‘DIVINE REVELATION: THE BEDROCK OF PENTECOSTAL CHURCH’ Series 8: ERA OF THE PROPHETS (Contd.) 7. PROPHET DANIEL:- DANIEL was one of the Israelite exiles in Babylonia during King Jehoiakim of Judah where the Jews were suffering serious oppression and persecution from their captors. Daniel wrote in his book the following accounts:- a) Daniel and his three friends—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego served under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. They were selected and trained in Babylon for employment in King Nebuchadnezzar’s royal court. Daniel and his friends excelled among their Babylonian counterparts. They were given highest posts in the Empire. This aroused jealousy from the Babylonians. (Daniel 1:3-21) b) King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which none of his wise men and magicians could interpret. When Daniel was called he readily did it; after praying and fasting God revealed the interpretations of the king’s dream to Daniel. (Dan. 2:1-48) c) A plot was planned to destroy Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The king was persuaded to make a proclamation that everyone in his empire must bow down and worship a golden idol/statue of the king. Anyone that floated the order was to be thrown in a furnace of fire (Dan. 3:1-28) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were found guilty of violating the king’s order failing to worship the king’s idol; hence they were tied and thrown into a burning furnace. In the furnace they were let loose, and unhurt in the flame; they were seen dancing inside the furnace accompanied by a 4th person who resembled the Son of God. The three Jews were released from the furnace and promoted. (Daniel 3:1-30) d) King Nebuchadnezzar’s Second dream:- The king had another dream; only Daniel was able to interpret it. This made the king to promote Daniel again. A year after the dream, Nebuchadnezzar was walking on his palace balcony rejoicing on his empire and wealth. A voice from heaven ordered him to go into the field to eat grass like a cattle for 7 years (Dan. 4:1-33). At the end of seven years, the king regained his consciousness, returned to the palace and reclaimed his throne. (Dan. 4;34-37) e) The dream of King Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar:- After the death of Nebuchadnezzar his son Belshazzar became king of Babylonia. One night after a dinner in his palace, he had a dream. The dream was awful and disturbing. None of the wise men and magicians could interpret the dream. Daniel came and interpreted the dream! f) Daniel was elevated above all his Babylonian counterparts, and this made his enemies to plan for him. The king was made to declare that for a period of time nobody must ask favour (anything) from anybody. This was a ploy to prevent Daniel to pray to his God! Daniel was not deterred from praying to God; hence he was arrested and sentenced to be put in a lion’s den. Daniel was in the den of lions, but the lions didn’t harm him. (Dan. 6:1-28) g) Visions of Daniel:- Daniel received many visions about the world powers and kingdoms and about God’s plan for salvation of the world. (Dan. Chapters 7-12) Have you received any Divine Revelations yet? Yes you will be empowered when Holy Spirit is upon you! Be prepared for His anointing.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:20:08 +0000
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