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BabylonisFallenBelshazzar’sFeastand
theLion’sDen
AStudyofDaniel5&6Presentedby:MarkLaRoseDate:02/15/2020DraftFile:Daniel5-6
RelationshipwithChrist• TheMostImportantUnderstandingaboutourSalvation:– WebelieveeternallifeisagiftfromGodinChristJesusandwearejustifiedbyHisgraceandHisfaithwhopaidtheprice;death,forourtransgressions
Romans3:21-26;4:4-5,25;6:23;Ephesians2:4-10;Titus3:4-7(Is53;Eze36:25-27;John3:3-8,16;16:8;Rom5:6-10;8:1-4,14-17;1Cor15:3-4,20-22;2Cor5:14-15,19-21;Gal1:4;3:13-14,26;4:4-7;Phil2:6-11;Col1:13-14;Heb8:7-12;1Pet1:23;2Pet1:3-4;1John2:2;4:10)
• God“senthisangeltoshowhisservants”thefuture(Rev22:6)“Donotdespiseprophecies.”1Thess5:20– Purpose:TosharethevitalnecessityofacharactertransformingrelationshipwithChrist,namelytheGospelofHissacrificeforallwhocallHimLordandSavior(Ps1:1-2;Matt20:25-28;Luke19:17-20;John20:21;Rom12:2;2Cor3:17-18;Gal5:22-25;Eph5:19-21;6:12-18;Phil3:7-14;Col2:6;1Thess5:16-23;Heb10:25;2Pet2:9;3:18;1John4:4) 22/15/20
PrinciplesofBibleStudy• Paul’scounseltoTimothy:
– 16AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness,17thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.2Tim3:16-17(Ps119:105;Prov30:5-6;Is8:20;John17:17;1Thess2:13;Heb4:12)
– forprophecynevercamebythewillofman,butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.2Pet1:21
• Bibleversions:– Useversionswiththeclosesttranslationtotheoriginallanguage
• RecommendcomparingNKJV(usedhere),NASB95,KJV,andESV
– Concordancesources:www.abibleconcordance.com;www.blueletterbible.org
• UseofExpositorystudymethods(versusThematicstudy)– ThismethodexplorestheliteralmeaningofeachwordinScriptureandits
relationshiptootherwordsinitscontext(exegesis)
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PrinciplesofInterpretation• It’simportanttobeconsistentbyusingthesameprinciples,pattern,and
understandingoftheBookofDanielforthepropheciesinRevelation(Num12:6;2Chron20:20;Joel2:28-29;Amos3:7;Acts2:14-21;Rev.12:17;19:10;22:8-9)
• Everyworddeservescarefulconsideration
– “Forpreceptmustbeuponprecept,preceptuponprecept,Lineuponline,lineuponline,Herealittle,therealittle.”Isaiah28:10,13
• TheHistoricistmethodofinterpretationisusedforbothDanielandRevelation
• SomeofDanielandmuchofRevelationissymbolic;identifiedbasedoncontent
– Lookfordefinitionselsewherewithinthesetwobooksfirst,thentheBibleasawhole;theninhistory
! ThevisionsofDaniel2,7,8,9,and10-12buildoneachotherprogressively,amplifyingandaddingimportantdetails;“repeatandenlarge”
! Applicationofthe1propheticday=1yearrule(Numbers14:34,Ezekiel4:4-6)iskeytotheproperinterpretationoftimepropheciesinDanielandRevelation(Gen29:27;Lev25:1-7)
42/15/20
RebellionorRedemption?
2/15/20 5
DanieltheProphetMatt24:15• Danielandhis3friendswereexiledin605BCwhentheLord
allowedNebuchadnezzartoruleoverJerusalemasforetoldbyJeremiah(Jer25;27:22)asrecordedin2Ki24:10-17(Is39:6-7;Jer29;Micah4:10)– Ezraindicates(2Chr36:15-21)thatthe70yearBabylonianexilewas
directedbyGodbecauseHischosenpeopledidnotturnfromevilandfalseworship
• MuchofDanielisliteral,howeversymboliclanguageisusedsuchasDan1:20(“tentimes”),thebeast’sdescriptions(Daniel7,8&11)referringtokingsandkingdoms,andbothliteralandspiritualapplicationsinDaniel11:40-45
• ThebookofDanieliswritteninachiasm,adoublelistofrelateditemsinwhichtheorderofthesecondlistisoppositeofthefirstlist:– Theouterchapters(Dan1:1-2:4aand8-12)werewritteninHebrew– Theinnerchapters(Dan2:4b–Dan7:28)werewritteninAramaic
62/15/20
ChronologicalOverviewTheBookofDaniel
• Daniel1:anaccountofthefirstBabylonianexile(605BC)
• Daniel2:Nebuchadnezzar’sdreamofthekingdoms(603BC)• Daniel3:Nebuchadnezzarbuildstheimageofhisdreamtoworship
• Daniel4:Nebuchadnezzar’sdreamofthegreattree– Chapter4isaletterwrittenbyNebuchadnezzar
• Daniel7:Daniel’sdreamofthekingdomsasbeasts(553BC)
• Daniel8:Daniel’svisionwithfurtherkingdomdetails(551BC)• Daniel5:anaccountofthefallofBelshazzarandBabylon(539BC)
• Daniel6:Thelion’sdenandDariustheMede(539/8BC)
• Daniel9:Gabrielfurtherexplains2300days/yrsinch.8(538BC)– Includingthe70weeks(490yrs)“cutoff”ofthe2,300yearsuntilChrist’sministrybegan
• Daniel10-12:GabrielprovidesspecificdetailsofthekingsandkingdomstocomethroughthesecondcomingofJesus(535BC)
72/15/20
Daniel5
• Daniel5Structure:– Daniel5:1-4describesBelshazzar’sfeast– Daniel5:5-12givestheaccountofahandwritingonthewall– Daniel5:13-29describesDaniel’sinterpretationofthewriting– Daniel5:30-31recordsBelshazzar’sdeathandthefallofBabylon
82/15/20
Daniel5:1• “Belshazzarthekingmadeagreatfeastforathousandofhis
lords,anddrankwineinthepresenceofthethousand.”– Belshazzarco-reignedwithhisfather,Nabonidus(556-539BC),from
about553BC(Dan7:1;8:1)• Babylonhadbeenundersiegefor2years,howeverthecityhadprovisionsfor20years
• NabonidushadsurrenderedinSippar(50milesnorthofBabylon)2daysearlierandfled
