Preparation for the End Time

Daniel and the End Time

Lesson #2 for April 14, 2018

Scriptures: Luke 16:10; Daniel 1; 2; 3:1-6,13-18; 4; 6; Revelation 13:11-15; John 3:7[1].

1.    It is no surprise to those who have studied the Bible that ancient Israel did not fulfill God’s plan for it. After spending about 200 years in Egypt with about 100 years in slavery and then being miraculously delivered from Egypt by God’s power, instead of faithfully representing God, the Israelites fell back into their evil ways soon after being established in Palestine. Eventually, they were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon three times.

2.    This was a serious problem for the children of Israel. Being in captivity and even in slavery in Babylonia caused a lot of concern among the Jews. We need to remember that in ancient times people believed that the nations were divided up among the different “gods” so that each god had his/her own territory. So, if you wanted to worship that god, you had to worship him/her on his/her own territory. (See 2 Kings 5, especially verses 16-18[2].) So, their concern was: Would God still hear their prayers as they were in Babylonia?

3.    But, fortunately, Daniel and his three friends after arriving in Babylon were not concerned about God’s ability to hear their prayers way over in that foreign country. Thus, they became witnesses to the nations in a way that the entire nation of Israel should have been hundreds of years earlier.

4.    While we recognize that Daniel and his three friends lived in very different times and circumstances than we do, what can we learn from their stories?

5.    Read Luke 16:10 and Daniel 1[3]. There were at least two reasons why Daniel and his friends refused to eat the king’s food. Not only was it less healthy than the water and vegetables that they were given but also the king’s food had been offered to his gods before it was served. Thus, if Daniel and his friends had eaten the king’s food, it would have been believed that they were so successful because of the blessings from the king’s gods. Proof that Daniel did not always avoid the eating of meat is seen in Daniel 10:2-3 where Daniel specifically said that he did not eat any meat or drink any wine for a short period of time until the three weeks was over. (The ancient word used for wine could mean either fresh grape juice or fermented drink.)

6.    So, by refusing to eat the king’s meat or drink the king’s wine, they were not only choosing a healthier diet but also they were rejecting the king’s gods!

7.    Fortunately for Daniel and his friends, the vegetables were not offered to the gods. It is interesting to note that the root word-translated vegetables in most modern translations-actually means things that “grow from seeds.” That is the same word used in Genesis 1 to describe the Edenic diet. But, Adam and Eve’s diet was fruits, nuts, and grains and did not include vegetables! Vegetables were not added to their diet until after sin. (Genesis 3:18)

8.    God obviously worked closely with Daniel and his three friends repeatedly on different occasions. Would He not have worked with the entire country/nation of Israel back in Palestine if they had been as faithful? Of course, He would have!

9.    So, what about us in our day? Are we carefully adhering to the truth revealed in the Bible and the writings of Ellen White? Are we being good witnesses to those around us?

10.    Those who clearly follow the biblical advice and the additional advice given us by Ellen White have been shown by the Adventist Health Study to have benefitted by having less cancer, less heart disease, more energy, and to live up to 10 years longer than the average population around them. That is why Loma Linda was one of the four locations in the world to be declared a “blue zone” where people live longer and healthier lives than their peers.

11.    Seventh-day Adventist evangelists have used the story of Daniel 2 many, many times to begin evangelistic series. Thousands of people have come to believe in the Bible through those meetings. If one is willing to admit that God can predict the future, then Daniel 2 is powerful evidence even for God’s existence.

12.    Read Daniel 2[4]. How would you compare the Europe of today with the prophecy in Daniel 2:40-43? How could any human being acting alone 2600 years ago have accurately described what would be happening in Europe today?

13.    Daniel 2 and, later, Daniel 7-12 prove that God is able to predict the future far in advance. In Isaiah 40-55, (See Isaiah 40:25-26; 41:21-29.[5]) God repeatedly challenged the other “gods” to do that. In the book of Isaiah, God told Isaiah that there are two main criteria on which to base one’s judgment about who is a God: (1) The real God created everything; (2) The real God is able to predict the future far in advance, in one case over 2300 years in advance!

