Daniel Part 2

Intro: Tonight we’re continuing the book of Daniel

Author

The prophet Daniel, whose name means “God is my judge,” is the author of the book of Daniel. Not only did Daniel claim authorship (), but Jesus also stated that Daniel wrote the book ().

Date Written

Daniel wrote his book in Babylon, probably sometime after 536 BC...

About

The book of Daniel offers some of the most astonishing and views of the prophetic past and future in the Bible.

Daniel fits in both the prophetic and historic sections of Scripture, chronologically linking the time between the reigns of the kings in 2 Chronicles and the restoration of Jerusalem in Ezra.

The book of Daniel begins by describing what is called the “Jewish exile to Babylon” and ends with Daniel’s vision of the seventy weeks.

It can be divided into two major sections: the historic (seven different historical narratives that deal with prophetic history) and the prophetic (four prophetic visions interpreted by the angel of the Lord).

History

Daniel was born in Judah under the reign of King Josiah (around 621 BC). He was taken into captivity by Babylon during the first Jewish deportation, sometime around 606–605 BC, and put under the service of King Nebuchadnezzar, eventually taking a key administrative role.

The Layout:

There are 4 things that characterize Daniel’s life: purpose, prayer, and prophecy and powerful example

The historical events in the book of Daniel are the same events that took place during the lives of the prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Daniel was a captive in Babylon, along with thousands of other Jews. He lived and ministered in Babylon for close to seventy years, probably from about 605 to 536 BC.

Daniel was a man of purpose - ( ; 6:10 ). He deter- mined that he would not be defiled by the immorality of paganism or be involved in the degradation of idolatry.

During his captivity Babylon passed through the hands of at least four major rulers: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, the Median king Darius, and the Persian ruler Cyrus.

Daniel was a man of prayer - ( ; 6:10 ; 9:3-19 ; 10 ). His total life and his every decision in a pagan court were paved by prayer.

The Layout:

Daniel was a man of prophecy - The bulk of his book re- lates to prophetic themes. Our Lord labeled him, “Daniel the prophet” ( ) we’re gonna look at that in the next few weeks

Daniel was a man of powerful example - Some believe that not only did daniel lose his family when he was taken captive, but also may have been castrated…yet amidst all of that abuse…he kept his faith and stayed the course

Date: Daniel wrote his book in Babylon, probably sometime after 536 BC, the date of the last recorded event in the text. Some scholars suggest the year 530 BC.

Daniel’s writing in hindsight; but he’s writing what he saw as a teenager.

Excerpt From: Skip Heitzig. “The Bible from 30,000 Feet™.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-bible-from-30-000-feet/id1233862428?mt=11The Layout:

The Layout:

1-6 Historic Providence - which is as far as we’ll get tonight...

7-12 Prophetic preview

Daniel opens by setting the historical context: the siege, destruction, and pillaging of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar is named as the agent of the city’s downfall, but God was the architect: “The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into [Nebuchadnezzar’s] hand” (1.2) So even though Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty king...he was only a pawn on God’s chessboard.

The prophet Daniel, whose name means “God is my judge,” is the author of the book of Daniel. Not only did Daniel claim authorship (), but Jesus also stated that Daniel wrote the book ().

“Daniel opens by setting the historical context: the siege, destruction, and pillaging of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar is named as the agent of the city’s downfall, but God was the architect: “The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into [Nebuchadnezzar’s] hand” (, emphasis added). So even though Nebuchadnezzar, a mighty king riding high off his victory over the region’s reigning power, carried off treasure and captives to Babylon, he was only a pawn on God’s chessboard.

Daniel sees God’s sovriegn hand

The predictions made by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others had come to pass. God handed His people over to their enemies as punishment for their persistent idolatry and hardheartedness toward Him.

Date Written

Nebuchadnezzar’s plan

Beyond that, however, God also had plans for this young man Daniel, contrasting light to in the darkness of this land…All of this would be clearly seen though Nebuchadnezzar social engineering plan

Daniel wrote his book in Babylon, probably sometime after 536 BC, the date of the last recorded event in the text. Some scholars suggest the year 530 BC.”

Daniel’s bold decision

Daniel 1:3–7 ESV

Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

DAN 1:3-

Nebuchadnezzar’s program included selecting the cream of Judah’s crop, its finest youth from its best families, and indoctrinating them in Babylonian language and culture ().

