Daniel Chapter 8: Vision of the Ram and the Goat Explained

 Daniel's vision of a ram and a goat occurs in the third year of Belshazzar's reign or B.C. 551. Babylon doesn't fall until B. C. 539. Thirteen years before Babylon becomes invaded by the Persians and Cyrus, Daniel once again sees the fall.

Beyond this, however, Daniel sees the rise of Alexander the Great. He could have been one of the greatest military conquerors in history. However, he died when he was only 32 years of age. The kingdoms he conquered were diveded between his four generals: Cassander took Macedonia; Seleucus took Syria; Thrace and much of Asia Minor went to Lysimachus; Ptolemy claimed Egypt. Alexander was never defeated.

Let's look at the account of Daniel 8 to see how this all comes about.

Vv 1— 8         Vision of the Ram and Goat

V 1 In the third year of the reign of Belshazzar the king a vision appeared to me, Daniel,

            subsequent to the one which appeared to me previously.

A. When was the third year of the reign of Belshazzar? 551 B.C.

  1. During this year, Daniel has a vision.

  2. The vision was the same one which appeared to him previously.

  3. How long ago? 2 years after the vision of Chapter 7.

  4. Remember, Babylon fell in 539 B.C.

V 2 I looked in the vision, and while I was looking I was in the citadel of Susa, which is

            in the province of Elam; and I looked in the vision and I myself was beside the

            Ulai Canal.

B. Remember, it is 13 years before Babylon will fall, and Daniel no longer lives in

            Babylon.

V 3 Then I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was

            standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer

            than the other, with the longer one coming up last.

C. Two horns represent two kings or kingdoms. The longer horn represents that one

            kingdom will be more powerful than the other.

V 4 I saw the ram butting westward, northward, and southward, and no other beasts

            could stand before him nor was there anyone to rescue from his power, but he did

            as he pleased and magnified himself.

D. Next Daniel sees this ram actually taking countries westward, northward and

            towards the south.

  1. He took whomever he pleased.

  2. He thought of himself as a great and powerful.

V 5 While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over the

            surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the goat had a

            conspicuous horn between his eyes.

E. Then a male goat coming from the west, quickly, with a long horn between his eyes.

V 6 He came up to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing in front of

            the canal, and rushed at him in his mighty wrath.

F. He made war with the ram with two horns.

V 7 I saw him come beside the ram, and he was enraged at him; and he struck the ram

            and shattered his two horns, and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he

            hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the

            ram from his power.

G. When they engaged in war, the ram couldn’t withstand they goat with a long horn.

  1. The ram was no match for the goat.

  2. The goat trampled the ram into the ground.

  3. No one could help the ram.

V 8 Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the

            large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns

            toward the four winds of heaven.

H. Although the male goat made war and proved himself very powerful, soon he was

            defeated, broken, Alexander the Great died at age 32.

  1. Alexander the Great took Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia.

  1. Actually, he wasn’t defeated; his kingdom was split after his death.

  2. His kingdom was split four directions by four of his generals.

    a. Cassander took Macedonia

    b. Thrace and much of Asia Minor went to Lysimachus

    c. Seleucus took Syria

    d. Ptolemy claimed Egypt.

Vv 9 – 14        The Little Horn

V 9 Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great

            toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land.

A. From one of these came a rather small horn: this isn’t to be confused with the small

            horn of 7:8 that must come out of the Roman Empire.

  1. This small horn was Antiochus IV Epiphanes 175 B.C. of Greece.

    a. He became great toward the south, Egypt toward the east, and toward Israel.

    b. He persecuted the Jews relentlessly.

    c. He desecrated the temple by offering pig’s flesh on the altar.

V 10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars

            to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down.

B. host of heaven is God’s people, the Jews.

  1. Antiochus persecuted them severely.

  2. The stars representing the fallen Jews, here.

V 11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed

            the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down.

