A Dreamer of
Dreams
Simple Studies in the Scripture The Book of Daniel
The Book of Daniel
Human Author: Daniel
Divine Author: God the Holy Spirit
Date of Writing: 6th Century BC
Key Thought: The Sovereignty of God over the
Kingdoms of the Earth
Key Verse: Daniel 4:17
“This matter is by the
decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the
intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of
men.”
Special Note.
Since Daniel is a type of Christ his words have been placed in red. The words
of kings are in blue, the words of angels in pink and all others in brown. The
words of the Lord are indigo.
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
King Josiah of Judah
c. 640-609 BC
Elder son Middle son Younger Son
1:1
Jehoiakim. The narrative begins in
the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), king of Judah. Jehoiakim
was 25 years old at his accession of power. He was the second son of the good
king Josiah. His elder brother
Johanan
should have been the crowned king but Pharaoh Necho of Egypt raised Jehoiakim
to the throne instead. This was done over the choice of the people who had
nominated Jehoahaz to be king. Jehoahaz was Jehoiakim's younger brother.
Pharaoh Necho thought that
he could control Jehoiakim. The king of Judah was expected to pay tribute to
the Egyptian ruler for Josiah's part in siding with Babylon against Egypt.
At first, the tribute money
was paid. Jehoiakim taxed the people (2 Kings 23:33,34; Jer. 22:10-12; Ezek.
19:4). But then, Pharaoh Necho suffered his devastating defeat from Babylon at
the Battle of Carchemish. As a result of that battle, the ruler of Egypt lost
all the territorial holdings between the Euphrates and the Nile. He left Judea
and never returned (2 Kings 24:7; Jer. 46:2). Jehoiakim was free to act as he
pleased without pressure.
As the king of Judah,
Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years. He was a ruthless and ungodly ruler. "His eyes and heart were only for
covetousness, shedding innocent blood, oppression, and violence" (Jer.
22:13-17). "He built his house by unrighteousness and without mercy, using
his neighbor's service without wages."
Jehoiakim had built by
forced labor a splendid palace that violated the Law of the Lord (Lev. 19:13;
Deut. 24:14,15 cf. Micah 3:10; Heb. 2:9; James 5:4). However, the personal good
life and temporary political freedom from Egyptian servitude came to an end in
the third year of his reign. A new political master had stepped onto the stage
of world history in the person of Nebuchadnezzar.
1:1 Nebuchadnezzar,
king of Babylon returned from Carchemish, marched to Jerusalem and subdued
the king. It was the original intention of Nebuchadnezzar to take Jehoiakim in
bondage to Babylon but the Chaldean ruler had a change of heart. Remembering
his former ally King Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar decided to simply make his son
Jehoiakim a vassal. He thought he was being gracious and honoring the memory of
a political friend. Later, he would regret that decision.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of
the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to
the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his
god.
1:2 Behind the natural outworking of human
evens is the unseen hand of God. From a human perspective Nebuchadnezzar went
forth to conquer with a mighty army. From a divine perspective “the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into
his hand.” The absolute sovereignty
of God orchestrating the events of time is a biblical revelation.
Charles H. Spurgeon
wrote, “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of
God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe
trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that
sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There
is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the
doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the
works of His own
hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit
upon that throne...for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust.”
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he
should bring certain of the children of
Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
1:2-3 In place of the king, Nebuchadnezzar took a
large portion of the great wealth of the house of God (1:2) plus political
hostages in selected children of Israel (Dan. 1:3). By allowing these things to
happen God manifested His justice. Once the people of the Lord had brought the
images ofother gods into His temple. Now the Lord
allowed the holy vessels to be carried into the treasuries of other gods. Once
the people of the Lord absorbed the children of other nations. Now, the
children of Judah would be held captive in exile (Matt. 7:1-5).
4 Children in whom was no
blemish, but well favoured [gifted], and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in
knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand [serve] in the king's palace, and whom
they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and
of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end
thereof they might stand before the king.
1:4-5
When Nebuchadnezzar made his decision to deport the children of Palestine, he
entrusted the matter to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs. The young people
had to meet six specific qualifications.
v
The young people had to be physically sound.
v
The young people had to be intelligent.
v
The young people had to possess a great capacity to learn.
v
The young people had to be teachable.
v
The young people had to have a gift for learning languages.
To honor those selected for deportation, Nebuchadnezzar appointed them the best food and drink of the kingdom (Dan. 1:5). In all of this the king was politically wise for he was building for the future. In the years to come, the young captives would be assimilated into the Chaldean culture but still able to function as ambassadors to foreign nations or conquered territories.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah:
1:6
The Hebrew name Daniel means "judgment
of God." He was of the tribe of Judah and a member of the royal
family. In time Daniel would be honored for his great wisdom and deep devotion
to the Lord.
Ezekiel
paid honor to him (Ezek. 28:3) and place him in the esteemed company of Noah
and Job (Ezek. 14:14).
Josephus
called Daniel one of the greatest prophets. Even the angel respected him for
Gabriel called him a man greatly beloved.
Daniel
was destined to lead a long and active life in the courts and councils of some
of the greatest rulers ever to have lived in the persons of Nebuchadnezzar,
Cyrus, and Darius.
It
is believed that Daniel finally died in Persia at Susan, where he lived to a
very old age. If little is known of the end of Daniel's life, his earlier fate
and that of his friends, is more familiar. As captives of Nebuchadnezzar, all
of them had a change of names.
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto
Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and
to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of
Abednego.
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Daniel
God is my judge
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Belteshazzar
The keeper of the hidden
treasures of Bel
~*~
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Hananiah
The grace of the sun
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Shadrach
The inspiration of the
Lord
~*~
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Mishael
He that is the strong God
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Meshach Of
the goddess Shach
(Venus)
~*~
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Azariah
The Lord is help
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Abednego
The servant of shining
fire
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion [ration] of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile
himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the
prince of the eunuchs.
1:9
There is a divine proverb that guides certain relationships. “When a man's ways please the LORD, he
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov 16:7).
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat
[food] and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse [less healthy]
liking than the children which are of
your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger
my head to the king.
1:10 The way of the world when it cares for others is rooted in self-interest. The prince of the eunuch wanted Daniel to eat properly lest Daniel make him look bad.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set
over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten
days; and let them give us pulse [vegetable] to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon
before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the
king's meat [meat]: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved [tested] them ten
days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and
fatter [healthier] in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of
the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that
they should drink; and gave them pulse [vegetable].
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all
learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
1:8-17
The courage of conviction. Following
his strong stand for a godly purpose (1:8), time passed quickly and quietly for
Daniel and his three friends.
Their
days were filled with concentrated education in all the knowledge of Babylon
(1:9-17). Finally, after three years the day came when King Nebuchadnezzar
wanted to see what his idea had produced. Would the young men he sponsored be
able to serve in the royal courts? In a formal ceremony Ashpenaz brought all
the captives before the throne to find out.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring
them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none
like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood [served] they
before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and
understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
1:18-20
One
by one King Nebuchadnezzar questioned the young men who stood before him. He
was particularly impressed with Daniel, Hanaiah, Mishael, and Azariah. No
matter what subject he spoke to them about, they were infinitely more informed
and knowledgeable than anyone else in his whole kingdom.
While
Nebuchadnezzar did not bother to inquire what the ultimate source of their
wisdom was, the Bible is careful to
give the honor and glory to God.
The
Scriptures state plainly (Dan. 1:17) that "God gave them knowledge and skill
in all learning and wisdom."
Men
who do not know God attribute the acquisition of learning to chance or natural
selection. Such thinking brings dishonor to the Lord and it dishonors man
himself for it is an illogical and unreasonable thought. Nothing cannot make
itself greater than it is. The chair cannot become a diamond nor can the bird
become an airplane. The infant in the cradle cannot increase in knowledge
unless God gives it the means and the opportunity.
Because
Christians recognize the Source of all learning and wisdom, believers can
appeal to that Source to
grant
more grace in the distribution of these gifts. James, the brother of Christ
according
to the flesh, instructs us to do this very thing (James 1:5).
21 And Daniel continued even unto
the first year of king Cyrus [of Persia, 559 BC].
1. During what time period does the narrative for the book of Daniel begin?
Answer.
The narrative begins in the
third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), king of Judah. Jehoiakim was
25 years old at his accession of power.
2.
List the meaning of the names of Daniel and his friends in captivity,
their new names and what they mean.
Answer.
The following chart tells the meaning of the names of Daniel and his friends, their new names and the meaning of the same.
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Daniel
God is my judge
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Belteshazzar
The keeper of the hidden
treasures of Bel
~*~
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Hananiah
The grace of the sun
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Shadrach
The inspiration of the
Lord
~*~
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Mishael
He that is the strong God
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Meshach Of the goddess Shach
(Venus)
~*~
Name Hebrew
Meaning
Azariah
The Lord is help
New Name Chaldean
Meaning
Abednego The servant of shining
fire
3.
Briefly identify the following:
v Josiah
v Johanan
v Jehoiakim
v Jehoahaz
v Nebuchadnezzar
v Ashpenaz
v Cyrus
Answer.
The following are simply
identified.
v Josiah, king of Judah
(640-609)
v Johanan, Elder son of Josiah
v Jehoiakim, Middle son of
Josiah
v Jehoahaz, younger son of
Josiah
v Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of
Babylonian empire
v Ashpenaz, leader of the
eunuchs
v Cyrus, ruler of the Persian
empire
4.
What qualities did the Babylonians look for in the young people they
deported?
Answer.
The Babylonians looked for the best and the brightest of the Jewish youth to deport.
v
The young people had to be physically
sound.
v
The young people had to be intelligent.
v
The young people had to possess a great
capacity to learn.
v
The young people had to be teachable.
v
The young people had to have a gift for
learning languages.
5. How much wiser were the
Hebrew students than the Babylonian scholars?
The
Hebrew youth were “ten times better than
all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”
1.
Do you believe in and embrace the biblical revelation of the absolute
sovereignty of God in human affairs? If not, why not?
2.
Do you have the courage of your convictions? Has that courage ever been
tested? What was the result of the test?
3.
Why do you think Daniel refused to each the food and wine from the
king’s table? What his decision rational? Why or why not?
4.
Do you believe that God speaks to people in dreams today? Explain. If
you do believe God has spoken to you in a dream, please share what was “said” to you.
5.
What role if any should astrology have in the Christian life? Should
Christians read horoscopes even for fun? Why or why not?
· Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion [ration] of the king's meat, nor with the wine which
he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not
defile himself.
1:1 5 From the vantage point of time, the opening words of the narrative seem almost exciting. The romance of war is in the air. There is the trauma of young people being carried away captive to a foreign land to be reared in a golden palace. There is the opportunity for the captives to be educated by the greatest men of science. There is the comfort of being among a few faithful friends. The story throbs with life, danger, and political greatness.
What must not be forgotten is that a nation was
being destroyed bit by bit. Judgment came in part because a corrupt king was
sitting on the throne of what was once the theocratic kingdom. So great were
his sins that the LORD gave Jehoiakim into the hands of the king Babylon.
Rulers and leaders should remember that all power and all positions in life are
in the Lord's hands. The Lord gives such honor and the Lord can take them away.
As the narrative is reviewed, several spiritual lessons come to mind.
1.
It is always sad when the people of God
and the possessions of the Lord find their way into the house of false gods.
When the Lord allows this to happen, there is usually a greater truth to be
learned and that is God demands worship with a right spirit.
2.
When adults of the covenant violate their
holy commitments, the children suffer as greatly as all others.
3.
The world is anxious to transform God's
people by force if necessary (Dan. 1:1-2) by change of names if possible (Dan.
1:6-7) and by acts of kindness when practical (Dan. 1:5).
4.
As seen so often in the study of the
prophets, all judgments begin first in the house of God.
~*~
1:2 Concerning the
sovereignty of God, guest lecturer at Calvin Seminary, R. B. Kuiper once used
the following illustration of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. “I liken them to two ropes going through two
holes in the ceiling and over a pulley above. If I wish to support myself by
them, I must cling to them both. If I cling only to one and not the other, I go
down. I read the many teachings of the Bible regarding God’s election,
predestination, his chosen, and so on, I read also the many teachings
regarding, ‘whosoever will may come’ and urging people to exercise their
responsibility as human beings. These seeming contradictions cannot be
reconciled by the puny human mind. With childlike faith, I cling to both ropes,
fully confident that in eternity I will see that both strands of truth are,
after all, of one piece.”
~*~
In the ancient world dreams were regarded as
having significance and as portents of events yet to come. One night, King
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a significant dream. Because of its contents and
vividness, the dream greatly upset him and he wanted to know what it meant.
Therefore, in the light of day, he called for his magicians, and astrologers
and sorcerers who were grouped together and known simply as the Wise Men or the
Chaldeans.
The function of these Wise Men was to tap into
the supernatural. Such activities were condemned by the Law of Moses (cf. Deut.
18:10) and rightly so for there is only one true God who knows the future with
certainty. To the group of Wise Men, King Nebuchadnezzar gave an unusual task.
He wanted the men to tell him of his dream and what it meant even though they
had no real ability to discern the supernatural.
While the King may not have forgotten the entire
dream (Dan. 2:9), he had to find a way to test the Wise Men to know if they
could really provide a correct answer as to the meaning of the dream. In his
heart the King must have known, as did the Wise Men, that the religion of
Babylon was mere superstition and not the truth.
1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep
brake from him.
2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know
[understand] the dream.
4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream, and we
will shew the interpretation.
2:1-4
When the Wise Men first heard that the King had a dream, they were not unduly
concerned. Even when the King threatened them with dismemberment and ruin, they
were not alarmed. Such threats were common and to be expected. The violence of
an eastern despot was brutal. So the Wise Men spoke to Nebuchadnezzar in
Syriack [i.e. Aramaic] (Dan. 2:4) with great confidence. If they were able to
help the king, they would receive gifts, financial rewards, and great honor.
Now, if the King would simply tell them what it was he dreamed they would
immediately be able to provide him with an interpretation that would comfort
his heart.
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me
the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your
houses shall be made a dunghill.
6 But if ye shew [tell] the
dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards
and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will
shew the interpretation of it.
2:5-7 For the second time the Wise Men asked
the King to share his dream. But the King would not reveal his dream nor would
he cancel his threat to kill the Wise Men if they proved not to be so wise. Now
the Wise Men were concerned and for good reason. It would soon be apparent for
all to see that they had no real ability to tell the King what he dreamed or
what his dream meant. In anger Nebuchadnezzar roared at his Wise Men whose
hearts were beating rapidly beneath their flowing robes.
8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye
see the thing is gone from me.
9 But if ye will not make
known unto me the dream, there is but
one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak
before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall
know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said,
There is not a man upon the earth that can shew
[reveal] the king's matter: therefore there
is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked
such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
2:8-11
Speaking for the third time the Wise Men pleaded with the King. He was asking too
much (2:10-11). What he wanted was beyond human power. Of course it was! And
now the truth was out. Whatever the Wise Men could do they did with human
power. No wonder the King became furious at them. He was supporting a large
group of men who claimed to have access to supernatural power. But when the
supernatural power was needed, it was not available. The Wise Men with all
their clever tricks were but human after all. In his anger and frustration,
12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious,
and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought
Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
2:12-13
Nebuchadnezzar sent forth the royal decree that the Wise Men were to be executed
immediately. Included in this mandate were Daniel and his three friends because
they had been trained under the Wise Men. Unless something happened quickly,
Daniel and his friends were going to be executed for the sins of
others. When word reached Daniel he acted
swiftly.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain
of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's
captain, Why is the
decree so hasty [urgent] from the
king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
2:14-15 First, he requested an audience with
Arioch, the guard of the palace to discover why the King was acting with such
harshness (not hastiness). In this behavior, Daniel provides a very important
example. It is vital to discover what is on the other person's mind without
assuming that one knows and without attributing things that one does not know
to be the case.
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that
he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
2:16 After he was fully
informed, the Bible says that Daniel secured an audience with the King to make
a request and to give a promise. The request was for just a little more time.
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing
known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of
heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish
with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a
night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
2:17-19 The promise was that the dream would be revealed and explained. Observe in this three thoughts.
First,
Daniel's confidence which was based upon past experiences with the Lord. Daniel
knew that he had a special gift from God and so did other people.
Second,
consider Daniel's courage, which was extraordinary. "Men of deep faith," says Matthew Henry, "are bold."
Third,
notice Daniel's humility. While Daniel is confident, he is not presumptuous. He
needs to take this whole situation to the Lord in prayer, which he does. And he
invites others to join him in prayer as well. The basis of prayer will be the
mercy of God. (See Doctrine of Mercy)
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
2:20
When Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar with certainty that he would reveal the
dream and its interpretation, he was not being boastful. Daniel knew he had the
gift of prophecy. He had faith that God would make known to him the dream and
Daniel was right. In a night vision, the secret dream of Nebuchadnezzar's was
revealed. Daniel and his three friends had asked for mercy and they would
receive it from the Lord.
The
mercy of God was given to others besides Daniel for the Wise Men of Babylon
would also be spared.
The
blood bath the king had called for would not be administered. The sad part is
that the unbelieving community had no true God to thank for their lives. The
Babylonians sorcerers had been spared by the Lord and blessed by Him but they
still, knew Him not. What the Chaldeans did not know, Daniel did and so he
could render a heartfelt prayer of praise.
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons:
he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and
knowledge to them that know understanding:
2:21
In his prayer of praise Daniel recalled the wonderful attributes of God. An
attribute is anything true about God.
v
The Bible
says that God is love (1 John 4:8), therefore, love is an attribute of God.
v
The Bible
says that God is a spirit (John 4:24) therefore, spirit is an attribute of
God.
v
The Bible
says that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) therefore, truthfulness or holiness is an
attribute of God.
v
The Bible
says that God is eternal (Psa. 90:2) therefore, eternality is an attribute of
God.
22 He revealeth the deep and
secret things: he knoweth what is in
the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise
thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired [asked] of
thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
2:21-23
As the Scriptures are studied, it
becomes obvious that God has many attributes. How many attributes there are is
a matter of argument among the theologians. In his small but wonderful book, The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer
considers nineteen attributes of God and their meaning in the Christian life. In
1682, Stephen Charnock published a work of 1102 pages in which he dealt with
only eleven attributes of God. Some religious thinkers have insisted that there
are only seven attributes of God but Faber sang of the "God of a thousand attributes," and Charles Wesley exclaimed, "Glad thine attributes confess, Glorious all
and numberless." Whatever the exact number, what is wonderful to
realize is that God has revealed Himself to mankind. By faith we believe that
God exists and that He can be known. We can know something about God and beyond
that we can KNOW God personally. Daniel knew God personally and was able to
articulate what he knew about the Lord in a prayer of praise. In the prophet's
prayer, we find several attributes and an exhortation to honor God forever and
ever.
The
Attributes of God According to Daniel in the 6th Century BC
v
The Wisdom of God Daniel
2:20
v
The Power [Might] of God Daniel
2:20
v
Manifested in His ability to change times
and seasons Daniel 2:21
v
Manifested in His ability to remove kings
or exalt them Daniel 2:21
v
Manifested in His ability to give wisdom Daniel 2:21
v
Manifested in His ability to give
knowledge Daniel 2:21
v
The Omniscience of God Daniel
2:22
v
Manifested in His ability to reveal the
deep and secret things
Daniel 2:22
v
Manifested by His self knowledge of the
darkness Daniel 2:22
v
The Truthfulness [Holiness] of God for
light dwelth with Him
Daniel 2:23
2:23
The prayer of Daniel ends with a personal word of thanksgiving (Dan. 2:23).
Daniel had asked for something specific and the Lord had granted his request.
When we pray, let us praise God for who He is in His essence. And let us praise
Him for specific prayers He has and answered. Let all the earth praise the Lord!
24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the
king had ordained to destroy the wise men
of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy
not the wise men of Babylon: bring me
in before the king, and I will shew [explain] unto the king the interpretation.
2:24
After Daniel finished thanking the Lord for His answer to prayer, the prophet
went to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard. The first thing that had to be
done was to reverse the order to execute the Wise Men of Babylon. By
intervening on behalf of the Wise Men of Babylon, Daniel was demonstrating the
principle of grace. He who had been shown so much mercy must now try to find it
for others. Daniel knew that God shows common kindness to the evil and to the
good (Matt. 5:45).
This is contrary to human nature. We want to
show kindness only to those who show kindness to us. But God rewards good for
evil and tells us to do the same. And then He gives us the opportunity. There
is no doubt but Daniel could have easily rationalized why the Wise Men of
Babylon should be executed.
v
They had told outrageous lies.
v
They had misrepresented themselves.
v
They had not honored the true Lord God of
Israel.
v
They were proud and arrogant.
v
They might continue to mislead people and
corrupt the Jewish youth.
v
The competition would be gone.
2:24
Daniel could have thought of many ways to save himself and his friends while
allowing the execution of the astrologers, magicians, and soothsayers. But
Daniel resisted all such lower impulses. With the death of the opposition,
there would be no opportunity for their conversion and it is salvation which
should always be the ultimate goal of all Christians. If the Wise Men are to be
religiously discredited, there must be a good reason.
If the Wise Men are to be exposed as frauds and
sinners in need of a true Saviour, perhaps such exposure will lead to their
repentance and godly sorrow.
But an unjust death based upon political and
religious intrigue would do nothing to advance the cause of God. The God of all
grace and mercy would not then be made known. In similar situations that
Christians face today, Daniel become a wonderful role model. Specific guiding
principles are found.
v
Hurt no one physically or emotionally
Daniel 2:24
v
Help everyone when possible.
v
Pray for Divine intervention Daniel 2:18
v
Speak the truth in love even if the truth
exposes wrong beliefs Daniel 2:27
v
Quickly use one's spiritual gift Daniel
2:16
v
Stand boldly on eternal principles Daniel
2:28
v
Give God the glory Daniel 2:28
The
Bible tells us that the same way we
treat others, God will treat us.
25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in
haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man
of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the
interpretation.
26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have
seen, and the interpretation thereof?
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and
said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot
the wise men, the astrologers, the
magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
2:25-27
Once Daniel secured the safety of the Babylonians, he made his services
available to the king (2:24b). Anxiously had the king been waiting for someone
to help him interpret and understand his dream so sleep would return. Now he
knew such a man existed and had been found. In the selection process, Arioch
wanted the king to think that he had found Daniel when the truth was, Daniel
had found Arioch.
The Captain of the King's Guard sensed a good
political and public relations moment when he saw one. This was too good to
pass up. If Daniel proved to be able to provide a solution to the king's
problem, Arioch knew that Nebuchadnezzar would not forget his loyal captain who
found the subject for his ruler.
While Arioch was quick to seize a small amount
of glory for himself, Daniel seized the same moment to bring greater honor to
the Lord. Daniel was bold to declare the intellectual and spiritual limitations
of the Wise Men of Babylon (2:27). In contrast to man's insufficiency is the
sufficiency of God. "There is a God
in heaven," said Daniel ‘that revealeth secret.”
28 But there is a God in
heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what
shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy
bed, are these;
v
The God in heaven is high above the gods
of the earth reflecting His superiority over them.
v
The God in heaven is invisible while the
Babylonian gods are visible for they are the products of the mind's and hands
of man.
v
The God in heaven is alive while the gods
of Babylon are dead!
v
The God in heaven is able to reveal
things.
v
He is able to reveal the secrets of men's
hearts. Their thoughts, dreams, motives, and ambitions.
v
He is able to reveal what shall be in the
latter days. The "latter days" refers to the Messianic Age. This age
was ushered in by the appearance of Christ upon earth as many passages teach.
6. Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times
and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir
of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
29 As for thee, O king, thy
thoughts came into thy mind upon thy
bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh
known to thee what shall come to pass.
2:29
The content of the dream is that which shall occur in the Messianic Age! The
reason why God can reveal the future is because He is the Sovereign of the
Universe in the absolute sense of the word. The past is known to Him as well as
the future. The future is actually history to God for it is HIS-story. All that
shall come to pass has been planned and decreed by God to come to pass in a
specific way.
This is not to say that the future is to be
identified with fatalism. In fatalism there is nothing personal. In fatalism
man is the product of irrational forces. The Christian's view of History is
that there is wise and loving personal God who is all powerful and is decreeing
all things that will happen according to the counsel of His good will and for
His own pleasure. History is not the result of constant clashes among the
social classes as Communism. Nor is history based upon economic determinism as
other's teach. History is the outworking of the glorious Plan of Redemption.
v
A people Abraham
v
A nation the
Jews
v
A tribe the
tribe of Judah
v
A family in
the
tribe of David
v
A woman in
the
family of the
tribe
of Judah Mary
v
A
son Jesus Christ
30 But as for me, this
secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom
that I have more than any living, but for their
sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know [understand] the thoughts of thy heart.
2:30
God has been willing to show His great plan with all men but not all men
understand. God has not hidden His design from anyone though not everyone cares
to read and study what has been revealed. No one has been left out. No one has
been neglected. The problem is that when God speaks, things are difficult for
some to understand. Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar become clear representative of
two groups of people. Nebuchadnezzar represents all natural men who have been
visited by God, spoken to by God, but do not understand a word the Lord has
said. Daniel represents all of the elect who are kept safe from destruction,
subject to the laws of sin and death, and he is divinely delivered by
revelation. To the redeemed God reveal His secrets and understanding of the
future. As Daniel embarks on the interpretation of the dream, he pauses one
last time to make an important point.
He
is but a servant of the Most High. He has no more wisdom than other men apart
from Divine revelation. The humility of Daniel is honorable. Daniel knows that
God is simply using him for the sake of others. Nebuchadnezzar's dream is
revealed to Daniel in order to comfort the Jewish captives. The dream would
give hope for the future. The dream would allow many lives to be spared.
31 Thou, O king, sawest, and
behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was
terrible.
2:31
The Great Image that King Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream was not an idol, but
a statue in human form of four great empires. Because world powers are one in
essence and human by nature, they are united in one statue. This essential
unity is important to understand by way of interpretation.
The Great Image is said to be bright. The
brightness was caused, no doubt, by the reflection of its metals of gold,
silver, and brass. The massive size and shining image of the statue would
inspire fear and terror. From the head of gold to the feet of clay, there is a
steady deterioration. Only the head constitutes a unified whole.
32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his
arms of silver, his belly and his thighs [loins] of brass,
33 His legs of iron, his
feet part of iron and part of clay.
34 Thou sawest till that a
stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake
them to pieces.
35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
2:32. This image's head was of fine
gold. The greatest of these four was the first, the Babylonian Empire,
represented by the head of gold. By all historical accounts the Babylonian
Empire could lay claim to a universal dominion (Dan.
2:38) though there were
parts of the earth it did not dominate in Asia, North America, etc. The
Babylonian Empire, according to the vision, would be replaced by another
kingdom represented by silver.
2:32 his breast and his arms of silver,
History identifies this
second empire as the Empire of the Medes and the Persians who united to
overthrow Babylon. This view has been accepted by the church Fathers, Jerome,
Luther, Calvin, and in more modern times by the great German scholar, Keil.
2: 32 his belly and his thighs [loins] of brass. The third Empire,
represented by brass, can be identified as that of Alexander the Great.
2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Then came Rome, represented by the
inferior metal of iron.
2:33 a stone was cut out without hands. This prophetic reference is and
was about Christ and the kingdom He established.
36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before
the king.
2:36
Once Daniel described the Great Image that King Nebuchadnezzar had seen in his
dream, the next question to address was its meaning. Because no such image had
ever been known to man, there was no precedent from which the symbolism could
have been borrowed to help in the explanation. The Lord alone would have to
explain this
Great
Image, and He did. From the vantage point of history the interpretation becomes
rather easy. The four empires of the prophecy are the Babylon Empire,
Mede-Persian Empire, Grecian Empire, and Roman Empire.
37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of
heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38 And whosesoever the
children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath
he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
39 And after thee shall
arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass,
which shall bear rule over all the earth.
40 And the fourth kingdom
shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all
these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41 And whereas thou sawest
the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall
be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as
thou sawest the iron mixed with miry [common] clay.
42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong,
and partly broken.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these
kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:
and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it
shall stand for ever.
45 Forasmuch as thou sawest
that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in
pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God
hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation
thereof sure.
2:44-45 As attention is focused on the image of the Great Uncut Stone which speaks of the kingdom of God, several facts can be noted.
1.
The kingdom of God is not of human
origin. Man's hands did not form this kingdom. God sets it up.
2.
The kingdom of God is eternal in its
duration. It shall never be destroyed, nor shall it last only 1,000 years.
Since this kingdom is divine, it is therefore eternal.
3.
The kingdom of God shall not change hands
(2:44). It shall not be left to other people.
It
will always be in the hands of the true Israel of God, that is the church.
4.
The kingdom of God will break in pieces
and destroy the other kingdoms.
KINGDOMS
OF THE COLOSSUS KINGDOM OF GOD
v
Human origin Divine
v
Temporary Duration Eternal
v
Overcame by each Cannot
be
v
Succeeding kingdom conquered
Only Christ can fulfill the
aspects of this prophecy as He strides all the elements of man. In complete
triumph Jesus destroys the kingdoms of men and sets us His own.
46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face,
and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and
sweet odours unto him.
47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord
of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave
him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon,
and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon:
but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
2:46-49
In response to Daniel's ability to provide an accurate and rational
interpretation of the dream, Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel in a number of
different ways.
v
First, the king showed Daniel personal
honor by bowing down to him (Dan. 2:46). In this symbolic act, the king was
representing the day that would come when all the kings of the earth will bow
before Daniel's God.
v
Second, the king commanded that Daniel be
given an oblation. The Hebrew word speaks of some sort of pouring as in a
libation. Sweet odors were also to be poured out around him.
v
Third, Daniel received personal gifts
(Dan. 2:48) of houses, servants, clothing, jewels and food.
v
Fourth, he was made the ruler, next to
the king, over all of Babylon.
v
Finally, Daniel was made the head of the
religious order of Wise Men. As Daniel was honored, so was the God he served
but in a qualified way. The Lord was recognized as the God of truth, the
Sovereign among other gods (i.e., idols) and the Lord of the kings of the
earth. a revealer of secrets. Men love
secrets. In secrecy things can be said and done without much accountability.
Secrecy is not part of the Christian experience.
The Bible tells the Christian to walk in the light and to walk in the
truth. For the Christian there is nothing to hide. The Bible tells us
that one-day God is going to expose every thing that we say and do so that we
must give an account. The best preparation for eternity is to live without
regret in time and to live openly and honestly before each other.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 2
The Attributes of God According to Daniel
in the 6th Century BC
1.
What attributes of God did Daniel notice?
Answer.
Daniel set forth several attributes of God.
v
His wisdom 2:20
v
His power manifested in His ability to
change times and seasons, remove kings or exalt them, give wisdom and knowledge 2:21
v
His omniscience manifested in His ability
to reveal the deep and secret things
2:22
v
His self knowledge 2:22
v
His truthfulness 2:23
2. List some guiding principles
for Christians from Daniel 2:24-28.
Answer.
v
Hurt no one physically or emotionally
Daniel 2:24
v
Help everyone when possible.
v
Pray for Divine intervention Daniel 2:18
v
Speak the truth in love even if the truth
exposes wrong beliefs Daniel 2:27
v
Quickly use one's spiritual gift Daniel
2:16
v
Stand boldly on eternal principles Daniel
2:28
v
Give God the glory Daniel 2:28
3. Why would the anger of
Daniel against the wise men of Babylon have been justified?
Answer.
Had
Daniel expressed a righteous anger against the wise men of Babylon he would
have been justified for they had told outrageous lies against him,
misrepresented themselves, and failed to honor the true Lord God of Israel.
These men were proud and arrogant and would continue to mislead people and
corrupt the Jewish youth. Had Daniel had them terminated his competition would
be gone.
4.
Describe the image Daniel was able to comment
on and identify each body part with its historical analogy.
v
This head of the image was of fine gold representing the Babylonian Empire.
v
Its breast and arms of silver can be
identified as the Empire of the Medes and the Persians
v
His belly and thighs [loins] of brass spoke
of the Greek Empire.
v
His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and
part of clay foretold the rise of Rome.
v
a stone was cut out without hands is a
prophetic reference to Christ and the kingdom He established.
