ducminh

Daniel was encouraged to seek God for forgiveness and restoration of Israel's homeland, because he understood the prophecy of Prophet Jeremiah was just about completed. Daniel read the Holy Scripture daily, that was the practice he used for discernment of God's will and pray.

The saints of the Most High are certainly people who were faithful to God's teaching. They had demonstrated their vigilant faith through their suffering in the persecution of the kings ruling the earth. They are like gold purifying in the furnace (Isaiah 48:10-12). The truth most precious to God's people is the fulfilment of God's promise, that He will establish His eternal kingdom and they will be living in His presence. It is their only hope of salvation, and the reason for them to endure the persecution that rulers of the earth will afflict upon them. The writings of Daniel are so clear that we are truly living through the time of the fourth and last beast. God's people have been persecuted and the earthly rulers have prevailed against them. I expect the end will be coming soon for God to make His judgement and renew the earth (Revelation 21). With the signs described by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24, I have no doubt about the End Time that is approaching.

The one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven and was presented to the Ancient of days (God the Most High); this is the description that tells us the divine nature of the Son of man. He was given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. He is the one who will finally establish the Kingdom of God for eternity, and where men and God will be together. Jesus called himself the Son of man because he was the one to come as predicted by Daniel's writing. This is the best title given to Christ, because in Him there is both man and God.

The Ancient of Days (God) is always in control of the kingdom on earth. He can raise them up and put them down. The four beasts are four great empires in the history of humanity. God determines their ruling time and gives them the authority to punish His people (the Israelites) due to their disobedience to His law. Up on the End Time, God will destroy all of those beast-nations and will judge all human beings according to their deeds. It is difficult to believe that God is in charge of the world we live in because so much injustice has been done and people's behaviour has gone wild. Many people have suffered and those who stay faithful to God are persecuted. People often ask where God is. Why does He allow calamities to fall on humanity? The simple reason is, people have chosen their own ways, not God's way. From the beginning the first man and his wife have chosen to listen to Satan (Genesis 3:5-6), and so their children continue to do the same.

Christian churches have desecrated God's holiness in many ways: Disrespectful to God's 10 commandments: Create images for worshipping; abolishing the Sabbath; nominate saints and worship them; Believe in the evolution theory: This means God does not create man in His own image; Believe they have ownership of their own bodies: They practice artificial insemination, abortion, contraception, change gender; Believe they can make themselves holy by practicing meditation, yoga, or any other kind of spiritual exercises; Create inter-religious movement (or ecumenical movement) for recognising the values of all beliefs. The purpose is to create a new common religion for all peoples on earth. This means making up a religion for all gods. Acceptance that same sex marriage as a right: This means desecration of the blessing and holiness of the union between a man and a woman that God has consecrated for the propagation of human kind. Teaching of self-confidence for gaining power, fame and riches: This means man can be successful if he believes in himself. God is only an imaginary existence invented by some unstable people. There is probably more things to be listed, the above list is some typical fact of Christian churches in the present time. I, myself, stay away from all of those churches. I place my faith in the Most High, study the Holy Scripture and serve those around me as per God's Will.

The confession of Nebuchadnezzar tells us that the Most High is the Almighty God. He is the Creator of all. He gives life and He rules the entire universe. Holiness is His attribute; neither man, nor angel can have it. He has the right to lift up of put down any creature, and no one can question about His right. Rom 9:21 A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump of clay. Rom 9:22 Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can't he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction? My public testimony about God is actually this Bible Study. I express my understanding that God has shown me through the Holy Scripture without hesitation. It may not be complete but I am sure it is not wrong because it is not my own wisdom.

