IvoryEagle

Q1. (Daniel 11:36-45) What do we learn about the character of this Antichrist figure? ARROGANT, EGOTISTICAL, & VULNERABLE TO FLATTERY What seems to be his prime motivations? VICTORY OVER ALL & TO TAKE THE PLACE ON THE THRONE OF GOD. What does he have to do with the land of Israel? IT IS HERE, HE WILL MEET HIS END.

Q4. (Daniel 11) What does this rehearsal of prophecy and history teach you about the world rulers and geopolitics of our own time? A NEW DAY, SAME TEMPERAMENTS & TACTICS. How does the "big picture" inform us about the events of our day? IN THE END, GOD ALWAYS WIN. THE END IS NEAR. Do you believe that God knows and cares about the details of your country's struggles and future? YES Are you praying for your country's leaders? YES, FERVENTLY

Q3. (Daniel 11) What is your general impression of Daniel's vision after reading the prophetic words matched by their historical fulfillment? THE VISION IS FILLED WITH EBBS AND FLOWS. MEN will do anything to win, including engaging their daughters as weapons. LOVE trumps war. One daughter who came with a mission according to her father, fell in love and joined the enemy...Deceit is pervasive, even now. What other Biblical prophecies can you think of that have been fulfilled so precisely? JESUS BIRTH, DEATH, & RESURRECTION. What does this teach you about God? GOD IS ALWAYS FOCUSED ON THE APPOINTED TIME. WAIT ON IT; HE WILL NOT BE RUSHED...HE WILL ALLOW MUCH SUFFERING, IN THE END, HE USES IT TO STRENGTHEN HIS PEOPLE.

Q2. (Daniel 10:12-13) Why wasn't the angel messenger able to bring his message in a timely manner? HE WAS DETERRED Who resisted him? THE PRINCE of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days Who helped him? MICHAEL, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia What does this teach us about prayer? THOUGH WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORKS; IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IT DOES WORK. It is also important to not put a time limit on the response. Much happens that we don't understand. About spiritual warfare? IT IS REAL AND IS ALL AROUND US!

Q1. (Daniel 10: 3, 7-11, 15-17) Daniel is old, but why does the vision affect him so greatly? THE STRENGTH OF TRUTH & THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD had to be unprecedented in his life. Because of his honor God he could not go low enough nor could he mentally comprehend what to do. What is the physical effect on him? INCREDIBLE SUBMISSION. What is the mental and spiritual effect on him? TOTALLY DECIMATED! Nothing has prepared him for this moment and this power. Why is spiritual "work" so taxing on us? THE ACCOUNTABILITY. By its very nature accountability taxes us first.

Q4. Why do you think Daniel's visions and prophecies have been an encouragement to Christians throughout the centuries when they are undergoing severe persecution? LIKE SURGERY, THE PAIN IS REAL BUT WE KNOW IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER. GOD IS OUR SURGEON AND HE HAS SAID THE PAIN WILL COME BUT IF YOU ENDURE, YOU WILL HEAL & IT WILL BE BETTER THAN BEFORE.! I BELIEVE THAT....Stay tuned..

Q3. (Daniel 9:24-27) Why do you think there are so many interpretations of Daniel's vision of the Seventy Sevens? THERE ARE AS MANY INTERPRETATIONS AS THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH ACCESS TO THE DATA. If we are alive, we have bodies and opinions are like bodies, we all have one. What is your interpretation of the various key parts of the vision? GOD IS RESERVING THE FINAL INTERPRETATION FOR HIMSELF. Like the late bus in Jamaica, it will be interpreted when it is delivered. Stay tuned.

Q2. (Daniel 9:24-27) Why do you think people fight with each other over the interpretation of difficult Bible passages? According to Romans 14:1-5, what should be our attitude towards those who disagree with us on the non-essentials of the faith? Romans 14:1-5 MESSAGE VERSION CAPTURES IT: 1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. 2 For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume all Christians should be vegetarians and eat accordingly. 3 But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. 4 Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. 5 Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.