5. State three facts about the
kingdom of God.
Answer.
v
The kingdom of God is not of human
origin. Man's hands did not form this kingdom. God sets it up.
v
The kingdom of God is eternal in its
duration. It shall never be destroyed, nor shall it last only 1,000 years.
Since this kingdom is divine, it is therefore eternal.
v
The kingdom of God shall not change hands
(2:44). It shall not be left to other people.
1.
Do you believe God
still speaks to individuals in dreams? Why or why not?
2.
How do you think
you might have reacted with the wise me of Babylon if you were in Daniel’s
position? Would you have shown them equal grace?
3.
Do you think the
actions of the wise men of Babylon support the doctrine of the natural
depravity of the human heart? Explain.
4.
Does the accuracy
of Daniel’s prophetic vision with respect to the succeeding empires enhance
your faith in the Bible? Why or why not?
5.
Is there a place
for secrecy in the life of the believer? If so when and where and under what
circumstances?
Hiding God’s Word in My
Heart
Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed
be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he
changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he
giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness,
and the light dwelleth with him.
Leader’s Study Notes
2:17-19
Doctrine of Mercy
1.
Mercy is that aspect of God's love that
causes Him to help the helpless, just as grace is the aspect of His love that
moves Him to forgive the guilty.
2.
Those who are without hope may be so
either because of the breaking God's law or because of circumstances beyond
their control.
3.
God shows mercy upon those who have
broken His law (Dan. 9:9; 1 Tim. 1:13,16), although such mercy is selective,
demonstrating that it is not deserved (Rom. 9:14-18).
4.
God's mercy on the hopeless extends
beyond punishment that is withheld (Eph. 2:4-6). Withheld punishment keeps us
from hell, but it does not get us into heaven. God's mercy is greater than
this. Mercy takes us to Calvary where our sins are forgiven. According to His
mercy He SAVES us.
5.
God shows mercy in time by actively
helping those who are hurting due to circumstances beyond their control. We see
this aspect of mercy especially in the life of our Lord Jesus.
v
Jesus was a Man of great compassion.
v
Jesus had compassion for people who
needed spiritual guidance.
·
Matt
9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
v
Jesus had compassion on those who were
sick.
·
Matt
14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with
compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
v
Jesus had compassion on the hungry.
·
Matt
15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on
the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing
to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
v
Jesus had compassion on those who were
blind.
·
Matt.
20:39-40 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and
immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
v
Because God is merciful, He expects His
children to be merciful (Matt. 5:7; James 1:27).
~*~
The Attributes of God
A.W. Tozer, 1897-1963
v
The Holy Trinity
v
God's Omnipresence
v
The Self-existence of God
v
God's Faithfulness
v
The Self-sufficiency Of God
v
The Goodness of God
v
The Eternity of God
v
The Justice of God
v
God's Infinitude
v
The Mercy of God
v
The Immutability of God
v
The Grace of God
v
The Divine Omniscience
v
The Love of God
v
The Wisdom of God
v
The Holiness of God
v
The Omnipotence of God
v
God's Sovereignty
v
The Divine Transcendence
~*~
The Attributes of God
Stephen Charnock
b. 1628
v
Existence of God Psalms 14:1
v
God's Being a Spirit John 4:24
v
Eternity of God Psalms 90:2
v
Immutability of God
Psalms
102:26,27
v
Omnipresence of God
Jeremiah 23:24
v
God's Knowledge Psalm 147:5
v
Wisdom of God Romans 16:27
v
Power of God Job 26:14
v
Holiness of God Exodus 15:11
v
Goodness of God Mark 10:18
v
Dominion of God Psalm 103:19
v
Patience of God Nahum 1:3
~*~
2:33 It is at this point that Biblical interpretation can become confusing because of a popular teaching that has become widely accepted since the last part of last century. There is a teaching that the fourth monarch represents not only the historical Roman Empire, but a revived Roman Empire which will come to an end by a sudden catastrophic judgment after which the kingdom of God (i.e., the Millennium) will be set up. Even today, the Revived Roman Empire is in the future.
According to this futuristic view, the destruction of the Gentile world powers by the Great Uncut Stone did not occur at the first advent of Christ but will occur when Jesus comes the second time. There are a number of problems with the concept of a Revived Roman Empire, which modern day would be prophets see being fulfilled in the European Common Market. The greatest problem is that Christ (symbolized in the Great Uncut Stone) did not smite the image and destroy it; rather, the Great Image, so to speak, smote Him and destroyed Him!
Of course, there is nothing in the vision to suggest that any such thing happened. It may be that those who look to the future to find fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy do not fully appreciate just what Christ did to the Roman Empire and to all the empires of the earth at His First Advent.
Those who still look to the future cannot appreciate the spiritual power and dynamics of the kingdom Christ established represented by the Great Uncut Stone.
A simple reading of Daniel's narrative recognizes that the fourth Empire was to be destroyed and it was. The prophecy says nothing about the Fourth Empire [Rome] being destroyed twice. Nor is there a long interval of time between the destruction of the Great Image and the coming of the Uncut Stone.
There is another argument against the concept of a future Revived Roman Empire. In Daniel's vision, there is an essential unity between the feet and the toes (2:33). The Scriptures do not allow a division of the Roman Empire into two parts nor a further subdivision of ten kingdoms of ten toes. The Great Uncut Stone strikes the feet of the Great Image that reflects four empires, not fourteen.
~*~
Where is America in Biblical Prophecy?
To the ever-popular inquiry, "Where is America in biblical
prophecy?" let me preface my response with this observation. When
Daniel saw his Panorama Of Human History, he did not see ALL of human history
but only the unfolding of a time period of about 490 years. Daniel saw the rise
of four world empires and one spiritual empire. Daniel saw the rise of the
Babylonians, the Medes/Persians, the Greeks and the Romans. And then he saw the
collapse of these four world empires by the rising of the one Divine Empire
represented by the Uncut Stone from the mountain. Concerning the Kingdom of
God, Daniel saw four things.
v
It would never be destroyed.
v
It would never be conquered.
v
It would dominate all previous empires.
[Notice the word "these" in
Dan. 2:44. The pronoun reference is to the preceding empires prior to the
Divine Kingdom, i.e. Babylon, Medes/Persians, Greece, and Roman]
It
is important to stay focused on what Daniel saw because that is all Daniel saw
by way of interpretation. Daniel did not see anything beyond the coming of the
Messianic kingdom. Daniel did not see any new nations that would arise to fight
the kingdom of God.
v
He did not see the rise of Islam.
v
He did not see the rise of Communism.
v
He did not see the rise of Catholicism.
v
He did not see the rise of the Chinese.
What
Daniel saw is what is recorded, no more and no less. Therefore, it is wrong for
modern day Bible teachers to say that Daniel saw something more than the
Scriptures reveal. While it is wrong for new things to be taught, it is done.
Men and women shamelessly teach new things. Thousands of books are printed.
Charts are made. Dogmatic statements are declared without scriptural basis.
Daniel saw a specific time period of history that stretched from his day to the
days of the Messiah the Prince and it all happened as he predicted and
interpreted. Why then, do we have so much new teaching in our church today? Why
are more day prophetic concepts attributed to Daniel? There are several
reasons.
v
Application has replaced interpretation.
v
Pride has replaced humility.
v
The sensational is very appealing.
v
Satan has infiltrated the church to focus
attention upon his power and now the power of Christ.
v
We are strangers to the Bible.
Interpretation
has been replaced by application. And then to make matters worse, the application
has become the interpretation. For example, if we were to ask, "Where s America in biblical prophecy?" the correct
answer would be that there is not a single verse in the entire Bible that
speaks of America by way of interpretation. The proof of this is that God knows
how to spell. There are hundreds of geographical locations in the bible so that
the adding of one more name would be no problem to a sovereign, omniscient God.
If
God wanted to put America in the Bible,
He could have easily and plainly. It is very humbling to realize that, while we
might think our nation great, God does not deem fit to mention it. We are
impressed with our strength, our spirituality, and our ancestry but God is not
impressed at all. At least not enough to write about us two thousand to twenty
five hundred years ago. This is humbling to realize. The last nation the bible
spoke of prophetically was Rome. John called it a Beast in the Revelation and
saw its judgment.
Therefore,
by way of interpretation, mark it down, America is not in the Bible. Neither is China, Russia, Japan,
Italy, or England.
However,
by way of application, America and all the nations of the earth are in the
bible. For example, the Bible teaches that the kingdom of God will dominate the
other kingdoms of this world now that it has been established. This is what
Daniel saw and it is what John saw in the book of the Revelation. But it takes
faith to believe this for the natural eye looks around and wonders.
The
natural eye sees the Communist coming to power in 1917 in Russia and wonders
where God is. How can such an Evil Empire emerge? But wait! The Sovereign God
is not through with Communism and within 70 years the nation is subdued. The
eye of faith sees the Lord judging the Communist and the kingdom of God being
triumph. Today, America is going the way of all flesh.
On
Monday, March 25, 1996, the homosexuals in San Francisco were openly united in
marriage by the major of that city. This is an abomination upon our land and is
certain to bring the swift and just judgment of God upon everyone. And the
judgment will come. Blatant sins and multi-culturalism
will prove to be the curse on our culture.
In
the decades to come, America will look more and more like the face of Europe if
history teaches us anything. People who are afraid of the United Nations have
nothing to fear. People who believe we are moving towards a one-world
government have nothing to fear. More nations are being created, not less. The
world is becoming more fragmented, not more united. And this too is a form of
divine judgment. Evil shall not be allowed to reign forever (Isa. 59:19).
Sensationalism teaches one thing. The Scriptures teach another. If we
understand the difference between biblical interpretation and practical
application of biblical principles then we will be careful not to read into the
texts of scripture. We will be careful to read out only what the texts allow us
to read. There are technical concepts for these two ideas. The first is
summarized in the word exegesis. Exegesis is a term derived by transliteration
from the Greek [exegesis] meaning "narration"
or "explanation." Exegesis
is the science of interpretation. It tries to fix the meaning of individual
statements and passages. Exegesis is founded upon two fundamentals.
First,
it is believed that thoughts can be accurately conveyed in words that have
shades of meaning.
Second,
exegesis assumes that the Bible is so important that all painstaking effort to
discover exactly what God said is important. The search is on for the literal,
grammatical, historical understanding of a text.
In
contrast to exegesis is another concept which is not scholarly but subjective.
The issue is not, "What has God
said?" Rather, the issue for some people remains this: "What is God saying to me? Today? In
light of the morning news stories?" Freedom is found to read into the Bible whatever the mood of the moment
is.
For
those who were persecuted during the Reformation period, the Pope was the
Anti-Christ. For those were afraid during the 19th century, Napoleon was the
Anti-Christ to come. For those afraid during the 20th century, Germany's Kaiser
was the Anti-Christ to come during WW I. Then came WW II and some people
thought Mussolini was the Anti-Christ. Others decided it was Adolph Hitler.
During
the 1970's, more than one American Protestant prophet said Henry Kissenger was
the Anti-Christ. What all of these things have in common is isegesis
not exegesis. God's people are guilty of reading into the Scriptures instead of
reading out of the Bible what God has
said. I do not have much hope that this will ever stop.
The
Bible tells us that God's people will
always have itching ears. God's people will always be gullible. God's people
will always be lead astray to a certain extent by those who are bold enough to
find keys to unlock ancient mysteries. All some of us can do is to be faithful
and tell the truth. America by way of interpretation is not in the Bible and it
is prideful to think that we merit mentioning. The exciting truth to believe
and realize is that the Kingdom of the Messiah has been established according
to promise and of that kingdom there will be no end. Let the church be the
church and let the people rejoice.
“Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle
see His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before.
At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity.
~*~
“Whit-Monday [the day after
Pentecost] is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire. One Whit-Monday,
thirty years ago, it was arranged that our school should join forces with
that of a neighboring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching
from one village to another, but couldn’t think of anything quite suitable;
so I sat up at night, resolved that I would write something myself. “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was the
result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are
faulty. Certainly nothing has surprised me more than its popularity. I
don’t remember how it got printed first, but I know that very soon it found
its way into several collections. I have written a few other hymns since
then, but only two or three have become at all well-known.”
This hymn was sung at the
funeral of American president Dwight Eisenhower at the National Cathedral,
Washington, DC, March 1969.
Introduction
to
Daniel
3
Having
faithfully interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (605-562
BC), and having been honored for his service, Daniel will now face the greatest
challenge to his faith by way of temptation. The temptation will be to cling to
all the newfound honor and glory he has received by paying the price of
worshipping an idol. Since Daniel's three friends were honored with him, they
too will face the same temptation.
The
reason why Daniel and his companions will be tested is found in the pride of
Nebuchadnezzar. Because of someone else's sin, the people of God will be
persecuted. While this is not fair, such situations are to be expected as part
of the spiritual warfare that rages in the universe. According to the
interpretation of the vision by Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold.
Gold speaks of riches and riches are one source of wielding power. Because of
the wealth of the empire, Nebuchadnezzar did have great power over other lands
and people. Daniel had told the monarch that all his power was the result of
the grace of the Sovereign God of the universe (Dan. 2:36). Nebuchadnezzar soon
forgot that point and began to consider himself unique in all the earth.
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold,
whose height was threescore cubits, and the
breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province
of Babylon.
31:1
Having faithfully interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
(605-562 BC), and having been honored for his service, Daniel will now face the
greatest challenge to his faith by way of temptation. The temptation will be to
cling to all the newfound honor and glory he has received by paying the price
of worshipping an idol. Since Daniel's three friends were honored with him,
they too will face the same temptation.
The
reason why Daniel and his companions will be tested is found in the pride of
Nebuchadnezzar. Because of someone else's sin, the people of God will be
persecuted. While this is not fair, such situations are to be expected as part
of the spiritual warfare that rages in the universe. According to the
interpretation of the vision by Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold.
Gold speaks of riches and riches are one source of wielding power. Because of
the wealth of the empire, Nebuchadnezzar did have great power over other lands
and people. Daniel had told the monarch that all his power was the result of
the grace of the Sovereign God of the universe (Dan. 2:36). Nebuchadnezzar soon
forgot that point and began to consider himself unique in all the earth.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather
together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the
treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces,
to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set
up.
3:2
Once the great image was established, Nebuchadnezzar sent word that all the
government officials in his empire were to gather before the colossus on the
plains of Dura. The officials came. There were satraps (kingdom/guardians much
like presidential cabinet members), administrators, governors, counselors,
treasurers, judges, and magistrates.
3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the
judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of
the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that
Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that
Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye
hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all
kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar
the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not
down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning
fiery furnace.
3: 3-6 The government officials gathered before the great image of gold believing that a dedication service was about to take place. However, once together, the officials found that the crafty king had a hidden agenda. Nebuchadnezzar wanted more than a ceremonial service.
He wanted to be honored by all men in a
special way. The penalty of death was threatened if honor was refused. There
was no freedom of the will involved in the king's new edict. There was no
freedom of conscience. Either he would be honored or their would be a fiery
form of death based upon the pretext of treason. Anticipating that there would
be contentious souls who would refuse to worship the golden image,
Nebuchadnezzar had an execution chamber prepared in the form of a fiery
furnace. Furnaces or kilns were used in Babylon for firing bricks. If the
furnaces could harden bricks, the king knew they could easily consume human
flesh and bones for execution by burning was an well known practice in the
ancient world (Jer. 29:22). Those who would not worship the king now set the
stage for suffering.
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard
the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of
musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and
worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3:7 To make the act of idolatry more palatable and the threat of death less
menacing, Nebuchadnezzar prepared an orchestra to be present at the ceremonies.
The musicians would play their instruments, which included the horn, the flute,
the lyre, and the psaltery. While the symphony played, people would fall down
and worship the golden image. The great day came. The golden image was polished
brightly.
A multitude of people of various nations and
languages gathered. The king made his royal entrance and was seated on a
special platform prepared for him and his entourage. Finally, the moment arose.
The royal orchestra leaders raised his hands. The musicians took a deep breath.
The signal was given. The sound of music went forth and all the people fell
down in an overt act of homage. All the people fell down to worship, that is,
except the Jews to include Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men
refused to obey the order of the king thereby setting the stage for suffering.
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came
near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever.
10 Thou, O king, hast
made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute,
harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down
and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not
down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace.
12 There are certain Jews
whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve
not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
3:8-12
By building an image of gold and demanding that all people in his kingdom
worship it or face a certain death by fire, Nebuchadnezzar set the stage for
suffering. Those who opposed the policy of the king on religious grounds were
destined for persecution. For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the persecution
began when certain Chaldeans asked for a private audience with the king. Once
alone with the king, the Chaldeans began to speak things into his ears that
were partially true but wholly wrong in conclusion. The Chaldeans spoke of
certain Jews who were high officials in the king's court. They had been
appointed by royal decree. However, unlike other officials, these Jews were not
worshipping the golden image nor the gods of Babylon. All of this was true.
What was not true was that the Jews were showing disrespect for the king as
charged.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury
commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men
before the king.
3:13
When Nebuchadnezzar first heard what the Jews were doing, the Bible says that
he was filled with fury and with rage. While it is possible to be angry and to
sin not, it is also possible to have unjustified anger. Nebuchadnezzar's anger
was unjustified for it was grounded in a distortion of the Jews and his own
foolish pride at having a wicked commandment challenged.
Like
so many people in a position of power, Nebuchadnezzar thought that authority
alone is all that matters. He spoke, others should respond. What the king
forgot was that there is a God who gave him his kingdom and it is to this one
true God that he himself is subject to. The God of heaven demands justice and
righteousness in the rulers of the earth and not arrogant decrees.
Nebuchadnezzar is going to find himself fighting both godly men and the God of
the men in his passion. In his anger he does not think for rage does not
reflect, it only threatens.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye
serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
3:14
To his credit, Nebuchadnezzar did give the Jews an opportunity to answer the
charges. If he did not reveal the source of the accusations, he at least
provided a public forum for the truth to be known and the position of the Jews
to be crystallized. What the king discovered is that the Jews had a good reason
for their position. When given the chance, people who have been falsely hurt
usually can provide a good account of themselves.
15 Now if ye be ready that
at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,
and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which
I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into
the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?
3:15 Unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar was not listening to the good
reasoning offered. In his arrogance he threatened the Jews with death while
taunting their God (Dan. 3:15). However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were
not intimidated. The righteousness have nothing to fear except fear itself.
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and
said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not
careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God
whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will
deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it
known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up.
3:16-18 Respectfully, the three men answered the king.
First,
they professed their confidence in the Lord. "Our God is able to deliver us", they said.
Second,
the Jews submitted themselves to His sovereign will. They did not know that the
Lord would save them and so they did not presume to tell what they did not
know.
Third,
the Jews remained loyal to their convictions. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
did not compromise, they did not rationalize, and they did not justify bad
behavior.
What
these three men did do was prepare themselves to suffer for righteousness sake
while maintaining their faith in God.
1.
The Chaldeans flattered the proud in
order to destroy the innocent, they deified a blood stained and capricious
tyrant, that they might doom to death three unoffending strangers and captives,
whom they hated.
2.
In all of this the Chaldeans are a true
picture of the world in every age. It exalts the oppressor and tramples on the
innocent.
3.
Nebuchadnezzar is a perfect example of
the favorite of this world. He is courted, envied, flattered, admired and
adorned--outwardly.
4.
The Christian is commanded not to fear
man but to fear God.
5.
The Christian cannot bow down before
golden idols and still worship the Living God. We must be equally decided in
our relationship with them.
6.
It is the course of religion to
deteriorate to the point that it becomes an instrument of tyranny. Christianity
has been no exception witnessed by its misuse by the church and kings for
centuries 325 - 1500.
7.
Duty to God is stronger than gratitude to
man.
8.
The only way to stand in the hour of
ultimate testing is to make a conscious decision to depend upon God. If sinners entice thee, consent not.
9.
To know the origin of the conflict is to
understand it better. Most conflicts start when someone says or does something
that will hurt someone else.
10. The
first sin was designed to hurt God. We must not be surprised when we as
Christian become the target of bad behavior that is unreasonable and
unnecessary.
11. We
honor the Jewish youths because they made religion personal, they put their
trust in God, and they put eternal matters before temporal.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the
form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:
therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven
times more than it was wont to be heated.
3:19 The boldness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to oppose the policy of the king to worship an idol infuriated him. In addition, their actions caused him to change his attitude towards them. Once the king thought that the three Jewish captives were among the brightest in the land. Now he considered them foolish. Once Nebuchadnezzar thought the Jewish youths to be the most respectful of his subjects.
Now he considered them obstinate,
unreasonable, and defiant. They were being brought too often into his presence
challenging his policies.
First,
there was the issue of the food. Now there is this matter of honoring the king.
Will the Jews never be reasonable? Must they always call trouble? If there is a
lesson for the church, it is that we must learn to say, "No!"
to many temptations.
Without
further comment, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the fiery furnace should be
heated seven times more intense than it normally was. Unreasonable anger is
manifested in a desire to overkill. Once the fire was ready, Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, were cast into the midst of the burning fire. Persecution came to
the people of God. When the Lord allows His people to be tested there is always
a purpose.
v
Persecution comes to show the reality of
religion. A minister was recently visiting in Russia on a missionary tour. He
was taken aside by a leading Communist official and asked about the Christian
faith of President Clinton. "If he is a Christian, then why does he take
so many positions that are anti-Christian?" the Communist leader asked. It
is a question that could be asked of many.
v
To test faith.
v
To manifest who is a true believer.
v
To promote the gospel. The blood of the
martyrs has been the seed of the church.
v
To prepare the heart for heaven.
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in
his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the
burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their
hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst
of the burning fiery furnance.
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was
urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men
that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and
rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo,
I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt;
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
3:20-25 By the persecution of God's people
several facts are proven. It is proven that the Christian religion cannot be
destroyed by it; God is a miracle working God; and the spiritual life is more
important than physical life; and truth will triumph over falsehood.
By
the persecution of God's people, the world becomes amazed. When Nebuchadnezzar
looked into the fiery furnace to see what the result of his edict would be, he
was amazed at many things. The king was amazed at the number of people he saw.
He had expected to see three men screaming in pain, tormented by the flames,
consumed in horror. Instead the king saw four men in the fire. The king was
amazed at who he saw. He saw a son of the gods (lit.). Bible commentators are
divided at this point in their understanding. The Hebrew language speaks of a "son
of the gods." The Jewish interpreters thought the phrase referred to
an angel.
Some Christian theologians thought it referred to the pre-incarnate Christ. However, Jerome thought Nebuchadnezzar was too wicked to have a vision of the Lord. For conservative Christians, there is no problem with believing that Nebuchadnezzar saw a theophany. God has promised His people to be with them (Isa. 43:2).
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the
burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come
hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of
the fire.
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the
king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies
the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their
coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
3:26-27
Nebuchadnezzar was amazed that no one was being hurt. The Jewish men were
loose, free and unharmed. While the king had done his best to make God's people
suffer, they ultimately survived. Had Nebuchadnezzar been more spiritual
minded, he would have been wise to learn that the furnace of man's wrath has no
equal to the furnace of God's righteous indignation for the Bible speaks of an
eternal hell. In his TV special Starting Over, Billy Graham said that he has
been asked if he believes in hell. "Well,
I believe in heaven," he responded. "And I believe in hell because the Bible teaches it."
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who
hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have
changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve
nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a
decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss
against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and
their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can
deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
3:28-30 In the process of purification some
things will be the lost. In particular those things which bind us shall be
lost. The three Jewish youths lost their physical bonds in the flames of the
furnace but only so that they could walk better with the Lord. Spiritually, God's
furnace causes us to lose the bonds of sin so that we might walk better with
Him. In the end Nebuchadnezzar finally realized that he could not hurt the Jews
so he took five actions. :
v
Nebuchadnezzar stopped the persecution.
v
Nebuchadnezzar changed his attitude
(again) about the youths.
v
Nebuchadnezzar gave them freedom of
conscience to worship (Dan. 3:28).
v
Nebuchadnezzar provided a token of honor
to the Lord (Dan. 3:29).
v
Nebuchadnezzar exalted the Jewish youths
the second time.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 3
1. How did Nebuchadnezzar make
idolatry more appealing to the people?
Answer.
To make the act of idolatry more palatable and the threat of death less
menacing, Nebuchadnezzar prepared an orchestra to be present at the ceremonies.
2. What was the defense of the
Hebrew slaves in their act of civil disobedience?
Answer. First, they professed their confidence in the Lord.
"Our God is able to deliver us", they said. Second, the Jews
submitted themselves to His sovereign will. They did not know that the Lord
would save them and so they did not presume to tell what they did not know.
Third, the Jews remained loyal to their convictions. Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, did not compromise, they did not rationalize, and they did not
justify bad behavior.
3. Why does God allow His
people to suffer persecution?
v
Persecution comes to show the reality of
religion.
v
To test faith.
v
To manifest who is a true believer.
v
To promote the gospel. The blood of the
martyrs has been the seed of the church.
v
To prepare the heart for heaven.
4. What is the origin of
conflict?
Answer. To know the origin of the conflict is to understand
it better. Most conflicts start when someone says or does something that will
hurt someone else.
5. What actions did
Nebuchadnezzar take when he realized he could not harm the Jews?
Answer.
v
Nebuchadnezzar stopped the persecution.
v
Nebuchadnezzar changed his attitude
(again) about the youths.
v
Nebuchadnezzar gave them freedom of
conscience to worship (Dan. 3:28).
v
Nebuchadnezzar provided a token of honor
to the Lord (Dan. 3:29).
v
Nebuchadnezzar exalted the Jewish youths
the second time.
1.
Should Christians
always obey the laws of man? If not, when is it right to refuse and accept the
consequences?
2.
Is it ever wrong
for a Christian to plot to kill an evil despot? Why?
3.
Do you think you
would you have refused to worship the idol as the Hebrews did? Why or why not?
4.
What are modern
day forms of idolatry? Why did you list these items?
5.
The divine
deliverance of the Hebrews amazed the king. Have you ever known a divine
deliverance out of a harmful situation?
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Daniel 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his
angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the
king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship
any god, except their own God.
3:3-7 In
considering this section of Scripture, there are several observations to make.
1.
It is possible for those who profess to
have great respect for the Word of God and for the ministers of God to have no
true appreciation for either.
2.
The heart of man resists being humbled.
For a moment, it did appear that King Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by the
interpretation of his dream by Daniel. But then he arose from before God to
exalt himself. It is hard to keep a bad man down. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said that
the great theme of the Bible is to humble us before God.
3.
Those who turn from the Lord will spare
no expense for their own personal pleasures and self-exaltation. Taking from
the royal treasury, Nebuchadnezzar overlaid the colossal image with lavish
wealth.
4.
When personal safety and self-interest is
at stake, it is the nature of people to accept more and more bizarre and silly
things. Some of the government officials, like the Jews, may have felt that the
king had gone to far with his commandments but they stilled bowed lest they be
burned.
5.
The acceptance of sin is understandable
to a large extent. Most people will do whatever it takes to continue to live.
One survivor of the Nazi Holocaust tells his story of watching an SS office
shoot a Jewish musician who could not play well. The officer thought he had
killed the man but had only wounded him. The Jewish man tried to intervene on
behalf of the wounded individual only to be told to take the bleeding body to
the crematorium and put the man even though he was still alive and conscious.
The Jew obeyed because if he did not, he would have been put alive into the
oven. He just did as he was told.
6.
The instinct of self-preservation will
over rule all reason and all emotions of pity and kindness unless there is
mental and spiritual preparation to temper certain actions.
7.
Life can change suddenly. One day Daniel
and his three friends were safe and secure in the highest echelons of power in
the court of the king. The next day they were wanted men as political enemies
stalked their souls.
8.
The commandments of men are grievous
because of sin. Consider the source of all conflicts, be they personal,
national, or international, and you will discover some sinful impulse is at the
root. Righteousness is never in conflict with righteousness. Righteousness is
always in conflict with sin. The commandments of the Lord are not grievous.
Listen, for example, to Jesus as He says, "A
new commandment I give unto you that you love one another."
~*~
3:26-27 God's people might pass through the fires of men, but unrighteous men must one-day pass through the fires of God prepared for the devil and his angels. The fires of God are more severe and they last forever. Though there is not much physical persecution for the faith in our nation today, there are still spiritual furnaces that God's people must pass through.
1.
There is the furnace of slander.
2.
There is the furnace of satanic
opposition. The devil whispers into our ears things that undermines faith.
"You have been forsaken by God,"
he says. "Your sins are too many,”
he tells us. "Your sins are too
horrendous for God to forgive," he declares. “Your damnation is certain."
3.
There is the furnace of physical pain.
During the last five years of her life, Corrie Ten Boom was unable to speak.
For a lady who had been a “Tramp for the
Lord" for many years, speaking to large audiences, such silence must
have been difficult.
4.
There is the furnace of bereavement.
5.
There is the furnace of loss. The
business, which was thought to be a blessing, has only impoverished.
Whatever
the furnace may be, the purpose of God is to purify His people.
Introduction to Daniel 4:1-18
Descent into Madness
I
Never Promised You A Rose Garden is the tender, yet
terrifying story of a young girl's journey into mental illness and back to
normalcy. The American actress Jo-Anne Woodward, won an academy award for her
role of Sybil, a woman with multiple personalities. All of this tells us that
the mind is a complex organism. It has never been fully understood especially
when abnormalities are manifested. These abnormalities are called mental
illnesses.
There
are some doctors who argue against the whole notion of mental illness. The mind
cannot be sick, they say. But something is obviously wrong when people speak
and act in an irrational manner. In the ancient world certain forms of unusual
behavior were viewed as a type of divine gift sent from the gods. Seizures were
considered to be a sign of divine favor. Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar
were both afflicted with this problem.
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king,
unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be
multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew
the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs!
And how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his
dominion is from generation to generation.
4:1-3
Like other mortal men the king of Babylon once descended into genuine madness.
But he recovered and wrote of his ordeal. In the year 562 BC Nebuchadnezzar
told his story in a royal decree. He wanted the people to know about the signs
and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward him. People who have been
touched by God want others to know. In an official Babylonian State Document
the experience of King Nebuchadnezzar was recorded a year before he died. There
were special reasons for telling his story. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to confess
the sin of pride (Dan. 4:37). The king wanted to explain the cause of his seven
years of insanity. There was the opportunity to give a word of testimony. It
may be that Nebuchadnezzar had found peace with God and then he received peace
from God. He wanted others to know.
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at
rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made
me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Therefore made I a
decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make
known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then came in the
magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the
dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
4:4-7
As Nebuchadnezzar remembered, his ordeal began when he was in good health and
dwelling in his palace. He was at rest, free from all care and worry. He was
flourishing as a tree might grow well. One night, the king had a dream which
made him afraid. The dream was so real and so vivid that even when
Nebuchadnezzar was awake the vision of his head troubled him. Once more the
king called for the wise men of the realm. Though they had not been able to
help him before, perhaps this time they could
for the king was not hesitant to talk. Dreams were common and trees were often
a symbol of royalty. Surely this dream had something to do with himself. Try as
they could, once more the wise men of Babylon failed the king (Dan. 4:7). It
seemed that hope was gone until the king spotted Daniel.
8 But at the last Daniel
came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my
god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the
dream, saying,
9 O Belteshazzar, master of
the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and
no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and
the interpretation thereof.
4:8-9 Among the wise men who gathered to help
the king was the Lord's man in whom, the king knew, dwelt the spirit of
divinity. Since Daniel had helped the king before, surely he could help again.
It was only natural that the king singled Daniel out for special
consideration. Once more, eagerly, did
Nebuchadnezzar begin to pour out his heart.
10 Thus were the visions of
mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and
the height thereof was great.
11 The tree grew, and was
strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to
the end of all the earth:
12 The leaves thereof were
fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the
field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs
thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
4:
10-12 Daniel was told of a large tree which had appeared in the midst of the
earth. It occupied a central position as it stood by itself away from any
forest. Because of its centrality of location, it attracted attention.
