What’s going to happen next in Iran? Who knows? How about in Iraq, Syria or Israel? Who knows about Yemen? Experts and national leaders alike can only guess. News commentators are at a loss. And yet, there is Someone Who knows and He’s proved it.
If the current situation in the Middle East seems complicated, check out the history of that region during the last few centuries BC. The Assyrians and Babylonians conquered the Israelis, lost to the Persians, who then were conquered by the Greeks, whose kingdom broke up and was taken over by the Romans. And the whole, complex, seemingly chaotic series of events was revealed in advance to the prophet, Daniel. Read the 10th and 11th chapters of Daniel. The specificity is amazing! For example, he wrote:
““The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be handed over, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her. “One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.” (Daniel 11:5-7)
A couple hundred years after Daniel wrote those prophecies, they took place! The “King of the South” was Ptolemy II Philadelphus and his daughter was named Berenice. It all happened! Daniel’s writings were so specifically accurate that some doubt that he could have written them in advance. And yet, there is compelling evidence he did. God proved He knew what would happen.
My point is this: Even in the midst of our current, global, political chaos, God is not surprised or defeated. He knows. He not only knows because He is in control. He also told Daniel about events still in our future. He said:
“… There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:1-3)
Jesus reaffirmed the certainty of those promises. Daniel got it right. “Those who are wise” will draw close, through Jesus, to the One Who knows. He knows what will happen in the Middle East. He knows what will happen to you.
FRESH BREAD OF LIFE 