Daniel 8

Message: Daniel's Vision of a Ram and a Goat followed by Gabriel explaining the Vision

Time: The 3rd year of the reign of Belshazzar

What the Lord is Saying:

Daniel was at the fortress of Susa (Elam) beside the Ulai River.

VISION
He saw a ram with 2 long horns beside the river. The younger horn was longer. The ram did as it wished, butting everything to the west, north, and south. No one could stand against him nor help his victims. He became great.

Then a male goat appeared from the west, crossing the land, above it, not touching the ground. It had 1 large horn b/w its eyes, rushed at the ram, breaking off both his horns after striking him. The ram was taken and couldn't be rescued.

The goat became powerful. At his height of power, the large horn broke off, giving rise to 4 horns pointing in the four directions of the earth. From one horn came a smaller horn, extending to the South and East--toward the land of Israel. Its power reached the heavens, attacking the heavenly army, throwing some to the ground. It challenged the Commander of heaven's army, cancelling daily sacrifices and destroying the Temple. The army of heaven was restrained from responding. The horn succeeded.

Then 2 holy ones talked to each other, one saying, "How long will these events last? How long will the Temple and heaven's army be trampled on?" The other replied, "2,300 evenings and mornings (over 6 years) and then the Temple will be made right again."

EXPLANATION
A human voice told Gabriel to tell Daniel the meaning of the vision. Daniel (called Son of man) was told the event related to the end times.

The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia. The male goat, the king of Greece. The large horn b/w his eyes the 1st king of the Greek Empire. The four new horns replacing the one means the one kingdom will break into 4 kingdoms, but none as great as the first.

At the end of their rule with their sin at its peak, a fierce king will rise to power. He will destroy leadership, be deceptive and arrogant, destroying many without warning. He will take on the Prince of princes, but will be taken down, but not by human power.

The vision of 2,300 evenings and mornings is true, but it won't happen for a long time.

RESPONSE
Daniel was sick for days after hearing this, greatly troubled, while performing his duties as king.

Promise: Good will prevail.

Daniel 7

Message: Prophecy of Daniel - Four Beasts, Ancient One, Son of Man, People of the Lord

Time: This appears to be the same time of Daniel 6 as it is the 1st year of King Belshazzar's reign, about 553BC.

What the Lord is Saying: Daniel 7 begins a new section of the book of Daniel. The first 6 chapters were primarily history and the next 6 chapters are primarily prophecy.

7:1 - Introduction
7:2-14 Vision
7:15 Response
7:16-27 Interpretation
7:28 Response

Daniel 7 is a carryover of Daniel 2 (King Nebuchadnezzar's dream interpretation).

7:2-14 - Vision
Daniel sees a great storm shaking with continued motion the surface of a great sea--strong winds blowing from every direction.
Out of the water came four huge beasts-each different from the other.
1. Like a lion with eagles' wings. As i watched it, it's wings were pulled off. Standing there with its two hind (back) feet on the ground, like a human, it was given a human mind.
2. Like a bear. It was rearing up one side with three ribs in its mouth b/w teeth. And a voice spoke to it saying, "Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!"
3. Like a leopard. It had 4 bird's wings on its back and 4 heads. It had great authority given to it.
4. Terrifying, dreadful and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was very different from the other beasts and it had 10 horns.
a. From 3 of the horns, another horn appeared. This horn had human eyes and a boastful mouth.
b. Thrones were put in place.
c. The Ancient One sat down to judge
   i. His clothing was as white as snow
   ii. His hair was like pure wool
   iii. He sat on a fiery throne
       aa. The throne had wheels of blazing fire.
       bb. a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from His presence
   iv. Millions of angels ministered to him. 
   v. Millions of angels stood to attend him
d. The court began its session
e. The books were opened.
f. The little horn's speech was boastful. 
g. The 4th beast was killed; its body destroyed by fire.
h. The other beasts authority was removed but they remained for a while.    

Then a Son of man came with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
He was given authority, honor and sovereignty over all nations of the world.
People of every race, nation, and language would obey him.
His rule is eternal.
His kingdom will never be destroyed.

It is the Ancient One that gives authority and sets the time of each beast and orchestrates the events of the vision. 

7:15 - Response -- Daniel was troubled by what he had seen and his visions terrified him. People of every race, nation, and language would obey him.
His rule is eternal.

7:16-27 Interpretation The four beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise. But, in the end, the chosen people of the Lord will be given the kingdom and they will rule forever.

The fourth beast is different from all other beasts. It is the 4th world power, devouring everything and crushing everything in its path The 10 horns represent 10 ruling kings. Then one king (Satan) will arise and subdue 3 of them (Father, Son, Spirit). He will try to change that which is sacred into secular. But, his power will be taken away and destroyed, given to the people of the Most High.

