1 2 7/28/13 Daniel 9 The ninth chapter of Daniel is considered to be one of the most important chapters in the book of Daniel as well as the Bible. 1. Ch. 9 gives to us a closer look into Daniel's prayer life. 2. It also gives to us the amazing prophecy known as "The 70 weeks of Daniel", which gives to us a prophetic time table for Christ's first coming, as well as His second coming. Now the chapter breaks into two natural sections. 1. The prayer of Daniel. Dan. 9:1-19 2. The answer to Daniel's prayer. Dan. 9:20-27 Too often people have centered so much on the answer, The 70 weeks of Daniel, that we have lost sight of God s message. 1. That it was one man s prayer life that tapped into God's plans and purposes. 2. That in a way that we do not understand, man is to be involved in seeking God's will for the events of the present as well as the future, that God may work through His people. 3. The believer is not to be complacent but to be seeking to be part of God's plan. - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before prepared that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10 - Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Eph. 3:20 That is why throughout the new Testament we are told, exhorted and commanded to pray. Jesus modeled the importance of prayer to his disciples by doing it often (They said, "teach us to pray) 1. Men ought always to pray and not faint. Lk. 18:1 2.We are to pray without ceasing. 1Thes. 5:17 3. For one another. Col. 1:9 4. Men are to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1Tim. 2:8 Now there is one problem with many of our prayers today, we are a self generation, an individualistic society. Therefore, the philosophy of our generation has contaminated our theology regarding prayer. 1. Thinking that it is basically for me to ask for things rather than to get in on the things of God. 2. Though God has made provisions for us to ask, It is but a small part of what prayer is about. 3. The major portion of scripture involved with prayer regards God's will and other's needs, not self.
3 4 4. Moses prayed for God's people. 5. Solomon prayed for wisdom and knowledge to lead God's people. 6. Elijah prayed that God would glorify Himself at Mount Carmel before the prophets of Baal. 7. Jesus prayed for His disciples. 8. Paul prayed for the saints in Christ. 9. The early church bodies experienced great power and great grace as they prayed in Acts 4:33. Now, let's look and see what Daniel can teach us regarding prayer in. Dan. 9:1-19 9:1-19 The prayer of Daniel. 9:1-2 The prompting of Daniel's prayer. Daniel was prompted to pray by his study of God's word regarding the prophecies of Jeremiah. Jer. 25:11-12; 29:10-14 9:1 The time of Daniel s prayer. 1) First year of Darius 538 B.C. a) He took the kingdom in 539 B.C. Dan. 5:31 b) Darius set 120 satraps and governors over the kingdom, but Daniel was the head-overseer. Dan. 6:1 c) He was made king by Cyrus King of Persia. 2) Darius was the son of Ahasuerus of the linage of the Medes. vs. 1a-b a) He was a Mede, the son of Ahasuerus or Xerxes of the linage of the Medes, made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. Dan. 5:31; 6:1; 9:1; 11:1 b) Not the same Ahasuerus of Esther. Est. 1:1 c) Daniel is 84-88 years old, if he was 16-20 years in 606 B.C. 3) Darius was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. vs. 1c a) The higher critics say that Cyrus and Darius are the same person, Darius being a title such as Pharaoh, Caesar. b) Nowhere is Darius called the king of the Medes or Persia in his book! c) Robert Dick Wilson proves the book of Daniel does not assert Darius the Mede ever reigned over Babylon as an independent sovereign, that Darius the Mede was probably the same as Gobryas the sub-king of Babylon, appointed by his overlord Cyrus 9:2 The critical time recognized by Daniel. 1) Daniel was studying the prophecy of Jeremiah to know the end of the captivity. a) They would be in captivity for 70 years and afterwards God would
5 6 judge Babylon. Jer. 25:11-12; 29:10-14 * How much more should we study prophecy today, as we see the signs of the end times! b) Israel refused to let the land rest 490 years, every 7th year totaling 70 sabbatical years. Lev. 26:33-34; 2Chron. 36:21 2) There three sieges on Jerusalem. a) Ist captivity 606 B.C. b) 2nd captivity 596 B.C. c) 3rd captivity 586 B.C. 1)) it is 538 B.C., 67-68 years have passed 2)) 538 B.C. Cyrus gave Ezra permission to return to Jerusalem, Ezra 1:1-4 3)) God told the angel that His house would be built again. Zech. 1:12, 16 9:3-7 The confession of Daniel s prayer. 9:3 The posture of Daniel in prayer. * Not his physical posture, but that of his heart before God in intercession. 1) He set his face towards the Lord God to make request baqash, meaning a desire to know the plans for Israel, having relationship and fellowship. * This habit of life in prayer. Dan. 2:18; 3:17; 6:10; 9:3, 13, 17, 21 2) He made prayer and supplications. a) By prayer t@phillah, in general, worship, adoration and confession. vs. 4-14 b) By supplication tachanuwn, specific petitions. vs. 15-19 3) He did so by humbling himself. a) With fastings, denying himself food and drink for a time. b) With sackcloth, a burlap sort of material, real course, to indicate his affliction. c) With ashes, indicating his grief. vs. 4ad 1)) Daniel will do this again in the third year of Cyrus and Gabriel will come and give him understanding. Dan. 10:3, 9, 10, 12 2)) The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Ja. 5:16b 3)) It is a pulling down of God's power for the present need as Aaron and Hur lifted up Moses' hand to prevail against Amelek, Ex. 17-.12. 9:4 The perfect character of God to His covenant.
