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Read the Book of Daniel, May 27
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all
learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and
dreams.
Daniel 1:17
.
The light that Daniel received direct from God was given especially for these
last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great
rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will
soon come to pass.
Consider the circumstances of the Jewish nation when the prophecies of Daniel
were given. The Israelites were in captivity, the Temple had been destroyed, their
Temple service suspended. Their religion had centered in the ceremonies of the
sacrificial system. They had made the outward form all-important, while they had
lost the spirit of true worship. Their services were corrupted with traditions and
practices of heathenism, and in the performance of the sacrificial rites they did not
look beyond the shadow of the substance. They did not discern Christ, the True
Offering for the sins of man. The Lord wrought to bring the people into captivity,
and to suspend the services in the Temple, in order that the outward ceremonies
might not become the total of their religion. The principles and practices must be
purged of heathenism, the ritual service ceased, in order that the heart might be
revived. The outward glory was removed, that the spiritual might be revealed.
In the land of their captivity, as the people returned unto the Lord with repen-
tance, He manifested Himself unto them. They lacked the outward representation
of His presence, but bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shone into their
minds and hearts. When they called unto God in their humiliation and distress,
visions were given to the prophets which unfolded the events of the future—the
overthrow of the oppressors of God’s people, the coming of the Redeemer, and
the establishment of the everlasting kingdom....
Daniel had companions, and they had a special work to do. Although greatly
honored in this work, they did not become in any way exalted. They were scholars,
being skilled in secular as well as religious knowledge; but they had studied
science without being corrupted. They were well-balanced because they had
yielded themselves to the control of the Holy Spirit. These youth gave to God all
the glory of their secular, scientific, and religious endowments. Their learning did
not come by chance; they obtained knowledge by the faithful use of their powers;
and God gave them skill and understanding.—
Letter 134, May 27, 1898
, to J. H.
Kellogg.
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