Sermon Daniel Chapter 1

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “DANIEL CHAPTER 1.”

Daniel Is A Book Of Bible Prophecy

• Daniel is a VERY important part of Bible Prophecy.
• In other words, it helps us to know what’s going to happen in the future.

Let’s start out with an overview of the Book of Daniel.

• 12 chapters in the Book of Daniel.
• Covers subjects such as:
  • The Antichrist.
  • The Tribulation.
  • The Abomination of Desolation.
  • The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ.
  • Babylon.
  • And many other things in the Book of Revelation.
• What’s VERY interesting to see is that the Book of Daniel splits in half just like the Book of Revelation.
  • Revelation is VERY easy to understand once you know it is split in half.
  • Revelation 1-11 is in chronological order.
  • Revelation 12 starts over w/ Birth of Jesus and is then in chronological order.
  • You’ll see the events from a new perspective when you start over in Chapter 12 of Revelation.
  • Daniel is similar to that by being cut down the middle.
  • Daniel 1-6 and then Daniel 7-12.
• Daniel 1 through 6 overview.
  • Daniel 1-4 deals with the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
  • Daniel 5 deals with the END OF THE REIGN of his grandson Belshazzar.
  • Daniel 6 tells us about King Darius.
  • This is all in chronological order to this point.

[3] Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

• So now you can see that we’ve went back in time to the FIRST YEAR of Belshazzar’s reign.
• It’s no longer in chronological order.
• We’ve went back in time to learn some details of what Daniel sees.

[4] Daniel 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

• Now, were in the THIRD YEAR of the reign of Belshazzar.
• In Chapter 7, were in the FIRST YEAR and now we’re in the THIRD YEAR.
• So remember, chronological order is King Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar, and then King Darius.

[5] Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

• Now, we see King Darius which parallels with Chapter 6.
• Remember, Daniel Chapter 6 tells us about King Darius.
• Darius is the one who is forced to throw Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

[6] Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

• So now we’re in the 3^rd year of King Cyrus.
• Chapters 10, 11, and 12 are all together.
• The same vision that Daniel sees continues throughout Chapter 10, 11, and 12.

The Book Of Daniel Is Similar To The Book Of Revelation

The Book of Daniel is Similar to the Book of Revelation.

• Daniel 1-6 is in Chronological order and 7-12 are in Chronological order.
• The 2 parts of Revelation are very different from each other.
• The 2 parts of Daniel are very different from each other.
• Second half of Revelation is more difficult to understand.
• Second half of Daniel is more difficult to understand.
• So they are very similar to each other.
• You’ll also see that Daniel 1 through 6 is very easy to understand.
• You have some great stories that you’ll love within these first 6 chapters.
  • Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego.
  • Daniel and the Lion’s Den.
  • The Handwriting on the Wall.
  • Very good stories and easy to understand.
• When you reach Chapter 7, it turns to these difficult to understand prophecies about the future.
• The Book of Daniel helps to understand the Book of Revelation at a much deeper level.
• We’re going to go through the Book of Daniel verse by verse so its much easier to understand.
• And we’ll be doing this at the same time we’re studying the Book of Revelation too.
• We have a head start in Revelation but there’s 22 chapters there and Daniel is 12.

Let’s go over a quick summary of each Chapter in the Book of Daniel.

• Chapter 1:
  • Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are taken captive by the Babylonians.
  • They will not eat the King’s meat or drink his wine.
  • God blesses them for these things and takes care of them.
• Chapter 2:
  • Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of an image in 4 sections.
  • Those 4 sections represent the 4 kingdoms of Babylon, Greece, Rome, and Persia.

