The feast of BelshazzarThe feast of Belshazzar

Daniel 5Daniel 5

IntroductionIntroduction

70 UN SECURITY COUNCIL 70 UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS against Israel from 1955-RESOLUTIONS against Israel from 1955-19921992

Gush Katif evacuation impossed by our Gush Katif evacuation impossed by our presidentpresident

What part does America play in Daniel’s What part does America play in Daniel’s visionsvisions

OutlineOutline

The revelry of the king (The revelry of the king (5:1-45:1-4)) The revelation to the king (The revelation to the king (5:5-125:5-12)) The request of the king (The request of the king (5:13-165:13-16)) The reply by Daniel (The reply by Daniel (5:17-285:17-28)) The revelation fulfilled (The revelation fulfilled (5:29-315:29-31))

The kings of BabylonThe kings of Babylon

The Kings of the Neo-Babylon Empire  

Nebopolassar 626-605

Nebuchadnezzar 605-562

Evil-Merodach 562-560

Neriglissar 560-556

Labashi Marduk 556

Nabonidus 556-539

Belshazzar [Nabonidus’s co-regent]

553-539

The Fall of Babylon 539 B.C.

The revelry of the king (The revelry of the king (5:1-45:1-4) )

"King Belshazzar prepared a great "King Belshazzar prepared a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles, and banquet for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in front of them all. he was drinking wine in front of them all. While under the influence of the wine, While under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar issued an order to bring in the Belshazzar issued an order to bring in the gold and silver vessels—the ones that gold and silver vessels—the ones that Nebuchadnezzar his father had Nebuchadnezzar his father had confiscated from the temple inconfiscated from the temple in

The revelry of the king (The revelry of the king (5:1-45:1-4))

Jerusalem—so that the king and his nobles, Jerusalem—so that the king and his nobles, together with his wives and his concubines, together with his wives and his concubines, could drink from them. So they brought the gold could drink from them. So they brought the gold and silver vessels that had been confiscated and silver vessels that had been confiscated from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, together with his and the king and his nobles, together with his wives and concubines, drank from them. As they wives and concubines, drank from them. As they drank wine, they praised the gods of gold and drank wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone." NET Bible silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone." NET Bible

Wine is a mocker and not fit for Wine is a mocker and not fit for kingskings

KJV KJV Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.wise.

NAU NAU Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,strong drink,

KJV KJV Leviticus 10:9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, Leviticus 10:9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:a statute for ever throughout your generations:

The gods of gold and silver, The gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

Nebuchadnezzar’s statueNebuchadnezzar’s statue All our idols come from things God has All our idols come from things God has

mademade What do we worship? jewelry, money, What do we worship? jewelry, money,

cars or houses?cars or houses?

The fall of Babylon parallels the The fall of Babylon parallels the fall of end time Babylon in many fall of end time Babylon in many

ways. ways. Corrupted Corrupted with winewith wine. In the end Babylon . In the end Babylon

corrupts the whole world with the "wine of corrupts the whole world with the "wine of her fornication". her fornication".

Judgment.Judgment. The handwriting on the wall The handwriting on the wall announced the outcome of a judgment announced the outcome of a judgment against Babylon. against Babylon.

Euphrates. The river protecting the city is Euphrates. The river protecting the city is dried up so that the conquering forces can dried up so that the conquering forces can enter the city. enter the city.

The revelation to the king (The revelation to the king (5:5-5:5-1212))

"At that very moment the fingers of a human "At that very moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the royal palace wall, opposite the lampstand. The royal palace wall, opposite the lampstand. The king was watching the back of the hand that king was watching the back of the hand that was writing. Then all the color drained from the was writing. Then all the color drained from the king’s face and he became alarmed. The joints king’s face and he became alarmed. The joints of his hips gave way, and his knees began of his hips gave way, and his knees began knocking together. The king called out loudly to knocking together. The king called out loudly to summon the astrologers, wise men, and summon the astrologers, wise men, and diviners. diviners.

The revelation to the king (The revelation to the king (5:5-125:5-12))

The king proclaimed to the wise men of Babylon The king proclaimed to the wise men of Babylon that anyone who could read this inscription and that anyone who could read this inscription and disclose its interpretation would be clothed in disclose its interpretation would be clothed in purple and have a golden collar placed on his purple and have a golden collar placed on his neck and be third ruler in the kingdom. So all the neck and be third ruler in the kingdom. So all the king’s wise men came in, but they were unable king’s wise men came in, but they were unable to read the writing or to make known its to read the writing or to make known its interpretation to the king. Then King Belshazzar interpretation to the king. Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. His nobles were completely dumbfounded. His nobles were completely dumbfounded.

