Hope Sabbath School: Lesson 2-Daniel and the End Time (2nd Qtr. 2018)

[Music] [Applause] welcome to Hope Sabbath school an in-depth interactive study of the word of God we're just starting an amazing series of studies preparation for the end time our topic today Daniel and the end time you say Derrick didn't Daniel live in the sixth century BC what does that have to do with the end time the stories of Daniel will help us prepare for the coming of Jesus so we're glad you're with us and I know you're going to be blessed blessed by the first study amazing amazing and by the way if you missed one of the the first study we had on this series go to our website hope TV org slash hope SS you can download the theme song while you're there and the outline which more and more people are using to lead interactive Bible studies around the world here's just a few emails from some of our hope service school members Arnold writes from Oregon anybody been to Oregon it's in the United States of America he says I grew up in a small church where youth classes were not available I would sit in the adult class in that class was an elderly lady who seemed to know her Bible well she would suggest to the teacher give us a thought I was a way of saying don't make nonsense right give us a thought I don't know why I remembered that except she would say that quite often I listen to hope Sabbath school every Friday evening very often your team members voice their impressions and thoughts about a text in the Bible this gives listeners additional understanding regarding the lesson to me this is a blessing writes Arnold keep it up team blessings from Oregon so I guess what he's saying is if you speak up say something sensible right give us a thought and we'll try to do that well Lucy writes Lucy thanks for writing from Kenya oh who do we have from Kenya here Lisa and Erik okay I hope they got that on camera when you were waving Lucy writes she says I recently discovered hope sabbath-school since then I have not missed a single program every night it comes on the air I enjoy the Bible teaching the scripture songs and marvel at the depth of knowledge displayed by the participants I thank God for the way you conduct and lead the discussions because I feel nourished by the Word of God amen that's so awesome thank you for the good work as you bless us in these studies to all those of you who protest participate may God bless you always amen well Lucy thanks for writing to us from Kenya you got two of your compatriots here part of the team today we're glad you wrote to us Carol writes from Australia now Travis I know you've been to Australia anyone else been to Australia Oh Eric - and I've been to Australia and this is from Carol she says your study is such a blessing to me I watch it every day so we do have daily hope right which is the repackaging of our series into a daily Bible study I have been raised in a denominational church but I've learned so much more from your in-depth study of the Word of God it's a joy to hear your lively and heartfelt sharing but what I wanted to share also is just being on television you offer a wonderful alternative to commercial television Wow and I was filled with hope recently hear this testimony by the way we overcome the enemy how by the word of our testimony right she said I was so filled with hope recently when my adult son came over for a meal and Hope Sabbath school was on in the background my son has been walking in the wilderness for many years he drifted away from the Lord but he was clearly drawn to the hope Sabbath school program even though he's not yet acknowledged Jesus as Lord he was moved to say how honorable the team was and God's character was shining forth I just want to say hallelujah because we're not that great are we that's a Holy Spirit work your authentic faith and joy and the Lord is contagious praise God for you living witness god bless you every one of you from Australia well thanks for riding Carroll was that encouraging we should remember to pray for Carroll son you know God specializes in rescuing people from the wilderness doesn't matter well I just have a note here from a donor I just want to thank you I won't give the name but it's from Pennsylvania apparently this person was sending donations anonymously just putting money in an envelope and sending it because she was so blessed by hope Sabbath school this time though she wrote a note she said I'd like to thank you for the wonderful programs I know I keep telling you these programs are a blessing I keep learning more about the Bible and hope Sabbath school is the best God is sure helping you to spread the word take care and may God bless all of you for you were the work that you do amen thank you for writing to us you know it's a small gift but every gift makes a difference doesn't it and we're part of the kingdom work when we participate one last note I love this this is from shish Tov that's Christopher in Polish Kristoff he says I live in Poland five years ago I entered an Adventist church for the first time four years ago I was baptized and confessed Jesus as my Lord for the past two years I've been teaching the Sabbath school class isn't it wonderful I think so your outlines are very useful to me may God bless your television ministry one more thing sure stuff rights I'm 66 that means it's never too late for God they're powerful well we'd love to hear from you you can write to us at SS hope at hope TV org and yes God's changing lives all around the world and you can even start teaching a class download the outline what we do in our local hope Sabbath school we make an outline for everybody so we can all follow along and see God work in miraculous ways well right now before we get into Daniel and the endtime we want to study a song I don't know what the tomb will be when we stand before the throne but the words are in Revelation 15 great and marvelous are your works Lord God Almighty just and true are your ways o king of the saints if you haven't learned it yet go to our website hope tv.org / hope SS download the mp3 audio file download the sheet music start singing it some of you will sing a lot better than we do so in fact sing with us now as we praise our God together [Music] great and marvelous are your works Lord God Allah