Daniel had his second vision in King Belshazzar’s third year of reigning while at the Shushan palace in Susa, which was the capital of Medo-Persia. In the vision, Daniel is by the river of Ulai, and he sees a ram with two horns standing by the river. Both of the horns on the ram were tall; however, one of them grew higher than the other. The ram was powerful and became great, succeeding in its plans as it subdued all that was in its path, pushing its’ way to the west, north, and south
Next, coming from the west direction appeared a goat that had a horn between its eyes. Moving swiftly without touching the ground, the goat, with anger and hatred, furiously ran into the ram, knocking off the two horns on the ram’s head and leaving it defenseless and powerless. Over time, the goat became great, but eventually, its reign ended, and four horns took its place.
Still revealing the fate of this kingdom, from one of the four horns came a little horn which also became great and moved to the south, east, and Isreal. Its powers ascended and prospered as it fought and defeated the Jewish leaders, stopped the temple sacrifices, and desecrated the temple.
While thinking about the vision, Daniel heard two angels discussing how long it would take for the vision to be fulfilled and the duration of the period of desolation. The answer was twenty-three hundred days would pass between the desecration of the temple and its cleansing.
Perplexed and not understanding the vision, Daniel desired an interpretation. Daniel heard a voice saying, “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” Then Gabriel came near him; however, being afraid, Daniel prostrated himself on the ground, from which he went into a deep sleep. Gabriel touched Daniel, woke him, stood him up, and then began revealing the vision to him.
Gabriel revealed that the ram, which had two horns, was the king of Media and Persia. The ferocious goat was the king of Greece, and the great horn between its eyes was the first Grecian king, Alexander the Great. When Alexander died, four less powerful kingdoms took his place. From them emerged a ruthless king who was given power to destroy the Jews. This king ruled because God permitted him to do so until his rule ended by God’s judgment.
At the end of their conversation, Daniel was told the vision he saw would not happen for a while and that he should not share it with anyone. This vision caused Daniel to be sick for several days, but afterward, though still distressed and unable to comprehend it, he was able to return to his palace duties.
I am concluding this blog with some historical data and nuggets
History revealed Alexander the Great died not in conquest but at age 32 from an illness, and his empire was divided among his four generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy.
It is believed Antiochus Epiphanes, the little horn, was one of the cruelest tyrants in history, and he foreshadowed the reign of the Antichrist. He ruled from 175 to 164 B.C. and was extremely hostile to the Jews, whom he wanted to eradicate from the face of the earth. During his reign, he sacrificed a pig in the temple and also erected a statue of Zeus in it. According to Revelation, many of Antiochus’ acts will be repeated by the Antichrist.
There are times when God will reveal something to you; however, He will not permit you to share it until a set time.
Somethings that are revealed to us are more distressing than comforting.
When in doubt about a dream or vision, ask God for its interpretation.
To gain territory and become powerful, kings do not mind engaging in warfare.
Kingdoms start small, but over time, they become significant.
God allows kings to rise and to fall.
Human kingdoms come and go; none last forever.
Death comes to the old as well as the young; no one is exempt from it.
The only power that is invincible is God.
Life goes on.
The first six chapters of Daniel were historical. These chapters shared the life and times of Daniel, spanning sixty-plus years. The last six chapters share the prophetic revelation given to him by God.
Chapter 7, which precedes the events of chapters 5 and 6, discloses the dream and visions Daniel received in the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign. Additionally, it highlighted six kingdoms: the four kingdoms of the world, the kingdom of Satan, and the eternal kingdom of God.
The chapter begins with the winds, which usually blow from one direction; however, in this vision, the four winds were furiously blowing in all directions over the Mediterranean Sea from which four different beasts emerged.
The first beast seen was a lion with eagle’s wings, which represented King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. After a time, the wings were plucked off of it, and it stood up like a man with a man’s heart. The second beast, which represented the Medio-Persia kingdom, was a bear with three ribs in its mouth. It rose up on one side and was told, “Arise, devour much flesh.” The third beast, to whom dominion was given, represented the Graeco-Macedonian empire of Alexander the Great. It looked like a leopard, which had four fowl wings on its back and four heads, and this concluded Daniel’s first vision.
In the second vision, Daniel saw the fourth strong, brutal beast, which had ten horns representing the Roman Empire. It had great iron teeth and was described as dreadful, terrible, and exceedingly strong. From the midst of the horns came another little horn who had eyes like a man, spoke haughtily, and was able to subdue three of the previous existing horns.
