Daniel 10:1

Daniel 10:1 says, 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.  Two years had passed since the prophecy concerning the Jews and the coming Messiah had occurred, but Daniel was still faithfully praying.  He had not decided that things were ultimately going to work out so he could just sit back and wait.  Since the fulfillment of the prophecy was a long way off but was certain, he could have figured it didn't matter what he did.  Even though we know that Christ will ultimately return in triumph, we cannot allow that to cause us to be complacent in our worship of and witnessing for God.  Verse two adds, In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.  Daniel said he had been mourning for three full weeks, and I don't believe he was mourning about his situation.   Matthew Henry said he may have been mourning because the Jews were now free to return to Jerusalem, but they weren't going.  I believe he was mourning for the people of Israel and their situation.  We need to mourn today for those Christians who are truly suffering for their faith.  Verse three continues, 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.  Once more, Daniel refused the rich foods and drink and lived on only what he needed to survive.  Daniel was old by now and could have felt that doing without food would be harmful to him, but he always lived by his faith in God.  We must do likewise and be sincere in our worship of God.  Verse four states, And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;  This simply tells us where Daniel was at the time of this vision.  We do not have to be in a particular place in order for God to speak to us, but I do believe that we have to be aware of the presence of God in our lives.  Verse five adds, Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:  Verse six continues, His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. Matthew Henry says this was Jesus that Daniel saw.  If it was, then Jesus was not the same Jesus Who came to earth, since He was just a ordinary looking man, but the resurrected Jesus instead.  Verse seven says, And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.  Daniel said those with him did not see the man, but they were still shaking greatly and ran away.  I do believe that when Jesus appears to a person that it is an individual encounter.  Though many may be saved at the same point in time, all are saved by an individual encounter with Christ.  Those who are in the presence of Christ but do not hear or accept Him should be afraid and try to hide.  Verse eight adds, Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.  Daniel said that he was powerless in his own strength, just as we are in the presence of God.  Verse nine continues, Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.  Daniel said that even in his helpless state and that he heard the words spoken to him, even while he was in a deep sleep face down on the earth.  When God speaks to an individual, that person will know it, whether they acknowledge it or not.

Daniel 9:20

Daniel 9:20 says, 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 said that while he was still praying, confessing not only the sins of others, but his as well, that God's answer came.  We know that God always answers the prayers of His followers, even if the answer is not immediate, as it was for Daniel.  Verse twenty-one adds, 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 said that the angel Gabriel appeared to him again about the time of the evening oblation, or prayer time.  The temple may have been desolate, but the faith of at least some of God's people was not.  Verse twenty-two continues, And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.  Daniel said that Gabriel informed him that Gabriel had come to give Daniel skill and understanding.  When God sends us an answer to our prayers, though they may not be delivered by an angel, He gives us the ability to understand the answer as well.  Verse twenty-three states, 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.  Gabriel said that even as Daniel began to pray, the answer had already been given.  We are told that God knows our needs even before we ask, but this does not mean that He doesn't expect us to ask in sincerity and faith.  In the next four verses, Daniel is given the time until the restoration of the temple and the coming of the Messiah.  Verse twenty-four adds, Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  The people were to be given time to repent and be restored.  This is thought to refer to the four hundred and ninety years, seven times seventy, that passed from the prophecy until Christ did come.  Verse twenty-five continues, Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  Matthew Henry says there are differences of opinion about when this edict to restore the temple was issued.  Whenever it was, we can be certain that it was when God said it would be.  Verse twenty-six says, 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.  Matthew Henry says there is some uncertainty about the meaning of this time reference.  It most likely refers to the time to build the temple.  Verse twenty-seven adds, 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.  This is a reference to the coming of Christ, Who would lay the foundation for a spiritual temple, or kingdom.  We, as followers of Christ, know that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Daniel 9:14

