DANIEL 6 NIGHT WITH THE LIONS A close encounter with the king of beasts

2 Daniel 6 1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 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."

3 Daniel 6 KING DARIUS INSTALLS A NEW GOVERNMENT (Daniel 6:1,2) "It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps (provincial governors), to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, _____ governors." (verses 1,2) three What changes in government by Darius led to the threat on Daniel's life?

4 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:2 ) Who was to be one of the three governors?______ (Daniel 6:3 ) Why did the king consider promoting Daniel to the position of supreme governor? "Because an excellent _____ was in him." (verse 3) spirit Daniel

5 How successful were Daniel's opponents in their attempts to discredit him? Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:4 ) What was the desire of the other appointees in the king’s government and what did they plan to do to get it? They wanted power and control and Daniel was in their way so they wanted to destroy him. THE DEATH PLOT faithful "They could find no charge or fault, because he was ______."

6 "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his ___." Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:5) They knew Daniel had a faultless record, so what did these guys come up with? God

7 Daniel 6 6 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.

8 Daniel 6 Were these guys truthful with the king? “King Darius, live forever! ____ of the governors of the kingdom, …, have consulted together …." (verse 7) All

9 Daniel 6 These opponents of Daniel were self-centered and desired to destroy him. Why? Because they were being lead by the devil. The evil one desires to kill and destroy each of us because we represent life, hope and righteousness. He hates that. But our Father has overcome the evil one. The devil cannot touch us unless the Lord allows it. So as we shall see with Daniel, we need to stay faithful and keep our focus on the Lord and not worry about our adversary. In 1 Peter 5:8-10 we are told to: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

10 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. 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." 13 So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."

11 ________________________________ He went home and prayed as usual Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:10 ) Although Daniel knew about the plot to kill him, what did he do? DANIEL AND THE SPIES

12 Daniel 6 Daniel was disobedient to the king’s decree. In Titus 3:1, Romans 13:1-3 and 1 Peter 2:13 we are told to be subject to the governmental authorities because God appointed them and they are there for our protection. Daniel’s friends had also refused to follow a decree in Daniel 3 and were thrown into the furnace. Is Daniel wrong to so outwardly disobey the king’s decree. Should he have done his prayer in secret? Let’s look at Acts 5: Also, look at what Jesus said at the triumphal entry (see Luke 19:38-40). This was in a time that such talk was placing himself above Caesar – the god of the world. Others: Moses standing against Pharaoh through the power of God; Rev. refusing to take the mark.

13 "Then these ____ assembled and found Daniel _______." (verse 11) Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:11 ) Who waited outside Daniel's window to catch him breaking the newly signed law? men THE PLAN IS PUT INTO PLAY praying

14 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:12,13) Notice the report that was taken back to the king. Most of the report was true, but one part was totally false. These guys are deceiving the king again. What lie did their report contain? “…Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” ANSWER: _____________________________________________ That Daniel had no regard for King Darius

15 Daniel 6 14 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. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed." 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." 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.

16 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:14 ) Did the king care about Daniel? "And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to ______ him." deliver

17 Daniel 6 Darius desired greatly to rescue Daniel. But the unchangeable Persian law forced the king to take action against him. How was Daniel, "the lawbreaker", to be punished? (Daniel 6:15,16 ) "So the king gave the command and they brought Daniel and cast him into the ____ of _____." denlions

18 Daniel 6 Did Darius have any faith in Daniel’s God? (Daniel 6:16 ) "But the king spoke saying to Daniel, ‘Your ___ whom you serve continually, He will ______ you.'" DO YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH IN GOD? God deliver

19 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:17) Three precautions were taken to make sure that Daniel could not escape from the lion's den. What were they? 1)"Then a stone was brought and laid upon the ______ of the den" 2)"and the king ______ it with his own signet ring" 3)"and with the _______ of his lords" mouth sealed signets These seals prevented even Darius himself from getting Daniel out secretly.

20 Daniel 6 Does this sealing of the opening remind you of another significant event in Biblical history? Matthew 27:64-66 “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.” Can man stop God’s plan, even with the seal of a powerful earthly ruler? It was looking grim for Christ’s disciples at this point. Did their faith waiver? In a similar manner, it was looking grim for Daniel.

21 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. 19 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 Now 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.

