Have you EVER received a spiritual word from Jesus?
An outside confirmation to a prayer/decision you had to make?
Ever had a “Hand Writing on The Wall” moment?
Daniel & King Belshazzar did.
Let’s find out what Jesus wants us to KNOW about HIM & ALMIGHTY GOD
Let's find out what Jesus SHOWS/TEACHES...
Let’s find out what Jesus wants us to KNOW about Daniel 5&6


Turn with me now to DANIEL 5...

The Writing On the Wall
A disturbing message from God.

Verse 1-4 tells us Belshazzar’s great, blasphemous feast.
“Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.”

“Belshazzar the king”…when we come to Daniel 5, Nebuchadnezzar is NO LONGER the king of Babylon. How did it come from Nebuchadnezzar to Belshazzar? The ancient historian Berosus gives us the following order of events:

Nebuchadnezzar dies after a 43-year reign
His son, Evil-Merodach (described in 2 Kings 25:27-30 and Jeremiah 52:31-34) rules for only TWO years when he is assassinated by his brother-in-law Neriglassar, because his rule was arbitrary and licentious.
Neriglassar (mentioned as Nergalsharezer in Jeremiah 39:3; 39:13) rules for four years until he dies a natural death.
His son, Laborosoarchod, only a child and of diminished mental capacity, rules for only NINE months when he his beaten to death by a gang of conspirators.
The conspirators appoint Nabonidus, one of their gang, to be king. He rules until Cyrus the Persian conquers Babylon.

For a long time, historians and archaeologists knew that Nabonidus was said to be the LAST king of Babylon, not Belshazzar (who was Nabonidus’ eldest son). The solution to this so-called discrepancy was apparent when evidence was uncovered indicating not only Belshazzar’s association with Nabonidus on the throne, but also demonstrating that during the last part of his reign Nabonidus lived in Arabia and left the conduct of the kingdom of Babylon to his eldest son Belshazzar.

There was no additional mention of Belshazzar, the eldest son and co-regent with Nabonidus, until the Nabonidus Cylinder was discovered in this century. It is now displayed in the British Museum.

According to Babylonian records, Belshazzar became CO-REGENT in the third year of Nabonidus’ reign (553 b.c.) and continued in that capacity till the fall of Babylon (539 b.c.).

It is most likely that at the time of Daniel 5, Nabonidus had gone out to fight the Medo-Persian army, and had been already captured. Those armies now surrounded Babylon, and were looking for a way into the strongly defended city.

“Made a great feast for a thousand of his lords”…tells us Belshazzar was NOT afraid or even WORRIED over the siege surrounding the city. He was confident because of Babylon’s impressive defenses and his vast supplies.

WHY? Well, conservative calculations set the dimensions of the ancient city of Babylon like this:

The outer walls were 17 miles long.
These walls were 22 feet thick and 90 feet high.
The outer walls had guard towers another 100 feet high.
The city gates were made of bronze.
A system of inner and outer walls and moats made the city very secure.

Nebuchadnezzar was NOT the direct father of Belshazzar. Either he was his grandfather through his mother’s side, or he was his father in the sense of having previously occupied the throne Belshazzar now sat on. Either usage of the term father was accepted in ancient times.

The scene of partying while a hostile army surrounds the city reminds us of the spirit of our age. Many today carry the idea that the best response to the seeming danger of the times is to FORGET ABOUT IT and ESCAPE INTO THE PARTY/PLEASURE MODE.

Listen, God does NOT condemn having a good time, but can HE be glorified in it? Can God be invited to your party? If not…..do NOT attend or host it.

In Ephesians 5:18 Paul calls drunkenness & dissipation are a WASTE of resources that should be submitted to Jesus.

“They brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem”…tells us Belshazzar was STUPID enough to not only lose all semblance of self-control at this party, but also to openly MOCK God. He committed the sin of sacrilege, something few people are concerned with today.

Belshazzar BROUGHT these past trophies TO the party to probably CHEER up & BOOST morale.

In Babylon, a large court - 56 by 170 feet - has been unearthed, decorated with Greek columns. This is probably where the feast of Daniel 5 took place.

Verse 5 tells us God writes a message on a wall.
“In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”

God can and sometimes does communicate to man in unexpected and even shocking ways. Here, a hand mysteriously appears and writes on the wall. Since, Jesus Christ is the HUMAN form of Almighty God, it WAS Jesus’ hand & fingers they SAW!

This, of course, is where we get our proverbial phrase “the writing on the wall.”

Verses 6-9 tells us Belshazzar’s reaction to the message, and his call for someone to interpret it.
“Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.”

“The joints of his hips were loosed and his knees knocked”…Daniel’s vivid description shows us that Belshazzar WAS terrified. But WHO could blame him? His carefree partying was so shallow that it turned from merry to terrified in a moment.
Suffice to say, THIS party ENDED in a nanosecond…ONLY Jesus Christ is ABLE to sober a drunk mob up in a BLINK…He SURE did it here, did HE not?

This ALSO shows that Belshazzar’s conscience WAS active beneath his energetic WORLDLY-FOCUSED partying.

