MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 1, 2026
God’s Purposes Revealed by Prophecy and Fulfilled as History
DANIEL: GOD’S FAITHFUL REPRESENTATIVE WHILE SERVING
Quoted below are extracts from Commentary on the Book of Daniel, A Section Of Volume IV of The SDA Bible Commentary, published and copyrighted, 1955, by the Review & Herald Publishing Asso.. Washington, D. C., pp. 750-1 (all emphasis and bracketed words provided).
“Theme. The book of Daniel might properly be called a handbook on history and prophecy. Predictive prophecy is a PREVIEW OF HISTORY; history is predictive prophecy PASSING IN REVIEW.
“The elements of prediction 1] enables GOD’S PEOPLE to see the things of TIME in the light of ETERNITY, 2] alerts them for effective action at appropriate times 3] facilitates personal preparation for the final crisis, and 4] provides a firm basis of FAITH upon the fulfillment of the prediction.
“The FOUR MAJOR LINES OF PROPHECY in the book of Daniel set forth in brief outline, AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF WORLD HISTORY, the EXPERIENCES of God’s people
from the days of Daniel down to the close of time: ‘The curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and powers and passions THE AGENCIES OF THE ALL-MERCIFUL ONE, silently, patiently, working out the COUNSELS OF HIS OWN WILL’ (E. G. White, PK 500)
“Each of the four lines of prophecy reaches a climax when ‘THE GOD OF HEAVEN’ sets ‘UP A KINGDOM, which shall never be destroyed ‘(ch. 2:44), when the ‘SON OF MAN’ receives ‘EVERLASTING DOMINION’ (ch. 7: 13, 14), when opposition to the ‘Prince of princes’ is ‘broken without hand’ (ch. 8:25), and when GOD’S PEOPLE are delivered FOREVER from their oppressors (ch. 12:1).
“The prophecies of Daniel thus provide a DIVINELY CONSTRUCTED BRIDGE from the precipice of time to the boundless shores of eternity, a bridge over which THOSE WHO, LIKE DANIEL, PURPOSE IN THEIR HEARTS TO LOVE AND SERVE GOD, may pass by faith from the uncertainty and distress of the PRESENT LIFE to the peace and security of LIFE EVERLASTING.” (End extract, p. 750).
And so goes the “Old time religion” song’s challenge and exhortation: “Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone,” with the God of heaven, that is. For “If God be with us, who can be against us?”
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.