Lent day 18

 Broke my fast yesterday.  Mainly because I went out for coffee with someone who had already bought me a bun by the time I got there. And it would have been rude not to 😁

Chapter 10

Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris

1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict.a And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision.

2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. 3I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.

4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.

8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. 9I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

10Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.”

And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”

15While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16And suddenly one with the likeness of a manb touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. 17How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”

18Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!”

As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

20“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greecec will come. 21But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince

Comments

What has happened in the two years since the last vision?  Well, in the book of Ezra we are told that in the same year that Daniel had the prophetic word about Jerusalem being restored Cyrus issued a decree saying that the people of Israel could return to their land.  Hooray right? Daniel's prayers had been answered. Jeremiahs prophecy had come true. 70 years of captivity were over and the people could go home.  BUT...... of all the millions of Israelites in Babylon only 42,000 actually left to go back.  The rest were comfortable and established in Babylon and didnt want to uproot to return. Most of them had been born in Babylon and it was home to them.   Zerubbabel led the 42,000 and spent 7 months just removing rubble from the temple site. He didnt have the manpower or leadership skills to rebuild the nation.  He gave up.  Daniels prayers had only been partly answered. (as it turns out the 70 years were only truly fulfilled 20 years later as Jerusalem wasnt destroyed until 20 years after the people of Israel had been taken into captivity - but Daniel didnt know that at the time)

Daniel is now 85 and he has retired from government. He could have gone back to his homeland with his people. But realising that most have ignored the call to return he stays and does what he always does, prays.  He is mourning, fasting, seeking God and this time nothing happens.  Last time whilst he was in the act of praying Gabriel turned up. This time he prays for 3 weeks and nothing happens.

But then, then something does happen. Or someone happens.  And the person who appears to Daniel looks pretty much like Jesus to me.   'a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.'  (see Rev1:12 )   When Gabriel came to Daniel Dan was in awe and fell on his face, but when this man comes his response seems to be even more extreme. He passes out completely into a deep sleep

Other people dont see Jesus but they are instantly aware that something is going on and they run away. It reminds me of the verses in John 12:29 - some said it thundered.

He is brought round by a hand touching him like Gabriel did before. We presume this is an angel - a messenger - one sent from God to bring a revelation. Once again the first thing Daniel is told is that he is loved.  If you hear God speak to you you can expect to hear love first. Every time. Whatever it is He wants to tell you He will always let you know how loved you are first. And then Dan was told not to be afraid (because he was clearly terrified)

The angel then explains why it has taken three weeks for Daniel to get an answer this time. There has been a battle going on in the heavenly realm and the demonic forces exerting influence over Persia have been trying to intercept the messenger God is sending to Daniel. This demonic force over Persia is real and powerful and one angel alone hasnt been able to deal with it. But God has sent the archangel Michael to help and he seems to have sorted the problem pretty quickly.  And now the messenger has arrived with the answers Daniel has been asking for.  

Answers which are to be found in The Book of Truth. (Cue Eastenders drumming)  What is in the Book of Truth ? I hear you cry.

I dont know.  Tune in tomorrow and we can find out together😄