C. The Commander is God,

  1. Antiochus set himself up as God.

  2. He caused the sacrifices to stop.

  3. He destroyed a portion of the temple.

V 12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with   the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and

            prosper.

D. Antiochus had his way with the Jews, they could not withstand his power.

  1. He stopped the regular sacrifice.

  2. He flung truth to the ground.

  3. He did anything he wanted to do.

  4. And he prospered.

V 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one

            who was speaking, How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply,

            while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the

            host to be trampled?

E. A voice from heaven asks, How long will the regular sacrifice be stopped while the

            transgression causes horror and allow the temple and God’s people to be

            trampled.

V 14 He said to me, For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be

            properly restored.

F. 2300 days equal 6.39 Jewish years.

  1. From 171 B. C. to December 25, 165 B.C.

  2. At this time, Judas Maccabeus restored the temple to proper worship.

Vv 15 – 19      Interpretation of the Vision

V 15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing

            before me was one who looked like a man.

A. Since Daniel wanted to understand the vision, God sent someone that looked like a

            man to stand before Daniel.

V 16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and

            said, Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision.

B. Daniel hears the voice of a man before him on the banks of the Ulai River.

  1. The man called to Gabriel.

  2. He asked Gabriel to tell Daniel the meaning of his vision.

  3. Gabriel’s name means, “Hero of God.”

V 17 So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and

            fell on my face; but he said to me, "Son of man, understand that the vision

            pertains to the time of the end.

B Although it pertains to the time of the end, notice that the vision starts well before

            Christ, and begins with the Medes and Persians.

  1. When did the Medes and Persians begin? 539 B.C.

  2. So the time of the end began then?

  3. No, this just sits the stage for the entrance into the life of Jesus under the Romans

            and the beginning of the end that starts with the church age on the day of

            Pentecost.

V 18 Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the

            ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright.

C. Have you ever heard of Swooning in the Spirit. That’s what happens to Daniel, here.

  1. He falls out in front of Gabriel.

  2. But the angle touches Daniel and makes him stand upright.

V 19 He said, "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of

            the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.

D. Hold on because I’m going to reveal the final indignation =  Zah’-am¹  Strictly, to

            froth at the mouth, fury (especially with God’s displeasure at sin). Anger,

            indignation, rage. This pertains to the appointed time of the end.

Vv 20 -- 27      The Ram's Identity

V 20 The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.

A. We already know who, it is the Medo-Persian empire.

The Goat

V 21 The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is

            between his eyes is the first king.

B. The shaggy goat is Greece under Alexander the Great 334-331 B.C.

V 22 The broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms

            which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.
C. The horn broken into four pieces will represent four kingdoms that will arise from

            this nation; however, they will not be nearly as strong as Alexander.

V 23 In the latter period of their rule,
         When the transgressors have run their course,
         A king will arise,
         Insolent and skilled in intrigue.
D. Antiochus IV Epiphanes 175 B.C. of Greece, the same as the little horn of Vv 9-14.

V 24 His power will be mighty, but not by his own power,
         And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
         And prosper and perform his will;
         He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.
E. These verses just add impetus to the persecution of the Jews of Vv 9-14

V 25 And through his shrewdness
         He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence;
         And he will magnify himself in his heart,
         And he will destroy many while they are at ease.
         He will even oppose the Prince of princes,
         But he will be broken without human agency.
F. Notice that his downfall will not be natural but supernatural, by God. He died in B.C. 164 .

V 26 The vision of the evenings and mornings
         Which has been told is true;
         But keep the vision secret,
         For it pertains to many days in the future.

G. It lasted 6.39 years from B. C. 171 to December 25, 165.

V 27 Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days Then I got up again and carried on

            the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to

            explain it.

