Another chapter of struggle in the life of God's prophet, Daniel. This week our SSLesson entitled, "From Battle to Victory" - will focus on Chapter 10 of his prophetic book. This lesson is divided into 5 items.

Background:

Contextually, Daniel was probably taken captive as a teenager (605 B.C.), he lived until at least the third year of Cyrus (536 B.C., 10:1). The book of Ezra and Nehemiah tell the events from the moment when king Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return to Jerusalem from Babylon, until the consolidation of Israel as an independent and stable nation (under the political domain of the Medo-Persian empire. We can also include the key historical events of which Isaiah (Isaiah 44:28), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11) and Daniel (Daniel 1:1) prophesied the 70 years after Jerusalem was conquered, Cyrus allowed the Israelite to return (Ezra 1:1. Therefore with these information we understood why Daniel cried to God about the condition of God's people - Daniel interceded for Israel before God (Daniel 9:1-19) and told Cyrus about the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah. This was the key for Cyrus to allow the return of the exiles.

Cyrus was at Ecbatana by September 537 BC. That’s where he enacted the decree in Ezra 6:2-5. This decree included the following points:

• They had to build the Temple in Jerusalem

• Every Jew could return (it was not mandatory)

• They could be helped with silver, gold, cattle…

• About 50,000 people travelled to Jerusalem. They arrived about year 536 BC.

According to Ezra 2:1, they were led by Zerubbabel (grandson of king Jeconiah) and the High Priest Jeshua/Joshua.

Just review our last year's Sabbath School Lesson - entitled, "Making Sense of History" Lesson 1 September 28-October 4, 2019 - the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

This lesson will discussed how God assured Daniel that he watches over everything and has a future planned, with a Deliverer who will die Daniel 9:24-27) for the people to atone for their sins (Daniel 9:16-20), bring righteousness, and fulfill the sacrificial system.

Let's read PK 547 - Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway, Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador, and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name, were not fully understood even by the prophet himself; but before his life labors closed, he was given the blessed assurance that "at the end of the days"--in the closing period of this world's history--he would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place. It was not given him to understand all that God had revealed of the divine purpose. "Shut up the words, and seal the book," he was directed concerning his prophetic writings; these were to be sealed "even to the time of the end." "Go thy way, Daniel," the angel once more directed the faithful messenger of Jehovah; "for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. . . . Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." Daniel 12:4, 9, 13. {PK 547.1}

1. Mourning and Fasting: Daniel 10:1-3

Daniel talked with God. Heaven was opened before him. But the high honors granted him were the result of humiliation and earnest seeking. He did not think, as do many at the present day, that it is no matter what we believe, if we are only honest, and love Jesus. True love for Jesus will lead to the most close and earnest inquiry as to what is truth. Christ prayed that his disciples might be sanctified through the truth. He who is too indolent to make anxious, prayerful search for truth, will be left to receive errors which shall prove the ruin of his soul. {RH, February 8, 1881 par. 25}

No less a personage than the Son of God appeared to Daniel. This description is similar to that given by John when Christ was revealed to him upon the Isle of Patmos. Our Lord now comes with another heavenly messenger to teach Daniel what would take place in the latter days. This knowledge was given to Daniel and recorded by inspiration for us upon whom the ends of the world are come. {RH, February 8, 1881 par. 27}

The great truths revealed by the world's Redeemer are for those who search for truth as for hid treasures. Daniel was an aged man {at the age nearly 90 years}, his life had been passed amid the fascinations of a heathen court, his mind cumbered with the affairs of a great empire. Yet he turns aside from all these to afflict his soul before God, and seek a knowledge of the purposes of the Most High. And in response to his supplications, light from the heavenly courts was communicated for those who should live in the latter days. With what earnestness, then, should we seek God, that He may open our understanding to comprehend the truths brought to us from heaven. {SL 50.1}

Application:

• Do we spend time fasting and praying to God as did Daniel the prophet?

• DO we devout time to pray for others?

• DO we come to God to solve our problems and challenges which we cannot bear?

• DO we have perseverance in earnest prayer?

2. The vision of Christ: Daniel 10:4-9

Similarities in Daniel and Revelation:

a. Clothed in linen - Dan. 10:5; Rev. 1:13 - Son of Man - Jesus Christ

• During the purification - One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. "{3T 266.2}

• The saints will also wear the white linen - They will stand before the throne of God, clothed with the white linen which is the righteousness of Christ. {RH, July 29, 1890 par. 4}

• During the One Hour - (11th hour) “The merchants of the earth,” that have “waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies,” “shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to naught.” [Revelation 18:5-10, 3, 15-17.] {GC88 653.2}

• The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is written the name, King of kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white [Revelation 19:11-16].--7BC 982 (1899). {LDE 251.4}

b. With a golden belt - Dan. 10:5; Rev. 1:13 - Son of Man Jesus Christ.

