In The Fullness Of Time

Reference

Daniel 9

In The Fullness Of Time

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Dan 9:1–27.

We are starting a new Christmas series today called beholding the glory of Christmas. I hope this series helps you see the wonder of the Christmas season. A few weeks ago it was a Sunday evening, we had a football game on in the house, and I went to the kitchen to make some popcorn. As I went, one of the kids screamed, “wow, dad, come look at this!” A player made an incredible catch and run, so they showed it on replay over and over and over again. We enjoyed it together.

When something amazing or glorious happens, you cant help but reflect on it and stand in amazement. At Christmas we celebrate the greatest event in the history of the world. But we often treat it more like a chore that something glorious. I'm hoping this series helps you to see that. Ithink we will end in that place today. But we have to begin in a place that is less glorious.

This passage we read Daniel is morning where he and his people are. They have been exiled from their homeland and taken to Babylon because of their sin and turning away from God. He has been longing to be saved and freed.

We read that this account comes from the first year of Darius the Mede. This is probably another name for Cyrus the Persian King (Medo-Perisa). He conquered Babylon in 539 and he freed God’s people to go and rebuild their temple.

22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 23 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 36:22–23.

Their problem of sin, disobedience and judgement are dealt with in this passage. Daniel is wanting God to shine on his people and for that to happen sinned must be owned and it must be atoned.

Daniel’s Owning of Sin.

Daniel is praying through the book of Jeremiah. He isn’t just reading it. He is praying through it. He is relating with God on what he has done.

2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

God punished his people because they turned away from them. The prophet Jeremiah said it would be seventy years of captivity (Jer 25:12). So Daniel who was taken away in 605 bc is now on old man and the year of Darius (also probably Cyrus the Persian). Cyrus issued the edict to free God’s people in 539bc. That is a period of 67 year. So it is the first year of Darius, and Daniel is reflecting on what Jeremiah prophesied. Daniel is about 82 years old and longing for their timeout from God to end. God’s word is guiding his hope.

Daniel is praying through the situation. He is reading God’s word and interacting with it, petitioning God based on what God has said. He is wrestling with God in prayer. Daniel is also owning his and his people’s sin. To own something is to claim possession of it. In my family if there is ever leftover pizza on everyone is there to claim it. It is theirs and they have a reason for why it is theirs. If there is dirt on the floor no one knows how it got there or has any part of how it got there. They will not own that. Here Daniel owns his mess.

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

First of all, in order to understand ourselves, we need to understand who God is. He is holy. We have seen that in the book of Daniel. Daniel cannot sustain his own life. God holds his life in his palm. Even more so God controls the rising and falling of the nations. God is holy, righteous, and perfect. People are not.

Daniel owns the various ways we sin.

5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.

6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them,

V7 because of the treachery that they have committed against you.

V8 we have sinned against you.

V8 have open shame

No Self Righteousness. He owns it. Whatever his people have done he has done. It is not “they sinned,” “they messed up.” We have sinned.

No Blame shifting: I did that because you did…

No Ignoring the Problem. Most people omit these verses from their lives. Don't know what to do so don't do anything at all. Live in the funk. Funk is not just a style of music. Funk is an offensive smell. It also means to be afraid and shrink from taking action. A paralyzing fear and depressed state of mind. This is what happens when you don't acknowledge and deal with your sin. Rifts develop. Relationships fall apart. Not terrible but not very good either.

If you read God’s word and truly reflect on it, you will be much less impressive in your eyes. You will begin to learn how to love. Part of loving is confessing your sin- when you stray from God’s word in your actions and attitudes. I'm sorry I was not loving. I'm sorry I was not being respectful. I'm sorry I neglected… I coveted it in my heart and it made me angry.

He confesses his sin, and he appeals to God for mercy. He does not deserve to have God hear him. He pleads for mercy based on God’s character. He appeals to God’s steadfast love and mercy, which is exactly what we are to do.