Then Daniel got a glimpse of heaven where he saw thrones thrown down by God the Ancient of Days, who was in a white garment, had hair like pure wool, and was sitting on what appeared like a fiery throne with flaming wheels. Standing before God were ten thousand times ten thousand persons besides the thousand upon thousands that ministered to Him.
In verse eleven, Daniel witnesses the destruction of the fourth beast as it is placed in the lake of fire. The other beasts’ fate revealed the collapse of their kingdom but they were allowed to live a short time longer.
Continuing with the heavenly vision Daniel saw the Son of man before the Ancient of days who gave Him everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom that would not be destroyed and in which all people, nations, and languages served Him.
Daniel found himself troubled and grieved by the visions; therefore, he requested the interpretation from a nearby angel. Complying with Daniel’s request, It was revealed to him that the four beasts were four kings who would one day rule in the earth; however, the saints of the Most High would eventually govern the world forever.
Additionally, the fourth beast would war against the saints and be victorious until Jesus appears to judge and rule the earth and give the saints power to govern the earth. This fourth beast represented a future destructive kingdom from which ten kings would come, and then another king would come from them, who would brutally destroy three of the kings. He would also defy God, persecute the helpless saints, and try to change all the laws, morals, and customs. God’s people will be powerless in his hands for three and a half years.
In the end, God’s righteous judgment will prevail with the return of Jesus to earth. Jesus will be victorious, the Antichrist will be defeated, and Jesus will give His saints, who will live in the everlasting kingdom, power to rule worldwide as they obediently serve Him.
When Daniel awakened, the interpretation of the dream and vision still left him perplexed and disturbed; therefore, he did not share this dream with anyone.
Studying eschatology and understanding Revelation has helped me comprehend Daniel’s dream and visions. Thus, I recommend that if you are having difficulty understanding the prophetic chapters in Daniel, you also study Revelation, for in so doing, you will see how these two books correlate. Those things revealed to Daniel were also shown to John. (If you go into the teacherspick archive 1/2/2012 – 5/3/2012, you will find my blog postings on Revelation).
Finally, here are further explanations and nuggets from this chapter:
God shares visions with royalty and with commoners.
Old men dream dreams.
This dream and the visions that Daniel experienced were similar to the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2, except the king dreamed of a statue made of various metals, and Daniel dreamed about four beasts.
The turbulent sea is symbolic of the unpredictable nations of the world that are at war with one another.
The fourth beast known for its brutality will be the empire from which the Antichrist will emerge. The little horn (Antichrist) that appears will be both a boastful and blasphemous last-world ruler.
Before delving into the details of Daniel’s visions, the angel gives a summary of the chapter, revealing four kings and their kingdoms that will exist on earth, with the final outcome being the Most High reigning eternal with the saints on earth.
During the tribulation, God will allow the human government of the Antichrist to have power and authority over the earth’s inhabitants. The saints will experience great suffering and persecution under the hands of the Antichrist.
Daniel chapter six gives the reader a glimpse of the Medo-Persian Empire, which was the arms and breast of silver seen in King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter two.
Under the leadership of King Darius, the Persian Kingdom was divided into sections, and a hundred and twenty princes were placed over them. Over the hundred and twenty princes were placed three presidents, and despite his advanced age, Daniel was chosen to be the lead president.
This upset the other presidents and princes because they realized Daniel was preferred for his excellent spirit; therefore, they sought a way to disqualify him. The only way they could accomplish this was by flattery, telling King Darius all of his leaders unanimously agreed with this royal statute and tricking him into signing a decree, which they knew could not be altered. This decree would only allow people to ask for a petition from the king, and if they disobeyed, they would be cast into the den of lions.
Nevertheless, despite knowing the decree, Daniel followed his daily routine. Adhering to the prayer request made by King Solomon 422 years prior, if found in a foreign land, pray towards Jerusalem, the place that God had chosen. Therefore, Daniel opened the window facing west to his homeland of Jerusalem, knelt, and continued praying three times a day.
When Daniel’s enemies found out Daniel was praying to his God and not the king, they took this information and presented it to King Darius. They reminded the king his decree could not be broken when he desperately tried to save Daniel from being cast into the den of lions. Prior to reluctantly having Daniel cast into the den, the king said to him, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Furthermore, the king had a stone laid upon the mouth of the den and sealed it with his signet and with the signet of his lords.