Daniel and three of his friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—were among the chosen. They were immediately given Babylonian names to rob them of their Jewish identity and conform them to the king’s standards. Daniel was called Belteshazzar and his friends were renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.

But God had a purpose for Daniel’s heartache, and Daniel found purpose in his own heart…lo

Daniel 1:8 ESV

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Part of this pagan programming involved bringing in the finest chefs in the royal court to cater decadent meals so that these young men would see how good things could be in Babylon...Where it appeared that their God had abandoned them, Nebuchadnezzar would step in and show them how good it was to serve him and his gods.

Daniel wasn’t buying it.” He stayed true to God and resisted temptation, and God gave him favor with the people in charge, enabling him to show his intelligence and skill while living on a humble, kosher diet. His star began to rise...

He stayed true to God and resisted temptation, and God gave him favor with the people in charge, enabling him to show his intelligence and skill while living on a humble, kosher diet. His star began to rise...

App: God said through another young man Samuel “I will honor those who honor me” and this is true…God will always honor you if you chose to live in a way that honorable to him

It may be in this life or it may be in the next…but It will happen

Daniel 2:1 ESV

In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him.

So here’s the picture: After some time passed, God gave Daniel an opportunity to get into Nebuchadnezzar’s personal good graces.

The king was feeling the pressure of the power he had accumulated, and more money and power usually equals more problems…to the point where he had huge issues during the night with a weird dream..

He would eventually call the guys he employed to sort out that type of issue—his magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers...They played it safe, asking him to provide the details, which they would interpret.

They played it safe, asking him to provide the details, which they would interpret. Nebuchadnezzar was smarter than that, he knew they were stalling so he did what any ruthless king would do…he threatened them upon pain of dismemberment.

But Nebuchadnezzar was smarter than that, he knew they were stalling so he did what any ruthless king would do…he threatened them upon pain of dismemberment.

These guys tried to buy time but that only angered the king…so this happened

Daniel 2:8–14 ESV

8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” 12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.

Dan 2:8

Daniel sees that thier lives are in danger so He goes to the king and says “i can interpret your dream.”

“Daniel went on to tell the king about the image in his dream, the magnificent statue with a gold head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, iron legs, and iron and clay feet—all of which was, in the end, shattered by an enormous boulder (). Nebuchadnezzar’s astonishment must have grown with every passing detail—and even more so when Daniel laid out the dream’s meaning (vv. 36-45).

Daniel went on to tell the king about the image in his dream: there was this magnificent statue with a gold head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, iron legs, and iron and clay feet—all of which was, in the end, shattered by an enormous boulder ()

In essence, Daniel told the king, “Your power has made you sleepless and worried about your future, you’re wondering how long you’re going to be top dog, and what will come after you. God is giving you a glimpse of the kingdoms that will follow.”

Then Daniel begins to tell of the major empires of the world up to the establishing of Christ’s kingdom at His second coming represented by the great stone “cut out of the mountain without hands” (v. 45)—God’s “kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (v. 44)”Later, Daniel would have his own nighttime vision that corroborated Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (), but at this point, the king was blown away...Nebuchadnezzar praised God and made Daniel a provincial governor and overseer of the wise men

Later, Daniel would have his own nighttime vision that corroborated Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (), but at this point, the king was blown away...Nebuchadnezzar praised God and made Daniel a provincial governor and overseer of the wise men.

Application 1: Daniel in a way spoke of something that we often forget…Jesus is the king of kings and the Lord of Lords…every earthly king will eventually answer to him

God is sovereign over ever department of your life

Application 2: Notice that God used Daniel in what would be considered a highly secular environment, accomplishing a highly secular task…yet this was God’s plan

We often think that there is this “secular and secret split” when it comes to the ministry of the Lord…But here we see God using Daniel in a way that is out of the box…don’t think that because you ability is out of the church box..it can’t be used for God…God gave it to you…and He can use you in that ministry

Now, one of the things that Daniel makes to the king is that although he is the head of Gold on this statue, his kingdom will come to an end…so how does Nebuchadnezzar respond>

By the beginning of , sixteen years had passed. Nebuchadnezzar had grown in power and pride, and made a gigantic statue, probably of himself, out of gold and demanded that everyone worship it.