Q1. (Daniel 9:24) In what ways can we find in Jesus the fulfillment of the six tasks found in verse 24? "HE (You) PAID IT ALL UPON THE CROSS: HE PAID THE COST BECAUSE WE WERE LOST" (Wess Morgan) "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy." (9:24)

Q4. (Daniel 9:15-19) What was Daniel's essential prayer? FOR GOD'S SAKE What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? Precedent and identity How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? It was already done, the moment he began to pray.. Daniel 9:20-23New Life Version (NLV) Daniel Tells about the Future20 I was speaking and praying, and telling the Lord my sin and the sin of my people Israel. I was asking the Lord my God to show favor to His holy mountain. 21 And while I was still praying, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen before in the dream, flew to me in a hurry at about the time when the evening gift is given in worship. 22 He talked to me and told me things, saying, “O Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you. For you are loved very much. So listen to what I say and understand the special dream.

Q3. (Daniel 9:5) Since Daniel is such a righteous man in his generation, why does he identify himself with the sins of his people? He knows he is of the people, by the people and for the people. This is beyond stereotyping; it is authentic inclusion. He didn't commit these sins. How does this compare to how Jesus sought forgiveness for his people? Short of dying on the cross, the attitude and approach was the same.

Q2. (Daniel 9:3-4a) What is Daniel's demeanor as he prays? Humility How does he prepare? Fasting, sackcloth Why is this so important in this case? God owes nothing. No assumptions, a plea for mercy. In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? The same, we must never forget that the answer is always prayer.

Q1. (Daniel 9:1-2) What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? Daniel understood Scriptures, God, and he had the vision. Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation[216] of Jerusalem would last seventy years." (9:1-2) What practice on Daniel's part leads him to pray? Praying is what Daniel does; it sustains him and he had a fierce history with its power. (Fire & Lions)

Q3. (Daniel 7:18, 22, 27) Three times the angel assures Daniel that "the saints of the Most High" will ultimately receive the kingdom and possess it forever (Daniel 7:18, 22, and 27). In what circumstances is this truth most precious to God's people? In times of suffering and challenge. It is also important in the face of others appearing to be winning and victorious. Though there may have been partial fulfillments, when do you expect the ultimate fulfillment? "WHEN IT GETS HERE MAN." Years ago on a trip to Jamaica, I had purchased a tour that was scheduled to depart at a certain time. After 30 minutes of no tour bus; frustrated, I approached the clerk to ask what time the bus would arrive, the response was it will be on time. Persistently, I asked what is 'on time' since it was already passed the printed time. The answer was: "WHEN IT GETS HERE MAM." That is about the size of it, the ultimate fulfillment will occur, when it occurs; our job is to wait with great expectations

Q2. (Daniel 7:13-14) How do these verses describe "one like a son of man"? God's son, the Divine, Jesus What makes us think he is a divine figure? What makes us KNOW? He is and has been in the presence of God What authority and glory does he receive? ALL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN HIM. Why do you think Jesus called himself "the Son of Man"? For the same reasons politicians monitor their words; persecution can only operate with a handle. Giving himself a name that is used by many makes him appear ordinary; the enemy does not have a handle in which to attack.

Q1. (Daniel 7:1-2) What is the relationship of the Ancient of Days (God) to the various beastly nations that rage against each other and against him and his people? THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP; God is large and in charge. They are there for His judgment. What happens to these beast-nations? They will find their home in the lake of fire. Why is it sometimes so difficult to believe that God is in charge of the world we live in? Because we, as humans, don't understand DELAYED GRATIFICATION. LIke the screensaver on our computers, we tend to believe what we see verses what is real; God is real and truly a consuming fire. The time to be saved is over; and the screensaver cannot save.

