Judah Exiled to Babylon A Study of Daniel 1 · 2020-01-20 · such as Dan 1:20 (“ten times”),...
Transcript of Judah Exiled to Babylon A Study of Daniel 1 · 2020-01-20 · such as Dan 1:20 (“ten times”),...
JudahExiledtoBabylonAStudyofDaniel1
Presentedby:MarkLaRoseDate:01/20/2020DraftFile:Daniel1
RelationshipwithChrist• TheMostImportantUnderstandingaboutourSalvation:– WebelieveeternallifeisagiftfromGodinChristJesusandwearejustifiedbyHisgraceandHisfaithwhopaidtheprice;death,forourtransgressions
Romans3:21-26;4:4-5,25;6:23;Ephesians2:4-10;Titus3:4-7(Is53;Eze36:25-27;John3:3-8,16;16:8;Rom5:6-10;8:1-4,14-17;1Cor15:3-4,20-22;2Cor5:14-15,19-21;Gal1:4;3:13-14,26;4:4-7;Phil2:6-11;Col1:13-14;Heb8:7-12;1Pet1:23;2Pet1:3-4;1John2:2;4:10)
• God“senthisangeltoshowhisservants”thefuture(Rev22:6)“Donotdespiseprophecies.”1Thess5:20– Purpose:TosharethevitalnecessityofacharactertransformingrelationshipwithChrist,namelytheGospelofHissacrificeforallwhocallHimLordandSavior(Ps1:1-2;Matt20:25-28;Luke19:17-20;John20:21;Rom12:2;2Cor3:17-18;Gal5:22-25;Eph5:19-21;6:12-18;Phil3:7-14;Col2:6;1Thess5:16-23;Heb10:25;2Pet2:9;3:18;1John4:4) 21/14/20
PrinciplesofBibleStudy• Paul’scounseltoTimothy:
– 16AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness,17thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.2Tim3:16-17(Ps119:105;Prov30:5-6;Is8:20;John17:17;1Thess2:13;Heb4:12)
– forprophecynevercamebythewillofman,butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.2Pet1:21
• Bibleversions:– Useversionswiththeclosesttranslationtotheoriginallanguage
• RecommendcomparingNKJV(usedhere),NASB95,KJV,andESV
– Concordancesources:www.abibleconcordance.com;www.blueletterbible.org
• UseofExpositorystudymethods(versusThematicstudy)– ThismethodexplorestheliteralmeaningofeachwordinScriptureandits
relationshiptootherwordsinitscontext(exegesis)
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PrinciplesofInterpretation• It’simportanttobeconsistentbyusingthesameprinciples,pattern,and
understandingoftheBookofDanielforthepropheciesinRevelation(Num12:6;2Chron20:20;Joel2:28-29;Amos3:7;Acts2:14-21;Rev.12:17;19:10;22:8-9)
• Everyworddeservescarefulconsideration
– “Forpreceptmustbeuponprecept,preceptuponprecept,Lineuponline,lineuponline,Herealittle,therealittle.”Isaiah28:10,13
• TheHistoricistmethodofinterpretationisusedforbothDanielandRevelation
• SomeofDanielandmuchofRevelationissymbolic;identifiedbasedoncontextandcontent
– Lookfordefinitionselsewherewithinthesetwobooksfirst,thentheBibleasawhole;theninhistory
! ThevisionsofDaniel2,7,8,9,and10-12buildoneachotherprogressively,amplifyingandaddingimportantdetails;“repeatandenlarge”
! Applicationofthe1propheticday=1yearrule(Numbers14:34,Ezekiel4:4-6)iskeytotheinterpretationoftimepropheciesinDanielandRevelation(Gen29:27;Lev25:1-7)
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RebellionorRedemption?
