From furnace to palace. Is it possible to read this story of the image of gold without feeling a heart throb of excitement? Should it be as thrilling to us now as it was to believers in the day when it happened? Why do you think Nebuchadnezzar was so “sold on himself” that he failed to … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: In order to impress idolaters with the power and greatness of the living God, His servants must reveal their own reverence to God. January 25, 2020 1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 3:1-7. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. What was the … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 3:8-15 and Revelation 13:11-18. What parallels can we see between what happens in Daniel’s time and what will happen in the future? The image of gold standing on the plain of Dura, whose name in Akkadian means “walled place”, gives the impression of a vast sanctuary. As if it were not enough, the furnace nearby can … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 3:1-7. What likely motivates the king to make this statue? Some time elapsed between the dream and the construction of the image. Nonetheless, it seems that the king can no longer forget the dream and the fact that Babylon is doomed to be replaced by other powers. Not satisfied with being only the head … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Daniel 3:1-30, NKJV, Rev. 13:11-18, Exod. 20:3-6, Deut. 6:4, 1 Cor. 15:12-26, Hebrews 11:1-40, NKJV. Memory Text: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17, NKJV). “Thus these youth, imbued with the Holy Spirit, declare to … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: It is instructive to note that the image of Daniel chapter 2 is made of gold and silver, which are metals related to economic power. The image is also made of bronze and iron, which were used for tools and weapons, and of pottery, which was used in the ancient world for literary … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 2:34-35, Daniel 2:44-45. What do these verses teach us about the ultimate fate of our world? The focus of the dream is on what will happen in the “latter days” (Dan. 2:28). As powerful and rich as they may have been, the metal (and clay) kingdoms are nothing but a prelude to the establishment of the … Continue reading –>
Read again the dream and its interpretation (Dan. 2:31-49). What does this teach us about God’s foreknowledge of world history? The prophecy conveyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s dream provides a general prophetic outline and functions as the yardstick with which to approach the more-detailed prophecies of Daniel chapters 7, 8, and 11. Also, Daniel chapter 2 is not a … Continue reading –>
Every word of God proves true…Proverbs 30:5 NLT God’s Word said “if you eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you will die.” The serpent said, “You won’t die!” insinuating God is a liar. The serpent was talking so it appeared defiance to God actually gave him special powers. Eve believed in … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 2:24-30. What does Daniel say here that’s so important for us always to remember? (See also John 15:5). In response to prayer, God reveals the content of the dream and its interpretation. And Daniel does not hesitate to tell the king that the solution for the mystery comes from the “God in heaven”. Also, prior … Continue reading –>
