Music... 00:00:01.36\00:00:26.79 Hello and once again to Daniel All Access. 00:00:26.82\00:00:31.49 This is our walk through the Book of Daniel 00:00:31.53\00:00:35.60 this very important book in the Old Testament 00:00:35.63\00:00:39.67 the companion of Revelation 00:00:39.70\00:00:41.40 which has so much to say to God's people in these last days 00:00:41.44\00:00:46.01 and we pray that you've been blessed 00:00:46.04\00:00:48.11 and that you've learned some things in our study together 00:00:48.14\00:00:51.18 for there is much in the Old Testament 00:00:51.21\00:00:54.78 that reflects upon the days in which we find ourselves 00:00:54.82\00:00:59.65 and that is designed to prepare us 00:00:59.69\00:01:02.96 for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:01:02.99\00:01:05.29 so we thank you again for being with us today 00:01:05.33\00:01:08.80 we look at Daniel chapter 9 00:01:08.83\00:01:13.10 and we would ask you to turn in your Bibles 00:01:13.13\00:01:14.77 to Daniel chapter 9, 00:01:14.80\00:01:16.14 we do not have time to read the entire chapter 00:01:16.17\00:01:20.78 but we will be referring to Daniel chapter 9. 00:01:20.81\00:01:25.41 The message: Skill to Understand 00:01:25.45\00:01:28.52 Daniel chapter 9. 00:01:28.55\00:01:30.69 We ask you now to bow your heads with me as we pray. 00:01:30.72\00:01:35.92 Father God, we praise you and thank you so very much 00:01:35.96\00:01:41.10 for your Word and the power of that Word 00:01:41.16\00:01:46.80 and we thank you dear Lord 00:01:46.84\00:01:49.57 for those things that you have placed in your Word 00:01:49.60\00:01:55.28 that our... as it were... signposts 00:01:55.31\00:01:59.41 to let us know where we are going, 00:01:59.45\00:02:03.49 how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. 00:02:03.55\00:02:10.56 Help us Lord to take each step with our hand 00:02:10.59\00:02:16.73 in the unchanging hand of the master 00:02:16.77\00:02:20.60 and help us Lord, to look to you 00:02:20.64\00:02:24.41 and to serve you and to follow wherever you lead. 00:02:24.44\00:02:30.18 Be our teacher today 00:02:30.25\00:02:32.78 and give us heaven's very best we do pray 00:02:32.81\00:02:37.39 and we thank you dear Father, in Jesus' name, amen. " 00:02:37.42\00:02:41.99 Audience: Amen. 00:02:42.02\00:02:43.56 Daniel chapter 9 takes place 00:02:43.63\00:02:48.63 after the change in world empires. 00:02:48.66\00:02:53.13 The Babylonian Empire has just concluded its 70-year run 00:02:53.17\00:03:00.64 and Daniel chapter 9 takes place 00:03:00.68\00:03:06.48 in the first year of the ensuing Medo-Persian Empire. 00:03:06.51\00:03:13.76 Pause. 00:03:13.79\00:03:15.49 What is interesting is that Daniel chapter 9 00:03:15.52\00:03:19.06 begins with the first year of Darius or Dareeus the Mede 00:03:19.09\00:03:24.23 but what I discovered... I simply had not seen it before 00:03:24.27\00:03:29.27 is that Daniel chapter 9 and Daniel chapter 6 00:03:29.30\00:03:35.48 cover the same time period 00:03:35.51\00:03:38.98 so, what you find in Daniel chapter 6 00:03:39.01\00:03:44.32 is amplified in Daniel chapter 9 00:03:44.35\00:03:48.59 because for the first several verses, 00:03:48.62\00:03:51.69 really most all of the chapters, 00:03:51.73\00:03:54.70 they cover the same basic time period. 00:03:54.73\00:03:57.27 Daniel chapter 9 begins with the first year of Darius the Mede. 00:03:57.30\00:04:04.77 In Daniel chapter 6, we see... 00:04:04.84\00:04:10.18 we're in the first year of Darius the Mede 00:04:10.21\00:04:13.92 and in Daniel chapter 6, 00:04:13.95\00:04:17.95 Darius thinks so highly of Daniel 00:04:17.99\00:04:22.59 that, verse 3 tells us, 00:04:22.62\00:04:26.09 he considers making Daniel the head of the whole Empire. 00:04:26.13\00:04:30.77 That is the impression that he has of Daniel 00:04:30.80\00:04:33.90 because of the great spirit that is within him. 00:04:33.94\00:04:36.77 He does not do it 00:04:36.81\00:04:39.37 but certainly it is in his mind to do so 00:04:39.41\00:04:41.84 and Daniel chapter 6... the very first verse tells us 00:04:41.88\00:04:46.11 that Darius begins to make immediately 00:04:46.15\00:04:48.68 a number of administrative changes 00:04:48.75\00:04:52.12 while he is settling into his new role 00:04:52.15\00:04:55.06 as Leader of the Medo-Persian Empire. 00:04:55.09\00:04:57.93 He is considering making Daniel the head of the whole thing 00:04:57.96\00:05:02.20 at the head... at the level of Prime Minister. 00:05:02.23\00:05:04.70 The Lions' Den incident from Daniel chapter 6 is looming, 00:05:04.73\00:05:11.57 the plot is being hatched, 00:05:11.61\00:05:15.34 the satraps and leaders are plotting Daniel's downfall 00:05:15.41\00:05:22.25 and as we said when we talked about 00:05:22.28\00:05:26.52 and looked at Daniel 6, 00:05:26.55\00:05:27.89 the ploy was that no one was to pray to any king 00:05:27.92\00:05:34.46 or any god for 30 days 00:05:34.50\00:05:37.20 and Darius... who the Bible says was 62 years old 00:05:37.23\00:05:42.04 who should have known better 00:05:42.07\00:05:43.44 allowed his vanity and his ego to get in the way 00:05:43.47\00:05:48.41 and he allowed that edict to be passed 00:05:48.44\00:05:52.61 an Edict of the Medes and the Persians 00:05:52.65\00:05:56.79 which could not be changed. 00:05:56.82\00:05:58.45 Once it was signed, it could not be altered. 00:05:58.49\00:06:02.32 What is interesting and really quite fascinating 00:06:02.36\00:06:06.76 is the fact that while this plot is being hatched 00:06:06.80\00:06:11.17 and Ellen White takes pains to say 00:06:11.20\00:06:13.17 that this plot is orchestrated by Satan. 00:06:13.23\00:06:16.77 This is a Satanically-inspired- and-orchestrated plot 00:06:16.81\00:06:22.14 to get Daniel out of the way 00:06:22.18\00:06:25.41 but what is fascinating... 00:06:25.48\00:06:28.65 and we don't see this until we get to Daniel 9 00:06:28.68\00:06:31.59 and then push it back to Daniel 6, 00:06:31.65\00:06:33.66 is that, Daniel, at this point in his life 00:06:33.69\00:06:37.23 is praying more than ever before. 00:06:37.26\00:06:40.13 Daniel is not only praying... but if you look at verse 3 00:06:40.16\00:06:47.74 in Daniel chapter 9, 00:06:47.77\00:06:49.47 pause... 00:06:49.50\00:06:52.37 we see the intensity and the fervency 00:06:52.44\00:06:55.34 of Daniel's prayer. 00:06:55.38\00:06:56.88 The Bible says in the book of Daniel chapter 9 verse 3, 00:06:56.91\00:07:00.85 "... then I set my face towards the Lord God, 00:07:00.88\00:07:05.45 to make my request by prayer and supplication 00:07:05.49\00:07:10.03 with fasting, sackcloth and ashes... " 00:07:10.06\00:07:15.80 pause 00:07:15.86\00:07:18.90 Daniel, at this point in his life, 00:07:18.93\00:07:21.54 is praying harder than ever before. 00:07:21.57\00:07:24.14 Sackcloth and ashes is a way of expressing extreme grief 00:07:24.17\00:07:30.71 and remorse and repentance. 