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DanieltheProphetMatt24:15• Danielandhis3friendswereexiledin605BCwhentheLord
allowedNebuchadnezzartoruleoverJerusalemasforetoldbyJeremiah(Jer25;27:22)asrecordedin2Ki24:10-17(Is39:6-7;Jer29;Micah4:10)– Ezraindicates(2Chr36:15-21)thatthe70yearBabylonianexilewas
directedbyGodbecauseHischosenpeopledidnotturnfromevilandfalseworship
• MuchofDanielisliteral,howeversymboliclanguageisusedsuchasDan1:20(“tentimes”),thebeast’sdescriptions(Daniel7,8&11)referringtokingsandkingdoms,andbothliteralandspiritualapplicationsinDaniel11:40-45
• ThebookofDanieliswritteninachiasm,adoublelistofrelateditemsinwhichtheorderofthesecondlistisoppositeofthefirstlist:– Theouterchapters(Dan1:1-2:4aand8-12)werewritteninHebrew– Theinnerchapters(Dan2:4b–Dan7:28)werewritteninAramaic
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ChronologicalOverviewTheBookofDaniel
• Daniel1:TheaccountofthefirstBabylonianexile(605BC)
• Daniel2:Nebuchadnezzar’sdreamofthekingdoms(603BC)• Daniel3:Nebuchadnezzarbuildstheimageofhisdreamtoworship
• Daniel4:Nebuchadnezzar’sdreamofthegreattree– Chapter4isaletterwrittenbyNebuchadnezzar
• Daniel7:Daniel’sdreamofthekingdomsasbeasts(553BC)
• Daniel8:Daniel’svisionwithfurtherkingdomdetails(551BC)• Daniel5:TheaccountofthefallofBelshazzarandBabylon(539BC)
• Daniel6:Thelion’sdenandDariustheMede(539/8BC)
• Daniel9:Gabrielfurtherexplains2300days/yrsinch.8(538BC)– Includingthe70weeks(490yrs)“cutoff”ofthe2,300yearsuntilChrist’sministrybegan
• Daniel10-12:GabrielprovidesspecificdetailsofthekingsandkingdomstocomethroughthesecondcomingofJesus(535BC)
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Daniel–ASadPerspective
! MosespronouncedcursesifGod'slawwastrespassed,includinganationagainstIsraelwithaforeigntongue,asswiftastheeagle.Deut28:49-50
! DuringMicah'sministry(735-710BC),whileAssyriawasinpower,theBabyloniancaptivitywaspredicted.Micah4:10
! Isaiah(740-680BC)warnedKingHezekiahafterhisillnesswashealed(near700BC)thatBabylonwouldconquerJudah.Is39:1-7
! GodwarnedthattheBabylonians(Chaldeans)wouldsooninvadetheland.Habakkuk1:6-11(Jer4:11-13;Eze7:24)
! ProphetessHuldahforetoldthecursesofDeut28toJosiah(641-609BC)(2Ki22:14-20;2Chr34:22-28)
! TheLordrevealedtoJeremiahin605BC,justbeforetheexile,thatJudahwouldbecaptivefor70years.Jer25;27:22
! NebuchadnezzardefeatedEgyptatCarchemish(onthecurrentborderofSyriaandTurkey).Jerusalemwasthenapproachedfromthenorth.Jer1:14-16;46:2http://www.heraldmag.org/1999/99mj_5.htm
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Daniel–ASadPerspective
! Nebuchadnezzar’sfather,Nabopollazzardiedon8/16/605BC.NebuchadnezzarrushedbacktoBabylonacrosstheArabiandesertandtookthethroneon9/07/605.
! KingJehoiakimofJudah(609-598BC)rebelledsoNebuchadnezzartookaristocraticcaptives.2Ki24:1-4;2Ch36:5;Jer51:20-26(Rebellioniswitchcraftaccordingto1Sam15:23)
! Thecaptivesweremarchedsome600milesfromJerusalemtoBabylon(60milessouthofBaghdad,Iraq)
! Soonafterthefirstcaptivity,Jeremiahsentthislettertotheexilesconfirmingthe70yearprophecy:Jer29
! Danielwasayoungman,about18.Helivedthroughthe70yearcaptivityprophesiedinJer25:8-14– In539BC,Daniel,notingJeremiah'sprophecy,praysfortheLordtofulfillHis
promise(Dan9:3-20)
! DanielandthreefriendswerecontemporariesoftheprophetsHuldah[609],Habakkuk[607],Jeremiah[627-580],andEzekiel[592-570],likelyknowingthem
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Daniel–ASadPerspective
! DanielandhisthreefriendswerecontemporarieswiththelastfivekingsofJudah.(Josiah[641-609],Jehoahaz[609],Jehoiakim[609-598],Jehoiachin[598-597],Zedekiah[597-586])
! Danielwastrainedandtaughtbyhisparents.(egwwritings.org){PP592.2-3}! Jesusreferredto"Danieltheprophet"inMatt24:15;Mark13:14.The