13 I saw in the visions of
my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from
heaven;
14 He cried aloud, and said
thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his
branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away
from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15 Nevertheless leave
the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the
tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let
his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
4:13-15
As Nebuchadnezzar was considering the tree, there suddenly appeared a Watcher
from heaven. The reference is to a holy angel whose job it was to be vigilant.
The angel gave a command. To whom the command was given is not stated but the
instructions were clear. The great tree was to be cut down. Only a stump was to
be allowed to remain. A band of iron and brass was to be placed around the
stump to make sure it would not grow again.
16 Let his heart be
changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven
times pass over him.
17 This matter is by the
decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the
intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of
men.
4:16-17 In the dream the image of the vision
changed from that of a tree to that of a man with the heart or the nature of a
beast. For seven years there was to be this new state of existence. The purpose
of this unusual beastly nature given in judgment was to teach a spiritual
lesson to the entire world of the absolute sovereignty of God. Let the world
know "the Most High ruleth in the
kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth upon it the
basest of men."
18 This dream I king
Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation
thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known
unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods
is in thee.
The Beast of Babylon
Daniel 4:19-32
In
Daniel 4:19-32 we have the interpretation of the second dream of King
Nebuchadnezzar. It is a simple dream to interpret but startling in its
announcement. When Daniel first heard of the dream he was so troubled and
horrified that he could not speak for one hour. The prophet of God was shocked
by the severity of the divine judgment that was going to fall upon
Nebuchadnezzar. Some years ago, the English minister, Charles Spurgeon was
preaching in the Music Hall in the Royal Surrey Gardens. The date was October
19, 1856. Twelve thousand people has crowded into the building to hear Mr.
Spurgeon preach. The service began in the usual way. Suddenly, during the
second prayer, there were simultaneous cries from all parts of the building of 'Fire!' 'The Galleries are giving way!' '
The place is falling!'
Mr.
Spurgeon tried to reassure the alarmed multitude that this was a ruse on the
part of thieves and pickpockets but it was to no avail. Spurgeon watched in
horror as seven people were trampled to death and many others suffered serious
bodily injury. In his autobiography, Mr. Spurgeon recounts his reaction of
horror at having to witness death in a place he had come to proclaim life.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was
astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said,
Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation
thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the
interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
20 The tree that thou
sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and
the sight thereof to all the earth;
21 Whose leaves were fair,
and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts
of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their
habitation:
22 It is thou, O king, that
art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven,
and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
23 And whereas the king saw
a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree
down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth,
even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let
it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the
field till seven times pass over him;
24 This is the
interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come
upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive
thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they
shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of
heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
4:19-25 When Daniel foresaw the hideous human that the king would become, his reaction was that of horror and he hesitated to tell what he knew. Finally, the prophet spoke. The tree, which the king saw, was Nebuchadnezzar himself. It was strong, powerful, and extensive. However, the tree was going to be cut down and destroyed. The destruction would not be complete for there would be a stump of roots. Symbolically, Nebuchadnezzar was to be cut down. The king was too proud of a man. He needed to be humbled. In grace, the king would not be destroyed but he would be humiliated for he would act like a wild animal for seven year. In time, this general mental sickness would be known as Lycanthropy, which is where the sufferer imagines himself to be changed into an animal and to a certain extent, acts like an animal. Nebuchadnezzar was destined to act like an ox and therefore suffer from boanthrapy.
26 And whereas they
commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto
thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
4:26
The purpose for the loss of mental reasoning is that the king might learn that "the God of heaven rules"
(Dan. 4:26).
27 Wherefore, O king, let my
counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and
thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of
thy tranquillity.
4:27
If Nebuchadnezzar were interested, there was a way to delay judgment. He could
break off his sins by being righteous. He could stop iniquity by showing mercy.
In order for Nebuchadnezzar to be righteous he could give everyone what was
right and make amends for the wrongs that had been done to his subjects and
between his subjects. The king had been cruel by believing that might makes
right. The king had been unjust to the Jews. He must break this off by showing
acts of mercy. Mercy could be shown by either setting the captives free or at
least making their bondage easier to endure. Matthew Henry says, "It is necessary, in repentance, that
we not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well, not only do no wrong, to
any, but do good to all."
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
4:28
Unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar would do none of these things. If Daniel was
shocked at the threat of a certain coming judgment, the king was not. It is the
nature of the human heart to grow so hard that it fears neither God nor man.
Unbelief dulls the sensitivity of the soul. Until a person faces the actual
instruments
of discipline and is certain that the actual moment has arrived to implement
justice, there is no fear. The heart deceives itself and is allowed to continue
in its arrogance by the patience of a gracious God. For twelve months life
continued as it was before the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. For twelve long months
the might ruler continued to rule his vast empire with all the confidence of a
conceited monarch.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the
palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom
by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there
fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king
Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive
thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they
shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee,
until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it
to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon
Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his
body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles'
feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
4:29-33
It was at the end of this period, when Nebuchadnezzar was walking in his
palace, that life dramatically changed. Impressed with the magnificent
structure all around him, Nebuchadnezzar was more impressed with himself for we
find him talking to himself saying, "Is
not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the
might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" (Dan. 4:30). On
one level, what Nebuchadnezzar said to himself was true. He was responsible for
the construction of the splendor of Babylon. History confirms that
Nebuchadnezzar was a builder, not a warrior.
v
He renovated the two temples of Marduk in
Babylon.
v
He renovated the temple of Nebo in
Borsippa.
v
He constructed fifteen other temples in
Babylon.
v
He added two great walls of the city with
a rampart.
v
He rebuilt the palace of Nabopolassar.
v
He had the beautiful hanging gardens
installed.
Nebuchadnezzar
looked around at the palace of Babylon and could not help but being satisfied.
However, there was not a thought of humility in the king for he failed to
recognize all the artists, laborers, architects, and designers who allowed his
dream to come true. Nebuchadnezzar never lifted one finger
in
actual work and yet he boasted of what he had built. By his word, the king
exposed the arrogance of his soul. By his speech, Nebuchadnezzar also revealed
his motivational drive. He did all that he did "for the honor of his own majesty!" There was no
intention of giving his Creator any glory.
Finally,
the God of heaven had enough. He who knows our thoughts and listens to our
conversation would not be denied or mocked any longer. While the word of
conceit was still in the king's mouth, a voice was heard from heaven saying,
"O King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it
is spoken; the kingdom is departed from thee" (Dan. 4:31).
In
the same hour judgment fell. Reason was taken from the king. Nebuchadnezzar had
been so proud of his mental achievements. Now his mind was gone. The highest
thought he had was how to eat grass like an ox. Day after day, Nebuchadnezzar
roamed as a crazy man until finally, God, in His infinite grace, restored his
reason.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar
lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I
blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever,
whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation
to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants
of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the
army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his
hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my
reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and
brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me;
and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar
praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and
his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
4:34-37
When he came to his senses, Nebuchadnezzar was a changed man. The change is reflected
in the fact that when he was restored to his kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar recognized
the true King of heaven. While not
everyone agrees, Bible scholars such as Professor Edward Young and
Matthew Henry believed that Nebuchadnezzar was a converted man. Doctor Young
argues for certain considerations that would lead to the conclusion that the
king did, after all, experience in his heart the regenerating grace of God.
v
There is discernible a progress in his
knowledge of God (cf. Dan. 2:47 with 3:23 and finally with 4:34,35).
v
The king acknowledges the utter
sovereignty of God with respect to his own experience (Dan. 4:37b).
v
The king utters true statements
concerning the omnipotence of the true God (Dan. 4:34,35).
v
The king would worship this God, whom he
identifies as King of heaven (Dan. 4:37a).
Matthew
Henry believes that Nebuchadnezzar, "looked
up as a devout man, as a penitent, as a humble petitioner, for mercy, being
perhaps never till now made sensible for his own [spiritual] misery."
"It would be nice, and charitable, to hope that free grace came to
Nebuchadnezzar so that one day we shall meet with him among the elect in
heaven."
Questions and Answers on Daniel 4
1. What important spiritual
truth is taught in Daniel 4:16-17?
Answer. Let the world know "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men
and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth upon it the basest of
men."
2. How could Nebuchadnezzar
have prevented judgment?
Answer.
If
Nebuchadnezzar were interested, there was a way to delay judgment. He could
break off his sins by being righteous. He could stop iniquity by showing mercy.
In order for Nebuchadnezzar to be righteous he should give everyone what is
right and make amends for the wrongs that had been done to his subjects and
between his subjects. The king had been cruel by believing that might makes
right. The king had been unjust to the Jews. He must break this off by showing
acts of mercy. Mercy could be shown by either setting the captives free or at
least making their bondage easier to endure.
3. What judgment fell upon
Nebuchadnezzar and for how long?
Answer. Reason was taken from the
king. Nebuchadnezzar had been so proud of his mental achievements. Now his mind
was gone. The highest thought he had for seven years was how to eat grass like
an ox.
4. What evidence can be
presented to argue Nebuchadnezzar was converted.
Answer.
v
There is discernible a progress in his
knowledge of God (cf. Dan. 2:47 with 3:23 and finally with 4:34,35).
v
The king acknowledges the utter
sovereignty of God with respect to his own experience (Dan. 4:37b).
v
The king utters true statements
concerning the omnipotence of the true God (Dan. 4:34,35).
v
The king would worship this God, whom he
identifies as King of heaven (Dan. 4:37a).
5. How does Matthew Henry evaluate the heart of
Nebuchadnezzar in the end?
Answer. "It would be nice, and
charitable, to hope that free grace came to Nebuchadnezzar so that one day we
shall meet with him among the elect in heaven."
Personal Application and
Reflection
1. Daniel 4:32 says, “the most High ruleth in the
kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Is it not safe to say that Satan lied to Jesus
when he promised Him the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would only worship him?
Why or why not?
2.
Has your heart
ever been lifted up with pride to the point the Lord had to severely humble
you?
3.
In the divine
economy the principle seems to be established of grace preceding judgment.
Nebuchadnezzar had a chance to repent but did not. Do you have any insights
into the great attraction to evil and why people do not take advantage of the
grace of God and repent?
4.
Do you personally
believe Nebuchadnezzar was converted? Why or why not?
5.
Some men are born
great. Some do something noble and become great. Some have greatness thrust
upon them. What is the most memorable deed you have done? Was it for the glory
of God? Was it done for self-interests? Was anyone blessed by your deed?
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King
of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that
walk in pride he is able to abase.
4:19
History is filled with examples of how God sets up rulers and suddenly removes
them. November 22, 1963, three shots are fixed from a lone sniper in the sixth
floor of a building in Dallas, Texas. Suddenly, the world is different. America
is different. The mythical political world of “Camelot” is dead and a new Great
Society is created. The kingdom is taken from a young man and given to an older
man. The concept of Divine sovereignty should be a source of great comfort to
Christians because it answers the ultimate question of who is in charge. If men
were in charge of all things then there would be cause for alarm. If angels
were in charge of the world there would be cause for alarm. If no one was in
charge and life was simply chaos, that would be certainly be reason for
ultimate despair. The good news is that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men. Setting aside all else, there is great comfort from this doctrine in a
daily way. In daily life, when things become challenging, it is very comforting
to know that the Lord rules in the affairs of men. Our personal safety, our
individual security, our present existence, and our future life are in His
hands. We no longer need to fear what men may do to us or say about us. God is
in control. He will rule in righteousness and in justice. It is a wonderful
truth, rooted in experience, enjoyed in time, to be embraced with all the
heart. "The Most High ruleth in the
kingdom of men."
Practical
observations. from Daniel 4
1.
Though Daniel was a Jewish captive to a
capricious king, he still honored the king (Dan. 4:19b). When Daniel knew what
judgment was going to befall Nebuchadnezzar he did not rejoice though the
discipline was well deserved.
2.
Daniel told the truth. Standing for the
truth had caused his friends to go through great tribulation (Dan. 4:24).
Daniel could have reinterpreted the dream. He could have given a message of
comfort but he choose to tell the truth It is not easy for anyone to speak the
truth especially in trying circumstances.
3.
There is a wonderful principle in God's
moral universe that grace will precede judgment. King Nebuchadnezzar will be
warned before he is judgment.
4.
In the judgments of God, there is always
a holy purpose. Some discipline is punitive. Other discipline is for purifying
the heart: God wants Nebuchadnezzar to know
"that the heavens do rule" (Dan. 4:26).
5.
Despite the certainty of a coming
judgment, God is merciful. If men and nations repent they shall yet be spared
as Nineveh was spared (Jonah 3:10) and as the death of Hezekiah was delayed (2
Kings 20:1-5).
6.
When gospel repentance changes the heart,
there is the desire to display righteousness and mercy. In Scriptures, these
two virtues are often united (cf. Isa. 11:4; Psa. 72:4; Isa. 41:2).
7.
While salvation is not by good works they
always accompanies grace.
8.
We will either hear the voice of God in
grace, or we will hear the voice of God in judgment as He says, "Depart from me, ye workers of
iniquity."
Introduction to Daniel 5
Belshazzar, Grandson of a
Converted Sovereign
It
is very difficult to understand many passages in the Old Testament
without being familiar with ancient history. The fifth chapter of Daniel offers
an excellent illustration of this fact for we are suddenly introduced to a man
named Belshazzar. Belshazzar was a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar, one of the
greatest kings of antiquity. Nebuchadnezzar died in the year 561 BC He was
succeeded in death by his son Evil- Merodach who was sympathetic to the plight
of the Jews.
It
was Evil-Merodach who liberated Jehoiachin, king of Judah, from prison and fed
him from his own table (2 Kin. 25:27-30; Jer. 52:31-34). After a reign of only
two years Evil-Merodach was put to death by a conspiracy headed by Neriglissar,
his brother-in-law. Neriglissar ascended the throne and reigned for about four
years before he was killed in battle in the year 556 BC His son and successor
was Laborosoarchod, who was an imbecile. He was king for less than a year when
he was beaten to death and his throne seized by an usurper named Nabonidus (or
Nabonnaid), another son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar because he married the widow
of Neriglissar. Nabonidus was destined to reign from 555 BC to the fall of
Babylon in 538 BC
The
problem with this secular chronology of history is that is seems to conflict
with the biblical chronology which states that it was Belshazzar who was ruling
when Babylon fell. However, there is no real conflict when it is understood
that Belshazzar was the legitimate grandson of Nebuchadnezzar
(note
Jer. 27:7) but the adopted son of Nabonidus (the usurper) and a co-ruler with
him. At the time of the events of Daniel chapter five, Belshazzar, as co-ruler,
had been left in charge of the city of Babylon while his "father"
Nabonidus was away on a military expedition. The foolishness of Belshazzar
would bring about the destruction of the mightiest empire of the day. In one
night, Babylon would be conquered. In one night Almighty God would pass
ultimate judgment upon a drunken king. In one night Belshazzar would be
weighted in the balance and be found wanting.
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a
thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded
to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had
taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes,
his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
5:1-2
With a feeling of great security, Belshazzar decided to have a party. It would
be a feast and it would be given in a spirit of contempt and defiance. Before a
thousand of his lords, Belshazzar wanted to boast that he was not afraid of the
circumstances that surrounded him. An army was knocking at his gates but he
pretended not to be afraid. The Great Impostor tried to fool his royal audience
with foolish acts of bravado conceived in the consumption of wine. When his
reasoning was dulled with drunkenness, Belshazzar began to reminisce, as
drunkards
like to do. He remembered the glory days of old when his grandfather went forth
and conquered other nations. Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah and plundered
the treasure of Jerusalem's holy temple. "Would
any one like to see the wealth grandfather got? It is here in the temple.
Servants, go get some of the holy vessels. We will pour wine into them and
drink our fill."
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were
taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the
king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and
of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
5:3-4
The king's order was obeyed. The holy treasures were brought and the drunken
brothel continued. Toasts were made to the dreams of grandfather. "We will drink," said the king,
"to the gods of gold, silver, bras, iron, wood and stone. Here is to you
and your visions grandfather!"
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's
hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister
of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that
wrote.
5:5 The crowd laughed. Belshazzar laughed. That is the king laughed until the moment his eyes looked up by the candlesticks and he saw a movement. Could it be? It looks like the fingers of a man's hands.
The golden goblet of wine
dropped from the kings hands. He pushed the laughing prostitutes away from him
to stare more closely at what he was seeing. There it is. It is the hand of a
man and it is writing upon the wall.
6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his
thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his
knees smote one against another.
5:6
Suddenly the king was shaken and scared. He was terrified to the point that his
whole body would not function. He knees literally shook so that they knocked
together. After a few moments, the king found enough strength to scream out,
"Bring in the astrologers, the
Chaldeans and the soothsayers."
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers,
the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise
men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and
shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a
chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they
could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation
thereof.
5:7-8
Once the wretched lot was gathered, the king promised them the wealth of the
empire and a high place of authority if anyone of them could tell what that
hand on the wall was doing.
The
Wise Men of the kingdom wanted to help. They wanted to get the rewards but not
a one of them knew what to make of the handwriting on the wall and they told
the king that.
9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his
countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
5:9
This announcement caused Belshazzar to become alarmed all over again as hope
died within his heart. Color left his face. The large assembly of lords did not
know what to make of this scene. Some of them thought that their king was about
to go mad just like his grandfather and so they stared at him with amazement.
The time provided an opportunity for a few to reconsider what this moment might
really mean.
5:9
Familiar lessons of life were remembered.
v
The higher social position a person has
in life, the greater are the responsibilities to be a good influence upon
others. To whom much is given, much shall be required.
v
Belshazzar was a fool which, in biblical
terms, means that he acted independently of God.
v
The hand of God reaches out in love to
die for sinners but it also reaches out to pronounce judgment on them too.
v
People look to leadership in times of
spiritual crisis to know what to do. If leadership fails, the people will fail.
v
There are defining moments when either
righteousness will be manifested or the works of the flesh will prevail so that
reason is distorted, fear is displayed, and the memory of the God is
dishonored.
v
When spiritual sensitivity is lost,
people will naturally turn to human solutions. They do not work of course for
human solutions have never yet solved a spiritual problem. Belshazzar did not
need clever men. He needed to repent. He needed to cry out to God for mercy.
v
The fear and trembling of Belshazzar was
but a prelude to the eternal judgment of hell.
v
In the day of ultimate judgment, sinners
will look in amazement at one another. There will be no laughing. There will be
no talking. There will only be astonishment at what is about to happen and what
they are witnessing.
v
The finger of God wrote the Law on
tablets of stone. When they were broken or ignored, the finger of God wrote it
a second time. When He was through the Lord said, "Do this and live." Because Belshazzar had no respect for
the Law of God, the hand of the Lord wrote a postscript: "Thou shalt not live!" Belshazzar,
the grandson of a converted king, would not be converted himself. Before the
night was over, he would perish.
10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king
and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live forever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee,
nor let thy countenance be changed:
11 There is a man in
thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy
father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was
found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy
father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
12 Forasmuch as an
excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and
shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same
Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will
shew the interpretation.
5:10-12
The tragic end of a great empire continues with the entrance of the Queen into
the banquet house. The identity of the Queen is uncertain. Some believe that
she was the widow of Nebuchadnezzar, named Nitocris whom
Herodotus
mentions as a woman of extraordinary wisdom. Whatever her true identity, she
was not present at the feast until she heard of the terror of the King. Her
presence brought a calming influence to the situation for she was full of
penetrating insight. Assessing the scene, the Queen was able to offer hope.
There
was a man in the kingdom that could do what all the court's wise men could not.
He could interpret the dream (Dan. 5:11-12).
His
name was Belteshazzar or Daniel. Upon the counsel of the Queen, Daniel was
immediately sent for (Dan. 5:13) and when called, he came. Daniel came as an
old man, almost ninety years of age now, having walked with God for many years.
He was a man who proved he could be trusted and relied upon and so Belshazzar
explained what had happened (Dan. 5:15).
13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And
the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that
Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my
father brought out of Jewry?
14 I have even heard of
thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding
and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
15 And now the wise men,
the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this
writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not
shew the interpretation of the thing:
16 And I have heard of
thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou
canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou
shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and
shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself,
and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and
make known to him the interpretation.
5:
13-17 If Daniel could interpret the handwriting, there would be great personal
rewards. But Daniel did not need the rewards of the king nor did he want them.
While riches and honor are nice, they are deceiving and meaningless in the hour
of ultimate judgment and in the day of ultimate accountability. What is needed
in life is an honest setting forth of what God will do and that, Daniel could
give to the king he stood before (Dan. 5:17-24).
18 O thou king, the most
high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and
honour:
19 And for the majesty that
he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before
him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would
he set up; and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was
lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly
throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 And he was driven from the
sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with
the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with
the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the
kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
5:
18-21 In his response the old prophet provides a historical framework for what
he will eventually say. Daniel speaks of what God once gave Beltshazzar
grandfather Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord gave him (Dan. 5:18-19) a kingdom,
majesty, glory, and honor. Wars ceased, prosperity reigned, and palaces were
built. But instead of being grateful and recognizing the source of his
greatness, Nebuchadnezzar became proud (Dan. 5:20) which led the Lord to take
from the king all that he valued. The Lord took his throne, his glory, his
sanity, and his home (Dan. 5:21) until Nebuchadnezzar KNEW that the most high
God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever He
will.
22 And thou his son, O
Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
23 But hast lifted up
thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his
house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have
drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of
brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in
whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
24 Then was the part of the
hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
25 And this is the writing
that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
5:22-25
At this moment Daniel may have paused before beginning his personal
application. He has only told Belshazzar what they both already knew about
Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 5:22). Now, the great sin for Belshazzar was that he did
not learn nor turn from the sins of his grandfather but engaged in the same
cesspool of pride.
The
sins of the parents were being visited upon the children unto the third and
fourth generations. Belshazzar was committing the same sins as Nebuchadnezzar.
With holy boldness Daniel would point this out in a plain and highly personal
way (Dan. 5:22).
v
You Belshazzar have lifted up yourself
against the Lord.
v
You Belshazzar have brought forth-sacred
objects to be used for sensual pleasure.
v
You Belshazzar have praised dead idols.
v
You Belshazzar have not glorified the
Lord God.
Therefore,
God had three words for Belshazzar:
v
MENE = numbered
v
TEKEL = weighted
v
PERES = divided
26 This is the
interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished
it.
27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed
in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 PERES; Thy kingdom is
divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
5:26-29
Belshazzar has been numbered in that the days of his reign and the days of his
kingdom are coming to an end. He has been weighted in the moral balance of
God's universe and found wanting. His kingdom will be divided. It is possible
that Belshazzar did not really believe the words of the old prophet reflected
in the fact that he insisted that the honors be given to Daniel anyway (5:29).
Daniel was made the third ruler of the land, which meant that behind Nabonidus
and Belshazzar, Daniel's voice would be the most authoritative. It was just a
few hours after this royal pronouncement that the king was suddenly killed. The
biblical narrative tells us that in the same night the ruler of the Chaldeans
was slain. Secular history tells us what happened.
30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the
Chaldeans slain.
31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being
about threescore and two years old.
5:30-31
While the drunken party members, led by Belshazzar were celebrating and seeing
strange things, Cyrus had discovered a way to move his army into the city.
Cyrus could not scale the walls nor tunnel through them but he could drain the
river Euphrates, that flowed through the city, and march his soldiers into a
city bed.
To
this end some say he constructed a large artificial lake, miles above the city,
into which he drained the river. Others say, and it seems the most likely, that
he constructed a new channel for the river, far way and invisible from the tops
of the towers on top of the walls, and into this new channel he diverted the
water of the river above the city, so that the water that flowed through the
city flowed away and left the river bed through the city dry.
Having
made all arrangement to carry out his plan, Cyrus waited for a suitable
occasion. Hearing of the feast that Belshazzar's soldiers would be off their
guard, Cyrus divided his army into three Divisions.
One
Division was to divert the water of the river Euphrates, at the proper time,
into the new channel. The second Division was stationed where the river entered
the city on the north. And the third Division was stationed where the river
left the city on the south.
The
second and third Divisions were instructed to enter the channel of the river as
soon as the water was low enough, and march toward each other until they met in
the center of the city where the Palace was located.
The
plan worked to perfection...The soldiers of Cyrus immediately took possession
of the city, stormed the city, stormed the Palace and slew the king.
That
night's revelry cost Belshazzar his life, and the Fall of Babylon. As proof of
the inspiration of the Scriptures it is worthy of note that the Fall of Babylon
was foretold, the manner of its capture described, and the name of its captor
given 175 years before the event took place. The Prophecy is found in Isaiah
44:28-45:1-4 (The Book of Daniel,
Clarence Larkin).
Questions and Answers on Daniel 5
1.
Who was
Belshazzar?
Answer. Belshazzar was a descendant
of Nebuchadnezzar, one of the greatest Babylonian kings of antiquity. He ruled
the Empire until it was taken from him in a night.
2.
What divine
message did Daniel give to Belshazzar?
Answer.
v
You Belshazzar have lifted up yourself
against the Lord.
v
You Belshazzar have brought forth-sacred
objects to be used for sensual pleasure.
v
You Belshazzar have praised dead idols.
v
You Belshazzar have not glorified the
Lord God.
3.
Identify the
meaning of the handwriting on the wall.
Answer. God had three
words for Belshazzar.
v
MENE = numbered
v
TEKEL = weighted
v
PERES = divided
4.
Was the prophecy
of Daniel fulfilled?
Answer. The prediction of
Daniel came to pass. Hearing of the feast that Belshazzar's soldiers would be off their
guard, Cyrus divided his army into three Divisions. One Division was to divert
the water of the river Euphrates, at the proper time, into the new channel. The
second Division was stationed where the river entered the city on the north.
And the third Division was stationed where the river left the city on the
south. The second and third Divisions were instructed to enter the channel of
the river as soon as the water was low enough, and march toward each other
until they met in the center of the city where the Palace was located. The plan
worked to perfection...The soldiers of Cyrus immediately took possession of the
city, stormed the city, stormed the Palace and slew the king.
5.
How old was Darius
the Mede when he conquered the Babylonian empire?
Answer. Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two
years old (62 years old).
1.
Have you ever been
terrified to the point that your knees shook or you felt like you were going to
faint with fear? What caused that extreme fear?
2.
If your life were
required of you tonight and you were weighted in the balances, would you be
confirmed in righteousness or banished from the presence of God?
3.
Comment on the
relationship between faith and works.
4.
Have riches and
honor ever deceived you? In what way?
5.
Despite give a
severe word of warning and denunciation of Belshazzar Daniel was promoted the
king promised. Do you know of unbelievers who are honorable and keep their
promises? Why are the unrighteous honorable in some areas?
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Daniel 5:21 And he [Nebuchadnezzar] was driven from the sons of men;
and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild
asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of
heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and
that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
Selected People of History
v
Nebuchadnezzar
(neb-u-kad-nez'-zar; O god Nabu, protect my son), was the king of the
Babylonian Empire (604-561 B.C). Under his reign, Babylon became a great
cultural, commercial, religious, and political center.
v
Evil-Merodach
(e"-vil-mes'-o-dak; man of Marduk), was the son and successor of
Nebuchadnezzar. As king (562 BC) Evil-Merodach released Jehoiachin, king of
Judah, who had been in prison for 37 years (2 Kings 25:27; Jer. 52:31).
Evil-Merodach was so wicked that the priestly party encouraged his
brother-in-law, Neriglissar, to kill him and take the throne. This was done,
560 BC
v
Neriglissar,
ascended the throne and reigned for about four years before he was killed in battle
in the year 556 BC
v
Laborosoarchod,
was his son and successor. He was king for less than a year when he was beaten
to death and his throne taken by Nabonidus.
v
Nabonidus,
was destined to reign from 555 BC to the fall of Babylon in 538 BC
Following
the collapse of the Babylonian Empire, the Medes and the Persians ruled the
world of the Middle East under a man name Darius. He is known to history as
Darius Hystaspis the Great, (521-486 BC). Several facts can be noted about him.
v
Darius spent the first three years of his
reign establishing his authority throughout his great empire.
v
Once in firm control, Darius divided the
empire into 29 satrapies, or provinces, each ruled by Persian or Median nobles.
He made Shushan, or Susa, his new capital and formed a uniform code of laws
comparable to the Code of Hammurabi.
v
He expanded trade, built roads, created a
postal system, had a standard system of coinage, weights, and measures, and
started astonishing building projects at Persepolis, Ecbatana, and Babylon.
v
As king, Darius continued the political
policy of Cyrus the Great of allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem.
In 520 BC, during Darius' second year as king, the Jews began again to work on
the unfinished Temple in Jerusalem.
v
Darius encouraged the project of the Jews
of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by ordering the work to continue, He sent
financial gift to help restore worship in the Temple (Ezra 6:1-12). The Temple
was completed in 515 BC, in the sixth year of Darius' reign.
v
The final years of the reign of Darius
were characterized by confrontation with the emerging Greek Empire in the
western part of his territory. He led two unsuccessful major military campaigns
against the Greeks.
As
a capable organizer and administrator, Darius re-organized the kingdom so that
a counsel of 120 princes were placed as administrators over his vast empire.
They in turn were responsible to a triumvirate of three presidents of whom
Daniel was the recognized as the Prime Minister. In this manner there was
responsibility and accountability given to the new rulers of the land. The
reason that Darius came to be given a place of preference is stated in that he
had an excellent spirit. This spirit had been recognized by Nebuchadnezzar, by
the wife of Nebuchadnezzar, by Belshazzar, and finally by Darius. The new ruler
realized that Daniel was a man who could be trusted and who was respected
throughout the land. Daniel was a man who was respected because he was not
greedy, he was not covetousness, and he told the truth even when the truth was
not pleasant. Such a person was needed in a key place of leadership during the
transition period.
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an
hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel
was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should
have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the
presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king
thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find
occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none
occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error
or fault found in him.
6:1-4 As might be expected, the other rulers of the land became jealous of the wise, old prophet who had power with God and power with man. In secret sessions they took counsel together how they might discredit Daniel. The more they looked for something to criticize the less they found. Daniel was a genuine men of integrity.
He was faithful and he was
without fault. This does not mean that Daniel was sinless. Only Jesus Christ is
sinless. But over the years Daniel had grown to be more and more like the Lord.
When he was tempted, he was found faithful. Still, his enemies would not let
him alone.
The very goodness of Daniel
led other's to hate him for it is within the human heart to try to prove that
no one is better than self. It is within the nature of the fallen heart to hate
it when others are right especially on moral and ethical matters. The hunt is
on to find something in the character of the child of God that will bring
disgrace. In politics this attempt to discredit someone has been called "Blood Sport".
In history, it is called
"Revisionism." In biblical
scholarship it is called "demythologizing."
In the church it is called "sharing."
In heaven it is called "sin."
5 Then said these men, We shall not find any
occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law
of his God.
6:5
After looking at Daniel's personal life and finding no fault, after examining
his public life in the service of several kings and finding no fault, the
rulers of the Medes and the Persians came to the correct conclusion that their
only hope was to find fault with his life of piety or religion. Since they
could find no fault with what Daniel did, they would find fault with what he would
not do.
6 Then these presidents and princes assembled
together to the king, and said thus unto him, King
Darius, live forever.
7 All the presidents of
the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains,
have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm
decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days,
save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish
the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law
of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
9 Wherefore king Darius
signed the writing and the decree.
The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin
Daniel 6:6-9
There
are many passages in the Bible that set forth the exceeding sinfulness
of sin, and this is one. Consider the characteristics of wickedness.
v
Sin
is built upon falsehood. The princes presented themselves, as
representing all of the leadership of the land but that was not true. Daniel
had not been consulted neither had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, nor the
Queen Mother for none of these people would have been part of this plot.
v
It
is the nature of sin to want to appear to be more powerful then it is.
