Introduction to Revelation: A Vision of Jesus

Hopefully you are excited to study the book of Revelation. Ann Graham Lotz says “Some have missed a blessing because they are intimidated by the books numerical symbolism or overwhelmed by its awesome imagery.” If you have a dread or hesitancy about this study, please don’t miss the Blessing.

The beginning of the Bible (Genesis 1-11) is a prologue describing the downfall of mankind and our separation from God. Revelation is an epilogue in which God and man are reconciled through Christ Jesus our LORD.  In Genesis God created a perfect world for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As we come full circle to the book of Revelation John reveals another Paradise: Heaven on earth.  

Revelation from Greek word Apocalypses meaning "uncover", "reveal.”

The Book of Revelation bears comparison with the Old Testament Books of Daniel and parts of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah. The revealing of great or violent events and especially the end of the world, are often described in Jewish apocalyptic literature.

But Ann Graham Lotz says “The revealing is of the LORD Jesus Christ. The predominate theme is not the prophecy or future events, but the unveiling of Jesus Christ.”

      Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. Revelation reveals Jesus, from eternity past to eternity future.

It’s all about Him.

As Jesus walked the earth we see over and over that He was so “veiled” that his own Mother, his half brothers, and even his own disciples did not fully understand who He was or the power He held over all creation. Mark 3:21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

Now we will see Him high and lifted up.        Isaiah 6:1 “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”

PRAYER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And Ladies we will be blessed for reading this amazing spirit-filled book of Revelation.

Verse 3-Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Then John finishes the section with this: “for the time is near.” Near doesn’t necessarily mean about to happen. Lotz explains: “The idea is not that the event may occur soon, but that when it does, it will be sudden.”

  “R. Murray McCheyne, the godly Scottish minister, on one occasion asked some friends in his home, ‘Do you think that Christ will come tonight?’ Pausing before each guest, he waited for their reply. One and all answered, ‘No, I think not.’ Then Murray solemnly quoted the words of our Lord, ‘In an hour when ye think not the Son of Man cometh.’”

Writers have spent years researching and have produced tons of material on the subject. Revelation has been misunderstood and conflict of opinion has divided churches and denominations. However, God is not the author of confusion. We will seek to learn from our CBS commentary which is interdenominational and focus on Points of Unity. In life now and in eternity it is all about Jesus

Points of Unity

Although Revelation allows for many interpretations, all Christians seem to agree that: The message of the book is relevant for Christians today, as it was for Christians at the time of its writing: a book is to provide hope and encouragement for believers of through the ages, especially in times of persecution or suffering.

1.     Christ is coming back and will judge humanity.

2.     The powers of evil are doomed before Christ.

3.     God promises an everlasting life and heavenly dwelling for all who believe in Jesus Christ His Son.

It’s all about Him.

For our introduction to the book let’s seek out the 5 W’s.

•      Who-Author

•      What-Letter

•      Why-Purpose

•      When -Date

•      Where- Written and delivered

 He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”—Revelation 1:2

WHO   An early tradition identified the author as John with the beloved disciple, the author of the Gospel of John and the three letters of John.

         However, identifying John is not a simple task because: The author did not write any details about himself in the book of Revelation. The name John—Yohanan in Hebrew—was the fifth most common name in first-century Jerusalem.

The vocabulary and writing style of Revelation is different from any other New Testament book.

         John was the only Apostle to die a natural death. He was exiled on the Isle of Patmos while writing the Revelation, and was later released at which time he wrote three epistles bearing his name. Historical documents indicate that John lived well into his 90's - thus living through the death of all the apostles, including Paul.

Although these are important observations, well-documented tradition among several church fathers and historians, still makes John, the beloved disciple of Jesus,  the most likely author of the book.

•      Irenaeus (c. 130-202) Bishop of Lyons

•      Church historian Eusebius Pamphili c.260-341. 

•      Writing around AD 236, Hippolytis

•      About AD 270, Victorinus’ commentary of John

•      Jerome c. 340-420 Illustrious Men,

No matter the speculations, It is all about Jesus.