HebrewsweretobeawitnessofGodinBabylon,aswell.Jer51:9
! InZechariah'svisionof2/15/519,theAngelreferredto70yearsofspiritual"captivity"(notemple,yet),asZerubbabel(SheshbazzarofEzra1:11)hadled49,897peoplebacktoJerusalemin537BC(Ezra2:64).Zech1:12
! TheLordasksaboutthe5thand7thmonthfastsforthepast70yearssincethetemplewasdestroyed,andgovernorGedaliahwasmurdered(Jer40:7-43:7).Thenewtemplewascompleted3/12/515BC.Zech7:5
! Ezra(active457-440BC),reflectingback,notesthattheBabylonianexileoccurredbecauseGod'speopledidnotturnfromevilandfalseworship.2Chron36:15-21
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Daniel1
• Daniel1Structure:– TheaccountinDaniel1:1-7isarecordofthefirstexileofJudahoutofits
“promisedland”byBabylon• Danielandhisthreefriendsweredeportedin605BC,(Jer25:1-14)thefirstofthreeJudeanexiles.Ezekielwaspartofthesecondexileof597BC,andKingZedekiahwasexiledin586BCwhenJerusalemandSolomon'sTempleweredestroyed
– Daniel1:8-16isthestoryofDanielandhisthreefriends’commitmenttoGodregardlessofconsequences
– Daniel1:17-21providestheresultofmaintainingintegritytotheLord
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Daniel1:1• “InthethirdyearofthereignofJehoiakimkingofJudah,
NebuchadnezzarkingofBabyloncametoJerusalemandbesiegedit.”– KingJehoiakim(609-598BC)(2Ki23:35-24:7;2Chr36:5-8;Jer36:1-32;Eze17:3)
• ThefirstfullcalendaryearofruleisdesignatedaswhentocountdatesinJudahatthattime,thereforethesiegeandfirstexilewasin605BC(Jer25:1)
– KingNebuchadnezzar(605-562BC)(2Ki24;25;1Ch6:15;2Ch36;Ezra1,2,5,6;Neh7:6;Est2:6;Jer27-29;34,39;Eze17:3)
• NebuchadnezzarcamefromdefeatingtheEgyptiansatCarchemishin605BC,northofJerusalem(Jer6:22;50:3,41)
– Thisbattlehassaidtohavechangedthehistoryoftheworld
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Daniel1:2• “AndtheLordgaveJehoiakimkingofJudahintohishand,with
someofthearticlesofthehouseofGod,whichhecarriedintothelandofShinartothehouseofhisgod;andhebroughtthearticlesintothetreasurehouseofhisgod.”– ShinarwasthelandoftheChaldeans,Babylon(Is39:3)
• ThesiteofNimrod’scity,Babel(Gen10:10;11:2)
• GodtoldIsaiahthatHewouldgatherHispeopleback(Is11:11)• SpiritualBabylondescribesSatan’scounterfeit“Christian”churchtoday(Jer
50:21;51:7-8;Zech5:11;Rev11:8;14:8;16:19;17:2,5;18:2-3,10)
– Itwascommontoshowsuperiorityof“gods”withmilitarysuccesses• GoldandSilvervessels(2Chr36:7;Jer27:19-20;Dan5:2)
– TheLordgaveIsraeltoBabylon–Why?• Violence,iniquity,strife,contention:Hab1:1-11• Unrighteousness,covetousness,oppressionandviolence:Jer22:13-19• Godcontrolswhoisandisnotplacedintopositionsofauthority(Dan2:37)
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Daniel1:3-4• “3ThenthekinginstructedAshpenaz,themasterofhiseunuchs,
tobringsomeofthechildrenofIsraelandsomeoftheking’sdescendantsandsomeofthenobles,4youngmeninwhomtherewasnoblemish,butgood-looking,giftedinallwisdom,possessingknowledgeandquicktounderstand,whohadabilitytoserveintheking’spalace,andwhomtheymightteachthelanguageandliteratureoftheChaldeans.”– DanielandhisfriendsweremadeeunuchsinNebuchadnezzar'scourtas
prophesiedtoKingHezekiah(2Ki20:17-18;Is39:7)
– JosephandMoseshadsimilarexperiences.Anintentionalplanforassimilationintoanewculture.(Gen41:45;Ex2:10;Acts7:22;Heb11:24-27)
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Daniel1:5• “Andthekingappointedforthemadailyprovisionoftheking’s
delicaciesandofthewinewhichhedrank,andthreeyearsoftrainingforthem,sothatattheendofthattimetheymightservebeforetheking.”– Delicaciesandwine:Theseliterallyincludedforbiddenfoodsand