7:28 - Isaiah was terrified by what had taken place. He kept these things to himself.

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We are His people, and we benefit from His reign and His protection in ways that we can see and in ways that we will not know about until we are in glory.

Daniel 6

Message: Integrity in the Life of Daniel

Time: Darius the Mede beginning his reign (just as Nebuchadnezzar's dream predicted). Darius ruled from 539-525BC. Judah's 70 years of captivity ended in 539BC.

What the Lord is Saying: Darius the Mede>>3 administrators (Daniel one of them)>>High Officers>>120 provinces

Daniel set himself apart from the other 2 administrators. The king planned to have Daniel be over the entire empire. This made the other administrators and high offers suspicious of Daniel and they wanted to find some fault in him, but found nothing. He was (1) faithful, (2) always responsible and (3) completely trustworthy. So, they sought to assault his faith. So they proposed a law to King Darius that for 30 days no one can pray to any other but Darius. If they disobey, those person(s) will be thrown into the den of lions.

Daniel made no change in his life, continuing to pray 3 times a day (with the windows open). The officials found and told the King. The king wanted to find a way to excuse or save Daniel from this judgment. But he couldn't go back on his signed word. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions with the king offering, "May your God, whom you serve faithfully, rescue you." A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king left and fasted, refusing his usual evening of entertainment.

The King returned the next morning to the lions' den calling out to Daniel, asking him if his God had rescued him. Daniel responded, "Long live the king!. God sent angels to shut the lions' mouths. I have been found innocent (no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus). He was removed from the den while the officials that had snagged him were thrown in with their wives and children. The lions tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

The King sent forth a message throughout his kingdom that God will endure forever: His kingdom will never be destroyed; his rule will never end; he will rescue and save his people; he will perform signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; He has rescued Daniel.

So Daniel prospered.


Promise: Leaders may change, but God's word and his promise to His people never changes.

This chapter's significance chronicles the consistency of Daniel. He did not go to pray 3 times a day because of the announcement that men could only pray to King Darius, but rather he went to pray 3 times a day because this was his normal daily action. Our lives should be lived in consistency. If we are living right and honoring God daily in our lives, then when things happen beyond our control, it is not as if we must then make a charge and attack these seemingly obstacles, but rather we must remain steady and continue in the discipline of the Lord.

Unfortunately, our lives don't often mirror this. When 9/11 occurred, the following Sunday was high attendance Sunday. Death and destruction often move us to suddenly get holy. But, our devotion should remain steady through any time, good or bad, happy or sad, rich or poor.

Daniel 5

Message: The Handwriting on the Wall

Time: 20 years after Daniel 4 (according to some sources). King Belshazzar is now over Babylon (though there were other kings since Nebuchadnezzar's departure from the throne). Belshazzar was co-king with King Nabonidus.

What the Lord is Saying: While King Belshazzar and his company was drinking wine, praising their idols, suddenly he saw a human hand writing on the wall of the king's palace. The king was frightened by this. He couldn't read what was written. He asked his astrologers and fortune-tellers, but they did not know. Belshazzar's wife knew of Daniel's interpreting power and wanted the King to call him to interpret this message. King Belshazzar verifies that Daniel is who everyone says he is and then the king promises Daniel to be the 3rd highest ruler of the kingdom is he is successful in understanding what was written. But, Daniel tells him to keep it, he will tell him what it means at no charge.

Daniel tells Belshazzar that it was God that gave Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty, majesty, glory and honor. When this happened, Nebuchadnezzar used it to be great among people, killing those he wanted to kill and sparing those he wanted to spare. Then God brought him down from his throne and stripped him of his glory, living as an animal in the field, until he saw that God was the ruler of the all. And then he tells Belshazzar how he knew this and yet he is not humble.

So God has given you a message. "Your reign is short-lived; it has come to an end." "Your ways have been weighed and they don't measure up." "Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."

Upon declaring this, Belshazzar made Daniel the 3rd highest ruler in the kingdom. That very night, Belshazzar was killed, giving Darius the Mede (62) the kingdom.

Promise: Once again, man will be humbled; God will reign.

Daniel 4

Message: Nebuchadnezzar recounts the work that the "Most High God" has done for him. 

Time: King Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 43 years (605-562BC). It is difficult to assign a specific date as their is no internal evidence from the Bible to identify a date. John MacArthur stated that Daniel 4 occurred 25-30 years after Daniel 3 and the fiery furnace. Daniel was about 45 to 50 years of age at this time.

