Seeking God Like Daniel - Daniel 11

Church program is more like a Bible study where we look at a Bible chapter and try to dissect it as the Spirit leads. And we use the context there. We'll read it contextually and understand what was going on there. Because the Bible says in the last days there will be a lot of false teachings, false doctrines, a lot of things that will lead even the very elect astray.

This is why there is a clarion call from Zion that the children of God are expected to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the world. Studying the Bible said, study to show yourself approved unto God. This is not the time for any believer to be waiting to be spun fed, to be conferred the word of God. It's a time for everybody to be diligent in seeking God.

The Bible says that God is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. So that means if I don't, I'm not diligent. I might be seeking God, but the question is, am I diligently seeking Him? That's the word I was getting like this morning.

Am I diligently seeking God or I'm just seeking Him. And that's why many people are frustrated and I pray God will help us. Because God has a lot in store for the church and every individual, every family. In the month of August, we thank God for what God has done in the past.

But we know that there is more that God wants to do. The question is, how much capacity do you have to receive what God wants to pour into you? It's not only about material blessings. The material blessings in fact is just the lowest.

It's not even anything to God. Doesn't take God anything to just call somebody to send you a million dollars or whatever. It doesn't. I've heard it in the past, many times, Divine providence and all, it happens.

But much more than this, God is looking for men that will seek him for who he is. Genuine worshipers. So this morning I was just reading the book of Daniel, where we are looking at. Today's the topic.

You can look at. Let's look at Daniel knowing God, how Daniel knew God, or just Daniel chapter 11. That's what we're looking at. Actually it's meant to be chapter 10 and 11.

So you understand what was going on or we understand what is going on here. So that's where I was led to. I was reading this morning. So I'm just sharing Bible study.

So we'll look at. Let me give a little bit of context because when you understand the context, you understand what the character was going through, understand so that you know where he was, why he was saying certain things and the reason, what made him to say? Make short statements. What was the situation like?

Then you will not try and see if you can find yourself in that picture. Are you in a similar situation? How did Daniel approach this thing? Now you are in 2026.

Is there anything that is looking like that situation? How should you approach it? That is how you read scripture with context. People tend to pick scripture just one portion.

I will now apply it to finance. Sometimes it might work, but at times you fall into what error when you do that. So when you read what the writer and the person was going through, you understand why he said that thing. And you'll be careful not to just use it as it is.

That's why people are frustrated. God, I thought you said this and why is it not happening? God, like look my Bible, this is what I said. I did not tell you I was not talking about this is you that thought that I was talking about this.

I kept on praying and laying hold of a false promise that I did not promise you. And that's why people are getting frustrated because they are not reading the Bible as it is. I pray God will help us to be diligent in seeking God. Daniel chapter 11.

So in Daniel chapter 10, Daniel set out to a fast. Before I read the portion, Daniel said he's going to fast for 21 days. Now mind you, when Daniel was fasting, you can read Daniel 10 because of time. I will not be reading two chapters.

I just want to give the story, summarize the story. In Daniel 10, Daniel made up his mind to go on a 21 day fast. He actually did not say he wanted to go 21 day fast. He just wanted to what understand what was going on.

So he just made up his mind to fast. Now, it was not that he said, I'm going to fast for the 21 days. He just started fasting, saying, I want to understand. So now take note.

The fasting was not like he went to wilderness. Like Jesus, Daniel was working the government house and he was around like between 80 to 90 years already an elderly person, but he was one of the wisest. So he was still working on his daily decision. But he said he was going on a fast.

Now the fast was not a dry fast. It was not a fast without water and fat. So according to it, if you read chapter 10, you see that Daniel was eating right. And he said he's not going to eat any delicacy or not going to eat special, like all this delicious food.

He's just going to eat, for example, in 2020 to look like he said, okay, I'm just going to eat only plain food. Like I'm going to take only maybe bread, only bread and water. Or maybe just, I'm going to just drink Gary and eat coconuts for the next 21 days. And he did not also use lotion, right?

So that he was trying to humble himself, but he was still going about his work. So in the morning he wake up, maybe just say a little bit of prayer, eat maybe bread and drink water and maybe and go to his work. And he's still praying as he's in the work, as he's sitting in his office talking and everything, doing the work. That was how he was doing it for 21 days.

Contrary to what people think that, oh, Daniel went to One Wilderness and stayed there alone 21 days. No, no, no. You see that Daniel was trying to show you that it's possible that you can see God's face even while you are doing your normal daily activities. He was doing everything 21 days and guess what?

