A Holy Offering

Daniel 9:21-27

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

Thank God for the Heavenly help offered here. It is important to note serval things. First, this messenger was sent to aid man. By this we can conclude that different angels have different tasks with which they have been entrusted. Second, he was caused to fly swiftly. Not only that, but time has been going slowly up until this point. Now, it will be, like this angel, caused to fly swiftly to do everything God has purposed. Third, the angel arrived around "the time of the evening oblation." There is never a place to which God has called you where he will not equip you. You may not want to fill that role or bear that message. But when God has called, he will make you to stand. Not only that, but he will cause his message to prosper for he alone sent it. We will never see this more clearly than at the end when judgment has been determined. Even Daniel's prayer is an offering of itself in a land where there was none.

In Heaven, Daniel's name was spoken before God; as we will soon see, he is someone favored. No matter where you are or what situation God has called you to, be faithful in that thing. You may not enjoy praying and fasting all day. But God is with you. He alone will be your strength and comfort. Even if you have no one or someone, as seen at the beginning of the text, he is beside you. Daniel found this out in his dream. Put some Heavenly perspective on this thing, and for Heaven's sakes cheer up. The angel has come with two words. First, this thing is of the Lord; second, the people brought it upon themselves like did the children of Israel their captivity.

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city

Forget trying to play with the numbers here. This is not a numerology class. The puzzle does not always fit together neatly. Nor does it always make sense and that is ok. Whether in this world or in the next, God will fulfill all his words; Jeremiah 1:12 is a principle of which you can be sure. It may be now or in the future. However, leave the keeping of his Word to the Lord. I could get all nice and cute on you. I start by adding the number of bowls, trumpets, seals, and angels together to equal seven each time. This would provide a completely different message than the one intended. That would be one the devil would undoubtedly support whole heartedly. However, I have no wish to roam the earth with my trusty dog during a time of desolation and mass destruction. For some reason I get the sneaking suspicion that too many believers are playing video games with the Word of God, so to speak. There are several things to note here. The rock was only to be smitten once in Numbers 20:11-12. God judged Moses by not allowing him to enter the promised land for his unbelief. When Jesus arose from the dead per Matthew 28:18, he had all power and authority given him. Never at any time will he be laying this back down. The sacrifice was already completed long ago. Finally, this time is of short duration. There is a time appointed for God to bring you out of whatever you are going through. It is important to note the purposes for which this is done: "to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy."

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

This passage is written for those who are going through something. That fact should be incredibly comforting. Even in Revelation 12:12 the devil knows his time is short. Here we see the temptation of Satan in judgment. It is what he would have done had he been God. But it is important to note God's true character is on display here. This is why even in judgment many repent not. There is a danger found in getting the wrong person in your ear. Sometimes they tend to take over the house. When that happens, it is almost impossible to escape. How many of you know that even in the temptation of Jesus he was not alone as in Matthew 4:1-2. If you will recall the Messiah was tempted of Satan in the wilderness for 40 days and nights prior to beginning his earthly ministry. Now I am not playing with the times for they are God's alone. But I would like to know how Daniel was sick certain days which stretched into seventy weeks here; then some theologians expect the last week to magically turn into seven years. This is why Satan is the silliest goose who ever walked this earth. This has been about a war all along for the souls of mankind. At the end we will see the flood that God sent not and the desolations which man caused.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Now, how theologians can stretch a week into seven years is anyone's guess. I know 2 Peter 3:8 says, "one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day." However, this fellow mentioned here is not the Lord. Could it be that God does not measure time as we do. Since we do not have his point of view, we cannot understand everything fully until we get there, as said before. It takes time for what is sealed to be revealed and to accomplish all his purpose. Speaking of the time of the end, the angel says the covenant will be confirmed for a week. In the middle, it will be broken as sacrifice and offerings cease. I would like to know just what this fellow thinks of himself that he can confirm a covenant. He sure thinks of himself highly. Isaiah 14:12-13 makes note of the son of the morning that wanted to be like God but fell. Here is recorded his final attempts at such. Abominations will overspread the situation and, in fact, all which are not sealed by God. For this will be desolations of many just as there are sacrifices offered on their behalf. When the end has come, that which has been determined will be. There will be consummation as it is fulfilled and brought to pass. Even these and all that God ordained will "be poured upon the desolate." Thereby, will God make all drink from the cup of his wrath even unto the very dregs. Just as there is judgment seen in the cup, there is also comfort. That which is to come, the new Heavens, the new earth, and Christ himself will be a comfort to them that know him. To those who do not he will be to them a terror and a judge.