Historical Posts
Condemnation – audio
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The word condemnation means to pronounce to be guilty; to determine or judge to be wrong, or guilty; it also refers the punishment of the guilty.
Ironically, you and I are guilty of sin – Romans 3:23. And all of us had a guilty verdict, and a death sentence, “For the wages of sin is death;…” Romans 6:23.
But thank God, for sending His Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of our sins for us on that old rugged cross – John 3:16-18.
In the last part of the chorus, of the song “He Bore It All” it says, “I stood condemned to die, but Jesus took my place”
It is important to note that there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ.
Jesus teaches that if you hear and believe Him, you will have everlasting life – John 5:24.
In Romans 8:1, the apostle Paul by inspiration says, “THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Daniel 05:01-31 The Hand Writing on the Wall
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Text: Daniel 5:1-31
Introduction
1. So far in our study of the book of Daniel, we have seen…
a. The faith of young Daniel, who made the commitment not to defile himself – Daniel 1
b. The first dream of Nebuchadnezzar, interpreted by Daniel – Daniel 2
1) Prophesying the rise and fall of four world empires
2) Foretelling the establishment of the kingdom of Christ
c. The faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the face of fire – Daniel 3
d. The second dream of Nebuchadnezzar and it is fulfillment, confirming that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men – Daniel 4
2. We now come to Daniel 5, where we find an incident familiar to many…
a. The event is often called: “The Hand Writing On The Wall”
b. As with any Old Testament account, it was written for our admonition – cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11
Body
I. BOOZE AND IDOLATRY IN A KING’S COURT (Daniel 5:1-4)
A. BELSHAZZAR, THE KING…
1. The time is now about 539 B.C.
a. Nebuchadnezzar had died in 562 B.C.
b. He was succeeded by his son, Evil-Merodach – cf. 2 Kings 25:27
1) After two years he was assassinated by Nergilissar, his brother- in- law
2) Who in turn died four years later (556 B.C. ), leaving the throne to his infant son, Labashi- Marduk, who was soon deposed by a priestly revolution
c. Nabonidus, a former priest under Nebuchadnezzar, was made king in 556 B.C.
1) Who was interested more in scholarly and religious pursuits
2) So he appointed his son Belshazzar as ruler of Babylon in his place
d. Belshazzar therefore became co-regent in 550 B.C.
1) He was “second” in command
2) Which is why he offered Daniel only the “third” position – cf. Daniel 5:16, 29
3) Nebuchadnezzar is called his “father” – Daniel 5:2, 11,13,18,22
a) Nabodonius (Belshazzar’s father) may have been Nebuchadnezzar’s son in-law, and it was common to refer to one’s ancestor as “father”
b) Or “father” may be used figuratively
2. Belshazzar throws a big feast – Daniel 5:1-3
a. Nebuchadnezzar had taken gold and silver vessels from the temple in Jerusalem – cf. 2 Chronicles 36:10
b. Belshazzar adds insult to injury by using them in this feast
B. THEY PRAISED THE GODS OF GOLD AND SILVER…
1. The king and guests foolishly praised the creation rather than the Creator
2. Would we ever stoop so low?
a. Worship the gods of silver and gold?
b. Become guilty of idolatry?
3. We do if we succumb to the sin of covetousness! – Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5
a. When we make mammon (material riches) our god – cf. Matthew 6:24
b. When we make created things the prime focus of our time and interest
II. PANIC AND HUMILIATION IN A KING’S COURT (Daniel 5:5-9)
A. THE HAND WRITING ON THE WALL…
1. The fingers of a man’s hands appear – Daniel 5:5a
2. They write on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace – Daniel 5:5b
3. Belshazzar sees the part of the hand that wrote – Daniel 5:5c
B. THE QUAKING KING…
1. In the case of King Belshazzar…
a. One moment his heart is puffed up with pride
b. The next moment, his knees are knocking together – Daniel 5:6
2. A vivid illustration of: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
3. All he saw was a man’s hand…
a. What if he had seen the face of God?
b. If just a tiny manifestation of God’s power had that effect, then what would be the effect of coming face to face with God?
4. What about the coming Judgment? Will we be able to stand?
a. Not if we are wicked – cf. Psalm 1:5
b. But we can if we have pure hearts and holy hands – cf. Psalm 24:3-5
C. THE HELPLESS ADVISORS…
1. Once again, a king appeals first to those unable to help – Daniel 5:7-9
2. Just as Nebuchadnezzar did in Daniel 2
3. People often do the same thing today in times of crisis
a. They go to the wrong place for help
1) Looking to their own strength or wisdom
2) Or that of other people
b. When they need to trust in God first – Proverbs 3:5-10; Matthew 6:33
III. THE ARRIVAL OF GOD’S MAN (Daniel 5:10-16)
A. THE ADVICE OF THE QUEEN…
1. The queen was likely the “queen mother”, for the wives were already present – Daniel 5:10-12; cf. 5:2
2. Note that the queen was not present at the banquet…
B. DANIEL BEFORE THE OFFENDER…
1. Twice the king says “I have heard of you” – Daniel 5:13-16
a. It sounds as though the king knew him only by reputation
b. He evidently had not made much effort to know Daniel prior to this event
2. People in the world are not much different
a. They make little effort to get to know the people of God
b. But in times of sickness, trials, and death, where do they turn? To the church, of course
IV. THE INDICTMENT (Daniel 5:17-24)
A. DANIEL REJECTS THE KING’S REWARD…
1. At this point the character of Daniel really shines – Daniel 5:17
2. Unlike many, who teach only if given gifts (or “love offerings”)
3. Daniel gladly tells the true for free
B. DANIEL RECOUNTS A LESSON FROM HISTORY…
1. The lesson from Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream is recounted – Daniel 5:18-21
2. We would do well to learn from history
a. Those who ignore history, are doomed to repeat it
b. This is especially true with inspired history!