And as he got to 21 days, something happened, right? The angel of the Lord appeared. In fact, this guy froze. He wanted to die.

And angel said, don't fear, he strengthened him. And he told you that since the day you started Prince, from day one we heard your prayer. From the first day, read your prayer. The day you sought your heart to understand.

You see, Daniel was looking for something. He was looking for understanding, right? He said, he said, he said. But the time appointed was long, right?

And he understood the thing and he had understanding of the vision, right? So, so look at chapter 10, verse 1. He said, in the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia, 18. Look.

If something was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was Beshada, and that thing was true, but the time appointed was long and he understood this thing and had understanding of the vision, right? So Daniel wanted to get an understanding of something. So he wanted. So that's why he engaged on that fast, right?

So anyways, he wanted to know why has the deliverance of my people not come? He was qu. He wanted to make inquiries on God. Why has it not happened?

They said it's going to happen. It has not happened. Cuz he had been studying the Bible, okay? By this time it's time for them to be free.

They bondage. What is going on? What's the delay? And he saw the grace of God, right?

So and angel Michael Gabriel came and told him that somebody there was A prince, a demonic entity that held him down to bring the answer. And. But Daniel was just listening and everything. Now, chapter 11 was now what the angel told him.

So this is where we want to focus on. We'll see where we are. I'm trying to land at a particular spot, and we'll now focus on that aspect. Let's just look at what the angel said.

Also I in the first year, verse chapter 11. Also I in the first year of Darius, the meat even I stood to confirm and to strengthen him. Now the person talking here is angel Gabriel. If you read verse chapter 10, the last verse, you see that angel Gabriel was talking to him.

So angel Gabriel is here telling Daniel that he has been fighting, contending with this principality for three years. King Darius was King Darius was the first King that Daniel served, right? So after another one came, the third one came, right? So that angel has been contending with that principality since the first King.

That's why I said I in the first year of Darius the mead, even I stood to confirm and strengthen him. The person he was strengthening was angel Michael. So if you. That's why it's good to read the context.

Read the previous verse. You see that I was saying that was a continuation right now. So the person that is talking here is Angel Gabriel. So take note.

And now I will show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than they all. And by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Grisha. Take note of what he said there.

This King is going to use money to stir up other people against the realm of Grisha. Now a mighty King shall stand up that shall rule with great dominion and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken and shall be divided towards the four winds of heaven, and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled. For his kingdom shall be plucked up even for others beside those.

And the King of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes, and he shall be strong above him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion, and in the end of years they shall join themselves together. For the king's daughter of the south shall come to the King of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the power of the arm.

So neither shall he stand nor his arm, but she shall be given up. And they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened net, strengthen her in this time. So I know that might be a lot to unpack. But one thing you want to understand when you are studying Bible rights, it's always good that you also try and just put like maybe 6 to 10 translation in front of you as you are reading this.

Because when you read this now, you might not even understand the English. The English is up and down, and this is not your straightforward English. So you might not understand, but because of time. Let's keep moving.

But out of a branch of our roots shall one stand up in his estates, which shall come with an army and shall enter into the fortress of the King of the north, and shall deal against them and shall prevail, and shall also carry captives into Egypt, their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold. And it shall continue more years than the King of the north. So the King of the south shall come into his kingdom and shall return into his own land, but his sons shall be stirred up and shall assemble a multitude of great forces. And one shall certainly come and overflow and pass through.

Then shall he return and be stirred up even to his fortress. And the King of the south shall be moved with choler and shall comfort and fight with him, even with the King of the north. And he shall set forth a great multitude, but the multitude shall be given into his hand. Now let me pause there first.

So look at what angel Gabriel is telling Daniel. Do you see how detailed what the explanation of the old thing is? This shows you that a man can see God. And God can literally tell you what things are going to happen for the next 10 years as you got him in place.

The God of yesterday. See the same God. Now he's ready to reveal secret things to you. But he does not entrust his secret to just normal people.

He's looking for people that are ready to put your head down and diligently seek him. Daniel did not stop until he got understanding of the vision he received. This was the explanation of the vision. Look at how he.

If you were back, if you were in his time, all these things that he's saying here will make very. Will make a lot of sense. Daniel understood when he said King of the south, King of this. He understood because that was his time.

