Daniel Lesson 8

“The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men” – Daniel 4:32.  Do you believe that Bible statement?  Daniel chapter seven presents an overview of God’s dealing with the nations of men, beginning with Babylon and ending in the overthrow of all derived authority and the establishment of the kingdom of the Son of Man.    

     “If you read history as viewed simply by the natural man, you will find that a great deal of space is given to congratulating humanity upon their marvelous exploits.  But if one reads history in the light of Holy Scripture, with the Spirit of God illuminating the page, it gives one a very different impression indeed.  We then begin to realize that the things that are most highly esteemed among men are abominations in the sight of God; and, concerning the great ones of the earth who wield power over the nations, we are reminded of what is written in Psalm 49:12 “Man being in honour abideth not; he is like the beast that perish.”   Quote from H. A. Ironside.

    This lesson will attempt to look at the prophetic history through Scriptural eyes as well as consider the prophetic future as described to Daniel. 

Read Daniel 7.

I.            The kingdoms of this world – Dan. 7:1 – 7, 15 – 23

1.       Daniel’s vision included four beasts.  What do the four beasts represent? (v. 17) 

2.       Read Jeremiah 50:17 and Ezekiel 17:3, 12.  What animals are mentioned in connection with the king of Babylon?  What kingdom is represented by the first beast? (Dan. 7:4)

3.      What nation conquered the Chaldeans? See Dan. 5:28, 31.   What nation would then be represented by the bear in Daniel 7:5? 

4.      Read Daniel 8:20, 21.  What empire overtook the kings of Media and Persia?   What description is given to this nation in Daniel’s vision? (7:6) 

5.       Alexander the Great moved his army swiftly as denoted by the four wings on the back of the leopard.  What do you think the four heads represent in the vision? (v. 6)  

Note: Scripture does not give us an historical record of the Graeco-Macedonian kingdom.  It falls chronologically between the Old and New Testaments – the period known as the intertestament period.  It was, however, the time when the remnant in Palestine endured the greatest suffering at the hands of Egypt and Syria. 

6.      The fourth beast described in Daniel 7:7 is the Roman Empire.  How many horns did the beast have? (v. 7)   What was true about the image and the fourth kingdom as described in Daniel 2:40 – 42 in comparison with the fourth beast described here? 

II.            The kingdom of Satan – Dan. 7:8, 11 -12, 21 – 26

7.       The ten horns represent ten kings or kingdoms (7:24).  What arises out of these ten horns (v. 7, 8)?  What did this little horn do that indicates it is from Satan?  (v. 21, 25) 

8.      Read Revelation 13:1 – 10.  Where did the beast get his power from? (Rev. 13:4) 

9.      Who is the dragon?  See Revelation 12:9. 

10.  Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1 – 12.  The “man of sin” is the “Antichrist”.  Where does his power come from? (2 Thess. 2:9) 

11.  How long will the Antichrist have power over the world? See Revelation 13:5 and Daniel 7:25.  (Hint: “time” represents one year.) 

12.  What will happen to the satanic kingdom? (Dan. 7:22, 26)

III.            The kingdom Christ – Dan. 7:9 – 14, 27 – 28

13.   What will happen in the days of the kings referred to in Daniel 2:44?  These kings are comparable to the ten horns in Daniel 7:7 – 8. 

14.  What was given to the Son of man when He came before the Ancient of days?  (7:13 – 14)

15.  Who is the Son of man?  See Mark 14:61 – 62. 

Conclusion:   God revealed to us through Daniel His plan for the ages.  Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins.  He lived, died, and arose from the dead.  He ascended back to heaven.  He will one day return to set up His everlasting kingdom.  Before that takes place the Church will be raptured (1 Thess. 4:13 – 18), caught up to be with the Lord.  In order to be a part of God’s forever kingdom you must trust Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?   