• Chapter 3 is THE famous story of the Fiery Furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
• Chapter 4:
  • Nebuchadnezzar becomes like a beast in the wilderness.
  • He’s eating grass out in a field for 7 years.
  • He’s lost his mind and is like an animal.
• Chapter 5 Belshazzar sees the fingers of a man writing on the wall.
• Chapter 6 is the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den.
• Chapter 7:
  • We see 4 beasts that represent the same 4 kingdoms from the dream in Chapter 2.
  • You see a vision of the Ancient of Days WHO IS GOD the FATHER.
  • He’s called “THE ANCIENT OF DAYS” and you’ll see what He looks like in this vision.
  • You also see the Son of Man coming with clouds in this Chapter.
  • This is the SECOND COMING of Jesus Christ.
  • So this adds to everything we learn in the Book of Revelation.
• Chapter 8:
  • Daniel has a vision of a ram and a he goat.
  • The ram represents the kings of Media and Persia.
  • The goat represents the king of Greece.
• Chapter 9:
  • Daniel prays and confesses the sins of his people.
  • He prays for the restoration of Jerusalem.
  • Then Gabriel tells Daniel about the 70 weeks.
  • Daniel’s 70^th week that you’ll hear about in all Bible prophecy comes directly from Chapter 9.
• Chapter 10, 11, 12:
  • Complicated vision that Daniel sees after he humbled himself.
  • Chapter 10 is an introduction to the vision.
  • Chapter 11 is not easy to understand at all.
  • Chapter 11 is the VERY STRONG MEAT of the prophecy.
  • Chapter 12 tells us a lot of detail about the end of times.
  • It talks about the resurrection of the dead, second coming, tribulation.
  • We’re given VERY specific numbers for the timing of all of these things.

How To Study The Book Of Daniel

How to study the Book of Daniel:

• Turn to Daniel Chapter 12 because we’ll read something from there in just a second.
• Understand this principle about the entire Bible.
• The New Testament is much easier to understand because it’s much clearer than the Old Testament.
• We have the NEW TESTAMENT.
• It’s much more detailed and in the light than the Old Testament which is more in darkness to us.
• I hope you’ll see this today, and you can see it when you’re studying the Old vs New testaments.

So, a good way to study the Bible is to take the New Testament light and use it to help interpret what the Old Testament means.

• In other words, don’t ignore VERY CLEAR teaching in Revelation and then try to use Daniel to change what Revelation says.
• The clear book of Bible Prophecy is REVELATION because it was written to REVEAL things to us.
• The Book of Revelation is VERY CLEAR and easier to understand than the Book of Daniel.
• So, we use Revelation to help us understand Daniel.
• We have a great advantage because we have the New Testament today.
• We can understand the Book of Daniel very well now BECAUSE we have Revelation.
• Even Daniel didn’t understand everything he was writing BECAUSE he didn’t have the Book of Revelation.

[7] Daniel 12:8-9 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

• So Daniel himself is writing all of this down BUT he doesn’t understand everything.
• He says, “I understood NOT.”
• Does God explain it to him? No. He says to close and seal it up until the time of the end.
• God tells him to not worry about it right now.
• These things were written to us because the end of the world is going to happen in this generation.

[8] 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

• After Jesus Christ has come the first time on this earth.
• We await His second coming.
• God has given us REVELATION so we can understand His words.

[9] Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

• So this tells us that in the future, the wise will understand.
• We want to be those people.
• We have the Bible, we have Daniel, we have Revelation, we have the Gospels.
• We can put all of this together and actually understand what it all means.
• Daniel didn’t understand it because he didn’t have all of this information.
• We are now in the light of Jesus Christ.
• We have the Holy Spirit to teach us all things.

[10] Daniel 12:8-9 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

• So remember this right here in Daniel Chapter 12 verse 10 because we’re going to look to the Book of Revelation now.
• The Book of Daniel says to close up and seal these words until the time of the end.
• Let’s see what Revelation 22:10 says.

[11] Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

• So, this says the exact opposite.
• It says, “SEAL NOT THE SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND.”
• Do we have the Book of Revelation now? Oh yes. Is the time at hand? Oh yes.
• The next thing that’s going to happen is the Tribulation because the Bible says so.
• It’s not the Rapture. It’s the Tribulation. It’s not God’s Wrath. It’s the Tribulation.
• We will go through Tribulation before Jesus Christ comes back in the clouds.
• So Revelation tells us that it is the CLEAR REVELATION. Daniel is the tougher prophecy to understand.
• Do you see that today? Now, we use Revelation, THE LIGHT, to help us understand Daniel.
• With that overview of Daniel, let’s get started in verse 1 of Daniel Chapter 1.

