STUDY OUTLINES ON THE
BOOK OF DANIEL
By Revd Dr. Ifechukwu U. Ibeme
e-mail: [email protected]
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DANIEL
1
SUB-THEME: VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS (Dan. 1-6)
TOPIC:
VICTORY THROUGH
CONSECRATION
TEXT: DANIEL1
INTRODUCTION
It
was 600 years before Christ, during the time of Prophet Jeremiah and King
Jehoaikim. The Jews had gone astray in idolatry, immorality and all forms of
sinfulness and worldliness. Therefore, God raised Nebuchadnezzar, an idolatrous
and worldly King of Babylon, as His Hammer (Jer. 50:23) and Battle-Axe (Jer.
15:20) to punish Judah and take them captives.
(Dan.1: 1,2).
Among the Jewish captives, the king
selected some intelligent and handsome children from noble families. These
children (about 14 years of age) were admitted into the king’s college of
idolatrous Babylon for education to prepare them for government service. It was
this group that Daniel and his three partners belonged (Dan.1:3-6).
Although Daniel and his three friends
accepted their new idolatrous names, they purposed not to defile themselves
with unclean meat and food offered to idols because they had consecrated
themselves to God. Without causing any trouble, they wisely arranged with the
college officials to eat only vegetables prepared separately (Dan. 1:7-16).
Because they were faithful to God and
hardworking, God blessed them spiritually, bodily and academically, and
honoured them with high positions in the Babylonian government at the age of 17
to 18 yeas! Daniel continued to be a high official in Babylon for 70 years!
(Dan. 1:17-21).
DISCUSSIONS
1.
When a people called by God’s name (Israel or
Christians) continue in unbelief, sinfulness and worldliness, who does God
raise to punish them? What should the GODLY do in such circumstances? (Rev.
2:10b)
2.
How did Daniel use faith and wisdom, instead of
stubbornness and confrontation in carrying out his purpose of consecration?
(Dan. 1:8-13). Is such expected of us today? (Hem. 12:14-16)
3.
What could have made Daniel think that the king’s
food would defile him and his friends? (Deut. 14:1-21). How does this apply to
us today? (Rom.14:1-3; I Cor. 10:25-28).
4.
Which things could defile us today as Christians?
(Mark 7:14-23). Give practical
instances where we defile ourselves with such things without knowing.
5.
What is CONSECRATION? (2 Cor. 7:1; Rom.12:1,2) Why is
it important in the life of a Christian? (Heb. 12:14).
CONCLUSION
When we dedicate our whole life to the service of God (i.e
consecration) and remain faithful and undefiled in body and soul, we have
victory over the world (I John 5:4,5; Dan 1.19, 20).
MEMORY VERSE: Daniel 1:8
DANIEL
2
SUB-THEME: VICTORY
THROUGH GODLINESS (Dan. 1-6)
TOPIC:
VICTORY THROUGH SPIRITUAL
GIFT
TEXT: DANIEL 2
INTRODUCTION
Because
God is in control of history, the godly are always sure of victory.
God
troubled King Nebuchadnezzar with a dream. He was thinking about the future in
his bed and slept off so God gave him a dream about the future and the latter
days, but he did not get a revelation of its interpretation (2:29). The king
called his wise men (astrologers, magicians, sorcerers, soothsayers and
Chaldeans) to tell the dream first, before giving the interpretation. But the
wise men quarrelled with the King because no man could tell another man’s
dream. Thereupon the King gave command to kill all his wise men (2:1-3).
The
four Hebrew wise men were numbered with those called the Chaldeans (1:4) and
so, were to die also. But Daniel knowing that God was in control, quietly spoke
to Arioch and the king, applying TACT and WISDOM and FAITH (2:14-16). He then
called the other three brethren for prayers asking God for help. God revealed
the dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a dream (night visitation) and he
burst out into songs of praise (2:17-23).
After
ensuring that God be given the glory, (2:24-28), Daniel told the dream and its
interpretation as God has revealed it. (2:29-45). Then the King prostrated
before Daniel and burned incense and sacrifice in honour of the God of Daniel.
He gave Daniel gifs and promoted him as the Prime Minister and Chief wise-man.
Daniel did not fail to bring the other brethren into the picture (2:46-49).
DISCUSSION
1. The Wise men knew as much as the Hebrew brethren that only God could solve the dream mystery (2:10 -11) but what were peculiar about Daniel and the brethren? (2:1719).