00:07:30.75\00:07:34.25 Sackcloth was a garment made of either flax or hemp... 00:07:34.32\00:07:40.22 sometimes camel hair... sometimes goat hair. 00:07:40.26\00:07:44.66 It was designed to be painful and austere 00:07:44.69\00:07:49.10 so, when you put on sackcloth, 00:07:49.13\00:07:52.63 you are saying that something very bad has happened 00:07:52.67\00:07:58.07 and you feel very bad about it 00:07:58.11\00:08:01.38 and you are repenting and begging God for forgiveness... 00:08:01.41\00:08:05.68 the very act of wearing sackcloth 00:08:05.71\00:08:07.72 was a painful experience 00:08:07.75\00:08:09.92 and then the ashes... you either sat in the ashes 00:08:09.98\00:08:14.79 or you poured ashes upon your head 00:08:14.82\00:08:17.13 and it was a way of showing 00:08:17.16\00:08:20.60 complete and utter self-renunciation 00:08:20.63\00:08:24.73 and saying to God, "I am sorry... I love you... 00:08:24.77\00:08:30.04 and I repent of my sins. " 00:08:30.11\00:08:32.67 Well, Daniel was doing this now. 00:08:32.71\00:08:35.31 Daniel is in sackcloth and ashes... 00:08:35.34\00:08:37.95 he is praying... 00:08:37.98\00:08:39.31 he confesses his sins... 00:08:39.35\00:08:43.22 he praises God... 00:08:43.25\00:08:45.55 he acknowledges his sins... 00:08:45.59\00:08:48.19 he acknowledges the sins of his people 00:08:48.22\00:08:51.56 and really... this sackcloth and ashes 00:08:51.59\00:08:54.86 is done... not so much because Daniel is... 00:08:54.90\00:08:59.27 is worried about himself 00:08:59.30\00:09:01.04 but at this point in his ministry, 00:09:01.07\00:09:03.71 Daniel is worried about his people. 00:09:03.77\00:09:07.08 Daniel has a burden for his people 00:09:07.14\00:09:10.38 because God is beginning to show him some things... 00:09:10.45\00:09:14.08 and we'll get back to this in just a moment 00:09:14.12\00:09:16.18 that are distressing him. 00:09:16.22\00:09:19.42 Daniel is praying for mercy, 00:09:19.45\00:09:23.02 he is proclaiming and claiming 00:09:23.06\00:09:26.53 the fulfillment of the prophecies of Jeremiah 00:09:26.56\00:09:29.33 and while he is speaking 00:09:29.36\00:09:32.60 some very wonderful things are happening. 00:09:32.63\00:09:36.97 Pause. 00:09:37.01\00:09:39.57 You know, we serve... we serve a good God. 00:09:39.61\00:09:42.18 Audience: Amen. 00:09:42.21\00:09:43.65 Who never leaves us nor forsakes us 00:09:43.68\00:09:47.98 and I'll tell you something else God does, 00:09:48.02\00:09:50.99 God plans ahead... 00:09:51.02\00:09:54.89 Audience: Amen. Pastor Murray: Amen. 00:09:54.92\00:09:58.06 Daniel, at this point in his life, 00:09:58.09\00:10:01.16 is as close to God as he has ever been. 00:10:01.23\00:10:08.04 What we see here... as we pull Daniel chapter 6 00:10:08.07\00:10:12.94 and Daniel chapter 9 together, 00:10:12.97\00:10:14.98 is a confluence of powers in the great controversy. 00:10:15.01\00:10:21.38 We see a fight between good and evil. 00:10:21.42\00:10:25.45 Daniel quotes... in Daniel chapter 9:20, 00:10:25.49\00:10:29.46 "I was confessing my sin and the sin of Israel, 00:10:29.49\00:10:34.26 presenting my supplication before the Lord 00:10:34.30\00:10:37.10 and while I was speaking, Gabriel comes back... " 00:10:37.13\00:10:42.60 we praise the Lord for that. 00:10:42.64\00:10:44.74 So, now, Daniel is going to get some homeschooling from Gabriel. 00:10:44.77\00:10:51.38 Pause. 00:10:51.41\00:10:53.78 Now, let's connect the dots. 00:10:53.82\00:10:55.88 Pause. 00:10:55.92\00:10:58.05 We saw in "Prophets and Kings" that the plot against Daniel 00:10:58.09\00:11:03.59 was personally orchestrated by Satan. 00:11:03.63\00:11:07.70 Satan wanted Daniel out of the way 00:11:07.76\00:11:11.67 pause 00:11:11.70\00:11:13.50 but if you look at the spiritual state of Daniel 00:11:13.54\00:11:17.11 at this point in time, 00:11:17.14\00:11:18.47 Daniel is as locked in with the Lord as ever a man could be. 00:11:18.51\00:11:24.45 He's praying... he's fasting... he's confessing his sins... 00:11:24.48\00:11:30.59 he is confessing the sins of Israel... 00:11:30.62\00:11:34.52 he is in sackcloth and ashes 00:11:34.56\00:11:37.13 and he's taking Bible Studies from the angel Gabriel. 00:11:37.19\00:11:41.93 Does it get any better than that? 00:11:41.96\00:11:45.23 Ellen White says, he knows there's a plot, 00:11:45.27\00:11:48.97 he knows they are trying to end his life, 00:11:49.00\00:11:52.67 but it doesn't matter, 00:11:52.71\00:11:54.74 he is not concerned... because he's got bigger fish to fry. 00:11:54.78\00:12:00.32 Daniel is worried about what's coming... 00:12:00.35\00:12:04.55 not what's happening. 00:12:04.59\00:12:05.92 He's on a totally different spiritual plain, 00:12:05.95\00:12:10.46 he's not even concerned 00:12:10.49\00:12:11.99 about all the stuff going on around him 00:12:12.03\00:12:15.20 because he's locked in with the Lord 00:12:15.23\00:12:18.33 and what he is concerned about particularly now 00:12:18.37\00:12:21.74 is the future of his people, 00:12:21.77\00:12:23.87 what are they going to do with Christ. 00:12:23.91\00:12:28.08 He is looking at the time of the deliverer... 00:12:28.11\00:12:31.55 he's looking at a time when sin is going to be eradicated, 00:12:31.58\00:12:35.65 he couldn't be better prepared for the Lions' Den 00:12:35.68\00:12:42.52 than anybody in history. 00:12:42.56\00:12:45.63 Daniel, at this point, 00:12:45.66\00:12:48.66 is thoroughly pressed into the presence of God. 00:12:48.70\00:12:53.03 He's got... dare I say... an IV drip... 00:12:53.07\00:12:59.84 to the Grace Pipeline... 00:12:59.87\00:13:01.88 He is prayed up... he is ready to go... 00:13:01.94\00:13:06.35 he is ready for his part in the great controversy. 00:13:06.38\00:13:11.72 He has stripped himself of pride 00:13:11.75\00:13:14.82 and he's worried about his people. 00:13:14.86\00:13:17.83 This is an unpublished manuscript page 406. 00:13:17.89\00:13:24.10 It says, "Self-annihilation... " 00:13:24.13\00:13:28.24 now isn't that an interesting word? 00:13:28.27\00:13:29.64 She doesn't say "Self-abnegation" Pastor, 00:13:29.70\00:13:31.94 she says, "self-annihilation" 00:13:31.97\00:13:34.38 "Self-annihilation is a hard process, 00:13:34.41\00:13:40.35 for self struggles for existence and dies hard... " 00:13:40.38\00:13:46.05 I was going to call this sermon: Die Hard. 00:13:46.09\00:13:47.89 Audience: Amen. 00:13:47.92\00:13:49.99 It dies hard... 00:13:50.03\00:13:51.36 "... but prayer and faith place the weakest sinner 00:13:51.39\00:13:56.87 on vantage ground where the hand of faith 00:13:56.90\00:14:01.04 can grasp firmly the hand of the Savior. " 00:14:01.07\00:14:05.17 Audience: Amen. 00:14:05.21\00:14:06.88 I want to say "Amen" to that. 00:14:06.91\00:14:08.24 Audience loudly: Amen. 00:14:08.28\00:14:10.45 The prayer of faith 00:14:10.48\00:14:12.68 puts the sinner in an advantage over Satan. 