I saw "a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz....Then said he unto me,...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." "For at the time of the end shall be the vision." Dan. 10:5, 12, 14; 8:17.

Taking the phrase, "loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz" - it denotes that someone who wear this is ready for a military confrontation - in this instance Jesus showed to Daniel that He is ready for a battle.

c. Face like lightning - Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:16

Then it is that the heaven-born fire, the "thunderings, and lightnings, and voices," with which the first session of the Judgment opened in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev. 4:5), descend to earth in reverse order (voices, thunderings, lightnings -- Rev. 8:5), in addition to which there is an earthquake.

d. Eyes like torches - Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:14

We had devised for ourselves many useless follies, but thou hast placed thy Word before me like a torch, and thou hast touched my heart, in order that I may hold in abomination all other merits save those of Jesus.” {GC88 221.1}

The work is too much like that of carrying a torch through a district in the night. The places where the torch-bearer goes are light; but not many tapers are kindled from his torch, and when he has gone his way, the darkness is almost as great as before. . . . {6MR 198.1}

When their light burns brightly, a thousand torches will be kindled at the flame.--SW, April 5, 1904. {PM 264.2}

e. Bronze feet -Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:15

Being of brass (bronze), a metal that has everlasting qualities, that does not deteriorate, shows that they represent something eternal. (2TG 22.20)

f. Thunderous voice - Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:15

The voice of Thy thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightning lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook." Psalm 77:17, 18, R.V. {PP 287.3}

They will stand before the throne of God, clothed with the white linen which is the righteousness of Christ. {RH, July 29, 1890 par. 4}

In love, with a desire to elevate and ennoble us, God provided for us a standard of obedience. In awful majesty, amid thundering and lightning, he proclaimed from Mount Sinai his ten holy precepts. This law reveals the whole duty of the human family; the first four precepts define our duty to God, and the last six our duty to man. A certain lawyer came to Christ, and tempted him, saying: "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." {ST, March 4, 1897 par. 3}

3. Daniel's Reaction: Daniel 10:10-19

A touch to LISTEN (verses 10-14)

A touch from Jesus imparted life-giving power. DA 266.1

A touch can bring healing power. HP 108.4; ML 13.2

Daniel was touch by Jesus to acknowledge His presence and to listen to His commendation and interpretation of the vision.

• a man greatly beloved

• understand the words that I speak and stand upright

• his words had been heard and He was sent to speak unto him

• to be understood that this vision will come to pass in the last days (Dan. 1014)

A touch to SPEAK (verses 15-17)

The one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips (verse 16) and causes him to speak with acknowledgement that he is not worthy to speak words because his strength was gone from him.

A touch to GET STRENGTH (verses 18-19)

Another one appearance of a man touch him and gave strength and said, O man greatly beloved, "Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong " (verse 19) and after those words, he was strengthened.

4. The Battle: Daniel 10:20

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.

During the time where Daniel is fasting for 3 weeks (21 days) there's a fight going on to counter the influence of the enemy on king Cyrus. That spiritual battle went on during all the days of Cyrus king of Persia,, even until the reign of Darius (Ezra 4:5)

Application:

• A spiritual battle now is also raging against the truth. (Eph. 6:12)

• As Gabriel need help, we also need the help of Michael in this battle. (Dan. 12:1)

• Battle will be raging on the next chapter - the king of the North and the South.

5. The Victory: Daniel 10:21

But I will show 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.

Michael defeated Satan and his angels, and expelled them from Heaven.

In Judas 9, Michael resurrected Moses. He is also identified as an archangel.

Jesus explained that His voice will resurrect everyone (John 5:25, 28), so He is Michael. Jesus is our victorious Prince.

From the Pen of Inspiration:

• We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12. {AG 36.1}

• The fallen world is the battlefield for the greatest conflict the heavenly universe and earthly powers have ever witnessed. It was appointed as a theater on which would be fought out the grand struggle between good and evil, between heaven and hell. Every human being acts a part in this conflict. No one can stand on neutral ground. Men must either accept or reject the world's Redeemer. All are witnesses, either for or against Christ. Christ calls upon those who stand under His banner to engage in the conflict with Him as faithful soldiers, that they may inherit the crown of life. {AG 36.2}

• Battles are to be fought every day. A great warfare is going on over every soul, between the prince of darkness and the Prince of life. . . . As God's agents you are to yield yourselves to Him, that He may plan and direct and fight the battle for you, with your cooperation. The Prince of life is at the head of His work. He is to be with you in your daily battle with self, that you may be true to principle; that passion, when warring for the mastery, may be subdued by the grace of Christ; that you come off more than conqueror through Him that hath loved us. Jesus has been over the ground. He knows the power of every temptation. He knows just how to meet every emergency, and how to guide you through every path of danger. {AG 36.3}