YAHWEH’S PROPHETIC DETAILS FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL ARE FOUND IN DANIEL CHAPTERS 8-12
PART 4: PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL VISION
Daniel 10:1-21
As taught by "guest geek" Keith Braun
Introduction
All the remaining verses in the book of Daniel concern the final vision. Chapter 10 is the preparation for the vision, chapter 11 contains the content of the vision, and chapter 12 relates some final instructions to Daniel as they pertain to the vision. Chapter 10 is rather eerie. The veil of the spiritual world is lifted for a moment and we get a glimpse into this unseen world. It is an intensely emotional chapter as we see our man Daniel first in mourning and then we try to picture in our minds what things might scare him half to death. We see Yahweh’s behind-the-scenes lovingkindness and protection toward His people Israel.
Daniel Sings the Blues (1-4)
The historical timing of the events of this chapter is clearly stated. It occurs during the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia. Verse 4 narrows it down even more precisely to the 24th day of the first month (Nisan). The year is 536 BC and Daniel would be about 85 years old. The decree from Cyrus to allow the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem was given a couple of years before. There were a modest number of Jews led by Zerubbabel in Jerusalem just beginning to build a new, but not so grand, temple. It was a time when Israel was becoming discouraged. Haggai and Zechariah were written a few years later to bring comfort and to encourage the people. Daniel’s location is on the bank of the Tigris River.
Turn to Leviticus 23:4-7.
What important Jewish feasts had just taken place? Why would the anniversaries of these feasts be difficult times for the Jews living in exile? What are some anniversaries in your life that might trigger mourning?
Turn to Proverbs 13:12.
How might this verse describe the heart of Daniel as we see it revealed in verses 2 and 3?
Daniel is Speechless (5-11)
The vision we see here is a new form of revelation for Daniel. No longer does he see images, beasts or weeks of years. Here he sees a certain man.
Read Ezekiel 1:25-28.
Who is being described here in such awesome terms?
Turn to Revelation 1:12-18.
How is John’s vision of deity similar to what Daniel saw? Who else saw this vision but Daniel? Where did the others go? Who had a meeting with Jesus when a similar thing happened to his companions (Acts 22:9)?
What Daniel sees is most likely Yahweh Jesus. He had seen Him before in the courtroom scene in chapter 7 as the Ancient of Days, though probably with His glory veiled somewhat. In this appearance here in chapter 10 He is revealed in a fuller glory similar to the vision to the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos in Revelation 1. John, who had spent quality time with Jesus for years, nearly died from that vision of Jesus in all His glory. This Old Testament appearance in Daniel is called a theophany- a preincarnate appearance of the eternal Son.
In verse 8, Daniel says, “my natural color turned into a deathly pallor.” Literally, the phrase is, “my splendor (or comeliness) has turned into corruption.” Daniel was one of the most godly men who ever lived, yet when he truly saw the LORD, the last thing he was thinking about was his own righteousness (Isaiah 64:6). What was Peter’s response to Jesus after his nets were miraculously filled with fish? (See Luke 5:8.)
Look carefully at verses 10-11. Do you think there may be another personage now involved? Look at verse 11 as it says, “I have now been sent to you.” Do you think God Himself would have been sent by anyone to comfort Daniel? This personage is probably an angel who is introducing himself to the scene at this point. The angel is unnamed but it may have been Gabriel, who had appeared to Daniel previously. In Daniel 9:23, Gabriel referred to Daniel as, “highly esteemed.” It literally means desirable, or precious, and the chapter 10 angel uses the same term twice (verse 12 and 19).
Setting Your Heart (12-14)
I love verse 12-
Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.”
I am reminded not to let overwhelming fear prevent me from responding to God. Proverbs 2:3-5 dovetails well with this thought. I am also told to lay pride aside as I come before the LORD. Some years ago, I wrote this prayer in the margin of my Bible next to this verse- “Every day, set your heart, Keith, to humble yourself before God.” C.S. Lewis said, “Pride leads to every other vice, it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” Finally, I am assured that God hears my prayers and He responds to them.
Daniel had been fasting and mourning for three weeks (verse 3). The angel said that from the time Daniel began to pray, he was held up three weeks by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. Apparently, there are ranks of evil angels, or demons, and that they have been assigned to earthly kingdoms. Daniel was in Persia at this time and Satan did not want the contents of the vision in chapter 11 to be revealed to him. The angel Michael had to come to help out. So pay attention next week as Dave teaches from chapter 11 where Daniel is shown how God, during the inter-testament period, is going to give Israel (and us) a living illustration of what will happen in the end times.
Who is the angel Michael? According to Jude 9, what is his rank? His name means, “Who is like God”, reminding us that even the boss angel is not God. Michael can also be considered to be the prince of Israel (verse 21, and chapter 12:1).
Sometimes it is easy to forget the supernatural elements of our lives. Satan has used this strategy in the USA to cause people to disbelieve in anything but what they see, taste, hear, and feel- including God. Others see the devil behind every bush and attribute all sorts of things to Satan or demons, even when they have nothing to do with it. Look at Ephesians 6:11-12 to be reminded that there is another reality out there and that it is in conflict.
Verse 14 reminds us that the revelation that follows in chapter 11 pertains to the latter days, a term used for the times preceding the second coming of Jesus Christ. This verse is a key to the interpretation of what follows in chapter 11. Note that it says, “what will happen to your people”, meaning Israel. These are not words to the church.
Daniel is Bonked Again (15-21)
Daniel is an old man. He just saw a glimpse of Christ in His glory. He has been conversing with an angel. He has seen the behind-the-scenes conflict in the spiritual realm and now he is about to hear the final chapter of the book as it pertains to God’s dealings with his beloved Israel. It is no wonder that he is sapped of all strength.
The angel strengthened him once again and he was ready for the angel to speak the vision. Again Daniel is reminded of the evil angel over Persia and is told that there is one over Greece as well. Despite the Satanic opposition Daniel will be told what is inscribed in the, “writing of truth.” This probably refers to the heavenly record of what God has ordained to come to pass. Apparently this angel (Gabriel?) and Michael alone are given the task of protecting Israel against the powers of Satan and his world system.
So hold on to your hats for next week’s prophecy. I can think of no other prophetic section that has a preparatory chapter and a wind-down chapter like Daniel 11. Satan did not want Daniel to receive and record this message. If both God and Satan give a particular section such emphasis, we dare not gloss over it or count it as irrelevant.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Daniel 9:1-19
YAHWEH’S PROPHETIC DETAILS FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL ARE FOUND IN DANIEL CHAPTERS 8 – 12
PART 2: DANIEL’S PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM’S RESTORATION
Daniel 9:1-19
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The historical background of Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 9:1-3).
A. Daniel was a man of history (verse 1).
1. As previously taught in Daniel 5:30; 6:1, and 6:28, Darius the Mede was probably King Cyrus’ appointed ruler in Babylon while King Cyrus continued conquering territory for the Medo-Persian kingdom. Babylon was conquered in 539 B.C., therefore, the first year of Darius the Mede would have been 539-538 B.C.
2. At this time, Daniel had been in exile for 66-67 years (since 605 B.C.) and was about 80 years old.
B. Daniel was a man of the Scriptures (verse 2).
1. Evidently Daniel regularly spent time with the “books” of Scripture. One of the books he read out of was the prophet Jeremiah. When Daniel was taken into Babylonian exile, Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem and did his main writing and prophesying between 627 – 586 B.C. Daniel read in Jeremiah 25:11-13 and 29:10 about the 70 year prophesied Jerusalem desolation.
2. Having been in Babylonian exile himself for 66-67 years and having seen Babylon conquered by Medo-Persia, he is led to pray to Yahweh for the fulfillment of this Scripture.
3. This is the first time that the name Yahweh is used in the book of Daniel. It is the personal name of Israel ’s God (Ex. 3:14 , 15). He is the great “I Am” covenant-keeping, only God of the Universe!
C. Daniel was a man of prayer (verse 3).
1. Daniel meditated in a prayerful manner on Jeremiah and the Mosaic Covenant (verses 11, 13) as given to Israel (Deut. 28:25, 36, 47-50; 29:1, 18, 25-29; 30:1-6).
2. He is then led to pray with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes which are signs of deep need and repentance (Gen. 37:34; Isa. 58:5; Jer. 49:3; Matt. 11:21 ).
Thought: As New Covenant believers, we are called now (as people of history) to apply ourselves to the Scriptures and to prayer also. How intensely are we applying ourselves to these things? Let’s commit ourselves to doing better by giving more time and energy to these things.
II. Daniel prays a prayer of confession and petition to Yahweh his God (Dan. 9:4-19).
A. Daniel’s prayer of confession and repentance (Dan. 9:4-14).
1. In confession, the prayer throws or casts his/her words toward Yahweh, says the same things as Yahweh, and agrees with Yahweh. In repentance, there is an aspect of turning from thinking and doing wrong to thinking and doing right.
2. Yahweh is the universes rightful ruler (Adonai), and is the only great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of love perfectly. It’s good to start prayer with adoration! (vs 4; Deut. 4:25 -31; Rom. 11:33 -36; Eph. 1:3-23).
