Cough - that's why I said - study from Daniel 1 - because we have only studied Daniel 9. Just sayin. Good post, Major we have a partial Daniel 6
All good stuff and as in any Bible study, anyone can ask to go back and we can pick up some point that is relevant to you.
I will go ahead and post the next set of verses so that we can keep moving forward.
Daniel 9:20-23
King James Version (KJV)
20 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;
21 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.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 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.
I have been thinking about this and I really should have made some comments before beginning at Chapter #9, but it was what was requested, so for the sake of context I will try and give you some insights that maybe we should consider and then it will also bring anyone interested up to date as a kind of updating.
The first couple of verses of chapter #9 bring back history, again. Then there is a prayer of Daniel to verse 19. This is a powerful prayer of dedication to God and care for others. It is a confession of Israel's sin and then his petition to God for Israel.
It is a wonderful example of what we all need to do in our prayer life on a daily basis...IMHO.
For the next 4 verses, 20-23 there is an interface with the angel Gabriel. The rest of chapter 9 is THE very powerful prophecy of "70 weeks". Most do not understand some of the symbolism and references because of lack of knowledge of interfacing with the rest of the Bible. Most ministers, pastors, etc. are afraid to talk about these prophecies because of lack of understanding, lack of belief, or refusal to talk about end times. MOST may not be an appropriate word to use here but it is what came to my mind first.
As an insight we see in Dan. 7:14, the eternal kingdom was of God ("Ancient of Days")is brought in by the "Son of Man". From this point in Daniel and on, the book describes a delay in the arrival of God's eternal kingdom by means of the 70 weeks description.
As I tried to indicate earlier, it seems to me that the "angel of the Lord", the pre-incarnate Christ spent the night with Daniel in the lions den and it appears to me that during that night He gave Daniel the plan for humanity.
In the mean time, His people would endure severe persecution and trials even to death. In chapter 12 there is a reassurance that all suffering is temporary. All those who persevere will participate in His final victory.
It should be noted there is some concern about whether Daniel's "end of time" should be the time of the end of Antiochus Epiphanes or should refer to the "end times" as referenced in Revelation. I believe that after one studies the book of the Revelation, after having studied the book of Daniel, will clear up those concerns completely.
In verses 20-23 the angel Gabriel is sent by God to bring Daniel more revelation. Just as a side note, Gabriel is not an Arch angel.
Many assume that he is, and he may in fact be one but the Scriptures do not records him as being one on the same status as Michael.
No big deal, just info.
What a blessing this visit to Daniel was!!! He is told that he is GREATLY BELOVED! We should all strive as believers before God to be able to have those same words spoken of us. It seems to me that Daniel's great concern for God's honor and for his people must have been part of the reason why he was so dearly loved by God.
Any thought friends???????