Who appears to be defeated as the book of
Daniel opens? Daniel 1:1, 2
King
NOTE: The book of Daniel opens with a
tremendous defeat for God's people. Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, is
delivered into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the
people of God are taken into captivity. It looks like the Babylonians
are winning in the struggle with God's people. Today, evil often seems
to triumph and good is defeated. Daniel reminds us that the same seemed
true in his day too.
What ultimately happens to God's people? Daniel 12:1
God's People will be
NOTE: Though the book of Daniel begins in
apparent defeat for the people of God, it ends with complete victory.
In the cosmic drama between the forces of good and evil, good will
triumph and God's people will be victorious.
THE MIGHTY
DELIVERER The cosmic theme is the struggle between the
forces of good and evil. In this warfare the villain is Satan and the
deliverer is Jesus. Just as in the cosmic struggle in ancient Babylon,
Jesus will be the final great deliverer of God's people in the time of
the end. Let us see how the book of Daniel presents Jesus as the mighty
deliverer of the people of God.
After Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego into the fiery furnace, how many people did he see in the
fire? Daniel 3:25
I see
NOTE: While Nebuchadnezzar had only three men
cast into the fire, he now sees a fourth one walking with the other
three.
Who is this fourth one walking through the
fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? Daniel 3:25
The fourth looks like a
NOTE: Nebuchadnezzar knew he was seeing
something supernatural -- a son of 'the gods .' When
God's servants go through the fiery furnace, the Son of God goes
through the fire with them. Here is a tremendous picture of Jesus. He
comes to deliver His people right in the middle of their fiery trials.
Jesus is the deliverer.
Describe the one who brings encouragement to
Daniel in a later vision. Daniel 10:5, 6
Dressed in A belt of the finest His body was like His face like His eyes like His legs like the gleam of burnished His voice like the
Describe the being who appeared to John the
Revelator in the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:13-16
Dressed in a With a His eyes were like His feet were like His voice like the sound of rushing His face was like the
NOTE: In comparing the descriptions it is
apparent that Daniel and John the Revelator saw the same person.
Who is this one who appeared to Daniel and
John? Revelation 1:13
The
NOTE: Jesus is pictured as being the Son of Man
in Revelation and the Son of God in Daniel. The One pictured as the
deliverer, the one who has constant communion with his servants in both
Old and New Testament times, is none other than Jesus.
WHO IS JESUS
CHRIST Daniel has pictured Jesus as the mighty
deliverer, the One in the fiery furnace as well as the One who brings
Daniel assurance in his visions. Yet Jesus was not born until 500 years
after the time of Daniel. How can that be? It is essential that we
carefully examine the subject of the identity of Jesus before we delve
more deeply into our study of the book of Daniel.
The Bible predicted the birth of Jesus in
what place? Micah 5:2 What does the Bible have to say about the one
born in Bethlehem? Micah 5:2
Whose origins are from of old, from
NOTE: The One born in Bethlehem did not have
His origin in Bethlehem. The Bible clearly indicates that Jesus
pre-existed before His birth in Bethlehem. His origins are from of old,
from days of eternity (see margin NIV). Since Jesus is from eternity,
there never have been a time when He was not in existence. The text
indicates that His "origins" have been from ancient times; in other
words, He has been there to help His people from all eternity.
Jesus was active in Daniel's time by appearing
in the midst of the fiery furnace with the three Hebrews, as well as
bringing encouragement to Daniel in vision. It would be well for us to
examine other Bible passages illustrating Jesus' involvement with His
People.
Was Jesus involved in the Creation? Colossians 1:14-16
For by him all things were
NOTE: While the Father and the Holy Spirit
clearly were involved in creative activity, the Bible also clearly
indicates that Jesus was involved in every aspect of creation. All
things were created through him and by him.
Who was the Rock that was with the children
of Israel as they journeyed out of Egypt and into the Promised Land? 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
That rock was
NOTE: Jesus the Christ (Christ means Messiah or
Saviour) was not only involved in the creation of the world, but this
text reveals that He was the One who led Israel out of Egypt. In that
capacity Jesus worked with His ancient people. Thus we see that the One
who stands for the people of God is none other than Jesus.
What did Jesus do for us? 1 Corinthians 15:3
Christ
NOTE: Jesus is on our side. He is for us, and
not against us! He died for us.
Is Jesus fully God? John 1:1-14
The Word was The Word became
NOTE: Before Jesus was born a human (and
thereby becoming the Son of God), He was known as the Word
(of God). Now, the Word is known as Jesus the Son
of God . This One who became man is fully God.
