DANIEL and REVELATION PROPHECY STUDY

[LogosRhema]

Hi LongosRhema,

Welocome to the Bible Study Sub-Forum.Glad to have you with us.

You have subscribed in the best way possible and that is by making a post.

Please feel free to ask questions or make comments at any time. If this is your first time here it might be well to go back and start from the begining. You will find it to be an easy and very interesting study.

You may also notice that the first homework assiginment was to read the 2nd chapter of Daniel completely through each day for a minimum of at least 3 days. It will really help to give you a firm footing for what is to follow.

Once again, glad to have you aboard!

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

Well hey! An unexpected greeting!

Haha, I will do that! Thanks!

 

[thecountrydoc]

The Unsealing of Daniel
Study 2 Part #2​

Pulse to Eat

The record states that Daniel ask for a test to be given to the four Hebrews concerning their diet. "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, tem days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink" (Daniel 1:12).

The word pulse in this scripture means anything that is planted and infers a vegetarian diet–not that Daniel was a strict vegetarian. On other occasions Daniel states, "In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth" (Daniel 10:3). Daniel knew diet played an important factor in times of mental taxation. Even professional athletes understand the benefits of a high–carbohydrate, low–fat diet. Today, scientific study is revealing that the body runs better on a diet based on legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables, rather than animal products.

This is nothing new in the Bible. In the beginning our Creator established the very diet that modern studies now deem best. Recorded in verse 29, of the first chapter of the first chapter of the Bible is the Genesis diet: "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat" [or food](Gen. 1:29). Yet, in the wake of sin, God allowed man to eat the flesh of animals. This was especially needful after the flood when most of the earth’s vegetation was wiped out (see Gen. 7:4).

Daniel understood these principals, but there was more to his commitment than this. While he appealed for a vegetarian diet for the purpose of keeping a strong mind and body during his three years of vigorous training, the king’s food included un–clean meats. In this area God had placed some restrictions upon the flesh–food diet. For instance, He told Noah to take the animals that were clean into the ark by sevens and the unclean by twos (Gen. 7:2–4). God never designed that we should eat the unclean animals, for had Noah done so, unclean animals would have had no offspring and would be extinct today. These unclean animals, listed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:3–19), are the scavengers of the earth. The food that they eat is primarily waste, something our Creator knows is not good for humans. Not that clean flesh food is the best either. After the flood, with the eating of flesh food, the life span of mankind was reduced dramatically (Gen. 5). Today modern medical science understands why God warned us, even in eating clean meat, not to eat the blood and the fat (see Leviticus 3:17). These are the two main culprits in health problems that plague the western world and make heart disease the #1 killer in America.

Peer Pressure

The test that came to these four young Hebrew boys assailed more than their physical desires. They must have been urged to confirm to what we call "peer pressure." The fact that this pressure came not just from the Babylonians, but also from their fellow Hebrew captives, tested the four young men to a greater degree. No likes to stick out in the crowd, especially young people. The language of their overseer tells us that others who had been taken captive from Judah were less concerned about their diet: "For," questions the prince of the eunuchs. "Why should he [the king] see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort?" (Daniel 1:10). Or "other young men of your age," as the NIV puts it. Often the greater pressure facing God’s people comes from compromise of fellow professors rather than from the world itself.

I like the whole scenario described here because God knows we live in a time when young people need encouragement to follow spiritual truth. We could say that the first chapter of Daniel is written with young people in mind, more than anyone else. Of course, it offers lessons for the rest of us too.

Today we see a great deal of pressure in church to comprise Christian standards in order to reach the young. The Word of God here tells us of a better way. Daniel and his teenage friends stand as encouraging examples of what young people can do when confronted not only with dietary temptations, but also drugs, alcohol, music, entertainment and so on. The devil has devised a host of temptations that stalk young people today, like carnivorous animals (see 1 Peter 5:8–9). Yet, with faith and trust in God, none need fall prey to these allurements. They can be resisted (James 4:4–10; 1 Cor. 10:13).

The Wisdom of the World

The issue these four Hebrew boys faced was life and death. "Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king," was the main concern of the eunuchs. To refuse to comply with the king’s request promised to excite his hottest passions and most formidable threats (see Daniel 2:12–13; 3:19–21). If the church today is tempted to think that some of the previously mentioned topics are not significant enough to be made an issue, let’s read Daniel 1 more carefully. Daniel thought diet was a serious enough issue to risk his life. God’s Word says, "know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Cor. 3:16–18). This wisdom of the world in Daniel’s day, Babylon’s wisdom, said Daniel’s health would be benefitted by the king’s food and drink and hurt by a simple diet. The wisdom of the world today says the same about our food and drink, though more about our food and drink, though more recent health studies show that popular opinion is wrong and God is right.

Daniel Purposed in His Heart

The key phrase to be studied in Daniel 1 is found in verse 8: "But Daniel purposed in his heart." If we were to understand nothing more in this entire chapter, this point itself would be sufficient, at least for practical Christian experience. It offers to the diligent seeker after truth insight more valuable than all the wisdom of the world. The apostle Paul speaks of this essential principle in his epistle to the church in Rome. "But God be thanked," he states, "that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Romans 6:17). Christ Himself speaks to an entire church era that had every form of commendable obedience a true Christian could possibly want, and yet was on the verge of being rejected by God because it failed to maintain its first love for the Savior (see Revelation 2:1–7).