It’s an account that probably everyone in this room has at least heard of. It’s the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego getting thrown into the fiery furnace.

By the beginning of , sixteen years had passed. Nebuchadnezzar had grown in power and pride, and made a gigantic statue, probably of himself, out of gold and demanded that everyone worship it. This was his way of telling God…His kingdom is going nowhere...

There would be no kingdom of iron mingled with clay.

It’s interesting that Daniels interpretation of His dream “That He was the head of the stature that represented the empires of the world) he probably took to heart a little too much

The statue was ninety feet tall; he had it set up on the plain of Dura and commanded everyone that, once they heard the Chaldean Orchestra kick in, it was either bow or burn then He adds this “And who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands”(15)

Now perhaps by now, he believed that these Jewish boys had forsaken their God and his Laws by now But they hadn’t. Commandments one and two were still at the forefront of their minds and actions: no other gods and no making or worshipping manmade images. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah just weren’t going to go along with bowing down before a giant statue of the boss

But they hadn’t. Commandments one and two were still at the forefront of their minds and actions: no other gods and no making or worshipping manmade images. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah just weren’t going to go along with bowing down before a giant statue of the boss

Notice their response...

dan 3:16

Daniel 3:16–18 ESV

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Sticking up for God all these years had made these guys some bitter enemies in the royal court, and some Babylonian muckety-mucks ratted them out to the king, who first threw a fit and then threw Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-Nego into a huge, superheated furnace—so hot that it killed the men who threw them in. Nebuchadnezzar then spotted a fourth man with them in the flames (). Some scholars think this was a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. But one thing is certain: God was faithful to them in their trial, honoring their faithfulness to Him. For his part, Nebuchadnezzar not only praised God for delivering the men, he made it illegal to speak out against the God of Daniel (vv. 28-29).”

Sticking up for God all these years had made these guys some bitter enemies in the royal court, and some Babylonians ratted them out to the king, who first threw a fit and then threw Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-Nego into a huge, superheated furnace—so hot that it killed the men who threw them in.

Daniel 3:22–25 ESV

Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Dan 3:22-

Or KNJV SAYS “Like the Son of God” - So he looks in and spotted a fourth man with them in the flames Some scholars think this was a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus…and what was wild is that their was not one hair on their heads that was singed

Daniel 3:25 ESV

25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar then spotted a fourth man with them in the flames (). Some scholars think this was a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus.

Here’s the picture: These guys could not avoid the furnace…Jesus didn’t rescue them from the furnace…but he did stand with them in the furnace

Application: There are plenty of furnaces in this life

The ones we make

The ones satan makes

The ones God makes

God can keep from the furnace…But whenever you go through it…know that he’s with you in it

Don’t spend your life trying to avoid the furnace…spend you time getting to know God so that you can recognize him in the furnace

About Yourself

About God

Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. In this dream Nebuchadnezzar sees a massive tree. And he sees all of these birds gathered together under it. But

interesting chapter! Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. In this dream Nebuchadnezzar sees a massive tree. And he sees all of these birds gathered together under it. But then he sees that someone came down from Heaven, and cuts down this tree, and just left the stump. And so he calls for his advisors again. Only this time he’s willing to tell them the dream. Then he tells them, “Can you tell me what it meant.”

Daniel 4:1–3 ESV

1 King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

interesting chapter! Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. In this dream Nebuchadnezzar sees a massive tree. And he sees all of these birds gathered together under it. But then he sees that someone came down from Heaven, and cuts down this tree, and just left the stump. And so he calls for his advisors again. Only this time he’s willing to tell them the dream. Then he tells them, “Can you tell me what it meant.”

dan 4:1-

So through out the last few chapters we’ve seen Nebuchadnezzer have these moments…moments where he’s blown away and humbled by God, and then he “flip flop” and wants to building statures of himself and force people to worship…and here again he’s praising God and but it wouldn't last

What is he a picture of? Someone who knows God, but has not surrendered themselves to him as sovereign Lord...

Then something very unique happens, This pagan, Gentile king pens part of a chapter in the bible

He shares his testimony

And he speaks about another Vision he has in which his magicians couldn’t help him again, so he goes to Daniel and He interprets the dream

The dream, however, was different. In it, the king saw a tree so tall it could be seen from one end of the earth to the other. It was beautiful to behold; full of fruit; a shelter for animals, birds, and people. The tree was Babylon, but there was an even higher authority, represented by “a watcher, a holy one” (v. 13), who shouted down from heaven to cut the tree down to its stump....and then the watcher—an angelic being of some sort—proclaimed that the one the tree represented would “graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him” (vv. 15-16).