14.    Try to imagine how you would feel as a young upcoming star student at the University of Babylon if a government official arrived at your door one day and announced that you were among a group who was to be executed! Do you think Daniel and his three friends were already known to Nebuchadnezzar? The officials who received Daniel’s reply seemed to trust him. How do you think you would have prayed that night? Would you have been able to sleep?

15.    When Daniel appeared before Nebuchadnezzar, he reminded him that none of his human wise men, enchanters, or magicians was able to help him in any way. Daniel could have taken credit for what he was about to reveal; but, he did not. He stated clearly that only the true God could do what Nebuchadnezzar was demanding.

16.    In our daily activities and especially when we seek to evangelize by sharing our faith, do we take a humble attitude? Do people see that we are witnessing for God? Do they praise God because of what they hear from us? (Matthew 5:16) Paul felt that he could only boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Galatians 6:14)

17.    The story of the three Hebrews-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-on the plain of Dura as recorded in Daniel 3 has some interesting parallels to Revelation 13. Is it possible that sometime in the near future our lives could be threatened if we do not worship in the way and at the time demanded by a political power? Specifically, compare Daniel 3:16 and Revelation 13:11-17[6]. What similarities do you see in these two passages? In both cases political powers were/will be seeking to force people to worship in the way and at the time they wanted/want them to worship.

18.    What would you have said to Nebuchadnezzar if you had been called before him because of your defiance of his command to worship his idol? (See Daniel 3:13-18[7].) No doubt, Nebuchadnezzar was reminded about the vision that he had seen in the night, and the fact that he was trying to change God’s version of history to his own version of history. He became very angry when those three young man defied him. But, incredibly, the three young men were preserved in the fire. More than that, Jesus Christ was seen walking in the flames with them.

19.    But, what if they had not been preserved in the fire. Would it have still been the right thing to do to stand firm for their faith? Could such a challenge face some of us in the near future? We must come to be so convinced that God is right and that He is able to take care of us that even if we are killed and rest in the grave for a while, God will ultimately rescue us in the end. Do we have the courage to trust God that far?

20.    Daniel 3 ends with Nebuchadnezzar making a great confession about the true God. But, it was not long thereafter when he made the statement found in Daniel 4:30.

Daniel 4:30: he said, “Look how great Babylon is! I built it as my capital city to display my power and might, my glory and majesty.”—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed., Daniel 4:30). New York: American Bible Society.

21.    We know what the result was. About a year later, Nebuchadnezzar was cast away from the habitations of human beings and lived as an animal for seven year.

22.    Read John 15:5; Acts 17:28; and Daniel 5:23[8]. These verses and many more that could be cited make it very clear that our lives are totally and completely dependent upon the God of heaven. When Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his position as king of Babylon, he finally admitted the truth. Do you expect to see Nebuchadnezzar in heaven?

The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God; the tyrannical, overbearing ruler, a wise and compassionate king. He who had defied and blasphemed the God of heaven, now acknowledged the power of the Most High and earnestly sought to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. Under the rebuke of Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords, Nebuchadnezzar had learned at last the lesson which all rulers need to learn-that true greatness consists in true goodness. He acknowledged Jehovah as the living God, saying, “I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings* 521.2.

23.    Nebuchadnezzar had finally admitted the truth. See Daniel 4:35[9].

24.    Daniel 4 tells an interesting story. A powerful Gentile, the Emperor of the world, was apparently converted to believe in the Hebrew God. Shouldn’t that have been the work of the children of Israel as they lived in Palestine hundreds of years earlier?

25.    In the book of Daniel, we see that his wisdom and faithfulness led him to a top position in the government of Babylonia. Then, when Babylonia was conquered by the Medes and Persians, it was not long before he was in a top position in that government. That is an almost unheard of thing. So, what do we know about Daniel that might help us to explain why that was?

Daniel 6:4-5: 4Then the other supervisors and the governors tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel administered the empire, but they couldn’t, because Daniel was reliable and did not do anything wrong or dishonest. 5They said to one another, “We are not going to find anything of which to accuse Daniel unless it is something in connection with his religion.”—Good News Bible* (Daniel 6:4-5).

