1. Daniel 1

2. 580-540 BC ‘Revelation’ #1Amplified by OthersMuch FulfilledThe Bible is Unique

3. The Babylonian Kingdom in Daniel’s Time

4. Dan. 1:1,2 Changed Everything! During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.

5. Later: BC 597 & 587 Revolts Crushed  ‘Deported’

6. Where is ‘Yahweh’ ? To King David: Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” 2 Samuel 7:16

7. Where is ‘Yahweh’ ? ‘Empire’ Human ‘Sovereignty’ Powered by Death

8. Where is ‘Yahweh’ ? Daniel: ‘The Future’ Glorious Kingdoms!Each Will CollapseKing Messiah Lasts PROVEN TRUE To King David: Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” 2 Samuel 7:16

9. ‘American Empire’

10. Pressures PopulationsResource ShortagesEconomic StrainEcological DisasterTechnology UpheavalsW.M.D. ProliferationEnemies Big & Small

11. The Weak Empires 1 John 2:17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is dying…

12. The Weak Empires 1 John 2:17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is dying…

13. A Savage Kosmos Governed by Death Death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam…(Romans 5:14 ) Enslaved by Death …only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (Hebrews 2:14-15) John 12:31 “…the ruler of this world…” John 8:44 the devil…was a murderer from the beginning. From the ‘god’ of death 1 John 2:17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is [dying] (the MSG) A Realm of Greed & Death

14. The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace…” Daniel 1:3-4  Groomed For ‘Leadership’  Taken by Force  To Be Babylonian Rulers

15. Daniel 1:4-7 “…Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”

16. Daniel 1:4-7 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service..

17. Daniel 1:4-7 …The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego Daniel 1:4-7 …The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego  Groomed For ‘Leadership’  Taken by Force  To Be Babylonian Rulers  Indoctrinated  Bribed  Intimidated / Persecuted  New Identities

18.  Groomed For ‘Leadership’  Respectful Non-Conformist  Works & Goes to ‘School’ Daniel 1:8-10 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

19.  Groomed For ‘Leadership’  Respectful Non-Conformist  Works & Goes to ‘School’  Respectfully Refuses Bribes

20. Daniel 1:9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials…

22. Daniel 1:10 the commander of the officials said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king…you would make me forfeit my head!" … “TRUTH will set you free.” John 8:32

23. Daniel 1:12-13 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”  Groomed For ‘Leadership’  Respectful Non-Conformist  Gains Godly Authority  Granted By God  By “Favor & Compassion”  Unafraid: a “Bigger Boss”  Wise, Practical, Useful

24. Daniel 1:15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 605 BC Daniel Arrives Gains Authority 587 BC Exiles Arrive

25. God Confronts a Savage World The mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ‘Death’ Restrained By God God’s People New Life Eternal God’s Salvation …all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

26. God Confronts a Savage World Death Restrained By God God’s People New Life Eternal God’s Salvation Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

27. God Confronts a Savage World Death Restrained By God God’s People New Life Eternal God’s Salvation Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; BE Different Able to Sacrifice DESPITE Pressures

28. God Confronts a Savage World Death Restrained By God God’s People New Life Eternal God’s Salvation Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; BE Different Able to Sacrifice DESPITE Pressures Authority By Character

29. God Confronts the Savage World Death Restrained By God God’s People New Life Eternal God’s Salvation And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; Revelation 14:6

30. Need to communicate: The Pressures: Indoctrination, domination, intimidation, bribery, conformity, persecution, discomfort. I.e., submit to this authority. The Path of Non-Conformity The prisoner who takes Babylon captive. Respectful, must be above reproach. Answers to a different authority. Is not subject to the same rules. Lived in freedom wherever he went. No way to dominate Daniel. Determined at a young age. Thus: everyone else melted away, Daniel & Co. stands strong today. Need to communicate: The Pressures: Indoctrination, domination, intimidation, bribery, conformity, persecution, discomfort. I.e., submit to this authority. The Path of Non-Conformity The prisoner who takes Babylon captive. Respectful, must be above reproach. Answers to a different authority. Is not subject to the same rules. Lived in freedom wherever he went. No way to dominate Daniel. Determined at a young age. Thus: everyone else melted away, Daniel & Co. stands strong today. Can you: 1.Be Different? 2.Be Willing to Sacrifice? 3.Disregard immediate reward? Can you: 1.Be Different? 2.Be Willing to Sacrifice? 3.Disregard immediate reward?