Then Daniel said this

Daniel 4:24–25 ESV

24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

No one could figure out the meaning of the dream until Daniel arrived. He told the king, “I wish this wasn’t you, O king, but it is. You’re going to be driven out into the fields like an animal until you understand that ‘the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses’ ” (v. 25). Daniel encouraged him to repent in the hope that God might lengthen the time before

Daniel 4:24–26 ESV

24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.

You’re going to be driven out into the fields like an animal until you understand that ‘the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses’ ” (v. 25). Daniel encouraged him to repent in the hope that God might lengthen the time before

Furthermore the watcher—an angelic being of some sort—proclaimed that the one the tree represented would “graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him” (vv. 15-16). No one could figure out the meaning of the dream until Daniel arrived. He told the king, “I wish this wasn’t you, O king, but it is. You’re going to be driven out into the fields like an animal until you understand that ‘the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses’ ” (v. 25). Daniel encouraged him to repent in the hope that God might lengthen the time before[…]”

No one could figure out the meaning of the dream until Daniel arrived. He told the king, “I wish this wasn’t you, O king, but it is. You’re going to be driven out into the fields like an animal until you understand that ‘the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses’ ” (v. 25). Daniel encouraged him to repent in the hope that God might lengthen the time before

Furthermore the watcher—an angelic being of some sort—proclaimed that the one the tree represented would “graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him” (vv. 15-16). No one could figure out the meaning of the dream until Daniel arrived. He told the king, “I wish this wasn’t you, O king, but it is. You’re going to be driven out into the fields like an animal until you understand that ‘the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses’ ” (v. 25). Daniel encouraged him to repent in the hope that God might lengthen the time before[…]”

No one could figure out the meaning of the dream until Daniel arrived. He told the king, “I wish this wasn’t you, O king, but it is. You’re going to be driven out into the fields like an animal until you understand that ‘the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses’ ” (v. 25). Daniel encouraged him to repent in the hope that God might lengthen the time before

Think about this: Daniel is saying these things to a guy who can cut you up into pieces and turn your house into a mountain of dung. But he doesn’t care. He loves this guy enough to tell him the truth.

Did he? look

Daniel 4:29–32 ESV

29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”

Dan 4:29-

So Neb dosn’t heed Daniel’s warning but instead continues to exalt himself and so God’s vision comes true...

Daniel 4:33 ESV

33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.

Dan 4:33

So God who had been a part of the rise of king brought him lower then all could have thought was possible at that time…now he would be restored but this time he would be very different, he was humbled and had a sense of reverence towards the sovereignty of God

And looks what accomplished because of it…

Daniel 4:34–35 ESV

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

dan 4:34

God brought him low so that he could truly be humbled and broken before the Lord…and see him as God…not just with his words but his heart

Here’s what we learn:

God is in complete control of all things

He go to extreme measures to break us of our pride

In this chapter Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, Belshazzar had stepped into the throne and followed in the footsteps of his grandpa both in his kingliness and in his pride.

Belshazzar seems like a bit of a party animal or a “Great Gatsby type” who threw Babylon’s final party - now, during this party he took the vessels of gold from his grandfathers treasure and used them to drink out of…some of which being from the temple in Jerusalem

A hand appeared and wrote a message on a wall, which, once again, only Daniel could interpret (). Once he was sure he wasn’t having a drunken hallucination, the king sent for his grandfather’s right-hand man, who was about eighty years old at this point. Just as he had with Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel gave Belshazzar, whose knees were literally knocking in fear, the straight scoop. The king offered him a top-three position ruling the kingdom, but Daniel said, “Keep your gifts. You’ve forgotten how God blessed your grandfather and how He humbled him for failing to acknowledge His ultimate power. You knew all that but still thought it was a good idea to toast idols using goblets meant to honor God.” Daniel then gestured toward the postcard on the wall. “Here is what He has to say about that.”

“edge His ultimate power. You knew all that but still thought it was a good idea to toast idols using goblets meant to honor God.” Daniel then gestured toward the postcard on the wall. “Here is what He has to say about that.”

