I have always longed to have a faith in and a relationship with God that would prompt Him to do similarly amazing things in and through me (I Chronicles 16:9). How does that happen? Well, I believe Daniel 9 gives us some insight into how to tap into this same powerful relationship that Daniel possessed… reading the scriptures, prayer, fasting, and confession of sin. It is no guarantee by any means, but if we are engaged in these activities, I believe we significantly increase our potential for God to speak to us and work through us. By the way, what scripture is Daniel is reading? Who wrote it and when? Why is this significant? What are the implications of what Daniel is reading?

For Daniel, what follows is one of the most incredible visions of the future. Who are the 70 Weeks for? When do they begin and end? Why is there a break between week 69 and 70? What historical events are associated with the end of week 69 and the start and end of week 70? Who is the prince/ruler and what do we learn about his nationality (hint: read Daniel 9:27 in several different translations).

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:6-11

Recently, our family has been reading through the book of Ezekiel in our one year chronological Bible and it has brought back memories of the Sunday School class Pastor Dan taught soon after he came to CCCM. I can still hear him saying the repeated phrase that is throughout Ezekiel’s writing… “then they will know that I am the Lord”. Not only is this the theme of Ezekiel, but of the entire scriptures from Genesis to Revelation.

One of the most solemn moments in the entire book of Ezekiel is found in chapters 8-11, when he records the departure of the Spirit of the Lord from the temple. Originally, the Spirit and glory of the Lord filled the temple built by Solomon amid a powerful prayer of dedication, consuming fire from heaven, burnt offering and sacrifices, and a week-long festival celebration (II Chronicles 7:1-10). In contrast, the account of the glory of the Lord departing the threshold of the temple goes virtually unnoticed by all except Ezekiel, ushering in a time of great punishment and suffering for Judah. Fortunately, this is not the end. By God’s mercy and grace, Ezekiel is given a message of restoration for Israel and the temple, along with a return of the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 43:1-4). In chapters 40-48, Ezekiel is given a detailed vision of a new temple that will be built. Which temple is this? When will it be built? Who is the prince? What is the purpose of the sacrificial system and is it the same system introduced in Leviticus? Take some time today to search out these answers and allow God speak to you.