Further Thought:
“For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus. … All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days of his son Cambyses”. — Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 572.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“What great honor is shown to Daniel by the Majesty of heaven! He comforts His trembling servant and assures him that his prayer has been heard in heaven. In answer to that fervent petition the angel Gabriel was sent to affect the heart of the Persian king. The monarch had resisted the impressions of the Spirit of God during the three weeks while Daniel was fasting and praying, but heaven’s Prince, the Archangel, Michael, was sent to turn the heart of the stubborn king to take some decided action to answer the prayer of Daniel”. — Ellen G. White, The Sanctified Life, p. 51.
Discussion Questions:
- Though we are not the first people in Christian history to see this truth, as Seventh-day Adventists we are strong proponents of the “great controversy” motif, or the idea that the entire universe is part of an epic struggle between Christ and Satan. And we believe that every human being is, indeed, involved in this controversy. Others, even secular people, have talked about the reality of some kind of battle in which we are all immersed. What has been your own experience in the great controversy? How have you seen it manifested in your own life? What have you learned that could help others struggling, as well?
- Read Ephesians 6:10-18. Notice the overt military imagery that Paul uses. What “battle instructions” are given here for us in the great controversy?
- In Daniel 10:11, for a second time (see Dan. 9:23) Daniel is called hamudot, or “beloved”. What does this tell us about the close link, even an emotional link, between heaven and earth? Think about how radically different this reality is when compared to the common atheistic view of much of the modern world. What hope does this Bible view, as seen in this reference to Daniel, offer us?
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<–Thursday
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A fish swimming in an aquarium has very little understanding of what they see thought the glass. They see shadowy figures that are clearly not fish, and an environment that the only certainty they can appreciate is that they cannot live in it. If fish could think they would probably find the whole thing a bit scary.
In some respects we are like the fish. We are trapped in a time-space aquarium and we can only see shadows of what it happening outside. The last chapters have given us a glimpse of the "outside" and it can be quite scary for us. At the same time he has not left us with just the scary bits but with a picture of a God who works for us.
It is perhaps pertinent for us to understand that sin is not just an "aquarium" issue but an "existence" one. That does not diminish the problem of evil for us but serves to show that we are caught up in a conflict that extends far beyond us.
A couple of days ago, I quoted Paul's evaluation of the problem. Now is the time to include the context of that quote because it contains the strategy for us to deal with it.
I am reassured that before the LORD makes a final momentous decision He double checks the facts, he opens His records in His books and checks them out in person.
Here are two sections in the 66 books the LORD has given me on which I base my understanding:
Gen 18:20-21 the LORD said - because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great I will go down and see if it is true before I destroy them.
Matt 22:1-14 Jesus explained the pre-advent investigative judgment in a parable so that all could understand it. The king prepared a weddings feast for his son, first he called those who claimed to be his friends but they ignored him (so proved their true character) so he struck them off his list, then he opened the event to anyone who accepted his invitation, he provided them all with appropriate clothes, just before the wedding he came into the hall to check on the guests and found one had proved his true character, he wanted the feast but didn't respect the king and wasn't prepared to change his clothes to be like the king. Invitation, investigation, put into action.
There are many places in the LORDs Word that show that when Jesus comes there will already have been a decision between those who truly believe in Him and accept Him as their Lord and Master and those who dont. Matt 16:27; Dan 7:10
Invitation - Investigation - Implementation
These are more passages that reveal that the heavenly courts were keeping track of the people who claimed to belong to the LORD and the true choices of their hearts so that when the LORD returned their destination had already been finalized.
Mat 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? 23 And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!
Mat 25:1-12 Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them. 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there be not enough for us and you. But rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And they who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
Mat 25:31-34 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His glory. 32 And all nations shall be gathered before Him. And He shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. 33 And indeed He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats off the left. 34 Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Mat 25:41 Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.
It is clear that even in this group there are different understandings of the particular messages of Daniel, however it is only one of the 66 books in the Word of the LORD that He has provided to us to reveal His Character and His Everlasting Covenant. I have found that if this particular section is not yet clear to me I need to spend more time on those that are clear, I have found the two books that are most helpful to me are the gospel of John and Genesis which both start with the beginning.
There might be so much going on that we are not able to see. Things that happen at a different level from this material reality of ours. Powers that fight against each other in order to influence the human actions. What kind of spirit are we letting to have control of our feelings? Dispair, anger, envy, rage, or sorry, love, peace? As humans, it is safe to hide our hearts in the contemplation of God's love. May we be open to the whispering of gratitude, because we were already bought with a high price! At these times of reflecion, may we lean on a gentle Spirit to help ourselves in this journey. Although we may feel trapped in a muddy whole, may we look upward to the sun and see its light to continually shine upon us! Make love, not war!
Guidance and protection from the Holy Ghost.
Qu #1 in today lesson.
What has been your own experience in the great controversy? How have you seen it manifested in your own life? What have you learned that could help others struggling, as well?
The controversy between good and evil began in heaven and is continuing in our present day. I have so many experience the will take a book to write.
One of such is, I worked at a place for sometime and they are trying to get rid of me. I didn’t do anything wrong so it is difficult for them to get rid of me without a reason. Like Daniel, they tried doing everything.
For sometime now (approx 3 months) every-time I entered the pantry area I see a Spirit/image of one jumping from (next to the microwave) to hid itself. Was the Spirit there all the time or was that placed recent by someone? I don’t know, don’t want to know.
I have so many spiritual encounters that by now if the Lord was not with me I should have been dead. I wrote before about my spouse was demon possessed. The house at first appeared to have demons living in it. Great stories. We prayed before purchasing the house so we are still in the house. We think that’s where the Lord wants us to be. We as Christians can’t be running away from these situations.
When you are praying a lot evil forces attack you more.
My encouragement to others is never give up. We are nearing home, Satan is ramping up his works. The battle is hard, but by any by when the morning comes we will overcome by Jesus name.
But do not forget Satan and his angels can work in subtle ways. All our angers, malice, jealousy, backbiting, gossiping, false findings, hatred of others who doesn’t look like us or speak like us. etc etc. Keep praying and be sincere. The devil knows who is not sincere.
My hope is in the Lord. Holy Spirit be my guide.
Question #3. In Daniel 10:11, for a second time (see Dan. 9:23) Think about how radically different this reality is when compared to the common atheistic view of much of the modern world. What hope does this Bible view, as seen in this reference to Daniel, offer us?
As mentioned during the week I met this man and wife who are Atheist. He told me he was once a Jew but all this thing doesn’t add up. I tried engaging him in conversation but he was not interesting. He was set in his mind with his views.
These are the people we have to be praying for, people who Satan had blinded their eyes to Christ. The fact is, they read and know about God, they are very educated, they might not believe religious teaching but they are quite informed about religion.
I don’t write off no one I leave that to the working of Holy Spirit. Because of the close link of heaven with earth the Holy Spirit pleads with sinners. He encourages us to give up our evil (rapped up with Satan) ways.
I really appreciate what you have shared Shirley. The Bible makes it so clear that our decision will have been made when Christ comes. There will be no pixie dust sprinkled on us that will suddenly change how we think or act. That changing in a twinkling of an eye has been misunderstood I fear. The good news is, that the one who made it clear in scripture, will also give us the strength to live that life now. We don’t have to wait for heaven, to live the life Jesus longs for us to have now. What a blessing.