– Feastinganddrinking:Anattempttobolstermoralethroughtheappealofappetite• Appetite,thefirstofJesus’threetemptations,mustbeovercome
– Wine:Theemphasishereshowstherevelersweregettingdrunk;providingafalsesenseofsecurity• Wineissymbolicoffalsedoctrine(Ps60:3;Prov31:4-7;Is28:7;Jer25:15-18;51:7;Zech
5:3-4;Col2:22-23;Matt24:49;Luke12:45;Rev14:8;18:3)
92/15/20
Daniel5:2-4• “2Whilehetastedthewine,Belshazzargavethecommandto
bringthegoldandsilvervesselswhichhisfatherNebuchadnezzarhadtakenfromthetemplewhichhadbeeninJerusalem,thatthekingandhislords,hiswives,andhisconcubinesmightdrinkfromthem.3ThentheybroughtthegoldvesselsthathadbeentakenfromthetempleofthehouseofGodwhichhadbeeninJerusalem;andthekingandhislords,hiswives,andhisconcubinesdrankfromthem.4Theydrankwine,andpraisedthegodsofgoldandsilver,bronzeandiron,woodandstone.”– Goldandsilvervessels:KingBelshazzarusedthegoldandsilvergoblets
NebuchadnezzarremovedfromSolomon'stemplein597BCtogetdrunkwith1,000guests.(2Ki24:13;25:15;2Chr36:10;Ezra1:7-11;Jer52:19;Dan1:2)
– TheuseofthetemplegobletsopenlymockedGod,whilepraisingidolsmadeof6elements;Satan’scounterfeitnumber(Dan5:23;Rev9:20)• “IamtheLord,thatisMyname;AndMygloryIwillnotgivetoanother,NorMypraisetocarvedimages.”Is42:8 102/15/20
Daniel5:5-6• “5Inthesamehourthefingersofaman’shandappearedand
wroteoppositethelampstandontheplasterofthewalloftheking’spalace;andthekingsawthepartofthehandthatwrote.6
Thentheking’scountenancechanged,andhisthoughtstroubledhim,sothatthejointsofhishipswereloosenedandhiskneesknockedagainsteachother.”– Thesourceofthecommonsaying;“thewritingonthewall”
– GodhadforetoldofBabylon’sfallbecauseofitsiniquity:• ByMedo-PersiaasshowntoIsaiah21:1-9("Elam"becamePersia)
• AsagainpronouncedinJeremiah50:1-51:58
– Kneesknocked:Theeffectofdivinityonthewicked(Eze7:17;21:7;Nah2:10)
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Daniel5:7-9• “7Thekingcriedaloudtobringintheastrologers,theChaldeans,
andthesoothsayers.Thekingspoke,sayingtothewisemenofBabylon,“Whoeverreadsthiswriting,andtellsmeitsinterpretation,shallbeclothedwithpurpleandhaveachainofgoldaroundhisneck;andheshallbethethirdrulerinthekingdom.”8Nowalltheking’swisemencame,buttheycouldnotreadthewriting,ormakeknowntothekingitsinterpretation.9
ThenKingBelshazzarwasgreatlytroubled,hiscountenancewaschanged,andhislordswereastonished.– Astrologers,Chaldeans,soothsayers:Gen41:8;Dan2:2,27;4:6-7;
5:11,15;Is47:13
– Belshazzarwassecondinthekingdomtohisfather,sohecouldonlyofferthirdplace
– Greatlytroubled:Thewickedareterrifiedbytheunknownandtheprospectofjudgment(Job18:11;Is21:2-4;Jer6:24;Dan2:1)
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Daniel5:10-12• “10Thequeen,becauseofthewordsofthekingandhislords,
cametothebanquethall.Thequeenspoke,saying,“Oking,liveforever!Donotletyourthoughtstroubleyou,norletyourcountenancechange.11ThereisamaninyourkingdominwhomistheSpiritoftheHolyGod.Andinthedaysofyourfather,lightandunderstandingandwisdom,likethewisdomofthegods,werefoundinhim;andKingNebuchadnezzaryourfather—yourfathertheking—madehimchiefofthemagicians,astrologers,Chaldeans,andsoothsayers.12Inasmuchasanexcellentspirit,knowledge,understanding,interpretingdreams,solvingriddles,andexplainingenigmaswerefoundinthisDaniel,whomthekingnamedBelteshazzar,nowletDanielbecalled,andhewillgivetheinterpretation.”– TheQueenmaylikelyhavebeenBelshazzar'smotheranddaughterof
Nebuchadnezzar.SheobviouslyknewDaniel.(Dan1:7;2:48;4:8-9;6:3)132/15/20
Daniel5:13-16• “13ThenDanielwasbroughtinbeforetheking.Thekingspoke,
andsaidtoDaniel,“AreyouthatDanielwhoisoneofthecaptivesfromJudah,whommyfatherthekingbroughtfromJudah?14Ihaveheardofyou,thattheSpiritofGodisinyou,andthatlightandunderstandingandexcellentwisdomarefoundinyou.15Nowthewisemen,theastrologers,havebeenbroughtinbeforeme,thattheyshouldreadthiswritingandmakeknowntomeitsinterpretation,buttheycouldnotgivetheinterpretationofthething.16AndIhaveheardofyou,thatyoucangiveinterpretationsandexplainenigmas.Nowifyoucanreadthewritingandmakeknowntomeitsinterpretation,youshallbeclothedwithpurpleandhaveachainofgoldaroundyourneck,andshallbethethirdrulerinthekingdom.”– Danielwasexiledin605BC,makinghimabout84yearsoldin539BC
– BelshazzaracknowledgeshisknowledgeofGod 142/15/20
Daniel5:17-21• “17ThenDanielanswered,andsaidbeforetheking,“Letyourgiftsbe
foryourself,andgiveyourrewardstoanother;yetIwillreadthewritingtotheking,andmakeknowntohimtheinterpretation.18Oking,theMostHighGodgaveNebuchadnezzaryourfatherakingdomandmajesty,gloryandhonor.19AndbecauseofthemajestythatHegavehim,allpeoples,nations,andlanguagestrembledandfearedbeforehim.Whomeverhewished,heexecuted;whomeverhewished,hekeptalive;whomeverhewished,hesetup;andwhomeverhewished,heputdown.20Butwhenhisheartwasliftedup,andhisspiritwashardenedinpride,hewasdeposedfromhiskinglythrone,andtheytookhisgloryfromhim.21Thenhewasdrivenfromthesonsofmen,hisheartwasmadelikethebeasts,andhisdwellingwaswiththewilddonkeys.Theyfedhimwithgrasslikeoxen,andhisbodywaswetwiththedewofheaven,tillheknewthattheMostHighGodrulesinthekingdomofmen,andappointsoveritwhomeverHechooses.– Danielremindedthe1,000leadersGoddetermineswhorulesthenations