WHY do we KNOW this?

Because IF Belshazzar could NOT understand the writing, WHY should it trouble him so? It troubled him because his own conscience testified AGAINST him.

Archaeologists HAVE discovered why Belshazzar offered the interpreter of the dream the third place in the kingdom. The REAL king was Nabonidus, and his son Belshazzar ruled as SECOND in the kingdom. Belshazzar couldn’t give away the second place in the kingdom, because he WAS the second in the kingdom at the time. The best he had to offer was the third place.

When Daniel comes to interpret these words, it doesn’t seem so hard to figure out. It may be that God deliberately put a veil over the minds of these men so Daniel would be called or like other Biblical scholars, they believe the wise men could NOT read the writing BECAUSE it WAS in Hebrew.

Verses 10-12 tells us Daniel is recommended as an interpreter of the message.
“The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father; your father the king; made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

This queen (or queen mother) MOST LIKELY WAS Belshazzar’s mother, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar.

When the wise men were called to explain the writing on the wall to Belshazzar, Daniel apparently was NOT called. It seems that Daniel was semi-retired, still holding a government office yet “out of the loop.”

Notice that the queen mother REFERS to Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, BY his Jewish name “DANIEL” is showing respect for his faith and background.

Verses 13-16 tell us Belshazzar asks Daniel to interpret the message.
“Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

When everything SEEMS great - when the party IS going non-stop - God and His servants are MOCKED, NEGLECTED, AND HIDDEN AWAY. But when the hand of heaven writes on the walls of one’s life a sobering message, panic-stricken LOST WORLD PEOPLE cry out for the one who HAS/KNOWS/BELIEVES in the Spirit of God.

“I have heard of you”…Since Belshazzar didn’t think to call for Daniel himself, it seems that his “hearing” of Daniel was either long ago or just now by the queen mother.

Verses 17-23 Daniel interprets the writing & describes Belshazzar’s sinful pride.
“Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.”

“Let your gifts be for yourself”…Remember that Daniel WAS troubled when he had to give Nebuchadnezzar bad news in Daniel 4. NOT with Belshazzar. Daniel is NOT impressed with this successor of Nebuchadnezzar.

“You his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this”…WHY is Daniel so harsh? Because Belshazzar should have KNOWN better. Even if he was not raised in a godly home, Romans 1 reminds us that all men know of God through creation. Belshazzar should have KNOWN even more through God’s dealings with Nebuchadnezzar and through Daniel. We are ALL responsible to honor God according to what revelation we HAVE.

The breath of the creature should praise the Creator, but Belshazzar blasphemed God with his breath. The ways of the creature should glorify the Creator, but Belshazzar used his ways to mock and offend God. Every creature owes something to the Creator.

Verses 24-28 tells us Daniel tells Belshazzar that God’s judgment is at the door.
“Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. And this is the inscription that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. This is the interpretation of each word.

Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;

Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;

Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."

EACH word stands for a short sentence; mene signifies numeration; tekel, weighing; and peres, division.

God had Belshazzar’s number, and it fell short.
God weighed Belshazzar, and he came up light.
God would therefore divide Belshazzar’s kingdom to the Medes and the Persians.

A mighty army and brilliant tactics overcame The Babylonian Empire, yet it FELL FROM WITHIN. The armies of the Medes and Persians could ONLY conquer because Belshazzar and his kingdom were found LACKING in spiritual and moral value.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus relates that the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon by diverting the flow of the Euphrates into a nearby swamp. This lowered the level of the river so his troops marched through the water and under the river-gates. They still would not have been able to enter had not the bronze gates of the inner walls been left inexplicably unlocked. This was exactly what God predicted in Isaiah 44:28-45:7 and Jeremiah 51:57-58. God OPENED THE GATES of the city of Babylon for Cyrus, and put it in writing 200 years BEFORE it happened!

In October 539 bc, Cyrus advanced into lower Mesopotamia and, leaving Babylon till last, conquered and occupied the surrounding territory. Seeing which way the wind was blowing, Nabonidus of Babylon deserted his city, leaving it in the charge of his son Belshazzar . . . the taking of Babylon was as bloodless and effortless as Daniel 5 implies.
The fall of MYSTERY Babylon will be like the fall of real Babylon - sudden, sure, and in the midst of her WORST blasphemies.

Strauss, a wonderful Bible scholar said it best, “Empires do not stand by human might, man-made machines and missiles. There is not a wall high enough nor thick enough to prevent a nation from falling when God pronounces that nation’s doom.”

Verses 29 tells us Daniel is promoted.
“Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

WHY did Belshazzar so quickly reward Daniel for such harsh words? Either Belshazzar KNEW that Daniel was right, and bravely tried to do the best under the inevitable circumstances or MORE LIKE he disbelieved the whole thing and promoted Daniel in a display of big-hearted fun/mockery.

Daniel held this post of THIRD RULER OF THE EMPIRE…for only a FEW hours. This shows how temporary the awards and accolades of this world are. In the kingdom that succeeded Belshazzar Daniel was also promoted, but that was due to God, not to Belshazzar.