That night, the king stayed awake, fasted, and did not allow music to be played in his presence. In the morning, he quickly went to the den and sorrowfully yelled,” O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Daniel responded, O king, live for ever. 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.”
Happily, the king had Daniel removed from the den and had his accusers, their wives, and children thrown into the lion’s den. Horribly and disasterly for them, the bible records that before their bodies landed at the bottom of the den, the ferocious lions attacked them. Daniel, on the other hand, continued to prosper during the kingship of King Darius, which only lasted two years, and the next king, Cyrus the Persian.
This chapter ends with King Darius sending a letter to people, nations of all languages decreeing, “That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 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.”
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:
Your advanced age does not nullify your ability to be a leader.
Having an excellent spirit will distinguish you from others.
When people are jealous of you, they will seek to undermine you.
Let your life shine, that all men see is your integrity.
When you are unwavering in your religious beliefs and practices, people will know it.
Be known for your prayer life.
Beware of the flattery of men.
Keep following your routine despite opposition.
In all that you do, remain faithful to God.
Don’t allow your enemy to stop your prayers.
What you sow, you reap.
Divine intervention brings to naught human decrees.
God does miracles that no one can deny.
God divinely protects those who trust in Him.
Be careful with whom you align yourself; they may be the cause of your death.
Your treachery can cause your whole family to be killed.
God manifests in ways that cause men to acknowledge His everlasting kingdom and His ability to rescue and deliver His followers.
God prospers His followers all the days of their life.
King Nebuchadnezzar made the proclamation found in this chapter in 562 B.C., and the events that took place in this chapter were thirty-seven years after the dream that he had in chapter two.
The king opens his testimony, declaring peace to all people, nations, and languages. He acknowledges the sovereignty of God and His eternal kingdom and rulership. Then, the king sets the stage for the dream by revealing that he experienced peace and prosperity in Babylon after victoriously defeating Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Egypt, and Arabia. To him, the dream was perplexing and made him fearful. When he told the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers the dream, they were unable to give him the interpretation. Knowing that the spirit of God resided in Daniel when he finally came to the king, he told him the dream with the expectation that Daniel would be able to interpret it.
In the king’s dream, he saw a magnificent, sturdy tree that grew tall into the heavens, allowing the inhabitants of the earth to view it from afar. The tree was filled with leaves and fruit on which men and animals could feast. Wild animals found shelter from the sun under it, and birds found refuge in its branches.
An angel from heaven whom he called a watcher came down and cried the sentence, which was severe but not fatal, “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: 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: 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.” The angel explained this was done by God so that the earth’s inhabitants would know God dominates the kingdom of the world and He decides who will be their ruler.
For one hour, Daniel sat silently, mulling over the dream, and came to the realization that the king’s enemies would rejoice over it. The king told him not to be afraid of giving him the interpretation; consequently, Daniel shared that the tree in the dream represented the king and his worldwide kingdom and that he would be humbled by suffering from boanthropy. Men would drive the king out of the palace, and he would become like an animal on the field, eating grass for seven years. This sentence could not be reversed, for God had decreed it. Furthermore, when King Nebuchadnezzar came to understand that it is God who rules the earth and gives power to whom He pleases, he would be reinstated to his position of king.
Continuing talking, Daniel said, “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.” However, Daniel’s counsel was not followed for twelve months later; as the impenitent king walked in the palace, he 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?” While he was speaking, a voice from heaven told him the kingdom had departed from him, and within that hour, he was driven out of the palace to the field. There, he lived outdoors, experiencing the elements, eating grass like an ox, and his hair and nails growing long like the eagles and birds.
Though he was deposed for a time, at the completion of seven years, King Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven, and his sanity returned. Regaining a sound mind, King Nebuchadnezzar blessed and praised God. Historians record that King Nebuchadnezzar lived for approximately one to two years after being restored as king, dying in his forty-fifth year of reigning.
Here are the nuggets that I learned from this chapter:
Some dreams are terrifying.
God oversees the earth; He has a final say.
God’s kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting; it never ceases.
The powers that be are ordained by God.
God will hide things from the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
People recognize the spirit of God in His chosen vessels.
Prophets must speak the truth no matter the cost.
There are some events that you are hesitant to reveal.