Daniel sees their judgment as confirmation of God’s word.

11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem.

The solution to ungodliness isn't more ungodliness. It is repentance. It's not to get angry and hurt others. It is not “God brought this on me so I am mad at him and am going to run from him.” That always tends to us hurting others, often in ways more significant than what they did to us.

Daniel prays and asks God to make his face shine on his sanctuary. He asks God to restore his people and nation. This is Daniel’s burden.

17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear.

But there is a problem that Daniel acknowledges. The people have not repented. They have not changed even though they have suffered much. The people are failing to see what God is after.

*Just cause you go through hardship

doesn't mean you grow from hardship.*

-don't just go through it. Grow through it. Grow closer to God. Press into him. Be shaped by looking at your situation with the lens of scripture.

13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.

*God answers Daniel’s prayer by giving him insight.* Daniel wants a change of circumstances. God gives insight. I’m not going to change your circumstances, but I am going to help you understand. Want your spouse to get their act together, but God says I'm going to help you understand them. But God, that's not what I want. I want them changed. I told God I want a new job, but he gave me understanding. Now think about what you want for others, do you just want your kids to get their way, or to get understanding.

It won’t be seventy years, but seventy sevens. Seven is an important number in judgement.

-When Shadrach, MEshack and Abednego disobeyed the kings order the furnace was heated seven times.

-King Nebuchadnezzer didn't head God’s warning to humble himself so it is said seven periods of time will pass over him before he is restored.

-How many time should you forgive your brother. Not seven but seventy times seven.

23 “And if by this discipline you are not turned to me but walk contrary to me, 24 then I also will walk contrary to you, and I myself will strike you sevenfold for your sins. Leviticus 26:23–24.

When you go against God he does things to bring you back. Hardship is not always due to our sin, but sometimes it is, and it functions like the warning track on a highway.

Daniel is owning his sin. He is doing what all the other people should be doing. But there is also an incredible promise here. Daniel owns his sin. But God promises to atone for sin.

God Atoning of Sin

God says it is not seventy years but seventy times seven. We will discuss the time. First look what God says.

God says he is going to do six incredible things. And him doing these is not contingent on the faithfulness of his people. If God waited for his people to get it together he would never do anything. He is going to make atonement.

To finish transgression.
To put an end to sin. These first two mean that all that sin brought into the world will be gone. No sin, then no punishment. No more death, sickness, futility and frustration. No more captivity. God will be with his people. No more separation.
To atone for iniquity. To atone is to makeone. Those who are separated are united. The reason for offense is taken away. It is covered. Daniel mentions shame several times in his confession. Shame was the result of the frist sin. People went into hiding. Covered themselves. Masked themselves. Their sin, mistakes, inadequacies will be atone for and they will be with God. Jesus dies for our sins. His blood covers our iniquities. Atonement typically requires a payment. A wrong has been done and must be made right. A ransom will be paid. People could not afford this. God will do it. How much would you pay to have all your mistakes, shame, full atoned and removed from your record?
To bring in everlasting righteousness. Righteousness will prevail. Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her king, heaven and nature sing. No more shame.

To seal vision and prophet. This is to make it complete. Vision and prophet closed and not added to and that God authenticates all that he has said and promised in the past.
To anoint a most holy place. God will be with his people.

Jesus is our atoning sacrifice for sins. He takes away sin and transgression. He ransoms us by paying the penalty our sin deserved. He takes away our shame. He frees us from the penalty and power of sin. He seals vision and prophecy. He is our most holy place, he is the temple, and he will make the entire world his dwelling place in perfect righteousness.

This is what Daniel is longing for. This is what will restore him and his people and the world. This is what we all long for. This is what you hope your president will do for you but he will never accomplish it. Only God.

God promises sin will be atoned for. He also gives us an idea of when it will happen. Not seventy years but seventy sevens. These verses are some of the most debated verses in the Bible. I want to show you three ways to understand them.