fermentedwine,bothofwhichhadbeenofferedtoidols(Lev11)• Spiritually,“delicaciesandwine”representfalsedoctrines.“BabylonwasagoldencupintheLord’shand,Thatmadealltheearthdrunk.Thenationsdrankherwine;Thereforethenationsarederanged.”Jer51:7(Is5:11-12;21:9;66:3-4;Jer16:18;25:15-16,28;51:51,57;Eze5:6-11;11:18,21;18:10-13;23:31-34;Dan5;Matt
15:1-9;23:27-28;Mark7:1-8;Luke5:37-38;Rev17:4)“…youhavemadethecommandmentofGodofnoeffectbyyourtradition…invaintheyworshipMe,teachingasdoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen.”Matt15:6,9
! RefusingallfoodofferedtoidolswasaspiritualtestfortheHebrewcaptives
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Daniel1:6-7• “6NowfromamongthoseofthesonsofJudahwereDaniel,
Hananiah,Mishael,andAzariah.7Tothemthechiefoftheeunuchsgavenames:hegaveDanielthenameBelteshazzar;toHananiah,Shadrach;toMishael,Meshach;andtoAzariah,Abed-Nego.”– “Amongthose”:TherewereotherHebrewmenthatevidentlydidnot
standfortruth
– Daniel:18Yearsold(born623BC)– RenamingtheHebrewcaptiveswasaformofculturalassimilation(2Ki
24:17;Dan4:8;5:12)• PharaohdidthesametoJoseph(Gen41:45)
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Daniel1:8-10• “8ButDanielpurposedinhisheartthathewouldnotdefile
himselfwiththeportionoftheking’sdelicacies,norwiththewinewhichhedrank;thereforeherequestedofthechiefoftheeunuchsthathemightnotdefilehimself.9NowGodhadbroughtDanielintothefavorandgoodwillofthechiefoftheeunuchs.10AndthechiefoftheeunuchssaidtoDaniel,“Ifearmylordtheking,whohasappointedyourfoodanddrink.Forwhyshouldheseeyourfaceslookingworsethantheyoungmenwhoareyourage?Thenyouwouldendangermyheadbeforetheking.”– Danielpurposedinhisheart,meaningheresolvedtobefaithfultoGod
byHisgrace(Is50:7;Phil2:13).Herefusedtobedefiledbythemeatandwineprovided.(Ex34:12-15;Deut32:37-38;Ps17:3;141:4;Prov23:1-3;20:1;23:29-35;Eze4:13;Hos9:3;1Cor6:19-20;10:31;Rev14:8)
– GodinfluencedtheprisonkeeperofJosephfavorably(Gen39:21;Ps106:46;Prov16:7)
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Daniel1:11-14• “11SoDanielsaidtothestewardwhomthechiefoftheeunuchs
hadsetoverDaniel,Hananiah,Mishael,andAzariah,12“Pleasetestyourservantsfortendays,andletthemgiveusvegetablestoeatandwatertodrink.13Thenletourappearancebeexaminedbeforeyou,andtheappearanceoftheyoungmenwhoeattheportionoftheking’sdelicacies;andasyouseefit,sodealwithyourservants.”14Soheconsentedwiththeminthismatter,andtestedthemtendays.”– God’screationdiet(100%plant-based)wasrequestedbyDaniel,
Hananiah,Mishael,andAzariah(Gen1:29-30;Ps104:14:Rev21:4;22:2)• Thoughpermittedtoeat“clean”meat,Danielandfriendschosetoabstainfromallmeatknowingthatitwouldbeimpossibletodescribethedifferencetopeoplewhodidn’tknowthetrueGod
– Wateronly:JesusisthelivingWater(Ps1:3;John4:14;7:37-39;Rev21:6;22:1,17)– Tendays:Probation,testing(Rev2:10)
! Thissamesituationisbeingrepeatednow
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Daniel1:15-17• “15Andattheendoftendaystheirfeaturesappearedbetterand
fatterinfleshthanalltheyoungmenwhoatetheportionoftheking’sdelicacies.16Thusthestewardtookawaytheirportionofdelicaciesandthewinethattheyweretodrink,andgavethemvegetables.17Asforthesefouryoungmen,Godgavethemknowledgeandskillinallliteratureandwisdom;andDanielhadunderstandinginallvisionsanddreams.”– Fatterinflesh:ThesameHebrewwordusedinGen41:18“fatfleshed”
likewisedescribingtheblessingeachnationwouldreceivethroughmenlivingaccordingtothecreationdietanddietofHeaven(vegan)
– GodwillprovidewisdomandunderstandingwhenweearnestlyseekitandbylivingaccordingtoallthelightGodhasprovided(Deut4:6;1Ki3:12;Job28:28;38:36;Ps19:10;111:10;Prov1:7;2:6;9:10;15:33;Dan9:22;10:11-12;Eph1:16-18;Col2:2-3;James1:5,17)
– DreamsandvisionsareusedbyGodtocommunicate(Dan10:1;Joel2:28;Acts12:6)