Verses 30-31 tells us of the death of Belshazzar and the rise of Darius the Mede.
“That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.”

The word was fulfilled EXACTLY as Daniel said. God’s word is ALWAYS reliable and true.
Darius was a sub-king under Cyrus the Persian. He is referred to in secular history as Gubaru.


Turn with me now to DANIEL 6...

Daniel 6 - In the Lion’s Den

This has long been a BELOVED Bible story from children to adults. There are SO MANY dramatic features in this story - the jealousy of political subordinates; the vanity of a king; the integrity of a man; the power and preservation of God; and some wild animals and violence!

How Daniel was condemned to the lion’s den.

Verese 1-3 tells us Daniel’s PLACE in the government of Darius.
“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”

Interestingly enough, secular history of this period has NO record of a ruler named Darius. There are THREE POSSIBLE explanations for the Darius of Daniel 6.

It MAY BE that Darius is ANOTHER name for Cyrus, who ruled of the Medo-Persian Empire during this period.

It MAY BE that Darius was actually Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who served under his father as a ruler of Babylon and later inherited the throne of the entire empire.

OR it MAY BE that Darius is an ancient official known as Gubaru in ancient documents, whom Cyrus appointed as ruler over Babylon immediately after its capture. MOST BIBLE SCHOLARS believe that Gubaru IS the SAME person as Darius. They believe "Darius" may be an honorific title meaning, "holder of the scepter."

WHY? Because ANCIENT SECULAR documents show that the man Gubaru HAD the power to make appointments, to assemble an army, to levy taxes, and to possess palaces. Gubaru (Darius) was, in a very real sense, the king over Babylon.

Daniel WAS one of three leaders directly under Darius, and he shined above the other two leaders because he had an EXCELLENT spirit. Daniel had a GOOD attitude in his work and life and this made him the object of attack.

Verses 4-9 tells us a plot against Daniel is conceived and initiated.
“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God." So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.”
Daniel was such a FAITHFUL man that those who sought to find a FLAW in his actions or character came up EMPTY-HANDED.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Sometimes TODAY a candidate or nominee for office will be set under this kind of scrutiny - imagine looking as hard as you could at a public servant who had been in office some 50 years and finding NOTHING wrong. NO fraudulent expense accounts. NO intern scandals. NO questionable business deals. NO gifts from lobbyists. NO accusations from his staff.

The Bible tells us there were NO SKELETONS in Daniel’s closet. His enemies were left to MAKE UP LIES. And we ALL know satan and the world and mankind have NO PROBLEM making up lies to suit their evil/unjust purposes, do they?

Make NO mistake here, this does NOT imply that Daniel was sinless, but that he WAS a man of great integrity. We can also say that Daniel was especially blameless in the conduct of his professional life.

Daniel did NOT hide HIS FAITH IN GOD. EVERYONE KNEW WHOM DANIEL SERVED, TRUSTED, & BELIEVED IN. They knew he could not be TRAPPED into evil, but they also knew that he would BE faithful to his God in all circumstances.

Do others know the same about us?

But Daniel’s enemies ALSO KNEW Darius. The WEAK SPOT they found was in DARIUS’ PRIDE & DESIRES for a unified kingdom, NOT in Daniel.

THIS CHAPTER OF DANIEL….shows us to be WARY of excessive praise and flattery…that it MAY have a HIDDEN EVIL/UNJUST motive behind it.
Of course, they LIED when they said ALL the governors, because Daniel WAS ONE of the governors and he was NOT consulted.

It was an established principle in the Medo-Persian Empire that when a king formally signed and instituted a decree, it was so binding that NOT EVEN the king himself could CHANGE it.

The decrees of a Persian king were unchangeable because he was thought to speak for the gods, who could never be wrong and never needed to change their minds.

Darius STUPIDLY & ARROGANTLY signed the decree.

Verses 10-15 tells us Daniel’s faithfulness TO GOD causes him to be condemned to the lion’s den.
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Daniel was confronted with a TEST of HIS TRUE loyalties. He WANTED to render unto Caesar things that RIGHTFULLY belonged to Caesar but he WOULD NOT give to the government that which BELONGED to God ALONE.

Others might have considered it risky for Daniel pray as was his custom. Daniel knew that the SAFEST thing he COULD do was radically OBEY God.

It isn’t hard to see WHY people are men-pleasers; it seems as if people have the power to hire or fire us; to break our hearts; to slander us; to make our lives generally miserable. The power to obey God and stand for Him comes from a settled understanding that JESUS CHRIST REALLY IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS.

Daniel REFUSED TO LET the decree change his actions one way or another. He didn't PRAY MORE OR LESS; he simply CONTINUED HIS WALK/PRAYER/PRAISE OF GOD.

So what WAS Daniel's custom in praying?