26.    Daniel’s enemies thought that they could trap Daniel by getting the king to sign a decree that everyone must worship only him for a month.

27.    Compare Revelation 13:4,8,11-17[10]. Once again, the beast, and the dragon behind the beast, will try to force the entire world to worship according to their dictates.

28.    When Daniel learned of this decree, he went about his activities as usual. Daniel could have done many different things to prevent his enemies from seeing his prayers: (1) He could have prayed somewhere else-out of sight. (2) He could have prayed at some other time of the day when no one was watching. (3) He could have offered his prayers silently and inconspicuously, even at work. There are other possible ways that Daniel could have avoided being arrested. So, why did he continue to pray as usual?

29.    Daniel had a very close relationship with God. (Daniel 9:23) He had had numerous previous contacts with God in different ways. Repeatedly, he had stated that his God could care for him and that his God was more powerful than any of the pagan God’s that others were worshiping. By hiding at that point in time, he would have been suggesting that his God maybe was not able to take care of him as previously suggested.

The prophet’s enemies counted on Daniel’s firm adherence to principle for the success of their plan. And they were not mistaken in their estimate of his character. He quickly [541] read their malignant purpose in framing the decree, but he did not change his course in a single particular. Why should he cease to pray now, when he most needed to pray? Rather would he relinquish life itself, than his hope of help in God. With calmness he performed his duties as chief of the princes; and at the hour of prayer he went to his chamber, and with his windows open toward Jerusalem, in accordance with his usual custom, he offered his petition to the God of [542] heaven. He did not try to conceal his act. Although he knew full well the consequences of his fidelity to God, his spirit faltered not. Before those who were plotting his ruin, he would not allow it even to appear that his connection with Heaven was severed. In all cases where the king had a right to command, Daniel would obey; but neither the king nor his decree could make him swerve from allegiance to the King of kings.

Thus the prophet boldly yet quietly and humbly declared that no earthly power has a right to interpose between the soul and God. Surrounded by idolaters, he was a faithful witness to this truth. His dauntless adherence to right was a bright light in the moral darkness of that heathen court. Daniel stands before the world today a worthy example of Christian fearlessness and fidelity.

For an entire day the princes watched Daniel. Three times they saw him go to his chamber, and three times they heard his voice lifted in earnest intercession to God. The next morning they laid their complaint before the king. Daniel, his most honored and faithful statesman, had set the royal decree at defiance. “Hast thou not signed a decree,” they reminded him, “that every man that shall ask a petition of any god or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings* 540.4542.2.

30.    Do you think that Daniel prayed in Aramaic? Or, in Hebrew? Or, did he pray silently to himself and God? Did his enemies hear what he was saying? Did he pray about the king’s decree?

31.    Read Daniel 6:16[11]. Did these words from King Darius indicate that he already knew a lot about Daniel and his faithfulness?

As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures. Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. “The wise shall understand” [Daniel 12:] (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God’s people all through the centuries, the promise is, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” Revelation 1:3.—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings* 547.2-548.0. [Content in brackets is added.]

32.    The book of Daniel is divided between two general types of material. Stories of miraculous protections and deliverances and, then, incredible predictions of future events. Which of these two types of material from the book of Daniel is most appealing to you? In the last half of the book of Daniel, we are going to read some incredible prophecies stretching all the way to 1844. Could God somehow have known all that was going to take place that far in the future? Daniel is written in two different languages: Hebrew and Aramaic. Daniel 1-2:4 and Daniel 812 are in Hebrew; Daniel 2:4 until the end of Daniel 7 are in Aramaic.

33.    Somehow, Daniel got a copy of Jeremiah’s prophecies from Jerusalem. He must have rejoiced when he heard that the children of Israel were to return home after 70 years. (Jeremiah 25:8-14; 29:10; 2 Chronicles 36:21; Daniel 9:2)[12] As the end of the 70 years approached, Daniel began fervent prayers to God to act on behalf of His people. It is very interesting to notice what we read in Daniel 9:1-19[13]. Repeatedly, Daniel admitted that as the children of Israel, they were still far from God’s plan for their lives. Repeatedly, he mentioned that they had sinned, and he included himself among that group of sinners.