H. Daniel remained sick and in bed for days.

  1. Finally he returns to work.

  2. Although he saw the visions, he could not explain the meaning.

  3. We know now by looking back in history that all the events he described came true.

 

 

 1. Ibid.

Daniel

 

Chapter 8

 

Study Questions

 

  1. What is the date of this chapter?

 

  2. How long since Daniel had his vision in Chapter 7?

 

  3. How was this vision like the one he had in Chapter 7?

 

  4. Where is Daniel at this time?

 

  5. Who did the Ram with the two horns represent?

 

  6. Who did the Shaggy Goat represent?

 

  7. What do the two horns represent?

 

  8. What does the one horn represent on the goat?

 

  9. Where is the Beautiful Land described in verse 9?

 

10. How long will the regular sacrifice be cut off?

 

11. Who did the man call to give Daniel understanding of the vision?

 

12. When does the vision start?

 

13. What is the vision for?

 

14. What does this tell us about the end times?

 

15. When the one horn broke, four came up in its place, what do the four hours mean?

 

16. The persecutions of the Jews of Vv 23-25 still depict whom?

 

17. In comparison, think of Jesus’ words from Matthew 24:21, For then there will be a

            great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until

            now, not ever will. These persecutions were horrible!

 

18. Why were, are and will the Jews be so persecuted? (Your opinion).

 

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The Four Beasts: Daniel Chapter 7

 

 Four Beasts

They are called "beasts," but they are far from your conceived idea of a beast. Since each beast is identified as a world leader, the "beasts" are seen as such because of their devastation, capture and torture of Israel and the Jews.

 You saw these beasts in Chapter 2 from Nebuchadnezzar's dream that Daniel interpreted. Interesting that John the Revelator saw these same images in Chapter 13. However, John lists the beasts in reverse. Daniel looks forward into history. John, however, looks backwards in history.

Any way you interpret the beasts, they are mere men who had great power over the Jews. The beasts are described as world leaders. As far as the authors who write about them are concerned, they devastated their homeland and their people.

Let's examine in detail this interesting chapter.

 

Time: around 553 B.C.

Vv 1 – 8          Vision of the Four Beasts

V 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his

            mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the

            following summary of it.

A. He saw both a dream and a vision, and then he wrote it down.

  1. Was he asleep or awake? Both.

  2. First year of Belshazzar was 553 B.C.

V 2 Daniel said, "I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of

            heaven were stirring up the great sea.

B. The great sea usually deals with humanity, and it is the case here. 4 points of compass.

V 3 And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another.

C. We learn later that these 4 great beasts are four countries that rule the world.

  1. Nebuchadnezzar saw these four world leaders in Chapter 2.

  2. They are: Babylon, Medes and Persians, Greece and Rome 

V 4 The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings

            were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet

            like a man; a human mind also was given to it.

D. Lion and Eagle are symbols of strength and speed—both are attributed to Babylon.

            Jeremiah 4:7, 13.

V 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on

            one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to

            it, Arise, devour much meat!

E. A symbol for the Medo-Persian Empire known for its strength and fierceness in battle,

            Isaiah 13:17-18.

  1. Raised up on its side represents the superiority of the Persians.

  2. Three ribs may indicate three conquests: 1) Babylon, 2) Lydia, 3) Egypt.

V 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its

            back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given

            to it.

F. Leopard represents the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great.

  1. The Leopard represents speed, and Alexander mobilized his armies quickly into

            battle.

  2. Four heads shows his divided kingdom after his death: 1) Asia Minor. 2) Syria,

            3) Egypt, 4) Macedonia. We’ll get more on this in the next chapter.

V 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and

            terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth It devoured and

            crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from

            all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

G. This fourth beast is Rome.

  1. The ten horns are explained in verse 24.

  2. We’ll learn more about this powerful country then.

V 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up

            among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it;

            and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering

            great boasts.

H. As I was considering all the above, a little horn, the anti-Christ, came up among them.

  1. Among whom?

    a. The ten horns.

    b. The Old Roman Empire.

