King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Friday, September 15, 2023
Chapters: DANIEL 6-8
Study: Staying Faithful to God
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
I mentioned to you that we had a terrible storm with hail that caused a lot of damage and I was not looking forward to seeing my truck parked in the lot of my community. The next morning I left the house earlier to see what damage might have been done and just knew something happened to it when I saw someone’s house who had the front part of their house cave in. Well, it did not even have one leaf on it. My husband could not believe that there was no damage, and I just said, “God, has this shield over us.” I will never understand how God watches over and protects me and apparently my stuff so much, but I do understand that His blessings and protection are dependent upon my faith and faithfulness to Him, even when I fail Him time and time again.
[Hebrews 11:1-3,6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.]
As we continue in the reading of Daniel, we learn that king Darius was so impressed with Daniel, a Jew, that he wanted to make him governor of the kingdom. Well, that did not go over too well with the princes.
[Daniel 6:1-5 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.]
[because an excellent spirit was in him;] That excellent spirit was none other than the Holy Spirit and He now resided in every saved, born again Christian. Should we use Him wisely we too will have that excellent spirit that draws both the righteous and the wicked, [Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.]
Yes, unfortunately there are a lot of people who are jealous or I should say envious over the successes and advances we are given without even asking for them. Watch the wicked come out in someone you thought was your friend when they are passed up opportunities that you did not even ask for. I guarantee you that their only complaint will be your faith in God. These men knew that there was nothing they could use to accuse Daniel so they came up with a plan to use his faith in God against him.
[Daniel 6:7-10 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.]
[ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king,] How absurd! The king should have had his head examined for thinking that this was a good thing. I mean we all like to be the one to help everyone out, but there are limits, and God made it that way for a reason. God, wants us to live by faith in Him, not man and while He may use man, He will never give His glory to anyone else, [Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.]
[and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.] Do you see how they manipulated the king? Let me tell you, the leaders of our messed up countries are not the cause of the mess, they are just puppets on strings, doing whatever the ones holding onto the strings are telling them. While we are to obey the law of the land in regards to common sense rules, there is no law that states that we must comply with their rules that go against our faith in God. In fact, we are to never compromise our faith, [Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.]
You see, they knew that Daniel would never compromise his faith, and that would be their ammunition to frame him. This is exactly what they did, and sure enough since Darius signed that ridiculous decree there was nothing he could do to stop them from throwing him in the lions den.
[Daniel 6:12-14,16,18 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.]
[was sore displeased with himself,] Darius, could not believe that he allowed them to manipulate him like that, but he also knew just how powerful Daniel’s God is. The world may not follow suit and be as faithful as we are to God, but they do know that He is with those who are. Darius knew that God would deliver Daniel from those lions, even fasted all night long. Well, the next morning, Darius ran to the lions den, and cried out to Daniel, hoping to hear his voice, which Daniel did answer him.
[Daniel 6:20-23 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.]
[servant of the living God, is thy God,] The world ought to know that we serve the only living God, and by the way, they do know that there is only one living God who is able to deliver His believers, [Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.]. And if that did not make a believer out of Darius and the others nothing would. Well, Darius, not only praised God for delivering Daniel from the lions, he also commanded those who conspired against him to be cast to the lions and it was not so favorable for them.
[Daniel 6:24-26 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.]
[my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God,] Darius, figured it out, there is only one living God, and He is not only Daniel’s God, but God to all who believe in Him and live by faith in Him, [Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.]
Now, we discover that Daniel had some dreams of his own, which actually took place when Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar reigned, just before it got taken over by the Medes and Persians. Daniel’s, dream was so wild and vivid that when he woke up he wrote it down, and what he saw was four beasts that looked strange to him.
[Daniel 7:1-5 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. 2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. 5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.]
[And four great beasts came up from the sea,] The four beasts actually represent four world empires at different eras from the time of Babylon to the kingdom of Christ. Yes, I said the Kingdom of Christ, this is something that will take place at four different times, beginning with Babylon, which had already started after Belshazzar died, [Matthew 16:27-28 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.]
[The first was like a lion,] This was the Chaldeans. The eagle’s wings, which are swift, represented their ruling over many countries and soared to an enormous height in a very short time. The wings were plucked, which indicated its ability for widespread conquests, which actually took place when Nebuchadnezzar was turned into an animal for seven years. The man’s heart indicates that they would lose their lion like courage, and become cowardly. This actually reminds me of America as it too became a powerful nation in such a short amount of time, but it has also become cowardly, every nation that turns on God will lose His protections, [Psalms 33:11-12 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.]
[a second, like to a bear,] This represents the Medes and Persians, who came into Babylon as a fierce, ravenous creature. On one side was the Medes, who first arose as Cyrus came to assist Babylon against the Assyrians. The three ribs represent the Babylonians that revolted and were killed as a result. Rebellion nor ignorance saves no one, in fact, it will send you straight to hell quicker than acknowledging who Christ is, [2 Peter 2:21-22 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.]
And now, the other two beasts are described, [Daniel 7:6-8 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.]
