OPEN BIBLES TO Daniel 5 & 1 Corinthians 1.26
1. Leaders come and go.
a. Even though they are confident that their reign will last forever, it doesn’t. EVER. NEVER. Leaders, they come & go.
Psalm 75.7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.
FOR SURE: Nebuchadnezzar was that kind of guy. I’ll rule forever!
• Bow down to my image. Look at my gardens.
• My kingdom, My reign, My life… will last forever.
• THOSE WERE FAMOUS LAST WORDS!
• But it didn’t. He passed on. AND History tells us that he died on October 7, 562 BC. He lived a wild life… ups & downs.
• But I believe we’ll meet Nebuchadnezzar in heaven… one of the many UNREACHABLES that God REACHED in a BIG WAY!
NOW for about 6 years after his death there was a vicious fight going on for the rule of the Babylonian Kingdom.
• Assassinations. Conspiracies. Secret Plots.
• Finally, a king named Nabonidus came to power.
• His son was Belshazzer whom we meet today.
• He was left in control of Babylon while his dad was off in Arabia
I. (5:1-4) A WILD PARTY
1. (1) A Big Party
a. Belshazzar has an idea: Dad’s out of town so let’s call all the nobles together and party.
b. We’ll drink a lot. And we’ll make a lot of stupid decisions!
2. (2-4) Serious Mistakes.
a. Of course, we’ve studied this in depth before, but alcohol causes so many problems & sorrows.
b. Estimated that Americans spend $33 Billion a year on alcohol
c. For every person addicted to heroin, there are 15 hardcore alcoholics in our nation.
d. It’s a problem now just like it was a problem then.
The alcohol in Belshazzar’s system caused him to defy God!
• He took the vessels (v2) that Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple when Jerusalem was conquered.
• They were sacred & holy & set apart to honor & serve God!
• We never read of Nebuchadnezzar defiling them, and Belshazzar grew up in that environment. He knew better.
BUT HE decides to call for them & use them in this drunken orgy.
• He’s showing everybody in Babylon that they’re nothing.
• And that he has no respect for the God which they represent!
• And we see… in v4, they used them and enjoyed them!
Why? Why is he doing this? I mean I understand that he wants to party and that he likes to drink, and that can alter his thinking.
• But why? Why do people make these kinds of bad decisions?
• Blindness. He doesn’t really see that it’s wrong.
• He’s spiritually blind and acting like it!
NOTE: There’s a great contrast between the great & gracious God of the universe who loves man and uses man…
• And the god of this age, Satan who is hateful and hurtful and instead of using man, he abuses man, horribly.
• Let’s turn first to 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
• Then flip to 2 Corinthians 4.3-4 and now to John 9.25!
APP: And so If I’m blinded, and I don’t see God at the pinnacle of my life, then my value system is in need of change & adjustment!
• The problem is that I don’t know… LISTEN CAREFULLY.
• If you’re here today and you’re partially or completely blind when it comes to spiritual things, you don’t’ see their value.
• The message from God’s Word doesn’t really click with you.
• You’re not really moved by music, or songs that speak of loving God, sacrificing your life, it’s not hitting home.
• If that’s you… understand, God loves you and is trying through all of these to penetrate your heart and mind.
• And believers, what we need to do is NOT POINT the finger, but BOW THE KNEE to reach those around us that don’t know.
• We were all there, all of us. But God moved then and He’s still moving today!
II. (5:5-9) A WILD WRITING
1. (5-6) God Crashes the Party!
a. He just shows up. He begins to write on the wall. WOW!
b. This really messed up Belshazzar’s mind! He’s messed up.
c. He’s mentally astonished. He’s physically drained!
d. Reality is setting in, he’s sobered up immediately!
NOW there IS something interesting going on outside the large and ominous walls of Babylon during this party.
• Four months before Babylon fell, the Medes & Persians had attacked & conquered most of the surrounding cities & villages.
• Many believe the 1000 Lords & Nobles here in Babylon partying were there because they left their posts and were in retreat!
• When the going gets tough, these guys got going!
• Babylon was also sitting on enough food to last 20 years.
• The Euphrates River flowed right through the city so they had a constant continual supply of water. Let’s Party. We’re safe!
YET… all during the feast, prophecy is being fulfilled. (Dan 2.36ff)
NOTE: The Medes & Persians were damming up the Euphrates, piling tons of dirt into it trying to shift the riverbed… re-channeling it.
• It would only be a matter of time before they conquer & rule!
• Reality sinks in with these fingers… it’s rocked this young, pompous co-ruler of Babylon.
SO WHY did his knees shake? He was guilty!
• If he was right with the Lord, these things would not have shook him so badly. But he was in sin, deep sin. And he knew!
• So he cries out to God, Help me. Save me… I need you! NO
• He calls out to his wise men.
2. (7-9) The Astonishment spreads.
a. Somebody, anybody, help me! Tell me what it says!
b. But his wise men were at a loss. They couldn’t read it!
c. And now they are astonished with the king.
NOW this was their chance. They could’ve REPENTED.
• Witness of God was no doubt flowing throughout the kingdom.
• Daniel was a leader. His friends were promoted.
• They were the talk of the town, their life of no compromise, the rewards of God on their behalf. His faithfulness. His reliability.
• But they don’t. They aren’t really interested in God.
NOTE: We see a great parallel in our own country.
• The writing is on the wall. The judgment of God is coming.