The revelation to the king (The revelation to the king (5:5-125:5-12)) Due to the noise caused by the king and his nobles, Due to the noise caused by the king and his nobles,

the queen mother then entered the banquet room. the queen mother then entered the banquet room. She said, “O king, live forever! Don’t be alarmed! She said, “O king, live forever! Don’t be alarmed! Don’t be shaken! There is a man in your kingdom who Don’t be shaken! There is a man in your kingdom who has within him a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of has within him a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, he proved to have insight, discernment, your father, he proved to have insight, discernment, and wisdom like that of the gods. King and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him chief of Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him chief of the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners. the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners. Thus there was found in this man Daniel, whom the Thus there was found in this man Daniel, whom the king renamed Belteshazzar, an extraordinary spirit, king renamed Belteshazzar, an extraordinary spirit, knowledge, and skill to interpret dreams, solve riddles, knowledge, and skill to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and decipher knotty problems. Now summon Daniel, and decipher knotty problems. Now summon Daniel, and he will disclose the interpretation.”" NET Bible and he will disclose the interpretation.”" NET Bible

Belshazzar Belshazzar

Until the nineteenth century Until the nineteenth century Belshazzar Belshazzar was unknownwas unknown, but when the Nabonidus , but when the Nabonidus Chronicle was discovered it became Chronicle was discovered it became clear that it was his son who ruled. clear that it was his son who ruled.

That queen was probably the mother of That queen was probably the mother of BelshazzarBelshazzar, the wife of Nabonidus, the wife of Nabonidus

The scene of the writing on the wall has The scene of the writing on the wall has been unearthed in archeolical digs, 58 x been unearthed in archeolical digs, 58 x 173 ft 173 ft

The request of the king (The request of the king (5:13-5:13-1616))

"So Daniel was brought in before the king. "So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel The king said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives of Judah, whom who is one of the captives of Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? I my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard about you, how there is a spirit of have heard about you, how there is a spirit of the gods in you, and how you have insight, the gods in you, and how you have insight, discernment, and extraordinary wisdom. Now discernment, and extraordinary wisdom. Now the wise men and astrologers were brought the wise men and astrologers were brought before me to read this writing and make before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation. known to me its interpretation.

The request of the king (The request of the king (5:13-165:13-16))

But they were unable to disclose the But they were unable to disclose the interpretation of the message. However, I interpretation of the message. However, I have heard that you are able to provide have heard that you are able to provide interpretations and to decipher knotty interpretations and to decipher knotty problems. Now if you are able to read this problems. Now if you are able to read this writing and make known to me its writing and make known to me its interpretation, you will wear purple and interpretation, you will wear purple and have a golden collar around your neck and have a golden collar around your neck and be third ruler in the kingdom.”" NET Bible be third ruler in the kingdom.”" NET Bible

The reply by Daniel (The reply by Daniel (5:17-285:17-28))

"But Daniel replied to the king, “Keep your "But Daniel replied to the king, “Keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone gifts and give your rewards to someone else. However, I will read the writing for else. However, I will read the writing for the king and make known its the king and make known its interpretation. As for you, O king, the most interpretation. As for you, O king, the most high God bestowed on Nebuchadnezzar high God bestowed on Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, greatness, honor, your father a kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty. and majesty.

The reply by Daniel (The reply by Daniel (5:17-285:17-28)) Due to the greatness that he bestowed on him, all Due to the greatness that he bestowed on him, all

peoples, nations, and language groups were peoples, nations, and language groups were trembling with fear before him. He killed whom he trembling with fear before him. He killed whom he wished, he spared whom he wished, he exalted wished, he spared whom he wished, he exalted whom he wished, and he brought low whom he whom he wished, and he brought low whom he wished. And when his mind became arrogant and wished. And when his mind became arrogant and his spirit filled with pride, he was deposed from his his spirit filled with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and his honor was removed from him. royal throne and his honor was removed from him. He was driven from human society, his mind was He was driven from human society, his mind was changed to that of an animal, he lived with the wild changed to that of an animal, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like oxen, and his body donkeys, he was fed grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until he became damp with the dew of the sky, until he came to understand that the most high God rules came to understand that the most high God rules over human kingdoms, and he appoints over them over human kingdoms, and he appoints over them whomever he wishes. whomever he wishes.

The reply by Daniel (The reply by Daniel (5:17-285:17-28))

““But you, his son Belshazzar, have not humbled But you, his son Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, although you knew all this. Instead, you yourself, although you knew all this. Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You brought before you the vessels heaven. You brought before you the vessels from his temple, and you and your nobles, from his temple, and you and your nobles, together with your wives and concubines, drank together with your wives and concubines, drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver, wine from them. You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that cannot see or hear or comprehend! But you cannot see or hear or comprehend! But you have not glorified the God who has in his control have not glorified the God who has in his control your very breath and all your ways! your very breath and all your ways!