party just and true are your ways o king of the same [Music] who shall not fear you Oh Lord and glorify your name [Music] who shall not fear you Lord for you in my nor God Lala [Music] just and all your ways o king of the same nation shall come [Music] for you for your judgments have been step1 nation shall come and worship before you for your judgments heaven [Music] ah nor God [Music] just [Music] okay the same [Music] I the same [Music] walking on the same okay [Music] amen what a powerful word that is and we're going to learn lessons from the prophet Daniel actually from his life today that will help us as we prepare for the end time let's pray together father in heaven how we longed to stand before your throne and sing that song Justin true are your ways o king of the saints until that day we prepare and I pray that as we study about Daniel and the end time that we would learn valuable lessons not only for our lives but to bless the lives of those around us thank you for your Holy Spirit's guidance in the name of Jesus amen I don't know if you've read through the Bible but when I read through the Old Testament I'm always happy when I get to Daniel because there's some powerful stories there that maybe we learned as children but there's deeper lessons as we think about not only the prophecies of the end time but being ready for the end time so we're going to begin in Daniel chapter 1 you know Daniel was taken captive in about 605 BC so most of his ministry is in what we would call the 6th century BC and such a man of integrity you may remember that the only problem they could find with him that was that he was so devoted to his God he was dedicated to the creator of heaven and earth but we're gonna learn some lessons from his life and Stephanie I wonder if you'd start our study today in Daniel chapter 1 the first eight verses and and as Stephanie is reading what was the important decision that Daniel made and what does that have to do with preparing for the end time okay and I'll be reading from the King James Version in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim Kim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem and besieged it and the Lord gave Jehovah King 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 and the King spake unto ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs that he should bring certain of the children of Israel and of the Kings seed and of the princes children in Hulme 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 Kings 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 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 mission of Meshach and to Azariah of Abednego but Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the Kings meat nor with the wine which he drank therefore he requested of the Prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself Lisa what's the important decision he makes he's a prisoner of war he's getting sent to university rather than being in a rock quarry or killed but what what's the decision that he makes right at the beginning of this narrative Daniel recognizes that he was created by God so his body belonged to God and he did not want anything in that body that was against what God wanted for him which is the best diet which is not what the king was offering him okay so the presenting issue is the diet right the broader principle is nickel complete trust in God the complete trust in God because what might the responsibilities of the chief of the eunuchs tonight why the denied or killed killed right how dare you right however you say that in their babylonian language right how dare you you know you should be happy to be alive so the presenting issue is not wanting to defile his body with unclean foods and drinks that were not appropriate the bigger issue will I trust fully in the Creator God so what what's the lesson for end time well hold on to that because we're gonna keep reading the story and Alyssa would you keep reading verses 9 through 14 we're in Daniel chapter one I'll be reading from the English standard version and God gave Daniel favor in compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel I fear my lord the king who has signed your food and your drink for why should he see that you are in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age so you would endanger my head with the King then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel Hananiah Mishael and Azariah test your servants for 10 days let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the King's food be observed by you and deal with your servants according to what you see so he listened to them in this matter and tested them for 10 days Nicole how did Daniel know that in 10 days I mean is it really possible that in 10 days they could really be looking that much better than the the other prisoners of war had been brought to the University of Babylon what do you think is it possible in 10 days well if God is doing it as possible in an hour yes but he trusted that God is going to do what he can do and the ten days was nothing forgot to do it in okay so he could have said give us two years ago for that right it's a trust issue too isn't it I mean 10 days is a fairly short amount of time though I suppose you could get pretty sick on the wrong kind of food in a matter of hours or days but but there was a clue back in verse 9 did you notice that what did you notice there in verse 9 that God buddy Jason the dead God had brought Daniel to have favor and goodwill with the chief of the eunuchs there was already some kind of relationship there that was positive yeah so he he says God I'm gonna keep trusting you how much time should I ask for you know there are stories like Nehemiah when he's in a situation where he's got to make an important decision and it says he prayed good idea I imagined Daniel going ok God how much time do I ask for and you're right God could have said you want a few hours or well let's make this at least logical 10 days I think that that could give a clear indication by the way what's the chief of eunuchs saying about this so so the fact that they've been building trust and a relationship was very important at that point right right oh it's kinda interesting to notice also there's a lesson for us here you know