[a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl;] The leopard represents the Grecian’s who would come in under Alexander the Great. The four wings represent their swiftness and the four heads his chief commanders who divided the empire into four parts. I can quickly see my nation splitting into parts, I do not know if it is four, but even people among their own parties are splitting. You see, it does not matter what side of the politics are played pride will always trump faith and will divide more than just nations, [Proverbs 16:18-20 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.]
[a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible] This beast, also described by John in the Book of Revelation, represents the Roman empire. The ten horns are ten kings of the European kingdoms at some point, some of these have already succeeded, and some have yet to succeed, [Revelation 13:1-2 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.]
Do you see how John’s vision is almost exact to Daniel’s? The Tribulation is not something that we just learned about in the New Testament, this was planned the second sin stepped upon the earth. Now, Daniel’s vision also describes something else that John also saw, and if you need a mental picture of what God looks like, well, here it is, God Himself, along with thousands upon thousands of saints ministering to Him as well as tens of thousands of thousands waiting to judged by the Judge Himself, Jesus Christ.
[Daniel 7:9-11 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.]
[the judgment was set, and the books were opened.] Of course, this is none other than Jesus Himself, and this is actually going to take place after the thousand year reign, and His saints are carried out of the earth to await the new heaven and earth while the unbelievers actually resurrect and get judged along with those who somehow survived the Tribulation, [Revelation 20:12-13 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.]
This is where the lost will get judged for every single thing they did, including the times when the rejected Christ. Now, as Daniel continues to describe the dream, he also sees what will come of the other beasts and who will survive the judgment.
[Daniel 7:12-13 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.]
[As concerning the rest of the beasts,] I know that the Books of Revelation, Ezekiel, and Daniel can be a little overwhelming, but the more I read and actually study them, the clearer they become, although some things will never be understood until we see Jesus. Now, Daniel was greatly confused by the fourth beast, but there was someone else in the dream, and angel, and he explained to him what the dream was all about.
[Daniel 7:23-26 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.]
[to consume and to destroy it unto the end.] The reason why the fourth beast was so dreadful was because this will take place prior to Christ returning, and he is none other than the Antichrist or beast as we know him to be. Acting solely by the power of Satan, he will bring evil in this world like we have never seen before, taking vengeance on Christ’s saints, and although he will prosper for a season, Christ, will utterly destroy him in the end, and Satan too, [Revelation 20:9-10 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.]
Now, if Daniel thought that that dream was rather disturbing, that was nothing compared to what God had shown him three years later, still while Belshazzar reigned, which he found even more disturbing.
[Daniel 8:3,5,7,9 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.]
[a ram which had two horns:] This represents the Medes and Persia once again, the higher horn is Persia which had arose at last. Then Cyrus, came in and became more powerful than that of the Medes, even though they were a smaller empire. Now, the he goat, this represents the Grecian empire, this was when Alexander the great was powerful, until he was broken, to pieces, for he, his mother, son, brother, and all his kindred were destroyed. situated; to the east, Babylon and Syria; to the south, Egypt; to the north, Asia the less; to the west, Greece. [a little horn,] This was Antiochus Epiphanes. of Egypt, where he besieged and took many places in the south. The pleasant land is Judea, so called because of the temple and people of God in it.
[he magnified himself even to the prince of the host,] This is actually talking about a second beast from Revelation, who is the false prophet, and he will come shortly after the Antichrist, and cause havoc on the world. When these two beasts are on the earth it will nearly be impossible to get saved and those who do will be to their death, and this is what Revelation refers to as the multitudes who were saved and died during that time, [Revelation 15:2-3 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.]
We do not know the hour in which all this will take place, but I can tell you right now, there are many false prophets here already, and the Antichrist is lurking about, just waiting for the signal from his master, who is Satan. There are actually two visions going on here at the same time, the conquest of the Media and Persia, and the tribulation, in which the Antichrist and false prophet overtake the earth. Now, disturbed by this, God sends the angel, Gabriel to help him understand the dream, and this was the interpretation.
[Daniel 8:19-21,24-25 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.]
[he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;] Satan, has been trying to stop Jesus since He came to earth in the flesh, he thought that He stood up to Him when He hung on the cross and died, and for three days I am sure he was laughing hysterically, but that was until He arose from the dead. Now, his time is coming when he will get cast into hell and the lake of fire, with all the rest who rejected God, [Revelation 20:10,15 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I thank You for the gift of eternal life when I put my faith and trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ, to save me from my sin, the second death, and hell. Jesus, thank You for giving Your life as a sacrifice to save us, not by any merits which we have done, but by our faith and acceptance of You alone. It can be hard and quite heartbreaking to see all the judgments taking place today as we near the day of Your return, but as long as long as we stick close to you we can endure it all. Lord, lead us and guide us, keep us reminded that the things we do for You are not to keep our salvation, but to bring others to You so they too can see You and be saved. Let our ears be open to the sound of the trump as You call Your saints to join You in Your kingdom. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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