• A nation cannot eliminate God from every segment of society and still claim to be a “Christian Nation”.
• A nation cannot turn it’s back on God and still expect to receive the blessings of God.
• A nation cannot expel God from its schools, from it’s government, from it’s marketplace, and still enjoy His benefits.
NOW: Since 1960 until today, there has been a 560% increase in violent crime in the US.
• Abortions are every day occurrences. Divorces have doubled.
• 40% of all American births are out of wedlock.
• Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing at astronomical rates.
• The results of a nation leaving God.
• The handwriting is on the wall for our nation!
• If you’re still not convinced, consider this…
In 1940, teachers reported the worst problems in our public schools as being these: #1 - talking out of turn; #2 - chewing gum; #3 - making noise; #4 - running in hallways; #5 - cutting in line; #6 - dress code infractions; and #7 - littering.
BUT BY 1990 the list changed in dramatic fashion. ,Teachers identified the following problems as being most significant: #1 - drug abuse; #2 - alcohol abuse; #3 – teen pregnancy; #4 - suicide; #5 - rape; #6 - robbery; and #7 - assault. SOURCE: www.somebodycares.org
2 Chronicles 7.14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
And so Belshazzar and his trusted advisors are literally shaking before the handwriting that is on the wall above them.
• Blown away and Baffled.
III. (5:10-16) A FAITHFUL QUEEN
1. (10-16) Daniel’s Not there
a. We notice that Daniel was NOT at this feast.
b. We wouldn’t expect him to attend would we?
c. He wasn’t there, but he becomes the most honored guest!
NOTE: I’m sure this came as an answer to prayer for Daniel.
• How many times had he prayed for an audience with Belshazzar?
• He saw the hand of God in Nebuchadnezzar’s life and I’m sure his constant prayers included an open door with this young king.
1 Peter 3.12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."
NOTE: Belshazzar represents so many people living today.
• They really don’t care what you have to say or want to hear about God… until something huge happens! Then they’re ready.
• That’s why we have so many exhortations to be ready.
2 Timothy 2.15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 4.2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Titus 3.1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
1 Peter 3.15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
NOTE: I believe God has seasons for certain people, golden opportunities, for them to receive.
• You know people who don’t want to listen to you but something happens as they walk down life’s road.
• And ALL OF A SUDDEN they are very interested.
• That’s your cue. Share. Care. Love. Then Share.
IV. (5:17-31) INTERPRETATION & FALL
2. (17-24) Daniel Answers
a. Well, you know when you call for a man like Daniel, you better expect a sermon from him!
b. He’s going to tell him the truth, the whole truth!
c. V17 – I don’t want your gifts or rewards.
d. That’s now why I’m here. I’m here for God!
e. You’re prideful. You’re selfish. You’re foolish!
f. Belshazzar, you have sinned against knowledge.
g. You knew better… And here comes the review.
First, you knew all about your grandfather, the whole testimony.
• It was a decree to the entire world and is commonly known!
• V22 – You have not humbled your heart even though you knew!
• WOW, what a charge. You knew and didn’t act on it!
NOTE: God holds people & nations accountable for what they know.
Luke 12.48 "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
• Jesus leveled the heaviest judgment against the towns that he lived in and grew up in because they knew!
• Turn to Matthew 11.20ff
AND our nation guys, it’s so blessed! Radio, TV, Satellite TV, Satellite Radio, books, magazines, pamphlets, internet.
• The churches, the camps, the conferences, the sermons.
• We are so blessed with freedom & protection!
• And for everyone listening to my voice right now, wherever you are in the room, or in Denver, or in the world.
• You know enough to get saved this moment. TO surrender your life your will your plans and received the forgiveness of sins!
NOTE: That’s why we’re using the radio as an outreach. It’s so powerful and penetrating. May God take back the airwaves!
AND… Belshazzar in his pride and drunkenness… v23
• You lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven.
• You defiled the vessels of God.
• You stumbled your family, your leaders, your kingdom!
• You’ve praised the false gods…
• And because God owns your breath, the fingers of the hand were sent specifically to YOU!
3. (25-30) Mene, Mene.
a. First MENE, MENE: Lit., numbered, numbered.
b. Belshezzar, your number is up! It’s time to give account.
c. NEXT TEKEL: Lit., weighed. You’ve been weighed and found wanting oh king.
d. You might think you’re somebody important but you’re not.
e. FINALLY UPHARSIN (PERES IS PLURAL FORM)
f. Lit. ‘divided or broken up’
g. Your kingdom is divided and its going to fall.
EVEN AS the writing was on the wall, the Medes & Persians were right outside the gates!
• A drunken Babylonian guard forgot to lock the gates!
• And as the Medes & Persians entered the city, the Babylonian Historical chronicles say that a special division ran straight for the upper platform where Belshazzar would have been sitting.
• It’s that very night, Babylon fell – October 13, 539 B.C.!
NOTE again v30, as Belshazzar fell, we know the kingdom was given over to a man named Darius the Mede.
• 200 years before this happened, God predicted it would be so!
• Turn back to Isaiah 45:1-2, v7, v9
Belshazzar’s own personal life was weighed in the balances, found to be wanting, and he lost it that very night.
There is a last night for everyone, a last breath, a last statement.
• All of us are weighed in God’s balances. Every day.
• What do scales reveal? What are our lives measuring up to be?