he tells them I don't want you being pale or weak and how did he he's not tell him not to feed him how did you get that idea that they would be pale and weak you know so there's that idea of what the world or everyone else is telling us it's not good for us if we eat this wood it'll be real good for us and then he's not really understanding that but Daniel by sticking to the diet that he knows he's tested and tried and proved he knows he would be better so not always what other people tell us is gonna be best it's the best for us Ash finesse doesn't say I've been studying about plant-based diets we don't need that kind of food but again it's back to the trust issue God can we give this time can you do this God says I can do that right God not only gave them better health but look at verse 17 and then someone else 18 through 20 there was some other gifts that were given Nicole would you read first verse 17 Daniel 1 verse 17 from a New International Version says to these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning and Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds how many of them were given knowledge and understanding what to one he's called to be a prophet how old was he teenager right he's still in his teens but he purposed in his heart that he would honor God in all things trust God in all things there a takeaway lesson from that verses 18 through 20 Travis of the same chapter 1 we could spend a lot of time but we've got we've got several key stories here in Daniel I'll be reading from the New King James Version not at the end of days when the King had said that they should be brought in the chief of eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar then the King interviewed them and among them among them all none was found like Daniel Hananiah Mishael and Azariah therefore they served before the king and in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the King examined them he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who are in all the realm that's amazing is that is that a hyperbole like an exaggeration for a fact I mean could you actually get ten times of the score I don't know but they were like they were off the charts right that's off the charts you know the curve just you messed up the curve right take away lesson seen says you know if you follow God you're gonna miss out on so much you know what's the lesson in this story Jason you trust God and He will take care of your life whether it's your mind or your body and that's true and he also wants you to excel in your career and to be promoted because as we learn in this story daniel has put strategically in a position so he can be of influence for God amen so God is not only gonna take care of me he's gonna he's gonna honor you yeah right it takes us on to Daniel chapter 2 I saw some patient hands yes Stephanie and Rael take those and we'll go on to chapter 2 I don't want us to forget that he he did have that valley before he got to this point yes so he was a captive so he could have looked at his circumstances and said God's given up on me yes but he trusted God in the midst of that and God exalted him and by the way I don't think it's reading too much into the text when he says he was put under the care of the chief of eunuchs he may have been castrated right when he was taken there there's no family like with Joseph and his children Daniel you know he could have just he could have just said you know I'm done right I give up yeah but but God had something much more in store for him right beautiful ray I was just gonna say it's also interesting to see God still wants to use people like Daniel to be in you know places of corporations these places are looking for people who are you know people of integrity people that are you know know what they're doing healthy of knowledge and wisdom and God can put certain people in those situations to be a blessing or a witness to CEOs or presidents vice presidents whatever you want to call it so it's not just a matter than of us being ready for the end time when Jesus comes but being useful to God now right move mister chapter 2 we're gonna summarize the first 13 verses someone knows the story there's a crisis Marcos in Babylon what's the crisis do you remember the crisis was of worship before the worship were in chapter 2 the king has a dream and what's the crisis right the dream was that the the king had commanded the magicians and the astrologers to come before him and to show him that dream but the dream was that that he would be cut into pieces possibly well what's the what the problem the Queen had a dream so the king had this dream and he he can't remember and he wants to know what was the dream what is the interpretation and if you don't yep and they come and they say will you tell us the dream and we'll give you the interpretation right and and he says I can't remember the dream and and they have an interesting comment they say nobody nobody but the gods could do that finally they ventured thank God right but not the Babylonian gods because they were know that they can't do it so Daniel comes into that situation Christine if you could read in Daniel chapter 2 we're looking at verses 14 through 18 you're right it's it's actually a death decree you don't tell me by the way they didn't even ask Daniel Hananiah Mishael and Azariah they just asked the senior leaders the statesmen but they're all going to die let's see how Daniel responds Christine starting in verse 14 okay I'll be bring from the New International Version Daniel chapter 2 verses 14 and 18 one area of the commander of the King's Guard had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon Daniel spoke to him with wisdom in tact he asked the king's officer why did the King issue such a harsh decree Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel at this Daniel went into the king and asked for time so that he might interpret the dream for him then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah Mishael and Azariah he urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon so I have a question for you I mean you've read other stories where you don't just walk in to the presence of the King right that's right how does he get in there I mean he's still a you know a young man we don't we don't