Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:9-10
"And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."

Daniel wanted to know when the end times would be. He is instead told to seal up the prophesies he received. So what is in the bible is not all that Daniel saw. What is there, and is to come, only the wise shall understand. This would not be the wise of the world, this would be those made wise through the spirit. For prophesy can only be understood through revelation. It takes revelation to understand revelation. 

Day 1437

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 11:30, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 11:30, 32
"For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
And such as do wickedly against the covenants shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

I pondered on how important it will be to know the Lord and not be deceived by flatteries. It all speaks of pride and the fall that comes from it. I cannot imagine what it would be like for those that forsake their holy covenants and say or do things that help to overcome the saints in the last days. It reminds me of the early saints that joined the church and then became enemies to it. They led to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. I don't want to be in their shoes when they have to stand before the Lord.

Day 1436

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 10:8, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 10:8, 19
"Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."

Daniel sees the Lord and others in a glorious vision and his strength is gone from him. Then the Lord strengthens him. How tender and loving these words are to Daniel. I pondered on how the Lord has strengthened me and carried me when I have been weak. For indeed he can make weak these strong.

Day 1435

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 9:21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 9:21-23
"Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of evening oblation.
And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."

Daniel understood from the books the 70 years prophesied by Jeremiah, of the desolation of Jerusalem where coming to a close. He then prays not only to repent of his sins but his people for not listening to and obeying the prophets. The angel Gabriel (Noah) is sent to Daniel to inform him that seventy weeks would finish the transgression and make an end of sins. So Daniel is told when the Jews will be able to return to Jerusalem again.

What I pondered on is the need for a living prophet. Just because Daniel could read the prophesy of Jeremiah, and count the number of years from the books, it does not mean he could proceed without being told by a messenger sent from God. A living God needs a living prophet to direct his people. Of all times for this earth, while preparing for the Lord's Second Coming, the need for a living prophet is the greatest. How grateful I am to know that President Russell M. Nelson is God's living prophet on the earth. I can't wait for General Conference again in April, just six weeks away.

Day 1434