WHAT   Revelation describes the vision that the apostle John had while on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. Its message was to give hope to Christians who were going through trials and testing, especially the seven churches mentioned specifically. These Christians faced severe persecution, dealt with dangerous false teachers, and faced the temptations of immorality, idolatry, and spiritual complacency. Does this sound like our troubles today? John wrote Revelation to instruct, guide, comfort, and reassure believers in their Christian journey.

Revelation speaks to the deep longing of all believers: the return of the Lord as King and Savior. God will renew creation and his people will live with him forever.  Until that day, all Christians join in with the final plea of the book: Come, Lord Jesus!

 WHY      Recently I lost two dear friends from my church. Yesterday I visited with my Wednesday lunch buddy to hear the diagnosis for Melanoma throughout her body. As we tried look for the positives in her situation, I reminded her of our heavenly home where her twin sister as well as other family members are waiting. Yes we plead “Come, Lord Jesus.” Are you ready for His coming?

Audience Revelation1: 10-11

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." SHOWN ON THE MAP

         John wrote primarily for the seven churches addressed in chapters two and three.

Since these churches were located along the widely traveled roads that connected them, Revelation was meant to be a circular letter. A messenger would read the letter to Christians in one home church, and then take it to another congregation to read it to the believers there.

It all about Jesus

 WHEN : DATE Revelation was probably penned between 35–65 years after Jesus’ resurrection. The content suggests it was written during a time of severe persecution. There are two possible periods when Christians suffered persecution under the Roman Empire.

Argument for the later date (AD 81–96):

·        Testimony from notable writers listed from slide 9 reports that John wrote Revelation during the reign of Domitian.

·        Emperor Domitian required Christians addressed as “lord and god.”  They refused, becoming targets for persecution during Domitian’s reign.

Argument for the earlier date (AD 54–68):

·        Some ancient versions of the book of Revelation mention Nero’s name.

·        Nero blamed Christians for a massive fire in Rome and he then severely persecuted them. 

·        Revelation does not mention the destruction of the temple a significant event which occurred after Nero’s reign in AD 70.  

              

No matter when it was written It is still all about Jesus

Where: Revelation 1:9  I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

 Patmos was a rocky volcanic island prison where political prisoners were kept.

Table of Contents page XV right before Lesson 1 Study of all the SEVENS

Three themes in the Book of Revelation

•      The TRINITY

•      EVIL

•      WORSHIP

The Trinity Ultimately it is all about Him.

•      God, the Father: As a child I thought of God as a policeman, a rule enforcer who plays “gotcha” when we sinned. Now I see Him as my Abba Father loving and compassionate. He is the creator of the universe, all powerful, all knowing, and ever present in our time of need. He knew me before I was formed and He knows the hairs on my head. He is LORD of All.

•      JESUS: THE SON: He is the worthy lamb, who left His home in glory to become a Son of Man. Fully human yet fully God. His death made a way for me to be reconciled with God the Father. Now Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

Philippians 2:9-11  Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

•      The Holy Spirit: this member of the Trinity confounded me until I searched the scriptures(literally) and discovered He was there at the beginning hovering over the waters. During the OT the Spirit entered men like Samson and Saul but God was able to remove His spirit at will. When Jesus returned home to His Father the Holy Spirit became available to enter the hearts of men and abide forever, reminding us of Jesus teaching and comforting us when we have no words. As we accept the free gift of salvation purchased by the blood of Jesus the Spirit indwells us and gives us a peace that passes all understanding.

Revelation makes it clear that EVIL—and the agents of evil—are totally under God’s control. Revelation 20 tells us will be ultimately defeated and cast into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer.             Ladies I want you know that as a child of God, Satan has no power over you.  He can whisper in your ear but we must stand firm fully dressed for the battle. You have the choice to give in to his taunts or reject his lies.

         The dragon, the beast from the land and the sea, the harlot, and the Antichrist are agents of the devil. But there appointed place has been prepared and the LORD holds the keys of Death and Hades.

