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A continue study on the Book of Daniel

BY ISAIAH-PHILLIPS

When the Bible uses nature to teach symbolism, it taps into a profound method of conveying spiritual realities through tangible, everyday objects and phenomena. This approach is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, with Jesus Christ being a master of this teaching style.

In the Gospels, we see Jesus frequently employing natural elements as symbols in His parables and teachings. He uses plants and seeds to illustrate the growth of faith and the Kingdom of God. For instance, in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), Jesus uses the imagery of seeds falling on different types of soil to explain how people receive the word of God. He speaks of yeast to demonstrate the spreading influence of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:33), and of bread and wine to represent His body and blood in the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-29).

Jesus also utilizes elements like sand and rock to teach about the foundations of faith. In Matthew 7:24-27, He compares those who hear and obey His words to a wise man who builds his house on rock, contrasting with the foolish man who builds on sand. This vivid imagery helps listeners grasp the importance of a solid spiritual foundation.

The use of natural symbolism extends beyond Christ’s teachings. Throughout Scripture, we find numerous examples of this approach. In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah uses the image of a potter working with clay to illustrate God’s sovereignty over nations (Jeremiah 18:1-10). The Psalmist compares a righteous person to a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:3), using the natural world to convey spiritual truths.

This method of teaching serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it makes spiritual concepts more accessible to those who might struggle with abstract ideas. By using familiar objects and processes from nature, even those who are not spiritually inclined can grasp the underlying principles. As Paul writes in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”

Secondly, it creates powerful memory aids. The sight of a blooming flower or a changing season can serve as a reminder of spiritual truths, embedding these lessons deeply in the minds and hearts of believers. Jesus’ use of the fig tree to teach about discerning the signs of the times (Matthew 24:32-35) is a prime example of this.

Nature itself becomes a testament to God’s character and ways. The Psalms are replete with references to nature declaring God’s glory. Psalm 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This idea is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul argues that God’s existence and attributes are evident through creation (Romans 1:19-20).

It’s crucial to note that while Scripture uses natural elements symbolically, it does not elevate these elements to the status of deities or objects of worship. This distinction sets biblical teaching apart from pantheistic or animistic religions. The created world, while imbued with significance, remains subordinate to its Creator.

The book of Daniel provides a striking example of how God uses symbolic imagery from nature to convey prophetic messages. The four beasts emerging from the sea in Daniel 7 represent four kingdoms, using animal characteristics to depict the nature of these political entities. This symbolic language allows for a vivid and memorable portrayal of complex historical and prophetic concepts.

The imagery of a rock, used both in Daniel and by Jesus, illustrates the enduring and unshakeable nature of God’s kingdom. In Daniel 2:44-45, the rock that becomes a mountain filling the earth symbolizes God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus builds on this imagery when He declares that He will build His church on the rock, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

The sea, often used to represent masses of people or nations, appears throughout Scripture. Revelation 17:15 explicitly states, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” This symbolism hearkens back to creation, where the earth emerged from the waters (Genesis 1:9-10), and to the flood narrative, where a new world order emerged after the waters receded (Genesis 8-9).

In conclusion, the Bible’s use of nature to teach symbolism is a powerful and multifaceted approach to conveying spiritual truths. It bridges the gap between the seen and unseen, making abstract concepts tangible and memorable.

This method, exemplified by Jesus and utilized throughout Scripture, continues to provide believers with a rich value of prophetic imagery through which to understand and remember God’s messages to both the ecclesia and the world at large. I hope this insight provides the ongoing discussion and presentations on the book of Daniel a wider understanding to our followers.