Let’s Start Here In Verse 1 Of Daniel Chapter 1

[12] Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

• King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon here in the THIRD YEAR of the reign of Jehoiakim King of Judah takes Jerusalem.

[13] Daniel 1:2 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.

• The Lord allowed this to happen.
• God gives the King of Judah, Jehoiakim, into King Nebuchadnezzar’s hand.
• He also gives part of the vessels of the house of God to Nebuchadnezzar.
• And King Nebuchadnezzar carries those vessels into the land of Shinar to the treasure house of his god.
• So now Jerusalem is in captivity and Judah is in captivity.
• This means they have been captured and they have new rulers.
• God says this will happen to them in the book of Jeremiah.
• He tells them that the King of Babylon will come and scatter them into all nations.
• They will be carried away captive into Babylon.

[14] Jeremiah 20:4 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

• So what’s happening here in Daniel is fulfilling what we learn in the Book of Jeremiah.
• God says, “He will all Judah into the hand of the King of Babylon” and that’s what happens right there in Daniel 1.

[15] Daniel 1:3 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;

• So this Ashpenaz is the master of the eunuchs or the leader of the leaders.
• He is under King Nebuchadnezzar and from Babylon, he has high authority.
• He is told to certain of the children of Israel and of the king’s seed and of the princes.
• So King Nebuchadnezzar wants specific people from Judah brought to him.
• Let’s see who exactly he wants in the next verse.

[16] Daniel 1:4 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.

• He doesn’t want adults or older people.
• He wants the children who have nothing wrong with them, are well favored, skillful, who know how to do things, have knowledge, they understand science.
• In other words, he wants the best and the smartest children from kingly lines.
• He wants them so they can teach them the things of the Chaldeans and their language or tongue.

He wants to takes God’s people and indoctrinate them into their way of life.

• He’s setting up a new kingdom and it’s a great plan.
• Take the children and teach them your wicked ways. That’s what changes the next generation.
• Who else is doing that right now?
• Satan is constantly working to take our children and indoctrinate them into the ways of this world.
• It’s the same EXACT thing.
• He wants to get the best and brightest of God’s people and get them to serve his own agenda, not God’s.

These eunuchs are leaders but they are also known to be castrated males.

• Their society were already feminizing the men by castrating them.
• So that should tell you a little about these leaders.
• They are feminized leaders who are supposedly able to do a better job at leading because they’re castrated.
• What??? That’s not what the Bible says. Men are to be leaders without being castrated.

[17] Deuteronomy 23:1 He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

• Think about this. The plan of the devil is working. Nebuchadnezzar’s plan here is the same plan.
• Take our children and confuse them about their gender and who they really are. And it’s working.
• Children don’t even know that there are only 2 genders, male and female, when it’s obvious.
• Adults are teaching them differently and it’s sickening.

Satan Wants You To Drop Your Kids Off At Public Schools

Satan wants you to go drop off your kids at the public school where the Chaldeans and King Nebuchadnezzar can teach them all the so-called right ways to do things.

• Let’s teach them that they come from animals, that they can be any gender they want, that it’s okay to fornicate as long as you do it “SAEFLY”, and on and on and on.
• NO!!! God’s people need to be raising their own children so we can bring them up with the Bible completely and not with all this worldly made-up trash that’s out there.
• When we give into all that stuff, what happens to the world?
• The children growing up in the worldly trash are now running the world for the next generation.
• And it turns to evil trash.

[18] Daniel 1:5 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.

• So look there, that’s just like the “School Lunch Program” or other programs from the government.
• You’re going to eat my way and drink my way and you’ll be better off THIS way. Really? I don’t think so.

[19] Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

• All of Judah went captive. It took some time but ALL OF JUDAH goes captive. This is just one part of it.
• These are just a few of the children or kids that are taken. The best and brightest are here in this group.
• There are more than just the 4 that are mentioned here. There’s a whole group of children that are taken.
• These are their ACTUAL names. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are the Nebuchadnezzar given names.

