2. Was Daniel fact or fiction? Was Daniel a man of Faith? Was Daniel mentioned in the New Testament? The answer to all of these questions is as follows: Daniel was not at all fiction, but was in fact a real man. Daniel 1:6… Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

3. Was Daniel fact or fiction? Was Daniel a man of Faith? Was Daniel mentioned in the New Testament? The answer to all of these questions is as follows: Was Daniel a Man of faith? stopped the mouths of lions, Heb 11:32, 33… And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

4. Was Daniel fact or fiction? Was Daniel a man of Faith? Was Daniel mentioned in the New Testament? The answer to all of these questions is as follows: Was Daniel mentioned in the New Testament? Matthew 24:15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

5. DANIEL HAD A PURPOSE 1:8… Isn't it great to find young people who do not defile themselves with Drugs, Impure Thoughts, & Abusive Speech? Let me give you some ideas as to what happened in the life of this young believer.

6. He was descended from one of the noble families of Judah… DANIEL 1:3… “ Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles,” At the first deportation of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar (the kingdom of Israel had come to an end nearly a century before), or immediately after his victory over the Egyptians at the second battle of Carchemish, in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim (B.C. 606), Daniel and other three noble youths were carried off to Babylon, along with part of the vessels of the temple. Josiah He was probably born in Jerusalem about B.C. 623, during the reign of King Josiah.

7. There, he was obliged to enter into the service of the king of Babylon, and in accordance with the custom of age, received the Chaldean name of Belteshazzar, i.e., "prince of Bel," or "Bel protect the king!" So, Daniel is serving the King but he purposed in his heart to not defile himself with anything from the palace! Do we have the same zeal for God the way Daniel did? Can We say: I am not going to defile myself with anything unclean?!

9. Brothers and Sisters, we are talking at this time about a young fellow and not an old guy, which is the way many think. Daniel was probably in his early twenties according to Bible records, when he was taken as a captive to Babylon. Daniel 1:4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

10. DANIEL PREPARED HIMSELF… Daniel, we read, was preparing himself for the unexpected and the unexpected surely came. Daniel 1:3-4… Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good- looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

11. Daniel spent his childhood years preparing himself to be an adult, and of course, like a real Jewish man faithful to God, he spent his days preparing to serve God. Are we prepared for when the unexpected comes our way? Daniel spent three years getting ready to serve King Nebuchadnezzar - Dan. 1:5, 17-21 Faith tested and prevailed - Dan. 1:8-16

12. Daniel Was Loved By God… Daniel 10:11-12. A devout man - 10:12 (1:8) A humble man - 10:12; 2:18 A faithful man - 1:8; 2:20-23; 6:4, 10-11, 23 A wise man - 1:17, 20; 2:14; 5:12 A blessed man - 1:17-20; 5:11-12; 6:28 Innocent before God - 6:22

13. Bible theme: "BE READY" and "BE PREPARED.” Dare to be a Daniel. Prepare yourself. Even though Daniel was all that we already mentioned, he suffered for not following some human laws that his enemies signed in order to make him fall from his faith to God.

14. WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE 6:1-10

15. Many want To be Christians Without Discipline And Self-denial. Heb. 11:25… “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Daniel was accused in a very false and evil way, just because his enemies wanted to hurt him. Daniel 6:3-5… 3 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. 4 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. 5 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."

16. There was no way they could find any fault in Daniel, but like we mentioned in our studies, Satan will not rest until he sees us down… Daniel 6:6-8… So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! 7 "All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 "Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

17. There was no way they could find any fault in Daniel, but like we mentioned in our studies, Satan will not rest until he sees us down…

18. Daniel 6:10-Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward 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. Daniel 6:14, 16 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."

19. Darius knew that Daniel had done nothing wrong but because of the signing of the decree, he could not change it anymore. The Only thing that the King said to Daniel was: "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." Are we serving God continually? Are we really like Daniel when it comes to being loyal to God? Daniel 6:17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Daniel 6:18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.

20. What would you have done in that position? Would you compromise your faith in order to not end up in jail? Daniel was challenged that order and the result was the Lions Den. Daniel 6:19-23… Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

21. Don’t bargain with the world brethren. God always has the way of escape, he will never leave us alone. Daniel was very sure that God would be able to rescue him. Daniel 6:24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. 25 Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end.

22. Dare To Be A Daniel--Count the cost, then pay it. Daniel was willing to endure. He trusted that the Lord would make things right. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. (KJV) 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (KJV)

23. Dare to be a Daniel. Wait for the Lord.