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Daniel1:18-20• “18Nowattheendofthedays,whenthekinghadsaidthatthey
shouldbebroughtin,thechiefoftheeunuchsbroughttheminbeforeNebuchadnezzar.19Thenthekinginterviewedthem,andamongthemallnonewasfoundlikeDaniel,Hananiah,Mishael,andAzariah;thereforetheyservedbeforetheking.20Andinallmattersofwisdomandunderstandingaboutwhichthekingexaminedthem,hefoundthemtentimesbetterthanallthemagiciansandastrologerswhowereinallhisrealm.”– Danielusesbothliteralandsymbolicterms.ThereferencetoDanieland
histhreefriendsbeing"ten"timesbetterissymbolicofasignificantnumberorobviousdifference.The"beasts"ofDaniel7and8alsoaresymbolicofbothkingsandkingdomsthatpersecuteGod'speople.NoticeGodprovidedwisdomandunderstandingasaresultoftheirfaith.Thesameisnecessarytodaytointerpretthe"timeoftheend"prophecies(Ps111:10;James1:5,17;Rev13:18)
! “…andhavetemptedmenowthesetentimes,andhavenothearkenedtomyvoice”Num14:22
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Daniel1:21• “ThusDanielcontinueduntilthefirstyearofKingCyrus.”
– DanielrecordshisministrythroughoutthereignofBabylon,continuingafterKingCyrusoftheMedesandPersianstookdirectcontrolin537BC,followingthereignofDariustheMede(539/538BC)(Dan6:28;10:1)• Some150yearsearlier,IsaiahprophesiedofKingCyrus(himselfa“type”ofChrist):“WhosaysofCyrus,‘HeisMyshepherd,AndheshallperformallMypleasure,SayingtoJerusalem,“Youshallbebuilt,”Andtothetemple,“Yourfoundationshallbelaid.”’“ThussaystheLordtoHisanointed,ToCyrus,whoserighthandIhaveheld—TosubduenationsbeforehimAndloosethearmorofkings,Toopenbeforehimthedoubledoors,Sothatthegateswillnotbeshut…”Is44:28-45:1
! Ezrarecordsthat“…theLordstirredupthespiritofCyruskingofPersia…”torebuildthetemple,sendingallthegoldandsilvervesselsbackwithSheshbazzar/Zerubbabel(Ezra1:1,7-11).ThisactionfulfilledtheprophecyofJeremiahthatthecaptiveswouldbereleased70yearsfollowingthefirstexile.(Jer25:11-12;29:10)
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OurMissionastheRemnant
• “WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(Rev19:10)– Theunderstandingofprophecyisacalltoaction;tosharethegospelof
everlastinglifethrougharelationshipwithJesus,proclaimingthe3angels’messageofRev14:6-12
• “…obeyGod’scommandments”(Rev12:17)and“Worshiphimwhomadetheheavens,theearth,theseaandthespringsofwater.”(Rev14:7)
• “…EveryonewhokeepsfromdefilingtheSabbath,AndholdsfastMycovenant—EventhemIwillbringtoMyholymountain,AndmakethemjoyfulinMyhouseofprayer.(Is56:6-7)
• “Beholy…blameless”(1Pet1:16-19;2Pet3:10-14)
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Hewhotestifiestothesethingssays,“SurelyIamcomingquickly.”Amen.Evenso,come,LordJesus!Revelation22:20
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AdditionalInformationIamindebtedtoTimRoosenbergwhohasstudiedDaniel11-12sincetheearly2000’sand
hasdedicatedhisministrytoprovidingpeoplewithknowledgeofthetimesthatwelivethroughseminarsandhiswebsite;http://www.islamandchristianity.org
IamalsoindebtedtotwoindividualswhomhavededicatedtheirlivesinastudyofRevelation17sincethelate1990’s.Theirwebsite,http://666man.net,providessignificantdepthonthemanyrelatedBiblepassagesandpropheciesthatcorrelatecompletelytothepropheciesofDaniel
Foranexcellentversebyversecommentarysee:http://www.bibleexplained.com
ForadeepperspectiveofhowRevelationrepresentsthespiritualfulfillmentofmuchoftheOldTestamentsee:LouisF.Were,TheCertaintyofthe3rdAngel’sMessage,1945
EllenGouldWhitewasaprolificauthorandanAmericanChristianpioneer.AlongwithotherSabbatarianAdventistleaderssuchasJosephBatesandherhusbandJamesWhite,sheformedwhatbecameknownastheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.TheSmithsonianmagazinenamedEllenG.Whiteamong100MostSignificantAmericansinanacknowledgementofherinfluenceonreligion.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_G._White