The pride of king Nebuchadnezzar is that he sees his success is of himself not a blessing from the Most High. This pride is found in everyone's life in this world whether as a President or a simple officer at the lowest level. The people who are most prone to this pride are entertainer stars, sport stars, politicians, lawyers, and company CEO. We can see this pride everyday on TV programs. Pride starts from self-confidence; this is the beginning. It will grow with time as we grow stronger in life. We can see that it is our own abilities, skills, knowledge and smartness that we are successful in life. Our pride puts God away from our life. At the end, we may not see the presence of God anymore. This is the trickiness of pride. Pride can mask itself with humility; we can take a real example of the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church. Followers see the Pope as the most humble man through his loving gesture, and kind words to disadvantaged people, but they have to worship him as a god on earth. His title is "Holy Father". He is a king as Nebuchadnezzar. He has guards, requires strict security to be organised wherever he goes. He lives in a sumptuous palace. If we compare the Pope with Jesus Christ, we can see the difference as black and white. In regards to my own life, I can also see pride masks itself with humility when I acknowledge my success was due to the support of other people around me without acknowledging the blessing of God. A typical example of pride in the New Testament is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in the temple (Matthew 18: 10-14).

Nebuchadnezzar must show his repentance by changing the way of his ruling upon the poor people. Certainly, this successful king has imposed harsh rules in governing people. He builds his kingdom on slavery and oppression of poor people. This has been the norm of most monarchies in the ancient time. To demonstrate our repentance to God, we must also renounce to our sinful way of life. We should use our consciousness to examine our life against the commandments of the Most High. We should admit that we have offended God and with sincere heart asking God's grace to help us to quit any old habit or activities that are against His commandments. To be kind to the poor is to love them and understand their struggles and disadvantages in our society. Being compassionate to others is the only way for us to express our humility and love to God. This attitude is within the ability of every individual living in this world. If we want God to show mercy on us, we should also show mercy unto other people around us. That is the condition of God's decrees. Our Lord Jesus Christ has also said: Mat_5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Luk_6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

"Acknowledge that Heaven rules" means recognising the ruling authority of the Most High, the Creator and the Giver of Life. Kings see themselves as gods on earth, so they often do not recognise the authority of God. It is hard for kings to submit themselves to another higher authority even that is God. Human kind has always denied the presence of God. The theory of the evolution is an example showing man's denial of God's authority. Individually, man often denies God's authority and his providence by showing pride in his success, or has faith in science (example: artificial insemination, abortion, change sex, genetic manipulation, etc.).

It is always difficult to tell bad things that may happen to another person. Daniel is certainly afraid to reveal the meaning of the dream to king Nebuchadnezzar, especially when he knows that is a bad sign. He cannot lie to the king and he fears that the king may not accept the truth. The same fear should happen to us when we see bad things coming to our brethren, or revealing the truth of their iniquities. People do not always accept the truth that reveals their faults or their imperfection. They may take our words for an offence, or our words may demoralise them. Life is a process of learning, so everyone learns faster when making mistakes and have to endure the bad consequences. When the consequence of the mistake is not life threatening, I would prefer to let people get the experience of their mistakes. I only tell the truth to them if I know they are ready to listen and welcome my words.

Daniel did not use his experience in the lions' den as a test of God's saving power. He did not try to put himself at risk to prove that God would save him from danger. He continued to pray three times a day in kneeling position, with his windows opened and facing towards Jerusalem as he always did. His praying practice had never been changed. Daniel's answer to the king had proved that God's mercy protects the innocent and the just in God's sight, nor had he done anything wrong to the king. This reveals that our faith can only be true if it truly reflects the way we live. I am a sinful individual from birth; I cannot expect God's protection if I continue to live in sinful way. Once I have repented, I can ask for God's mercy and I must truly quit my sinful way of life. Only then I can truly be a witness to God's mercy in the world.

Daniel's prayer practices are truthful to the way he was taught and raised as per Jewish traditions. My praying practice is very much different. It is part of my whole life in everything I think, do and speak. I consider that my entire life should be a perpetual prayer offered to God. It is not whether I should kneel, or prostrate, or raise hands that can define the quality of my prayer. It is even not the many times of saying prayer or praying aloud in public, or silently in my heart, that defines my prayer. Prayer is very much the intention of my life and the truthfulness of my heart towards God's love. Roman Catholic followers practice their prayers by saying the rosary and attending masses. Protestant or evangelical followers practice their prayers by singing, raising hands, dancing, etc. That are some examples of praying practices that Christian churches are using in congregational assembly.

