Untitled 1

Lesson 3

Daniel’s Mighty Prayer

Daniel 9:3-19

To understand Daniel’s prayer and Gabriel’s response we must revisit God’s restoration theme. Redemption is based upon a plan that divinity conceived. It was given to man first in promise, then in unfolding steps. The key Biblical waymark was Christ’s death and resurrection.

• Prophecy tells how the plan would progress and finish.

• Daniel 8–12 fits into that map or template:

• It reveals how someday a holy people will be restored. That is the mareh vision.

• It reveals how Satan will try to block that but comes to his end. That is the chazown vision.

• The Plan

Promise – Prophecy – Fulfilling Way Marks – Completion

Daniel’s prayer tells an amazing story. It refers to the redemption promise, how God’s people listened to Satan instead of God. Daniel then pleas for another chance. Gabriel’s response is about that other chance.

To understand Daniel 9 and his prayer, we must grasp how man enters “The Plan.”

• It begins under the heading of covenant promises.

Covenant Promises – “Theology”

The 70 years of Babylonian captivity is about to end. Daniel wants to make sure his people will reconsecrate themselves and reverse any remaining issue that led to the captivity.

He is about to pray. What he will say is based on Israel’s failed commitment to promises they had made with God.

• They were called covenants.

• God’s covenants were/are legal agreements.

• Just like testaments or wills.

• God promises

• God stipulates

• He made a covenant with man, but warned:

“But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror.” Leviticus 26:14-16.

What does God promise? [His part]

• That we are to be His heirs – and

• “I will be to you a God, and ye shall be to me a people.” Leviticus 26:12.

• He will take man’s eternal death punishment upon Himself.

What does God stipulate? [Man’s part]

• Obedience

• “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.” Leviticus 26:3-4.

What activates a Will? [God’s part]

• The testator – the one making the will – must die.

• Then the heirs can receive their inheritance.

• But – you’re going to have to show a “birth certificate!” – new birth.

God’s legal testamentary documents, His covenants, have certain characteristics:

• God writes them Himself (He conceives, establishes, confirms and dispenses them).

• They are universal in scope (for every person).

• The promises God makes are permanent and everlasting (“I change not”).

Again, a covenant has two parts:

A Legal Challenge

God gifted Adam and Eve with high levels of reason, choice, imagination, memory and association of ideas.

• They could choose between God and Satan.

• That was a gift of moral freedom.

• God, however, saved one great moral decision for Himself.

The consequences of man’s choice was up to Him.

After Jesus died, He arose to become the probate attorney.

• But an attorney can also choose whom he will defend.

• That’s a problem.

• Will He defend me?

• He promised He’d defend the whole world!

Man Sinned – How can we ever prove we really are heirs?

The consequences of the smallest sin meant death (Genesis 2:17)! – no inheritance there!

• Wonder of wonders –

• As soon as there was sin, there was grace – a way of escape.

The mercy of God developed a plan where we could, in spite of having sinned, still prove we were heirs.

• God’s personality characteristic that permitted this is called love.

• The legal process, the covenant of grace.

• Judicial decisions are finally based on man’s choice. (God tells us beforehand how He will judge.)

Even though He died for us, how does He bypass the decreed separation because of sin?

• He adopts us.

• That’s how we can become heirs!

Here is the story of the covenant arrangements:

Covenant with Adam and Eve

• “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15.

• There would be a church (woman).

• Satan would hate it.

• He would eventually be destroyed.

• After a trial period the church would survive.

He then instituted the animal sacrifice as a prophetic picture of what would happen – it was a system of hope.

• The church would be redeemed – they could be saved and become heirs.

Adam and Eve never saw its fulfillment.

Covenant with Abraham

God said He would have a corporate people (woman–church) loyal to Him. Those plans would start with Abraham. He would be the corporate head of that people:

• God made this covenant with him.

• He would be the “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5).

• Kings would come through his descendants (17:6).

• God would be his God and to all his descendents (17:7).

• He would be given all the land of Canaan (17:8, 15:18).

• Sarah would be the “mother” of the nations.

Abraham and his descendants were instructed:

• To circumcise all males – that helped proved they were heirs.

• God also said that he had to walk uprightly before Him (Genesis 17:1). He had to train his children in the way of the Lord (Genesis 18:19) and be just and have good judgment (walk in obedience) (Genesis 18:19).

• Then they would be counted as heirs.

• But, before the promise could be fulfilled, Abraham had to sacrifice – his son Isaac – then came a Ram to his rescue. Then the Ram would be the church’s rite of passage.

• A lesson to him

• A lesson for us

Then God gave Abraham a clock – when everything would legally be activated.