The reason why he's looking strange to you is because it doesn't make sense if you sought God. I'm saying that I think God wants us to seek his face as regarding what he wants to do in your church, in your house, in your school, in your business, you can know what God wants to do for the next 10 years for something. If Daniel could see God on Saturday and if Gabriel gave him detail, you know, all these things that he's writing here. It came to pass.

If you read other translation, they will explain who is the King of the south. As at that time. You see that. Okay, it was this particular King.

Emperor. This emperor. They were actual kings. That actually everything happened as he said it.

Exactly. Detailed explanation. It was not like, oh, one day. It was very.

In fact, he gave. Sometime he gave the specific time. It will happen by the next 20. This and this will happen.

Take notes. Daniel was writing it down. Writing it, writing it. So you see, people that study scripture like Daniel studied and he received understanding of the time so that he will know how towards respond when things start happening.

You will not be surprised and you can share with other people. Okay. Oh, this is what God told me as regarding this. So that when it happens, you will not be scared and be.

Hey, what happened? Look. Let's continue. He said verse 12.

And when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up and he shall cast down many ten thousands. But he shall not be strengthened by it. For the King of the north shall return and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former. And shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

And in those times there shall many stand up against the King of the south also. The robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish division, but they shall fall. So the King of the north shall come and cast up a mount and take the most feigned city. And the arms of the south shall not withstand neither his, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.

We are still moving. Verse 16. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will. And none shall stand before him.

But he shall stand in his glorious land, where which by his hand shall be consumed. He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his own kingdom, and upright ones with him. Sorry, he shall ver. Okay.

Verse 16. But he shall, he that cometh against him shall do according to his will, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in his glorious land. Okay, sorry.

Where was I? Yes. Verse 17. Yes, thank you.

Okay. Verse 17. Yeah. He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him.

Thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of woman, corrupting her, but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. After this shall he turn his face from the house and shall take many. But a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.

Then he shall turn his face towards the fault of his own land. But he shall stumble and fall and not be found. Now we are getting closer to the climax of this verse. This chapter.

Verse 20. Then shall stand up in his estate a razor of taxes in the glory of the kingdom. But within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle. And in his estates shall stand up a vow person to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom.

But he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Verse 22. Now and with the arms of the flood shall they be overflowed from before him, and shall be broken. Yea, also the prince of the covenant.

Verse 23. And after the league made with him, he shall walk deceitful, deceitfully, for he shall come up and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably, even upon the farthest places of the province. And he shall do that which his father have not done, nor his father's father.

He shall scatter among them the prey and spoil and riches. Yeah, and he shall forecast his devices against the stronghold even for a time. Let me just say something there. That verse 24 he said without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land.

They will distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich, something his predecessors have never done. He will plot to overthrow the overthrow of stronghold. But this will last for only a short time. Just take notes of how Angel Gabriel is explaining things that will happen.

I'm still saying that this thing I'm telling. There's a possibility in the spirit that you can receive accurate things that will occur in your time so that things will not catch you on our way. That's what I'm trying to point out. You know, right now in business many people are this month now people are trying to forecast the thing that will happen.

Sales they will make. Unfortunately, believers are not also looking this way when it comes to the father's business. They are trying to plan with the CEO of the company. What is the thing they can predict what will happen this month for their for themselves.

We see by second half we should be expecting we'll be getting like three clients and all those things. Most of the times they are accurate interpretation. Some people are already interpreting forex like to rise and to fall this way. What are we doing for the kingdom what are we doing for the Father's business?

Are we seeking God? God? What is your mind as regarding this place? What is going to happen by the end of August, September?

How will these things be? Or we are just using our understanding, our knowledge to navigate life as Christians? We're going to be at a great disadvantage. Daniel understood this, that's why he sought understanding.

Let's continue going. Verse 25. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the King of the south with a great army. And the King of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army.

But he shall not stand, for they shall forecast the devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him. Can you see that? That means his own household will cause his downfall.

Right? And his army shall overflow and many shall fall down slain. And both these kings hearts shall be to do mischief and shall speak lies at one table. But it shall not prosper.

For yet the end shall be at the appointed time. Verse 28. Then shall he return into his land with great riches. And his heart shall be against the holy covenant.

Now this is where we want to focus on. Look, look, take note of that place, Holy covenant. Then shall he return into Islam with great riches. And his heart shall be against the holy covenant.

And he shall do exploits and return to his own land. Now take note of that word, exploits. Let me read another place he said, and up is another way of saying he said the King of the north shall then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant doing much damage before continuing his journey.