152/15/20
Daniel5:22-24• “22“Butyouhisson,Belshazzar,havenothumbledyourheart,
althoughyouknewallthis.23AndyouhaveliftedyourselfupagainsttheLordofheaven.TheyhavebroughtthevesselsofHishousebeforeyou,andyouandyourlords,yourwivesandyourconcubines,havedrunkwinefromthem.Andyouhavepraisedthegodsofsilverandgold,bronzeandiron,woodandstone,whichdonotseeorhearorknow;andtheGodwhoholdsyourbreathinHishandandownsallyourways,youhavenotglorified.24ThenthefingersofthehandweresentfromHim,andthiswritingwaswritten.”– DanielprovidesthereasonsforBabylon’sfall
• Priorknowledgeoftruth,butfailuretoadoptit• PrideleadingtolackofglorifyingGod(Ex10:3;2Chr36:12)• TheabominationofclaimingidolsaresuperiortotheLordofheaven(x6)
(Hab2:18-19)• ProfaningGod’sholyvessels(Ex40:9;Num18:3;Is52:11)• Multiplesexualrelations(Gen2:24;1Tim3:2)
162/15/20
Daniel5:25-28• “25“Andthisistheinscriptionthatwaswritten:MENE,MENE,
TEKEL,UPHARSIN.26Thisistheinterpretationofeachword.MENE:Godhasnumberedyourkingdom,andfinishedit;27
TEKEL:Youhavebeenweighedinthebalances,andfoundwanting;28PERES:Yourkingdomhasbeendivided,andgiventotheMedesandPersians.”– Ariddleinvolvingunitsofweightappliedtomoney,usedfor“balances”
• "Mene”:Tonumber-twicementioned,paralleltoBabylontwicefallen(Is21:9;Rev14:8;18:2),referencingitsliteralfallin539BCanditsfuture,spiritualfallduringthe6thplague(Rev16:12)
• “Tekel”:Toweigh,tomeasure,tobringintojudgment(Job31:6;Ps62:9;Jer6:30;Rev11:1-2)
• “Upharsin”[verbformof“peres”]:Todivide,topunish
172/15/20
Daniel5:29-31• “29ThenBelshazzargavethecommand,andtheyclothedDaniel
withpurpleandputachainofgoldaroundhisneck,andmadeaproclamationconcerninghimthatheshouldbethethirdrulerinthekingdom.30ThatverynightBelshazzar,kingoftheChaldeans,wasslain.31AndDariustheMedereceivedthekingdom,beingaboutsixty-twoyearsold.”– BabylonfelltotheMedesandPersianson10/12/539BC
• ThefallofliteralBabylonisimportanttoproperlyunderstandthefuturefallofspiritualBabylon(Is21:9;Dan7:11;Rev14:8;16:12;17:16;18:1-24)– Isaiah(chapters41,46,47)andJeremiah(chapters50,51)predictanddescribethefallofliteralandspiritualBabylon» Notethe"alliance"ofnationspredictedbyJeremiahin50:9referringtoMedo-PersiaaswellasapostateProtestants(Rev17:16)
• ThisopeneduptheruleofMedo-Persia(thesilverchestandarmsoftheDan2statue),thebearwithoneraisedshoulder&3ribs(Babylon,Lydia,andEgyptconquered)ofDan7,andtheRamwith2horns(1larger)ofDan8
– DariustheMedewassucceededbyhisnephew,Cyrusabout537BC,alsomarkingthe70yearsofexileasforetoldbyJeremiah(Dan9:1)
182/15/20
Daniel6
• Daniel6Structure:– Daniel6:1-5Daniels’appointmentandtheplotagainsthim
– Daniel6:6-9Darius’decreerestrictingprayer– Daniel6:10-17Danielignoresman’slawandisthrownintotheLion’s
denforhisundivideddevotiontoGod
– Daniel6:18-24Danielisdeliveredandthoseplottinghisdeathreceivedthepunishmentenvisionedforhim
– Daniel6:25-28Darius’decreesthatthewholekingdomhonorandrespectGod
192/15/20
2/15/20 20
JesusTypifiedinDaniel
Daniel: 1-Appetite 2-Stone destroys feet of the image 3-Bow down 4-Tree of Babylon 5-Cyrus drys up the Euphrates 6-Stone sealed the lion’s den 7-Jesus as High Priest 8-Jesus Cleansing the Sanctuary 9-Close of Probation 10-12-Michael stands to deliver
Jesus: Appetite Throw down yourself (foot dashed) Bow down Kingdom of heaven like a tree Jesus descended into the deep/dying Stone sealed Jesus’ tomb Jesus is our High Priest Sanctuary Cleansed since 1844 …soon …soon
Daniel6:1-3• “1ItpleasedDariustosetoverthekingdomonehundredand
twentysatraps,tobeoverthewholekingdom;2andoverthese,threegovernors,ofwhomDanielwasone,thatthesatrapsmightgiveaccounttothem,sothatthekingwouldsuffernoloss.3
ThenthisDanieldistinguishedhimselfabovethegovernorsandsatraps,becauseanexcellentspiritwasinhim;andthekinggavethoughttosettinghimoverthewholerealm.”– DariustheMedehadledthearmythattookthecityofBabylonand
servedasvassalkingunderKingCyrus
– Satraps:Governorsoverthe120provincesoftheempire(Est1:1)
– DariustheMedeislikelyCyaxaresII:https://truthonlybible.com/tag/cyaxares-ii/
– Excellentspirit:Awonderfulcharacterattribute(Dan5:12)
212/15/20
Daniel6:4-5• “4Sothegovernorsandsatrapssoughttofindsomecharge
againstDanielconcerningthekingdom;buttheycouldfindnochargeorfault,becausehewasfaithful;norwasthereanyerrororfaultfoundinhim.5Thenthesemensaid,“WeshallnotfindanychargeagainstthisDanielunlesswefinditagainsthimconcerningthelawofhisGod.”– GovernorsandsatrapswereenviousofDaniel(about84yearsold)– Faithful,noerrororfault:AcharacterattributeofGod’speopleatthe
timeoftheend• “…walkbeforeme,andbethouperfect.”Gen17:1(Lev11:44;19:2;James1:4;1Pet
1:15-16)• “Thereforeyoushallbeperfect,justasyourFatherinheavenisperfect.”
