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DANIEL Chapter 6 "The Lions Den." This Bible Study
is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's transcription is provided
with written permission by http://www.theseason.org If it seems strange in this chapter and the next, that we are going back in time, well, we are. We will see in Daniel 7 that Belshazzar is well and on the throne. Through these chapters it becomes visible that the work of the "Kenite" scribes of I Chronicles 2:55 were involved. These "Kenites", or sons of Satan, have tried again in the Book of Daniel to confuse the reader; not just in word substitution, but also in mixing the chapters. Remember from Daniel 2 through Daniel 6 that was included in chapters written "Aramic", or called Syriak. The writings of Daniel 8 and on are switched back to pure Hebrew. Daniel 6:1 "It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;" "Darius" means the "restrainer" or "maintainer" when used in another case. It is a title, not a name of a person. Considering this, "Darius" was "king of Median". It is confusing to historians whether it was King Astyages, Cyrus' father, or Artaxerxes of Ezra 6:14 to Nehemiah 2:1. However, the size and form of the kingdom were the same. Daniel 6:2 "And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage." The princes were the governors over the territories, to collect taxes. Their three (3) presidents checked the incoming taxes for accuracy. Daniel 6:3 "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." How did Daniel achieve this high position? Go back to Daniel 1:20 and see. "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better". God will bless you also when you stay in His Word and are fair and honest in your dealings. It is important that we keep our motives clean as we move closer to the day when Antichrist will appear on earth. We must see to it that if and when we are delivered up before the synagogues of Satan it is for the right reasons. It is that we refuse to worship Antichrist, not for some activity contrary to the word of God. Daniel 6:4 "Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him." When a person rises to the top and is honest, there are always those who become jealous and find fault in him. Remember, the "Kenites" were numerous in this kingdom and Daniel's honesty was cutting into their profits. It's no different than today. Daniel's honesty was cutting into all the territories' siphoning of taxes, and the rulers had to find fault to get rid of Daniel. However, they could find no fault in him. Daniel 6:5 "Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." They knew Daniel would obey the laws of God to the letter. The plotting to overthrow Daniel is no different today, as it was through the jealousy of these 120 princes and two (2) other presidents. We know we are to be delivered up to Satan for not bowing to him. Fellow Christian, let that be the only reason we are delivered up to him. It is written in Mark 13:11 that our only purpose and destiny is to allow the Holy Spirit of God to speak through us, to give answer, for it will not be us speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Just as these rulers hated Daniel for his obedience to the laws of God, Mark 13:13 tells us: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." That's a promise, friend. Daniel 6:6 "Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever." The normal trick of the "Kenite" is to change one word, to twist the truth. The word "all" is not so, for Daniel, the most important person, was left out. Daniel would never consent to such a law of bowing and worshipping anyone but the Heavenly Father. This decree was built on the king's pride. The more a person becomes vain and proud, the stronger becomes his weakness. The way to bring down Daniel was through the pride and vanity of the king. When your pride is at its strongest, you're at your weakest. Satan will use your strongest and finest characteristics to bring you down. He will build you up, like the princes did to Darius, then use that pride, and your own words, against you. Daniel 6:7 "All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions." Once it was written, regardless of the truth of it, the "Kenites" both of Daniel's day and today, will treat it as the truth. This is the tactic used in most of the news media of today. and also with the lawyers and politicians. Because they wrote it, they try to force you to assume it's true when, in fact, it's a lie. The closer we get to the time of Antichrist, the more we will see this happen, even in churches. Daniel 6:9 "Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree." Daniel 6:10 "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." When the king signed the decree into law, and Daniel heard about it, he went straight to his house and prayed. The reason for the prayer in such manner [see I Kings 8:48, and on] tells us this is the manner to pray. Did Daniel stop his prayers and praising God? No. This is the example given to us. To worship God, and God only. Then you're in His will. This is the First Commandment. You ask His guidance, His direction, and for His blessing, in Jesus' name, confessing always anything that has come between you and God. Don't let any law or man's decree be of greater value, or cause you to disregard our Lord or Christ's teachings. Daniel 6:11 "Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God." It sounds like the press, and I suppose you can name many busybodies (peeking Toms) who just can't keep their noses out of other people's business. They got Daniel through the "peeking Tom" method. Daniel 6:12 "Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The this is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not." "Mr. King, we have to talk to you." It sounds like the press more and more. They search out half-truths and lay their traps to catch a person, then in force they gang up on them with a flood of lies and deceptions to bring down their prey. That is exactly how you will be treated in the time of the Antichrist. You will even have those blinded (by Satan) as members of your family, trying to do the work of Satan, and they won't even know it. The preparation to withstand him starts now. When Satan appears as the Antichrist, it's too late. Stay in God's word, and use your Bible as the yardstick to measure truth. Notice they used both the king's words and his pride. They had the old king boxed in regardless of how he felt about Daniel. Daniel 6:13 "The answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day." Here go the tattle-tellers having their day. Daniel 6:14 "Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him." The king then knew he had forgotten about Daniel and God. He knew he let his pride get in his way, and that these men tricked and used him to get to Daniel. The king was trying to get Daniel out of this thing. He loved Daniel. Daniel 6:15 "Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed." These men then forced the king to live up to his own rules. When you set guidelines for your life, watch what you say to others, for you know it will come back to you. This is what wicked and jealous people will do to you. Never allow any greedy people to place you under any position of suspicion. Daniel 6:16 "Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee." Think