Mon.’s Devo - Daniel’s Vision of the Future

Read: Daniel 9:1-11:1; 1 John 2:18-3:6; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 28:27-28 During the first year of Darius’ reign Daniel read in the scroll of Jeremiah that Jerusalem was the lie desolate for 70 years. This disturbed Daniel so much he fasted and dressed in burlap. He prayed for his nation and repented of all the sins the kings, princes and people had done against the Lord. The deserved curses in the law of Moses had been poured out on them. He asked the Lord to please turn his anger away from Jerusalem and forgive them. *** While he was praying, Gabriel came to him at the evening sacrifice. He explained that the moment Daniel began praying, a command from heaven was given for him to come and explain to him his vision. *** Seventy years were given for the people to complete their rebellion and put an end to their sin and atone for their guilt. When this is over, they will return to rebuild Jerusalem. Then, there would be 49 years plus another 434 years, then another 7 years. The seven sevens were from 445 to 396 BC (from Artexerxes to the arrival of Nehemiah and the covenant renewal celebration at Jerusalem). The sixty-two sevens were from 396 BC to AD 32 (from the dedication of the second temple to the crucifixion of Jesus). The last seven years are yet to be fulfilled. *** Christ would be killed and appear to have accomplished nothing. A ruler would arise and destroy the city and the Temple. Jerusalem would enter into a covenant with this ruler but he would break it half way through the seven years. He will bring an end to their sacrifices and be one who makes desolate. *** This was fulfilled when Antiochus Epiphanes set up a heathen altar in the Temple and cut off God’s anointed high priest at that time. He would do this until his fate was decided by the Maccabees. *** In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel had another vision. He was standing by the Tigris River and saw a man dressed in linen dressed in glory and majesty. The men with Daniel didn’t see it but were so afraid, they left him alone. *** Daniel was so weak, the angel had to stand him up and give him strength. He told Daniel, that from the first day he prayed for understanding, his request had been heard in heaven. It took him 21 days to get through the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Michael had to come and help him pass. Michael stayed there to fight while the angle came to give him the message. He came to tell him that his vision had to do with a time yet to come. *** The angel told Daniel again that he was very precious to the Lord. He told Daniel that he had come but would soon have to return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece would come. He told Daniel that Michael was Israel’s spirit prince and he had been helping Michael since the first year of Darius’ reign. We will read what he told Daniel about his vision tomorrow. *** In First John, John reminds them that many antichrist have risen, but the Antichrist is coming in the end. Many people had left the church who were not really a part of them. The Holy Spirit gives God’s children his Spirit so they will know good from evil and truth from lies. The Holy Spirit will lead us into truth and we will not be distracted by lies. We know that Christ was righteous, so we are to be righteous. *** We know God loves us and that we are his children, but the world doesn’t know this because they don’t know God. Sin is against God’s law so if we continue in sin, we don’t know him or understand who he is. *** Lord, help us to walk in truth and righteousness. Help us to discern the signs of the times we are in. May we comprehend the greatness of who you are.