Four Wise Youths in the Court of Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 1:1-2 The people of God find themselves in a foreign land. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem; people were taken into exile.

Daniel 1:3-5 King looked for recruits among people of Israel. Offer included king’s diet and the finest education.

Daniel 1:6-7 New names are given to Daniel and his three friends.

Daniel 1:8-16 Daniel resolved not to defile himself with king’s food. All four are given a 10-day trial to prove themselves. Passed easily; dietary habits were vindicated.

Daniel 1:17-21 They found favor with God. Daniel is given ability to understand visions and dreams.

Daniel 2:1-13 Nebuchadnezzar’s had very troubling dreams. Wise men could not interpret dreams. King ordered them all to be killed.

Daniel 2:14-23 Daniel comes to the rescue. Upon hearing about decree, Daniel begged the king for more time. Daniel and his friends prayed for divine compassion in revealing the dream. Mystery was revealed to Daniel in vision during the night.

Daniel 2:20-23 Daniel sings a hymn of praise.

Daniel 2:24-35 Daniel interprets the dream. Daniel gives God the glory.

Daniel 2:31-35 A description of the dream is given. Colossal image is described that was reduced to powder by a huge stone.

Daniel 2:36-45 Interpretation of the dream is given. Four different metals represented four kingdoms. Generally thought to be Babylonians, Medes & Persians, Greeks and Romans. These kingdoms will not endure but God’s kingdom will be without end.

Daniel 2:46-49 King paid honor to Daniel. Acknowledged God is worthy of praise above all others. Promoted him and his friends.

Golden Image and Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-7 The construction and dedication of the image are described. At the sound of music, all were to worship the image. Failure to do so would result in death.

Daniel 3:8-18 Chaldeans accused the Jews of not worshipping the image. King reacted with fury, demanded the three Jews be brought in. King gave them every opportunity to worship image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused. God is able to save; but if He doesn’t, they would still not worship.

Daniel 3:19-30 Nebuchadnezzar heated up the furnace. Three young men walked around in furnace unharmed “four men loose…the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods”. King called the men to come forth…“no smell of fire had come upon them”. King acknowledged God, decreed no one could speak against Him. The Hebrews were promoted again.

Daniel 4:1-18 A letter from the king acknowledged the greatness of God. The king dreamed of a great tree; then tree was cut down with a stump remaining. Knew Daniel could interpret it because “the spirit of the holy gods is in you”.

Daniel 4:19-27 Daniel (named Belteshazzar) interpreted the dream. Tree represented the king. King will be forced out, reduced to eating grass until he acknowledges the Most High…seven years' time. Stump indicates kingdom will be waiting for him, a sign of hope. Appeals to the king to turn from his sins, shorten the time.

Daniel 4:28-37 Fulfillment of the dream. Within a year, king was reduced to madness. Had been congratulating himself on successes. King lifted his eyes to heaven, was restored

Belshazzar’s Feast (Identified as Nebuchadnezzar’s Son)

Daniel 5:1-4 A description of the feast is given.

Daniel 5:5-9 A ghostly hand writes a message on the wall. Belshazzar will promote and handsomely pay anyone who interprets it. None of the wise men can interpret the message.

Daniel 5:10-23 Daniel was brought before the king. Queen recommended Daniel to interpret writing on wall. Daniel was brought in; king offered him a great reward. Daniel refused reward, lectured king on his deficiencies. Reminded the king of Nebuchadnezzar’s fate when he exalted himself.

Daniel 5:24-28 MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN (the Message) MENE…Days are numbered TEKEL… Weighed by God and found to be wanting UPHARSIN…Kingdom will be divided.

Daniel 5:29-31 Belshazzar rewarded Daniel and died that night; kingdom was given to Darius the Mede.