22 Daniel 6 Was the king troubled over what he had done? (Daniel 6:18,19) ●The king lost interest in food. ●He did not want to listen to his evening music program. ●He could not sleep. ●He left his palace early in the morning and went directly to the lion’s den.

23 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:20 ) As Darius hurried anxiously to the mouth of the den at daybreak, what one question was on his lips? "Has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to ______ you from the lions?“ This pagan king still had hope in the living God! Why? Because of the faith seen in Daniel. Daniel was a light in a dark world. deliver

24 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:21,22 ) What was Daniels answer from the den? "My God sent His _____ and shut the lions' mouths.“ Notice he doesn’t say: “These lions weren’t hungry!” or I can’t believe this, they didn’t eat me!” He expresses the truth to an unbelieving man, “MY GOD…!” 1 Peter 3:15 “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you….” angel

25 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:22,23 ) What reason did Daniel give the king for being saved from this horrifying death? "Because I was _____ ________ before Him; and also, O king, I have done no ______ before you." (verse 22) found innocent wrong Who had actually shut the lion's mouths? ANSWER: _____________________ An angel sent from God

26 Daniel 6 This is a great picture, but what is missing? THE ANGEL OF THE LORD!

27 Daniel 6 What carried Daniel through that evening without injury? “So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he _______ in his God.” FAITH Do you believe God? In Mark 9 a demon possessed boy was healed and Christ said: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) believed

28 Daniel 6 Why did Daniel go through this ordeal? Why didn’t God just keep him from this incredibly stressful event. He was 80+ years old! He had served the Lord faithfully all his life. He was praying and worshiping God three times a day (without a church to go to or a Bible to read)! WHY HIM?

29 Daniel 6 Hebrews 11:32-38 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: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. WHY THEM?

30 Daniel 6 Hebrews 12:1-2 says: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” These and Daniel are all examples for us, to encourage us. Have you ever been cast into a lion’s den? What about suffering incredible financial problems that you could not see a way out of? What about illness or injury where there seemed to be no hope? Some of the examples in scripture were not spared like Daniel. But they still remained faithful, even to the point of DEATH. Many of you are, or will, deal with situations that far exceed one night of torment. Your trial may go on for years. We are not to loose hope! Our hope is in eternity! This life is but a vapor! Our Father in heaven is a loving and merciful God and will sustain us! Just as he did Daniel.

31 Daniel 6 Interesting that Daniel is sent into a lion’s den. As we read earlier, Peter tells us that the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking to destroy. We see a picture of this in Revelation 2:10, where Jesus says to the church in Smyrna: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” They are called to be faithful unto death, and they will receive the “crown of life” – eternal life! In 1 Peter 5:10, we are told that we will reach “eternal glory” and be "perfected, confirmed, strengthened and established.“ In Luke 22:31 Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked for him to sift him like wheat. Christ prayed for Peter that he remain faithful in that trial. If we are successful in resisting the devil it does not mean that we won’t die. It only means he can't do us any eternal harm. He can only kill us. And he can't do that apart from God's will (1 Peter 4:19). The devil wants to cause us to suffer in an attempt to overwhelm our faith with fear and pain. He will attempt to destroy our faith that God cares, or that He has power to help, or that He even exists. That’s exactly what he is hoping will happen, and that's why Peter says the lion is roaring. Think of what the sound must have been like for Daniel as he approached the lion’s den. Can you imagine the roaring??? Would that have been enough to rob you of your faith??? We live in a lion’s den. This world is vicious. We too need unwavering faith to survive the constant attacks. Cling to our Lord, He is strong and faithful! He will never leave you nor forsake you!

32 Daniel 6

33 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. 27 He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

34 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:24 ) How did the king bring justice upon those who had plotted to destroy Daniel? ANSWER: ____________________________________ __________ They and their families were cast into the den of lions

35 Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:25-27 ) Like Nebuchadnezzar, Darius discovered the power of Daniel's God. He wanted to tell the world. What message did he send throughout the whole kingdom? "He is the _____ God." (verse 26) "His kingdom "shall not be _________." (verse 26) "He delivers and ________." (verse 27) "He works signs and ________ in heaven and on earth." (verse 27) living destroyed rescues wonders A SECOND PAGAN KING ACKNOWLEDGES GOD

Did the night in the lions' den shatter Daniel's nerve or cause him to loose his faith in front of others? NO! He remained faithful! SO SHOULD WE!