Skip began tonight's study with a brief review, in summary of the last 2 week's lessons on 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and how Paul's 2 letters to them was to inform and clarify, how both the Rapture and the day of the Lord ( Tribulation / Second coming ) ties in and confirms the end times prophecies of Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy.

We learn how each week in the prophecy translates to 7 years per week and that in the middle of the week reveals 3.5 years. the exact time in which the anti-christ will break his pact with israel, enter the temple ( 3rd temple that must be built ) and defile it.

tonight's lesson, begins with a quick preview, prior to Daniel 9 that has Daniel being present and taken captive by Babylon ( ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar ) when the fulfilment of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the 70 years of captivity began.

despite his captivity he chose to come under his captors rule ( without compromise ) by submitting to their authority over him and avoid giving in to the king's attempts to reprogram them into their ways and culture.

And that by this submission, God was able to give Daniel favor in the eyes of those that ruled over him allowing him and some of his companions to keep their faith and culture intact and in practice.

even though Daniel was made aware of the fact that he may not live to see Jerusalem again ( Daniel 9:2 ), he maintained, not only his love for God but his devotion to prayer and supplication by interceding to God for Israel. Skip pointed out that Daniel was in covenant with God and that there are 5 covenants that God has made with His people, down through the generations with a sign for each of them:
 1. Noahic Covenant = The Rainbow
 2. Abrahamic Covenant = Circumcision
 3. Mosaic Covenant = The Sabbath
 4. Davidic Covenant = Messiah
 5. New Testament Covenant = Communion ( last supper )

we concluded with Skip pointing out that while Daniel was yet in prayer and supplication for himself and Israel ( Daniel 9:20 ) God had answered his prayer with a vison/visit by the angel/man Gabriel who proceeded to inform him that when he first began to pray, God had ordered him to go and enable Daniel to understand the vision of the 70 weeks! ( Daniel 9:21-23 )