Latest / Dwelling Place: The Bible for Moms / #181. Daniel 7-9: When the World Feels Chaotic, Remember The Ancient of Days Is on the Throne

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#181. Daniel 7-9: When the World Feels Chaotic, Remember The Ancient of Days Is on the Throne · Dwelling Place: The Bible for Moms

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  This is the Dwelling Place from Entrusted Ministries.
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  I'm Stephanie Hickox.
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  In studying Daniel chapters 7 through 9 We'll be reminded to fix our eyes on eternity and not on the circumstances we see before us As we live in a world that is frequently chaotic and often wicked We'll find
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  a peace that can only come from understanding that the Ancient of Days is reigning and sovereign And will rejoice as the Son of Man is coronated to receive the praise of a multitude comprised of every tribe, nation, and
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  tongue.
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  Daniel chapter seven is considered one of the most pivotal passages in all of the Old Testament and before we discuss its relevance, I wanted to point out that Daniel chapters two through seven have a chiastic structure.
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  If you recall, I had mentioned that Daniel's chapter one and then eight through 12 are written in Hebrew, but chapters two through seven are in Aramaic.
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  This is unique yet intentional.
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  and Michael Rydelnik explains the chiastic structure like this: In chapter two, Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the four kingdoms was described, and in chapter seven, the vision of the four beasts.
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  these chapters form the outside of the chiasm and describe the four Gentile kingdoms.
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  As we move inward, chapter three tells us about the fiery furnace and chapter six, the lion's den.
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  These both reflect persecution from two different Gentile kings.
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  and then in the center of the chiasm We read chapters four, which chronicles Nebuchadnezzar's insanity and Belshazzar's prideful fall But ultimately, they reveal God's sovereignty over the Gentile kings, and that's why this portion of Daniel was written in
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  Aramaic because these chapters cover God's dominion over Gentile nations The focus of chapter one, however, was to describe how the Jewish people could be faithful to the Lord even in the midst of a Gentile kingdom.
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  And then chapters eight through 12 describe the future of the nation of Israel and therefore are written in Hebrew.
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  Daniel chapter seven, we begin this section on Daniel's visions and prophecies.
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  Because we're limited in our time and because a lot of these prophecies are above my pay grade, I can't fully expound and explain all of these prophetic visions.
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  I'm just going to provide some highlights and focus our time mostly on how God's sovereignty guides our faith and our families.
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  Chapter 7 is right in the middle of Daniel, and the Moody Commentary says it's one of the most important chapters in the entire Old Testament.
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  This is because of the accuracy and the specificity of its prophecies, but also because the vision of the Son of Man is the centerpiece of Old Testament revelation concerning the Messiah This chapter certainly points forward to Christ.
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  Daniel was probably in his late 60s when he received the vision It was during the first year that Belshazzar was reigning in Babylon.
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  Daniel records seeing four beasts coming out of a tumultuous sea.
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  The first is like a lion with eagle's wings, but then its wings are plucked off.
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  It stands up like a man and has the mind of a man.
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  This corresponds with the head of gold from the dream in chapter two and represents Babylon and particularly Nebuchadnezzar.
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  In scripture, he's often referred to as a lion or an eagle.
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  His wings being plucked off most likely refer to his period of insanity and him standing back up to when his mental acuity was restored.
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  But he was conquered by a second beast.
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  Daniel describes him as a bear raised up with one side with three ribs in his mouth This corresponds with the chest and arms of silver in Nebuchadnezzar's statue And describes the Medo-Persian Empire.
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  One side of the bear is raised up because the Persian Empire was stronger.
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  These three bones in the bear's mouth probably indicate the three key victories that the Medo-Persians had in defeating the Babylonians, the Lydians, and the Egyptians.
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  Next, we have a flying leopard.
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  It has four wings and great speed and four heads.
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  the swiftness of this beast points to the Greek Empire, which was represented by the belly and thighs of bronze in chapter two.
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  obviously leopards represent speed, and this creature being able to fly as well reveals the stealthiness with which Alexander the Great conquered the known world.
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  It took him just ten years to extend his empire this far, while Cyrus, an incredible military strategist, took thirty years to do this, and he was never able to conquer Greece.
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  Upon Alexander's death, there was not an obvious successor, and he didn't have a son, so his kingdom was divided amongst four generals, which is represented by these four heads.