      "Fear not, I am the first and the last,and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

WORSHIP

·  In heaven, God sit on a magnificent throne and is worshiped as the true God and the Ruler of all: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Rev. 4:11).

·  John saw a vision of heaven. What happens in heaven is the model of what should happen on earth.

·  God inhabits the praises of His people.

·  Our pleasure is to sing and utter words of praise.

Worship Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King “let us stand”

Life now, and in eternity is all about Jesus and each person’s response to Him. He divides the sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:31-46 Those who are humble enough to agree that we are sinners and to accept the redemption He paid in full on Calvary from those unbelievers who are too proud to do so.

Will you choose to humble yourself, admit you are a sinner, and accept the salvation He offers?

RESOURCES

The Vision of HIS GLORY  Anne Graham Lotz

Understanding The Book of Revelation Rose Publishing Company

Daniel 11:36-12:1-13

Last year my father went home to be with the LORD after suffering with stage 4 lung cancer. Our mother’s precious heirlooms were divided between the sisters. My favorite is her china cabinet, because it held many cherished items Mom displayed in her living room. Rather than hide precious items in a safety deposit box, they are displayed for the enjoyment of other family and friends.

Verse 4 of chapter 12 Daniel is told to, “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.”  It did not mean to hide the prophecies but to treasure and protect it for future generations. As time draws nearer the words of prophesy of Daniel and Revelation will our understanding will increase. PRAYER

Daniel 11:36-12:13

·         Evil king

·         Deliverance will come

o   Ministering angels

o   Double Resurrection

·         Sealing the prophesy

o   Unanswered questions

o   Daniel will stand

God is omnipotent and omniscient

Who is the Evil king?

11:³⁶ “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things (blasphemy) against the God of gods; 

Zeus was instituted in the temple. On December 25, 167 B.C., a pig was sacrificed on the Zeus altar; this was the “abomination that causes desolation” in Daniel 9:27, 11:31 and 12:11

By placing a break in the verses of chapter eleven we can guess our writer thinks the evil king is not Antiochus. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Greek tyrant of the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century B.C. He was a vicious enemy of the Jewish people, outlawing Judaism and desecrating the sacred temple.

The description in these verses could refer to a future antichrist.

Strong fortresses may refer to military might and material wealth. There is no shortage of speculation, and we can’t be sure. God is omnipotent and omniscient, and that’s all that matters. Meanwhile, this king is not idle: 45And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. His victories over the “rebels” will bring him greater power and wealth, but Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

Regardless of how successful this false king might appear to be, no one is more powerful than God. TH

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

 God is omnipotent and omniscient

Deliverance will come Chapter 12

o   Ministering angels

How many of you ladies have felt the touch of a ministering angel? Dozens of books fill the shelves of rescues or encounter? There are nurses we have met that go beyond their duties to make their patients secure and ease their pain. True story of one such nurse at a local hospital aided victims of a head-on car wreck. The serious injuries of husband meant the aged couple would immediately be separated. Determined that the elderly women would have a chance to see her critically injured spouse before he was airlifted, this angelic nurse wheeled the gurney into the wife's area of the ER. The couple was able to say goodbye and hold hands to pray before the helicopter took him to a better equipped hospital. Later intending to thank the nurse for her kindness, they realized the grandparents did not know her name. Luckily the grandson had seen her name tag. Her name was Angel.

Daniel 12:¹"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

God is omnipotent and omniscient

It was so amazing to see how God loved and honored Daniel. He was blessed with the unprecedented opportunity not only to see and talk to Gabriel God’s heavenly messenger to (Zachariah the father of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary) but also several appearances of the Archangel Michael. Ladies there is no recording of any other prophet or priest in the Bible receiving visits from both these angels by name.

There are 283 references to unnamed angels in the Bible. The appearance of spiritual beings in the Old Testament illustrates how Our Father God revealed Himself to humanity. Throughout the Old Testament we previously read and studied physical appearances of God called a Theophany and the appearance of pre-incarnate Christ, a Christophany. Some indications of deciding the visitors:  Angels will refuse to be worshipped, deferring to the Father. Angels are messengers and have limited power. The God of the universe does not battle his creation, Satan or his demons. The Archangel Michael is the warrior and counterpart of Satan.