[20] Daniel 1:7 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 Abed-nego.

• Daniel’s Hebrew name is Daniel but his Babylonian name is Belteshazzar.
• Hananiah is Hebrew. Shadrach is his Babylonian name.
• Mishael is Meshach and Azariah is Abednego.
• The prince of the eunuchs changed their names.

[21] Daniel 1:8 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.

• This is a VERY important verse to understand.
• Does it say that all 4 of them made the decision not to defile themselves?
• No, it does not. DANIEL purposed in his heart to not defile himself with the king’s neat and wine.
• What was wrong with the King’s food?
• The wine was probably alcoholic wine.
• The meat was probably unclean meat or meat sacrificed to idols. It was not good.
• Even in Revelation Chapter 2 of the New Testament, the people are eating meat sacrificed to idols.

[22] Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

• So, look, it ALWAYS takes ONE PERSON to take a stand.
• All the others are usually not doing what they’re supposed to be doing because it’s easier.
• It’s easier to just go along with the world and what they’re doing.
• Daniel, ONE MAN, takes a stand and says he’s not going to do it.
• The results of Daniel doing this results in 3 others saying, “Hey, we’re not going to follow this evil way either!!!”
• But look, not everyone is going to join Daniel here. Not all the people in their original group. Just a few.
• Also, though, notice how Daniel does this.
• He doesn’t come out and fight them. See how it’s done here by Daniel.
• Let’s read verse 8 again.

[23] Daniel 1:8 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.

• Daniel purposed in his heart that HE WOULD NOT defile in himself.
• Then at the end it says HE REQUESTED that he might not defile himself.
• Daniel requested it because he was put under their authority by God.
• Just like you have a boss or manager at work, and you are under their authority.

Don’t Make Demands To Your Boss But You Can Make Requests

You don’t go to your boss and make demands, “HEY, YOU’RE GOING TO ALLOW ME TO DO THIS!!!”

• In your heart, you know you aren’t going to do it BUT you can be polite and kind about your request.
• Daniel does go in screaming and yelling that “YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO KILL ME!!! I am not eating it!!!”
• He doesn’t do that. He requests, “Is there some way we can get around this?”
• We need to do our best to obey God given LEGITIMATE authorities.
• Be respectful and you can get what you want and what God wants. That’s what Daniel is doing here.

[24] Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

• Do you see that? Compare that to an example with a job in this world.
• Let’s say you’re a hard worker, smart, and you do a great job at work.
• Your manager loves you because you make his job easier.
• Just like Daniel was here, you’ll be in good favor and tender love with your manager.
• Or, you can use your parents as an example.
• If you’re always doing good and helping make their job as a parent easier, they’re going to listen to you much better when you want to take a stand against one of their rules.
• Same thing at work. If your manager comes up with a new rule that you don’t think is right, they will listen to you if you’re a great worker.

If you’re a lazy bum at work who never does anything your boss asks, they’re not going to listen to you.

• You’re manager isn’t going to bend any for you if you’re no good to him.
• But guess what? Daniel was worth it to them. God brought Daniel into favor with them. They loved him.
• If your manager pressures you to do things that are wrong, you’ll have that favor to convince them otherwise.
• And God can and will do that for you all throughout your life. He will bring you into favor in other people’s eyes so you can advance the cause for HIM. He will take care of you according to His will for you.

[25] Daniel 1:10 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.

• This prince of the eunuchs tells Daniel that he is in fear of the KING.
• Why is he in fear? Because the king will chop off his head! This is a TRUE threat at this time.
• They better do what he asks or they will lose their heads.
• But, he says that would only happen if their faces are worse than the other children of Judah.
• So the King doesn’t just fire them if they don’t do their job, HE CHOPS OFF THEIR HEAD!!!
• Most people wouldn’t compromise at all, right? This prince wants to help Daniel but this prince is in fear.
• So, let’s see what Daniel says.

[26] Daniel 1:11-12 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.