This was the point upon which King Hezekiah had failed. His heart was proud and lifted up (see 2 Chron. 32:25). When ambassadors came to Jerusalem to inquire of the great healing powers of the God of heaven, God left him to himself to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart"(2 Chron. 32:32, Amplified).

Daniel, on the other hand, was constrained by the love of God (see 2 Cor. 5:14). He desired to honor God because his heart had been changed by the love of God for him. With this purpose in his heart, nothing could separate Him from God’s love–not "tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword" (Romans 8:35). Daniel was persuaded "that neither death, nor light, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature" was able to separate him "from the love of God" (Romans 8:38–39).

Despite outward appearances, Daniel understood that God’s love carried him to Babylon. Now he would exemplify that in this heathen court. So what that he was surrounded by enemies of his nation! And worse yet, he was pressured by less–than– committed, countrymen. Daniel was to represent to the Babylonians God’s great atoning purpose for mankind. And so did he. His faithfulness led to some of the most wonderful revelations of truth ever given to mortal man.

How powerful is the influence of God’s love when it is given access to unbelievers through His humble servants? "Now God had brought Daniel into favor and rendered love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear for my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then Daniel said to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Mishael, and Azariah. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days"(Daniel1:9–14).

Daniel’s witness was powerful enough to cause the prince of the eunuchs to risk the king’s wrath upon himself! The lesson here is profound. The Bible says, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die" yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to ddie"(Romans 5:7). In a very short time Daniel had demonstrated the goodness of God to such a degree that a heathen lord would dare to risk his head that Daniel might follow the convictions of his heart.
________________________________________________

Study #2, Part #3, to follow.

Don’t forget to read the complete referenced passages from the Bible to get the complete context. Also please post your comments and questions.

May the Holy Spirit guide you as we study.


Your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[icedtea]

I've been reading the Word for almost three decades, yet many times never noticed the 'story behind the words' in most of it.
This is good, doc.
A point, I'd always figured God wanted more of the clean animals alive as they were to be used as sacrifices to Him afterwards-Genesis 8:20.
I also noticed long time ago when I became vegetarian for a time, that all the animals we ate were vegetarians.

 

[thecountrydoc]

THE
Daniel and Revelation
Study Number 2
Part 3​

The Source of Wisdom

By the time we arrive at the end of chapter 1, it is clear that the faithfulness of Daniel and his three friends is rewarded. "As for these children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days of that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood theu before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm" (Daniel 1:17–20).

As we prepare to launch out into the rest of the book of Daniel, it will be rewarding to pause and consider the source of the wisdom demonstrated by these Hebrew captives. "God gave them learning and skill in all skill in all letters and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" and "God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs." This is a message we may carry through the entire book. In fact, it is a theme that rings with clarity through the final episodes of Bible history. The everlasting gospel calls to the world to "Fear God, and give glory to Him" (Revelation 14:7). Like Daniel, we are called to learn the lesson so amply illustrated in this first chapter, that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10).

The kings of Judah showed more fear of man than of God; and it led them to captivity and death (see Jeremiah 38:17–28). Yet Daniel revealed a reverential fear of God that far exceeded his fear of any earthly potentate. While God gave the nation of Judah into the hands of Babylon, He was preparing to give the nation of Babylon into the hands of Daniel and his companions. But for now, the winning combination of God’s love and fear had taken Daniel and his friends to a position of prominence in the very presence of the king (see Daniel 1:19).

The Way of the Cross

So why did God allow Judah and some of his faithful followers to be taken captive by a heathen king, hauled through one thousand miles of hot, rocky country, only to serve as eunuchs in a heathen court? Why did God allow the vessels of His sanctuary to be added to the treasury of a heathen temple, a sign of victory for the Babylonian gods?

Because, through the humiliation of His favored people, He would reveal Himself to the world. He purposed to show what His people would have been like had they been faithful. He designed to prove that faith and trust in God, no matter what the pressure, means more than all the wisdom of the world. He prepared Daniel and his friends to reveal, in the end, that God’s love is more powerful than any heathen deity or earthly power, as we shall see in the coming chapters.

Despite what is happening to others around us, regardless of others’ apostasy or weakness, God is in control of our individual lives. Consider our case as if there were no other. He deals faithfully with us according to our response to His love and mercy. Daniel 1 confirms that God is able to do abundantly above all that we can ask or think according to His good pleasure in Christ Jesus (see Eph. 3:20).

This first chapter of Daniel introduces the key principals of the government of heaven–the way of the cross, that the way to up is down. It shows that God is on the path of humility with His people. God allowed His name to be humbled among the nations through His people’s captivity. Before He could be exalted through His faithful servants in Babylon, He allowed Himself to be looked upon as a weak God, not able to defend His own people from the gods of Babylon. This is a principal God Himself has practiced many times, the greatest example being that of Jesus Christ’s life and death behalf of sinners.
For our sake we find Christ humbling Himself "unto death, even death of the cross"(Phil. 2:8). Then we see that God the Father has "highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of the things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9–11). The book of Daniel is replete with this wonderful theme. Its message is truly one of reconciliation through the "unsearchable judgments" and humility of God (see Romans 11:33; Matt. 11:29).
______________________________________________________________________________
Study #3, God’s Initiative for Atonement in History, will be next.

Don’t forget to read the complete referenced passages from the Bible to get the complete context.