Daniel 9:14 says, Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.  Daniel is still praying.  He had a real burden for the people of Israel, God's chosen people.  They were still in captivity, but Daniel recognized that it was because of their own iniquity that they were in such a position.  We should not only have a burden for the lost today, but also for God's people who are not living according to His teachings.  God does indeed watch His world.  God did not just create and then abandon the world, nor any part of His creation.  He sees the evil that we do, and when we do not hear and obey His voice, we will be held accountable.  Though as followers of Christ all our sins are forgiven, that does not give us a license to sin freely and follow the ways of those who do not acknowledge God.  Verse fifteen adds, And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.  Daniel acknowledged that God had done a mighty work in delivering Israel out of the land of Egypt.  God has done an even greater work since, in delivering everyone who will believe in Christ as Savior and Lord out of the bondage of sin.  Like Israel after the deliverance from Egypt, we too often sin against God after we are delivered by Christ.  Verse sixteen continues, O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.  Daniel acknowledges the righteousness of God, but since Israel was known as being His people, Daniel said that their captivity had become a reproach to God.  Daniel also acknowledged God's right to be angry with His people because they had sinned against Him.  When we as followers of Christ turn away from His teachings, we likewise become a reproach against God.  It is bad enough for those who do not acknowledge God to live under the power of sin, but for God's people to do so is so much worse.  We know what always happened when Israel disobeyed God.  They were defeated by those who did not follow God.  We cannot expect anything less today, especially since we have a greater understanding of salvation through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  Verse seventeen states, Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.  Daniel asked God to hear his prayers and to restore the temple, which was still desolate.  Daniel asked that this be done for the sake of the Lord.  Those who thought themselves to be more powerful than God saw the desolation of the temple as a sign of their victory over God.  When we allow the things of God, from the church building to our own faith, to become desolate today, those of the world feel the same way.  They feel more powerful than God.  Verse eighteen adds, O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.  Daniel said he did not come to God from an attitude of righteousness before God but asked for God's mercy instead.  This is the only way we can approach God.  We can never make demands based on our righteousness but must ask for God's mercy that He might be glorified.  Verse nineteen continues, O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.  Daniel asks God to hear, hearken and not defer, for the sake of His kingdom.  When things look desolate for Christians today, this should be our prayer.  As with Daniel, it should all be asked that God might be glorified.

Daniel 9:9

Daniel 9:9 says, To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;  This is a continuation of Daniel's prayer to God on behalf of God's people.  Daniel said that mercy and forgiveness belong to God even though we rebel against Him.  It is only through God's mercy that we can find forgiveness for our sins.  We cannot earn God's forgiveness or make up for our sins through good works.  We can only acknowledge our sins and ask God's forgiveness.  Verse ten adds, Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.  Daniel was known as a man of God, but he included himself in those who had failed to walk in God's law.  It is not enough to pray for the sins of others if we feel that we are without sin ourselves.  If we begin to feel that the sins of others are more unworthy of forgiveness than our own sins are, then we are not listening to what God's word teaches us.  Verse eleven continues, Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.  Daniel said that Israel was suffering because they did not obey the law of God.  Sometimes we seem to act as though we think God has to bless our nation because of the actions of previous generations.  A nation cannot be a Christian nation based on past actions of its people, but can only be a Christian nation based on the actions of its people today.  We are in no way superior to any other nation simply based on the fact that we were born where we were born.  Verse twelve states, And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.  Daniel said that God had brought His judgment on Israel, His people, because of their disobedience.  Those who profess to believe God while defying His law should expect His judgment to be great.  When we do this, we not only bring judgment upon ourselves, but we lead others astray.  Verse thirteen adds, As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.  Daniel said that even though this was written in the law of Moses, their scripture, that they still would not turn from their iniquities and pray for an understanding of God's truth.  There is really no truth but the truth of God, and we should pray daily for a better understanding of His truth.

Romans 9:1

Daniel 9:1 says, In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;  We have now moved forward to the reign of Darius, who had defeated Belshazzar and the Chaldeans.  This was the fulfillment of the prophecy found earlier in the book of Daniel.  Verse two adds, In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.  Matthew Henry says that we found Daniel doing the business of Belshazzar, the earthly king at the end of the last chapter, but now we find him concerned with God's business.  I don't think Daniel really divided the two, but here we find him more concerned with the status of God's people.  He was particularly concerned with Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the seventy years in which God would accomplish the desolation of Jerusalem.  Though Daniel was a great prophet, he still consulted the written word of God.  We never know enough that we can ignore God's written word for us, the Bible.  Verse three continues, And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:  Daniel said he set his face before God and humbled himself.  He prayed and fasted with his total focus on God.  When we come to God in prayer, we need to come humbly and sincerely.  Daniel was a prophet of God and a powerful man in the world, but he knew he was nothing before God.  Verse four states, And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;   We, like Daniel, must pray to God from a personal relationship.  He must be our God if our prayers are going to be effective.  Also, we must recognize the greatness of God.  We will never be God's equal.  As Daniel said, God is the keeper of His covenant.  God has never failed in His part of the covenant with mankind.  God does show mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments.  Verse five adds, We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have thy judgments:  This has never changed.  We all sin and come short of the glory of God.  Under God's judgment, we are all guilty, but by His mercy we are set free of the penalty of sin through our faith in the sacrifice of Christ.  Each person must choose whether to accept God's judgment or His mercy.  Verse six continues, Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.  Daniel said that those who were called God's people would not listen to God's servants the prophets when they spoke for Him.  There are many people today who profess to be Christians who do not listen to God's word, whether written or proclaimed by His preachers and teachers.  Verse seven says, O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.  Daniel proclaimed God righteous and His people sinful and scattered because of their sinfulness.  As stated earlier, God had not failed in keeping the covenant, but those who called themselves His people had.  God will never fail in His covenant with us today.  Verse eight adds, O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.  When we sin against God, we can expect nothing more than confusion in life.