Matt5:48
• “…thatyoumaystandperfectandcompleteinallthewillofGod.”Col4:12
– LawofhisGod:Clearly,Danielhadawellknownreputationthatdifferentiatedhimfromthecommonreligiouspracticesthenpopular
222/15/20
Daniel6:6-9• “6Sothesegovernorsandsatrapsthrongedbeforetheking,and
saidthustohim:“KingDarius,liveforever!7Allthegovernorsofthekingdom,theadministratorsandsatraps,thecounselorsandadvisors,haveconsultedtogethertoestablisharoyalstatuteandtomakeafirmdecree,thatwhoeverpetitionsanygodormanforthirtydays,exceptyou,Oking,shallbecastintothedenoflions.8Now,Oking,establishthedecreeandsignthewriting,sothatitcannotbechanged,accordingtothelawoftheMedesandPersians,whichdoesnotalter.”9ThereforeKingDariussignedthewrittendecree.”– StatuteandDecree:Wickedpeopleachievetheirdesiretocontrolvia
legislationandevilscheming(Est1:19;8:8;Ps59:3;62:4;64:2-6)• Alludestothetimeoftheend:Legislationwillbepassedofareligiousnature,inoppositionofGod’slaw(TheTenCommandments),inordertoensnareGod’speople
232/15/20
Daniel6:10-12• “10NowwhenDanielknewthatthewritingwassigned,hewent
home.Andinhisupperroom,withhiswindowsopentowardJerusalem,hekneltdownonhiskneesthreetimesthatday,andprayedandgavethanksbeforehisGod,aswashiscustomsinceearlydays.11ThenthesemenassembledandfoundDanielprayingandmakingsupplicationbeforehisGod.12Andtheywentbeforetheking,andspokeconcerningtheking’sdecree:“Haveyounotsignedadecreethateverymanwhopetitionsanygodormanwithinthirtydays,exceptyou,Oking,shallbecastintothedenoflions?”Thekingansweredandsaid,“Thethingistrue,accordingtothelawoftheMedesandPersians,whichdoesnotalter.”– KneelingthreetimeseachdayiskeytoacloserelationshipwithJesus
• IsraelhadbeeninstructedtofaceJerusalemwhenseekingGod(1Ki8:29-30,35,42,44,46-48;Ps5:7;55:17;Jon2:4;Acts5:29)
242/15/20
Daniel6:13-15• “13Sotheyansweredandsaidbeforetheking,“ThatDaniel,who
isoneofthecaptivesfromJudah,doesnotshowdueregardforyou,Oking,orforthedecreethatyouhavesigned,butmakeshispetitionthreetimesaday.”14Andtheking,whenheheardthesewords,wasgreatlydispleasedwithhimself,andsethisheartonDanieltodeliverhim;andhelaboredtillthegoingdownofthesuntodeliverhim.15Thenthesemenapproachedtheking,andsaidtotheking,“Know,Oking,thatitisthelawoftheMedesandPersiansthatnodecreeorstatutewhichthekingestablishesmaybechanged.””– Oneofthecaptives:StrongculturalbiasexisteddespiteDaniel’sservice
recordofthepast66years(Dan3:12;5:13;Est3:8)
– Greatlydispleased:Wickedstrategiesareaccomplishedthroughcompromiseofintegrity(Mark6:26)
– Constitutionalpowerwasusedtoenforceevil(Est8:8;Ps94:20-21)252/15/20
Daniel6:16-17• “16Sothekinggavethecommand,andtheybroughtDanieland
casthimintothedenoflions.Butthekingspoke,sayingtoDaniel,“YourGod,whomyouservecontinually,Hewilldeliveryou.”17Thenastonewasbroughtandlaidonthemouthoftheden,andthekingsealeditwithhisownsignetringandwiththesignetsofhislords,thatthepurposeconcerningDanielmightnotbechanged.”– ServeGodcontinually:Thisiskeytosalvation;fordeliverance– Stonesealed:AlludestoChristbeingsealedinthetomb(Lam3:53;Matt
27:66)
• NeitherDariusnorthe“lords”trustedeachother
262/15/20
Daniel6:18-23• “18Nowthekingwenttohispalaceandspentthenightfasting;
andnomusicianswerebroughtbeforehim.Alsohissleepwentfromhim.19Thenthekingaroseveryearlyinthemorningandwentinhastetothedenoflions.20Andwhenhecametotheden,hecriedoutwithalamentingvoicetoDaniel.Thekingspoke,sayingtoDaniel,“Daniel,servantofthelivingGod,hasyourGod,whomyouservecontinually,beenabletodeliveryoufromthelions?”21ThenDanielsaidtotheking,“Oking,liveforever!22MyGodsentHisangelandshutthelions’mouths,sothattheyhavenothurtme,becauseIwasfoundinnocentbeforeHim;andalso,Oking,Ihavedonenowrongbeforeyou.”23Nowthekingwasexceedinglygladforhim,andcommandedthattheyshouldtakeDanielupoutoftheden.SoDanielwastakenupoutoftheden,andnoinjurywhateverwasfoundonhim,becausehebelievedinhisGod.”– Lion’smouthsshut:ReferencedinHeb11:33(Ps81:11-13;Jer32:17;Luke1:37;
2Tim4:17)272/15/20
Daniel6:24• “24Andthekinggavethecommand,andtheybroughtthosemen
whohadaccusedDaniel,andtheycastthemintothedenoflions—them,theirchildren,andtheirwives;andthelionsoverpoweredthem,andbrokealltheirbonesinpiecesbeforetheyevercametothebottomoftheden.”– ThisretributionisconsistentwiththelawofMoses(Deut19:18-19;Est7:10;
9:10)
• Werethefamiliescomplicitwiththesinsofthefathers?AccordingtoGod,eachistobepunishedfortheirownsins.(Deut24:16;2Ki14:6;Eze18:20)
282/15/20
Daniel6:25-28• “25ThenKingDariuswrote:Toallpeoples,nations,andlanguages
thatdwellinalltheearth:Peacebemultipliedtoyou.26ImakeadecreethatineverydominionofmykingdommenmusttrembleandfearbeforetheGodofDaniel.ForHeisthelivingGod,Andsteadfastforever;Hiskingdomistheonewhichshallnotbedestroyed,AndHisdominionshallenduretotheend.27Hedeliversandrescues,AndHeworkssignsandwondersInheavenandonearth,WhohasdeliveredDanielfromthepowerofthelions.28SothisDanielprosperedinthereignofDariusandinthereignofCyrusthePersian.”– Decree:InthiscaseaprophecyaboutthelivingGod(Ezra1:1-2;6:8-12;7:13;
Dan2:44;3:28-29;4:1,3,34;7:14,27;Hos1:10;Rom9:26)– TheDaniel9visionandeventstookplaceduringthereignofDariusthe
