Bible Study – Daniel Chapter 6

 

We now have a new kingdom oppressing the Jews in the ‘Times of the Gentiles’.  The Head of Gold of the image has ruled for 67 years.  The Breast and Arms of silver has conquered and is ruled by Cyrus the Persian and his uncle, Darius the Mede.  God prophesied and called Cyrus by name 175 years before, (Isaiah 44:28-45:4), even before Cyrus was born, anointing him to rule the Empire and allow the Jews to rebuild and return to Jerusalem.  The Medes and Persians were not an absolute monarchy like the Babylonians.  We will see with the ‘Law of the Medes and Persians’ that Darius did not have absolute power, and has to put his friend Daniel into a den of angry lions.  We will also see that Daniel coming out of the den free and alive is a type of Christ, and a type of the Remnant that will be delivered miraculously during the Tribulation

I. Daniel is promoted in the Kingdom

Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

Daniel 6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

A. The 2nd World Empire Of The Times Of The Gentiles

1. The Medio-Persian Empire - The arms & breast of silver

2. Babylon had lasted for 67 years

3. The Fall of Babylon occurred in BC 538

a. Darius immediately took the throne

b. Darius died in BC 536 - This took place in those 2 years

4. Daniel now 90 years old or better

a. Darius made him head of his three presidents

b. Darius knew of Daniel's integrity

c. Darius knew in Daniel was an excellent Spirit

B. The Medio-Persian Empire Was No Absolute Monarchy

1. The Babylonian had been – It was said of Nebuchadnezzar:

Daniel 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

2. They had a sort of congress or parliament – Law of Medes & Persians

a. Made up of the presidents and princes

b. The congress had a voice in making the laws

c. The laws had to be ratified by the King

d. Once ratified the law was unchangeable

 

C. Darius Sets Daniel Over The Whole Realm

1. This made the other presidents and princes jealous

2. They knew that Daniel would not stand for any graft or dishonesty

3. They did not want to lose their positions or their prosperity – Daniel must Go!

II. A Conspiracy Against Daniel

Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God

A. The presidents could find no fault in Daniel in the kingdom

B. They thought up a plot against his relationship with God

III. Darius Makes A Foolish Decree

Daniel 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Daniel 6:9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

A. This Conspiracy Demonstrated The Slickness Of Satan

B. They Knew That Daniel Would Not Be Disloyal To God

C. They Knew What Darius Thought About The ‘Old Jew’

D. They Couldn’t Let Darius Know That They Were After Daniel

1. They knew they couldn’t have a decree against the Hebrew God

2. Darius would realize it was aimed at Daniel

3. Darius would not have signed it

E. They Petitioned The King For A General Decree

1. They insulted their own gods to get rid of the hated Daniel

2. They knew that Darius was not an absolute monarch like Nebuchadnezzar

a. They knew that the King was subject to the will of his presidents

b. They knew that the King could not ignore their suggestions

c. They knew that once the law was signed it could not be changed

3. This Political Process known as ‘The Law of the Medes & Persians’

F. With Deception The Presidents Suggested a Decree

1. They said everyone concerned had been consulted

a. All the Presidents

b. The Governors – Princes, Counselors, and Captains

2. Daniel had not been consulted

G. Darius was undoubtedly flattered by their proposal

1. No one could pray to any god but Darius for 30 days

2. It was not uncommon to consider kings as gods

3. This plot would exalt Darius to the position of a god

H. Darius Falls Into The Presidents Trap

1. Darius didn’t realize how this would affect Daniel – King signed and sealed

2. Now the law is unchangeable

V. Daniel Makes A Stand

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

A. Soon what had been done came to Daniel's ears

1.  What was he to do?

2. He knew that the "Royal Decree" was aimed at him.

3. He knew that to pray to his God was to break the law

B. Daniel has to choose between loyalty to God or King

1. Should he be faithless to God to save his life?

2. Couldn’t he pray to his God in secret?

a. Couldn’t he enter into some secret place in his home?

b. Couldn’t he lock the door? -  Couldn’t he close the windows?

c. Couldn’t he pray silently?

3. Couldn’t he set it up so that there was no evidence against him?

4. Most of us would be tempted to compromise like that

a. But Daniel did not value his life more than God

b. He prayed to God as he did before

1. With the windows open

2. He prayed and thanked God 3 times a day

5. The presidents knew Daniel would do that

a. Even when his life was in jeopardy - b. What an example to unbelievers!