Sin uses power to achieve its objective. This practice is not uncommon. "People are saying this," we
hear. "Parents are saying
that." "The children are
threatening a certain type of action." "Everyone is talking,"
it is said. The bad is whispered but in such a way as to appear more powerful
and more threatening that it really is. Why do people do this? Part of the
answer is a simple desire to have power. Individuals want to control a
situation. They want to effect change in a certain way. Sometimes, it does not
matter what the truth is as long as a certain objective is achieved. If the
appearance of force can be used as a lever, so much the better. Because of this
practice of sin, it is all the more important to tell the truth. If only one
person has said something then we must not say, "People are talking," etc.
If
only three people have said something, then it must be reported that three
people said something and not leave a general impression that more are talking.
It is wrong to leave false impressions. It is also important to name names.
Jesus has taught us to walk in the light and not in darkness.
v
Sin
disguises itself as wisdom and reasonableness.
The first words from the mouth of Satan were,
"Yea, hath God said?" And here, the words of the nobility sound
sweet and reasonable.
v
Sin
operates in secret. The royal princes met in secret for it
was only in secret that they could talk openly about the evil that was in their
hearts.
v
Sin
finds unholy boldness in concert with others. Wickedness
grows strong in the presence of wickedness just as the righteous grows bolder
in the presence of holiness. That is why the Bible commands the saints to
exhort one another to good works. If you will remember your early adventures
into sinful conduct, you will remember that there was someone nearby to
encourage you to do wrong.
v
Sin
always appeals to the vanity of man (save thou O king). It is a well known principle that one way to
control difficult people is not to challenge their bad behavior but to flatter
and reward them. Sometimes, such people are given places of leadership. They
are given public rewards and preferential treatment. They are told how nice and
wonderful they are.
What
does it matter that their hearts are far from God? What does it matter that no
one has ever heard them pray? What does it matter that they have a track record
of trying to discredit the people of God and destroy his church? The wiliness
to reward and flatter the unrighteous in the church is one of the curses of
Christendom. The church needs more prophets but prophets are not popular. Prophets
are killed. Prophets get thrown into prisons like John the Baptist. Prophets
get crucified like Jesus. Prophets get themselves thrown into the dens of lions
like Daniel.
v
Sin
has its own agenda. As righteousness has an objective which
is to be conformed into the image of God, sin has its own agenda which is to BE
God! There is a difference between wanting to emulate someone and being in the
place of someone. Satan has never given up his goal to be like the Most High.
Satan's servants are like their father. They have secret agendas. Only time
reveals what the true agendas are.
v
In
order for sin to be most effective, it must silence the voice of conscience.
In the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians, Daniel was the court voice of
conscience.
v
Consider what people in the highest
places of power can do when they do not have a conscience.
Ø
They can request information that will
discredit their political enemies.
Ø
They can have people followed,
investigated and intimidated.
Ø
They can have people audited.
Ø
They can have stories planted in the
popular mind by whispering things that are untrue to the news media.
Ø
They can form concentration camps.
Ø
They can have people arrested.
Ø
They can find legal ways to justify
killing!
v
Sin
has no sensitivity. Sin does not care if hungry lions tear
a human life limb from limb. The sound of shrieking, the smell of blood, the
sight of pain embolden the sin saturated soul. Sin does not know the concept of
mercy or compassion.
v
Sin
has a sense of urgency. There is always a pressing matter with
sin for the devil knows that his time is short.
v
Sin
is what causes young people to experiment with adult behavior that they are not capable of handling.
v
Sin
urges the heart on.
v
Sin
is what motivates the heart to get rich quick or to cut ethical corners or to
promote oneself at the expense of another. The royal
assembly that met to find a way to discredit Daniel could not wait for the king
to make the decree they desired so that the process could begin. "Do it now! O king," they pleaded.
v
Sin
tries to think through a situation so that all the options are covered. In
the situation of our passage, the objective was not simply to establish a royal
statute but to have it signed according the laws of the Medes and the Persians
so that it could not be altered. Sin tries to be very clever.
v
Sin
is often persuasive in convincing people because it does
appear on the surface to be logical, flattering, and is done swiftly. The Lord
told Judas, "What thou hast to do,
do quickly." And he did leave the Upper Room quickly, to his eternal
shame.
v
The
human intellect is no match for sin. It never has been
and never will be. The problem is that men have not figured this out yet and so
there are endless wars. There is a war on drugs in our country. There is a war
on poverty and a war on aides. And man is losing all the moral wars on all
fronts because the solutions of man don't work.
As
there is strength in sin so the Christian finds a Champion in Christ. Consider
the following.
v
Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of
the Devil. While the Devil is a strong man, Jesus is stronger still and He has
entered into the Devil's house to take back control and abolish sin.
v
Jesus Christ is not afraid of what sin
can do. The Lord laughs at the counsel of the wicked. He does allow the sly
proposals of sinners to be made but it only so that He can show forth His great
glory and power and sovereignty over sin.
v
Jesus Christ knows what sin will do
before sin acts. While sin thinks it is creative, the Lord knows the
imaginations of the wicked before anything is conceived. That is why the Lord
is always ahead of sin. For example, the Lord God knew that
man
would succumb to the temptation of the Wicked One and so, before the foundation
of the world was laid, Jesus Christ was crucified.
v
Jesus brings calmness to chaos. He can calm
the storms of the Sea of Galilee and He can calm the storms of life. Daniel had
storms in his life that were building up. He probably knew that trouble was
coming because the storm clouds gather first. An ill omen is felt long before
sin flashes into the open. Daniel knew that people were out to hurt him and
yet, he lived in the calmness of the Lord.
v
The Law of God, like the law of the Medes
and the Persians, altereth not. The Law of God says that the Lord will not be
mocked. Whatsoever man sows that shall he reap. It is foolish to think that an
unrepentant life that a life lived without God and full of cursing and
carousing will be rewarded with heaven. The wages of sin is death. The seeds of
sin sown reap eternal damnation apart from crying out to the Lord and pleading
for mercy according to the blood of Christ.
v
The Savior is more wonderful than sin.
Sin brings pleasure, but only for a little while. When the King signed the
decree that the royal bloodhounds wanted, they held a victory celebration. But
it was not to last. They thought they had found a way to hurt Daniel but the
Lord was with His servant. The old prophet possessed a lasting joy that passeth
understanding. With the Psalmist Daniel could sing,
The
joy of the Lord, is my strength. The exceeding sinfulness of sin finds a worthy
challenger in the exceeding greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ who loved us and
gave Himself for us that we might fear no one but God.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,
he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward
Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave
thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
6:
10 The fate of Daniel was fixed when King Darius signed the Law that no one
could pray to any god or ask a petition of any man for thirty days except the
king upon penalty of death. Daniel had to decide if he was to obey his God or
man. Daniel was forced to choose between his conscience and conveyance.
While
most Christians face similar temptations, very few will face the same fate that
awaited Daniel if he chose to obey the Lord. I suspect that the Evil One might
have come to whisper thoughts of compromise into the Prophet's heart. "Daniel, the Law is foolish. But foolish Laws
have to be obeyed."Of
course, that is not true. When a Law is not only foolish but also immoral, then
there is a holy responsibility not to obey.
During
the days of Nazi Germany, many Lutheran pastors opposed the immoral Laws of the
Third Reich. Among the Lutheran pastors was the great theologian Dietrich
Bonnhoffer. He was arrested and put into jail to await execution for his crimes
against the State.
One
day Bonnhoffer was visited by a friend who greeted him with the breathless
question, "Dietrich, what are you
doing in here?" The Lutheran pastor, responded, "My friend, what are you doing out
there?"
Following
the Civil War here in the United States, the South found a way to keep the
blacks in their place, so called, with Jim Crow laws. For over a hundred years
there was racial division based in large part upon unjust laws. While many felt
uncomfortable with laws of segregation, they enforced them. But others did not
and engaged in Civil Disobedience. As a result, foolish and wicked laws were
overturned and society was challenged for the better.
When
he knew that Daniel was willing to engage in Civil Disobedience, Satan might
have whispered another suggestion to God's Man. "Daniel, the decree is only for thirty days. That is not too long
a time. Why not just be silent and wait this situation out? Don't cause
trouble, Daniel, for yourself or for others."
There
would have been a certain amount of logic to this suggestion. "Why stir
up trouble?" But that is just the point, isn't it? Who are the real
troublemakers in the presence of sin? Who is it that causes tense situations?
Is it the righteous? No!
All
pressure situations, all hostile confrontations come because of the sin that
people do. Investigate any given situation and you will discover a challenge to
authority, an ugly spirit of discontent, a desire for power and control, a
longing to be in charge, a distorted point of view. In short, you will find
sin.
The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and
self-control against which there are no Laws. But the fruit of sin is always
bitterness, destruction, hurt feelings, wounded pride and the insatiable need
to destroy someone else.
Who
has caused this tense situation? Was it Daniel and his Jewish friends? Of
course not! This whole situation was conceived and executed by individuals
whose hearts were full of jealousy and hatred. Daniel is not the troublemaker
because he withstands evil and will not keep silent. He is in fact not only
righteous but also courageous. I am sure that Daniel realized something else.
He understood that once holy habits are set-aside even for a short period, they
are easily lost. Anyone who has stopped reading the Bible for a few days
or stopped attending a service once attended faithfully knows how hard it is to
be consistent again.
It
is understandable. When holy habits are first set aside, Satan comes to give a
sense of liberation to the heart. It seems that a religious burden has been
lifted and it has. But upon reflection, it will be seen that the burden was not
a heavy burden for Jesus said, "My
burdens are light." The burden of faithfulness is exchanged for
freedom but freedom can become a heavy burden when guided by sin. Just ask the
Sweet Singer of Israel.
We
read that one day David set aside his kingly duties and moved geographically
out of the will of the Lord. He had the freedom to walk on the palace rooftop
and he did. There, he saw someone who stirred his emotions. Sin ensnared his soul
and Psalm 51 is the burden of a broken heart caused by sin's concept of
freedom. Daniel might easily have rationalized his way to accept a
temporary suspension of his holy habits but he
was more afraid of sin than he was of the schemes of sinners.
When
word reached Daniel that the writing had been signed, the Bible says that he
went into his house. He went into the window of his residence where he could be
seen publicly and then he prayed. Kneeling before the Lord, Daniel prayed and
gave thanks before His God. While the actions of Daniel were deliberate, they
were not hypocritical. Daniel prayed this way often and people knew it. He just
continued to do what he had always done.
In
the end, that is what we should all do. Let us do what we have always done. Let
us just be found faithful. God puts a high premium on faithfulness. Psalm 3:23
says, "The Lord preserveth the
faithful." Cal Ripcon has made a name for himself in the world of
baseball by faithfully showing up for work year after year. Every Christian can
make a name in heaven by simply being faithful to Christ.
In
John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, the main character is named Christian.
He is traveling to the Celestial City. Along the way, the Lord gives him a
traveling companion named Faithful. One of the names of Jesus Christ is that He
is Faithful.
The
Lord promised that He would never leave nor forsake us. As Daniel was faithful
to the Lord despite the threat of pain and death, so the nobility of the land
were faithful to their fallen nature. The Devil too has his faithful servants.
Jesus said of the Pharisees, "You
are of your father the Devil and the lust of your father you will do."
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel
praying and making supplication before his God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king
concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed
a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within
thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and
Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of
Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but
maketh his petition three times a day.
6:11-13 The enemies of Daniel assembled. They had discovered that Daniel was still praying and still making supplications before the Lord. It was confirmed. They had predicted Daniel's behavior correctly and now they would use his righteousness to hurt him much like children do when they make fun of another child who is good and will not lie or cheat. As a group the Nobility returned to the king for there is unholy boldness in a concerted effort. In presenting themselves before the king, the Nobility reminded Darius of the Law he had signed which could not be altered. The king remembered the law well for not only was it recent, it appealed to his pride.
The
Nobility were now poised to seize the moment they had been planning for. All of
their venom and hatred for Daniel poured forth as they presented Daniel in most
unfavorable way they could before the king. With just a few words, Daniel was
accused, like the Lord, unjustly. It was said of Daniel that he had no respect
for the King and that he had no respect for the king's law. While these were
serious accusations the greater question would be, "Are they true?" Certainly the charges were within the
sphere of being believed. The charges could have easily been believed for
several reasons.
v
The Nobility of the land were trusted
men. High office carries its own weight of authority.
v
There was truth mixed with error that is
always a dangerous combination. It was true that Daniel was a Jew. It was also
true that he had been a captive for many years. But it was not true that he had
no respect for the kings whom he served.
v
It sounded plausible that Daniel might
not be loyal.
v
The seriousness of the charges was such
that it seemed they had to be true or else why would they be made? The reality
is that men have always known that if a big enough lie is told often enough and
forcefully enough, it will be believed no matter what.
Putting all these considerations together, it
is understandable how a king could become angry at one of his subjects
especially if that subject was not know and not present to defend himself.
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was
sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and
he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
6:14
To his eternal credit, Darius did not believe the evil reports that he was
hearing about Daniel. He did not allow others to form his view about Daniel. In
fact, as the situation crystallized, Darius became angry with himself for
allowing himself to be used by these court jesters. Darius realized that it was
the Noblemen who had no real respect for their king or the king's Law. The
Noblemen were using both for their own political and private agendas. And
nothing that Darius could do would move them from their course of action. Until
the going down of the sun Darius tried. But it was not use. The Noblemen
insisted that the Law of the Medes and the Persians be honored.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said
unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the
Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth
may be changed.
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel,
and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
6:15-17
Finally, the king commanded that Daniel be brought and cast into the den of
lions. However, Darius had learned enough about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob to offer Daniel a personal word of encouragement and hope. Daniel, said the king, thy God whom thou servest continually, he
will deliver thee. This was really a remarkable statement for it manifests
great faith. Darius did not qualify his remarks. He did not say that the Lord
God of Daniel might deliver him. The statement was emphatic. "Thy God...will deliver thee."
How
did Darius know this? Was it not because faith cometh by hearing and hearing by
the Word of God? Had not Darius heard the many wonderful things about the Lord
God of Israel? Had he not heard what Jehovah had done at creation, at the Red
Sea, and at Mt. Sinai? Had Darius the Mede not learned about the lives of men
such as Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon? Had Darius not witnessed and
profited from the great wisdom that the Lord had given to Daniel? Would such a
Living, Powerful God allows His most faithful servant to be destroyed by petty
men? In his heart Darius had come to a decision.
The
God who could give dreams. The God who could make men go mad. The God who could
restore reason. The God who could make the hand of a man write on a wall. The
God who could cause a kingdom to fall in a night could easily deliver His own.
Though
Darius had tried to change the situation, he could not. But he could have faith
that Someone else could do what no mortal could do. Darius could believe that
God would deliver. There are times in life when we as Christians find ourselves
unable to change a given situation. We find that we cannot change people. We
cannot change the circumstances. We find ourselves helpless but not hopeless.
What shall we do? In such trying times we can look up and say with Darius,
God...will deliver me. In that hour of life we shall known something about
being with Daniel in the lion's den.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the
night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his
sleep went from him.
6:18
Having given the royal command that Daniel be cast into a den of lions, the
king returned to his palace. But he was a troubled man. A great injustice had
been done. An innocent man had been set up to be hurt by false accusers.
Seven Characteristics of False Accusers
1.
False accusers are shameless. They will
take the righteousness of another person and use it to their advantage.
2.
False accusers are bold. Like their
father the devil, they are as roaring lions seeking whom they may devour.
3.
False accusers are persuasive. The
natural gifts of logic, oratory, and simplicity of thought are used to advance
unholy causes.
4.
False accusers love conspiracy. There is
the thrilling of living on the edge of propriety just beyond the law. Where the
Law of God is not respected, individuals become a law unto themselves.
5.
False accusers are often successful.
Reputations are ruined, possessions are acquired, power is gained, the contest
of the will is won. But the God in heaven has not finished. He too will have
something to say about every situation.
6.
False accusers will not escape a just
judgment in time or in eternity.
7.
False accusers will cause others who are
innocent to share their same sinful fate. Proverbs 11:8 says, "The righteous is delivered out of
trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead."
It
was only after they had tricked him and used him that Darius was able to
realize the treachery of the false accusers. They had led him to engage in
unjust behavior. While his heart was filled with tenderness towards Daniel and
demanded that the old prophet be saved, the Law demanded to be enforced. We
cannot help but thinking of another Law and another Love that came into
conflict at the Cross of Calvary. At Calvary the love of God was manifested
while the Law was satisfied. Jesus Christ bore our sins in His own body so that
we might never know the ultimate wrath of God's great anger against sin. As
Daniel spent the time in the lion's den, he once again foretold the sufferings,
sorrows, and triumphs of the coming Savior. Consider how the life of Daniel
foreshadowed the life of Christ.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning,
and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a
lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou
servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever.
22 My God hath sent his
angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch
as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I
done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those
men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them,
their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and
brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations,
and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be
multiplied unto you.
6:19-25
When King Darius discovered that Daniel was alive, his heart could not help but
rejoice. Wisely did the king set about to punish those who were truly unjust
while giving honor and glory to the name of God. A royal decree was issued that
set forth the majesty of the Lord and man's responsibility.
26 I make a decree, That in
every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for
he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall
not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and
rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath
delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
6:26-28
Eight Truths About God
v
God is personal for He is called "the God of Daniel."
v
God is the Living God.
v
God is steadfast forever.
v
God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed.
v
God’s dominion shall be unto the end of
time.
v
God delivers and rescues.
v
God works signs and wonders in heaven and
in earth.
v
God is able to control the beasts of
nature.
Two Responsibilities of Men
Daniel 6:26
Men have two great responsibilities, to tremble
before God and to fear him. When the greatness of God is realized and when the
heart of man learns to tremble and fear Him, then the natural order of creation
is restored and righteousness is manifested. We can commit ourselves to the
great and terrible God who is able to deliver us not only from sin, but also
from sin itself through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 6
1. List five characteristics of
sin.
Answer.
v
Sin is built
upon falsehood.
v
It is the
nature of sin to want to appear to be more powerful then it is.
v
Sin disguises
itself as wisdom and reasonableness.
v
Sin operates in
secret.
v
Sin finds
unholy boldness in concert with others.
v
Sin always
appeals to the vanity of man. Etc.
2. Give four responses of the
Savior to sin.
Answer.
v
Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of
the Devil.
v
Jesus Christ is not afraid of what sin
can do.
v
Jesus Christ knows what sin will do
before sin acts.
v
Jesus brings calmness to chaos.
3. What are the seven
characteristics of false accusers?
Answer.
Seven Characteristics of False Accusers
v
False accusers are shameless. They will
take the righteousness of another person and use it to their advantage.
v
False accusers are bold. Like their
father the devil, they are as roaring lions seeking whom they may devour.
v
False accusers are persuasive. The
natural gifts of logic, oratory, and simplicity of thought are used to advance
unholy causes.
v
False accusers love conspiracy. There is
the thrilling of living on the edge of propriety just beyond the law. Where the
Law of God is not respected, individuals become a law unto themselves.
v
False accusers are often successful.
Reputations are ruined, possessions are acquired, power is gained, the contest
of the will is won. But the God in heaven has not finished. He too will have
something to say about every situation.
v
False accusers will not escape a just
judgment in time or in eternity.
v
False accusers will cause others who are
innocent to share their same sinful fate. Proverbs 11:8 says, "The righteous is delivered out of
trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead."
4. Provide eight truths about God.
Answer.
v
God is personal for He is called "the God of Daniel."
v
God is the Living God.
v
God is steadfast forever.
v
God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed.
v
God’s dominion shall be unto the end of
time.
v
God delivers and rescues.
v
God works signs and wonders in heaven and
in earth.
v
God is able to control the beasts of
nature.
5. What two responsibilities do
men have towards God (Dan. 6:26)?
Answer.
Men have two
great responsibilities, to tremble before God and to fear him
Personal Application and
Reflection
1.
What has been your
relationship to sin? Would you confess to any addictions? Did the Lord ever
give you the victory over your besetting sin? If not, would you seek out
someone to be accountable to?
2.
Write some simple
but personal slogans to help you over come areas of weakness or temptation. For
example: Jesus, Not Java
Chat Room; Grace, Not Gambling; or Purity
not Passion. Display these small slogan signs where you
can see them often.
3.
If you have ever
been accused of something falsely share that experience. Has it changed the way
you speak about others?
4.
List five precious
personal truths about God that are dear to your heart.
5.
Do you tremble
before God? Do you fear Him? What evidence is there that you fear God?
Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in
haste unto the den of lions.20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a
lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel,
servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to
deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king,
live-forever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths,
that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me;
and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
6:1-5 From this
portion of the biblical narrative we are reminded of several spiritual truths.
1.
Sometimes great honors will come to God's
servants. The Lord allowed Daniel to be appointed Prime Minister of State in
charge of the royal treasury and the great seal of commerce. This is not
normally the case. Usually, Christians are not recognized in time but the
people of God do need heroes of the faith. We read in the book of Hebrews about
Faith's Hall of Fame and are stimulated to good works.
2.
Daniel was a great man. He greatness was
derived, not from his position of secular honor, but from his life of private
prayer and fellowship with the Lord.
3.
Despite his personal, spiritual
greatness, Daniel had great enemies who were jealous of him. He was from the
old order and therefore suspicious. Some thought he could not trusted. Others
believe he could not be faithful to Darius. Most just did like his obvious
goodness grounded in faith.
4.
The hostility towards Daniel was not
rooted in reason but in emotion. Reason was used to channel the feelings of
hatred and hostility but emotion was driving the mental forces to find fault.
5.
The primary emotion was that of jealousy
which is grounded in insecurity. The jealous person has low self-esteem and is
filled with many fears. Solomon observed that "for every right work a man
is envied for of his neighbor (Eccl. 4:4).
6.
One effect of envy is that it must make
everything bad. It does this in part by creating a negative atmosphere. A
spirit is set loose that is felt if not verbalized. This spirit overshadows all
else. Every word is weighted for hidden meaning. Every action is suspect.
Unholy motives are attributed. Secret meetings are held. Conversations are
whispered only to be covered up at the first sign of exposure.
7.
Once the spirit of envy is released
nothing less than the departure or death of the object is sought. Disgrace is
not enough. There must be the elimination of the person. Proverbs 27:4 says,
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous, but who can stand before envy?
8.
Because the eyes of others are upon us to
watch for our destruction, we need to walk with Christ. Despite his enemies,
Daniel walked with the Lord. He was at the king's service as far as the altar,
but there he left him and returned to God. Only with God is there safety from
the danger of envious men.
~*~
Daniel, a Type of Christ
v
Daniel was sent into a far country
(1:3-4).
v
Daniel was tempted by the world
(promotions, gold, and honor); the flesh (food, 1:8); and the devil (worship
for thirty days, 6:4-11).
v
Daniel had a singleness of mind (1:8).
v
Daniel was undefiled (1:8).
v
Daniel grew in favor with God and man
(1:9).
v
Daniel was able to reveal the innermost
thoughts of men (2:19-45).
v
Daniel was a prophet when he made
predictions of things to come; he was invested with royal authority (2:48); and
he functioned as a priest when he prayed on behalf of others.
v
Daniel was accused falsely (6:13).
v
He was treated as one of the vilest of
malefactors (6:17).
Ø
He was plotted against (6:4-9).
Ø
He was ministered to by angels (6:22).
Ø
He prayed before the hour of his
persecution (6:11).
Ø
He submitted to unjust punishment
(6:16-17).
Ø
He was buried in a tomb where a great
stone was rolled over the entrance and the royal seal was pleaded to keep him
in.
Ø
Daniel did not have a bone of his body
broken (6:22 cf. 6:24).
Ø
He was brought forth from the place of
death alive.
Ø
He was forever free from the curse and the
penalty and the pain of the Law.
Ø
He was triumphant over his enemies and
saw them destroyed (6:24).
A Panorama of History from Babylon to
Rome
Daniel 7:1-8
Chronologically,
chapter seven should be placed before chapters 5-6 for the events take place in
the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, or about BC 541. However, the
Holy Spirit wanted to keep the prophetically division separate from the historical
division. Daniel is about 85 years of age when he had this vision. Sixty-two
years had passed since Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of the golden image. What Daniel
once interpreted for the king, he shall now envision in a new way.
An
angel will explain his vision from heaven (Dan. 7:16). In the repetition of the
dream of Nebuchadnezzar's to Daniel, the difference between a divine
understanding of history and a human understanding is made plain. When men look
at life they see gold, silver, and brass. They see wealth, power, glory, and
conquests. When God looks at the nations of the Earth, He see the true beastly
nature of humanity.
Men
are like rapacious beasts reflected in the lion, which devours, the bear, which
crushes, the leopard, which springs to kill, and the hideous beast. It is
instructive that the nations of the earth today still choose to project
themselves through beastly symbols such as the British lion, the Russian bear,
the American eagle, the Chinese dragon, the Persian ram and the Macedonian goat.
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon
Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the
dream, and told the sum of the matters.
2 Daniel spake and said, I
saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove
upon the great sea.
3 And four great beasts came
up from the sea, diverse one from another.
7:1-3
As Daniel's dream began, he saw the four winds of heaven converging upon the
Great Sea which may refer to the Mediterranean Sea, or better, to just a great
body of water. The four winds speak of the powers of the air which reflects
upon Satan and his great ability to influence and shape the nations of the
Earth as per Ephesians 6:12. According to Daniel, from the came four beasts.
They correspond to the four parts of the golden image seen by Nebuchadnezzar.
4 The first was like a
lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and
it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a
man's heart was given to it.
7:4
The First Beast
that Daniel saw emerge from the seething foam of the sea was like a lion except
that it had wings like those of an eagle. Daniel was familiar with the colossal
figures of lion with the wings of an eagle and the face of a man that adorned
the palaces of Nineveh and Babylon. This First Beast would naturally remind
Daniel of the symbolism of the Babylonian Empire and its first king
Nebuchadnezzar, the Head Of Gold of the Great Image on the plain. In the Lion
with Eagle Wings we discover a combination of the King of the Beasts and the
King of the Birds which suited the portrayal of the Absolute Monarchy enjoyed
by Nebuchadnezzar over the other nations of his day. As Daniel gazed upon the
First Beast he observed that its wings were plucked so that it was no longer
fierce though still powerful. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar became satisfied
with his conquests and turned his attention from war to building palaces and
pursuing peace. His heart was changed from that of a beast to that of a man.
This may allude to the period when Nebuchadnezzar's sanity was returned to him
and he gave us his beastly state that had tormented him for seven years.
5 And behold another beast,
a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three
ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it,
Arise, devour much flesh.
7:5
The Second Beast was like a bear. Like the lion, the bear is a very
strong animal and is noted for its voracity though it has none of the speed and
agility and majesty of the lion.
The
bear is awkward in its movements depending upon brute force and sheer strength.
These were the characteristics of the ancient Medo-Persian
Empire. Its military victories were gained by overwhelming the enemy with vast
masses of troops. Xerxes defeated the smaller army of Greece by opposing it
with 2,500,000 men. The movement of enormous bodies of men devoured much flesh.
The side of the bear which raised up to attack was Persia which was the
stronger and more aggressive of the Dual Empire. It is reflected in the right
shoulder and arm of the Great Golden Image. The three ribs that the bear had in
his mouth speaks of the three kingdoms of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt that formed
a Triple Alliance to oppose the Medo-Persian Empire
only to be destroyed by it.
6 After this I beheld, and
lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl;
the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7:6
The Third Beast was like a leopard except that it had four heads and
four wings. The leopard is one of the most agile and graceful of the animal
kingdom. Because it has a slight frame, it can move swiftly. The leopard is a
very fierce animal and serves as an excellent picture of the rapid conquests of
the Greeks under Alexander the Great. Unlike the Medes and the Persians,
Alexander did not depended upon mass mobilization of troops but upon small,
well-trained and well-equipped armies. In less than ten years he overthrew the
awkward forces of Persia and brought under his control the
civilized
world. The four wings of the leopard speak of the rapid movements of Alexander
while the four heads represent the four kingdoms into which his empire was
finally divided: Thrace, Macedonia, Syria, and Egypt. The beastly leopard
corresponds to the thigh parts of the Great Golden Image.
7 After this I saw in the
night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong
exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and
stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts
that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns,
and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there
were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this
horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
7:
7-8 The Fourth Beast was like no other creature that Daniel had ever
witnessed on the earth. It was hideous to look upon for it had teeth of iron,
nails of brass, and strong feet that could stomp. It also had ten horns with an
eleventh one growing out of the ten. The Fourth Beast corresponds to the legs
of iron of the Great Golden Image and speaks of the Roman Empire, which was
hideous to behold once it began its decline. As Daniel was about to ask for an
explanation of the little horn that he saw arise from the ten horns on the
Fourth Beast, he suddenly saw another
74
scene
within his vision. Before his eyes were brought a judgment scene.
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and
came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten
thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the
books were opened.
7:9-10
When the prophet Daniel saw the ten horns on the Fourth Beast, he knew
immediately that they stood for thrones or rulers. Historically, the Roman
Empire, when it was in its glory, comprehended ten kingdoms.
1. Italy
6. Sarmatia
2. France 7. Pannonia
3.
Spain 8. Asia
4.
Germany 9. Greece
5.
Britain 10. Egypt
The
symbol of the horn as a political image was well known in the ancient world. In
Daniel's vision, the horns were cast down by the Ancient of Days who sat in
majesty. Nine things are said about this scene. The Ancient of Days wore a
garment of white.
v
His hair was white like pure wool.
v
His throne was like the fiery flames.
v
His wheels as burning fire.
v
A fiery stream came from before His
throne.
v
Thousands ministered unto Him.
v
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before
Him.
v
The Court was settled.
v
The Books were opened.
Scenes
of judgment are familiar in the Scriptures. The Revelation of
Jesus Christ speaks about a Great White Throne Judgment.
·
Revelation
20:11-15 11
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the
earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I
saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered
up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to
their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the
second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire.
Paul
taught that we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
·
2 Corinthians
5:10 For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
·
1 Corinthians
3:11-15
11 For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if
any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare
it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's
work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he
shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Daniel speaks about judgment upon the Gentile
Nations. To speak about the judgment of nations is ultimately to speak about
individuals because individuals make up the nations.
A
modern day illustration helps to explain what is meant. After World War II, the
Allied Powers put the nation of Germany on trial for crimes against humanity.
How did the allied powers do that? First, they arrested the leaders of the Nazi
war machine such as Rudolph Hess, Albert Speer, and Herman Goering. Second, the
Allied Powers brought these war leaders before an international tribunal. The
court passed judgment upon the men. Some were hanged. Some were imprisoned for
life. Some were put in prison for only a few years. When it was over, the world
could say that the nation of Germany had been judged.
In
like manner, Daniel sees the nations of his day being judged. In Daniel's
vision the ten horns of the Fourth Beast are cast down. Later, in John's Vision
of the Fourth Beast, he is cast into the Lake of Fire.
·
Revelation 19:20 "And the beast was taken, and with him the
false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them
that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Both
of the prophets, Daniel and John, predicted the same thing. The nations in
general and Rome in particular would be destroyed by the Ancient of Days.
Who
is the Ancient of Days? Various suggestions have been offered. David The Elders
of Israel Glorified Men Angels The best understanding is to realize that what
Daniel saw was an old man or a man of gray hairs, in whose majestic form God
the Father made Himself visible. For those who lived in the ancient world,
respect was shown for others who were mature in years. Age inspired veneration
and gave the impression of majesty. Everything about the Ancient of Days was
wonderful and meant to produce the deepest respect.
v
There was His garment, which was white,
the symbol of majestic dignity and purity. There was His hair, which was also
white. Naturally, when people age their hair turns white. God the Father, as
the Ancient of Days, has as one of His essential attribute eternality. He is
without beginning and He is without end.
v
The throne that the Ancient of Days sat
upon was made of fire. Fire often accompanies the presence of God.
·
Exodus
19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended
upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and
the whole mount quaked greatly.
·
Exodus
20:18 And all the people saw the thundering, and the lightning, and the noise
of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they
removed, and stood afar off.
·
Deuteronomy
4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
·
Deuteronomy
9:3 Understand
therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee;
as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before
thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD
hath said unto thee.
·
Psalms 18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his
mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
v
Fire with power to destroy also is
designed to display splendor and majesty. The river of fire that surrounded the
throne is another dimension to what John saw in his vision.
