The Book of Daniel

* Today, we come to the end of our study of the book of Daniel. We have seen the Impact of His God, His Life and His Writings. * The book of Daniel is split into two sections - chapters 1-6 were primarily historical; chapters 7-12 are primarily prophetical. Yet, as we have seen the "historical" section was laced with prophecy and the "prophetical" section has been chock-full of history ... especially from our perspective in considering fulfilled prophecy. * Last week, as we examined the first portion of this final prophecy (contained in chapters 10-12), we saw that the information given expanded upon two of the previous prophecies. In Chapter 8, we saw the fulfillment of the prophecy during the days of Antiochus IV and the Maccabean Revolt. In Chapter 9, we saw how Daniel was informed that there would be 490 years (seventy sevens) decreed for his people that would be broken into two primary sections: 483 years between the decree to rebuild the city and the cutting off of the Messiah, and a final seven year period that would occur at the end times. * Last week's portion of this final prophecy dealt with more detail regarding what would transpire during the 483 years. * Today, we will consider greater detail of the final week. Remember Daniel 9:27 "Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." * The weight of the detail that God gave regarding The Time of the Greeks - as seen in the Seleucid and Ptolemaic Empires - should cause us to truly take note of what God reveals regarding this final week of Daniel's vision, which is still to come! * This message was presented on April 10, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* We are nearing the end of our study of the book of Daniel. We have seen the Impact of His God, His Life and His Writings. * Recently, we have been considering the Impact of His Writings in the prophetical revelation which YHWH had given to him. * Last week, we began studying the final portion of his writings, chapters 10 through 12, which comprise one large prophecy regarding "the latter days." However these "latter days" are broken into two major segments: The Time of the Persians and Greeks ... and The Time of the End. Last week, we considered the Prologue to this prophecy by considering the Prophet of God and the Messenger of God. * Today we want to cover the first section of this prophecy - that dealing with the Persians and Greeks (predominantly the Greeks). This prophecy covers approximately 372 years of history! We have already considered the end portion of this time as we studied the prophecy recorded in Daniel 8. * Though most of this will be academic, DO NOT MISS the implications as we sore through the fulfillment of this phenomenal prophecy! * This message was presented on April 3, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* We have been studying the book of Daniel for the past three months. We have been considering the incredible impact of his God through his life and writings. In chapter 1, we learned that Daniel began serving Nebuchadnezzar at the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, and that he continued serving the rulers of Babylon and then Persia until the first year of Cyrus. We have seen that there was a great probability that it was Daniel who probably informed Cyrus that YHWH had prophesied regarding him, by name, through the prophet Isaiah, and that YHWH had also declared that they would be under Babylonian rule for seventy years. Hence, that is probably why Cyrus, in the first year of his reign, decreed that the Jewish people would be allowed to return to their land and rebuild the Temple of YHWH! * Over the past five weeks we have been considering the prophetic portion of Daniel's writing. It is amazing to see the great detail which YHWH declared the future happenings of Israel, specifically as it dealt with the nation of Greece. That detail will become even more profound over these next three weeks as we consider the final portion of Daniel's book. Chapters 10 through 12 deal with one longer prophetic revelation which actually covers two different portions of Israel's future history: The Time of the Persians and Greeks and the Time of the End. * A detail that is very interesting is that this revelation comes to Daniel AFTER the decree of Cyrus for the Jews to rebuild the Temple! Daniel ministered unto the 1st year of Cyrus. This prophecy comes during the third year of Cyrus! Daniel, in a sense, is retired ... but not as a prophet! * Today, we will look at the Prologue to these prophecies, where we are introduced to the two primary characters - the Prophet of God and the Messenger of God, and their interactions. Next week, Lord willing we will look at the prophecy regarding The Time of the Persians and Greeks, and then conclude this series with a consideration of the prophecy regarding The Time of the End. * This message was presented on March 27, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* We are in the midst of considering the prophetical portion of the book of Daniel. * Last week, we began looking at chapter 9 and saw the impact of reading God's Word upon Daniel himself. As Daniel read from the Law of Moses and the prophetic writings of Jeremiah, he began to confess his, and his people's, sins. Daniel then interceded upon behalf of his country, beseeching God to stay His anger and extend His mercy. Today, we see the Divine Response to Daniel's prayer - additional prophecy! * We want to consider two preliminary thoughts, prior to a technical consideration of the prophecy of the Seventy Sevens given to Daniel. - First, regarding the beloved nature of Daniel. God took great pleasure in His faithful servant! - Second, regarding the telescopic nature of Prophecy. Prophecy is future oriented and, many times, we are only given highlights of several future events which may appear to blend together in our view. Hence, many times, prophecy has multiple projected fulfillments. We will see an application of that telescopic nature of prophecy in the fulfillment of this prophecy of the Seventy Sevens as we are specifically told that there are two major fulfillments. * This message was presented on March 20, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Three weeks ago, we began considering the prophetical