Unsealing DANIEL S MYSTERIES

Transcription

1 Unsealing DANIEL S MYSTERIES Prophetic Symbols 1 Revealed The Psychics vs. the 2 Prophet 3 Defying the Death Decree The Impossible 4 Deliverance 5 Life s Greatest Mistake 6 Confidence in the Crisis 7 Kingdoms in Collison 8 Cleansed at Last 9 Always on Time! 10 Without a Doubt 11 Still in His Hands 12 The End and a New Beginning Daniel 6 Confidence in the Crisis

2 Daniel Reigns Over the Whole Kingdom Under 1-2 After Darius became king, he divided the country into 120 areas and appointed a governor over each area. Then he appointed three presidents, one being Daniel, and put each in charge of forty governors. 3 Daniel did such a good job that the king made him head of the other two presidents, and even considered putting him in charge of the whole country. Jealous Presidents Hate Daniel 4-5 The other two presidents, as well as the governors, were jealous of Daniel. So they tried to find something wrong with him. But they couldn't. He was loyal to the king and faithful in all that he did. They said, "We'll have to find something against him, or soon the king will put him in charge of the whole country. It will have to be about his religion." 6-9 So they went to the king and said, "Your Majesty, there should be a test of loyalty for all your officials. Let us make a decree that for one month no one should go to any god or man for help except to you. Anyone who does will be thrown to the lions. We wrote out this thirty-day law, and all you need to do is sign it." The king liked the idea and signed it.

3 King Darius is Coerced Concerning Daniel s Worship Even though Daniel knew about the decree, he continued his habit of praying to God three times a day with his window open toward Jerusalem. When these officials saw him praying, they went to the king and said, "Your Majesty, remember the test of loyalty? It says that no one should petition any God but you for thirty days." The king answered, "Yes, and once a decree is made and signed, it can't be changed." 13 Then they said, "Your Majesty, the man you made head of us has broken the law. Daniel asks his God for help three times a day with his window wide open." When the king heard that, he was upset, because now he saw their trick to get rid of Daniel. The rest of the day he tried to think of a way out, but he couldn't. At sunset Daniel's enemies came and reminded the king what needed to be done. So the king ordered his guards to bring Daniel to the palace. When he came, the king said, "Daniel, I have no choice but to throw you to the lions, because you broke the law. But I believe that your God who watches over you will save you." 16

4 17 Then the guards took Daniel to the lions' den, tied him up, and lowered him in. They rolled a big stone over the opening and the king put his seal on it. Anyone who broke the seal would also be thrown to the lions The king was very sad. That night he didn't eat or sleep, because he kept thinking about Daniel. The first thing in the morning he went to the lions' den to see if God really had protected Daniel or not. When he got there, he cried out in a sad voice, "Daniel, are you there? Has your God protected you?"

5 21-23 Then Daniel called up to the king, "Your Majesty, may you live forever! My God has sent His angel to close the lions' mouths. Not one of them has hurt me. God knows that I am loyal to you." The king was overjoyed. He ordered the guards to lower a rope to pull Daniel up. When they examined him, they didn't find even a scratch on him. 24 Then the king ordered the men who had deceived him, and their families, to be thrown into the lions' den.

6 Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian Rule Next the king issued the public announcement: "Peace to the people, I'm making a decree that everyone in the country should respect the God of Daniel. He is the God of heaven and earth. His kingdom will never end. He saves all those who serve Him and does great wonders. He shut the lions' mouths and saved Daniel." 28 Then the king gave Daniel his position back, and Daniel continued to serve Darius, and also Cyrus. End of Daniel 6 Intrigue in the Palace Questions 1-3

7 1. What influential position did Daniel have in the Medo-Persian Empire? Daniel 6:1-3 He was chief over all the governors and satraps, second only to the king. God richly blessed Daniel s faithfulness. His diplomatic service spanned seventy years. He served under numerous kings in two different empires. Daniel s life illustrates the biblical principle, Those who honor Me I will honor (1 Samuel 2:30, NKJV). Daniel s colleagues coveted his position. Their jealousy led to lying, and lying led to the willingness to murder Daniel. 2. What was the only area of Daniel's life which these evil plotters thought they might use to trap him? Daniel 6:5 In the area concerning the law of his God. Jealous of Daniel s position, these Medo-Persian statesmen resorted to a conspiracy of lies. Their greed led them to be willing to put Daniel to death. Cherished in the heart, sin puts down it s roots and produces ugly fruit.

8 3. Where did Daniel's final test lie? Daniel 6:7 Whether or not he would worship God, even when the law forbade it. Daniel s final test revolved around the question of true and false worship. It centered in the counterfeit versus the genuine. 4. Although Daniel knew the decree was signed, how did he respond? Daniel s Unyielding Faith Questions 4-10 Daniel 6:10 He went home and prayed as his custom was three times a day.

9 5. When Daniel was cast into the lions' den, what statement did Darius make, indicating he, too, had confidence in Daniel's God? Prayer was Daniel s constant source of strength for maintaining an intimate relationship with God. It was vital. Prayer is the Christian s lifeline to heaven. Daniel 6:16 Your God whom you serve will continually deliver you. Darius violated his own conscience; he knew that he was condemning an innocent man. Filled with guilt, he spent a restless, sleepless night in the palace. Unresolved guilt creates anxiety and dis-ease. The consciousness of doing right brings a sense of calm in the midst of life s storms. Daniel was at peace in the lions den, while Darius was filled with stress in his palace. 6. To whom did Daniel pay tribute for his deliverance? Daniel 6:22 God Arriving at the lions den in the early-morning hours, the king discovered that Daniel had been miraculously delivered.

10 7. What provisions does God make for us during our times of greatest temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:13 He won't let us be tempted beyond what we are able to withstand. 8. How did Paul testify of God's power to keep him faithful while he was imprisoned in Rome? Philippians 4:13 He was able to do all things through Christ. 9. What tribute did Darius, the heathen king, pay to Daniel's God? Daniel 6:26, 27 The devil s power to overwhelm us is greater than our ability to resist. Left alone, we are powerless. But strengthened by God s power, we will be victorious. He described Him as living, steadfast and One whose dominion will last forever.

11 The word, steadfast, means reliable, trustworthy, one who can be counted upon. God never lets us down. When the lions of temptation roar in our ears, He is there to shut their mouths. When the evil one attempts to destroy us, He is there to deliver us. The ultimate, final deliverance will occur at the second coming of Christ. 10. How does the apostle John describe this final deliverance? Revelation 19:11-19 He describes Jesus coming from heaven to save us from Satan. Pictured as a mighty conqueror streaming down the corridor of the sky, and as a general leading the armies of heaven, Jesus is revealed as our mighty Deliverer. He is faithful and true. He keeps His word. In the last moments of time, He delivers His children. Daniel longed for that ultimate deliverance. He foresaw the day that all evil would be finally destroyed and God s kingdom would reign forever. God specializes in the impossible. He delights in deliverance. The same God who promises to deliver this planet from the dominion of evil, promises to deliver you from Satan s evil clutches today. The same God who will restore this planet to its original purpose, desires to restore your life today. You can praise God today as the mighty Deliverer.

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