·
Revelation
4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightning and thundering and voices: and
there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven
Spirits of God.
v
The fire around the throne was meant to
consume all that opposed God.
v
Thousand upon thousand and ten thousand
upon ten thousand individuals surrounded the throne. This vast number was there
to wait and worship and serve the Lord God Almighty.
v
There was to be a judgment. The court was
set. The books were opened for the actions of men are recorded in the books of
heaven.
·
Isaiah
65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will
recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
·
Jeremiah
17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a
diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your
altars;
·
Malachi
3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD
hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for
them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Here
the deeds of the Fourth Beast in particular and the Gentile nations in general
are recorded for judgment.
Divine Judgment, Divine Justice
In the moral universe that He has established, God has ordained penalties upon unrighteous behavior. Many scriptures warn about judgment and many examples are provided to remind us that the God of the Universe is a righteous judge who will not clear the guilty.
v
Divine judgment falls upon individuals
such as Ananias and Sapphira (Acts
5:1-11).
v
Divine judgment comes upon families
illustrated in the lives of Korah, Nathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:1-35).
v
Divine judgment falls upon communities
such as Capernaum and Nazareth (Matt. 13:58; Mark 6:5).
v
Divine judgment falls upon cities (Deut.
20:10-20) reflected in the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19).
v
Divine judgment falls upon nations such
as the Babylonian Empire, the Medes and the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans
and most of all upon Israel.
v
Divine judgment will one day engulf the
whole world (2 Peter 3:12).
v
The judgment that God inflicts upon
mankind is varied.
v
There is economic loss (Deut. 28:16-21)
v
There are outbreaks of epidemics
(Deut.28: 2,27,35)
v
There is loss of spiritual power (Deut.
28:22)
v
There is military defeat (Deut 24-26;
49-52)
v
There is a judgment upon the mind so that
reason is removed (Deut. 28:28; Daniel 6)
v
There is the disintegration of the family
(Deut. 28:30,32)
v
There is enslavement (Deut. 28:36-37)
v
There is the practice of cannibalism and
infanticide (Deut. 28:53-57)
1.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the Living God who is angry with the wicked every day.
2.
The harshness of God's judgment is
balanced by the greatness of His grace and the fact that God does not to His
creation what He has not suffered Himself (Deut. 28:1-14).
3.
One-day, the pain and shame and suffering
will cease. There will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein will dwell
righteousness (2 Pet. 3:12).
11 I beheld then because of
the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast
was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of
the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged
for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night
visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven,
and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him
dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which
shall not be destroyed.
7:11-14 In the vision of the kingdom of the
Messiah, the Messiah is called the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13). Jesus plainly
referred to this vision when He says in John 5:27 of Himself that the Father
has given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man. In
the vision of the kingdom, the Messiah is said to come with the clouds of
heaven.
Some believe that the
reference here is to the Lord's incarnation when He came into the world veiled
much like the glory of God which took possession of the Temple in a cloud.
Others believe that the reference is to the ascension of Christ when He
returned to the Father as the clouds received Him (Acts 1:9). Leaving Earth,
the Lord went to the Ancient of Days.
He ascended to His Father
and our Father and to His God and our God (John 20:17). In His return to
heaven, the Lord was welcomed.
The angels adored Him (Heb.
1:6) and the saints worshipped Him. Ten thousand times ten thousands souls
waited to minister to Him as He rules the affairs of the universe through His
kingdom. Concerning this glorious kingdom, Daniel sees that it is unlike the
kingdoms of this world is for it is universal and it is everlasting.
No other kingdom can make
this claim. Furthermore, the Kingdom of Christ is embodied in the Church which
means in part that, "The Church
shall continue militant to the end of time, and triumphant to the endless ages
of eternity." --Matthew Henry
Alexander the Great
Alexander
was the son of Philip, King of Macedon, and the beautiful Olympias, an Epirote
(Moslem) princess. He was born 356 BC Upon the death by assassination of his
father Philip in 336 BC, Alexander took his army and began a rapid world
conquest as predicted by Daniel the prophet (Dan. 8:5-8).
1.
Alexander led the Greek armies across the
Hellespont into Asia Minor in 334 BC and defeated the Persian forces at the
river Granicus.
2.
Moving rapidly (Dan. 8:5) he again met
and defeated the Persians at Issus.
3.
Turning south, Alexander moved down the
coast of Syria, advancing on Egypt which surrendered to him rather than fight.
4.
Turning again to the east, Alexander met
the armies of Darius the Mede for the last time and defeated them in The Battle
of Arbela, East of the Tigris River.
5.
He then occupied Babylon, then Susa and
Persepolis, the capitals of Persia.
6.
Alexander spent the next few years
consolidating his empire, and Hellenizing Asia through the establishment of
Greek cities in the Eastern Empire.
7.
He marched his armies’ eastward as far as
India where they won a great battle at the Hydaspes River.
8.
After this, the army revolted and
Alexander was forced to return to Persepolis.
9.
While making plans for more conquests,
Alexander contracted a fever. He died in Babylon in 323 BC, at the age of 32.
His empire was then divided up among four of his generals.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and
asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the
interpretation of the things.
17 These great beasts,
which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the
most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever
and ever.
7:15-18
In Daniel 7, the prophet has seen many angels in his life. During a vision
Daniel does not hesitate to an one of them to explain to him what was the
meaning of the images he has seen. "So
he told me, and made me know [understand] the interpretation of the
things" (Dan. 7:16). Responding to Daniel, the angel revealed two
simple spiritual truths.
1.
The four beasts, which Daniel saw in his
vision, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth (Dan. 7:7)
possessing beastly natures.
2.
Despite the ferocious nature of the kings
and their kingdoms, the saints of the Most High shall enjoy their own kingdom
of which there shall be no end (Dan. 7:18). When all is said and done, these
two guiding points do summarize what the saints in every generation need to remember.
3.
The kingdoms of this world will hurt the
saints and the kingdom of heaven.
4.
The kingdoms of this world will pass away
while the kingdom of heaven will last forever.
In
light of this, the objective for spiritual minded people is to possess the
kingdom of God. How is this possible? How does one possess the kingdom that
will last forever and ever?
First,
it must be realized that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom. It is not
made of flesh and blood, bricks and mortars, but is within the heart.
Second,
the kingdom of God is a present reality. It does exist right now.
Third,
entrance into God's kingdom is based upon gospel repentance.
Fourth, the citizens of this kingdom are
obligated to honor its Sovereign, king Jesus and to obey His laws as set forth
in the Sermon on the Mount and in the general epistles. If the church does not
give much thought to possessing the kingdom of God, it should.
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the
saints, and prevailed against them;
22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was
given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints
possessed the kingdom.
7:
19-22 While Daniel considered the concept of the saints taking the kingdom, his
mind went back to the Fourth Beast of his vision, the Beast that was so
hideous, it defied description. Daniel remembered how different it was (Dan.
7:19); how dreadful it was (Dan. 7:17); how an eleventh hour appeared which
made war with the saints, and prevailed
against them until the Ancient of Days came (Dan. 7:20).
It
is true that the kingdom of God seems to be at the mercy of the kingdom of this
world. Because of this, the kingdom of this world persecutes the saints.
Historically, and currently, the church is in a struggle with the kingdom of
this world.
Historically,
when the saints have lived out the ethics of their beliefs, the Evil One has
manifested himself by speaking great words against the Most High and wearing
out the saints (Dan. 7:25). But the good news is that in the end, the saints
shall emerge victorious (Dan. 9:26-27). Evangelist William Finnegan likes to
say that he has read the last chapter of the Bible and discovered that
the church wins.
Despite
the certainty of the victory, Daniel confesses that his thoughts still troubled
him but he kept the matter in his heart (Dan. 7:28). It is not hard to
appreciate the concern that Daniel faced for one of the great mysteries of life
is the problem of evil in and of itself. Why must there be a world of fallen
humanity? Why must there be a world full of sin? Why must humans hurt each
other? Why must there be a devil?
Why
must there be an angelic conflict? Why must there be a Calvary?
Why
must the pathway to heaven be through the valley of the shadow of death?
Over
the years theologians have wrestled with the problem of evil. How sin entered
the moral universe has not been revealed. That it is here is obvious. The
problem of evil may trouble us as it did Daniel and we may have to keep this
whole matter in our hearts. But we are not left hopeless. Spiritual victory
belongs to the saints.
The
Most High God will triumph. And all that love Him shall serve Him and obey Him
in an everlasting kingdom. With that in mind, we face the future of a better
tomorrow and a glorious forever.
23 Thus he said, The
fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse
from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down,
and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out
of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after
them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak
great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most
High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand
until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment
shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it
unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and
dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given
to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me
Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but
I kept the matter in my heart.
7:23-25 The Enemy
1.
Several suggestions have been offered as to the identity of Daniel 7:23-25.
v
Some have argued that the Fourth Kingdom
refers to that of the Seleucides (Syrians). The Little Horn is Antiochus.
v
Others contend that the Fourth Kingdom is
that of the Romans. The Little Horn is Julius Caesar and the succeeding
emperors.
v
The Reformation Leaders said that the
Fourth Kingdom was the papal kingdom and the Little Horn was the Pope.
v
Others make the Little Horn to be the
Turkish Empire.
v
The modern interpretation is that the
Fourth Beast is a Revived Empire that is still in the future.
v
The Eleventh Horn is the Anti-Christ.
2.
It is easy to see how every generation
has taken this prophecy to interpret its own situation or imaginations. By way
of application, this is not wrong for the principle is constant. The world is
at war with the saints. The world will hurt the saints. But the saints will
triumph.
3.
The future triumph of the church is
rooted in historical successes. For example, after the Syrian persecution under
Antiochus, the Jewish church emerged triumphant. It weathered the storm of the
Syrians.
Time
passed and the Lord Jesus was born. His kingdom was firmly established so that
today the gospel is to be found in every tribe and on every continent. For
judgment Christ came into this world, to rule by His Spirit, and to make all
his saints kings and priests to their God.
4.
Because of what has happened, our hearts
should anticipate the Second Coming of Christ when the saints shall judge the
world and sit down with Jesus on his throne in triumph over the downfall of the
devil's kingdom. When the Communist powers in Europe fell, there was great
rejoicing in the world. Such triumph of good over evil will be manifested in
greater way when Satan’s entire stronghold re destroyed. All of Christ's
enemies shall be made His footstool: Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Communism,
and Secular Humanism
5.
The Church should always keep in mind
that the saints will judge the world. Faith and obedience will condemn all
unbelief and disobedience (Matt. 19:28).
Though
the church is weak, frail, and divided, it shall one day be strong, vigorous,
and united. Light, holiness, and love will replace darkness, defilement, and
lust. The saints shall possess the kingdom forever and ever. "Because I live, you shall live
also." (John 14:19).
Questions and Answers on Daniel 7
1. What were the four beasts?
Answer.
Lion Babylon
Bear Medes – Persia
Leopard Greece
Hideous Beast
Rome
2. Describe the ancient of
days.
v The Ancient of Days wore a
garment of white.
vHis hair was white like pure
wool.
v
His throne was like the fiery flames.
v
His wheels as burning fire.
v
A fiery stream came from before His
throne.
v
Thousands ministered unto Him.
v
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood
before Him.
3. List seven places divine
judgments falls.
v
Divine judgment falls upon individuals
such as Ananias and Sapphira (Acts
5:1-11).
v
Divine judgment comes upon families
illustrated in the lives of Korah, Nathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:1-35).
v
Divine judgment falls upon communities
such as Capernaum and Nazareth (Matt. 13:58; Mark 6:5).
v
Divine judgment falls upon cities (Deut.
20:10-20) reflected in the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19).
v
Divine judgment falls upon nations such
as the Babylonian Empire, the Medes and the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans
and most of all upon Israel.
v
Divine judgment will one day engulf the
whole world (2 Peter 3:12).
Answer.
4. List at least four forms of
divine judgments God inflicts upon mankind.
v
There is economic loss (Deut. 28:16-21)
v
There are outbreaks of epidemics
(Deut.28: 2,27,35)
v
There is loss of spiritual power (Deut.
28:22)
v
There is military defeat (Deut 24-26;
49-52)
v
There is a judgment upon the mind so that
reason is removed (Deut. 28:28; Daniel 6)
v
There is the disintegration of the family
(Deut. 28:30,32)
v
There is enslavement (Deut. 28:36-37)
v
There is the practice of cannibalism and
infanticide (Deut. 28:53-57)
5. What should the church
always keep in mind?
Answer. The Church should always
keep in mind that the saints will judge the world.
Personal Application and
Reflection
1. Why do you think people like to name sports teams
and cars and service organizations after animals?
2. Christ is associated with being a “Lamb”
and “Lion” while the Holy Spirit is
associated with a “Dove”. Christians are called “sheep”. What are some of the
characteristics associated with these creatures?
3. Have you been the object of God’s divine judgment?
What form did it take?
4. What is your vision of God?
5. Do you believe the Church is destined for apostasy
or greatness? Why?
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son
of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and
they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and
glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve
him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and
his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
7:7-8 There is another
interpretation of the Fourth Beast. Many Jewish commentators believe the Fourth
Beast is better identified with the Kingdom of Syria which was ruled by the
family of the Seleucides who were very cruel and oppressive of the Jews. The
Syrians were more vicious than the other empires in that they made the Jews
renounce their religion. Their armies and commanders were the great iron teeth
with which they devoured and broke in piece the people of God. The ten horns
are supposed to be the ten kings that reigned successively in Syria. The little
horn is Antiochus Epiphanes, the last of the ten kings, who by forced,
undermined three of the kings and took control of the government. He was a man
of great ingenuity re-flected in the eyes of the
eleventh horn like the eyes of a man. Antiochus was also very bold having a "mouth speaking great things."
Because he was an evil genius, Antiochus was able to inflict much pain on the
Jews. In BC 166 Antiochus inflicted religious horror upon the Jews as he
desecrated the Temple altar by offering a swine upon it. Whether the Fourth
Beast is Syria or Rome or a pre-view of Rome does not matter as much as the
message that God wanted His people to hear so they could be comforted. Three
things are presented that would bring comfort to a hurting people.
v
First, there is a judgment to come and
God is the Judge (Dan. 7:9). The judgment scene of Daniel 7:10 is intended to
convey God's wise and righteous government of the world by His providence (Psa.
103:19). There is a God that judges the injustices that occurs in the affairs
of men (Psa. 58:11).
v
Second, the proud and cruel enemies of
the Church of God will definitely be dealt with in due time (7:11-12).
Typically, this truth is reflected in the fact that the Syrian Empire was
eventually destroyed. Antiochus himself died of a miserable disease in BC 165.
His family was rooted out. The Parthians and Armenians destroyed the kingdom.
The enemies of the church do not go unchallenged.
v
Third, the kingdom of the Messiah shall
be setup and established in the world despite all of the opposition of the
powers of darkness.
Introduction to Daniel 8
A Witness and a Guide
Daniel 8:1-14
The
contents of this chapter address only the prophetic events that were to be
fulfilled in the Media-Persia and Greek empires following the decline of
Babylon. The writing returns to the Hebrew text from the Chaldean of chapters
2-7 so that the Jews might know what the future was to hold. Two truths are set
before the Israelites: the future would bring great political and personal
trouble for the Jews but the days of great tribulation were numbered. These two
truths were part of the vision, which Daniel saw. the Vision of The Ram And He
Goat (Dan. 8:1-14). The Little Horn was given victory against the people of
God. According to the Angelic
interpretation the Ram signifies the Media-Persian Empire
1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar
a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto
me at the first.
2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I
saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and
I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
8:1-2 This vision which Daniel had took place
in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar (c. 553 BC) which proved to be his
last year. Chronologically, this vision takes place before chapter 5.
It reminded Daniel of a former vision which
appeared in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar (c. 555 BC). The scene of
this vision was at Shushan, the palace, one of the royal cities of Persia.
Daniel was not in Shushan in person for he was still in Babylon. "The soul may be at liberty when the body is
in captivity". – M. Henry.
3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold,
there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were
high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
8:3
Daniel saw a ram with two large horns. One horn was higher than the other was.
The two horns foretold the empires of the Medes and the Persians. The kingdom
of Persia rose last but higher under the leadership of Cyrus the Great. Daniel
saw the ram pushing all round. It pushed: westward, towards Babylon, Syria,
Greece and Asia; northward, towards the Lydians, Armenians, and Scythians;
southward, towards Arabia, Ethiopia, and Egypt. In time, the ram, normally an
animal preyed upon, became so formidable that the other beasts could not stand
before him nor escape his sphere of influence if attacked by him.
4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and
southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that
could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became
great.
8:4 This Ram-King thought himself to be great
because he did whatsoever ever he wanted to. However, true greatness is to do
good to others.
5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came
from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and
the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
8:5
Finally, the Ram-King was overcome by a He Goat-King, which was Alexander the
Great, the son of Philip of Macedonia. Alexander, as predicted came from the
west, from Greece. He came "on the
face of the earth" which means that he conquered his known world and
then he sat down to weep because there were no more worlds to be conquered.
Perhaps it was he whom Jesus had in mind when the Lord said, "What shall it profit a man if he gain
the whole world and lose his own soul"
8: 5 touched not the ground. The He
Goat-King "touched not the ground."
He seemed to have the ability to fly. It was speed, which characterized the
movement of Alexander and his army. With a small force of only 30,000 men and
5,000 horses, Alexander crushed the larger armies of his enemies and their
empires fell to him.
8:5
As Daniel continued to look at the He Goat-King, he noticed that a prominent
horn grew between the eyes, like a unicorn. The horn speaks of great power.
With great power and fury the He Goat-King moved against the Ram-King, which
again is a foretelling of how Alexander would move against the Media-Persian
Empire which he did at age 26. Darius Codomanus, the emperor of Persia was
killed. He was cast down. The He Goat/King stamped upon him.
6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I
had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was
moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand
before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there
was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
8:9
This threefold biblical expression may reflect the three famous victories of
Alexander over Darius at Granicus, the Battle of Issus, and the Battle of
Arbela where 60,000 men were killed. In six short years Alexander made himself
master so that he could be considered a notable horn.
8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when
he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones
toward the four winds of heaven.
8:8
However, in the height of his great power, the He Goat King was broken, as
Daniel foresaw. Historically, that is exactly what happened. At age 33,
Alexander died suddenly. He did not die honorably on the field of battle as
would befit a soldier. Alexander died in a drunken stupor. He left no child but
only a memory of worldly pomp and illicit power and unhappiness. His kingdom
was divided into four parts ruled by "noble" personages or four notable
generals: one took Syria in the East; another took Egypt in the South. Asia in
the north was ruled by a third general while Greece in the west went to the
fourth.
9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn,
which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward
the pleasant land.
8:9 As the He-goat speaks of the
Grecian Empire so the Little Horn represents a Greek king that will set himself
against the Jews such as Antiochus Epiphanes (Dan. 8:15-27).
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven;
and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped
upon them.
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of
the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his
sanctuary was cast down.
12 And an host was given him against the daily
sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground;
and it practiced, and prospered.
In
Daniel's vision, from the midst of the four noble personages arose a Little
Horn which history knows as Antiochus Epiphanes or Antiochus the Illustrious.
At first, Antiochus was a Little Horn in that he was unknown. Once, he had been
a hostage and a prisoner of Rome. Making his escape from captivity, Antiochus
rose to leadership position in the army. He made a successful campaign against
Egypt in the South and then Persia and Armenia in the East as Daniel had
foretold (Dan. 8:9). What is of particular importance is not his military
victories against warring nations but his hostility against the Jews (Dan.
8:9). He attacked the "pleasant land" [Palestine] to hurt "the
host of heaven."
Some,
like Eleazar and his seven brethren, Antiochus tortured and killed because they
would not eat pig (2 Macc 6:7). Others, such as the High Priest Onias, were
stripped of their dignity. Antiochus magnified himself like Pharaoh of old who
asked in contempt, "Who is the
Lord?" "But remember, those who persecute the people of God
persecute God Himself" (M. Henry). In addition to the torturing of the
innocent and the humiliation of the holy ones of Israel, Antiochus took away
the daily sacrifices. The morning and the evening lambs which God had appointed
to be offered every day upon His altar were restrained. These sacrifices spoke
of constant fellowship with the Lord through the shedding of blood. There was
the daily delight of the Jews. Now the sacrifices were made to cease. Antiochus
also cast down the place of his sanctuary. He did not burn and demolish the
Temple but he did profane it by setting up the image of
Jupiter
Olympius in it and offering pig's blood upon the altar. In his evil ways
Antiochus did prosper...for 2,300 days [6 years 3 months 18 days]. Concerning
this reign of spiritual terror and political perversion several things must be
remembered.
v
Antiochus could not have done the evil,
which he did if God had not permitted him to do it. The saints must not forget
that the enemies of the Church are but a rod in God's hands.
v
God would not have permitted harm to come
to His people if they had not provoked Him to anger as per Isaiah 42:24.
13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another
saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How
long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression
of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under
foot?
14 And he said unto me, Unto
two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
8:13-14
There is a principle here that transcends time. When a ministry is destroyed,
it is usually because there is sin in the sanctuary that has not been dealt
with by the spiritual leadership, or the spiritual leadership has been
rejected. Once individuals find justification for rejecting spiritual
leadership apart from Scriptural grounds they become an authority to themselves
and since they have no authority higher than themselves, the fruit of their
labors is
certain
to rot. Following their Babylonian Captivity, God knew the Jews would reject
spiritual authority. They would display a contempt for holy things as per
Malachi 1:7,8. Therefore, God is justified to forewarn His church that He will
deprive individuals of the privileges of His house because they despise and
reject spiritual authority and godly counsel. People who reject the privilege
of assembling and who refuse to listen to the proclamation of God's Word will
find themselves unable to do the same.
God
has a way of using our own sinful emotions and unjustified anger to judge us so
that we no longer want to come to God's house. Those who show contempt to His
ministers and His word and glory will know the heavy hand of divine discipline.
And yet, though God becomes angry with His people and judges them, He will not
leave them forever according to Daniel 8:13-14. The time will come when the
sanctuary will be cleansed.
According
to Josephus, the Jewish community believes that this prophecy found fulfillment
when Menelaus the High Priest in the 142nd year, the 6-month and on the 6th
day of the Kingdom of the Seleucide was deposed. Worship was not restored until
the 148the year, the 9th month and the 25th day of the Seleucide dynasty when
the Temple was cleansed.
The
cleansing of the sanctuary in any generation is always a happy occasion for
God's people. When the saints are reformed they will be revived. Matthew Henry
reminds us that, "Though the
righteous God may, for the correction of His people, suffer His sanctuary to be
profaned for a while, yet the jealous God will, for His own glory, see to the
cleansing of it in due time.
Christ died to cleanse His church, and He
will so cleanse it as at length to present it blameless to Himself."
15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had
seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before
me as the appearance of a man.
16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of
Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this
man to understand the vision.
17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came,
I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end
shall be the vision.
18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
19 And he said, Behold,
I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at
the time appointed the end shall be.
20 The ram which thou
sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
21 And the rough goat
is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first
king.
22 Now that being
broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the
nation, but not in his power.
23 And in the latter
time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of
fierce countenance, and understanding dark
sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall
be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and
shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his
policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify
himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up
against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
26 And the vision of
the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the
vision; for it shall be for many days.
27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
8:15-27
One of the foundational principles of biblical interpretation is to let the
Bible interpret itself and when it does, believe what is written. Much harm has
come to the Church of Jesus Christ because men who know better consistently
violate this simple rule. In Daniel 8:15-27 the Lord sends His Archangel
Gabriel to interpret the vision that has been given to Daniel. The
interpretation is plain.
1.
The ram which Daniel saw having two horns
are the kings of the Media-Persia Empire (Dan. 8:20).
2.
The rough goat is the king of Greece and
Alexander in particular represented by the horn that is between the goat's eyes
(Dan. 8:21).
3.
Following the death of Alexander, his one
empire became four (Dan. 8:22).
4.
The lesser kingdoms would not stand for
in the latter time of their existence, a ruthless ruler would arise. Since he
is opposed to the Lord and to His anointed, he is worthy of being called
Anti-Christ. Historically, the Anti-Christ, known to history as
Antiochus-Epiphanes IV (175-163 B.C), which Daniel saw was to come had distinct
characteristics.
Ten Attributes of an Ancient
Anti-Christ
Daniel 8
1.
If Antiochus-Epiphanes IV (175-163 B.C)
was the anti-Christ of prophecy, then he was to be a king of fierce countenance
(Dan. 8:23), and he was. Antiochus was insolent, furious, and fearless of God
or man.
2.
He was a king who could understand dark
sentences (Dan. 8:23), which means he was versed in the hidden things of
dishonesty. He was a master of deceit.
3.
Antiochus was to have unusual power but
from a source beyond his natural abilities (Dan. 8:24).
4.
He was ruthless in conquest so he
prospered and practiced evil (Dan. 8:24).
5.
Antiochus was to destroy the mighty and
the holy people [the saints] (Dan. 8:24).
6.
He was a king who could bring about
victory through "craft" which means he was "wise to do
evil" through political intrigue (Dan. 8:25).
7.
Pride was to fill his heart (Dan. 8:25).
8.
Through his political platform of peace
and prosperity, Antiochus was to destroy many (Dan. 8:25).
9.
He was to be opposed to the Prince of
peace (Dan. 8:25).
10. In
the end, the king was to be destroyed (Dan. 8:25). Antiochus did die a violent
death. The description of his illness reads much like a description of the
ebola virus.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 8
1. Describe the general content
of Daniel 8.
Answer.
The contents
of this chapter address only the prophetic events that were to be fulfilled in
the Media-Persia and Greek empires following the decline of Babylon.
2. Who was the greatest leader
of the Persian empire?
Answer.
History
calls the greatest leader of the Persian Empire Cyrus the Great.
3. Who is the “Little Horn”
of Daniel’s vision?
Answer. In Daniel's vision, from
the midst of the four noble personages arose a Little Horn which history knows
as Antiochus Epiphanes.
4. When is a ministry
destroyed?
Answer.
When a
ministry is destroyed, it is usually because there is sin in the sanctuary that
has not been dealt with by the spiritual leadership, or the spiritual
leadership has been rejected.
5. What did Matthew Henry say
about the cleansing of the church?
Answer.
Matthew Henry reminds
us that, "Though the righteous God
may, for the correction of His people, suffer His sanctuary to be profaned for
a while, yet the jealous God will, for His own glory, see to the cleansing of
it in due time.
1. Have you ever fainted under spiritual stress as
Daniel (Dan. 8:27)? Why?
2. Saints speak often one to another about spiritual
matters (Dan. 8:13). Do you enjoy holy conversations about the Lord? Why or why
not?
3. Do you think the glory and honor given to Alexander
is justified? Why are men of extreme passions and violence given the title “great”
by the world?
4. Why are so many Christians fascinated with the concept
of a coming anti-Christ whom they believe is going to rule the world for seven
years. Is there any biblical evidence for this?
5. Since 1989 and the collapse of the “Evil Empire”, the Soviet Union many new democratic nations have
emerged. Why then do so many Christians believe in a coming one-world
government?
Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the
transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and
understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty,
but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper,
and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the
holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in
his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy
many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be
broken without hand.
Leader’s Study Notes
8:1 Shushan was located on the
banks of the river Ulai that surrounded the city.
Shushan was in the province [district] called
Elam, a part of Persia, which lay next to Babylon.
~*~
The Biblical Prophecies of Daniel
A Historical Chronology
1.
As a youth Daniel had been taken to
Babylon by 604 BC He remained there until his death many years later as an
older man in his eighties. The world was constantly changing during these years
just as Daniel foresaw.
2.
Though Babylon had conquered Jerusalem in
586 BC, this great empire suddenly fell in 539 BC to the Persians.
The Persian Empire
1.
The Persian Empire conquered Babylon 539
BC under the leadership of Cyrus The Great. He died nine years later in 530 BC
2.
Cambyses, who ruled the Persian Empire
from 530-522 BC conquered Egypt 525 BC Three years later he died.
3.
Then came Darius I (The Great) who ruled the
Persian Empire from 522-486 BC. After he was defeated by the Greeks at the
Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, he returned home.
4.
Upon his death four years later,
Ahasuerus rose to power and ruled the Persian Empire from 486-465 BC He too
campaigned against Greece but was defeated at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC
Fifteen years after that Battle, he died and the empire went to Artaxerxes I.
5.
Artaxerxes I ruled the Persians from
465-424 BC
6.
Then came Xerxes II who ruled from
424-423 BC
7.
He was followed by Darius I who ruled
from 424-404 BC
8.
Next, arose Artaxerxes II 404-358 BC who was
followed by Artaxerxes III 358-338 BC who was succeeded by Arses 338-336 BC and
finally, Darius III, 336-331 BC
The Greek Empire
1.
Prior to the formal establishment and
growth of the Greek Empire, Greece enjoyed many years of isolated grandeur.
2.
They defeated the Persians at the Battle
of Marathon in 490 BC and then again at the Battle Of Salamis in 480 BC
3.
After this, Greece enjoyed The Golden Age
of Athens under the influence of such men as
·
Pericles 460-429
BC
·
Herodotus 485-425 BC
·
Socrates 469-400
BC
·
Plato
430-350 BC
·
Aristotle 384-322 BC
4.
Philip of Macedonian (359-336 BC) had
visions of grandeur which were fulfilled in his son Alexander the Great. During
the years 336-323 BC, Alexander conquered the Persian Empire and reached India
in 327 BC He died suddenly in Babylon in 323 BC
5.
After Alexander died, the Greek Empire
was divided into four spheres of influence because of the four generals who
took the empire for themselves. Gradually, by 275 BC, three leading kingdoms
had emerged, which existed to the Roman Period.
·
Macedonia.
A line of kings ruled until the are was made a Roman province in 146 BC
·
Egypt.
In Egypt a lineage was established called the Ptolemy Dynasty.
v
Ptolemy I 323-285 BC
v
Ptolemy II 285-246 B.C
v
Ptolemy III 246-221 B.C
v
Ptolemy IV 221-203
B.C
v
Ptolemy V 203-180
B.C
This royal dynasty
continued until Egypt was made a province of the Roman Empire in 30 BC
·
Syria.
The Seleucid Dynasty was established based upon the name of the first ruler.
v
Selecus I 312-280 B.C
v
Antiochus I 280-261 B.C
v
Antiochus II 261-247 B.C
v
Seleucus II 247-226 B.C
v
Seleucus III 226-223 B.C
v
Antiochus III
(The
Great) 223-187 B.C
v
Seleucus IV 187-175 B.C
v
Antiochus-Epiphanes IV
175-163
B.C
v
Antiochus-Ephiphanes V
163-162
B.C
v
Demetrius I 162-150 B.C
v
Alexander Balas 150-145 B.C
v
Demetrius II 145-138 B.C
v
Antiochus VI
v
Antiochus VII 139-129
B.C
~*~
Doctrine of Anti-Christ
1.
The term anti-Christ refers to any false
prophet and evil being who sets himself up against Christ and the people of
God.
2.
The term is used only in the writings of
John in the New Testament. It refers to one who stands in opposition to all
that Jesus Christ represents.
·
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the
last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there
many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
·
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that
denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denieth the Father and
the Son.
·
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this
is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and
even now already is it in the world.
·
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered
into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is
a deceiver and an anti-Christ.
3.
John wrote that several antichrists
existed already in his day-false teachers who denied the deity and the
incarnation of Christ.
4.
The Antichrist's primary work is
deception, which also characterizes Satan in his attempts to undermine the work
of God in the world.
5.
Satan's deception began in the Garden of
Eden (Genesis 3) and will continue until the end of time. Therefore, there will
be many Anti-Christs until the end of time.
6.
Those who worship the Antichrist will
experience certain doom through the wrath of God (Rev. 14:9-11).
7.
The Antichrist will always make war against
Christ and His army, but he is captured and is "cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone"
(Rev. 19:20).
8.