Look, Gabriel was telling Daniel that this wicked King when he's returning back is going towards do a lot of damage to the children of God before continuing his journey. That means he's already telling you what is going to happen ahead of time before it happens. That damage is like persecution. Take note of the word exploits because you see this exploit that is written here.

You'll see it again in next coming verses. Right? Daniel is telling you that oh there is a King. Look at, look at a King of the north.

King of the north will return home with great riches on his way. He's going to set himself against the people of the holy covenant. He's going to do much damage. Thomas is going to try to damage or destroy the children of God before continuing his journey.

Look at what it is. Angel has said this in verse 29. At the time appointed he shall return. That means there is an appointed Time for everything.

You see, that means there's a calendar in heaven for everything on earth is an appointed time. He shall return and come toward the south, but it shall not be as the former, that means. Or as the latter. So that means this time it will be a different thing.

Verse 30. For the ships of cheating shall come against him. Therefore he shall be grieved and returned and have indignation against the holy covenant. That's what I want to focus on.

He's going to be angry against the people of God. Now look, look at the part that struck me past. He shall be grieved and return and have indignation against the holy covenant. So shall he do.

He shall even return and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. What does that mean, what he's saying there? That's verse 29. Verse 29.

Yeah. He said, okay, that verse 30. Sorry. He said he's going to be angry against the people of the holy covenant.

Now he's not going to reward those that forsake the covenant. That means, you know, when you see what is happening right now, this is just what persecution looks like when the wicked people, the evil ones, they are angry with the children of God. So because of that anger, they are going to do a lot of things, frustrate the children of God, right? And he's saying that because of this frustration, because of this persecution, some people are going to forsake the covenant.

Does it not sound like what is going to happen in the end time? I don't know why this message, because I was wondering this morning, I was like, God help us, because the Bible says in the last days, even the very elect will fall. There is going to come a time where persecution is going to be on a high level. If you read the news, you see what I'm saying.

That's why we have to understand what we are doing as believers, that it's not just about eating and drinking. He said eating and drinking. It's not about just enjoying life. There is something coming, right?

We need to understand this thing. As much as we prepare for the blessing, also prepare for the day of calamity. There needs to be a preparation for the day of calamity. Look at what he's saying there.

He said, this wicked King is going to reward those that forsake the covenant. That means. Does he not say in last day you will not be able to buy and sell until you have the mark of the beast? That means he's going to reward you that, oh, when you forsake the covenant when you leave your God you enjoy.

This is what is happening now. There's a lot of pressure causing people towards causing people to just turn away from this way. You hear a lot of things. People are.

You see the number of people, they are reducing. You see people that were once there. You see them now. What happened?

You hear that story this time? I won't lie to you. It's not he's not it. This Christian life.

No, no beyond it isn't all hard. I beg. They want to watch compromise because of what Pressure, pressure from society. The economy is not even smiling.

Things are hard. The government is not even is making things tougher. I guess what look at it. This thing will reward those that forsake the covenant.

That wicked King will reward people that are what? Just forsake this God. Forsake the holy covenant. Hope you know that when relationship with God is like a marriage relationship.

When we say I accept Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. It's a marriage. It's a covenant until death do you part. You guys are going to stay together.

So God is the bridegroom, you are the groom. We are married together. But what is happening right now is that Satan is trying to make us to break this covenant relationship we have with God. And he said reward you.

He wants you to commit adultery. Know a church can commit adultery when they what break the covenant. And breaking covenants is you disobeying God. Let's continue.

You see, this is a very deep thing. I saw this one. I was like God help my heart, help us. Verse 31.

And arms shall stand on his path. And they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength. See this is in as much as the angels. Sometimes they come to tell you good things that happen.

Sometimes they tell. It's not that they telling you good or bad. They just telling you what will happen. Just prepare.

They tell you this is what will happen. His army look at another. His army will take over the temple fortress. They will pollute the sanctuary.

Look, look, look, look, look. Try and understand what is going on. Is this not. This is already happening in plenty places.

So many churches have been taking over by the government in China. I saw this thing happening real time. The China government wants to take over the church. They want to monopolize the church.

They want to control what comes out on the church. They want to doctor they want to make change the doctrine. They want to. They are making their Bibles.

Don't you get what is going on? Look, they want to pollute. They said shall pollute the Sanctuary of strength and shall take away the daily sacrifice. Do you know what daily sacrifice is?

