Last night while lying in bed with the light on, I looked around my room. In the quiet comfort of home, I studied family photos on the wall. On my dresser stood a half-finished painting I started last summer—a landscape of a place I love. The feather comforter over my body felt light as a cloud. A fan gently droned in the corner. How easy it is to take it all for granted—to go to sleep in clean sheets, peace, and safety.
Across the world from me in a Sudanese prison cell, a woman’s fate hangs in the balance. Though she has just given birth to a baby girl and has her toddler son with her, she is shackled like a criminal for being a Christian. She faces 100 lashes and death by hanging. But she will not renounce Christ. By the time this posts, I don’t know if she will be alive or dead.
I thought about that all day. It’s easy to pick up the concerns of the world. In my mind, it compounds very quickly. For instance, at this moment, thousands of children are crossing our southern border desperate to stay in America. Iraq is being overtaken with terror beyond belief. Many days it feels like I only have two choices: get overwhelmed or get numb. I’m not the ostrich type.
Yet as I laid in the stillness of my room last night, I wondered…God, where are You in all this? What on earth is happening? What kind of world will my children and grandchildren face?
I do feel we are living in a critical time of history with many unprecedented changes. The Lord is shaking the earth so that everything that remains is unshakable. Hebrews 12:27
But in times like this, what is our hope?
For years now, I can’t even count how frequently I see the number 722. On clocks, receipts, airplane tickets, confirmation numbers, license plates, you name it—722 comes up every other day. A pastor friend once said: when you see a number sequence more often than coincidence, search it out in Scripture. So I looked up every possible verse and read the context around it.
Though the study proved interesting, only one verse stood out: Daniel 7:22
I’m not a trained theologian or an expert in the study of eschatology, but I do believe that God can show ordinary people His intentions. People like me.
As I read Daniel, Chapter Seven, three themes emerged.
God reigns…
9 “I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire.
10 “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him. The court sat, and the books were opened.”
Jesus has dominion…
13 “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming. And He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.
14 “And to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away. And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”
A shift is coming…
21 “I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them,
22 “until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.”
You can see why Daniel 7:22 jumped off the page to me. My favorite words are “until” and “the time arrived.”
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
Recently someone mentioned that a respected pastor, Kris Vallotton, spoke on Daniel 7:22. Though his talk was posted on YouTube a few years ago, it still peaked my curiosity. It’s always encouraging to see the Holy Spirit saying the same things to other people—especially those who know a lot more than me. Vallotton asked the question– “WHEN?” When will Daniel 7:22 happen. You can watch his talk.
But here’s what I want to say to you. In times like this, we need a vision of what God is doing because “without a vision, the people perish.”
Secondly, though most of what I hear from God is on a personal level to encourage and guide and warn and comfort—He may also want to say bigger-picture things to those who are listening.
Do you believe God will say important things to ordinary people?
You are speaking my heart as usual. I love your blog! Thank you for writing ! By the way the number I see often is 1010 and the verse that goes with it is John 10:10 ” The thief comes only to steal,kill and destroy; but I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.” I don’t know what the future holds although we are told as believers it will get pretty uncomfortable but we have the assurance that nothing will separate us from God and we will have life to the FULL!
Cath…that is a GREAT verse! Love that God speaks that to you all the time!! S
Hi Susan, I do the same. Accept I fear. I fear so much. I had to close down alot of stuff, cos every day the press bombards us with it all. Pounding it like a hammer. SO I no longer have live TV-no more scrolling thro stuff when I get down. No more suggestive ads. No more news just to fill the silence-but to also compound the fear. I do not listen to the radio. I hardly ever read the news. BUT I still get drawn it. HOW? Facebook. I always figured, if its that important someone is bound to tell me. I was right. I did not even know 9/1 happened. Till I was rung up by my sister in the USA, to say goodbye, unless she did not make it. Thankfully she did. But, Facebook. On there I get pulled in. People post suffering. certain fights I pick up. But I get so afraid. I do not have a rock solid foundation with God. Sometimes I do. Other times I have to admit I doubt. What if He is not real? What if I slide away from Him? Cos of pressure, fear, sin etc. The one thing I realize. Its really about only one thing. Trust. Will I trust Him to rescue me? Will I trust Him to save and protect my children? Its all to big and terrifying. The times I doubt His existence. I say, and I quote the words of C.S.Lewis, in the book The Silver Chair. ” I am on Aslans side-even if there is no Aslan to believe in.” And by that I will stand. If God does not exist, well, I choose to believe He does. Will I suffer? I don’t know. I can only ask that He will help me to be brave. If He loves me, He will save me. From myself, from my sin, from others attack and from the enemy and his intent to place me where he will be-in hell. And God said He loves me. He promised me hope, plans to prosper me. Peace and safety for my children. So when it all looks to much and I shake with fear and doubt I have to declare, Even if He is not, I believe Him. This world, nothing, nothing, nothing is comparable with what I feel He is-if he is(You get me here?) Whether He is or not, He has captivated my heart. Thats it. And its His job to make it stay that way. Of my self-as St. Augustine said, I can do NOTHING good. If He does not work in me, well, I will just sin. Without Him I am dead. With Him all becomes possible. Does he speak treasures to normal, everyday people? Well, The word says (sorry, no offence intended, I talk about myself here too! and with AWE that it is this way-and great thankfuless too.) I quote the NLT “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” Well, I would rather be Gods fool that the wisest man on earth. Not for power, not riches. In fact, and this sums it up. If anyone has not seen the film The Illusionist, I urge you to watch it. Its amazing. About a man who is prepared to risk everything to be with the woman he loves. And when warned off and asked why he is doing it he simply replies’ Just to be with Her.’ Well, thats me. I probably will just scrap into heaven. No fanfare, not rubies, be lucky if I get a tent. But if I can only ‘Be with my Papa’ then everything is going to be alright.
Nicola! I get you and agree. This is what I tell myself: I was born for this time in history. My life is God’s and I believe that His heart is good, always good, and that He is sovereign over everything that is happening. Whether I live or die, I am His. I don’t know what (suffering) He will require of me while on the earth, but I will face everything with Him. He told us that on earth we would have tribulation, but to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world. He holds the number of my days in His hand and I was created for a purpose. My prayer is let me not miss one second of the purposes for which You created me God, and let my strength match my days. Thanks for sharing your rich thoughts here. With love, Susan
That was an amazing word!! So confirming on so many levels.
Blessings John
Thanks John! Yesterday when the post went out, I walked into my kitchen and the clock said 7:22!
the odd showing up of certain numbers, places, objects, etc. have been with me since the day i first believed. somehow i think god knows we like these kind of reassurances that there is no way explain to human understanding and i LOVE him for this.
lately? monarch butterflies? am trying to learn what he is suggesting to me. any ideas he sends you when you read this?
love
suzee B
Butterflies are symbolic of transformation and a picture of the resurrection or that we are “new” in Christ and take “flight” in ways we couldn’t before we knew the Holy Spirit. There’s my two cents!