How do you lead people toward wisdom? First, trust in God’s plan to destroy evil; claim God’s promises in His word through prayer; pray intensely expecting God to answer prayer for insight to overcome evil powers; and instruct people to know God, be wise and purified knowing He wins in the end.
Trust in God’s Plan to Destroy Evil
In Daniel’s dream, he saw a two-horned ram representing the Media and Persian kings charging in different directions doing as they pleased. A goat, king of Greece, with a large horn between his eyes, first king, struck the ram shattering his two horns, Media and Persian kings. The goat’s horn broke off, king of Greece, and four other horns, four kingdoms emerging from Greece, grew up. Out of one came another horn, strong king who destroyed the holy people through deceit, grew in power to the south, east and toward the Beautiful Land. It reached the heavens throwing down the starry host to the earth, king grew strong through demonic power, and in rebellion took away the daily sacrifice and truth. The vision of the desolation of the sacrifice occurred for 2,300 days before the sanctuary was reconsecrated after the deceitful king was destroyed (Dan. 8:1-27). Trust in God’s plan to destroy evil kingdoms.
Claim God’s Promises Through Prayer
Daniel understood from Jeremiah in the Scriptures that the desolation of Jerusalem lasted 70 years. He turned to the great and covenant-keeping God of love in prayer, fasting and confession of sin. He admitted that they did not listen to the prophets. Because God was righteous, Judah, Jerusalem and Israel were covered with shame due to unfaithfulness. In spite of God’s mercy and forgiveness, he knew they suffered curses written in the Law because of sin. They had not sought God’s favor by turning from their sins and paying attention to His truth. Daniel asked the righteous God to turn away His wrath from Jerusalem that made His people an object of scorn. He asked God to hear his prayers, look with favor on His desolate sanctuary and forgive them because of His mercy (Dan. 9:1-19). Claim God’s promises in Scripture through prayer and confession of sin.
Expect God to Answer Prayer for Insight
When Daniel began praying, Gabriel came to give him insight and understanding. A total of 490 years were decreed for His people and holy city to finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring in eternal righteousness, seal up the vision and prophesy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. From the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One came, there were 483 years. After this period of time, the Anointed One would be cut off, ruler destroyed the city and sanctuary, end come like a flood, war continued until the end and desolations decreed. He confirmed a covenant for seven years but in the middle of that time, he ended sacrifice, caused desolation and placed abominations on the temple until being destroyed 3 1/2 years later (Dan. 9:20-27). Expect God to answer prayer for insight and understanding.
Pray Intensely Because Evil Powers Delay Answers
Daniel mourned and fasted for three weeks before seeing in a great vision a man dressed in linen with a belt of finest gold around his waist, face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches and arms, legs like the gleam of burnished bronze and voice like the sound of a multitude. From the first day he set his mind to gain understanding and humble himself before God, the man came. However, the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted him 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, helped him, because the king of Persia detained him. He told Daniel to be strong and not fear since he was highly esteemed. He would soon fight against the prince of Persia before the prince of Greece came. He would tell Daniel what was written in the Book of Truth since only Michael, his prince, supported him against these evil powers (Dan. 10:1-21). Pray intensely with fasting because evil powers delay answers.
Instruct People in Knowing God and Purity
Three more kings would appear in Persia and then a fourth far richer stirred up everyone against Greece. A mighty king appeared and his empire was parceled out and given to others. Later the king of the North established himself in the Beautiful Land and made an alliance with the king of the South. After many battles the two kings’ hearts bent on evil lied to each other, but the end would still come at the appointed time. At the right time, the king of the North invaded the South to desecrate the temple fortress, abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. His flattery corrupted those who violated the covenant, but the people who knew God firmly resisted him. The wise instructed many, but for a time they were captured or died. Some of the wise would stumble, but be refined, purified and made spotless until the end (Dan. 11:1-35). Instruct people in knowing God, resisting evil and purity during spiritual warfare.
Understand God Wins in the End
The king magnified himself above every god and said evil against the God of gods. He would be successful until the time of wrath was completed. He honored a god of fortresses with gold and silver. He attacked the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and greatly honored those who acknowledged him. He made them rulers over many people and distributed the land for a reward. At the time of the end, the king of the South fought the king of the North who extended his power over many countries before invading the Beautiful Land. Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon were delivered from his hand. He gained control of Egypt’s riches with the Libyans and Nubians in submission. He pitched his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain but came to an end with no one to help him (Dan. 11:36-45). Understand God wins in the end.
Lead People Toward Wisdom Who Shine Like Stars
Michael, the great prince who protected God’s people, would arise during an unprecedented time of distress. Everyone whose name was written in the book were delivered. Multitudes awoke to eternal life or to shame and eternal contempt. The wise shone like the brightness of the heavens. Those who led many to righteousness like the stars forever. Daniel was commanded to seal the words of the scroll until the end of time when many traveled to increase knowledge. A man in linen above the waters said it would be 3 1/2 years for these things to be completed. Many would be purified, made spotless and refined but the wicked would continue to be wicked. Only the wise understood. There were 1,290 days from the time the daily sacrifice was abolished and the abomination that caused desolation was set up. Blessed was he who waited and reached the end of the 1,335 days. At the end of days, Daniel would receive his allotted inheritance (Dan. 12:1-13). Lead people toward wisdom and righteousness who shine like stars forever.
To lead people toward wisdom, do the following:
1. Trust in God’s plan to destroy evil
2. Claim God’s promises in His word through prayer
3. Expect God to answer prayer for insight and understanding
4. Pray intensely with fasting because evil powers delay answers
5. Instruct people in knowing God, resisting evil and purity during spiritual warfare
6. Understand God wins in the end7. Lead people toward wisdom and righteousness who shine like stars forever