2. What
could you learn about God from Daniel’s hymn of praise in verses 20 to 23?
3. What temptation
came to Daniel in verse 26? And how did he overcome it in verses 28 and 30?
4. What
could you learn about godliness from Daniel’s fruit and gifts? (see verse
14-16: 28-30; 49: and 17-19).
5. The King
dreamt of a very big statue (Colossus). How did it look like and what was the
interpretation?
6. The
Kingdom of Christ IN BELIEVERS is the STONE-MOUNTAIN Kingdom (2:44,45). What
are its characteristics? (John 18:36; Lk. 17:21; Mark 4:30-32).
NOTE: GOD IS IN CONTROL (Dan 2:21; Acts 17:26).
DANIEL
3
SUB-THEME: VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS (Dan. 1-6)
TOPIC:
VICTORY THROUGH GODLY
OBEDIENCE
TEXT: DANIEL 3
INTRODUCTION
Whatever
may be the consequences, right is right, wrong is wrong. God alone is right and
what is right must we do. This is the principle of godly obedience.
After
conquering many nations, destroying their temples and having heard Daniel’s
interpretation of his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar became proud. Therefore, he
erected a golden statue as tall as a ten-story building (90 by 9 feet) in the
plane of Dura, dedicated it and issued a decree that all must worship the image
to honour him and his gods and acknowledge that the Babylonian king and gods
are greatest above all. Defaulters shall be thrown into fiery furnace (3:1-7).
However, the godly Hebrew brethren who
could not eat food offered the gods of Babylon would not bow to the tower of
Babylon also (3:8-12). Neither the splendour of the golden tower, the powerful
king and the prestigious government officials, nor the enticing music of
the Royal Orchestra, nor the terror of the decree and the fiery furnace
could make them conform and disobey God’s commandment (Exd. 20:3-6). Israel
disobeyed without being forced, but the godly obeyed God even in the face of
irresistible pressures, so God was moved to prove Himself by sending Christ to
save them in the furnace (3:13-25).
This miraculous deliverance moved king
Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge that the Hebrews’ God is the most High God who
can deliver, giving us the saying: “God of Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego”.
They were again promoted. (3:26-30).
DISCUSSIONS
1.
Today self, Satan and the world continuously and irresistibly
tempt us, through enticement and fear, to disobey and sin against God. Give
practical examples (see 1 John 2:15-17; Gal.5:17; Rom.7:14-25).
2.
In the conflict between godliness and worldliness,
whether public or private, open or secret, what would be our attitude?
3.
When we make it our business to obey God’s command
and leave the consequences to God, what could usually follow? (3:19,27-30;Mtt.
5:16; Isa. 43:1-3).
4.
Who joined the brethren in the furnace?
(3:25,28;Josh.5:13-15;Gen.18:1-3(. Christ was manifested (Theophany) before he
took up flesh (Incarnation).
PRAYER
May the merciful Lord forgive us all our failures as we
resolve to obey Him henceforth. May He help us remain immovable before all
irresistible temptations. Amen.
DANIEL 4
SUB-THEME: VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS (Dan. 1-6)
TOPIC:
KING TESTIFIES TO DANIEL’S
GODLINESS
TEXT: DANIEL 4
INTRODUCTION
When the godly continue to preserve in
their godliness among the worldly, there comes a time when the worldly shall
testify to the godliness of the saints: first by glorifying God (3:28-30) and
later by turning to serve and worship God (4:34-37).
In this chapter, Daniel was quoting a
world-wide (International Network) press release issued by king Nebuchadnezzar
(4:1-3) shortly before the end of his life and reign. Nebuchadnezzar had been a
very worldly man (proud, idolatrous, unrighteous, wicked) and the most powerful
man of his time. Yet through the godliness of the Hebrew brethren, he was
continually IMPRESSED ABOUT God until when God Himself encountered him and he
became CONVERTED TO God. When intellect is surprised and the emotion is
excited, we are IMPRESSED; when the heart is broken and the will is surrendered,
we are CONVERTED.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that
worried him at the peak of his reign, but not wanting to face the truth, he
called his wise men except Daniel and they could not interpret the dream
(4:4-7). Later, he made up his mind to call
Daniel and told him the dream (4:8-18). Daniel was initially worried by the
unpleasant meaning of the dream, yet with due respect to the king (v.19, 24)
despite knowing the king to be wicked (v. 27), he gave the interpretation
(4:19-27). This was fulfilled one year later (4:28-33).