Was Jesus also man? Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children have He had to be made
NOTE: Not only is Jesus fully God, but He is
also fully man. He is one with us. God's gift to us is the gift of
Jesus, who became man that he might redeem us.
Does Jesus understand humanity? Hebrews 4:15, 16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable
to
NOTE: As a man, Jesus fully understands us.
The nature of Jesus and God is one of the most
hotly contested and least understood concepts in all of Christendom. Is
God One? Is God Three? How can three be one? Is Jesus equal with God
the Father? Is the Holy Spirit a Person or a Force? How much like God
is man? How much like man is God?
Some have tried to explain God as being one
like a man and woman are one in marriage. Others see God as some kind
of committee of three yet one. But these are not entirely satisfactory.
Some have tried to explain the relationship
between God and man like this. God is a cube in three dimensional
space. Mankind are squares in a two dimensional plane. How does a cube
explain himself to squares in a plane? How can squares comprehend and
explain what a cube is? These are the same kinds of conceptual problems
that God has in trying to explain Himself to man and man in trying to
understand God. The cube must try to explain himself in terms which the
squares can understand yet be more than that.
The Bible gives us many clues about what God is
like. Somehow God is one and yet three. Somehow Jesus is God and man.
Somehow the Holy Spirit is a person and a force. Somehow they are equal
yet subservient. Yet even the terminology used is purely human in
concept: Father, Son, Spirit, man, force, etc.
In what terms is God described? Matthew 28:19
Father,
NOTE: The Bible indicates that God is three
personal beings: The Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Spirit.
While they are three persons, they are one God -- one in unity,
character, and purpose. Since God is united in his purpose toward man,
God is totally on man's side. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit is
working for your salvation, redemption and deliverance.
THE OPPRESSOR What are the names that the Bible gives to
the one who opposes Jesus? Isaiah 14:12 ; Revelation 12:9 (Lucifer),
dragon, serpent, devil, Under the symbolism of the king of Tyre, God
describes the creation of Lucifer. What kind of being was Lucifer when
he was created? Ezekiel 28:12-15
You were
NOTE: God did not create a evil devil. He
created a perfect angel named Lucifer. Lucifer became evil by choice.
What did Lucifer attempt to do? Isaiah 14:13
I will
NOTE: Lucifer wanted to sit where God sat. He
wanted to rule from where God ruled. He felt he could do a better job
of ruling the universe than God could, thus he rebelled against God.
As a result of Lucifer's rebellion, what
happened to Him? Revelation 12:7-9
He was hurled to the
NOTE: Amazing! War took place in heaven, not
some remote part of the universe. The rebellion that began with Lucifer
finally resulted in his being thrown out of heaven.
Since Lucifer was cast out of heaven, whom
does he seek to deceive? Revelation 12:12
Therefore rejoice you heavens and you who
NOTE: The inhabiters of the earth and the sea
beware. The devil is filled with fury for his time is short.
How does Satan deceive people? 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
Satan appears as an His servants masquerade as servants of
NOTE: Satan does not appear as an evil being.
He attempts to deceive people by professing to have great light and
truth.
Can Satan really work miracles? Revelation 16:12, 14 How effective are Satan's deceptions? Matthew 24:24
To deceive even the
NOTE: The deceptions of Satan in the last days
will be so convincing that many will be deceived. Our faith cannot rest
on miracles, signs or wonders; our faith can safely rest only on the
Word of God.
With whom does Satan wage war in the last
days? Revelation 12:17 With whom do God's people have to contend in
the battles of life? Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and
NOTE: Christians are not in warfare with other
people, but with unseen forces who are seeking constantly to destroy
them. The New Testament clearly amplifies what was revealed to Daniel.
There is a great controversy going on between Jesus and Satan, a battle
being fought for every person.
How can the Christian resist the adversary? Ephesians 6:11-13 What is this armor? Ephesians 6:14-17
The belt of The breastplate of Your feet fitted with the readiness that
comes from the The shield of The helmet of The sword of the Spirit, which is the
NOTE: Our only defense against the wiles of the
devil is a firm trust in Jesus, a deep personal relationship with Him,
and continual study of His word. This is the only way to meet the
adversary. The central theme of the book of Daniel is the same as the
central theme running throughout the Bible. There is a great cosmic
conflict between Jesus and His angels and Satan and his angels. Behind
all the scenes of human history, unseen forces are at work. A battle is
being fought for every soul. The book of Daniel can only be understood
against the backdrop of this great controversy. The good news of the
book of Daniel is that God wins the victory, Satan and his hosts will
be defeated, and God's people will be delivered.
Which is it? Triumph or defeat? What's your
choice?
