“The most High is ruler over the realm of mankind” I.Personal history of Daniel – Chapter 1 II.Prophetic history of the Gentiles during the times of the Gentiles – Chapters 2-7 III.The prophetic history of Israel during the times of the Gentiles – Chapters 8-12

Biblical Time Line Ascension Rapture Return Eternal The Law Church Age Trib. Kingdom State OT NT 7 years 1,000 years

Not seeing the “valley” of the Church Age

The Four Kings Following Alexander Cassander - Macedonia Lysimachus - Asian Minor Ptolemy – Egypt and the South Seleucus – Syria and the East

Background to Israel’s captivity Israel was told to honor the Lord with the Sabbath. ______________________________________ But there was more than one Sabbath.

Background to Israel’s captivity One Sabbath involved the seventh day each week. ______________________________________ The other was to be kept every seventh year. Leviticus 25:1f.

Background to Israel’s captivity Israel failed to keep the yearly Sabbath…for 490 years! ________________________________ In other words, they ignored it 70 times and went into captivity for 70 years as a consequence. Jeremiah 25:8-14

Background to Israel’s captivity Now, when Daniel reads Jeremiah 25, he realizes their time of captivity is drawing to a close, and he prays this prayer of confession.

The Four Hundred Years were not “silent” Daniel 8 details for Israel their future The events of Chapter 8 seem to move Daniel to prayer Israel repents, returns, and rebuilds…and then…

The Four Hundred Years were not “silent” Malachi warns them again of forgetting the Law Antiochus rules them because of “transgression” Antiochus died about 171 B.C. Then, about 200 years later, John appears…

The Four Hundred Years were not “silent” Israel knew one thing with certainty: It is not possible for a nation to dominate an obedient Israel!

The Four Hundred Years were not “silent” When Jesus is born, a Gentile nation is governing Israel. “…Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the King…” Israel again had issues with God!

The time of Jesus Consider the messages of both John the Baptist and Jesus... “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…” Matt. 3:2; 4:17

The time of Jesus Jesus was named Jesus because He came to “…save His people from their sin…” Matthew 1:21 While Jesus most definitely came to pay for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2), but one of His purposes involved dealing with Israel’s sin.

The time of Jesus But, they wouldn’t listen… “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him…” John 1:11

The message for us - #1 Daniel studied the Scriptures and they gave him the keys for a critical prayer so significant that it is forever a part of God’s word. What kind of prayers do we pray?

The message for us - #2 Daniel’s prayers changed a nation. So can ours James 5:16b-18

The message for us - #3 Daniel was one of the godliest men of all time, yet he joined himself to his nation in their failure, humbly confessing their sin to God. We can, too. We should.

The message for us - #4 Daniel’s prayer reflects an understanding of the holiness of God and the enormity of sin that we lack. We instead look situations and ask how a loving God could allow this or that rather than to see His mercies and our guilt.

The message for us - #4 We excuse ourselves and blame others rather than accept responsibility and deal with issues. The results of this kind of arrogance and self- righteousness have created epidemic problems in our lives and in our nation.

The message for us - #5 Christ’s coming was a time of great joy. But that great joy was tied to bringing His people to repentance and thereby bringing in His kingdom and the reign of peace.

The message for us - #5 Joy and peace don’t come at Christmas just because we wish them into existence. They come because the God of heavens and the earth has mercifully decided to free us of our sin, to free us of ourselves. And anything less than that is a simply dishonest!

The message for us - #5 Christmas trees are significant because they are symbolic of eternal life. The lights of Christmas are symbolic because Jesus Christ is the One and Only Light of the World.

The message for us - #5 Gifts are significant only because the greatest Gift has been given to us. Peace on earth can only and will only come through the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

The message for us - #5 We do the world a terrible disservice when we strip all the symbols of their meaning and try to make the symbols the point.

The message for us - #5 Christmas without Jesus Christ is as impossible as Thanksgiving without the giving of thanks.

The message for us - #5 Love your family and friends enough to give them a real Christmas!