34.    But then, as recorded in Daniel 9:15-19, he did something very remarkable. Essentially, he said: “God you need to act for Your own name’s sake. It is Your city and Your nation and Your people who are in trouble. So You need to act to restore respect for Your name among the nations.”

Daniel 9:15-19: 15 “O Lord our God, you showed your power by bringing your people out of Egypt, and your power is still remembered. We have sinned; we have done wrong. 16You have defended us in the past, so do not be angry with Jerusalem any longer. It is your city, your sacred hill. All the people in the neighboring countries look down on Jerusalem and on your people because of our sins and the evil our ancestors did. 17O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God. 18Listen to us, O God; look at us, and see the trouble we are in and the suffering of the city that bears your name. We are praying to you because you are merciful, not because we have done right. 19Lord, hear us. Lord, forgive us. Lord, listen to us, and act! In order that everyone will know that you are God, do not delay! This city and these people are yours.”—Good News Bible* (Daniel 9:15-19).

Daniel really cared about God’s reputation.

35.    When Daniel received a copy of Jeremiah’s prophecy, how did he know that it was inspired? Remember that when Jeremiah was making those prophecies, he was surrounded by false prophets saying contradictory things. (Jeremiah 29:21-23)[14]

36.    Surely, the experiences of Daniel 3 and Daniel 6 should give us a clue about how we can prepare ourselves for what is coming. Are we prepared to stand firm and true to the truth? Are we tempted to compromise with the truth even in small ways in our lives today? If we are compromising now, will it be even easier to make larger compromises later?

37.    Try to imagine what an incredible witness Daniel was. How many peoples’ lives were impacted? How many of them actually made decisions to follow the true God after witnessing all that Daniel did and said?

38.    Read Luke 14:26-27[15]. Did Jesus really want us to hate our parents? Or, was He trying to tell us how absolutely essential it is that we be witnesses for the truth no matter who else may do so?

39.    How can we best witness to family and friends who may not believe as we do? If we live a loving, caring, honest, faithful life, will that make it more likely that others will listen to us when we talk to them about our God?

40.    Sometimes, we might be tempted to think that God is far away in heaven and does not have time to be concerned about every little detail of our lives. But, clearly, God was with Daniel and his friends when they refused to eat the king’s diet. Do you think the environment in which Daniel and his three friends lived was more or less friendly than our environment today to Christianity?

41.    If we truly believe the book of Daniel and all of the events pictured there as well as the prophecies, we are setting ourselves apart from all other religions and Christians. If you really understand the correct interpretation of Daniel 8 and 9 and work out the dates of those prophecies and really want to follow God’s plan for your life, you must be a Seventh-day Adventist.

42.    As we study the books of Daniel and Revelation in this series of lessons, why not get a new version of the Bible with wording that is a little different from what we are familiar with and try to take a fresh approach to these prophetic books. Try to be careful not to pick a version which is particularly sponsored by a single religion or group of religions with particular views.

43.    Read Daniel 12:9[16]. Daniel was instructed to keep secret or seal up his book until the time of the end. Do you think we are living now in the time of the end?

44.    It should be clear that you cannot antagonize and persuaded at the same time. Holy lives lived and visible to those around us are powerful sermons.

The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power which it is impossible wholly to resist.—Ellen G. White, Sketches from the Life of Paul* 331.1 (1883); 3SP* 439.1; SR* 318.1.

45.    Read Daniel 1:12[17]. What did Daniel think would happen after only 10 days of eating vegetables-things that grow from seeds-and water to drink? Did he really think that the Babylonian officials would be able to recognize a difference in them that quickly?

46.    There are several suggestions in Daniel 3 of characteristics of false worship as opposed to true worship. Compare Revelation 13:11-17[18] again. For example: (1) False worship is commanded by those who are not God. (2) False worship is done in public places for all to see. (3) The authorities are watching to see if you obey or not. (4) You are not given a choice as to whether you will worship or not! (5) Those in charge will try to kill you if you do not comply.