• God passed in a “smoking furnace” and a “burning lamp” between divided animals (an ancient way of sealing a promise) to guarantee that Abraham and his descendants would be heirs.

• God said that his descendants would be in bondage 400 years (Genesis 15:13).

• Then the corporate people would emerge.

• God’s covenant promises are now in a timing context.

Adam and Eve had hope through a verbal promise. Abraham has a better hope within a time period.

• Abraham never saw the promise fulfilled.

• 400 years passed.

Then God heard the groans of the people and remembered His covenant. (This terminology in prophecy suggests something is coming to an end.) (Exodus 2:24).

• At Passover they began their journey from Egypt.

• At the sacrifice of the Lamb

• The blood on the doorposts of their hearts – they were given a rite of passage

• They began the break from the “world” – symbolized by “Egypt.”

• That began the typical fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.

Covenant at Sinai with Ancient Israel

Important to know that God’s commandments and statutes came before Sinai.

• “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.

• “Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” Exodus 15:26.

• “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” Exodus 15:26.

Israel arrives at Sinai – and God says:

“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6.

“And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.” Exodus 19:8.

That was the charter covenant for God’s church.

These were Abraham’s descendents.

• They needed deep education – though separate religiously in Egypt (Genesis 46:34), still a broader view of God and His stipulations were needed.

• They must remain a separate people to preserve their lineage.

• Christ would come through them.

• Now – two million strong – it was time to be a nation.

At Sinai God gave:

1. Ten Commandments

2. Statutes

• Regarding life in general

• Clarification of the Ten Commandments

• Ceremonial Laws

3. Judgments – civil issues – running the nation

Later, these expressions of confidence were penned.

• “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” Deuteronomy 4:7-8.

• “He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm147:19-20.

• “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 19:165.

New Covenant with Spiritual Israel

All the laws, statutes and judgments within those covenant agreements were types of a greater plan called the New Covenant – in an antitypical fulfillment.

• “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:32-34.

• “For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:7-12.

• “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:16-17.

The old covenant was to prepare Israel for the first coming of Christ. The new covenant is to prepare Israel for the second coming of Christ.

• They were to prepare a people – to become heirs.

• They were to develop the basis for adoption.

• They were to create deeper awareness of what God was like.

• They were to help mankind be comfortable in His family.

Daniel is under the Sinai Covenant time wise. But the moral issues are exactly the same for us. The Old Covenant was based on promises through animal blood. The New Covenant is based on Jesus’ blood. Both require commitment on man’s part. The outcome of both is a cleansed heart.

Of all the judgments, statutes and laws, what is carried forward after the cross?

• What can be implanted in the mind!

Daniel Prepares to Pray

“And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” Daniel 9:3

Bondage to Freedom

Daniel’s people will soon be returning to Canaan. This represents a great metaphor for the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant and the remnant right at the end of time:

• Bondage in sin (Egyptian World – Babylon)

• Freed by Cyrus–Jesus (Deliverer – adoption–heirs)

• Promised land (heavenly Canaan inheritance)

What now begins to unfold is historically related to ancient Israel but specifically directed at the last group of people to live on this earth. How do we know?

• God already told Daniel that the time for spiritual deliverance was going to be extended for more than 2300 years (8:14).

• He didn’t understand that timing for another two years (10:1).

• That prophecy was already in the record for everyone to study.

• Thus Daniel’s prayer for “his” people becomes a model for us today – after the 2300 years!

• Further, Gabriel said “thy people” are all those “found written in the book” of life (Daniel 12:1).

The restoration mareh vision, as we have seen, deals with the legal and spiritual restoration of God’s people. That, in turn, is directly related to the Jubilee cycles in Israel. Why?

• Restoration always comes at the Jubilee!!!

• After every 49 years beginning at the Jubilee year (the 50th – Leviticus 25).

• All land was returned to its original owners.

• Israel was restored to its debt-free state.

• They were released from bondage (corporately and individually).

Opportunity – Lost Opportunity

God in covenant promise repeatedly told His people that if they broke any part of the restoration bargain He would punish them (Leviticus 26:14-33).

• With His threats of wrath He repeatedly said that mercy could come again if they repented of their evil ways.

• Grace would once more be given.

• BUT... !!!

In unequivocal terms God is about to tell His people of all ages that when there is a timed limit to His mercy. That decree is based upon those Jubilee cycles. In this amazing declaration symbolic restoration can now only occur ten times, then the antitypical plan must consummate. [No – we don’t count the Jubilees from 34 A.D.]

• A final probation is given.

• Eternal freedom or eternal bondage is a reality.