7 8 1) He interceded for his people, And I prayed to the LORD my God. vs. 4a a) The word prayed palal, means to intervene, intercede or mediate. b) The right was by covenant, the LORD Yahweh, His covenant name and my God Elohim, he personally knew God, being faithful to the covenant. 2) He made confession of the faithfulness of God. vs. 4b-g a) The word confession yadah, means to declared by acknowledging something to be so. vs. 4b b) The character of God is the focus, O Lord, great and awesome God vs. 4c-e 1)) Lord Adonay, means the One having authority over him, Master. 2)) Awesome gadowl, great and limitless. c) The loyalty of God is expressed, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments. vs. 4f-g 1)) God is true to His covenant to those who love and obey Him. 2)) God is merciful, meaning )love Him and obey His covenant. 3)) Mercy checed is a term of covenant language, less than we deserve, not what we deserve! 9:5 The disobedience of the people to God. 3) We have sinned chata, to miss the mark. 4) We have committed inquiries avah, perverseness. 5) We have done wickedly rasha, to act according to their fallen nature. 6) We have rebelled marad, to go against the commandments of God, His against authority and precepts. a) Too often we confess too general evading true confession! b) If we confess our sins, he is... 1Jn. 1:9 9:6-7 The disobedience to the prophets. 1) The prophets are called servant of God, who spoke in His name, not their own. vs. 6 2) To the kings, princes. fathers and the people, all were guilty. vs. 6 * The word our Daniel identifies himself with those who are guilty. 3) The sharp contrast between God s righteousness and the people s unrighteousness. vs. 7 * The contrast is God, Who is righteous and the people who are unrighteous!
9 10 9:8-15 The deserved judgment by God. 1) The leaders deserved the shame they incurred, having sinned, Daniel includes himself again, we. vs. 8 2) God was the only One that could forgive them for their rebellion by mercies. vs. 9 3) The summary statement of their disobedience and rebellion against the covenant. vs. 10 4) All Israel transgressed and were guilty of the Law that revealed the blessings and cursings. vs. 11 * Lev. 26; Deut. 27:14-35, 28:15-68 5) God was true and faithful to His word and promises. vs. 12 6) The people still had not turn to seek God and repent to understand God s word. vs. 13 a) Sin hinders God from hearing us in prayer. Is. 59:1; Ps. 66:18 b) The people in the Northern Kingdom refusal to turn. Amos 4:6-10 7) The summary statement of deserved judgment. vs. 14 * God's action are righteous because He is righteous. 8) The basis for Daniel s supplication was that they were the people of God, having been redeemed from Egypt. vs. 15 * He delivered them with a mighty hand and made a name for Himself. a) They were a peculiar treasure, the people of God. Ex. 19:5-6 b) The New Testament believer are also the people of God. 1Pet. 2:9 c) We have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ, 1Pet. 1:19 d) So we come with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:16 e) Sometimes we act as if we have to convince or inform God in prayer, as if God is reluctant to give to us and we are going to press Him till we change His mind. 1)) A friend asking for bread is not teaching the reluctance of God nor the importunity of man, but a contrast of giving-by man and God. Lk. 11:5-13 2)) For the following illustration is that of a son asking for bread of his father. 3)) We are to ask and it shall be given, seek and we shall find, knock and it shall be open, Lk. 11:9. 4)) We have not because we ask not. Ja. 4:2
