Good Morning! - Daniel 5:2-4 - The Feast of Belshazzar - 2009.10.16

Good Morning!

 

Belshazzar, while 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. 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. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of

 

iron, of wood, and of stone (Dan 5:2-4).

 

Did Belshazzar exist?  Critics used him for a long time to "prove" that the Book of Daniel was an unreliable myth. Historians and archeologists of later time set that idea on its head.  "Belshazzar did exist and was actually co-regent in Babylon at the time of the Persian conquest. Nebuchadnezzar was his "father" (Dan 5:2) in the ancestral sense. In the British Museum there is a clay cylinder of writing by Nabonidus, King of Babylon, which mentions his son Belshazzar. A clay tablet pictures Nabonidus worshipping the moon, sun, and Venus. This link to Encyclopedia Britannica will enable you to go inside but only skin-deep without paying. Inside, click on history and type in Belshazzar at the top.

 

Belshazzar's father, Nabonidus, "was either a son or son-in-law of Nebuchadnezar and was king at the time but in Arabia on an archaeological reconstruction project. The Medo-Persian army was outside of Babylon and possibly had either captured Nabonidus or at least had cut him off from returning to the city. Belshazzar, ruling in his father's place, and knowing of the threat to the city but feeling secure behind its great walls, had the effrontery to make a great feast and drink wine in praise to Babylon's many nature gods." (Morris—The Defender's Study Bible)

 

The Bible says little about Belshazzar. "His deeds were hardly worth reporting. He is best known for the ignoble and insolent act committed while under the influence of alcohol. People outdo themselves in wickedness when they are overpowered by a pseudo boldness and the absence of restraint produced by the alcohol demon. One of the perils of strong drink is that it too often carries away the drinker to do and say foolish and fatal things…." (Strauss).

 

"He wished to make a display; to do something unusually surprising; and, though it had not been contemplated when the festival was appointed to make use of these vessels, yet, under the excitement of wine, nothing was too sacred to be introduced to the scenes of intoxication; nothing too foolish to be done" (Barnes).

 

"This was as far as it was possible for human daring to go. It was more than the powers of Heaven could quietly endure" (Seiss). "The Most High God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, but even with the God of compassion there must come the day of judgment" (Strauss).

 

There remains today the term: "Babylonianism." The idolatrous rebellion of the ancient Babylonians is alive and well and is the driving engine of the one-world government that is swiftly coming upon us. Peace is not to be found when the entire world stops its warring and the poor are all fed. That's not going to happen until the Prince of Peace comes and with great might and power becomes the world's one ruler. Then there will be world peace and then there will no hunger. He will rule with a rod of iron and those who know Him will rule and reign with Him.

 

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev 20:6)

 

Memory Verse

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)

 

"Il Divo" performed "Amazing Grace" in the beautiful arena in Pula , Croatia . This coliseum (smaller but better preserved than the one in Rome ), where the concert and recording were done, is one of the most well-preserved Roman coliseums in the world. CLICK BELOW (4.32 minutes) OUTSTANDING MALE QUARTET Il Divo UK AV

 

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click here. In the subject line type "remove."  ●To subscribe to this and other Encourager mailings, click here. In the subject line, type "subscribe." Please give your name and email address. ●Please set your spam system (contact list) to accept encourager@biblewalking.com. and  dan@dancarr.org.   ●. Thank you for accepting our mail and passing it on. Clay cylinder of Nabonidus, King of Babylon mentioning his son Belshazzar. http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/Frames.htm?members/Member_page.php  Clay tablet of Nabonidus at Wikipedia Ency.

Good Morning! Devotionals are posted without pictures at:   http://www.bibleliving.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Good Morning! - Daniel 5:1 - October 15, 2009

Good Morning! (Originally posted March 20, 2009. Edited Oct. 15, 2009)

 

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords,

 

and drank wine before the thousand. (Dan 5:1)

 

In 538 B.C. Belshazzar threw one of the most unusual parties in known history. He was a tag-along on the coat tails of his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar who had died 23 years earlier. A strong, well organized kingdom can coast along several years on its own unless it corrupts from within or is ruled by a nut. Of course, if a competing kingdom is on its way up, an incompetent king may decide to throw a party and pretend everything will be OK in the morning. Alcohol helped him and his high level lords to forget they were about to die.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts (Pro 31:4-6). And…

 

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Pro 20:1)

 

You don't have to be at Belshazzar's party to know how loud it was or how hard the servants had to work to keep the booze coming. It was party time! Time to get drunk! And so they did. It's hard to keep a party smelling good when sour breath is overtaking the perfume and those who can't hold their wine have lost their dignity. But if you're drunk, who cares if …..