Mede(Oct539BC-Nov538BC)(Dan9:1)
– DariustheMede,wassupportedandprotectedbytheangelGabriel(Ezra1:1-2;Dan1:21;11:1) 292/15/20
OurMissionastheRemnant
• “WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(Rev19:10)– Theunderstandingofprophecyisacalltoaction;tosharethegospelof
everlastinglifethrougharelationshipwithJesus,proclaimingthe3angels’messageofRev14:6-12
• “…obeyGod’scommandments”(Rev12:17)and“Worshiphimwhomadetheheavens,theearth,theseaandthespringsofwater.”(Rev14:7)
• “…EveryonewhokeepsfromdefilingtheSabbath,AndholdsfastMycovenant—EventhemIwillbringtoMyholymountain,AndmakethemjoyfulinMyhouseofprayer.(Is56:6-7)
• “Beholy…blameless”(1Pet1:16-19;2Pet3:10-14)
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Hewhotestifiestothesethingssays,“SurelyIamcomingquickly.”Amen.Evenso,come,LordJesus!Revelation22:20
312/15/20
AdditionalInformationIamindebtedtoTimRoosenbergwhohasstudiedDaniel11-12sincetheearly2000’sand
hasdedicatedhisministrytoprovidingpeoplewithknowledgeofthetimesthatwelivethroughseminarsandhiswebsite;http://www.islamandchristianity.org
IamalsoindebtedtotwoindividualswhomhavededicatedtheirlivesinastudyofRevelation17sincethelate1990’s.Theirwebsite,http://666man.net,providessignificantdepthonthemanyrelatedBiblepassagesandpropheciesthatcorrelatecompletelytothepropheciesofDaniel
Foranexcellentversebyversecommentarysee:http://www.bibleexplained.com
ForadeepperspectiveofhowRevelationrepresentsthespiritualfulfillmentofmuchoftheOldTestamentsee:LouisF.Were,TheCertaintyofthe3rdAngel’sMessage,1945
EllenGouldWhitewasaprolificauthorandanAmericanChristianpioneer.AlongwithotherSabbatarianAdventistleaderssuchasJosephBatesandherhusbandJamesWhite,sheformedwhatbecameknownastheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.TheSmithsonianmagazinenamedEllenG.Whiteamong100MostSignificantAmericansinanacknowledgementofherinfluenceonreligion.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_G._White
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5! “InthehistoryofNebuchadnezzarandBelshazzar,Godspeakstothepeopleof
today.Thecondemnationthatwillfallupontheinhabitantsoftheearthinthisdaywillbebecauseoftheirrejectionoflight.Ourcondemnationinthejudgmentwillnotresultfromthefactthatwehavelivedinerror,butfromthefactthatwehaveneglectedHeaven-sentopportunitiesfordiscoveringtruth.Themeansofbecomingconversantwiththetrutharewithinthereachofall;but,liketheindulgent,selfishking,wegivemoreattentiontothethingsthatcharmtheear,andpleasetheeye,andgratifythepalate,thantothethingsthatenrichthemind,thedivinetreasuresoftruth.Itisthroughthetruththatwemayanswerthegreatquestion,“WhatmustIdotobesaved?””{BEchoSeptember17,1894,par.5}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5! “OneverypageofGod’swordtheinjunctiontoobedienceisplainlywritten,
andyethowoftenHiscommandsarelightlyregardedorwhollysetaside!ThecommandfortheobservanceoftheholySabbathoftheLordisplacedintheverybosomofthedecalogue,andissoplainthatnoneneederrastoitsimport,andyetitistreatedwithasgreatprofanationaswerethesacredvesselsatthefeastofBelshazzar.ThecondemnationofthosewhotrampleuponGod’sholySabbathwillnotcomebecausetheyhaveconscientiouslyobservedthefirstdayoftheweek,butbecausetheyneglectedopportunitiesforsearchingtheScripturesandlearning,notwhatmanhassaid,notwhattheministerssay,notwhatthefathershavesaid,butwhatsaiththeinfiniteGod!WhatdayhasGodspecifiedasHisholyday?WhatdidHecommandmentohonourwhenHespokewithanaudiblevoicefromSinai?Thatvoiceistobeobeyedaboveeveryother;theedictsofkingsandnationsarevoidbeforeacommandofGod.TheLordofhostscommandsourobedience.”{BEchoSeptember17,1894,par.6}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:1! “Admittedtoashareinkinglyauthorityandpoweratfifteenyearsofage,
Belshazzargloriedinhispower,andlifteduphisheartagainsttheGodofheaven.HedespisedtheOnewhoisaboveallrulers,theGeneralofallthearmiesofheaven.“Belshazzarthekingmadeagreatfeasttoathousandofhislords,anddrankwinebeforethethousand”(Daniel5:1).Theprofaneorgiesofroyalmirthwereattendedbymenofgeniusandeducation,bymastersofarchitecture.Onthisoccasiontherewasmusicandbanquetingandwinedrinking.Decoratedwomenwiththeirenchantmentswereamongtherevelers.Exaltedbywine,andblindedbydelusion,thekinghimselftooktheleadintheriotousblasphemy.Hisreasonwasgone,andhislowerimpulsesandpassionswereintheascendancy.Hiskingdomwasstrongandapparentlyinvincible,andhewouldshowthathethoughtnothingtoosacredforhishandstohandleandprofane.Toshowhiscontemptforsacredthings,hedesecratedtheholyvesselstakenfromthetempleoftheLordatitsdestruction.”—Letter51a,1897,pp.3-4.(ToDearFriends,July8,1897;SeeProphetsandKings,pp.523-4.){10MR307.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:1! “ThroughthefollyandweaknessofBelshazzar,thegrandsonof
