September 2: THE COVENANT PEOPLE

Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come. Daniel 10:14

The expression latter days reinforces the meaning of the two thousand three hundred [prophetic] days (8:14) as literal years. Daniel’s close walk with God translated into a profound concern for the future of all of His people. Here, Gabriel refers to God’s people as Daniel’s people. Throughout history, God has always had a covenant people; a remnant, through whom the message of salvation was to be conveyed to the world at large. In the latter days, this covenant includes people from all over. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29) The family of faith in Christ on the New Earth will be a complete representation of all peoples from every corner of the globe, for God had said to Abraham: “In you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3)

When he [Gabriel] had spoken such words to me [Daniel], I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. Daniel 10:15

Several physical manifestations of the experiences of genuine prophets are similar. The presence of the angel Gabriel, accompanied of course by the Holy Spirit, had a profoundly overwhelming effect upon Daniel. The Bible records some of these effects, such as an initial loss of physical strength (Daniel 10:8); may receive supernatural strength (Revelation 1:17; Daniel 10:18-19); eyes wide open (Numbers 24:4); no breath (Daniel 10:17); able to speak while in vision (Revelation 10:8-9); no awareness of earthly surroundings (2 Corinthians 12:1-4).

And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.” Daniel 10:16

Enabled to speak, Daniel expresses his deep feelings of sorrow. The current difficulty of his people with the temple rebuilding project combined with the vision of future suffering of God’s covenant people is truly overwhelming. But Daniel’s love for his God is an engine that powers his entire mindset, which brings us to examine the character traits of true prophets: they live a godly life (Matthew 7:15-16); they speak in harmony with the Word of God (Isaiah 8:20); they are called into service by God (Amos 7:14-15); they never contradict the past revelations of God, either through the prophets of old or through His own Son (Hebrews 1:1-2); they confess that Jesus the Messiah came in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3); they experience dreams and visions (Numbers 12:6); predicted events must come true (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Jeremiah 14:13-15). Because of Daniel’s character, he is entrusted with an outline of future events. The rejection of God’s prophets is the rejection of the will of God (see Luke 7:28-30) and your own spiritual prosperity.

Believe in the LORD your God and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper. 2 Chronicles 20:20