A hand appeared and wrote a message on a wall, which, once again, only Daniel could interpret (). Once he was sure he wasn’t having a drunken hallucination, the king sent for his grandfather’s right-hand man, who was about eighty years old at this point.

Just as he had with Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel gave Belshazzar, whose knees were literally knocking in fear, the clear translation - The king offered him a top-three position ruling the kingdom, but Daniel said, “Keep your gifts. You’ve forgotten how God blessed your grandfather and how He humbled him for failing to acknowledge His ultimate power. You knew all that but still thought it was a good idea to toast idols using goblets meant to honor God.” Daniel then gestured toward the postcard on the wall. “Here is what He has to say about that.”

The king offered him a top-three position ruling the kingdom, but Daniel said, “Keep your gifts. You’ve forgotten how God blessed your grandfather and how He humbled him for failing to acknowledge His ultimate power. You knew all that but still thought it was a good idea to toast idols using goblets meant to honor God.” Daniel then gestured toward the postcard on the wall. “Here is what He has to say about that.”

It wasn’t pretty. The writing on the wall (and yes, this is the origin of that phrase) was comprised of four words: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN (). Those mysterious words boiled down to a stunning message: “God has numbered the days of your kingdom, and they are finished. You personally have been found wanting, and your kingdom will be given to the Medes and Persians.” The end wasn’t a matter of years or even days away, but hours. That night in 539 BC, Belshazzar was killed and the kingdom passed to Darius the Mede. Bye-bye, Babylon.”

It wasn’t pretty. The writing on the wall was comprised of four words: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN (). Those mysterious words boiled down to a stunning message: “God has numbered the days of your kingdom, and they are finished. You personally have been found wanting, and your kingdom will be given to the Medes and Persians.”

The end wasn’t a matter of years or even days away, but hours. That night in 539 BC, Belshazzar was killed and the kingdom passed to Darius the Mede. Bye-bye, Babylon.”

Here’s the picture: Belshazzar took that which was holy and set apart for God’s used and instead used it for Pagan practices…and that would be the last straw for the Babylon

Application 1 : Think about how that applies to us as believers today...Paul said

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

It’s important to remember to whom we belong, and for whom we are to live…Jesus made you, called you, and set you apart for something great and holy, don’t squander it on the temporary indulgences of the world

Application 2: Apart from Jesus’ grace all of us are like Belshazzar - in the balances of God’s righteousness we all are found wanting

And in the balances of God’s righteousness we all are found wanting. Would you please write this in the margins of your Bible next to ? Would you write , actually verses 8-10, ? Chapter 6

John 16:8–10 ESV

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;

Babylon was now under new management, the Medo-Persian Empire. Cyrus ruled the whole thing and Darius served as his viceroy (kind of a co-ruler specifically over Babylon). Even though Daniel was eighty-seven at this point, Darius made him one of three governors (sort of like county managers) who helped run the kingdom...You’d think a guy pushing ninety might just ask for a nice chalet down near the Euphrates, but Daniel stepped right in and “distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him” (). Darius even considered setting him over the whole region.

The famous story of Daniel in the lions’ den. In chapter 6 Daniel is an old man, between 80 and 90 years old. The empire has changed hands. The Persian Empire – remember the chest of silver in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream back in chapter 2 – the Persian Empire was ruled by this guy Cyrus, who happens to be the subject of one of the most amazing prophecies in the whole of Scripture.

Babylon was now under new management, the Medo-Persian Empire. Cyrus ruled the whole thing and Darius served as his viceroy (kind of a co-ruler specifically over Babylon). Even though Daniel was eighty-seven at this point, Darius made him one of three governors (sort of like county managers) who helped run the kingdom.

You’d think a guy pushing ninety might just ask for a nice chalet down near the Euphrates, but Daniel stepped right in and “distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him” (). Darius even considered setting him over the whole region.

Daniel’s excellence in all he did earned him the jealousy of the men under his charge. They conspired to bring him down, but there were no skeletons in his closet, and they realized that the only way they could possibly bring him down was to try and use his relationship with God against him. The satraps and other governors went to the king and persuaded him to pass a law saying that “whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den[…]”

Daniel’s excellence in all he did earned him the jealousy of the men under his charge. They conspired to bring him down, but there were no skeletons in his closet, and they realized that the only way they could possibly bring him down was to try and use his relationship with God against him. These wicked officials went to the king and persuaded him to pass a law saying that “whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den...They knew the law of the land was that once the king signed a decree, there was no taking it back—and they also knew that Daniel would never obey such a decree....And they were right.