The reply by Daniel (The reply by Daniel (5:17-285:17-28))

Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed. “This is the writing and this writing was inscribed. “This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEQEL, and that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEQEL, and PHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the PHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the words: As for mene—God has numbered your words: As for mene—God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end. As for kingdom’s days and brought it to an end. As for teqel—you are weighed on the balances and teqel—you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking. As for peres—your kingdom found to be lacking. As for peres—your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”" NET Bible Persians.”" NET Bible

JudgedJudged. .

If we look at the poetic pattern of the If we look at the poetic pattern of the words we see that they have the words we see that they have the same structure as the time given to same structure as the time given to evil Babylon. "Two counts, weigh and evil Babylon. "Two counts, weigh and divide" sounds very similar to "time, divide" sounds very similar to "time, two times and the dividing of time".two times and the dividing of time".

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism Zoroastrianism was founded in Persia by the Zoroastrianism was founded in Persia by the

prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathustra (sixth century prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathustra (sixth century b.c.)b.c.) not Christian not Christian

characterized by worship of Ahura Mazda the characterized by worship of Ahura Mazda the Supreme Being represented as a spirit of light, Supreme Being represented as a spirit of light, truth, and goodnesstruth, and goodness

Ahura Mazda is opposed by an archrival, Ahriman Ahura Mazda is opposed by an archrival, Ahriman (or Angra Mainyu), a spirit of darkness, falsehood, (or Angra Mainyu), a spirit of darkness, falsehood, and evil. and evil.

dualistic forces of good and evil. dualistic forces of good and evil. Zoroaster taught, however, that eventually Ahura Zoroaster taught, however, that eventually Ahura

Mazda will defeat Ahriman and good will triumph Mazda will defeat Ahriman and good will triumph over evilover evil

  The revelation fulfilled (The revelation fulfilled (5:29-315:29-31))

"Then, on Belshazzar’s orders, Daniel was "Then, on Belshazzar’s orders, Daniel was clothed in purple, a golden collar was clothed in purple, a golden collar was placed around his neck, and he was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed third ruler in the kingdom. And proclaimed third ruler in the kingdom. And in that very night Belshazzar, the in that very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. So Darius the Babylonian king, was killed. So Darius the Mede took control of the kingdom when he Mede took control of the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old." NET Bible was about sixty-two years old." NET Bible

Darius?Darius?

The Medes under Darius?The Medes under Darius? and the Persians under Cyrus attacked Babylon and overthrew and the Persians under Cyrus attacked Babylon and overthrew

it in October 539 BC.it in October 539 BC. Cyrus was known in Persia as a wise and tolerant ruler. Cyrus was known in Persia as a wise and tolerant ruler. He gained the goodwill of the varied ethnic and religious He gained the goodwill of the varied ethnic and religious

groups groups the empire extended from India to the western edge of Asia the empire extended from India to the western edge of Asia

Minor (modern Turkey). Minor (modern Turkey). The Old Testament describes him as chosen by the Lord The Old Testament describes him as chosen by the Lord

God of Israel as the deliverer of His people. (Isa 45:1-5, a God of Israel as the deliverer of His people. (Isa 45:1-5, a God fearer?) God fearer?)

He declared that God “commanded me to build Him a house He declared that God “commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem” (2 Chr. 36:23). at Jerusalem” (2 Chr. 36:23).

The famous Cyrus Cylinder, containing records of Cyrus’ The famous Cyrus Cylinder, containing records of Cyrus’ reign, revealed that Babylon’s chief god, Marduk, had reign, revealed that Babylon’s chief god, Marduk, had accepted Cyrus as “righteous prince,” and had appointed him accepted Cyrus as “righteous prince,” and had appointed him ruler “over the whole world.” ruler “over the whole world.”

The stealth victoryThe stealth victory

They "dried up" the Euphrates by stopping They "dried up" the Euphrates by stopping the flow of the water. the flow of the water.

At night they entered the city by going At night they entered the city by going under the unguarded gates that were under the unguarded gates that were above the river.above the river.

In the night of the wild party, the head of In the night of the wild party, the head of gold falls in a blood bath as the silver gold falls in a blood bath as the silver empire takes its place.empire takes its place.

Everlasting devastation of physical Everlasting devastation of physical BabylonBabylon

Isaiah 13:19-22 (NASB95)Isaiah 13:19-22 (NASB95)19 And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of 19 And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited or Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds make their Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. flocks lie down there. But desert creatures will lie down there, And their But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there. Hyenas will howl in and shaggy goats will frolic there. Hyenas will howl in their fortified towers And jackals in their luxurious their fortified towers And jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her fateful time also will soon come And her palaces. Her fateful time also will soon come And her days will not be prolonged.days will not be prolonged.