portion of the book of Daniel. * Last week, we saw how the prophecy contained within chapter 8 has already been fulfilled during the days of Antiochus IV - Epiphanes, and historically recorded in the writings of the Hasmoneans, in First and Second Maccabees. * Today, we will consider the first half of chapter 9. In this chapter, we see the affect that studying prophecy has upon the very prophet whose writings we are studying! Daniel was a student of God's word and even the writings of other contemporary prophets, such as Jeremiah! As Daniel reads the word of God, he realizes that he is actually living in the days of the fulfillment of other prophecy! May we learn from the life and prayer of this godly man! * This message was presented on March 13, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* We are in the prophetical portion of the book of Daniel. * Today, we are considering a vision of Daniel that has already been fulfilled, and historically recorded, in the writings of the Hasmoneans in First and Second Maccabees. Though we do not recognize these writings as Scripture, we do understand the importance of them as historical records. * As we consider this vision, and its fulfillment, we must ask ourselves two questions: "How would I respond if I were alive then?" and, "Am I ready to respond if I am to live through some, or all, of the events of the end times?" * This message was presented on March 6, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* The first half of the book of Daniel was primarily historical. Today, we begin considering the final six chapters which are primarily prophetical. Yet, the prophecies of Daniel contain such great detail that liberal scholars have sought for years to prove that they were written after the fact! However, in 1952 Cave 4 at Qumran revealed fragments of a manuscript containing segments of the prophetical portion of the book of Daniel! These are manuscripts are commonly referred to as the Dead Sea Scrolls. At least eight manuscripts of Daniel have been found among the 11 caves; only the Psalms (13) and Exodus (9) outnumber that number of manuscripts! * This is where we begin to see The Impact of His Writing! * Last week, as we began to consider this text, we saw that this prophecy builds up the vision that Nebuchadnezzar had in his dream which is recorded in chapter 2. * Today, Lord willing, we will conclude our consideration of the first of Daniel's prophetic visions. * This message was presented on February 27, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* The first half of the book of Daniel was primarily historical. Today, we begin considering the final six chapters which are primarily prophetical. Yet, the prophecies of Daniel contain such great detail that liberal scholars have sought for years to prove that they were written after the fact! However, in 1952 Cave 4 at Qumran revealed fragments of a manuscript containing segments of the prophetical portion of the book of Daniel! These are manuscripts are commonly referred to as the Dead Sea Scrolls. At least eight manuscripts of Daniel have been found among the 11 caves; only the Psalms (13) and Exodus (9) outnumber that number of manuscripts! * This is where we begin to see The Impact of His Writing! Remember 2 Timothy 3:16 (all scripture is God-breathed) and 2 Peter 1:19-21 (no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, but holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit). * As we enter into this portion it is important to remember two concepts: 1) Prophecy is best understood "after the fact." 2) Progressive Revelation refers to the fact that God continued to unveil more details regarding prophecy (specifically, end-time prophecy) throughout Scripture. That which is given later agrees with, and expands upon, that which has already been given. * THE MAJOR LESSON that we need to remember as we begin to consider this portion is that God is Sovereign over ALL Kingdoms and events. HISTORY is truly HISSTORY! Nothing has ... or will ... take God by surprise. I do not need to fear or be anxious about my current, or future, situation because God has it under control! * At the beginning of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had his dream of the statue which represented five kingdoms and then that of the Messiah's. YHWH allowed Daniel the privilege of receiving the identical dream and it's interpretation. I often wonder whether Daniel, in his studies and prayers, continued to ponder and pray about further understanding regarding that dream/vision ... because the prophetic portion of the book of Daniel expand upon this prophetic dream of Nebuchadnezzar. * This message was presented on February 20, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Over the first 5 chapters of the Book of Daniel, we've seen numerous examples of how one individual can impact everyone around him, including the powerful kings over him, when that individual is fully submitted to honoring and glorifying God with his life. And throughout the Book we will continue to see not only the impact of Daniel's life and writing, but more importantly the impact of Daniel's God on everyone that dealt with Daniel. * In those first five chapters, we've moved through some 65 plus years of Daniel's life, from his mid to late teens when he was among those exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon, to this week in chapter 6 where Daniel in likely now in his early eighties. * During those years, Daniel has witnessed the rise of the Babylonian empire under the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar and its fall under Belshazzar, which we looked at last week. * There's now a new "boss" in town by the name of Darius, as the Medes and Persians have taken over as the new world power in place of the Babylonians. But one thing has not changed, and that is Daniel's commitment to and faith in his God. This commitment that will get Daniel in a big pickle, only to see his bigger God come to his aid once more. As we look at the events of chapter 6, we will see several things that relate to us: relying on God's word; deciding not to compromise in living for God; trusting God in life's decisions and in regard to the results. * This message was presented on February 13, 2022 by David Hayes.

