how to study the Bible

Daniel 10

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Daniel 10 – “Conflict of Nations and Heavenly Powers”

In Daniel chapter 10, we, with Daniel, see a vision that the apostle John might have recognised. Both Daniel and John saw things that ‘took their breath away’ and that no one else had ever seen, where Christ’s involvement is clearly evident.

“5 I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude.”

Daniel 10:5-6 NRSVA

Daniel 9, Part 1

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Daniel chapter 9, Part 1 – “Daniel’s Prayer”

It’s amazing what a prayer can release! Daniel’s prayer is heard in heaven and he finds out that he is “greatly beloved” by God and as a reward is given an important glimpse into the future.

“In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah, must be fulfilled for the devastation of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.”

Daniel 9:1-2 NRSV

Daniel 5

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Daniel chapter 5 – “Belshazzar’s Feast and Babylon’s Fall”

If only, in this chapter, we could say the same of Belshazzar that we said of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4, the very opposite is true!  His actions deliberately insult and blaspheme God even though he knew all about his grandfather’s life, but he was not willing to learn from it.

“Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the wall of the royal palace, next to the lampstand. The king was watching the hand as it wrote.”

Daniel 5:5 NRSV

Daniel 4

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Daniel chapter 4 – “Nebuchadnezzar Confesses All”

Daniel chapter 4 contains the brave and honest confessions of a humble man – King Nebuchadnezzar!  Now a changed man of God!  It is a very exciting chapter to read!

“King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that live throughout the earth: May you have abundant prosperity! 

The signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me I am pleased to recount.”

Daniel 4:1-2 NRSV