As I look around the world, I see people who do not believe in God. Proverbs 14:1a states, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” These individuals have been deceived. Also, as I read about the lives of people in my nation and aboard, I realized that many have died and gone to a Christless grave. My heart and mind are grieved, for I know there is no second chance for them to get it right. I believe if they understood the gravity of their decision, there is a possibility they would have accepted Jesus as their Savior when they had a chance.
While on earth, Jesus shared a parable found in Luke 12:16-20 about a rich man. This man had the abundance; he was prosperous, and his concern was to make more room to receive the increase. He did not question whether he would live to enjoy his riches; he just assumed he would. So, in anticipation of a great harvest, he planned to tear down his barns and build bigger ones, thinking that afterward, he could rest and enjoy his life. Unfortunately for him, his days were numbered, his life ended, and the question of who would inherit his wealth arose.
This man, who God labeled a fool in verse 20, focused all his energy on material gain rather than a relationship with God. This man thought riches would provide him with a peaceful, enjoyable life; he had a false sense of security. This man overlooked the fact he could not guarantee himself a long life.
Scriptures such as James 4:14, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” and Isaiah 40:6a -7 “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass,” reminds us that our time on earth is short. Tomorrow is not promise to us.
Equally important, Hebrews 2:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” which means after death, there is no chance to rectify wrong decisions. All that we do while living must be purposeful with our primary goal of having an excellent relationship with God.
If you are reading this blog and know you are not serving God as you should, I urge you to stop and seriously think about your future. God has offered all of us the opportunity to live with Jesus in eternity and to really experience the results the rich man craved on earth. Trust me, this will be the best and wisest decision you have ever made. Plus, you can proudly say, “I am not a fool.”
This is the last chapter in the book of Daniel, and the angel who spoke to Daniel in the previous two chapters is completing his revelatory conversation with him.
This angel revealed an unimaginable time of trouble coming to Israel that they had never experienced, and Michel, the angel assigned to Israel, would defend it during this time. Additionally, a promise is declared that everyone whose name is found in the book shall be delivered, and those who are dead will either rise to everlasting life while others will rise to shame and condemnation. Additionally, the wise individuals of that time will be guiding lights that will minister and shine like the sun forever.
Daniel is instructed at that present time not to share what was told to him and to close the book on this information. In the future, knowledge will increase, and people will understand what has been revealed to him.
Daniel saw two angels, each standing on opposite sides of the Tigris river, and one questioned the man clothed in linen, which Daniel had seen in chapter ten. “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” The man responded, holding up both of his hands to heaven and swearing to God it would be a time, times, and a half, which equals three and a half years.
Not understanding all the information he received, Daniel asked when things would end, but the angel responded that the answers were temporarily sealed up and that Daniel was to go on his way. Many wise individuals would be tried and cleansed; however, the wicked individuals who did not understand would continue being wicked.
When the Antichrist stops Israel from doing the daily sacrifice, he will desecrate the temple for one thousand two hundred ninety days. The ones that endure to a thousand three hundred thirty- five days are blessed. The chapter closes with these words to Daniel. ”But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
As I come to the end of this Daniel blog series, here is additional information on this chapter and nuggets that I gathered from it.:
The world and Israel are going to experience a time of hardship that has never been experienced on this earth.
At the rapture, the body of Christ, both dead and alive, will arise to meet Jesus in the air. At the end of the tribulation, the tribulation martyrs and Old Testament covenant believers will be resurrected, and all will reign with Jesus during his millennium reign.
Halfway through the tribulation, the Antichrist will break his treaty with Israel and desecrate the temple, which will be the beginning of the great tribulation.
In his lifetime, Daniel was able to interpret the dreams of others but his dreams and vision he could not interpret.
God has assigned Michael to watch out and fight for Israel when necessary.
God has angels assigned to our lives to care for us.
Some Jews will be raised and receive eternal life, while others will be doomed.
Wise individuals will be engaged in evangelizing.
Over time, man’s knowledge has increased.
Some end-time events remain a mystery.
At the conclusion of the great tribulation, there will be a blessed reward for the believers who survived forty-five additional days beyond the one thousand two hundred ninety days.
After a lifetime of faithful service to God and the kings in Babylon, Daniel could die knowing one day he would receive his divine reward.
To help you understand the events happening in this blog, which covers approximately 375 years from the time of Daniel to the reign of the Antichrist. It is necessary to include the names of the historical characters who were the rulers and their successors in the kingdom of the North and the kingdom of the South
Chapter eleven continues with the angel of chapter ten revealing to Daniel the wars of the Kings of the South, the Ptolemies of Egypt, and the Kings of the North, the Seleucids of Syria. The angel tells Daniel that after King Cyrus, there would be four Persian kings who would reign after him. Scholars believe they were Cambyses (Ahasuerus), Pseudo–Smerdid (Artaxerxes), Darius Hystaspis (Darius), and Xerxes, the son of Darius whose riches supported his military efforts.