Although the apostle Paul does not use
the term Anti-Christ, he surely had an Antichrist in mind when he wrote of the
great apostasy, or falling away, that would occur before the return of Christ:
·
2
Thess 2:3-12 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called
God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,
shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with
you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might
be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only
he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall
that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his
mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose
coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should
believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but
had pleasure in unrighteousness.
9.
The future Antichrist is also called the
lawless one who, empowered and inspired by Satan, will lead the final rebellion
against God, but will be destroyed at the coming of the Lord. Paul urges
believers to stand firm in the faith and not be deceived by the Antichrist who
will display "all kinds of
counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders" (2 Thess. 2:9).
10. Believers
are warned not to be misled by the deceit of the last Anti-Christ or any prior
to him.
·
Matt
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many.
·
Matt 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you,
Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false
Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch
that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
·
Matt 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto
you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret
chambers; believe it not.
·
Mark 13:6 For many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
·
Mark 13:21 21
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo,
here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and
false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it
were possible, even the elect.
·
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be
not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time
draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
·
2 Thess 2:3 3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for
that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself
above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth
in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that,
when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what
withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of
iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken
out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall
consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of
his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all
power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
~*~
Practical Lesson from Daniel 8
1.
Daniel sought to understand the Word of
God. As it was difficult for him, so shall it be difficult to us to understand
all that the Bible teaches and yet there is a divine promise: "Seek and ye shall find."
2.
Daniel sought by prayer to understand the
Word of God and he was not disappointed (cf. Dan. 2:18).
3.
Daniel had a glimpse of the coming,
glorious Christ for he says, "there
stood before me as the appearance of a man" (Dan. 8:15). Who else
could this be but Christ for who would have the authority to command the angel
Gabriel?
4.
Daniel was exhausted by spiritual
revelations (Dan. 8:18). Heart work can be very exhausting. The angel gently
touched him and the prophet revived (cf. Rev. 1:17).
5.
Daniel was told that there is an
appointed end to periods of pain and suffering. God knows the beginning and end
of these seasons of sorrow (Dan. 8:19).
6.
When the Lord so wills, he can change the
heart of any world conqueror to protect and not persecute his people. One
example is that of Alexander. The conquest of Alexander was told over two
hundred years prior to his existence. The mighty monarch acted according to
promise. When Alexander drew near to Jerusalem Jaddas
the high priest met him. Upon seeing the high priest, Alexander fell at his
feet and prostrated himself before that God whose name was written on the
golden plate of the priestly miter. Alexander said that there had appeared to
him in Macedonia, a man just like Jaddas who assured
him of success in his conquest. Alexander believed he was the fulfillment of
biblical prophecy and so he protected and spared the Jews.
7.
In obedience to the will of God, Daniel
kept the secrets of the vision to himself (Dan. 8:27).
Introduction
to Daniel 9
The Prophet’s Prayer
Daniel 9:1-19
The proper study of this chapter should begin
with two questions.
First,
"Why was Israel allowed by God to be placed into Babylonian exile?"
Second,
"Why did the Exile last only seventy
years?" The human response to these inquires is that the world was
filled with powerful, egotistical rulers who wanted to expand their various
empires. Humanity has always been plagued with the Nimrod's, Nero's, Hitler's,
and Sadam Hussein's of this world. Every generation
has them and the ancient world of the sixth century was not exception.
The
Divine answer concerning Israel's history is discovered in 2 Chronicles 36:21.
According to the Word of God, Israel was sent into exile because the nation had
neglected a portion of her covenant agreement, which was to let the land rest
every seventh year (Lev. 25:4,5). For 490 years God allowed His Law to be
violated. Then, the Lord "collected"
the time owed Him of seventy years. Now the debt was paid in full in the first
year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus (c. 539 BC). Darius the Mede, as he is
better known, may be identified with Gobryas (Gubaru), the governor of Babylon
under Cyrus. He succeeded Belshazzar (Dan. 5:30, 31). Daniel discovered this
truth through a personal study of another prophet named Jeremiah (25:11;
29:10). Once he understood that the time of Divine judgment was over and that
it was time for the Jews to return home, Daniel began to pray.
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus,
of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood
by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah
the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of
Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by
prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my
confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful
God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that
keep his commandments;
5 We have sinned, and have
committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by
departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
6 Neither have we hearkened
unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our
princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 O Lord, righteousness
belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men
of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are
near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven
them, because of
their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
8 O Lord, to us belongeth
confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we
have sinned against thee.
9 To the Lord our God belong
mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
10 Neither have we obeyed
the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by
his servants the prophets.
11 Yea, all Israel have
transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice;
therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law
of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
12 And he hath confirmed his
words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by
bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as
hath been done upon Jerusalem.
13 As it is written in the
law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before
the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy
truth.
14 Therefore hath the LORD
watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is
righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
15 And now, O Lord our God,
that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand,
and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done
wickedly.
16 O Lord, according to all
thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away
from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the
iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to
all that are about us.
17 Now therefore, O our God,
hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to
shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
18 O my God, incline thine
ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which
is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for
our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord,
forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for
thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Fifteen Principles of Prayer
1.
Prayer is to be made to God who is to be
feared and trusted (Dan 9: 4).
2.
Prayer involves confession of specific
sins (Dan. 9:4,5-6,10-11). Some of the sins that Daniel confessed included:
rebellion and neglect of the prophets who had been maligned, mocked and
murdered (2 Chron. 36:16) Confession must be the language of our own
conviction. The exceeding sinfulness of sin must be realized.
3.
Prayer includes praise (Dan. 9:4).
4.
Prayer is based upon a covenant
relationship (Dan. 9:4).
5.
Prayer acknowledges the justice of God
(Dan. 9:7-8).
6.
Prayer appeals to the Divine attributes
(Dan. 9:9) of mercy and forgiveness.
7.
Prayer reminds God of the desperation of
a given situation (Dan. 9:12).
8.
Prayer remembers Scripture (Dan. 9:12).
9.
Prayer perceives the hardness of the
heart (Dan. 9:13).
10. In
prayer it is remembered that there is a consequence to sin (Dan. 9:14).
11. In
the act of prayer hope is found for Divine Deliverance (Dan. 9:15).
12. Prayer
pleads for grace (9:16) and reminds God of His honor before others (Dan.
9:16b).
13. Prayer
longs for peace so that face-to-face fellowship can be restored (Dan. 9:17).
14. True
prayer is characterized by passion (Dan. 9:18-19).
20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the
man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to
fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said,
O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill
and understanding.
23 At the beginning of
thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for
thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the
vision.
9:20-23
Sometimes when we pray, the Lord answers but in an unexpected way. Daniel has
been asking the Lord foreknowledge as to when the seventy weeks of the Babylonian
Captivity was to end (9:20). That they would end, the prophet was certain
because he had been reading the prophet Jeremiah. Instead of giving that little
tidbit of information, the angel Gabriel was sent to show the
Lord's
servant a grandeur view of the future than he had asked for (9:21-23). Gabriel
shows Daniel that there are seventy weeks determined relative to a
redemption
from another sort of captivity, which shall begin with the going forth of the
edict to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. The captivity shall terminate with the
death of Messiah the Prince, and the total abolition of the Jewish sacrifices
(9:24). The details of this general prophecy are provided in verses 24-27.
24 Seventy weeks are
determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression,
and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to
bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and
to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know
therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to
restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks
[7 weeks x 7 years = 49 years], and three score and two weeks [62
weeks x 7 years = 434 years]: the street shall be built
again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
9:25
the Going forth of the Commandment.
1.
When did the command go forth to restore
and to build Jerusalem? If that date can be identified then 490 years later
Messiah the Prince would come.
2.
History records Four Decrees concerning
Israel following the Babylonian Exile.
v
The
First Decree was given by Cyrus the Great in BC 536
according to Ezra 1:1-4. This proclamation is confirmed in 2 Chronicles
36:22-23. It is instructive that 176 years before he took the throne, the Lord
had already spoken of him by name through the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 44:28). It
may be significant that Cyrus says nothing in the decree about "restoring and rebuilding
Jerusalem." Only the "House
of the Lord" or the Temple is mentioned.
v
The
Second Decree was given by Darius the Mede in BC 519. It is
recorded in Ezra 6:1-12. In Ezra 5:1-17 we discover that those who were trying
to rebuild the Temple were being opposed on the basis that they had no
authority to work. An appeal was made to Darius to make a search in the king's
treasure house in Babylon, which was done. The search revealed the Decree of
Cyrus. Therefore, Darius' Decree is simply a re-affirmation of the Decree of
Cyrus with penalties attached. Again, in the Second Decree, nothing is said
about restoring and rebuilding the City, thus confirming the limitation of
Cyrus' decree to the Temple.
v
The
Third Decree was that of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, in BC
458. This was simply a letter giving Ezra permission to go up to Jerusalem and
take with him some of the Priests and Levites, with authority to collect gold
and silver to
purchase
bullocks, rams, and lambs for offerings in the Temple.
If
necessary, the King's Treasurers could also be asked to give to the extent of
"an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of
wheat,
and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt
without prescribing how much" (Ezra 7:11-22). There is nothing in this
Decree that had anything to do with restoring or rebuilding Jerusalem.
v
Artaxerxes
Longimanus issued the Fourth Decree in BC 445, in the
twentieth year of his reign as recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-8. The Decree was given
to Nehemiah, the king's cupbearer, who was a very high official of the Persian
Court. Permission was granted to return to Jerusalem and to BUILD it. This was
a political, not a religious mandate. While the walls were repaired in 52 days,
it took Nehemiah 12 years to rebuild and restore the city, and re-establish the
Law. During this period there was opposition to the work from such men as Sanballat and Tobiah. It would
seem that this Fourth Decree fits better than the others Daniel's prophecy for
we read that, "The streets shall be
build again, and the wall, even in troublous times." Then, from that
period on, we are told that there would be 62 weeks or 434 years until the
Messiah was manifested to Israel. This took place at the Lord's baptism by
John. At thirty years of age Jesus presented Himself for public ministry and
was honored by the Father and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:13-17; Luke 4:16-19).
3.
Not every Bible teacher agrees that the
Fourth Decree issued by Artaxerxes Longimanus in BC 445 should be the place to
mark the "going forth of the
commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem."
Matthew
Henry prefers to date the going forth of the decree to the time of Cyrus. In
all honesty, every attempt to be precise in working with ancient dates will be
met with frustration. What is certain is that God kept His word. Forty hundred
and ninety years prior to the manifestation of the Messiah, prophecy was given
that He was coming. And in the fullness of time Christ was born.
26 And after threescore
and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of
the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the
end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are
determined.
27 And he shall confirm
the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall
cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate,
even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
The Greatest Prophecy Ever Fulfilled:
Daniel 9:24-27
In
order to appreciate prophecy, it must be kept in mind that the prophets did not
express their own personal views. The bible states plainly that the prophets
told what God the Holy Spirit instructed them to tell. "For the prophecy came not in old time by will of man, but holy
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21).
All
the prophecies concerning Christ were fulfilled (Luke 24:44) including those
given by Daniel. In Daniel's vision of
seventy weeks, the weeks stand for years to total four hundred and ninety (490)
years. The first sixty-nine (69) weeks measure a period of four hundred and
eighty three (483) years followed by the seventieth (70th) week of year or
seven (7) years for a total of four hundred and ninety (490) years.
Since
the first sixty-nine (69) weeks were literally fulfilled by the return of the
Jews from Babylon to Israel to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, there is no
compelling reason to believe that the final week is not also fulfilled and that
it naturally followed the 69th week in chronological order.
There
is no time gap indicated in the Scriptural narrative. There is a theory that a
time gap exists. (A theory, according to Webster's dictionary, is an unproven
assumption, or a hypothesis accepted for the sake of argument). It has been suggested
that a "Prophetic Time Clock"
stopped at the end of the sixty-ninth (69th) week of years or after 483 years.
The purpose of this time stoppage, according to the theory, is so that national
Israel can, in the future, experience the seventieth (70th) week in the form of
a great tribulation.
It
is argued that one day Israel (and the whole world) shall suffer for seven (7)
years while being deceived by the Anti-Christ who will lead the world into the
greatest battle of human history called Armageddon. Of course none of these
events are mentioned in the text.
The
basic question of concern is this: "Did
the 70th week follow the 69th week?" If the seventieth (70th) week did
follow the sixty-ninth (69th) week, then the "Postponement Theory"
and the "Prophetic Clock"
concept and all the
rest can be exchanged
for the simplicity of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever. It is
significant to note that Christendom did not know these theories until the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In contrast to these recently developed
spectacular theories is God's specific ancient wording to Daniel which was that
"seventy weeks are determined."
This divine decree, in context, does not allow the separation of one week from
the initial sixty-nine (69) weeks by a long period of time.
A
comparison of this passage can be made with other time passages in scripture.
For example, when the prophecy of Christ was made that He was to be buried and
rise again on the third day, there was no other day that the Lord could have
risen and still fulfilled prophecy. When Joseph prophesied of seven fat years
followed by seven years of famine, there was no indeterminate time between
fulfillment. When Jeremiah prophesied of seventy years captivity in Babylon it
all happened on schedule with one year following the next for seventy years.
The seventieth year did not find fulfillment hundreds of years later. God keeps
His appointments on schedule. A break or long postponement in prophecy does not
make a fulfillment possible.
Deuteronomy
8:22 says, When a prophet speaketh in the
name of the Lord, if the thing follow not [no postponement permitted] no come
to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath
spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him. Jesus Himself
said that the scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35).
A
careful examination of Daniel 9:24-27 reveals that the prophet wrote about the
consummation of Jewry, not its exaltation and eventual restoration.
To
be specific, Daniel was told of many things that would happen to the Jews and
to the Holy City following the Babylonian Captivity. It was decreed that
Jerusalem was to be restored (9:25) "for
the street shall be built again, and the wall even in troublous times."
The account of this work of rebuilding Jerusalem is given in the books of Ezra
and Nehemiah.
Following
the seventy years of Babylonian Captivity, God was determined to restore Israel
back to her land for at least four hundred and ninety more years as reflected
in the prophecy (9:24). The weeks of years principle can be found in other
passages such as Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:4-6.
In
that four hundred and ninety years period several things would happen in the
history of national Israel. Some would be good, some would be bad.
First, it was determined that Israel "would finish the transgression."
The transgression of Israel had for a long time been the focus of the messages
from God's prophets. It was for their transgressions that the Jews had gone
into captivity in 721 BC under the Assyrians and then in 586 BC under the
Babylonians. It was for their transgressions that the land of Palestine
had been made
desolation for seventy years. Daniel himself had confessed this by saying: "Yea, all have transgressed thy law,
even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore, the curse is
poured upon us."
As
sad as this was the angel Gabriel revealed to Daniel the distressing news that
as badly as Israel had behaved in the past, she would yet sin again to an even
greater extent. Yes,
Israel would be restored to her land following the seventy years in Babylon.
Yes, the Holy Temple would be rebuilt. Yes, the wall of the holy city Jerusalem
would be made secure once more but only so that the full measure of Israel's
transgression might be made complete for it was to be the fate of the nation
that the Messiah would come only to be killed by a mindless Jewish mob.
Turning
to the New Testament, we read that the Messiah did come to Israel. Jesus
knew what Daniel had said and the other prophets. After bringing a railing
accusation against the Jewish leaders the Lord said, Fill ye up the measure of your fathers... that upon you may come all
the righteous blood shed upon the earth (Matt. 23:32-35).
With
these words Jesus declared that the hour had come in His day for Israel to "finish the transgression" of
rejecting all the words of warning, all of the prophets, all the means of grace
even to that which was offered by the Messiah. There would be a terrible price
to pay by Israel for the transgression. Jesus predicted an awful doom upon the
beloved city and its people. Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come
upon THIS
generation (Matt. 23:36).
Again,
the Lord said, Behold, your house is left
unto you desolate. When the transgression of the Jewish nation was finished
as predicted by Daniel, then was
brought to pass the
words spoken by Peter on the day of Pentecost concerning Christ. Him, being delivered by the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have
crucified and slain (Acts 2:33).
Paul
confirms that the crucifixion of Christ was the crowning sin of Israel (1
Thessalonians 2:15- 16) adding that the wrath of God would come upon Israel to
the uttermost. The wrath of God did come. The year was AD 70. Jerusalem was
destroyed. The Holy Temple was laid waste. The blood sacrifices were made to
cease and the Jewish people were scattered t the nations of the earth.
Israel
had broken her covenant vow. Israel had tried to kill her Husband. Israel had
committed spiritual fornication. Finally, the transgression completed, the Lord
gave the true kingdom covenant blessing to a nation bringing forth the fruits
of Christ (Matt. 21:43) which 1 Peter 2:9 declares to be the true Israel of
God, the CHURCH of
the living God. Be ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Second, returning to Daniel 9:24 the
prophecy says again, “Seventy
weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city...to make an end of
sins.” The things that happened in Israel during the four hundred and
ninety—(490)-year period brought an end to sins. How was this possible? The
answer is the Cross. The wrath of man manifested against Christ (Psa. 76:10) at
the Cross-became the means that God used to put away the sins of the elect and
to make an end of sins. On the Cross, the Lord Jesus offered the one sacrifice
for
sins forever (Heb.
10:2). The Lord did not die in vain. He died in order to purge His people from
all their sins (Heb. 1:3).
The third expression in Daniel 9:24 is
also instructive. The prophet was told that, Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people
and upon
thy holy city ...to make reconciliation for iniquity.
Reconciliation
signifies the bringing back together those who were rebels and enemies. Man has
been a rebel against God by nature and by choice since the fall of Adam. In his
heart man has been disloyal and non-submissive to God. In His justice and
righteousness God has had to punish this revolt against Divine authority. Yet
the character of God also enjoys displaying grace and mercy. The only way for
grace and mercy to be freely expressed without compromising justice and
righteousness is for the sin issue to be dealt with. Sin must be punished
before there is a basis for reconciliation.
Selecting
the nation Israel to work through, God the Father decreed a plan of salvation
to be expressed in time with the end result being the making of reconciliation
for iniquity. It happened at the Cross (Col. 1:12-22). As a result of the death
of Christ, those who have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins
are reconciled.
The fourth truth Daniel was told by the
angel Gabriel is that, Seventy weeks are
determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, “to bring in everlasting
righteousness”. Jeremiah had prophesied of this bringing
in of righteousness. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise
unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall
execute judgment and justice in earth...and this is his name whereby he
shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Within
the four hundred and ninety-(490) year time frame it was determined by God that
through the nation Israel and in the Holy City of Jerusalem something would
happen to bring in everlasting righteousness.
Something
did happen within the specified time. The Messiah came to Israel and
established the kingdom of God in His righteousness through Jesus Christ (Matt.
6:33 cf. Rom. 14:17). History records that a work of righteousness was done in
Israel on a Cross-outside the Holy City. Christ was made unto us righteousness
(1 Cor. 1:30). For God hath made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).
The fifth fact the angel told Daniel was
that, Seventy “years are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city
in order to...seal up the vision and prophecy.”
In order to fully appreciate the meaning of these words it
must be kept in mind that the whole vision that Daniel was allowed to see, set
forth the goodness and the severity of God. The severity of God is manifested
in that He allowed Israel to continue their rebellion against Himself by
abusing the prophets and by killing the Messiah. The severity of God is
manifested in that He was determined to seal up the vision and the prophecy
(Isa. 6:10) for where there is no vision the people will perish. God can be
very severe (cf. Isa. 6:9-10; 29:9-10).
The
conclusion of the matter is that the spiritual blindness of national Israel was
complete when the Messiah arrived within the designated time-frame. Though the
Jewish leaders read the scriptures daily, they heard not the ancient voices and
so they fulfilled them
in condemning Him
(Acts 13:26 cf. Luke 23:34). Twice in the New Testament our Lord applied the
prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10 to the Jews of Israel (Matt. 13:11-13). By appealing
to the prophet Isaiah, the Lord taught that He Himself was sealing up the
visions
and the prophecies so
that the Jews of His day would have no more light from God because their
transgression against God was fulfilled. The racial Jew was to know the
severity of God. Only the regenerate Jew, only those who had the faith of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, only the elect of God would see and hear and
understand (Matt. 13:16; cf. John 12:37-41 and Acts 28:24-27 with Romans
11:22).
There
is a sixth truth the angel shared with the prophet.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city “to
anoint the Most High”. The Most High is the Lord Jesus Christ. Of Himself
the Lord said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken
hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable
year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).
For
three and one half (3 1/2) years the Lord Jesus did all of this before He was
"cut off for His people" (Dan. 9:26). All of the four gospels
describe in detail, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of
the devil; for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).
The
ultimate anointing of the Most Holy person of Christ came with His resurrection
as Hebrews 1:9 explains. He was anointed with the oil of gladness
above His fellows.
Paul declares that, God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is
above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue
should
confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11).
In
Daniel 9:25ff the certainty of all the prophetic utterances being fulfilled is
reinforced by further details being given concerning the time frame. Daniel is
instructed to know certain things. The prophet of God is to know that From the
going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the
Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks: the
street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Within
the four hundred and eighty three (483) years [7 weeks of 7 years = 49 years +
62 weeks of 7 years = 434 years or 49 + 434 = 483 years] from the issuing of
the royal decree to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem, the Messiah did appear.
When He came there were souls who recognized Him (John 1:41) because He was
expected (Luk2 25-35).
The
heart of Daniel must have shuddered at the next statement of the holy angel for
it was revealed that, "after
threescore and two weeks [i.e. after the 483 years] shall Messiah be cut off,
but not for Himself.
The
time period is plain. Within the first seven weeks or forty-nine (49) years
Jerusalem was to rebuild following the Babylonian Captivity. Then, after four
hundred and thirty four (434) more years the Messiah was to appear. Next would
come the final one week of seven (7) years.
Two
questions are raised.
v
Did the final, seventieth (70th), week
follow the sixty ninth week?
v
At what point in the Messiah's ministry
did the prophecy occur which would mark the BEGINNING of the final week?
The
key to understanding the answer is in the name "Messiah." After four hundred and eighty three (483)
years Messiah was to appear. After four hundred and eighty three (483) years
Messiah did appear to Israel at the river Jordan in the person of Jesus Christ.
Peter bore witness to this fact when he said that, God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
The
baptism of Jesus marked precisely when the seventieth (70th) week began. In
this seven (7) year period of one prophetic week the six predicted features of
Daniel 9:24 came to fulfillment as well as the features of Daniel 9:27. “He [the Messiah] shall confirm the covenant
with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the
sacrifice and the oblation to cease.”
The
pronoun reference "He" in
9:27 can only refer to the Messiah of 9:26 and no one else. The Messiah was to
confirm the covenant with many for one week.
The
word for confirm means "to ratify."
Since it is not possible to confirm or ratify something unless it is in
existence the covenant that the Messiah ratified must have been in existence.
Theologians refer to this existing covenant as the Covenant of Works, which was
first made with Adam.
The
provision of the Covenant was that obedience brought life and disobedience
brought judgment and death.
The First Adam failed
to keep the provision of obedience thereby breaking the Covenant of Works. The
Last Adam [the Messiah] did not fail to be obedient but fulfilled all the
provisions of the Covenant of Works. He was perfect. The Messiah kept all of
the Law of Moses and then He did more. The Messiah
instituted a New
Covenant of Grace based upon His substitutionary death at Calvary.
The New Covenant is an
everlasting covenant. It was instituted during the last week of Daniel's
prophetic vision but is destined to endure for eternity. This New Covenant Of
Grace is explained in detail in Hebrews 8 and 9. In Hebrews 8:8-13 and 10:15-17
the Holy Author of scripture declares that the New Covenant (cf. Matt. 26:28)
is the fulfillment of the promise of Jeremiah 31:31-34.
The
New Covenant of Grace, confirmed by the Messiah, is said to be made with "many" according to Daniel 9:27. Not
all people shall be saved but many will be. The New Testament agrees. Matthew
1:21 declares that the Messiah was to save His people from their sins. In
Matthew 26:28 Jesus said, This is my blood of the New Covenant shed for many
for the remissions of sins (cf. Isa. 53:11; Luke 1:16; 2:34; Matt. 20:28; Rom.
5:19).
While
"confirming the covenant"
in fulfillment of Daniel 9:27, the Messiah was able to, cause the sacrifice and
the oblation to cease. With these words the prophecy was made that the Messiah
would make an end to all the Old Testament sacrifices if not in literal practice
as least as to their necessity. Hebrews 8-10 sets forth in great detail and
with great emphasis the abolishing of the demands of the Law of Moses with all
the sacrifices and ritual. For the Christian community the sacrifices of bulls
and goats have ceased. Hebrews 10:9 is the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27. The
reality of the death of Christ dispels the shadows forever.
The
final important phrase of Daniel 9:27 is that which says the work of the
Messiah would be such that the way would be paved, “for the overspreading
of
abominations; he shall make it desolate, even until consummation, and that
determined shall be poured upon the desolate”.
The Revised Standard Version makes this passage a little easier to
understand: “and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes
desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolate.”
The
desolate was Israel who had killed the prophets of God. Israel had also
rejected the Messiah. Israel had refused to repent. Israel had crucified the
Lord of Glory. God therefore decreed that Israel would be made desolate in
fulfillment of Daniel prophecy and it was.
In
all of its essential parts, the prophecy given to Daniel was fulfilled. There
is only one other factor to consider and that is the reference by the Lord to "the abomination of desolation spoken
of by Daniel the prophet standing in the Holy Place" (Matt. 24:15).
As the Lord was fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel, He appealed to the prophet's
previous prediction concerning Antiochus Epiphanes (IV) who was the ruler of
Syria from 175-164 BC.
Antiochus
was the "little horn" of
Daniel 8:9. In a vain attempt to influence the Jews with Greek culture
Antiochus performed an abomination of desolation when he offered a pig on the
altar of the temple in Jerusalem to Zeus thereby desecrating the holy
altar.
With
that historical allusion in mind, Jesus, in Matthew 24:15 tells the Jews that
the same type of thing will happen again in their generation. The Lord had in
mind the destruction of the Temple by the Romans.
The
destruction of the Holy Temple would have happened soon after the death of
Christ except for one fact.
While
He was on the Cross-Jesus prayed for the people and God delayed the execution
of His judgment until AD 70 (Luke 19; 21; Matt. 23).
In
AD 70, Israel was made even more desolate for there did come one upon the wings
of abominations in the person of the Roman general Titus. In AD 70 Rome was
weary of the Jewish revolts. For three and one half (3 1/2) years Rome laid
seized to Jerusalem and finally conquered the city completely. The Holy Temple
was destroyed and the prophecy of Christ in Matthew 24:15, using a previous
typology provided by Daniel in the form of Antiochus, was finally fulfilled.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 9
1. Why did God judge Israel for
seventy years?
Answer.
The Divine
answer concerning Israel's history is discovered in 2 Chronicles 36:21.
According to the Word of God, Israel was sent into exile because the nation had
neglected a portion of her covenant agreement, which was to let the land rest
every seventh year (Lev. 25:4,5). For 490 years God allowed His Law to be
violated. Then, the Lord "collected"
the time owed Him of seventy years.
2. List seven of the fifteen
principles of prayer.
Answer.
v
Prayer is to be made to God who is to be
feared and trusted (Dan 9: 4).
v
Prayer involves confession of specific
sins (Dan. 9:4,5-6,10-11). Some of the sins that Daniel confessed included:
rebellion and neglect of the prophets who had been maligned, mocked and
murdered (2 Chron. 36:16) Confession must be the language of our own
conviction. The exceeding sinfulness of sin must be realized.
v
Prayer includes praise (Dan. 9:4).
v
Prayer is based upon a covenant
relationship (Dan. 9:4).
v
Prayer acknowledges the justice of God
(Dan. 9:7-8).
v
Prayer appeals to the Divine attributes
(Dan. 9:9) of mercy and forgiveness.
v
Prayer reminds God of the desperation of
a given situation (Dan. 9:12).
v
Prayer remembers Scripture (Dan.
9:12).
v
Prayer perceives the hardness of the
heart (Dan. 9:13).
v
In prayer it is remembered that there is
a consequence to sin (Dan. 9:14).
v
In the act of prayer hope is found for
Divine Deliverance (Dan. 9:15).
v
Prayer pleads for grace (9:16) and
reminds God of His honor before others (Dan. 9:16b).
v
Prayer longs for peace so that
face-to-face fellowship can be restored (Dan. 9:17).
v
True prayer is characterized by passion
(Dan. 9:18-19).
3. Total and then divide the 70 weeks of years of
Daniel 9.
Answer.
The 70 weeks of years totaled 490 years. This large number was subdivided into
483 years and then one week of 7 years in the middle of which the Messiah would
be cut off.
4. Can the dating of the “going forth of the
commandment” be given with absolute confidence and utter certainty? Does it
matter?
Answer.
Bible scholars debate when the commandment to return to
Jerusalem. In the absence of secular certainty by what of confirmation what is certain is that God
kept His word. Forty hundred and ninety years prior to the manifestation of the
Messiah, prophecy was given that He was coming. And in the fullness of time
Christ was born. He confirmed the covenant and was cut off for His people
thereby making the sacrifices to cease.
5. What was the abomination of desolation?
Answer.
1. Do you believe that Scripture can be broken? If
not then the prophecy of Daniel has been fulfilled. Comment.
2. Do you believe in the “Prophetic Clock” concept whereby
483 years of prophecy given by Daniel has been fulfilled but a final 7 year
period is to be given to national Israel to fulfill this ancient prophecy? Why
or why not?
3. For centuries the “prince that was to come” was
interpreted by the Church to refer to the Messiah. Then, beginning around 1830
the “the prince that was to
come” was assigned to speak of
the anti-Christ. Was the church wrong all those years? How did a Messianic
prophecy become associated with the Arch Enemy? Comment.
4. Do you believe there are signs that still need to
be fulfilled prior to the second coming of Christ? If so, what are those signs?
5. Having read the section, “The Greatest Prophecy
Ever Given” are you more convinced or less convinced the prophecy of Daniel 9
is fulfilled in the Messiah and the early church. Explain.
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and
supplication, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the
LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful
God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that
keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have
done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from
thy judgments:
Introduction to Daniel 10
A Vision of the Majestic Messiah
Daniel 10:1-9
In
the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (559-530 BC) Daniel had a "certain thing" revealed unto
him. That "certain thing"
concerned the events that happen to the nation of Israel in the "latter days." Three points
are made about the revelation.
v
It was true for two reasons. First, God
cannot lie. Second, the Lord does not have to lie for the future is certain and
established according to a Divine decree.
v
It was futuristic. No one would be able
to accuse Daniel of be an astute follower of contemporary events and then
pretending to speak for the Lord.
v
It was understandable. What was revealed
to the true prophet did not startle the imagination nor stretch logic.
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing
was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was
true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding
of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full
weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor
wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks
were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first
month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
10:2-
4 Prior to the vision being given to him, Daniel had been in a state of
mourning for three full weeks. The prophet was on a holy search for a message
from the Lord, which indicates that Daniel was a sensitive man to the sins of
his nation and his own heart. Daniel was a spiritual man who loved the Lord. He
was a sincere man who considered his prophetic office to be something not to be
held lightly. Daniel's sincerity manifested itself in that he ate no food that
was enjoyable, he did not eat meat nor did he drink wine nor did he bath fully
for three weeks (21 days). Finally, on the 24th day of the first month [Nisan,
i.e., March/April] as he was by the river Hiddekel, Daniel found the Lord. He
had a vision of the Majestic Messiah.
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold
a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of
Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as
the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and
his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the
voice of a multitude.
10:5-6 Daniel saw Man (Dan. 10:5). Though Jesus
Christ is God, He is true humanity.
v
The Man was clothed in linen (Dan. 10:5).
This could bring up the interesting speculation of what shall be worn in
heaven. The Bible tells us that there is a body suited for heaven just as we
have a body suited for earth.
v
The loins of the Majestic Man in the
vision was girded with fine gold of Uphaz (Dan. 10:5). Uphaz refers to a
geographical location in S Arabia which was a known for gold (Jer. 10:9).
v
His body was like beryl (10:6). Beryl
(ber'-il), refers to a precious stone, probably golden or yellow in color (Ex.
