Introduction

Introduction:
Daniel 10 NASBIn the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision. 2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

Daniel is mourning the future and reminiscing on the past.

10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.”18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.19 He said, “O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!”

Daniel is not alone in his grief.

Ephesians 6:12 NASB12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

In the first 35 verses of Daniel 11 there are at least 135 prophecies that have been literally fulfilled and can be corroborated by a study of the history of the period.

All of the political/economic/global upheaval in Daniel was to get the church open & holy for the 1st coming of Jesus Christ!

All of the political/economic/global upheaval today is to get the church open & holy for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ!

Daniel 12:1-3 NASB12 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

The book of life. (Rev. 20)

Everlasting life or Everlasting contempt.

If you are born once, you will die twice, and if you are born twice, you will die once.

Revelation 21:1-4 NASBThen I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Grief has an expiration date.

Daniel: Shining in BabylonDaniel 10, 11, & 12 Pastor Lance AinsworthNovember 26th, 2023
It’s all part of the plan.
Prayer Requests:



Group Discussion: What are you thankful for?

Read aloud: Read Daniel 10, Daniel 12:1-3

1. Daniel 10:2-3“In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.” Daniel has fallen into deep despair. Can you relate? Has there been a time when you have faced depression? Daniel can relate, and so can Jesus. (Isaiah 53)

2. Daniel 10:11 “He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” God sends a messenger to console and strengthen Daniel. Pray about who God is sending you to, to console. If you need someone to encourage you, who can you reach out to? Who is praying for you weekly? Who can you ask to pray for you daily?

3. Daniel 10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days” The messenger sent to Daniel had been fighting a demonic force, the prince of Persia. Do you think demonic forces are at work right now over cities, politics, and governments? Is this new? How does being aware of demonic forces in the world change how we view strongholds in culture? What is the correlation between blaming demonic forces or human nature for bad decisions? Ephesians 6:12 tells us our battle is against the spiritual forces of wickedness. Read Ephesians 6:10-18; how do we fight against spiritual forces?

4. Revelation 21:4 “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Grief has an expiration date. What hope does heaven provide us? There are six ways that the Bible describes Heaven: a Sabbath, a Kingdom, City, Home, Garden, and Party. Out of these six, which most excites you?