After a time of “seven periods”, the king was restored to his senses, then he became converted and regained his throne (4:34-37).
DISCUSSION
1. Impression from excited faith does not last (Mk.4:16-19) but conversions from repentant faith endures for ever (Mk.4:20). Give example you know. Where do you belong?
2. What
should the godly do in order to bring impressions on the worldly and to see
that impressions become conversions?
Matt.5:
13-16; iPet.2: 17-19 and 3:1,2; John 3:1-3
3. What do you learn from Daniel in Dan.
4:19,24,27?
4. Who decreed the encounter of
Nebuchadnezzar? (v.17,24)
5. What were the dream and its interpretation
and fulfilment?
6. What do
you learn from the beautiful doxology (words of praise) sung by Nebuchadnezzar
unto God in verses 3,34 and 35?
CONCLUSION
As
men see our godliness and glorify God, someday they shall see our God and turn
to serve Him. Our God could break even
Nebuchadnezzar.
DANIEL
5
SUB-THEME: VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS (Dan. 1-6)
TOPIC:
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER
KINGDOMS
TEXT: DANIEL 5
INTRODUCTION
God
is sovereign (vs 21b and 23c). He is the most excellent and has supreme authority
and power over all. He is the first and
the last and has all things in His hand. He alone controls all things, none has
control over Him, and He has the final say in all things. (Deut 32:39, 40; Isa.
45:5-7; Rev. 1:8,18). God chose to make things work for Nebuchadnezzar but he
chose to work unfavourably against Belshazzar. God is sovereign over kingdoms
(5:18-23).
Nebuchadnezzar
had died after 40 years of reign. He was succeeded by Evil-Merodach (King
25:27) who was later succeeded by his son, Nabonidus, who in turn reigned with
his own son Belshazzar as co-king. Belshazzar had reigned for about 20 years as
second ruler or junior king, and decided to call a party for his lords. Having got drunk, he ordered for the
Jerusalem-temple ornaments to drink with them (5:1-4). Then God, the sovereign
Lord wrote a judgement against him on his palace wall: “MENE MENE, TEKEL,
U-PARSIN”. This has both monetary and verbal meaning “Numbered, numbered,
weighed, and divided.” (5:25-29). (Note that this also had currency meaning at
that time which could be likened today to “Naira, naira, kobo and half-kobo” or
“Pound, pound, shilling and pence”)
The handwriting on the wall frightened
the king and he called for his wise men who could not interpret it (5:5-9).
Later the queen (Belshazzar’s step-mother) on hearing the news came in and
suggested that Daniel be called (5:10-12). Her advice was heeded and Daniel,
after rejecting the offer of the third ruler, preached boldly to the king and
his thousand lords and women. He then interpreted the writing (5:13-29). Daniel
who was then about 85 years old was again promoted. That same night God raised
Darius the Mede to prove his sovereignty over kingdoms (5:30-31).
1. What do
you understand by the saying ”God is sovereign”? How does the knowledge of
God’s sovereignty help you in your godly walk amongst the worldly?
2. Drunkenness
led Belshazzar to overstep his bounds and incur God’s wrath and Judgement
(5:2). It may be lawful for the godly to taste alcoholic drinks, but is it
necessary and safe? Why? (Pro. 23:19-21, 29-35; Lev, 10:9-11; Mat. 18:7-9).
3. What do
we learn about God’s patience and judgement against sin form this chapter?
(Also see Mat. 21:33-43; Heb 10:26-31; 12:12-17)
4. Who wrote the handwriting on the wall?
(5:24)
5. What was
written and what was the meaning? (5:25-29). How was this fulfilled? (5:30,31)
DANIEL
6
SUB-THEME: VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS (Dan. 1-6)
TOPIC:
GOD TESTIFIES TO DANIEL’S
GODLINESS
TEXT: DANIEL 6
INTRODUCTION
With
this chapter, we end this sub-theme. These six chapters have shown us HOW to
live victorious godly lives in this world.
The next six chapters shall reveal to us WHY we should persevere in
godliness, seeing we have a blessed hope in the end.
