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 10: Verses 1-4)
1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel – Daniel 10:1-4
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: This very challenging chapter contains the practical PREFACE to the powerful PROPHECIES found in the final two sections of this benevolent Old Testament book. The demonically DELAYED answer concerning the fate of his “people” seriously sought out by “Daniel” was held back by a sinister SATANIC agency given carnal CONTROL over the coming “kingdom” of promised Persia and thus claimed the tyrannical title – Prince of Persia!
At this point in our “study” series through the book of “Daniel” we have considered THREE vexing “visions” and perfect PROPHECIES provided of which are in right relation to one another…
Chapter SEVEN was the most comprehensive vivid “vision” covering the tumultuous “time” from then-present “Babylon” to the panoramic END of this waning “world” and the Second Coming of our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself. It also highlighted the “1260” years of HISTORICAL spiritual conflict during the “dark ages” between the Roman Catholic Papacy and the suffering “saints” of the – Most HIGH God!
Chapter EIGHT encompassed the middle TWO emerging “kingdoms” of mandated Medo-Persia followed by grotesque Greece with the fierce focus being foisted upon Antiochus Epiphanes highlighting his anti-Semitic rigorous RAGE rousted against “Israel” and the “taking away” of the dutiful “daily sacrifice” for a TOTAL tirade “time” allotted – 2,300 Days DETERMINED!
Chapter NINE covered a PRECISE tyrannical “time” with Sovereignly sent SPECIFIC events to be “accomplished” aptly between the righteous RESTORATION of insolent “Israel” and the “cutting off” of their mandated Messiah causing their dire DESTRUCTION declared. This PROPHETIC narrative perfectly pictured the SPECIIFIC source of SALVATION for these “Hebrew” hosts in the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORK of the “anointed” heralded “Holy One” Himself – Jesus Christ!
Chapter TEN comprises ONE vivid “vision” diligently DETAILING the final stage of “Israel’s” horrendous HISTORY heralded through this poignant PROPHECY perfectly promise the absolute HISTORICAL aptly “appointed time” and amazing accuracy arranged from “king Cyrus” unto “Israel” and her fearful – Final DESTRUCTION!
Chapter 10: Preparation for the Final Prophecy!
Herein are the dictated DETAILS denoted regarding the HISTORICAL intervention of “God” in the affairs of His particular “people” the “Jews” even though they SUFFER being “trodden under foot” by the “Gentiles” just as HE wills. The firm FOCUS here is on the transition of world POWER from the corrupt “kingdom” of promised Persia over to the “kingdom” of granted Greece in kind. And these passages PROVIDENTIALLY provide for “us” a righteous REMINDER that our great “God of heaven” has NOT at all forgotten the nation “Israel” in full – PROPHETIC Promises KEPT!
Eventually the PROPHETIC theological “thing was revealed” and Divinely DELIVERED unto the devoted “Daniel” by the angelic messenger mandated. And as a righteous RESULT the promoted “prophet” was indeed – Sovereignly STRENGTHENED!
A MINDFUL Mourning!
Now during the “third year” of the reigning Empire ruled by “Cyrus king of Persia” himself, “Daniel” deemed here by his “Babylonian” name “Belteshazzar” was given a vast “vision” of planned PROPHETIC events in which he “understood” well:
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision – Daniel 10:1
PROPHETIC PROMISE: Here we find HISTORICAL fulfillment of “true” events of which the “time appointed” would occur within 525 years from 455 B.C. though 70 A.D. in full. The term “time appointed was long” used here is also referred to as “latter days” and is referred to later in this PROPHETIC picture…
Now I am come to
make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet
the vision is for many days – Daniel 10:14
However, the crux of the “vision” would not BEGIN for another 140 years from “Daniel’s” turbulent “time” when for “many days” yet in the FUTURE the gigantic Greek Empire was deeply divided from within the midst of TWO jaundice generals rankly RULING under Alexander the Great as the “he” of whom was BORDERING on the north and the south outskirts of national “Israel” proper…
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion – Daniel 11:4-5
Incidentally, this vicarious “vision” vividly INCLUDES the antagonistic Antiochus Epiphanes and the subsequent evil events ensued in – 170 B.C.
Three WANING Weeks!
Next “Daniel” was found in “those days” to be mindfully “mourning” for precisely “three full weeks” with a dire DESIRE to further “understand” the perfectly PROPHESIED ensuing events surrounding “Israel’s” anticipated END to come:
In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks – Daniel 10:2
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The “angel” who came to aptly “answer” the prophet “Daniel’s” personal “prayer” request CONFIRMED these “three full weeks” in kind…
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia – Daniel 10:12-13
The previous vital “vision” cast within chapter 9 vividly FORETOLD of their “Messiah” and subsequent Salvation sent. Thus, powerfully PROMISED the utter ruin of “Israel” in full…
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate – Daniel 9:26-27
And later in this powerfully PROPHETIC picture, the angelic “messenger” mandates EXACTLY what “Daniel” had mindfully “mourned” over. The rank REJECTION of their “Messiah” and “Israel’s” dire DESTRUCTION as a right result ruled…
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth forever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished – Daniel 12:7
Three Weeks FULFILLED!
And because “Daniel” wanted to keenly “know” more Divine details about the “appointed” final FULFILLMENT of the sordid “seventy weeks” waning PROPHECY picture, he practiced a purposed piety:
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled – Daniel 10:3
Here “Daniel” diligently DESCRIBES his firm fasting approach as he aptly “ate no pleasant bread” nor fine “flesh” of meat or “wine” to drink. He even abstained from “anointing” himself, as was a common “Jewish” religious custom. WHY? Because the “beloved” humble man “Daniel” was in mindful “mourning” over his precious “people” through practical “prayer” participation – Amazing COMPASSION!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: This fomented “fast” formed for “three whole weeks” represents a “fulfilled” righteous RESULT of looming lamentation and sincere sorrow of heart…
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance – Ezra 8:21
And on the “day of atonement” according to the Old Testament book of Leviticus the reason “Israel” had fully “fasted” was to completely CONFESS their sordid “sins” towards “God” Himself…
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God – Leviticus 23:27-28
This appropriated “atonement” was indeed a heralded – HOLY Convocation!
The SPECIFIC Time & Place!
Finally, “Daniel” sees the “vision” on specifically the “four and twentieth day” of the “first month” while he was abiding “by the side” of this “great river” named “Hiddekel” as such:
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel – Daniel 10:4
As “Daniel” was “by the side” of the “great river” named “Hiddekel” (Tigris) he righteously RECEIVED a vivid “vision” derived during the “Jewish” practice of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread of which BOTH fell upon the “four and twentieth day” of the “first month” celebrated on Nisan, April 24 precisely. WHY? Perhaps he was at the banks of this “great river “ for a justified – Jewish FEAST!
Incidentally, this Biblically HISTORICAL waterway is also mentioned in the Old Testament book of Genesis poised prior to the world-wide Great Flood deluge:
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates – Genesis 2:14
A solemnly SPECIFIC geographical “great river” of which remains after the global CATASTROPHE caused by the Great Flood to the “east of Assyria” that Sovereignly SPECIFIES the luminous literal location of the distressed “Daniel’s” lurking lamentation of love – A MINDFUL Mourning!
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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Shane K. Morin <><
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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