Walvoord writes that “the controversy over Belshazzar....has become one of the most complicated problems in the entire book.” Walvoord quotes Bible critics James A. Montgomery as saying the story of Belshazzar is “unhistorical” and also H. H. Rowley arguing that calling Belshazzar a king “must still be pronounced a grave historical error.”[1]
The problem with the critics is that Belshazzar is not mentioned by the ancient writers such as Herodotus (484 – 425 BC). Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who became known as “The Father of History.” When the “Father of History” does not mention Belshazzar, the critics as usual jump to the conclusion that Daniel has historical errors. Daniel five fits the theme of Daniel.
Read moreNebuchadnezzar learned the hard way Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” But he also learned the hard way that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted” spoken by Jesus in Matt. 23:12.
Nebuchadnezzar was born into royalty. His father was king. He was the heir apparent. He was like the 5 or 6 year boy who arrived with his mother at the dentist’s office. This little 5 or 6 year old didn’t want to be there. He kind a strutted in, though, like he owned the place. The dentist introduced himself and could immediately tell this kid was used to calling the shots and he wasn’t very happy.
Read moreWalvoord writes that “the controversy over Belshazzar....has become one of the most complicated problems in the entire book. Walvoord quotes Bible critics James A. Montgomery as saying the story of Belshazzar is “unhistorical” and also H. H. Rowley arguing that calling Belshazzar a king “must still be pronounced a grave historical error.”[1]
The problem with the critics is that Belshazzar is not mentioned by the ancient writers such as Herodotus ( 484 – c. 425 BC). Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who became known as “The Father of History.” When the “Father of History” does not mention Belshazzar, the critics as usual jump to the conclusion that Daniel has historical errors.
Read moreGod is not only Sovereign but He is Wise. Many human dictators have been sovereign and powerful but not wise. Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, and present day president of China, Xi Jinping.
The Guardian in London reports, "China has released new morality guidelines for its citizens on everything from how parents should teach their children, to sorting their garbage, and the appropriate etiquette for raising the national flag." This is called a totalitarian regime, where the government or in this case Xi Jinping totally controls your life, even how you raise a flag in your front yard, and even more importantly what you believe.
The Chinese governments uses modern, hyper-modern surveillance, including facial recognition technologies, to enforce these rules and crush churches and underground believers. Citizens of China are now told that it is morally right to honor Xi Jinping, to believe in him, and to have faith in him, and it is morally wrong not to. These citizens are not allowed to believe in God.
Sovereignty and Godly Wisdom do not always go together in humans but they do perfectly come together in our great God. Here is how Daniel developed the theme of the sovereignty of God:
Read moreThe movie “God’s Not Dead” is a realistic portrayal of college students who are not permitted to voice their belief in God on secular campuses. In the movie the atheistic philosophy teacher demanded on the first day of class that each of the 80 student write three words on a sheet of paper: God is Dead. One student, Josh Wheaton, who was a Christian refused and was ridiculed by his teacher for the rest of the semester.
The persecution on university campus is so widespread, that The Alliance Defending Freedom ministry actually comes to the legal defense of Christian students. The Alliance Defending Freedom has won nine Supreme Court cases in the seven years.
The theme of Daniel is God’s sovereignty even in the worst of times of persecution and even in times of chastening which was the case of Israel. God’s sovereignty encouraged the returning captives to Israel, later Jews in the Maccabean persecutions, and finally, all future suffering believers (Hebrews 11:33).
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