00:14:12.71\00:14:19.09 Amen. 00:14:19.12\00:14:20.96 Audience: Amen. 00:14:20.99\00:14:22.32 Pause. 00:14:22.36\00:14:24.63 Where you can grasp on to the hand of Jesus. 00:14:24.66\00:14:26.96 Audience: Amen. 00:14:27.00\00:14:28.33 And when you take hold of the hand of Christ, 00:14:28.36\00:14:30.67 He will never let you go. 00:14:30.70\00:14:32.50 Audience: Amen. 00:14:32.53\00:14:34.07 In and through Christ, 00:14:34.14\00:14:37.34 we may come off more than conquerors. 00:14:37.37\00:14:42.54 Audience: Amen. Pastor: Praise the Lord. 00:14:42.58\00:14:44.05 So, Daniel is sold out to the Lord. 00:14:44.08\00:14:47.28 He is in love with the Lord, 00:14:47.32\00:14:49.45 he has humbled himself before the Lord 00:14:49.48\00:14:52.35 and he is on firm and strong ground with the Lord 00:14:52.39\00:14:58.59 through prayer and faith. 00:14:58.63\00:15:01.43 Now, look at this, "Satan... " 00:15:01.46\00:15:04.93 see Satan knows some stuff that we don't know 00:15:04.97\00:15:07.97 and we should know 00:15:08.00\00:15:09.60 but here's one thing that Satan knows 00:15:09.64\00:15:12.07 that we all should know. 00:15:12.11\00:15:13.91 "Satan is well aware... " amen... 00:15:13.94\00:15:17.31 "Satan is well aware... that the weakest soul... 00:15:17.35\00:15:21.92 weakest soul 00:15:21.95\00:15:24.65 weakest soul... " 00:15:24.69\00:15:27.76 Audience loudly: AMEN! 00:15:27.79\00:15:29.56 I said, "weakest soul" 00:15:29.59\00:15:31.29 Audience very loudly: Amen. 00:15:31.33\00:15:32.66 "... the weakest soul who abides in Christ 00:15:32.69\00:15:38.17 is... almost a match... " 00:15:38.23\00:15:41.87 Audience: No... more than a match. 00:15:41.90\00:15:44.01 Pastor: Can almost get through" 00:15:44.04\00:15:46.14 Audience: more... 00:15:46.17\00:15:47.51 Pastor: Can just about make it. 00:15:47.54\00:15:49.24 Audience: No... 00:15:49.28\00:15:50.65 Mmm... mmm... 00:15:50.68\00:15:52.01 "... the weakest soul is more than a match" 00:15:52.05\00:15:56.99 glory to God... 00:15:57.02\00:15:58.49 Audience: Amen. 00:15:58.52\00:15:59.95 "... is more than a match for the hosts of darkness... " 00:15:59.99\00:16:03.12 Great Controversy, page 530. 00:16:03.16\00:16:05.76 Satan knows that even if you don't 00:16:05.79\00:16:09.26 which is why he wants to keep you from knowing that 00:16:09.30\00:16:13.50 that the weakest soul... 00:16:13.54\00:16:15.90 more than a match... 00:16:15.94\00:16:18.24 for the hosts of darkness 00:16:18.27\00:16:20.71 and so Daniel is praying... he's fasting... 00:16:20.74\00:16:23.55 he's... he's humbling himself... 00:16:23.58\00:16:26.15 and he's more than a match... 00:16:26.18\00:16:29.55 he is more than a match... 00:16:29.58\00:16:32.85 for all of the tricks and maneuvers of the devil. 00:16:32.89\00:16:38.66 So, right at the time 00:16:38.69\00:16:41.36 when Satan thinks, "I've got him... " 00:16:41.40\00:16:45.07 he doesn't know that Daniel is bullet proof. 00:16:45.10\00:16:52.54 Pause. 00:16:52.57\00:16:55.81 He's prayed up... he's ready to go... 00:16:55.84\00:16:58.65 so not only is Daniel quenching the fiery darts of the wicked 00:16:58.68\00:17:03.72 he is prepared to receive greater knowledge 00:17:03.75\00:17:09.89 because God is getting ready to give him an understanding 00:17:09.92\00:17:14.86 that is going to shake him to his knees. 00:17:14.90\00:17:18.63 Pause. 00:17:18.67\00:17:20.37 It is Gabriel who comes to tell Daniel 00:17:20.44\00:17:26.47 heaven has sent me here because you are greatly beloved 00:17:26.51\00:17:34.52 and when I ran into that several nights ago 00:17:34.55\00:17:39.95 pause 00:17:39.99\00:17:43.26 it... it kind of got to me... 00:17:43.29\00:17:47.43 pause 00:17:47.46\00:17:49.83 and I must admit to you that I was envious of Daniel. 00:17:49.86\00:17:58.77 Pastor, Gabriel told him, 00:17:58.81\00:18:03.58 "I'm here... because in heaven they love you a lot. " 00:18:03.65\00:18:12.32 Pause. 00:18:12.35\00:18:15.32 And I sat and stared at that for quite a while. 00:18:15.36\00:18:18.16 Pause. 00:18:18.19\00:18:20.80 And I must admit to you 00:18:20.83\00:18:22.40 that I was very, very envious of Daniel 00:18:22.46\00:18:29.07 pause 00:18:29.10\00:18:30.97 because I will tell you, 00:18:31.01\00:18:33.38 I would love to have that said about me. 00:18:33.41\00:18:36.48 Audience loudly: Amen. 00:18:36.51\00:18:37.95 Pause. 00:18:37.98\00:18:40.35 "In heaven, they like you a lot. " 00:18:40.38\00:18:44.85 Pause. 00:18:44.89\00:18:48.22 And so, Gabriel says, "I've come to help you 00:18:48.29\00:18:51.86 because we love you. " 00:18:51.89\00:18:56.63 Pause. 00:18:56.67\00:19:00.30 I'll tell you something, 00:19:00.34\00:19:02.60 pause 00:19:02.64\00:19:10.91 earlier this year, 00:19:10.95\00:19:12.28 Danny came to Pastor Lomacang and myself 00:19:12.31\00:19:16.25 and he said, "I want you to do a Series on Daniel and Revelation 00:19:16.28\00:19:24.19 pause 00:19:24.23\00:19:27.06 and to try as you can 00:19:27.10\00:19:30.50 to stay out of the vortex of the parts of the books 00:19:30.53\00:19:39.37 that are controversial 00:19:39.41\00:19:40.91 and just bring messages 00:19:40.98\00:19:42.41 that will be of import and value to the people... " 00:19:42.44\00:19:46.85 pause 00:19:46.88\00:19:49.35 and I began writing. 00:19:49.38\00:19:51.82 We had to do some things in Romania 00:19:51.85\00:19:57.36 and so, I didn't really get to working on this 00:19:57.43\00:20:01.30 until late March 00:20:01.33\00:20:03.77 pause 00:20:03.80\00:20:07.17 and for the last eight weeks, 00:20:07.24\00:20:09.60 I've done nothing but eat and sleep Daniel. 00:20:09.67\00:20:14.14 Pause. 00:20:14.18\00:20:18.85 I don't think I've gone to bed before 2 a. m. 00:20:18.88\00:20:21.85 since March 15th literally. 00:20:21.88\00:20:24.55 Pause. 00:20:24.59\00:20:26.96 I've spent many nights up all night 00:20:26.99\00:20:30.29 just working on... on Daniel 00:20:30.33\00:20:34.73 pause 00:20:34.76\00:20:37.57 and during that whole time I was possessed 00:20:37.60\00:20:41.07 of a feeling of woeful inadequacy. 00:20:41.10\00:20:48.94 Pause 00:20:48.98\00:20:54.02 more pause. 00:20:54.05\00:21:02.29 I didn't feel up to the task of bringing what I knew 00:21:02.32\00:21:11.30 was in this book 00:21:11.33\00:21:14.47 and I didn't have my Commentaries 00:21:14.50\00:21:16.97 and most of my study books with me... they were packed away 00:21:17.01\00:21:19.47 and some in Panama... 00:21:19.51\00:21:20.94 pause 00:21:20.98\00:21:25.78 and yet I wanted to let you see what God was showing me 00:21:25.81\00:21:34.56 and I just didn't feel adequate. 00:21:34.59\00:21:37.73 Pause. 00:21:37.76\00:21:41.13 Daniel here... is an old man. 00:21:41.16\00:21:45.30 Pause. 00:21:45.33\00:21:47.57 My calculations put him in the mid-to-late eighties... 00:21:47.60\00:21:52.04 he was a teenager when he started... 