 Adult/Teen Bible Study                                         Lesson 7, Nov. 23, 2014

What troubles you?  Have you ever received information you didn’t understand and it troubled you?  Have you ever been troubled even after understanding the information?  Are you ever troubled by the Word of God?  When you hear the truth, when you don’t understand it or perhaps when you do, does it still trouble you.  Mark Twain is reported to have said, “It isn’t the portion of the Bible which I don’t understand that bothers me; it’s the ones I do!” 

Daniel received God’s prophetic revelation and it troubled him.  This information was another view of the world empires that he reported  in Daniel 2.  This time the view was from a completely different perspective. 

This lesson reminds us that we need to receive God’s Word, then comprehend His Word and finally contemplate God’s Word.  How does God’s prophetic Word touch your life?  

Read Daniel 7.

I.            The Content of the Revelation – Dan. 7:1 – 14

1.      When was Daniel’s vision revealed to him? (v. 1)

2.      What is the general description of Daniel’s vision? (v. 2, 3) 

3.       Read Isaiah 17:12 – 14 and Revelation 13:1; 17:15.  What does the sea represent in these scriptures?  Where are the beasts coming from in Daniel’s vision? (v. 3)

4.      What is the description of the first beast? (v. 4)

5.      How is the second beast described? (v.5)

6.      Describe the third beast in Daniel’s vision. (v.6)

7.      How was the fourth beast different from the rest? (v. 7, 8)

8.      How did Daniel describe the scene with the thrones? (v. 9, 10) Who was on the throne? Compare Revelation 4:4, 5.  

9.      What was set and what was opened? (v. 10) See Revelation 5:11 – 14.  This is not the Great White Throne judgment which occurs after the millennium, but is the setting for the judgment of the great tribulation and the return of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom here upon earth. 

10.  Read the description of the beast in Revelation 13:1 – 6.  What did Daniel observe that corresponds with the actions of the beast in Revelation 13:5?  See Daniel 7:11. 

11.  What happened to the fourth beast? (v. 11)  What happened to the other beast? (v. 12). 

12.  What occurred when the “Son of man” was before the Ancient of Days? (v. 13, 14)

II.            The Comprehension of the Revelation – Dan. 7:15 - 27  

13.   How did Daniel respond to this vision? (v. 15)

14.  Who explains the vision to Daniel? (v. 16)

15.  What did the four beasts represent? (v. 17)

16.  What will be established for ever and ever? (v. 18)

17.  What action will demonstrate the true nature of this fourth beast? (v. 19 – 25)

III.            The Contemplation – Dan. 7:28

18.    How was Daniel affected by all that was revealed to him?

Conclusion:     The prophecy concerning the fourth beast needs a closer look.  We will take another lesson to identify the nature of the final beast or nation before the Lord returns to rule and reign on the earth.  The nations of Babylon (lion), Media-Persia (bear), Greece (Leopard) and Rome (fierce beast) have come and gone.  But the Roman empire will be revived and from this place will come the one we refer to as the Anti-Christ.  How does God’s Word affect you?   

Daniel in the lion’s den is a very familiar and no doubt favorite Bible story with many people both young and old.  This story has the evil schemers, seeking to do away with the good guy.  There is the moment of decision followed by the springing of the trap.  Then there is the suspense for the king during the long night when Daniel was cast into the den of lions.  We know the story, we know the outcome, but what does this great story teach us?  What should we be applying to our own lives?  How does Daniel and the den of lions help us as we face the lions of our day?  Recall the admonition given in 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 

Read Daniel 6.

I.            The Opposition to God’s Man – Dan. 6:1 - 9

1.       How did Darius organize the kingdom? (v.1 – 2)

2.      How did Daniel’s colleagues respond to plans to set Daniel over the whole realm? (v. 3 – 4) 

3.      What can we conclude about Daniel’s character from the result of this special investigation by his enemies? (v. 4 – 5) Ponder: If you were being watched as Daniel was, what changes (if any) would you want to make in your present lifestyle?