Our merciful God warns men of future problems.
God gives men an opportunity to rectify their ways before judgment occurs.
When good advice is given, take heed.
Whatever God decrees will come to pass.
When you ignore warnings from God, you will suffer the consequences.
God will humble the proud.
God can restore all that you lost.
Historians suggest that the events of chapter three occurred approximately 20 years after chapter one, and Daniel must have been away on state business, for he was not mentioned in this chapter.
The scriptures recorded King Nebuchadnezzar made a colossal sixty-cubit tall and six-cubit wide golden image, which was equivalent to ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and placed it in the plain of Dura. At the dedication of the image, the king assembled the princes, the governors, the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces of Babylon.
Those assembled were instructed when they heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, they were to bow down and worship the golden image that the king had set up. Those that did not comply would immediately be thrown into a burning fiery furnace. Knowing their fate if they were disobedient when the orchestra played, those gathered bowed down and worshipped except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Certain Chaldeans reported the actions of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the king and reminded him of his edict. They said, “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.”
Enraged by what was reported to him, the king had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego brought to him, and he questioned them about their actions. He was willing to give them another chance to rectify their action or be cast into the fiery furnace. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. 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.”
Further inflamed by their response, the king heated the furnace seven times hotter and cast Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego bound and completely clothed into the furnace by some of the strong men in his army. Unfortunately, the furnace was so hot these men died from the contact of the flames.
King Nebuchadnezzar expected to see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego burn to ashes, but instead, he saw four men walking unbound in the furnace. The king questioned his counselors on how many men were thrown into the furnace, and he exclaimed, “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.” Then, the king called out to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and told them to come out of the furnace. The princes, governors, captains, and the king’s counselors were amazed when they saw them and realized they and their clothes were not burnt, their hair was not singed, and neither did they smell of fire.
King Nebuchadnezzar blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and acknowledged their trust in Him and their deliverance by an angel. Plus, he admitted this changed his edict and their demise. In the future, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will only be able to serve and worship their God.
The chapter ends with this decree by the king, “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,” and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were promoted in the province of Babylon.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:
Nebuchadnezzar wanted to establish a universal religion in Babylon.
Pride will make a person do extravagant things.
True worship does not need to be legislated.
When threatened with death, most people will comply with the demands placed on them.
Fear of death can squelch opposition.
Time can make you forget previous acknowledgments.
Music is often used to stir people’s emotions.
Your enemy will try to intimidate you to cause you to yield to his demands.
True believers cannot love their life; they must be faithful unto death.
Believers must trust God no matter the outcome of difficult situations.
Remember to adhere to the teachings of your youth.
Stand for your God despite the opposition.
Those around you will notice your stand for God and confidence in Him.
God will prove who is the God that can protect His followers.
During his second year of reigning Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that was so troubling it woke him out of his sleep. The king summoned to him the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to tell him what he dreamt and to interpret the dream.
The Chaldeans requested the king to tell them the dream; however, the king could not remember it. He also told them if they were not able to tell him what he dreamt, they would be killed and their houses destroyed. If, however, they were able to tell him the dream and interpretation, they would be rewarded with gifts and given great honor. After further unsuccessful attempts to get the king to tell them his dream, the Chaldeans said, “There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. 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.” This angered the king, and he sent forth a decree that all of the wise men of Babylon were to be slain, which would include Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
When Daniel was informed of the decree by Arioch, the king’s captain of the guards and chief executioner, Daniel went to King Nebuchadnezzar and requested time to consult his God. With his request granted, Daniel met with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and they petitioned God for the king’s dream.
In a night vision, God revealed the dream to Daniel. His response was to bless God, proclaim His attributes and interaction with men, acknowledge His sovereignty, and be thankful for the wisdom, might, and dream interpretation that he had received. Then Daniel told Arioch he had the interpretation of the king’s dream and asked him to get him an audience with the king.
Arioch took Daniel to the king, and the king asked Daniel if he was able to tell him about his dream and give him an interpretation. Daniel said to the king, “The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 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. 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 the thoughts of thy heart.”
Then Daniel proceeded to tell King Nebuchadnezzar about the dream. The king saw a great image of a man that was composed of four different metals. It had a gold head, the arms and breasts were silver, the thighs and belly were bronze, and the legs were iron; however, the feet were both iron and clay. The image stood erect until an uncut stone hit the feet of the image and broke the feet into pieces, causing the upper body of the image to pulverize and blow away. The dream ended with the stone that smote the image, becoming a great mountain that filled the whole earth.