Q6. (Daniel 5:22-24) In the New Testament, Jesus doesn't present God as legalistic, but as holy -- "hallowed be thy name." We are to be God-fearers. How do Christians commonly act irreverently in ways that would offend God? Forgetting to acknowledge God. Proverbs 3:5-6 prevails How have you changed your ways to conform to God's holiness? Remembering to remember both Proverbs 3:5-6 & Jeremiah 29:11..Also remembering that when I state my agenda, I state it loosely to preference it with "it is my plan." I do this remembering that "(wo) man plans in his/her heart but God direct our steps."~Proverbs 16:9

Q5. (Daniel 4:34-35) What does Nebuchadnezzar's confession tell us about God? GOD IS PATIENT, PERSISTENT, & UNRELENTING.. Have you ever given a public testimony of what you have learned about God through your trials? YES. What might your testimony sound like? JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD ALL OF THE ANSWER, God changed all of the questions. In any environment, there are rules and there are exceptions. Humility gives us access to the exceptions. I had to learn and continue to learn, that being informed is just half the battle; being inquisitive with humility is a powerful ingredient defined as respectful. Regardless of how informed and powerful you are, we need other people. The Bible says it all when it says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLV).. 9 Two are better than one, because they have good pay for their work. 10 For if one of them falls, the other can help him up. But it is hard for the one who falls when there is no one to lift him up. 11 And if two lie down together, they keep warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 One man is able to have power over him who is alone, but two can stand against him. It is not easy to break a rope made of three strings."~ Daniel was a true and trusted friend to the king and as a result, the king matured to rule another day.

Q4. (Daniel 4:30; 5:18-21) How does pride show itself in Nebuchadnezzar's life? UNBELIEF BECAUSE OF DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT DANIEL SAID: "But Nebuchadnezzar does not change his ways. He is still obsessed with pride in himself and his achievements (4:30). God gives him twelve months to repent, and then the hammer falls… his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride," In what ways does it show up in your life? BEING BLESSED WITH A LOVE OF INFORMATION, my tolerance for uninformed and assertive people causes me to validate and verify. Pride is tricky. How can pride mask itself with humility? AS PASTOR WRIGHT SAYS, ALL PRIDE IS NOT BAD: "There is a good kind of pride that is self-confidence born of experience. We try to encourage that in our children. Confidence allows children to walk, to run, to climb trees, and to try new things. That is good. That is the way God made it to be. PRIDE VS HUMILITY? Sometimes, under the auspices of informing; it is really leveling. God looks at the heart. "But pride out of control is a terrible thing that hurts others and becomes hard towards God."

Q4. (Daniel 4:30; 5:18-21) How does pride show itself in Nebuchadnezzar's life? UNBELIEF BECAUSE OF DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT DANIEL SAID: "But Nebuchadnezzar does not change his ways. He is still obsessed with pride in himself and his achievements (4:30). God gives him twelve months to repent, and then the hammer falls… his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride," In what ways does it show up in your life? BEING BLESSED WITH A LOVE OF INFORMATION, my tolerance for uninformed and assertive people causes me to validate and verify. Pride is tricky. How can pride mask itself with humility? AS PASTOR WRIGHT SAYS, ALL PRIDE IS NOT BAD: "There is a good kind of pride that is self-confidence born of experience. We try to encourage that in our children. Confidence allows children to walk, to run, to climb trees, and to try new things. That is good. That is the way God made it to be. PRIDE VS HUMILITY? Sometimes, under the auspices of informing; it is really leveling. God looks at the heart. "But pride out of control is a terrible thing that hurts others and becomes hard towards God."

Q3. (Daniel 4:27) What must Nebuchadnezzar do to demonstrate that he renounces and repents of his sins? HE HAS TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT while he is in charge of the people on earth under his leadership; HE IS NOT IN CHARGE, GOD IS: Daniel was smooth in his interpretation and his painful advice: "Repentance and renunciation are primarily verbal, at least initially. But the king must do more than offer verbal assurances, he must stop sinning and begin doing what is right, in particular, by being kind to the poor and needy, who were often forgotten in the ancient Near East…. DANIEL suggests that if the king will repent and humble himself and acknowledge the sovereignty of God, then God may relent in his punishment." IT GET'S WORSE, his repentance is NOT A GUARANTEE; Daniel says "God may..." What must you do to demonstrate that you repent of your sins? CHANGE MY WORDS, ACTIONS, & CONSISTENT INTENTIONS. For us, what does it mean to be kind to the poor? ACKNOWLEDGE, CONTRIBUTE, & HELP WHEN WE CAN. That was certainly within Nebuchadnezzar's ability to accomplish. Is it within your ability? YES. In what way can God's decrees be conditional? GOD WANTS WHAT GOD WANTS; total submission requires total obedience. 'If"