Also please post your comments and questions.

May the Holy Spirit guide you as we study.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[thecountrydoc]

The Unsealing of Daniel​

StudyNumber 3​

God’s Initiative for Atonement in History​

Wearenowabouttoembark on a study of the most fascinating and powerful chapters in all of Scripture. Military leaders like Napoleon and Hitler knew all about Bible prophecy. In facy, they would have torn it from the record, if only they could.​

In Daniel 1, God seemed hidden from His people when Babylon attacked Judah. But in Daniel 2 God is far from hidden. Actually, He shows up in Nebchadnezzar’s bedchamber, that is through the revelation of a dream. Now God is about to counterattack the religion, culture, and wisdom of Babylon’s power–with a dream! Not just any old dream, but one that is so incredibly gripping and so overwhelmingly accurate, that though the king cannot remember it, he must understand it at all cost, even if it means the death of the most renowned spiritual guardians of his great kingdom. You might feel pretty intense, too, if you had a dream like thisone.​

The Power of a Dream​

Dreams are not uncommon in the Bible, especially dreams from God. Beginning clear back in the book of Genesis and then going all the way down through the New Testament, God has communicated warnings, counsel, encouragement and His will through dreams. And, by the way these types of disclosures were never restricted to His chosen people. There are occasions when God communicated through dreams to those who did not know Him (see Gen.20:3;31:24). ​

Nebchadnezzar’s dream was not the first time God had used this method to reach the heathen with the message of His reconciling love. There was another occasion, prior to Babylon’s rule, when God spoke to a ruling monarch through a dream that he could not understand (see Gen. 41:15). The impact of that dream took a Hebrew boy named Joseph from his prison cell to a position in the kingdom of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself (see Ge, 41:39–43).​

This brings us to Daniel 2 and another dream that not only not be ubderstood, but not even remembered ( see Daniel 2:5). Lets look at the record:

"And in the second year of the reign of Nebchadnezzar, Nebchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king live forever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gon from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your homes shall be made a dung hill. But if ye shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. The Chaldeans answeredbefore the king, and said There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that ask 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 show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. For this cause the king easangery andvery furious, and commanded to destroy allthewisemenofBabylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain"(Daniel 2:1–13).

This simple dream from God accomplished what no earthly power could do. It turned the kingdom of Babylon upside down. Notice these four conditions brought about by the dream that God gave to Nebchadnezzar:​

(1) The king was "so troubled" about the dream that he couldn’t sleep.
(2) This brought all of the wise men of Babylon to the test.
(3) The wisdom of these wise men was insufficient to meet the king’s need.
(4) The lives of these men and their families were on the line.​

The stage is set. Through a dream God has brought the greatest monarch of the world to a place of utter frustration with the wisest of his counselors, in whom he has learned to trust. Through the prophet Isaiah, God had foretold this very position Nebuchadnezzar now finds himself in: "Thou art wearied in multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the star gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves"(Isaiah 47:13–14).​

The wisdom, knowledge, learning and supposed superiority of the world’s wisdom has been overthrown in a single night by a dream from God. That’s the power of a dream–the power of God to make the wisdom of the world seem foolish, not by might or power, but through a simple dream (see Cor.1:20).​

Faith and Presumption​

There was, however, one immediate problem needing attention. Daniel and his three friends were also to be executed along with Babylon’s wisest. Quickly Daniel spoke to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon, to find out why the king had commanded they be slain (see Daniel 2:14). Learning of the king’s frustration, Daniel bravely ventured in before the enraged monarch. He ask for time that he might tell the king the interpretation (Daniel 2:16). Was this a presumptuous offer? Not at all. It was by "faith" that Daniel made such a statement. And what, you might wonder, is faith as opposed to presumption? How did Daniel know God would reveal this dream to him?​

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Daniel definitely must have hoped he could solve the king’s dilemma, though he could not see the solution at the moment, for his life depended on it. But beyond this, Daniel had confidence in God, for faith comes "by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Daniel was familiar with God’s Word. He had developed the habit of relying upon God.​

Only in such faith could Daniel have told the king he would deliver to him the interpretation of the dream.
Presumption, on the other hand, comes in when we disobey the Lord’s commands while still expecting His blessing (see Numbers 14:41–44). Daniel’s faith was based on the promises of God"s Word. One such promise found in Isaiah says, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear"(Isaiah 65:24). In other words, Daniel believed God would hear him before he had even called upon Him for help. Perhaps Daniel clung to this very text w2hile speaking to the king. Like Daniel, we, too "must believe that He is," that God is a real, personal Being working for our best interest, "and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).​

I must once again take a break. When I return we’ll take a look at "The Importance of Prayer"​

Your brother in Christ,
Doc​

 

[thecountrydoc]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't forgotten about this study. I've been figting some health problems but will get on it ASAP.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[icedtea]

Doc! I will pray for you. We are not impatient or peeved, take your time.
I read all of Daniel and it gets very metaphorical about world empires!

 

[LogosRhema]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome (I know I'm late on the response busy with my college studies) Just wanted to say that I'm about to start, so I'm behind, but I'll catch up in a couple weeks or so, finals are coming up but I have a bit of time now to get started!