Next came Alexander the Great, who defeated Persia and became the mighty ruler of the Graeco-Macedonian Empire. After his untimely death at the age of thirty-two, the kingdom was divided into four parts among his four Generals: Ptolemy I in the southern took Egypt, Seleucus in the east took Syria, Lysimachus in the North took Thrace and Cassander in the west took Macedonia. Ptolemy, I became stronger and greater than the other three generals, and one of his generals, Seleucus Nicator, became the king of the North.
An alliance for peace was made between Egypt and Syria when Antiochus II married Ptolemy II Philadelphus’ daughter, Bernice. To do this, he separated from his wife Laodice and declared her children as illegitimate. After the death of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Antiochus II reunited with his ex-wife Laodice, and shortly thereafter, she had him poisoned and assassinated Bernice and her son.
Angry over the treatment of his sister Bernice’s brother, Ptolemy III marched into Syria, killed Laodice, and captured Seleucia, the king’s fortress. Needed back in Egypt, Ptolemy III returned home with the plunder of Syria’s idols, captured princes, and a hefty bounty of silver and gold.
Needless to say, the king of the North attempted to retaliate but was unsuccessful. To assist him, two of his sons, Seleucus III and Antiochus III, joined the conflict with Antiochus III, the younger brother becoming more successful. Warfare between the kings of the South and North continued, and the king of the North, with his large army, fought valiantly but still lost to his opponent. Relishing his victory, Ptolemy IV, the king of the South, allowed Antiochus to retreat without doing him any physical harm.
In verse thirteen, the angel shared that after several years, Antiochus III, the king of the North, proceeded to Egypt with an arsenal of weapons and a larger army. Fighting along the way and with the help of some apostate Jews who joined forces with him, the king of the North was able to capture the holy land.
In trying to control Egypt politically, Antiochus III, the king of the South, gave his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V of Egypt; however, his plan failed. Disappointed over the marriage of his daughter, the king of the South turned his attention to other military campaigns, which were not successful, and after returning home, he was killed by some of his citizens.
To help increase his revenue, the next king of the North, Seleucus IV, imposed taxes on the citizens, which worked until he was assassinated by his minister, Heliodorus, who wanted to become the king.
Seleucus brother Antiochus Epiphanes labelled a vile person, became the next king of the North by seizing the throne from Demetrius Soter. In his first military campaign against Egypt, he appeared to be peaceful, and full of flattery and promises. When an attempted covenant arrangement with the king of the South failed, an unsuccessful battle occurred. Eventually Antiochus Epiphanes ended up having his kingdom placed under the dominion of Rome. Humiliated and bitter from his defeat to the Romans, Antiochus Epiphanes attacked the Jews, placed an image of Zeus in the temple, and sacrificed a pig on it.
From verses thirty-six to the end of the chapter, commentators believe the angel shares information on the final world dictator, the Antichrist, the king of the North whose behavior and character was foreshadowed by Antiochus. The Antichrist will be permitted to exalt and magnify himself above every god and to speak against the God of gods. He will show no allegiance to his religious upbringing, nor will he be distracted by women. He will gain power using his wealth and building allegiances with other nations. Great conflicts will prevail but ultimately, he will fail and thus concludes this chapter.
Here is some additional historical information and nuggets I gathered from this chapter:
Daniel recorded such an accurate account of the future in this chapter that biblical critics believed this was not written by him but at a later time.
When God, who is omniscient, shares information or gives insight, it is always correct. God never lies.
This chapter shares the fulfilled prophecies of Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria and Antiochus. It also shares the unfilled prophecies of the tribulation and the Antichrist.
God reveals to His prophets things to come.
Unfortunately, the land of Israel was located between the king of the North (Syria) and the king of the South (Egypt); therefore, Israel, being in the middle, was often caught in the conflict between these two nations.
Sometimes, because of your proximity to two warring parties, you are drawn into their battle.
Life is filled with twists and turns.
Some people are willing to kill you so they can take your place.
There are parents who will use their children for their personal gain.
Just because you are victorious today does not mean you will obtain victory tomorrow.
When Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Jerusalem, it was believed he killed approximately 80, 000 Jews, sold 40.000 as slaves, and took captive 40,000.
A brutal individual does not value the sanctity of human life,
God always has the last say.
Daniel chapters ten, eleven, and twelve are about Daniel’s last recorded vision. Chapter ten opens approximately four years after Daniel’s time of intercession and supplication for Israel, which is found in chapter nine. It is the third year of the reign of King Cyrus. Daniel, who was probably in his late eighties and no longer a governmental official, had not washed himself and had been fasting for three weeks from pleasant bread, flesh, and wine.