11 12 5)) We have not because we ask amiss, that we may consume it in our own flesh. Ja. 4:3 f) Daniel is not so much asking for things as much as wanting to get in on the things of God. 1)) The unseen world that is prompted and directed by God's Holy Spirit, Eph. 6:18; Jude 20 2)) True prayer has its origin with God, especially intercession beautifully illustrated by Moses and Paul. Ex. 32:32; Rom. 9:3 3)) Though God has prophesied and willed His plan, He has chosen to use the believer to be part and lot of His purposes, I don t understand it! Phil. 2:12b-13 4)) Not by might... Zech 4:6 9:16-19 The supplication of Daniel. 9:16-17 The basis for the supplication of Daniel was also on the righteousness of God. vs. 16-17 1) He based his supplication on the righteousness of God, secondly. vs. 16a a) He pleaded with all humility. b) Righteousness ts@daqah, means His justice, flawless character through perfect holiness regarding everyone of His attributes. c) Christ is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. Rom. 1:17 2) He pleaded for God to remove His wrath the people had brought on two places. vs. 16b-d a) The city of God, Jerusalem. vs. 16b-c b) The temple mount, His holy mountain. vs. 16d c) The people and Jerusalem are tied together. vs. 16e-f 3) He pleaded with God to hear and answer his supplications. vs. 17 a) Daniel presents himself as a servant of God. vs. 17a-c b) Daniel asked for the reputation and glory of God. vs. 17d 1) The expression, Your face to shine indicates favor, blessing and honor on His sanctuary. 2) According to the request of Solomon at the dedication of the temple. 1Kings 8 9:18 The basis for the supplication of Daniel was last of all on the mercies of God. vs. 18 1) He called for God s loving-kindness. vs. 18a-d
13 14 a) Daniel devotion and love for God, O my God. vs. 18a b) The imagery is of a loving attentive father stooping down to care for his children, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations. vs. 18b-c c) The city which is called by Your name, yet laid in dishonor. vs. 18d 2) He cast himself on the mercies of God, not what they deserved. vs. 18e-f a) Daniel s supplication was not based on anything he or any other Jew had done in righteousness we, our. vs. 18e b) Daniel was depending totally on the mercies of God. vs. 18f 1)) The word mercies racham, means compassion or pity. 2)) They are great rab abounding and of great measure. 3)) They are great. Is. 54:7 4)) Sure. Is. 55:3 5)) abundant. 1Pet. 1:3 6)) tender. Ps. 25-.6 7)) New every morning, Lam. 3:22,23 9:19 The supplication of Daniel is concluded in a summary statement. vs. 19 1) His plead, O Lord, hear! vs. 19a-b 2) His petition, O Lord, forgive! vs. 19c-d 3) His hope, O Lord, listen and act! vs. 19e-f 4) His urgency, Do not delay for Your own sake, my God. vs. 19g-h 5) His concern, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name. vs. 19i 9:20-27 The answer to Daniel's prayer. 9:20-23 The appearance of the angel Gabriel. 9:20-21 The occurrence took place as Daniel was still in prayer. 1) Prayer involves. vs. 20 a) Speaking. b) Praying. c) Confessing. d) Supplication. e) All for the holy mountain of my God, Mount Moriah. 2) Gabriel the angel to interrupted and give understanding to Daniel. vs. 21 a) The man Gabriel, taking on the human male appearance in the Old and New Testament. Gen. 18:1-2; 19:1 b) He was the same one he has seen in the vision at beginning, regarding Medo-Persia and Greece. Dan. 8:15-16 1)) He is the angel of good news.
