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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