God’s response to Daniel’s prayer arrives immediately through the angelic messenger Gabriel. Surprisingly, his request was in regard to the seventy years of exile, but God’s answer was so much beyond that concern—a look at the His plan for the Jews throughout the remaining years of earthly history. This is the great gift of prophecy, of history recorded in advance.

Isaiah’s Servant songs (42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12) have long held the attention of interpreters and scholars through the ages. Who is this servant and what will he do? Christians have believed based on New Testament teaching (1 Peter 2:21-25) that Jesus is this Servant. But how can that be true? How do we make sense of this scandal?

This extended prayer by the godliest man in the Old Testament teaches believers how to fight both the visible and invisible battles of every generation through prayer. America’s future ultimately depends on God, but it can still be shaped by purposeful Christian engagement.

Interest now turns to a second vision, which concerns a part of the sweep of time covered in the first. The clash of Persia and Greece culminates in the rise of a despicable ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes. This man stands as the antichrist of Old Testament time, who prefigured the Antichrist of last days. Daniel is given unprecedented access to God’s plans.

As Daniel contemplates further the vision given to him, the weight of the revelation from God overwhelms him. Information about the future is never to satisfy curiosity, but rather to inspire holy action in each present generation despite momentary appearances.

To a people in exile wondering if their God had abandoned them entirely, the Most High God reveals His plan for human history. Given to Daniel, a trustworthy and credible messenger, the centuries beyond are unfolded so that the holy ones of God will have an unshakable confidence no matter what assails them in all subsequent generations.

The world continually calls believers to compromise in the realm of faith; but true greatness is reserved for individuals of integrity who remain faithful to their deepest convictions. When people of faith honor God, God honors those people of faith.

God loves all people and wants them to be part of His family. He provides freely the way of salvation; but the offer is for a limited time only. Every individual and every nation ultimately answers for spiritual decisions made or not made. When God finally announces judgment, the verdict is final.

From earliest childhood, man desires to be in charge, to call the shots, to live without boundaries or restrictions. In essence, everyone wants to be God. What began in Eden continues today. We mask this desire in many ways, but the issue of sovereignty must be settled before life can be fully lived.

As Evergreen enters The Year of Advance, we must evaluate what it looks like to advance as a body of believers. We cannot answer God’s call to advance in His plans for us as a church, without giving him full control of our life and fully grab hold of the grace of Jesus Christ. It is through the precious blood of Christ, and his grace, that we find the ability to pursue holiness, be obedient to what God has and will call us to, and advance as the people of Evergreen.