Daniel Chapter 5: The Corruption of God's Vessels

Introduction: The Church is being corrupted today by nothing else than Satan. Many old scriptural practices are being done away with because the Church wants to be like the world. In this Chapter, I think that we can find the importance of God’s vessels, or the things that belong to God, and how they should never be changed or done away with. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Verse 1-6 reads, “Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.”  

-If there is anything that really irritates God, profaning his vessels is one of them. God in this section of the Chapter is upset with Belshazzar for falling into the same sin that his father fell into. We know that towards the end of chapter 4 that Nebuchadnezzar called upon the name of the Lord and was saved. Belshazzar, his son, was not so wise. Belshazzar fell into the same error as his father; pride. Belshazzar profaned God’s Holy Vessels and then praised the “….gods of gold, and the gods of silver, and the gods of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.”

-We see this today through the Bible. Bible scholars think that it’s ok for them to tamper with his Word. God promised in Psalm 12:6-7 that he would preserve his Word.

 “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

-And not only is the word of God under attack through false perversions like the NIV, ESV, NLT, NKJV, and, NASB. But also God’s music. The hymns are being corrupted, and the Psalms are being forgotten. Contemporary Christian music is of Satan; enough said. God’s music is being perverted through Satan’s influence. God commands us to sing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. (Ephesians 5:18-19). And if you look at the music that God wrote, you’ll notice that it is completely different from the Worlds lyrics. Our music is to adhere to the Bible. It should not sound like the trash that Kirk Franklin, Andy Mineo, Justin Bieber, Lecrae, Lady Gaga, and 1D puts out.

(for more insight, check out my blogpost “Worldly Music in Light of the Bible”)

-One other thing that the World as well as Christians are corrupting is marriage. Now marriage is a Holy Vessel of God indeed, and it’s so disgusting how the World sees marriage. Two paedophiles or sodomites can now marry and adopt a child to molest and the world calls that a happy relationship? This is what is being corrupted the most. There will always be a remnant that uses the KJV Bible. There will always be a remnant that refuses to conform to the world’s music. But sodomy, paedophilia, homosexuality, or whatever you want to call it; is being shrugged down everybody’s throat through the media. Which is why you need to get rid of your hell-in-vision. I thought our rights are endowed by our creator? So why does the government believe that they have the right to decide what marriage is? THEY DON’T! The government is not our creator. Jesus Christ is our creator, so or rights don’t come from laws, they come from the Bible. To think that two faggots should get married is ridiculous. God commanded them in both Old and New Testament to be put to death (Romans 1:32, Leviticus 20:13) God doesn’t tolerate predators in any society. If our rights come from him, then I have the right not to have my children be molested.

Verse 7-17 reads, “The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, 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.”

-It’s funny how when the world is being judged by God they always run to the world for help. King Belshazzar ran to magicians, astrologers, and the Chaldeans. Only Daniel was of the Lord. It’s also funny how Daniel was the King’s last option. His wife, not his counsellors, had to advise him to go to Daniel for the interpretation of the dream. King Belshazzar was not wise at all. He didn’t remember the example that his father left him. And he just flat our rejected God. Really think this thorough. Remember that throughout every generation God’s word is available (Psalm 100:5). And Daniel wrote the book of Daniel while he was in Babylon. Wouldn’t you think that Belshazzar would have grown up with some knowledge of the Lord God? I mean, his father became an animal because of God. Do you think his father wouldn’t tell him that? Do you think that Nebuchadnezzar would just never tell this to anyone at all including his son? King Belshazzar had his father’s testimony, Daniel’s testimony, and the scriptures that Daniel wrote. The word of God wasn’t oblivious to his mind. He knew where the temple was. He knew enough about his father to know that he desecrated the house of God (verses 2-3). How much more would he know of the later of his life, fresh to his memory?

-Look at verses 18-22

“O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.  And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;”

-The last five words clearly show that King Belshazzar knew all that his father had done and what God had done through his life.

- Belshazzar just despised the Word of God. Belshazzar did not learn from his father’s example.

• Proverbs 11:6 reads, “The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.”
• Proverbs 10:27 says, “The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”
• Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”

-King Belshazzar did not fear the Lord, and he certainly did not look to his father. For this cause, Belshazzar’s days were shortened.

Verses 23-31 reads, “But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. 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. Then 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.”

-Pride is a big sin. It cost Nebuchadnezzar his honour and sanity and Belshazzar his life and soul. Pride is a gateway sin. It doesn’t stop. It went from King Nebuchadnezzar, to the wilderness, and to his son. Then from his son to his death. It is a sin that corrupts governments, desecrates Churches, and ruins families.

