The Book of Daniel “The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men.” Daniel 4:17

Daniel 1:1-2: Three Rulers “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.” “City of Man” defeats “City of God” BUT… GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Dan. 1:1-2 – Three Rulers  Jehoiakim – Corrupt  Defiled worship of God (2 Kg. 24:1-4)  Despised word of God (Jer. 36:1-3, )  Nebuchadnezzar – Conquering  Builder of Babylon (Dan. 4:30)  Destroyer of Jerusalem (2 Chr. 36:20- 21)  Jehovah – Controlling  Appoints Kings (Dan. 4:17,25,32; Rom. 13:1)  Tells Future Events (Isa. 44:28)  Judges Nations (Hab. 1:6)

Dan. 1:3-7 – Battle for the Heart  The King’s Mandate: Best of the Best  Noble, Healthy, Intelligent, Capable (vs. 3-4)  The King’s Motive: Make Them Chaldeans  “enter the service of the King” (v. 5)  The King’s Methods:  Isolate from Family, Worship (new priorities)  Language & Literature (new culture)  Comfort & Position (new pleasures)  Name Change (new identity)

Name Changes  Daniel (God is my judge) – Belteshazzar (protected by Bel)  Hananiah (God has given) – Shadrach (commanded by Aku)  Mishael (who is like God) – Meshach (who is like Aku)  Azariah (God is my helper) – Abednego (servant of Nebo)

Dan. 1:8-16 – Resolution to Resist  Purposed In Heart Not to Defile  Obedience & Holiness began in his heart  Could have easily excused compromise  Humbly and Politely Abstained  Gave a soft answer in a hostile culture  Trusted in God to Provide a Way  Was assured of God’s power & promises

Dan. 1:17-21 – Honor From God  How Were They Favored by God?  Excelled in understanding  Different from others (in wisdom)  Given an opportunity to influence  How Were They Found by Nebuchadnezzar?  Ten times better

Our World System  We live in a culture that is just as all-encompassing  Our indoctrination: Get money Get status, prestige Get entertainment Get sex, pleasure Get high Get open-minded (deny all objective truth- nothing is truly “wrong”)

Dan. 1:3-7 – Battle for the Heart  Satan’s Methods???  Isolate from Family, Worship (new priorities)  Language & Literature (new culture)  Comfort & Position (new pleasures)  Name Change (new identity) Money, status, entertainment, sex, pleasure, drugs, open- mindedness School, television, movies, dress, music, I-Pods, Internet, friends

11 Will You Become A Christian? Hear the Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 16:16) Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30) Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38) Live Faithfully until You Die (Rev. 2:10)