Book Of Daniel

Introduction Divisions Chapters 1 -6 Lessons Highlights Q & A Discussion Conclusion

Introduction

The first portion deals with Daniel's life as he faced the kind of pressures and temptations Christians encounter today. Daniel models how to develop enduring integrity in an enticing world. The second portion explores thrilling prophecies from the time of Daniel through the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Divisions

Chapters 1 to 6 Historical

Chapters 7 to 12
Apocalyptic or predictive.

Sons of Judah
Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah

- My Judge is God - God has shown favor - Who is like God - God has helped

Daniel Chapter 1

Daniel's career begins Articles from God's house taken Master of eunuchs brought young men to Babylon Young men capable of learning Chaldean language and literature King appointed diet and training Daniel and three friends among sons of Judah, chosen New names given Daniel chose not to be defiled Chief of eunuchs feared the king 9,10 New diet given 11-14 The four men among peers with better health King's diet discarded God gave ability in all literature and knowledge Daniel and friends brought to the king at the end of the days 18,19 Daniel and friends superior to heathen worship leaders Daniel's career ends.

Daniel Chapter 2
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Image

King Nebuchadnezzar's request 1 His anger at the failure of the wise men 8 Daniel offers to help 14 Prayer with friends 17 The secret revealed 19 Daniel was brought before the king 24 Daniel clarifies that God reveals secrets 27 The dream 31 The interpretation 37 Promotion of Daniel and friends 46

The Brightest Minds

The magicians

used sleight of hand, magic, and trickery. observed the patterns of the stars as a means of attempting to forecast the future. spiritualists who claimed to communicate with the dead for information regarding the future.

The astrologers

The sorcerers

The Chaldeans

the educated elite who attempted to tell the future by human genius, mathematical calculations, and an understanding of philosophy.

Daniel Chapter 2

Nebuchadnezzar has a dream

Kings Disturbing Dream

a great statue
one of impressive size and extraordinary brightness was standing before you. Its appearance caused alarm.

As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze. Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay. A stone was cut out without hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces. Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were broken in pieces without distinction and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors that the wind carries away. Not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain that filled the entire earth.

Dreams Interpretation

Nebuchadnezzars kingdom, the Babylonian kingdom represents the head of Gold Persia is the second kingdom after Babylon. The silver chest and arms represent this kingdom The defeat of the Persian kingdom by the armies of Greece takes place at Issus. Brass The fourth kingdom to follow the Grecian kingdom was the Roman Empire. Strong as iron Partly Iron partly of clay picture of a divided and fragile kingdom. Mingled with the seed of men -the seed of men represents the common people and the clay being bonded with the Iron the strong rule of the Roman Empire.

Daniel - Chapter 3
The Fiery Furnace

The Golden Statue

Ninety feet tall and nine feet wide Erected on the plain of Dura, Babylon

The Furnace Test

Daniels friends refuse to bow to the emperor's golden statue and are thrown into a furnace, seven times hotter than it was normally heated. As seen by Nebuchadnezzar, a fourth figure appears in the furnace with the three and.

The Rescue
God is credited for preserving them from the flames

Daniel Chapter 4
Nebuchadnezzar's Judgment

Nebuchadnezzar recounts a dream of a huge tree which is suddenly cut down at the command of a heavenly messenger. Daniel is summoned and interprets the dream as referring to Nebuchadnezzar, who for seven years will lose his power and mind and become like a wild animal. The king failed to head Daniels advise. Pride captured him and brought down Gods judgment All of this comes to pass until, at the end of the seven years, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that "heaven rules" and his kingdom and sanity are restored.

Daniel Chapter 4
The Royal Proclamation The king uttered these words: Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence by my own mighty strength and for my majestic honor? While these words were still on the kings lips, a voice came down from heaven: It is hereby announced to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you! You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and seven periods of time will pass by for you before you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes

Daniel Chapter 5
Writing On the Wall

Belshazzar's Feast, where Belshazzar and his nobles blasphemously drink from sacred Jewish temple vessels, offering praise to inanimate gods. A hand mysteriously appears to the king and writes upon the wall of the palace. The horrified king eventually summons Daniel who is able to read the writing and offer the following interpretation:
Mene, Mene - God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel - You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Upharsin - Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

"That very night", we are informed, Belshazzar was slain and "Darius the Mede" took over the kingdom

Daniel Chapter 6
Lions Den

Daniel exalted by Darius Plot against Daniel A ban on prayer Daniels faithfulness Daniel accused Daniel cast into the lions den The kings lament Daniels deliverance Daniels enemies destroyed The Decree of Darius

Daniel Chapter 6 cont.

The Decree of Darius 25 Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Underlying Message
God is in control God will preserve His people through trouble God prepares and encourages His people for the future Teaches us how to act in the face of trouble, knowing God is in control despite the difficulty.

Highlights
Magnifies God as the most high and as a ruler in the Kingdom of mankind God will bless and care for those who keep their integrity to him Provides details concerning the rise and fall of world powers from the time of ancient Babylon right down to the time of end

Questions
What is your definition of loyalty? Do you want to know what Gods will is for you now? Why the Lord will test everyones loyalty during the Great tribulation? Do you feel that we should fast and pray for answers from God? Do you think you can live by faith right now?

The end

The book of Daniel ends in victory.

Gods plan triumphs! Gods people triumph! Gods purposes triumph!

A New Beginning

Daniel-Chapter 12 is a doorway into the new world

Soon the universe will be free from the ravages of sin. Soon the unrighteous will finally be fully destroyed. Soon sickness, sorrow and death will be over. Soon songs of joy and gladness will resound through the universe. Soon time will stretch into eternity.