Hello
Friends!
Welcome
back
to our Encouraging Concepts Bible
study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book
of Daniel painted as a panoramic
landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in
ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago…
“The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT
& FUTURE!”
The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST,
PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 5: Verses 1-4)
1 Belshazzar
the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before
the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine,
commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father
Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the
king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then
they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house
of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and
his concubines, drank in them. 4 They drank wine, and praised
the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone – Daniel
5:1-4
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: This FOOLISH fitful “feast” of
woeful WICKEDNESS and blatant BLASPHEMY really needs no further annotations.
However, this agonizing act of rank pagan REBELLION shows the decadent DECLINE of minimized morality
in the great “Babylonian” empire. The “King Nebuchadnezzar” had no doubt handled the “golden and silver vessels” of which were STOLEN from
the “temple” within the “house of the
Lord” most carefully
none the less. In fact, he had swiftly “stored” them away quite securely. WHY? Because perhaps he had FEARED the possible misuse
of them – Vindicated Vessels!
Chapter 5: Belshazzar's
Foolish Feast!
After the death of the
great “King Nebuchadnezzar” his waning grandson
named “Belshazzar'” sent for the
hostage-held “Holy” vital “vessels” taken from the
“temple” nestled in “Jerusalem” during the THIRD siege of “Babylon” (just as “God” had WARNED His people) to be immediately BROUGHT before him. WHY? Because in a dooming drunken stupor, the
belligerent ““Belshazzar'”” decided to
daringly “drink wine” from them in
the pathetic PRESENCE of over a “thousand” royal staff members
and presiding “princes” along with his
harlot “wives and concubines” to
pragmatically PRASIE his insatiable – Idiotic Idols!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: This “kingdom”
of beguiled “Babylon” had
spread throughout the known “world” from deep within Egypt around the Mediterranean area unto the Persian
Gulf and was under the DOMINION of
the cunning “King Nebuchadnezzar”
himself from 606
B.C. to
562 B.C.. And although he never fully
encompassed the ENTIRE
globe as such, “God” did
indeed GIVE it unto “Nebuchadnezzar”
for the remaining 43 years of his “life”
until he had finally died in the year 562 B.C.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s Successors!
ONE: The son of “King Nebuchadnezzar” by the name of Amel-Merodach took
the throne as “Evilmerodach”
and was named after a “Babylonian”
false “god” of whom ruled from
562 B.C. to 560 B.C..
and was soon thereafter assassinated by his brother-in-law
in the year 560
B.C.
And it came to
pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of
Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that
Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the
head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison – 2 Kings 25:27
And it came to
pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of
Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that
Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head
of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison – Jeremiah 52:31
TWO: The next “king” in line named Neriglissar took the throne as “Nergalsharezer” and ruled from 560 B.C. to 556 B.C. and after 4 years
had died in the year 556 B.C.
In the ninth year of Zedekiah
king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all
his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. And in the eleventh year of
Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken
up. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle
gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer,
Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon – Jeremiah
39:1-3
THREE: He was then succeeded
by his own very young son Labashi-Marduk also named after yet another “Babylonian” false “god” and ruled for only 9 months and he too was promptly assassinated
through a revolution in that very SAME
youthful year 556
B.C.
FOUR: The next “king”
named Nabonidus seized his power in a coup and ruled from 556 B.C. to 539 B.C.
in Arabia
and upon his exile had chosen to SHARE his
throne along with his own son named “Belshazzar” acting as co-regent
in aptly ASSISTING his
father from 553
B.C. to 539 B.C. but he too would be assassinated
in the year 539
B.C.
FIVE: Finally, without a
struggle encountered, “Cyrus the Great”
had appointed “Darius the
Median” as the new ruler
over “Babylon” as they completely CONQUERED the vast “kingdom” headed by the then-reigning “Belshazzar” and began ruling
the ENTIRE land in the
year 539
B.C. prompting the FINAL fatal fickle – FALL of Babylon!
The
first FOUR chapters of our “study”
in the book of “Daniel” has
been focused on the monarchy of “King Nebuchadnezzar” and now HERE beginning
in chapter 5 a man by the name of “Belshazzar” another contentious “king” suddenly appears
on the scene – WHO is he?
In
verses 2, 11,
13, 18 and 22 the “King
Nebuchadnezzar” is referred to as “Belshazzar’s” actual “father”
as such. However, the Aramaic term for “father”
could also mean grandson, a distant descendant
or even a successor. This belligerent “Belshazzar” was acting as co-regent
in aptly ASSISTING his
father Nabonidus who lived in the city Temia located in Arabia as he “worshiped”
his pagan “gods” and was
involved with corresponding studies & archeological
work. “Belshazzar” had been known ONLY from the Biblical record “written” here in the book of “Daniel” until the year 1854 when in Xenophon's Cyropaedia references to him were found within “Babylonian” excavated what is known as the Cuneiform Inscriptions. When Nabonidus was
appointed as monarch, he was NOT at
all related to “King
Nebuchadnezzar” and therefore had NO right
to the royal line. Evidently, Nabonidus
had married either the widow of “Nebuchadnezzar” or one of his daughters
adopting “Belshazzar” as his
son and thus providing Nabonidus
with access to the – Royal
Family Line!
As
“Cyrus” the conquering “king” of the “Medes and the Persians” was moving
throughout the countryside, they met Nabonidus and his forces in the wilderness just outside
the great “city of Babylon” in
that vast Empire. They utterly DESTROYED the army of Nabonidus and took him captive in Borsippa some
50 miles south of “Babylon” proper. He was then exiled
to a place known as Carmania until he died, never again to – See Babylon!