1. He prayed in his UPPER ROOM - this was private prayer, made with no intention to impress others.
2. He prayed with his WINDOWS OPEN TOWARD JERUSALEM.
3. He prayed ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, because Solomon asked God to give special notice to the prayers of His people when they prayed towards Jerusalem and the temple. 1 Kings 8:3 says, “And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place.”
4. He KNELT DOWN on his knees, praying just as Jesus did, (Luke 22:41), as Stephen (Acts 7:60), as Peter (Acts 9:40), as Paul and other leaders in the church (Acts 20:36), and as Luke (Acts 21:5). 5. He prayed THREE TIMES THAT DAY, knowing that a little prayer is good, MUCH PRAYER IS BEST.
6. He PRAYED & GAVE THANKS, because the BEST prayers are FILLED WITH THANK YOUS.

They FOUND Daniel where they KNEW he would be - deep in prayer. For Daniel prayer was both communing with God and pleading for His will to be accomplished (supplication).

They ACCUSED Daniel of disrespecting the king. This was NOT true. Daniel intended NO disrespect for the king, only MORE respect for God.

There is MUCH to like about King Darius, and one thing is he KNEW his PRIDE had caused this & he BLAMED himself NOT others. We KNOW he was NOT happy with Daniel’s enemies either, but he ACCEPTED that HE and NO ONE else was responsible for this.

Like Darius, PRIDE & STUBBORN DECISIONS can/do haunt us. SMART Christians PRAY and ask Jesus to forgive us AND to have mercy & and miraculously intervene on our behalf.

“He labored till the going down of the sun”…this tells us that DARIUS worked as long as he could. According to eastern custom the execution was carried out on the evening of the day that the accusation was made and found valid.

Verses 16-18 tells us of Daniel’s time in the lion’s den & God‘s protection.
“So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.”

This scripture ALSO tells us that Darius HAD faith, and it was faith born out of Daniel’s WALK/FAITH in the Lord.

Many of us SHOW/WALK godly character and wisdom before the world when we remember or when it SUITS us to, but we FORGET THAT IT IS A MINUTE BY MINUTE, DAY BY DAY walk, faith, prayer, & communing that Jesus WANTS.

The king sealed it to PROTECT Daniel as much as to make sure a man didn't rescue Daniel. Darius KNEW that Daniel had powerful enemies who MIGHT TRY TO kill him if the lions didn't.

Daniel HAD a better night’s rest than Darius. We can be sure that Daniel prayed in the lions' den, because it was simply his habit to pray. He did not need to start praying on this remarkable occasion because the habit of prayer was well ingrained in his life.

Verses 19-23 tells us Daniel is found alive after the night in the lion's den.
“Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.”

Darius WAITED FOR the first glimmer of dawn so he can see how Daniel fared.

When Darius heard Daniel's voice he KNEW the lions wouldn't or couldn't touch this servant of God, and Daniel is recognized in Hebrews 11:33 as, “One who by faith stopped the mouths of lions.”

We don't know if Daniel SAW an angel or not, but he certainly KNEW that God sent His angel to rescue him. And we KNOW that HIS ANGEL can only be HIS ANGEL, HIS Jesus Christ who was sent. Hebrews 1:14 says, “Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.”

Daniel WAS SAVED/SPARED through faith. Though his cause was righteous and he was unjustly accused those things in themselves did not protect him before the lions. Daniel HAD a living, abiding faith in God, EVEN in the most difficult circumstances.

DID YOU CATCH THIS COMMAND OF GOD? The power of God sent HIS angel to protect Daniel, in response to a prayer of faith coming from a consistent, abiding walk.

Verse 24 tells us THE FATE of those who plotted against Daniel.
“And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions; them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.”

You NOTICE NO ONE had to ask Darius to do this. He was ready and willing to bring justice to those who plotted against Daniel, deceived him, and bring Persian justice their children, and their wives.

This WAS/IS severe, but it was also according to ancient customs among the Persians. An ancient writer named Ammianus Marcellinus wrote of the Persians, “The laws among them are formidable . . . by which, on account of the guilt OF ONE, all the kindred perish.”

The lions overpowered them . . . BEFORE they ever came to the bottom of the den. This PROVED NOT ONLY that it genuinely was angelic protection that saved Daniel. Daniel's accusers perished in the same trap they set for Daniel. AND IT PROVED how very starved these lions were. They ARE conservative by natural law. They kill only what they need for that moment. That they attacked, brought down, and LITERALLY broke into pieces all their bones before they made it to the bottom of the den, tells us JUST how STARVED they were.

THIS ALSO SHOWS US A POWERFUL PRINCIPLE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE found in Psalm 7:14-16, which says, “God will cause our enemy to be impaled on the same snare set for us.”

Verses 25-28 tells us Darius decrees that all must honor the God of Daniel.
“Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”

WHAT HAS THE BOOK OF DANIEL SHOWN US SO FAR?

When WE who love Jesus Christ stand FIRM in OUR convictions, Jesus honors and protects us, and the testimony of Jesus’ work makes the ungodly SEE AND TELL the greatness of our Jesus.

