Welcome back!  I’m so glad you’re here, and I have prayed many times over this week’s study, trusting God to pour out His spirit and His blessing on the teaching of His Word.  I have also prayed for you!  As I write I have no idea who you are, but God’s Word says He knows the end from the beginning.  If He knows that, He certainly knows that you are reading this page, this moment.  I’ve prayed in faith for you!

We’re about to dive into intriguing prophecies in the book of Daniel, but let’s set the stage for this week’s study.  (If you’re just joining us, this blog is following along with a live Bible study held on Thursday nights.)

God is able to make many things known through His Word, and in Isaiah 46 He makes known His identity and His intentions.  Read verses 8-11, where God says clearly:

1. He is God
2. There is no other
3. He declares the end from the beginning
4. His purpose will be established
5. He will accomplish all His good pleasure
6. He has planned
7. He will do it

Undoubtedly, those plans include end times!  Bible scholars tell us that about 25-30% of Scripture is prophetic, and though we likely won’t touch on every single prophetic passage, we’ll certainly touch our share!  Those passages are contained in both the Old and New Testaments.  For example:

• Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are synoptic Gospels, at times containing Jesus’ own prophetic words.
• 1 Corinthians 15 in which the apostle Paul reveals the mystery of the rapture to New Testament believers.
• 1 Thessalonians, where each chapter ends with a reminder of Jesus’ return.
• The book of Ezekiel which accurately predicted the birth of Israel, and provides key prophecies such as the soon coming Northern Invasion of Israel.
• The book of Daniel provides incredible glimpses into such things as timing of events and differences between God’s plan for the Jews and God’s plan for the Gentiles.
• The book of Revelation which is perhaps the most recognized book of prophecy.

So, our next port of call is the book of Daniel, where we find God’s specific outlines for the Gentiles and for the Jews.  Because the Jews are God’s chosen people, He laid out a different plan for them than He did for Gentiles, and He revealed both outlines to the prophet Daniel.

We will see that God’s plan for the Jews was interrupted when they failed to recognize the coming of their Messiah.  Thus, God pushed the pause button and inserted a “time of the Gentiles.”  That time is known as the Church Age, and we’re living in it right now!  (Refer to the “Plan of the End” diagram from last week’s study.) However, Scripture teaches that God will resume His plan for Israel and the Jews very soon.

Indeed, our cruise ship has arrived at the first port of call!  Stick with us this week as we explore intriguing prophecies found in Daniel 2, 7, and 9!  Meanwhile, develop the habit of praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

See you tomorrow!