• The prince of the eunuchs is named Melzar here.
• Included with Daniel is Hananiah or Shadrach, Mishael or Meshach, and Azariah or Abednego.
• So there’s 3 more than Daniel that are taking a stand with Daniel.
• Daniel says, “Please just give us 10 days to eat pulse and give us water to drink. Test us.”
• Pulse is thought to be what’s beaten out of seeds and beans. Legumes, beans, seeds. Stuff like that.

[27] Daniel 1:13-14 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. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

• So Daniel requests to let them eat pulse and drink water as a test.
• He requests that the prince then take a look at them and compare them to the others.
• The prince of the eunuchs says, “Okay.” So he grants their request and allows this for 10 days.
• So, let’s see what happened after that 10-day trial.

[28] Daniel 1:15 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.

• So they passed the test after 10 days!
• They looked better than the other children of Judah!
• This means Melzar should be happy with them, right?
• Oh yes, he was. Let’s see what he does.

[29] Daniel 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

• Since they passed the test, Melzar takes away the portion of the King’s meat and the wine AND instead gives them pulse to eat.
• The king’s meat and wine was not helping them.
• God steps in here and shows that his way is better AS ALWAYS.
• I think this was miracle that God did for those 4 men.

Being A Vegetarian Doesn’t Make You Better

Some people will use this story to say that PULSE or being a vegetarian is better than eating meat.

• Well, there’s proof throughout all of the Bible that this isn’t true.
• Even within the Book of Daniel there’s proof that Daniel didn’t continue to eat this way.

[30] Daniel 10:2-3 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

• So obviously he was eating meat and drinking wine after this period of time.
• Meat doesn’t have to be bad. The King’s meat, again, was probably unclean or sacrificed to idols.
• In Genesis Chapter 18, you’ll see that the LORD shows up and eats BEEF with Abraham.

[31] Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

• Wine doesn’t have to be bad. It doesn’t have to be strong alcoholic wine.
• The juice of the grape is called wine. The word wine is given 231 times in the Bible.
• Wine is NOT ALWAYS referring to an alcoholic beverage in the Bible. But it is some of the time.
• There’s a whole sermon for this because wine is mentioned 231 times in the Bible so obviously it’s a very important topic.
• Do you know how many times juice is mentioned? ONCE. And the one time it’s mentioned is in the context of the word wine.

[32] Song of Solomon 8:2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

• That right there is the only time JUICE is mentioned in the Bible.
• You could say, really? 231 mentions of wine and only mentions juice once. No.
• Wine also refers to the juice of fruit.
• It can mean the fermented fruit of juice which turns alcoholic or can mean the unfermented fruit of juice which is not alcoholic.

In Hebrew and Greek, they have one word for juice and wine. One word like EASTER and PASSOVER is the same word in Greek. “PASCHA.”

• When using words like that, you then have to see the context in which they are being used.
• For example, if you ask someone the word for Easter in Greek they will say Pascha.
• Well, what’s the Greek word for Passover? Pascha. Same word. Not the same thing.
• In English, we think of wine as the alcoholic beverage and the juice of the fruit as JUICE. We have 2 words.
• That’s why there’s a misunderstanding there.

We need to change the way we think about the word wine. It’s fruit juice or the alcoholic beverage.

• Different types of wine are mentioned in the Bible.
• New wine is like brand new juice of the fruit. It’s not going to be alcoholic.
• That’s exactly what we have for communion here. Freshly squeezed grape juice. It’s like new wine.
• Here’s an example of the Bible saying there’s different types of wine.

[33] Proverbs 23:29-30 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

• So you can see those that seek mixed wine are the ones who will drink for a long time.
• These are the ones who will have red eyes, who babble, who have sorrow the Bible says.
• Meat is good and new wine from fruit juice is good.
• Daniel wasn’t a vegan or vegetarian as it says later in Daniel that he is eating meat and drinking wine.
• You can get the right mix of protein from beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
• So either Daniel was getting everything he needed OR God did a miracle during those 10 days and while they were eating of that type of food called pulse and water.

Daniel Always Finds A Way Because God Is Helping Him

Daniel finds a way.

