Daniel 9 Lesson 11

 Adult/Teen Bible Study                                        Lesson 11, Dec.21, 2014

 Daniel chapter 9 is a great chapter for two reasons noted in the last lesson:   1) the example of prayer set by Daniel; 2) the prophecy of the seventy weeks determined upon the Jewish people.  Isaiah 65:24 says “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”  Daniel was still praying when the answer to his prayer came in the form of an angelic messenger, the man Gabriel, the same messenger that would years later announce the birth of Jesus Christ.   He came to give knowledge and understanding. 

In this lesson we will seek to understand the basic prophetic outline of the 70 weeks prophecy. 

Read Daniel 9:20 – 27.

I.            The Nature of Gabriel’s Mission – Dan. 9:20 – 23

1.      How does Daniel describe what he was doing when Gabriel came to him? (v. 20 – 21)     

2.       What did Gabriel say he had come to do? ( v. 22)  

3.      Why did Daniel receive such a prompt answer to his prayer? (v.23)

II.            The Nature of Gabriel’s Message  – Dan. 9:24 – 27  

4.      Who specifically was the object of the prophecy? (v. 24) 

5.      What is the time covered by the prophecy? (v. 24) If the word “weeks” is just a representative word for seven, as dozen is for twelve, then how many years are determined if “weeks” is talking about 7 years? 

6.      What significant person will be present before the 490 units of time is complete? (v. 25) 

7.      Six significant things regarding Israel will be accomplished during this period of time.  What are they? (v. 24)

A.      “To finish  ____________    __________________________”

B.      “To make  ____   __________   _______________”

C.      “To make  ________________________  ____  __________”

D.     “To bring  ____   _________________  _________________”

E.      “To seal  __  ___ _______________  ___  _______________”

F.       “To  ____________________  ___  _____  _________  place”

8.      The prophecy of weeks is divided up into three periods.  What is the length of the three divisions?   (v. 25, 26)  See the chart included in this lesson. 

9.      What will be built again during the 7 weeks (49 years) and 62 weeks (439 years)? (v. 25) 

10.  When will this period of time begin?  (v. 25)  (See Nehemiah 1:1-3; 2:1, 4 – 8). 

11.  What will happen after threescore and two weeks? (v. 26) See also Matthew 16:21 and Mark 11:9, 10.  

12.  Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed after 483 years.  This would take place in A.D. 70 when Titus the Roman was ruling.  Who are the people of the prince that shall come?   This is the “little horn of Daniel 7” from what world power did he come? (v. 26)   See Daniel 7:23 – 25. 

13.  The last week of years, the 70^th week, did not follow immediately after the first 69 sevens of years.  Two things happen: the death of Messiah and the destruction of Jerusalem/Temple.  This week begins when the “prince that shall come” does what? (v. 27) 

14.  What will happen in the midst of the week? (v. 27)  See  Matthew 24:15 – 21, 29 – 31. 

Conclusion:    The last seven years of the prophetic seventy weeks of years has not yet been fulfilled on Israel.  God is not finished with Israel as Paul pointed out in Romans 9 – 11.  There is a gap that Daniel did not see.  This gap of time is the mystery of the Church Age or the Age of Grace.  God is presently taking out “a people for his name”(Acts 15:14).  He sent Jesus Christ to “put an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for our iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.”  Today is the day of salvation.  You can trust the risen Christ and He will take away your sins and give to you everlasting life.  There is a day of judgment coming but you can be saved from wrath through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”   Ephesians 2:8

Daniel 9 Lesson 10

Adult/Teen Bible Study                                        Lesson 10, Dec.14, 2014

The ninth chapter of Daniel is one of the most important chapters in the Bible.   “The greatest chapter in the book and one of the greatest chapters of the entire Bible,” is how Dr. Philip Newell describes this chapter.  Dr. J. Vernon McGhee wrote, “If one were to choose the ten greatest chapters of the Bible on the subject of prayer, this chapter would be included on any list.  If the ten most important chapters on prophecy were chosen, this chapter would again be included on any list.”  The first section of this chapter covers Daniel’s prayer.  The last six verses reveal the prophecy of the seventy weeks, which one theologian called the backbone of prophecy.    

This lesson will deal with the importance of Daniel’s setting his face to seek the Lord.  Is it common to seek the Lord?  How does one seek the Lord?  What reason is there for seeking the Lord?

