Monthly Archive for March, 2002

Daniel 7:15-18

Published on March 31, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 7: 15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’”


 15 I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Daniel now turns to interpreting the meaning of the four beasts (7:15-18).  The vision bewildered him. 

16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:

There was a mystery to what Daniel saw.  He sees himself in the vision interacting with someone who interpreted the dream for him. 

17 “Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.

The interpreter clearly says that the “beasts” are “four kings.”  The kings represent four kingdoms. 

18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.”

The interpreter continues by explaining the fifth kingdom of the Son of Man, a kingdom that lasts “forever, even forever and ever.”  This is a promise to Israel of an earthly, literal kingdom that displaces the previous earthly Gentile kingdoms.  The “saints” are believing Jews. 


PRINCIPLE:  Ultimate hope for man lies not in the nations of this world but in the kingdom of Christ. 


APPLICATION:  Although man has accomplished great achievements, he has not dealt with the sin capacity in man.  Human reform cannot change man but regeneration can transform him from within.  We will continue to see brutality and depravity in man until that happens.

God permits the nations of the world to act beastly toward one another only for a time.  Their coercive, wanton and cruel acts toward each other will end by God’s power.  God is preparing a kingdom that will have no cruelty.  In the final consummation, the kingdoms of the earth will become the kingdom of King Jesus.  He will reign forever and ever, world without end.  World empires exist only as long as God permits them to exist. 

The believer should not look for ultimate hope of world peace via nations of the world.  If he or she looks to national entities to resolve the problems of man, then that will end in despair.  We look for a different King and kingdom. 

“This world is not my home;

I’m just a passing through.

My treasures are laid up

Somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me

From earth to heaven’s shore,

And I can’t feel at home

In this world anymore.” 

Daniel 7:14

Published on March 30, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 7: 14 “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed.”

 


 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed.

The Son of Man is the important person in the vision.  The Ancient of Days gives Him dominion, glory and a kingdom.  This is not referring to His inherent dominion, glory and kingdom as God, but to His victory as the God-man through His death and resurrection.  God gives Him global rule over everything.  His kingdom is to be “everlasting” in contrast to the termination of the previous four kingdoms. 

Jesus’ first coming did not destroy the Roman Empire, so this does not refer to His first coming but to His Second Coming.  When He comes, His kingdom will end all other kingdoms.  He will rule as a benevolent Dictator.  “Dominion” refers to rulership of the entire earth and “glory” carries the idea of glamour. 

There will be “peoples, nations and languages” in the millennial kingdom of Christ.  “Peoples” refers to races, “nations” references geographical boundaries and “languages” carries the idea of linguistic divisions.  All will serve the Lord Jesus Christ in His “kingdom” that will “not be destroyed.”  There will be universal prosperity, a “chicken in every pot.”  There will be universal knowledge of God (Is 11:9).  Perfect world government will rule the day (Zach 14:9).  Animals will lose their ferocity; the lion and the lamb will lie down together.  A child will play on a cobra’s den. 


PRINCIPLE:  Jesus will be King Jesus, absolute benevolent Dictator of the world in the millennial kingdom. 


APPLICATION:  Jesus reign is one of universal dominion.  The Bible never presents His kingdom before His coming.  He comes, and then follows His kingdom. 

Man his helpless on his own.  The world is not getting better and better.  The ultimate triumph will come at the Second Coming after the Tribulation.  That event will be cataclysmic where Jesus will interpose into the affairs of the Gentile nations of the world. Then Jesus’ kingdom will have universal dominion. 

Re 1: 7 “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Daniel 7:8-13

Published on March 29, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 7: 8 “I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

9 I watched till thrones were put in place,

And the Ancient of Days was seated;

His garment was white as snow,

And the hair of His head was like pure wool.

His throne was a fiery flame,

Its wheels a burning fire;

10 A fiery stream issued

And came forth from before Him.

A thousand thousands ministered to Him;

Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.

The court was seated,

And the books were opened.

11 I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

13 I was watching in the night visions,

And behold, One like the Son of Man,

Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days,

And they brought Him near before Him.”

 

 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. 

An eleventh horn came from the ten horns.  This horn ousted three of the ten horns.  This figure is the Antichrist (Mt 24:5,15; 2 Th 2:3-4; 1 Jn 2:18; 4:3; Re 13; 17; 19).  The “eyes” suggest personal magnetism and genius.  This “little” horn is the dictator of Revelation 13, 17 and 2 Thessalonians 2.

 

This “little” horn is not a nation in himself but a representative of the three nations.  He and his party become so powerful that they take over three of the ten nations of the Revived Roman Empire.  By plucking them up “from the roots,” his conquest is total defeat of the three horns. 