Comparison of The Fall of Comparison of The Fall of Babylon and the EndBabylon and the End

Item Ancient BabylonModern (End Time)

Babylon

1

Apostasy

Belshazzar made his subjects drunk. Daniel 5:1

End time Babylon makes the kings of the earth drunk. Revelation 17:2

2 Belshazzar induced his nobles and subjects to immorality. Daniel 5:2,23

Induces the kings of the earth to commit Spiritual fornication. Revelation 17:2

3 Belshazzar and his guests drink from golden goblets. Daniel 5:3

Mystery Babylon in Revelation 17 drinks from the golden cup. Revelation 17:4

4

Ancient Babylon mixed the treasures of God's sanctuary with pagan revelry. Daniel 5:1-4

End time Babylon mixes worship with paganism and spiritualism. Revelation 18:2-3, 9:14,20-21

5 Belshazzar dishonored God in the worship of false gods. Daniel 5:4,23

Blasphemes God and challenges His authority. Revelation 17:3

Comparison of The Fall of Babylon Comparison of The Fall of Babylon and the Endand the End

6

Persecution

Ancient Babylon Persecuted God's people. Daniel 1:1-4

End time Babylon will persecute God's people. Revelation 17:5,6

7 Ancient Babylon attacked God's Sanctuary and people. Daniel 1:2

End time Babylon will attack God's Sanctuary and people. Revelation 13:6, 17:6

8

Government

Ancient Babylon was built over the river Euphrates. Isaiah 44: 27,28

End time Babylon will be built over the symbolic river Euphrates. Revelation 16:12,17:6,15

9 Ancient Babylon's power revolved around a mighty city. Daniel 4:29-30

End time Babylon's power will revolve around a mighty city. Revelation 17:18

10 Ancient Babylon ruled the kings of the earth. Daniel 2:37-38; 4:22

End time Babylon will also control the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:5,18

Comparison of The Fall of Babylon and the EndComparison of The Fall of Babylon and the End

11

Judgment

Judgment was pronounced upon ancient Babylon. Daniel 5:26-28

Judgment will be pronounced upon end time Babylon. Revelation 17:1

12 It was measured 3½ times. (Weigh, two counts and divide.) (Daniel 5: 25)

End time Babylon has judged during 3½ times. (time, times and dividing times) Revelation 12: 14-15

13

Destruction

Ancient Babylon was defeated by the Kings of the East - Darius and Cyrus. Isaiah 45:1-5, Daniel 5:30; 6:28

End time Babylon will be defeated by the heavenly Kings of the East. Revelation 16:12, Matthew 24:27

14 Ancient Babylon fell in a single night. Daniel 5:30-31

End time Babylon will fall in a single hour. Revelation 18:10,20

15 Ancient Babylon fell when the river Euphrates was dried up. Isaiah 44:27,28

End time Babylon will fall when the symbolic river Euphrates dries up. Revelation 16:12,19

16

Ancient Babylon fell because of God's prophetic word written by a bloodless hand. Daniel 5:24-30

End time Babylon will fall because of God's Prophetic word as found in the books of Daniel and Revelation. Daniel 12:4,7; Revelation 18:1-2; 14:8

FOCUS HISTORY OF

DANIEL

PROPHETIC PLAN FOR THE GENTILES

PROPHETIC PLAN OF ISRAEL

REFERENCE

1:1 ————

2:1 ———————

5:1 ————

6:1 —— 7:1 —

8:1 —

9:1 —— 10:1 — 12:13

DIVISION

PERSONAL LIFE OF DANIEL

VISIONS OF

NEBUCHADNEZZ

AR

VISION BELSHA

ZZAR

DECREE OF

DARIUS

FOUR

BEASTS

VISION OF

RAM AND MALE-

GOAT

VISION OF

SEVENTY

WEEKS

VISION OF ISRAEL’S FUTURE

TOPIC DANIEL’S BACKGRO

UND

DANIEL INTERPRETS OTHERS’ DREAMS

ANGEL INTERPRETS DANIEL’S DREAMS

  HEBREW ARAMAIC HEBREW

LOCATION

BABYLON OR PERSIA

TIME c. 605–536 b.c.

ConclusionConclusion

Belshazzar was a bad boyBelshazzar was a bad boy The wine and carousing resulted in The wine and carousing resulted in

idolatryidolatry Divine providence of God Isa 46:10Divine providence of God Isa 46:10 He used Cyrus – a worshiper of MardukHe used Cyrus – a worshiper of Marduk In the end Babylon will be part of the In the end Babylon will be part of the

dream given to Daniel, where are you dream given to Daniel, where are you in the dream? Are we Babylon?in the dream? Are we Babylon?

Nebuchadnezzar image as the eye of Marduk, “he gave his life”