Nebuchadnezzar,proudBabylonwassoontofall.Admittedinhisyouthtoashareinkinglyauthority,BelshazzargloriedinhispowerandlifteduphisheartagainsttheGodofheaven.Manyhadbeenhisopportunitiestoknowthedivinewillandtounderstandhisresponsibilityofrenderingobediencethereto.Hehadknownofhisgrandfather’sbanishment,bythedecreeofGod,fromthesocietyofmen;andhewasfamiliarwithNebuchadnezzar’sconversionandmiraculousrestoration.ButBelshazzarallowedtheloveofpleasureandself-glorificationtoeffacethelessonsthatheshouldneverhaveforgotten.Hewastedtheopportunitiesgraciouslygrantedhim,andneglectedtousethemeanswithinhisreachforbecomingmorefullyacquaintedwithtruth.ThatwhichNebuchadnezzarhadfinallygainedatthecostofuntoldsufferingandhumiliation,Belshazzarpassedbywithindifference.”{PK522.2}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:1! “InthehistoryofNebuchadnezzarandBelshazzar,Godspeakstothepeopleof
today.Thecondemnationthatwillfallupontheinhabitantsoftheearthinthisdaywillbebecauseoftheirrejectionoflight.Ourcondemnationinthejudgmentwillnotresultfromthefactthatwehavelivedinerror,butfromthefactthatwehaveneglectedHeaven-sentopportunitiesfordiscoveringtruth.Themeansofbecomingconversantwiththetrutharewithinthereachofall;but,liketheindulgent,selfishking,wegivemoreattentiontothethingsthatcharmtheear,andpleasetheeye,andgratifythepalate,thantothethingsthatenrichthemind,thedivinetreasuresoftruth.Itisthroughthetruththatwemayanswerthegreatquestion,“WhatmustIdotobesaved?””{BEchoSeptember17,1894,par.5}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:5! “LittledidBelshazzarthinkthattherewasaheavenlyWitnesstohisidolatrous
revelry;thatadivineWatcher,unrecognized,lookeduponthesceneofprofanation,heardthesacrilegiousmirth,beheldtheidolatry.ButsoontheuninvitedGuestmadeHispresencefelt.Whentherevelrywasatitsheightabloodlesshandcameforthandtraceduponthewallsofthepalacecharactersthatgleamedlikefire—wordswhich,thoughunknowntothevastthrong,wereaportentofdoomtothenowconscience-strickenkingandhisguests.”{PK524.1}
! “Hushedwastheboisterousmirth,whilemenandwomen,seizedwithnamelessterror,watchedthehandslowlytracingthemysteriouscharacters.Beforethempassed,asinpanoramicview,thedeedsoftheirevillives;theyseemedtobearraignedbeforethejudgmentbaroftheeternalGod,whosepowertheyhadjustdefied.Wherebutafewmomentsbeforehadbeenhilarityandblasphemouswitticism,werepallidfacesandcriesoffear.WhenGodmakesmenfear,theycannothidetheintensityoftheirterror.”{PK524.2}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:5! “Itwasnotthehandofthepriestthatrentfromtoptobottomthegorgeous
veilthatdividedtheHolyfromtheMostHolyPlace.ItwasthehandofGod.WhenChristcriedout,“Itisfinished”[John19:30],theHolyWatcherthatwasanunseenguestatBelshazzar’sfeastpronouncedtheJewishnationtobeanationunchurched.ThesamehandthattracedonthewallthecharactersthatrecordedBelshazzar’sdoomandtheendoftheBabyloniankingdom,renttheveiloftheTemplefromtoptobottom,openinganewandlivingwayforall,highandlow,richandpoor,JewandGentile.FromhenceforthpeoplemightcometoGodwithoutpriestorruler.”{Ms101-1897.16}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:5! “WhenBelshazzarhadhisgreatsacrilegiousfeast,therewaspresentinthe
splendidhallsawitnesswhichhedidnotdiscern.Therevelersweredrinkingtheirwine,andpartakingoftheirluxuriousfeast,andpraisingthegodsofsilverandgold,extollingtheirownwisdom,magnifyingtheirdeeds,anddishonoringGod,butrightoveragainstthewall,facingtheking,abloodlesshandwastracingtheterriblecharacterstestifyingofhistruecondition:“Thouartweighedinthebalances,andartfoundwanting.””{STDecember29,1887,par.5}
! “TheLordisweighingcharacterinthesanctuarytoday,andthosewhoarecarelessandindifferent,rushingoninthepathsofiniquity,willnotstandthetest.Godhasendoweduswithreasoningpowers,andherequiresustousethemtohisglory.Hehasgivenusthisbody,whichhewishesustopreserveinperfecthealth,thatwemayrenderthebestservicetohiscause.Hehaspaidaninfinitepriceforourredemption,andyetmenandwomendependentfromdaytodayuponhismercies,forlife,forhealth,forfood,foralltheblessingstheyenjoy,refusetoobeyhislaws,refusetoaccepthisSonastheirExampleandSaviour.”{STDecember29,1887,par.6}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:5! “WecannotwaituntiltheJudgmentbeforeweconsenttodenyselfandtolift
thecross.ItwillbetoolatethentoformcharactersforHeaven.Itishereandnowthatwemusttakesideswiththehumble,self-denyingRedeemer.Itisherewemustovercomeenvy,strife,selfishness,loveofmoney,andloveoftheworld.ItisherethatwemustentertheschoolofChristandlearnthepreciouslessonofmeeknessandlowlinessofmind;andhereitmustbeouraimandourearnestefforttobeloyaltotheGodofHeaven,byobeyingallhiscommandments.”{STDecember29,1887,par.9}
! “OuronlysafetyisinconstantcommunionwithGod.Ourpetitionsshouldascendinfaiththathewillkeepusunspottedfromthecorruptionsoftheworld.DidnotJesustellusthatiniquitywouldaboundinthelastdays?Buthisgracewillbegrantedtousaccordingtoourday.ThosewhoareopentotheinfluenceoftheSpiritofGodwillreceivestrengthtowithstandtheevilsofthisdegenerateage.”{STDecember29,1887,par.10}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel5:29;6:1-28! “Itwasnotlongbeforereversescame.BabylonwasbesiegedbyCyrus,