Daniel and his four friends stood firm and Nebuchadnezzar saw the fruit of it (Daniel 1:20)
Daniel boldly and wisely interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream and king honored Daniel and his God (Daniel 2:46-47)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood firm and Nebuchadnezzar gave glory to God (Daniel 3:28-30)
Daniel boldly told Nebuchadnezzar the truth and the king humbled himself and gave glory to God (Daniel 4:34-37)
Daniel stood firm and boldly told Belshazzar the truth and the king honored Daniel (Daniel 5:29)

The MESSAGE to us is? When we stand firm in godly convictions and honor God even when it costs us, others will see the testimony and be impressed. us Daniel 5&6


Turn with me now to DANIEL 5...

The Writing On the Wall
A disturbing message from God.

Verse 1-4 tells us Belshazzar’s great, blasphemous feast.
“Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.”

“Belshazzar the king”…when we come to Daniel 5, Nebuchadnezzar is NO LONGER the king of Babylon. How did it come from Nebuchadnezzar to Belshazzar? The ancient historian Berosus gives us the following order of events:

Nebuchadnezzar dies after a 43-year reign
His son, Evil-Merodach (described in 2 Kings 25:27-30 and Jeremiah 52:31-34) rules for only TWO years when he is assassinated by his brother-in-law Neriglassar, because his rule was arbitrary and licentious.
Neriglassar (mentioned as Nergalsharezer in Jeremiah 39:3; 39:13) rules for four years until he dies a natural death.
His son, Laborosoarchod, only a child and of diminished mental capacity, rules for only NINE months when he his beaten to death by a gang of conspirators.
The conspirators appoint Nabonidus, one of their gang, to be king. He rules until Cyrus the Persian conquers Babylon.

For a long time, historians and archaeologists knew that Nabonidus was said to be the LAST king of Babylon, not Belshazzar (who was Nabonidus’ eldest son). The solution to this so-called discrepancy was apparent when evidence was uncovered indicating not only Belshazzar’s association with Nabonidus on the throne, but also demonstrating that during the last part of his reign Nabonidus lived in Arabia and left the conduct of the kingdom of Babylon to his eldest son Belshazzar.

There was no additional mention of Belshazzar, the eldest son and co-regent with Nabonidus, until the Nabonidus Cylinder was discovered in this century. It is now displayed in the British Museum.

According to Babylonian records, Belshazzar became CO-REGENT in the third year of Nabonidus’ reign (553 b.c.) and continued in that capacity till the fall of Babylon (539 b.c.).

It is most likely that at the time of Daniel 5, Nabonidus had gone out to fight the Medo-Persian army, and had been already captured. Those armies now surrounded Babylon, and were looking for a way into the strongly defended city.

“Made a great feast for a thousand of his lords”…tells us Belshazzar was NOT afraid or even WORRIED over the siege surrounding the city. He was confident because of Babylon’s impressive defenses and his vast supplies.

WHY? Well, conservative calculations set the dimensions of the ancient city of Babylon like this:

The outer walls were 17 miles long.
These walls were 22 feet thick and 90 feet high.
The outer walls had guard towers another 100 feet high.
The city gates were made of bronze.
A system of inner and outer walls and moats made the city very secure.

Nebuchadnezzar was NOT the direct father of Belshazzar. Either he was his grandfather through his mother’s side, or he was his father in the sense of having previously occupied the throne Belshazzar now sat on. Either usage of the term father was accepted in ancient times.

The scene of partying while a hostile army surrounds the city reminds us of the spirit of our age. Many today carry the idea that the best response to the seeming danger of the times is to FORGET ABOUT IT and ESCAPE INTO THE PARTY/PLEASURE MODE.

Listen, God does NOT condemn having a good time, but can HE be glorified in it? Can God be invited to your party? If not…..do NOT attend or host it.

In Ephesians 5:18 Paul calls drunkenness & dissipation are a WASTE of resources that should be submitted to Jesus.

“They brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem”…tells us Belshazzar was STUPID enough to not only lose all semblance of self-control at this party, but also to openly MOCK God. He committed the sin of sacrilege, something few people are concerned with today.

Belshazzar BROUGHT these past trophies TO the party to probably CHEER up & BOOST morale.

In Babylon, a large court - 56 by 170 feet - has been unearthed, decorated with Greek columns. This is probably where the feast of Daniel 5 took place.

Verse 5 tells us God writes a message on a wall.
“In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”

God can and sometimes does communicate to man in unexpected and even shocking ways. Here, a hand mysteriously appears and writes on the wall. Since, Jesus Christ is the HUMAN form of Almighty God, it WAS Jesus’ hand & fingers they SAW!

This, of course, is where we get our proverbial phrase “the writing on the wall.”

Verses 6-9 tells us Belshazzar’s reaction to the message, and his call for someone to interpret it.
“Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.”

“The joints of his hips were loosed and his knees knocked”…Daniel’s vivid description shows us that Belshazzar WAS terrified. But WHO could blame him? His carefree partying was so shallow that it turned from merry to terrified in a moment.
Suffice to say, THIS party ENDED in a nanosecond…ONLY Jesus Christ is ABLE to sober a drunk mob up in a BLINK…He SURE did it here, did HE not?

This ALSO shows that Belshazzar’s conscience WAS active beneath his energetic WORLDLY-FOCUSED partying.