Daniel shared with the king that King Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful gold head whom God had given dominion over other nations. After his death, an inferior kingdom, the silver, would rule, which history revealed was the Medo-Persian Empire founded by Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian. After that, Alexander the Great, who represented the bronze part of the image, would defeat the Persians and become the ruler. The legs of iron represented the Roman empire, with the ten toes representing ten kingdoms in this empire.
Finally, Daniel discloses the stone that becomes a mountain is a kingdom that will never end. This kingdom, which is not raised or supported by men or men’s policy, is the kingdom of Jesus, which will take place in the distant future.
Daniel assured King Nebuchadnezzar that God granted him the privilege of seeing future events. King Nebuchadnezzar, grateful and appreciative of Daniel, fell down and worshipped Daniel. Additionally, he commands sacrifices to be made to honor Daniel. The king declared, “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.” The chapter ends with the king elevating Daniel to ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief governor over all his wise men. Plus, he gave Daniel great gifts. Daniel did not forget about his three companions, for he requested the king to make them his assistants while he served as the chief magistrate in the king’s court.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:
Some dreams leave your spirit disturbed, but they cannot be remembered.
The magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans were men whom the king relied on to solve problems and give direction.
Some people’s expectations of others are unreasonable.
God will create situations that only He can resolve.
God will open doors for believers to do what the world cannot do.
Apparently, the God of Daniel was unknown to the Babylon magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans.
When you trust God, you will remain calm while others are frantic.
God will cause a believer to receive favor when others are denied it.When your life depends on it, pray.
Pray with people of like faith.
Knowledge of God’s abilities makes you confident of His capabilities.
God is a revealer of secrets to those who trust in Him.
God makes known the future to whomever He wills.
Always give thanks for answered prayers.
Acknowledge your limitations.
God uses events to show the real from the counterfeit.
God allows the actions of a believer to save the unrighteous.
Believers’ presence makes a difference.
That which was once massive and powerful can end up weak and powerless.
All the kingdoms of this world will end, but the kingdom of God is everlasting.
When you come into power, don’t forget about those who labored with you.
This new blog series will cover the twelve chapters of the book of Daniel, which takes place in Babylon. The blogs will share a historical overview from the first six chapters and, from the remaining six chapters, a series of prophetic visions concerning the future. Additionally, the information shared will cover the seventy years of Judah’s exile in Babylon.
Daniel, the main character and writer of this book, was taken captive to Babylon during the first invasion of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar in B.C. 606. Daniel spent the rest of his life in Babylon, where he served Kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus, who represented three different kingdoms.
Judah’s seventy-year exile did not unexpectedly happen; for decades, God used the prophets to warn His people of their pending captivity. One of the prophets was Jeremiah, who prophesied to the tribe of Judah their seventy years of exile in Babylon due to their idolatry and disobedience to the laws of God. Another prophet was Isaiah, who prophesied to King Hezekiah the fate of the young man of Judah. He said, “Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon” (Isaiah 39:6-7).
Along with transporting captives and some vessels from Solomon’s temple to Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar instructed the eunuch master, Ashpenaz, to select from the royal family and nobility of Judah healthy, handsome, young men who were intellectual and could understand science. These young men, for three years, were to be taught the Chaldean language, literature, and how to serve in the king’s court. Additionally, for food and drink, they were to be fed meat and wine from the king’s kitchen. Four of the young men selected were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and the prince of the eunuchs gave them the Babylonian names of Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Though a captive in a foreign land and despite being treated favorably, Daniel purposed not to defile himself with a polluted diet, and he was determined not to eat or drink that which was contrary to the Mosaic law. So Daniel requested permission from the prince of the eunuchs not to eat the food they were offered. However, the prince was reluctant to do so for fear Daniel would appear sickly and consequently cause him to suffer at the hands of the king. Daniel suggested to Melzar, the steward, that he, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be given pulse and water for ten days and then examined to see if their countenance had declined. Melzar agreed, and at the end of the ten days, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego appeared healthier than those who ate from the king’s kitchen, so they were able to continue their restricted diet.
At the completion of the three years of Chaldean instructions, King Nebuchadnezzar interviewed these four youths, and he found them to be ten times wiser than all the magicians and astrologers in his kingdom. God blessed them with knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; plus, Daniel had the ability to interpret visions and dreams.
