The world can be a very frightening place. There is far too much violence, hatred, fear, and injustice, and the media constantly brings these dark images to our attention. When Daniel was written, conditions were not better - in fact, probably worse. His vision in the night was an equally frightening collection of weird beasts and cosmic battles. But God also sits upon his throne on high, and the Son of Man comes to exercise judgment and to govern the earth with justice and compassion. The message: don't be afraid of the events swirling around you. God is in charge; Jesus is reigning; in the end God will be victorious. This was a message for when it was written and for us today.

In the time of Jesus, people asked the obvious question: when will the end come? Jesus told them to read the signs of the times, something we still do today, and to wait with patience and hope. He felt it would happen in their lifetimes - it did not, but only God knows the day and the hour. In the meantime, Jesus leaves us consoling words: his words endure forever, even if everything else passes away. We live in difficult times, but we are not alone - the Lord is at our side.