15 16 2)) He appeared to Zacharias in the temple and announced the birth of John the Baptist, Lk. 1:13, 19 3)) -Lk. 1:26-33 he was sent to Mary c) He flew swiftly and touched him at evening oblation 3:00 p.m. in the day. 1)) Cornelius prayer was at 9th hour, 3:00 p.m. Acts 10:3 2)) Jesus cried out It is finished, at 3:00 p.m., and the veil was rent. Jn. 19:30 * Is. 65:24; 30:19; Jer. 33:3; Job 13:22; 14:15; Ps. 91:15 9:22-23 The occasion for Gabriel s appearance. 3)) He stands in the presence of God. 1) He came to give Daniel skill and understanding. vs. 22 2) He was sent by God at the beginning of his prayer, because Daniel was greatly beloved by God. vs. 23a-c * We are accepted in the beloved. Eph. 1:6 3) He was told by Gabriel to pay attention and consider the matter and understand the vision. vs. 23d-e * This s the third vision. Dan. 7:1; 8:1 9:24-27 The insight regarding the answer of Daniel's prayer 9:24 The particulars of the prophecy. 1) First it is a unit of 70 weeks heptad, collection of sevens. 2) Second it is in relation to specific things: a) Your people, the Jews. b) Your Holy City, Jerusalem. 3) Third, six particulars are given: a) To finish the transgression, Jn. 19:30 b) To make an end of sin, 2Cor. 5:21 c) To make reconciliation for iniquity, Heb. 2:17 d) To bring in everlasting righteousness e) To seal up the vision and prophesy f) To anoint the most Holy (Holy place) 1)) The first three were fulfilled in Christ's First Coming though the Jews did not receive Him as their Messiah. 2)) The last three will be fulfilled in Christ's Second Coming. -Is. 45:17; 51:6-8; Jer. 31:31-40; 33:14-16 3)) A perfect example of two-fold prophecy mentioned as one is Is. 61:1-3 as Jesus proclaimed the fulfillment of the first part. Lk. 4:17-21 9:25 The particular time of the prophecy. 1) The starting point for the count down is from the going forth of the
17 18 commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem. * There were three decrees to this effect: a) Cyrus in 538 B.C., but limited to the rebuilding of the Lord's house, completion in Ezra. Ezra 1:1-4; 5:13-17 b) Darius in 517 B.C., which was only an affirmation of Cyrus' proclamation. Ezra 6:1-12 c) Artaxerxes in 445 B.C., gave permission to Nehemiah to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, Neh. 2:1-8, 13-15, 17; 6:15 -troublous times - Sanballat, Tobiah and Shemaiah. Neh. 2, 4, 6 2) Take note that there are two divisions of the 70 weeks heptad, a collection of sevens. a) 7 weeks x 7 = 49 years b) 62 weeks x 7 = 434 years c) 1 week in verse 27= 7 years 490 years d) This is based on a 360 day year, prophetic year, not the 365. 3) The street shall be built again and the walls, in troublous times. a) From the commandment of Artaxerxes to the Messiah the Prince would be 7 + 62 = 69 weeks 69 x 7 = 483 years or 173,880 days. b) Sir Robert Anderson in The Coming Prince gives to us a date of March 14, 445 B.C. based on Neh. 2:1-8, 20th year of his reign. c) Projecting forward he arrives at the 6th of April 32 A. D. at the triumphant entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday. Matt. 21 d) Your day. Zach. 9:9; Lk. 19:41-42 9:26 The particular fulfillment of the prophecy. 1) And after 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for Himself, literally shall have nothing. a) He came to his own but his own received him not. Jn.1:11 b) I come in my Father's name and you receive me not. Jn. 5:43 2) The people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. a) The prince refers to the Roman Caesar. b) The people refers to Titus who came in 70 A. D. * The consequences of His rejection would be destruction of the city and sanctuary. 3) The end of it shall be with a fold, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
19 20 * The Jews were scattered. Matt. 21:42-44; 23:37-39 a) So we see that the first 69 weeks or 483 years are accounted for. b) 7x 7= 49 wall & Jerusalem was built. c) 7x 62= 434 Messiah entered Jerusalem. 9:27 The last week, the 70th Week. 1) That leaves us only one week to account for and we find it. vs. 27 2) But between the 69th and the 70th week there is a gap called the age of grace, the church. a) Blindness in part is over Israel, until the fullness of gentiles come in, the rapture. Rom. 11:25 b) Jerusalem trodden down of the gentiles until the time of the gentiles be fulfilled. Lk. 21:24 c) This entails Nebuchadnezzar's image from Babylon to Rome, then there is the ten toes and the stone. 3) He shall confirm a covenant for one week. a) He refers to the man of sin, son of perdition or antichrist, the little horn. Dan. 7:8, 20, 21, 25; 11:36 b) On week is the last seven years. 4) In middle of week he shall bring to an end the sacrifice and offering, cause it to cease. a) The temple rebuilt, the court is given to gentiles 42 months and 2 witnesses. Rev. 11:1-2 b) The woman, Israel, flees to wilderness for 1260 days. Rev. 12:6 c) The power given to him is from Satan for 42 months. Rev. 13:2, 5 d) He declares himself God. 2Thess. 2 5) Even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate, the last 3 1/2 years. a) He begins with political diplomacy having a bow and no arrows. Rev. 6:2 b) The time of Jacob's trouble. Jer. 30: 7 c) Time of great tribulation by the mouth of Jesus. Matt. 24:15, 21 d) 2/3 of Jews will die, Zech. 13:8 e) Then shall be fulfilled And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Zach. 12:10 f) The stone cut out without hands falls on the whole earth establishing.
a) Everlasting righteousness. b) Seal up the vision and prophecy. c) Anoint the most Holy Place. 21 22