Lesson
13
Lesson
13
Waiting for the Rain
Daniel 10:1-4
Background
The ram and he-goat vision was given in
Belshazzar’s third and last year of reign.
•
• That vision was
about events after the fall.
Darius the Mede became the first king of the
Medo–Persian empire (The
Review and Herald,
3/21/1907, par. 9). He is not mentioned conclusively in historical records
outside of the Bible.
• E. G. White states
that he was the king noted in Daniel 6:1. It pleased Darius to “set over the
kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom.” –
The Review and Herald,
• It was during this
first and, likely, only year of Darius’ reign that Daniel 9 was given.
Cyrus, a nephew of Darius (Prophets and
Kings, p. 523), was the Medo-Persian general who brought Belshazzar and
• He took the throne
after a very brief reign of Darius.
• In Cyrus’ first year,
the 70 years of Babylonian captivity for the Jews ended (The Review and
Herald, 3/28/1907, par. 5).
“In the third year of Cyrus king of
This verse is Daniel’s conclusion of what
he is about to hear and experience. It is in third person as though he is a
reporter. The rest of the chapter will be in first person of things that led to
that conclusion!
What does he initially convey?
• The appointed time
(2300 years) is long into the future.
• Related to the
mareh vision
• Who reports it?
– Daniel the Jew who was
– Belteshazzar the statesman
• Why?
• This message is
so important that I want you to know my credibility is behind it.
• “The thing
was true.” I’m a Jew and a statesman.
• Until now, things
were unclear.
What is this “thing” that is “true?”
• The Hebrew word
dabar is used. It has many meanings.
• Here, it relates to
something already stated.
• A decree,
message or proclamation already made
• In this setting
(substantive – not imaginary but real) it means:
• God’s people
• Legally
• Will receive “due
process”
• What
proclamation? Daniel 8:14.
That 2300 evening and morning period was long
(that’s why he fainted shortly after it was given (
• I now understand.
• I understand the
mareh vision.
• God will have a group
of holy people.
• They will be forever
legally right with God.
• The sin issue will be
complete.
• The covenant will be
fulfilled.
How did Daniel understand finally the mareh
vision?
• What he sees, hears
and experiences from verses 2 through 9.
Daniel’s Story
“In those days I Daniel was mourning three
full weeks. 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.”
Daniel 10:2-3.
Daniel:
1. Fasted from any specialty
food and grape juice for three weeks
2. Didn’t use any deodorant
3. To understand God’s will,
the future of His people and work (The Sanctified Life, p. 49)
• Mourning means he was
grieving
• Because he didn’t
understand truth presented
Warning!
• Directly related to
this prayer, mourning and fasting comes this thought:
• “Those who claim to
be sanctified, while they have no desire to search the Scriptures or to wrestle
with God in prayer for a clearer understanding of Bible truth, know not what
true sanctification is.” – The Sanctified Life, 48.
• Riveting this deeper
into our hearts – what Daniel was given had nothing to do with “his people” at
that time!
“And in response to his supplications, light
from the heavenly courts was communicated for those who should live in the
latter days. With what earnestness, then, should we seek God, that He may open
our understanding to comprehend the truths brought to us from heaven.” – The
Sanctified Life, p. 50.
“And in the four and twentieth day of the
first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;”
Daniel 10:4.
The first month of the sacred Jewish year was
Abib (Exodus 12:2) (later called Nissan from Chaldean influence).
• Passover – Abib 14
had just occurred
• Feast of Unleavened
Bread has just occurred (next 7 days)
• The 24th was during
the 50 days, waiting for the Feast of Weeks.
• The 50 days of
waiting until what was later to be called Pentecost
• For an end-time
application, it represents!
• From the time of full
commitment to the blood of the lamb (Passover metaphor)
• From the time of putting
away sin (Unleavened Bread metaphor)
• Is a message for that time
that the 144,000 wait for the Latter Rain?
• The 50-day waiting period
for the sealing – firstfruits (Revelation 14:4)
Did Daniel’s Prayer Do Any Good?
“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel:
for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to
chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy
words.” Daniel 10:12.
“Fasting and fervent prayer to God have moved
the Lord to unlock His treasures of truth to their understanding.” –
Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 650.