  2. The first thing it does is defeat completely three of the countries’ rulers.

  3. It looked like a man, but it wasn’t.

  4. A very boastful mouth that uttered great boasts.

Vv 9 – 12        The Ancient of Days Reigns

V 9 I kept looking
         Until thrones were set up,
         And the Ancient of Days took His seat;
         His vesture was like white snow
         And the hair of His head like pure wool
         His throne was ablaze with flames,
         Its wheels were a burning fire.
A. Who is the Ancient of Days? God!

  1. What seat is he taking? The Great White Throne Judgment Seat.

  2. Why is his throne ablaze with flames? His Glory!

  3. What are the wheels? Ezekiel 1:16

V 10 A river of fire was flowing
         And coming out from before Him;
         Thousands upon thousands were attending Him,
         And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
         The court sat,
         And the books were opened.

B What a powerful description of our Lord!

  1. A river of fire.

    a. This God isn’t a Casper Milk Toast as some describe him to be.

            1) He’s powerful

            2) He’s ready for action

            3) He has power and glory

    b. Is this really fire or is it his glory?

            1) Ps. 18:8, Smoke went up out of his nostrils, and a fire from his mouth

                        devoured: coals were kindled by it (this fire from his mouth).

            2) Ps. 50:3, . . .fire devours before him, and it is very tempestuous around him.

            3) Ps. 97:3, Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries round about.

                        a) Does this describe fire or his glory? It's His Shekinah glory!

                        b) How awesome and powerful is the God we serve?

            4) Isaiah 30:27, Behold, the name of the Lord comes from a remote place;

                        burning is his anger, and dense his smoke: his lips are filled with

                        indignation and his tongue is like a consuming fire.

            5) Isaiah 30:33, . . .a pyre of fire with plenty of wood; the breath of the Lord

                        like a torrent of brimstone sets it afire.

            6) I think it his glory displayed as it was before the Israelites, a pillar of fire

                        by night!

  2. Notice it does not say thousands times thousands and myriads times myriads.

    a. The Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languages have no way to multiply.

    b. Therefore we do not know how many attend him.

    c. However, it will be an awesome sight.

    d. Perhaps we will be in the crowd of those attending him. Don’t know for sure!

V 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was

            speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and

            given to the burning fire.

C. Notice that the fire destroys the anti-christ, the one who was boasting about being

            god.

  1. What is the end of the anti-christ?

  2. Look at 2 Thessalonians  2:1-8, Read!

  3. Here again, a good case for glory rather than actual fire.

V 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life            

            was granted to them for an appointed period of time.

D. The rest of the demons who serve Satan and the anti-christ lost their power, but not

            their life just yet.

  1. Why?

  2. Revelation 20:1-3 Read!

Vv 13 – 14      The Son of Man Presented

V 13 I kept looking in the night visions,
         And behold, with the clouds of heaven
         One like a Son of Man was coming,
         And He came up to the Ancient of Days
         And was presented before Him. 

A. First reference to Jesus as the Son of Man.

  1. Son of God is His divine name.

  2. Son of David links Him to the Jewish Nation.

  3. Son of Man links Him to the earth and to His mission.

    a. It was his favorite description of himself.

    b. He uses it over 80 times, and was based on Daniel 8:13, 14.

    c. The emphasis that the term Son of Man gives are:

            1) His lowliness and humanity (Matt. 8:20).

            2) His suffering and death (Luke 19:10).

            3) His future reign as king (Matt. 24:7).

    d. Another sign that it links to the man and his mission, mere men are called “son of

            man” often in scripture: Num. 23:19; Ps. 80:17; Isa. 51:12; Ezekiel 2:1; Heb. 2:6.

    e. These are only a few of the references made of the son of man as humans, not of

            Jesus.

  4. Here before all the sinners and the attendants, Jesus is presented as Lord of Lords

            and King of Kings.

    a. It is here that the whole of mankind, living and dead, will know him.

    b. It is here that every knee shall bow and tongue that he is Lord!

    c. If we are there, we have already bowed and worshiped Him and confessed that

            He is Lord and King. We did that here on earth, and we will do it again in

            heaven when we fall down and worship him and cast our crowns before him.