00:21:52.07\00:21:53.48 this is post-Babylonian Empire 00:21:53.51\00:21:56.91 so that's 70 years 00:21:56.95\00:21:58.61 plus the 18 or so years when he got there in 605 B.C. 00:21:58.65\00:22:02.85 so he's 88... 89 years of age. 00:22:02.88\00:22:04.99 He's not... he's not a young guy 00:22:05.02\00:22:07.12 pause 00:22:07.16\00:22:09.39 and you can see that the travails 00:22:09.42\00:22:16.50 of serving the Lord so long and so many plots 00:22:16.53\00:22:19.13 and so many things are beginning to wear on him 00:22:19.17\00:22:21.70 because over and over you see he was sick certain days... 00:22:21.77\00:22:25.11 he fainted certain days... 00:22:25.14\00:22:26.47 he was on the ground on his face certain days 00:22:26.51\00:22:28.71 he's... he's not a young person 00:22:28.74\00:22:30.31 and yet heaven has got a lot more to... to... to tell him 00:22:30.35\00:22:38.65 pause 00:22:38.69\00:22:40.59 and so, heaven dispatches Gabriel to his side 00:22:40.62\00:22:48.93 to support him 00:22:48.96\00:22:50.53 and Gabriel comes with a message 00:22:50.57\00:22:54.27 "I'm... I'm here because we... we love you... " 00:22:54.30\00:23:02.51 pause 00:23:02.54\00:23:05.85 and when I saw that, I... I... I envied him. 00:23:05.88\00:23:10.62 Pause. 00:23:10.65\00:23:19.69 I would like to be so used of God 00:23:19.73\00:23:22.06 pause 00:23:22.10\00:23:27.47 that heaven could say, 00:23:27.50\00:23:30.44 "You are greatly loved in... in heaven. " 00:23:30.47\00:23:33.41 Audience loudly: Amen. 00:23:33.44\00:23:36.58 Pause. 00:23:36.61\00:23:38.58 And to know that an angel can come down and assist you 00:23:38.61\00:23:48.12 and then in chapter 10, 00:23:48.16\00:23:56.36 God the Son turns to his Father 00:23:56.40\00:23:58.47 pause 00:23:58.50\00:24:01.17 and says, "You know, that... 00:24:01.20\00:24:04.47 that's our guy down there, 00:24:04.51\00:24:07.74 pause 00:24:07.78\00:24:10.41 I think I should go down there and help him. " 00:24:10.45\00:24:13.25 Pause. 00:24:13.28\00:24:15.85 And so, in chapter 10, 00:24:15.88\00:24:18.09 Christ Himself comes to aid Daniel 00:24:18.15\00:24:20.46 pause 00:24:20.49\00:24:25.73 and it's marvelous to know 00:24:25.76\00:24:29.03 that God will give you as much help as you need 00:24:29.06\00:24:35.34 when you need it. 00:24:35.37\00:24:38.01 Audience: Amen. 00:24:38.04\00:24:40.64 Pause... 00:24:40.68\00:24:46.58 more pause... 00:24:46.61\00:24:49.02 What is interesting as you bring 00:24:49.05\00:24:52.19 chapters 9 and chapters 6 together 00:24:52.22\00:24:55.32 pause 00:24:55.36\00:24:58.49 is that 00:24:58.53\00:25:01.56 the Lions' Den incident 00:25:01.60\00:25:05.83 is hatched while Daniel is at his strongest 00:25:05.87\00:25:11.57 pause 00:25:11.61\00:25:13.41 and in chapter 9, 00:25:13.48\00:25:17.45 Gabriel comes 00:25:17.48\00:25:20.18 to help Daniel understand 00:25:20.22\00:25:24.55 the 70-week prophecy which is to come. 00:25:24.59\00:25:27.42 Pause. 00:25:27.46\00:25:29.72 Daniel is fasting and praying and committing himself to God 00:25:29.76\00:25:37.00 he's praying three times a day, 00:25:37.03\00:25:41.40 he's fasting and humbling himself 00:25:41.44\00:25:45.71 because Gabriel is getting ready to show him some things 00:25:45.74\00:25:51.65 that are going to seriously disturb him. 00:25:51.68\00:25:56.22 Pause. 00:25:56.25\00:25:59.45 During this time, 00:25:59.49\00:26:00.89 pause... 00:26:00.92\00:26:06.29 and I don't know why I'm getting... 00:26:06.33\00:26:07.76 pause... 00:26:07.80\00:26:12.47 during this time... 00:26:12.50\00:26:14.04 they are plotting to take this 80-plus-year-old man's life 00:26:14.10\00:26:21.58 pause 00:26:21.64\00:26:26.05 more pause... 00:26:26.08\00:26:29.32 and Daniel chapter 9 verse 21 says 00:26:29.35\00:26:36.02 that when Daniel began to humble himself, 00:26:36.06\00:26:43.47 the angel Gabriel was swiftly dispatched to assist him 00:26:43.50\00:26:52.01 because his prayer was going to be answered 00:26:52.04\00:26:56.98 but he wasn't going to necessarily like the way 00:26:57.01\00:27:01.95 that prayer was answered. 00:27:01.98\00:27:03.32 Pause. 00:27:03.35\00:27:05.15 So, Daniel says, "Gabriel got there 00:27:05.19\00:27:08.82 about the time of the evening sacrifice. 00:27:08.86\00:27:12.16 So he got there late afternoon. 00:27:12.19\00:27:14.26 Ellen White says that the Medo-Persian conspirators 00:27:14.30\00:27:23.54 watched Daniel pray three times that day 00:27:23.57\00:27:30.18 before they went and told the king 00:27:30.21\00:27:33.05 pause 00:27:33.11\00:27:34.62 so that means that during Daniel's third prayer 00:27:34.65\00:27:44.16 while they are watching 00:27:44.19\00:27:46.29 Gabriel was already there. 00:27:46.33\00:27:49.36 Audience: Amen. 00:27:49.43\00:27:51.10 He was there... 00:27:51.13\00:27:52.93 so they go and tell the king 00:27:52.97\00:27:56.27 and the King... the Bible says... 00:27:56.30\00:28:00.34 fought till sundown to free Daniel 00:28:00.38\00:28:04.38 but he couldn't do it. 00:28:04.41\00:28:06.65 Pause. 00:28:06.68\00:28:09.72 Now, Gabriel was already there... 00:28:09.75\00:28:12.32 this is why you need time sometimes 00:28:12.35\00:28:14.92 to go into these things. 00:28:14.96\00:28:16.36 Pause. 00:28:16.39\00:28:19.33 Gabriel was there for another reason. 00:28:19.36\00:28:22.80 He's getting ready to tell Daniel about the 70 weeks 00:28:22.83\00:28:26.80 but it occurs to me, my dear Pastor, 00:28:26.84\00:28:32.61 that angels can multi-task. 00:28:32.64\00:28:35.78 Audience: Amen. Pastor: Amen. 00:28:35.81\00:28:38.91 Audience louder: Amen. 00:28:38.95\00:28:42.05 So, when Daniel... I mean Gabriel was there already 00:28:42.08\00:28:48.46 and Daniel was aware that Gabriel was by his side, 00:28:48.49\00:28:54.83 that's what 9:21 says, 00:28:54.86\00:28:56.36 "I know he's there... 00:28:56.40\00:28:57.83 he got here... during my third prayer. " 00:28:57.87\00:29:02.84 So, when Daniel went into the Lions' Den, 00:29:02.90\00:29:07.84 pause 00:29:07.88\00:29:10.08 my assumption is, Gabriel said, 00:29:10.11\00:29:14.38 "I'm here already... " 00:29:14.45\00:29:17.39 so when Daniel went in... my thesis is 00:29:17.42\00:29:25.63 Gabriel walked in with him. 00:29:25.66\00:29:28.10 Audience: Amen. 00:29:28.13\00:29:29.66 We know some angel went in 00:29:29.70\00:29:33.74 because the next morning when the king said, 00:29:33.77\00:29:36.87 "Has your God 00:29:36.91\00:29:38.71 whom you continually serve delivered you?" 00:29:38.77\00:29:41.71 Daniel said, "The angel of the Lord has shut the lions' mouth" 00:29:41.74\00:29:48.78 now Gabriel was already on site. 00:29:48.82\00:29:51.25 Audience: Amen. 00:29:51.29\00:29:52.72 Pastor: Amen. 00:29:52.75\00:29:54.09 Audience: Amen. 00:29:54.12\00:29:55.46 So, when Daniel walked into the Lions' Den, 00:29:55.49\00:29:59.09 Gabriel walked right in there with him. 00:29:59.13\00:30:02.90 Audience: Amen... amen... 00:30:02.93\00:30:04.43 Scared? No sir... he wasn't scared... 