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel! “ReadthebookofDaniel.Callup,pointbypoint,thehistoryofthekingdoms
thererepresented.Beholdstatesmen,councils,powerfularmies,andseehowGodwroughttoabasetheprideofmenandlayhumangloryinthedust.Godaloneisrepresentedasgreat.InthevisionoftheprophetHeisseencastingdownonemightyruler,andsettingupanother.Heisrevealedasthemonarchoftheuniverse,abouttosetupHiseverlastingkingdom—theAncientofdays,thelivingGod,theSourceofallwisdom,theRulerofthepresent,theRevealerofthefuture.Read,andunderstandhowpoor,howfrail,howshortlived,howerring,howguiltyisman<inliftinguphissouluntovanity.>ThelightthatDanielreceiveddirectfromGodwasgivenespeciallyfortheselastdays.ThevisionshesawbythebanksoftheUlaiandtheHiddekel,thegreatriversofShinar,arenowinprocessoffulfillment,andalltheeventsforetoldwillsoonhavecometopass.”{Lt57-1896.5-7}– Ulai:Daniel8:2,16– Hiddekel:Daniel10:4(Gen2:14)
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel! “Asapeopleandasindividualsweneedtohaveadeepersenseofourdutyto
Godandourresponsibilitytotheworld.ThereshouldbemoreearneststudyoftheScriptures.IhavebeendeeplyimpressedwiththeimportanceofstudyingthebookofDanielinconnectionwiththesmallerprophets,especiallyMalachi.Andweneedtogivecarefulattentionalsotothelessonstaughtinthebuildingofthetabernacleandthetemple,andinthetempleservice.ThroughtheprophetsGodhasgivenadelineationofwhatwillcometopassinthelastdaysofthisearth’shistory,andtheJewisheconomyisfullofinstructionforus.”{RHNovember10,1896,par.11}
– “WearetobecomefamiliarwiththeLeviticallawinallitsbearings;foritcontainsrulesthatmustbeobeyed;itcontainstheinstructionthatifstudiedwillenableustounderstandbettertheruleoffaithandpracticethatwearetofollowinourdealingswithoneanother.”{Lt3-1905.11}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel! “InGod’sprovidence,Danielandhisfellowswereconnectedwiththegreat
menofBabylon,thatthesemenmightbecomeacquaintedwiththereligionoftheHebrewsandknowthatGodrulesoverallkingdoms.DanielinBabylonwasplacedinamosttryingposition;butwhilefaithfullyperforminghisdutiesasastatesman,hesteadfastlyrefusedtoengageinanyworkthatwouldmilitateagainstGod.Thiscourseprovokeddiscussion,andthustheLordbroughtthefaithofDanieltotheattentionofthekingofBabylon.GodhadlightforNebuchadnezzar,andthroughDanielwerepresentedtothekingthingsforetoldinthepropheciesconcerningBabylonandotherkingdoms.BytheinterpretationofNebuchadnezzar’sdream,Jehovahwasexaltedasmorepowerfulthanearthlyrulers.Thus,throughthefaithfulnessofDaniel,Godwashonored.InlikemannertheLorddesiresthatourpublishinghousesshallwitnessforHim.”{7T161.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDaniel&Revelation! “Brethren,theLordcallsforcopartnershipinhiswork.Hedesiresustoenlist
ourinterestsinhiscause,asDanieldid.WeshouldreceivegreatbenefitsfromastudyofthebookofDanielinconnectionwiththeRevelation.Danielstudiedtheprophecies.Heearnestlysoughttoknowtheirmeaning.Heprayedandfastedforheavenlylight.AndthegloryofGodwasrevealedtohiminevengreatermeasurethanhecouldendure.Weareinequalneedofdivineillumination.Godhascalledustogivethelastmessageofwarningtotheworld.TherewillbevoicesheardoneverysidetodiverttheattentionofGod’speoplewithnewtheories.Weneedtogivethetrumpetacertainsound.Wedonothalfrealizewhatisbeforeus.IfthebooksofDanielandtheRevelationwerestudiedwithearnestprayer,weshouldhaveabetterknowledgeoftheperilsofthelastdays,andwouldbebetterpreparedfortheworkbeforeus—weshouldbepreparedtounitewithChristandtoworkinhislines.”{RHFebruary9,1897,par.13}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1! “ConsiderthecircumstancesoftheJewishnationwhenthepropheciesof