WHY do we KNOW this?

Because IF Belshazzar could NOT understand the writing, WHY should it trouble him so? It troubled him because his own conscience testified AGAINST him.

Archaeologists HAVE discovered why Belshazzar offered the interpreter of the dream the third place in the kingdom. The REAL king was Nabonidus, and his son Belshazzar ruled as SECOND in the kingdom. Belshazzar couldn’t give away the second place in the kingdom, because he WAS the second in the kingdom at the time. The best he had to offer was the third place.

When Daniel comes to interpret these words, it doesn’t seem so hard to figure out. It may be that God deliberately put a veil over the minds of these men so Daniel would be called or like other Biblical scholars, they believe the wise men could NOT read the writing BECAUSE it WAS in Hebrew.

Verses 10-12 tells us Daniel is recommended as an interpreter of the message.
“The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father; your father the king; made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

This queen (or queen mother) MOST LIKELY WAS Belshazzar’s mother, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar.

When the wise men were called to explain the writing on the wall to Belshazzar, Daniel apparently was NOT called. It seems that Daniel was semi-retired, still holding a government office yet “out of the loop.”

Notice that the queen mother REFERS to Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, BY his Jewish name “DANIEL” is showing respect for his faith and background.

Verses 13-16 tell us Belshazzar asks Daniel to interpret the message.
“Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

When everything SEEMS great - when the party IS going non-stop - God and His servants are MOCKED, NEGLECTED, AND HIDDEN AWAY. But when the hand of heaven writes on the walls of one’s life a sobering message, panic-stricken LOST WORLD PEOPLE cry out for the one who HAS/KNOWS/BELIEVES in the Spirit of God.

“I have heard of you”…Since Belshazzar didn’t think to call for Daniel himself, it seems that his “hearing” of Daniel was either long ago or just now by the queen mother.

Verses 17-23 Daniel interprets the writing & describes Belshazzar’s sinful pride.
“Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.”

“Let your gifts be for yourself”…Remember that Daniel WAS troubled when he had to give Nebuchadnezzar bad news in Daniel 4. NOT with Belshazzar. Daniel is NOT impressed with this successor of Nebuchadnezzar.

“You his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this”…WHY is Daniel so harsh? Because Belshazzar should have KNOWN better. Even if he was not raised in a godly home, Romans 1 reminds us that all men know of God through creation. Belshazzar should have KNOWN even more through God’s dealings with Nebuchadnezzar and through Daniel. We are ALL responsible to honor God according to what revelation we HAVE.

The breath of the creature should praise the Creator, but Belshazzar blasphemed God with his breath. The ways of the creature should glorify the Creator, but Belshazzar used his ways to mock and offend God. Every creature owes something to the Creator.

Verses 24-28 tells us Daniel tells Belshazzar that God’s judgment is at the door.
“Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. And this is the inscription that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. This is the interpretation of each word.

Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;

Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;

Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."

EACH word stands for a short sentence; mene signifies numeration; tekel, weighing; and peres, division.

God had Belshazzar’s number, and it fell short.
God weighed Belshazzar, and he came up light.
God would therefore divide Belshazzar’s kingdom to the Medes and the Persians.

A mighty army and brilliant tactics overcame The Babylonian Empire, yet it FELL FROM WITHIN. The armies of the Medes and Persians could ONLY conquer because Belshazzar and his kingdom were found LACKING in spiritual and moral value.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus relates that the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon by diverting the flow of the Euphrates into a nearby swamp. This lowered the level of the river so his troops marched through the water and under the river-gates. They still would not have been able to enter had not the bronze gates of the inner walls been left inexplicably unlocked. This was exactly what God predicted in Isaiah 44:28-45:7 and Jeremiah 51:57-58. God OPENED THE GATES of the city of Babylon for Cyrus, and put it in writing 200 years BEFORE it happened!

In October 539 bc, Cyrus advanced into lower Mesopotamia and, leaving Babylon till last, conquered and occupied the surrounding territory. Seeing which way the wind was blowing, Nabonidus of Babylon deserted his city, leaving it in the charge of his son Belshazzar . . . the taking of Babylon was as bloodless and effortless as Daniel 5 implies.
The fall of MYSTERY Babylon will be like the fall of real Babylon - sudden, sure, and in the midst of her WORST blasphemies.

Strauss, a wonderful Bible scholar said it best, “Empires do not stand by human might, man-made machines and missiles. There is not a wall high enough nor thick enough to prevent a nation from falling when God pronounces that nation’s doom.”

Verses 29 tells us Daniel is promoted.
“Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

WHY did Belshazzar so quickly reward Daniel for such harsh words? Either Belshazzar KNEW that Daniel was right, and bravely tried to do the best under the inevitable circumstances or MORE LIKE he disbelieved the whole thing and promoted Daniel in a display of big-hearted fun/mockery.

Daniel held this post of THIRD RULER OF THE EMPIRE…for only a FEW hours. This shows how temporary the awards and accolades of this world are. In the kingdom that succeeded Belshazzar Daniel was also promoted, but that was due to God, not to Belshazzar.

