Middle East Updates - Daniel 10/Blood Moon - March 3rd/Israel/Iran/America

Shalom, friends. my name is Chadwick Harvey, and you've reached Faithful Performance. Thank you so much for joining us tonight as we study Daniel 10, review the latest Middle East updates, and look at the blood moon we'll be receiving on March 3rd. We're going to tie all of these things together.

The main event many of us are watching tonight is the heating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and America. But there is also other important movement across the Middle East when we look at the book of Daniel, and we'll go further into those updates as we work through the various countries and then shift to Europe and the Western Hemisphere to see how all of these things connect.

Before we begin, we'd like to wish everyone dealing with the winter storm our best. It's affecting roughly two-thirds of the United States, and our love goes out to you. It is a severe storm, so please take care of yourselves and stay safe.

Tonight we'll discuss some very important topics. I love going through these things, even though — as the prophets make clear — it's both awe-inspiring and sobering to watch these events unfold, especially when civilians are being killed. It's always a difficult conversation to balance. I come to you tonight from the perspective of the Great Commission: loving God and loving neighbor first. Concern for the countries we live in comes after that, in my view, especially when human lives across the world are at stake.

With that said, I believe Daniel 10 is the prophecy of the moment as we see Iran, Israel, and America approaching another confrontation. This will be round two of what the prophecy describes. We'll go through that first, then move to the blood moon and solar eclipse anointing coming on March 3rd — which, by the way, falls on Purim, the feast from the book of Esther — and then we'll get into the broader Middle East and North Africa updates.

Daniel 10 sets up the transition from the second kingdom to the third kingdom in Daniel's prophetic framework. If you're familiar with Daniel 2 and Daniel 7, you know about the four major kingdoms. Medo-Persia — modern Iran — is the second of those four kingdoms. Daniel 10 describes Israel and Iran clashing twice, and after that, the third kingdom comes on the scene, which is Turkey, the nation of Yavan. We are on that very progression right now.

Daniel's entire book is written for the end of the age. He states this multiple times. Daniel 12:4 says his book is sealed until the end of the age — not just chapter 12, but the entire book. And in Daniel 2:28, when Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's statue dream, he said plainly that God was revealing what would occur at the end of the age — not during Nebuchadnezzar's days, but at the end. So that's two references right there: Daniel 12 and Daniel 2 both confirm this is end-times prophecy.

Daniel 7 gives us the four kingdoms and then the courts of heaven scene with judgment rendered in sequence — all of which correlates to Daniel 2. After chapter 10, I believe Daniel 8 is the most critical chapter. Regarding the Israel-Iran conflict, the prophecy does not show either side being destroyed or conquered. Both will be damaged. Iran will be heavily damaged with American involvement, and Israel and American bases may suffer damage as well. This conflict happens twice, just as the prophecy indicates. Then Turkey — Yavan — comes on the scene, and in Daniel 8, you see Yavan crushing Persia with a rage that no one can withstand. Daniel identifies these kingdoms by name: Medo-Persia is Iran, and Yavan is Turkey, not Greece. Greece is a mistranslation in many Bible versions.

This is exactly what you're seeing today. The book of Daniel describes four kingdoms. Babylon — Iraq — fell in 2003 and is gone. Next, Daniel pointed to Persia — Iran — and indeed, Iran has been the regional superpower ever since Iraq fell. Political analysts, prophetic scholars, and military commanders in the Middle East would all acknowledge that. After Iran's time, Daniel says Yavan — Turkey — will rise. And we are watching that process unfold right now.

Let's read Daniel chapter 10, because it is very self-explanatory and powerful, and you need to understand it before what's coming next.

"In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The word was true and one of great conflict. He understood the word and had understanding of what had appeared. In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three full weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did wine or meat enter my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all during those three weeks. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see it; nevertheless, a great terror fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves."

So Daniel sees this great vision by the river Tigris, where he was exiled in Babylon. And notice — the angel calls this event a great conflict. The Israel-Iran war is a great conflict. You don't see either side being totally destroyed in Daniel 10.

"I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; my radiant appearance was fearfully changed and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said to me, 'O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.' When he spoke this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.'"

Notice the first day of Daniel's fast was Nisan 1. His words were heard from that very first day.

"'But the prince of the kingdom of Persia — Iran — was withstanding me for twenty-one days. Then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to give you understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.'"

So round one has already happened. The angel fought the prince of Persia for twenty-one days, Michael came to assist, and now the angel has come to give Daniel revelation about what comes next — in the last days, which is where we are now. That is why this prophecy is being fulfilled in real time.

"When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who was standing before me, 'O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. How can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? For as for me, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.'"

Look at how completely undone Daniel was. He had no might, no strength — overwhelmed by the vision of this great conflict.

"Then this one with the appearance of a man touched me again and strengthened me. He said, 'O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous.' Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, 'May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.' Then he said, 'Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Yavan is about to come. However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.'"

Just as Daniel 12 declares that Michael, the great prince, stands watch over the sons of Israel, Daniel 10 echoes that same truth. Michael is Israel's appointed spiritual defender.

My friends, this is for the latter days.