00:30:04.47\00:30:10.14 because he had "angel comfort" and "angel custody" 00:30:10.17\00:30:15.34 and an "angel consort" that whole night 00:30:15.38\00:30:18.55 and it was the angel that shuts the lions' jaw 00:30:18.58\00:30:22.58 so, you don't see that until you put Daniel chapter 9 00:30:22.62\00:30:27.46 right on top of Daniel chapter 6. 00:30:27.49\00:30:29.26 Daniel is an old man now, 00:30:29.29\00:30:31.26 he's been with the Lord a long time. 00:30:31.29\00:30:33.40 He... he doesn't need necessarily to pray for himself 00:30:33.43\00:30:37.17 because he's locked in with the Lord, 00:30:37.20\00:30:39.23 he's praying for his people... 00:30:39.27\00:30:40.97 Audience: Amen... amen. 00:30:41.00\00:30:43.51 He's praying for Israel... 00:30:43.57\00:30:46.01 and here's why I know that is so. 00:30:46.04\00:30:49.98 We're getting ready to walk into the 490-year prophecy. 00:30:50.05\00:30:57.85 that's what Gabriel has come to explain to Daniel. 00:30:57.89\00:31:02.22 Pause. 00:31:02.26\00:31:04.83 You will see that Gabriel says to Daniel, 00:31:04.86\00:31:09.70 "490 years are determined for your people. " 00:31:09.73\00:31:14.50 You got 490 years to get this right... 00:31:14.54\00:31:19.87 That means that it's not right now... 00:31:19.94\00:31:25.21 amen... 00:31:25.25\00:31:26.98 and you got 490... to get it right. 00:31:27.02\00:31:30.65 "but the reason you've got 490 is because it's not right. " 00:31:30.69\00:31:38.69 And Daniel must have known that at the end of the 490... 00:31:38.73\00:31:46.74 things would still not be right, 00:31:46.77\00:31:50.84 he had to know that. 00:31:50.91\00:31:53.88 Pause. 00:31:53.91\00:31:55.38 He couldn't see down through the 1,260... 00:31:55.41\00:31:58.75 he couldn't see down through the 2,300 days... 00:31:58.78\00:32:02.48 those visions were sealed... 00:32:02.52\00:32:04.35 but he could see down to the time of Christ 00:32:04.39\00:32:07.12 and if he saw down to the time of Christ, 00:32:07.16\00:32:09.82 he had to see and know 00:32:09.86\00:32:12.03 that things would be as bad at the time of Christ 00:32:12.06\00:32:15.13 as they were right then when he got that prophecy. 00:32:15.16\00:32:18.20 That's why he was sick, that's why he was fainting, 00:32:18.23\00:32:21.00 that's why his face was to the ground 00:32:21.04\00:32:23.20 because he realized that after 490 years, 00:32:23.24\00:32:25.41 nothing was going to change. 00:32:25.44\00:32:27.71 Pause. 00:32:27.74\00:32:32.85 And so the Lord sends Gabriel down to help 00:32:32.91\00:32:38.99 because Daniel admits, "I'm overwhelmed" 00:32:39.02\00:32:45.09 pause 00:32:45.13\00:32:48.36 because I've been given a view of the future 00:32:48.40\00:32:51.63 and nothing is going to change. " 00:32:51.67\00:32:58.31 Pause. 00:32:58.34\00:33:00.68 The truth is, Ladies and Gentlemen, 00:33:00.71\00:33:03.65 except for very few moments, 00:33:03.68\00:33:05.55 the history of Israel is a history of failure. 00:33:05.58\00:33:11.69 Pause. 00:33:11.72\00:33:15.69 They never got it right 00:33:15.72\00:33:17.49 and that's what Daniel was forced to see 00:33:17.53\00:33:21.83 when he looked at that prophecy. 00:33:21.86\00:33:24.37 That's why the angel had to walk him through that prophecy 00:33:24.40\00:33:29.77 because God was going to show him these people 00:33:29.80\00:33:35.38 that you care so much about 00:33:35.41\00:33:37.88 are never going to get it right 00:33:37.91\00:33:42.32 and 500 years from today, 00:33:42.35\00:33:46.45 nothing will have changed. 00:33:46.49\00:33:50.29 Christ will come and live and die and... 00:33:50.33\00:33:58.20 and be rejected... 00:33:58.23\00:34:03.27 pause 00:34:03.30\00:34:11.31 and Gabriel tells him, "That is not a reflection on you 00:34:11.35\00:34:17.29 for you are greatly loved. " 00:34:17.32\00:34:22.96 So now it begins, 00:34:22.99\00:34:25.83 pause 00:34:25.86\00:34:28.36 Gabriel speaks to Daniel and lets him know 00:34:28.40\00:34:36.44 that seventy weeks are determined for your people 00:34:36.47\00:34:43.08 and the holy city... 00:34:43.11\00:34:45.45 "You've got 490 years... " 00:34:45.51\00:34:52.12 pause 00:34:52.15\00:34:55.29 and so this prophetic utterance 00:34:55.32\00:34:58.96 is addressed to the Jewish nation 00:34:58.99\00:35:02.63 and the city of Jerusalem. 00:35:02.66\00:35:05.30 Let's look at the word, "Determined" in Hebrew. 00:35:05.33\00:35:09.80 It is: chathak 00:35:09.87\00:35:13.61 and actually if the Jews are pronouncing it, 00:35:13.64\00:35:18.38 it would be "Kathak" 00:35:18.41\00:35:21.72 it means to cut off from 00:35:21.75\00:35:24.99 the inference is that a piece is being cut off 00:35:25.05\00:35:29.92 of something larger and longer. 00:35:29.96\00:35:32.46 So, 70 weeks now is segmented or separated 00:35:32.49\00:35:37.03 out of a pre-determined length of time. 00:35:37.07\00:35:41.80 The subject are the Jews and Jerusalem 00:35:41.84\00:35:46.54 and so the question then is "When does it start?" 00:35:46.57\00:35:52.78 And I like the translation from the New Living Translation, 00:35:52.81\00:35:56.89 the Living Bible is not a Bible you use for Bible Study 00:35:56.92\00:36:00.99 you can use it for inspiration 00:36:01.02\00:36:03.46 and I like this translation, 00:36:03.49\00:36:05.86 this is the New Living Translation, it says, 00:36:05.89\00:36:08.26 "A period of seventy sets of seven 00:36:08.33\00:36:11.63 has been decreed for your people 00:36:11.67\00:36:14.90 and your holy city to finish their rebellion... " 00:36:14.94\00:36:19.81 You see, Israel was in a constant state of rebellion 00:36:19.87\00:36:25.15 against God 00:36:25.18\00:36:26.51 and the Lord was telling Daniel, 00:36:26.55\00:36:28.48 "I'm giving you 490 additional years 00:36:28.55\00:36:31.89 to end this rebellious situation. " 00:36:31.95\00:36:35.22 You see, the world is still in rebellion today 00:36:35.26\00:36:38.89 and God is giving us time to end the rebellion. 00:36:38.93\00:36:42.40 Pause. 00:36:42.43\00:36:44.57 You got 490 years to end the rebellion 00:36:44.60\00:36:47.30 and that's why Daniel was so sick 00:36:47.34\00:36:49.07 because he knew at the end of the 490 years, 00:36:49.10\00:36:52.51 the rebellion would still be going on. 00:36:52.54\00:36:54.44 Pause. 00:36:54.51\00:36:57.41 The word for rebellion is "pesha" 00:36:57.45\00:37:00.52 I think I have that here... pesha... 00:37:00.55\00:37:03.79 it means a moral or national revolt 00:37:03.82\00:37:07.06 and so, God is telling Daniel, 00:37:07.09\00:37:10.16 "I'm going to give your people my people... 00:37:10.19\00:37:12.89 490 years to end their revolt against the rule of God. 00:37:12.96\00:37:19.90 Pause. 00:37:19.93\00:37:22.34 70 weeks to end the rebellion, 00:37:22.40\00:37:25.17 to put down the revolt, 00:37:25.24\00:37:27.98 to make an end of sins, 00:37:28.01\00:37:30.68 to make reconciliation for iniquity, 00:37:30.71\00:37:34.52 to bring in everlasting righteousness, 00:37:34.55\00:37:37.99 to seal up the vision and prophecy 00:37:38.02\00:37:41.42 and to anoint the most High. 00:37:41.46\00:37:45.13 That's what this time is for 00:37:45.19\00:37:48.83 and here is where it starts. 