• Same thing with us. We can find a way if we truly care about God.
• For example, if you have a job in which you’re supposed to work on Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night.
• Many people just give up and say, “Well, I work on all those days so I can’t come to Church to worship the Almighty Creator who controls ALL PARTS OF MY LIFE and makes things easier for me, or tougher for me, controls whether I get a raise for my job, whether I have children, He provides food for me, and even helped me to get that great job.”

You know: “I just don’t have time for God. I don’t have time for the ONE that GAVE ME THIS LIFE!!!”

• That’s sad. God gave us this life, and we don’t have time to stop and study His Words and WORSHIP HIM!
• God, if you trust Him, He’ll do the same thing He did for Daniel right here.
• He’ll find a way for you to make it to Church when you think you don’t have time.
• God created time, okay? He knows whether you’re putting Him first or not.
• That’s the most important commandment OF ALL TIME. God says so.
• Love the Lord YOUR GOD with EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE. How do you love Him?
• He says you love Him by following His commandments. He commands us to go to Church.

[34] Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

• How do you love God? You follow His commandments. If you don’t, He says you don’t love me.
• And guess what? DANIEL LOVED GOD. He’s following His commandments.
• So what’s God do? He takes care of Daniel. God repays good with good. God also repays evil with evil.
• Evil is not following God’s commandments. That’s the definition of evil.
• When we don’t follow God’s commandments, we’re not loving God. It’s that simple.
• And Daniel loves God and will not give into ANY other way.

This 10-day period also related to the Tribulation if you remember

• Do you remember in the Book of Revelation when we talked about Tribulation 10 days?
• Here’s the verse:

[35] Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

• That test period that Daniel and the other 3 go through is a 10-day period.
• The Book of Daniel is all about Bible Prophecy and telling us about what’s going to happen in the future.
• Daniel takes a stand and stays faithful to God!
• So the Book of Daniel STARTS OUT with Daniel taking a stand and refusing to do evil.
• HE DOES NOT GIVE IN TO WICKEDNESS!!!

When the Tribulation gets here, YOU WILL BE TESTED AND TRIED. Just like Daniel.

• There will be persecution UNLIKE anything we’ve ever seen.
• Your resolve will be tested. Will you give in OR not?
• As the end gets closer, people will stop preaching the Bible because the Bible will be seen as HATE SPEECH. It will be illegal. The Bible will be illegal.
• The Bible says a homosexual is an abomination SO we’ll be pressured to stop preaching the Bible.
• “That’s just HATEFUL people will say.” The so-called churches are leading the charge with this.
• They say, “We accept EVERYONE no matter what.” Well, guess what? GOD DOESN’T!!!
• In other words, the so-called churches are saying they are better and more loving than God.
• But listen, they don’t even understand love and what it is.
• They hate because they’re getting people thrown into hell.
• When you go against God, that means you’re going against what’s best for you and for others.
• If you follow God’s commandments, you’re automatically doing what’s best for you and for others.

Saved Christians Will Lose Their Life During The Tribulation

People will have their heads chopped off for JESUS CHRIST during the Tribulation.

• These people will refuse to give in to wickedness.
• People will be required to bow down and worship the antichrist in the future.
• Daniel Chapter 3 shows the same thing.
• They said BOW DOWN or we’ll throw you in that fiery furnace.
• So let’s say this happens in your lifetime, what are you going to do?
• Are you going to follow in with the rest of the people and bow down?
• Or, will you be like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and stand up for God.
• “I WILL NOT GIVE INTO THIS EVIL. I WILL NOT BOW DOWN.”
• “Well, we’ll cut your head off then.” HEY GO AHEAD! I WILL NOT BOW DOWN.

It’s easy right now. We have freedom. We have laws that protect us.

• But guess what? People still won’t take a stand for God and it’s easy right now to do so.
• You’re protected in this country.
• You haven’t been kidnapped and been taken to a different country like Daniel.
• They aren’t throwing people into fiery furnaces here in this country.
• We can say what we want. We will suffer light persecution but nothing bad.
• You won’t be thrown into prison for preaching the Bible.