Read Daniel 9:1-19.

I.            A Pattern for Every Day Life – Dan. 9:1 – 2

1.       Read Romans 3:10 – 11.  Is it a common thing for a person to seek the Lord?

2.      Read Acts 17:24 -31.  What reason is given for man to seek the Lord? 

3.      Read Deuteronomy 4:24 – 30.  What reason is given here for a seeking the Lord? 

4.      What did Daniel come to understand in the first year of Darius? (Dan. 9:1-2)  How did he come to understand this? 

5.      Read Jeremiah 25:11 – 12 and 29:10 – 14. What reason might Daniel have for seeking the Lord? 

6.      Daniel did not have the instruction of 2 Timothy 2:15 from Paul.  He could have had knowledge of Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2.  What pattern might he have established because of these two verses?

7.      What did Daniel do when he was in trouble in Daniel 2:18 & 6:10?  Do you think this was a daily pattern in his life? 

II.            A Preparation for Eternal Light – Dan. 9:3

8.       Daniel had learned by Bible study that the captivity of Israel was near an end.  He is preparing to seek the Lord on the behalf of Israel.  What does he do in preparation? 

9.      What condition is necessary for God to respond according to         2 Chronicles 7:14?  What similar preparations compare with Daniel’s approach? 

III.            A Pattern for Every Learner – Dan 9:4 – 19

10.   What does Daniel think of God as he approaches Him in prayer? (v. 4)

11.   What is included in Daniel’s confession? (v. 4 - 6)

12.  How does Daniel contrast God’s character with his own nature and those he prays for?  (v. 7 – 9)

13.  In addition to confessing the sin of rebellion what did Daniel add to the list of failures?  (v. 10 -11)

14.  Because of her rebellion and disobedience, what did Israel experience? (v. 11 – 14)

15.  What did they not do, that could have made a difference for Israel?  (v. 13)

16.  What was the substance of Daniel’s petition?  (v. 15 – 19

17.   What motivation does Daniel present to God for His favor? (v.17, 18, 19)

Conclusion:   Daniel’s example shows us that Bible study and prayer should be a part of our daily practice.  The praise, penitence and petition Daniel demonstrated is an excellent example for the believer to establish in his own life.  Are you developing a close relationship with the Lord through these means?  Why not set your face to seek the Lord?   

Daniel 8

 Adult/Teen Bible Study                                         Lesson 9, Dec.7, 2014

The disciples asked Jesus “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matt. 24:3).   Jesus’ answer included these words “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. ….  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many  shall wax cold.” (Matt. 24:7,8,12). 

The sign of Jesus coming and the end of the world; the indication of scripture is that things are going to get worse and worse before the Lord returns.  In your opinion, is the world getting better or worse?  Are we more moral and godlier as a nation than in the past?  As a whole, does our culture seek to please God or to please self?   When you take in the nightly news, does it encourage or discourage you?  Is it mostly good news or bad news? 

In our study, Daniel is given another vision from God.  This vision speaks about “the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full.”  Daniel was looking to a future time when evil seemed to triumph.  Jesus was also talking about a future time when it appeared that evil was triumphing.   How do we process these perspectives? How should we respond when it appears that things are getting worse and evil seems to be winning?  

In this lesson we will process the content of the vision, seek to understand its meaning and make application to our own lives.

Read Daniel 8.

I.            The Animals – Daniel 8:1 – 12

1.      When and where did Daniel’s vision occur? ( 8:1-2)  

2.       How is the first animal described in Daniel’s vision? What is this taking place in the vision?  (8:3, 4)

3.      What animal appears second in the vision?  How is it described? What action is this animal taking? (8:5 – 7)

4.      What happened to the goat at the height of his power? (8:8)

5.      From one of the four notable ones comes a little horn.  What does this little horn do? (8:9 – 12)

II.            The Answers – Dan. 8:13 - 27

6.       “The pleasant land” mentioned in 8:9 is Israel.  The destructive action taken against God’s people and the sanctuary is described in verse 10 – 12.  How long was “the transgression of desolation” to last? (8:13 – 14) 