47.    As you review the stories and prophecies from the book of Daniel, is it obvious to you how they are related to us in our day? In Daniel 7 we see a little horn making claims that he is to be worshiped. Is it clear who that is talking about?

48.    Seventh-day Adventists have been quite successful at reaching the less-educated, poor, ordinary people with the messages of Daniel through evangelistic series. Why have we been so much less successful in reaching out to the powerful, wealthy, or the highly educated? Could we and should we do better? What could we do to make the gospel more appealing?

© 2018, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version.    Info@theox.org

1-Luk 16:10 NRSV "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

Dan 1:1-21 NRSV In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. (2) The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God. These he brought to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his gods. (3) Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, (4) young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king's palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. (5) The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king's court. (6) Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. (7) The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. (8) But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. (9) Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. (10) The palace master said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king." (11) Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: (12) "Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. (13) You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe." (14) So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. (15) At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. (16) So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (17) To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams. (18) At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, (19) and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king's court. (20) In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (21) And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Dan 2:1-49 NRSV In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. (2) So the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. When they came in and stood before the king, (3) he said to them, "I have had such a dream that my spirit is troubled by the desire to understand it." (4) The Chaldeans said to the king (in Aramaic), "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will reveal the interpretation." (5) The king answered the Chaldeans, "This is a public decree: if you do not tell me both the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. (6) But if you do tell me the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation." (7) They answered a second time, "Let the king first tell his servants the dream, then we can give its interpretation." (8) The king answered, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see I have firmly decreed: (9) if you do not tell me the dream, there is but one verdict for you. You have agreed to speak lying and misleading words to me until things take a turn. Therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation." (10) The Chaldeans answered the king, "There is no one on earth who can reveal what the king demands! In fact no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. (11) The thing that the king is asking is too difficult, and no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." (12) Because of this the king flew into a violent rage and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. (13) The decree was issued, and the wise men were about to be executed; and they looked for Daniel and his companions, to execute them. (14) Then Daniel responded with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the king's chief executioner, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon; (15) he asked Arioch, the royal official, "Why is the decree of the king so urgent?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. (16) So Daniel went in and requested that the king give him time and he would tell the king the interpretation. (17) Then Daniel went to his home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (18) and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon might not perish. (19) Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (20) Daniel said: "Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. (21) He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (22) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. (23) To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked of you, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered." (24) Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will give the king the interpretation." (25) Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can tell the king the interpretation." (26) The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?" (27) Daniel answered the king, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking, (28) but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has disclosed to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen at the end of days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed were these: (29) To you, O king, as you lay in bed, came thoughts of what would be hereafter, and the revealer of mysteries disclosed to you what is to be. (30) But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living being, but in order that the interpretation may be known to the king and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. (31) "You were looking, O king, and lo! there was a great statue. This statue was huge, its brilliance extraordinary; it was standing before you, and its appearance was frightening. (32) The head of that statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, (33) its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. (34) As you looked on, a stone was cut out, not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. (35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, were all broken in pieces and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (36) "This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. (37) You, O king, the king of kings--to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the might, and the glory, (38) into whose hand he has given human beings, wherever they live, the wild animals of the field, and the birds of the air, and whom he has established as ruler over them all--you are the head of gold. (39) After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. (40) And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; just as iron crushes and smashes everything, it shall crush and shatter all these. (41) As you saw the feet and toes partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but some of the strength of iron shall be in it, as you saw the iron mixed with the clay. (42) As the toes of the feet were part iron and part clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. (43) As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so will they mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. (44) And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It shall crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever; (45) just as you saw that a stone was cut from the mountain not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. The great God has informed the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation trustworthy." (46) Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, worshiped Daniel, and commanded that a grain offering and incense be offered to him. (47) The king said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery!" (48) Then the king promoted Daniel, gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. (49) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.