3. Daniel and Israel have sinned “Hebrew-missed the mark or goal,” done wrong, been wicked, rebelled, and turned away. In confession, it’s best to be brutally honest! (verses 5, 6) (Jer. 25:2-7; I John 1:9).
4. For Israel, disobedience to Yahweh’s directions brought shame, discipline, and ultimately having to be removed from their promised land according to the Law of Moses (verses 7-14; Deut. 4:25-31; chapters 28-30; Jer. 25:2-7).
5. For New Testament believers, disobedience to Christ’s direction (Yahweh Jesus) brings shame, discipline, and sometimes early physical death (I Cor. 9:21 , 11:28 -32; Heb. 12:5-17; James 5:13-20).
B. Daniel’s prayer of petition (from the Hebrew word “chanan” show favor, be gracious) (Daniel 9:15 -19).
1. Before making the actual words of his petition, Daniel acknowledges Yahweh’s power and ability to work miracles (He brought Israel out of Egypt ), Israel ’s sin, and Yahweh’s righteousness in all of His ways
(verses 15, 16a).
2. His petition (the thing he is asking for in a sincere and truthful way) is found in verses 16b–19.
a. Daniel asks that Adonai (Yahweh) restores His city, Jerusalem , for His names sake. In other words, the restoration of Jerusalem would glorify Yahweh’s name (verses 16b–19, Jer. 31:38-40; Joel 2:1, 3:17 ;
Zeph. 3:11 ).
b. Daniel asks Adonai (Yahweh) to restore the Jerusalem temple for His names sake (verse 17).
c. Daniel asks Adonai (Yahweh) to have mercy and once again look with favor on His people Israel because they bear His name (verses 16b–19; Gen. 32:28).
Thought: As Daniel has prayed specifically for Jerusalem, the temple, and the people of Israel, Yahweh is going to answer his requests and then give him more information for all time about these things in Daniel 9:20-27. How are we doing with petitioning in a way which brings Yahweh glory?
PART 2: DANIEL’S PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM’S RESTORATION
Daniel 9:1-19
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The historical background of Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 9:1-3).
A. Daniel was a man of history (verse 1).
1. As previously taught in Daniel 5:30; 6:1, and 6:28, Darius the Mede was probably King Cyrus’ appointed ruler in Babylon while King Cyrus continued conquering territory for the Medo-Persian kingdom. Babylon was conquered in 539 B.C., therefore, the first year of Darius the Mede would have been 539-538 B.C.
2. At this time, Daniel had been in exile for 66-67 years (since 605 B.C.) and was about 80 years old.
B. Daniel was a man of the Scriptures (verse 2).
1. Evidently Daniel regularly spent time with the “books” of Scripture. One of the books he read out of was the prophet Jeremiah. When Daniel was taken into Babylonian exile, Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem and did his main writing and prophesying between 627 – 586 B.C. Daniel read in Jeremiah 25:11-13 and 29:10 about the 70 year prophesied Jerusalem desolation.
2. Having been in Babylonian exile himself for 66-67 years and having seen Babylon conquered by Medo-Persia, he is led to pray to Yahweh for the fulfillment of this Scripture.
3. This is the first time that the name Yahweh is used in the book of Daniel. It is the personal name of Israel ’s God (Ex. 3:14 , 15). He is the great “I Am” covenant-keeping, only God of the Universe!
C. Daniel was a man of prayer (verse 3).
1. Daniel meditated in a prayerful manner on Jeremiah and the Mosaic Covenant (verses 11, 13) as given to Israel (Deut. 28:25, 36, 47-50; 29:1, 18, 25-29; 30:1-6).
2. He is then led to pray with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes which are signs of deep need and repentance (Gen. 37:34; Isa. 58:5; Jer. 49:3; Matt. 11:21 ).
Thought: As New Covenant believers, we are called now (as people of history) to apply ourselves to the Scriptures and to prayer also. How intensely are we applying ourselves to these things? Let’s commit ourselves to doing better by giving more time and energy to these things.
II. Daniel prays a prayer of confession and petition to Yahweh his God (Dan. 9:4-19).
A. Daniel’s prayer of confession and repentance (Dan. 9:4-14).
1. In confession, the prayer throws or casts his/her words toward Yahweh, says the same things as Yahweh, and agrees with Yahweh. In repentance, there is an aspect of turning from thinking and doing wrong to thinking and doing right.
2. Yahweh is the universes rightful ruler (Adonai), and is the only great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of love perfectly. It’s good to start prayer with adoration! (vs 4; Deut. 4:25 -31; Rom. 11:33 -36; Eph. 1:3-23).
3. Daniel and Israel have sinned “Hebrew-missed the mark or goal,” done wrong, been wicked, rebelled, and turned away. In confession, it’s best to be brutally honest! (verses 5, 6) (Jer. 25:2-7; I John 1:9).
4. For Israel, disobedience to Yahweh’s directions brought shame, discipline, and ultimately having to be removed from their promised land according to the Law of Moses (verses 7-14; Deut. 4:25-31; chapters 28-30; Jer. 25:2-7).
5. For New Testament believers, disobedience to Christ’s direction (Yahweh Jesus) brings shame, discipline, and sometimes early physical death (I Cor. 9:21 , 11:28 -32; Heb. 12:5-17; James 5:13-20).
B. Daniel’s prayer of petition (from the Hebrew word “chanan” show favor, be gracious) (Daniel 9:15 -19).
1. Before making the actual words of his petition, Daniel acknowledges Yahweh’s power and ability to work miracles (He brought Israel out of Egypt ), Israel ’s sin, and Yahweh’s righteousness in all of His ways
(verses 15, 16a).
2. His petition (the thing he is asking for in a sincere and truthful way) is found in verses 16b–19.
a. Daniel asks that Adonai (Yahweh) restores His city, Jerusalem , for His names sake. In other words, the restoration of Jerusalem would glorify Yahweh’s name (verses 16b–19, Jer. 31:38-40; Joel 2:1, 3:17 ;
Zeph. 3:11 ).
b. Daniel asks Adonai (Yahweh) to restore the Jerusalem temple for His names sake (verse 17).
c. Daniel asks Adonai (Yahweh) to have mercy and once again look with favor on His people Israel because they bear His name (verses 16b–19; Gen. 32:28).
Thought: As Daniel has prayed specifically for Jerusalem, the temple, and the people of Israel, Yahweh is going to answer his requests and then give him more information for all time about these things in Daniel 9:20-27. How are we doing with petitioning in a way which brings Yahweh glory?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Daniel 8:1-27
YAHWEH’S PROPHETIC DETAILS FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL ARE FOUND IN DANIEL CHAPTERS 8-12
PART I: ISRAEL AND ITS TEMPLE WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD KINGDOMS BUT WILL BE SEVERLY PERSECUTED DURING THE THIRD KINGDOM (GREECE)
Daniel 8:1-27
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Daniel’s vision concerning the ram (Medo-Persia) and the goat ( Greece ) (Daniel 8:1-14).
A. The historic background of Daniel’s vision (verses 1, 2).
1. Daniel now returns to writing in Hebrew instead of the Aramaic he used in chapters 2-7. He writes chapter 1, chapters 8-12 in Hebrew because these chapters have special significance to Israel .
2. The third year of King Belshazzar would have probably been 550- 551 B.C. (two years after the vision in 7:1). Daniel would have been about 70 years old when he received this (verse 1).
3. In the vision, Daniel gets his geographical bearings by first being in the palace at Susa , the capital of Elam , located 230 miles east of Babylon . He then finds himself on the bank of an artificial canal (called the Ulai Canal ) a few miles away from Susa . King Cyrus of Persia took the nation of Elam and the capital Susa over about 550 B.C.
B. Daniel first sees a ram with two long horns (verses 3, 4).
1. This animal represents the Medo-Persian Empire that was going to replace the Babylonian Empire in 539 B.C. It ruled from 539-331 B.C. It was the second kingdom of Daniel 2:32b, 39a; 5:28 ; 7:5 and is interpreted for us in Daniel 8:20 .
2. The longer horn is Persia , the stronger part of the Medo-Persian Empire.
3. The conquests of King Cyrus had primarily a westward, northward, and southward direction (already discussed in Daniel 7:5).
C. Daniel next sees a quick, powerful one-horned goat (verses 5-8).
1. Alexander the Great came from the west ( Macedonia and Greece ) and with speed and fury took over the whole Medo-Persian Empire in under three years (333 B.C. – 331 B.C.)(verses 5, 6).
2. Alexander the Great ended up dying in Babylon in 323 B.C. at the age of 33 years old. At the height of his power, he had people worship him as a descendent of the Greek god Zeus (verse 7).
3. Alexander the Great did not have children, therefore, four of his generals battled it out and claimed their right to rule the kingdom of Greece : 1) Cassander – Macedonia and Greece ; 2) Lysimachus – Thrace and Bithynia ; 3) Ptolemy – Egypt and Palestine ; and 4) Seleucus – Phrygia to the Indus River. The Greek kingdom ruled from 331 B.C. to approximately 88 B.C. (verse 8; Dan. 7:6; 8:22 ; 11:4).