V 14 And to Him was given dominion,
         Glory and a kingdom,
         That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
         Might serve Him
         His dominion is an everlasting dominion
         Which will not pass away;
         And His kingdom is one
         Which will not be destroyed.

B. The real Son of Man will receive His Kingdom which he prepared before the

            foundation of the world. He bought and paid for it with His blood.

  1. Dominion: Aramaic, shol’- tawn¹  an empire. It’s an everlasting empire.

  2. Glory:  From an OT word,  yek-awr’²   value, i.e., wealth, costliness, dignity: honor

            precious (things), price, glory and honor.

    a. In other words, Jesus will inherit everything in the world.

    b. Then he will have 1000 years to make it perfect again, and then he will present it

            to the father without wrinkle or blemish.

  3. Kingdom: mal-kooth’³  A rule, concretely a dominion: empire, kingdom, realm,

            reign, royal. It can not be destroyed.

Vv 15 – 28      The Vision Interpreted

V 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me.

A. I had seen all these visions, but since I didn’t understand them, they distressed my

            spirit.

V 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact

            meaning of all this So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of

            these things:

B. Whomever he saw in his visions were approachable.

  1. Daniel goes to one of them and asks, what are the meanings of these things?

  2. Whomever he approaches begins to tell him the meanings of the things he has seen.

V 17 These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from

            the earth.

C. The four beasts you saw are four kings or kingdoms who will rule on earth.

V 18 But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom

            forever, for all ages to come.'

D. Doesn’t matter who rules on earth, the saints of the Most High will receive

            and possess the kingdom forever.

  1. God has an Eternal Kingdom.

  2. He owns it.

  3. He is the despot of it.

  4. He has chosen to give it to those who by faith from all ages will receive it.

V 19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different

            from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of

            bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its

            feet,

E. Because of the fierceness of the fourth beast, Daniel wants to know about it.

  1. This beast was different.

  2. It had teeth of iron and claws of bronze.

  3. It devoured, crushed and trampled down the other beasts with its feet.

V 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which

            came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes

            and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its

            associates.

F. Not only that, but I want to know the meaning of the ten horns on its head.

  1. Tell me about the little horn that came up with eyes and a mouth uttering great

            Boasts.

  2. It was larger in appearance than its associates.

V 21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering

            them

G. That small horn with the big mouth was waging war against God’s saints and

            he was winning.

  1. He will kill all Jews and believers that he can who don’t take the mark of the beast.

  2. Nothing can stop him for 3-and-1/2 years.

V 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the

            Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the

            kingdom.

H. Nothing could stop him that is until God shows up in time to take possession off

            the kingdom for the saints.

V 23 Thus he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be

            different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it

            down and crush it.

I. The fourth beast will be different because it will possess the whole earth, subdue it

            and bring it under control.

V 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise

            after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three

            kings.

J. The ten horns will be ten kingdoms out of the Old Roman Empire (the 10 horns of

            Daniel 2:42).

  1. Another will arise from them, but he will be different from them all.

  2. The first thing he will do is destroy 3 of their kingdoms.

V 25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest

            One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be

            given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

K. He will make war with the saints and blaspheme God, the Most High.

  1. He will try to change times to suit his reign.

  2. He will change laws to suit himself and his father, Satan.

  3. The children of God will be given into his hand to do with as he sees fit.

  4. How long will this last? 3-and-½ years.

V 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated

            and destroyed forever.

L. The court will sit for judgment.

  1. Which court is Daniel talking about?

    a. The one at the beginning where his vision takes place.

    b. Vv 13, 14.

  2. The dominion of the anti-christ will be taken away.

    a. Why?

    b. Because there can’t be two dominions.

    c. God will have an eternal dominion that can’t be destroyed or taken away.

  3. The end of the anti-christ.

    a. He will be bound.

    b. He will be thrown, live, into hell along with his false prophet by whom the signs

            and wonders were performed (Revelation 19:20).

V 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the

            whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His

            kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and

            obey Him.

