Last time, I talked about Zechariah, Mary and Daniel, ending with the discussion of Daniel’s 3-week fast and the spiritual battle surrounding it. I want to pick up where I left off by asking 4 questions:
What was it? - What was the message that Satan tried to stop?
Why was it? - Why was it so important that Satan wanted to stop the delivery of the message?
Why is it? - Why is it important for us to know?
Why isn’t it? – Why isn’t it talked, discussed or taught about more?
WHAT WAS IT?
Let’s look at the events surrounding the delivery of the message. In the two previous appearances, Daniel tell us that it was Gabriel who was speaking to him and that he looked like a man. In this case, we are not told that it was Gabriel but that it was a man; but unlike a normal man. He was dressed in linen with a belt of gold, “his body was like topaz, his face like lightening, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze and his voice like the sound of a multitude.” Only Daniel saw him; but, he caused so much fear and terror that those with Daniel fled and hid.
The person speaking to him tells Daniel that he is going to “tell him what is written in the Book of Truth”. What follows is a very detailed foretelling of world events that would take place during the next 400+ years, the silent period between the Old and New Testament. It is so accurate that is has led liberal theologians to say that it was written after the events occurred. In the middle of the prophecy, it is clear that the prophecy switches for the immediate future to the end times.
Daniel 12 starts out, “at that time Michael, the great prince”. It continues, “at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.” Next comes probably the strongest, most explicit Old Testament statement concerning the resurrection of the dead. “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
Daniel asks one final question, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be? The answer is “the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end”. The final words of the messenger are “from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that cause desolation is set up is 1290 days. Blessed is the one who waits and reaches the end of the 1335 days”.
WHY WAS IT?
For Daniel and the Jewish people, it was a message of hope within a message of despair. God would go silent; but, he was not ceasing to have His hand directing the events leading to the birth of Christ. Satan would have Daniel, his people and us today, think that he is in control, that he is winning. Satan wants to subvert everything that God is doing. This message is a foretelling of Satan’s ultimate defeat and casting into hell of him and his followers. Satan does not want to hear this and does not want anyone to know this. It took a 3 week fast for this message to get through to Daniel.
Why is it?
Why is it important to us, today? it is the same message of hope in a time of despair. God is and will continue to direct the events leading to Christ’s second coming, in the same manner to His first coming. In fact, when the disciples asked Jesus “when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? (Matt. 14:3), Jesus quoted Daniel, “So when you see standing in the Holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel, let the reader understand.” Going back to Daniel, remember it is 3 ½, 1335 days until the end. Is was so important that Jesus referred to this message. Is the most specific timeline given by God as to the end of time.
Why isn’t it?
Why isn’t it taught and discussed? Satan has not changed. The spiritual warfare in ongoing. Satan did not and does not want this message getting out. It is a message of hope for the believer but warning to the unbeliever. Satan does not this message preached and most pulpits are more than happy to oblige! We are in a fierce battle that is being poorly fought by the church in America. Most people are ignorant and don’t want to hear it, much less have to wage it. May God have mercy on us!
