“Where you are, I want to be! I want to kiss your feet and be where you are!” This powerful cry from the 75 Days of The Cloud, still stirs my spirit! This longing is the desire of every Jesus Lover, to be with the Lord and to encounter Him more and more, day and night. To enjoy this worship, click here.
Here are a few questions for us to consider:
- When Love comes down, will we be ready?
- Can we live in such a posture, that when Heaven draws near, we can sustain this privilege?
- Can we position ourselves better so we don’t miss any opportunity when Revival arrives?
In Daniel 7, Daniel experienced a heavenly vision of such magnitude that his entire countenance changed! With Daniel’s encounter, you can discover critical keys he used to sustain his encounter with Almighty God to help us should the Lord draws near, may He do so!
Our Circumstances Do Not Limit our God
“In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay on his bed. (7:1)
Wait, isn’t this the king’s son, that spoiled heir whose arrogance cost him his life, that godless monarch who used cups from the temple of Jerusalem to party and toast his gods (Daniel 5).
Daniel, Israeli slave, former advisor to the king, once esteemed and beloved by all, had to endure seeing his adopted nation’s faith in God Almighty dissolve like salt in water as this proud Next-in-Line denied God’s existence and undid every decree his grateful redeemed father had made while ruling Babylon (Daniel 4:34-37).
Nevertheless, Daniel honoured his God, and sought the Lord day and night. Despite much disappointment, loss of status, and uncertainty for his future, nothing deterred Daniel’s consistent pursuit of Almighty God.
Key #1: Steadily pursue the Lord, no matter what is going on around us! It does not matter what wars and rumours of wars fill our ears or which illness roars over the airwaves! Our God is able to reach His children who attend to His Voice!
God First, Above All
In godly wisdom, Daniel understood, nothing on earth could ever happen without the Lord’s knowledge. The vision began with “Behold, the four winds of Heaven were stirring up the great sea.” (Dan. 7:2) On earth as it is in Heaven! No action on earth arrives without Heaven’s direction.
As Daniel watched, the ferocity of the beasts did not take Heaven by surprise. Judgement still overruled the beasts’ domain. Dominion remain Heaven’s only option and certain privilege.
Despite the conflict, God’s perspective ruled.
Key #2: God is over all! Let Heaven dictate our perspective for everything. Paul states, “you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:4- 6). We have one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. We can trust His perspective!
(To learn more about transforming your spiritual environment, click here.)
Look Intently and Keep Looking as God Reveals His Heart
As Daniel regarded the spectacular vision of the four beasts, he looked and kept looking to see more. Daniel carefully considered what he was seeing with great spiritual intelligence:
- When Daniel watched – “thrones were placed and the Ancient of Days took his place.”
- As Daniel looked further – the beast was killed and its body destroyed (7:11).
- Even as Daniel continued to behold this vision – “there came one like a Son of Man and he came to the Ancient of Days” (7:13)
In keeping his gaze, Daniel saw the Lord!
Daniel watched as the Son of Man was “given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples and nations and languages should serve him, his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”(7:14)
By his intent beholding, mighty revelation was entrusted to Daniel! God’s Kingdom was his portion!
Question: What truths may we encounter if we sustain our focus on the Lord?
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.(2 Cor. 3:18) May the Spirit carry us into this truth today! May what we behold, we become!
Key #3: When we look and keep looking at our God, we encounter more than we could ever know or imagine! As we maintain a steady gaze, understanding becomes our revelation and revelation becomes our reality! May nothing enter our heart that will distract our gaze from His Face! (For more on fixing our heart on the Lord, click here.)
Ask for Understanding: Interpretation is Needed
Daniel explained his spirit was anxious, so he approached one of those who stood there for understanding and was given the interpretation. “These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever.” (7:17-18).
Still, Daniel needed to know more, “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from the rest.”(7:19)
Key #4 Ask and keep asking for more understanding. When Daniel sought an interpretation, he encountered Heaven’s response. In his longing for understanding, Daniel’s truth remains as treasure for us today! Like Daniel, may our questions bring answers for the generations!
Do not let our first Encounter with Heaven be our Last
Daniel’s encounter with Heaven was far from his last. Three years later, still under the wicked rule of Belshazzar, Daniel had profound visions of the end times. Then, during Darius’ reign, Daniel continued to seek the Lord (9:3). With King Cyrus, the word of God was revealed to Daniel (10:1)!
In his longing for understanding of these visions (8:15) Daniel heard the tangible Voice of God, “Gabriel make this man understand the vision” (8:16) and then, Daniel encountered Gabriel, mighty Archangel of God! Like Daniel, may our longing for understanding bring supernatural encounters and angelic visitation! (To hear about a breakfast of angels, click here.)
Are we willing to do whatever it takes to attract Heaven, or do we like our comfort and prefer status quo?
In his life, Daniel fasted, prayed, faced lions, risked death and remained faithful to His God. With fervent humility and desire for the Lord, a focused gaze and thirst for understanding, Daniel drew Heaven close, again and again.
Key #5: May our first encounter never be our last! As we stay humble and deeply desire understanding at all cost, we will encounter more of Heaven! God is worth the pursuit!
May these keys keep us willing and ready when Love comes down! May Revival invade our homes, our churches, and our cities for God’s Glory as Heaven opens across the Nations!
Shalom,
Shyju