7.      What was Gabriel sent to do? (8:15 – 16)

8.      How did Daniel respond to the heavenly messenger?   What was Daniel to understand about the vision? (8:17 – 19)

9.      Who was represented in the fight between the two-horned ram and the goat? (8:20 – 22)

Historical Note: The “little horn” that becomes a great leader, is believed to be Antiochus Epiphanes, the ruler of Syria from 175 to 163 B.C. and was known as one of the cruelest tyrants in history.  He attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple.  In 168 he sent 20,000 men to level Jerusalem.  He prohibited the Jews from honoring the Sabbath, practicing circumcision, and obeying the Levitical dietary laws, and he climaxed his campaign on Dec. 14, 168 by replacing the Jewish altar with an altar to Zeus – and sacrificing a pig on it!   Jerusalem was eventually delivered by the courageous exploits of Judas Maccabeus and his followers, on December 14, 165, the temple was purified, the altar of burnt offering restored.  It is this event that  the Jewish people celebrate as “The Feast of Lights” or Hanakkuh.  (Historic facts from W. Wiersbe’s commentary on Daniel)

10.    Antiochus was a type of the coming Antichrist.  What will happen when“the transgressors are come to the full”? (8:23) 

11.  The Antichrist’s power will come from Satan.  What evil things are described as taking place in this future time? (8:24 – 25)

III.            The Application

12.   Evil is destructive and deceptive.  How would many be destroyed? (8:25)  See 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – 12. 

13.   What will be the ultimate end of this evil?  (8:25)  See 2 Thess. 2:7 – 8. 

14.  How did Daniel respond to the interpretation of the vision?  (8:27)

Conclusion:    When evil seems to triumph it is good to remember that God is still in control.  Jesus said “In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).  Like Daniel we need to seek understanding from God and then continue to live by faith.  See 1 John 5:4 & 5. 

Daniel Lesson 8

“The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men” – Daniel 4:32.  Do you believe that Bible statement?  Daniel chapter seven presents an overview of God’s dealing with the nations of men, beginning with Babylon and ending in the overthrow of all derived authority and the establishment of the kingdom of the Son of Man.    

     “If you read history as viewed simply by the natural man, you will find that a great deal of space is given to congratulating humanity upon their marvelous exploits.  But if one reads history in the light of Holy Scripture, with the Spirit of God illuminating the page, it gives one a very different impression indeed.  We then begin to realize that the things that are most highly esteemed among men are abominations in the sight of God; and, concerning the great ones of the earth who wield power over the nations, we are reminded of what is written in Psalm 49:12 “Man being in honour abideth not; he is like the beast that perish.”   Quote from H. A. Ironside.

    This lesson will attempt to look at the prophetic history through Scriptural eyes as well as consider the prophetic future as described to Daniel. 

Read Daniel 7.

I.            The kingdoms of this world – Dan. 7:1 – 7, 15 – 23

1.       Daniel’s vision included four beasts.  What do the four beasts represent? (v. 17) 

2.       Read Jeremiah 50:17 and Ezekiel 17:3, 12.  What animals are mentioned in connection with the king of Babylon?  What kingdom is represented by the first beast? (Dan. 7:4)

3.      What nation conquered the Chaldeans? See Dan. 5:28, 31.   What nation would then be represented by the bear in Daniel 7:5? 

4.      Read Daniel 8:20, 21.  What empire overtook the kings of Media and Persia?   What description is given to this nation in Daniel’s vision? (7:6) 

5.       Alexander the Great moved his army swiftly as denoted by the four wings on the back of the leopard.  What do you think the four heads represent in the vision? (v. 6)  

Note: Scripture does not give us an historical record of the Graeco-Macedonian kingdom.  It falls chronologically between the Old and New Testaments – the period known as the intertestament period.  It was, however, the time when the remnant in Palestine endured the greatest suffering at the hands of Egypt and Syria. 

6.      The fourth beast described in Daniel 7:7 is the Roman Empire.  How many horns did the beast have? (v. 7)   What was true about the image and the fourth kingdom as described in Daniel 2:40 – 42 in comparison with the fourth beast described here? 