V. Daniel Accused Before The King

Daniel 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Daniel 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, 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? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Daniel 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

A. They went to the Jerusalem side of Daniel’s house

1. They saw Daniel in an attitude of prayer

2. They heard Daniel’s supplication to God

B. Daniel’s Enemies Had Not Miss-Judged Him

C. They Were Happy With The Way Their Scheme Turned Out

D. They Brought This Matter To The King Right Away

1. Didn’t you sign the decree?

2. The ‘Law of the Medes & Persians’ can’t be broken

3. Daniel - That deported Jew

a. Does not regard the king

b. Does not regard the decree the king signed

4. Daniel must be thrown into the lion’s den

VI. Darius - A Helpless King

Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Daniel 6:15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

A. Darius Was Ashamed Of Himself

1. Knew he had been tricked

2. Tried all day to deliver Daniel

3. He realized that his pride had outweighed his judgment

a. He should have been suspicious when they said all the presidents agreed

b. It should have been clear that Daniel wouldn’t have agreed

B. The King Was In A Helpless Position

VII. Daniel Thrown Into The Lion’s Den

Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Daniel 6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

     A. Daniel Was Brought Before The King

B. The King Talked To Daniel

1. I have tried everything possible

2. I can’t do anything about this situation

3. Your God will deliver you

C. The Den Sealed With The Signiant Of The King And Lords

VII. Daniel’s Deliverance

Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

Daniel 6:20  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Daniel 6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Daniel 6:23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

A. Darius Spent A Sleepless Night

1. Darius Concern For Daniel Was Genuine

2. He fasted and had no music in his room

3. He was impressed with Daniel’s faith – somehow God would deliver

B. Darius Hurried To The Den in the early morning

1. His hope was confirmed

2. He commanded that Daniel be removed from the den

a. He was exceeding glad

b. He examined Daniel - no manner of hurt was found upon him

Does This Remind You Of The Events In The Fiery Furnace?

VIII. Daniel’s Enemies Thrown Into The Den

 

Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

 

So much for the theory to explain away the miracle, that the lions weren’t hungry when Daniel was thrown in

 

Hebrews 11:33 “…stopped the mouths of lions” – Daniel in the Hall of Faith

IX. Darius’ Wise Decree

Daniel 6:25  Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Daniel 6:27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

A. This Decree made the Jews free to worship God

B. Daniel became chief advisor in the dual kingdom

1. He was delivered under Darius the Mede

2. He served Cyrus the Persian

X. Daniel’s Deliverance – A Type of Christ’s Resurrection

A. The Den of Lions prefigures the Tomb of Jesus

1. Our Lord was laid in the tomb

2. A stone was rolled – (sealed)

3. Marked with the King's signet

B. As the lions could not harm Daniel

1. So Jesus, who went into the ‘jaws of death’

2. Death could not hold Him

3. He was delivered by resurrection from his prison – Was 1st Fruits of Resurrection

C. When Daniel was delivered from the lions' den

D. So when we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour

XI. Daniel’s Deliverance – A Type of The Tribulation Remnant

A. The Golden Image Was An Act Of The Deification Of Man

B. Darius’ Decree Was An Act Of The Deification Of Man

C. So It Was In The Grecian And Roman Empires

D. So It Will Be With The Antichrist - Revelation 13:4, 14, 15

E. The Lion’s Den Prefigured The Great Tribulation

F. Daniel Is A Type Of The Remnant During The Great Tribulation

1.  Like The Deliverance of The 3 Hebrew’s In The Fiery Furnace

2. The Remnant Will Be Miraculously Delivered

Revelation 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 7:5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:8 Of the tribe of Zebulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel’s Deliverance – A Type Christ’s Deliverance From The Tomb By Resurrection - And The Tribulation Remnant

The Den Of Lions Prefigures The Tomb with a stone rolled to seal the grave.

Christ Was Laid In The Tomb

A Stone Was Rolled (Sealed)

As The Lions Could Not Harm Daniel

So Christ  Went Into The ‘Jaws Of Death’

Death Could Not Hold Him

He  Was Delivered - The 1st  Fruits of the Resurrection

After Daniel Spent The Night In The Lion’s Den

Our Substitute went into Hell and set captivity captive

Just As Daniel Was Delivered From The Tribulation Of The Lion’s Den

The Jewish Remnant Will Be Sealed (Delivered) From The Great Tribulation