Verses 30-31 tells us of the death of Belshazzar and the rise of Darius the Mede.
“That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.”

The word was fulfilled EXACTLY as Daniel said. God’s word is ALWAYS reliable and true.
Darius was a sub-king under Cyrus the Persian. He is referred to in secular history as Gubaru.


Turn with me now to DANIEL 6...

Daniel 6 - In the Lion’s Den

This has long been a BELOVED Bible story from children to adults. There are SO MANY dramatic features in this story - the jealousy of political subordinates; the vanity of a king; the integrity of a man; the power and preservation of God; and some wild animals and violence!

How Daniel was condemned to the lion’s den.

Verese 1-3 tells us Daniel’s PLACE in the government of Darius.
“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”

Interestingly enough, secular history of this period has NO record of a ruler named Darius. There are THREE POSSIBLE explanations for the Darius of Daniel 6.

It MAY BE that Darius is ANOTHER name for Cyrus, who ruled of the Medo-Persian Empire during this period.

It MAY BE that Darius was actually Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who served under his father as a ruler of Babylon and later inherited the throne of the entire empire.

OR it MAY BE that Darius is an ancient official known as Gubaru in ancient documents, whom Cyrus appointed as ruler over Babylon immediately after its capture. MOST BIBLE SCHOLARS believe that Gubaru IS the SAME person as Darius. They believe "Darius" may be an honorific title meaning, "holder of the scepter."

WHY? Because ANCIENT SECULAR documents show that the man Gubaru HAD the power to make appointments, to assemble an army, to levy taxes, and to possess palaces. Gubaru (Darius) was, in a very real sense, the king over Babylon.

Daniel WAS one of three leaders directly under Darius, and he shined above the other two leaders because he had an EXCELLENT spirit. Daniel had a GOOD attitude in his work and life and this made him the object of attack.

Verses 4-9 tells us a plot against Daniel is conceived and initiated.
“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God." So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.”
Daniel was such a FAITHFUL man that those who sought to find a FLAW in his actions or character came up EMPTY-HANDED.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Sometimes TODAY a candidate or nominee for office will be set under this kind of scrutiny - imagine looking as hard as you could at a public servant who had been in office some 50 years and finding NOTHING wrong. NO fraudulent expense accounts. NO intern scandals. NO questionable business deals. NO gifts from lobbyists. NO accusations from his staff.

The Bible tells us there were NO SKELETONS in Daniel’s closet. His enemies were left to MAKE UP LIES. And we ALL know satan and the world and mankind have NO PROBLEM making up lies to suit their evil/unjust purposes, do they?

Make NO mistake here, this does NOT imply that Daniel was sinless, but that he WAS a man of great integrity. We can also say that Daniel was especially blameless in the conduct of his professional life.

Daniel did NOT hide HIS FAITH IN GOD. EVERYONE KNEW WHOM DANIEL SERVED, TRUSTED, & BELIEVED IN. They knew he could not be TRAPPED into evil, but they also knew that he would BE faithful to his God in all circumstances.

Do others know the same about us?

But Daniel’s enemies ALSO KNEW Darius. The WEAK SPOT they found was in DARIUS’ PRIDE & DESIRES for a unified kingdom, NOT in Daniel.

THIS CHAPTER OF DANIEL….shows us to be WARY of excessive praise and flattery…that it MAY have a HIDDEN EVIL/UNJUST motive behind it.
Of course, they LIED when they said ALL the governors, because Daniel WAS ONE of the governors and he was NOT consulted.

It was an established principle in the Medo-Persian Empire that when a king formally signed and instituted a decree, it was so binding that NOT EVEN the king himself could CHANGE it.

The decrees of a Persian king were unchangeable because he was thought to speak for the gods, who could never be wrong and never needed to change their minds.

Darius STUPIDLY & ARROGANTLY signed the decree.

Verses 10-15 tells us Daniel’s faithfulness TO GOD causes him to be condemned to the lion’s den.
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Daniel was confronted with a TEST of HIS TRUE loyalties. He WANTED to render unto Caesar things that RIGHTFULLY belonged to Caesar but he WOULD NOT give to the government that which BELONGED to God ALONE.

Others might have considered it risky for Daniel pray as was his custom. Daniel knew that the SAFEST thing he COULD do was radically OBEY God.

It isn’t hard to see WHY people are men-pleasers; it seems as if people have the power to hire or fire us; to break our hearts; to slander us; to make our lives generally miserable. The power to obey God and stand for Him comes from a settled understanding that JESUS CHRIST REALLY IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS.

Daniel REFUSED TO LET the decree change his actions one way or another. He didn't PRAY MORE OR LESS; he simply CONTINUED HIS WALK/PRAYER/PRAISE OF GOD.

So what WAS Daniel's custom in praying?