know quite how much time has passed though maybe do second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign so he's still in his late teens how does he get to walk right in there yeah and don't be put to death he had received favor because he had excelled okay so back to what it was happening in his life and witness and and honoring God in in in every area of his life never has it goes I recognize you it's not in the text but that's what he said probably yeah man I recognize you right give me time give me time what's the key word Nago had he been given the gift of prophecy at that time it said he was given visions and dreams for petitioner but did he know that God was gonna tell him the meaning of this what he didn't even know what the dream was he knew the one who did the dream right okay so he do the one who knew the dream yeah verse 19 Gladys same chapter to Daniel chapter 2 verse 19 then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision so Daniel bless the Lord God of heaven he take away what's the lesson yes Travis prayer because he said then and okay something happened before that okay he prayed alright so prayers key Stephanie and he bless the Lord this is I know that this is the dream and the interpretation thank you Lord I'm gonna go tell them tell the King thank you yeah I'm thinking that that Arioch later comes in says I found somebody where's Daniel is like yeah and by the way later will seek Daniel is always deflecting any prays to God there's a God in heaven right eric is like I found someone okay we get a bonus no and Daniel is blessing the God of heaven to read the prayer in verses 2223 my wife wanted me to memorize this so she put it to music because it's just a beautiful prayer and who read that raid would you read it for us verses 2223 what how does Daniel respond by the way just think about this he has no idea that he really knows what the dream is except by trusting God because he hadn't gone to the king yet the King hasn't said that's it so it's totally trusting in God yes that's the keyword that's coming out in this study right Daniel chapter 2 verse 20 I'm reading from the New Living Translation and he said praise the name of God for ever and ever for he has all wisdom and power he controls the course of world events he removes kings and sets up other Kings he gives wisdom to the wise acknowledge to the scholars he reels deep in mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness though he is surrounded by light I thank and praise You God of my ancestors for you have given me wisdom and strength you have tell told me what we asked of you and reveal to us what the King demanded so before he even goes in he's having praise service yes he has no idea well he does doesn't he because he knows the one who knows the dream but it's not been tested yet right we're coming in now Marcus to verse 24 through 28 and we could oh this chapter two is a amazing time prophecies now I wish we had time to have to do a whole series on the prophecies of Daniel but we're just looking at his life and what's the lesson we learned key lesson he's been honored by God placed in a position of influence but he doesn't forget who deserves all of the honor I'll be reading from the King James Version Daniel 2 verse 24 therefore Daniel went into Arioch whom the King had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon he went and said thus unto him do not destroy not the wise men of Babylon bring me in before the king and I will show thee unto the king that's interpretation then Arioch brought Dan 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 belches azar 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 show 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 and he begins to tell the dream and I imagine the King going that's it Daniel says I'm not only going to tell you the dream that you had I'm going to tell you what it means yes what are you here they were talking about lessons from Daniels life that will help us to prepare for the end time what are you what are you hearing from Daniel chapter 2 Travis if you're kneel before God you can stand before kings that's a profound statement which I've heard before and maybe no original with Travis right deal before God you can stand before kings okay Jesus said something else he said if if you're connected to me when you stand before the tribunal you want to need to think about what you're going to say I'll give you the words right all right what else do you learn from this story he doesn't take credit for himself you know he he directs the King to God he said all this man that you had around you they don't know only God knows he directs that king himself to God I wish we had time to take a lot of time with Daniel chapter 2 it's one of my favorite chapters of the Bible I have met people who were atheists and didn't believe in the Bible at all who just studying Daniel chapter 2 became believers in the God of heaven that's how powerful that chapter is because it we discover even from last study that God he knows the end from the beginning so he can reveal to the prophets both what is to come and what happened what's happened in the past but we have to move to Daniel chapter 3 there's so much is in this amazing book what's happening in Daniel chapter 3 Jason so this story yep you have Nebuchadnezzar he thinks about the dream and in in the dream he was the head of gold so he decides well I'm gonna build a statue all of gold to represent myself almost an idea that maybe he can live forever so he sets this statue up and then he requires that everyone or basically everyone common worship and he has this big ceremony where there's a series of forced worship okay hold on to the force worship idea I have a question for you before we read verses 7 to 18 where's Daniel another part of the king right I thought they called all of the people didn't they call all the people to come some have suggested some historians have suggested there was an uprising in part of the kingdom of Babylon and and they were all called to demonstrate their allegiance to the king and that this would this was a sign but to Shadrach Meshach and Abednego those are the Babylonian names this was more than just whether they were faithful to the king or not right what was the problem