These are seven periods of time that are fulfilled in 167 ad with the Macabbean revolt against the Greek king Antioch Epiphanies and the rededication of the temple. They say:

Seventy sevens begins 605

605-490= 125 bc

Major events of Maccabees and rededication of the temple in 168 bc. Close enough.

But this accounts for nothing that was promised. There is a dedication of the temple -but no atonement of sin, -there is no anointing of a holy one, read maccabees. -Nothing to do with sealing prophecy. And advocates reason for these discrepancies, well the author was wrong. He missed it. If he missed it this badly then why believe any of it?

There was also no decree to rebuild Jerusalem in 605.

View of most liberal scholars. Misinformation is nothing new and it has never been logical.

25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.

70 years, starts in 539 Persia conquers babylon and frees the Israelites to go back to their homeland.

539 bc is when the seventy sevens starts.

This would put the fulfillment of time at 49 bc. Jesus doesn't come until later so how do you explain the difference? Two options: 1) is seven periods of time and not literal periods 2) ongoing unrepentant of the people, that increased the seventy years before. Like time out. I would put my kids in time out for 10 minutes and they call out, dad its been 11 minutes. You’ll come out when I’m ready. Just wait longer.

70 years starts 605

539 Cyrus issues a decree to build the temple in Jerusalem. But that is not the decree reference by Daniel. People say that decrease was to build the temple and not the city. There is another decree issued later, by king Artaxerxes to rebuild, Jereusalem. Nehemiah 2:5 Ezra 7:12

“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. Ezra 7:12–13.

This decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem. He is allowing the people to go. He even agrees to pay for it. This decree is thought by many to be issued in the year 458 bc

That puts the fulfillment of the seventy sevens, if they started in 458bc, as fulfilled in the year 32 ad. And some think it is fulfilled on Palm Sunday just before Jesus is cut off through crucifixion. God atones for the sin of his people and bringing restoration.

Daniel also gives a breakdown of these seventy seven. These things will occur, and there will be a time of struggle and desolation, but God will save his people. The son of man will come riding on the clouds, he is the emanuel, God with us. Our sins are removed and we can be with him. A shoot, a rod from the stump of Jesse will come to rescue and rule forever.

Now let me say this. I just provided a simplified survey of views on this passage. If you go read more you will find differences of dates and times, and combinations of how those dates relate to Daniel’s words. You can have different takes on this. Let me land on what we know for certain.

In chapter 2 Daniel interprets a dream that terrified king Nebuchadnezzer, and gist is that four kingdoms, a stone that is not cut from human hands destroys the other kingdom and we are told God is going to establish his everlasting kingdom during the time of this fourth kingdom.

Daniel 7:17 says after the four beasts come the saints will receive their kingdom. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

God gives us a time frame in which atonement will be made for sin and transgression and in which prophecy will cease. 490 years after Daniel’s prophecy.

We know that in the fullness of time, God brought forth his son, born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, was cut off (crucified and buried) and raised on the third day. His death was for sin, a perfect sacrifice of an infinite God to atone for the infinite sins of the world. God makes a covenant in his blood, that if we believe we can be saved. It is not just a strong covenant but it is an eternal covenant. The perfect sacrifice has been made so we no longer make sacrifices of blood but rather offer ourselves as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to him. God’s word is complete. And while abominations (the little horn) may continue for a time, we are saved in him, we have access to an eternal kingdom, and we await the return of the Son of man in glory.

Rejoice. Captive israel. Rescue. O come dayspring and cheer.

Dayspring- light has dawned and will soon shine on all we have.

Rod is branch, a shoot, family tree.

Own your sin. Don't keep ignoring God. Don’t keep refusing to submit to him. Don't keep turning to the other way. God has made atonement. You have to own your sin and your walk with him. Trust him and his work to deliver you from shame and captivity of sin.