I've never enjoyed flying on Sunday night domestic flights. The party people are returning home on the milk run and it usually smells like they've had a great time. The lights of Atlanta and its runway never looked as good as on Sunday night. The most wonderful smell in the whole world was that first breath of fresh air at the door of the plane.  It was always like that.  I've never seen anyone who was smarter or more interesting in conversation because they were boozed up. 

All wine in the Bible is not alcoholic. Sometimes it was a reference to grapes in the wine press, unfermented (Isaiah 16:10) or still in the field. See the book: WINE in the BIBLE by Samuele Bacchiocchi. I eat a lot of red grapes, mostly in the middle of the night. They are very good for you without being soaked in alcohol. All alcohol is toxic to the liver without exception and is best limited to medicinal purposes in extracting the strength of herbs. Several million people concur that alcohol as a beverage is not a good idea. This is reflected in church covenants posted on the walls of churches for over a hundred years. Some specialists are now pointing to the genetic disposition of some children toward alcoholism and only a few drinks will lock them in. Not a good idea for parents to nudge them into alcohol by their well-meaning but misguided example. It often takes the power of God to deliver alcoholics from their prison. Many do not want to be delivered, just another bottle of cheap wine or a bottle of shoe polish.

Daniel was an old man now. He didn't tell us where he was when the party was cranking up, but God had him in the wings until the right time. It wasn't the kind of a feast any man of God would want to attend and the party animals would not want a genuine prophet among them as a wet blanket. Of course there are reverends that can join right in and be one of the clowns, but not the man of God. Historians have written enough about these feasts to let us know that parties and alcohol haven't changed much in 2,500 years. It was sometimes the morality of a barnyard. Got to be real empty to think that's a good time.

While they had lost their minds, Cyrus the Persian and his army were getting ready to run them through with a sword. Days earlier, the army had encircled the city of Babylon. They brought tools with them to re-channel the Euphrates River and dry up the moat. They were about to crash the party. The guards in the 250 guard towers had to know what was going on but were helpless to do anything about it. There's no indication that they gave any warning. Perhaps they thought the Persian army could not penetrate their defenses and never thought they would reroute the river. Actually, God can do anything but fail. He can even help you if you want Him to. He will walk with you if you want Him to. (Psalm 90:1,2 – Hebrews 11:6  - James 4:8)

Memory Verse

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click here. In the subject line type "remove."  ●To subscribe to this and other Encourager mailings, click here. In the subject line, type "subscribe." Please give your name and email address. ●Please set your spam system contact list) to accept encourager@biblewalking.com. and  dan@dancarr.org.   ●. Thank you for accepting our mail and passing it on. (http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/

Good Morning! Devotionals are posted without pictures at:   http://www.bibleliving.blogspot.com

 

 

Good Morning! 2009.10.13 -Daniel Pauses for Perspective

 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Titus

 

Good Morning!

 

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Dan 4:37).

 

Nebuchadnezzar sums up his life at a good place: connected to the Lord and a healthy respect for what God is able to do. Would to God that everyone could arrive at the place Nebuchadnezzar reached. It took him at least 25 years to humble his proud heart. He was a mighty nation builder but God didn't deal with him as a politician. He was just one naked man before God in the midst of the cows. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Heb 4:13).

 

 If every kid in America were to be required to study Nebuchadnezzar, we would have fewer problems.

 

What preacher with Bible in hand has not warned: "If God does not judge America, He will have to apologize to  Sodom and Gomorrah for burning them to the ground?" I've said that at least fifty times over the years and I believe it. We Americans are a very wicked nation and growing more wicked every year. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Pro 14:34). Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance (Psa 33:12). Like it or not, God is in charge of the nations as well as individuals. This is the Bible question: If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psa 11:3)

 

The Bible tells us that God used Assyria to sack  the northern ten tribes called Israel, absorbed them into the Assyrian culture and only God knows their whereabouts. Wickedness in Israel was official and political. But making wickedness into a government program does not clear it with God. He is not impressed.

 

Some 150 years later as a last resort, God brought Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Iraq) to destroy Judah's Temple, reduce Jerusalem to rubble and to take Judah to Babylon in chains. Israel didn't get the message at the first deportation but upon Babylon's third visit that brought destruction of the Temple and a massive slaughter, Israel got the message. It's over! But God did not give up on Israel. He left them in Babylon for 70 years  and afterward a remnant came home to start rebuilding out of the ruins.

