DANIEL, CYRUS AND ZERUBBABEL 2
(week 27/12)
OLUBI JOHNSON
In our article last week, we saw that Daniel, Cyrus and Zerubbabel typify a three stage prophetic panorama that reveals God’s present purpose of bringing the church out of the captivity of spiritual Babylon (where we have been made captive to spiritual immaturity to the promised land of the perfection and fullness of Christ. In this promised land we are to build a corporate spiritual temple, typified by the temple of Zerubbabel that will manifest the glory of God (Hag. 2:7-9) to all nations in the earth and so disciple them and close this age (Mt. 24:14).
The first stage of this prophetic panorama as revealed by the Holy Spirit through the scriptures is the “Daniel stage”, which we will look at in more detail this week.
The “Daniel stage” is typified in
Daniel 9:2-3 KJV: In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (3) And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Here, we see Daniel by searching the scriptures come to an understanding that the time of God’s purpose to return people of Israel in captivity to the Jerusalem, as prophesied by Jeremiah was imminent.
Daniel responded to this understanding by seeking God in prayer and supplications with fasting.
An important principle is seen here: the fact that God has prophesied and revealed a purpose does not mean it will automatically come to pass; rather it requires God’s prophets and intercessors to pray and ‘birth’ that purpose into physical manifestation during the time frame God intends. Disobedience and negligence in prayer can delay God’s purposes sometimes for a whole generation. Recall that Moses trying to fulfill God’s purpose by physically killing an Egyptian (Ex. 2:11-15) delayed God’s purpose of bringing Israel out of Egypt for 30 years (Ex. 12:41 cp. Gen. 15:13).
However, we see a good example in Simeon and Anna who began to look for and pray for birth of the Lord Jesus about 60 years before Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced the virgin birth, which had been prophesied by Isaiah (Is. 7:14) hundreds of years before:
Luke 2:25-38 KJV: And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, (28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, (29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: (30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, (31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; (32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (33) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. (34) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (35) (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (36) And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; (37) And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. (38) And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
So we see here the same pattern as Daniel: that even though God had declared a purpose through the prophet, as the time for the fulfillment approached God raised up intercessors to pray and ‘birth’ the purpose into physical manifestation.
So for us today as we, like Daniel did, understand from the scriptures that time of the purpose of God for the perfection of Church is upon us must respond by seeking God in prayer, supplication with fasting so that we can ‘birth’ and experience that purpose.
This is the “Daniel stage”; as afore mentioned some of the first fruits of the Church have already experienced this stage from about 1990-2000: this was when the third day of perfection began. However, anyone who is just hearing and understanding this now can enter into this “Daniel stage” by responding like Daniel did.
So to enter into this “Daniel stage”, you need to read and study the scriptures as a daily habit and listen to apostolic and prophetic preaching and teaching, so you can get a mental understanding of God’s purpose and so begin to seek God in prayer, supplications and fasting which will usher you into the next stage: the “Cyrus stage”.
In our article next week, we will study the “Cyrus stage”.