Double Resurrection

²And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

1 Thessalonians 4:14,16For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep…..¹⁶For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

All men will appear before the Great White Throne, the Bema, and be judged by God: Two destinations-heaven or hell. The only way to heaven is through belief in Jesus as Christ, Son of God. We did not choose who our parents were or the country to where we born. But you can choose where you spend eternity. Choose Christ; choose heaven.

Paul testifying about his teaching Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Everlasting contempt: The terror of hell never ends. There is no annihilation after some period of punishment. God is omnipotent and omniscient

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels⁸in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
But those of us that shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever will be awed by the indescribable beauty of heaven. Could it be any less perfect than the Garden of Eden? Sneak a peek at the last 2 chapters of Revelation.

Daniel 12:3And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Ladies are you reflecting the light of the LORD.  Have you been through fiery trials? Thank God for the trials that makes you stronger and brings you forth as pure gold.

Daniel 12:10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

Sealing the prophesy  ⁹He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.

o   Unanswered questions

o   Daniel will stand

Daniels vision in verses 5-12 includes several spiritual beings. Agreement between my favorite authors believes the two Archangels are located on opposite shores of the waters and ^“the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream;”
believed to be The LORD of Heaven and Earth. Who else could answer these questions? For Jesus himself says in Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

6 "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"

The cryptic message in verse 7: a time, times, and half a time, refer to a 3 ½ year span during the Tribulation.

The latter part of that verse, “when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished,” is an unknown event. Antiochus does not fit the timeline. What could be more shattering to Israel that the holocaust? Only the LORD knows.

God is omnipotent and omniscient

8 "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?"

The numbers in the last few verses have stumped students of biblical prophesies. So if David Jeremiah, author of the Handwriting on the Wall, does not hazard a guess, neither will I. God will reveal these answers when He sees fit. Daniel did not understand and neither do we!

¹¹And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.¹²Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. It all depends on when you start counting the abomination.

But God promised His faithful servant Daniel to continue to serve and your will be rewarded at the end of the days. Daniel was in his nineties. He came to Babylon when he was a teenagers and the seventy years of Jeremiah’s prophesy have been fulfilled with many of his people returning home to Jerusalem.

¹³But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days." Keep doing what you are doing!

What a declaration! Sisters where will your allotted place be? Jesus has gone to prepared a place for you. Have you trusted Him as your LORD and Savior? Don’t leave tonight without the assurance of your destination?

Don’t we long to hear; Matthew 25:21 ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. …Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’

As we finish the study of the man Daniel we need to remember how special his life was. The magnificent things he was allowed to see and hear is unparalleled. The great influence he had over many different kings, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus. Ladies who can you influence for the Kingdom.

Daniel 10:¹⁹ And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage."

During morning devotion in Matthew 3:17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
I found a new perspective in this verse when I realized that Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, performed miracles, or led the masses. God loved His Son and was pleased with Him not based on how He was performing but simply because Jesus is His Son.

Sisters in Christ we are daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He loves us just as we are. We do not have to earn his love by performing. Just trust in Him and rely fully on his power and strength.

Will you choose to believe that Our God is omnipotent and omniscient?
Join me in praise.

Beth Moore on Daniel 11:5-32

Daniel 11:5

Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 B.C.)

not referenced

Antiochus I Soter (281-262 B.C.)

Daniel 11:6

Antiochus II Theos (262-246 B.C.)

Daniel 11:7-9

Seleucus II Callinicus (246-227 B.C.)

Daniel 11:10

Seleucus III Soter (227-223 B.C.)

Daniel 11:10-11,13,15-19

Antiochus III the Great (223-187 B.C.)

Daniel 11:20

Seleucus IV Philopater (187-176 B.C.)

Daniel 11:21-32

Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.) 

Daniel's Prayer Chapter 9-Lesson 10

Remember that Daniel didn’t write a chronological account. The events recorded in Daniel 9 took place at about the same time as the Lion’s Den in chapter 6, and at least 12 years after he received his second vision of the Ram and the Goat in chapter 8.