They want to put a stop to daily sacrifice. Back then they usually come to this temple every day to make sacrifice. Bible says in Leviticus that they found the altar must get burning day and night. The priest must keep on setting what fire on the altar keep it burning day and night.

That looks in 2020, what does that look like? It looks like us coming to church regularly to pray. But because of pressure so many things people stop coming. He wants to put an end to daily sacrifices, right?

And shall take away this and shall. And they shall place the abomination that make it desolate in that place. They're going to set up an idol inside God's church and this will happen in many churches. It's no more God they are looking at.

They are looking at. They are looking at something else. Men of God are now become greater than God. So people now focus more on them than God.

Set up an object of des that will cause desecration that will make that place desolate. Now look at the part that this is now where I get to. Now this is the part that many people just. You see, let's look at your verse.

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries. But the people that do know their God they shall be strong and do expert. You see this is one of the most misinterpreted scriptures by one of them. Many people carry this thing.

Just that second phrase. They forget the first phrase, you see. Do you know why I read the whole chapter. I want to hear.

The angel was trying to explain where this thing came from. Many people just pick the second phrase and just say dear, I know that God shall do exploit. Now your mind, your exploit is you do business. You do.

Now let's look at what Angel Gabriel was saying here. Because if you read the next verse you see what he was trying to explain. See that word exploit. Again if you, if you, if you have your Bible, some bibles utilize that exploit showing that this exploit here is the same exploit that I mentioned.

When the wicked King said he's going to do a lot of exploits that exploit that was referring to damage. Now this exploit here is also referring to something. Now this is where I want to focus on because see something that is very, very important here. Let me read another translation.

He said he will flatter and win those win over those who have violated the covenant. He's saying that there are two set of people on that day. Some people are going towards violate this covenant. They are going to stop obeying God.

They are going to believers in Christ that have been in church all these years. They are going to violate this pin because that wicked King is going to flatter and win them over. That's what Satan is trying to do. He's trying to draw many away from the church by giving you a very good job just so that you what?

Violate the covenant, give you that money you're looking for. Just violate the covenant. He's going to win over them. But when I say the people who know their God will be strong and Anachron said I will resist him.

So this exploit that is being referred here is your knowledge of God. If you genuinely know God, you'll be able to stand in the day of persecution and resist the devil. The Bible says submit to God, resist the devil and flee from you. The reason why many people run easily get they go away they run away from God during persecution is because you don't know God.

If you know who God is you will know that my God is greater than this problem. My God is greater than this. That's why Paul was able to overcome intense persecution. Do you know how many times they tried to kill Paul?

In fact there was a time they killed him that he was dead outside. They took him outside the city but the apostles gathered together. They just gathered around him and this guy came back up and guess what? He cleaned his body and he went back inside to preach for the the remaining time.

They now went away from the city like as if nothing happened. It's because they know their God and they will be what? Strong and able to resist the devil. In order for us to resist what is coming ahead of us in the coming years AI is increasing.

A lot of things are going to be happening soon enough us to resist what is coming. God is saying to the church, you need to know me. This is not the time for people to be waiting for somebody to teach you God. You must also learn how to know God for yourself.

I don't know why this is coming but I think this is the word for this season. God is looking for those that will seek him diligently. You know when I was in school I know what it means to be diligently study. You don't sleep ah exam is tomorrow.

I stay from morning to the next day until I die. Now I'm not sleeping. It's not that I have no red book I've been reading since but to be 100 sure ah I will, I will go to me and my Friend will stay to stay. My eye will be red.

That is what now I just understand. Diligently sticking. We are reading, making sure that all stones leave no stone unturned. You see that diligence.

Many people can use that same level of diligence in their business. Some people diligently walk into the night to make that money to meet the target for the month. But when it comes to the things of God, there is this mindset that you don't need to go too deep. Just be normal.

Rebuke that spirit of normality. It is not. It is. That is the spirit of this age that wants people to hurt.

No, don't be hurt. Just be normal. Or be cold. Don't burn for Jesus.

Don't be hot. That is what the spirit of this age is telling you. It's not that deep. Just be normal.

Satan loves you when he cannot see him. You want everything to be normal. You want everything. Ah, Everything is okay.

Don't worry. Don't pray too much. Just be normal. Just be.

When everything is normal, you can't. Daniel was not normal. Daniel. Nothing stopped Daniel from just doing his normal thing.

What is it? What concerned him with all these ones? He had the money, he's working government house, he's still serving government. He went the extra mile and said, ah, I must understand what is going on.