28:20).
v
The face of the Majestic One had the
appearance of lightening. It was bright and shining.
v
His eyes were red like lamps of fire.
v
His arms and feet shone like polished
brass which
v
His voice was bold and loud.
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men
that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so
that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great
vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in
me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I
heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my
face toward the ground.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me
upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
10:
7-10 This vision of the Majestic Messiah was shown to Daniel alone which speaks
of electing grace. It has always been a curious thing to men that some see
spiritual realities while others do not. Elisha saw angels which others did
not. Saul saw the resurrected Lord though others did not (Acts 9:7; 22:9). The
heart wonders, "Why?” The only answer has to be found in sovereign
grace. Only one thing is certain. Apart from Divine revelation and illumination
no one would ever see spiritual realities.
Those
with Daniel did not see what he saw. The prophet of God witnessed something
special. His associates only knew that a spiritual experience was taking place.
It was enough to make them afraid and flee (Dan. 10:7). Far better would it
have been for the men to have stayed despite their fear and asked God to be
gracious. In the end Daniel was left alone to see the vision.
This
spiritual experience depleted him of natural strength, which was good. It is
only when our natural resources are exhausted that we can be still and know the
power of God's might. Despite his physical state of exhaustion, Daniel could
still hear the voice of God.
The
voice of God has been heard by many people since the beginning of time. Adam
and Eve heard the voice of God as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God spoke to
Moses and all the Old Testament prophets. During the days of His humiliation
Jesus spoke to multitudes so that it can be said that many heard His voice. A.W.
Tozer says that God still speaks to the man who cares.
The
voice of God caused Daniel to fall asleep on His face toward the ground in
sweet security. There, Daniel stayed until a supernatural hand touched him. It
was the hand of an angel. His strength revived by degree until Daniel was able
to get upon his knees and the palms of his hands. So it is that we learn how
God's grace comes to us. It comes by degrees until we are strong in the Lord.
In this humble position, time passed. Suddenly, Daniel heard another voice
speak.
11 And he said unto me, O
Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and
stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this
word unto me, I stood trembling.
10:11
The voice called his name. God knows His own by name. The voice told him he was loved. We may have
trouble saying we love one another but God has no trouble telling us we are
loved. The voice declared that Daniel
would understand Divine revelation. Sometimes it is possible to make prophecy,
dark, mysteries, complicated and overwhelming. People love to create
complicated charts and diagrams. But God communicates in order to impart
information
to be understood. First, however, Daniel must stand upright for man is made in
God's image, which speaks of dignity. Always obedient to gospel duties, Daniel
stood but his natural heart still trembled (Dan. 10:11). With great
sensitivity, the angel told Daniel revealing facts. First, he was not to worry (Dan. 10:12) and
second, his prayers were to be answered.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear
not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to
understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I
am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the
kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of
the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of
Persia.
10:13
The prayers of Daniel would have been answered sooner except the Prince of the
kingdom of Persia had opposed the angel for three weeks. It was only when
Michael, a chief prince of the Elect Angels came to help his heavenly companion
that Daniel could then be reached. A
number of fascinating insights are provided by this simple passage.
v
Fallen angels or demons are assigned to
the kingdoms of this earth. There was a Fallen Angel that affected the kingdom
of Persian and another that affected the kingdom of Greece (Dan. 10:20). It is
logical to believe that there is at least one Fallen Angel assigned to America.
v
Though Fallen Angels are assigned to
nations so are Elect Angels. The appointed angel over Israel is declared to be
Michael (Dan. 10:21).
v
The Fallen Angels are in active conflict
with the Elect Angels of light. Caught up in the angelic conflict are the sons
and daughters of Adam and Eve. The life of Job illustrates this conflict as
does the words of Jesus to Peter (Luke 22:31) and the teaching of the apostle
Paul (Eph. 6:12).
v
Ultimately, the Fallen Angels must give
way to the Elect Angels but there is a contention of some sort. Whether this
spiritual warfare is verbal or physical or both is not certain. What is certain
is that the hostility is real.
14 Now I am come to make
thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the
vision is for many days.
10:14 latter days. The
term "latter days" speak of
a period of time that is in the future from the moment it is spoken. Sometimes
the term is associated with the Messiah. When Daniel heard he was to know about
the "latter days", he once
more fell down in silence (Dan. 10:15). After a while he was given strength to
converse, which he began to do in verse 17-19. This brief conversation of
Daniel was characterized by one-man thing: astonishment that he could speak to
angels. What kept Daniel going was a fourfold measure of reassurance.
v
Daniel was told again that he was loved.
v
He was told that he should not fear.
v
The prophet was instructed to enjoy a
measure of peace.
v
He was told that he should be strong.
When
the angel finally arrived Daniel was told of things to come.
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons
of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him
that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my
sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant
of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there
remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the
appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man
greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.
And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 Then said he, Knowest
thou wherefore I come unto thee? And now will I return to fight with the prince
of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 But I will shew thee
that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth
with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 10
1. What three general points
can be made about the revelation of Daniel 10?
Answer.
v
It was true for
two reasons. First, God cannot lie. Second, the Lord does not have to lie for
the future is certain and established according to a Divine decree.
v
It was futuristic.
No one would be able to accuse Daniel of be an astute follower of contemporary
events and then pretending to speak for the Lord.
v
It was understandable.
What was revealed to the true prophet did not startle the imagination nor
stretch logic.
2. For how long did Daniel seek
an answer to his prayer and what were the signs of his sincerity?
Answer. Daniel had been in a state
of mourning for three full weeks. he did not eat meat nor did he drink wine nor
did he bath fully for three weeks (21 days). Finally, on the 24th day of the
first month [Nisan, i.e., March/April] as he was by the river Hiddekel, Daniel
found the Lord. He had a vision of the Majestic Messiah.
3. State four facts about
fallen angels.
Answer.
v
Fallen angels or demons are assigned to
the kingdoms of this earth.
v
Though Fallen Angels are assigned to
nations so are Elect Angels. The appointed angel over Israel is declared to be
Michael (Dan. 10:21).
v
The Fallen Angels are in active conflict
with the Elect Angels of light. Caught up in the angelic conflict are the sons
and daughters of Adam and Eve. The life of Job illustrates this conflict as
does the words of Jesus to Peter (Luke 22:31) and the teaching of the apostle
Paul (Eph. 6:12).
v
Ultimately, the Fallen Angels must give
way to the Elect Angels but there is a contention of some sort.
4. How was the heart of Daniel
comforted by gracious words spoken to him?
Answer.
v
Daniel was told he was loved.
v
He was told that he should not fear.
v
The prophet was instructed to enjoy a
measure of peace.
v
He was told that he should be strong.
5. Define the term “latter
days”.
Answer.
The term
"latter days" speak of a
period of time that is in the future from the moment it is spoken. Sometimes the
term is associated with the Messiah. The New Testament reveals that since the
time of Christ the Messiah the church has been living in the “latter days”
(2 Tim. 5:1; James 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3).
1. Do you believe that fasting and prayer should be
part of the normal Christian life? Why or why not?
2. Have you ever been comforted by the Scriptures in time of stress? Do you have confidence that you are beloved by God?
3. Have you ever known angelic oppression? Explain how
you knew you might be in the presence of fallen angels?
4. Have you ever had such a sight of God that you fell
in fear before His presence? If not, would you seek such a vision?
5. How does a Christian learn to have a trembling
heart before God and yet not fear men?
Hiding God’s Word in My Heart
Daniel 10:18 Then there came again and touched me one like the
appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 And said, O man greatly
beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had
spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast
strengthened me.
Leader’s Study Guide
10:5-6
The Majestic Messiah
1.
The vision that Daniel saw (Dan. 10:5-6)
of a "certain man” can be none
other than the Majestic Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rev. 1:13-15).
2.
The One whom Daniel saw was dressed as a
priest. Jesus is the High Priest of our profession.
3.
He was clothed in linen as the High
Priest was so clothed on the special Day of Atonement.
4.
His loins were girded with a golden
girdle of the finest gold, which was proper for everything about Christ in the
best in its kind (M. Henry).
5.
The girding of the loins denotes that the
Lord is ready to diligently perform the work that the Father has given Him to
do. It is the great work of redemption.
6.
The shape of the One whom Daniel saw was
like beryl, which reminds the church, the Lord is altogether lovely.
7.
His countenance struck reverence in
Daniel and terror in his companions for His face appeared like lightening which
dazzles the eyes. However, lightening can also threaten and terrify.
8.
The purpose of this manifestation of the
Majestic Messiah is so that we might think highly of Him. Jesus is worthy of
all pre-eminence.
9.
The vision is also given that the church
might understand His interest in her salvation.
~*~
10:13
The purpose of the angelic messenger was to inform Daniel what shall befall the
Jews in the "latter days."
The term "latter days" is significant as it is used in eleven
passages in the Bible.
·
Num
24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will
advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
·
Deut
4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee,
even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be
obedient unto his voice;
·
Deut
31:29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and
turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in
the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke
him to anger through the work of your hands.
·
Jer
23:20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till
he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall
consider it perfectly.
·
Jer
30:24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and
until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall
consider it.
·
Jer
48:47 Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith
the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
·
Jer 49:39 But it shall come to pass in the
latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
·
Ezek
38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover
the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my
land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
·
Daniel
2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to
the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the
visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
·
Daniel
10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the
latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
·
Hosea
3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God,
and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter
days.
~*~
Kingdoms in Conflict
Daniel 11:1-20
As
he promised, the angel Gabriel shares with Daniel what will befall the Jewish
people "in the latter days." Focus of attention is given to
the kings of Persia and Greece in general and one king in particular known as
Antiochus Epiphanes.
The
establishment of the monarchy of Greece would be built upon the ruins of the
Persian monarchy (11:1-4). In addition to giving details about the Persians and
the Greeks, Gabriel will also predict what will happen in the kingdoms of Egypt
and Syria (11:5-20).
It
is from Syria that Antiochus Epiphanes would arise to do great harm to the
nation of Israel and to their religious ceremonies (11:21- 29).
Antiochus
had nothing but contempt for all religions (11:30-39) though he would use religion
on occasion to advance his cause.
In
the end, Antiochus himself was to be destroyed (11:40-45). One of the precious
things about true biblical prophecy is that at times it gets very specific and
detailed for we are told that this prophecy came to Daniel in the third year of
Cyrus (533 B.C).
The
angel Gabriel revealed the coming reign of four Persian kings who may be
identified:
v
Cyrus
(si'-rus; the sun), was the king of Persia (559-530 BC). Within 20 years after
becoming king of Persia, Cyrus had conquered the Medes, Lydians, and
Babylonians (549, 547, and 539 BC, respectively). His conquest of Babylon
during the night that followed a great feast.
v
Artaxasta
(Artaxerxes and Cambyses), 529-522 BC (Pseudo-Smerdis reigned from 522-521 BC)
v
Ahasuerus
(Darius Hystaspes) 521 to 485 BC.
v
Xerxes
485-465 BC Xerxes was richer than other kings and far greater in power for he
presided over an army of 800,000 men. Making war against Greece, in 480 BC he
invaded Greece but was not able to conquer it. He met with shameful defeat.
Going out in terror to hurt Greece, Xerxes returned with their scorn ringing in
his ears.
A Historical Translation of
Daniel 11:1-45
1 Also I [Gabriel] in
the first year of Darius the Mede, even I stood up to confirm and to strengthen
[Darius by giving him success in his wars, and after he had conquered Babylon,
by confirming him in his resolution to allow the Jews to return to
Jerusalem].
2 And now will I
[Gabriel] shew [to Daniel] the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three
kings in Persia [named Cyrus, Artaxasta, and Ahasuerus]; and the fourth [king
named Xerxes] shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength [and]
through his riches [Xerxes] shall stir up all [the Persians so that they want
to make war] against the realm of [Greece].
3 And a mighty king
[whom the world will come to call Alexander the Great] shall stand up, that
shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will [for being
worshipped as a god, he will begin to act the part of the same in his own
conceit].
11:3
Gabriel foretells of the conquest of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) and the
division of his kingdom. Alexander was the mighty king that was to stand up
against the kings of Persia. He ruled with great dominion over many kingdoms
with a despotic power as he did according to his will. The Medes and the
Persians ruled according to a fix law. But not Alexander. After his conquest of
Asia he was worshipped as a god, and as a god Alexander did all things
according to his will (Dan. 11:3). Upon his death, Alexander's kingdom was
broken and divided into four parts by his generals, as Gabriel predicted (Dan.
11:4). One part went to Cassander who took Macedonia
and the western part of the kingdom. A second part went to Lysimachus
who took Thrace and the northern part of the kingdom. The third part was ruled
by Seleucus who took Syria and the eastern portion. The fourth part went to
Ptolemy who took Egypt and the southern part of the kingdom. None of the
divisions of the empire went to Alexander's posterity (Dan. 11:4b).
4 And when [Alexander]
shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the
four winds of heaven [among his generals]; and not to his [family]. nor
according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up,
even for others beside those [of his own household].
11:
4 However, none of the four generals who took the empire ever achieved the
greatness Alexander enjoyed. Had Alexander's sons been allowed to reign in his
place, the history of the ancient world would have been quite. But predicted
that his kingdom would be "plucked up, even for others besides those"
of his own family (Dan. 11:4). Instead of glory, violence came to Alexander's
family. His brother Arideus, was made king in Macedon but he did not reign for
long because his mother, Olympias killed him. She then murdered her own
grandchildren by poisoning Alexander's two sons, Hercules and Alexander. In
death, Alexander the Great would have agreed with the writer of Ecclesiastes, "All
is vanity and vexation of spirit."
5 And the [Egyptian]
king of the south [called Ptolemaeus Lagus] shall be strong, and one [shall
arise] of [Alexander's] princes [from Syria by the name of Seleucus Nicanor];
and he shall be strong above [Ptolemaeus Lagus], and have dominion; [Seleucus']
dominion shall be a great dominion.
11:
5 As Gabriel continued his narrative he foretold that from the ruins of
Alexander's empire would arise two strong kingdoms (Dan. 11:5). There would be
the kingdom of Egypt, led by Ptolemaeus Lagus, a
former general in the army of Alexander. He is called "the king of the south" (Dan. 11:8). Also to arise would
be the kingdom of Syria, which was established by Seleucus
Nicanor
(The Conqueror). Seleucus became stronger than Ptolemaeus and the other former
generals of Alexander's
army
(Dan. 11:5). At one time Ptolemaeus had not less than 72 subordinate kingdoms
under him. Once friends and then antagonists, Seleucus and Ptolemaeus had
something in common and that was a strong hostility against the small kingdom
of Judah (Dan. 11:6). They both invade the land to spoil and exploit it.
Ptolemaeus invaded Jerusalem by deceit. While on a state visit of friendship he
moved against the nation much to everyone’s surprise for it was on a Sabbath
that he attacked.
6 And in the end of
years [Ptolemaeus and Seleucus] shall join themselves together; for the
[Egyptian] king's daughter of the south shall come to [Antiochus Theos], the
[Syrian] king of the north, to make an agreement: but [Berenice] shall not
[agree to] retain the power of the [political] arm [suggest by her father];
neither shall [Ptolemaeus] stand, nor his arm: but [Berenice] shall be given up
[by Ptolemaeus through divorce], and they that brought her, and he that begat her,
and he that strengthened her in these times [shall not survive the political
repercussions].
11:
6 In the years to follow, the kingdom of Egypt and the kingdom of Syria tried
to form an alliance through a political marriage (Dan. 11:6). Ptolemy abdicated
the throne of Egypt in favor of his son, Ptolemaeus Philadelphus, whose half
brother Antiochus Theos had married a daughter of Antiochus Soter,
who had succeeded Seleucus Nicator as king of Syria.
The woman’s name was Berenice.
The
political marriage failed to produce the unity of nations that was desired
(Dan. 11:6). In the end Antiochus divorced Berenice and took his former wife
Laodice again. Laodice was obviously unhappy with this matrimonial "shuttle diplomacy." Having been
once rejected and her children declared illegitimate, Laodice intended to get
revenge for she went on a murderous rampage. She poisoned her former husband
King Antiochus and then hired assassins to kill his former wife Berenice and
her son. There was a method to this madness. Laodice wanted her own child to be
crowned king, and he was. His name was Seleucus Calinicus. Such drastic
intrigue demands retaliation and it came in the person of the Egyptian,
Ptolemaeus Euergetes.
7 But out of a branch of [the] roots [of the now former Egyptian Queen, Berenice] shall one stand up in [the] estate [of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus his son and successor, Ptolemaeus Euergetes], which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the [Syrian] king of the north [the one is known as Seleucus Callinicus], and shall deal against [the Syrians], and shall prevail:
8 And [Ptolemaeus
Euergetes] shall also carry captives into Egypt [the] gods [of the Syrians],
with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and
[Ptolemaeus Euergetes] shall continue [to reign in Egypt] more years than the
[Syrian] king of the north.
9 So the king of the
south [called Ptolemaues Philadelphus] shall come into his kingdom, and shall
return into his own land [which is Egypt].
11:7-9 Ptolemaeus Euergetes was the son and
successor of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus. Gathering together a large army,
Euergetes moved against Seleucus Callinicus, the new king of Syria. He wanted
to avenge his sister's [Berenice] death, which he did, by putting Laodice to
death and by capturing Seleucia, the fortress of the
king of the north. He would have taken the entire kingdom had he not been
forced to return to Egypt to put down an insurrection. He did not return home
empty handed but carried the riches and resources of Syria back down into Egypt
(Dan. 11:8). The spoils of war included many princes, 40,000 talents of silver,
and 2500 precious vessels and images of gold. Because of the wealth he brought
back, the Egyptian priest bestowed an honorary degree upon Ptolemy and they
surnamed him Euergetes, meaning "benefactor"
(11:9).
10 But [the] sons [of
Seleucus Callinicus, Selecus and Antiochus] shall be stirred up, and shall
assemble a multitude of great forces: and [the] one [named Antiochus] shall
certainly come, and overflow, and pass through [the land from Syria on down
into Egypt]: then shall [Antiochus] return, and be stirred up, even to his
fortress [back in Syria].
11:10
Ptolemaeus Euergetes reigned for forty-six years,
which was longer than his Syrian counter-part in the north. When Seleucus
Callinicus, king of Syria finally died, he left two heirs, Seleucus and
Antiochus who are called in Daniel 11:10 "his
sons." It was their declared intent to recover what their father had
lost (Dan. 11:10) by assembling " a
multitude of great forces." Unfortunately, the elder brother Seleucus,
was a rather weak warrior and leader. Unable to control his army, he was
poisoned by his friends after a reign of only two years. His brother Antiochus
succeeded him. He was more ruthless and so enjoys in history the title of
Antiochus the Great. He reigned for thirty-seven years. It is to Antiochus the
Great that Gabriel refers in 11:10 as the one who would "come," [into
Egypt] "overflow," "pass
through," and then return to Syria.
11 And the [new
Egyptian] king of the south [Ptolemaeus Philopater] shall be moved with anger,
and shall come forth and fight with [Antiochus], even with the king of the
north: and [Ptolemaeus Philopater] shall set forth a great multitude [of men and
animals consisting of 70,000 foot soldiers, 5,000 horses, and 73 elephants];
but the multitude shall be given into [the] hand [of Ptolemaeus Pilopater at a
place called Raphia].
11:
11 At first, it did not appear that Antiochus the Great would have much
military success despite the angelic announcement. When the Egyptian ruler
Ptolemaeus Philopater, heard that this Syrian king was on the march,
Ptolemaeus
was outraged (Dan. 11:11). Gathering together 70,000-foot soldiers, 5,000
horses and 73 elephants, the king of Egypt prepared to do battle. On the field
of conflict he faced the Syrian army of Antiochus which consisted of
62,000-foot soldiers, 6,000 horses, and 102 elephants. The battle was fought at
a place called Raphia, not too far from Gaza, according to one named Polybius
who lived with Scipio. The year was 217 BC. When the dust settled and the blood
stopped flowing, Ptolemaeus Philopater had gained the victory over Antiochus.
12 And when [Ptolemaeus Philopater] hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
11:12
In the victory, he grew insolent for "his
heart was lifted up" (Dan. 11:12). In this inflated condition, while
in Judah, Philopater went into the Temple of God at Jerusalem. He dared to
enter into the most Holy Place and by so doing incurred the wrath of the Lord.
It was decreed that though he cast down many myriads, yet he would not be
strengthened by his military victories.
13 For the [Syrian]
king of the north [called Antiochus] shall return [with allies such as Philip
of Macedon], and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall
certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
14 And in those times
there shall many stand up against the [Egyptian] king of the south [named
Ptolemaeus Philopater]: also the robbers of thy people [led by the Syrian king
Antiochus] shall exalt themselves to establish the vision [as now given to you
Daniel by me Gabriel]; but they shall fall.
11:13-14 In the providence of Almighty God,
Antiochus was allowed to regroup during a thirteen-year period of peace.
Prophecy must be fulfilled. Antiochus refortified his army and returned to
Egypt to fight afresh against Ptolemaeus Philopater's infant son, Ptolemaeus
Epiphanies who was not technically the ruler of the land. Really in command of
the Egyptian army was a capable general named Scopas.
In
this second expedition the Syrian king, Antiochus did not come alone. He had some
powerful allies to support his efforts for "many shall stand up against
the king of the south" (11:14). Among the allies of Antiochus the
Great was Philip of Macedon. In the bitter battles to follow, Antiochus totally
routed the Egyptian armies thereby fulfilling the word of the Lord.
15 So the [Syrian] king
of the north [called Antiochus] shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the
most fenced cities: and the arms of the [Egyptians in the] south shall not with
stand [the sweeping conquests of Antiochus who will move from Syria through
Samaria, past Judah and on down into Egypt], neither his chosen people, neither
shall there be any strength to withstand.
11:15
Caught in the crossfire of all this ancient warfare were the Jews who decided
that they needed to side with one army or the other. Considering their options,
the Jews decided to unite with the Syrian, Antiochus the Great. Yielding
themselves to his rule, the Hebrews soldiers entered into The Syrian military
service to lay siege to the garrisons of Ptolemaeus Eiphanes.
16 But [Antiochus, king
of Syria, will destroy anyone] that cometh against him [and] shall do according
to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the
glorious land [of Israel], which by his hand shall be consumed.
17 [Antiochus, king of Syria] shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give [the young king of Egypt] the daughter of women [named Cleopatra], corrupting her: but she shall not stand on [her father's] side, neither be for him.
11:16-17
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the other Israelites discovered that the Syrians,
having become entrenched in the daily life of the nation through political and
military expediency, would be hard to get rid of. Divine help was needed and
divine help came for the prediction had been made that the presence of "the robbers" (Dan. 11:13)
would served only to confirm the vision
or
the prophecy that had been given to Daniel (Dan. 11:14). The promise was made
that "they shall fall"
(Dan. 11:14).
The
Syrians presence would not last forever though it would grow in strength for a
while.
One
reason for this is revealed in the fact that, embolden by military victory, the
northern Syrians, still ruled by Antiochus launched another attack on the
Egyptians. This time Antiochus and his army prevailed (11:15-16). Further and
further, the Syrian military might push into the southern frontiers (Dan.
11:17). Somewhere in all of this upheaval, about 193 BC, the Syrian king gave
his daughter Cleopatra to the child king of Egypt, who was only seven.
Cleopatra herself was very young and because she was so young, she was still
under the care of her mother and nurse as she was called "the daughter of women" (Dan. 11:17).
No doubt, Antiochus was hoping for some positive political repercussions and the cessation of hostilities but it did not happen. In a surprising display of independence, Cleopatra did not support her father's policies of conquest there by fulfilling Scripture (Dan. 11:17).
18 After this shall [the Syrian, Antiochus] turn his face unto the isles [of Italy and Greece], and shall take many [of the small island kingdoms]: but a prince [or ruler of the Roman senate] for his own behalf, shall cause the reproach offered by [Antiochus] to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause [pain and suffering] to turn upon [the Syrian, Antiochus].
11:18
Finally, growing frustrated with this phase of his foreign policy, the Syrian
king Antiochus decided to fight an emerging people in Greece and Italy known as
the Romans (11:18). By war and by treaty, Antiochus was able to take the isles
of these people such as Rhodes, Samon and Delos. Like
all subjugated nations, the Romans did not appreciate the foreign oppression.
Gabriel told Daniel that someone, a prince (Dan. 11:18) [either a Senator or a
General perhaps], would fight violence with violence. This prophecy was
fulfilled when two Roman generals, both named Scipios, were sent with an army
to fight Antiochus.
A
man named Hannibal had counseled Antiochus to invade Italy and destroy it, but
Hannibal's advice was not taken. As a result, Antiochus found himself on the
battlefield at Magnesia in 190 BC facing Scipio Asiaticus (11:18). With 70,000
men against the Romans 30,000, Antiochus should have won. But he suffered a
terrible defeat as prophesied (Dan. 11:18).
After
so many years of inflicting pain and suffering on others, Antiochus found
himself in trouble. At the mercy of the Roman army, he could either be executed
or kept alive. The Romans finally agreed to let Antiochus live provided he pay
them tribute money. Antiochus lost Europe, he lost Asia on the European side of
Taurus, he lost all but ten ships out of a fleet of three hundred and he had to
make an initial payment of 15,000 talents to Rome.
19 Then [Antiochus] shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land [of Syria]: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
11:1
9 Though he agreed to these terms, Antiochus did not know how to raise money to
pay his tribute. His empire was bankrupt and the land of Syria and Palestine
was devastated. In desperation, Antiochus decided to plunder a temple of Bel in the city of Elymais to find money to pay tribute to
the Romans. This, however, proved to be too much for the people. Enraged by the
desecration of a holy place, the people of Syria finally rose up against
Antiochus and killed him. He "fell"
and "was found no more" (Dan.
11:19).
20 Then shall stand up
in [the] estate [of Antiochus] a raiser of taxes [in the person of Seleucus
Philopater who was the son of Antiochus. He shall revel] in the glory of the
kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in
battle [but by poison administered by the hand of a servant who had been with
him for twelve years].
11:20 Into the power vacuum of political leadership step Antiochus' eldest son, Seleucus Philopater who was to reign for twelve years. In the end, Seleucus proved to be just as foolish as his father. Instead of lowering the tax burden, Philopater raised it (11:20). He also proceeded to try and rob the temple at Jerusalem. There was a public outraged and within a few days this foolish man was destroyed but not in anger nor in battle (Dan. 11:20). Heliodorus, a faithful servant of twelve years, poisoned him.
In
all of this political and military turmoil, there are important spiritual
lessons to be observed. Matthew Henry offers five thoughts.
v
God, in His providence, sets up one ruler
and kingdom and pulls another down as He pleases.
v
Life is full of strife and conflict that
come from the passions of men. Politics and power make a theater for the
expression of sin and misery as individuals are exploited.
v
All the changes and revolutions have been
foreseen by God. Nothing is new to Him. All things are foreseen because they
are foreordained.
v
No word of God shall ever fail to happen.
What God has designed shall come to pass. Even the sins of men are made to
serve the purpose of and contribute to the bringing of His counsels to the
birth in their season.
v
In order to correctly understand the
Bible in some parts, other sources have to be consulted. God is to be honored
for the general knowledge He allows people to study and preserve for great
service is often rendered to divine truths. The spade of the archeologist
confirms scripture as does the extra biblical historical narratives. Josephus
was not a Christian and yet his eye witness accounts of the fall of Jerusalem
helps to confirm the prophecy of Christ.
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person [named Antiochus], to whom [the leaders of Syria] shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably [pretending to reign for his brother's son, Demetrius, who was a hostage in Rome], and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
22 And with the arms of
a flood shall [his political opposition such as Heliodorus] be overflown from
before him, and shall be broken; yea, also
[Demetrius himself] the prince of the covenant [and rightful heir to the Syrian
throne, shall be killed].
23 And after the league
made with [Antiochus by the government of Syria and local rulers such as
Eumenes and Attalus] shall [Antiochus] work deceitfully: for he shall come up,
and shall become strong with a small people.
24 [Antiochus] shall
enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province [of Syria]; and he
shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he
shall scatter among them [the wealth of the empire and the products of war in
the form of] prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his
devices against the strong holds, even for a time [thereby bringing the local
military leadership and weapons under his personal control].
25 And [Antiochus]
shall stir up his power and his courage against the [Egyptian] king of the
south [named Ptolemaeus Philometer] with a great army; and the king of the
south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but [the
Egyptian ruler] shall not stand: for [his own political and military advisers]
shall forecast devices against him [because they had been bribed in secret by
Antiochus].
26 Yea, they that feed
of the portion of [the Egyptian’s king's] meat shall destroy him, and his army
shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
27 And both these kings' hearts [even the hearts of Antiochus and Ptolemaeus Philometer] shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at [the] one [conference] table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
28 Then shall
[Antiochus] return into his [own] land [of Syria] with great riches; and his
heart shall be against the holy covenant [which is the peace treaty]; and he
shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
29 At the time
appointed shall [Antiochus] return [into Egypt], and come toward the south; but
it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
30 For the ships of
Chittim [sent by the Roman senate] shall come against him: therefore he shall
be grieved, and return [once more to Syria], and have indignation against the
holy covenant: so shall he do; [Antiochus] shall even return [to Syria], and
have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms [supplied
by Jewish traitors] shall stand on [the] part [of Antiochus], and they shall
pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and
they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate [by offering a pig on the
holy altar].
32 And such as do
wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt
by flatteries: but the people that do know their God [such as Judas Maccabeus]
shall be strong, and do exploits [even to the point of being tortured for the
faith].
33 And [the righteous]
that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by
the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when [the
faithful righteous] shall fall, they shall be help with a little help: but many
shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35 And some of [the
righteous] of understanding shall fall, to [test them for the purpose of
approval them, and to purge, and to make them white [for in this way only can
saints be sanctified], even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a
time appointed [for God has ordained that all suffering will come to an end].
36 And the king [called
Antiochus] shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and
magnify himself above every god [including the Lord God, Jehovah], and shall
speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the
indignation be accomplished: for that [which] is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall
[Antiochus have respect for] the god of his fathers, nor [shall this debased
individual have any natural respect for the desire of women], nor regard any
god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate
shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not [but whom
he shall call Jupiter Olympius] shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with
precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall
[Antiochus] do in the strongest holds with a strange god, whom he shall
acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,
and shall divide the land for gain.
40 And at the time of
the end shall the [Egyptian] king of the south [known as Ptolemaeus Philometer]
push at [Antiochus]: and the king of the north shall come against [the
Egyptian] like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many
ships; and [Antiochus] shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and
pass over.
41 [Antiochus] shall
enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but
these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the
children of Ammon.
42 [Antiochus] shall
stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not
escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of
the east [concerning the Parthians] and out of the
north [regarding the Persians] shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth
with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
45 And [Antiochus] shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain [near a place called Emmaus]; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Antiochus Epiphanes
The Satan from Syria
Daniel 11:21-45
All the verses in
Daniel 11:21-45 deal with the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes who is the Little
Horn spoken of in Daniel 8:9. Antiochus was the sworn enemy to the Jewish
religion and a bitter persecutor of the Israelites. He was a racist and an
anti-Semite before the words were ever conceived. To prepare His people for
persecution the Lord predicted the rise of the Anti-Christ known as Antiochus
Epiphanes. Concerning this Satan from Syria four major facts are set forth.
v
His Character 11:21
v
His Crown 11:21-24
v
His Wars With Egypt
11:24-28;
40
v
His Cruelty To Israel
11:31-45
Concerning the character of Antiochus, it is
predicted that he would be rude, boisterous, crass, and sordid. History records
that Antiochus was all this and more. He would leave his royal court to go out
into the night and mix with infamous company in disguise. Some took him to be
silly, while others took him to be mad. Once imprisoned in Rome, Antiochus had
escaped to return
to
Syria. Rising rapidly through the ranks of the army, he was soon in a position
to try and take over the throne. Antiochus would come to power by political
intrigue as he managed to win the leaders of Syria to his side. These guardians
of the throne were not willing at first to give the reigns of political power
of the kingdom to Antiochus (11:21) for they knew that Demetrius, Antiochus'
nephew, was the rightful heir apparent. Wisely, Antiochus did not try to use
force to come to power. Rather, he came in peaceably (11:21), pretending he
wanted to reign for Demetrius only until his nephew could be free from Roman
imprisonment. Few people knew that it was Antiochus himself who had arranged
for Demetrius to become a prisoner of Rome. With the help of ruling princes
such as Eumenes and Attalus, and the use of flattering and persuasive speech,
Antiochus obtained the kingdom of Syria. Once in power, he moved to crush all
opponents such as Heliodorus (11:22). Anyone who opposed Antiochus were
ruthlessly overthrown and broken down. In the end, this included his nephew
Demetrius, the rightful prince of the covenant.
