August 17: DISCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the linage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Daniel 9:1-2
It should be noted that a change of focus had occurred in chapter 8: not only did the original language of the text shift from Aramaic* back to Hebrew, but the description of the vision became interlaced with sanctuary language. The symbolic animals of chapter 8 are clean animals, purposely intended to catch the attention of those who are interested in spiritual things.
It was customary with new regimes for existing offices to be dissolved and officers executed. But Darius recognized and appreciated in Daniel an unusual capacity for discernment and a high quality of character. It is evident that they became good friends (see chapter 6). Darius was more likely the grandson of Ahasuerus (the king who chose Esther for his queen). It is abundantly demonstrated in Hebrew writings that the descendants of a man, even several generations down, are considered his sons.
Daniel, in naming this time as the first year of Darius, provided accurate historical placement, but also honored King Darius, his friend. Jeremiah the prophet was a contemporary of Daniel who suffered greatly because of the disbelief and mistreatment of his fellow Jews. But Daniel recognized him as a true prophet and studied his writings. This is why he, Daniel, understood…the number of the years specified…that [God] would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
The word desolations (or variations of it) is associated with the withdrawal of God’s protection and/or the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 23:38). The gross disobedience of God’s people repeatedly placed them outside of His protective umbrella, and instead at the mercy of merciless, godless nations. In Jeremiah chapter 25 is the prophesy of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. In addition, verses 29 and forward point to the last days, the days of spiritual Babylon in which we are now captive due to the widespread apostasy of those who name the name of the LORD Jesus as their Savior. This chapter of Jeremiah (25) resembles Matthew 24 in that Jesus provides pertinent information regarding the desolation of Jerusalem that would come at the hand of the pagan Romans (it came in 70AD) and also the abomination of desolation of the last days at the hand of papal Rome and all who perpetuate her deceptions.
Daniel could discern the signs of the times because of his attention to the Scriptures. The time of Babylonian captivity had reached its prophesied end, yet many of the Jewish captives had not learned the lessons intended by God in allowing the overthrow of Jerusalem by Babylon. In His sovereignty, even the unpleasant things are intended for good, for the edification of character and discernment, and for learning total dependence upon the God of love (see Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28). Instead, they had learned to love the Babylonian lifestyle. They could not discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3).
Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:3
*Daniel 2:4 – 7:28 is written in the language of the Chaldeans. The rest of the book of Daniel is in Hebrew, the language that God chose to reveal His counsels given by the prophets of the Old Testament, and relating directly to the New Testament.