Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples
Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Angelic Ministry Daniel 10: 1 -21 • We are creatures of the four dimensions of the time-space continuum: ➢ Length, Depth, Height & Time • Scripture declares there is a spiritual dimension into which we get occasional glimpses
Angelic Ministry Daniel 10: 1 -21 • It has been two years since Daniel received the revelation concerning the 70 weeks from Gabriel
The Revelation of a Message Daniel 10: 1 -4 • Daniel served the Babylonian empire until Cyrus conquered it, and then he served in the new empire • The truthfulness of the message about future events is emphasized because it would be hard to believe
Daniel’s Mourning Daniel 10: 2 -4 • Daniel’s fasting was part of his mourning. • Refraining from using skin ointments was a sign of sorrow and mourning (Eccl. 9: 8; 2 Sam. 14: 2) • Daniel is by the Hiddekel (Tigris river) on the 24 th of Nisan, which is 10 days after Passover
Daniel’s Mourning Daniel 10: 2 -4 • The year is 536 B. C. - two years after Cyrus’ decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple • There was opposition by the local people to the Jews rebuilding the Temple (Ezra 4)
The Terrifying Vision Daniel 10: 5 -9 • A white linen garment like a priest; • A belt of high quality gold; • A body like a jewel reflecting glory • A face like lightening, yet the eyes like flaming torches still visible;
The Terrifying Vision Daniel 10: 5 -9 • Revelation 1: 13 -16 • Similarity in the descriptions indicates this may have been a pre-incarnate appearance of Messiah
The Reaction Daniel 10: 7 -9 • The men with Daniel do not see what he saw, but were overcome with terror and fled to hide • Daniel is also overwhelmed, loses his strength and faints • Claims of people getting a message from the Lord or an angel must be tested by Scripture - 1 John 4: 1 -3
Angelic Ministry to Daniel 10: 10 -12 • The angel that touched him may have been different from the one he had seen before fainting • The angel shakes Daniel awake and encourages him until he is able to stand up though still trembling • The angel was there in response to Daniel’s prayer - Hebrews 1: 14
Angelic Ministry to Daniel 10: 10 -12 • 2 Kings 6 • Angels are around us even though we cannot see them Psalm 34: 7 • We may see & interact with angels without knowing it Hebrews 13: 2 (cf. Judges 13: 916; Genesis 18 & 19)
Angelic Ministry over Nations Daniel 10: 13 • Ephesians 6: 12 - Angels, good and evil, both have hierarchical organization – Ephesians 1: 20; 3: 10; 1 Peter 3: 22 • The “prince of the kingdom of Persia” is the demon in charge of satanic influence of that nation
Angelic Ministry over Nations Daniel 10: 13 • The angel speaking was hindered until helped by Michael who is an archangel - Jude 1: 9
Angelic Ministry Daniel 10: 14 -21 • Revelation of the Future - vs. 14. ➢ The angel has come to give Daniel understanding of future events • Daniel’s Response - vs. 15 -17. ➢ Daniel is overwhelmed again
Angelic Ministry Daniel 10: 14 -21 • Strengthening the Weak - vs. 18 -19. ➢ The angel again strengthens and encourages Daniel
The Continuing Ministry of Angels Daniel 10: 20 -21 • The angel will return to join Michael in the fight with the demon over Persia • Michael’s ministry is both national to Israel (Daniel 12: 1) and personal to Daniel • Winning a battle is not winning the war and Satan & his followers will continue to fight to the end –
The Continuing Ministry of Angels Daniel 10: 20 -21 • The angel is going to tell Daniel about the future by revealing what is written in the book of truth • God’s sovereignty is over people and nations (Psalm 139: 16).
The Continuing Ministry of Angels Daniel 10: 20 -21 • There are terrifying things that will occur in the future, ➢ but God has told us the end of the story. ➢ He wins.
- Slides: 18