they worship God worship I don't I don't not to worship idols right and this was an idol of the king yeah so we pick up the story in verse 7 of Daniel chapter 3 and Laurel if you'd read that for us down through verse 18 let's see how the story unfolds I'll be reading from the new American Standard Bible Daniel 3 7 through 18 therefore at that time when all the people heard the sound of the horn flute lyre Trigon psaltery bagpipe and all kinds of music all the peoples nations and men of every language fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the King had set up for this reason at at the time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews they responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king o king live forever you O King have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn flute lyre Trigon psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music is to fall down and worship the golden image but whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire there are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon namely Shadrach Meshach and Abednego these men O King had disregarded you they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up the Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach Meshach and Abednego then these men were brought before the King Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them is a true Shadrach Meshach and Abednego that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up now if you are ready at the moment you hear the sound of the horn flute lyre Trigon psaltery and Baek height and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image that I have made very well but if you do not worship you will immediately be cast into the mist of a furnace a blazing fire what God is there who can deliver you out of my hands Shadrach Meshach and Abednego replied to the king o Nebuchadnezzar we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter if it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and he will deliver us out of your hand o king but even if he does not let it be known to you O king that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up so what's the answer to the question what God is there Nebuchadnezzar says that can deliver you out of my hand what's the answer God of heaven what impresses you about these three young men and there's this death decree what impresses you about this story yes GLaDOS I think anybody can can be faithful when everything goes well and their faith is so strong that not only they say we know that God is gonna take care of us yes I'm sure but my favorite part is when you said even if he doesn't we will not kneel before your image and we might add in parenthesis even if he doesn't the way that we rejected Baghdad right because he will deliver right yeah he ultimately will Travis I like the fact that they don't hesitate yes like what are you talking about I don't need time or anything no are you sitting this firm I want to come back leads it to something we talked about earlier why does maybe knez even give them a second chance because he saw the favor that was on their lives I mean there were ten times wiser than all the people that they were but I think was really interesting is that how quick he turned against them and had they put their trust in the king then they would have been disappointed but clearly they trusted in God all along so they knew that God was in charge God was in control of the situation and they were able to stand firm for that so the favor was enough to give them another chance but not enough to have it set aside they've still gotta trust fully in God well some people may not know the end of the story Stephanie we've got here they are there about they're not going to bow down so Nebuchadnezzar doesn't say well let's just forget it have a great day right let's pick up the rest of the story and and then I want to ask what's the lesson we're going to go to Revelation 13 okay Daniel chapter 3 19 to 25 and I'll be reading from the King James Version then was nebuchadnezzar full of fury and the form of his village was changed against Shadrach Meshach and Abednego therefore he spake and commanded that they should heat the furnace one set the furnace one seven times more than it was want 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 and 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 Kings commandment commandment was urgent and the furnace exceeding hot the flame 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 then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and spake and said unto his counselors 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 now before we look at the lesson I want someone to read revelation 13 verses 11 to 15 we're gonna draw a lesson from this narrative but I'd like someone to read revelation Jason do you have it chapter 11 those thirteen excuse me verses 11 to 15 because these stories help us prepare for the end time here's a death decree bow down to the image or die and we know the key word from the story of Daniel but let's see what we we learn in Revelation 13 I'll be reading from the New King James Version Revelation chapter 13 verses 11 through 15 say then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon and he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed he performs great signs so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men and he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the Beast telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the Beast who was wounded by the sword and lived he was granted power to give breath to the image of the Beast that the image of the Beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the Beast to be killed so this is an interesting union of political and religious power that's forcing worship that's contrary to the Word of God and the threat is the same as in Daniel chapter 3 death bow down or die or die so what is the important lesson that we can learn Daniels missing I don't know if he was sick or I don't know I don't know why he's not there but we'll all face a test won't we yes you know he faces a test there's no Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in the lion's den just Daniel there at that time right so we're all