HSS_2020_Q1_EP11

♪ theme music ♪

(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,

an in-depth, interactive study

of the Word of God.

We are coming along in an amazing series

of studies on the book of Daniel,

today, From Battle to Victory.

It's another picture of how God

works out His purpose, the Most High God

who rules in the affairs of men.

If you've missed any in this series,

you will want to go back,

because each chapter builds upon another.

Go to our website, hopetv.org/hopess,

and you can watch the whole series.

And, by the way, we've also got

a special series of Bible studies

on Daniel and Revelation,

chapter by chapter.

Those two prophetic books

are intricately linked together.

Go to HopeBibleStudy.org,

that's HopeBibleStudy.org.

Keep studying; we have

so much more that we can learn.

But we're glad you're with us today

for Hope Sabbath School,

and welcome to the team.

What a great series

of studies this has been.

I feel like I've been blessed
beyond measure,

and we're learning the basic truth

that there's a God

who rules over the world,

but He wants to rule over our lives;

He wants to be our Lord and Savior.

And we're just excited that we can

be part of His Kingdom,

even as we study today.

We're happy to hear from you,

our Hope Sabbath School members
around the world.

Here's an email from Cyprus.

I don't know, have we heard

from Cyprus before?

Moses writes, and he says, "I'm the oldest

Seventh-day Adventist Christian

on the island of Cyprus

and the grandson

of the very first Seventh-day Adventist
here in Cyprus.

Every Friday evening, my wife and I

have been watching Hope Sabbath School,

and we're blessed by the dedication

of the 12 disciples."

Well, we're all disciples

of Jesus, aren't we?

"We love the lesson

in such an interesting
and constructive way.

Blessings to you all, Moses."

Well, Moses, you didn't tell us

how old you are,

but you're still following Jesus,

and for that we praise God,

looking forward to His soon return.

Joann writes to us from Georgia

in the United States of America.

Some of you have lived in Georgia,

and Joann says, "Hello,

Hope Sabbath School family!"

(Team) Hello!

(Derek) "I would like to extend a greeting

to each one of you.

I've been watching Hope Sabbath School

for about three years.

I was searching for something else,

and I saw Hope, and the word "school"
caught my eye."

Isn't it amazing how the Holy Spirit
leads people?

"I clicked on it,

and there was Hope Sabbath School!

I've been watching ever since."

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) "I've also copied

several of your studies from the archives,

which is very resourceful.

I thank God for you and all that you do

to spread the gospel.

Your love, adoration and thankfulness

toward the Lord and Savior

is evident in your teachings,

such heartfelt commitment.

I appreciate you, and I will

send a donation soon."

Well, thank you, Joann,

but thank you also for writing to us

because it brings great encouragement

to know you were just kind of clicking

through the channels,

and God led you to Hope Sabbath School.

Here's a note from the other side
of the world.

Silivario, and he greets us
with this word,

and then you tell me where he's from.

Are you ready? Bula! Bula!

All right, nobody's been
to Fiji, apparently.

"Bula," from Fiji, "Hope Sabbath School,

it's always a blessing

to hear and watch you

from here in my home,

my lovely wife and my children,

not forgetting our church members,

the Newtown SDA Church in Vanuatu."

Well, thanks for writing to us, Silivario,

all the way from Fiji.

Here's a note from a donor in Idaho

in the United States of America,

and the donor says, "You have been

a great blessing in our home.

We're not always able

to attend our local rural church
for services.

We deeply appreciate being able

to worship and study

along with Hope Sabbath School.

Thank you," and a gift for 2,500 dollars

to help the ministry of Hope Channel.

I just want to thank all of our donors.

We're all part of a great miracle of God,

and these are all volunteers here.

And we are part of a mission

to help prepare people

for the soon coming of Jesus.

Thank you for your support.

Here's one last note, from Habakkuk.

That's a good Bible name.

Habakkuk lives in Liberia.

"I just want to praise the Lord

so much for Hope Sabbath School,

that He will always use you

to simplify His Word

to His people in these last days.

By the way, the smiles are very charming,
especially yours."

I think he's talking to Stephanie there.

Thank you, Stephanie.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you."

You know, it's really true, isn't it,

that even our expressions

can be a witness for Jesus.

And, Habakkuk, I'm sure

you've got a beautiful smile, too.

We're glad you're part

of our Hope Sabbath School family.

And let's keep smiling for Jesus.

Doesn't Jesus say, "You are

the light of the world"?

That's because the light of Jesus,

who is the light of the world,

shines through us.

Right now we've got

a Scripture song we'd like to sing.

It's word-for-word from Daniel's book,

Daniel, chapter 2, verses 20 to 23,

written when he was just a young man

as a prayer to God.

