A Spiritual Foundation
1. Describe the characteristics of Daniel and the company.
Dan. 1:3 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;
Dan. 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science
Dan. 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Description of Daniel and the company:
Young people - children
Royalty - the king’s seed and of the princes
Physically and morally strong - no blemish (physically or morally)
Socially well balanced - well-favored
Intellectually wise - cunning in knowledge and understanding science
Vegetarian - ate pulse and water
Application Questions:
Since the Bible says that king Nebuchadnezzar wanted the best young people, who do you think will be attacked in the last days?
Based upon your observations of the description of Daniel and the company, who will be ready to stand in the final spiritual Babylonian captivity?
MONDAY/TUESDAY
The Early Tests
1. Observe how Babylon wanted to change the Hebrew young men.
Dan. 1:4 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.
Dan. 1:5 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.
Dan. 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Dan. 1:7 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.
Observation: Babylon tried to bring about...
Mental change by teaching them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans
Physical change by giving them Babylonian diet
Spiritual change by giving them Babylonian names
Application Question:
How will the final spiritual Babylon try to change God’s people in the last days?
How can you see God’s mental, physical, and spritual message in the Three Angels’ message?
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY
Agents of Hope in Babylon
1. Observe the process of conversion for Nebuchadnezzar from chapter one to four.
Dan. 1:19 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. Dan. 1:20 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.
Dan. 2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. Dan. 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Dan. 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.
Dan. 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: Dan. 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Observation:
Chapter One: Nebuchadnezzar saw the Hebrew young men possessed superior wisdom and understanding to the wise men of Babylon.
Chapter Two: Nebuchadnezzar saw that the Hebrew men worshipped a superior God than the wise men of Babylon worshipped.
Chapter Three: Nebuchadnezzar saw more powerful Being than himself.
Chapter Four: Nebuchadnezzar surrendered to the only true God of heaven.
Application Question: How can we be an agent of hope in the modern day of spiritual Babylon?
2. How did Daniel and the company help Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion experience?
Dan. 1:8 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.
Dan. 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Dan. 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: Dan. 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
Dan. 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Dan. 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. Dan. 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Answer: Daniel and/or the company…
Chapter One: …stood firm on the health and moral issues
Chapter Two: …weren’t ready to die. Therefore with courage and faith, they made their request before God.
Chapter Three: … was ready to die and not compromise the principle.
Application Questions:
Based upon the book of Daniel, how did Daniel and the company share the light in Babylon?
Based upon the above observation, what is more important, living the truth or sharing the truth?
Is it necessary to have the spirit of ‘ready to die for the truth’ in the last days? If so, then how do we develop that spirit today?
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