There is no doubt that the book of Daniel – as well as its counterpart, the Revelation – has to be considered a special inheritance that was given to those living in the last days. These books reveal, in great prophetic pictures, the truths for the end times. Without understanding these important books, mankind cannot rightfully discern the events that are to transpire in the last days.
But the book of Daniel contains not only prophecies. Among the prophetic descriptions, we find scattered reports about some real events. And when we place these records in the light of our present time, they become particularly significant for us. We think especially about the events described in chapters 1, 3, and 6.
In Chapter 1 we find a record about the education of Daniel and his comrades in Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. Those four men, due to the king’s favor, could receive special privileges, though they were captives in a foreign land. Not only were they brought into the palace of the king, not only did they have access to his table, but they were also allowed to eat of the king’s delicate dishes and drink of his wine. And they also had to learn the Chaldean language and writings.
The report states: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank…” Here Daniel and his friends are presented to us as men of holy principles. They had purposed that they would not break those principles under any circumstances. The refusal to partake of the fine articles of diet involved the risk of inflicting the king’s anger because by doing this they would cause him to fall into disrepute.
Such a refusal could be considered an insult to his majesty. Moreover, from the answer that was given by the prince of the eunuchs, we can see that there was a danger that threatened him too – refusing to fulfill the king’s commandment he could lose his life. The same danger was threatening, in a no lesser degree, those four young men. But even such a risk did not make them swerve from the principles of their fathers, because those were divine principles and they were more precious to them than life itself.
At last, the prince of the eunuchs agreed to a ten-day trial. When in the end he recognized that the young men who were fed only vegetables and water had not been injured in any way, he dared to continue giving them the food they desired. And a prize for their faithfulness was not lacking. “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” When the three-year education term was finished and the young men were presented before the king, he found them ten times wiser in all things than all the wise men in his whole kingdom. For this reason, the king made them his servants.
When we consider this record in light of the whole book of Daniel, it becomes highly significant for us. As we already noted, the book of Daniel was written for those living in the last days. The characteristics that are presented in it are holy qualities that these people must have. They are not only to understand the prophetic truths of God’s Word but to follow His counsel to apply them in their life practice. The record of the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends regarding the principles of temperance is also an invitation, a sermon preached by deeds that we should not put aside.
If Daniel had to live by the sacred principles of God regarding a healthful and sober way of life, to be able to write the truths for the end times, then we also have to live this kind of life if we want to understand these great mysteries. Faithfulness alone shall be rewarded. And the same causes bring the same blessings.
What we eat and what we drink is important for the preservation of our earthly lives. In truth, the Bible tells us which foods are healthful and which ones are not, which drinks are of benefit to the body and which ones are not (Proverbs 23:30). And we cannot transgress these helpful rules without incurring negative consequences. So the people of God in the last days need to be conscientious in keeping this sacred precept. We are living in the final days of this earth’s history when the last message of mercy is being proclaimed.
In Chapter 3, our attention is turned to another important principle. Nebuchadnezzar gave a commandment that his idea of worldwide rule would be embodied in the form of a statue. This statue was placed in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. A particular day was set apart for its dedication. The governors of the whole country were called to show their respect to the king by worshiping this statue. A large orchestra was to take part in making the occasion glorious, and at the sounding of the first tones of the music, everyone present was to bow to the image and worship it.
The day came, and everything was prepared. The image was placed on a large foundation, towering up into the sky. In front of the image, in the valley, stand the representatives of the whole country, gathered together – an enormous crowd. The king is sitting next to the massive image, together with his highest statesmen.
On the other side, there is a furnace, threatening to punish any disobedience. In this furnace is to be thrown anyone who would dare to disobey the king’s demand. The hour is struck. The sign for the beginning of the worship service is given, with the first sounds of the loud music. At this moment, the crowd kneels to the ground, worshiping the image. The representatives of the whole of Babylon are prostrated on the ground before an idol.
But what’s that? Three men have not bowed their knees! They remain standing on their feet, like pillars. Even though they see the magnificent look of the whole multitude and the furnace before them, they dare to disobey the king’s command! This requires something more than courage and bravery, what is needed here is an unflinching faith in the living God. But what makes them disobey the king’s command?