The first portion of this chapter is important because it shows the importance of prayer in the fulfillment of prophecy. The second portion is controversial because it’s a point of sharp division among Christians—a division addressed briefly in your commentary.

But, despite the difference of opinion on prophecy timetables, one thing all Christians can agree on is that God responds to humble confessions.

Daniel’s Prayer Chapter 9   Lesson 10

• A prayer to fulfill a prophecy (9:1-19)

• A prophecy to fulfill a prayer (9:20-27)

God Hears the Prayers of the Humble

Pray

The first novel I read by Randy Alcorn was Safely Home. It is very realistic and probably describes the true situation in foreign countries involved in religious persecution. Randy Alcorn has long been a favorite Christian author; using his DVD and resources on Heaven, elderly clients at Abingdon Place were given a glimpse of what heaven was like. Randy has spiritual gift from God for interpreting scriptures and he is an excellent source for information on heaven and prayer. Just recently before finding these lessons on Prayer from Daniel 9-10, I have been reading Seeing the Unseen, a daily dose of Eternal Perspective.

This is unprecedented for me to rely so heavily on one resource for teaching time, but as I gathered scripture on prayer and prepared for this week I could not neglect Randy Alcorn’s verse by verse treatment of Daniel 9 and 10. These 14 lessons of Randy’s are listed on my blog spot and a link to his Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Julia who works for Randy messaged to say they are “so glad you're able to use his material and appreciate the citation and link. Feel free to use any and all of his articles.”

Ladies if you will open your Bible to Daniel 9 and follow along with me.

1.     Position yourself for prayer by reading Scripture first. v.2

“I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet,”  Daniel was reading the book of Jeremiah before he prayed.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Such an irony, CBS tell you to pray before you read and answer your questions and Randy suggests we read before praying. We need to know God’s divine will through His Word and to understand God’s perspective on our circumstances before we can know how to pray.

2. Follow Scripture’s lead toward what you should pray for. V.3

 “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition…” (v. 3) Daniel knew who had the answers to Israel’s dilemma. From reading scripture from Jeremiah he knew the time of captivity was nearly over.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

James  4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

3. Pray humbly, recognizing your utter unworthiness before an all-holy God.

“…prayer and petition in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” (v. 3)

Daniel humbled himself before God with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. King David and King Hezekiah tore their clothes and covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes to petition the Lord. From the book of Esther, when Mordecai learned of the Haman plots against the Jews, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes outside the gates of the city.(for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.) After Jonah marched through the city of Nineveh calling, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” The king and the people of Nineveh believed and called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. In this way a pagan nation moved the heart of God and they were saved.

God Hears the Prayers of the Humble

4. Begin by praising God for His attributes, His greatness and faithfulness. Let God’s character provide the context for prayer, so He’s the center of gravity, not you.

“I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands…’“ (v. 4)

Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”
Start with the alphabet and name an attribute of God in your prayers of praise. http://www.navigators.org/www_navigators_org/media/navigators/tools/Resources/Praying-the-Names-of-God-The-Navigators.pdf Here is a monthly calendar to help you pray.

5. Confess your sins, taking full responsibility, without rationalization, spin or self-exemption.

“We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have
turned away from your commands and laws.” (v. 5-6)

God knows our hearts; we cannot hide anything from Him. Why is this left out of our corporate prayers? We need to pray with a clean, repentant heart to approach the throne of God.

Psalm 51 ² Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

6. Permeate prayer with affirmations of God’s amazing grace and your profound gratitude.

“Lord, you are righteous….The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled; we have not obeyed…All Israel has transgressed your Law and turned away, refusing to obey you.” (v. 7-11a)

2 Corinthians 4:15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God Hears the Prayers of the Humble

7. Before bringing your requests, repeatedly affirm God’s worthiness and your unworthiness—never forget who you are, and Who you’re talking to. (v. 11b-12a)

“, because we have sinned against you …just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us.”