On
assuming office, the 62-year-old Darius the Mede, as the first king of
Medo-Persia, established his cabinet of 120 satraps and 3 Governors with the
85-year-old Daniel as one of the governors (6:3-5). Knowing that Daniel was
godly and law-abiding in all things, they deceived the king into signing a law
that would put Daniel in a DILEMMA to choose between dying for godliness or
living for worldliness (6:6-9).
Without
panicking nor making trouble, nor campaigning to justify and save himself,
Daniel calmly made his choice to die for godliness, to do what is right and
leave the consequences to God Almighty. The politicians spied out Daniel
praying 3 times daily, as his habit was despite the 30 days decree. They accused him before the King and Daniel
was thrown into the Lions’ den. (6:10—17).
Knowing
that Daniel was blameless, the King hoped that God would deliver Daniel and God
did!!! (6:18-23). Therefore, king Darius commenced the execution of Daniel’s
enemies and decreed that all men should fear the God of Daniel. Hence, God
proved Daniel right (6:24-28).
DISCUSSIONS
1. In what
PRACTICAL ways could one DISTINGUISH oneself in godliness at Home, Church, Business,
Work, School, Society and Government by EXCELLENT spirit, FAITHFULLY, without
fault, in accordance with the LAW OF GOD? (6:3-5).
2. Daniel
had formed the habit of having quiet time 3 times everyday, even with his high
position in government (6:10). How could we develop such godly habits?
3. When no
one, not even the king, could deliver Daniel, God sent His Christ (Angel of the
Lord) to deliver him IN the Lions’ den (6:10-21). Why did God deliver Daniel?
(6:22,23). Could such be said about you?
4. As we
are faced with Lions’ dens of daily temptations and attacks from the Devil, the
World and the Flesh, what should we always set out hearts to do?
5. How
could our goodliness help spread the Gospel among the worldly today?
NOTE
So long we walk diligently according to the Word of
God, our sovereign Lord will prove us right as His godly remnant in this
crooked world.
DANIEL
7
SUB-THEME: REVELATION TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)
TOPIC: ALL AGES REVEALED
TEXT: DANIEL 7
Under this sub-theme, we shall study
revelations given by God to His godly saints in order to PREPARE them for times
ahead and ASSURE them of their eventual victory and reward, as well as of God’s
sovereignty even in turbulent and difficult times. In this chapter, Daniel
wrote down only the MAIN FACTS (not every detail) of the dream (7:1).
The
vision was about the 4 beasts. The fourth beast grew 10 horns: three of which
were plucked out to be replaced by another little Horns (7:2-8), more details
could be added from Dan. 2 and Rev. 13 and 17. There was also a revelation of
the sovereign Lord executing judgement from old times unto the end, when He
shall give the kingdom to the Christ and the saints (7:9-18:). Note that the
“STONE-Church” of the saints existed side by side with the Earthly kingdoms,
right from the O.T. to the N.T. This shall be so until after the final
tribulation, when the “MOUNTAIN-Church”, under Christ, shall reign for 1000
years. (i.e. Millennium).
The beasts are earthly KINGDOMS
(7:17,23). These must be Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome (NOT the Roman
Catholic Church). The fourth beast
(Roman Empire) was peculiar and complex. It shall give rise to 10
kingdoms of Divided-Alliances. These took off as from the fall of Rome in AD
476, marking the beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:6-8). This shall be followed by
the Antichrist’s reign who shall subdue three of the Divided-Alliance Kingdoms
and bring in the Great Tribulation over 3 ½ ‘PERIODS’ (7:19-25). Then the
saints shall possess the kingdom and reign forever - in the Millennium (called
Marriage Supper in Rev. 19:26-28).
Note that the fourth beast corresponds
to the legs of Iron (Dan. 2:33,40) while the horns correspond to the feet and
toes of mixed iron and clay (Dan. 2:41-45). We are in this age of Alliance and
Division amongst Romish IRON (Industrialised) kingdoms and other Non-Romish
CLAY (Developing) kingdoms.
1.
What are we
expecting from now? (2Thes.1-4).
2.
When shall the RAPTURE (1Thes. 4:15-18), which is
called the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST (Luke. 14:14) or the FIRST
RESURRECTION (Rev. 20:1-6), take place?
How will this be? (Matt.24: 25-31; Dan.7: 21-22)
3.
At the Rapture (catch-away), the saints shall
resurrect to welcome (meet) the Lord as He comes down from heaven to fight the
Armageddon war and establish the Millennial reign (Rev.16:12-16). What shall be
the outcome of this war?