Daniel 8:20

Daniel 8:20 says, The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.  Gabriel begins to give Daniel the interpretation of the horns that he saw. He said the two horns were the Medes and the Persians.  That was a specific interpretation of what the two horns represented.  If we are given a specific interpretation of what God means when He speaks to us, by whatever method, then we don't need to be concerned about what else might be implied.  Sometimes, we have to interpret what the Bible means in a specific passage.  Hopefully we will do this under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-one adds, And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Daniel was told that the rough goat represented Greece.  Matthew Henry says that the great horn represented Alexander the Great.  He was indeed a great ruler and conquered most of the known world.  Verse twenty-two continues, Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.  The great horn was broken in to four parts, none as powerful as the original.  Verse twenty-three declares, And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.  Matthew Henry says this refers to Antiochus.  He states, "Concerning Antiochus, and his oppression of the Jews. This is said to be in the latter time of the kingdom of the Greeks, when the transgressors are come to the full (Dan 8:23); that is, when the degenerate Jews have filled up the measure of their iniquity, and are ripe for this destruction, so that God cannot in honour bear with them any longer then shall stand up this king, to be flagellum Dei - the rod in God's hand for the chastising of the Jews."  I believe that the message for us today is that above all else we cannot afford to pervert God's word to fulfill our own desires, because judgment is coming.  Verse twenty-four adds, And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.  This ruler would be mighty and destroy the holy people, those who put their faith in God.  He will also have allies who assist him in his wielding of power, even some of those who are God's people in name only.  There are always those who will ally themselves with those in power simply to gain as much as they can for themselves.  Verse twenty-five continues, And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.  He will gain this power through deceit and trickery.  For the promise of peace people will willingly give up their rights.  We should never surrender our freedom through Christ simply to live at peace in the world.  We must stand for what is right in the eyes of God, no matter the cost.  This ruler would think himself capable of standing up to the Prince of pinces, because he had magnified himself in his heart.  He would not be broken by any other person, but would fall into the hands of God, and would die a miserable death.  Verse twenty-six says, And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.  Daniel was instructed to not share the vision yet, though it would come to pass.  Matthew Henry says this is because it foretold the destruction of Persia, which was soon to defeat the Chaldeans.  This could have led to the punishment or destruction of the Jews.  God's prophecy is always to be shared at the correct time.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.  Daniel fainted and was sick for number of days, then he rose up and did the kings business.  Daniel could have felt that since Belshazzar was soon to be defeated that it was senseless to continue to do his business, but he didn't.  We likewise must be about the King's business today, and not let the prophecies of the coming return of Christ keep us from doing His work.  Even though we know the ultimate outcome, we are not exempted from witnessing and working for God.

Daniel 8:15

Daniel 8:15 says, 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.  Daniel had seen the vision, and then wanted to know the meaning of it.  He did not rely on his own interpretation, and neither can we rely on ours.  We must look to God for the interpretation of His word, especially when it comes to prophecies of the future.  Verse sixteen adds, And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.  Daniel said he heard a voice telling the angel Gabriel to make this man, Daniel, understand the vision.  Daniel always looked to God for the interpretation of dreams and visions of others, and he did the same for his own.  God never failed Daniel, and He will never fail us.  Verse seventeen continues. 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 said that he was afraid and fell on his face when Gabriel came close, but Gabriel only came to help Daniel understand the vision.  When God sends His help, we do not need to be afraid, but simply need to listen to what God has to say to us.  Verse eighteen states, Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.  Daniel said he was in a deep sleep with his face down.  It sounds more like he had passed out, but Gabriel set him upright.  When we are spiritually asleep face down, God will set us upright if we listen to Him.  As Matthew Henry points out, we are no good to God if we are spiritually asleep.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. He assures him that he shall be made to know what shall be in the last end of the indignation.  Matthew Henry says that we should take comfort in the fact that even if we live during these times of calamity, that they will pass.  These days may be intermittent, but there is coming a day when God's enemies will be defeated forever.  Daniel was only told that this would be at the time appointed for the end.  Only God knows when this time will be, so we need not be concerned.