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: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Chapters: DANIEL 1-2
Study: The Secrets of God
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
I try to wake up earlier on Wednesday’s because I go into work earlier so I can go to church, but since it was almost midnight before I got to sleep it was rough getting up that extra half hour. So, when I did get out of bed this morning knowing that I will begin reading Daniel, I thought that since it was pretty cut and paste and nothing more to learn. However, that is not the case with God, He always has something new to show you no matter how many times you read His Word. Then this passage came.
[1 Corinthians 14:21-25 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.]
So many “religious” people who claim they know God will flat out tell you that the Bible is outdated and no one can understand it. Well, they are incorrect. God, is not going to show someone who has no faith in Him His very secrets. Well, there really are no secrets with God, He just reveals them only to those who truly believe in Him, [Luke 10:21-24 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.]
The Book of Daniel contains twelve chapters. The author of the book is Daniel and it was first written to Judah, those who were held captive in Babylon, about 434BC. The purpose of the book was to show how God rules the affairs of all men and all nations. What we are to learn from the book is that God gives honor and protection to those whom worship only Him no matter where they are, [Daniel 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.]
Daniel, was one of the captives carried into Babylon, and from what I read through Jeremiah, it appears that he was among the first group of captives before Nebuchadnezzar had taken Judah over completely. Daniel, was quite young, perhaps even a teenager, and Nebuchadnezzar wasted no time in looking for some young minds that he can indoctrinate in the ways of the Chaldeans.
[Daniel 1:1-4 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 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. 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; 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.]
[but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom,] They were not interested in teaching all of the children, only the ones who were just as good at manipulating people as they were. We all know or work with people who have just the right personality and can get away with everything because they have the favor of the bosses and peers who are just like them. They are also the first to jump ship and betray you as well. We do not need the favor of man to get through the life that we are handed, we just need the favor of God, [Proverbs 3:3-6 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.]
Little children have pure faith, which is why we all need to have the faith of a child to not only believe in Jesus, but accept Him as our Saviour. You see, the devil is a sly fox, and he knows that children sponges as well, and also knows exactly how to lure them into his lair so to speak. Now, watch how Nebuchadnezzar, intended to get these children to believe their teachings.
[Daniel 1:5-8 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. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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 Abednego. 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.]
[And the king appointed them a daily provision] Daniel’s name means; God is judge, but his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar means; prince of Baal. This is how indoctrination begins, they provide for them, win their trust, and all in an effort to control them. The king did this for three years, and while it may have worked for the others, it did not work for Daniel and his friends. This is exactly why we cannot depend on the government to provide for us, there is always an agenda behind it, and it is never in our favor. Man, will always have an agenda for their freebies, God’s, only agenda is to save your soul, [Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.]
[But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself] This is why I did not get the special tasks or promotions right away, I do not run with the world and I do not care to win over the people either by defiling myself for the sake of a position. As saved, born again Christians, we are to be a presence in the world, not of the world, [John 17:14-16 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.]
We are not of this world and therefore we are not to be one of them. Daniel, was not about to defile his body for anyone and would not eat the meat, which was probably pork or some other unclean meat or drink the wine provided, which was probably alcoholic. When the prince of the eunuchs found this out, he questioned him about it because if the king found out, it would be his own head.
[Daniel 1:9-13 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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. 11 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. 13 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.]
[Now God had brought Daniel into favour] You see, they did not hide their faith in God and because of that God had their favor. And when God is on your side, even your enemies have respect for you. Now, that all the favorites are gone and my bosses have seen my work I am given these special tasks that the world envies, [Proverbs 16:5-7 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.]
[let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.] This was basically a vegetarian diet. Their food was simply fruit, vegetables, beans, and water. If there is one thing that I learned through my inability to digest a lot of food, it is that eating food that is prepared from its simplest form keeps me healthier, looking younger, and reduces so much pain. And do not get me started on water, as much as I love my coffee, water is by far my favorite drink. It is so refreshing when you are so thirsty that you can feel all the little tastebuds in your tongue sticking out. I should say the same for my spirit, when it is thirsty and I can feel it grasping for life giving water, there is nothing more refreshing than Jesus, [John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.]
