This week, we are studying Daniel 9:20-27.
This passage is the most difficult passage in the whole Bible to interpret and understand.
It gets so complicated, some view one particular reference to refer to Jesus. Another widely held view on the same issue, believes it to refer to the future Anti-Christ.
That's how divergent and complicated it can get. After putting together this week's sermon, I'm mentally exhausted. I hardly know what to share in this preview of the passage.
What I do want to communicate is that no matter the interpretive positions you take, the hope we have in Christ is undeniably present in these verses.
End times material will sell a lot of books. End times material can attract a lot of attendees to a conference or seminar. End times material can create a lot of heated discussion in seminary classrooms and college dorms.
But end times material that is not centrally focused on Jesus is worthless. Any end times sermon that parses potential timelines but neglects the hope we have in Christ misses the point entirely.
The more I study God's Word, especially prophecy about the Last Days, the more I am convinced God would prefer we cling to the grace of Jesus rather than getting all the details right. The purpose behind what He's revealed to us about the future is to inspire us to faithfulness. Nothing more, nothing less.
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