-Be not deceived, God is not mocked. If you chose to test God, he will test you (Galatians 6:7). Before honour comes humility. Do not take honour without taking humility (Proverbs 15:33). Honour your father and mother. God promised to prolong your days (Exodus 20:12). We see that God does not lie.

                                                                            -Take heed lest ye fall.

Daniel Chapter 4: The Error of Pride

  Introduction: Pride is one of the many sins that the leaders of our nation face today. And not only is it something that the rulers and governors struggle with, but also something that Americans struggle with in general; though it is not called pride, but entitlement. King Nebuchadnezzar as with many kings struggled with pride, which in the end was his error.

Verse 1-18 reads, “Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.  I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.”

-Now Chapter 4 begins with Nebuchadnezzar explaining his dream to Daniel. At this point Nebuchadnezzar relies on Daniel to interpret his dreams; calling him the “master of the magicians” or wise men.

-As we continue to read, we will find just how Daniel interprets the dream.

-We are going to pick up at verse 24.

Verse 24-28 reads, “This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.”

-Because King Nebuchadnezzar was such a beautiful tree that bore much fruit, this caused his heart to be exalted with pride. God is going to show Nebuchadnezzar just how futile he is.

-Moreover, even though the judgement is sure to come according to the Will of God, Daniel in verse 27 tries to get Nebuchadnezzar to repent from his pride. In verse 29 we see that Nebuchadnezzar probably hearkened unto the wisdom of Daniel because he postponed God’s judgement for a space of 12 months.  But in the end came sudden destruction.

Verse 29-33 says, “At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.”

-Of course, everything comes to pass as God said it would. And king Nebuchadnezzar is turned into the beast.

-The very fact that God chose to turn him into an animal (which has no more value than a tool) is just something that immediately must have an effect on the King’s pride level.

-At the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation, his eyes are opened and he gives glory to God; knowing that God is the one who sets up rulers, and brings them down to the dust. Nebuchadnezzar, because of his humility, was able to call upon the name of the Lord and get saved.

Verse 34-37 reads, “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

-It took Nebuchadnezzar turning into an insane animal for him to actually get saved. That’s how prideful he was. Imagine what it would take for “sinless” Donald Trump to get saved. Probably turning into an ant. And don’t even get me started with Hillary the murder. In the end though, we learn that pride is a big deterrent to getting saved. Many of today’s athletes, singers, actors, and politicians will never get saved. Not because they are reprobate (like Obama), but because they are their own God and think they don’t need Christ.

James 4:6 says, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Daniel Chapter 3: Persecution

Introduction: Today, Bible-Believing Christians are under fire for believing the truth. Pastors who actually believe what the Bible teaches regarding subjects such as homosexuality are under persecution. The world does not hate us because we have an opinion so-called. The world hates us Bible-Believing Christians because of the Word of God.

Verse 1-7 reads, “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.”

-So King Nebuchadnezzar makes an image. And he makes a decree that says whenever you hear the music, you are to bow down and worship the image. 

-This goes with what America is doing today. They want you to bow down and worship their image of homosexuality. Their image of Hollywood. Their images of singers, actors, and athletes. America only tolerates one opinion. America doesn’t want the truth. Therefore, so many Americans are slaves to the media’s opinion. Slaves to the government’s story. If you have an opinion in America contrary to the government, you are “hateful”. King Nebuchadnezzar wanted his whole Kingdom to be united under one god. That god isn’t the true God. He, being lifted up with pride thought that he could just create a god, and command all people, nations, and languages to worship that image. He pictures the Antichrist superbly.

-But there is always a remnant that will not follow the world’s wisdom and its gods. That remnant is Bible-Believing Christians; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Verse 8-15 reads, “Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:  And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?”

-Notice that it wasn’t until someone accused the Jews for not worshipping the King’s false god, that there any persecution.

-Sounds a lot like how the sodomites accused Pastor Steven Anderson, and shut down his donations through PayPal. Sounds a lot like how the reprobates accused Pastor Roger Jimenez and shut down his YouTube Channel. These accusers were around from the beginning of time. Jesus was accused of blasphemy when he said that he was God. Paul was accused and persecuted because he preached against circumcision. Stephen was accused and martyred, because he preached the Word of God. These accusers have a Father. The devil.

-Just as the Pharisees claimed that they were so righteous when they presumptuously broke the ninth commandment “thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” for the sake of shutting up the truth. Even so also are these filthy reprobates claiming to be so “gay” when they are more likely to have STD’s. Have 50 years shaved off of their life just for being queer. And have been with over 500 partners on average. This doesn’t sound “gay” to me. Also given the fact that they are predators that molest children. These people are not “gay’, they are filthy disgusting animals. They break all the commandments just as the Pharisees in the days of Christ; just as the Catholic Priests in the Inquisition; for the sake of killing and persecuting the children of God. And their father, the devil, rejoices all the more as he sees his children abiding in his will.

