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Subject: Dan. Chap. 5 vss.24-31 Post #28 Author: Hillbilly [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 15:41:28 10/25/09 Sun Daniel 5:24-31 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. Daniel's final words to Belshazzar were words of judgment. The letters written on the wall drew a mental image of a pair of balances with Belshazzar and his kingdom being weighed against righteousness. Belshazzar was sadly lacking as there was no weight of righteousness in him. The words of the writing are interpreted for us and there is nothing left to guess. God had found Babylon and Belshazzar wanting. His and Babylon's time had run out and the kingdom was divided and given over to the Medes and the Persians. The words are translated from the Aramaic but I would assume they were originally in Chaldean as that was the language of the Babylonians. Mene is a unit of weight and according to my concordance was about 50-60 shekels of weight. Harpers Bible Dictionary gives the shekel as equal to approximately 1/2 oz. I suspect that the reason mene is used twice is due to the judgment on Babylon as a nation and also the judgment on Belshazzar. Both were being weighed in the balances. Tekel means to be weighed. and Upharsin/Peres means divided. In the ancient language of the Chaldean there were no vowels. All letters were consonants and the vowels would be understood. When Upharsin/Peres was written it appeared as PRS or the equivalent in cuneiform. Upharsin was plural and Peres was singular. We must remember that it was the Spirit of God that was interpreting the meaning of the writing on the wall and not Daniel. Daniel could not have known all the implications of the writing no more than any other man could have. While the PRS stood for Peres and divided it also would have been the way Persia would have been written. In the cryptic letters that appeared the message was given that Belshazzar and Babylon had been weighed in the scales and Belshazzar had been found wanting. He and his kingdom were finished and the kingdom was to be divided. and given to the Medes and the Persians. This was the reason for the word divided. Media/Persia was a dual kingdom with two kings. Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian. According to Oliver Greene it was Cyrus who actually captured Babylon under the name and authority of Darius. Of the two kings Cyrus was the most important scripturally. Cyrus was named by name by God through the prophet Isaiah more than 150 yrs. before the fall of Babylon at his hand. Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. Isaiah 45:1-6 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. At the time that Daniel was telling Belshazzar of his fate Cyrus and his armies had laid siege to Babylon. Babylon was a supposedly impregnable city of huge walls and surrounded by moats. The Euphrates river flowed through the city through two huge gates that let the water through but kept invaders out. Cyrus, knowing the impossibility of attacking the walls, devised a plan to dig a channel upstream to the Euphrates river and then divert the river so as to dry the river bed through Babylon. As Belshazzar partied and reveled the army of Cyrus carried out the plan. Not only was the river dried but the gates were found to be unlocked and the armies entered Babylon while the unsuspecting guards carelessly paid little or no attention to what was going on. Thus the Word of God was fulfilled on Belshazzar that very night. In looking at the prophecy in Isaiah notice how detailed it is and remember this prophecy was given to Isaiah more than 100 years before Cyrus was even born. Cyrus was the king who decreed the return of the Jews from their captivity and decreed the rebuilding of the Temple and Jerusalem. He is known as Artaxerxes in Ezra. This is the context of Isaiah 44:28. In verse 1 of chapter 45 notice the loins of kings loosed. Belshazzar's loins were loosed to the point his knees knocked together. Also in verse 1 you have the "two leaved gates" which were the gates in the water of the Euphrates that kept anyone from entering by way of the river. One was at the upstream opening of cities walls and the other was at the exit end of the Euphrates as it left the city. The armies of Cyrus entered at both points when the Euphrates dried from having it's water diverted through the canal Cyrus' army dug. In verse 2 the further reference to gates and bars refers to the other gates to the city that the armies were able to open once entrance to the city was gained. This allowed the invaders to flood into the city from several points and the city fell quickly. Daniel was given the very temporary honor of being third ruler in the kingdom. The honor would last for only a few hours as the invader was already entering the city. The lesson is unmistakable. Armies and fortifications mean nothing to God. Look at the little nation of Israel and how time after time God delivered her against overwhelming odds. Numbers and technical superiority mean nothing to God. It was child's play for God to place in the mind and heart for Cyrus to do exactly what he did in order to be victorious. Nations today often think they are invincible and invulnerable but God doesn't work by man's rules. Just as God brought down Belshazzar and Babylon, God can bring down any nation of His choosing today. Look at how fast we as a mighty and invincible nation have been brought to a state of visible weakness. Can our fall and ruin be just a short time in the future? Is the hand writing on the wall? Has God weighed us and found us wanting.? Are our days numbered? Are we to be divided? The answer is yes if we don't repent and call on God to forgive us and deliver us. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: God has been showing us our folly for a few years now Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:54:51 10/26/09 Mon People aren't paying attention. I think He will be getting our attention in the very very near future.

[> [> Subject: To tell the truth Dori Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:52:44 10/27/09 Tue God has my attention now on this matter. The judgment has started.

