Study of the Book of Daniel What is the Message? You meet a man, he is reading in the Book of Daniel, but he has little time. How can you tell him in one sentence what is the Message of this book? Question: What words would you give him to think about on his way?

Some spontaneous ideas... the struggle between light and darkness emergence of the kingdoms of the world and the kingdom of God The saints will receive the kingdom The victory of the kingdom of God Christ is coming again the ability to stand firm, keep the commandments Prophecy from the beginning to the end of the ages Infidel rule over God's people or...

Seek first the kingdom of God Jeremiah 29 12 Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, says the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

What Daniel repeatedly saw Their Current Condition The Promised Ideal Kingdoms of the World God's People reigning over Giving blessings to the God's People Kingdoms of the World

Daniel's Question He saw the continual oppression of God's people Why is that? How can it be prevented? How long will it take?

Cause and Effect God may be found The captivity is turned Seek for God with the whole heart God cannot work The captivity remains Be indifferent towards God

Seeking with the whole heart...? My life is in his hand and he can do whatever he wants. Self no longer plays a role, it is hid in Christ, and not given any place Examining my life: the things I am content with may be obstacles between me and God (example: Laodicea) God can reveal my mistakes through others

Where is my heart?...the Answer! ... seek God with my whole heart recognize the treasure in the vessel Treasure Vessel show me a fault Me the other ... ME and nothing but ME... blaming the vessel! defending the fault

When selfishness reigns... Treasure despising the help ME Line of sight Vessel attacking the helper When the vessel is attacked and the treasure despised, God is not sought with the whole heart, but rather ME.

Concentrating on the Treasure it is respected When self is forgotten... ... seeking God with the whole heart ... Concentrating on the Treasure it is respected Line of sight Vessel is gratefully received ... and pray that God shows me my mistakes, And seek to please HIM.

Seeking with the whole heart what is it practically? Accepting correction of mistakes with thanks Ask the other person to show me my mistakes Keep God's commandments Follow Christ wherever He goes

Follow wherever He goes! John 10 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Following after MYSELF! what appears important Example: the wedding guests - visit friends - buy a cow - marry - funeral Set priorities - aiming for a goal! Following after CHRIST! Examples: The Canaanite Woman The paralytic The disciples of Jesus Psalm 23 – He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. what really is important

The Advantage of the Jews? Exodus 13 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. Exodus 14 19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Criticism – Good or Bad? “When someone shows me my faults” taken as darkness and discouragement taken as a bright, shining light Criticism brings trouble - no change is accomplished in me Criticism is valuable - I can be changed

My attitude is crucial! Faults are revealed Listening to God's voice Protecting myself Light Darkness

If my people... 2 Chronicles 7 14 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. Humbly bow before God Pray Seek God's face Turn from wicked ways God hears from Heaven God forgives our sin God heals our land