Dan 3:1-6 NRSV King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue whose height was sixty cubits and whose width was six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. (2) Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent for the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to assemble and come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (3) So the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. When they were standing before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up, (4) the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, (5) that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. (6) Whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire."

Dan 3:13-18 NRSV Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. (14) Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? (15) Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?" (16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. (17) If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. (18) But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up."

Dan 4:1-37 NRSV King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that live throughout the earth: May you have abundant prosperity! (2) The signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me I am pleased to recount. (3) How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his sovereignty is from generation to generation. (4) I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living at ease in my home and prospering in my palace. (5) I saw a dream that frightened me; my fantasies in bed and the visions of my head terrified me. (6) So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, in order that they might tell me the interpretation of the dream. (7) Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not tell me its interpretation. (8) At last Daniel came in before me--he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and who is endowed with a spirit of the holy gods--and I told him the dream: (9) "O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Hear the dream that I saw; tell me its interpretation. (10) Upon my bed this is what I saw; there was a tree at the center of the earth, and its height was great. (11) The tree grew great and strong, its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth. (12) Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit abundant, and it provided food for all. The animals of the field found shade under it, the birds of the air nested in its branches, and from it all living beings were fed. (13) "I continued looking, in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and there was a holy watcher, coming down from heaven. (14) He cried aloud and said: 'Cut down the tree and chop off its branches, strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from beneath it and the birds from its branches. (15) But leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his lot be with the animals of the field in the grass of the earth. (16) Let his mind be changed from that of a human, and let the mind of an animal be given to him. And let seven times pass over him. (17) The sentence is rendered by decree of the watchers, the decision is given by order of the holy ones, in order that all who live may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals; he gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of human beings.' (18) "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to tell me the interpretation. You are able, however, for you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods." (19) Then Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was severely distressed for a while. His thoughts terrified him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation terrify you." Belteshazzar answered, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation for your enemies! (20) The tree that you saw, which grew great and strong, so that its top reached to heaven and was visible to the end of the whole earth, (21) whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and which provided food for all, under which animals of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air had nests-- (22) it is you, O king! You have grown great and strong. Your greatness has increased and reaches to heaven, and your sovereignty to the ends of the earth. (23) And whereas the king saw a holy watcher coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the grass of the field; and let him be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his lot be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him'-- (24) this is the interpretation, O king, and it is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: (25) You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the wild animals. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, you shall be bathed with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals, and gives it to whom he will. (26) As it was commanded to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be re-established for you from the time that you learn that Heaven is sovereign. (27) Therefore, O king, may my counsel be acceptable to you: atone for your sins with righteousness, and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged." (28) All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. (29) At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, (30) and the king said, "Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?" (31) While the words were still in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven: "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom has departed from you! (32) You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will." (33) Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers and his nails became like birds' claws. (34) When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored the one who lives forever. For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. (35) All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to him, "What are you doing?" (36) At that time my reason returned to me; and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my lords sought me out, I was re-established over my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. (37) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are truth, and his ways are justice; and he is able to bring low those who walk in pride.

Dan 6:1-28 NRSV It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom, (2) and over them three presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. (3) Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom. (4) So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. (5) The men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." (6) So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever! (7) All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions. (8) Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked." (9) Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict. (10) Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously. (11) The conspirators came and found Daniel praying and seeking mercy before his God. (12) Then they approached the king and said concerning the interdict, "O king! Did you not sign an interdict, that anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human, within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions?" The king answered, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked." (13) Then they responded to the king, "Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day." (14) When the king heard the charge, he was very much distressed. He was determined to save Daniel, and until the sun went down he made every effort to rescue him. (15) Then the conspirators came to the king and said to him, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no interdict or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed." (16) Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!" (17) A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. (18) Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no food was brought to him, and sleep fled from him. (19) Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. (20) When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?" (21) Daniel then said to the king, "O king, live forever! (22) My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong." (23) Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (24) The king gave a command, and those who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions--they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the den the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. (25) Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: "May you have abundant prosperity! (26) I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. (27) He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." (28) So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Rev 13:11-15 NRSV Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. (13) It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; (14) and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived; (15) and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

Joh 3:7 NRSV Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'