* The Book of Daniel ... Revealing the Impact of his God, his life, and his writing. * Over the past month, we have considered this Impact as it intersected with the life of King Nebuchadnezzar. YHWH was revealing Himself to this man in a mighty way and Nebuchadnezzar began to understand that YHWH was the One True God. However, as we see in the life of David and Solomon, the sinful choices of the father pass down to their sons ... and eventually, bring the fall of the nation. * Yet, this fall does not take God by surprise. The rise and fall of nations is within the confines of His sovereignty. He establishes Kings and He removes them! * Today we see the final act of the Kingdom of Babylon ... and its King, who so epitomized the mindset of a self-absorbed people. * This message was presented on February 6, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* The Book of Daniel ... Revealing the Impact of his God, his life, and his writing. * Last week, we considered how God was seeking make Himself known to King Nebuchadnezzar first through the knowledge of, and interpretation of, his dream by Daniel, and then through the deliverance of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the fiery furnace after they refused to bow down to the image of gold that he had made. * Today, we want to consider PHASE THREE of Operation Nebuchadnezzar. In this phase, the Most High God reveals that Nebuchadnezzar is but a pawn in His hand and that He, the Creator God and the Ultimate Ruler of the Kingdoms of men, can at His own choosing bring judgment and chastisement upon and remove Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. What a beautiful display of the grace of God as He reveals Himself to this powerful man in a manner that he needs to see. May we learn from Nebuchadnezzar's experience and not force God to deal with us in similar fashion! * However, before we begin we need to take care of a distraction from the primary impact of this passage - the Watchers. First, we need to understand this is a dream of a polytheistic pagan king, who then describes it from that spiritual viewpoint. > Their Identification (cf. Gen 6:1-4; Job 1:6; 2:1; Psalm 82:1; Daniel 3:25; 10:12-13,20; Eph 1:20-21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:15-16; 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22) > The Correction by Daniel (v. 17,24) ... it is NOT the decree of the watchers ... but it is the DECREE of the MOST HIGH! * This message was presented on January 30, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Over the past three weeks we have been seeing the impact that one individual can make when they are fully submitted to the Sovereign Will of God in their lives. Specifically, we have been witnessing the Impact of Daniel's God through Daniel's Life in the lives of pagan servants and their earthly king - Nebuchadnezzar. * Last week, as we considered Nebuchadnezzar's dream, we saw that God was revealing Himself to Nebuchadnezzar through this dream and the use of Daniel. * This was PHASE ONE in God's Operation Nebuchadnezzar! Nebuchadnezzar realized that the God of Daniel was greater than His gods. But, Nebuchadnezzar still had a long way to go. He still was dealing with the greatest of the rivals to YHWH - self. In Isaiah 14:3-23 we see a prophetic portion of Scripture regarding the King of Babylon being equated to Lucifer. In this passage, we see how self-pride is at the very core of our sinful desire to usurp the reign and authority of God. * Today, we witness PHASE TWO of Operation Nebuchadnezzar. It is critical to note the importance of the servants of God properly traversing the trials and tribulations of life, as a living witness of our faith in this One, True God. * This message was presented on January 23, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Two weeks ago, we began studying the book of Daniel. I mentioned that throughout the book we will be repeatedly seeing three key elements reflected: The Impact of Daniel's God, The Impact of Daniel's Life, and The Impact of Daniel's Writing. * In chapter 1, we immediately saw the impact of Daniel's life upon his friends and his overseers. But the fullness of that impact was accomplished as a result of God's faithfulness in blessing Daniel and his friends as they chose to be consecrated unto Him. * Last week, we saw the impact of Daniel's life as he, by faith, believed that YHWH was able to share with him the exact dream that Nebuchadnezzar had and its interpretation. This impact of YHWH, working through the life of Daniel, was seen clearly by Nebuchadnezzar. * Today, we want to examine both the content of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, considering the Prophetical Interpretation of it, and Nebuchadnezzar response to it's declaration. * This message was presented on January 16, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Last week, we began studying the book of Daniel and briefly considered three key elements that will be reflected throughout this book: The Impact of Daniel's God, The Impact of Daniel's Life, and The Impact of Daniel's Writing. * In chapter 1, we immediately saw the impact of Daniel's life ... as he was taken by the Chaldeans, from his home in Jerusalem, to Babylon in order to serve Nebuchadnezzar (along with three other Jewish young men). In the midst of the international turmoil and personal afflictions, Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself - before his God. His decision had an effect upon the other three Jewish young men as well. Daniel's life began to make an impact in the lives of those around because of his commitment to YHWH. * Today, we learn a bit more of this committed life and the impact that God will make, using Daniel, in the life and government of the most powerful man on earth - Nebuchadnezzar. We will take two weeks to consider this event, today looking at the Practical Application of Daniel's Faith, and, Lord willing, next week considering the Prophetical Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream. * This message was presented on January 9, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* We are beginning a consideration of the book of Daniel. * As I have read through this book during my Quiet Times of the past and various studies, I am continually impressed by the Impact that God can make upon the world through one man who is submitted and consecrated to the sovereignty of God. * As we study this book, there will be three key elements that appear: The Impact of Daniel's God, The Impact of Daniel's Life, and The Impact of Daniel's Writing. * Today, we begin this study by considering the faithfulness of Daniel and his companions in the midst of unprecedented international and personal tribulation ... and how God revealed His faithfulness to Daniel and his companions. * This message was presented on January 2, 2022 by Bob Corbin.