What the Lord is Saying: It is interesting that in King Nebuchadnezzar's words he proclaims the greatness of God and his signs and wonders, yet we don't see that King Neb. is necessarily a Christian because God only became great to him after he saw miracles. He called God chief of the holy gods so he believed there was more than 1 god. In this telling, Nebuchadnezzar recounts the dream and what he remembers. And then recounts Daniel's interpretation. 

And then Nebuchadnezzar speaks as to the fulfillment of the dream, talking about what occurred 12 months later. After he saw that he ruled over all, a voice from heaven told him that it would be taken from him. And he will live in the fields with wild animals, eating like a cow, until he learns that God's sovereign control is over all.

And yet now Nebuchadnezzar offers a praise and worship of the Lord most High.

His rule and kingdom is eternal.
No one can compare with Him.
He does as he determines.
No one can stop Him or say to Him, "Why are you doing this?"
God's acts are just and true.
He humbles the proud.

This chapter is a chapter of contrast. King Nebuchadnezzar's empire was great. It was large and his power immense over many kingdoms. He had every reason to be puffed up with pride. Daniel in his interpretation asked Nebuchadnezzar to repent, stating that this is what would set him free (4:27).

Promise: Everyone, no matter the stature or position, will be humbled. But, that humility won't be what saves them.

Daniel 3

Message: Nebuchadnezzar's Gold Statue and the blazing furnace

Time: Some time between 603 and 583 BC

What the Lord is Saying:

Nebuchadnezzar made a statue 90 ft tall, 9 feet wide. Then he asked for a dedication from his high officers and governors of the statue, asking them to bow to it and worship it. Anyone who refuses will be thrown in a fiery furnace. So, at the sound of musical instruments all the people bowed, well, all the people except the Jews. And Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in charge of the province of Babylon, didn't bow. Naturally, this upset Nebuchadnezzar. He brought them to him and they were given another chance before him. They refused and said, "We will never bow to your gods and our God will rescue us from the flames."

Nebuchadnezzar was so mad that the furnace was heated 7 times hotter than usual. The three gusy were bound and thrown into the furnace fully dressed. The soldiers throwing them in were killed from the hot flames.

Then Nebuchadnezzar was amazed seeing not just three, but four men walking in the flames. Neb called them out and the three of them had no burns on them and their clothing was fine. And Neb praised God. (They worshiped God before the provision; only Neb worshiped God afterwards.) And the king made it a penalty to speak a work against God. Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego were promoted to higher positions in the province.

Promise: Trust the Lord, not if he follows through, but because He is Lord.

Daniel 2

Message: Nebuchadnezzar's dream, Daniel's interpretation and Daniel's reward

Time: About 605-539/538 BC.

What the Lord is Saying:

Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and wants to know what it means. He asks the astrologers, but they tell him that they want to hear the dream first and then they will tell them what it means. Neb isn't buying this and is bothered and makes a decree that all wise men of Babylon (including Daniel and his friends) will be executed. Daniel found out and asked for more time from the King. He asked his 3 friends to pray with him to have God reveal to them the meaning of Neb's dream.

That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision and Daniel praised God:

Lord, your name is to be praised forever and ever. You have all wisdom and power. You control the course of world events and you establish our leaders, setting up kings and removing others. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to scholars. Lord, you reveal deep and mysterious things and you know what lies hidden in darkness. Thank you for giving me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.

Daniel goes to Nebuchadnezzar and explains that only God knows the secrets of the dream. And God has revealed it now to Daniel.

First Daniel tells what Neb saw in the dream and then explains it.

Nebuchadnezzar - you are a great king with power, strength, honor, and sovereignty. God has made you ruler over all the world and put birds and animals under you control. After your kingdom ends a new kingdom, inferior to yours, will take your place. And then after that, a third kingdom, represented by bronze. And then a fourth, as iron. That fourth kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires. But, it will be divided, parts as strong as iron, other parts as weak as clay. Alliances will try to be formed, but iron and clay don't mix. And in the midst of these two kingdoms God will set up a forever kingdom that will not be destroyed or conquered. This is what is meant by the rock cut from the mountain. It was not cut by human hand. Your dream is true. God will intervene in man's life.

And King Nebuchadnezzar was awestruck by what Daniel had said and spoke that truly God must be the greatest of gods. Daniel was appointed to a high position and given many gifts. Daniel was made ruler over the whole province and chief over all the wise men. Daniel appointed Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in charge of the affairs of the province of Babylon.

Promise: God intervenes in our lives. Give him an opening and He will come through for you.

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From Tabletalk, "The sudden rise and fall of powers and even the changes in our own lives prove that the Lord alone is our security." One day God will be recognized as all in all.