2-2Ki 5:1-27 NRSV Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. (2) Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. (3) She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." (4) So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. (5) And the king of Aram said, "Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel." He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. (6) He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy." (7) When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me." (8) But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." (9) So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. (10) Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." (11) But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! (12) Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. (13) But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean'?" (14) So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. (15) Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant." (16) But he said, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!" He urged him to accept, but he refused. (17) Then Naaman said, "If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the LORD. (18) But may the LORD pardon your servant on one count: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow down in the house of Rimmon, when I do bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant on this one count." (19) He said to him, "Go in peace." But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, (20) Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, "My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something out of him." (21) So Gehazi went after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped down from the chariot to meet him and said, "Is everything all right?" (22) He replied, "Yes, but my master has sent me to say, 'Two members of a company of prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim; please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.'" (23) Naaman said, "Please accept two talents." He urged him, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them in front of Gehazi. (24) When he came to the citadel, he took the bags from them, and stored them inside; he dismissed the men, and they left. (25) He went in and stood before his master; and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" He answered, "Your servant has not gone anywhere at all." (26) But he said to him, "Did I not go with you in spirit when someone left his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and to accept clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves? (27) Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you, and to your descendants forever." So he left his presence leprous, as white as snow.

3-Luk 16:10 NRSV "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

Dan 1:1-21 NRSV In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. (2) The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God. These he brought to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his gods. (3) Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, (4) young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king's palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. (5) The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king's court. (6) Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. (7) The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. (8) But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. (9) Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. (10) The palace master said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king." (11) Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: (12) "Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. (13) You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe." (14) So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. (15) At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. (16) So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (17) To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams. (18) At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, (19) and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king's court. (20) In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (21) And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.

4-Dan 2:1-49 NRSV In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. (2) So the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. When they came in and stood before the king, (3) he said to them, "I have had such a dream that my spirit is troubled by the desire to understand it." (4) The Chaldeans said to the king (in Aramaic), "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will reveal the interpretation." (5) The king answered the Chaldeans, "This is a public decree: if you do not tell me both the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. (6) But if you do tell me the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation." (7) They answered a second time, "Let the king first tell his servants the dream, then we can give its interpretation." (8) The king answered, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see I have firmly decreed: (9) if you do not tell me the dream, there is but one verdict for you. You have agreed to speak lying and misleading words to me until things take a turn. Therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation." (10) The Chaldeans answered the king, "There is no one on earth who can reveal what the king demands! In fact no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. (11) The thing that the king is asking is too difficult, and no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." (12) Because of this the king flew into a violent rage and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. (13) The decree was issued, and the wise men were about to be executed; and they looked for Daniel and his companions, to execute them. (14) Then Daniel responded with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the king's chief executioner, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon; (15) he asked Arioch, the royal official, "Why is the decree of the king so urgent?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. (16) So Daniel went in and requested that the king give him time and he would tell the king the interpretation. (17) Then Daniel went to his home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (18) and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon might not perish. (19) Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (20) Daniel said: "Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. (21) He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (22) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. (23) To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked of you, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered." (24) Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will give the king the interpretation." (25) Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can tell the king the interpretation." (26) The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?" (27) Daniel answered the king, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking, (28) but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has disclosed to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen at the end of days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed were these: (29) To you, O king, as you lay in bed, came thoughts of what would be hereafter, and the revealer of mysteries disclosed to you what is to be. (30) But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living being, but in order that the interpretation may be known to the king and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. (31) "You were looking, O king, and lo! there was a great statue. This statue was huge, its brilliance extraordinary; it was standing before you, and its appearance was frightening. (32) The head of that statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, (33) its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. (34) As you looked on, a stone was cut out, not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. (35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, were all broken in pieces and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (36) "This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. (37) You, O king, the king of kings--to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the might, and the glory, (38) into whose hand he has given human beings, wherever they live, the wild animals of the field, and the birds of the air, and whom he has established as ruler over them all--you are the head of gold. (39) After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. (40) And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; just as iron crushes and smashes everything, it shall crush and shatter all these. (41) As you saw the feet and toes partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but some of the strength of iron shall be in it, as you saw the iron mixed with the clay. (42) As the toes of the feet were part iron and part clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. (43) As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so will they mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. (44) And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It shall crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever; (45) just as you saw that a stone was cut from the mountain not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. The great God has informed the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation trustworthy." (46) Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, worshiped Daniel, and commanded that a grain offering and incense be offered to him. (47) The king said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery!" (48) Then the king promoted Daniel, gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. (49) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.