 

[thecountrydoc]

The Unsealing of Daniel
Study 3, Part 2​

The Importance of Prayer

"Then ," immediately upon leaving the king’s presence, "Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon"(Daniel 2:17-18). We know Daniel relied by on faith upon God because these verses tell us he did. While the rest of the wise men consulted horoscopes, crystal balls, magic and sorcery, Daniel and his companions were praying.​

"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God?" (Isaiah 8:19). Tje world looks for help from spiritualism and spirit communication, while God’s people look to an all-powerful, ever-living Creator.​

God Answers Prayer​

"Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision." And what is the very first thing Daniel does when the dream, upon which his life and the lives of all the wise men in Babylon hands, is revealed to him by God? "Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven and said, Blessed be the name of God forever: for wisdom and might are His: and He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth uo kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and iknowlrdge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him. I thank thee, O thou God of my fathers, Who hast given me wisdom and might, and made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter"(Daniel 2:19-23).​

Daniel Gives Glory to God​

NowArioch, who seems eager to claim some degree of credit for Daniel, as if he had been searching endlessly throughout Babylon and "found" him, brings him in before the king. "Them Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in hast, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation"(Daniel2:25).​

There are two points to ponder about the circumstances now facing Daniel:​

1.) Arioch was in a hurry to have Daniel solve the king’s dilemma and no doubt the king was anxious to be relived of his troubled mind.​

2.) Daniel was in the court of a heathen king who had no respect for his God.​

Putting these two perspectives together we could easily conclude that Daniel needed to get right to the point. This was not the time to give the royal court a Bible study on God;’s omnipotence, or give credit to a religion Nebuchadnezzar had recently conquered. "Don’t witness about God now, Daniel," might have our advice. "Just tell the king what he wants to hear and you can talk to him about your God later."​

But this is not the way of a servant of God. Daniel is not afraid to take the time to acknowledge the power of his God in a public way. So what if his life is at stake? So what if the king is impatient to know the dream? The first statement from Daniel’s lips gives honor to God.. "Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show 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"(Daniel2:27-28).​

Then Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar why the dream has been revealed to him, bringing to the forefront that God cares about the thoughts of this pagan king. "But as for me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living has this mystery been revealed to me, in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind"(Daniel 2:30 RSV).​

God knows that Nebuchadnezzar is troubled and anxious about the dream. Like a loving Father, He longs to relive the stress of his mind. God loves those, like Nebuchadnezzar, who neither know or love Him. Consider the record: "God saved not only Daniel’s life but all the lives of all the wise men. When He miraculously released the apostle Paul from prison one midnight, He generously released all the other prisoners as well (see Acts 16:25-26). When He saved Paul in a shipwreck, He saved all the sailors (see Acts 27:21-25). God loves sinners as well as saints!" (God Cares, vol. 1, C. Mervyn Maxwell, p. 39).​

Daniel Reveals the Dream​

In 15 verses of Bible prophecy, God lays out the history of over 2500 years. And the accuracy og God’s Word is confirmed over 2500 years later, by the record of earth’s history. ​

"Thou. O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut outwithouthands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer thressingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth"(Daniel 2:31-35).​

At this point, Nebuchadnezzaer must be sitting on the edge of his royal seat. He is speachless, but in his mind he says, "That is exactly what I dreamed: how did you know?" The words of his own wise men are ringing in his ears, "It is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none that can show it before the king, except the god’s, whose dwelling is not with flesh"(Daniel2:11).​

"This is the dream," Daniel says, "and we will tell the interpretation thereof"(Daniel 2:36). And then, before Nebuchadnezzar can utter a word, Daniel continues with the interpretation.​

The Interpretation​

"Thou O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beast of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee rule over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided: but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall stand forever. Forasmuchas thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter; and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure" (Daniel 2:37-45).​

I must take another break. When I come back we’ll take a look at the king’s response.​

Respectfully, your brother in Christ,
Doc​

 

[thecountrydoc]

The King’s Response

At this point, Nebuchadnezzar, proud ruler of great Babylon, mighty conqueror of nations, practically falls off his throne. The relief coming to his troubled mind, the amazing accuracy with which Daniel rehearses his dream, followed by interpretation, all seem to overwhelm him with thanksgiving. He worships at the feet of hid lowly Hebrew captive.

"Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man and gave him many gifts, and made him rule over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the gpvernors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king" (Daniel 2:46-49).


What Does It All Mean?


Daniel was shown four world kingdoms, each one following in succession, beginning with the kingdom of Babylon. "Thou,"said Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, "art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron" (Daniel 2:38-40).


History records it just as Daniel was shown, four world kingdoms, Babylon followed by Media-Persia, Greece and Rome.


Then Daniel was shown that there would be a division of the fourth empire into ten parts, represented by the ten toes of the great image. This describes in prophetic language the break-up of the Roman Empire. Out of it came ten tribes, the basis of the nations of Europe to this day.


There are two points here we should pause to consider. First: according to the dream given to Nebuchadnezzar by God, there would be four successive powers, no more and no less. Second: as the last of these four powers ceased to exist, the nations of Europe would be established and continue in a state of division, "partly strong and partly broken," until the kingdom of God is set up, which breaks and consumes all earthly kingdoms.

Actually, Daniel 2 is simply an introduction to more stupendous life-changing prophecies still to come. In future chapters we are going to discover many other interesting and important details about this history. That most significant thought to realize is that the first
prophetic revelation is stated succinctly by Daniel in verse28: "There is a God in heaven." We know this because of the accuracy and trustworthiness of God’s Word.