9 I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; 

This verse begins a poetic style (vv. 9-10; 13-14).  Poetry situates these verses separately as distinct.  Daniel saw thrones established (cf. Re 1:4; 20:4).

 

The “Ancient of Days” is God the Father ruling on His throne eternally.  God the Father judges in absolute purity and in flaming judgment. 

10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. 

A “fiery stream” flowed from before the throne like lava.  This represents judgment from God’s court.

11 I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.

Daniel returns to prose in this verse to show his personal observation of the destruction of the little horn.  The destruction of this little horn is the end of Gentile world power, or “the times of the Gentiles” (Lu 21:24, 27). 

12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 

The previous three empires were protracted beyond the conquering of their empires.  Aspects of their kingdoms continued beyond their defeat.  The fourth empire will not continue beyond its defeat.  There will be a completely new kingdom after the fourth empire (cf. Re 19:19-20). 

13 I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 

Returning to poetry, Daniel introduces the kingdom of the “Son of Man” (7:13-14).  A person “like the Son of Man” came in “clouds of heaven” before the Ancient of Days.  The angelic attendants ushered him into the presence of the Ancient of Days.

 

The title “Son of Man” implies identity with humanity.  The idea may be that this is the God-man.  The gospels use the title “son of man” for Jesus (Mark 8:31; Jn 1:51).  Jesus used this title of Himself (Matthew uses this title 31 times alone).  This is why this verse is the most frequently quoted verse from Daniel in the New Testament. 

The New Testament portrays Jesus as coming in the clouds (Mt 24:30; Mark 13:26; Ac 1:9; 1 Th 4:17; Re 1:7, 9).

 

PRINCIPLE:  The Second Coming of Christ will resolve all the problems with national entities in the world. 

 

APPLICATION:  Jesus will come in the consummation of the ages.  He will destroy the carnivorous nation beasts and the final Antichrist.  This will be a cataclysmic catastrophe.  He will come to judge the nations of the world.

Jn 5: 22 “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

The United Nation’s headquarters in New York City has a portion from Isaiah adorned on a marble wall which reads, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (2:4).  However, they conveniently left off the first part of the verse that reads, “And He [God] shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people.”  They left off the only means whereby the latter part of the verse can be achieved.  World peace will not come by the human efforts of the United Nations but by the supernatural intervention of God.

Daniel 7:7

Published on March 28, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 7: 7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.”


 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

The fourth beast represents the Roman Empire.  Daniel did not compare this fourth beast to a known animal.  This beast was very unique, strong and terrorizing. 

The rise of Rome was slow.  It began in 241 B.C. with the conquest of Sicily.  It expanded over time into Western Europe to Spain and Gaul.  It reached as far as Britain.  It spread to the east as far as the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf.  Rome fell when the Visigoths sacked Rome in A.D. 410. 

The ten horns are very important prophetically.  They compare to the ten toes of chapter two.  The ten horns are rulers who will come to the fore during the Tribulation period.  They are the same as the ten horns of Revelation 13 and 17. 


PRINCIPLE:  God will fulfill prophecy concerning the future of the Roman Empire by a Revived Roman Empire. 


APPLICATION:  God will allow for a revival of the Roman Empire in the future.  The emergence of the European Union may be a precursor to that Empire.  There will be a future form and that will be the Revived Roman Empire. 

Revelation 13 speaks of this revival of the Roman Empire during the Tribulation.  This will be a ten-nation confederacy.  Out of this ten-nation confederacy will come a dictator who will operate under the power of Satan.  There will also be a worldwide ecumenical religion in that day (Re 17:3 ff.).  Revelation 13 emphasizes the political and Revelation 17 emphasizes the religious aspect of the Revived Roman Empire. 

Re 13: 1 “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’ 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

Daniel 7:3-6

Published on March 27, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 7: 3 “And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. 5 And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.”


 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.

The “four beasts” represent four kings (v.17).  Kings personify their kingdoms.  This vision is about a panorama of the rise and fall of four kingdoms.  With each kingdom comes turbulence, disorder uncertainty and insecurity. 

4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

The first beast appeared like a lion but it had the wings of an eagle.  Something plucked its wings, made it stand on two feet like a man, and gave it a human nature.  This figure represents Neo-Babylonia.  The cropping of its wings may refer to the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar. 

