Daniel 1-4, August 15,2010

We had two for Wordlisteners, and we discussed the first four chapters of Daniel. While this book is widely known for prophecy in later chapters, it seems to give glimpses into the way anti-christ will be in the last days. Maybe I'm incorrect, but the similarities are striking between the way anti-christ will behave, and the way Nebuchadnezzar did behave.

Daniel Chapter 1

Daniel is about a time of exile, during Babylonian then MedoPersian rule of God's people. Some of the stories in there everyone is familiar with, but why has God let this book endure. The easy answer is for the prophesy, the more difficult answer I believe is that it will give glimpses into what life will be like in the last days before the millennial reign.

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and it was given into his hand. He took the best that was in the city back to Babylon, people and goods. In stead of being concerned with everyone, the king of Babylon an example of anti-christ was only interested in what he felt would serve him best.

Nebuchadnezzar then wanted to indoctrinate them (particularly the young) into the ways of the Chaldeans. This served him by getting him good officials for his kingdom and potentially and only slightly (which is all it takes) deflecting the identity as God's chosen people from the exiles.

Daniel and his friends stayed true to their beliefs, additionally this chapter has the best example of conflict resolution I have ever seen and it was written thousands of years ago. Daniel stated his case, proposed a test or method of resolution, gave another the final decision after the test results and left the rest up to God. He didn't manipulate (which is often done, or argue his case leaving out unflattering details), but rather was simple, straightforward, and timely. He left it for God to act, and not only did God protect His people, he blessed them.

In the last days people will be faced with seemingly easy choices that effectively deny God, what will they do? He is an answer – Trust Him. Daniel as a result of this continued through several rulers and kingdoms.

Daniel Chapter 2

Nebuchadnezzar had an unsettling dream. Interestingly he used it as a newer not so well established ruler to his advantage. The paranoia of being a new leader caused him to demand that the dream be told followed by the interpretation. He decreed that all the magicians conjurers and sorcerers be killed if there wasn't one that could tell his dream and the interpretation. Daniel was considered in this category. He was recognized for his ability, and since they didn't believe it was God led they assumed it was magic. These people had rightly told Nebuchadnezzar that they couldn't know his dream, for nobody knows what happens in another man's dreams. They did say the gods could, but only the true God can, because the others are not gods. Daniel heard about it because he was to be killed, and he asked for time. Then he went to his friends to get them to pray with him that God would show them.

As to end times the anti-christ will look for answers wherever he can find them, and he will be unsettled about things at least early on.

God revealed the dream and interpretation to Daniel. Daniel praised God and not just slightly, he was truly grateful and not just in a moment of passing. Daniel went to the person appointed for killing the now “wise” men and told him not to kill them. He was then taken to the king. He gave God all the credit and said that only God and not man could do what he had requested. His dream was a glance at world history. Four major kingdoms (Babylon being the first). That they are all mentioned together means a common thread of some sort. One of the common ties is that the final kingdom may have attributes of the first. In this case a very charismatic leader like Nebuchadnezzar.

The fourth kingdom is struck by a stone cut “without hands”, and all of the kingdoms become as chaff. Without hands may mean that man is not involved, God doesn't need our help, He is sovereign and what He wants to happen will. That the kingdoms become chaff mean there will be nothing lasting from them. Four thousand years of human history and nothing enduring that is human. The only enduring things are the things of God.

This stone (without hands) will become a kingdom and will endure. The Kingdom of God brought in under Rome (not called by name) by Jesus, and will endure forever. Jesus will reign on earth one thousand years.

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God, after listening to Daniel state the dream and interpretation. He promotes Daniel who remembers his three friends. The anti-christ will probably acknowledge God as does the devil. Acknowledging and following are not the same, a good thing to keep in mind.

Daniel Chapter 3

In the last chapter Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God, in this chapter he is having a bout of pride. The devil is proud, and it will lead to thinking you know better than God. Nebuchadnezzar makes a golden image, and requires people to bow down to it and the sound of music.

Daniel writes this but there is no mention of his presence, as being an important leader he may have been away on country business when this happened- its pure speculation. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were there however and they didn't bow. In this story those that didn't bow were to be thrown into the fiery furnace of a man. Very similar to those in the end times who won't be able to trade except by taking the mark of the beast. In the end times those that do bow and do take the mark of the beast will be thrown into God's lake of fire. So in Daniel we see that Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego had to make a decision (an action of faith) that shows they follow God. In the end times all will have to make that decision to follow God or do the easy thing and follow man.

God will take care of His people in the end times as He did for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They had to go through the fiery furnace, but its better to go into man's fiery furnace with God, than God's fiery furnace with man. In an attempt to make his point Nebuchadnezzar had the furnace heated seven times more than normal (7 years of tribulation- being in the furnace of tribulation??) and those that threw them in Daniel's friends were burned up. Nebuchadnezzar made a decree that anyone who spoke against God would be torn limb from limb and have their house destroyed. In the end times, the anti-christ will seemingly be one who calls for the protection of God's people the Jews.

Daniel Chapter 4

This starts out with Nebuchadnezzar praising God, declaring the wonders of God and his everlasting Kingdom. He then has another troubling dream. Unlike the first dream Nebuchadnezzar relates the dream to his wise men, but nobody is able to interpret it. He is feeling more secure as a leader at this point maybe? Daniel comes before him and rightly interprets the dream. Daniel is fearful to interpret because it is specifically about Nebuchadnezzar, and its not flattering, but he does it.

Nebuchadnezzar's pride will cause him to lose his mind and be driven from mankind for seven years. The mind of a beast will be given to him. In the tribulation period that lasts seven years the anti-christ will be given the mind of the beast (the devil), and his pride will be exceedingly great. A man with all the answers, full of human wisdom acknowledging God but not doing things God's way. This will deceive many.

Nebuchadnezzar will keep the mind of the beast until he acknowledges that God is in control and not himself. At which point the kingdom will be restored to him. The anti-christ will not acknowledge that God is in control and be destroyed at the end of the tribulation period. Daniel invites Nebuchadnezzar to repent and turn from his ways, practice (do) righteousness that maybe this will be avoided.

One year later it was fulfilled, just as described, and seven years later Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God and that He was in charge (even in his own personal life), and surpassing greatness was added. The Lord is able to humble the proud, even great leaders.