Q2. (Daniel 4:23-26) What does it mean to "acknowledge that Heaven rules"? THIS IS MOST SIMPLY DESCRIBED IN Proverbs 3:5-6..."Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your." HE MEANS IT! In what ways is this hard for a king? PART OF BEING KING is everything flows down from the head, everything that happens good or bad; falls under the kings responsibility and the king is held accountable. REMEMBER IN Daniel 4:4-5, he said: " I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.5 I had a dream that made me afraid..."HE PROBABLY don't get many moments like that. What he did not realize is that moment was contrived and seasoned with FEAR to get a message through. In what ways is this hard for us? WE ALL WANT TO BE IN CONTROL of that which is under our control. Territory is terrifying sometimes and we feel it must be defended. How do we sometimes deny by our actions that God is in charge of all? WE SIMPLY LET PRIDE OVERRULE and pretend it is all about us; until He commands our attention.

Q1. (Daniel 4:10-20) Is Daniel actually afraid to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream? YES HE IS Why? FEAR & AFFECTION: Those who bring bad news to an absolute monarch often suffer "kill-the-messenger" consequences. Daniel is also concerned because he may have become fond of the king, and wonders what will happen to the kingdom -- and to his own fortunes -- when the king is incapacitated. Why are we afraid to say the hard things that must be said to help our brothers and sisters? COMPASSION and sometimes doubt. If the information is harsh, we question our own interpretation for fear or delivering the wrong bad news. What can we do about it? STAY IN PRAYER, TRUST GOD, & TRUST WHY we are in the presence of the recipient.

Q7. (Daniel 6:21-23) How does Daniel use his experience in the lions' den to testify about God? What might have happened if, in his response to the king, Daniel had focused on the injustice done to him? What experience in your life might you use as a testimony of God's mercy to you? DANIEL GRAPHICALLY VINDICATED GOD FIRST & THEN HIMSELF: "Daniel answered, 'O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." Had he used his focus to personally fight his enemies; God would have been denied the opportunity for SHOW & TELL! As for me, there is not enough time; my entire life is a testimony of God's mercy. However, I will share below my insights in the process: LESSON I HAVE LEARNED: WITH EGO AS A BACK DROP; DECEIVERS WILL USE THE TRUST & THE TRUTH TO PERPETRATE EVIL! Because they know the laws and they know the leader, their wicked plan is executed; the outcome is up to God. Though the leader becomes aware; in many cases his/her hands are tied and collateral damage becomes the outcome, for now. “The king realizes that he has been tricked. He values Daniel's wisdom and tries to undo his mistake but cannot…” THIS IS STILL HAPPENING.

Q6. (Daniel 6:10-11) How would you characterize Daniel's prayer practices? Which of these have you adopted? Which might help your prayers if you adopted them? WHEN EVIDENCE IS UNAVAILABLE, THEY WILL MANUFACTURE IT! They will use the EGO of the leader to do it. The leader gets entangled in his own signature and standing behind it as a leader unaware he has been set up by conniving leaders...Usually the target, Daniel, is aware of what is going on but knows to contest would be misunderstood and further the cause of the deceivers. Leaders always believe those they appoint. The deceivers know it and will use what they know to entangle the leader. Their (leader) judgment is at stake...The good news is God is omnipresent and cannot be deceived. DANIEL'S PRAYERS and practices were never compromised. "Daniel prayed in keeping with Solomon's plea four hundred years previously" BOLDLY, PRIVATELY, AND FERVENTLY, HE PRAYED FACING JERUSALEM! I have adopted the Spirit of Daniel, not necessarily ALL his procedures, though they are all worth considering.