When God Remembers His Covenant, He Says, “If”

God said He would “remember my covenant,” “remember the covenant of the ancestors” (Leviticus 26:42, 45) if the following covenant restoration steps were followed:

• Return to the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:2; Daniel 9:13, 9:4)

• Humble thy heart (Leviticus 26:41, Daniel 9:5)

• Accept/understand why punishment given (Leviticus 26:41; Daniel 9:7, 11-12)

• Harken to His voice (Deuteronomy 30:10)

• Confess thine iniquity (Leviticus 25:40; Daniel 9:4, 14-15)

• Confess the iniquity of your forefathers (Leviticus 26:40, Daniel 9:4)

• Obey all the commandments, statutes and judgments (Deuteronomy 30:2, 16)

• Love the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:15, 20)

• Walk in His ways (Deuteronomy 30:16)

Daniel knew this when he prayed – Let’s listen in.

“And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;” Daniel 9:4.

Daniel understood man’s part in the covenant agreement. Man had to obey to (1) receive the promised blessings and (2) avoid God’s displeasure.

Note how Daniel petitioned God:

He recognizes He knew the result of

and confesses rebellion against covenant

God, you keep the covenant (9:4) If man breaks God’s covenant (Lev. 26:15)

We have sinned and done wickedly, Result of despising My statutes

rebelled by departing from thy (Lev. 26:14-15)

precepts and judgments (9:5) And abhorring My judgments

(Lev. 26:14-15)

We know you have mercy and love If you do not do all my

to those who keep the commandments

commandments (9:4) (Lev. 26:14-15)

We did not harkened unto When you do not harkened unto me

prophets, princes and (Lev. 26:18)

our fathers (9:6, 10)

O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee (9:7)

To us with confusion of faces, we are far The Lord shall scatter thee among

and near in countries whither you all people, from one end of the

drove us (9:7-8) earth unto the other (Deut. 28:64)

Because we have sinned against thee (9:8)

To the Lord our God belongs mercies and forgiveness (though we have rebelled)

The Prayer is All about Spiritual Restoration

Daniel recognized how Israel (including himself) had been at variance with God’s expressed commands. Then he:

• Personifies Jerusalem Israel (9:12, 16; Isaiah 63:18)

• Personifies God’s holy mountain as Jerusalem (9:16; Psalms 51:18, 87:5; Jeremiah 8:19)

• Noted the sanctuary (God’s church) was desolate (9:17).

• Observed that Jerusalem (God’s people) was desolate (9:18).

In prophecy Jerusalem often represents God’s people who will someday be His bride (Revelation 21:9-10) when they are restored (Jeremiah 17:21-25). The sanctuary or temple often symbolizes His church. The holy mountain represents where God dwells – heaven or earth, where His people are (Revelation 14:1).

In humility Daniel pleads with God to turn His anger and fury away from Israel – not because of their righteousness – but because of His mercy (9:16, 18).

• Israel was in captivity because of sin and rebellion. In mercy they were released/restored.

• We already noted that Daniel 8 relates to the end of time when God’s wrath (8:19) comes because of sin and rebellion at the end.

• For those in end-time Babylon – wrath comes without mercy.

• We will soon see that God’s mercy still pleads (9:24) – but then within a probationary time period!!!

Daniel pleads for spiritual deliverance. God promised that it would come, with unequivocal fullness (8:14), after the 2300 “days.” That’s in our era of time.

• Though Daniel was unaware of what he did for God’s people millennia into the future,

• He made the first end-time prayer for you and me – for the last generation.

• It is a prayer of submission and humiliation for all those who will be translated.

• This prayer needs deeper study by each individual.

God Responds

“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; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision [chazown] at the beginning [Daniel 8], being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.” Daniel 9:20-21.

Daniel once again uses symbols noting that he was praying for the “holy mountain of my God.” This refers to God’s chosen people abiding where God dwells. In New Testament times it represented God’s church (Hebrews 12:22).

• Many expositors relate this chapter to the restoration of Jerusalem, the city.

• The walls, streets and temple – the physical things

It has little to do with that! It is a spiritual restoration theme as we will shortly see.

• It is an atonement theme – when everything is made pure and holy.

• Daniel’s prayer was supplication for an atonement restoration or Jubilee.

“And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding [an end-time message]. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision [mareh].” Daniel 9:22-23.

Gabriel’s answer is not primarily related to the seventy years of captivity that are about to end.

• He came to finish explaining the mareh vision.

• This visit specifically completes Jesus’ direction to Gabriel of five years before:

“Make this man to understand the vision (mareh) (8:16).

Gabriel is stern with Daniel – “You must understand.”

• “Understand the matter”

• “Consider the mareh vision”

• “Understand how God’s people will be spiritually delivered.”