D. Daniel next sees another small but growing ruler arising out of the Grecian kingdom which will persecute the people of Israel (verses 9-14).
1. This ruler comes out of the third kingdom which is Greece but has some similar characteristics of the little horn coming out of the fourth kingdom which is Rome in Daniel 7:8, 23-27. We should not confuse the two, they are two separate people. However, it could be that Yahweh through Daniel is revealing some characteristics of the final persecutor of Israel (from the revived fourth kingdom of Rome who is also called the antichrist) through this third kingdom persecutor (see also Dan. 9:20-27; 11:21–12:3; Matt.24:15, 24; II Thes. 2:1-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 19:19-21).
2. The person in Greek history which relates to every aspect described by this person is Antiochus IV Epiphanes who ruled from 175-164 B.C. After murdering his brother and usurping power from his nephew, Seleucus IV, he invaded Egypt (south), Parthia and Armenia (east) and forcibly used Israel (the Beautiful or Glorious Land) at this time called Palestine, as a buffer between his kingdom and the Egyptian Ptolemaic armies (verse 9).
3. The terms “host of the heavens” and “starry host” in this context means true Israelite believers who will be persecuted and killed under Antiochus IV Epiphanes reign. The “stars” who “shine like the brightness of the heavens” are the same and similar terms found in Daniel 12:3 (verse 10).
4. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was very corrupt during his reign (verses 10-14)
a. He had the coins of his kingdom inscribed “theos epiphanes” which means “God Manifest” in Greek. Therefore, he set himself up as the Prince of the host, Yahweh Sabaoth, the only true God (verse 11).
b. He also, in December 167 B.C., erected a statue of Zeus Olympius in Yahweh’s temple and sacrificed pigs on the altar. He had already taken away the Jewish daily temple sacrifice months before this.
c. He made the possession of Hebrew Scriptures an offense deserving the death penalty. Therefore, truth (the Scriptures) was thrown to the ground (verse 12).
d. He made it a death penalty for Hebrews to circumcise their children bringing many faithful Jewish believers over to death (verse 12).
e. The prophesied time for the extreme persecution of this Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes is 2,300 evenings and mornings. The two ways of looking at this are either 2,300 days or 2,300 evening and morning burnt offering sacrifices making it 1,150 days (verse 13; Ex. 29:38-42; Numbers chapters 28, 29). Some Jewish and Christian scholars have calculated the reconsecration of the temple by the Jewish Maccabees to be exactly 1,150 days. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah ( December 14, 164 B.C. ) celebrates this event (verse 14).
Thought: Yahweh cares and loves His people by revealing events, many in extraordinary detail, in His written revelation. These Scriptures should bring comfort, direction, and hope for His believers. Praise Yahweh “Hallelu-Yah.”
II. The angel Gabriel’s direct interpretation of the vision to Daniel (Daniel 8:15 -27).
A. Gabriel seems to be Yahweh’s messenger specifically to His Jewish people. This is the first place in Scripture where he is mentioned by name but he is mentioned three other times (verses 15, 16; Dan. 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 , 26).
B. Gabriel explains that the vision occurs at “an appointed time of the end” and “a time of wrath.” The idea of these statements seem to directly relate to the Antiochus IV Epiphanes time frame but could possibly hint at a preview of the time before the return of Christ (verses 17-19; Dan. 9:20-27; 11:36-12:3; Matt. 24:14-30; Rev. 3:10, 11).
C. Prophetic insights into Israel , the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and a possible glimpse into some of the characteristics of the antichrist (verses 20-26).
1. Yahweh’s discipline was going to once again fall on Israel due to their rebellion, transgression, and sin. They were becoming corrupt, buying the high priesthood from Antiochus IV, and breaking the Mosaic covenant which they were under (verse 23a).
2. Antiochus IV would be severe, deceitful (winning the Jews over and then turning on them), powerful, and ultimately motivated by Satan. He will cause devastation in Israel , Jerusalem , the Temple and be a destroyer of Yahweh’s holy people (verses 23b-26, the details of this will be studied further in Daniel 11:21 -36, also for a history read the Apocryphal book of I Maccabees chapters 1-6 and Josephus chapter 16).
3. Daniel was distraught and disturbed at contemplating that the true people of Israel , after returning to the Beautiful Land from exile, will have to go through more trial later on. However, little does he know that he will be receiving more visions to come which will all be sealed up, written in Hebrew, for the time of the end (verse 27; Daniel 12:4).
Thought: Israel struggled with sin through their history with Yahweh, was disciplined and yet unconditionally loved! We as New Testament believers have the same sin, the same God, and yet more grace and Holy Spirit power because Christ has already died and rose again! (2 Cor. 3:4-18; Heb. 12:4-13)
PART I: ISRAEL AND ITS TEMPLE WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD KINGDOMS BUT WILL BE SEVERLY PERSECUTED DURING THE THIRD KINGDOM (GREECE)
Daniel 8:1-27
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Daniel’s vision concerning the ram (Medo-Persia) and the goat ( Greece ) (Daniel 8:1-14).
A. The historic background of Daniel’s vision (verses 1, 2).
1. Daniel now returns to writing in Hebrew instead of the Aramaic he used in chapters 2-7. He writes chapter 1, chapters 8-12 in Hebrew because these chapters have special significance to Israel .
2. The third year of King Belshazzar would have probably been 550- 551 B.C. (two years after the vision in 7:1). Daniel would have been about 70 years old when he received this (verse 1).
3. In the vision, Daniel gets his geographical bearings by first being in the palace at Susa , the capital of Elam , located 230 miles east of Babylon . He then finds himself on the bank of an artificial canal (called the Ulai Canal ) a few miles away from Susa . King Cyrus of Persia took the nation of Elam and the capital Susa over about 550 B.C.
B. Daniel first sees a ram with two long horns (verses 3, 4).
1. This animal represents the Medo-Persian Empire that was going to replace the Babylonian Empire in 539 B.C. It ruled from 539-331 B.C. It was the second kingdom of Daniel 2:32b, 39a; 5:28 ; 7:5 and is interpreted for us in Daniel 8:20 .
2. The longer horn is Persia , the stronger part of the Medo-Persian Empire.
3. The conquests of King Cyrus had primarily a westward, northward, and southward direction (already discussed in Daniel 7:5).
C. Daniel next sees a quick, powerful one-horned goat (verses 5-8).
1. Alexander the Great came from the west ( Macedonia and Greece ) and with speed and fury took over the whole Medo-Persian Empire in under three years (333 B.C. – 331 B.C.)(verses 5, 6).
2. Alexander the Great ended up dying in Babylon in 323 B.C. at the age of 33 years old. At the height of his power, he had people worship him as a descendent of the Greek god Zeus (verse 7).
3. Alexander the Great did not have children, therefore, four of his generals battled it out and claimed their right to rule the kingdom of Greece : 1) Cassander – Macedonia and Greece ; 2) Lysimachus – Thrace and Bithynia ; 3) Ptolemy – Egypt and Palestine ; and 4) Seleucus – Phrygia to the Indus River. The Greek kingdom ruled from 331 B.C. to approximately 88 B.C. (verse 8; Dan. 7:6; 8:22 ; 11:4).
D. Daniel next sees another small but growing ruler arising out of the Grecian kingdom which will persecute the people of Israel (verses 9-14).
1. This ruler comes out of the third kingdom which is Greece but has some similar characteristics of the little horn coming out of the fourth kingdom which is Rome in Daniel 7:8, 23-27. We should not confuse the two, they are two separate people. However, it could be that Yahweh through Daniel is revealing some characteristics of the final persecutor of Israel (from the revived fourth kingdom of Rome who is also called the antichrist) through this third kingdom persecutor (see also Dan. 9:20-27; 11:21–12:3; Matt.24:15, 24; II Thes. 2:1-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 19:19-21).
2. The person in Greek history which relates to every aspect described by this person is Antiochus IV Epiphanes who ruled from 175-164 B.C. After murdering his brother and usurping power from his nephew, Seleucus IV, he invaded Egypt (south), Parthia and Armenia (east) and forcibly used Israel (the Beautiful or Glorious Land) at this time called Palestine, as a buffer between his kingdom and the Egyptian Ptolemaic armies (verse 9).
3. The terms “host of the heavens” and “starry host” in this context means true Israelite believers who will be persecuted and killed under Antiochus IV Epiphanes reign. The “stars” who “shine like the brightness of the heavens” are the same and similar terms found in Daniel 12:3 (verse 10).
4. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was very corrupt during his reign (verses 10-14)
a. He had the coins of his kingdom inscribed “theos epiphanes” which means “God Manifest” in Greek. Therefore, he set himself up as the Prince of the host, Yahweh Sabaoth, the only true God (verse 11).
b. He also, in December 167 B.C., erected a statue of Zeus Olympius in Yahweh’s temple and sacrificed pigs on the altar. He had already taken away the Jewish daily temple sacrifice months before this.
c. He made the possession of Hebrew Scriptures an offense deserving the death penalty. Therefore, truth (the Scriptures) was thrown to the ground (verse 12).
d. He made it a death penalty for Hebrews to circumcise their children bringing many faithful Jewish believers over to death (verse 12).
e. The prophesied time for the extreme persecution of this Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes is 2,300 evenings and mornings. The two ways of looking at this are either 2,300 days or 2,300 evening and morning burnt offering sacrifices making it 1,150 days (verse 13; Ex. 29:38-42; Numbers chapters 28, 29). Some Jewish and Christian scholars have calculated the reconsecration of the temple by the Jewish Maccabees to be exactly 1,150 days. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah ( December 14, 164 B.C. ) celebrates this event (verse 14).
Thought: Yahweh cares and loves His people by revealing events, many in extraordinary detail, in His written revelation. These Scriptures should bring comfort, direction, and hope for His believers. Praise Yahweh “Hallelu-Yah.”
II. The angel Gabriel’s direct interpretation of the vision to Daniel (Daniel 8:15 -27).
A. Gabriel seems to be Yahweh’s messenger specifically to His Jewish people. This is the first place in Scripture where he is mentioned by name but he is mentioned three other times (verses 15, 16; Dan. 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 , 26).
B. Gabriel explains that the vision occurs at “an appointed time of the end” and “a time of wrath.” The idea of these statements seem to directly relate to the Antiochus IV Epiphanes time frame but could possibly hint at a preview of the time before the return of Christ (verses 17-19; Dan. 9:20-27; 11:36-12:3; Matt. 24:14-30; Rev. 3:10, 11).
C. Prophetic insights into Israel , the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and a possible glimpse into some of the characteristics of the antichrist (verses 20-26).
1. Yahweh’s discipline was going to once again fall on Israel due to their rebellion, transgression, and sin. They were becoming corrupt, buying the high priesthood from Antiochus IV, and breaking the Mosaic covenant which they were under (verse 23a).
2. Antiochus IV would be severe, deceitful (winning the Jews over and then turning on them), powerful, and ultimately motivated by Satan. He will cause devastation in Israel , Jerusalem , the Temple and be a destroyer of Yahweh’s holy people (verses 23b-26, the details of this will be studied further in Daniel 11:21 -36, also for a history read the Apocryphal book of I Maccabees chapters 1-6 and Josephus chapter 16).
3. Daniel was distraught and disturbed at contemplating that the true people of Israel , after returning to the Beautiful Land from exile, will have to go through more trial later on. However, little does he know that he will be receiving more visions to come which will all be sealed up, written in Hebrew, for the time of the end (verse 27; Daniel 12:4).
Thought: Israel struggled with sin through their history with Yahweh, was disciplined and yet unconditionally loved! We as New Testament believers have the same sin, the same God, and yet more grace and Holy Spirit power because Christ has already died and rose again! (2 Cor. 3:4-18; Heb. 12:4-13)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Daniel 7:1-28
YAHWEH’S PLAN FOR THE GENTILE NATIONS AND HIS FUTURE ETERNAL KING
Daniel 7:1-28
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. How Daniel chapter seven fits in with chapters two through seven and Daniel’s vision of the four great beasts (Daniel 7:1-8).
A. There is a unique structure that Daniel gives his Aramaic chapters of two through seven.
1. Chapter two is Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and chapter seven is Daniel’s dream. They both deal with the Most High giving His revelational plan for the main Gentile nations (which He controls) and His future Jewish Messiah’s eternal kingdom.
2. Chapter three is the Most High’s protection from the fiery furnace and chapter six is the Living God’s protection from the lion’s den. They both deal with the Jewish God’s power to protect His people.
3. Chapter four is the King of Heaven’s humbling of Nebuchadnezzar and chapter five is the Lord of Heaven’s humbling of Belshazzar. They both deal with the idea that the Jewish God is sovereign over human kingdoms and is the one who sets over them anyone that He wishes.
4. The message produced by Daniel chapters two through seven that was circulated in the common language of the time would have been three-fold: 1) Yahweh has a plan for the kingdoms of this world and this world will bow to His king for all eternity; 2) Yahweh will protect and be with His people through the events of this world and beyond; and 3) Yahweh has the ability and power to set up world kings and bring them down. Therefore people would be wise to trust in this God alone who is the only Most High, Living, King and Lord of Heaven and set aside all other gods.
B. The first year of Belshazzar’s reign was probably around 553 B.C. (three years after Nebonidus started and then named him co-ruler) and therefore Daniel would have been around 68 to 70 years old (Daniel 7:1)
C. Daniel’s vision of the four beasts relates very closely with Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the statue found in chapter two (Daniel 7:2-7).
1. The great sea is usually used for the Mediterranean Sea
(Josh. 15:12 ; Ezek. 47:10) but in prophecy it means people groups and nations outside of the main believing community of Yahweh (Isa. 57:20; Rev. 17:1, 15) (Daniel 7:2, 3).
2. There are four great beasts that come out of this wind tossed churning water mass (Daniel 7:2, 3) which tie in to the four parts of the Daniel chapter two statue.
a. The lion with eagle wings was the kingdom of Babylon
(Daniel 2:37 , 38; Jer. 49:19, 22) which ruled from 605-539 B.C. The humbling and restoration of King Nebuchadnezzar describe the second part of verse 4a (see Dan. 4:28 -37).
b. The bear was the kingdom of Medo-Persia with Persia the dominant part of the kingdom. It ruled from 539–331 B.C. The three ribs are the three major conquests of the Lydian (546 B.C.), Babylonian (539 B.C.) and Egyptian (525 B.C.) Kingdoms (verse 5).
c. The leopard was the kingdom of Greece which ruled from 331 B.C. to (approx) 88 B.C. The four wings of a bird probably relates to the speed which Alexander the Great conquered the entire kingdom (around four years). The four heads prophesies the four divisions in which the empire was divided among the generals after Alexander died (verse 6, Daniel 8:8, 22; 11:4).
d. The ten-horned beast with iron teeth was the empire of Rome which ruled from around 88 B.C. to 476 A.D. They were never over-thrown by a fifth empire but were invaded by barbarian northern tribes and divided into ten tribes which became modern Europe . From the ten horns comes a little horn which will be an arrogantly boastful ruler who destroys three of the ten kings (verses 7, 8). (This will be further discussed in Daniel 7:24, 25 and Daniel chapters 8, 9, and 11).
Thought: Be encouraged with the knowledge that your God Yahweh has a plan for this world and that it is on schedule.
II. The visions of the Ancient of Days and the one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:9-14).
A. Just like in Daniel 2:44 after all four Gentile empires are discussed Yahweh’s fifth and final kingdom is set up with His own eternal king on the throne. Daniel 7:9-14 gives us more details of this future process.
B. The Ancient of Days or “advanced of days” speaks of Yahweh’s timelessness, eternality and His right as the wisest and oldest being to judge from His throne. New Testament believers usually see Him as God the Father. His white hair and clothing express His holiness (Rev. 1:14), the flaming throne on wheels His glory (Ezek. 1:4-28), and with an uncountable (“hundreds of millions”) number of angels surrounding Him, He is ready to judge (verses 9, 10).
C. The little boastful horn from verse eight is judged which signals an ending of the time that Yahweh has planned for the “time of the Gentiles” and leading up to the Son of Man’s (Christ’s) return (verses 11, 12;
Luke 21:20-28; Rom. 11:25 -27; Rev. 19:19-21).
D. The Son of Man with His saints is given the authority to rule His earthly kingdom and eternal kingdom. He is also worshipped. This is the promised Messianic King of Scriptures who turns out to be Jesus Christ the Lord (verses 13, 14; Dan. 3:4, 7; 4:1, 34; 5:19; 6:25; 7:27; Psalms 2:6-9; Matt. 24:30; 25:31; Mark 8:31 ; John 1:51; I Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 1:7,13; 11:15 ; 20: 1-6).
Thought: Praise Yahweh Father and Yahweh Son for the wonderful work they have done and will do!
III. Daniel asks the holy messenger (possibly the angel Gabriel) for added information on the fourth beast and the previously mentioned little horn (Dan. 7:15 -28).
A. He receives a synopsis of all the events in verses 17 and 18. There will be four main Gentile kingdoms and eventually the saints and Messiah will inherit a kingdom on this earth which eventually becomes eternal (verses 15-18; Rev. 2:26, 27; 20:4-6).
B. The fourth beast represents a fourth Gentile world ruler on this earth and seems to match up best with the empire of Rome around 88 B.C. – 476 A.D. After being invaded by barbarian northern tribes, it was divided up into ten tribes which became modern Europe . At the end of time, the “little horn” arises out of this ten, blasphemes the Most High, changes set times and the laws, and is allowed to wage a 3 ½ year persecution of Yahweh’s people (verses 19-25, Matt. 24:4 – 25:36; Luke 2:48, 67-70; Dan. 9:20-27; 11:38, 29; Rev. 13:1-10).
C. The “little horn” or antichrist will be judged by the Ancient of Days and the Messiah with His saints will be given the kingdom on this earth (and eventually the new earth forever) (verses 26-28; Rev. 2:26, 27; I Thes. 4:13-18; II Thes. 2:1; 19:11 – 20:6).
