Sermon Tone Analysis

Review

Daniel 10:1 (NKJV)

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar.

The message was _______, but the _______________________ was _____________; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

What was the focus of the message that Daniel received?

Note: The phrase which was translated as “time appointed” is from a Hebrew word “tsaba” which is more accurately translated as “war” or “battle”.

Daniel understood the fact that the 2300 year vision was indeed “long.”

He apparently understands that it was also to be seen as a “war” or “battle.”

This caused him concern.

Study of the Context...

Ezra 1:1–3 (NKJV)

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a _________________ throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

--

Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:

All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me.

And He has commanded me to build Him a __________ at _________________ which is in Judah.

Who is among you of all His people?

May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.

What was going on at this time?

Note: King Cyrus had made a proclamation that God’s people should go home and rebuild the house of the Lord and this decree was made in the first year of Cyrus.

But Daniel realized that if the devil had his way this would never happen.

Ezra and Nehemiah tell all about an intense behind the scenes battle.

In the great controversy between good and evil, the spiritual battles are affected by persistent prayer.

Daniel 10:2–3 (NKJV)

In those days I, Daniel, was __________________ three full weeks.

I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

As a result of Daniel’s concerns, what did he do?

Note: As has been his custom throughout his life, we find Daniel in serious prayer and fasting.

Scholars tell us that he is now about 87 or 88 years old.

Daniel realizes that parts of God’s plan concerning the 2300 years will not be seen in his lifetime, but he wants to at least see the start of God’s intervention on behalf of His people.

He desires Jerusalem to be rebuilt as well as the temple, in which every service pointed toward the Messiah.

Daniel 10:4–9 (NKJV)

Now on the _____________-___________ day of the __________ month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a _________ _____ clothed in ___________, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!

His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

--

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.

Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

What was the special time during which Daniel prayed.

Who does Daniel see as a result of his prayer?

Note: Daniel was praying just after the time of the Passover.

The Passover was a yearly feast that pointed directly to the coming of Christ, the Lamb of God.

It had come and gone and the 70 year captivity had not ended.

Daniel desired the God of Passover to bring about an end to the captivity.

Revelation 1:12–18 (NKJV)

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.

And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a ___________ down to the feet and girded about the chest with a _________ band.

His head and hair were ________ like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a _______ of __________; His feet were like fine _________, as if refined in a furnace,

--

and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.

Amen.

And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Who is pictured here in Revelation that is similar to the One described in Daniel ten?

Note: It is Jesus.

He is the Son of Man, the Alpha and the Omega, and the One who lives and was dead and alive forevermore!

John is so amazed by what he sees, that he falls at his feet as though dead and loses all strength.

The same thing happened to Daniel.

Transfiguration of Jesus

Matthew 17:1–3 (NKJV)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was _______________ before them.

His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as ________ as the light.

And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

What did Jesus look like?

What effect did seeing Jesus at this time have on the disciples?

Note: This was what the Bible calls the transfiguration of Jesus.

It occurred just prior to His death and resurrection.

His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as the light.

Just like Daniel, the disciples fell on their faces and were greatly afraid, but Jesus touched them and told them not to be afraid.

In all three passages: John, Daniel, and Matthew–they all fell down as though dead in the light of the splendor of the Son of God.

But he then touches and strengthens them.

Jesus loves us and we need not be afraid of Him.

He wants to strengthen us with His touch!

Let’s think about this for a minute.

The persistence of Daniel’s prayer allowed him to see a picture of Jesus!

Our first spiritual key was for us to establish our connection to God by giving our heart to Him.

Our second spiritual key was learning how to pray and stay in connection with God.

Even to the end of his life, Daniel stayed in connection with God.

The Lord increases our strength so we can pray with this earnestness!

We want to look behind the scenes and see what was taking so long.

Daniel 10:10–12 (NKJV)

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.”

While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

--

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the _________ _________ that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

What new insight did Gabriel, Daniel’s familiar heavenly friend, bring?

Note: Many times we may feel that God isn’t answering our prayers.

In Daniel’s case, Gabriel was working to answer prayer from the moment it began.

Daniel 10:13–14 (NKJV)

But the ____________ of the kingdom of ___________ withstood me ___________-________ days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

What happened to Gabriel?

Why hadn’t he arrived the first day of Daniel’s prayer?

Note: There was a struggle behind the scenes between the prince of the kingdom of Persia and Gabriel.

It was such a struggle that Gabriel had been unable to come to Daniel for 21 days!

It was only after Michael came to help Gabriel, that Gabriel was able to come and help Daniel understand this vision.

What vision was Daniel praying about?

As we shall see in Daniel eleven, it was the most detailed vision Daniel had yet received.

It began in his day and continued to the end of time.

Daniel 10:21 (NKJV)

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.