Here are nuggets that I gleaned from this chapter:
God warns and provides time for repentance before issuing judgment.
Disobedience to the laws of God leads to consequences.
God will allow an enemy to punish you for your rebellion of His instructions.
Despite being in a foreign land, subject to its laws and governed by those in authority, don’t forget your heritage.
Resolve not to compromise your standards.
Though others may change your name and attempt to indoctrinate you to another culture, maintain your godly character.
God will cause you to find favor with those in charge of your life.
Be not conformed to the world.
God helps the faithful.
God blesses and rewards those who keep His laws.
God’s people can serve in governmental positions.
This week, I attended the homegoing service of a fellow believer and the eulogist’s message inspired me to revisit the story of Job and write this blog.
The scriptures described Job as a wealthy man who was perfect and upright, shunned sin and feared God. I believe that knowing Job’s character, God used him to show Satan that there are individuals who serve Him faithfully despite the calamities that happen in their lives. Also, the scriptures reveal Satan was under the false impression that Job served God because of God’s provisional hand of favor, protection, and blessings.
As the story goes, God questioned Satan’s activity when he appeared before Him along with other angelic beings, and Satan told God he was walking up and down the earth going to and fro. At that point, God brings Job’s name into the conversation and speaks about Job’s exemplary character. Satan does not believe God and suggests if the things that Job possessed were no longer existing, Job would curse God. So, God permits Satan to attack Job, and consequently, he does so all in one day.
First, a firestorm burns up his sheep. Secondly, marauding nomads from the south and north steal his oxen, asses, and camels, and finally, a whirlwind from the east collapses the home of Job’s oldest son and kills his seven sons and three daughters who were gathered there. Additionally, all of Job’s servants were killed except one from each incident, who escaped and reported the disastrous news to Job. Upon receiving the devastating news, Job does not curse God but rather worships and blesses Him.
Meanwhile, at another angelic gathering, Job’s response motivated Satan to suggest to God that if Job’s body were physically affected by sickness, he would curse God. Thus, with God’s permission, Satan strikes Job with a terrible case of boils from head to foot, but Job remains faithful in his stance.
The omniscient God knew what Job’s response to these attacks would be, but Satan, who is a created being who only knows what he sees and hears, did not. Hence, God brought Job’s name up to Satan for consideration. Also, let me add the meaning of the word consider is to think about something seriously or carefully. God wanted Satan to pay attention to what He suggested. These tragic mishaps that God allowed in Job’s life were necessary to show Satan there was a person on the earth who would not reject God when evil befell him.
Now, could it be that God, who knows your future, knows you will always remain unswerving in allegiance to Him, knows you will always worship and praise Him no matter the circumstances, told Satan to consider you? Understand sometimes your tests, trials, hardship, pain, and sickness, with God’s permission, originate from Satan, but then, at other times, it is orchestrated by God. Why? Because you can be trusted, and God has confidence in you. You are an example to Satan and the world of a loyal servant of God. If this is you, all I can say is bravo for being considered.
In three days, America will have a major political election, in which we will be voting on the next president, senators, and House of Representatives. You, like me, may have a particular person or political party for whom you will vote, but please do not think they are going to resolve issues or usher in peace in this nation and world. 2 Timothy 3:16 informs readers that scriptures are profitable for correction and instruction; therefore it is advantages that we pay attention to these two scriptures. First, Psalms 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help,” and secondly, Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
No matter who gets elected, we are going to experience turbulent times and this is because the rapture is soon to occur. Remember, in Matthew 24, Jesus shared with his disciples the events that would occur prior to the rapture and during the tribulation. He revealed we would hear of wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, and we would experience famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. We are presently experiencing some of these events, and Jesus also revealed that these things must happen and intensify.
Paul wrote these words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-5a “That in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Unfortunately, these are the human characteristics that are being displayed in our society, and they only add to unrest.
Therefore, knowing and understanding the times in which we live, believers realize whoever wins the election will need supplications, intercessions, and the fervent prayers of the righteous. Though they may try, our elected officials will not be able to produce a beneficial, lasting, significant change. Only God can do that, and at this time, that is not slated to happen. What we can do is not fear, put our confidence in God, and share the good news of the Gospel with a sin-sick world.
The Teacher's Pick 