5-Isa 40:25-26 NRSV To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. (26) Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

Isa 41:21-29 NRSV Set forth your case, says the LORD; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob. (22) Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, so that we may consider them, and that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come. (23) Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be afraid and terrified. (24) You, indeed, are nothing and your work is nothing at all; whoever chooses you is an abomination. (25) I stirred up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun he was summoned by name. He shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay. (26) Who declared it from the beginning, so that we might know, and beforehand, so that we might say, "He is right"? There was no one who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words. (27) I first have declared it to Zion, and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good tidings. (28) But when I look there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer. (29) No, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their images are empty wind.

6-Dan 3:16 NRSV Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter.

Rev 13:11-17 NRSV Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. (13) It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; (14) and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived; (15) and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (16) Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, (17) so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

7-Dan 3:13-18 NRSV Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. (14) Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? (15) Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?" (16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. (17) If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. (18) But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up."

8-Joh 15:5 NRSV I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

Act 17:28 NRSV For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'

Dan 5:23 NRSV You have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven! The vessels of his temple have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know; but the God in whose power is your very breath, and to whom belong all your ways, you have not honored.

9-Dan 4:35 NRSV All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to him, "What are you doing?"

10-Rev 13:4 NRSV They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"

Rev 13:8 NRSV and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered.

Rev 13:11-17 NRSV Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. (13) It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; (14) and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived; (15) and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (16) Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, (17) so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

11-Dan 6:16 NRSV Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!"

12-Jer 25:8-14 NRSV Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, (9) I am going to send for all the tribes of the north, says the LORD, even for King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these nations around; I will utterly destroy them, and make them an object of horror and of hissing, and an everlasting disgrace. (10) And I will banish from them the sound of mirth and the sound of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. (11) This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. (12) Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, says the LORD, making the land an everlasting waste. (13) I will bring upon that land all the words that I have uttered against it, everything written in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations. (14) For many nations and great kings shall make slaves of them also; and I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.

Jer 29:10 NRSV For thus says the LORD: Only when Babylon's seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.

2Ch 36:21 NRSV to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had made up for its sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.

Dan 9:2 NRSV 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.

13-Dan 9:1-19 NRSV In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans-- (2) 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. (3) Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. (4) I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, (5) we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. (6) We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. (7) "Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. (8) Open shame, O LORD, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. (9) To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, (10) and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. (11) "All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. So the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against you. (12) He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers, by bringing upon us a calamity so great that what has been done against Jerusalem has never before been done under the whole heaven. (13) Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us. We did not entreat the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and reflecting on his fidelity. (14) So the LORD kept watch over this calamity until he brought it upon us. Indeed, the LORD our God is right in all that he has done; for we have disobeyed his voice. (15) "And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made your name renowned even to this day--we have sinned, we have done wickedly. (16) O Lord, in view of all your righteous acts, let your anger and wrath, we pray, turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become a disgrace among all our neighbors. (17) Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, and for your own sake, Lord, let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary. (18) Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. (19) O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay! For your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people bear your name!"

14-Jer 29:21-23 NRSV Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my name: I am going to deliver them into the hand of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, and he shall kill them before your eyes. (22) And on account of them this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: "The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire," (23) because they have perpetrated outrage in Israel and have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken in my name lying words that I did not command them; I am the one who knows and bears witness, says the LORD.

15-Luk 14:26-27 NRSV "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. (27) Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

16-Dan 12:9 NRSV He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end.

17-Dan 1:12 NRSV "Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

18-Rev 13:11-17 NRSV Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. (13) It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; (14) and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived; (15) and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (16) Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, (17) so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

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