Daniel's character qualities as a government official can be summarised as follows: -Trustworthy. He tells the truth and can be counted on to be faithful to his responsibilities. -Diligent. He keeps up with all his duties and doesn't let anything slip. -Honest. He doesn't take money or bribes from those trying to break the rules or be preferred over others. He hasn't been corrupted by how he might further his own interests while in office. The above qualities reflect his God who is just, true and faithful in His work and law. I have done my best in my professional duties that my employer can trust me in my service, to maintain and provide good services to the public as expected by the organisation. Considering the most recent example of Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk, who refused to issue marriage licence to same sex couples (though she has issued some licences to transgender couples). Her argument is that she will defy God's law if she issue marriage licence to same sex couples. But is that true? Her private life has been revealed to the public that she had divorced 3 times and remarried 4 times. How can she be a diligent witness to God through her faith? I wonder if Kim Davis' case is a good example for witnessing our Christian faith. My question is "Are we defying God's law when we have to serve the community as per decree of the civil law?" The answer may vary depending on the understanding of individual person. In my own reasoning, I will defy God's law if I practice homosexual act myself, but not if I am serving someone else according to the requirements of my job. By taking action like Kim Davis, I am showing to others my intolerance attitude not my faithfulness to God. I will become an example of pride not humility. And if my history is blemished then God is not glorified through my action. Humility, truthfulness are very much the essential characters of Christ's followers.

King Nebuchadnezzar has sum up their faith by a new decree as follows: Dan 3:29 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. I believe the question, "Are you willing to lay down your life to be faithful to God?" is not necessary to be answered now, because all Christians will answer "yes" right away. Only when facing the challenge of the test that God may present to every individual, then the true answer may be revealed.

Everyone of the Babylon court was amazed about the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Even king Nebuchadnezzar had to praise their God: "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". (Daniel 3:28) God had shown His saving power to the entire Babylon kingdom, and king Nebuchadnezzar had acknowledge His sovereignty over all other gods.

The Jews, though serving king Nebuchadnezzar with loyalty, were always faithful to their God, the Most High. Being firm in their faith, they frankly and respectfully pronounced their decision to the king. They witnessed to king Nebuchadnezzar by letting him know that their God would protect and deliver them from his hand if that was His will; otherwise they were willing to accept death because of their God. While witnessing the strong faith of those Jews in Daniel's book, I question myself about the same faith that Roman Catholic followers had shown in Vietnam, Japan and many other places in the world today. They were persecuted and courageously accepted death because of their Christian faith. I wonder how Jesus Christ will pronounce His judgement on the last day when He returns to earth. To my knowledge, the Roman Catholic Church has defied God's 10 Commandments and misled its followers for some 1,600 years. Roman Catholic believers thought they have the true faith in Christ and are so bold about it.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were selective Jews deported from Jerusalem. They had been trained to serve the royal court of king Nebuchadnezzar. It was Daniel who recommended them to the king to set his companions over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Dan 2:49 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. They are supposed to serve and be loyal to king Nebuchadnezzar as any other officials of Babylon. The king was angry because those three Jews had defied his order. In the time of monarchy ruling, it was not acceptable that officials of the royal court disobey to the king order. This always incurs the death penalty. By ordering people to bow and worship the statue that the king had erected would assure people's loyalty and submission to the king authority. This was the motivation of king Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 2:44 teaches us about the last kingdom which will last forever. That kingdom is certainly the kingdom of Christ as He has promised to return and establish it. When Jesus Christ returns, He will wipe out the glory and values of the previous kingdom and renew the earth. Jesus Christ's Kingdom will consist only of people who believe in Him and have been baptised to become His faithful followers. (Mark 1:15) We are probably living in the End Time period because our world today has a ruling authority which holds both political power and spiritual power. Those two powers are just like iron and clay as per description of the feet of the statue in Daniel 2:43. Jesus Christ will be returning any time to fulfil His promise and the fulfilment of the events recorded in the book of Revelation.

