A better definition is … Man’s effort to prove his worth to God. Look what the Scripture says about religion: Acts 26:5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Galatians 1:13-14 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. James 1:26-27If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Salvation is the belief in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and confessing Him as God. 1 Corinthians 5:1-4Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Also see What Religion?
Belshazzar’s Banquet Belshazzar is the king of Babylon. The Medes had surrounded the city and all the country had fallen but the city was virtually impregnable. Belshazzar, in defiance threw a riotous Banquet … to should he had no fear. Compare Esther 1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: As the party progressed, the wine flowed, immorality was in order as the women were brought in and then the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem. He and his drunken co-horts used these dedicated vessels for praising their gods. Compare 2 Chronicles 36:10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Then, when all is going well, A HAND STARTED TO WRITE ON THE WALL! …Just a hand, no body attached. It wrote 4 words “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN”! FEAR struck the heart of Belshazzar, the evil king. His knees knocked so bad, they thought someone was at the door. 5:6-10 Finally, in fear, the king called for his wise mem. But even with the promise of reward, third highest in the kingdom, these men could not read or interpret the message. Terror struck their hearts … Fear ripped their souls! 5:11-17 And then Daniel is called for. With the same rewards promised the King pleaded with Daniel. 5:18-23 Daniel replied “Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation”. MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN is Numbered, Numbered, Weighted, Divided! 5:24-28 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. 5:29-31Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. As we read the story, we are aghast at the king. The nerve of him, using God’s golden vessels for his riotous party. BUT how many are guilty of the same thing? The world is besieged by Satan, the devil. And we are having a banquet! Those around us are dying, going to hell, and we are using God’s vessel for our own pleasure. God’s Vessels? … Yes, our bodies! Ezekiel 18:4Behold, all souls are mine; … Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Peter 1:19-20But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Believers who drink, dance, attend evil movies, worry, gossip, speak filthiness, foolishness, covet, are hateful, serving our own lusts etc. … Mark 7:21-23For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Romans 3:10-18As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: … 2 Timothy 3:2-7 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, … The handwriting is on the wall (actually in the Scripture)! Our days are numbered! Our actions are weighted and we are found wanting. Romans 2:1-6Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Before we think too harshly about Belshazzar’s Banquet … How’s yours going?
The phrase “The Day” appears 284 times in the Holy Scripture (KJV). But just looking at the Day of The Lord.
Joel writing to the Israelites, mentions it 5 times. Joel 1:15, 2:1,11,31, 3:14 Amos writing to the Israelites, mentions it in Amos 5:18 Obadiah writing to the Israelites, mentions it in Obadiah 1:15 Zephaniah writing to the Israelites, mentions it 7 times. Zephaniah 1:7,8,14,18, 2:2,3, 14:1 Peter, preaching to the Jews on the day of Pentecost, quotes Joel: Acts 2:20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: A study of these Scripture reveals Israel of a coming destruction which Peter gives a final warning: 2 Peter 3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Now, look at the writings of the Apostle Paul, to believers: 1 Corinthians 1:8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:14As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus. Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 2:16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 1 Thessalonians 5:2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 2 Thessalonians 2:2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
THE DAY OF THE LORD, for the believer is NOT one of destruction; but a day of rejoicing, the Day of Rapture.