People won’t even stand up to their friends or family when it comes to God.

• The ONE TRUE GOD is right here in this Bible. If it’s not this God, we better stand up and say something.
• It’s that simple. If it’s not this God, it’s a false God.
• People will not speak up because ONE MAN might say something “BAD” about them. Who cares?
• I care what God thinks about me. I don’t care what any man thinks about me FOLLOWING GOD.
• In other words, if WE CANNOT TAKE A STAND right now THERE’S NO WAY we’ll stand up for God during the Tribulation when our heads will be chopped off.

That’s why the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is TRASH.

• They’re teaching people that they don’t need to be ready.
• They’re teaching them that God will Rapture them away next before anything bad happens.

[36] 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

• The Bible NEVER says we won’t suffer persecution.
• The Bible says we will SUFFER.
• The entire Bible says this. The Book of Revelation and Daniel says we will go through Tribulation.
• It’s so obvious that I truly don’t understand how ANYONE can teach the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
• If you’re reading the Bible as a whole, you would NEVER teach that trash.
• I want you to see this verse that I love BECAUSE it goes perfectly with what we’ve been learning.

[37] Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

• In other words, if you’re a preacher or a leader in a church in this country in which you’re protected:
• THEN HOW are you going to contend when REAL PERSECUTION hits you?
• The Bible says so. Who cares what the persecution will be?
• When it becomes illegal to preach against homosexuals, transgender, blah, blah, blah, MOST CHURCHES AND PREACHERS won’t be affected!!!

Most Preachers Won’t Be Affected Because They’re Scared To Stand Up For God Right Now

Why? Because they won’t say anything now.

• They’re too scared their paychecks will be affected OR they’re too scared they’ll be on the news OR they’re too scared that someone will think bad of them.
• In other words, they NEVER stand up for God
• They won’t risk offending someone OR losing some money OR having the GOVT padlock their doors.
• So how long are we supposed to be faithful to God? When do we give into the world?
• Revelation 2:10 tells us to be FAITHFUL unto death and He will give us a CROWN OF LIFE.
• These same people talk BIG and say they’re willing to die for Christ BUT they can’t stand up and preach what the Bible says.
• If it came down to dying for Christ, they’d bow down in a microsecond. That’s the truth.

Here’s something to remember:

• “IF YOU’RE NOT WILLING TO LIVE FOR CHRIST you sure won’t be WILLING TO DIE FOR CHRIST!”
• Do you see that today?
• You’re not going to die for Him if you won’t even stand up and tell someone about Jesus.
• That’s the truth. If you won’t tell people the truth in what the Bible says, you won’t die for Christ!
• It’s much easier to LIVE for Christ than to DIE for Him. Do you see that?

These false preachers will spew lies out of their mouth and say they are ready to die for Christ.

• But when it comes to preaching that women should stay silent in the Churches because GOD SAYS SO, they won’t touch it.
• Does that make any sense? “I will die for Jesus, but I’m not going to say that husbands should rule over their wives. That just doesn’t match our society now.”
• Well I say, “WHO CARES WHAT OUR SOCIETY THINKS?” We need to care what God thinks.

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are 3 chapters in the Bible that tell us about the 2^nd coming of Jesus Christ.

• I want you to see something in Mark 13 that matches with what we’re learning here in Daniel Chapter 1.
• So King Nebuchadnezzar is taking the children and indoctrinating them with lies.
• That’s what our public school system is doing, that’s what false churches are doing, that’s the world is doing.
• We need to wake up and see this TODAY. Some people will say, “Oh, it’s not that bad.”
• Well, that’s what Satan says too: “Oh, well, it’s not REALLY that bad.”
• So, see this in Mark 13:

[38] Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

• Why would a brother betray a brother? Why would children betray their parents?
• Why would they cause their parents to be put to death?
• Because someone else is teaching them everything against the Bible!
• Someone else is indoctrinating them with lies upon lies every day and every week until it becomes truth to them.
• “Well, my parents just don’t understand that there are more than 2 genders. They’re just too old-fashioned. They can’t understand how to be progressive. Get rid of them!!!”
• That’s what’s going to happen but it’s going to get worse and worse.
• How do we know that will happen? Because JESUS says so. It will happen.