A corrupt government does not care about your wellbeing, all it wants is to keep you dependent upon them so they can eventually control you. Look what happen during the Holocaust, the Jews trusted in the government and ended up in gas chambers. Go to Greece, China, Cuba, Venezuela, and they are disasters right now because they trusted the government. Look at what is going on in America, it is quickly becoming a third world country, we are no longer respected by anyone. So, how did it all work out for Daniel and his friends who joined him on this special diet? Extremely well. Melzar, examined them after ten days and was actually astonished.
[Daniel 1:15-20 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. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 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. 18 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. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.]
[he found them ten times better than all the magicians] Of course, their wisdom was ten times better than the magicians and astrologers. First of all, most people who claim themselves as being magicians, physics or mediums are just good at getting the information they need from you. And second, those who are witches, or conjure up spells and spirits, are under the control of the devil himself. There truly are evil spirits out there, and more often than we would like to admit, there are many churches and ministries out there run by people who proclaim Christ as Saviour, but it is all evil, [1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.]
Since the world has no idea who God really is, and the majority of the religions out there do not read the Bible or have a watered down “version” they call a Bible, they are going to come up with their own interpretation of God. However, God, was going to use Daniel and his friends to prove that there is only ONE LIVING GOD. So, now, we will see why God had given Daniel the ability to interpret dreams, Nebuchadnezzar, had a rather disturbing dream, but like most dreams, he forgot what it was. Nebuchadnezzar, insisted that that dream was something significant, so, he called for all the magicians, wizards, and physics to interpret the dreams, which they called “wise” men. However, it did not go so well.
[Daniel 2:4-5,10-12 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. 10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. 11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. 12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.]
[if ye will not make known unto me the dream,] In other words, he was going to kill them if someone did not only tell him what the dream meant, but the dream itself. Now, even these “wise” men had to admit that only a god can interpret a dream. [There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter:] Psychics, mediums, fortune tellers, whatever you call them, are just that, tellers of what they have learned from what people have told them. Anyone can tell you your future by the way you are living your life, and when Daniel found out that his life was in danger, he convinced Nebuchadnezzar not to be so hasty.
[Daniel 2:16,19-22 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. 19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.]
[He revealeth the deep and secret things:] Did you know that God does not reveal His secrets to just anyone? He only reveals them to His believers, through the Holy Spirit, [1 Corinthians 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.]
There is no better gift than to give someone the interpretation about Christ and how they can be saved. The world will never understand Christ, and that is exactly why God made it that way, only true worshipers will hear His Word, and believe in all of it, not what they pick and choose. God, had not only revealed the dream to Daniel, He protected them from death. Daniel, meets with Nebuchadnezzar and reveals both the dream and what it meant, pointing out one very important fact, the only one who cad reveal a dream is the Almighty God.
[Daniel 2:27-30 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.]
[this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living,] Let me tell you, I nor any preacher, teacher, or anyone else who is knowledgeable of the Word of God is any more wiser than the one who has no knowledge of God’s Word at all. Only God can give us the interpretation of His Word, and is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit that indwells is all who receive Christ as their Saviour, [1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.]
[and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.] Do you see that? Those crazy dreams we have sometimes comes from something we saw that somehow became a thought. Think about it, nightmares often come from something scary that we thought about, I dream about being at work sometimes. I have also had some ridiculous dreams that you wish you had not remembered. Dreams, are one thing, but to have vision is another thing, we need vision or we will truly perish, [Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.]
My goodness, that is an understatement, vision is only seen by what God’s will for us is, otherwise, every other vision will die. I do not usually focus on the interpretation too much, but when I read this it sounds extremely familiar. Watch this, as Daniel describes the forth kingdom.
[Daniel 2:40-44 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.]
[the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:] Christ’s kingdom, is not perishable as worldly ungodly empires are, they will all be destroyed eventually, just like Babylon, Egypt, and Rome, but it can never be destroyed. It can however, be taken from those who are careless and never really believed in Christ from their heart, [Matthew 25:24-25,28-30 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for revealing to Your true believers the interpretation of what will happen if we did not accept Your Son as our Saviour. As much as we think and even know that all things are possible with You, when temptations and pressure comes our way, it can be hard to stand firm in our faith with all the worlds enchantments. Lord, give us Your power, wisdom, and guidance, help us to keep trusting that everything we need will be provided for us through You alone. I ask this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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