My wife put a little tune to it

so we can memorize it.

I'm sure you've learned it by now.

If not, you can download it
from our website.

Let's sing it together.

♪ music ♪

(Derek) Some people might say,

"It's so hard memorizing the Bible,"

but when you put it to a tune like that,

you know, you might even wake up

one morning, "Blessed be the name of God."

It's just in your heart.

That's what it means.

Isn't it, "Your Word

I have hidden in my heart"?

It's not talking about the "boom-boom,
boom-boom."

I've hidden God's Word in my mind,

and He says that His Word

is a lamp to our feet

and a light to our path,

so praise God for that.

We're thankful that Daniel

wrote his prayer down

that we could memorize.

We're thankful now that we can study

an important topic,

From Battle to Victory.

Why don't you join us as we pray

and ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Father in Heaven, thank You so much,

that Your Word is a lamp to our feet,

a light to our path.

And there may be Hope Sabbath School
members

even today who feel

like they are caught in a great battle.

Help us to learn as we study

in Daniel, chapter 10,

that the battle is real.

But victory is sure when we trust in God,

that we have the assurance

that Jesus will gain the victory for us.

So, bless us as we study today.

May your Holy Spirit be our Teacher.

We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Daniel, chapter 10.

Daniel, we discovered,

was fasting and praying in chapter 9.

He's fasting and praying again.

And, Kim, if you would begin our study

in chapter 10 of Daniel, let's take a look

at the first three verses.

(Kim) I'll be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) So we've gone now

from the time of Belshazzar.

Remember, we were in the first year
of Belshazzar,

then in the third year of Belshazzar;

now where are we, historically?

(Team) Third year of Cyrus.

(Derek) Third year of Cyrus,
king of Persia.

What is Daniel mourning about now?

He's grieving; he's fasting and praying.

Is it still related to the 70 years
of captivity,

or is it something else?

Does anybody know the answer to that?

You say, "Derek, I don't know for sure,"

but, Rodney, what might he

be really sad about?

(Rodney) At this point,

the Jews might have gone

back from Babylon to their homeland...

(Derek) The first wave has gone back.

(Rodney) Yes, the first wave
of the return,

and they were facing

great difficulties and challenges
in rebuilding the temple.

(Derek) Is he making that up,

or is that in the Bible somewhere?

It's in the Bible, isn't it, Rodney?

Do you have that passage?

It's in Ezra, chapter 4,

and it will even give the reference

that it's in the same time frame
that it's happening.

So word comes back to Daniel

that the first wave

of exiles has gone back.

Rodney, read for us Ezra,

chapter 4, verses 1 to 5.

Let's see what's happening

for them, back in Jerusalem.

(Rodney) And I'm reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) Why didn't Daniel

go home with the first wave?

What's the answer to that question?

Why didn't he go home, any idea?

Stephanie, what might have been the reason

why he didn't go back home?

(Stephanie) I think God

needed him where he was.

(Derek) You know, doesn't Jesus say,

"My will is not to do My own will

but the will of Him who sent Me"?

(Team) Yes.

(Derek) So, we know for sure

that Daniel was a man of...?

(Team) Prayer.

(Derek) "Lord, what do you want me to do?"

And the answer is...?

(Team) Stay.

(Derek) "I want you to stay; I've got
a work for you to do."

But he receives word that those

who have gone back in that first wave

are having a terrible time,

and how is that affecting him? Travis?

(Travis) He's mourning,

but also I think it said he's realizing,

"This was my previous vision,"

in chapter 9 where it said

that the walls will be built

in troublesome times.

And he's like, "Lord,

my people are suffering."

(Derek) So he's definitely feeling

the pain of his own people.

He confessed their sins.

He's now feeling their anxiety
and their struggle.

And there's one little indication
in verse 12

that as he's fasting and praying,

that he's not just talking to himself.

Alex, would you read verse 12

of Daniel, chapter 10.

(Alex) Sure, and I'll be reading

from the King James Version:

(Derek) Now, he's also going

to talk to him about prophecy,

but God cares about every aspect

of our lives, doesn't He?

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) And he's grieving

because his people went home,

and they're having a very difficult time.

Well, as he's praying, he does receive

another divine revelation,

and, Shaina, if you could read for us

in Daniel, chapter 10, verses 4 through 7,

and as Shaina reads this description

of this Glorious Being,

are there any other pictures

in the Bible that come to mind?

You say, "That sounds like...,"

because all Scripture is given

by inspiration of God, right?

Who is this Glorious Being?

Let's look in Daniel 10,
verses 4 through 7.

(Shaina) And I'll be reading

from the King James Version:

(Derek) There's a lot
in that story, right?

Let's start with the details of verse 4.

Why does it matter, "twenty-fourth day,

first month, where I was standing,"

Nicole, why does that matter?

(Nicole) Once again,

it's a historical time frame
of where we are,

and it makes it more realistic

that this actually is happening;
it's not just a figment

of someone's imagination.

(Derek) Right, "I think maybe I had
a vision, but I'm not sure,"

no, no, very specific, right?

What do you think about the description

that Shaina just read?

Do you have some sympathy for Daniel

as he's trying to describe?

Is this a real being,

or is this like a symbolic picture?

What do you think, Shaina?

(Shaina) It sounds something like
something supernatural,

so much so that he was afraid,

and, like, everyone else around him ran.

(Derek) They didn't even see the vision,

and they ran, right?

So there is apparently this awareness

that a Divine Being is around,

They don't even see Him,

but they're running, right?

Talk to me about, you know, Scripture,

holy men of God spake as they

were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Daniel's struggling to describe

this Glorious Being. Stephanie?

(Stephanie) That's what I was
going to say.

It seems like he's trying to find words

to describe what he's seeing,

but it does remind me

of the words in Revelation, chapter 1.

(Derek) Okay, Revelation, chapter 1,

verses, like, 12 to 18,
somewhere in there?

(Stephanie) Yes.

(Derek) So this is...remember we said...

Well, let me just pause a minute

and tell our viewers

Daniel and Revelation are interconnected;

that's why we have a Bible study series

for you: HopeBibleStudy.org.

You can study chapter by chapter
from both books.

And, Stephanie, you're using that

as an illustration of how tied
they are, together.

Give us that description

in Revelation, chapter 1.

(Stephanie) And the King James Version
says:

(Derek) I imagine in the Kingdom of Heaven

Daniel and John talking and saying,

"I had a hard time describing that, too."

Who are they seeing?

Well, it depends, because One's
preincarnate

and One's the incarnate,

but who are they seeing?

They're seeing the Son of God, right?

They're seeing the Son of God

in all of His glory.

Revelation, of course, the Son of God

has already become flesh

and dwelt among us.

Jesus, fully Son of God, Son of Man,

this is before the incarnation.

He's seeing the Son of God

in all of His glory.

How does he respond, John?

Would you look at verses 8 and 9?

How would we respond

if the Son of God, in all of His glory,

showed up and spoke to us?

(John) And again the King James says,

in verses 8 and 9:

(Derek) What do you think?

How is he responding? Is he afraid?

A lot of times when an angel comes,

the angel has to say, "Fear not."

Is he afraid, or is he just...?

Shaina, how is he feeling?

(Shaina) Based on his actions,

he fell into a state of humility,

like, "This is Someone I need to worship."

(Derek) Collapsed even, eh?

Just like he's in the presence

of a Holy One, yeah, the divine,

the Son of God; he's in His presence.

And it's an overwhelming experience.

Now some people think,

"I'm just going to stroll up to the throne

and make my case."

You know, angels bow down, right,

and cry, "Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty."

Well, here he is; he's lost his strength.

He's fallen with his face to the ground,

and then someone is

going to come up, Travis, and touch him,

and let's see who that is

in verses 10 through 12.

(Travis) And I'll be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) So, who is this individual?

This is not the Son of God now, right?

Who's this individual?

(Team) Gabriel.

(Derek) It's an angel

and probably Gabriel, right,

because he's been sent like he was before.

And what position is Daniel in
at this point?

Did you get the description?

(Team Members) On the ground...Prostrated.

(Derek) Oh, no, he's got up

from being flat on his face;
what does it say?

He's on his knees,

and the palms of his hands.

I think we call that crawling, don't we?

So, he's kind of, you know,

he's not quite flat on the floor,

but he's not up yet.

And this angel comes, puts a hand on him,

and offers a word of encouragement to him

and gives him a revelation.

This study is about Battle to Victory.

It gives us a revelation

that we would not know

unless the prophet wrote
it down, Evelyn.

Could you read for us verses 13 and 14

of Daniel, chapter 10?

(Evelyn) I will be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) "The prince

of the kingdom of Persia

withstood me 21 days."

Can a human prince

withstand a covering cherub

from the throne room of God?

(Team) No.

(Derek) So, Abigail, what does this mean?

(Abigail) It's a spiritual place.

It's going to the cosmic conflict,

the prince of the darkness,

trying to stop God's angel

from doing his work.

(Derek) So, there are spiritual forces,

what Jesus calls principalities

and powers, right, at work,

and this angel, Gabriel, says,

"I was in a spiritual battle

with a fallen angel who claims authority

over the kingdom of Persia."

How long did that take

until he got some help?

(Team) Twenty-one days.

(Derek) So, what does that tell you

about this great battle?

(Rodney) It's real.

(Derek) It's real. It's ongoing.

(Team Member) It's intense.

(Derek) It's intense.

(Kenneth) It's no joke.

(Derek) It's certainly not a joke.

Today, there are all kinds

of movies and things,

and there's, like, confusion, you know?

People think, "Well, it's
just make believe."

This is telling me, and, of course

we learn in the life of Jesus,

this is not an imaginary battle here.

This is principalities and powers. John.

(John) It also reveals

that there are large things at stake

because of this battle.

(Derek) Large things are at stake,

whole kingdoms, destiny

of nations and people. Nicole?

(Nicole) But he needed help.

It says that Michael came and helped him.

So, if he needs help

with the spiritual battle,

what do we think we are?

We clearly need help, also.

(Derek) So, let's do

a computer search, if we can,

because some people don't think

that there are any forces of evil.

That's just, you know,

kind of maybe a bad thought in your mind,

but it's not real; it's imaginary.

Take me to some passages of Scripture

that show that this battle,

that is described by Gabriel

in Daniel 10, is very real.

What Bible text comes

to your mind immediately?

Anybody have one?

(Stephanie) Ephesians 6.

(Derek) All right, Stephanie,

the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, is one.

We could go to lots of them, and we will.

I want to just show how real

this cosmic battle is,

but you're here...

This is after the ministry of Jesus

and His ascension to Heaven, right?

And Paul's writing to Christians
in Ephesus,

and what does he say to them?

(Stephanie) I'll read from verses 10
through 17.

The King James Version says:

(Derek) So, where do you see the intensity

of the battle described here,
some specifics?

(Stephanie) Verse 12.

(Derek) Verse 12?

(Stephanie) We don't wrestle
against flesh and blood.

(Derek) All right, these are not
human forces, right,

but they're organized, aren't they?

(Team) Yes.

(Derek) Principalities, powers,

rulers of the darkness of this age,

spiritual hosts of wickedness,

it's an organized confederacy

of evil, right; what else?

(Stephanie) You have to be armed.

(Derek) You have to be protected, right?

And what's the most important part

of the protection?

Or would you say that it's all of it?

(Team) All of it.

(Derek) Would you just like the protection
on your feet?

(Team) No.

(Derek) We need what?

(Derek, Team) The whole armor.

(Derek) That's one word in the Greek.

It's the word panoplia from which we get

the English word panoply.

It's a covering, right, a covering.

So, we've got this,

if I can use the word, defensive armor,

but we also have an offensive,
John, weapon; what is it?

(John) The sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God.

(Derek) You know, that's
also very interesting.

It's not just talking about the Bible.

It uses "the word," which means

the specific saying of God,
the specific word.

In other words, you can't

fight the enemy, like,

holding up a Bible, right?

Some people think that.

They sleep with the Bible on their chest

if they feel they're under attack.

We need the Bible in our heart, right?

(Team) Yes. Amen.

(Derek) So the specific words of God.

Where do we see that

in the life of Jesus?

(Team) When He was tempted.

(Derek) When He was tempted.

"Turn these stones into bread,"

and how does He reply, Rodney?

"It is written."

"Jump off the pinnacle of the temple."

Shaina, how does He respond?

(Shaina) "It is written."

(Derek) "It is written."

"Bow down and worship me;

I will give you everything,"
and He responds?

(Derek, Team) "It is written."

(Derek) And then it says

the devil left Him, and we say?

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Right. It's a real battle,
by the way.

Some people think the battle

that Jesus had in the wilderness

was just kind of a parable.

It was a real battle.

The battle is intense.

So, thank you for sharing that passage.

Principalities...Fiery darts.

I will give you an opportunity

in our study to share where you felt

fiery darts coming at you;

that's real, too; not real fiery darts

but a real attack of the enemy.

Give me another Bible passage, Nancy,

that shows that this cosmic battle

described in Daniel 10 is very real.

(Nancy) I'm thinking of Job.

So, Job, the second chapter,

and verses 1 through 5.

(Derek) Okay, Job, let's take

a moment to find that.

Job, chapter 1, or chapter 2

you wanted to read, okay.

Chapter 1 gives us a little insight
into the battle,

but you're reading chapter 2,
verses 1 to 5?

(Nancy) Right. So, Satan has already come,

in chapter 1, and attacked him,

but Job responded positively toward God.

He said, "Naked I came
from my mother's womb

and naked...Blessed be the name
of the Lord."

But then in chapter 2,

should I start reading now?

(Nancy) Verses 1 through 5, this is

from the New King James Version; it says:

(Derek) Why was Satan allowed

to come into this heavenly council?