going to face the test what what lesson ray are you drawing from this story what I like it especially in this chapter is that before in chapter 1 you see Daniel is kind of like the leader he goes and says hey the food here he's not he's not in this chapter but I like how these guys stand up for themselves their faith did not depend on Daniel okay so their faith was unique and you know they're like you know we also trust God we are also we want to be faithful to him and so let me know that my faith can not depend on my friend my father my mother my pastor it should be between me and God and that's something that I really like about this chapter that their faith stands out that they were their own person okay yes Lisa also like going back to the beginning when we started and we talked about the food we thought oh wow that's a small thing like who cares just eat it but you know it's a small test that prepares for the big test and if you're not able to trust God for something as small as making a change in your life then how will you be able to stand before kings and powers and principalities so God takes steps with us and we hope that we can grow into that faith you know there were many captives that were taken into Babylon besides those four and yet in Daniel 3 they all they all bowed out Wow Lisa's point is really important those small decisions versus small compromises they set us on a trajectory don't they on a course yeah either closer to God honoring God or farther away from him right yes Marcus King Nebuchadnezzar also recognized the Son of God even though he was not a believer which tells me that even every eye that will see him when he does return will know that it is him even if they do not believe so how did he know that that was the Son of God walking in the midst of them some have suggested the translation is son of the gods but either way he recognized theity there right there was something going on that was supernatural by the way what happened to the guards that cast them in superheated air they died trying to execute God's faithful servants listen as a lot of people think about revelation it's frightening and people think like whoever lives through this experience how will they stand up through it but I love how you drew Daniel and revelation together and you said God's people have been tested before and he didn't fail them then and we can look to the future knowing there will be hardships but knowing that God will be with us in the midst of them as he showed up big that day for them it's got to go on to Daniel 4 but you know the ideal is because of our trust relationship with God when we face the big test we will say I don't know how you're going to do this God but it's going to be amazing yeah I'll step forward right determine because we've chosen to honor him in every aspect of life Daniel for its interest because it doesn't to keep person is not Daniel or Shadrach Meshach and Abednego the key person in Daniel chapter 4 is Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadnezzar has he has a similar problem to the Lucifer that's right I will I will is not this great Babylon that I have built and God has to teach him mm-hmm that is not all about him yeah I want you to look at a confession at the end of chapter 3 and a confession at the end of chapter 4 because I'll I think it's important for us like Ray said earlier I've got to move from knowing about God okay this is my confession right this is my faith declaration somebody read Daniel chapter 3 Eric could you read verses 28 to 30 and I'll be reading from the King James Version it says then never kind of the Kanellis spake and said does it be the god of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego who had set his angels and delivered his servants that trusted in him and have chained the king's word and needed their bodies that they might not serve not serve no worship any God except their own God therefore I have made a decree that every people nation and language would speak anything 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 sword then the king promoted Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon back to what you said leaves about God honoring people who determined to honor him right but there's that confession what's different Nicole with chapter 4 let's look in chapter 4 verse 37 is it just the same or is there something different there so the New International Version of Daniel 4 37 says now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and exalt and horrify the king of heaven because everything he does is right and all his ways are just and those who walk in pride he is able to humble hmm what's the difference last time buddy yes the last one was experienced the other one he was looking at it was a while he was like in a state of amazement but this one was from experience where he experienced we're getting there he experienced both of those events but there's something about the confession Jason what is it what's the what's the distinction and if anybody else Christine so he acknowledged so he was full of pride okay he acknowledged he was full of pride Travis you'd made a decree that everybody else should praise and honor God he says now I okay everyone else shouldn't if not they'll be cutting pieces and dunghill houses but this one I I make my confession right I praise do you think we're gonna see King Nebuchadnezzar in the kingdom amen no wouldn't it be amazing we could hear some pretty amazing stories like what he was thinking about Daniel chapter 3 with the fiery furnace mm-hmm but I've been saving because we've only got a few minutes left in our study today we're talking about Daniel and the end time there's one last story in Daniel chapter 6 it's probably one of the stories that if you grew up in a Christian home you heard it yeah it's the story of Daniel and the Lions Den these were hunting Lions probably chapter 6 verses 1 to 5 Jason would you read that story for us and the word that I hear coming back over and over again is will we trust God completely yes by the way I think we will if we do he'll honor us ma'am you put us in places of influence leadership weight because he knows we can handle it right right let's see how the story unfolds Daniel 6 1 2 5 I'll be reading from the New King James