Daniel 7:1-28
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. How Daniel chapter seven fits in with chapters two through seven and Daniel’s vision of the four great beasts (Daniel 7:1-8).
A. There is a unique structure that Daniel gives his Aramaic chapters of two through seven.
1. Chapter two is Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and chapter seven is Daniel’s dream. They both deal with the Most High giving His revelational plan for the main Gentile nations (which He controls) and His future Jewish Messiah’s eternal kingdom.
2. Chapter three is the Most High’s protection from the fiery furnace and chapter six is the Living God’s protection from the lion’s den. They both deal with the Jewish God’s power to protect His people.
3. Chapter four is the King of Heaven’s humbling of Nebuchadnezzar and chapter five is the Lord of Heaven’s humbling of Belshazzar. They both deal with the idea that the Jewish God is sovereign over human kingdoms and is the one who sets over them anyone that He wishes.
4. The message produced by Daniel chapters two through seven that was circulated in the common language of the time would have been three-fold: 1) Yahweh has a plan for the kingdoms of this world and this world will bow to His king for all eternity; 2) Yahweh will protect and be with His people through the events of this world and beyond; and 3) Yahweh has the ability and power to set up world kings and bring them down. Therefore people would be wise to trust in this God alone who is the only Most High, Living, King and Lord of Heaven and set aside all other gods.
B. The first year of Belshazzar’s reign was probably around 553 B.C. (three years after Nebonidus started and then named him co-ruler) and therefore Daniel would have been around 68 to 70 years old (Daniel 7:1)
C. Daniel’s vision of the four beasts relates very closely with Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the statue found in chapter two (Daniel 7:2-7).
1. The great sea is usually used for the Mediterranean Sea
(Josh. 15:12 ; Ezek. 47:10) but in prophecy it means people groups and nations outside of the main believing community of Yahweh (Isa. 57:20; Rev. 17:1, 15) (Daniel 7:2, 3).
2. There are four great beasts that come out of this wind tossed churning water mass (Daniel 7:2, 3) which tie in to the four parts of the Daniel chapter two statue.
a. The lion with eagle wings was the kingdom of Babylon
(Daniel 2:37 , 38; Jer. 49:19, 22) which ruled from 605-539 B.C. The humbling and restoration of King Nebuchadnezzar describe the second part of verse 4a (see Dan. 4:28 -37).
b. The bear was the kingdom of Medo-Persia with Persia the dominant part of the kingdom. It ruled from 539–331 B.C. The three ribs are the three major conquests of the Lydian (546 B.C.), Babylonian (539 B.C.) and Egyptian (525 B.C.) Kingdoms (verse 5).
c. The leopard was the kingdom of Greece which ruled from 331 B.C. to (approx) 88 B.C. The four wings of a bird probably relates to the speed which Alexander the Great conquered the entire kingdom (around four years). The four heads prophesies the four divisions in which the empire was divided among the generals after Alexander died (verse 6, Daniel 8:8, 22; 11:4).
d. The ten-horned beast with iron teeth was the empire of Rome which ruled from around 88 B.C. to 476 A.D. They were never over-thrown by a fifth empire but were invaded by barbarian northern tribes and divided into ten tribes which became modern Europe . From the ten horns comes a little horn which will be an arrogantly boastful ruler who destroys three of the ten kings (verses 7, 8). (This will be further discussed in Daniel 7:24, 25 and Daniel chapters 8, 9, and 11).
Thought: Be encouraged with the knowledge that your God Yahweh has a plan for this world and that it is on schedule.
II. The visions of the Ancient of Days and the one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:9-14).
A. Just like in Daniel 2:44 after all four Gentile empires are discussed Yahweh’s fifth and final kingdom is set up with His own eternal king on the throne. Daniel 7:9-14 gives us more details of this future process.
B. The Ancient of Days or “advanced of days” speaks of Yahweh’s timelessness, eternality and His right as the wisest and oldest being to judge from His throne. New Testament believers usually see Him as God the Father. His white hair and clothing express His holiness (Rev. 1:14), the flaming throne on wheels His glory (Ezek. 1:4-28), and with an uncountable (“hundreds of millions”) number of angels surrounding Him, He is ready to judge (verses 9, 10).
C. The little boastful horn from verse eight is judged which signals an ending of the time that Yahweh has planned for the “time of the Gentiles” and leading up to the Son of Man’s (Christ’s) return (verses 11, 12;
Luke 21:20-28; Rom. 11:25 -27; Rev. 19:19-21).
D. The Son of Man with His saints is given the authority to rule His earthly kingdom and eternal kingdom. He is also worshipped. This is the promised Messianic King of Scriptures who turns out to be Jesus Christ the Lord (verses 13, 14; Dan. 3:4, 7; 4:1, 34; 5:19; 6:25; 7:27; Psalms 2:6-9; Matt. 24:30; 25:31; Mark 8:31 ; John 1:51; I Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 1:7,13; 11:15 ; 20: 1-6).
Thought: Praise Yahweh Father and Yahweh Son for the wonderful work they have done and will do!
III. Daniel asks the holy messenger (possibly the angel Gabriel) for added information on the fourth beast and the previously mentioned little horn (Dan. 7:15 -28).
A. He receives a synopsis of all the events in verses 17 and 18. There will be four main Gentile kingdoms and eventually the saints and Messiah will inherit a kingdom on this earth which eventually becomes eternal (verses 15-18; Rev. 2:26, 27; 20:4-6).
B. The fourth beast represents a fourth Gentile world ruler on this earth and seems to match up best with the empire of Rome around 88 B.C. – 476 A.D. After being invaded by barbarian northern tribes, it was divided up into ten tribes which became modern Europe . At the end of time, the “little horn” arises out of this ten, blasphemes the Most High, changes set times and the laws, and is allowed to wage a 3 ½ year persecution of Yahweh’s people (verses 19-25, Matt. 24:4 – 25:36; Luke 2:48, 67-70; Dan. 9:20-27; 11:38, 29; Rev. 13:1-10).
C. The “little horn” or antichrist will be judged by the Ancient of Days and the Messiah with His saints will be given the kingdom on this earth (and eventually the new earth forever) (verses 26-28; Rev. 2:26, 27; I Thes. 4:13-18; II Thes. 2:1; 19:11 – 20:6).
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Daniel 6:1-28
YAHWEH, THE LIVING GOD, RESCUES DANIEL FROM A DEN OF LIONS
Daniel 6:1-28
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The plot of the jealous satraps and administrators to try to get rid of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-9).
A. The ruler Darius the Mede was mentioned only in the book of Daniel (Dan. 5:30 ; 6:1, 6, 9; 9:1) and not in Persian history. So who was this Medo-Persian ruler who started at the end of 539 B.C.?
1. Some believe it to be Darius I who ruled from 522 B.C. to
486 B.C. However, if he started at 62 years old and ruled 36 years, he would have ended at 98 years old. History does not agree with these ages.
2. Some believe it might have been King Cyrus himself who ruled from 559 B.C. to 530 B.C. These would believe that the alternative translation of Daniel 6:28 and the historical record give this view a leg up. However, why was he called a Mede when the rest of Scripture calls him a Persian?
3. Some believe Darius was a Medo-Persian royal name similar to the Roman “Caesar” or “Augustus.” So in this view, King Cyrus could have assigned someone to rule the city of Babylon under his authority and the Mede was added as a distinction of this person. We know from the Nabonidus-Cyrus Chronicle historically that a governor Gubaru (many times mixed up with Ugbaru) was appointed by King Cyrus as vice-regent of the Chaldean domains on October 29, 539 B.C. If this was the case, then King Cyrus could have had his own formal Coronation two years later. This view seems to fit the texts of Daniel 2:21; 6:1, 28; 9:1; and 10:1 as well as the known historical record in my opinion.
B. Daniel would have been about 80 years old in 539 B.C. w hen he was appointed as one of the three administrators over the Medo-Persian kingdom (Daniel 6:1-4).
1. He showed the same Yahweh anointed exceptional qualities as he has already showed previously (verse 3; Daniel 2:48 ).
2. Daniel’s Yahweh inspired qualities included not being corrupt, being trustworthy and not being negligent (being diligent). These are very good traits to find in any employee or ruler!
C. All the other rulers trick King Darius into enacting an irrevocable law in order to lay a trap for Daniel (Daniel 6:5-9). See how this also happened under King Xerxes I around 483 B.C. in Esther 1:19; 8:8).
Thought: Daniel exhibited many of the traits of the New Testament believer found in I Peter 3:8-17. What do we need to entrust to Yahweh today?
II. Daniel’s habit of praying remained the same even after the decree. Daniel’s spiritual strength came out of his daily walk with Yahweh (Daniel 6:10 -17).
A. His habit in exile was to face Jerusalem (I Kings 8:41 -43), get down on his knees (I Kings 8:54 ; Ezra 9:5; Psalms 95:6), and pray three times a day (Psalms 55:17)(verse 10).
B. Daniel asked God for help (verse 11, possibly meditating on Psalm 22?).
C. The den comes from an Aramaic word which gives the idea of an underground pit. A lid was placed over it with the official wax seal surrounding it (verses 12-17).