 

When Israel rejected Jesus as their promised Christ, He warned them on the day of His crucifixion that a bad day was coming. But they didn't get it and after a space of 40 years to repent Titus and the Roman army came. Titus destroyed their beautiful temple (expanded and adorned by Herod) and slaughtered a million Jews gathered for Passover. In our day the Arch of Triumph stands in Rome depicting the return of Titus with Jews in chains.  In the stone relief above, the Romans are leading Jewish leaders in chains and carrying the lamp stand from the Temple. "The light of Israel had gone out."

 

God's warnings in the Bible also include the stark words: "shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"  (Jer 5:9 – 5:29 – 9:9.)That includes all nations of all times, including the United States. God is in charge of nations. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jer 9:9).  "Such a nation as this."  We Americans think we are above that. We are enlightened. We're in charge.  And we are Arrogant!

 

Not long ago Kay Arthur, Bible teacher on Precept Ministries made a statement from scripture emphasizing that judgment had to come upon America.  There was a big flap over it. To save time I suggest you go to Snopes  http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/kayarthur.asp. or Truth or Fiction http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/k/kay-arthur-prophecy.htm for the full story.

There is nothing special about her story beyond what thousands of Bible-preaching pastors and evangelists have been saying for years. I mention her because a lot of people are talking about the controversy over her statements. People all over America are listening to their pastors and are wondering when God is going to visit America with judgment.

The way to judge all the thousands of warnings is to watch and see if it comes to pass. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him (Deu 18:21-22). I urge you to turn and read the expanded passage for yourself in your own Bible.

 

Memory Verse

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click here. In the subject line type "remove."  ●To subscribe to this and other Encourager mailings, click here. In the subject line, type "subscribe." Please give your name and email address. ●Please set your spam system (contact list) to accept encourager@biblewalking.com. and  dan@dancarr.org.   ●. Thank you for accepting our mail and passing it on. Arch of Titus gathered anonymously.

 

Good Morning! Devotionals are posted without pictures at:   http://www.bibleliving.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Good Morning! 2009.10.12 - Nebuhadnezzar is About to Pass off the Scene

 

Good Morning!

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of

 

heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and

 

those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Dan 4:37).

 

Nebuchadnezzar is about to pass off the scene in Daniel. I'm going to miss him. He was an exceedingly tough warrior who knew how to subdue nations. Holding them in line when they rebelled against him was about as difficult as whipping them in the beginning. Of course, his real success was from the hand of the living God, as he says in the verse above.

As he passes off the scene, he wants the world to know that he is a changed man. He has stopped talking about himself and his mighty deeds. Someone has said that a man wrapped up in himself makes a very small package. His testimony seems to ring true and not mere lip service. People who find it easy to praise the God of Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ have a reason for that.

It's easier to talk about ourselves and look at ourselves in the mirror than it is to talk about Him and to look up to Him. Whose music do you love, deep down? What kind of magazines and reading material draws you the most? Today it's what kind of videos are your favorites because reading is going out of style.

He says that God's works are truth and his ways are of true judgment. The world today has no appetite for the King of heaven or for companions who extol the King of heaven. It is true that "everybody talkin' 'bout heaven ain't goin' there." But it's also true that praise to the Lord is not strange to one who knows Him.

Is it strange that so long ago a mighty king would rush to talk about God's ability to bring down a man of pride?  When a man (or woman or boy or girl) knows the King of heaven he will not find it distasteful or strange to join in with the saints of the ages in saying: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches,and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Rev 5:12).

We don't need the burden of carrying around the thought that we're the biggest thing we know. What an awful price we pay when we think that way. God will ultimately have His way in the life of every person who has ever lived on the earth. He says emphatically…twice: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.  (Isa 45:23).

 

He repeats the same message for New Testament readers: For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom 14:11).

 

The message remains for today: … if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (Heb 3:7-8).

 

The same God who hates sin is also the God who is eager to forgive sin. But it has to be on His terms. We cannot manage God.

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (Joh 3:16-17).

 

Some day it will be over, just like Nebuchadnezzar came to his last day. In a hundred years no one will know you ever took a step on the earth, except…the Lord. Where will you spend eternity?

 

Memory Verse: The master verses on prayer. Write on a 3x5 card or napkin and put in your pocket.

 

1Jn 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1Jn 5:14-15).

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click here. In the subject line type "remove."  ●To subscribe to this and other Encourager mailings, click here. In the subject line, type "subscribe." Please give your name and email address. ●Please set your spam system (contact list) to accept encourager@biblewalking.com. and  dan@dancarr.org.   ●. Thank you for accepting our mail and passing it on. Hanging Gardens.

 

Good Morning! Devotionals are posted without pictures at:   http://www.bibleliving.blogspot.com