Monday, October 27, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Revelation 12

I’ve always wondered if the phrase “the writing on the wall” originated from the book of Daniel, chapter 5. The phrase means that something unwelcome or unpleasant is going to happen, and that’s exactly what took place in this scripture.

King Belshazzar was a very arrogant and prideful man. His disrespect for God and his people had been escalating, and in this particular chapter, he took the sacred wine goblets from God’s Holy Temple to be brought out for his party. The guests drink from the sacred vessels, toasting themselves and praising other gods. In essence, the king raises his fist to God in defiance.

Daniel 5:5
Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote.

I have a strange sense of humor. I can’t help but picture “Thing” from The Addams Family writing on the wall. The entire scene seems kind of funny in my imagination.

However, as you read the rest of Daniel 5, you realize it’s anything but humorous. It’s terrifying. God was speaking, giving voice to his anger with King Belshazzar. Since the writing was in a strange language, Daniel was brought to interpret the writing on the wall. The message was clear: God had numbered Belshazzar’s days, he hadn’t measured up, and his kingdom would be divided. King Belshazzar was killed that very night.

This scripture remains deeply relevant to our lives today. It reminds us that God sees us. He knows our hearts, weighs our actions, and warns us if we are getting off track. God does this to restore our relationship with him because he loves us so much. Sin and pride separate us from God, but he had a plan to restore our relationship with him.

John 3:16
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

We all have a decision to make. It is the most important decision of our lives. Will we follow Jesus and be saved, or will we live like King Belshazzar, ignoring God’s warning until it is too late? The writing is on the wall, and God’s mercy is still extended. Reach out and receive it today.

Questions:
Do you struggle with pride? How does it show up in your choices?

How is Daniel 5 relevant to your life?

Who will you choose to follow: God or yourself?

Next Steps:
Read Daniel 5 slowly, and from a couple of different translations. We have linked it in the App in New Living Translation (NLT). If you don’t have another version of the Bible at home, you can find free Bible app resources on your phone or online at Bible.com. Pray and ask God what he is trying to teach you through this Scripture. Journal about what God reveals to you.

Prayer:
Abba, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your deep love and patience with me. I am a mess, yet you still love me. You show mercy and grace to me when I sin. Help me to obey and follow you. Restore me when I am prideful and do things my own way. Thank you for being such a loving and kind Father. I praise and worship you. Amen

Series Theme Verse:

Colossians 1:13-14
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

This post was written by Marsha Raymond, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.