nephewofDariustheMede,andcommandinggeneralofthecombinedarmiesoftheMedesandPersians.Butwithintheseeminglyimpregnablefortress,withitsmassivewallsanditsgatesofbrass,protectedbytheriverEuphrates,andstockedwithprovisioninabundance,thevoluptuousmonarchfeltsafeandpassedhistimeinmirthandrevelry.”{PK523.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:1! “‘Yearethelightoftheworld.’WhatanimpressionwasproduceduponDarius
bytheconductofDaniel!Daniellivedapureandholylife.Godwasfirstwithhim.WheneverrealChristianityreignsintheheart,itwillberevealedinthecharacter.Allwilltakeknowledgeofsuch,thattheyhavebeenwithJesus.TheundividedaffectionsmustbegiventoGod.”{TM443.1}
! “AsGodcalledDanieltowitnessforHiminBabylon,soHecallsustobeHiswitnessesintheworldtoday.InthesmallestaswellasthelargestaffairsoflifeHedesiresustorevealtomentheprinciplesofHiskingdom.”{COL357.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:3! “Thereisneedofeveryoneineveryschoolandineveryotherinstitutionbeing,
aswasDaniel,insuchcloseconnectionwiththeSourceofallwisdomthathewillbeenabledtoreachthehigheststandardineveryline.TheloveandfearofGodwasbeforeDaniel;andconsciousofhisamenabilitytoGod,hetrainedallhispowerstorespondasfaraspossibletothelovingcareoftheGreatTeacher.ThefourHebrewchildrenwouldnotallowselfishmotivesandloveofamusementstooccupythegoldenmomentsoflife.Theyworkedwithwillingheartandreadymind.ThisisnohigherstandardthaneveryChristianyouthmayreach.”{CT283.4}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:3! “ThehistoryofJosephandDanielisanillustrationofwhatHewilldoforthose
whoyieldthemselvestoHimandwiththewholeheartseektoaccomplishHispurpose.Thegreatestwantoftheworldisthewantofmen—menwhowillnotbeboughtorsold,menwhointheirinmostsoulsaretrueandhonest,menwhodonotfeartocallsinbyitsrightname,menwhoseconscienceisastruetodutyastheneedletothepole,menwhowillstandfortherightthoughtheheavensfall.”{Ed57.2-3}
! “TheLordhasaplacefortheverybestabilityHehasintrustedtomen.IntheworkofbuildingupHiskingdom,wemayemployeverycapacitygivenofGod,asfaithfullyandearnestlyasdidDanielinBabylon,whenhewasfoundfaithfultoeverydutytoman,andloyaltohisGod.”{FE305.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:3-4! “ThecaseofDanielhasalessonforus.Itrevealsthefactthatabusinessmanis
notnecessarilyasharp,policyman.HecanbeinstructedbyGodateverystep.Daniel,whileprimeministerofthekingdomofBabylon,wasaprophetofGod,receivingthelightofheavenlyinspiration.Worldly,ambitiousstatesmenarerepresentedinthewordofGodasthegrassthatgrowethupandastheflowerofthegrassthatfadeth.YettheLorddesirestohaveinHisserviceintelligentmen,menqualifiedforvariouslinesofwork.Thereisneedofbusinessmenwhowillweavethegrandprinciplesoftruthintoalltheirtransactions.Andtheirtalentsshouldbeperfectedbymostthoroughstudyandtraining.Ifmeninanylineofworkneedtoimprovetheiropportunitiestobecomewiseandefficient,itisthosewhoareusingtheirabilityinbuildingupthekingdomofGodinourworld.OfDanielwelearnthatinallhisbusinesstransactions,whensubjectedtotheclosestscrutiny,notonefaultorerrorcouldbefound.Hewasasampleofwhateverybusinessmanmaybe.Hishistoryshowswhatmaybeaccomplishedbyonewhoconsecratesthestrengthofbrainandboneandmuscle,ofheartandlife,totheserviceofGod.”{COL350.5}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:4! “FromthehistoryofDanielwemaylearnthatastrictcompliancewiththe
requirementsofGodwillproveablessing,notonlyinthefuture,immortallife,butalsointhepresentlife.Throughreligiousprinciples,menmaytriumphoverthetemptationsofSatanandthedevicesofwickedmen,eventhoughitcoststhemagreatsacrifice.WhatifDanielhadmadeacompromisewiththoseheathenrulers,andhaddeniedhisGod?Whatif,onfirstenteringthecourt,hehadyieldedtothepressureoftemptation,byeatinganddrinkingaswascustomaryamongtheBabylonians?Thatonewrongstepwouldprobablyhaveledtoothers,until,hisconnectionwithHeavenbeingsevered,hewouldhavebeenborneawaybythepoweroftemptation.ButwhileheclungtoGodwithunwavering,prayerfultrust,hecouldnotbeforsaken.Thedivineprotectionispledgedtothosewhothusseekit,andGodcannotforgethisword.”{STNovember4,1886,par.11}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:4! “WhatalessonisherepresentedforallChristians.Thekeeneyesofjealousy
werefixeduponDanieldayafterday;theirwatchingsweresharpenedbyhatred;yetnotawordoractofhislifecouldtheymakeappearwrong.Andstillhemadenoclaimtosanctification,buthedidthatwhichwasinfinitelybetter—helivedalifeoffaithfulnessandconsecration.”{SL42.2}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:4! “Danielwascountedpeculiar,andeverymanwhomakesGodhiscounselor,
andwhoseekshiminsimplicityofheart,willbecountedpeculiarbytheworld.Butthisisthefaithweneed,thisistheexperiencethatwemusthave;forChristhasdiedtoredeemusfromalliniquityandtopurifyuntohimselfapeculiarpeople,zealousofgoodworks.Weshouldlivewithaneyesingletohisglory,andthenweshallbeabletogainthevictoryovertheworld.Wemustcomeoutfromtheworldandbeseparate,ifwewouldbethesonsofGod,theheirsofheaven.Ifwedothis,weshallenterinthroughthegatesintothecity,weshallhavearighttothetreeoflife,andweshallseetheKinginhisbeauty.”{STNovember4,1889,par.11}