Danielweregiven.TheIsraeliteswereincaptivity,theirtemplehadbeendestroyed,theirtempleservicesuspended.Theirreligionhadcenteredintheceremoniesofthesacrificialsystem.Theyhadmadetheoutwardformsallimportant,whiletheyhadlostthespiritoftrueworship.Theirserviceswerecorruptedwiththetraditionsandpracticesofheathenism,andintheperformanceofthesacrificialritestheydidnotlookbeyondtheshadowtothesubstance.TheydidnotdiscernChrist,theTrueOfferingforthesinsofmen.TheLordwroughttobringthepeopleintocaptivity,andtosuspendtheservicesofthetemple,inorderthattheoutwardceremoniesmightnotbecomethesum-totaloftheirreligion.Theirprinciplesandpracticesmustbepurgedfromheathenism,theritualserviceceased,inorderthatheartservicemightberevived.Theoutwardglorywasremoved,thatthespiritualmightberevealed.”{Lt57-1896.8}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:6! “Danielwastrue,noble,andgenerous.Whilehewasanxioustobeatpeace
withallmen,hewouldnotpermitanypowertoturnhimasidefromthepathofduty.Hewaswillingtoobeythosewhohadruleoverhim,asfarashecoulddosoconsistentlywithtruthandrighteousness;butkingsanddecreescouldnotmakehimswervefromhisallegiancetotheKingofkings.DanielwasbuteighteenyearsoldwhenbroughtintoaheathencourtinservicetothekingofBabylon,andbecauseofhisyouthhisnobleresistanceofwrongandhissteadfastadherencetotherightarethemoreadmirable.Hisnobleexampleshouldbringstrengthtothetriedandtempted,evenatthepresentday.{4T570.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:8! “WhenDanielwasinBabylon,hewasbesetwithtemptationsofwhichwe
haveneverdreamed,andherealizedthathemustkeephisbodyunder.Hepurposedinhisheartthathewouldnotdrinkoftheking’swineoreatofhisdainties.Heknewthatinordertocomeoffavictor,hemusthaveclearmentalperceptions,thathemightdiscernbetweenrightandwrong.Whilehewasworkingonhispart,Godworkedalso,andgavehim“knowledgeandskillinalllearningandwisdom;andDanielhadunderstandinginallvisionsanddreams.”ThisisthewayGodworkedforDaniel;andhedoesnotproposetodoanydifferentlynow.Manmustco-operatewithGodincarryingouttheplanofsalvation.”{RHApril2,1889,par.7}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:8! “TheservantsofChristaretorelyuponGodasdidDanielinthecourtsof
Babylon.Danielknewthevalueofprayer,itsaim,anditsobject;andtheprayerswhichheandhisthreecompanionsofferedtoGodafterbeingchosenbythekingforthecourtsofBabylon,wereanswered.TherewasanotherclassofcaptivescarriedintoBabylon.ThesetheLordpermittedtobetornfromtheirhomes,andcarriedintoalandofidolaters,becausetheywerethemselvescontinuallygoingintoidolatry.TheLordletthemhavealltheydesiredoftheidolatrouspractisesofBabylon.AndtherighteouswiththeunrighteousweretakenawayintoalandwherethenameofJehovahwouldnotcometotheirears;wheresongsofpraiseandthanksgivingtoGodwouldnotbeheard;whereprophetswithmessagesofwarningsandreproofandcounselwouldbefewandfarbetween.TheyouthhaveanexampleinDaniel,andiftheyaretruetoprincipleandtoduty,theywillbeinstructedasDanielwas.Asthewisdomoftheworldviewedthematter,DanielandhisthreecompanionshadeveryadvantagesecuredtotheminthecourtsofBabylon,butitwasherethattheirfirstgreattestwastocome.Theirprinciplesweretocomeintocollisionwiththeregulationsandappointmentsoftheking.”{YIAugust18,1898,par.4-6}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:8! “AndnowasDanielandhisfellowswerebroughttothetest,theyplaced
