Unveiling the Heavenly Plan
Daniel: Faithful in the Fire • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Unveiling the Heavenly Plan: A Journey Through Daniel 10-12
Unveiling the Heavenly Plan: A Journey Through Daniel 10-12
Bible Passage: Daniel 10-12
Bible Passage: Daniel 10-12
Many great stories involve chapters where the characters go through something that, at the time, feels chaotic, tedious, or tragic, only to learn later that it was all part of the plan. I’m thinking of Daniel Larusso’s training at the hands of Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid, Luke’s exile in the Dagobah system in the Star Wars saga, or Lightning McQueen getting stranded in Radiator Springs in Pixar’s Cars.
The point is, a lot of things that turn out quite well have sad, confusing chapters, but they’re all part of the plan. That’s Daniel’s message to us in these last 3 chapters. Things are dark, he says, and they are about to get darker. But don’t despair; it’s all according to the plan.
We are finishing this wonderful series today! That’s three chapters— some of you saw that and thought maybe you should have brought a snack— but we’re going to get through it— trust me. Actually what I’ve discovered in my study is that 10 and 12 are kind of like book ends— for the material in 11.
These last 3 chapters are Daniel’s record of his final visions. There’s a lot of details in here, and I know some of you totally want to geek out on those details, and we’ll touch on a few of them--but we’re going to focus mostly on the bigger point: WHY Daniel tells us these things. People have been studying these passages since they were written! many throughout history have commented-- I love what Martin Luther said about this passage:
“Daniel concludes the record of his terrifying visions and dreams on a note of joy, pointing to the coming of Christ’s eternal reign of glory… Whoever wants to study them profitably dare not focus his attention on the details of the visions and dreams, but seek comfort in the Savior Jesus Christ whom they portray and in the deliverance he brings from sin and its misery.” Martin Luther
It is important to remember the timeline we’ve been imagining. Daniel is looking forward to some things that we are looking back upon— yet there are also things Daniel is seeing that we are looking forward to also. There are many things within Daniels visions that appear to have already occurred. But we will focus today on the big idea that:
Big Idea: We engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, trusting in Jesus's ultimate victory over sin and death.
The content of Daniel in general can be intimidating— somewhat scary and “out there”— that we shy away from it.
1. Heavenly visions revealed through Prayer
1. Heavenly visions revealed through Prayer
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
Daniel was troubled, and he began to pray and fast. He was really mourning. He seems to have come full circle in his diet— no choice foods, probably only vegetables and water— just like he did back in chapter 1!
There are lots of different types of fasting. It’s a practice of self-denial in any number of ways.
Removing those things that distract us.
While he was fasting and praying— he is visited by an angel. It’s an incredible, awesome being.
A. Daniel is visited by a heavenly messenger.
A. Daniel is visited by a heavenly messenger.
An explanation of this being is described in verses 4-9. He was pretty freaked out about it. He falls to the ground and is pale and weak.
10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.
1. Daniel is reminded of his value to God. (v.11)
1. Daniel is reminded of his value to God. (v.11)
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
Thank goodness Daniel was praying and persistent. Take note of this— from the first day. He was praying for insight and wisdom. A messenger was sent-- There seems to be a force that is opposed to God’s angels and God’s will.
13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
It’s a little peek into the spiritual realm. Daniel was mourning and praying/fasting for three weeks (v.2). There seems to be a battle— that we can indeed participate in, but not in the ways we think.
14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
This implies that there are angels and demons— so called “princes” who are waging war with each other— and the bad guys were able to hold up the plans of this angel for 21 days. But that Michael, who will be named later as the “Prince of Israel” , comes and assists this angel — and he is able to visit Daniel.
Now I realize that sounds crazy— but we also get a hint of this in the New Testament with the writings of Paul:
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
This is a reality we need to be aware of. We are mostly physical beings— but the spirit realm is real and there are rulers in that realm. Daniel is instructed about this realm.
There is a lesson in this for us— What if Daniel would have stopped praying after 20 days?, or 18 days?, or 3 days?
18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”
B. The angel strengthens Daniel. (v.18)
B. The angel strengthens Daniel. (v.18)
20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;
This is a side note— but this refers us back to the statue and the beasts that have been envisioned— remember the statue that Nebuchadnezzar sees? There is this progression of empires, kingdoms. Persia is in power now— with it’s princes— but next will be the Greek empire.