What do you think, Kenneth?

(Kenneth) Because we gave the ownership

that God gave to our first parents,
Adam and Eve,

through deceptive means,

we handed it over to Satan.

(Derek) So he's walking

to and fro on the earth

with what kind of attitude?

"This belongs to me."

He's wrong; it doesn't belong to him.

The Bible says the Earth is the Lord's.

But he claims dominion

because our first parents

disobeyed God, right?

So he claims to be the prince
of this world.

And so it describes this battle.

What is he saying that is not true?

Satan, what is he saying?

What won't God do? Do you know?

You have to read the rest of the chapter.

Satan says, "Stretch out Your hand."

Does God do that?

(Derek, Team) No.

(Derek) What does God do?

You have to read the next verse?

"You do that, but you can't
take his life."

You'd think the devil

would figure out who's in charge, right?

But clearly he's caused havoc

in the family and in his business.

Now he's attacking Job's life.

The battle is very real, and, praise God,

Job doesn't curse God and die, right?

He says, "Even if God slays me,"

which God would not do,

but, "allows me to be put to death,"

like the martyrs down through the ages,

"I'm still going to trust Him."

I love that verse where he says,

"I know that my Redeemer lives."

And he hasn't even read the story

about the incarnation;

he's long before that.

But by faith he believes

in the plan of salvation;

isn't that awesome?

But there's another amazing example

(thank you for sharing that one)

of the battle being very real.

Now, again, let's go back

to focus on Daniel 10.

Daniel's grieving because things
have been hard.

I'll take a few other verses,

but just giving the context again.

The battle's been really hard,

and he's grieving because, actually,

it's this same kingdom of darkness

that's opposing his people

who are trying to get

Jerusalem rebuilt, right?

They are the enemy, okay?

The kingdom of darkness is the enemy.

He's grieving about that.

The angel comes to him

with some words of encouragement,

but even that angel experiences...?

(Team) Conflict.

(Derek) This battle, right?

And Michael has to come to his aid.

We've looked at Ephesians, chapter 6;

we've looked at Job, chapter [2];

Is there one other, Travis,

an important verse that you

think we should add?

(Travis) Luke 22:31.

(Derek) Okay, Luke, chapter 22
and verse 31.

Give us a moment to find that.

Here Jesus, if I'm remembering correctly,

has been praying for Simon Peter,

Luke, chapter 22 and verse 31.

So you're telling me the battle

is not only something Jesus experienced

but every follower of Jesus.

(Travis) And I would like to read

Luke 26:41 after this

because it goes along with it.

(Derek) You would like to read two verses.

We'll give you the opportunity to do that,

but start with Luke 22 and verse 31.

(Travis) And I'll be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) Oh, I wish I could read on

where Jesus says, "But I prayed
for you." Amen?

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) So, who's this Simon?

(Team) Peter.

(Derek) Believer or unbeliever?

(Team) A believer.

(Derek) It's Simon Peter, right,

one of the leading disciples.

And, of course, he gets overconfident

and ends up denying Jesus,

but he's shown mercy and comes back. Amen?

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Okay, "Satan has
sought to sift you."

You know what sifting is, right?

Like, to shake you until you fall apart.

That's how real the battle is.

You want to read...?

(Travis) Matthew 26.

(Derek) Matthew 26, verse...?

(Travis) Forty-one.

(Derek) Forty-one, so,

Matthew, chapter 26, give us a moment,

verse 41, and this actually adds

some more light to...?

(Travis) The situation.

(Derek) To the situation,

Matthew 26 and verse 41.

(Travis) Again I'll be reading

from the New King James Version,
and He says:

(Derek) So, the battle is real.

Even the angel Gabriel

experiences the intensity of the battle.

And Michael, here he's called,

interestingly, one of the princes,

but later in Daniel, is called

the archangel or the leader of the angels,

which is another topic we'll look at.

This key being, apparently,

is even more powerful

than the covering cherub Gabriel;
that's interesting.

Michael comes to the aid of Gabriel;

so the battle is very real.

And the battle is also real in our lives,

so I'm going to give you

an opportunity to testify.

Maybe there is someone

watching Hope Sabbath School today

and saying, "I'm under attack right now.

I feel the battle of the kingdom
of darkness."

Maybe you got an email from someone today,

and they say, "I'm under attack, Alex.

I need somebody to pray for me."

The battle is real.

I want to give you an opportunity

to share a time when you

felt like the kingdom of darkness

was trying to hinder God's purpose

and his plan for your life.

Does anybody have a testimony to share?
Yes, Nancy.

(Nancy) So, whenever I'm getting ready

to be on Hope Sabbath School,
things happen.

You know, once I was in a car accident
a few days before.

