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INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF DANIEL. DAY 1.

PRESENTATION BY ISAIAH-PHILLIPS AKINTOLA

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ISAIAH 46:10

The book of Daniel emerges from a period of national apostasy and peril in Jewish history, when the chosen people had strayed from their true God. The pursuit of idolatry and self-worship as taking root deep within the lifestyle of the people. The moral pillars of society had abandoned their sacred duties, and the leadership vacuum ultimately led to the nation’s collapse and a 70-year captivity in Babylon.

Despite its somber backdrop, Daniel is a testament to hope, courage, faith, and divine purpose. It affirms that regardless of human circumstances or choices, God’s intentions and counsel will prevail, impacting both religious and secular spheres globally.

The current hostility towards Christian stand and values from atheist and secular communities is not unprecedented as seen with the just opening and ending of the 2024 Olympics game in Paris. Indeed, the church itself as its generally seen today has become a playground for worldly desire and shows is undergoing a reform of its wineskin and values to return to heaven’s original purpose.

Indeed, some of the persecution we are seeing against the church has been allowed to wake her up to readjust itself and priority.Even with this, the counsel of the Lord stand sure; the Lord has continued to bull his ecclesia as he promised and we are about to see a glorious Church emerge from these ongoing shaken taking place globally. What we believe to be the emergence of the Daniel’s ecclesia is assuring us that heaven’s redemptive agenda will stand firm, as it is also echoed in the book of Revelation.

Daniel offers a panoramic view of the culmination of human history as we know it. This perspective is particularly crucial for the Church, providing an anchor for our needed courage, faith, and hope in times like this.

The book demonstrates that no earthly power, system, government, or satanic force can thwart God’s intentions. It exposes the limitations of human powers and understanding of God regarding divine sovereignty and challenges common misrepresentations of God’s people.

Crucially, the apocalyptic visions in chapters 7 to 12 invite us to understand the sovereignty of God, His wisdom, knowledge, and authority as the overarching realities governing our existence. These chapters reveal that Earth is not merely a place of natural occurrences, but a realm where spiritual and material realities intersect.

Chapter 7, in particular, unveils a dimension beyond human sensory understanding, showing how God intends the earth to be governed and established in spiritual order and leadership. The vivid imagery of beasts-like creatures, and angelic cosmic warfare should be understood in the context of celestial powers operating within the human realm.

These apocalyptic sections emphasize humanity’s role as gatekeepers of the earthly realm. Since the Fall in Eden, there has been an ongoing battle for Earth’s dominion. The creation of humans in God’s image to steward the planet underscores its significance among God’s creations and this explains why Satan’s relentless pursuit of it.

The book reminds us that to view Earth as merely a geographical, material realm is a deception. Humans, by divine design, are spiritual beings given authority and responsibility to be God’s priests over this realm. If we fail to recognize our spiritual status in Christ and our leadership role, we risk being displaced by fallen beings, metaphorically referred to as “giants.”

It’s crucial to understand that the battle over Earth isn’t against extraterrestrial entities, as some might speculate. Rather, we’re confronting powerful, fallen demonic spirits already present and rising to influence the world through unsuspecting humans who have open themselves up to the influence of these powerful spirits just as we saw in the days of Noah.

Through Daniel, we are invited to reassess our knowledge, faith, values, and understanding of truth, including how both religious and political systems operate. It serves as a powerful reminder that God will not tolerate the abuse of His people and that His purposes can be accomplished through the faithful few.

As we look into the book of Daniel, it’s my prayer that the Lord will use this message and presentation to stir and awaken many of our lives to adjust our spiritual experience to reposition our faith and courage to stand faithful in our assignment in this season.