M. Who then gets God’s everlasting kingdom?

  1. The believers of all ages and maybe his angels.

  2. This kingdom will last forever.

  3. All the dominions, other rulers of the other empires, will serve and obey Him.

    a. Isaiah writes that Egypt will be saved during this time

    b. Assyria will be saved, and other kings will bring their glory to Jerusalem and to

            Jesus.

V 28 At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly

            alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself.

N. For now the revelation was ended.

  1. They troubled me because I didn’t know what they meant.

  2. However, I kept all this to myself.

 

 

 1. Ibid.

 2. Ibid.

 3. Ibid.

 

Daniel

Chapter 7

Study Questions

 

  1. What year was Belteshazzar king?

 

  2. What does the four winds represent?

 

  3. What does the great sea usually represent?

 

  4. Describe the first beast.

 

  5. Describe the second beast.

 

  6. Describe the third beast.

 

  7. Describe the fourth beast.

 

  8. Go to Revelation 13:2 and describe the difference in John’s four beast.

 

  9. What happens to the boastful beast?

 

10. Why does Daniel use the term, “one like the son of man?”

 

11. The four beasts are actually four what?

 

12. Who will receive the kingdom according to Daniel?

 

13. What do the ten horns represent on the great beast?

 

14 Who is the great beast?

 

15. How many years will his actual reign take place?

 

16. How long will the over comer’s kingdom last?

 

 Legal Reminder

Thanks for checking out our blog at B. C. Ministries, Inc. Our mission is to provide meaningful study material from God's word. The materials we provide are the works of Howard, and any relation to others woks is purely coincidental.

Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

For a complete study of Revelation, click here.

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

Separate Yourselves from Them

September 14, 2020

I wanted to let you be the first to know I have begun a new book. The novel is fiction but contains fabulous truths from God's word about end-times prophesy.

An Incredible Trip

The main character, Eli Bartholomew, and the idea came from the Holy Spirit at 4:15 a.m. four days ago. The novel is an amazing story about Eli's journey through the Tribulation Period immediately following the rapture of the Church, C.F. Revelation 12:13-17. He and the chosen Jewish remnant journey through the perils of the "seal, trumpet and bowl" judgments that come on the earth pictured vividly in Revelation. C.F. chapters 4 -- 7;  16 -- 18. (For a complete study of Revelation, click here).

At first, Eli knows nothing about Jesus. He believes the Lord walked the earth as a person. When he sees him as Lord, the story becomes a heart-warming experience. Our main character is aware of the works Jesus did, but has never accepted Him as his Lord until faced with a calling from God.

Walking Through Devastation

Eli experiences the rapture of the church, and the havoc brought about by the absence of believers suddenly being snatched away. The Holy Spirit visits Eli, defines Eli's role for the next seven years and Eli becomes a believer is Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Eli's excursion, throughout the land and his leadership of a remnant of his peers, gives the reader a remarkable vision of the extreme conditions during the Tribulation Period. The remnant is selected by the Holy Spirit as Eli's journeys take him throughout the middle-east region.

Follow Eli's Personal Experiences

I'd love for you to follow along with Eli as his journey develops. Send me a message to sign up for a monthly email. The email will show how Eli's escapades take shape. You can follow him from the beginning and up to the potentially, devastating scene against the Mount of Olives. Here, he and those he leads come face to face with a huge army. The soldiers being lead by Satan have one thing on their mind--the annihilation of God's Chosen Peoples (Zechariah 14:1-8).

So to walk with Eli on his incredible journey through danger, tough choices and strife. Email me right now to experience the ride!

Legal Reminder

Thanks for checking out our blog at B. C. Ministries, Inc. Our mission is to provide meaningful study material from God's word. The materials we provide are the works of Howard, and any relation to others woks is purely coincidental.

Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

For a complete study of Revelation, click here.