I hit my head really hard;

I got a concussion from it.

Other times it will be
relationship things.

Someone will say something that's...

and it just gets me down.

It just seems...and it's whenever it's

getting close to the time

to be on Hope Sabbath School.

(Derek) Now the skeptic could say

that's just coincidence, right? Right?

I mean, we all have times

we have car accidents or...

What do you think?

Is it possible it's just a coincidence?

(Nicole) It's always possible.

(Derek) It's always possible,

but if I understand the cosmic battle...

I can think of times in my life

when I was preparing to do something

important for God,

and I just felt, like, this oppression.

You don't have to be doing bad things

to come under attack.

I can think of times where I've

had to just go to my godly wife,

who not only writes Scripture songs,

but she prays for me...

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) ...and say, "I need prayer.

I feel this attack of the enemy."

Now, someone watching will go,

"Wow, it's happened to you, too?"

Anybody else have an experience

where you just felt like

the kingdom of darkness

was trying to get in the way

of God's plan and His purpose? Travis.

(Travis) This was quite a few years
ago now, but I remember,

I just kept studying

and studying the Bible

and went to classes

and was learning about Scriptures,

and I wanted to be sold out for Jesus

and hold an evangelistic series.

And so I was working with a team

in a church to do an evangelistic series,

and there were still things in my life,

sins that I hadn't gotten rid of yet,

but I still, you know,

you're just on fire for God,

and you're recognizing these things

and trying to figure it out.

And we faced opposition in the church

and opposition within the family,

and it was one thing after another

until I finally just said,

"You know what? I quit."

And I walked away from all of it,

and the pastor begged me to come.

And I told him...I remember

when walking away that day,

I had a sign; I said, "God,

if You want me to continue in ministry,

You have to have Derek Morris call me,"

and you were a part of this.

And the next day the pastor

asked me to come back,

and I said, "No. I told God

what it had to be,"

and the unique thing is that you and I

didn't really talk back then.

(Derek) And can I share a part
of the story?!

I got up one morning, and I was in prayer,

and somehow I bumped my phone.

It was before 5 a.m. in Wisconsin.

It was nearly 6 a.m. where I lived,

and I bumped the phone,

and I saw it was dialing Travis.

And I'm like, "Oh, no!
It's only 5 o'clock!"

You know, have you

ever bumped someone accidentally?

"Oh, no! Quick!" [Hang up.]

What happened when you received

just that - no voice message -

just my name came up on your phone?

(Travis) It was the very following day

after I told God that out loud
in my truck,

just cried it out to him.

And I don't know why I had said that,

and I said, "Well, that's it."

(Derek) "He's not going to call me."

(Travis) And I told the pastor; the pastor
begged me the next day.

And I said, "No, I told God
what the sign was."

And he asked what, and I told him.

And he kind of, "Well, okay,

that's maybe a bit strange."

And then the next morning at 5,

an app I had downloaded the day before

is calling, and your name is on it.

And I thought, "What is going on?"

And later that day I called Derek,

and I told him what had happened.

And I just began weeping,

and he said to me, "I don't
know what happened.

I got up and then my phone
was calling you."

It was the most...

And right then I just weeped,

and I said, "Okay, this is tough."

And I just learned from that circumstance

I'm in a spiritual battle,

and the next time I go into this,

I'm going to have the armor of God on.

Every door closed so Satan can't come in.

(Derek) Yes, Ephesians, chapter 6,

"Take up the whole armor."

"Put on the whole armor."

Those are both active verbs;

they are imperatives, actually.

"Put on," "take up," which tells you

it doesn't happen...

(Nicole) Passively.

(Derek) It doesn't happen passively;

it doesn't happen by accident.

"Take up," "Put on," and he's
speaking to Christians,

which means that followers

of Jesus also experience...

(Team Member) Attacks.

(Derek) Spiritual attacks!

In fact, maybe more. Is that possible?

(Team) Yes.

(Derek) You know, "They hated Me;
they'll hate you."

So the battle is very real,

and we're seeing that

come out of Daniel, chapter 10,

with the contention that occurs.

Well, we've got to keep going,

but I'm praying that someone watching,

maybe you're watching, and you're going,

"I thought it was just me

that was in this battle."

The battle is real,

but I've got good news.

We've got the armor of God.

Jesus is our strong Deliverer,
and Jesus wins.

And that's what we want to focus on.

Daniel, chapter 10 and verse 19,

Abigail, would you read verse 19 for us?

Because the enemy is using intimidation

and violence to hinder God's purpose

and plans for our lives.

But where do we see some good news?

(Abigail) Yes, and I will be reading

from the New Living Translation,

Daniel 10, verse 19:

(Derek) "You are greatly beloved,
fear not!"

