Daniel 7

Babylonian History
605BC Nebuchadnezzar invades Jerusalem (Takes Daniel & Friends)
553BC Belshazzar (son of Nabonidus) becomes co-regent with father
539BC Babylon overthrown by Darius the Mede
Daniel’s age in chapter 7: About 67 years old

The 5 Kingdoms (Compare with Chapter 2)

#1 Babylon (Head of Gold)
Like a lion…Wings of an eagle…Wings torn off…Lifted from the ground…Stood on two feet like a man…Heart of man was given to it

#2 Medo-Persia (Chest & Arms of Silver)
Looked like a bear…Raised up on one of its sides…Had 3 ribs in its mouth b/w its teeth…Told to ‘get up and eat’ its ‘fill of flesh’

#3 Greece (Belly & Thighs of Bronze)
Looked like a leopard…Had 4 wings on its back like a bird…Had 4 heads…Was given authority to rule

#4 Rome (Legs of Iron…Feet of Iron and Clay)
Terrifying & frightening & very powerful…Had large iron teeth…Crushed and devoured its victims…Trampled underfoot whatever was left…Different from the former beast…Had 10 horns (which represent 10 kings of the Roman empire 7:24a)

# 5 God (A Rock, Not from Human Hands)
His clothing was as white as snow…His hair was white like wool…His throne was flaming with fire…Its wheels were all ablaze…A river of fire was flowing before Him…Thousands upon thousands attended Him…10 Thousand times 10 Thousand stood before Him

LIVE ACTION

1. Another horn (little) came up (After them 7:24b)…The little horn had eyes like a man…The little horn had a mouth that spoke boastfully (against most high)…Looked more imposing than the other horn…Was waging war against the saints and defeating them (21, 25)…Will try to change the set times and laws…Saints will be handed over to him for time, times and half a time…Had Bronze claws

2. 3 of the first horns were uprooted (3 kings subdued by little horn)

3. Thrones were set in place and Ancient of Days took His seat…The court was seated and books were opened (judgment pronounced in favor of the saints…7:22a…taking away the power of the little horn forever)…The little horn continued to boast, but eventually the beast was slain, destroyed, and thrown to blazing fire…The other beasts had been stripped of authority, but remained for a time…One like the son of man coming with the clouds of heaven approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence…He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power…All peoples, nations, and men of every language worshipped Him…His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away…His kingdom will never be destroyed…The ‘saints’ possessed the kingdom (7:22b)…it was handed to them

Daniel 6

Daniel Was
Distinguished 3
Pure/Innocent 4
Trustworthy 4
Disciplined 10
Blessed 28

Worldly Wisdom Was
Unexceptional 3
Jealous 4
Conniving 4
Deceptive 7
Punished 24

Darius Was
Organized 1
Prideful 7
Rash 9
Regretful 18
Learner 26

Does faith always protect us physically? No (Hebrews 11:32-39a)

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39These were all commended for their faith

Daniel 5

Belzhazzar
1. Belzhazzar valued the here-and-now over history (2)
2. Belzhazzar valued pleasure of piety (2)
3. Belzhazzar was scared of God instead of fearful of Him (6)
4. Belzhazzar valued worldly wisdom over godly wisdom (7)
5. Belzhazzar valued power over humility (23)

Daniel
1. Daniel was known to have supernatural guidance (11)
2. Daniel was known to have wisdom/intelligence (11)
3. Daniel was known to have gifts/abilities (12)
4. Daniel was a giver, not a taker (17)
5. Daniel was blunt and told it like it was (22)

God
1. God saw the difference between Nebuchadnezzar and Belzhazzar (22)
2. God treated Belzhazzar differently because of what he knew (22)
3. God seems to always precede judgment with warning (22)
4. God overruled Belzhazzar with a mere finger (5)
5. God gives and takes away (18)

The Fall of Babylon- 539BC (30-31)
1. The city was considered impenetrable (60miles, 30 stories, 80 feet)
2. It was predicted by Isaiah 200 years in advance (Isaiah 45:1-2)
3. It was predicted by Daniel 60 years in advance (Daniel 2:39)
4. It was predicted by Daniel a few hours in advance (Daniel 5:28)
5. Its details become symbols for future judgments (Revelation 16:12)

Daniel 4

Practical Principles
1. Many people listen to the world 1st and the Word 2nd (6)
2. Worldly wisdom doesn’t satisfy (7)
3. People can spot the genuine article (8)
4. Knowledge of the truth doesn’t save us (28)
5. Pride and insanity often increase together (33)
6. God gives even the worst sinners opportunity to repent (34)

The Meaning of the Dream
1. Nebuchadnezzar had become very great (22)
2. His greatness was about to be taken away (25)
3. He would become like an animal (25)
4. He will eventually acknowledge God’s greatness (25)
5. His kingdom will be restored (26)

What issues did Daniel and his friends seem to compromise on
1. They agreed to be taken captive (1:3)
2. They agreed to learn the Babylonian language (1:4)
3. They agreed to read Babylonian literature (1:4)
4. They agreed to serve the King of Babylon (1:5)
5. They agreed to take on new names (1:7)

What issues did Daniel and his friends refuse to compromise on
1. They refused to defile themselves with royal food/wine (1:8)
2. They refused to worship an idol (3:18)
3. They refused to stop praying to God (6:10)