00:37:48.86\00:37:52.50 Daniel chapter 9 verse 25. 00:37:52.53\00:37:56.14 Pause. 00:37:56.17\00:37:59.11 "Know therefore and understand, 00:37:59.14\00:38:01.51 that from the going forth of the command 00:38:01.54\00:38:04.45 to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince 00:38:04.51\00:38:07.65 shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; 00:38:07.68\00:38:11.92 the street shall be built again, 00:38:11.95\00:38:14.72 and the wall, even in troublous times. " 00:38:14.76\00:38:17.49 And so, this time was to start 00:38:17.53\00:38:19.86 at the going forth of the decree. 00:38:19.89\00:38:22.13 Now, we've got a little homework assignment here 00:38:22.16\00:38:25.53 because the Bible shows us 00:38:25.57\00:38:28.20 that there are actually three decrees. 00:38:28.24\00:38:30.57 Cyrus issues a decree in... 00:38:30.61\00:38:35.11 it's found in Ezra chapter 1 verses 1 through 4, 00:38:35.14\00:38:41.45 that's the decree of Cyrus. 00:38:41.48\00:38:44.45 It was issued in 538 B.C. 00:38:44.49\00:38:47.39 That decree said that you can take back the holy implements 00:38:47.42\00:38:52.56 back to Jerusalem... 00:38:52.59\00:38:54.30 so those things that Nebuchadnezzar had brought out 00:38:54.33\00:38:57.57 and that Belshazzar had defamed... 00:38:57.60\00:38:59.80 they can go back. 00:38:59.83\00:39:01.17 And then Dareeus or Darius issues a decree 00:39:01.20\00:39:04.57 found in Ezra chapter 6 verses 1 through 12, 00:39:04.74\00:39:07.71 his decree issued in 519 B.C. 00:39:07.74\00:39:12.71 this reaffirmed the original decree 00:39:12.75\00:39:14.92 and added some other kinds of things. 00:39:14.95\00:39:17.09 It was basically an affirmation of 00:39:17.12\00:39:19.19 and a little expansion of the original decree by Cyrus 00:39:19.22\00:39:22.49 and then, Artaxerxes issues a decree in 457 B.C. 00:39:22.52\00:39:29.46 This decree is much more comprehensive. 00:39:29.50\00:39:33.37 It is the longest of the decrees 00:39:33.40\00:39:35.94 it's found in Ezra chapter 7 verses 11 to 26 00:39:35.97\00:39:39.71 and it allows for the rebuilding of the city... 00:39:39.74\00:39:43.28 the rebuilding of the wall and the establishment 00:39:43.31\00:39:46.82 of administrative practices in Jerusalem... 00:39:46.85\00:39:49.48 in other words, the decree that was issued in 457 00:39:49.52\00:39:55.66 allowed Jerusalem to live again. 00:39:55.69\00:39:58.99 It gave sovereignty to the Jewish people. 00:39:59.03\00:40:02.76 Now, we find this from Ezra chapter 6 verse 14 00:40:02.80\00:40:05.93 that really all three decrees work together 00:40:05.97\00:40:09.07 but the decree that begins 00:40:09.10\00:40:12.34 the time period of the 70 weeks is 457 B.C. 00:40:12.37\00:40:18.05 The second half of that prophecy 00:40:18.08\00:40:22.32 terminates with Messiah the Prince. 00:40:22.35\00:40:26.55 "So the elders of the Jews built, 00:40:26.59\00:40:30.73 and they prospered 00:40:30.76\00:40:32.33 through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet 00:40:32.36\00:40:35.26 and Zechariah the son of Iddo. 00:40:35.33\00:40:37.03 "And they built and finished it, 00:40:37.07\00:40:38.73 according to the commandment of the God of Israel, 00:40:38.77\00:40:43.81 and according to the commandment of Cyrus, Darius... or Dareeus 00:40:43.84\00:40:48.58 and Artaxerxes king of Persia. " 00:40:48.61\00:40:51.81 So, really, all three decrees worked together 00:40:51.88\00:40:54.68 but it was the third and final decree 00:40:54.75\00:40:57.45 that became the starting point for the 70 weeks 00:40:57.49\00:41:02.39 or the 69 weeks plus one week. 00:41:02.42\00:41:05.59 That takes us to the baptism of Jesus 00:41:05.63\00:41:11.27 and it was at His baptism that Jesus became the Anointed One 00:41:11.33\00:41:18.24 or the Messiah. 00:41:18.27\00:41:20.38 You've got those three terms, 00:41:20.41\00:41:22.14 one English... one Hebrew... one Greek... 00:41:22.18\00:41:24.78 Messiah is English... it is not purely English 00:41:24.81\00:41:27.95 but it is English enough, 00:41:27.98\00:41:29.62 you've got the Anointed One 00:41:29.65\00:41:31.22 which is the Hebrew meaning of Messiah 00:41:31.25\00:41:34.09 and then you've got Christ or Christo... which is Greek. 00:41:34.12\00:41:37.69 So Christ... Jesus became Christ 00:41:37.73\00:41:42.23 at His baptism 00:41:42.26\00:41:44.57 and that is when his work began in time... on time... in 27 A.D. 00:41:44.60\00:41:50.57 And then Gabriel informs Daniel 00:41:50.61\00:41:54.51 that in the midst of that last week, 00:41:54.54\00:41:56.75 three and a half years later Messiah would be cut off. 00:41:56.78\00:42:00.95 So, Christ's earthly ministry 00:42:00.98\00:42:03.22 lasted a short three and a half years. 00:42:03.25\00:42:05.49 Now, that's His earthly ministry. 00:42:05.52\00:42:07.22 Thank God His heavenly ministry is going on even till today. 00:42:07.26\00:42:10.19 Audience: Amen. 00:42:10.23\00:42:11.56 So, you're still getting benefits 00:42:11.59\00:42:13.13 of that three-and-a-half-year walk with us 00:42:13.16\00:42:14.86 but His earthly ministry was three and a half years. 00:42:14.90\00:42:18.37 He suffered at the end of that time... "the second death" 00:42:18.40\00:42:22.60 so that we do not have to. 00:42:22.64\00:42:24.97 There are many, many prophecies in the Old Testament 00:42:25.01\00:42:29.34 that speak of who Jesus is and what Jesus came to do 00:42:29.38\00:42:33.68 but Daniel 9:25 is unique because it pinpoints the Messiah 00:42:33.72\00:42:40.56 500 years before He actually came 00:42:40.59\00:42:43.73 and more than that, 00:42:43.76\00:42:45.66 it gives us a view of His work, His suffering and His death, 00:42:45.69\00:42:50.73 how He lived... how long He lived... 00:42:50.77\00:42:53.70 what He was going to do for us 00:42:53.74\00:42:55.70 and it gives us clues as to what He is doing in heaven even now. 00:42:55.74\00:42:59.74 Isaiah gives a beautiful picture of Christ. 00:42:59.77\00:43:03.14 Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, 00:43:03.18\00:43:06.55 Everlasting Father... 00:43:06.58\00:43:07.92 but Daniel gives us precise ideas of who Jesus was, 00:43:07.95\00:43:13.09 when He was going to come and what He was going to do 00:43:13.12\00:43:18.23 so the Bible alludes now to 490 years. 00:43:18.26\00:43:23.77 Verse 25 slips in... 00:43:23.80\00:43:26.57 and we find that in Leviticus chapter 25 verse 8 00:43:26.60\00:43:31.14 the Bible says, "Count all seven years of seven" 00:43:31.17\00:43:35.68 it gives you 49 years... 00:43:35.74\00:43:37.81 what the Bible is doing here... 00:43:37.85\00:43:40.15 it's slipping in jubilee language 00:43:40.18\00:43:43.85 and the jubilee is a sermon in itself 00:43:43.89\00:43:47.49 the Bible is slipping in jubilee language 00:43:47.52\00:43:50.13 and when you talk about jubilee language, 00:43:50.16\00:43:52.73 you're talking about freedom language. 00:43:52.76\00:43:55.30 So, whenever you hear "Jubilee" 00:43:55.33\00:43:57.93 in your mind... think "Freedom" 00:43:57.97\00:44:00.50 because in the Jubilee Year, all went free. 00:44:00.54\00:44:04.71 In the Jubilee Year, 00:44:04.74\00:44:07.34 that which was bound was set free. 00:44:07.38\00:44:09.64 In the Jubilee Year, 00:44:09.68\00:44:11.88 that which was rented out returned to its owner. 00:44:11.91\00:44:15.58 In the Jubilee Year, all debts were canceled. 00:44:15.62\00:44:19.25 In the Jubilee Year, 00:44:19.29\00:44:21.32 freedom was brought to all people 00:44:21.36\00:44:26.13 and so Christ used Jubilee language in His preaching. 00:44:26.19\00:44:32.40 Paul said in Romans chapter 6 verse 18, 00:44:32.43\00:44:37.37 "You have been set free from sin 00:44:37.41\00:44:40.68 and become slaves of righteousness. " 00:44:40.71\00:44:44.35 That was Christ's method and that was Christ's message. 00:44:44.38\00:44:50.39 That is a sermon and a study in itself. 00:44:50.42\00:44:54.72 Daniel must have understood and seen and been thrilled 00:44:54.76\00:45:00.40 at the fact that Jesus was coming to set His people free 00:45:00.43\00:45:06.03 but he must have been terrorized to understand 00:45:06.07\00:45:10.61 at the same point... that after 490 years, 00:45:10.64\00:45:15.14 his people would not be ready for that freedom. 00:45:15.18\00:45:18.25 Pause. 00:45:18.28\00:45:20.08 They would not accept that freedom. 00:45:20.12\00:45:22.42 They would not walk in that freedom. 00:45:22.45\00:45:24.72 That the message of jubilee would come to a people 00:45:24.75\00:45:29.76 who were so accustomed to bondage 00:45:29.82\00:45:33.53 and darkness 00:45:33.56\00:45:35.20 that they could not see the light 00:45:35.23\00:45:37.13 when it was shining in their eyes. 00:45:37.17\00:45:39.03 Isaiah stated... in Isaiah 61 00:45:39.07\00:45:44.74 that Christ would come to bring the acceptable year of the Lord 00:45:44.77\00:45:51.51 and isn't it interesting that in Luke chapter 4 verse 16 00:45:51.55\00:45:57.12 when Christ went into the temple 00:45:57.19\00:45:59.25 and stood up to read, 00:45:59.29\00:46:01.49 He opened up the Bible and where did He quote from? 00:46:01.52\00:46:04.09 He quoted from Isaiah 61. 00:46:04.13\00:46:06.13 Pause. 00:46:06.16\00:46:09.23 He quoted the acceptable year of the Lord. 00:46:09.26\00:46:11.53 He used Jubilee language. 00:46:11.57\00:46:14.20 Christ said, "I'm coming to open the gates of the prisons, 00:46:14.24\00:46:19.24 I am coming to proclaim an acceptable year of the Lord 00:46:19.27\00:46:24.11 to those of you who have indentured yourself to sin. 00:46:24.15\00:46:28.92 That's my message and that is my mission. " 00:46:28.95\00:46:34.36 And Daniel saw that 00:46:34.42\00:46:37.23 and it must have grieved his heart to know and understand 00:46:37.26\00:46:41.13 that when Christ would bring that message, 00:46:41.16\00:46:44.40 His people would simply not be ready. 00:46:44.43\00:46:48.40 Pause. 00:46:48.44\00:46:51.01 Christ said, "Today, this is fulfilled in your ears" 00:46:51.04\00:46:56.58 and do you know what their response was? 00:46:56.64\00:46:59.61 They took up stones to kill Him 00:46:59.65\00:47:03.18 because they were not ready for freedom. 00:47:03.22\00:47:06.59 You know, the Bible says, 00:47:06.62\00:47:07.96 "Men love darkness because their deeds are evil" 00:47:07.99\00:47:12.03 and you can live so long in darkness 00:47:12.06\00:47:15.46 that the light actually hurts your eyes 00:47:15.53\00:47:19.53 and they had been in darkness so long... 00:47:19.57\00:47:23.54 had been slaves to their own thinking for so long 00:47:23.57\00:47:27.88 that when the light came they preferred the darkness 00:47:27.91\00:47:32.18 and they were unwilling to accept the light. 00:47:32.21\00:47:36.95 So, Gabriel now in Daniel chapter 9 00:47:36.99\00:47:42.96 is giving Daniel the most defined delineated tracing 00:47:42.99\00:47:50.37 of the life and times of the Redeemer 00:47:50.40\00:47:53.00 anywhere in the Old Testament. 00:47:53.03\00:47:55.17 Let's look at Daniel chapter 9 verse 27. 00:47:55.20\00:48:00.18 The Bible says, 00:48:00.21\00:48:02.84 "... He shall confirm the covenant 00:48:02.88\00:48:05.38 with many for one week... " 00:48:05.41\00:48:08.38 Jesus told His disciples as He drank the cup, 00:48:08.42\00:48:13.66 "This is the blood of the covenant poured out for you 00:48:13.69\00:48:19.76 for forgiveness of sin. " 00:48:19.79\00:48:22.10 Christ confirmed the covenant by His life... His death... 00:48:22.13\00:48:28.77 and His resurrection. " 00:48:28.80\00:48:30.74 Christ's death... just hours 00:48:30.77\00:48:35.18 after this Last Supper experience, 00:48:35.21\00:48:38.61 ended the sacrificial system. 00:48:38.65\00:48:42.05 It ended the Temple Services. 00:48:42.08\00:48:45.62 It ended the keeping of feasts. 00:48:45.65\00:48:49.32 It ended all of those activities 00:48:49.36\00:48:52.99 that were looking forward to the death of Christ on the cross, 00:48:53.03\00:48:57.73 and by His death, 00:48:57.77\00:49:00.27 those activities lost their efficacy. 00:49:00.30\00:49:05.21 They were not necessary anymore 00:49:05.24\00:49:07.84 because Christ died once and once was enough. 00:49:07.88\00:49:13.65 Audience: Amen. 00:49:13.68\00:49:15.08 That's what the whole book of Hebrews was all about 00:49:15.12\00:49:16.89 that all of those rituals... 00:49:16.95\00:49:19.65 all of those things could never really cleanse sin 00:49:19.69\00:49:23.29 they were just looking forward to the time 00:49:23.32\00:49:26.46 when the death of Christ and His shed blood 00:49:26.49\00:49:29.63 would cleanse men and women from sin 00:49:29.66\00:49:32.43 and it only had to happen once. 00:49:32.47\00:49:35.04 So now, you don't have to suffer because Christ did. 00:49:35.07\00:49:39.01 You don't have to die because Christ did. 00:49:39.04\00:49:42.68 You don't have to be afraid of God 00:49:42.71\00:49:44.65 because Christ has made a blending... 00:49:44.68\00:49:47.98 a bridge between you and God 00:49:48.02\00:49:49.62 so now you can come to God boldly 00:49:49.65\00:49:52.12 because Christ has died for you. 00:49:52.15\00:49:54.42 When the veil was rent and the Holy of Holies was exposed 00:49:54.49\00:49:59.69 it signified that the Sanctuary System had run its due course 00:49:59.73\00:50:05.57 because the Lord had literally left the building. 00:50:05.60\00:50:11.44 He was not there anymore 00:50:11.47\00:50:13.91 and for the next several thousand years, 00:50:13.94\00:50:18.58 God would be pleased to dwell in the hearts of men and women. 00:50:18.61\00:50:24.92 He didn't want to dwell in a temple, 00:50:24.95\00:50:27.42 He didn't want to dwell in a building... 