DANIEL Unsealing DANIEL S MYSTERIES Daniel 1 Characters 1 Prophetic Symbols Revealed 7 Kingdoms in Collison Jehoiakim King of Judah Daniel Prophet, Prime Minister Melzar Guardian 2 The Psychics vs. the Prophet 3 Defying the Death Decree 8 Cleansed at Last 9 Always on Time! Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon Hananiah Daniel s Friend Cyrus King of Persia 4 The Impossible Deliverance 5 Life s Greatest Mistake 10 Without a Doubt 11 Still in His Hands Ashpenaz Chief of Staff Mishael Daniel s Friend 6 Confidence in the Crisis 12 The End and a New Beginning Azariah Daniel s Friend
1-2 Daniel 1 Chapter Readings 3-5 After they got to Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar told his chief official to pick from the captives young men in their teens, intelligent, self-disciplined, and well-mannered. They were to learn the language and culture of Babylon and to be served the same food the king are. After three years the king himself would examine them. The Lord let Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, capture Jerusalem and take away the treasures of the Temple. Before leaving for Babylon, the king told his general to bring with him some of the sacred objects, as well as some captives. 6-7 Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, all came from the tribe of Judah. But the king changed their names to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
8 Though Daniel was given a Babylonian name, he determined to be loyal to God. He also decided not to eat the unclean food they were given, which included pork and wine. so he asked the chief official if he could have a Jewish diet. 9-10 11-14 15-16 So Daniel went to their guardian and said, Test us for ten days on a Jewish diet. Just give us fruits, grains, nuts, vegetables, and water. Then see if we don t look healthier and do better than the other students. After that, whatever you decide, we ll do. Their guardian agreed. The chief official was kind to Daniel. He said, The king himself has chosen the food you men should have. If he sees that you re not as healthy as the others and learns that I changed your diet, he ll have me killed. After ten days Daniel and his three friends were healthier and stronger than the others, So their guardian let them stay on their Jewish diet.
17-19 Then Daniel and his friends studied hard, and God helped them. He also gave Daniel the gift of interpreting visions and dreams. When their three years of training were over, they were taken to the king for examination. The four of them did better than all the rest. The king was so impressed that he took a real interest in them. 20-21 Whatever question the king asked, he found that Daniel and his three friends did ten times better than the other students. So Daniel worked at the palace for many years, until Cyrus, the Persian, conquered Babylon. 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 Daniel 1 Chapter Readings And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
Symbol Clarifying Text What the Symbol Means Metals in Daniel 2 gold, silver, brass, iron Daniel 2:38-40 Four successive world empires beginning in Daniel s day Head of gold in Daniel 2:38 Daniel 2:31-32 Nebuchadnezzar s kingdom Babylon Toes of image in Daniel 2:41 Daniel 2:41 A divided kingdom The rock cut out without hands in Daniel 2:34 Daniel 2:44, 45 God s eternal kingdom The tree in Daniel 4:10 Daniel 4:20-22 King Nebuchadnezzar The cutting down of the tree in Daniel 4:14 The band of iron and brass around the tree s stump in Daniel 4:15 The mysterious writing on the wall of Belshazzar s banquet hall in Daniel 5:5 Daniel 4:24, 25 Daniel 4:26 Daniel 5:26-28 King Nebuchadnezzar s loss of his throne to temporary insanity Nebuchadnezzar s empire preserved God s judgment pronounced upon Babylon Truth for the End Time Questions 1-4 Four winds in Daniel 7:2 Jeremiah 49:36, 37 (See also Revelation 7:1, 2) Winds equal devastation and destruction. The number four symbolizes the directions of the compass North, South, East, and West. 1. For what special time in this world's history were the prophecies of Daniel written? Daniel 12: 6, 8, 9, 13 2. What promise does God give His people regarding the future? Amos 3:7 For the time of the end. He promises to reveal the secrets of the future to them.
3. Why should we study Bible prophecy? John 14:29 4. What counsel did Jesus personally give in His sermon on end-time events, regarding the prophecies of Daniel? Matthew 24:15 When we see the prophecies actually happen, it will strengthen our faith. That we should read and understand them. Conflict in the Middle East Questions 5-6 5. The book of Daniel opens with a major conflict in the Middle East. What two nations were involved? Daniel 1:1 Judah and Babylon
6. Who was the king of Babylon? Daniel 1:1 Nebuchadnezzar Hostages Seized Questions 7-10 7. Describe the qualities of the Hebrew young men whom Nebuchadnezzar took captive. Daniel 1:4 He was smart, good-looking and a quick learner. 8. What did Nebuchadnezzar do to change the hostages' Hebrew identity? Daniel 1:6, 7 He gave them Babylonian names.
9. What decision did Daniel make which changed the course of his life? Daniel 1:8 10. What did Daniel request of the king's servant? Daniel 1:12 He purposed in his heart not to be defiled by the king's food or strong drink. A 10-day test with vegetables to eat and water to drink. Miraculous Results Question 11 11. What benefits did Daniel and his friends gain from their choice to be totally obedient to God? Daniel 1:15, 17, 19 They appeared stronger and healthier, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom and they were chosen to serve the king.