The Restless Sea
One Year Bible: Dec. 1
Daniel 8:1-27
The Restless Sea
Daniel is standing beside the sea and once again has a vision. This vision is much like those before, but he is not able to interpret it. This vision parallels the other visions given but it is more evil…
As you may recall from the end of chapter 8, Daniel is paid a visit by the angel, Gabriel. Daniel is left speechless, pale, and filled with fear.
In the early 1800s, there was a Baptist minister named William Miller who intensely studied Daniel 8 in conjunction with other prophetic passages of scripture. After much study, he became convinced of the exact date of Christ’s second coming based largely on Daniel 8:14. His theme was “1843 will be the year of Jubilee”! He even targeted the date of October 22. But when the date came and went, he and his followers realized the error in his predictions.
William Miller’s emphasis on the second coming of Christ led to the founding of denominations such as the Seventh Day Adventists and the Advent Christian Church.
Unlike the prophet Daniel, he felt that he could interpret the great mysteries of God and he was not speechless. His mission was centered around his focus on the end times.
Which approach is correct and why does Daniel remain silent?
We can find many modern prophets who believe they can interpret all “the players” in the final countdown of evil waged against God’s kingdom. They sell books, fly in their private jets, and speak of all their calculations. Many are greatly energetic as they speak because their intellectual mind is stimulated and challenged.
I can’t begin to tell you who all these players will actually be in the end times. I can say that while we are often hunting for the “Obscure” we may overlook the “Obvious”.
Today, we will stop to reflect on what is made “Obvious” to us in this passage.
Here is what is obvious and plainly stated...
Daniel, a major prophet of God did not see the vision as a show of strength like Nebuchadnezzar did. While Nebuchadnezzar saw the kingdoms as great, impressive, and important, God revealed these nations to Daniel as ferocious beasts that were seeking to attack and devour his kingdom and its saints.
Daniel is NOT proudly spewing out all the information that he learned from Gabriel, God’s lead angel. Instead, Daniel is weeping over “This Restless Sea”.
This image of “The Restless Sea” is a common biblical image revealing the nations of the world which we can read more about in Isaiah 17:12-13; 60:5, Ezekiel 26:3; Rev. 13:1, and 17:15.
Daniel has seen the rise and fall of five kingdoms, but nothing compares to the vision that he sees of the end times which leaves him weak and speechless. Daniel is “troubled in spirit” .(vs. 15)
While commentators and historians will agree that all of Daniel’s prophecies were correctly interpreted and came true, this prophecy is different… vastly different. It is of a time to come beyond Daniel’s knowledge and interpretation.
It is interesting to note that from chapter 8 to the end of the book of Daniel that the text is written in Hebrew, as it deals with God’s plan for the nation of Israel. However, chapters 2-7 were written in Aramaic as they contained a great emphasis on the Gentile kingdom and its role in history and prophecy.
We as humans seem to want to know “all the mysteries”.
We don’t like being surprised, and if truth be told, we want to be “in control”.
But, that my friends, is the “OBVIOUS” message to us in this passage. God will be FULLY “In Control”, and when we come to face HIS Glory (as Daniel came in contact with the angel) we will be on our knees in repentance and faced with remorse.
Here is also what is obvious in Daniel 8, God is not only “In control” of all nations (Godly or ungodly). He ALONE will be in control, and ultimately be the victor!
While Daniel is transported by God to see this vision of what is to come in “God’s Day of Wrath”, he is never left alone. God sends his top general, Gabriel to minister to him. He picks him up and strengthens him. He calls him “son of man”.
When will this happen? It will be in “the fullness of time”. That too will be under HIS complete Sovereignty. This is not Daniel’s prophecy to reveal.
That, my friends, is “The mystery of God”. He is accomplishing a plan greater than Daniel, his beloved prophet, can begin to understand or comprehend.
This will be the culmination of the war that began in heaven when Satan wanted to be equal with God. The original sin that occurred in the Garden of Eden has played out throughout the entire Old Testament. Brother kills brother. God atones. Sinful man defies God over and over again.
Yet, God “Tabernacles” among HIS people. This story is far from finished…
A nation is permitted to crush God’s chosen nation so that they may come to their knees in sorrow and repentance. Sins are rolled away but never “washed clean”.
This is indeed a “God moment”! Daniel is on his knees, pale, sick, and terrified...
It is precisely at this time of Daniel’s greatest need, that the angel of the Lord steps in to comfort Daniel at “The Restless Sea”.