They know of another commandment which says: “I am the LORD thy God… Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” And also, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing”. These are the first two commandments of the Law of God. To transgress these is an impossibility for them. They would rather neglect their lives than neglect the holy Law of God.
The harmony of the festive event was broken. That they had incurred upon them the king’s wrath was evident by itself. And so the three men were bound and thrown into the burning fiery furnace.
But look! God did not leave His people! Here the promise that God had given through Isaiah was literally fulfilled:
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2.
God was with His servants, so that upon their bodies “the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them”. Only the ropes by which they were tied, were burned up. The fire that was set to destroy them, had actually set them free.
That this whole record contains special teaching for the last days is evident because in the Revelation John speaks about the building of an image, before which all the nations will be forced to bow. Without going into detail, we can say that according to prophecy, in the end times, the believers will be put in a situation similar to that which the three Hebrew men were put in. Their conduct is to bring light to the last days and to give courage and strength to those who will be placed before a similar decision.
While the record given in chapter 1 contains a reminder about the need to be faithful in regard to choosing good food and good drinks, in this description we see a strong position of faithfulness to the commandments of God. These men were not willing to transgress the first of the ten commandments, nor any one of them. They would not even make a show that they obeyed the king’s commands and lowered their heads – they stood firm to the principle.
Could they kneel outwardly and worship God in their hearts? Some people would probably make such a move, but they did not. They could not deny their God. In the same way, the people of God in the end times must be faithful to all His commandments. This is the loud cry that comes to us from this report – another sermon, preached by deeds.
A third serious reminder we find in chapter 6. Babylon had fallen and Darius the Mede had overtaken the kingdom. He soon recognized that Daniel had superior morals and so he placed him in a prominent position in his kingdom. The governors of the provinces were to give an account to him for their work so that they would not bring injury to the treasury.
Not long after, this faithful man came to be viewed by those princes in a disagreeable way, and they tried to take him down from his high command. But since they could not find any wrong in him, they tried to make a snare of his loyalty to his God. They had noticed that Daniel was a faithful man of prayer. He had the habit of praying to God three times a day, and nothing could deter him from this habit.
One day, the presidents, the governors, the princes, and the counselors came to the king and offered to issue a commandment, ordering that in the period of 30 days, no one should offer a prayer to any other god or man except for the king, and whosoever would do so, would be thrust in the lion’s den.
This was to test the loyalty of all the king’s subjects, but in reality, this whole plan was formed against Daniel. The king signed this decree, without knowing what purpose stood behind it. According to the laws of the Medes and the Persians, no law that was once signed by the king could ever be changed.
With rejoicing those wicked murderers left the king’s presence, carrying the decree. Some of them went to watch to find out what Daniel would do, and, behold, their prey was sure. Soon they found Daniel in his usual hour, kneeling before God in prayer. He had not changed the time, nor the place of his prayer. He had not even let down the curtains, to hide from his enemies. He could not leave his communion with God, even if this would cost his life. He could not live without praying.
From there, the watching foes went to the king. They presented Daniel to him as someone who does not revere the king or his commandment. Now the king took note of those dark snares that were laid, but it was too late to prevent the sad results. He had signed the commandment and not even his best efforts could save Daniel from the consequences of his disobedience to it.
Thus the most noble man in the state, the most faithful servant of the king, was thrown in the lion’s den. In deep sorrow, the king had to witness this event. But he did not fail to cry out, in compassion with his servant: “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”
And his God did help him. He sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. On the next morning, Daniel could be taken out of the den with no harm whatsoever. He trusted in God and God did not leave him. Thus the whole Medo-Persian empire learned that there is a God who can do miracles.
This record is a powerful history that carries lessons in regard to the final people of God on this earth. Daniel’s regard for God which was expressed in his constant prayers, is a model for the people in the end times.
Daniel Chapter 1 reminds us that we need to be temperate in eating and drinking. Daniel chapter 3 calls us to be faithful to God’s commandments. Daniel chapter 6 admonishes us not to sever our relationship with God. It behooves the end-time people of God to pray unceasingly, for this is the only way in which they will be able to stand amidst the trials that are going to come upon them in the last days.