And that's how he got this thing. Verse 33. And they look and they that understand among the people shall instruct. Many take note.

Now let me show why. Let me prove to you that many people are misinterpreting this day. They know that God shall be shown on the exploits. But before, let me just read one or two things from that thing.

Some of the things that people think make mistake when you say they don't know their God. You'll be. You'll be powerful, unstoppable. You'll be influential.

You'll be like the biggest guys in the city. You have money. Look, when Angel Gabriel was saying this thing. If you read the next few verses, you will see what happened to those people that knew their God.

You see that the effect of knowing God was that he made them to be remain faithful even when he cost their life. Let me see what I'm showing you. Is it. I pray God will help us.

So another misconception is that people think it's about miracles that you do miracle. Like if you read the actual context, none of the people back then did any miracle, right? They say, oh, if you know your God, you are going to do mighty things. The Emphasis here was.

I'm not saying that it's not. It's wrong to say that I will not do. But the emphasis, the focus of that verse was primarily on endurance. You need endurance for the season that is coming ahead of us.

And I'm saying it sadly that with the way many people are doing serving God, with the way many people are committing to knowing God, it will be difficult for you to endure hardship and persecution. I don't know why I keep emphasizing on this. But I'm saying believers must understand that these things will come. But he said, be of good cheer.

I have what overcome the world. Let's continue. He said, and they understand. For example, there are certain people that understand.

Among these people, among the children of God, there are some people that understand. He said, they shall instruct many. That means wise leaders will give instructions to many. But look at what they now say.

Yet now this part people have not seen before. Yet those. Those people that are wise, that in short, many they shall fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil many days. And naturally said, these teachers will die by fire and sword.

They will be jailed, they will be robbed. This thing that is written here. Fast forward to the New Testament. Look at the apostles.

They were the ones that were the wise ones. They were teaching faithfully these things that they received from Christ. Guess what? Who they were.

Who were the ones that have been affected them. What do you know so far? Everything. Everything, Everything.

But guess what? That suffering did not stop them from continuing. In fact, they became more faithful. That's why I said, because they knew their God.

They were too strong that anything when the first apostle. Like when the first apostle died, Stephen, normally it will make them normal thing. Everybody will say, oh yeah, it's okay, let's stop. They're killing people for this thing.

Let's stop doing this thing. They multiplied because what they knew they are God. So they hired the persecution. It made them stronger.

I am saying that for us to go through the season that is coming upon the church because Jesus already told us ahead previous time shall come. He said, darkness cover the earth. Take darkness the people. It is coming.

It's not that. It's not like God forbid. God forbid. It is coming.

God, what shall we then do? That's the question you should be asking. That's what Daniel is asking. What?

What? What am I to do? They. They know their God.

What you'll be strong. It will come. That's why you ask yourself, what are these people in the north doing that they are persecuting them. But they are still strong.

They know God. And the knowledge of God is not that. They might not know Genesis revelation. The knowledge of God is an experiential knowledge.

You know God for yourself. One on one, you have tasted, you have touched God. Every believer is expected to know God in order to overcome hard times. The reason why many of our fathers today are still standing, because they know God.

It's not as if they did not go through hard times. You see, they shall fall by the sword. This is angel. This is an angel.

It's not an angel from heaven trying to tell you what God said. They will fall by the sword. He said they shall. It's not that they might, not that they can't.

They shall look during these days. Now look at the next verse. Many days now when they shall fall, they shall be opened with a little help. But many shall cling to them with flatteries.

Now let me just explain what I said. He said another one said, during this persecution, little help will arrive. That's another translation. Little help will come and many who join them will not be sincere.

Verse 35. And some of them of understanding shall fall, you see, to try them and to purge and to make them white even to the time of the end. Because it is yet for an appointed time, right? I said some.

And some of the wise, some of those people that are. That's why the Bible says in verse four, he said, even the very elect shall fall, even the very later. And some of the wise shall fall victim to persecution. In this way they will be refined.

Now look at what persecution is doing. That passage is trying to explain what persecution does to a Christian. Look, look, look. And some of them of an assign shall fall to try them and to purge.

Now see, the four year is not like you go away from the truth. Here it's saying that oh, they will become, they will fall victim to persecution. But look at what the persecution is doing to them. Number one, he said he's going to try them and to push them and to make them white.

An unbeliever. When an unbeliever goes to suffering, the suffering leads to destruction. When a believer in Christ goes to suffering, the suffering leads to purification. That was what was happening to Paul.