II.            The kingdom of Satan – Dan. 7:8, 11 -12, 21 – 26

7.       The ten horns represent ten kings or kingdoms (7:24).  What arises out of these ten horns (v. 7, 8)?  What did this little horn do that indicates it is from Satan?  (v. 21, 25) 

8.      Read Revelation 13:1 – 10.  Where did the beast get his power from? (Rev. 13:4) 

9.      Who is the dragon?  See Revelation 12:9. 

10.  Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1 – 12.  The “man of sin” is the “Antichrist”.  Where does his power come from? (2 Thess. 2:9) 

11.  How long will the Antichrist have power over the world? See Revelation 13:5 and Daniel 7:25.  (Hint: “time” represents one year.) 

12.  What will happen to the satanic kingdom? (Dan. 7:22, 26)

III.            The kingdom Christ – Dan. 7:9 – 14, 27 – 28

13.   What will happen in the days of the kings referred to in Daniel 2:44?  These kings are comparable to the ten horns in Daniel 7:7 – 8. 

14.  What was given to the Son of man when He came before the Ancient of days?  (7:13 – 14)

15.  Who is the Son of man?  See Mark 14:61 – 62. 

Conclusion:   God revealed to us through Daniel His plan for the ages.  Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins.  He lived, died, and arose from the dead.  He ascended back to heaven.  He will one day return to set up His everlasting kingdom.  Before that takes place the Church will be raptured (1 Thess. 4:13 – 18), caught up to be with the Lord.  In order to be a part of God’s forever kingdom you must trust Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?   

 Adult/Teen Bible Study                                         Lesson 7, Nov. 23, 2014

What troubles you?  Have you ever received information you didn’t understand and it troubled you?  Have you ever been troubled even after understanding the information?  Are you ever troubled by the Word of God?  When you hear the truth, when you don’t understand it or perhaps when you do, does it still trouble you.  Mark Twain is reported to have said, “It isn’t the portion of the Bible which I don’t understand that bothers me; it’s the ones I do!” 

Daniel received God’s prophetic revelation and it troubled him.  This information was another view of the world empires that he reported  in Daniel 2.  This time the view was from a completely different perspective. 

This lesson reminds us that we need to receive God’s Word, then comprehend His Word and finally contemplate God’s Word.  How does God’s prophetic Word touch your life?  

Read Daniel 7.

I.            The Content of the Revelation – Dan. 7:1 – 14

1.      When was Daniel’s vision revealed to him? (v. 1)

2.      What is the general description of Daniel’s vision? (v. 2, 3) 

3.       Read Isaiah 17:12 – 14 and Revelation 13:1; 17:15.  What does the sea represent in these scriptures?  Where are the beasts coming from in Daniel’s vision? (v. 3)

4.      What is the description of the first beast? (v. 4)

5.      How is the second beast described? (v.5)

6.      Describe the third beast in Daniel’s vision. (v.6)

7.      How was the fourth beast different from the rest? (v. 7, 8)

8.      How did Daniel describe the scene with the thrones? (v. 9, 10) Who was on the throne? Compare Revelation 4:4, 5.  

9.      What was set and what was opened? (v. 10) See Revelation 5:11 – 14.  This is not the Great White Throne judgment which occurs after the millennium, but is the setting for the judgment of the great tribulation and the return of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom here upon earth. 

10.  Read the description of the beast in Revelation 13:1 – 6.  What did Daniel observe that corresponds with the actions of the beast in Revelation 13:5?  See Daniel 7:11. 

11.  What happened to the fourth beast? (v. 11)  What happened to the other beast? (v. 12). 

12.  What occurred when the “Son of man” was before the Ancient of Days? (v. 13, 14)

II.            The Comprehension of the Revelation – Dan. 7:15 - 27  

13.   How did Daniel respond to this vision? (v. 15)

14.  Who explains the vision to Daniel? (v. 16)

15.  What did the four beasts represent? (v. 17)

16.  What will be established for ever and ever? (v. 18)

17.  What action will demonstrate the true nature of this fourth beast? (v. 19 – 25)

III.            The Contemplation – Dan. 7:28

18.    How was Daniel affected by all that was revealed to him?

Conclusion:     The prophecy concerning the fourth beast needs a closer look.  We will take another lesson to identify the nature of the final beast or nation before the Lord returns to rule and reign on the earth.  The nations of Babylon (lion), Media-Persia (bear), Greece (Leopard) and Rome (fierce beast) have come and gone.  But the Roman empire will be revived and from this place will come the one we refer to as the Anti-Christ.  How does God’s Word affect you?