Daniel 9
Daniel’s Prayer – Daniel 9:1-19
Daniel had earned the trust of each administration he served in. Under all these leaders he moved to the top. He had a keen mind, could interpret dreams, and could solve difficult problems. He had great knowledge and a great attitude always wanting to do stay true to God. He believed in God’s promises and trusted in Him.
Daniel was committed to God and His Word. He always trusted God and stayed in prayer through many difficult time – when captured by the Babylonians and when put in the lions’ den.
We should all be more like Daniel. He is a shining example of what a faithful Christian should be ---
As Daniel prayed he listed the attributes of God. He said that God was great and awesome and keeps His covenant of love with all who love and obey His commands, and that He was righteous, merciful.
Daniel confessed the people’s sins on their behalf. They had rebelled and not obeyed or kept God’s laws. All Israel turned away and refused to obey. Because of their sins, God brought disaster upon them.
In verses 15-19 Daniel pleaded to the Lord to turn His anger and wrath away from Jerusalem and hear his prayers and petitions. He asked that the Lord look on them with favor and to open His eyes and ears and act and to not to delay.
There is a division between God’ holiness and humanity’s sinfulness. God addressed this issue:
Principle: Let your prayers humbly take you into the presence of God by praising Him, confessing sins, and praying for others.
God Responded to Daniel’s Prayer – Daniel 9:20-23
While Daniel was praying, God sent Gabriel to him again. Gabriel was the angel who came to Daniel and interpreted his dream in Daniel 8:15-16. Gabriel was the one who announced to Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son in their old age in Luke 1:5-38.
Gabriel appeared at this time to provide Daniel with greater understanding. He was told that God holds him in high esteem or in other words, Daniel is greatly loved because he had remained faithful. Gabriel gave him a message of Israel’s future, using the words seventy weeks of time.
Principle: God hears and responds to our sincere prayers.
Vision of Seventy “Sevens” – Daniel 9:24-27
The “seventy sevens” is 70 weeks and refers to years. It’s a time frame of 70x7 years or 490 years. The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus returns and sets up His millennial kingdom. The 69 of the sevens has been fulfilled in history with the crucifixion. This leaves 1 more “seven” to be fulfilled. The final “seven” or 7 years of Daniel is what we call the tribulation period has not yet occurred. There is a gap between the 69th and 70th week. Some call it “the time of the Gentiles”. Some believe since Israel rejected Jesus, God put the 70th week on hold and turned His attention to the Gentile nations.
“Restore and rebuild Jerusalem” refers to the time when God will bring His people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land they were promised. (Jer. 30:1-3; 31:23-25; Ez. 36:8-12)
“The Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing” points to Jesus’ crucifixion. His death fulfills the prophecy of being put to death and having nothing. He bore the weight of humanity’s sin on the cross. (Isaiah 53:1-9; Matt. 16:21; Acts 4:26)
“An abomination that causes desolation” refers to the Antichrist setting himself up as god in the temple (Dan11:31; 12:9-13; Matt 24:1-31). He will break the covenant at the mid-point (the last 3 ½ years is known as the great tribulation)
Principle: God has a time table and He is keeping things on schedule.
Next week we will continue our study of Daniel. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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