Daniel 10: Encouragement for Discouraging Times
Introduction
Good morning,
Outline
Introductory Comments
Prayer
Exposition: What Is Happening?
The Date and Description of the Vision (v.1)
An Observation from Ezra here:
Isaiah was called to the prophetic ministry in “the year that king Uzziah died” (6:1). Scholars compute that year to have been 739 B.C. His ministry extended for some sixty years through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. According to tradition Isaiah died a martyr’s death about 680 B.C., early in the reign of the wicked King Manasseh. Legend has it that he was sawed asunder by this king (cf. Heb 11:37).
Moving back to Daniel
They had come back with high hopes of returning to the Promised Land and rebuilding God’s temple. But the Samaritans who lived there opposed their plans and did everything possible to make their lives miserable.
We read in Ezra 4:4 that “the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build.” And the work ground to a halt.
The Occasion of the Vision (v.2-4)
The Man in Linen (v.4-7)
Description of the Vision (v. 1)
a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
in whom is the spirit of the holy gods
that no mystery is too difficult for
Daniel’s Immediate Reaction (v.7-11, 15-17, 19)
Let me make two points of application here:
Angels and Demons (v. 20-21)
“Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
2 “And now I will show you the truth.
Exegesis 20-21
I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth
now I will show you the truth.
Gospel Application (v. 18-19)
Greatly Loved
Fear Not
what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Peace Be with You
Be Strong and of Good Courage
And Yet
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood,
to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.