1. He prayed in his UPPER ROOM - this was private prayer, made with no intention to impress others.
2. He prayed with his WINDOWS OPEN TOWARD JERUSALEM.
3. He prayed ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, because Solomon asked God to give special notice to the prayers of His people when they prayed towards Jerusalem and the temple. 1 Kings 8:3 says, “And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place.”
4. He KNELT DOWN on his knees, praying just as Jesus did, (Luke 22:41), as Stephen (Acts 7:60), as Peter (Acts 9:40), as Paul and other leaders in the church (Acts 20:36), and as Luke (Acts 21:5). 5. He prayed THREE TIMES THAT DAY, knowing that a little prayer is good, MUCH PRAYER IS BEST.
6. He PRAYED & GAVE THANKS, because the BEST prayers are FILLED WITH THANK YOUS.

They FOUND Daniel where they KNEW he would be - deep in prayer. For Daniel prayer was both communing with God and pleading for His will to be accomplished (supplication).

They ACCUSED Daniel of disrespecting the king. This was NOT true. Daniel intended NO disrespect for the king, only MORE respect for God.

There is MUCH to like about King Darius, and one thing is he KNEW his PRIDE had caused this & he BLAMED himself NOT others. We KNOW he was NOT happy with Daniel’s enemies either, but he ACCEPTED that HE and NO ONE else was responsible for this.

Like Darius, PRIDE & STUBBORN DECISIONS can/do haunt us. SMART Christians PRAY and ask Jesus to forgive us AND to have mercy & and miraculously intervene on our behalf.

“He labored till the going down of the sun”…this tells us that DARIUS worked as long as he could. According to eastern custom the execution was carried out on the evening of the day that the accusation was made and found valid.

Verses 16-18 tells us of Daniel’s time in the lion’s den & God‘s protection.
“So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.”

This scripture ALSO tells us that Darius HAD faith, and it was faith born out of Daniel’s WALK/FAITH in the Lord.

Many of us SHOW/WALK godly character and wisdom before the world when we remember or when it SUITS us to, but we FORGET THAT IT IS A MINUTE BY MINUTE, DAY BY DAY walk, faith, prayer, & communing that Jesus WANTS.

The king sealed it to PROTECT Daniel as much as to make sure a man didn't rescue Daniel. Darius KNEW that Daniel had powerful enemies who MIGHT TRY TO kill him if the lions didn't.

Daniel HAD a better night’s rest than Darius. We can be sure that Daniel prayed in the lions' den, because it was simply his habit to pray. He did not need to start praying on this remarkable occasion because the habit of prayer was well ingrained in his life.

Verses 19-23 tells us Daniel is found alive after the night in the lion's den.
“Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.”

Darius WAITED FOR the first glimmer of dawn so he can see how Daniel fared.

When Darius heard Daniel's voice he KNEW the lions wouldn't or couldn't touch this servant of God, and Daniel is recognized in Hebrews 11:33 as, “One who by faith stopped the mouths of lions.”

We don't know if Daniel SAW an angel or not, but he certainly KNEW that God sent His angel to rescue him. And we KNOW that HIS ANGEL can only be HIS ANGEL, HIS Jesus Christ who was sent. Hebrews 1:14 says, “Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.”

Daniel WAS SAVED/SPARED through faith. Though his cause was righteous and he was unjustly accused those things in themselves did not protect him before the lions. Daniel HAD a living, abiding faith in God, EVEN in the most difficult circumstances.

DID YOU CATCH THIS COMMAND OF GOD? The power of God sent HIS angel to protect Daniel, in response to a prayer of faith coming from a consistent, abiding walk.

Verse 24 tells us THE FATE of those who plotted against Daniel.
“And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions; them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.”

You NOTICE NO ONE had to ask Darius to do this. He was ready and willing to bring justice to those who plotted against Daniel, deceived him, and bring Persian justice their children, and their wives.

This WAS/IS severe, but it was also according to ancient customs among the Persians. An ancient writer named Ammianus Marcellinus wrote of the Persians, “The laws among them are formidable . . . by which, on account of the guilt OF ONE, all the kindred perish.”

The lions overpowered them . . . BEFORE they ever came to the bottom of the den. This PROVED NOT ONLY that it genuinely was angelic protection that saved Daniel. Daniel's accusers perished in the same trap they set for Daniel. AND IT PROVED how very starved these lions were. They ARE conservative by natural law. They kill only what they need for that moment. That they attacked, brought down, and LITERALLY broke into pieces all their bones before they made it to the bottom of the den, tells us JUST how STARVED they were.

THIS ALSO SHOWS US A POWERFUL PRINCIPLE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE found in Psalm 7:14-16, which says, “God will cause our enemy to be impaled on the same snare set for us.”

Verses 25-28 tells us Darius decrees that all must honor the God of Daniel.
“Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”

WHAT HAS THE BOOK OF DANIEL SHOWN US SO FAR?

When WE who love Jesus Christ stand FIRM in OUR convictions, Jesus honors and protects us, and the testimony of Jesus’ work makes the ungodly SEE AND TELL the greatness of our Jesus.

Daniel and his four friends stood firm and Nebuchadnezzar saw the fruit of it (Daniel 1:20)
Daniel boldly and wisely interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream and king honored Daniel and his God (Daniel 2:46-47)