You'd say, "Well, I wish

an angel would say that to me,"

but actually God Himself
has said it to us.

Give me some Bible promises.

Maybe some folks, Evelyn,

are not as acquainted with the Bible.

Can you think of a Bible promise

that speaks about not needing
to be afraid?

There are lots of them.

Is there one that comes to your mind?

While you're thinking,

Rodney has one. Rodney?

(Rodney) May I read one?

(Derek) Absolutely.

(Rodney) Joshua 1, Joshua 1...

(Derek) Joshua, chapter 1, okay.

(Rodney) And I will read verse 9.

(Derek) I was thinking you
might read verse 9.

(Derek, Rodney) Joshua,
chapter 1 and verse 9.

(Derek) And what translation

of the Bible do you have?

(Rodney) I have a New King James Version.

(Derek) All right, here Joshua

has just begun his work

as the leader following

the great man of God, Moses,

and what's the word there in Joshua 1:9?

(Derek) Is that Moses speaking to Joshua?

(Derek, Team) No.

(Derek) Who's speaking to Joshua?

Verse 1 it says, "The Lord

spoke to Joshua," right?

"Be strong and of good courage;

do not fear or be dismayed," all right.

Now, you found one, Evelyn,

and then we'll come to Stephanie.

By the way, this is important.

It's not just, "Well, I heard
someone say,"

"Well, I think," no.

We're reading promises from the Bible.

The battle is real, but God

comes to Daniel and says,

"You're greatly beloved...

don't be afraid," right?

Evelyn, where would you like to read from?

(Evelyn) Psalms, chapter 27, verse 1.

(Derek) Psalm 27 is one

of the Psalms of David.

Psalm 27, by the way, I used to think

that all of the Psalms

were written by David; I was wrong.

There are lots of other Psalms

written by Moses and Asaph and...

But this, I think, is a Psalm of David,

and you'd like to read verse 1?

(Evelyn) I'll be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) I was wanting

to put one word in there

to make it even more clear

because David obviously knows
where he stands,

but I would tell people when, when, okay?

So, when the Lord
is your light and salvation,

you don't have anyone to fear, right?

When the Lord is the strength
of your life,

you don't need to be afraid.

So, what's key there?

What makes the difference?

(Evelyn) We need to have the Lord with us.

(Derek) I make the choice to say,

"Be the Lord of my life," right?

Be the God of my salvation.

That's the same as Ephesians 6;

I need to do what to the armor?

(Team) Put it on.

(Derek) "Jesus, I belong to You,"

and the prophet says, "Put on the armor.

You're going to experience," what?

A battle, you're going to experience

a spiritual battle,

but we don't need to be afraid.

Stephanie, you had

another encouraging word?

By the way, the verse you read

may be exactly the verse

someone on Hope Sabbath School

needs to hear today.

It may be a verse that was
given to her as a child,

and she forgot it,

but she's going to hear it again.

So, what's the verse

that the Spirit brought to your mind?

(Stephanie) Exodus 14, verses 13 and 14.

(Derek) Second book

of the Old Testament Scriptures,

Exodus, chapter 14, verses 13 and 14.

You know, I really like it

when we do this kind of Bible study.

Now, it's not just random;

we're focusing on why

we don't need to be afraid, right,

because of the victory

that is ours in God.

Exodus 14:13-14?

(Stephanie) Correct, and I'm reading

from the King James Version:

(Derek) What's the setting?

Do you know, in Exodus 14, John?

(John) The Israelites were

on the banks of the Red Sea.

(Derek) And what's behind them?

(John) And the Egyptian armies
are fast approaching.

(Derek) I mean, there's a lethal weapon,

and they're in the sights

of the lethal weapon, and God says what?

(Team) "Stand still."

(Derek) "Stand still, watch

what God's going to do."

Now, that's only meaningful

if I've taken my stand

under the banner of the Lord, right,

if I've taken my stand under His banner.

Well, we could look

at some other Bible texts,

but I want to give you a chance

in the last few minutes of our study

to share another testimony,

not where you felt Satan

trying to hinder God's purpose

but where God delivered you from fear

as you trusted wholly in Him.

Anybody have a testimony

where it's like, "Wow, He delivered me,

so that I know that my life and my future

rest in His care"? Alex.

(Alex) I was at a point in my life,

and I've shared part

of this testimony before on here,

but I was at a point in my life

where I was scared about what the future

was holding for me.

I was heavy into drugs

and doing things of the world,

going out to clubs and such.

And I was in a rut;

I couldn't get out of this rut.

And my only resource left was God,

and I knew to look to Him,

and I cried out to Him.

I said, "Lord, I can't

get through this by myself.