We mentioned earlier the names of military leaders who were familiar with this chapter and would have liked to rip it from the record. This is because they tested the seven words of God, "They shall not cleave one to another," and found them to be true, much to their dismay.


Napoleon desired to establish a united Europe. He wanted "a European system, a European code of law, a European court of appeals." In short, he wanted Europe to be "one nation." Napoleon’s efforts were unsuccessful. After meeting with defeat at Waterloo, he was quoted as saying. "God Almighty has been too much for me."


Then there was Hitler. It is said that he once scoffed at Napoleon’s tomb after conquering France, boasting that he would succeed where Napoleon failed. In March of 1941, Hitler boldly declared, "See. my people We do not need anything from God. We do not ask anything from Him except that He let us alone. We want to fight our own war, with our own guns, without God.. We want to gain our victory without the help of God."


A young woman who had nursed Hitler in a time of illness says that he would read the second chapter of Daniel, and when he came to the words, "they shall not cleave one to another," he would leap from his bed ranting and raving, shouting at the top of his lungs, "I will win, I will win!" He never did.


And there were others like Louis the XIV, Charles the V, and Kaiser Wilhelm. All failed to unite Europe. What God recorded in Daniel 2 has withstood the test of time and the most cruel assaults of tyranny. And there have been other efforts to unite Europe, not through military conquest, but by mingling the seeds of men, or the intermarriage of various ruling royalty of these nations. To this day God’s seven word’s, "they shall not cleave one to another" have prevailed. And we can be assured they will continue to prevail until God sets up His everlasting kingdom.


The Mysterious Stone


What about the mysterious stone, "cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them up to pieces"? The one that "became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth"? This symbolic stone represents none other than Jesus Christand His second coming.


Speaking of Himself and using symbolic language identical to this, Christ spoke to the religious leaders of His own day. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder" (Matt. 21:44). The apostle Peter, speaking with boldness after the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, picks up this same symbolism when he states, "Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught for you builders, which is become the head stone of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, where by we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12).


There are some who teach that the stone represents Peter, the first of a long succession of men upon which Christ founded His church. The record of Scripture, however, is contrary.


This stone was one made without hands," which describes no human being. It describes a rock against which the gates of hell would not prevail. Jesus alone can rightly claim such a victory. Peter himself sets the record straight when he says, "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptabletoGodby Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: andhe that believeth on him shall not be confounded.. Unto you therefore which believe he isprecious: but unto them which are disobedient,the stone which builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they appointed" (1 Peter 2:3-8).


Yes, says Peter, we are all stones, part of the building of God, but Jesus is the chief corner stone, the One who will some day grind all the kingdoms of this world to powder and set up His everlasting kingdom.

Would you like to be part of His kingdom? Nebuchadnezzar desired it more than all the riches, fame and power this earth could offer him. He will be in eternity with the redeemed. If God can save a cruel monarch, He is abundantly able to save anyone.

Through the revelation of His goodness God is drawing you to Himself even now (see Romans 2:4).


There is only one obstacle that stands between you and His gift of eternal life, and that is your own resistance. Don’t reject His love. Won’t you give Him your heart now and allow His grace to change your life forever?
______________________________________________________________________________

Respectfully, your friend and brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[thecountrydoc]

The
Unsealing of Daniel​

Study Number 4, Part 1​

Standing for Truth

If you have been impressed with the book of Daniel so far, this chapter will not be a disappointment. It unfolds in miniature the very issues that will confront all the world just before the second coming of Jesus. More importantly, it shows how important it is to stand on the Word of God through opposition, for the truth of God’s Word withstands the test of fire.

According to Revelation 13, the Bible teaches the antichrist and false prophet will collaborate with civil powers to deceive the world in the last days (see Rev. 19:19-20). Under seemingly good intentions, a system of religious worship symbolized by an image, will be established. All will be forced to conform to this religious worship on the threat of economic sanctions and death (see Rev. 13:11-18).

The idea of bringing economic sanctions against other nations is already a reality. It has been a long–practiced policy of America and other leading world nations to boycott non–Christian nations like Iraq or Cuba. Through the motive and intent is now quite different, the transition to a religious motivation is a definite prediction of Bible prophecy. The fact that such sanctions will actually come against individuals, rather than just nations, is al so clearly revealed (see Rev. 13:15–17).
The most important point of this entire chapter might be found in the following verse: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him spirit and in truth"(John 4:24). Never can the worship of God be enforced upon and the principal of this Scripture be maintained. To worship God in spirit and truth is to be unaffected by any force or compulsion, any threat or punishment. It is the violation of this very principle which brings down upon spiritual Babylon some of the strongest denunciations found in the Word of God (see Rev. 14:8–13). "Because" Babylon has "made" or caused all people to worship through economic sanctions and threat of death, God declares her to be fallen. In sharp contrast, the very essence of true Christian worship is liberty, religious liberty to all, even those who would choose to be lost. In this one principal will be found an unmistakable distinction between God’s cause and that of the antichrist during the coming world crisis.