Verse 16-23 reads, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 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. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”

-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not effeminate men who compromised the truth. They didn’t even take a second thought at their answer. They didn’t have to think of what they were going to say, they already knew it. They were not “careful to answer” the King. They knew that they were going to stand for the truth without any shadow of doubt.

-Because these men chose to stand for the truth, the King was full of fury! He hated them not because they had an opinion, but because they would not submit to his authority, to his government, to his god.

-Christians today are not persecuted because they have their own point of view. We are persecuted because we have God’s point of view. And God said “thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

-That’s why we are being cast into the fire. That’s why we are being hunted down by the media, the government, the world. IT’S BECAUSE WE STAND FOR THE PERFECT LAW OF GOD!!!! AND THAT LAW SAYS KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS!!!!!

-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obeyed God, so they were thrown into the pit.

Verse 24-28 reads, “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.  And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 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.”

-You see, whenever Christians are going through persecution. Whether it be having your store shut down. Having your house burned down. And even being thrown into a pit of fire, God is always there. You see the world wants to put us in a pit of fire. The world wants to put us in hell. God won’t allow that. All they can do is give us hell on earth, and it’s ok because it’s worth an eternity with Jesus Christ.  I don’t fear death. I fear losing. I fear not being bold enough. I FEAR NOT STANDING UP FOR THE TRUTH BECAUSE I FEAR GOD!!!! And I Know that the labourer is worthy of his reward.

-Notice again that this is what it took for Nebuchadnezzar to turn his anger. It took him throwing men in a pit of hell until he actually saw the work of God. You see that’s what it takes for the world. The world isn’t going to listen to the gospel. The world hates the gospel. The world, like King Nebuchadnezzar seeks after a sign. Jesus said “a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign”. You know how the World is going to realize that they have done wrong. It’s when the flood comes as in the days of Noah. As soon as he entered into the ark, sudden destruction came upon the world. As soon as we get to heaven, and the World beholds the Son of Man just as Nebuchadnezzar, then will they say to themselves “what have we done?” This world is going to hate Christians until the end.

Verse 29-30 says, “Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”

-God always wins. And he will forever win. Even though the media wants you to think that we’ve lost, we will never back down. I will hate the sin and iniquity of this world until the day I die. I will not back down from the truth. The question still lies. Will you back down? Will you submit? Will bow your knee to Baal.

                                                  -I chose persecution

Daniel Chapter 2: The Deliverance of Wisdom (Part 2)

Verse 30-35 reads, “But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”

-Daniel interprets the dream and it turns out that it is a major prophesy to come in the days of Babylon, and the latter Babylon in the end-times.

-The image that Nebuchadnezzar sees represents the kingdoms to come. The rock that breaks the image represents the Lord Jesus Christ. And when there is no place found for the chaff, the rock becomes a mountain and of course we know that is the Kingdom of the Rock; The Kingdom of Jesus the Messiah.

-This is something that comes up again in Daniel Chapter 7.

Verse 36-44 reads, “This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

-All of these Kingdoms came to pass after this prophesy. Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Beast (in that order).

The last and final kingdom is the one that’s on its way. The Antichrist’s kingdom (which existed during the Middle Ages in the Catholic Church) will come, and that is the kingdom that will be destroyed by Jesus Christ when he comes after the tribulation.

Verse 45 Says, “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.”

Verse 46-49: “Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.  The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.”

- Daniel feared the Lord, and for this God gave him wisdom to deliver him from death. Daniel through his wisdom won integrity, faith, and prophesy of the latter days. This shows how strong wisdom is.

Proverbs 14:27 “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”

Daniel Chapter 2:The Deliverance of WIsdom (Part 1)

  Introduction: The Bible has a lot to teach about wisdom. In fact, wisdom is mentioned 222 times in the Bible. This sermon, I hope, will show you the benefit of having wisdom from an early age in life.

Verse 1-11 reads, “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.  But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

-King Nebuchadnezzar wants to have his dream interpreted by the wise men of his kingdom. He so fervently wants the dream interpreted that he puts a death sentence on the wise men of his realm if they cannot interpret the dream. As the wise men state “..there is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter….”

