3. Spread gospel to the world – I am going to bring world dominating power to take you and bring you to the world.
Chastisement is love. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Rev 3:19.
5T 463 The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances.
God was actually using Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as a vehicle of chastisement. They were worldwide power. They would take the captive into all around the world. They were actually accomplishing God’s will.
Jesus told Jews once, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Matt 3:9. If we won’t do it, God will use someone else to accomplish His will. God is not dependant on human.
Whether you and I want to do it or not, God’s will be done. If we don’t want to do it, He is not going to force us to do it, He will going to have his will done, somehow, somewhere, somebody is going to do His will and accomplish His task.
When they failed to learn the lesson from Babylonian captivity, there comes Mede-Persian. They did not learn the lesson from Mede-Persians, there comes Greece. Not learned the lesson, here comes Rome. Century after century after captivity. Finally they rejected Christ, and covenant was taken away from them.
“Part of the vessels…to the treasure house of his god” – He did not take everything. This is the vessels that king Belshazzar used later in Dan 5:2.
Babylonian Education (3-7)
VERSE [3] And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; [4] Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and
understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. [5] And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. [6] Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: [7] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
Education is more of an application. Babylonians are trying to reeducate or reestablish the captives.
What area is described the most? Daniel’s test, therefore the theme of this chapter is the test of diet—appetite. We can safely use the principle of whatever God emphasized the most we should emphasize also. When teaching or preaching, this aspect must be strongly emphasized. Now think—what relationship does this chapter have with the rest of the book of Daniel? What is one word to describe this chapter? Appetite? That’s too specific; trial? That’s too broad—pick a title that is not used in other chapters. What does the diet test or appetite have to do with the rest of the book. Cause and Effect—Because Daniel was faithful to God’s diet and honoring God, not defiling himself with idols, God granted him understanding in visions and dreams; they had understanding,
wisdom and skills in science. At the end, visions and dreams were they given for understanding.
Conclusion—when you are faithful to God in little things like diet, God can help you to understand great things of God, His secret things.
By looking at whole chapter, you can understand the bigger picture of the lesson God is trying to communicate to you. Lessons in each test but you need to look at the bigger lesson from the whole chapter—because Daniel was faithful with his diet, God was able to grant him understanding in visions and dreams. How does this apply to us? Broader term—faithfulness in small will enable God to give us greater things. More specific—What’s going to happen if we allow God to work in us to be faithful to His diet? Spiritual discernment to understand the prophecies.
Chapter one is giving us a menu or recipe to enable us or help us to understand the prophecies of Daniel. God gave us instruction on diet through EGW to help us to understand the prophecies for these times. Understanding Daniel is not just understanding time prophecies and symbols—but to have spiritual discernment which affects our Christian life. God is telling us we need to have this diet of Daniel before we get into the prophecies—simple diet or vegetarian diet—EGW says time will come where we will not be able to use eggs, milk, and butter but should partake of a vegan diet.
We need to come up higher. God is trying to help us have a clear mind so we can understand the deep things of the Bible. We should have a cooking school and give health message before giving Daniel seminar so their minds can be clear to understand the messages. How does this apply to the church? Heath evangelism, medical missionary. What about church members or diet of our young people? Come up higher and always look for what is better. What about family or national application? Jesus said days will be like Noah’s day before He comes. Problem of appetite and passions—because of this, they knew not the prophecy to that which Noah gave. People didn’t discern message of 120 years of warning because they were slaves to their appetites and passions.
If you want spirituality within yourself—consider changing your diet. What about your family?
Start with changing their diet. Same with church, nation, and world-wide, etc.
1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Satan is aiming at the cream of the crop. The very elect. God’s people at the end are the best, God’s people are elect of the elect. So when you are developing yourself for the Lord, remember that the devil is after you.He had greater ability that can be developed and molded exactly way you wanted.
“The king's seed and of the princes” – Why? Babylonian king wanted the best to serve him in his palace. God and Satan are seeking to use the best to do their service. Satan is thinking he can use these boys to become Babylonian to serve satanic purpose but God is greater. Remember, Daniel is in royal family.
PK 487 It tells us that Daniel and his friends were royal blood. Notice verse 4: these were not just ordinary young people. They were the brightest mind they could capture from every nation in the world. They had intelligent, but they At the court of Babylon were gathered representatives from all lands, men of the highest talent, men the most richly endowed with natural gifts, and possessed of the broadest culture that the world could bestow;
Daniel’s Age: Daniel was brought to Babylon when he was about 15 years old.
4T 570 Daniel was but 18 years old when brought into the court to serve.”
UL 83 Daniel was but a youth when carried away captive into Babylon. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, for he is called a child, which means that he was in his youth.
Training Young Minds – The reason why they did not take adults who were already highly trained and skilled, is that when you train young minds that are not yet fully trained, you can mold and shape and train them in exactly the way you want, while you have to retrain the minds of adults.
This is an excellent principle on education. When you are a secondary teacher, what an awesome position you are in to realize that you have the absolute precious opportunity to mold the mind of that person after the image of Jesus and develop the skills of that individual after the principles of God. You must pray to God everyday, you got to have closer walk with Jesus everyday. This is the danger; teacher can mold the minds of the students in the class. Students seat there and they don’t even know what’s happening. You almost want to shake them, “Aren’t you alive in this world?!”
That’s why Nebuchadnezzar chose young minds.
Jesuits has learned this principles extremely well, and they have mastered and skilled this position.
They know that if they get the young people, they’ve got the future generations: presidents, mayors, and leaders. When they are old, they are nothing more than robots carrying out your will.
They will do whatever you tell them to do, and they think they are free in their own minds, when they are nothing more than slaves to other person.
