Daniel Prays For His People

JUNE 5, 2022 STUDY NOTES DANIEL 9:1-2 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES DANIEL PRAYS FOR HIS PEOPLE INTRODUCTION The beginning of chapter 9 sounds like Daniel is speaking of America today For that reason, we need to learn from Daniel’s example, what did Daniel do? Christians in America need to be doing exactly what Daniel was doing Daniel was praying and confessing sins, pleading for God’s answer concerning Israel From the beginning of chapter 9, we learn how to approach God with our desires Daniel had been reading the Word of God, Daniel then prayed and confessed sins Daniel was doing what we must learn to do today and put into practice daily Study God’s Word, pray, confess sins, pray for others and minister to others In Daniel 9 we find Daniel’s prayer (1-19) and God’s answer to his prayer (20-23) Then we find the prophecy known as the “The Seventy Weeks of Daniel” (24-27) Daniel’s prayer goes back into the history of Israel, to the time of their Babylonian captivity God’s answer covers His people from the time of Daniel until the future earthly Kingdom of God That is why Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most amazing passages of prophecy found in the OT Much of the prophecy has already literally been fulfilled to detail Only the omniscient God (all knowing God) could have revealed it with such accuracy No question about it, what we read in Daniel 9 is the inspired (God breathed) Word of God So how important is this chapter to us today? Important enough for us to study and learn it today Important enough for us to look for its fulfillment in our day, we can expect the return of Christ It is a chronological key to NT prophecy identifying future events that we need to understand Much of Revelation is an expansion or filling in of the details of Daniel’s 70 th Week prophecy But we must not focus all-of our attention upon the prophecy of Daniel 9 in our study We must realize how important the prayer of Daniel was in relation to the prophecy There are many more verses covering the prayer of Daniel than there is to the prophecy There is no substitute for prayer, which is talking to God before we attempt to learn from God A CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL The dates listed are approximate and the events are to be taken as literal and not symbolic When the literal makes sense, seek no other sense, or it will appear as nonsense Daniel 1:1, the 3rd year of the reign of King Jehoiakim (606 BC) Daniel was taken captive to Babylon; Israel was ruled by Babylon Daniel 2:1, the 2nd year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar (604 BC) Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue, Israel was ruled by Babylon Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar’s made a golden image and the fiery furnace (604-562 BC) The 3 Hebrew children were delivered from the fiery furnace, Israel was ruled by Babylon Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream and his humiliation as a beast (604-562 BC) Israel was ruled by Babylon Chapters 7 and 8 occur chronologically before chapters 5 and 6 Daniel 7:1, the 1st year of the reign of King Belshazzar (553 BC) Daniel’s vision of the four beasts, Israel was ruled by Babylon Daniel 8:1, the 3rd year of the reign of King Belshazzar (551 BC) Daniel’s vision of a ram and a goat, Israel was ruled by Babylon Page 1 of 5 Daniel 5:1, the last year of the reign of King Belshazzar (539 BC) The handwriting on the wall, which Daniel interprets, Belshazzar was slain Daniel 5:31-6:28, the 1st year of Darius the Mede (539 BC) The fall of Babylon to the Medes-Persian empire, Israel now ruled by Medo-Persia Daniel 9:1-2, 1st year of the reign of Darius the Mede (539 BC) Daniel prays for Israel, God’s answer, the “Seventy Weeks of Daniel” (9:24-27) Israel ruled by Medo-Persia Daniel 1:21 speaks of the 1st year of King Cyrus, (539 BC) Cyrus issues the decree to allow Israel to return and rebuild; Israel ruled by Medo-Persia Daniel 6, the reign of Darius the Mede (539-537 BC) Daniel in the lion’s den, Israel ruled by Medo-Persia Daniel 10:1, the 3rd year of the reign of King Cyrus (537 BC) Daniel’s vision by the Tigris River, Israel ruled by Medo-Persia DANIEL’S VISIONS In Daniel 9, we have the third vision of Daniel found in the book Daniel was approximately 80 years of age at the time of his vision in chapter 9 The first vision is in chapter 7, the 1st year of King Belshazzar’s reign (553 BC) The second vision is in chapter 8, the 3rd year of King Belshazzar’s reign (551 BC) The third vision begins in Daniel 9:23, the 1st year of Darius the Mede (539 BC) The third vision, found in chapter 9, occurs about 12 years after vision #2 in Daniel 8 The fourth vision of Daniel is found in chapter 10, the 3rd year of Cyrus the Persian (537 BC) We learn that chapters 9 and 10 occur after chapter 5, probably during the time of chapter 6 Belshazzar’s reign ends, Dan 5:30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Mede becomes King, Dan 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. (539-537 BC) From Daniel’s visions we learn that God is working to bring about the fulfillment of His will Scripture reveals the past has been in the hands of God and the future is in the hands of God This present age is in the hands of God, all of which is revealed in the book of Daniel, Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: In chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a great statue representing 4 Gentile world powers In chapter 7, Daniel, in a dream, is given a vision of 4 beasts representing Gentile world powers Daniel sees the same four Gentile world powers that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream Daniel’s vision is far more detailed than the dream of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel chapter 7 is a commentary on Daniel chapter 2 Daniel 2 pictures Satan’s empires from the viewpoint of man, as man will see them In chapter 2, God gives Daniel the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream Daniel 7 reveals Satan’s empires from the eyes of God, as God sees them In chapter 7, God sends an angel to interpret the dream of Daniel Daniel’s vision of four beasts is a pictorial representation of history and the end of times It is a summary of the time-period known as the “Time of the Gentiles,” Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. The “Times of the Gentiles” is the time-period of Gentile authority over Jerusalem It began when the Jews were taken into Babylonian captivity and continued throughout history It will continue through the 70th Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27) The greatest persecution of Israel will be during the final beast empire of Satan Page 2 of 5 The persecution will be under the leadership of the future Antichrist, 1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (The Antichrist may already be on earth today) Daniel 2 and 7 revealed God’s prophetic program for the Gentile nations Daniel 9 reveals God’s prophetic program for Israel Daniel was given a vision of the future for his people, the nation of Israel, and for Jerusalem Israel, Jerusalem, and a piece of real estate in Jerusalem are in God’s future-plans That is why we must pay attention to events of today related to Israel and Jerusalem Dan 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; Daniel received his third vision during the time of the first year of Darius Which was the year that Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians (Dan 5:31) Daniel knew that it was going to happen because of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2:31-43) God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream of the future of the nations in relation to Israel From the time of the kingdom of Babylon until the Kingdom of God on earth (Dan 2:36-45) Nebuchadnezzar had no understanding of the dream, he had dreamed of a great statue Daniel prayed for God to give him understanding and he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream This great statue symbolized the Gentile world powers known as “the times of the Gentiles” Beginning with the Babylonian captivity of Israel and will conclude with the return of Christ At which time Christ will establish the Kingdom over Israel, the Millennial Kingdom Daniel was given a vision of four beasts, representing the same as Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (ch.7) The visions present the Beast Empires that would reign over Israel The Babylonian Empire: The statues head of gold and the beast like a lion The Medo-Persian Empire: The statues breast and arms of silver and a beast like a bear The Greece Empire: The statues belly and thighs of bronze and a beast like a leopard The Roman Empire: The statues legs of iron and a dreadful and terrifying beast There is another representation within the dream of the statue and the vision of the beasts Within the statue it is the ten toes partly iron and partly clay In the vision of the beasts, it is the ten horns and the little horn Which refers to a future 10 nation confederation within the time-period of Daniel’s 70th Week When we study Daniel 9:24-27, we will discuss who those 10 nations might be For now, study Revelation 17 and “Mystery Babylon the Great” Study, Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. In-order to study and understand Bible Truths, we must compare scripture with scripture Which is exactly what we find Daniel doing, in verse 2 we find Daniel studying God’s Word DANIEL’S STUDY Dan 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. “The first year of his reign” is repeated for emphasis from the first verse Page 3 of 5 “I Daniel” verifies that Daniel is the human author of the book, which Jesus confirmed, Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Jesus said, Daniel said it, so, when you read it, believe it, and understand it “Understand” means to pay attention, to observe closely, to discern and personally apply Daniel understood “by books,” which would be the OT scrolls, “the sacred writings” Which was the written Word of God at that time, we call it the “Bible” today If it was important for OT saints to pay attention to God’s Word and understand it How much more important is it in our day, which is known as the “last days,” 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. People often ask the question, “Are we in the last days?” According to scripture “Yes” The “Last Days” are an unspecified period-of time between the first and second coming of Jesus Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; The real question for us today is, “Are we in the last days of the last days?” We cannot be certain, and we certainly cannot set a date concerning that question But again, according to scripture, the answer is probably “Yes” “In the last days perilous times will come,” are we living in difficult days today? Times of great stress and trouble, terrible and hard times which will be difficult to endure Paul gives 19 characteristics of people that will identify with the last days (2 Tim. 3:2-5) Throughout the ages there have been some people with any of the above characteristics Paul tells us the time will come when all-of the characteristics will be witnessed at the same time The time when all-of those sinful characteristics will be seen daily within the society of mankind People are going to be the problem, society will be why the times are grievous and savage Jesus spoke of “signs of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3-14) Jesus is not describing natural events that have occurred throughout the centuries Jesus is not describing events of the past 2,000 years that have been witnessed from time to time Jesus is telling us of the events that will occur within the beginning of the 70 th week of Daniel Events which will occur in the future leading into the consummation of the present age The time will come when “all these things” will occur as a warning to us, Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. “All these things” are the things that Jesus has warned us about beginning with verse 5 And Jesus promises that all-of “these things” will be fulfilled, Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. There will be a generation that will see all-of “these things,” we could be that generation Many different things will happen in this world, in many-different ways, “at the same time” The followers of Jesus must not be disturbed or alarmed when these things happen “Christian, be prepared,” you can be, you must be, pray, study the Bible, live daily for Christ There will be things that will happen in the realm of religion There will be false messiahs, false Christs, and false teachings (vs. 5) which is happening today There will be things that will happen in the realm of governmental authority There will be wars and rumors of wars, but the end is not yet (vs. 6) There will be things that will happen in the realm of nature such as earthquakes (vs. 7) Things will happen that will be difficult for people to live in and through them (vs. 7) Jesus compares these events to birth pangs, Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. Birth pangs which have a beginning and then begin to increase As birth pangs increase, they also become closer together and increase in intensity All-of the things identified by Jesus in verses 4-8 will begin to be seen at one time Page 4 of 5 Satan will use the news-media to spread these end-times characteristics of society Society will see what is happening, but will have no understanding of why it is happening Christians must use the Word of God to identify the events of the last days of the last days We can see through Bible study that current events are coming together to culminate the last days Just like Daniel did, he understood the present time by reading from the prophecy of Jeremiah Daniel learned of the 70-year time-period of Israel’s Babylonian captivity, Jer 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. When Daniel read of the 70 years, he understood it to mean 70 years, a literal interpretation Jeremiah announced that the Babylonian captivity would last seventy years, Jer 25:12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. When the 70 years are accomplished, then God will visit with God’s good word, Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. Daniel knew the time of the captivity was near its completion, it was time to hear from God So, Daniel prayed, he confesses his sins and the sins of Israel His prayer concerns the future of Israel, and he prays for God to bless Jerusalem We must understand why Daniel’s prayer for Israel and Jerusalem was so important It goes beyond the present problem that existed at the time of Daniel Israel and Jerusalem are in the future-plans of God, which will be revealed in the 2nd coming Israel and Jerusalem must continue to exist until the time of the return of Christ All events today related to Israel and Jerusalem are significant and preparing for future events Events related to the Christian and the True Church of the NT are also significant Christians are going to be involved in the plans of God within the last days of the last days Today, we must prepare for those last days, Daniel is an example for our preparation CONCLUSION Pay close attention to what we learn from Daniel 9:2 God spoke to Jeremiah and Jeremiah wrote it down, it was the Word of God God spoke to Daniel through what Jeremiah had written, he read the Word of God We must realize that God speaks to us today through the Bible, it is the Word of God No other book will speak directly to you like the Word of God will, you must read it God’s Word informs us, instructs us, directs our daily decisions, tells us how to live today Our life today and preparation for life tomorrow must not be determined by the news-media Our decisions for life must be based upon the truths we learn through the study of God’s Word Daniel was informed by God because he had prayed, prayer is still a means of information Sincere praying will lead us to insight and deeper understanding of the Bible God wants us to understand the truths of God which are written in the Bible It is time for Christians to know the times that God has preordained and recorded for us It is time to study God’s Word and live according to what we learn We are probably living in the last days of the last days, days prior to the end of the age It is time to live according to the Bible, it is time to live for Christ But an accurate and deep understanding of God’s Word can only come through prayer Don’t attempt to study the Word of God apart from prayer, Daniel didn’t Listen to the song Page 5 of 5