-So this is the context of what we are about to learn from Daniel. Notice that in verse 11 that “..it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods..” These wise men being the first men that the King went to, were probably the (so-called) best of the kingdom being desired primarily for the kings needy request. This is probably why the King’s punishment was so harsh, because if they couldn’t interpret the dream then no one could. And guess what, the wise men did not understand the dream. No wise man save Daniel understood King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Verse 12-14 reads, “For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.”

-The King sends forth his guards to slay all the wise men accomplishing the Will of God for Daniel and his companions. When the Captain Arioch approaches Daniel, Daniel responds to the Captain with “counsel and wisdom”.

Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.”

1Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

-Now Daniel didn’t get wise when he got into the King’s palace. Daniel was already wise. When Nebuchadnezzar wanted them in his Palace, these were the qualifications in Daniel 1:

  “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”

-Daniel was already wise as a child from his parents which is why he was able to enter into the King’s palace in the first place.

-It wasn’t the education he received from the King’s palace that preserved him. It was the education from his parents who taught him the laws of God (Daniel 1:8) that kept him in line with God.

Verse 17-23 says, “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.”

-When Daniel wanted to interpret the King’s dream, he didn’t go to man for understanding. He did not open his Babylon School Books. He went to the Lord God Almighty in prayer; asking God to give him wisdom.

-Daniel we know was an upright man. And the Bible says in Proverbs 14:2 that “He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.”

-When you walk in uprightness, that shows that you fear God. And what does the Bible say about the fear of the Lord? Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

-Daniel did not have wisdom and favour because he went to college. Daniel did not have knowledge and understanding because of his Babel State University PhD. Daniel had the interpretation of the dream because Daniel feared God.

Verse 24-28 says, “Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?  Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;”

-Not only was Daniel able to save himself and his companions because of his wisdom. He was also able to save all the wise men of Babylon. If Daniel had not been raised in a biblical home. If his parents had not taught him the Bible from an early age, then all the wise men of Babylon would have perished as a result of the ignorance of Daniel.

-Daniel not only is a blessing to his people, but even to the pagans living in Babylon at that time. All because Daniel feared the Lord.

Daniel Chapter 1: The Siege

 (Recommended that you read entire Chapter)

Introduction: In a time when so many Christians are rejecting the Word of God and conforming to the culture because of its “delicacies”, we are facing a turning point on what taking a stand really means. Daniel was captured and brought into the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah. And during this time period, he not only had to be separated from his parents, but he also had to remember what his parents had taught him regarding the Word of God.

Verse 1-2: “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: Which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.”

-Notice that the very first thing that occurs after Judah is taken over is that the God’s temple is defiled. He removes the vessels of the house of God and puts them in the house of his god.  In the Old Testament, the house of God was the Temple. Of course in the New Testament our bodies are the Temple of God.

-In 1 Corinthians 6:19 it reads, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are brought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Now how could someone rob us of our temple? How would we be defiled today?

-Our sin is what defiles the temple of God which is our bodies. Sin robs the temple of its fruit, sin destroys the temple, sin is what keeps the temple from being firm on the chief cornerstone. It was through the sin of Judah that God brought Babylon to siege the land.

-The First point I want to make is: In a God-Rejecting Nation, Satan always attacks the temple of God.

- If Satan can destroy God’s people thorough sin or even persecution, then he can destroy the nation. God looks to his people (2 Chronicles 7:14) when he looks at a nation. The Pastors who are not keeping God’s temple clean, and are not getting the trash out of God’s people are who God is looking at. If the Pastors don’t preach hard against adultery, if the Pastors don’t preach hard against fornication, if the Pastors don’t preach hard against the sodomites then THEY ARE TO BLAME! God didn’t call King Ahab to preach against Jezebel, he called Elijah. God didn’t call Herod to preach against the Pharisees, he called John the Baptist. God never calls the unsaved to repent of their sin, he calls his people (2 Chronicles 7:14). Jeremiah 10:21 is a fulfilled prophesy today.

  “For the Pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper and all their flocks shall be scattered”

And Jeremiah 4:22 is best referred to Christians today,

“For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”

-Christians are more concerned about Sports than Soul-Winning. We are more concerned about money than souls. We are more concerned about movies theatres than Churches. We are more concerned about politicians than Pastors. And we are more concerned about magazines than the Word of God. Ask a Christians to sing 3 hymns. But he can sing 30 pop songs. Ask a Christian if he can memorize verses. I bet he can memorize the names of athletes. Ask your average saint if he has ever read the Bible cover to cover. Then ask them if they have read the “Hunger Games” series. We are very pathetic as a people of God Almighty.

Going back to Daniel Chapter 1

Verse 3-7: “ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.”

-It is no mistake that the first thing that a wicked government goes after is the children. Hitler said “Let me control the textbooks and I will control the state.” And it also is no mistake that the Children are separated from their parents.