4.
Daniel was careful to keep these things in his heart
(Dan.7: 28). In what ways do these revelations benefit the godly in this world?
(Matt.13: 7,23; Lk.21: 19,28; 2Pet.3: 14; Rev.2: 10-11and 3:25-29; 1Thes.4: 18
and 5:6-8).
MEMORY VERSE: DANIEL 7:18.
DANIEL
8
THEME: THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY
SUB-THEME:
REVELATION TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)
TEXT: DANIEL 8.
Two
years after the vision of the beasts (Dan.7), God revealed in details the EVENT
THAT CONCERN THE SAINTS during the Medo-Persian and Greek era, which were to be
BEFORE CHRIST’S FIRST COMING. Daniel saw these in the figure of a two-horned
Ram and a one-horned He-goat whose great horn was replaced by four other horns.
One of these four horns gave rise to a “little horn” which became great and
made war against the Holy Land and the heavenly host, defiling the sanctuary
for 2,300 days. After this period, the sanctuary was to be cleansed again.
(8:1-15).
At the command of the pre-incarnate
Christ, the Angel Gabriel interpreted the vision as concerning the then “times
of wrath” for the Jews before Christ’s first coming, which shall be part of the
then coming “end of times”. This was to be in time of the Greek empire
(he-goat), which shall follow the then coming Medo-Persian Empire (ram) - NOT
the final Antichrist end-time reign. (8:15-27).
20 years later, this prophecy was
fulfilled when Darius and Cyrus of the Medo-Persian Empire (ram) overthrew
Babylon and moved their capital to Shushan. After another 20 years, Alexander
the Great’s (the great horn) Greek empire overthrew the Persians and in another
150 years Antiochus Epiphanes (the little horn) arose from one of the four
province of the Greek empire and persecuted the Jews (stars of heaven) of Judea
(Glorious Land). He defiled the Jerusalem sanctuary, opposed and banned the
temple sacrifices and the Law from 171 to 165 BC (2,300 days). At the end of
this period of wrath, God raised the Maccabees who revolted and cleansed the
sanctuary in 165 BC. God smote Antiochus in 164 BC (1Macc. 5-10).
1. Who commanded Gabriel to interpret the
dream? (8:15,16).
2. It is
true that the vision is difficult to understand (8:27). Nevertheless, should
sincere Christians give interpretations of the end-time different from those of
the angel? (8:17-17). What should the saints of the now end-time learn from
this prophecy?
3.
Antiochus slightly did to the Jewish saints before
Christ’s first coming, what the Antichrist shall severely do to the Christian
saints, before Christ’s second coming. What are
the other differences between the Antiochus ‘little horn’ (Dan.8) and the
Antichrist ‘little horn’ (Dan.7)?
4.
The hope of the Jews was re-consecration of the
defiled Temple (8:14,25). What is the hope of the Church for the great
tribulation? (Mark 13:19-27).
CONCLUSION
God
has also given us our Horn: the HORN OF SALVATION who is CHRIST (Lk.1: 67-71;
Ps.18; 1-3).
THEME: THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY
SUB-THEME:
REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)
TOPIC: GOD’S
WILL KNOWN THROUGH PRAYER AND SCRIPTURES
TEXT: DANIEL 9.
20
years after the vision of chapter 8, when Darius and Cyrus had overthrown
Babylon to establish the Medo-Persian empire, Daniel was studying the Book of
Jeremiah and discovered that the end of the exile had come according to Jer.25:
8-11 and 29:10-14. (Dan.9: 1,2).
He then started to pray in line with
the Word and mind of God, making confession for the sins of Israel including
himself. Note the aspects of his prayer of confession: -
1. Acknowledgement
of God’s righteousness and justice:
2. Admission
of our sins with a sober and repentant heart (Dan.9: 4-14); and
3. Petition
for forgiveness based on God’s mercy and promises (Dan.9: 15-19).
As he prayed, Angel Gabriel came swiftly to give him a
revelation of God’s plan in answer to his prayers (Dan.9: 20-23). This Angel
had revealed the defiling of the temple by Antiochus and it’s cleansing by the
Maccabees in Chapter 8; now he reveals the complete destruction of the Temple
by Emperor Titus of Rome in 70 AD. (Lk.19: 41-44 and 21:20-24).