The Antichrist Principal

What does the antichrist of Revelation 13 have to do with the third chapter of Daniel? The first similarity is that Nebuchadnezzar has become a professed worshiper of God (see Dan. 2:46–47). Yet, he is about to enforce a false worship upon the multitudes. In this alone he is illustrating the spirit of antichrist. The word "anti," not only means "against" but "in the place of" (American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828). This definition is enunciated by the apostle Paul’s description of the antichrist in 2 Thessalonians. Notice how he describes this false religious leader: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exaulteth all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:3–4). In other words, the antichrist power puts itself in the place of God.
According to these verses, the antichrist is non–religious. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. The antichrist power is so religious that it believes it deserves the very place of God. He wants to sit in God’s place in the world. He even desires to be exalted above the masses of humanity. This New Testament description of the antichrist bears a striking resemblance to the goal of Nebuchadnezzar. Consider the record:

"Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captians, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captians, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye shall fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace"(Dan. 3:1–6).

Did you catch what Nebuchadnezzar had done? God had revealed the future to him through a dream, interpreted by Daniel. This dream revealed an image just like the one Nebuchadnezzar had erected, but the image in the dream was of four different metals. The significance of those metals was that three others would follow Babylon’s kingdom. But Nebuchadnezzar made his image all of one metal, gold.

In the dream God gave Nebuchadnezzar, it was only the head of the image that was gold, representing King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon’s reign. Yet Nebuchadnezzar was not content with just a part of history. Perhaps the idea of his great kingdom coming to an end began to disturb him. He didn’t like the thought of being replaced by another kingdom, especially since he was the most powerful kingdom around at the time. Who, among all his subject nations, would dare mount an attack against his great kingdom? Finally he concluded that the whole image should have been made of gold, signifying that his kingdom would last forever. In order to firmly establish this desire, he set out to construct just such an image. This would send a warning message to any would–be insurgents, as well as to future generations.

Once he accomplished the building of the image all of gold, the next logical conclusion was to make all nations come to bow in allegiance to his image. This would ensure absolute loyalty among his subjects. It was vital that he bring representatives from every part of his kingdom. More important still, all of them must be left with an unshakable conviction that he would allow not a particle of disloyalty.

So what that he was misrepresenting the truth God had revealed to him. So what that Daniel had clearly uncovered to the king that which he once confessed must havecome from the only true God of gods. "I’ll just send Daniel to a far away province during the dedication," he may have thought. Perhaps this is why Daniel is not present at the dedication. Men have often tried to remove from their presence the messenger of truth so they can carry out their own desires. With Daniel gone, this purpose might have gone unchecked, but for three other Hebrews who would not allow their love for God to be comprised.

It is in this sense that we find King Nebuchadnezzar illustrating the spirit of antichrist. Nebuchadnezzar put himself in the place of God and sought the worship of all nations, which is due only to God. Of course, we might expect tactics from a heathen ruler. But this king had been enlightened. Still, God in His mercy would work through His faithful servants to bring the truth of His sovereignty home to Nebuchadnezzar’s heart.

I must take a break. When I return we’ll find out about the "Three Refuse to Worship."

Respectfully, your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[thecountrydoc]

The
Unsealing of Daniel
Study 4, Part 2​

Three Refuse to Worship

"Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp,, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thu gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Mrshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have hade; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?"(Dan. 3:7–15).

Let’s pause for just a minute here. The issue between Nebuchadnezzar and those three faithful worshipers of God is made crystal clear in verse 15. The conflict we are about to witness is really all about power. It’s a power struggle between Nebuchadnezzar and God. The enraged king, though a professed worshiper of the God of heaven, does not belive in God’s power to deliver these three Hebrews out of his hands. And he might well have reason to doubt, for he had defeated God’s people. But though God allowed Babylon to take His people captive, Nebuchadnezzar is about to find out that it is no lack of power on God’s part, but rather unbelief on the part of His chosen people that brought them as captives to Babylon.

Before going on, look at another prophetic warning recorded by the apostle Paul. This one isthe second letter to Timothy. It is a message given in regard to the "last days," when, says Paul, "...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 pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lust, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth"(2 Timothy 3:1–7).

Daniel 3 underscores why the condition of the last days, as Paul explains them here, are so perilous. It has to do with the contrast between those who have a form of godliness, a profession of Christianity only, and those who are truly committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Nebuchadnezzar had an intellectual conviction only. His heart had not yet been fully surrendered to God. Yes, he had acknowledged Daniel’s God as the God of gods, but he then went on to distort His Word and challenge His power. Like those Paul prophesied of in the last days. Nebuchadnezzar had a form, or orofession, of godliness but denied the power thereof.

Loyalty to God No Matter What

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, 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" (Dan. 3:16–18).

I think we can all admire the courage exhibited in the answer of these Hebrews. Their trust is in the will of God. Their lives are swallowed up in glorifying Him. In actuality, they exhibited the same spirit of Protestantism seen in God’s faithful people down through the ages. They were protesting against false worship, and, in spite of their minority position, refused to yield the dictates of conscience to the dictates of human authority.

They believed God could deliver them from the fiery furnace if it was His will. Their trust was based was based on God’s Word, for only one hundred years previous the prophet Isaiah had said, "When thou passest through the waters, Iwill be with thee:; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa. 43:2).

At the same time they knew that God’s faithful people have sometimes glorified Him in death. Thus, they exemplify those pictured in Revelation who overcome the devil "by the blood of the Lamb, and but the word of their testimony" and who love "not their lives unto death" (Rev. 12:11). "The phrase ‘but if not,’ like Jesus Christ’s ‘nevertheless," epitomized their faith. They didn’t want to die; even more however, they didn’t want to disappoint the wonderful, personal God who was always with them." (God Cares, vol. 1, C. Mervin Maxwell, p.54).