Job 1:21 “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 18:3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised

Psalm 103:10  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

Matthew 8:8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.

8. Never blame God for sin, its consequences or for life’s hardships.

“we have not sought the favor of the LORD by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD the LORD is righteous in everything; yet we have not obeyed him.” (v. 12b-14) 

Job 40:2“Shall a fault finder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalms 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

SLIDE 12    9. Make requests in light of God’s past acts of faithfulness. “Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned and done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem…” (v. 15-16)

Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Think back to all the times when God has provided for you when times were lean. How many times have you been saved from a near miss in traffic? Through it all God is faithful to heal broken hearts and broken dreams.

10. Pray for God’s sake, His glory, and His reputation, reminding yourself it’s all about Him, not you. (v. 17-19)

“Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

God is creator of the universe. We should choose to honor and glorify him in all we do.

Deuteronomy 5:24"You said, 'Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire;

Psalms 24:7-8 Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

Matthew 6:13 For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

11. Pray with a heartfelt recognition of God’s undeserved grace on behalf of you and others. “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” (v.18)

Psalm 8: ³ When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, ⁴ what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou dost visit him?⁵ For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 10:17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

12. God hears our prayers and starts responding to them (when we pray with Daniel’s attitude and perspective) before we can see results, and even when we can’t see results at all.

“While I was still in prayer Gabriel the man came to me in swift flight. “I have come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given…which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” (v. 21-23)

Isaiah 65:24 "And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." 

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

13. God deploys angels on missions in response to humble, biblically-based, God-centered prayers.

“I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks…I looked and there was a man…”I have been sent to you”…Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.’“ (10:12)

Psalm 31:7   I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

14. Prayer mobilizes righteous angels, who engage in intense turf warfare against fallen angels, with kingdom claims at stake. Answers to prayer may be hastened or delayed as a result of this warfare.

1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.

Psalm 104:4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

Matthew 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses,

Revelation 12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,

Sisters these last verses of this chapter are so complex in terms of numbers and dates that a timeline may help our understanding.

Ladies if you will open your Bible to Daniel 9:24-27, you can follow along as we go through the scripture.

Imagine the archangel Gabriel coming to tell you:  “At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.”  That might soften the telling of the Seventy Weeks.

There are charts and books and commentaries and they just made my head hurt. I gleaned some information I hope will simplify this for you. Any students of Daniel or Revelation feel free to send me any resources or note. But I will present the Futurist View taught by Beth Moore and others.

²⁴"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.

²⁵Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.

Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.

 ²⁶And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one (Jesus the Messiah) shall be cut off and shall have nothing. (on earth CRUCIFIXTION)

Four different scriptures and three different rulers could fit this prophesy but the last one is the

•         Cyrus 538 B.C. (Ezra in 1:1-4 and 5:13-17)

•         Darius 517 B.C. (Ezra 6:6-12)

•         Artaxerxes 458 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-26)

•         Artaxerxes 445B.C. (Nehemiah 2:1-8) 

From your commentary: Then Gabriel says, “… after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.” This is the big point of contention between “futurists,” “preterists,” and “historicists.” Futurists believe a time gap is implied between this 69^th week when the Anointed One (Jesus) was “cut off” and the 70^th week, and that we’re in that gap; we know it as “the church age.” The 70^th week will begin when the church age ends (with the Rapture). Although the word rapture is not in the KJV, scripture says we will be caught up. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

26 And the people of the prince who is to come (ANTICHRIST)shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

²⁷And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week (3 ½ YEARS) he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Humility recognizes that God is the source of all power and all authority and that as we come before Him, in holy fear of the Lord, then we are putting ourselves in the place where our ears can be open to hear His voice in response to our prayers and intercessions.

God responds to our humble confessions. He responds in grace; He gives second chances. He heals relationships. He mends hearts.

Closing Sentence: Will you choose to humbly confess your sins to Him—and repent of those sins?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the example of Daniel and for his humble submission to your authority. Help me, Lord, to walk in a similar way in my own life, recognizing that pride is a barrier to effective prayer and that humility opens the doors of the heavens to those who know and love the Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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