The statue in the king's dream made up as follows: head of gold--Babylon; chest and arms of silver-Media-Persia; middle and thighs of bronze--Greece; legs of iron and feet of iron mixed with clay--Rome. And a new kingdom ushered in by Jesus Christ.

Daniel 1

Message: Daniel and his 3 friends leave Judah and enter Babylon to be trained to enter the royal service of King Nebuchadnezzar

Time:  About 605-539/538 BC; he is a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, though later. (Critics date is 169 BC--Wikipedia states this date--charging that it was written after the events it predicts.)

What the Lord is Saying:

This is what happened. It was the 3rd year of King (of Judah) Jehoiakim's reign when King Nebuchadnezzar (from Babylon) besieged Jerusalem. He was given victory, by the Lord, and could take sacred temple objects back to Babylon. King Neb. had Ashpenaz from his staff bring young men from Judah's royal family to Babylon. The men were to be strong, healthy, good-looking, knowledgeable. They are to be trained in language and literature of Babylon for 3 years and then they would enter the royal service. Daily, they would receive food and drink (wine).

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were 4 of these young men. They each received Babylonian names:

• Daniel was called Belteshazzar
• Hananiah was called Shadrach
• Mishael was called Meshach
• Azariah was called Abednego

But Daniel felt like the daily food and drink were unacceptable and he would not be defiled by them. Ashpenaz had begun to like Daniel and his friends, but was concerned without food, King Neb would be viewed as evil. Daniel asked if they could receive, starting for 10 days, another diet--that of vegetables and water and see if their disposition was the same as those receiving the king's daily ration of food and drink. 

Well, after 10 days, Daniel and his friends looked even better. God granted them an advanced level of understanding of the literature and wisdom, including giving Daniel the ability to interpret visions and dreams.

At the end of the 3 years, they were all brought to the king, but Daniel and his 3 friends were the most impressive to the King of the lot. They entered the royal service and the king found their insight continually helpful.    

Daniel remained in this service till the beginning of the reign of King Cyrus (about 538 BC).

Promise: The reason Daniel refused the King's food is not clear. But, what we do know is in this refusal, the Lord was glorified. It could be for dietary restrictions or it could have been that they wanted to eat only vegetables. Though the reason is not clear, the result is clear. God blessed him with knowledge and wisdom which then amplified his social and living condition. Trust the Lord. 

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From Tabletalk, "All events great and small are being used of the Lord to advance His glory and our good, and His control over all things is the only way we can be confident of the precious truth."

Great Bible Men and Women

MOSES

Mediator of the old covenant -- received the Law of God and took it to the people of Israel; brought the needs and sins of Israel to the Lord in prayer. God spent Moses' life preparing him for this calling. Moses came the poor means, but was spared from death and raised in the courts of the Pharaoh. But it was the weak and helpless he always came to the aid for: like the killing the Egyptian that had killed one Moses' own (Hebrew); saving the daughters of Jethro out shepherding their flock. And he was meek.

JOSHUA

Led newly formed nation of Israel into the Promised Land against a people more sophisticated militarily and greater manpower than Israel. God reminds Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua had confidence. He could conquer Canaan because he had experience and confidence, more importantly, in the Lord. Though he had experience, it was God's faithfulness to the Word of God by giving Joshua the ability to lead the people, seeing that Joshua was on the Lord's side. This is what is most important.

DEBORAH

God raised Deborah up to rescue His people from their enemies. The difference this time was he used a female. Her time was the time of the Judges when Israel was not united as a nation, but existed as a loose confederation of tribes. At times, the Lord would endow a leader or judge with His Holy Spirit, to rally the Israelites together to defeat a foe. Who was oppressing Israel at the time of Deborah? Jabin, king of Canaan, for 20 years. And so Deborah rallied the people against Jabin. The mightiest general in the region was defeated by an "ordinary" housewife. God uses the ordinary.

ESTHER

Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia, helped deliver her people during the reign of King Ahasuerus. Through this she had to overcome the fear of what may happen to her. The king of Persia needed a new queen after his queen, Vashti, refused to dance before his friends at his feast. Esther won the king's favor and became queen. The book of Esther does not mention the name of God. Esther's fear was whether to come to the rescue of her cousin Mordecai, who was refusing to bow to one of the king's advisors, Haman, and risk the Jews being wiped out. Initially Esther didn't get involved, but realizing she needed to do something to stay alive she went before the king.

INFLUENTIAL NEW TESTAMENT WOMEN

The Lord's mother gave birth to the Messiah and helped raise Jesus to honor the Father. Mary and Martha, two sisters, and friends of Jesus. Jesus always treated women with respect which was not the norm at this time. Women were the first witnesses to His resurrection.