C. DANIEL REBUKES THE KING…
1. Belshazzar did not learn from his father’s experience – Daniel 5:22-24
a. He exalted himself, when he should have glorified God
b. This handwriting on the wall was sent
2. When will people learn from history?
a. Should we not learn from the pride of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus?
b. Should we not learn from the murmuring of the Israelites in the wilderness?
3. Indeed, inspired history was written for our learning! – Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11
V. THE SENTENCE AND EXECUTION (Daniel 5:25-31)
A. THE HAND WRITING ON THE WALL EXPLAINED…
1. What was meant by: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” – Daniel 5:25-28
a. Mene – God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it
b. Tekel – You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting
c. Peres (Upharsin) – Your kingdom has been divided, given to the Medes and Persians
d. The message of Daniel’s interpretation is that Belshazzar’s kingdom had been numbered for destruction. The king himself is weighed and found wanting. The kingdom was to be taken away and given to the Medes and the Persians.
B. A THIRD OF NOTHING…
1. Belshazzar is true to his promise – Daniel 5:29
2. But as we will soon see, what he gave Daniel was a “third of nothing”
C. “THIS NIGHT YOUR SOUL WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU…”
1. How quickly the proud and boastful can fall, despite power and wealth – Daniel 5:30-31
a. Herodotus indicates that Babylon fell as a consequence of the diverting of the waters of the Euphrates, allowing the enemy to enter under the city walls
b. Other sources explain it as the result of treason and subterfuge from within, resulting in the opening of the gates to the conquering armies
2. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ story of the rich fool – Luke 12:15-21
a. Boasting one day
b. Dead the next
Conclusion
1. The announcement of doom in this story was provoked in part because…
a. The king misused and abused some pieces of metal
b. These pieces of metal were God’s pieces of metal
c. For such disregard of what belonged to God, a kingdom would be buried!
2. Remember that we are the temple of God today – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
a. If God did not view lightly the misuse of His vessels then…
b. Will He be casual about the impenitent abuse of His church today?
3. Just as He destroyed the one who defiled His temple of old, so He will destroy those who defile His temple (i.e., the church) today!
Let’s not wait for “The Hand Writing On The Wall” to tell us it is too late, that judgment has been passed and the sentence is final.
Let’s instead heed “The Hand That Wrote On The Ground” (i.e., Jesus, John 8:6, 8), while there is still time for mercy and forgiveness!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Lost
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(Are the Lost Really Lost?)
Introduction
1. Seemingly absent in many churches and among Christians today is a strong concern for the lost
a. Manifested by lack of personal evangelism
b. Evidenced by failure to actively support foreign evangelism
2. It is as though many have adopted the doctrine of universalism
a. That many, if not all, people will ultimately be saved
b. That all sincere people, no matter their religion, will go to heaven
3. We must remember that the Lost really are lost
Body
I. AS PROCLAIMED BY JESUS
A. IN HIS SERMON ON THE MOUNT
1. Jesus spoke of the reality of hell — Matthew 5:22, 29-30
2. He warned that few will find the way that leads to life – Matthew 7:13-14
3. Even many religious people who believe in Him will find themselves lost – Matthew 7:21-23
B. IN HIS PARABLES
1. Warning that many in His kingdom will be lost – Matthew 13:41-43
2. Speaking of the separation of the wicked from the just – Matthew 13:49-50
C. IN HIS GREAT COMMISSION
1. Commanding His apostles to preach of salvation and condemnation – Mark 16:15-16
2. Requiring that repentance be preached in His name to all nations – Luke 24:46-47
II. AS PROCLAIMED BY HIS APOSTLES
A. PETER
1. Calling on the need to repent – Acts 3:19
2. Claiming salvation only in the name of Jesus – Acts 4:10-12
3. Who wrote of judgment and the scarcity of salvation – 1 Peter 4:17-18
4. Who described the fiery judgment of the ungodly, thus the need for repentance – 2 Peter 3:7-12
B. PAUL
1. Who also preached of judgment, and the need for all to repent – Acts 17:30-31
2. Who wrote of God’s wrath, the need for mercy, and the judgment to come – 2 Corinthians 5:10
3. Who warned of the end of those who do not obey the gospel – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
C. JOHN
1. Who wrote that eternal life is only in the Son (Jesus) – 1 John 5:11-13
2. Who taught that we must abide in the doctrine of Christ to have God – 2 John 1:9
3. Who foresaw the judgment and the terrible end of the wicked – Revelation 21:8
Conclusion
1. Certainly the gospel of Christ is not all “fire, hell, and damnation”…
a. It is good news of God’s grace, love, and mercy to sinners – 1 Timothy 2:3-6
b. Whatever delay there may seem to be regarding the Lord’s return is due to God’s desire that all be saved – 2 Peter 3:9
2. But neither is the gospel of Christ a doctrine of universal salvation
a. In which a benign God accepts everyone as they are with no need to repent
b. In which there is no compelling need to share the gospel of salvation to others
3. If we are to be properly motivated to save others, we need to be moved not only by the love of Christ, but also by a proper understanding that the lost are lost
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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