Pastor Jim Hammond | June 5, 2022

Recap:
This past weekend, we continued learning more about the book of Daniel, specifically Daniel chapter 10. Pastor Jim talked about why God’s response to Daniel’s prayer came 21 days after Daniel prayed, how knowing that should impact our prayers today, and the truth that God always hears and answers our prayers! 

As we see time and again throughout the book of Daniel, we are living in the last days of this dispensation here on earth. That doesn’t mean we should fear what is to come, but we should train our eyes to be fixed on Jesus, with our awareness of Him growing sharper and clearer in focus each and every day! 

Dive Deeper:
In Daniel 10, we see that Daniel’s prayers for his nation, were heard immediately, but the answer was delayed because of spiritual warfare. Now, this isn’t a truth that we can “copy and paste” to our times today. Daniel lived under a different covenant. He did not have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of him. Hebrews 8:6–7 tells us that “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.”

The Old Covenant is holy, but it is impossible to maintain, for all of its fulfillment rests on humanity and their obedience to God. The Old Covenant proves to us that there is a better way through the New Covenant. Jesus’ death and resurrection, His sacrifice for us is the reason why we can move through these end times here on earth with confidence in Him and what He has done for us. 

As we see the prophecies of Daniel becoming a reality, our focus should be on Jesus and what He did for us. We should keep Jesus as the object of our faith, Christ and Him crucified as the cornerstone of our belief. His sacrifice empowers us to use our spiritual weapons to fight off the enemy. 

What are our weapons in this war? First, the Word of God. Second, tongues. Third, praise and worship. All of these things turn our thoughts away from this world and onto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. These weapons will help us push back against the enemy. They empower us to take our seat of authority and operate in our God-given heavenly ministry to resist the devil and his plans. These weapons will build our faith over time!

Read About It: 
Daniel 10:1–21 KJV
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (KJV)

Discussion Questions: 
1. How does spiritual warfare affect our daily lives? 
2. What are our weapons of warfare?
3. How do our weapons empower us to fight against the enemy? 
4. How does focusing on Jesus stabilize us?
5. What signs do you see today that tell us we are in these last days here on earth?

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