Text: Daniel 9:20-27

Dear Young People,

A WORD OF EXPLANATION

Without an explanation from the Lord, it would be impossible to understand a vision He gives. Daniel was given a special vision from the Lord. It was a vision that was far-reaching. On his own, it would have been impossible for him to comprehend what the vision meant.

Mercifully, God gave him a word of explanation as well. We read about this in the following text:

"Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times."
Daniel 9:25

What a marvelous word of encouragement God gave to Daniel for his nation. Few things are as important to the Jews as Jerusalem and their Messiah. In this word of explanation, God promised two important things:-

1. That Jerusalem would be rebuilt.

2. That The Messiah would be involved.

These words contained a great sense of hope. God's Word could never be violated! Though Jerusalem may lie in ruins (in the days of Daniel), there was a future for the holy city. God had not abandoned His chosen city. But more than that, God would send His Messiah to His people. All these things were of course to be in the future. That was all right! As long as the future was full of hope, the long passage of time did not really matter.

A WORD OF WARNING
However, with the word of hope, also came a word of warning.

"And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined."
Daniel 9:26

"Hope" and "Warning". What a combination! Persevere! Pray on.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 2nd June 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore