive the Good News of salvation.
We may not immediately understand all that we encounter in the Bible. Humble prayer for the Holy Spirit’s guidance is essential. Obedience to that which is clear also becomes essential to gaining additional understanding. Jesus wants to reveal to us all the riches contained in His word, preparing us to meet Him when He comes, and using us as instruments to care for and lead others toward Him. He once told His disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12).
The present truth (2 Peter 1:12) of our day includes the fact that the final judgment is underway and Jesus is soon to return for the faithful saints, both living and dead. Another term for this is food in due season. Disobedience to clear revelation of God’s will reveals a lack of trust and becomes a hindrance to spiritual growth. Our enemy is laying siege in the time of the end like never before, to block the truth. Don’t allow it! Be a ‘blockade runner’! For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:12,13) Jesus asks:
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?” Matthew 24:45 (see also Luke 12:42, Psalm 104:27; 145:15)