Dr. Couch, I understand that the book of Daniel works in tandem with the book of Revelation. Is this so?
ANSWER: Yes, but only dispensationalists get the full picture. Daniel's prophecies are to be taken literally and actually, and guess what, so the prophecies in Revelation. Gabriel gives this message to Daniel: "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation (the tribulation), for it pertains to the appointed time of the end" (8:19). At the end of the book, Daniel says, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?" (12:8). The answer from the angel Michael is: "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. … Go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest again for your allotted portion at the end of the age" (vv. 9, 13).
The full revelation of the end times is then spelled out in the book of Revelation. Unger states it correctly:
I am urging all pastors to teach on both Daniel and Revelation. Believers are thirsty for what prophecy is saying, and they want to know how it may be related to what is happening in our world now. (If you want to increase in numbers, do it by teaching the Word! They will respond!) I am not saying that certain prophecies are presently being fulfilled but we are drawing closer to the final evens told to us in Scripture. I suggest our commentary on Daniel by Dr. Paul Benware and our Revelation commentary by Dr. Ed Hindson. These volumes will give you helpful goodies to teach these books.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
ANSWER: Yes, but only dispensationalists get the full picture. Daniel's prophecies are to be taken literally and actually, and guess what, so the prophecies in Revelation. Gabriel gives this message to Daniel: "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation (the tribulation), for it pertains to the appointed time of the end" (8:19). At the end of the book, Daniel says, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?" (12:8). The answer from the angel Michael is: "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. … Go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest again for your allotted portion at the end of the age" (vv. 9, 13).
The full revelation of the end times is then spelled out in the book of Revelation. Unger states it correctly:
"The testimony and the law" were to be bound up and sealed so that nothing might be added to or taken away from them, since they were complete. They were related to distant events (cf. 6:9-10), which were not understood by the unbelieving, and only in part by the believing (Psalm 25:14), and then only as the time of fulfillment would draw near (cf. Dan. 8:26; 12:9; Rev. 12:10). So what was left unexplained by Daniel and sealed up (Dan. 8:26; 12:9) is opened up in the book of Revelation (Rev. 5:1, 5, 9).
I am urging all pastors to teach on both Daniel and Revelation. Believers are thirsty for what prophecy is saying, and they want to know how it may be related to what is happening in our world now. (If you want to increase in numbers, do it by teaching the Word! They will respond!) I am not saying that certain prophecies are presently being fulfilled but we are drawing closer to the final evens told to us in Scripture. I suggest our commentary on Daniel by Dr. Paul Benware and our Revelation commentary by Dr. Ed Hindson. These volumes will give you helpful goodies to teach these books.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