[> Subject: Hillbilly/Dori Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:13:06 10/27/09 Tue 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me. For some reason every time God makes that declaration thruout the Bible it moves my spirit. I can just feel the power and truth in it. As for our days being numbered, God has indeed weighed the U.S.A and found it wanting and sliding down the slope of deviancy more and more rapidly. As I'm sure you know, the U.S.A. is not a powerful country in the last days and is not even mentioned as one in the Bible. Sadly, that decline has already started and very few people are paying attention.

[> [> Subject: Dori/Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:16:27 10/27/09 Tue Dori: Remember that study "The Jews in Prophecy?" Such an excellent study and lays everything out very clearly. Hillbilly: I don't know if you've ever read it or not. I would love to get your opinion and comments on it. Don't know who did the research and wrote it but I am very impressed by it.

[> [> Subject: Jews in Prophecy Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:06:53 10/27/09 Tue Connie it seems like I did read it and if memory serves correctly I agreed with it. The Bible is clear as to the dispersion of the Jews, their tribulations and finally their restoration. Jerusalem will be the capitol of the world during the Millennial reign and the Israel will be the #1 nation. The will recover all the borders that God promised them and it will reach a great distance into Jordan. The Church will rule and reign with Christ during this time.

[> [> [> Subject: Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:48:03 10/28/09 Wed As I understand it, Daniel speaks of 70 weeks of God's judgment againt Israel. 69 weeks were fulfilled before the birth of Jesus. His birth ushered in the "church age" and when He raptures the "church" then the 70th and final week begins and is the worst and most horrifying of God's judgments against Israel (and all mankind) until Christ Himself returns to save what's left and begin the Millenium.

[> [> [> [> Subject: Connie, On The 70 weeks Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:35:14 10/28/09 Wed The 69th week ends with Jesus entry into Jerusalem. He is "cut off" after the 69th week. Bishop Ussher worked out the finish of the 69th week to the day with the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. I will try to get all this information together when we get to Daniel chapter 9 in the study. It is worked out using the old Jewish calendar of 360 days and not 365 of the Julian Calendar. As to the Church age it actually started with the resurrection of Jesus. While many use the birth of Jesus as the starting point to count down to the tribulation and advent I believe this to be in error. This is why the yr. 2000 was erroneously looked on as the time for the return of Jesus. The greatest event in History was not His birth but His death on the cross. The way of salvation was not complete for anyone until that sacrifice was made. That is why it is written in Hebrews 10:4 that the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sin. You can find the first members in the New Testament Church in John 20:19-22. The mark of the New Testament Church is the indwelling Spirit of God in each Christian uniting us to God through the Spirit. John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Until Jesus was glorified (in His resurrection) the indwelling spirit (John 14:17)was not given. It came and went but to the Christian it now abides in us until our resurrection. (John 14:23 with 1 Jn.4:13-15)

[> [> [> [> Subject: Fascinating! It's all I can say Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 23:19:41 10/28/09 Wed Really enjoying the study AND the extra discussion on it. Thanks, you two. xoxo

[> [> [> [> Subject: Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:41:00 10/29/09 Thu John 20: 19-22 22. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. I'm having trouble understanding verse 23 and what it means. Can you clarify (well, dumb me, of course you can) so I'll change it to please clarify....giggle!

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Sins remitted and sins retained Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:51:09 10/29/09 Thu I believe this is speaking of the special apostolic powers granted to all the apostles after the resurrection. They did not have this power before the resurrection and this gift did not include Judas. Paul comes under this special grant of power and also probably Matthias (Acts 1:26) Consider this with Paul: 1 Timothy 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Consider Peter: Acts 5:1-10 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. In either case Paul nor Peter tried to intercede with God for these guilty parties. I believe it is very possible that had Peter asked God to spare them He would have but God was working through Peter. God was working through Paul to deliver the two transgressors to Satan. In a similar case with Paul as Peter we see this power working again in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. There were special powers granted to the Apostles that died out with the Apostles. God deemed it necessary for the establishing and building of the Church. They had the authority to act on the spot withtout the need to pray about it.(Not that they didn't) One other thing is the Apostles were so close to Jesus, especially Peter, James and John along with Paul that they had the mind of Christ in a special way.(1 Cor. 2:16) Hope this helps.

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: It helped ME... grin Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:09:21 10/29/09 Thu Tanks, HB!

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Clarified Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:14:43 10/30/09 Fri Thanks Hillbilly. I understand it now.

[> [> Subject: Connie and HB Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:30:39 10/27/09 Tue Yes, Connie, I remember that. Do you still have the link? Hillbilly, will Israel be destroyed before it becomes the #1 nation?

[> [> [> Subject: For all practical purposes yes Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:54:45 10/28/09 Wed She will lose her sovereignty for a short period of time. During the reign of the anti-Christ Israel will come under the power of the anti-Christ except for the remnant which will flee under the protection of God. They will flee to Petra or in that vicinity. God will protect them from annihilation and then destroy the invaders. It will be Israel's darkest hour.

[> [> [> Subject: Dori Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:42:25 10/28/09 Wed I don't have a link. I copied the whole thing into a Word document. Don't know if I can post a link to it here or send you a link. Have to check that out.