Preaching—Here is the word from the Lord

Prediction—Here is what will happen if we do not heed the word from the Lord.

To pave the way for Jesus

Each prophetic writing contains a piece of the puzzle that points to the coming Messiah. 

Daniel 1:1–11

During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 

“Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. . . Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. . . Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 

Leviticus 11:44

For I am the Lord your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves . . .”

Holy—to be set apart, pure and righteous.

Daniel—My judge is God.

Daniel 4:17

For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. 

Daniel 5:21

He (King Nebuchadnezzar) was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.

Daniel 1:12-16

“Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. 

At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. 

We mistake descriptive stories for prescriptive stories.

The Law does not make you holy. 

Self-condemnation

Self-righteousness

The Old Testament believer was saved by grace, through faith in looking forward to Jesus and what he will do. The New Testament believer is saved by grace, through faith in looking backward to Jesus and what he has done. 

Daniel 7:13–14

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Daniel 5:11

There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon. 

Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from the evil one.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.