Post by Admin on Aug 24, 2017 6:21:54 GMT
Angels and demons were a recurring topic in tonight’s Bible discussion. The scripture reading for tonight was very long – all of chapter 10 and most of chapter 11. Daniel Chapter 10 dealt primarily with Daniel’s three weeks of prayer following by an angelic visit, all to understand his most recent vision of war. The following verses from Chapter 11 provide extensive details about future kings and conflicts, sort of a Middle East Game of Thrones. As background: this vision came to Daniel about one year after the Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem, with Daniel staying behind. It takes place during and after Passover, which occurs during the first month of the Jewish calendar.
Much of tonight’s discussion focused on Daniel’s persistence in prayer. His confidence that God was listening equipped him to be patient, and then he was justified when the angel appeared and let him know that Daniel was heard and that he should not be afraid. Can we learn from Daniel’s experience that God is always with us, always listening, and will answer when He knows the time is right? Now, the angel presented an interesting situation. He claimed to have been delayed by the “prince of Persia” until he received help from another angel, Michael. This raises some questions: is the “prince of Persia” a pseudonym for Satan or a demon? Are some angels less powerful or equal in power to some demons? Are angels battling demons today, invisible to us, and reducing the evil we see in the world, even though much evil exists?
At the end of the passages in Chapter 11, God clearly warns in the vision that Jews will be persecuted – fall by the sword, burned, captured, plundered – at some point under one the despicable kings. Daniel’s vision makes clear that some will suffer for keeping God’s Holy covenant. Another interesting question: why does God allow suffering? To be purified, as suggested by verse 35? Or because our future is sure and eternal, and earthly suffering does not matter?
Much of tonight’s discussion focused on Daniel’s persistence in prayer. His confidence that God was listening equipped him to be patient, and then he was justified when the angel appeared and let him know that Daniel was heard and that he should not be afraid. Can we learn from Daniel’s experience that God is always with us, always listening, and will answer when He knows the time is right? Now, the angel presented an interesting situation. He claimed to have been delayed by the “prince of Persia” until he received help from another angel, Michael. This raises some questions: is the “prince of Persia” a pseudonym for Satan or a demon? Are some angels less powerful or equal in power to some demons? Are angels battling demons today, invisible to us, and reducing the evil we see in the world, even though much evil exists?
At the end of the passages in Chapter 11, God clearly warns in the vision that Jews will be persecuted – fall by the sword, burned, captured, plundered – at some point under one the despicable kings. Daniel’s vision makes clear that some will suffer for keeping God’s Holy covenant. Another interesting question: why does God allow suffering? To be purified, as suggested by verse 35? Or because our future is sure and eternal, and earthly suffering does not matter?