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  This is a highly unique situation and has never happened before in a major world power.
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  In the next couple chapters of Daniel, we'll continue reading about Alexander the Great's conquests, but I wanted to note that Josephus, a historian in the first century, born right after Jesus died, he wrote about a time that Alexander
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  the Great approached Judah.
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  They had been conquered several times.
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  And he was a ruthless warrior.
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  Think about how terrifying this would've been.
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  He was fiercely taking over the world, but when he came in 329 BC, some Jewish priests greeted him.
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  The high priest approached Alexander the Great and showed him some of these prophecies in Daniel that foretold his incredible conquests.
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  Alexander was so impressed and amazed that he was merciful with the Jewish people.
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  Not only does this account point to the accuracy of scripture and foretelling events, it's also a piece of evidence that reveals Daniel had to be written in the sixth century Because how could the priest show it to Alexander
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  the Great if it wasn't written yet?
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  See, Daniel is so accurate that critics are always looking for a means to explain it away.
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  some long to place it in the second century BC because they just don't understand how he could have accurately predicted all of these prophecies.
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  And if you would like to be further convinced, I'm gonna link to a fascinating article from the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology.
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  It breaks down argument after argument that tries to negate the integrity and accuracy of the Book of Daniel.
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  Even though the book reflects an abundance of eyewitness details So far, Daniel has been unlike Ezekiel in his visions.
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  He doesn't use the word like and likeness a lot.
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  God revealed to him animals he could describe, so he's explained it pretty accurately.
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  But the fourth beast is different And it stands for the Roman Empire.
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  Formerly, this was represented as the legs of iron and the feet of iron and clay, and here it's represented as a dreadful and terrifying beast that can't even be classified.
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  It has iron teeth and devours and tramples.
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  It's crowned with ten horns, which represent kings in scripture it has the near fulfillment of the ruthless Roman Empire, but also points to a final fulfillment in the last days with a revived Roman Empire.
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  These beasts are allowed and even ordained to create chaos and destruction on the earth, but they are held in check by the Ancient of Days.
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  As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took a seat.
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  His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool.
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  His throne was fiery flames.
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  Its wheels were burning fire.
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  A stream of fire issued and came out from before him.
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  A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
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  The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking.
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  And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
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  As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
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  I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
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  And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.
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  His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
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  This vision is radical.
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  Up until this point, only the Ancient of Days, or Yahweh, has been described as riding upon the clouds and seated upon the throne.
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  And now we have a second figure, the Son of Man, being introduced riding upon the clouds.
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  He is crowned with a kingdom to rule over all people.
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  This is clearly a messianic prophecy, and ultimately, it's these scriptures that sovereignly sent Jesus to the cross.
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  After Jesus was betrayed and was on trial, He kept silent, and they could find no charge against Him In Matthew 25:62 we read, And the high priest stood up and said, 'Have you no answer to make?
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  What is it that these men testify against you?'
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  But Jesus remained silent.
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  And the high priest said to him, I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.'
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  Jesus said to him, 'You have said so.
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  But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'
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  Then the high priest tore his robes and said, He has uttered blasphemy.
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  What further witness do we need?
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  they declared that Jesus deserved death They were fully aware of the power predicted in this prophecy.
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  If Jesus were not the Messiah, it would have been blasphemy.
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  But He absolutely was, and He proved it as He laid down His life for our sins, and then rose again to reign and intercede for us See this fire coming out of the throne of the Ancient of Days?
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  We can either be purified by it, or we can be destroyed by it as the beasts were.
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  In chapter eight, Daniel has another vision of these earthly kingdoms coming against each other.
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  What I find truly intriguing about this chapter is after Daniel has the vision, in eight fifteen he writes, When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it.
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  And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.
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  And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai."
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  Between the banks of the Ulai.
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  And it called, Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."
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  Gabriel explains it to him, but the chapter concludes, And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days.
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  Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it."
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  Even after an angel explains this to Daniel, he still admits, "I don't get it."
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  So when you and I come to some of these chapters of scripture and we're confused Sometimes that's okay There were things that Daniel wasn't supposed to understand at that point, but he was supposed to be faithful to record
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  it so that future generations could be warned in how to be faithful to the Lord, even amidst tribulation I don't bring up this lack of understanding as an excuse for you and I to stop pressing into the interpretation.