The Lord Jesus waned Israel about a coming Judgment: Matthew 10:15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. Matthew 11:24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. The Apostle Peter warned Israel of the coming day of judgment: 2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 2 Peter 3:7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. The Apostle John also warns Israel of the day of judgment: 1 John 4:17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. The Apostle Paul speaks to Believers: Romans 1:32, 2:2-5, 5:16-18, 14:10 1 Corinthians 1:10, 4:3, 7:40 2 Corinthians 5:10Galatians 5:10 Philippians 1:9 2 Thessalonian 1:5 1 Timothy 5:24
A very familiar Sunday School Story. In this chapter we see: Pride, Idol Worship, Jealousy, Anti-Semitism, Anger, Hate. Daniel 3:1-7 PRIDE – 18-23 years have passed since Chapter 2. Old Neb’s forgotten about God, Daniel’s God. Proverbs 11:2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: … Proverbs 13:10Only by pride cometh contention: … Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin Proverbs 29:23A man’s pride shall bring him low: … Old Neb was a great man. God had revealed the future to him and thru him … BUT Pride was a problem. Proverbs 27:2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Compare Isaiah 58:1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Daniel 3:5-7Idol Worship — When does a man begin to worship Idols? When he becomes a Fool … How does he become a Fool? Romans 1:21-23 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Remember the 10 Commandments .. Look at just the first 3: Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Exodus 20:7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; … Compare Revelation 9:2And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. Daniel 3:8-11 Jealousy — The strongest of all mental sins … makes monsters out of men. Proverbs 6:34For jealousy is the rage of a man: … Proverbs 14:30… but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 27:4Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Song of Solomon 8:6… jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Jealousy Crucified Christ Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. Jealousy kept the Jews from salvation Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, Acts 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, … Jealousy produced false doctrine 1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Jealousy destroys love, removes happiness
Daniel 3:12Anti-Semitism began with the call of Abram and continues today. It is a tool of Satan. Daniel 3:13-18 Anger — Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Compare Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. Daniel 3:19-23 Hate — Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. Then we see: Faith and Divine Deliverance Daniel 3:16-18 Faith … If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. … Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Daniel 3:19-23 Compare Exodus 12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. Daniel 3:24-30Divine Deliverance … Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. … Compare Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Compare Jeremiah 17:7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. CONCLUSION: PSALM 1:1-10 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
The Apostle Paul was well aware of Satan and warned believers of him. He advised believers on how to deal with one who refused to believe God. 1 Corinthians 5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. And to be alert of Satan’s temptations. 1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. And that Satan is the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. That Satan, the angel of light deceives many. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Paul knew all to well of the spiritual conflict Satan imposes. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. He warns of the Man who Satan will indwell (like Judas). 2 Thessalonians 2:9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Again, how to deal with one who refused to believe God. 1 Timothy 1:20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Warning Timothy how some are following Satan 1 Timothy 5:15For some are already turned aside after Satan. He reminded the Romans that God would defeat Satan: Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
2:1 King has a bad dream. 2:2-3 Calls his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to interpret. Compare Ezekiel 7:11 Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of their’s: neither shall there be wailing for them. Compare Isaiah 47:12-13 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. 2:4 O yea, we can help. 2:5-6 king promises punishments or gifts and rewards and great honour. 2:7 Tell us the dream… we will interpret it. 2:8 The stall 2:9 What am I paying you for? Interpret the Dream. Compare Esther 4:11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 2:10-11 What you want is a miracle … which we can’t do. There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter 2:12-13 DEATH TO ALL … the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. Compare Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Daniel Gets Involved 2:14-15 Daniel hears of the threat. 2:16 He asks for some time. 2:17-18 The Prayer meetin 2:19 God speaks to Daniel the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision
2:20-23 Daniel Praises God Compare Jeremiah 27:5I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. Compare Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: Compare Esther 1:13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: Compare Psalm 75:6-7For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. Compare Job 12:22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death., Compare Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight. Compare Psalm 21:2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. Compare Psalm 21:4He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. 2:24 Daniel seeks an audience with the King 2:25-26 Daniel Before the King Compare Genesis 41:14He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. 2:27 Your men couldn’t do it 2:28 BUT GOD CAN 2:29-30 Ok king here’s the deal… 2:31-35 The Dream the King Had The Dream The great image … A Man Materials it was made from (top to Bottom) … Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron, Iron mixed with Clay What did the stone do? Smote the Image What did the Stone Become? A Mountain Nebuchadnezzar was Called: A king of kings His kingdom was symbolized by the head of Gold. Names the medals represented: Gold … Babylon, Silver…Persa/Medes, Brass…Greek, Iron…Rome, Iron/Clay…revised Rome. Stone that became Mountain…Christ’s Kingdom Stone cut without hands…It comes from God! Compare Isaiah 2:2-3And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 2:36-45 The interpretation Compare Isaiah 47:5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. 2:46-49 Daniel gets the Promotion The Lesson …. Always put God FIRST in our Life.
King David mourns loss of Absolom 2 Samuel 19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. King David defeats the enemy with the Lord 2 Samuel 23:10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. 2 Samuel 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. King David Praises God 1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. From the Psalm Psalm 98:1O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Isaiah foretells of the Lord Jesus Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (Quoting Isaiah 42:3) Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. From the Apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 15:54-55So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle John writing to Jewish Believers 1 John 5:4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. And near the end of the Tribulation Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. VICTORY WILL BE THE LORD’S
