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DECEMBER 3
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made
me tremble on my knees and on the palms of
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my hands. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man
greatly beloved, understand the words that I 10:21 Scripture of Truth. God’s plan of cer-
speak to you, and stand upright, for I have tain and true designs for men and nations,
now been sent to you.” While he was speaking which He can reveal according to His discre-
this word to me, I stood trembling. tion (11:2; Is. 46:9–11). except Michael. The
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, angel with Michael intended to handle the
for from the first day that you set your heart to demons of Persia and Greece. This actually
understand, and to humble yourself before forms the heavenly basis for the earthly
your God, your words were heard; and I have unfolding of history in 11:2–35.
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come because of your words. But the prince
of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-
one days; and behold, Michael, one of the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against
chief princes, came to help me, for I had been these, except Michael your prince.
left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now Psalm 137:7–9
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I have come to make you understand what will 7
happen to your people in the latter days, for Remember, O LORD, against the sons
the vision refers to many days yet to come.” of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, who are
10:13 prince of…Persia. The 3-week delay
was due to an evil angel opposing Gabriel in to be destroyed,
heavenly warfare (Rev. 16:12–14). This angel Happy the one who repays you
was specially anointed with Persian power in as you have served us!
an effort to thwart the work of God.This tells us 9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
that Satan engages in heavenly warfare to Your little ones against the rock!
influence generations and nations against God Proverbs 29:15
and His people (Eph. 6:10ff.). Michael. This is
the chief angel of heaven (10:21; 12:1; Jude 9; 15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
Rev. 12:7). Michael remained to assure that the But a child left to himself brings shame
Jews would be free to return to their land. to his mother.
1 John 1:1–10
15 When he had spoken such words to me, I That which was from the beginning, which
turned my face toward the ground and 1 we have heard, which we have seen with our
became speechless. And suddenly, one hav- eyes, which we have looked upon, and our
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ing the likeness of the sons of men touched hands have handled, concerning the Word of
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my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, life— the life was manifested, and we have seen,
saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal
because of the vision my sorrows have over- life which was with the Father and was mani-
whelmed me, and I have retained no strength. fested to us— that which we have seen and
3
17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with heard we declare to you, that you also may have
you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is
in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of
a man touched me and strengthened me. And
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he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! 1:2,3 manifested,…seen,…bear witness,…
Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” declare. John dramatically reemphasizes
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, through repetition of these terms in vv.2,3 (v.1)
and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have the authority of his own personal experience as
strengthened me.” an eyewitness of Jesus’ life. Such repetition
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have pointedly reminds his readers that John’s per-
come to you? And now I must return to fight sonal testimony refutes the false teachers who
with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone boasted arrogantly and wrongly about the
forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. Christ they had never seen or known.
21 But I will tell you what is noted in the

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