5 And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: “Arise, devour much flesh!”  

The second beast was similar to a bear.  This bear “was raised up on one side.”  This may allude to the superior power of Persia over Media.  The “three ribs in its mouth” may refer to the three nations that the Medo-Persian Empire conquered: Babylon, Lydia and Egypt.  It could refer to Media, Persia and Babylon. 

The phrase “Arise, devour much flesh” may refer to future subjection of nations.  Medo-Persia ruled for two hundred years.  Alexander the Great conquered it in 331 B.C. 

6 After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

The third kingdom was like a leopard.  This is Greece because Greece overthrew Medo-Persia.  A leopard is cunning, swift and strong.  The four wings emphasize speed.  Alexander conquered Persia in twelve years.  Therefore, Alexander the Great conquered the world with great swiftness.  He moved with lightening speed from Macedonia to Africa and eastward to India (334-331 B.C.). 

This leopard also had “four heads.”  The empire of Greece divided into four parts.  After Alexander’s defeat at Ipsus in Phrygia in 301 B.C., his four generals divided the empire among themselves.  Casander took the home territory of Greece and Macedonia.  Lysimachus governed Thrace and a large part of Asia Minor.  Seleucus ruled over Syria and much of the Middle East.  Ptolemy ruled Egypt. 

Daniel wrote this prophecy at the zenith of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.  There was no possibility for this empire to fall at the time.  This was long before Persia, Greece or Rome.  Clearly, this is prophecy in its pure form. 


PRINCIPLE:  God will ultimately destroy bestial power of national entities. 


APPLICATION:  Man looks upon the great kingdoms of the world with awe and pride but God looks on them as wild beasts that play by brute power.  God will ultimately destroy these brute beasts because they live by might and blood.  They are bestial but God will tame them. 

Daniel 7:1-2

Published on March 26, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 7: 1 “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. 2 Daniel spoke, saying, ‘I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.’”


Daniel now turns to a vision of the future of world governments in chapter seven.  This chapter is the most comprehensive and detailed prophecy found anywhere in the Old Testament.  It gives more detail of world governments than chapter two – Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman.  This vision reveals four consecutive world empires.  The fifth empire is that of Jesus Christ. 

The vision of chapter seven is the first of four visions to Daniel in chapters seven through twelve (also 8, 9; 10-12).  This chapter occurs chronologically between chapters four and five.  Whereas the first six chapters of Daniel mainly set forth historical ideas, chapter seven introduces the prophetic division of the book (7-12). 

Chapter seven is apocalyptic literature and must be interpreted apocalyptically.  There are three apocalyptic books in the Bible: Daniel, Zechariah and Revelation.  Apocalyptic literature expresses its ideas in symbols.  There are three pictures in chapter seven:

1)      four beasts rising out of a raging sea,

2)      the Ancient of Days sitting in judgment on Gentile nations

3)      the Second Coming of the Son of man. 

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.

Daniel received direct revelation by “dream and visions” while he slept, fifty years after Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  This came to him in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar king of Babylon (553 B.C.).  After waking, Daniel recorded the dream. 

2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.”

The “Great Sea” here is the Mediterranean Sea.  The sea in Near Eastern symbolism represents the mass of humanity.  God used the “four winds of heaven” to put humanity into turmoil.  There was great instability among mankind when these blasts of wind came along.


PRINCIPLE:  God uses nationalism for evangelism. 


APPLICATION:  God uses national entities to protect citizens who live in those entities.  Nationalism tends to balance the powers of the world.  Nationalism allows for those who herald the gospel to carry it to the maximum. 

There is no countervailing balance in internationalism.  That is why internationalism is always satanic.  We will see this as we study Daniel.

God concurs with the rise and fall of nations.  He is sovereign over all.  The nations of the world are unstable.  Satan is the prince of the power of the air but he does not have absolute control over the world.  God uses dissonance among the nations of the world to accomplish His purposes in the world.  He brings instability to the nations of the world as He chooses.  God uses international insecurity so that people will take note of the person and work of His Son.  It reminds people of their need of trust in the work of Jesus Christ. 

Daniel 6:23

Published on March 25, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 6: 23 “Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.”


 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

King Darius was on an emotional high.  Just an hour before this, he was on an emotional low.  He did not have stability because he did not trust in a sovereign God.  Daniel had stability because of his faith. 

He 11: 33 “…who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions…”


PRINCIPLE:  Lasting stability comes through faith. 


APPLICATION:  The person with strong faith has great stability of soul.  He understands something of God’s sovereignty in his life. 

God’s deliverance is perfect because He is perfect.  When we put our trust in Him, we acquire a sense of stability and security.  By appropriating God’s grace and provision for our souls, we give glory to what God provides and does for us. 

 

Je 17: 5 Thus says the Lord:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man

And makes flesh his strength,

Whose heart departs from the Lord.

6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,

And shall not see when good comes,

But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,

In a salt land which is not inhabited.

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.”

Daniel 6:21-22

Published on March 24, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 6: 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”


21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!”

The sound of Daniel’s voice must have been a shock to Darius.  He probably expected the awful hush of death.  Daniel did not admonish the king for throwing him into the den or insist that he punish those who undermined him.  He did none of that.  He was not the malicious type.  Instead, he used normal court protocol, “O king, live forever!” 

22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

The use of the personal pronoun “my God” shows Daniel’s consciousness of his personal relationship to God.  Daniel explains to Darius that an angel delivered him from the lions.  He gave glory to God for the deliverance. 

The words “sent His angel” are a reference to a theophany (a manifestation of Christ in the Old Testament).  This is the Angel of Jehovah.  The presence of God was with Daniel in the den.  Daniel’s concern to tell Darius how it happened is an issue of the glory of God.  God did not shield him from trial but in trial. 

De 31: 6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Daniel was “innocent” before God.  Actually, the word means purity.  He “was found” in purity.  The idea is that Daniel lived a consistent way of life before God.  He committed no crime or violation against the king or his kingdom. 


PRINCIPLE:  God does not shield us from trial but gives us grace in trial. 


APPLICATION:  Every believer should live his or her life unto the Lord and leave the results in His hands.  God does not shield us from trial but gives us grace to live in the trial.  He promises His presence in whatever we face. 

Is 41: 10 “Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

He 13: 5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

Daniel 6:19-20

Published on March 23, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 6: 19 “Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”


19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.

King Darius had insomnia that night so he rose early in the morning to see what had happened to Daniel in the den of lions. 

20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

The king spoke with a “lamenting” (sad) voice.  His mind was full of anguish.  He feared that there would be dead silence when he called to Daniel. 

The king’s question revolved around whether Daniel’s God delivered him.  Wealth and position did not address the anxiety of the king.  Neither wealth nor position guarantee satisfaction.  His luxury and splendid palace did not comfort him.  Had Darius believed his own statement that “your God will deliver you”, his personal life would not be in such disorder.  He was totally despondent and discouraged. 

Darius recognized that Daniel served God “continually”.  He did not stop serving God when things got rough.  Some people serve God for success.  Daniel served God in success and disappointment.  Fellowship with the Lord was more real to him than any scenario of success.  No honor or status symbol deflected him from his highest priority. 


PRINCIPLE:  Circumstances do not determine the bearing of the mature believer but orientation to God’s Word does. 


APPLICATION:  Divine power is never the issue in our deliverance.  The issue is always one of divine sovereignty and will.  If deliverance is in God’s plan, God will rescue us from our situation.  God always has a plan for the believer whether by life or by death.  Release from suffering on earth is as much deliverance as freedom from our problem.  This is why the believer can stay calm and collected under great duress. 

We cannot say without qualification, “God, heal me of cancer.”  That is an issue of God’s will.  God’s purpose for each believer is different. 

Circumstances did not dictate his orientation.  That was the difference between the trauma in the king’s palace and calmness of Daniel in the lions’ den. 

Daniel 6:12-18

Published on March 22, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 6: 12 “And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. 18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.”


 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”

Daniel’s accusers went before the king and reminded him of his “decree”.  Even the king himself could not alter his decree. 

13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

The enemies of Daniel remind the king that Daniel was a captive from Judah.  They charged Daniel with two violations against the king:

1.      Daniel does not show respect to the king himself.

2.      Daniel does not respect national law. 

14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Darius was “greatly displeased with himself” for allowing himself to be ensnared by those who plotted against Daniel.  Darius tried to find some way to deliver Daniel but found none.  Hindsight is always 20/20. 

15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

The plotters manipulated the king into killing Daniel. 

16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”

Darius expressed a desire that God spare Daniel.  He also noted that Daniel served God “continually.”  Daniel had a clear testimony before Darius. 

17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

They sealed the mouth of the den of lions with a royal seal so that no one could tamper with the king’s decree. 

18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.

King Darius went into fasting and sleeplessness over the situation with Daniel.  He cancelled entertainment from the musicians for the evening.  The king could not sleep but Daniel probably used one of the lions for a pillow and slept like cub! 


PRINCIPLE:  Attitudinal sins produce instability. 


APPLICATION:  If we yield to approbatory lust, we distort our soul.  At one moment, we relish in personal attention and at the next, we enter despair.  We make a royal mess of our lives when we live by highs and lows like this.