The revelation was that the period from
the time of the reconstruction of Jerusalem and its second Temple, till the
time of their destruction shall be 70 sevens. This same period was to see
the first coming of Christ (ie. Messiah or ”Anointed One” who was to deal with
sins (Dan.9:24) and establish the New Covenant. This period extends from the
first year of Cyrus (537BC) to the fall of Jerusalem (AD70). Note that the
events were timed as follows:
(i) Jerusalem to
be built in the first 7(sevens), probably;
(ii) Messiah to
come after 69 sevens:
(iii) Jerusalem to
be desolated by a coming kingdom at the end of the 70th sevens;
(iv)
After the 70 sevens, Jerusalem shall remain desolate
till the consummation of the desolation when the “times of the Gentiles”
(Lk.21: 24), which we are NOW in, shall be fulfilled. (Dan. 9:24-27).
1. What
should we learn from Daniel in verses 2 and 3? And what have you learned about
prayer of confession? (9:8,18).
2. Some
teach today, that the 70th seven has been postponed to the period of
the Antichrist reign. Could this be possibly true from any Scripture? How?
4. The first Temple built by Solomon was desolated for 70 years by the Babylonians. The second temple built by Zerubabel was desolated after 70 “sevens”. The last Temple shall be built by Jesus Christ the Son of Zerubabel, the Son of Solomon, the Son of David. When? (Acts 1:7; Lk.21: 24). How? (Rev.21: 10). How long shall it last?
4. How was the Messiah to bring an end to sacrifice and offerings (v.27b; Heb 7:22-27) and confirm the New Covenant with MANY (I,e the Church)? v. 27a; Heb 8:13; Matt 26.28.
5. How could we know God’s will today?
CONCLUSION
May
the Lord teach us the way of holiness, the way of prayer and delight in His
Word: so that we may KNOW and WALK IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL.
THEME: THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY
SUB-THEME:
REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)
TOPIC: GOD
REVEALED TO THE PRAYERFUL
TEXT: DANIEL 10.
The prophecy of the 70 sevens [Dan.9]
began to be fulfilled few months after its revelation, when King Cyrus of
Persia gave the command for the Israelites on exile to return to Judah and
rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4).
However, not many of them were willing to return.
On
arrival, the few exiles that returned started to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple.
However, the Samaritans opposed them (Ezra 4:1-5) and by the third year of King
Cyrus, the Temple work had been stopped. Therefore, the 85-year-old Daniel in
far away Persia was moved to mourn and pray to God. Some people gathered around him to support him. After 3 weeks of
mourning, fasting, praying and humbling himself, the Lord appeared to him,
(Dan. 10:1-6). (This kind of
Pre-incarnate revelation of the Son of God in the Old Testament is called
Theophany).
The majesty of the Lord’s presence
terrified Daniel and his supporters, such that the supporters fled while Daniel
fell down semi-conscious (Daniel 10-79). Then an angel touched him while the
Lord spoke to him to assure him and explain mysteries to him. By this, Daniel
came to know and understand the plan of God for His people till the end of
time, as we shall see in Chapters 11 and 12. The Lord also spoke to Daniel
about His spiritual warfare against the demonic princes of Persia and Greece
and how angel Michael fought on the Lord’s side for the Jews (Dan. 10:10-21).
DISCUSSION
1. When the
Eternal Son of God (Christ) appears in His majesty whether before the
incarnation or after the ascension, His presence is always glorious and powerful
(Dan 10:5-7; Rev. 1:12-17). In what state are we likely to receive the
revelation of Christ and the revelation of God’s plan (Dan. 10:12; Rev. 1:10).
2. Who and
what are the real enemies of godliness? (Dan. 10:13; 20; Eph 2:1-3). Who then
should the godly fight? (Eph. 6:12).
3. Christ's
work of salvation for His people today is done through preaching, hearing,
believing and obeying the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. In what ways
do demons hinder this saving work of Christ? (2 Cor. 4:3,4)
4. What are
the weapons of our warfare against these enemies of Christ? (Dan 10:2,3; Eph.
5:13-17). How should we make use of these weapons and for how long? (Eph.
6:18,19). Give example from your experience.
5. What is
the importance and benefits of prayer in the life of the godly?
CONCLUSION
When once we begin to pray, God moves into action. Nevertheless, it may take some time before this becomes evident to us. Therefore, the godly must learn to wait on the Lord patiently, without fainting or losing hope, till God’s time, when He shall reveal Himself and remove our burden.
THEME: THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY
SUB-THEME:
REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)
TOPIC: ANTIOCHUS
AND ANTICHRIST REVEALED
TEXT: DANIEL 11.
This
chapter is a continuation of the revelation in chapter 10. The same Lord who
appeared as a glorious man (10:5,6), and was withstood by the prince of
Persia, is He who stood by the Kings of Persia (10:13) and therefore
strengthened Darius the Mede (11:1). This Lord (Pre-incarnate Son of God) came
to reveal the Scriptures of truth to Daniel.
1. A Great King shall arise in Persia to
provoke the Greeks. This was fulfilled by Xerxes, who took Esther as his queen
(11:2)
2 A Great King from Greece shall arise
(Alexander the Great) at whose death his kingdom shall divide into four (11:3).
3. Two of the four kingdoms, one to the North
of Judah (Arabs), and the other to the South of Judah (North Africans) shall
have a series of conflicts that will eventually affect the Jews (11:4-20).
4. A contemptible and cunning person
(Antiochus) shall angrily fight the Jews of the holy covenant. (11:21-31).
5. The Godly ones shall become strong, preach
to many, and later fall. Nevertheless, they shall receive a little help but
after awhile fall again. In this way, they shall be refined till the time of
the end (11:32-35).
6. Later another blasphemous king who shall
oppose God (Antichrist) shall arise and use force to conquer the kings of the
North (I.e. Arabs) and the South (i.e. Africans) and bring many countries,
including Judah, under his control, until the wrath determined by God has been
accomplished. He shall build his capital spreading from Jerusalem to Gaza but
shall quickly come to an end (11:36-45).
DISCUSSION
1. Evil shall increase but it shall not triumph because God is the author of history and is in control of all. What benefit is this knowledge to the godly today?
2.
What does the fact that most of these prophecies have
been fulfilled to the letter teach you about God’s Word? (10:21; John 17:17).
3.
Why has God appointed that the Church shall undergo
periods or rise and fall? (11:34, 35;
2Thes. 2:3; Matt 24:11-13; 1Tim 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3). Moreover, what should you
do about this?
4.
What characteristics of the godly could you find in
verse 32 and 33? Are such true about your Christian life?
MEMORY VERSE: Daniel
Chapter 11 verse 32.
THEME: THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY
SUB-THEME:
REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)
TOPIC: THE END OF TIME REVEALED
TEXT: DANIEL 12.
Then shall come the Day when all who
would have died shall resurrect. First the godly, who wisely turned many to
righteousness, shall resurrect into everlasting life and glory (see Matt.
24:29-31, Lk. 14:14, 1 Cor. 15:51-53 and 1 Thes. 4:15-17. Secondly, the worldly
also shall resurrect into everlasting shame and contempt (12:2,3; John 5:28,29)
Revelation 20 informs us that there shall be a Millennium (1,000m years)
between these two resurrections.
In the vision, Daniel saw two other
Angels join the Lord, one of whom asked the Lord about the duration of the
Tribulation. The Lord promised by an oath that it shall not exceed 3½ periods
of time. When Daniel wanted more details, the Lord assured him of his
salvation, but told him that the details are preserved (closed and sealed) for
the end time saints, to whom it shall be revealed to purify and refine them (e.g.
Matt 24 and Revelation). The Lord also
added that those who endure longer unto the end shall be blessed (2:4-13).
DISCUSSIONS
1. When shall the resurrection of the godly take place and what shall be the outcome?
2. How long
shall the Antichrist Tribulation last (12:7, 11,12)? (see Dan 7:25; Rev. 11:2;
Rev. 12:6; Rev. 13:5-10).
3. Why did
the Lord promise by an oath that the Tribulation shall be cut short? (12:7;
Matt 24:22; Luke 18:7,8; Heb. 6:16-20).
4. In what
ways could the revelations of the Truth about things to come purify and refine
the godly? (Rom. 8:37-39; Mk. 13:19-23; 1 Cor. 10:11-13).
5. The
exact meaning of verses 11 and 12 is not clear but what could you learn from
there?
6. Which is
more important: KNOWING the things to come or ENDURING the things to come,
whatever they may be?
MEMORY VERSE: Daniel Chapter 12: 13
Last Updated October 14, 2005
By The Revd Dr. I. U. Ibeme
Copyright © PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
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