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

How to Serve Two Kingdoms by Serving One -- Daniel Chapter 6

 In chapter 6, Daniel begins to serve a new king. It is Darius of the Medo-Persian Empire. Daniel who still won't bend, bow or break service with God, Is appointed as one of one-hundred-twenty rulers over Darius' kingdom. Because he trusted in the Lord, Daniel was able to serve three kingdoms, The first and most important kingdom he served belonged to his God, Jehovah. The other two, Babylonian and the Medo-Persian Empires, became his to serve because he served the first one.

Darius was a Persian King. As a Persian General, Darius defeats the city of Babylon rather easily. He then overtakes the Babylonian Empire. He begins his reign with his capital in Sousa.

Vv 1 – 15        Daniel Serves Darius

V 1 It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom,

A. After Darius becomes king, he appoints 120 rulers over the kingdom.

V 2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps

            might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss.

B. Over these 120 rulers, Darius appoints 3 commissioners with Daniel being one.

  1. How old is Daniel now? In his 80’s for sure.

  2. Why does Darius promote him? Because Daniel predicted that the Persians would

            Win the kingdom from the Babylonians.

V 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps

            because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint

            him over the entire kingdom.

C. Because of the Holy Spirit on him, Daniel excels in Darius’ kingdom and was up for

            promotion to the top spot.

V 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation

            against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of

            accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no

            negligence or corruption was to be found in him.

D. The other rulers in high places looked for evidence of corruption in Daniel, but could

            not find any.

  1. He was faithful in his duties.

  2. He was never negligent.

V 5 Then these men said, We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel

            unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.

E. We’ll never find anything against him unless it is in regards to his law and his God.

V 6 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to

            him as follows: "King Darius, live forever!

F. Knowing how Daniel worshiped, these rulers devised a plan.

  1. They gain audience with the king.

  2. Then they wish him good health and long life.

V 7 All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials

            and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute

            and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man

            besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den.

G. This statute and its worship were contrived to trap Daniel.

V 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be

            changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be

            revoked.

H. These political leaders, with a game plan to up their status in the kingdom, know

            that once the king signs the statute, it can’t be revoked.

V 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

J. Their plan worked! Or did it?

V 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in

            his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued

            kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his

            God, as he had been doing previously.

K. Believers are not to be believers in secret.

  1. The Bible says as soon as Daniel knew about the signed document, he prayed.

  2. He didn’t enter his house in private, no.

  3. He went onto his roof chambers where there were windows.

  4. He got on his knees facing Jerusalem and prayed.

  5. He did this everyday, three times a day.

  6. He prayed and gave thanks to God.

  7. Should we be doing likewise?

  8. Do you have blessing in a restaurant?

V 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and

            supplication before his God.

L. The men knew what Daniel would do, and Daniel knew what Daniel would do.

V 12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, "Did

            you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man

            besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king

            replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians,

            which may not be revoked."

M. These conniving men reminded the king of his petition and the consequences.

V 13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, Daniel, who is one of the exiles from

            Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but

            keeps making his petition three times a day.

N. Well, your favorite son, the highest satrap, the pet of the king, has disobeyed you.

  1. This Daniel whom you have trusted doesn’t follow our laws.

  2. Your best friend has betrayed you and continues to do his spiritual thing in spite of

            your order.

V 14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his

            mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to

            rescue him.

N. Finally, the king sees through their evil plot.

  1. Until now, he thought this was just a way for the rulers to pay him homage as king.

  2. Now he sees it was a trap to rid themselves of a higher power and get power for

            themselves.

  3. He shows his love for Daniel by trying to devise a way whereby Daniel can escape.

  4. But at sunset, i.e. 6:00 p.m., the end of the day, he has come up with nothing.

V 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O

            king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which

            the king establishes may be changed."

O. Since the king hasn’t acted by throwing Daniel into the lions den, they come to remind

            him of his obligation.

Vv 16 – 21      Daniel in the Lions' Den

V 16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den

            The king spoke and said to Daniel, Your God whom you constantly serve will

            Himself deliver you.