I find that I must take another break. When I return we’ll take a look at "Four Men in the Furnace."

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Hi Doc. I may not be posting anything but i am reading through.Keep it up.

 

[Telaquapacky]

I really appreciated your point about the spirit of Protestantism- it seems that the Protestant movement has forgotten it's meaning and purpose, and has sacrificed faithfulness to the truth for political power by pandering to a large demographic. I have a photocopy of an article from some years back, telling how the Christian Coalition, previously a Protestant entity, realized that they only controlled 25% of the votes in America, and that Roman Catholics controlled another 25%; and that by combining forces they could control 50%. This brought about a complete change in the attitude of the Christian Coalition toward Roman Catholicism. Though they did not agree with Roman Catholic theology or their concept of apostolic succession, the Christian Coalition started instructing their members to smooth over those differences for the purpose of achieving commonly shared goals. This brings to mind a statement on page 445 of the Great Controversy: "When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result."

I am definitely not saying that Protestants in the United States, for example, should engage in the kind of sectarian violence and intolerance that is still found in much of Europe (thank God the violence in Ireland has abated and there is reconciliation happening there). You can, and must, love people of other faiths despite disagreements. But when you sell out your principles for political advantage, this is not the ministry of reconciliation, but worldliness and hypocrisy; a fatal compromise that will ultimately result in the shipwrecking of the faith. In the case of American Protestant Evangelicals over the past two decades, it has led to their abandonment- in fact, determined opposition to the principle of separation of church and state that our nation's founders enshrined in our Bill of Rights, and which has, until now, enabled in America the peaceful coexistence and religious liberty of all faiths.

(I can fax a copy of the article to anyone who asks)

 

[thecountrydoc]

Thanks for letting me know that you guys are enjoying this study.

I should also say, Telaquapacky, that the points you bring out are actually much greater than most realize. What may be noticed by most Christians, including SDAs, is that, what we notice is actually like an iceberg. We only see the tip.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[Telaquapacky]

What may be noticed by most Christians, including SDAs, is that, what we notice is actually like an iceberg. We only see the tip.

I think it's important to be observant of current events and politics, and understand how they are fulfilling prophecy- that is, as far as we can accurately understand current events and politics.

We as humans have two handicaps against understanding current events- one is that we may have our own social, political or nationalistic bias (or dare I say brainwashing). The other is that the media have become so politicized and polarized that it's getting harder and harder to discern the real truth, and one has to listen to a variety of sources, exercise critical thinking, and be more skilled at reading between the lines.

But lest we forget, even if one is extremely well informed about what's happening in the temporal world- all that is indeed only the tip of the iceberg- the Book of Daniel makes clear to us that the Real war takes place in the spiritual world between God's loyal angels and Satan's fallen angels. You and I may not be the brightest bulbs in the box, or the most savvy regarding what's happening in the world, but if we keep our focus on Jesus, seek the things of God and build a strong faith relationship with Him, He will direct our paths, and guide our way through the War of Armageddon.

 

[thecountrydoc]

The
Unsealing of Daniel
​

Study 4, Part 3​

Four Men in the Furnace

We do not have to guess how contorted the king’s face must have looked when he heard these courageous word’s from the Hebrew captives. How dare they defy his power and authority! He must have been beside himself. The record says:
"This was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more that it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, aqnd said unto his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the forum of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:19-25).

Can you imagine a fire so hot that the mightiest men in the world were killed because they ventured near it? A fiery furnace fed to an intense heat by order of an angry king, this was the hotbed into which God’s faithful were thrown. With Nrbdchadnezzar’s finest lying dead at the entrance to the furnace, God had a perfect opportunity to revean His true power to protect His people. Nebuchadnezzar was "blown away," to put in modern-day vernacular. In fact, at this point, the amazed king wasn’t even sure he could trust his own memory. He quickly double-checked with his counselors about the number of men that were thrown into the flames. They assured him that, indeed, there were only three thrown in and they were all bound. The fact that there were four men, all walking about freely and having no hurt, left the king with only one solemn consideration. This must be the work of their God and the fourth person in the fire with them must be their mighty Deliverer Himself.

Thiswas not the only reason King Nebuchadnezzar knew this fourth person was the Son of God. "Daniel and his companions had ever sought to bring before the king, the princes, and the wise men of Babylon, a knowledge of the true God. These Hebrews holding high positions in the government had been associated with the king; and as they were not ashamed of their God, they had honored the Lord whenever opportunity afforded. The king had heard from their lips descriptions of the glorious Being whom they served; and it was from this instruction that he was able to recognize the fourth person in the fire as the Son of God" (The Story of Daniel the Prophet, S. N. Haskell, pp. 44-45).

Here also we have an apt illustration that the same fire that is death to the wicked is life to the righteous. While the fire of the furnace destroyed the mighty men of Babylon, the faithful followers of God were unharmed in its very midst. So it shall be in the final reckoning. "Our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). Consuming not all hoewver. "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously....Thine heart shall meditate terror" (Isaiah 33: 14-15, 17-18). Yes, the righteous will abide in the eternal burning of God’s glory and not be devoured. But of the wicked it is written, "Fire came down from God out of Heaven, and devoured them"(Rev. 20:9). The fire that is life to the righteous will consume the wicked. God’s very presence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him who is love will consume the sin. It is no arbitrary act of vengeance on God’s part that excludes the wicked from eternal life. He who is the Spring of life and love is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"(2 Peter 3:9). He is eager to give all an abundant entrance into the glory of His kingdom, but He cannot and will not force men and women to love Him, who alone is the Source of life. Their own choice excludes them from heaven. And their own persistence in evil makes it impossible for them to endure the light of God’s love. In sorrow He will give up those whom in self-sacrifice He labored to save.