Documents shows that when you become a Jesuit, you have an white object front of you and your mind says that’s white, then the professor says the object is black, and you surrender all your reasoning and what you think, and you think now it’s black regardless of what your senses tell you: you don’t have your process of thinking for yourself, you must think according as your superior think.
Catholic church believes in the philosophy that it is better to have no education, because in this way, people are ignorant, dumb, and blind in the sense now superstition can reign, therefore they have the captivation of the people. That’s exactly what they did in the Dark Ages. If you are totally ignorant, how are you going to know what I am saying is wrong? South American countries and another Catholic countries, the education is absolutely pathetic!
1:4 Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
These young were sent to stand before the king—why? Story of Daniel and friends walking across from Israel to Babylon. It was 6 months according to history that they were bound in chains, becoming eunuchs on the way during 1000 miles walk. Now image that you are away from home country, going to new, pagan country. You lose your gender, going there as a slave. How would your faith be, perhaps wondering where is God? How would you feel? Emotionally and psychologically, you are at the bottom—the desert feeling going to your mind and heart. But these Hebrew boys went through because of true education—taught by their parents; God was teaching them as they went through
End-time application: We will go through great disappointments, trials, and temptations—it takes more than average faith, dedication, and consecration to be able to stand when national Sunday law comes. To prepare our young people, our parents need to train our youth. We are training our
young people to stand in those days or we are training them to receive mark of the beast. This shows the necessity value of home education like Daniel and John the Baptist.
“no blemish” – no deformities. Their body is strong. They walk like kings. Strong appearance. Don’t want people who are not healthy in body, mind and soul. Men behave like men of God and women, be women of God.
“Well favored” – everyone likes them. Bible says, that if you are wise, God will make even your enemies respect you. Socially speaking, they are good.
“skillful in all wisdom” – mentally capable.
“cunning in knowledge” – knowledgeable and well versed.
“understanding science” – scientific.
“such as had the ability in them to stand in the king’s palace” – able to act in the right manner at the right time.
APPLICATION: For you to get yourself ready in the last days, you have to be well balanced physical, social, mental, spiritual person.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Christ increased in stature, wisdom, favour with God and favour with man. Christ was well balanced physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. Some people who have difficulty expressing which gives miscommunication have to ask God to help them work on this and seek training and counsel.
By learning the language of Chaldeans, the Babylonians were trying to influence their mind. When you want to learn to speak Chinese, you have to think like Chinese.
Babylonian Education has three phases: #1—Mental Education which is the language of the Chaldeans. This involves the thoughts. By teaching this, they were teaching to THINK like Babylonians. Daniel already had education—skillful in all wisdom and understanding science.
1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Through the diet, the Babylonians were trying to change the Hebrew boys physically to Babylonians. They also changed their names to Babylonian names, after their gods. Daniel and his friends used to have names which reminded them of God, but in changing their names, the Babylonians took away a reminder for them, of God. King’s food was honorable diet in those days.
By the statement of Daniel, it was unfit for him to take
#2—Physical Education which included the Babylonian diet. This is more of food and diet because this is what is more important perhaps than exercising.
“wine” – Babylonian wine. Habakkuk talks about Babylonian wine causing transgression = sin.
Every influence was given to cause God’s people to sin.
1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel [the name] of
Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
With their Babylonian names, they changed their identity and influenced them spiritually. No longer were they reminded about God when they were called. They also tried to change them socially because they mixed them with other Babylonians. So in the last days, the devil is trying to destroy God’s people by trying to change their minds, bodies, soul. So we need God’s social, spiritual, mental education instead to prepare ourselves.
#3—Spiritual Education which was names of Babylonian gods. So mental, physical, and spiritual education was the three phases of Babylonian education. This biggest problem was physical. This is the area to which one would be affected the most. The name is not as bad neither is the education—
you can control your thoughts and not much problem being called a different name. Physical is most affected area. Satan used similar method to destroy our first parents:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
“eat” – physically
“be as gods” – spiritual
“knowing good and evil” – Mental
Satan was trying to destroy body, mind, and ultimately the soul of man, this is how Eve was deceived.
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
“Good for food” – physical
“Make one wise” – mental
Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
“Eyes were opened” – spiritual, recognized their disconnection from God. This is no new thing.
Now let’s discuss how Jesus grew and was educated:
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
“Wisdom” – mental
“Stature” – physical
“Favor with God” – spiritual
“Favor with man” – social
We are made up of four things: physical, mental, spiritual, social. However the most important is spiritual—you cannot forego God.
Now’s lets how Jesus worked for the people:
Matt 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
“Cities and villages, mingling” – social
“Teaching” – mental
“Preaching” – spiritual
“Healing” – physical
So this concept of social, mental, spiritual, and physical is all right in the Bible. Let’s notice what Jesus said:
Mark 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
“Soul” – spiritual
“Mind” – mental
“Strength” – physical
Body, mind, and soul is loving with all your heart
Mark 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:
but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Social. Now let’s discuss the creation of man. The work in the garden for true physical education.
Then, to name animals was mental to be creative and use his mind. The need of woman was social and the Sabbath was for spiritual education. Before sin, God provided physical, mental, social, and spiritual. This is God’s balanced education.
Satan’s plan for education: is his philosophy, his food, his god, his social peer pressure. Now notice what Paul says regarding our sanctification:
1 Thes 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Spirit” – also means mind; mental
“Soul” – spiritual
“Body” – physical
The Bible keeps on emphasizing the whole of man. What about our messages?
Rev 14:6, 7 [6] And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, [7] Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
Rev 14:6, 7 [6] And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, [7] Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: