Bible Prophecy In Today’s World

Presented by Mr Raymond Clark

 

Daniel Chapter One

Article Two In This Series Begins Study of The Book of Daniel

As noted in the scripture below, Daniel and the three Hebrew children, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were later re-named Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, along with several other young men were taken captive when Babylon besieged Jerusalem during the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah. They also took a spoil, among which were the golden vessels from the Temple, and carried them back to Babylon with them and placed them in the house of Nebuchadnezzar’s god. Keep these golden vessels in mind for we shall see them later in this study.

Da 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. :
 
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
 
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
 
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

5 (KJV) 5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
 
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 
 
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

            Notice in verse five the king gave instructions that these young men who were taken captive and carried into Babylon were to be fed from the King’s table.  It was the intention of the King that these young men be cared for in a proper manner for he planned to use them in his palace.  In verse six Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were given new names.  It was customary in that society that if one had the power to give them names it proved their superiority over them.
            Here we see that God is moving to get His people in key positions whereby He could use them at the appointed time. These young men were taken captive for a reason. It was all a part of God’s Master plan. They were trained in King Nebuchadnezzar’s Court in order that they might serve the King of Babylon but more importantly they were positioned there by Almighty God in order to serve the King of the universe, for they were a part of His master plan. God was moving to place them in key places in the government for His own purposes that they may be used at some future point.  Once again it points to the fact that what Satan meant for evil God used for good.

Daniel 1:8 (KJV) 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
 9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 
10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear 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 of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 
11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 
12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

            Daniel purposed in his heart to remain firm and true to his religious heritage and requested of the King’s servant, Melzar, to allow them to do so.  At first Melzar was hesitant because he had been given orders to the contrary.  He feared for his life if he refused to carry out the King’s order but Daniel offered a proposition to him and he agreed to the conditions as noted In verse thirteen below.  Melzar consented to the conditions.  You can read the results in verses thirteen through twenty-one below.

13Then 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. 
 
14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 
 
15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 
 
16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
 
17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
 
18Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
 
19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 
 
20And 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. 
 
21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

This is a brief synopsis as to how Daniel and his three friends came to be in Babylon at God’s appointed time.  Keep in mind all of this activity was all a part of God’s plan from the beginning.  This is another example of a situation in which man may wonder why God allowed these young men to be taken captive by the enemy.  But God saw a greater good than did mere mortal man.  Just remember that His ways are higher than our ways.  We never know that when some perceived evil “hits us” it is really intended for our good although it is most difficult for us to see at that moment in time.
            In Chapter two a strange occurrence took place. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream which he could not remember and it troubled him greatly. Apparently he knew that this dream had significance but he simply could not remember what he had dreamed. He, therefore issued orders to the wise men of his kingdom them to tell him what he had dreamed and to interpret it. They, of course, could not fulfill the wishes of King Nebuchadnezzar. The King knew that if he had remembered the dream and told them what he had dreamed they could easily have created their own interpretation but when they were called upon to tell the king what he had dreamed, these wise men knew that they could not do that even if they faced death. The King was angry. The order went forth from the King that all the wise men of Babylon were to be put to death and this order included Daniel, who was re-named Beltashazzer by the Babylonians, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego..

Da 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
 
2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
 
3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
 
4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syria, O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
 
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
 
6 But if ye show the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

            It was customary in that society that if anyone displeased the king, not only would  they likely be put to death, but their entire family would also be put to death.  This was done to prevent family members from later attempting to take reprisals against the king.  In verse five King Nebuchadnezzar had told the wise men that they would be cut to pieces and their houses made a “dunghill” which meant that they would be turned into public restrooms, the ultimate humiliation.  Not only was Nebuchadnezzar troubled by the dream but he was very angry that no one could meet his impossible demands so they made an attempt to reason with him.  The wise men were now looking for any way out of the dilemma in which they found themselves but Nebuchadnezzar was in no mood to bargain.

7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.
 
8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
 
9 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 show me the interpretation thereof.
 
10 The Chaldeans answered before 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 asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
 
11 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.

12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

            Nebuchadnezzar, had indeed required a “rare thing” of his wise men and he realized that they were “fishing for time”  He also knew that even if he told them the dream, which he could not, they would only make up an answer to avoid the penalty he had decreed upon them and he was not just angry but he was wroth with them!  However, we should note that the wise men recognized that no man could meet the demands of the king and only “the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh”.  However they erred ever so slightly by saying “gods” rather than just one “God” whose dwelling is not in the flesh.
 
            Daniel learned of the decree, and asked permission to approach the King concerning this decree. He asked the King for a little time to pray about the matter and God gave to Daniel, not only the dream, but the interpretation thereof. You see, God had Daniel and the three Hebrew children in place for such a time as this.

Da 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
 
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
 
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
 
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.
 
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
 
18 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.
 
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
 
            This dream of Nebuchadnezzar’s was a prophetic dream of great significance because it outlined the future of the Gentile Kingdoms from, that point in time, to the present and including those that are yet to come upon the scene and Nebuchadnezzar sensed that this dream was very significant. These kingdoms developed and came to power in the exact sequence as prophesied through Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Also note that this prophetic dream was given approximately 500 years before Jesus Christ was born. This in itself sets the Christian Religion apart from all other religions because no other religious entity can accurately write history thousands of years in advance.

Da2: 19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
 
Da 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
 
Da 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
 
Da 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
 
Da 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

            When Daniel heard that they were going to be put to death, he went to the King in an effort to save himself, his three friends and the wise men of Babylon and told the King that he could tell him the dream and interpret it for him although the king may have been doubtful he agreed to give Daniel a chance. Daniel then went back home where he, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went to God in prayer to seek the answer. God revealed the dream and the interpretation thereof to Daniel.

Da 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.
 
Da 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
 
Da 2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
 
Da 2:27 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;
 
Da 2:28 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;

            What faith Daniel must have possessed to stand before the king under the threat of being beheaded and confidently told the king, “… there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days…”. Daniel began to reveal to the king what he had dreamed. Keep in mind that what Daniel is revealing to King Nebuchadnezzar, in the next few verses, would have been completely impossible without there being a Supreme Being. All of the wise men of Nebuchadnezzar’s Kingdom could never have revealed what the King had dreamed, but with God’s revelation to Daniel and his three friends, Daniel was able to achieve what otherwise appeared to be an impossible task. Through His servant Daniel, God revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar all of the empires from that point in time through the end of time as we know it. If this does not, in and of itself, prove the reality of Almighty God, then I do not know what it will take. Through my study of secular history I realized that history was literally written in advance because the sequence of empires given to Daniel proved to be the exact sequence in which these empires were raised up and brought down here upon the earth. If you are a skeptic go to your secular historic authorities and study the rise and fall of the major world empires identified herein. The results will astound you.  It happened exactly as Daniel had prophesied.

Da 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
 
Da 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
 
Da 2:31 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.
 
Da 2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
 
D3 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
 
Da 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
 
Da 2:35 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 threshing floors; 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.
 
Da 2:36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

            Daniel took no credit for revealing this dream to King Nebuchadnezzar. You will notice in the interpretation that God had just revealed to Nebuchadnezzar, through Daniel, all of the major world kingdoms from Nebuchadnezzar’s time,  through the present and even well into the future, all of the major kingdoms of the world and the exact sequence in which they would rise and fall. Likewise keep in mind that these prophesies were given at least five-hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus will later quote the Book of Daniel as He is teaching and preaching the gospel.  We will pick up from this point in Article Three, our next edition of this study.

 

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