He was getting more and more stronger, purer, more righteous. It's as if it was having an opposite effect on him. Let me tell you the truth. Whether you believe in God or don't believe in God, either parties will suffer something.

You will suffer. If you don't believe in God, you suffer. If you believe in God, you suffer. But the suffering of a believer leads onto righteousness.

It makes you stronger. But the suffering of a non believer makes you leads to destruction. That's the difference between two. So choose your suffering.

Life is hard. That's the truth. Whether you know God or you don't know God. Life is hard.

But the hardness that you go to as a believer is going to make you better. But this one, an unbeliever, you are going to just go to destruction. That's what we do. I know people are.

We're not hopeless. I'm not hopeless. Look, I don't know why I keep on emphasizing. I don't know why the Spirit is just emphasizing.

Let's look again. Let me rehearse this. He said, some of the wise shall fall victim to persecution. In this way they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end.

For the appointed time is yet to come. Is still to come. Right? So that is the power.

Can you imagine? That's why no wonder Romans 8 said, all things work together for good. To them the Lord gonna call according to spoken. So that means whether good happened to your bad.

So long as you know God. He said to them, that was love the Lord. And I called. That means if I know God, that means I will love him.

And because I love him, anything that happens to me is going to be for my good. Many people don't believe this thing. This is why many are suffering. I see.

Confused. I pray, go open our eyes to see verse 36. And the King shall do. And wrapping up.

The King shall do according to his will. And he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every God. And shall speak marvelous things against the God of Gods. Can you imagine?

Blasphemy. And shall prosper. You see, sometimes we ask ourselves, why are the wicked people prospering? The angel said it.

The King, that wicked King shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished. For that. For that that is determined. For that that is determined shall be done.

Right. Let me just read another thing. The King will do as he pleases. He will exalt himself and claim to be greater than every God.

Even blaspheming God himself. He will succeed. Can you imagine? The angel Gabriel is telling you that.

Look. That wicked King will prosper. He's going to succeed. But only until the time of wrath is completed.

We need to trust God 100% to understand that God is a God of justice and he knows what he's doing. This thing is not Easy to take in. I will not lie to you. When I was reading, my heart was heavy a bit.

I was like God who can. No wonder. When Jesus was saying some things. Many people left this thing now, yet people are, ah, is it true?

Can it be? When you only take one part of the scripture and leave up, you are going to become a deformed Christian. And you cannot stand in the day of adversity because you'll be thinking, you'll be confused, you see? But only the time of wrath is completed, for what has been terming will surely take place.

So that means this thing that is written here, it has been determined a long time ago, right? Neither shall he regard the God of his Father, nor the desire of women, nor regard any God, for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces. Can you imagine?

And a God whom his Father knew not shall he honor with gold, silver, and with precious and pleasant things, right? He's going to worship the God of fortresses, the God of all these armies like weapons. He's going to glorify his army. That's what he's basically trying to say, right?

Thus shall he do in the most stronghold with a strange God, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory. And he shall cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for gain. And at the time of the end, notice that there's this word time is repeated multiple times. That's why the Bible says there is time for every single thing.

A time to sow, a time to reap. There is time. That's why you say there's something. There are people in the book of Genesis or Old Testament called the men of Issachar.

They were able to discern the times and season. So when the season came, they are not surprised. Nothing to surprise them. They say, ah, it's time for this one.

Now, don't worry, God has already told us that he's going to see us through. So even in that song, God is still there. Some people don't think that God is there when things are not happening the way they thought. And I'm saying that we need to teach believers that even though things don't work as planned, God is still faithful and is going to, what, deliver you.

But can you trust him in the bad times? I know. See, it's very easy to trust God when things are good. But when things are not going well, what do I do?

You see, this is how you train mature believer. Every believer is meant to be a soldier of the cross. Every. It's not some, it's not for pastors, every single believer, including the child that just gives life to Christ.

You must train him to understand what it means to be in the kingdom of God. It's not. It's not. But there is grace.

That's the only thing you want to understand. The more you keep going, the grace of God keeps enlarging. So the reason why looking as if it's going to be hard is because you have not yet started. When you, when you start working, the grace is sufficient.

Jesus will go to street and Paul, my grace is sufficient for you. Don't worry, just keep going. So Paul is looking easy. You that outside you'll be like, why is this guy doing it?

Because he's already doing it. The more you keep doing it, the grace keeps getting easier. The more you keep seeking God, it becomes easier. How is this guy doing it?