Humility and obedience are the key aspects of faith in God. Daniel's heart is sincere and humble; therefore, God who knows his heart has blessed him with wisdom and revealed the secret of the king and the meaning of it. In regards of 1 Peter 5:5-6 - 5- In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders. All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because: "God opposes the arrogant, but gives grace to the humble." 6- Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. We learn that we should stay humble and submit ourselves to elders. Elders are those who have more experience of life and God has guided them through faith. By staying humble, one can listen and learn more about wisdom from the elders. Having said that, it does not mean we should obey the elders if they have gone sidetrack from faith. God gives everyone the ability to discern right and wrong in everything of life. Hence in some circumstances we should stand up and speak out the right thing in the presence of the elders. This does not mean we are exalting ourselves. Humble people always acknowledge their weakness, and knows that God alone is the source of wisdom, and the light of life. They submit themselves to God's will and fulfil it through their days. The following verses show who we truly are: Rom_9:21 A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump of clay. 2Co_4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. 2Ti_2:20 In a large house there are not only utensils made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, while others are for ordinary use.

Jesus Christ has said, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them." (Mathew 18:19-20) This is the most known instruction for Christians to pray together. In the Old Testament, we also have the following instructions: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Certainly, the intercession of prayer of more than one person is the life of the Body of Christ. It shows the union, the strength and the livelihood of the church. But I believe it is too often that the majority of Christians have misunderstood the conditions of praying together for God to answer to their prayer. Many prayers have gone unanswered because those who have come to pray do not agree together about the request, or they are not truly in union with each other, or some of them have doubt about their faith and the power of God.

Daniel had totally submitted himself to God's will; hence, his proposal to go through a test for ten days was a perfect strategy to leave the choice to God in using his servant as per His will. Sincerely in his heart, he did not want to defy God's law, but he also seeing God's will in causing the deportation of His faithful servant into the hand of a pagan king. Daniel was ready to submit to the authority of the Babylonian king if that was God's will. The beauty of Daniel's wisdom is to allow God to excel His power through His faithful servant and conquer the heart of the pagan ruler of the world. God had shown His favour to Daniel's faith and with the test God's power and His protection was glorified. Reflecting on the coming ruling of the Antichrist, I believe Christian should learn this example of Daniel.

Food consumption is part of God's decrees given to Moses that the Jews must observe. Naturally, Daniel was concern about defying God's law but he also trust in God's protection. This trust is truly the faith that we need to have when we have to face a challenge of choice between obeying God's law and man's ruling. It was Daniel's faith that had saved him and his friend from deifying God's law and the king's order. God had use Daniel's faith to prove to the Babylonian king that there is no other gods than the one of the Jews. The wisdom of Daniel was to submit himself to God's will by accepting the authority of the Babylonian king and let God showing His saving power. His attitude was to stay humble at all times and ready to act as the Spirit of God inspired him. Daniel did not claim any credit unto himself but God. His obedience to God's will was the proof of his faith at all times.

The change that Daniel and his friends had gone through was very drastic. Some people may not be able to accept it and can considered that accepting such change is defying their belief, honour, dignity, freedom. They might prefer be martyrs than accepting such change. But what is the reason for them to accept the change of names and serve the Babylonian king? We know they did not defy God in their heart. The wisdom is we should worship God in truth and in spirit (John 4:24). The change of identity, physical appearance, or living environment, or submitting ourselves to the civil authority is not a matter. We should accept those changes as a sacrifice of ourselves to serve the purpose of God's will. This section of Daniel 1:1-7, is a lesson of wisdom for us to learn.

I have experienced a rapid transition of culture but not to the extent that my original belief cannot be practiced or prohibited. I always feel grateful to God and His providence. My faith in God has never change in the new living environment. I am actually thinking of the End Time, when the Antichrist will rise and Christianity will be demoted. Should Christians follow the example given by Daniel? Should they keep a low profile and do not resist or object to the governance of the Antichrist? In my opinion Christian should learn the wisdom from Daniel and live humbly under the authority of the Antichrist, since from the Bible, we have learnt that the authority in this world has been given to Satan. (Job 1:6-11; Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 4:8; John 12:31; John 19:11; Romans 14:1; Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:26) Will we forsake God by submitting to the authority of the Antichrist? No certainly not. Just like Daniel and Jesus Christ, both has submitted to the authority of the rulers of the world and fulfilled God the Father's will.