Hello Friends!
Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”
The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 9: Verses 20-23)
20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision – Daniel 9:20-23
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: When “Daniel” began his personal “praying” and contrite “confessing” unto the great “God of heaven” Himself, our loving “Lord ” called upon the angel “Gabriel” and instructed him in WHAT he should “inform” the purposeful PRAYING prophet. Then “Gabriel” was found to “fly swiftly” through the immeasurable space and BEFORE the aged “Daniel” even reached an apt "Amen" to his somber “supplications” propagation, this majestic messenger had supernaturally STOOD before him and STOPPED his oblation to intently INTERCEDE on his behalf… Blessed ASSURANCE!
Prayer PROMISE Provision!
Here in this spectacular passage we find the diligent “Daniel” remarkedly RECEIVED an avid answer to his practical “prayer” profoundly WHILE he was solemnly “speaking” and practically “presenting” his poignant proclamation of purpose:
And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God – Daniel 9:20
WOW! And “while” he was yet “speaking, and praying, and confessing” his own “sin” along WITH the serious “sin” of his “people Israel” through “supplication” boldly laying it down “before” the Face of the “Lord God” Himself. WHY? It was fully FOR the sake of “God’s” own “holy mountain” of Zion and the choice – CHARACTER of God!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: If ever there is a “man” spoken of throughout the Bible to whom is associated with “praying” it is definitely “Daniel” of whom comes to mind. He was so COMMITTED to personal “prayer” that it got him “thrown” into a “lion’s den” of doom.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God – Daniel 6:10-11
Indeed “Daniel” was a “prophet” of purposed “prayer” and this powerful point ought to emphatically – ENCOURAGED Our Hearts!
SWIFTLY Served!
The heavenly “man” named “Gabriel” is the very SAME angelic agent of “whom” wholly helped “Daniel” to uniquely “understand” the first TWO vivid “visions” had arrived “swiftly” and thoughtfully “touched” him during the “evening oblation” of sound SACRIFICIAL purposed “prayer” portioned:
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation – Daniel 9:21
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The aged “Daniel” had previously met this angel “Gabriel” in the FIRST vital “vision” of a FUTURE fearsome “four beasts” that would aptly “arise out of the earth” against “Israel” as perfectly PROPHETICALLY promised:
I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth – Daniel 7:15-17
And “Daniel” had further “heard” his OWN nigh “name” called upon again in the SECOND verified “vision” of the rampant “ram” and heinous “he goat” in kind:
And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision – Daniel 8:15-17
This was the “appointed” specific “time” for animal sacrifice during the “evening oblation” along with the 3:00pm personal “prayer” offerings. In fact, the prophet “Ezra” also tellingly “trembled” before the very “words of the God of Israel” indicating this tremendous “time” of the enlightened “evening sacrifice” in session:
Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God, And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day – Ezra 9:4-7
It is now some 69 years later and the devoted “Daniel” is still fervently FAITHFUL to the elated “evening oblation” although there is NO fixed “temple” for him to look upon. Now there’s a mindful “man” who does NOT forget. And this firm FAITHFULNESS was the kept KEY to “Daniel’s” solemn – Spiritual SUCCESS!
MISSION Mandated!
Next, the angel “Gabriel” had intently “informed” the diligent “Daniel” of his MISSION mandate as they “talked” concerning the real REASON he had collectively “come forth” from “God” as the Sovereignly sent submitted SERVANT to gladly “give” him the sound “skill” and a unified “understanding” of which was so “prayerfully” sought-out as such:
And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding – Daniel 9:22
Our loving “Lord God” had surely surmised in aptly ASSURING the dutiful “Daniel” of His unwavering PURPOSE to faithfully fulfill absolutely ALL of His practical PROMISES as planned. WHY? So that there would be NO question in his “mind” of exactly WHAT was to “come” at the absolute – APPOINTED Time!
PROPHETIC PROMISE: It is very IMPORTANT to note that “Daniel” was defiantly NOT seeking something for himself nor for fictitious fancies formulated by a pragmatic PROPHECY proponent. Rather, his constant concern was the perfect PURPOSE and precise PLAN poised by his great “God of heaven” for his “people Israel” and NOT simply a non-sensical FASCINATION of fomenting – Future FICTION!
And boldly “beginning” with these sincere “supplications” submitted, the constant “commandment” was consented as the angelic MESSENGER named “Gabriel” had completely “came forth” to soundly “shew” unto “Daniel” as the “man greatly beloved” an unwavering “understanding” of the ministry “matter” manifested in this vivacious “vision” from the very moment he boldly BEGAN to powerfully “pray” as such:
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision – Daniel 9:23
Beloved, the powerful “prayer” life of the devoted “Daniel” was deeply RIGHTEOUS before our great “God” on High. Along with his consistent CHARACTER of which was constantly commended in kind – Greatly BELOVED by God!
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!We
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Shane K. Morin <><
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