STUDY OUTLINES ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL

By Revd Dr. Ifechukwu U. Ibeme

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Chapter 1                                                  Chapter 7 

Chapter 2                                                  Chapter 8 

Chapter 3                                                  Chapter 9           

Chapter 4                                                  Chapter 10         

Chapter 5                                                  Chapter 11         

Chapter 6                                                  Chapter 12         

 

DANIEL 1

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

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

 

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DANIEL 2

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

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).

 

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DANIEL 3

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

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 status 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 kung 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 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 we are continuously and irresistibly tempted by self, satan and the world, 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.

 

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DANIEL 4

 

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

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 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 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 made up his mind and called Daniel and told him the dream (4:8-18). Daniel was initially worried by the 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.

 

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DANIEL 5

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS  (Dan. 1-6)

TOPIC:                GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER KINGDOMS

TEXT:                  DANIEL 5

 

INTRODUCTION

God is sovereign (vs 21b and 23bc. He is the most excellent and has supreme authority and power over all.  He is the first and 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 reigned with his 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 monitory and verbal meaning “Numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided.” (5:25-29).

          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).

 
DISCUSSION

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

4.      Who wrote the handwriting on the wall (5:24)

5.      What was written and what

 

 

 

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DANIEL 6

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     VICTORY THROUGH GODLINESS  (Dan. 1-6)

TOPIC:                GOD TESTIFIES TO DANIEL’S GODLINESS 

TEXT:                  DANIEL 6

 

INTRODUCTION

With this chapter, we a 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 years 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.

 

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DANIEL 7

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     REVELATION TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)

TOPIC:                ALL AGES REVEALED

TEXT:                  DANIEL 7

 

INTRODUCTION

          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 existing side by side with the Earthly kingdoms right from the O.T. to the N.T. until after the final tribulation when the MOUNTAIN- Church shall reign for 1000 years. (ie Millennium).

          The beasts are earthly KINGDOMS (7:17,23). These must be Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, 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 iron and clay (Dan. 2:41-45). We are in this age of Alliance and Division amongst Romish Iron (Industrialised) kingdoms and other clay (Developing) kingdoms.

 
DISCUSSIONS

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 and how? (Matt.24: 25-31). Dan.7: 21-22

3.                At the Rapture (catch-away), the saints shall 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.

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DANIEL   8

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     REVELATION TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)

TOPIC:                TIME BEFORE CHRIST REVEALED

TEXT:                  DANIEL   8.

 

INTRODUCTION

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. 20 years later, 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).

 
DISCUSSIONS

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 about the great tribulation? (Mark 13:19-27).

 

CONCLUSION

God has given us our Horn: the HORN OF SALVATION who is CHRIST (Lk.1: 67-71; Ps.18; 1-3).

 

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DANIEL 9

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.

 

INTRODUCTION

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 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 the time of the reconstruction 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). 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 is NOW, shall be fulfilled. (Dan. 9:24-27).

DISCUSSION

1.      What should we learn from Daniel inversion 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? How?

3.      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.

 

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DANIEL 10

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)

TOPIC:                GOD REVEALED TO THE PRAYERFUL

TEXT:                  DANIEL 10.

 

INTRODUCTION

          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 who 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 Chapter 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 he Gospel in he 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 move 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.

 

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DANIEL 11

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)

TOPIC:                ANTIOCHUS AND ANTICHRIST REVEALED

TEXT:                  DANIEL 11.

 

INTRODUCTION

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 also 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 Africa) 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 North and South 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 he 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.

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DANIEL 12

THEME:              THE GODLY AMONGST THE WORLDLY

SUB-THEME:     REVELATIONS TO THE GODLY (Dan. 7-12)

TOPIC:                THE END OF TIME REVEALED

TEXT:                  DANIEL 12.

 

INTRODUCTION
During the reign of the Antichrist (Dan. 11:36-45), there shall be a time of trouble (i.e. the Great Tribulation). At that time Michael shall fight against the Devil (see Revelation 12 and 2Thes. 2:3-12), and the godly whose names are written in the Book of life, shall be delivered (12:1).

          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. But 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?

 

MEMORY VERSE:  Daniel Chapter 12: 13

 

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Last Updated June 6, 2005

By The Revd Dr. I. U. Ibeme

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