about that! That's the old, prideful king speaking. He knew Daniel, and through Daniel, the king knew Daniel's God. Both Daniel and the king had faith in God, and both knew God would deliver Daniel. As we go about our daily lives, can others know God through us? Do they see God's standards, love, and trust in our everyday activities, or do we leave them in a cloud as to just who we do worship? Daniel 6:17 "And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel." Not only was the king's signet, seal put on the door, but all the lords (princes) passed by with their seals, just in case the king changed his mind. Though the seal is upon you, God will deliver you in all matters. The Book of Daniel is an overlay of the Book of Revelation. As we see the events take place around Daniel, and the methods of entrapment, these are the same methods we will see more and more of as the time of Antichrist (Satan) draws near. So, as we study Daniel, constantly apply those lessons to your own life. In Revelation 9:8 we are told that: "And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions." This is exactly how the old king was tricked. ". . . the hair of women" is the gentleness and building of pride to overcome any resistance. Then they came with the ". . . teeth of lions . . ." to rip and destroy. Just as God delivered Daniel from the physical lions, so He will deliver you from those deceptive lions of Satan's army. How was Daniel saved? By having the truth of God sealed in his mind. We must also seal our minds with the truth of God. That seal is the knowledge given in God's word as to how Satan will come, and his methods of deception. When you know about Satan, he will not be appealing to you. Daniel 6:18 "Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him." Daniel 6:19 "Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions." Daniel 6:20 "And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" Daniel 6:21 "Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever." Daniel 6:22 "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." We must remain spotless when the time of being delivered up to the King of Babylon, "of the end times", comes. See that there is no reason to look down on you for evil matters, or you will never have the chance to witness for our Lord when that time comes. Daniel 6:23 "Then was the king exceeding 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 manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God." Why wasn't Daniel hurt? Because he believed in his God, and knew God would deliver him. Daniel had faith. Daniel 6:24 "And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den." The lions had their tummies full with the lying rulers and their families. They had no God to protect them as Daniel had. The pit in Revelation 20:3 is there for those who insist on whoring after the Antichrist. If you are looking for a rapture and being flown out to avoid the Antichrist, you will follow Satan. Friend, Satan will give you the ride you're looking for, only it will be after you bowed to him. Satan will be exactly as you expect Christ to appear, for he will be a good counterfeit. If you don't know the truths of God's holy word, and what to look for, there is no hope for you to escape. The deceptions coming on earth are total. God says you will have them sealed in your mind prior to his coming, and only then will you not take the "mark of the beast". The "mark of the beast", as recorded in Revelation 16:2 is not a marking of "666" as many believe and are taught [see Revelation 13:18], as being "on the forehead" and "on your right hand", but "in your forehead" and "in your right hand". What is "in your forehead"? It's your brain, your mind. The seal is the fixing of the warning that the fake messiah comes first, so you will not bow to him. If you do not know this, the wonders and signs Satan will show you [see Revelation 13:12-14] will trick you into believing Satan is the messiah (Christ). As to the term "right hand" in receiving the mark, "right hand" is a common expression from ancient days, and is even a term used today. This expresses that the person to the right does the work of the one stated. When I was in the Army and walking with an officer, I walked to the right of the officer, showing I did the service of that officer. Jesus is seated to the right hand of the Father, and thus does the work of the Father. I'm sure many times you've heard the expression, "he's my right hand man". You are referring to the fact that he does your work. The "mark of the beast" in the right hand then means you will do the work of Satan. And you will, if you do not seal in your mind exactly what the time of the tribulation is. That it is a short five (5) month period [see Revelation 9:5, 10] where Satan will rule the world as false Christ, or the Antichrist. The elect of God will know him, but the rest of the entire world will think he is Jesus Christ. This is a time of total deceptions, and unless you take the time to seek the truth, and know it, you will also be deceived. You will take the "mark of the beast". Daniel 6:25 "Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you." Daniel 6:26 "I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end." Notice the message of peace, peace, peace that goes to the entire world is not from God, but from the "King of Babylon". This is as it will be in the days that the Antichrist rules. We saw in Daniel 5 that the empire's days were numbered, and so are the days of the Antichrist's kingdom. When the claims of world peace come, look out; for the Antichrist will be upon us instantly. If you're not ready, you will fall for his bag of tricks, his wonders, his miracles, and all of his other lying wonders. Wake, my friend in Christ. Daniel 6:27 "He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." God will deliver you from that day of deception, just as Daniel was delivered from the lions. God has given us signs to warn us when the "time of the end" is near, and many of those signs are history today. When we heed these signs and prepare our minds for the deception to come, we will see the deceit for what it is. Those who are studying God's word for the preparation to overcome Satan know we are coming to the end of the final generation. Most of the signs prior to Satan's coming have already occurred, and I feel Antichrist's time of arrival is measured in days and months, and not years. This is no time to play church. Daniel 6:28 "So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian." You will always prosper when you do it God's way, giving our Heavenly Father the praise, worship, and glory in all matters. The message of Daniel 6 is that our God delivereth and rescueth use from all danger. The danger can be physical, as the lions were to Daniel, or it can be spiritual as you face the deceptions of a spiritual battle. Just as sure as Daniel faced those lions, this generation will face the Antichrist. This battle you will face will not be for your flesh body, friend, but it will be for your eternal soul and spirit. Keep in the word and put on that armor. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-20 what armor is necessary to stand against Antichrist in that final day. I pray you will put it on and stand ready.
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