Daniel 6:1-9 Daniel’s promotion made him head over all nobles and satraps. Nobles and satraps were jealous of Daniel, but could find no fault in him. They plotted against Daniel by urging the king to issue edict prohibiting worship of any god for 30 days. People would honor Darius. The king signed the document.

Daniel 6:10-17 Daniel knew about document; still prayed openly three times a day. Satraps immediately notified king. The king was distressed, set his mind to deliver Daniel. King could not change the law. Had to command Daniel to be cast into den of lions. Prayed that Daniel’s God would deliver him.

Daniel 6:18-24 Daniel in the lions’ den. King fasted all night. Hurried to lions’ den the next morning, cried out to Daniel. Daniel responded that God had “sent an angel to close the lions’ mouths”. King restored Daniel and “no kind of hurt was found upon him”. King punished men who had accused Daniel.

Daniel 6:25-28 The king decreed sovereignty of God (Daniel’s God). Daniel prospered

B. The Universal Sovereignity of God-Prophetic Revelation

Daniel 7:1-8 Daniel’s first vision of the four beasts: The beasts represented four kingdoms. A lion with eagles’ wings…represented Babylon. A bear…the Medes and Persians. A leopard with four wings and four heads…the Greeks. A beast, which defies description…the Romans.

Daniel 7:9-12 Vision of God on throne, is describe preparing to judge the nations of the earth. First beast is slain; others are spared for a time but will suffer same fate.

Daniel 7:13-14 Son of Man and the coming kingdom. His dominion will be an everlasting dominion.

Daniel 7:15-18 Though anxious and fearful, Daniel was reassured by angels.

Daniel 7:19-28 The fourth beast: How the mighty will fall! Represents Greeks; little “horn” a reference to the Anti-Christ. Will prosper for a time, but his dominion will be taken away. The kingdom will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. Regardless of worldly happenings, hand of God is sure. Ultimately, His purpose will prevail.

Daniel 8 Vision of Ram and He-Goat

Daniel 8:1-8 Ram=Persia; He-goat=Greeks. He-goat overtakes ram and destroys it. But great horn (Alexander) of he-goat breaks off (Alexander dies).

Daniel 8:9-12 Out of one came a little horn (Anti-Christ). Little horn grew great.

Daniel 8:13-14 A cry for liberation is made from oppressors. How long “the transgression that makes desolate”. An assertion of hope is made.

Daniel 8:15-19 Appearance by angel Gabriel. Daniel frightened and began deep sleep. Vision concerns “the time of the end.

Daniel 8:20-25 Gabriel’s interpretation of the vision.

Daniel 8:26-27 Daniel is told to seal up the vision.

Daniel 9:1-2 The desolation of Jerusalem will last 70 years.

Daniel 9:3-19 A passionate prayer is given on behalf of God’s people. Confession of sins and plea for mercy is seen.

Daniel 9:20-23 Answer to prayer is another vision.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks of years (490 years) must pass before blessings. Beginning of the end

Daniel 9:25-27 Countdown to the end.

Daniel 10:1-9 Prologue for final vision. Received an angel vision, fell to the ground in deep trance

Daniel 10:10-10:21 Description of vision of the latter days. Complains he has no strength left. Angel “touched” Daniel three times to renew his strength.

Daniel 11:1-20 Lessons from history affirm without doubt. God’s overarching control of events. Rise and fall of kings and nations will occur.

Daniel 11:21-35 The final demise of Anti-Christ. He will flourish, but only for a time.

Daniel 11:26-39 The arrogance of Anti-Christ. He shall magnify himself above all

Daniel 11:40-45 Prediction of his end. He will prevail over Egypt, but in the end “he shall come to his end…with none to help him”.

Daniel 12:1-4 Time of trouble must run its course. Daniel was to shut up the words and seal the book, until the end.

Daniel 12:5-13 Epilogue…How long shall it be…“For a time, two times, and half a time”. Assurance to be patient until God’s purpose has been unfolded. “But go your way till the end; and you shall rest, and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days”.