At
this point in human approximately 66 years
have passed since Chapter 1
and the conquering “King Nebuchadnezzar’s”
reign. And when Nabonidus went into exile,
his 36 year old son “Belshazzar” took the throne
along with the remaining remnant of the “Babylonian” standing army
corps. Incidentally, the name “Belshazar”
means – “Bel, Protect the King!”
Belshazzar's Foolish Feast!
Now,
some “seventy years” have now PASSED since “Daniel” and his faithful “companions” were taken
into “Babylonian” captivity.
Therefore, “Daniel” is no
longer a “young” teenage “Hebrew” lad. Rather, he is now
in his late 80’s and
approximately 23 years have PASSED
by since chapter 4 had ended
with the great BREAKING of the “King
Nebuchadnezzar” and his recognition of the
true “God of heaven” Himself.
Incidentally, “Daniel” does NOT record
anything between “Nebuchadnezzar’s”
rule concluded in the closing verse
37 of the previous narrative in chapter
4 and “Belshazzar’s”
immediate introduction initiated here in chapter 5 with absolutely NOTHING in
between. However, ancient literature and archeological
history itself indeed FILLS
in the dire DETAILS quite – CLEARLY!
The
FIRST surreal scene in this challenging
chapter is of a drunken ORGY horribly held on October 29th, 539 B.C.
and was flagrantly FILLED with despicable desecration,
blatant blasphemy and every EVIL enticement. And in the very midst
of this demonic DEBAUCHERY arrives the awesome intervention
of the glorious “God of heaven”
in Whom pronounces dire DOOM upon the ENTIRE empire of “Babylon”
within a FEW short hours…
Belshazzar the king made a great
feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand – Daniel
5:1
Although
“Babylon” was indeed very FORTIFIED in
its diligent defensive position, it is none the less quite
DIFFICULT to fathom how “Belshazzar”
could be so FOOLISH as to engage in a “great feast” centered around
this drunken ORGY for these thuggish “thousand
of his lords” all the while as his sordid “city” is being encompassed
about by the massive – Medo-Persian Empire!
Here
“Belshazzar” was on his
trusted throne seated far ABOVE all of the “thousand” of them of whom were gathered
for the festive “feast” as
they ALL daringly “tasted
the wine” together to get down right DRUNK as
such…
Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the
wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father
Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the
king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein – Daniel
5:2
When
his fore “father” the great “King Nebuchadnezzar” had initially TAKEN the
“Jewish” careless “captives” from “Jerusalem” as detailed in chapter 1, in order to demonstrate
that the gross “gods” of “Babylon” were MORE powerful
than the true “God of Israel”
he deeply desecrated the temple. HOW? He had “taken”
all of the “gold and silver vessels”
of which were set IN the “temple”
and utilized by the “priests”
and casually “carried” them away
unto “Babylon” to storing them
in the horrific HOUSE of his own – DEMONIC Deities!
And
in the midst of his drunken stupor, “Belshazzar”
had willingly mindfully MOCK the great “God”
of insolent “Israel” directly. HOW? He had caustically “commanded” his henchmen to “bring” all of the “golden and silver vessels” that are representative
of the “God of Israel” and ALL of “his princes” and “his wives” and “his concubines” dared to “drink” from them. WHY? Because it was his adamant ACT of
dire desecration and blasphemy they
openly DEFIED the glorious – GOD of Heaven!
Then they brought the golden
vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at
Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank
in them – Daniel 5:3
He
KNEW the personal & family history
concerning his forerunner “father”
the nebulas “Nebuchadnezzar”
and how the “God of Israel”
had totally turned this man into a raving MANIAC for
a full “seven years” complete.
This belligerent “Belshazzar”
had no doubt KNOWN how the
great “God of heaven” through
“Daniel” His purposed “prophet” prepared, had REVEALED rightly those demanding “dreams” and various “visions” in kind. However, in the MIDST of
his pious paganism and fickle folly
unfurled, he had dreadfully DECIDED to mindfully – MOCK God!
They drank wine, and praised the
gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone – Daniel
5:4
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: As “they”
all “drank wine” and piously “praised the gods” of a Divinely CREATED order such as “gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of
stone” as to mindlessly MOCK the Omniscient ONE and ONLY true “God”
Himself! And the state of dire DEGRADATION beginning
from the “gold” of utmost MOST value
to the “stone” of the very LEAST of
value is quite evident…
For the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God
hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of
him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they
glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their
imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed
the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man,
and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of
their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen – Romans 1:18-25
“They” had absolutely ALL chosen
to engage in a chaotic CHALLENGE with the glorious “God
of heaven” above! And as “they”
will ALL soon learn, He will absolutely – ACCEPT Their Challenge…
PROPHETIC PROMISE: All of foolish FALLEN human
civilization frightfully FOLLOWS the very SAME historical pattern, as it rashly rises
to its heinous heights and is eventually FILLED with
pompous PRIDE of heart. And in the midst of its sordid self-indulgence
and miry materialism begins to decidedly DESCEND into deep degeneration
as it comes CLOSER and CLOSER to its deadly – Desperate
DESTRUCTION!
More to follow… STAY tuned!
In
closing:
REAL REFLECTIONS: The twelve chapters of “Daniel” are powerfully PROMISED prophecies depicting the unfolding
of the HISTORIC events of which will take place leading up to
the literal “time” of the SECOND awaited
physical “coming” of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” back to the earth:
And in the days
of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall
break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever – Daniel 2:44
And
our SERIOUS study of these PROPHECIES will
rightly REVEAL to each student of God's wonderful “Word” that the events FORETOLD
some 2,600 years ago could
possibly be FULFILLED in the seemingly near future…
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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