[39] Daniel 1:17 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.

• GOD GAVE THEM knowledge and skill.
• Did they learn it from anyone else? Nope. Sure didn’t. God gave it to them.
• Just like I tell my children in their schoolwork, “If you need some help with something you’re having trouble with, we’ll help you BUT you need to ask God first.”
• God will teach you ALL THINGS He says. ALL THINGS.

[40] Daniel 1:18-19 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. 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.

• Look at that. Out of ALL there was NONE found like those 4. NONE.
• They stood before the KING and no one else was like them. In other words, they were amazing.
• Why? Because GOD made them that way. Why? Because they were faithful to Him.
• They loved God and He loved them.
• You don’t get God’s love by HATING HIM and going against Him. NEVER does that happen in the Bible.
• When it’s time to bow down to a false god in Chapter 3, it’s only these who don’t bow down.

You’re Putting Your Children In A Difficult Situation

Look, your kids can make it through public school and stay faithful to God but it’s going to be very tough.

• Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made it through. Same thing.
• But wow, if they don’t HAVE to go through it, don’t send them through there.
• You can’t even teach the Bible in public school.
• If they are going to public school, you better be teaching them even more at home BECAUSE you’ll have to counter it. You’ll have to teach them the truth so they know the lies when they see them.

Even private schools and teachers there don’t know the truth so they’ll teach them wrong too.

• We need to get this right. Our children are VERY IMPORTANT!!! They deserve your time.
• Teach your children at home and raise them with God. What’s the first lesson? The Bible.
• How much better will your children turn out if you bring them up with GOD? Allow God to teach!
• Teach them at home and take it VERY SERIOUSLY. Home school isn’t NO SCHOOL.
• Bible first. Then go into the other subjects. Math, English, Science (real science is the truth), Writing.
• REAL KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM GOD! A good education doesn’t come from public schools!!!
• But how much better will they be? Let’s see what the Bible says.

[41] Daniel 1:20-21 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired 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.

• So these other children not named Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ALL got all their knowledge from the world.
• Daniel and the 3 others got their knowledge from the LORD! And who turned out better?
• It says, they were found to be 10 TIMES better! Wow! 10 times better is a lot. That’s not a small amount.
• But it wasn’t just 10 times better than the other children. Do you see that?
• It’s 10 TIMES better than ALL the magicians and astrologers that were in ALL HIS REALM!!!
• So throughout all the kingdom they were 10 times better than the brightest and the best.
• Does that not testify to what we should be doing to teach our children?
• The Bible is what they need to know. The other stuff will come when you put God first.

[42] Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

• What are we supposed to do? What’s the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY in your life?
• It better be GOD. God is the one who teaches us all things.
• Do you know God can take the most simple person with no wisdom and knowledge and make that person wise beyond all others?
• Did you know that? Do you believe what the Bible says?

[43] Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

• I thank God for the wisdom He is giving to all of us who are here right now learning His words.
• I thank God for giving me a wife and children who are going to be far greater than I in the Kingdom of Heaven.
• I just ask them to remember me when they’re ruling over me in heaven. And they will.
• To end, I want to look at the last verse again there.

[44] Daniel 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

• Do you know how much later this is?
• Daniel continued working for the King EVEN until the King of Persia, Cyrus, took over.
• This is 70 years later! That’s a long time. Daniel continues to be in a very high position.
• Still serving God. Still preaching the word of God. Still a prophet for the Lord God Almighty.
• We need to be like Daniel. I want to be just a small portion of what Daniel was in this book here.
• Let’s STAND UP for God like Daniel did. WE NEED BOLDNESS!!!
• We need to do what’s right no matter what happens to us.
• Let’s be the best we can be for God. That’s what Daniel did. He stood up to evil.
• We need this same character. We need to not just hear God’s word BUT we need to do God’s word.
• Let’s be doers of the word for all of our life just like Daniel.
• What an awesome and amazing example we have to follow in Daniel.

Let’s pray.