Version Daniel chapter 6 verses 1 through 5 it pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 set traps to be over the whole key and over these three governors of whom Daniel was one that the satraps might give account to them so that the King would suffer no loss then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm so the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom but they could find no charge or fault because he was faithful nor was there any error or fault found in him then these men said we shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God now what's strange about this story the brand-new government right Babylon is gone you've got me to persia coming in what what looks strange with this picture one daniel is back into leadership that's exactly right you know he's a prisoner of war who's put in a position of leadership in Babylon and now he's put in a position of leadership in the New Kingdom in fact he distinguished himself it's a strange there's only one explanation right what's the explanation God he arias recognized Oda rias's I was cold and growing up he recognized that there was a different spirit now we know that that's the Spirit of God right yeah something special about him what what challenge is there for us when they when you think about the description that they had of Daniel when they carefully investigate it how does that challenge you Lisa I think sometimes it's so that the other side of that is when you're favored by God not everyone is happy they're probably jealous of him and they won you know why not us and we've been with you for a long time and so they tried to undermine his his favor but we know this is God's favor and you can't take that away from him right someone came to me just recently and said you know even being on Hope Sabbath school is a big responsibility because people they see you and they go oh hope Sabbath school and and and they're watching you is that true now we're not trying to save ourselves but they were watching Daniel and what did they find that's a testimony though isn't it we can't we will find nothing against him except for his relationship with God I mean when wouldn't that be awesome so they hatch a plan just got a couple of minutes left they hatch a plan they said what here we know what we'll do he prays regularly to the God of heaven will hatch a plan that nobody can do that for 30 days and what will trap him and will have a penalty attached to it not a fiery furnace this time but lion's verse 10 Travis if you could read chapter 6 verse 10 let's see how Daniel responds to that I'll be reading from the New King James Version now what Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went home and in his upper room with his windows open towards Jerusalem he knelt down on his knees three times that day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as was his custom since early days I don't know if you've heard that many times in a children's story but but what impacts you as you read that verse again I think the point is is that he wasn't doing it as rebellion he just did what he was used to doing and and that communion with God so he went back and did just as he had done previously all right we're almost out of time but I gotta finish this story I'm not gonna have you read it dad Durai is's distressed but it's been written as Daniel is thrown into the Lions Den may yo God deliver you comes back the next morning can't sleep what's the question he asks you guys are you served continually yeah and how does Daniel respond he has sent enjoy God oh yeah okay live forever my God has sent his angel and it shut the lion's mouth and Jim do you think that those lions just didn't feel like eating you know what happens in the end of the story he gets really upset now for those who tried to get rid of what is of his best leaders yeah and he throws them into the Lions that says you take your turn in there and what happens Wow you know there's a tragic lesson there because their family's thrown in with them you know there's a tragic lesson yeah yes true the way that we respond to the call of God it doesn't just affect us right it affects those that are closest to us doesn't yes to read some ancient stories they call 500 years almost 600 years before Jesus comes one of those got to do what's the takeaway lesson that you hear but as we prepare maybe for death decrees and persecution and having to stand it might seem alone say I'm gonna stand for God what's the takeaway if I completely trust in God he will honor and deliver me if it may not be on this earth but he will deliver me one day amen with Nicole on that mmm he will deliver us yes maybe you're going through something in your life and you say I think I think I'm in the Lions Den now or I think I'm standing and being forced to bow down at work before some pagan image if you determine in your heart to trust God fully to honor him no matter what he will deliver you I don't know how that will happen he delivered John the Baptist even though John lost his head yes he'll be part of the kingdom and honored their God will honor you as you determine in your heart to honor him if you kneel before God you can stand before kings or enemies unafraid Amen God is with you let's pray we can have that trust in God that abiding faith in Him father in heaven thank you for the powerful lessons we've learned today from the life of Daniel and his friends and God we know it's not just about ancient stories but about our lives today may we determine to trust you completely with every aspect of our lives and honor you in all things because of your great love for us we pray in the name of Jesus amen amen well thanks for joining us for hope Sabbath school I've been inspired today from those ancient stories to determine to honor God in all things and God God knows it's going to impact those I love it will may the blessings of your decision bless the lives [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] you [Music]

Channel: HopeSabbathSchool

Views: 16,116

Rating: 4.6809816 out of 5

Keywords: seventh-day adventist, hopesabbathschool, hope sabbath school, gospel, Daniel, end time, Bible study, christianity, religion, prophecy

Id: WscprNz6ihg

Length: 58min 21sec (3501 seconds)

Published: Mon Apr 09 2018