This chapter ends with
Daniel 10:21 (NIV) 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.
2. Prophetic plans revealed
2. Prophetic plans revealed
Daniel 11:1-20
Remember, we can look back on some of these prophecies, and we can see how they line up:
In the section of verses 1-4, we can see the rise of Alexander the Great:
2 “Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
But the Greek kingdom prevails— In fact if you’ve heard the history of the Spartans, and the movie 300— this is how Hollywood has interpreted this event in history.
3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.
This, we believe is the reference to Alexander the Great— and that Greek Empire
[insert slide that shows the Greek Empire]
4 After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
Remember the vision of the Leopard— with the four heads? That’s the way it went for the Kingdom of Greece. The kingdom’s authority is dispersed to four generals in Alexander’s army.
Now- This whole Greek empire is indeed broken up into 4 parts:
[Slide showing four parts of the Greek Empire]
The next large section, there are descriptions of battles and conflicts between these kingdoms.
But in verse 36, there is a change in the vision— to describe one particular character in the story:
3. Powerful Forces Confronted
3. Powerful Forces Confronted
35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.
37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.
39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.
A. The Antichrist is identified as an evil ruler who disregards God.
A. The Antichrist is identified as an evil ruler who disregards God.
This is the Antichrist mentioned in other places in scripture. This is a description that scholars give this is called “dual fulfilment”.
You can look this up for some extra research, but a leader from the north named Antiochus Epiphanes fits exactly with these descriptions.
This occurs when a prophecy has both an immediate or near-term fulfillment in the prophet's own time (or relatively soon after), as well as a future fulfillment that typically relates to messianic times or the end times.
A great example of this is in Matthew 24. Jesus states that Jerusalem will be destroyed in about 70 AD, but also this foreshadows events that will happen at the end of the age also!
There is a lot more to learn here in this chapter 11, but it ends by stating the fate of the Antichrist:
Daniel 11:45 (NIV)
45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
4. Deliverance is Assured
4. Deliverance is Assured
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Daniel is warned that faithful people will face distress. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Persecution against Christians in the world is as high as it has ever been and it will likely only get worse.
Open Doors, a ministry that helps the persecuted church around the world, tells us that today over 340 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution. That’s the highest in history.
But we want you to know the good news here within this passage:
A. The suffering is limited. (12:1)
A. The suffering is limited. (12:1)
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Just as a time of persecution is decreed, so is a resurrection, and as certain and real as our suffering, so is our resurrection. The Ancient of Days, who sits on his throne, saying, “I have decreed it all,” sits above it all and will restore it all. He had the first word and he’ll have the last.
B. The resurrection is eternal.
B. The resurrection is eternal.
But how tragic to find out on the most important list ever compiled that your name is NOT on it? And whose names are in this book? Is it just church members? Is it people who lived mostly good lives? No. It’s those who have repented of their sins and surrendered control of their lives to Jesus and trusted in him as their only hope of salvation. Those who have been born again. Has there been a time when you were born again?
The suffering is temporary— the resurrection is sure— and thirdly:
C. God’s power is available.
C. God’s power is available.
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
The power and authority of the kingdom is now here, upon us, to preach the gospel and make disciples. The full measure of the Kingdom may be coming in the future, but the power is here now.
Repeatedly throughout the Gospels, Jesus kept telling people, “You keep looking for the Kingdom of God as if it’s only something coming in the future. But it’s standing right in front of you. It’s here. I’m it.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
Through the Holy Spirit, His power is in us. So, in the midst of a dark world ruled by the spirit of antichrist, we are to set up little outposts of the Kingdom, like bright stars dotted on dark landscape. That’s what Walnut Creek Mennonite has been since 1862. 162 years of this world’s history.
With the power of the Kingdom, we are to preach the gospel that sets people free from sin and then work with our hands to restore justice, lift others out of poverty, break chains of oppression and promote peace.
Our lives should give glimpses of that coming Kingdom, whose power is here at work in us now in the Holy Spirit.
We go our way— Faithful in the Fire of today— faithful to serve Him with our lives— and we will rest, rise and rule with Jesus forevermore!
That’s what God has called us to become as a church— are you ready to be those shining lights in the darkness?
Lets Pray!