themselvesfullyonthesideofrighteousnessandtruth.Theydidnotmovecapriciously,butintelligently.Theydecidedthatasflesh-meathadnotcomposedtheirdietinthepast,itshouldnotcomeintotheirdietinthefuture,andaswinehadbeenprohibitedtoallwhoshouldengageintheserviceofGod,theydeterminedthattheywouldnotpartakeofit.ThefateofthesonsofAaronhadbeenpresentedbeforethem,andtheyknewthattheuseofwinewouldconfusetheirsenses,thattheindulgenceofappetitewouldbecloudtheirpowersofdiscernment.TheseparticularswereplacedonrecordinthehistoryofthechildrenofIsraelasawarningtoeveryyouthtoavoidallcustomsandpractisesandindulgencesthatwouldinanywaydishonorGod.”{YIAugust18,1898,par.9}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:8! “Danielandhiscompanionsknewnotwhatwouldbetheresultoftheir
decision;theyknewnotbutthatitwouldcostthemtheirlives;buttheydeterminedtokeepthestraightpathofstricttemperanceevenwheninthecourtsoflicentiousBabylon.TheyrestedtheircaseinthehandsofGod,andtheLordco-operatedwiththem.Hetookchargeoftheseyouthbecausetheyprayedtohim,andsoughthisguidanceinregardtothecoursetheyshouldpursue.”{YIAugust18,1898,par.10}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:17! “WhenthefourHebrewyouthwerereceivinganeducationfortheking’scourt
inBabylon,theydidnotfeelthattheblessingoftheLordwasasubstituteforthetaxingeffortrequiredofthem.Theywerediligentinstudy;fortheydiscernedthatthroughthegraceofGodtheirdestinydependedupontheirownwillandaction.Theyweretobringalltheirabilitytothework;andbyclose,severetaxationoftheirpowers,theyweretomakethemostoftheiropportunitiesforstudyandlabor.Whiletheseyouthwereworkingouttheirownsalvation,Godwasworkinginthemtowillandtodoofhisgoodpleasure.Herearerevealedtheconditionsofsuccess.TomakeGod’sgraceourown,wemustactourpart.TheLorddoesnotproposetoperformforuseitherthewillingorthedoing…TheLordwillco-operatewithallwhoearnestlystrivetobefaithfulinhisservice,asheco-operatedwithDanielandhisthreecompanions.Finementalqualitiesandahightoneofmoralcharacterarenottheresultofaccident.Godgivesopportunities;successdependsupontheusemadeofthem.TheopeningsofProvidencemustbequicklydiscernedandeagerlyentered.”{YIAugust20,1903,par.3-5}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:17! “ThegreatmenofBabylonwerewillingtobebenefitedbytheinstructionthat
GodgavethroughDaniel,tohelpthekingoutofhisdifficultybytheinterpretationofhisdream.ButtheywereanxioustomixintheirheathenreligionwiththatoftheHebrews.”HadDanielandhisfellowsconsentedtosuchacompromise,theywould,intheviewoftheBabylonians,havebeencompleteasstatesmen,fittobeentrustedwiththeaffairsofthekingdom.ButthefourHebrewsenteredintonosucharrangement.TheyweretruetoGod,andGodupheldthemandhonoredthem.Thelessonisforus.“SeekyefirstthekingdomofGod,andHisrighteousness;andallthesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou.[Matthew6:33.]”{Lt57-1896.13-14}
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EllenWhiteCommentsDan1:20! “SoinDanielGodplacedalightbesidethethroneoftheworld’sgreatest
kingdom,thatallwhowouldmightlearnofthetrueandlivingGod.AtthecourtofBabylonweregatheredrepresentativesfromalllands,menofthechoicesttalents,menthemostrichlyendowedwithnaturalgiftsandpossessedofthehighestculturethisworldcouldbestow;yetamidthemalltheHebrewcaptiveswerewithoutapeer.Inphysicalstrengthandbeauty,inmentalvigorandliteraryattainments,andinspiritualpowerandinsighttheystoodunrivaled.“Inallmattersofwisdomandunderstanding,thatthekinginquiredofthem,hefoundthemtentimesbetterthanallthemagiciansandastrologersthatwereinallhisrealm.”Daniel1:20.Whilefaithfultohisdutiesintheking’scourt,DanielsofaithfullymaintainedhisloyaltytoGodthatGodcouldhonorhimasHismessengertotheBabylonianmonarch.Throughhimthemysteriesofthefuturewereunfolded,andNebuchadnezzarhimselfwasconstrainedtoacknowledgetheGodofDaniel“asaGodofgods,andaLordofkings,andarevealerofsecrets.”Daniel2:47.”{6T220.1}
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