Saturday, February 21, 2015

Daniel’s Devotion (Part 8)



Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our study of Daniel’s Devotionfrom God’s Word…

Daniel’s Devotion (Part 8)

Daniel is in his late 80's and under the leadership of the Medo-Persian Empire as he writes this prophetic passage:

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks Daniel 10:1-2

Daniel, in an effort to have "understanding" of the times in which he was living and wanting to serve the Lord with more intensity, was waiting to hear from God about the future of his Jewish people so he started a three week fast:

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 Daniel 10:3

The Lord heard Daniel's cries and He dispatched an angel to the earth to meet with Daniel. A close look at the description of this "heavenly visitor" indicates that it was a "post-incarnate" appearance of Jesus Christ:

I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, 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 – Daniel 10:5-6

As compared to the Apostle John’s vision of Jesus Christ:

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 garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters – Revelation 1:12-15

When Daniel saw the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prophet fell on his face before the Lord. It is lovely what Jesus said about Daniel:

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 – Daniel 10:11

Wow! “man greatly beloved,” What a wonderful commendation from the Lord Jesus Christ for a mere man!

Now we come to the two-fold purpose for studying Bible prophecy. The Lord said to Daniel that from the first day you "set your heart to understand " the Lord had started to come to meet with him:

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day 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 – Daniel 10:12

The student of Bible prophecy can indeed understand the times in which we are living today. We must understand our times so that we can make decisions today that effect tomorrow. The second purpose for studying Bible prophecy to “humble yourself before your God.” In other words, once we understand the times we are living in, we must get our hearts right with God!

Next we see that Satan will dispatch "evil angels" to take control of "world leaders" for his own purpose:

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one 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. When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come – Daniel 13:20

Notice that “Michael” the "archangel" is also described as one of the "chief princes" reported by Daniel. The phrase "prince of Persia" is referring to a Persian leader that was a demonically controlled "prince" – a word used to describe "angels" and in this case "evil angels" – demons. This "prince of Persia" is actually the villain – Haman – from  the book of Esther. This was the evil leader who wanted to eliminate all Jews from the earth. The "prince of Greece" is none other than Antiochus Epiphanes of whom we will address next week.

Satan will also dispatch "evil angels" to take control of world leaders to assist in his "Satanic game plan" for the last days:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places – Ephesians 6:12

With these Scriptures in mind, we can better understand our times and why world leaders do what they do in our world today. Some times in this wicked world we see many world leaders that are actually under Satanic control. This "demonic activity" will only intensify as we draw closer to the Lord's return…

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued investigation of Daniel’s Devotion

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!
Shane <><

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