Sat.’s Devo - Daniel’s Vision

Read: Daniel 9:1-11:1; 1 John 2:18-3:6; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 28: 27-28 It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede who became the king of Babylon. Daniel had just read in Jeremiah’s prophecies that Jerusalem would lie desolate for 70 years. It upset Daniel so much that he fasted and prayed. He repented for his people’s rebellion and how they had scorned the prophets and their words. He confessed that they had sinned and were so ashamed. All the curses in Deuteronomy had fallen on them because of their sins. He cried out for mercy for Jerusalem and its people. *** That evening at the time of the evening sacrifice, Gabriel came to talk with Daniel. He confirmed that Jerusalem had to lay dormant for 70 years to end their atonement of their sins. From the time the commandment is given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah comes will be 67 weeks. The street and the wall will be built in troublous times. *** After 62 weeks the Messiah would be killed appearing to have accomplished nothing. A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. Miseries are decreed from that time to the very end. The ruler will make a treaty with the people for one set of seven but in the middle of the time, he will stop all the sacrifices and offerings. He will set up a sacreligious object that causes desecration until the end of this mans life, which is determined by God. *** In the third year of Cyrus reign, Daniel had another vision about the end times. He had fasted for three weeks. *** At the end of the fast he was standing on the bank of the Tigris River when he saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold,. His body looked like a precious gem and his face flared like lightning. His eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet looked like polished bronze. *** The men with Daniel saw it and ran to hide. Daniel fainted and lay on the ground until the man touched him and lifted him up. He told him to stand and hear what he had to say. It had taken him 21 days to get there because he had to fight the Prince of Persia. Michael came to help him and they prevailed. He came to tell him what would happen in the latter days. When he left he would have to fight the Prince of Persia again and then the Prince of Greece which was the next ruling power to come. He told him that Michael was the only one who helped him and called Michael, Daniel’s spirit prince. He had been standing and supporting Michael since Darius the Mede had come to power. *** John calls the people who left the church, antichrists. He warned them of many more antichrists that would come. He identifies an antichrist as anyone who denies the Son and doesn’t have the Father. *** John encourages us to remain faithful to the basic truths of the Bible. We also have the Holy Spirit that lives inside us to teach us what is true. It teaches us all we need to know. We have nothing to worry about if we remain in fellowship with Christ. *** We are God’s children and one day will get our heavenly bodies and we will see God as he really is. Now, we are to remain pure like God. Since sin is contrary to the law of God, anyone who continues to live in Christ will not sin But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. *** Lord, may we get this in our hearts so that we will fight without any hindrances and condemnation. We accept the atonement that Christ made for us on the cross and we will walk in victory.