I've tried; You've seen me try before,

and I've fallen every time.

Get me out of this rut that I'm in."

And it was a scary prayer to pray,

because in my mind, the only thing

I thought could get me out of this

was either going to jail for something,

you know, for a long time for something

because of the people I was
hanging out with

or something bad happening to me
through other things.

(Derek) Probably the devil would say,
"Your only two options

are jail or death," but you refused

to believe that; what happened?

(Alex) God has a different plan for me.

And it was a couple months after that,

but in just a very, very, very real way

He picked me up and turned me around.

He pulled me out of the situation
I was in,

pulled me away from the situation

I was in for, like, a month and a half

and put me in touch with the right people.

I turned around, and I haven't
looked back since.

(Team) Praise the Lord.

(Derek) And here he is

on Hope Sabbath School!

What does that tell you?

(Kenneth) God is able.

(Derek) God is able; He is able.

The battle is real, but God is able

to deliver those who call upon Him.

Someone else, a time when God

delivered you from fear

as you trusted wholly in Him?

Anybody else have a story to share?

(Nancy) I have a Psalm while others...

(Derek) You have...

(Nancy) A Psalm.

(Derek) A Bible text, okay.

(Nancy) Yeah, while others are thinking.

(Derek) Alright.

(Nancy) Psalm 23, verses 4 through 6.

(Derek) Alright, this is a Psalm of David.

Psalm 23, probably one

of the best known Psalms for anyone

who's been reading them.

It's the one about the Lord

being our Shepherd, isn't it?

And what translation will you

be reading from, Nancy?

(Nancy) The New King James Version.

(Derek) And you want to read

verses 4 through 6 of Psalm 23?

(Nancy) Yes:

(Derek) Do we know how old David was

when he wrote this Psalm?

Any idea, anyone?

(Shaina) I think He was
still a shepherd boy.

(Derek) Okay, he's still writing,
at least,

in shepherd language, isn't he?

So Shaina's saying he's
probably still a shepherd,

which would mean he was fairly young,

maybe even still a teenager,

right, early twenties,

and he says, "Even when I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death."

He's going to have to do that many times

with King Saul trying to kill him, right?

"I will fear no evil; You're with me,
that's enough."

And he uses the imagery

of a shepherd, rod and staff, right,

for guidance and for protection.

Evelyn, did you have a testimony

you wanted to share?

(Evelyn) Yeah, just something quick.

Well, I knew from awhile back

God was calling me

to step out of my comfort zone,

and He was saying, "Evelyn,

you need to evangelize,

maybe do a Bible study or preach,"

and I was afraid of it.

And so earlier this year
I was praying to God.

I was like, "God, if You're leading me
to do ministry,

guide me to it, and I just want

to be happy and rejoice in You."

So I was afraid for awhile

because I was like, "What if I'm

not following God's will?

What if I don't follow through?"

And I got in contact with Malaina

here on Hope Sabbath School,

and she said, "We're looking

for a Bible worker partner.

Will you please be my partner?"

I was like, "You know what?!

This is the perfect opportunity."

And I know, I know God led me to that.

So that's my little testimony,

that I know God led me

into doing His work there.

(Derek) And now you're here
on Hope Sabbath School!

And your professional goal

is not to be a pastor; you're studying...?

(Evelyn) To be a nurse.

(Derek) To be a nurse.

How many people think

Christian nurses are a good idea?

(Team) Amen!

(Derek) Absolutely.

You know, when we are delivered from fear

to say, "God, let Your purpose

be fulfilled in my life,"

we can have perfect peace.

Doesn't it say, "He will keep you

in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on you"?

Why? "Because she trusts in You,"

"Because he trusts in You."

And that battle that we experience,

Daniel, chapter 10, talks about it.

Even holy angels are involved

in this cosmic battle, like Gabriel.

But Michael, the leader
of the angels, comes.

We're going to learn more about Michael

in a future study here

in the book of Daniel.

But deliverance comes from the Lord,

and we can experience

that same deliverance in our lives.

We can experience the same

supernatural protection.

We can hear the same words

that Daniel heard, "You are

greatly beloved by God."

What a precious promise that is.

Let's rejoice in His victory

whatever challenge we're facing today.

Let's pray; Our Father in Heaven,

many who are watching

Hope Sabbath School today

realize the battle is intense,

and I just thank You for the assurance

that there is victory in You.

But some may be learning

for the first time,

and I pray that, rather than being fearful

about this real cosmic battle,

we would come to You,

stand under Your protection,

stand under Your banner,

and be at peace in Your victory.

I thank You, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Well, thanks for joining us.

What an amazing study.

What a peace and joy are ours,

beloved children of God.

Go out and share that good news

with those around you.

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