– Note:egwwritings.org{YINovember1,1900,par.1-22}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:10! “Daniel,theHebrewcaptive,theprimeministerofaroyalrealm,encountered
greatobstaclestoalifeoffidelitytoGod.Butattheverybeginningofhiscareer,hedeterminedthatwhatevermightoppose,hewouldmakethelawofGodhisruleofaction.Ashemaintainedhissteadfastnessamidthelessertrialswhichhedailymetinthecourtofaheathenking,hisfaith,courage,andfirmnessgrewstronger;andwhentheroyaldecreewentforthforbiddinghimtooffersupplicationtohisGod,hewasable,withthedenoflionsopenbeforehim,tostandtruetoprincipleandtoGod.”{LP297.3}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:10! “TheChristiancanandwillfindtimetopray.Danielwasastatesman;heavy
responsibilitiesresteduponhim;yetthreetimesadayhesoughtGod,andtheLordgavehimtheHolySpirit.SotodaymenmayresorttothesacredpavilionoftheMostHighandfeeltheassuranceofHispromise,“Mypeopleshalldwellinapeaceablehabitation,andinsuredwellings,andinquietrestingplaces.”Isaiah32:18.AllwhoreallydesireitcanfindaplaceforcommunionwithGod,wherenoearcanhearbuttheoneopentothecriesofthehelpless,distressed,andneedy—theOnewhonoticeseventhefallofthelittlesparrow.Hesays,“Yeareofmorevaluethanmanysparrows.”Matthew10:31.”{CH423.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:11! “Godmeansthattestingtruthshallbebroughttothefrontandbecomea
subjectofexaminationanddiscussion,evenifitisthroughthecontemptplaceduponit.Themindsofthepeoplemustbeagitated.Everycontroversy,everyreproach,everyslander,willbeGod’smeansofprovokinginquiryandawakeningmindsthatotherwisewouldslumber.{5T453.1}
! SowhenthedecreewentforthforbiddingprayertoanyGodsavetheking.AsDaniel,accordingtohiscustom,madehissupplicationsthreetimesadaytotheGodofheaven,theattentionoftheprincesandrulerswascalledtohiscase.Hehadanopportunitytospeakforhimself,toshowwhoisthetrueGod,andtopresentthereasonwhyHealoneshouldreceiveworship,andthedutyofrenderingHimpraiseandhomage.AndthedeliveranceofDanielfromthedenoflionswasanotherevidencethattheBeingwhomheworshipedwasthetrueandlivingGod.”{5T453.3}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:11! “Daniel’shistoryisaremarkableone.Hecarriedouthisfaithandprinciples
againstgreatopposition.HewascondemnedtodeathbecausehewouldnotabateonejotofhisallegiancetoGodeveninthefaceoftheking’sdecree.Itmight,atthisday,becalledoverrighteousnesstogo,aswashiswont,threetimesadayandkneelbeforetheopenwindowforprayer…Hewasanoble,steadfastservantofGod.
! NothingisgainedbycowardiceorbyfearingtoletitbeknownthatweareGod’scommandment-keepingpeople.Hidingourlight,asifashamedofourfaith,willresultonlyindisaster.Godwillleaveustoourownweakness.MaytheLordforbidthatweshouldrefusetoletourlightshineforthinanyplacetowhichHemaycallus.Ifweventuretogoforthofourselves,followingourownideas,ourownplans,andleaveJesusbehind,weneednotexpecttogainfortitude,courage,orspiritualstrength.Godhashadmoralheroes,andHehasthemnow,—thosewhoarenotashamedofbeingHispeculiarpeople.TheirwillsandplansareallsubordinatetothelawofGod.TheloveofJesushasledthemnottocounttheirlivesdearuntothemselves.TheirworkhasbeentocatchthelightfromthewordofGodandtoletitshineforthinclear,steadyraystotheworld.“FidelitytoGod”istheirmotto.”{5T527.1-2}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:23! “IftheLordgivesyouaspecialpositionintheworld,ashedidJosephand
Daniel,thenhewillsustainandkeepyouinthemidstoftemptation.Butyouwillneverbewhereyouwillfindtoomuchlight,inourworld.Thenhowperilousitistochoosetheassociationofthosewholovedarknessratherthanlight,andwillnotcometothelight,lesttheirdeedsshouldbereproved.”{RHJanuary16,1894,par.9}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:27! “Jesusdoesnotdesirethosewhohavebeenpurchasedatsuchacostto
becomethesportoftheenemy’stemptations.Hedoesnotdesireustobeovercomeandperish.Hewhocurbedthelionsintheirden,andwalkedwithHisfaithfulwitnessesamidthefieryflames,isjustasreadytoworkinourbehalftosubdueeveryevilinournature.TodayHeisstandingatthealtarofmercy,presentingbeforeGodtheprayersofthosewhodesireHishelp.Heturnsnoweeping,contriteoneaway.FreelywillHepardonallwhocometoHimforforgivenessandrestoration.HedoesnottelltoanyallthatHemightreveal,butHebidseverytremblingsoultakecourage.Whosoeverwill,maytakeholdofGod’sstrength,andmakepeacewithHim,andHewillmakepeace.”{MH90.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel6:28! “ThedeliveranceofDanielfromthedenoflionshadbeenusedofGodto
createafavorableimpressionuponthemindofCyrustheGreat.ThesterlingqualitiesofthemanofGodasastatesmanoffarseeingabilityledthePersianrulertoshowhimmarkedrespectandtohonorhisjudgment.Andnow,justatthetimeGodhadsaidHewouldcauseHistempleatJerusalemtoberebuilt,HemoveduponCyrusasHisagenttodiscernthepropheciesconcerninghimself,withwhichDanielwassofamiliar,andtogranttheJewishpeopletheirliberty.”{PK557.1}
! “StudythehistoryofJosephandofDaniel.TheLorddidnotpreventtheplottingsofmenwhosoughttodothemharm;butHecausedallthesedevicestoworkforgoodtoHisservantswhoamidsttrialandconflictpreservedtheirfaithandloyalty.”{MH487.1}
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