The Power of God Acknowledged

"Them Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth from the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was their hair singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 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 made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king pronounced Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon"(Daniel 3:26-30)

No God Like Our God

WecannotunderstandtheimportanceofstandingtruetoGodthroughthemajority oppose us. Through Daniel and his three friends God was building His case in the courts of Babylon. But it was not just Babylon He was trying to reach. Due to the fact that dignitaries from every corner of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom were in the plain of Dura for the dedication of the image, the story of the three Hebrews would be told throught all the earth. And through this story God would work by His Holy Spirit to drawsoulstoHimself. Evidencewas beinggiven, facts and experiences were developing to give overwhelming proof of the power, love and sovereignty of the God of gods. A message was now being heralded by the heathen in every nation under heaven that there is no god like this God.

And it’s true, friends. There is no God like the God of heaven and earth. His eye rest continually on the afflicted. He always stands with those who are wrongly persecuted. He promises to be there for us in our darkest trials, when the world seems arrayed against us. The Son of Man was with the three Hebrew men and He wants to be with us. In fact, He is with us, in a very real and personable sense. When Jesus was born of Mary in Bethlehem, the angel of the Lord said, "Call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matt. 1:23). Through the incarnation of God’s son, humanity has been united with divinity by ties so tender and so close that they shall never be broken but by the choices of individual men. Having been born in our very human nature, Jesus became our brother. He lived as a real man, facing the issues of life, wrestling with temptation and conquering sin on our behalf. He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

In the passion of temptation, in the fiery trials of life, there is a fourth one among us, who is the Son of God and yet the son of man. As the Son of God He represents the true character of the Father to our blinded minds: "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory [character] of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor.4:6). Jesus is "the brightness of His [the Father’s] glory and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3). Of His mission to earth Christ said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). Through the incarnate Son of God we encounter the One who is our Father, and we are persuaded that He is, indeed, altogether lovely, deserving of our highest honor and most ardent devotion. Having seen Him through Christ as a God of infinite love, we are able to "serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness ... all the days of our life" (Luke 1:74-75).

As the Son of Man, Christ represents humanity to the Father. He stands before God as one new man on behalf of all men. "Therefore as by the offense of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life" (Romans 5:18).

Announcing the birth of the Messiah, the angels of heaven proclaimed two amazing achievements through Him: "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Not only is God’s character magnified in Christ, but all of mankind is lavished with peace and goodwill. As a man bearing our sin, Jesus was baptized of John in the Jordan River, not for Himself, but for us, for He "knew no sin" (2 Cor. 5:21). When the voice of the benediction resounded from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17), the entire human race was blessed in that blessing, "accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

As we see the Hebrew worthies walking in the midst of the fiery flames with the Son of God, we ourselves are one with Christ through His incarnation. He is with us. God is with us; humanity is embraced in Christ. "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16).

This concludes Study #4. When I return we will begin Study #5: "Whatever It Takes Salvation."

Respectfully, your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[Telaquapacky]

When Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah refused to bow to the golden image, I wonder if they were regarded by some in the crowd as Israelite nationalistic, anti-Babylonian bigots. I wonder if most of the people in that crowd regarded the worship of images as the open-minded, enlightened thing to do, and that the Hebrews were brainwashed and close-minded, to worship only one God.

It is true historically that ancient pagans- that is, polytheists- regarded monotheism as atheism.

Apart from standing up to the threat of being thrown in the fiery furnace, it must have been very hard for the Hebrew worthies to stand up to the universal condemnation and ridicule by the common people whom they had been trying to reach out to. I think was hard for them to be misunderstood and maligned, and their character and integrity impugned, and the reputation of their God insulted.

Even without the threat of being thrown in fire, most people wouldn't have the moral courage to take the heat of public opinion to stand in righteous dissent.

The heroism of Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah on the plain of Dura ought to be a great inspiration to us to stand up fearlessly for what we believe. And Jesus will stand in the fire with us. It's better to be in the midst of the burning, fiery furnace with Jesus, than be outside with the comfortable majority, without Him.

 

[thecountrydoc]

Thank you Telaquapacky for those excellent comments.

I think it is also important to not only think about what today we call "peer-pressure," but also the fact that those Babylonians who they, the Herbrews, had been promoted over as overseers of the kingdom, must have relished the idea that these 'Hebrews' were now going to be forced into submission to King Nebuchadnezzar on a grand scale, or be excuited in a most public way. The fires of revenge must have been burning with great heat in the hearts of those Babylonians watching.

Respectfully, your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[thecountrydoc]

I must appoligize to all for taking so long to continue this study. I've had some very time consuming difficulties this past month including some very serious family problems. I promise I'll do better in the future.

I would appreciate your prayes for one of my granddaughters. She has made some very poor life choices and now she and her young family are about to pay the price.

Respectfully, your brother in Christ,
Doc