Having
consolidated his power, Antiochus entered into a series of diplomatic alliances
that were meaningless, because he never intended to keep his word. Beginning
with a small
support
base of loyal followers, Antiochus became stronger (11:23). As his political
strength grew, Antiochus Epiphanes perpetuated the myth that he had the best
interest of others in his heart. H entered peaceably into the most prosperous
parts of Syria where he proceeded to scattered among the people the spoils of
war. At the same time he was able to disarm the cities. In the hands of
Antiochus Epiphanes, generosity became a cover for taking political control.
Only later would people realize that he who came in like a fox, stayed to reign
like a lion.
Prior to the outbreak of his bloodlust, one of
the places that Antiochus plied his diplomatic charms was in Egypt. He promised
to be a friend and guardian of the young king Ptolemaeus Philometer
but in the end, Antiochus proved faithless. Stirring up his power and his
courage against the Egypt monarch (Dan. 11:25), Antiochus overthrew the larger
force. His success was due in part to the fact that Ptolemaeus Philometer's own
counselors betrayed him having been bribed by the Sryian (Dan. 11:26) prior to
the military conflict. After a series of battles, a peace treaty was to be
signed according to prophecy (Dan. 11:27) as the two kings met in a royal
summit. But neither were sincere. They lied to one another. In each heart lay
the desire to hurt and rule the other so that neither would prosper. The peace
treaty was not to last. In the end, at the appointed time according to Divine
providence, there would be more war.
Returning
to Syrian with great riches, Antiochus re-armed his military forces and then,
after just two years of peace, he invaded Egypt in the eighth year of his
reign. War, with all of its horrors came easy to Antiochus
Epiphanes
because his heart was against the covenant he had made. Despite being the
aggressor on the field of battle, the renewed attempt to conquer Egypt did not
succeed. It was doomed to failure according to prophecy (Dan. 11:28) thereby
forcing Antiochus to return to Syria. Part of the reason for the military
failure was that the ships of Chittim [or Rome] came against Antiochus (Dan.
11:30). Ptolemaeus Philometer, king of Egypt had made
an alliance with the Romans because he wisely did not trust Antiochus.
Therefore, when the second war broke out, the Roman senate sent an embassy to
Antiochus to command him to go back to Syria. Antiochus was told to leave in a
very dramatic fashion.
Popilius, one of the
ambassadors, drew a circle with his staff around Antiochus and told him to give
Rome an answer of what he would do before he came out of the circle. Fearful of
Roman power, Antiochus retreated with his army from Egypt. It grieved him to do
this. Actually, it enraged him. In his shame and anger, Antiochus decided to
destroy as many Jews as possible and thus we discover that the concept of a
Final Solution did not originate with Adolph Hitler.
Following
his forced return from Egypt, Antiochus Epiphanes moved with a vengeance
against Israel. His heart was against the holy covenant (Dan. 11:30) which
characterized the Jews and their relationship to God. The Law of Moses was
predicated upon the concept of a formal covenant contract. While most of the
Israelites loved the covenant, there were some who were strangers to its
provisions (11:28). Antiochus discovered who these people were and used them
for his own purposes. There have always been traitors in every society.
Among
the faithless were Jason, the brother of Onias the high priest. By the
appointment of Antiochus, Jason set up a school at Jerusalem, for the training
of the youth in the fashion of the heathen (2 Macc. 4:23ff). Matthew Henry
observes, "It is not strange if
those who do not line up to their religion, but in their conversations do
wickedly against the covenant, are easily corrupted by flatteries to quit their
religion. Those that make shipwreck of a good conscience will soon make
shipwreck of their faith."
Uniting his own military forces with the
deserters from Judaism, Antiochus move foreword with his decision to profane
the temple (1 Macc. 1:21). Proudly did he enter into the holy place, boldly did
he take away the golden altar and the candlestick which immediately led to
great outrage and mourning in Israel (2 Macc. 5:15). Antiochus then went into
the most holy of holies in the temple being guided by a traitor named Menelaus. There he committed a great abomination as he
sacrificed a pig on the altar (1 Macc. 1:54). Then, in a final act of
desecration, Antiochus renamed Solomon's temple the Temple Of Jupiter Olympius
(2 Macc. 6:2).
As
he showed disrespect to the temple, so Antiochus Epiphenes continued to show
further disrespect to the Israelites through persecution, only to discover that
there is always a people that do know their God and who remain steadfast to the
end. One example was found in Eleazar, a respected scribe of the Law. When a
piece of swine's flesh was forced into his mouth, he spit it out though he knew
he would be tortured to death (2 Macc. 6:19). In another instance, a mother and
her seven sons were murdered for not renouncing them
faith
(2 Macc. 7). "The right knowledge of
God is, and will be, the strength of the soul, and, in the strength of that,
gracious souls do exploits." --M. Henry. Concerning the faithful, four
things are declared.
First,
they shall instruct many in truth and righteousness (Dan. 11:33).
Second,
the righteous will fall by the cruelty of Antiochus (11:33). By sword, by fire,
by forced exiles, and by murder they shall suffer many days (1 Macc. 1:60,61).
If we ask why God allows these things to happen, the answer in part is that
there are some spiritual lessons that can only be learned through suffering
(Dan. 11:35 cf. 1 Pet. 1:7).
Third,
it is promised that the religion of the faithful shall not perish (11:34).
Heroes, such as Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers as well as others will always
arise to pull down idolatrous altars, try to circumcise the uncircumcised and
recover the Law from the hands of the Gentiles. These efforts will not be in
vain (1 Macc. 2:45). Though there will be little help in such noble efforts,
there will be some (11:34).
Fourth, all troubles have an appointed end
(11:35).
Nearing
the end of his life, Antiochus Epiphanes grew even more proud, more insolent,
and more profane. Being puffed up with his conquests, he dared to mock the Lord
God as he mocked all religions (11:36-37) except the one that he established
(11:38). This mocking of God was allowed (11:39) as were the attempts of
Antiochus to put an end to the Sabbaths (1 Macc. 1:45).
Finally,
the Lord had enough. He had already decree that the end of the actions of
Antiochus Epiphanes would come with a final invasion of Egypt (11:40). Furious
that the Egyptian would seek to move against him, Antiochus went out
like
a whirlwind with initial success (11:42-43). The Libyans and the Ethiopians
united with him in his renewed efforts but it was all too little too late.
Attacked by the king of Parthia, harassed by the Egyptians, Antiochus Epiphanes
ultimately died the death of the wicked. In the end, no one came to help him
(11:45). He died in 164 BC having ruled since 175 BC.
Questions and Answers on Daniel 11
1. What is the focus of
attention in Daniel 11?
Answer.
Focus of attention is
given to the kings of Persia and Greece in general and one king in particular
known as Antiochus Epiphanes.
2. Identify the four Persian
kings of whom the angel Gabriel spoke.
Answer.
v
Cyrus
(si'-rus; the sun), was the king of Persia (559-530 BC). Within 20 years after
becoming king of Persia, Cyrus had conquered the Medes, Lydians, and
Babylonians (549, 547, and 539 BC, respectively). His conquest of Babylon
during the night that followed a great feast.
v
Artaxasta
(Artaxerxes and Cambyses), 529-522 BC (Pseudo-Smerdis reigned from 522-521 BC)
v
Ahasuerus
(Darius Hystaspes) 521 to 485 BC.
v
Xerxes
485-465 BC Xerxes was richer than other kings and far greater in power for he
presided over an army of 800,000 men. Making war against Greece, in 480 BC he
invaded Greece but was not able to conquer it. He met with shameful defeat.
Going out in terror to hurt Greece, Xerxes returned with their scorn ringing in
his ears.
3. What five spiritual lessons
does Matthew Henry offer on Daniel 11.
Answer.
Matthew Henry offers
five thoughts.
v
God, in His providence, sets up one ruler
and kingdom and pulls another down as He pleases.
v
Life is full of strife and conflict that
come from the passions of men. Politics and power make a theater for the
expression of sin and misery as individuals are exploited.
v
God has foreseen all the changes and
revolutions. Nothing is new to Him. All things are foreseen because they are
foreordained.
v
No word of God shall ever fail to happen.
What God has designed shall come to pass. Even the sins of men are made to
serve the purpose of and contribute to the bringing of His counsels to the
birth in their season.
4. Who is referred to in Daniel
11:21-45?
Answer.
Antiochus was
the sworn enemy to the Jewish religion and a bitter persecutor of the
Israelites. He was a racist and an anti-Semite before the words were ever
conceived. To prepare His people for persecution the Lord predicted the rise of
the Anti-Christ known as Antiochus Epiphanes.
5. According to Daniel 11:36
what are the characteristics of this man of sin?
Answer.
This
man of sin would be
v
Willful
v
Full of pride
v
Self-promoting
v
Blasphemous
v
Rich and powerful
Personal Application and Reflection
1.
The history of the
world is filled with violence and bloodshed. Is history cyclical or is it
moving towards a predetermined end?
2.
Taxes are
mentioned in Daniel 11:20. If a people are taxed excessively do they have a
right to revolt?
3.
The concept of
king’s lying to one another is found in Daniel 11:27. Do politicians reflect
the people or should they to be held to a higher level of accountability and
honor?
4.
A veiled reference
to homosexuality may be found in Daniel 11:37. Why has the homosexual movement
grown in such power and acceptance in the modern world in America and Europe?
5.
Do you believe
your heart has the characteristics of being dictatorial, prideful,
self-promoting, willful, and covetous? If not, why not? If so, how has grace subdued
these passions?
Hiding God’s
Word in My Heart
Daniel
11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by
flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits.
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up,
the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall
be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that
same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall
be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust
of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt.
12:1-2
Once again the angel reminds Daniel that great persecution will come to the
people of God. The time period in view has primarily to do with the events that
were to take place in the second century BC during the reign of Antiochus
Epiphanes (175-164 B.C). However, by way of application this passage refers to
the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70 (Matt. 24:21) and the
judgment that will accompany the Great Day of the Lord at the Second Advent.
In the wake of the blood and carnage of
persecution by Antiochus will come death (Dan. 12:2). But there will be life
after death for those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, "some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt."
In these words there is a primary and
secondary understanding of this verse that teaches a spiritual resurrection
while implying a physical resurrection. The hope of a resurrection replaces the
trauma of death.
Not
everyone will sleep in the dust of the earth for some have been marked to live.
Their names are found written in "The
Book." There is a "Book of
the Living" (Isa. 4:3) and there is a Book of the Dead. Our names are written in both and will not be
transferred, the one to the other, until God's work is completed in our lives.
During
all of the turmoil that was to come in the second century BC, the angel
predicted that there would be wise ones or teachers of righteousness who would
receive a glorious reward because they would be careful to turn many to
righteousness.
In
days of human darkness it is easy to lose faith. I have read of a conversation
between two Jews in a Nazi concentration camp. The first Jewish man asked in
essence, "Do you think that God will
forgive the Germans for what they have done to us?" His friend
replied, "Do you think we will
forgive God for allowing all of this to happen?"
To
have faith in the hour of death and unspeakable brutality is to test the limits
of righteousness. And yet, after the ordeal, those who have turned others to
righteousness do shine reflected in the life of people such as Corrie and Betsy
Ten Boon who suffered in the Holocaust of World War II. Ultimately, there is
glory reserved for all the saints who will win souls to the Savior and
encourage others to love the Lord as well. Every mother, every father, every
Sunday School teacher, every deacon, ever pastor, every Christians can teach
someone about the things of the Lord and influence them in righteousness.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the
stars for ever and ever.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words,
and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased.
12:3-4
This final announcement to Daniel of resurrection and honor would provide a
basis for hope in the people of God during the days to come. Until the days
predicted arrived, prophecy was to be sealed up. The sealing came because the
souls of men were to become less interested in spiritual things. But then more
days would pass and the time would come when many would want to know afresh
what God had to say. There would be an intense desire to discern the mind of
God. People would think and talk and meditate on the Scriptures once more. By
searching for spiritual truth, knowledge would be increased (Hos. 6:3). Matthew Henry notes that, "those that would have their knowledge
increased must take pains [to study and they], must not sit still in
slothfulness and bare wishes, but run to and fro, and must make use of all the
means of knowledge and improve all opportunities [to learn]."
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on
this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of
the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters
of the river, How long shall it be to the end of
these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
12:
5-8 Having finished listening to the final message from the angel, Daniel's
spiritual eyes were directed to another vision. He saw a river and on each bank
there were two angelic personages. In addition to the angels, there was also
One who was standing in the midst of the river upon the waters. This last
Person was the pre-incarnate Christ, the Lord of Glory (Dan. 10:5). One of the
angels on the banks of the Tigris [Hiddekel, cf. 10:4; note Gen. 2:14] spoke
and called across the water, "How long
shall it be to the end of these wonders?"
That simple question still rings in the ears
of men. Every generation has asked the Lord, "How long shall it be to the end of time? When will this age be
over?"
Unfortunately,
instead of waiting for the Divine answer, other voices have spoken and the
world has been foolish enough to listen. What does it matter that these other
voices cannot swear by the Eternal? What does it matter that what they say is
not true? "We have an answer!"
cries a multitude. Yes, the world now thinks it knows all about the future.
We
have charts and diagrams and a system that people will die for. But the problem
is that the world has heard by and large the voice of many men. It has yet to
hear clearly the voice of God. The result of all the new prophetic utterances
is that the sure word of prophecy has been reduced to human speculations,
religious opinions, and breathless watching for so called signs of the times
which are gone with the wind.
Current events are now being used by self-proclaimed
prophecy experts to excite the imaginations of men that the end is near. Why
can this happen? Because prophecy sells. What does it matter that unscrupulous
men and women make merchandise out of the people of the Lord? The cynic might
say that the Christian flock needs to be fleeced financially because it is so
gullible and easily misled. Spiritual wolves certainly have no problem with
devouring this silly flock. Money, greed, power, and ego combine forces to make
men speak about things they really are ignorant of. It is only when God speaks
that our hearts can rest in the truth. It is only when God speaks that trust
can be placed in the things that are said.
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the
words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10
Many shall be purified, and made white, and
tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And
from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination
that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety
days.
12:9
-11 When the angels asked, "How long
till the end of time?" the Lord answered and HE provided a time frame.
"It shall be for a time, times, and
an half," He said. But what does that mean? Other Scripture may
provide an answer.
In
the book of the Revelation, we find this expression "time, times, and an half " being limited to 42 months or
3 and 1/2 years or 1260 days. Perhaps it means the same in Daniel 12:7. It is
possible that the historical fulfillment of this passage begins to find
fulfillment in Antiochus who did surprise Jerusalem and held it hostage for 3
years and 6 months (1260 days; 42 months x 30 days per month = 1260 days)
according to Josephus. The problem, in context, is that 1290 days (or 3 years
and 7 months) is spoken of according to verse 11 and then 1335 days (or 3 years
7 months and 15 days). What is to be made of the extra days?
The
simple reality is that the historical fulfill of some of the events of these
last few verse are difficult to document in precise order. This does not mean
that prophecy has not been accurately fulfilled. It does mean that
our
knowledge of the ancient world is incomplete. "There are many particular times fixed in scripture-prophecies,
which it does not appear by any history, sacred or profane, that the event
answered, and yet no doubt it did punctually” (as Isa. 16:14). (M. Henry).
The wisest thing to do is to find confirmation for what can be confirmed and
then trust that the Bible is accurate on the other details. The major events
were certainly accurately foretold.
We
know that Antiochus caused the sacrifices to cease (Dan. 12:11). We know that
he desecrated the Holy Temple by offering pigs blood upon the altar and then
set up an image of Jupiter (Dan. 12:11). We also know that Antiochus died soon
(perhaps 30 days?) after this happened which may be the fulfillment of Daniel
12:12.
If
we do not know about the last few days of this prophecy and how they are to be
best understood, we can be confident that the church once knew for it was
predicted that "the wise shall
understand" (Dan. 12:10c). During the days of Antiochus, the Lord did
reveal to His people the prophecies that were first given to Daniel and then
sealed following the prophet's death until the hour of need.
In the days of the tribulation inflicted by
Antiochus Epiphanes, many saints were purified and made white for they were
tried under pressure. Those who were found faithful now shine as the stars in
the heaven. They serve as an inspiration for us to be found faithful until the
end of time.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh
to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for
thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Final Observations
1.
The angels are not omniscient. They know
about the future only as the future is revealed to them (1 Pet. 1:12). This is
true of both the Fallen Angels as well as the Elect Angels. Those who look to
the occult for guidance are wrong to think that the demons have advanced
knowledge. God has reserved the future for Himself (Acts 1:7).
2.
Water signifies people. The image of the
Lord standing upon the waters speaks of His dominion over all. "He sits upon the flood,"
(Psa. 29:10) says the psalmist. "He
treads upon the waters of the sea," declares Job (Job 9:8). During the
days of His flesh, Jesus did walk upon the waters according to the gospels
(Matt. 14:25).
3.
The evil that men do is still under the
sovereign control of Christ (Dan. 12:7). Why the Lord allows great sin is a
mystery but it shall not be allowed free expression forever.
4.
As there was a time fixed for the
termination of the Lord's troubles, so there is a time fixed for the termination
of the troubles of the church. This time must be waited for with faith and
patience. When it comes, the saints will be rewarded. "Blessed is he" who, having waited long, comes to it at
last, for he will then have reason to say, "Lo, this is our God, and we have waited for Him."
Questions and Answers on Daniel 12
1.
What are the time periods associated with the events of Daniel 12?
Answer.
The time period in
view has primarily to do with the events that were to take place in the second
century BC during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 B.C). However, by
way of application this passage refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the
Romans in AD 70 (Matt. 24:21) and the judgment that will accompany the Great
Day of the Lord at the Second Advent.
2.
In what passage is the doctrine of the resurrection taught?
Answer.
Daniel
12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3.
How can a Christian be wise and shine?
Answer. Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of
the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever
and ever.
4.
What does the Bible say about the speed of life and knowledge?
Answer.
Speed
shall increase along with knowledge. For “many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased” (Dan. 12:4).
5.
What is your overall view of the Book of Daniel? Do you understand it
better as a result of this study? Why or why not?
Personal Application and Reflection
1.
What gives a
person the right to teach a particular passage of Scripture has a dual
fulfillment?
2.
Do you believe
modern nations are found in Biblical prophecy? If so, which one and how are the
modern nations identified?
3.
Do you know of any
modern day prophetic teach who has proven to be correct one hundred percent of
the time? Please identify that individual.
4.
Though men are
more knowledgeable today than ever before, are they wiser? Why or why not?
5.
How much longer do
you think the Lord will tarry before He return to judge the world in
righteousness? Why do you say this?
Hiding God’s
Word in My Heart
Daniel
12:2-3 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some
to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they
that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn
many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
Doctrine of Visions
1.
A vision refers to a divine revelation
that reveals the will of God. Visions generally occurred while the prophet of
God was awake or was in a semi state of consciousness.
2.
At least twenty-two people in the Bible
are said to have received a vision. Sixteen visions were given to the Old Testament
saints while seven were given to New Testament believers.
Visions from God
·
Abraham Genesis
15:1
·
Jacob Genesis
46:2
·
Balaam Numbers
24:4
·
Samuel 1 Samuel 3:15
·
Nathan 2 Samuel 7:17;
1 Chronicles
17:15
·
Isaiah 2
Chronicles
32:32; Isaiah 1:1;
21:2; 22:1,5
·
The Messiah Psalm 89:19
·
Ezekiel Ezekiel 1:1; 7:13;
8:3-4; 11: 24
13:16; 40:2; 43:3
·
Daniel Daniel 2:19; 7:2;
8:1-2
·
Eliphaz Job
4:13 cf. 7:14
·
Obadiah Obadiah
1:1
·
Nahum Nahum
1:1
·
Habakkuk Habakkuk
2:2
·
Zechariah Zechariah
13:4 cf.
2
Chronicles 26:5
·
Iddo 2
Chronicles 9:29
·
Hosea Hosea
12:10
·
Peter Matthew
17:1,10;
Acts 10:17; 11:5
·
James Matthew
17:1,10
·
John Matthew
17:1,10;
Revelation 9:17
·
Ananias Acts
9:10
·
Paul Acts
9:12;
16:9,10; 26:19;
2 Corinthians 2:11
·
Cornelius Acts
10:3
1.
God promised to speak to His prophets in
visions (Num. 12:6).
2.
Long periods of time went by when there
was not vision from God (1 Sam. 3:1; Lam. 2:9).
3.
Where there is no vision the people
perish (Prov. 29:18).
4.
It was possible for men to err in their
visions (Isa. 28:7 cf. Jer. 14:14).
5.
God's people were called upon to seek
visions from the prophets (Ezek. 7:26).
6.
Angels were sometimes used to help
explain a vision (Dan. 8:16-17; 9:21-27).
7.
Visions can produce great emotional
distress (Dan. 8:27; 10:16).
8.
It is possible for one person only to
have a vision even in the presence of others (Dan. 10:1,7,8).
9.
The absence of visions was considered to
be a form of divine judgment (Mic. 3:6).
10.
The prophet Joel predicted that visions
were to be found during the New Testament
era (Joel 2:28 cf. Acts 2:17).
11.
The appearance of the angels to the women
on the morning of Christ's resurrection was considered by them to have been a
vision (Luke 24:23 cf. Acts 12:9) so that it is sometimes hard to separate a vision
from "reality".
12.
Vision can come during the act of prayer
(Acts 10:17; 11:5).
~*~
Doctrine of Dreams
1. The
purpose of dreams was to reveal God's will (Gen. 28:12; 31:24; 37:5-10; 1 Kings
3:5; Matt. 1:20; Matt. 2:13,19,20).
2. Even
in the present era of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with a fuller
revelation (2 Cor. 5:7) to guide the believer, the promise of dreams is given
(Acts 2:17).
3. It
is possible for dreams to be corrupted so that the will of a false god is
conveyed. One ancient practice was to induce religious dreams by incubation or
sleeping in some shrine where the patron god was believed to communicate
secrets to the sleeper. Herodotus mentions this practice among the Egyptian
sect known as the Hasamonians (Herod IV. p. 172, ed. A.D. Godley). The Lord
warned against false dreamers (Jer. 23:25,27; 29:8; Zech. 10:2) and pointed out
that normal desires such as hunger and thirst can produce dreams (Isa. 29:8).
4. God
promised to speak to the prophets in dreams (Num. 12:6), but even they had to
be tested (Deut. 13:1-5).
5. The
absence of dreams was considered to be a form of divine discipline (1 Sam.
28:6,15).
6. As
there a danger in the absence of dreams there is also a danger in the multitude
of dreams (Eccles. 5:7) for it is possible that foolish whims will be insisted
upon as requirement of worshippers.
7. Thirteen
people in the Bible are credited with specific dreams. Eleven people are noted
in the Old Testament while two are listed in the New Testament.
A Dreamer of Dreams
·
Abimelech Genesis 20:3,6
·
Jacob Genesis
28:12;
31:10,11
·
Laban Genesis
31:24
·
Joseph Genesis
37:5-10
·
Pharaoh's Butler Genesis 40:5
·
Pharaoh's Baker Genesis 40:5
·
Pharaoh Genesis
41:7-8,
15-22
·
A Man from Midian Judges 7:13
·
Solomon 1
Kings 3:5,15
·
Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:3; 4:5-9
·
Daniel Daniel
7:1
·
Joseph Matthew
1:20;
2:12-22
·
Pilate's Wife Matthew 27:19
~*~
Seven Accomplishments of a Dream or
Vision from God
1. Dreams can provide
Divine answers to our questions though the answers may comfort or alarm.
·
Gideon was comforted by the revelation he
discovered through a dream (Judges 7:9-11).
·
Saul was alarmed when discovered would
happen in battle through a vision (1 Samuel 28:15).
3.
God can use dreams to warn about unseen
dangers.
·
The wise men were told to return to their
country another way than the one in which they came (Matt. 2:12).
·
Joseph was warned to take Mary and Jesus
into Egypt (Matt. 2:13).
4.
Dreams can give instruction of the will
of God as Joseph discovered (Matt. 1:20-21).
5.
Dreams can provide guidance that will
stop sinful actions.
·
King Abimelech did not harm Sarah because
of a dream he had (Gen. 20:3-9).
·
Laban did not harm Jacob because of a
dream (Gen. 31:24).
·
Pilate was warned not to hurt Jesus
(Matt. 27:19) but he did anyway under duress.
6.
God can use dreams to induce humility as
He did with Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:5,9,34,37).
7.
Dreams can preserve our souls from the
pit of depression and despair as Ezekiel's vision gave hope to the children of
Israel (Ezek. 1:1 cf. Psa. 126:1-3; 127:2).
"There is no pit so deep that God's
love is not deeper still."
~*~
Corrie
Ten Boom
How to Identify False Dreams and Visions
1.
False dreams and visions do exist (2 Pet.
2:1-3; Deut. 13:1-3).
2.
False dreamers and false prophets who
share their visions are greedy. They want power, fame, wealth, attention,
loyalty, and service and God HATES them (Jer. 23:16, 25-27; 28:8-9).
3.
False dreams and visions have two things
in common (Matt. 7:15-16).
·
Deception.
The specific sign of deception is that what they see or dream leads others away
from Christ. The classic examples of this are the visions of Joseph Smith (Gal.
1:6-9).
·
Discord.
Because light cannot have fellowship with darkness and Satan cannot have
fellowship with Christ there will be conflict.
4. Those who are
exposed as false are to be dealt with severely (Deut. 13:1-3).
~*~
Six Ways to Recognize False Dreams and
Visions
1.
False dreams and visions are seductive as
they promise glory or produce terror (Jer. 23:16).
2.
False dreams and visions encourage
immorality (Lev. 19:31).
3.
False dreams and visions are
contradictory (Jer. 23:17).
4.
False dreams and visions are discouraging
(Zech. 10:2).
5.
False dreams and visions are unproductive
(Jer. 23:22).
6.
False dreams and visions are destructive
(Jer. 23:32).
~*~
Six Important Questions
1.
Do the dreams and visions lead me to
Jesus Christ and fill me with love for His church?
2.
Do these dreams and visions promote
righteousness and purity in my life?
3.
Do these dreams and visions align
themselves with the clear and emphatic teachings of Scripture?
4.
Do these dreams and visions strengthen my
faith and fill me with the sense of a noble destiny and an honorable purpose in
life?
5.
Do these dreams and visions turn me from
sin and selfishness to seek the Lord and serve Him in faithfulness and love?
6.
Do these dreams and visions build up the
body of Christ and equip believers to do the work of the ministry?
~*~
Twelve Expectations in a Dream or Vision
1.
A promise of God (Gen. 15:1).
2.
A pronouncement of judgment (1 Sam.
3:15).
3.
A preview of the future (2 Sam. 7:17).
4.
A proclamation of grace (Psa. 89:19).
5.
A prophetic word of warning (Isa. 1:1-3).
6.
The knowledge of someone else's heart
(Dan. 2:19).
7.
A glimpse of glory (Matt. 17:9).
8.
A word of guidance (Acts 9:10).
9.
A word of exhortation (Acts 10:19).
10.
A spiritual appeal (Acts 16:9).
11.
The way of salvation explained (Acts
26:19).
12.
Some of the mysteries of heaven unfolded (Rev.
9:17).
~*~
Three Points of Caution
·
Not everyone is promised a vision.
·
All visions are to be subject to the Word
of God.
·
We must be open to receiving visions and
dreams.
~*~
Non-Biblical Reasons for Dreams
1.
Diet. There is a definite relationship
between the mental and physical health. deficiency can cause hallucinations and
unpleasant dreams.
2.
Activity. Physical exertion does not
always means more restful sleeping. It is possible to take work to bed.
3.
Memory. Good memories and bad can be
relieved through dreams.
4.
Secret sins and private fantasies can
emerge from the subconscious during sleep.
5.
Satan has a way of disturbing our sleep
with dreams of terror and fear.
~*~
Categories of Dreams
v
Personal dreams
are those in which a word from God is received to comfort or instruct.
v
Prophetic dreams
are those through which the Lord works to speak a word to others.
v
Literal dreams
are those in which the Lord reveals something is real and will actually happen.
v
Symbolic dreams
are like a parable. They have a specific message but need interpretation.
v
Revealing dreams
provide an insight into a situation.
~*~
Dreams and Visions
of the Apostle Paul
1.
When Stephen was being stoned, Saul heard
the saint tell what he saw in his dying moments and that was the Son of Man
standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:54-8:1).
2.
On the road to Damascus, Paul had his own
vision of Christ (Acts 9:1-9).
3.
In some way the Holy Spirit communicated
to the prophets and teachers at Antioch that Barnabas and Saul were to be set
apart for service (Acts 13:1-3).
4.
While at Antioch, Paul was stoned and left
for dead. During the ordeal he had a vision of heaven (Acts 14:19- 20 cf. 2
Cor. 11:25).
5.
While he was at Troas, Paul had a vision
of a man from Macedonia appealing for help (Acts 16:9).
6.
When he stayed at the house of a man
named Justus in the city of Corinth, Paul had a vision that many souls would be
saved (Acts 18:7-11).
7.
While in the city of Jerusalem praying in
the holy temple, Paul fell into a trance and received a message from God (Acts
22:18).
8.
After being arrested in Damascus, Paul
saw the Lord in a night vision (Acts 23:11).
9.
During an ocean voyage that became life
threatening, an appeared to Paul in a dream stating that no one would be hurt
(Acts 27:12-26).
10.
Writing to the church of Corinth, Paul
stated plainly that he had many visions and revelations of the Lord (2 Cor.
12:1-10).
11.
By revelation Paul was instructed to go
and preach to the Galatians (Gal. 2:2).
12.
Paul told Galatians and the Ephesians
that he received his understanding of the gospel by means of revelation (Gal.
1:12; Eph. 3:1-6).
13.
When Paul appeared before Nero, he may
have seen a vision of Jesus standing in the palace hall with him (2 Tim.
4:16-17).
14.
As Paul had dreams and visions, so did
others such as Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6; 12:16-11).
~*~
Practical Suggestions in order to Obtain
a Dream from God
1.
Set the heart upon God (Psa. 25:14; Jer.
15:19).
2.
Repent of wrong attitudes towards the
gifts of God.
3.
Saturate the heart with scripture (2 Tim.
2:15).
4.
Have a close relationship with the church
and pastor in order to be accountable and balanced (1 Cor. 2:16; 13:9).
5.
Ask the Lord by faith to speak to the
heart in order that HE might be glorified (Luke 11:9-13).
6.
Be alert and sensitive to the dreams that
do come (Song of Solomon 5:2).
7.
Record important dreams (Dan. 7:1).
8.
Seek wisdom (Prov. 8:4-6), which will
produce many rewards.
·
By wisdom there is the understanding of
proverbs, parables, and riddles (Prov. 1:5-6).
·
By wisdom a personal relationship with
God will be enjoyed (Prov. 2:5).
·
By wisdom discretion will be exercised
and deliverance from evil will come (Prov. 2:11).
·
By wisdom life is filled with happiness
and peace (Prov. 3:16-17).
·
By wisdom there is public safety and
private security (Prov. 3:23-24).
·
By wisdom comes counsel, strength,
authority, and justice (Prov. 8:14-15).
·
By wisdom riches, honor, and
righteousness is gained (Prov. 8:18-21).
·
By wisdom the favor of God is received
(Prov. 8:34-36).
~*~