Babylon
In the prophecy of Daniel we find a Christian’s response to the Babylonian System that is rising to new heights of power right now. From Genesis to the Revelation the Word of God speaks of Babylon. This is Satan’s ongoing attempt to replace God and His kingdom with a satanic system of world domination. To understand the mindset behind this demonic strategy we have only to look at the Talaban of Afghanistan. That ruthless and diabolical regime hates our God and the people of the Book; the Jews and the Christians. An Anti-Christ spirit seeks to stand not only “against” Jesus and His kingdom but seeks to totally replace Him. The word “anti” conveys the more complete meaning in the terms “in the place of Christ” or “instead of Christ”.
Should it be, “In the time of Daniel, the empire of Babylon, under king Nebuchadnezzar, took the kingdom of Judah captive and destroyed Jerusalem. The few remaining Jews were then carried away to Babylon. Among those saints was Daniel. I have stood on the northern edge of Jerusalem and looked to the direction from which Babylon attacked Jerusalem and the path by which Nebuchadnezzar’s troops carried away the people of God into 70 years of captivity. It is a strange feeling to be in a place surrounded by so much Bible history and yet understand that the enemy was able to attack and was able to enslave the Jews for a period of time.
Those strange feelings filled my mind again this past week when I stood in lower Manhattan at Ground Zero. I was there to pray with two other intercessors. We looked at the result of another attack, against our nation. I am so grateful to God for our president and all that he is doing to mobilize our people against terrorism however, I realize that the battle is far more a spiritual one than one that can be resolved by power or diplomacy. We need God’s strategy. We need to hear what God told Daniel in his heart of hearts. Then, with this deeper understanding we need to stand against the spiritual forces that are contending with God Himself. As they have attacked us, they have in reality attempted to kick Jesus off His throne. We know that will never happen. Just read Psalm 2. The heathen are raging against God and His kingdom, but in the end every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
There are at least six principles in the early chapters of Daniel that are vital to our stand at this time.
1: Daniel 1:8 NO COMPROMISE WITH BABYLON
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”
Daniel would not compromise with Babylon even down to the food he ate. You and I cannot compromise (adjust or settle into agreement or make a shameful concession) with the enemy of our souls. Every area of our lives must be examined and brought into line with holiness and total commitment to our faith.
The result of Daniel’s refusal to compromise becomes apparent in verse 17. God gave him great KOWLEDGE, SKILL AND WISDOM. “As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
2: Daniel 2:17-18 HUMILITY
“Than Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, his companions that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
Daniel did not rely on human wisdom but humbled himself before God and asked Him for divine wisdom.
The result was that God GAVE KNOWLEDE AND INSIGHT BEYOND THEIR AGE. Daniel 2:19-20 “Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.”
We would be so foolish if we think that we can destroy terrorism or defeat those who have set their hearts against us as a nation and as God’s people. We need to humble ourselves before God with much prayer and fasting, confessing our limitations and asking for God’s help.
3: Daniel 3:17-18 NO AGREEMENT WITH THE BABYLONIAN SYSTEM
“If this is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Daniel would not agree with the demands that were put on him even if it cost him his life. We must also be prepared to stand up for righteousness and to speak out against sin wherever it is found. Even in our thoughts and in the words we speak we must speak truth and remain always in complete agreement with the Word of God.
The result of observing this principle was PROMOTION. Daniel 3:26-30 “Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego servants of the Most High God, come out and come here’.
“Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came forth from the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors and captains and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.”
GOD’S NAME WAS GLORIFIED. In verse 28 and 29 Nebuchadnezzar blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. That will be the result today when God’s people refuse to give in or even fear what the enemy is doing to our nation. God will promote us in spiritual matters and even bring us into a broader place of influence and authority. God will be praised through our lives.
4: Daniel 4:19 THE TRUTH WAS NOT DILUTED OR WATERED DOWN.
“Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thought troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘My lord, the dream is to them that hate you and the interpretation thereof to your enemies.’” Daniel did not tell the king what he wanted to hear. It is always easier for us to shade the truth or hold back part of what God is saying. But, we must always speak the Word of God in its purity; even if the results may hurt or even destroy our friendships or our own security. Daniel told the king what he needed to hear even when it could have meant personal danger.
The result was that GOD HONORED HIS WORD even when Daniel spoke it. Look at Daniel 4:26-27. And the king gave God the glory!
5: Daniel 5:17 HE REFUSED BRIBERY, GIFTS AND REWARDS
“Then Daniel answered and said before the king, ‘Let your gifts be for yourself and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.’”
Daniel could not be bought with gifts or rewards. This is a very important area to understand as Americans. We are very materialistic and money and possessions can easily turn our heads and our hearts. May God help us to never compromise the gospel or give the enemy an advantage against the Kingdom of God or even another person, because of our greed.
The result for Daniel was from on high. Daniel 5:29 GOD HONORED HIM AND SET HIM IN A HIGH PLACE. “Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with PURPLE and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.” When God honors us we will rise to places we never thought were possible. God wants to give His people great authority and influence.
6: Daniel 6:4 HE EMBRACED GREAT INTEGRITY AND FAITHFULNESS.
“So the governors and princes sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” When he was attacked and falsely accused, Daniel did not strike back. This is a very hard thing to do and it will always require God’s grace. But, Father has promised to give us all we need.
The result in Daniel 6:22 is awesome. ANGELS WERE HASTENED TO HELP HIM. “My God sent His angel and shut the lion’s mouth, so that they have not hurt me because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” I love the knowledge that God gives His angels assignments concerning us. He will always protect us and deliver us.
So we must realize that the world is moving toward a one world government, a one world military and economic system and a one world leader. That is Babylon. While we should always be patriotic and support our government and our leaders, we must also be prepared for the eventual reality that our Christian faith will come into conflict with the kingdoms of this world. At that point we must embrace the Kingdom of God even to the point of life itself.
~Pure Notes
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