-I don’t really care what your opinion is on this subject, but the truth of the matter is, is that Public School is unbiblical. The Bible teaches that it is the parents’ job to educate their Children. Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:6-25, Deuteronomy 11:19, and Proverbs 1:8 are all scriptures that teach that Parents are supposed to educate their Children.

-Christian, Public, and Private Schools are not found in God’s law. So if It’s not in the Bible, and you have tons of scriptures contradicting the world’s teaching, then it is simply wrong.

-And Nebuchadnezzar only wanted Daniel, Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael for his purpose. Verse 4 basically says that he wants intelligent children. Now one thing that is consistent with the book of Daniel is that the King has Magicians, astrologers, or wise men (Daniel 2:10, 12). The King relies on these men for interpreting his dreams (which none of them could) but also for advice. King David had the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 16:23) and Herod used the Wise men to find out where Christ would be born (Matthew 2:7). It is obvious that the reason why a King would have wise men would be for his purposes of counsel. Proverbs 11:14 says,

 “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

-Daniel was brought to the palace for the King. This is Just as kids are brought to college for the president. What is Barack Obama always saying? “We need engineers, we need scientists, we need kids in college….”. NASA is trying to colonize other planets because of a lie called global warming. It is silly that our government is investing billions of dollars on something based on a lie. Needless to say, Obama want’s your children for his purposes. For his Daddy Government. And just like King Nebuchadnezzar, and Adolf Hitler, our children are being brainwashed and taught that they are animals.

-Daniel took a stand against the wicked system in verses 8, and :11-15. Even though Daniel was forced into the system He was blessed for keeping God’s commandments.

-My second point is that: A God-Rejecting Nation desires to educate the Children of its Citizens

-Through pre-school, day-care, and Public School, the government is more interested in separating you away from your children. Feminism especially, has contributed to the deterioration of the family creating unstable environments, tension between parent-child relationships, husband-wife relationships, and overall a moral depraving that is stretching across society. The government took out the 10 Commandments a long time ago. Now since the government is in your home through your television, the 10 Commandments are nowhere to be seen in the home. Secular Humanism, Evolution, Atheism, Pantheism, and Materialism are philosophies of Satan that completely contradict Biblical teachings.

-Mothers no longer follow the Bible’s teaching of being a housewife. Fathers are wimps who wear the dresses in the home now. And kids are more disrespectful than ever.

-Now back at Daniel Chapter 1

Verse 8-9 reads, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”

Verse 17 reads, “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”

Verse 20 reads, “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in his realm.”

-Because Daniel “purposed in his heart” to keep God’s commandments and not defile himself with any unclean thing, God worked in his life touching the heart of the prince of the eunuchs.

-God blessed Daniel and his fellow servants with knowledge and wisdom because of their obedience. For choosing to obey God rather than men, Daniel was rewarded “…in all matters of wisdom and understanding…”

My third and last point is: In a God-Rejecting Nation, Never be Afraid to Stand for the Truth

-If you ask the average Christian what the Bible says about homosexuals, he’ll probably tell you that “God says to love them because we are to love everybody”. If you ask the average Christian what the Bible teaches about hate, she’ll probably tell you “hate is evil, God never said to hate”. And if you ask the average Christian about salvation, they’ll probably tell you “All you have to do to be saved is repent of your sins and then believe on Jesus”. Of course, all of these responses are wrong.

-So many Christians are stupid when it comes to God’s word. As Jeremiah 4:22 states,

“For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge”

-We seek the world’s approval of God’s word. So we have the NIV, ESV, NLT, NKJV, and NASB. Daniel did not turn from the Word of God because of the wicked Babylonians. Daniel had integrity, and didn’t back down from the Word of God.

-There are modern day Isaias, Jeremiahs, and Daniels who refuse to back down from the Word of God. Pastor Roger Jimenez, Pastor Steven Anderson, Pastor David Berzins, and Pastor Donnie Romero.

-Then there are the Baalams and Jezebels: Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Billy Graham, and Joyce Meyer.

Will you stand with the Prophets that win souls, or the prophets that destroy them? Will you stand with the Prophets that prophesy the truth, or those who prophesy lies? Will you stand with the Prophets who don’t fear death but only God, or with those who fear the people for their money? Will you stand with the Prophets of God, of the Prophets of Satan?                                                                                                                                            

 Are you with the Prophets who worship the Baal of sodomy, the Baal of money, and the Baal of the American dream? Or do you stand with Elijah? I chose to stand with Elijah. I chose to stand with Pastor Roger Jimenez.

                                           - In Honour of Verity Baptist Church of Sacramento, CA