A. Finding no way to get out of the deal, the king orders Daniel tossed into the pit.

V 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with

            his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would

            be changed in regard to Daniel.

B. They put a stone over the mouth of the pit, and put the kings seal on it.

  1. The stone kept the man inside from escaping.

  2. The seal assured that no one would help because breaking the seal meant death.

V 18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no

            entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

C. The king fasted all night.

  1. Doesn’t say that he prayed, but I bet he did.

  2. I don’t know to whom he would have prayed since we do not know if he was a

            believer.

  3. He wouldn’t even allow entertainment

  4. He wanted to be alone and fast and pray.

V 19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den.

D. At dawn the king goes to the lions den.

  1. He probably hasn’t slept all night.

  2. We know that he hasn’t slept.

  3. And, he is anxious to see if Daniel’s God was able to keep him safe.

V 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The

            king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God,

            whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?

E. His question leads one to believe that he had been praying to Daniel’s God.

  1. It also says that he hasn’t accepted him as his own God.

  2. However, he wants to know if Daniel’s God is strong enough to save him.

V 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, O king, live forever!

F. Don’t you know these were the most beautiful words the king had ever heard.

V 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me,

            inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I

            have committed no crime.

G. I’m here King! My God sent an angel to keep me company tonight.

  1. The angel shut up the mouths of the lions.

  2. The reason: I am innocent before Him and before You.

  3. I haven’t sinned against God or You.

  4. Do the same things work for believers today?

V 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the

            den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on

            him, because he had trusted in his God.

H. They bring Daniel out, inspect him and find that there are no injuries—even from

            being tossed down into the pit.

  1. First there isn’t a tooth or claw-mark on him.

  2. Second, there aren’t even bruises, scrapes or broken bones from his fall.

  3. Remember, Daniel is somewhere around 82-83 years old.

V 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously

            accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions'

            den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered

            them and crushed all their bones.

I. Because they had used the king to get their way, the king has they and their families

            thrown into the lion’s den.

  1. How can he do this? He’s king, he can do as he pleases.

  2. Notice the lions had been tempted all night by Daniel’s presence, they jump at the

            occasion for a free meal.

  3. Their plan fails and they get way more than they bargained for.

  4. The moral: don’t mess with the king’s mind—even Jesus, your King.

V 25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language

            who were living in all the land: May your peace abound!

J. His mistake causes the king to issue a new law.

  1. Remember whatever he writes can’t be broken.

  2. It’s the law of the Medes and Persians.

V 26 I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble

            before the God of Daniel;
         For He is the living God and enduring forever,
         And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
         And His dominion will be forever.
K. The king recognizes Daniel’s God.

  1. He recognizes his power and dominion over all things.

  2. However, he does not recognize him as his God, does he?

V 27 He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders
         In heaven and on earth,
         Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

L. Daniel’s escape from the lions is a great sign and wonder and miracle.

V 28 So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the

            Persian.

M. Darius reigned from     to 539 B.C., Darius reigns from 539 B.C. to

 

 Daniel

Chapter 6

Study Questions

 

  1. Whom did Darius name as one of his 3 commissioners?

 

  2. Why was the king going to appoint Daniel over the entire kingdom?

 

  3. What did the commissioners and satraps try to find in Daniel?

 

  4. What did they finally agree would be the only way they could find something wrong

            with Daniel?

 

  5. What Persian law did these commissioners and satraps get passed?

 

  6. What would be the penalty for breaking this law?

 

  7. How did Daniel break the Persian law?

 

  8. How did the news that Daniel had broken his law affect the king?

 

  9. How did the king spend the night?

 

10. What question did the king ask Daniel the next morning?

 

11. Why did Daniel say that God protected him?

 

12. What happened to those who had maliciously accused Daniel?

 

13. Daniel’s life saved by God caused the king to do what?

 

14. What did God do to protect Daniel?

 

15. Why were the families of those accused of maligning Daniel killed, too.

 

Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.