Thought: When we go through various trials, it’s a time to become very diligent with our daily walk.
III. There are three books of the Apocrypha that are inserted in the Catholic Bible for the book of Daniel.
A. The word “apocrypha” in the Greek means things that are hidden. It is a collection of 14 or 15 books or parts of books which were inserted into the older English Bible (as well as the Septuagint). They were never part of the Canon of Scripture (the list of what is now 66 books including 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament).
B. To be part of the Canon, books are subjected to three main criteria:
1) Authority – internal words claiming authority by God (God breathed) and written by a prophet, apostle, or close associate;
2) Agreement – internal evidence that it agrees with the rest of Scripture;
3) Acceptance – wide acceptance among churches and church leaders.
C. The three apocryphal works surrounding Daniel include:
1) The Song of the Three Holy Children,
2) The History of Susanna, and
3) Bel and the Dragon. None of them show the inspiration of real Scripture and they have several inaccuracies compared to Daniel and other Scriptures.
IV. Yahweh, the only living God, rescues Daniel and receives praise from King Darius (Daniel 6:18 -28).
A. Daniel praises his God for sending his angel and shutting the mouths of the lions (verses 18-21).
1. This is similar wording to Psalm 22:13, 21 which Da niel might have been praying through.
2. The Messiah of Isaiah 11:6 (possibly the same Yahweh messenger in verse 21) will manifest perfect control over the animals in his Millennial Reign!
B. King Darius praises Daniel’s God as the one living God who is the Eternal King and who has the power to rescue and save His people (verses 22-27).
C. Daniel prospered all the way to the rule of Cyrus the Persian (verse 28). He remained in an administrative role until the first year of King Cyrus (Daniel 1:21 ) which was possibly two years after King Darius.
Daniel 6:1-28
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The plot of the jealous satraps and administrators to try to get rid of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-9).
A. The ruler Darius the Mede was mentioned only in the book of Daniel (Dan. 5:30 ; 6:1, 6, 9; 9:1) and not in Persian history. So who was this Medo-Persian ruler who started at the end of 539 B.C.?
1. Some believe it to be Darius I who ruled from 522 B.C. to
486 B.C. However, if he started at 62 years old and ruled 36 years, he would have ended at 98 years old. History does not agree with these ages.
2. Some believe it might have been King Cyrus himself who ruled from 559 B.C. to 530 B.C. These would believe that the alternative translation of Daniel 6:28 and the historical record give this view a leg up. However, why was he called a Mede when the rest of Scripture calls him a Persian?
3. Some believe Darius was a Medo-Persian royal name similar to the Roman “Caesar” or “Augustus.” So in this view, King Cyrus could have assigned someone to rule the city of Babylon under his authority and the Mede was added as a distinction of this person. We know from the Nabonidus-Cyrus Chronicle historically that a governor Gubaru (many times mixed up with Ugbaru) was appointed by King Cyrus as vice-regent of the Chaldean domains on October 29, 539 B.C. If this was the case, then King Cyrus could have had his own formal Coronation two years later. This view seems to fit the texts of Daniel 2:21; 6:1, 28; 9:1; and 10:1 as well as the known historical record in my opinion.
B. Daniel would have been about 80 years old in 539 B.C. w hen he was appointed as one of the three administrators over the Medo-Persian kingdom (Daniel 6:1-4).
1. He showed the same Yahweh anointed exceptional qualities as he has already showed previously (verse 3; Daniel 2:48 ).
2. Daniel’s Yahweh inspired qualities included not being corrupt, being trustworthy and not being negligent (being diligent). These are very good traits to find in any employee or ruler!
C. All the other rulers trick King Darius into enacting an irrevocable law in order to lay a trap for Daniel (Daniel 6:5-9). See how this also happened under King Xerxes I around 483 B.C. in Esther 1:19; 8:8).
Thought: Daniel exhibited many of the traits of the New Testament believer found in I Peter 3:8-17. What do we need to entrust to Yahweh today?
II. Daniel’s habit of praying remained the same even after the decree. Daniel’s spiritual strength came out of his daily walk with Yahweh (Daniel 6:10 -17).
A. His habit in exile was to face Jerusalem (I Kings 8:41 -43), get down on his knees (I Kings 8:54 ; Ezra 9:5; Psalms 95:6), and pray three times a day (Psalms 55:17)(verse 10).
B. Daniel asked God for help (verse 11, possibly meditating on Psalm 22?).
C. The den comes from an Aramaic word which gives the idea of an underground pit. A lid was placed over it with the official wax seal surrounding it (verses 12-17).
Thought: When we go through various trials, it’s a time to become very diligent with our daily walk.
III. There are three books of the Apocrypha that are inserted in the Catholic Bible for the book of Daniel.
A. The word “apocrypha” in the Greek means things that are hidden. It is a collection of 14 or 15 books or parts of books which were inserted into the older English Bible (as well as the Septuagint). They were never part of the Canon of Scripture (the list of what is now 66 books including 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament).
B. To be part of the Canon, books are subjected to three main criteria:
1) Authority – internal words claiming authority by God (God breathed) and written by a prophet, apostle, or close associate;
2) Agreement – internal evidence that it agrees with the rest of Scripture;
3) Acceptance – wide acceptance among churches and church leaders.
C. The three apocryphal works surrounding Daniel include:
1) The Song of the Three Holy Children,
2) The History of Susanna, and
3) Bel and the Dragon. None of them show the inspiration of real Scripture and they have several inaccuracies compared to Daniel and other Scriptures.
IV. Yahweh, the only living God, rescues Daniel and receives praise from King Darius (Daniel 6:18 -28).
A. Daniel praises his God for sending his angel and shutting the mouths of the lions (verses 18-21).
1. This is similar wording to Psalm 22:13, 21 which Da niel might have been praying through.
2. The Messiah of Isaiah 11:6 (possibly the same Yahweh messenger in verse 21) will manifest perfect control over the animals in his Millennial Reign!
B. King Darius praises Daniel’s God as the one living God who is the Eternal King and who has the power to rescue and save His people (verses 22-27).
C. Daniel prospered all the way to the rule of Cyrus the Persian (verse 28). He remained in an administrative role until the first year of King Cyrus (Daniel 1:21 ) which was possibly two years after King Darius.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Daniel 5:1-31
THE FALL OF BABYLON IS WRITTEN ON THE WALL
Daniel 5:1-31
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. King Belshazzar, along with the Babylonian kingdom, feasts, fears, and finally fatally falters under Yahweh’s mighty hand (Daniel 5:1-12).
A. King Belshazzar, while feasting, blasphemes the God of Israel even though he should have known better (Daniel 5:1-4).
1. Belshazzar (“Bel, protect the king”) was the son of Nebonidus, (who was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and who was also a General under Nebuchadnezzar), the last historically recorded King of Babylon.
a. Nebonidus ruled the Babylonian empire from 556-539 B.C.
However, due to frequent traveling and illness, he assigned his son Belshazzar as co-ruler with him and Belshazzar spent most of his time ruling from the city of Babylon itself.
b. There are two historical, legal documents recorded by Nebonidus proclaiming Belshazzar as both Co-regent and Crown Prince in the 12th and 13th year of his reign (the Nebonidus-Cyrus Chronicle discovered in Nineveh , Iraq in 1879 and presently located in the British Museum ).
c. This would also make Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson on his mother’s side (verses 2, 11,13 and 18 use the term “father” which can be used for father, grandfather, or ancestor).
d. Before this chronicle was discovered, many scholars did not believe that a Belshazzar who was a “son” of Nebuchadnezzar ever historically existed. However, for supernatural loving Yahweh honoring believers, the prophecy in Jeremiah 27:5-7 was perfectly accurate!
2 . The Jerusalem Temple articles were taken to Babylon in stages (605 B.C. – Daniel 1:2 and 586 B.C. – Jer. 27:19-22; Lam. 1:10 ) and probably placed in the Temple of Marduk (verse 3). So these had been sitting in the hands of unbelievers from 47 years and up to 66 years.
3. As the feasters drank from the Jerusalem Temple ’s sacred vessels, they toasted and praised their gods but not the God, Yahweh the Most High King of Heaven! The timing is right for Yahweh to once again speak clearly.
B. The perfect timing of Yahweh’s prophecy, human responsibility, and God’s sovereign rule work together for another amazing wonder – the writing on the wall! (verses 5-9).
1. Belshazzar cannot stand under the power of what he was seeing on the wall (verses 5, 6). (A large 55 foot wide, 165 feet long hall has been excavated in Babylon with white plastered walls!)
2. The third ruler would put that person next in line to the throne behind Nebonidus and Belshazzar (verses 7, 8).
C. Even though the wise men of Babylon again are useless, the Queen Mother, (Belshazzar’s mother and Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter), remembered Daniel and the events of her father’s life as already described in Daniel chapters 1-4 (verses 10-12).
Thought: Daniel 5:1-12 should encourage us as believers because it shows us
that Yahweh’s timing is perfect. He is faithful to His covenant and He is faithful
to His Word. Are we struggling today with acknowledging His perfect timing or
His ability to carry out His covenant or His Word as He has promised us?