Because the grace gives it goes where you, where you put the effort keep pressing in God. The grace enlarged and the time of the end shall verse 40 and at the time of the end shall the King of the south push him, and the King of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and with horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over verse 41. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown, and they shall escape of his hand.

Even Edom and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon, he shall stretch forth his hand upon also upon the countries and the land of Egypt shall not escape, but he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians shall be at his step. But tidings of the east but tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him. Therefore shall he go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many and he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the sea in his glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

So this Let me just read another translation of that. 44 But then news from the east and north will alarming, and will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many. He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea, and he will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.

In summary, what you can see here is that God is A God of justice. There's a time for judgment, there's a time for deliverance. There's a time for healing. There's a time for breakthrough.

But yet he is the one that raises kings and pulls them down. God is like a grandmaster. He control. He can control today Russia control China control Iran, Iraq is He control.

If you understand that the King heart of the King is in his hand. So he can raise. He can make Russia prosper today and make Russia destroy this country. This country.

This country. But if you trust God, you. You will be able to understand that this thing is working for my good. He can raise Nigeria up to a certain level and do as he wishes.

But this secret, he can only reveal it to those that are faithful like Daniel in the place of prayer. God, what is your mind concerning my church? What is your mind concerning my family? What is the next phase for my generation?

Can you trust God for things that are beyond you? This is how Daniel was thinking. Daniel was very wise. Only few where are the Daniels of our time.

They will sit down and discuss with God matters. These are weightier matters. And he's able to. If Daniel did not do this thing, we will not have this book to read today.

Daniel 11 to see what is happening. If John did not stay in the island of Patmos to stay with God and get Revelation. That's how we had the book of Revelation telling us the things that are going to happen in the end of time. If this guy Timothy Perious time shall come, the men shall be lovers of themselves.

This and this. So that when it happen, you not be surprised. That's why when I hear news about war and this thing, I'm not even surprised. I'm just like, oh, okay, the end is here.

I'm not like, wow, people die 200. Why are you surprised? He already said it's why you should not be. So what should happen to you is that God show mercy.

Now the question is, how do you respond to these writings of Daniel? That's the question you should ask yourself. How does this relate to me? What do I do with this information that I've gotten?

Know your God, know your God, know your God. This is how you be able to overcome temptation. So the prayer is that God raise a generation of believers starting in this church that will know you for who you are, not just for what you can give them. Not just for bread and water, not just for cars, not just for house, money, wife, children.

These are all. These are those normal things that will know you for who you are and will Seek you for who you are. Some people are seeking God for what he gave gives, not for who he is. He's a God of justice.

He doesn't joke with justice. A God of righteousness, a God of holiness. He's just everything. His silver and gold belongs to him.

He uses for his own pleasure. We are created for his own pleasure, not for my own pleasure. We pray that God will awaken us. In summary, we are praying for revival.

The revival service is taking place next month, right? I believe. Yeah, I did combine the rest. So I'm going to pray that let there be an actual revival of the heart of men that will begin to seek thy face, oh God.

That God will raise us up to worship him in spirit and in truth. And God will give us the grace to overcome the evil one. That's what Jesus prayed in John chapter 17 for disciple. That God will deliver them from the evil one.

There is an evil one that is coming. That God will deliver us from the evil one. That was his prayer for the disciple. Jesus prayed.

Jesus prayed for disciple even when he's coming. That will deliver them. Because many will fall. It's not even.

I'm not saying what I'm saying. I'm saying what the Bible says. Many will fall. May not be among those that will fall.

That God will uphold us and help us to continue to remain faithful. In this month of August, I also pray for blessing. The Lord will bless us because we need blessings. We need.

We actually need the blessing of God. He make you that added no sorrow. Ah, we need. We are not comfortless.

God has sent the Holy Spirit to us. So we pray that God will bless us. Daniel had a good job. Actually Daniel was working so.

So you know when you have. When you are okay, okay. He allows you to focus on what weightier matters. So God made sure that Daniel had what he needed.

So that's why you see, if Daniel did not have. He could not eat. He was still struggling. I'm not sure Daniel will have enough time to be able to pray and focus on the things of God.

Pray that God also bless us so that we can focus on him. But the problem is that some people, when God bless them, they lose focus. So it's two ways. Just pray God give us what we need so we can focus on you.

Some people, if God give them what they are praying for, the next time you see them praying. So can we go to God in prayer and trust God for revival of the church and help our hearts in Jesus name? Let's go to God in prayer.