After the fast had ended, Daniel had another vision, which took place on the twenty-fourth day of the first month while at Hiddekel riverside. He saw a man dressed in linen with a gold belt around his waist. Verse five describes the man, “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. Though others were with Daniel, he alone saw this man; however, his companions became fearful, which made them run and hide.
Overtaken by the vision and hearing the man’s voice, Daniel became frightened and weak and lapsed into unconsciousness until a hand touched him and helped him rise onto his knees. Daniel was told, “O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent.”
While standing and trembling, it was revealed to Daniel that from the first day of his fast, his prayers were heard, and this angelic being was sent to him. However, the prince of the Satanic kingdom of Persia detained him for twenty-one days until Michael, a chief prince of God, came and rescued him.
Now that the messenger arrived, he would help Daniel to understand what would happen to Israel in the distant future. Hearing this, Daniel found himself unable to speak until his lips were touched, and then he entered a dialogue with the angel. Feeling strengthened, Daniel told the angel to continue talking.
This chapter concludes with the angel informing Daniel he would tell him about future events. Also, when he departed from him, he would once again be engaged in warfare with the Prince of Persia and, afterward, the Prince of Grecia, and fortunately, Micheal would once again assist him.
Here are the nuggets I gathered from this chapter:
No matter your age, God speaks to those who seek Him.
Fear causes people to run away.
Some visions can cause you to faint and feel frail.
There is a spiritual war going on in the heavens.
The answer to our prayers can be held up in the heavens.
Apparently, angels have different degrees of strength.
Demonic principalities have angels assigned to them.
Our human government is subject to demon manipulation.
Some revelations are painful.
A Word from God can cause you to be strengthened.
God reveals things that will occur in the present and the distant future.
There has been a great deal of historical research on the relationship of Belshazzar to Nebuchadnezzar, and many believe he was the son of Nabonidus and Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. At the time of this chapter, it was B.C. 538, twenty-three years after the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar was reigning as king in conjunction with his father Nabonidus who was involved in a military expedition outside of Babylon. Thus, the prophecy found in Jeremiah 27:6-7 was fulfilled, “And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.”
King Belshazzar held a lavish feast for a thousand of his lords, and while drinking wine, he commanded the gold and silver holy vessels taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought in that he and his wives, concubines, and princes might drink from them.
While they were enjoying the festivities and praising the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone, a man’s finger appeared on the palace wall. Seeing the handwriting, King Belshazzar was overwhelmed with fear, and his knees shook. He called for the astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers and said, “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,” however none was able to so.
Hearing the king’s and nobles’ apprehension, the queen went to King Belshazzar and highly recommended Daniel. She remembered Daniel as having the spirit and wisdom of the holy gods, capable of interpreting dreams, explaining riddles, and solving complex problems, and whom King Nebuchadnezzar made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
When Daniel, who was now probably in his eighties, was brought to King Belshazzar, he first questioned Daniel about his nationality. Then, he sought to flatter him before telling him the reason he was summoned. He told Daniel, “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.” Daniel rejected the king’s gifts and promotion but was willing to give him the mysterious handwriting interpretation.
Before giving the interpretation, Daniel shared how God elevated King Nebuchadnezzar and made him great and feared among the nations and people. He told how Nebuchadnezzar’s pride caused the judgment of God to occur in his life, and consequently, his heart was made like the beast of the field, which he dwelt among until he realized that God was the sovereign ruler. Furthermore, Daniel accused Belshazzar of knowing what happened with his grandfather, yet he did not learn from it, for he committed blasphemy by treating the holy vessels with contempt and praising idol gods.
Daniel concluded with the interpretation of “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,” the writing sent from God, which meant,” God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” When Daniel completed talking, King Belshazzar placed on him a scarlet robe and a gold chain around his neck, and he made Daniel the third ruler of the kingdom
Historians have recorded that while the banquet was taking place, the Medes and Persians had entered the city through a canal that flowed under the walls by cutting off the water that flowed through it and diverting it to the Euphrates River. That night, the handwriting interpretation came to fruition, for King Belshazzar was slain by the invading army, and Darius the Median, at age sixty-two, became the king.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:
While some people are involved in revelry, others plot their demise.
Fatal decisions are often made while inebriated
Learn from the mistakes of others.
To live productively, humble yourself under the hand of God.
The spirit of God in you will cause people to remember you.
Though you may be the last one called into the room, your voice can be the most impactful.
God gives believers the ability to interpret His words.
God uses believers when they are young and when they are old.
History can be beneficial when used wisely.
Handling the things of God foolishly.can be detrimental.
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.
The Teacher's Pick 