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  But it does show that sometimes there are certain things that we're supposed to understand in scripture, and then there are some things that will remain mysterious But what you and I have that Daniel didn't have is the fulfillment
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  of many of these things already occurring in history.
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  In fact, in chapter eight, it's prophesied that the temple would be destroyed in seventy AD.
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  Antiochus Epiphanes is described as a type of the Antichrist, and then the abominations of the Antichrist Verse 14 also gives us the exact timeline of the Jews celebrating Hanukkah after the temple was restored after the Maccabean Revolt.
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  We're gonna talk about all of these events more in chapters 10 through 12, but I wanted to leave time to talk about chapter 9 as well.
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  It happens during the first year of Darius.
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  Jeremiah was written just a short time prior, but Daniel already recognizes its authority as the word of God.
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  He studies it and realizes Jeremiah wrote that the people would be in exile for 70 years.
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  Daniel calculates that they've already been in exile 67 years, so they're coming close to the fulfillment And you might be surprised how he responds.
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  Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
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  This took me aback initially.
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  I would think that Daniel, being over 80 years at this point, wouldn't be as invested.
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  even if the people do return in a couple years, he wouldn't be able to make the 500-mile journey at his age.
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  But he cares so deeply for the nation, and ultimately about the Lord's word being fulfilled, that he intercedes on their behalf.
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  He prays for God to stay true to his covenant, and also that the people would be transformed It kind of reminds me of giving one of my kids a consequence and they're reaching the end of it, and I
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  realize I really don't think they learned the lesson Does something else need to happen for this to click for them Daniel wants to do all he can to ensure that God's children really get it, and he's also imploring
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  God's faithfulness.
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  He calls upon Yahweh, God's covenant-keeping name.
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  He uses that name repeatedly in this chapter, but it's the only chapter in Daniel that utilizes that name of God.
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  In much of our Western world, we have a very individualistic mindset, but Daniel cares sacrificially about his culture and his people listen to how invested he is And how humble his prayer is as we continue in nine four.
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  I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession saying, Oh Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.
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  We have sinned and done wrong, and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.
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  We have not listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
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  To you, oh Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us, open shame.
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  As at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of
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  the treachery that they have committed against you.
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  To us, oh Lord, belongs open shame.
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  To our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you."
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  To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws which he set before us by his servants, the
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  prophets Daniel continues his petition saying, "God, you're being faithful to exactly what you warned your people would happen according to the law of Moses."
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  You have been faithful.
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  We have been faithless He ends his plea, Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant."
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  And to his pleas for mercy, And for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.
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  O my God, incline your ear and hear.
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  Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that is called by your name.
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  For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
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  O Lord, hear.
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  O Lord, forgive.
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  O Lord, pay attention and act.
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  Delay not for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."
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  While he is speaking, the angel Gabriel comes and tells him, "Daniel, you are greatly loved.
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  And at the beginning of your prayer, I was sent."
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  The angel also shares that there is a lot more tribulation to come for the people.
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  He foretells awful destruction But in the midst of it, he gives the exact timeframe Jesus will enter Jerusalem in the triumphal entry In the next episode, as we conclude the Book of Daniel I'm gonna explain a little bit
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  more about why I think God lets so many bad things happen to His people on this earth And I will fully admit that in the chaos and the interruptions and the difficulties of the day-to-day, unless we keep our
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  eyes on our Savior, on our Savior's sovereignty, which sanctifies us through suffering, it's difficult to not despair.
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  But let's be reminded that wickedness is only allowed to reign for a time.
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  The Ancient of Days is seated on the throne and when he deems that a kingdom or beast be defeated, it happens immediately over our greatest enemy of sin and death Heavenly Father, we praise you for the opportunity to
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  walk in faith and keep our eyes fixed on you amidst the frustrations and friction of life, we ask that you would help us to keep our gaze fixed on your throne, to be reminded that the things we're seeing
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  are temporal Give us steadfast hope for the day that we will dwell with you and your glory will be more fully revealed to us.
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  I pray that the words of these prophecies would lead us to be a powerful witness for you, may we share the hope that we have that can only come from you.
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  We pray our families would be characterized by peace regardless of circumstances, and that it would be a light to those around us Continue to soften our children to walk in reverence toward you.
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  And Jesus, we thank you that you are the victorious Son of Man riding on the clouds, interceding on our behalf.
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  You deserve all praise, honor, and glory, and it's in your name we pray.
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  Amen