II. Daniel gives the meaning of the writing on the wall to King Belshazzar
(Daniel 5:13-29).
A. Daniel would have been around 80 years old at this time (verses 13-16).
According to historical records, the kingdom of Babylon fell to the kingdom of Medo-Persia in October 539 B.C.
B. Daniel explains to Belshazzar that his motive for interpreting the writing was not monetary but was rather to honor the only true and Most High God (verses 17-24).
1. Daniel takes the opportunity to relay how Yahweh humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Belshazzar’s grandfather) when he was prideful (verses 18-21; Daniel 4:1-37).
2. Daniel takes the opportunity to explain to Belshazzar that this same Most High God that “holds in His hand your life” is the same one who “sent this palm hand.” (verses 22-24).
a. There is a Hebrew word-play with the word hand which brings about emphasis and interest (see how the Apostle John does this in the Greek language in John 10:27 -30).
b. There is also a word-play going on between false gods who cannot see, hear, or understand and the one true God who does all of these as well as communicate His message perfectly with a human hand (also verse 4).
III. The message on the wall was written in Aramaic as a brief three word message with the first word repeated for emphasis (Daniel 5:25 -28).
A. Mene, mene means “to number or reckon.” It is the verb form for a unit of weight (called a mina in Greek) equal to 50 shekels or 1 ¼ pounds. God has numbered and numbered again (probably the start and finish of the Babylonian kingdom).
B. Tekel means “to weigh.” God has weighed Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom and found them to be deficient (probably to remain as the reigning world kingdom).
C. Upharsin is the plural form of pares “to divide” so the Babylonian kingdom will be divided and given to two kingdoms. Daniel tells us that there will be the Medes and Persians.
IV. The very night of the feast that blasphemed Yahweh, Daniel was recognized, Belshazzar was slain, and the Medo-Persian army too k over Babylon
(Daniel 5:29, 30).
A. Historically, it is chronicled that Babylon was already under assault by the Medo-Persian army led by King Cyrus during the time of this feast. However, Babylon had stored up a 20 year supply of food with the Euphrates River running through it for water. It was surrounded by a high outer and inner wall with a road between them wide enough to span two chariots abreast. It had a mote surrounding the whole city. It was viewed by those in the city as impenetrable.
B. However, evidently before or during the feast, the army figured out that they could divert the water of the Euphrates north of the city by building a canal system to a nearby lake. As the level of the water receded, the Medo-Persi an army went under the sluice gate and defeated the city October 12, 539 B.C. (see Isaiah 47:1-5 and Daniel 2:32 , 39).
C. Darius the Mede was probably an official named Gubaru whom King Cyrus appointed as his vice-regent before his formal coronation two years later (see Daniel 9:1).
Thought: Can you trust Yahweh, the King of Heaven, who sets up and takes
down world kingdoms with your life situations today?
Daniel 5:1-31
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. King Belshazzar, along with the Babylonian kingdom, feasts, fears, and finally fatally falters under Yahweh’s mighty hand (Daniel 5:1-12).
A. King Belshazzar, while feasting, blasphemes the God of Israel even though he should have known better (Daniel 5:1-4).
1. Belshazzar (“Bel, protect the king”) was the son of Nebonidus, (who was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and who was also a General under Nebuchadnezzar), the last historically recorded King of Babylon.
a. Nebonidus ruled the Babylonian empire from 556-539 B.C.
However, due to frequent traveling and illness, he assigned his son Belshazzar as co-ruler with him and Belshazzar spent most of his time ruling from the city of Babylon itself.
b. There are two historical, legal documents recorded by Nebonidus proclaiming Belshazzar as both Co-regent and Crown Prince in the 12th and 13th year of his reign (the Nebonidus-Cyrus Chronicle discovered in Nineveh , Iraq in 1879 and presently located in the British Museum ).
c. This would also make Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson on his mother’s side (verses 2, 11,13 and 18 use the term “father” which can be used for father, grandfather, or ancestor).
d. Before this chronicle was discovered, many scholars did not believe that a Belshazzar who was a “son” of Nebuchadnezzar ever historically existed. However, for supernatural loving Yahweh honoring believers, the prophecy in Jeremiah 27:5-7 was perfectly accurate!
2 . The Jerusalem Temple articles were taken to Babylon in stages (605 B.C. – Daniel 1:2 and 586 B.C. – Jer. 27:19-22; Lam. 1:10 ) and probably placed in the Temple of Marduk (verse 3). So these had been sitting in the hands of unbelievers from 47 years and up to 66 years.
3. As the feasters drank from the Jerusalem Temple ’s sacred vessels, they toasted and praised their gods but not the God, Yahweh the Most High King of Heaven! The timing is right for Yahweh to once again speak clearly.
B. The perfect timing of Yahweh’s prophecy, human responsibility, and God’s sovereign rule work together for another amazing wonder – the writing on the wall! (verses 5-9).
1. Belshazzar cannot stand under the power of what he was seeing on the wall (verses 5, 6). (A large 55 foot wide, 165 feet long hall has been excavated in Babylon with white plastered walls!)
2. The third ruler would put that person next in line to the throne behind Nebonidus and Belshazzar (verses 7, 8).
C. Even though the wise men of Babylon again are useless, the Queen Mother, (Belshazzar’s mother and Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter), remembered Daniel and the events of her father’s life as already described in Daniel chapters 1-4 (verses 10-12).
Thought: Daniel 5:1-12 should encourage us as believers because it shows us
that Yahweh’s timing is perfect. He is faithful to His covenant and He is faithful
to His Word. Are we struggling today with acknowledging His perfect timing or
His ability to carry out His covenant or His Word as He has promised us?
II. Daniel gives the meaning of the writing on the wall to King Belshazzar
(Daniel 5:13-29).
A. Daniel would have been around 80 years old at this time (verses 13-16).
According to historical records, the kingdom of Babylon fell to the kingdom of Medo-Persia in October 539 B.C.
B. Daniel explains to Belshazzar that his motive for interpreting the writing was not monetary but was rather to honor the only true and Most High God (verses 17-24).
1. Daniel takes the opportunity to relay how Yahweh humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Belshazzar’s grandfather) when he was prideful (verses 18-21; Daniel 4:1-37).
2. Daniel takes the opportunity to explain to Belshazzar that this same Most High God that “holds in His hand your life” is the same one who “sent this palm hand.” (verses 22-24).
a. There is a Hebrew word-play with the word hand which brings about emphasis and interest (see how the Apostle John does this in the Greek language in John 10:27 -30).
b. There is also a word-play going on between false gods who cannot see, hear, or understand and the one true God who does all of these as well as communicate His message perfectly with a human hand (also verse 4).
III. The message on the wall was written in Aramaic as a brief three word message with the first word repeated for emphasis (Daniel 5:25 -28).
A. Mene, mene means “to number or reckon.” It is the verb form for a unit of weight (called a mina in Greek) equal to 50 shekels or 1 ¼ pounds. God has numbered and numbered again (probably the start and finish of the Babylonian kingdom).
B. Tekel means “to weigh.” God has weighed Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom and found them to be deficient (probably to remain as the reigning world kingdom).
C. Upharsin is the plural form of pares “to divide” so the Babylonian kingdom will be divided and given to two kingdoms. Daniel tells us that there will be the Medes and Persians.
IV. The very night of the feast that blasphemed Yahweh, Daniel was recognized, Belshazzar was slain, and the Medo-Persian army too k over Babylon
(Daniel 5:29, 30).
A. Historically, it is chronicled that Babylon was already under assault by the Medo-Persian army led by King Cyrus during the time of this feast. However, Babylon had stored up a 20 year supply of food with the Euphrates River running through it for water. It was surrounded by a high outer and inner wall with a road between them wide enough to span two chariots abreast. It had a mote surrounding the whole city. It was viewed by those in the city as impenetrable.
B. However, evidently before or during the feast, the army figured out that they could divert the water of the Euphrates north of the city by building a canal system to a nearby lake. As the level of the water receded, the Medo-Persi an army went under the sluice gate and defeated the city October 12, 539 B.C. (see Isaiah 47:1-5 and Daniel 2:32 , 39).
C. Darius the Mede was probably an official named Gubaru whom King Cyrus appointed as his vice-regent before his formal coronation two years later (see Daniel 9:1).
Thought: Can you trust Yahweh, the King of Heaven, who sets up and takes
down world kingdoms with your life situations today?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Daniel 4:1-37
THE MOST HIGH GOD IN HEAVEN RULES OVER HUMAN KINGDOMS
Daniel 4:1-37
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The setting and events of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, about the enormous tree, as told by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1- 18).
A. Nebuchadnezzar has had an experience with the Most High God of which he desires to tell to all the world (verses 1-3).
1. He has personally had an encounter with the Most High God’s miraculous signs (God’s intervention through the amazing timing and direction of natural phenomena) and miraculous wonders (God’s supernatural manifestations unexplainable using natural phenomena) (verse 2).