I guess furnaces were now out of fashion. They knew the law of the land was that once the king signed a decree, there was no taking it back—and they also knew that Daniel would never obey such a decree.

And they were right. Daniel knew about the petition but went about his usual business, praying three times a day, clearly visible through the window he opened toward Jerusalem. His detractors caught him in the act and reported him to Darius. When the king found out who his new law had just busted, he was seriously bummed out because he admired Daniel, and so he worked all day to figure out a loophole. When those sneaky rat-traps—or satraps, rather—reminded him that his decree was permanent, Darius consented to let them throw Daniel in the lions’ den. But he didn’t like it. He told Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you” (v. 16).”

Daniel knew about the petition but went about his usual business, praying three times a day, clearly visible through the window he opened toward Jerusalem. His detractors caught him in the act and reported him to Darius.

When the king found out who his new law had just busted, he was seriously bummed out because he admired Daniel, and so he worked all day to figure out a loophole. When those sneaky rat-traps—or satraps, rather—reminded him that his decree was permanent, Darius consented to let them throw Daniel in the lions’ den. But he didn’t like it. He told Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you” (v. 16).”

After a sleepless night, Darius rushed to the den, which had been sealed with a stone marked by the king’s own signet ring (his official stamp of approval). He called out to see if God had delivered Daniel, who called back, Actually, Daniel was courteous, showing Darius respect as he proclaimed his God’s power and his own innocence:

Excerpt From: Skip Heitzig. “The Bible from 30,000 Feet™.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-bible-from-30-000-feet/id1233862428?mt=11

“The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground. Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28).

Daniel 6:21–22 ESV

21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

“The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground. Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28).

Than Darius gives the order to those wicked officials and all their families into the den, The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground…then Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28)

dan 6:

“The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground. Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28).

Oh, and don’t wake the lions; they’re sleeping. But they were definitely awake when Darius threw all the conspirators and their families in with them. The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground. Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28).

But they were definitely awake when Darius threw all the conspirators and their families in with them. The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground. Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28).

What a picture: a king with insomnia on his royal bed and a prophet snoozing in a lion’s den because he knew that his God was in charge of the fieriest, fiercest trials.”

“O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you” (vv. 21-22). Oh, and don’t wake the lions; they’re sleeping. But they were definitely awake when Darius threw all the conspirators and their families in with them. The lions tore them to pieces before they even hit the ground. Darius, just as Nebuchadnezzar had before him, wrote an official decree praising God for His power and faithfulness to His servant Daniel (vv. 25-28).

What do we learn here? Daniel was comfortable with leaving his life completely in God’s hands...if the lions had attacked him, he probably would have thought, Guess I wasn’t innocent before my Lord. He didn’t fear what men thought of him or might do to him more than he feared displeasing God. He kept his eyes on God through thick and thin, turning the eyes of the least likely—great kings and rulers of his day—toward heaven to offer God praise.

Daniel was comfortable with leaving his life completely in God’s hands—if the lions had attacked him, he probably would have thought, Guess I wasn’t innocent before my Lord. He didn’t fear what men thought of him or might do to him more than he feared displeasing God. He kept his eyes on God through thick and thin, turning the eyes of the least likely—great kings and rulers of his day—toward heaven to offer God His just praise. What a picture: a king with insomnia on his royal bed and a prophet snoozing in a lion’s den because he knew that his God was in charge of the fieriest, fiercest trials.”

Conclusion: Here we have in the life of Daniel, a young man who from a young age (12) acted on what the word of God had spoken to him…And he continued in that for the 70 years...

You know what God spoke to me about? - Faithfulness in the Dens and the furnaces

If God can be faithful to me…by his strength I can be faithful to him

He stood for purity

He stood for truth

He sacrificed

He was faithful in the den’s and the furnaces

I want to leave a legacy like that don’t you?

Daniel Part 2

1-6 God’s Providence

Chapter 1 - A young man’s example

Chapter 2 - The kings crazy dream

Chapter 3 - The furnace

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - The king get humbled

Chapter 5 - The end of Babylon

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 The Den