4.      What plan did Daniel’s enemies enact to eliminate Daniel from the scene? (v. 6 – 9)

II.            The Opportunity for God’s Man – Dan. 6:10 – 15

5.       Can you think of three possible choices Daniel had with regard to the king’s decree?   Explain the consequence of each and why you think Daniel made the choice he did?  (v. 10)

6.      Who found Daniel praying?  How do they report his actions to the king?  Why was Daniel prosecuted or persecuted?  (v. 11 – 15)

III.            The Outcome in God’s Hand – Dan. 6:16 – 28

7.       What was Darius’ hope for Daniel? (v. 16) Do you believe that he believed what he said to Daniel?  What are the indications that he was not quite sure about this? (v. 18 – 20)

8.      How was Daniel delivered from death in the den of lions? (v. 22)    

9.      Why did God protect Daniel? (v. 23)

10.  What happened to Daniel’s accusers and their families?  (v. 24)

11.  What specific aspects of God’s character can you discover in Darius’ decree praising the “God of Daniel”? (v. 25 – 27)

12.  How should Daniel’s example encourage you when you are faced with opposition that seeks to shut down your faith?  Name some of the things God can deliver us from: see Hebrews 7:25; Ps. 34:4;

Matthew 14:31; Philippians 4:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

Conclusion:   Peter’s admonition about the devil as a roaring lion, continues with these words of action:  “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in you brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” When you are faced with opposition will you see the opportunity and leave the outcome with God?  Will you exercise faith like Daniel? 

Adult/Teen Bible Study                                          Lesson 5, Nov. 9, 2014

     “The handwriting is on the wall” has become a modern day phrase with significant meaning.  The Cambridge Online Dictionary says when it is used, it means; “that there are clear signs that something will fail or no longer exist.”   If you are a student of the Bible you know that this phrase comes from an event recorded in the book of Daniel chapter 5.  The something that failed was the Babylonian Empire.  Where did the writing on the wall come from?  What is the significance of such a sign for us today?  Could the handwriting be on the wall for America?

Read Daniel 5.

I.            The Babylonian Ball – Dan. 5:1

1.      King Belshazzar was the grandson of King Nebuchadnezzar.  The events we are reading about in Chapter 5 took place in 539.  What did Belshazzar do? (v. 1)

II.            King Belshazzar’s Gall – Dan. 5:2 – 4

2.      While drinking wine, what order did Belshazzar give? (v. 2-3)

3.      To whom did the king and his court give praise? (v.4)

4.      Why should the actions of Belshazzar be considered an affront to God?  See the following verses:  Prov. 31:4; Daniel 3:29; 4:31, 32; 5:22.

III.            The Handwriting on the Wall – Dan. 5:5 – 6

5.      What happened while the people were feasting? (v.5)  

6.      Describe the king’s reaction to the writing on the wall. (v.6)  What makes you fearful and anxious?

IV.            King Belshazzar’s Call – Dan. 5:7 – 29

7.      To whom did the king turn in his fear and why? (v. 7)  If you were struggling with a difficult personal problem, whose counsel would you seek? 

8.      What happened when the wise men came to the king? (v.8, 9)

9.      What was the queen’s counsel to Belshazzar? Why? (v. 10 – 12)

10.  When Daniel was brought before the king, what did Belshazzar say to him? (v. 13 -16)

11.  How did Daniel respond to the king’s words? (v. 17)

12.  In his reply to the king, what did Daniel say about God and His dealings with Nebuchadnezzar? ( v. 18 – 21) 

13.  What issues were clearly expressed to King Belshazzar by Daniel? (v. 22 – 24)

14.  What did the handwriting on the wall mean for Belshazzar and Babylon? (v.25 – 28)

15.  Why do you think Belshazzar commanded the reward to Daniel which he had earlier refused? (v. 29)

V.            The Babylonian Fall – Dan. 5:30 – 31

16.  How was the writing on the wall fulfilled?  (v. 30 – 31)

Conclusion:  How might the lessons Belshazzar ignored be applied to your own life.  Do you have knowledge that you are not acting upon?  If your life was placed on God’s balance, would you be “found wanting?”