A Faithful Man Called Daniel

O. T. #2025 "A Faithful Man Called Daniel"

Sept. 15, 2021

Summary of Daniel-Part 4

Years ago I wrote the Bible study lessons for a children's camp based in this book. There is so much more than the stories of Daniel in the lions' den and the 3 Hebrew boys who were thrown in the fiery furnace to be shared. There is God's faithfulness, prophecies for the future, and Salvation.

I like the way Tony Evans summed up the prophet Daniel's life:

• Daniel had demonstrated extraordinary faithfulness throughout his life.
• He served God as an exile in a pagan world. (1:3-6)
• He obeyed God's law regardless of the outcome. (1:8-16)
• He delivered God's message loyally. (2:31-45)
• He stood up to kings. (5:13-39)
• He withstood persecution from those who wanted to take his life. (6:1-28)
• He was a student of God's Word. (9:2)
• He was a man of prayer and fasting. (9:3-19;10:2-3, 12)
• Daniel served may kings and saw many kingdoms rise and fall, but his ultimate allegiance was to the agenda of only one King (Jesus).

Charles Swindoll tells us of God's overall scheme in this book and major stages of God's dealings with man:

• The Law-The Israelites did not faithfully obey the Mosaic Law.
• The Church-Made up of Gentiles, non-Jews, and everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior by faith becomes an equal member of God's everlasting family and an heir of His promises made to Israel. (Gal. 3:28-29; Eph. 3:6)
• The Rapture-Participants will receive imperishable, immortal bodies. (1Cor. 15:50-53)
• The Great Tribulation-The false prophet, the beast, will attempt to control the world politically, economically, and religiously with satanic powers. During this time, God will unleash His anger in a series of devastating judgments that will culminate in the Battle of Armageddon. (Rev.6-18)
• The Second Advent-Christ will kill all those who sided with the beast during the Tribulation period and will bind Satan for a thousand years. (Rev. 19)
• The Millennial Kingdom-Christ will initiate a thousand-year reign of righteousness on earth. The Lord will destroy unbelievers born during this time and will cast them with Satan into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are. (Rev. 20)
• The New Creation-God will destroy the old heaven and earth and re-create new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness [will dwell]. (2 Peter 3:13) The Lord shall wipe away every tear from [His people's] eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. (Rev. 21:4)

Folks, the important thing is to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and that He is coming back to earth again. The first time He came was to die on the cross so you and I do not have to pay for our sins. Such marvelous love! It is by faith that we are save, not of works.

I hope we will strive to be like Daniel, who believed in a Sovereign God, had a disciplined prayer life, studied the Word of God and believed it, understood spiritual warfare, sought only to glorify God, realized that he had a work to do, was tactful and considerate, had insight into human history, and lived up to his name. Daniel means God is my judge. (Wiersbe)

D.L. Moody preached on Daniel and said in a message, "Daniel thought more of his principles than he did o f earthly honor or the esteem of men. right was right with him. He was going to do right today and let the morrows take care of themselves. That firmness of purpose, in the strength of God, was the secret of his success." (from Bible Characters, written in 1888 by Moody)

Here is our challenge, to stand for what is right, for God's Word, and show the love of Jesus today.

Dare to be a Daniel!

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known!

(a song written by Phillip.P. Bliss, an associate of Mr. Moody)

Will people speak about our faith and faithfulness to God after we are gone from earth?

Thank you for studying this book of the Bible with me. Have a blessed day!