2. Through this event (which we will find out lasted over eight years), Nebuchadnezzar found out that only the Most High God’s Kingdom is eternal and that He ultimately rules through human kingdoms now (verse 3).
3. The Sep tuagint and Hebrew Text (MT) includes these three verses at the end of chapter 3 and starts chapter 4 with verse 4. However, most Biblical scholars see a better link with this chapter, as an introduction statement, because it fits so perfectly with the statement of Daniel 4:37.
B. When this dream happened, Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace in a contented and prosperous place in his life (verse 4). This might help us to figure out a possible timing of this event as it relates to Nebuchadnezzar’s rule which was from 605-562 B.C.
1. When a king says this it usually means that he is not fighting any more wars (2 Samuel 7:1). Nebuchadnezzar’s last two wars were Egypt (588-587 B.C.) and Jerusalem (587-586 B.C.). Following these were a protracted 10 to 13 year siege of <>Tyre which probably ended around 570 B.C. (Ezek. 26:7-14).
2. We also know from Daniel 4:4, 29, 30 and history that Nebuchadnezzar built up his palace, the hanging gardens, the structures inside Babylon, and the walls with amazing detail and in an ornate and opulent manor for all the world to see. This was probably going on during the wars and especially during the siege of Tyre.
3. We know that if Nebuchadnezzar was in on the final siege of Tyre (Ezek. 26:7) which ended in 570 B.C. that he would have presumably been in his right mind by then.
4. We know that Nebuchadnezzar’s reign of Babylon went from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. Therefore, given the fact that he was eventually restored to his right mind and appears to rule for several years after (Dan. 4:36, 37), the best probability for the timing of this 8-9 year event would have been a few years after Jerusalem’s destruction.
C. Nebuchadnezzar again calls on Daniel (Belteshazzar) to help him interpret his dream after finding his own wise men useless (verses 5-18).
1. Before this event in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, his main god is Bel (Babylon’s counterpart to the Baal of the Canaanites) whose name is Marduk. Belteshazzar’s name, “Lady prote ct the king,” includes the wife of this god, the goddess Surpanitu, protecting the king. It can also be a shortened form for Bel-Belteshazzar “Bel, protect his life” (verses 5-8).
2. This enormous tree is described by the heavenly watchman as both a cut down yet preserved tree and as a man whose mind will change into an animal and yet be restored after seven times (verses 9-16).
3. The purpose of this dream was so that those living would understand that it’s the Most High (Highest God) that domineers over the kingdoms of men and sets their rulers in place at His pleasure (verses 17, 18).
Thought: How has Yahweh, the God of the Universe, gotten your attention
through events in your life? Is He trying to get your attention now?
II. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (verses 19-27).
A. He speaks in a gentle and respectful tone (verses 19-21; I Peter 3:15).
B. He speaks the truth in love (verses 22-27; Eph. 4:15).
1. The king is the tree (verse 22). This showed Daniel’s boldness.
2. The Babylonian kingdom is large but not exhaustive (compare verse 22 with verse 11). Daniel was gently corrective.
3. The king will lose his mind for seven years but will eventually be restored to his place as ruler of Babylon when he acknowledges the one ruling over him (verses 23-26). Daniel used the help of the Holy Spirit and the skill of Scriptural interpretation.
a. The seven times in the text are seven years (comparing Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10 with Dan. 7:25; Dan. 9:2, 24-27; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 11:2, 3; 13:5). Besides seven weeks or months would not have been enough time for his nails and hair to grow out.
b. Current day psychiatry and psychology have a classification of mental disease called clinical Lycanthropy which involves a person having a delusion that they are transforming into an animal. Zoanthropy is the delusion that he/she is an animal. Boanthropy is being transformed into a cow such as what Nebuchadnezzar probably had.
4. The king i s asked to repent of his pride (vs 27). Daniel showed a deep intimacy with Yahweh.
Thought: When you or someone close to you is going through a hard time, it is a
good possibility that Yahweh wants to speak through you to others about
what you are learning.
III. After a year of grace, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride activates Yahweh’s humbling, seven years of cow-like behavior, followed by repentance and restoration
(Daniel 4:28-37).
A. Outside the city of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar grazes with the cattle, doesn’t groom his hair or nails, and stays in a psychotic state for seven years (verses 28-34).
B. After seven years Nebuchadnezzar repents, submits his authority to the Most High King of Heaven (Yahweh) and is restored to his kingdom (verses 35-37).
Daniel 4:1-37
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The setting and events of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, about the enormous tree, as told by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1- 18).
A. Nebuchadnezzar has had an experience with the Most High God of which he desires to tell to all the world (verses 1-3).
1. He has personally had an encounter with the Most High God’s miraculous signs (God’s intervention through the amazing timing and direction of natural phenomena) and miraculous wonders (God’s supernatural manifestations unexplainable using natural phenomena) (verse 2).
2. Through this event (which we will find out lasted over eight years), Nebuchadnezzar found out that only the Most High God’s Kingdom is eternal and that He ultimately rules through human kingdoms now (verse 3).
3. The Sep tuagint and Hebrew Text (MT) includes these three verses at the end of chapter 3 and starts chapter 4 with verse 4. However, most Biblical scholars see a better link with this chapter, as an introduction statement, because it fits so perfectly with the statement of Daniel 4:37.
B. When this dream happened, Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace in a contented and prosperous place in his life (verse 4). This might help us to figure out a possible timing of this event as it relates to Nebuchadnezzar’s rule which was from 605-562 B.C.
1. When a king says this it usually means that he is not fighting any more wars (2 Samuel 7:1). Nebuchadnezzar’s last two wars were Egypt (588-587 B.C.) and Jerusalem (587-586 B.C.). Following these were a protracted 10 to 13 year siege of <>Tyre which probably ended around 570 B.C. (Ezek. 26:7-14).
2. We also know from Daniel 4:4, 29, 30 and history that Nebuchadnezzar built up his palace, the hanging gardens, the structures inside Babylon, and the walls with amazing detail and in an ornate and opulent manor for all the world to see. This was probably going on during the wars and especially during the siege of Tyre.
3. We know that if Nebuchadnezzar was in on the final siege of Tyre (Ezek. 26:7) which ended in 570 B.C. that he would have presumably been in his right mind by then.
4. We know that Nebuchadnezzar’s reign of Babylon went from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. Therefore, given the fact that he was eventually restored to his right mind and appears to rule for several years after (Dan. 4:36, 37), the best probability for the timing of this 8-9 year event would have been a few years after Jerusalem’s destruction.
C. Nebuchadnezzar again calls on Daniel (Belteshazzar) to help him interpret his dream after finding his own wise men useless (verses 5-18).
1. Before this event in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, his main god is Bel (Babylon’s counterpart to the Baal of the Canaanites) whose name is Marduk. Belteshazzar’s name, “Lady prote ct the king,” includes the wife of this god, the goddess Surpanitu, protecting the king. It can also be a shortened form for Bel-Belteshazzar “Bel, protect his life” (verses 5-8).
2. This enormous tree is described by the heavenly watchman as both a cut down yet preserved tree and as a man whose mind will change into an animal and yet be restored after seven times (verses 9-16).
3. The purpose of this dream was so that those living would understand that it’s the Most High (Highest God) that domineers over the kingdoms of men and sets their rulers in place at His pleasure (verses 17, 18).
Thought: How has Yahweh, the God of the Universe, gotten your attention
through events in your life? Is He trying to get your attention now?
II. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (verses 19-27).
A. He speaks in a gentle and respectful tone (verses 19-21; I Peter 3:15).
B. He speaks the truth in love (verses 22-27; Eph. 4:15).
1. The king is the tree (verse 22). This showed Daniel’s boldness.
2. The Babylonian kingdom is large but not exhaustive (compare verse 22 with verse 11). Daniel was gently corrective.
3. The king will lose his mind for seven years but will eventually be restored to his place as ruler of Babylon when he acknowledges the one ruling over him (verses 23-26). Daniel used the help of the Holy Spirit and the skill of Scriptural interpretation.
a. The seven times in the text are seven years (comparing Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10 with Dan. 7:25; Dan. 9:2, 24-27; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 11:2, 3; 13:5). Besides seven weeks or months would not have been enough time for his nails and hair to grow out.
b. Current day psychiatry and psychology have a classification of mental disease called clinical Lycanthropy which involves a person having a delusion that they are transforming into an animal. Zoanthropy is the delusion that he/she is an animal. Boanthropy is being transformed into a cow such as what Nebuchadnezzar probably had.
4. The king i s asked to repent of his pride (vs 27). Daniel showed a deep intimacy with Yahweh.
Thought: When you or someone close to you is going through a hard time, it is a
good possibility that Yahweh wants to speak through you to others about
what you are learning.
III. After a year of grace, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride activates Yahweh’s humbling, seven years of cow-like behavior, followed by repentance and restoration
(Daniel 4:28-37).
A. Outside the city of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar grazes with the cattle, doesn’t groom his hair or nails, and stays in a psychotic state for seven years (verses 28-34).
B. After seven years Nebuchadnezzar repents, submits his authority to the Most High King of Heaven (Yahweh) and is restored to his kingdom (verses 35-37).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)