Lessons on the Restless Sea
One Year Bible: Dec. 2
Daniel 9:1-11:1
Precious to God
“LORD, you are a GREAT and AWESOME GOD!” (Daniel 9:4)
There is no king, Jew nor Gentile, that is able to flourish and rule beyond the hand of God’s sovereignty. Not then! Not now!
Take “Alexander the Great” of Greece, for example. Alexander the Great is referred to in Daniel 7 as “the large protruding horn.” He helped bring people together and eventually brought the common Greek language to the people. They say that he connected “the east to the west,” which opened up the ancient world to the coming of Christ and the Bible’s translations.
After the death of Alexander the Great, we see that his empire is divided into four parts. One of those “little horns” becomes a great leader, Antiochus Epiphanes, the ruler of Syria. In Daniel 8: 9-14, we learn about him; he was known as one of the cruelest tyrants in history. His name means “illustrious manifestation” because he claimed to be “an epiphany of the gods.” He even had the word “theos,” meaning “god,” put on coins minted with his “ugly mugg” on it. History tells us that Antiochus Epiphanes “went mad” in Persia, where he died. This evil man will be seen again as we continue reading through Daniel. He was “evil personified” in his time.
Knowing about Antiochus in this passage is important for us to understand what the people of that time would understand, as it foreshadows the antichrist in “the day of evil.”
Daniel 7 told us of the “king of fierce countenance,” the antichrist. If we look intently at these verses in Daniel 8, we will see a parallel between Antiochus and the Antichrist.
Both of these enemies of God started out modestly but increased in power and influence. They are both blasphemers of God and persecutors of God’s chosen people. They claim to be gods and put images in the temple imposing their religion on the people. Both will be opposed by the believing remnant of God and will appear to succeed for a while. Both are finally defeated by the coming redeemer.
Daniel sought God to understand the mystery behind the evil that he saw, and God’s lead angel explained it to him. He was left sick, pale, and shaken by what he saw.
Do you wonder what he saw that sickened him?
Did he glimpse the evil and the persecution of the saints of God?
Could he possibly have been given a glimpse of the suffering of the Son of God being crucified on the cross and watched him tortured and killed for our sins at the hands of the evil one?
Could he have witnessed his days in the grave and then the final attack of the antichrist to try one final time to extinguish the debt that was paid for our sins that left Daniel broken?
This we do know, Gabriel calls Daniel “son of man” and points him to the end of time. We are told that “the master of intrigue will rise to power and become very strong.” He will be a master of deception and devastate the holy people of God… For a TIME.
Daniel 9 goes on to fill in the gaps for us. We learn that Daniel is fasting and praying for his people. He repents for their sin and pleads for mercy. Daniel states that all of their faces “are covered with shame.” Although God’s people have been disloyal to HIM, He has always been faithful to His people.
It might not seem to Daniel that he has been heard because this vision will “play out” inspite of his earnest pleading. However, this will not happen because he was not heard. There is something much grander in the scheme of Heaven that is going on to redeem God’s people and restore worship to its rightful place forevermore.
Daniel says, “Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true.” This war that is raging has everything to do with “This Curse” of God’s people through “the fall of man.” The one that wanted to make himself “Equal with God” is at war with ALL of Heaven.
Will this stop the war because of his prayers? Daniel 9:12FF gives us a little sneak peek into the realm of Spiritual Warfare that goes on in the Heavenlies.
Gabriel says, “Don’t be afraid. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for TWENTY-ONE DAYS, the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.”
In this passage, we find out that Danial’s prayers are heard, and God esteems Daniel. Gabriel comes swiftly while Danial is praying and tells him, “You are precious to God.” Daniel is loved, heard, and God is with him… even on this Restless Sea!
Perhaps you have heard southern comedy at its finest, where someone responds to an irritating person and says, “Well… aren’t you precious!” The sarcasm shines through the smile! God, however, isn’t like that! Daniel esteemed God, and God esteemed Daniel!
Do you ever feel that your prayers sometimes seem to be “stuck on pause”? Perhaps, today we have gleaned some insight into the realm of beyond… Daniel’s prayers were “Esteeming God,” not just asking for things for himself.
God’s timing in this passage is perfectly explained to us. Yes, the numbers used here may be beyond our comprehension, but look at Gabriel’s explanation in Daniel 9: 27. When will all of this war and desecration end? “Until the fate decreed for this defiler is FINALLY poured out on him.” (9:27)
Keep praying, dear “Precious Child of God,” because The Battle Belongs to the Lord in the Fullness of His Sovereign Timing!