00:50:27.46\00:50:29.86 He would dwell from now on until the coming of Christ 00:50:29.92\00:50:33.33 in the hearts of men and women. 00:50:33.36\00:50:35.93 Audience: Amen. 00:50:35.96\00:50:37.30 And some 36 years later, that building... the Temple 00:50:37.33\00:50:40.20 and much of the city was destroyed. 00:50:40.24\00:50:42.07 It would become a pile of rubble and ashes... 00:50:42.10\00:50:45.87 not one stone left upon another... 00:50:45.91\00:50:49.11 but it didn't matter 00:50:49.14\00:50:50.75 because Christ was now building His Kingdom in our hearts. 00:50:50.78\00:50:56.55 Audience: Amen. 00:50:56.58\00:50:57.92 When Christ rose and went to heaven, 00:50:57.95\00:51:01.76 the ministry continued. 00:51:01.79\00:51:04.69 He confirmed it by sending us His Holy Spirit. 00:51:04.73\00:51:09.43 He confirmed it by sending us an abundance of grace. 00:51:09.46\00:51:14.74 He confirmed it by sending us His love and His mercy. 00:51:14.80\00:51:20.04 He confirmed it by sending us attending angels. 00:51:20.08\00:51:24.08 He confirmed it by sending us a message 00:51:24.11\00:51:27.62 of works done through the power of that spirit, 00:51:27.65\00:51:30.55 in Acts chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. 00:51:30.59\00:51:36.99 Pause. 00:51:37.03\00:51:40.60 And at the week... at the end of that week 00:51:40.63\00:51:45.23 when the national rejection of Christ 00:51:45.27\00:51:48.30 was sealed by the stoning of Stephen, 00:51:48.34\00:51:53.48 Jesus sent His love and He told us... 00:51:53.54\00:51:58.58 even though the wall... rather the stone of the wall 00:51:58.61\00:52:05.79 has been rejected by the builders, 00:52:05.82\00:52:09.46 the power of God is ever present, 00:52:09.52\00:52:13.26 is ever new and ever strong. 00:52:13.29\00:52:16.97 He confirmed it by the Pentecostal experience, 00:52:17.00\00:52:21.27 he confirmed it by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 00:52:21.30\00:52:25.31 and that at the end of the 490 years, 00:52:25.37\00:52:29.71 Paul and Barnabas said, 00:52:29.74\00:52:32.01 "We now are going to the Gentiles. " 00:52:32.05\00:52:35.12 But before that, Saul was knocked from his horse 00:52:35.15\00:52:40.12 and became Paul 00:52:40.16\00:52:42.46 and a Christian hater became a lover of Christ 00:52:42.49\00:52:49.00 and a saver of souls. 00:52:49.03\00:52:51.53 Peter was praying one night 00:52:51.57\00:52:54.80 and he saw a sheet full of unclean animals 00:52:54.84\00:52:58.24 and he said, "It is not my custom to eat unclean things" 00:52:58.27\00:53:03.21 and Paul... or rather the Lord had Peter to understand 00:53:03.24\00:53:08.18 "This has nothing to do with food... 00:53:08.22\00:53:10.62 what I want you to know is 00:53:10.65\00:53:13.19 don't call anybody for whom Christ has died 'unclean' 00:53:13.22\00:53:19.36 your mission now is to go to the world 00:53:19.39\00:53:24.67 and let the world know that Jesus saves. " 00:53:24.70\00:53:28.50 Meanwhile, a Roman soldier named Cornelius got converted 00:53:28.54\00:53:36.58 and he brought his whole family with him. 00:53:36.61\00:53:41.65 You see, the 490-year period that Daniel saw 00:53:41.68\00:53:46.69 must have distressed him 00:53:46.72\00:53:49.12 because he saw that the gospel was going to leave 00:53:49.16\00:53:54.46 a small select group of people 00:53:54.50\00:53:57.37 who had failed him 00:53:57.40\00:54:01.10 and now, the gospel was going to go to the whole world. 00:54:01.14\00:54:07.48 From now on, it was going to be 00:54:07.51\00:54:11.45 "Whosoever will... let him come. " 00:54:11.48\00:54:14.92 From now on, it was going to be, 00:54:14.95\00:54:18.35 "Take the Word to the north, 00:54:18.42\00:54:20.59 the south, the east and the west. " 00:54:20.62\00:54:24.03 From now on, it was going to be, 00:54:24.06\00:54:27.43 "Christ has died for all" 00:54:27.46\00:54:30.03 and the Gentiles now become grafted in 00:54:30.07\00:54:33.80 and become heirs to the promise 00:54:33.84\00:54:37.04 because of the death of Christ and their faith in Him. 00:54:37.07\00:54:42.04 Daniel could not see down to our day 00:54:42.08\00:54:45.45 for the vision was sealed 00:54:45.48\00:54:47.72 but what he saw gave him pause. 00:54:47.78\00:54:52.52 What he saw was that God was going to take the gospel 00:54:52.55\00:55:00.33 to whoever would receive it. 00:55:00.36\00:55:03.06 Audience: Amen. 00:55:03.10\00:55:04.57 Sad news for the Jewish community, 00:55:04.60\00:55:08.14 but good news for you and I. 00:55:08.17\00:55:11.24 Audience: Amen. 00:55:11.27\00:55:12.87 For now, we can come to the Lord, 00:55:12.91\00:55:15.78 we don't have to become Jews first, 00:55:15.84\00:55:18.91 we come to Jesus and we become Spiritual Israel 00:55:18.95\00:55:25.49 through Christ 00:55:25.52\00:55:27.36 and Daniel saw this and it made him ill 00:55:27.39\00:55:31.46 but Gabriel said, "That's okay" 00:55:31.49\00:55:38.27 and then he puts a little interesting text 00:55:38.33\00:55:42.17 at the end of this chapter, 00:55:42.20\00:55:45.71 he says, "One day, you are going to stand in your place, 00:55:45.77\00:55:51.71 and see the salvation of the Lord. 00:55:51.75\00:55:54.42 The vision is afar off... 00:55:54.48\00:55:57.79 but the vision is sure... 00:55:57.85\00:56:01.09 and it's interpretation true... 00:56:01.12\00:56:04.16 for He that shall come will come and will not tarry. " 00:56:04.19\00:56:12.33 Audience: Amen. 00:56:12.37\00:56:13.70 Shall we pray, "Father God, 00:56:13.74\00:56:15.07 we praise you now 00:56:15.10\00:56:16.81 and we thank you 00:56:16.87\00:56:18.91 because what Daniel saw frightened him 00:56:18.94\00:56:24.61 but what we see in the future, gives us hope and courage. 00:56:24.65\00:56:32.35 Pause. 00:56:32.39\00:56:34.49 It gives us joy in our hearts 00:56:34.52\00:56:36.42 for there is coming a time of trouble 00:56:36.49\00:56:40.66 but Jesus is coming also, 00:56:40.70\00:56:47.67 and we know that through Christ, 00:56:47.70\00:56:51.27 we are overcomers 00:56:51.31\00:56:55.74 and we will overcome 00:56:55.78\00:57:00.12 and we shall see Christ face to face. 00:57:00.15\00:57:07.12 Keep us faithful, dear Lord, 00:57:07.16\00:57:12.83 until we see you face to face... 00:57:12.86\00:57:18.47 until it is our privilege to walk through the gates 00:57:18.53\00:57:23.87 and into the City... 00:57:23.91\00:57:25.67 until it is our privilege to sit around the great throne 00:57:25.71\00:57:32.81 and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. 00:57:32.85\00:57:37.62 A song that angels cannot sing, 00:57:37.65\00:57:42.72 for they have never felt the joy 00:57:42.76\00:57:47.80 that our salvation brings. 00:57:47.86\00:57:50.83 Bless us to this end... we praise you... 00:57:50.87\00:57:56.30 we thank you... in Jesus' name, amen. " 00:57:56.34\00:58:01.68 Audience: Amen. 00:58:01.74\00:58:03.91