What do we need to know about the end of time? That we are in the last days, and during these days the Christian will suffer under the last and final beast. "But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.'"

How will we know the man of lawlessness? One of his characteristics is that he will oppose and exalt himself "Above every so called god or object of worship so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." Be alert Christian and be assured, our God reigns!

For good reason Daniel's vision refers to the kingdoms of man as Beasts! Men are wicked and have evil in their hearts. The Christian is bound to suffer at the hands of these "Beasts" and many even today do! But the Christian has a hope that none other's have, that our God reigns and His Son has come and established a Kingdom that will never be shaken nor destroyed!

Who is the man of lawlessness? For what are you to be looking for in him? Know that he won't come onto the world scene until before the return of the Lord. Knowing these things in advance helps us understand what to expect and will help us not grow discouraged in the face of growing darkness.

We are living in the last days, living under the last and ultimate kingdom of men, a Kingdom, "terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong". The Christian should expect persecution for a time, but he is not to be without hope as, in Christ, he has a kingdom which shall not pass away nor shall it ever be destroyed!

When is the Lord going to return? We don't know, but the Apostle Paul tells us that there are two things that will be evident before the Lord returns again. These are a rebellion and the man of lawlessness being revealed. Pay attention and be on guard!

Man is so prone to believe that he can be made holy before God by what he does (or doesn't) do, as if certain behaviors or disciplines make him right before God. Defilement does not come to us from what we eat, but comes forth from the heart of man. "What can wash away my sin?...Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

Does washing one's hands make one more holy? How about not drinking? How about Homeschooling? Often Christians fall prey to a mindset that by doing or not doing certain things we become more holy than others and our confidence is no longer in Christ but in ourselves! Beware Christian, our righteousness is found in Christ alone.

Daniel walked in obedience to God, sought for the peace of Jerusalem, was cast into the lions' den and given up for dead, and was delivered because he trusted in the Lord .While persecution of the Christian is a certainty in this world, of greater certainty is the fact that the Christian will be vindicated! Those who rest in Christ will be vindicated!

Often we think we know better than God; We think we know where we should start a church, whom would be a good candidate for salvation, expecting the Lord to work according to our agenda. This passage reminds us that the Lord works how and when He wants to work! He directed the Apostle and his companions to a situation that may have looked unfavorable on the surface, but one in which would become a blessing for many. Oh Christian trust not your feeble senses!