"Hanging Gardens of Babylon"
Hanging Gardens of Babylon' probably 19th century after the first excavations in the Assyrian capitals
Right now you must be wondering why this graphic with this topic. But they came together in today's Sunday School lesson. The study came from Jeremy C. Higle, "Standing Strong in an Unstable World." If that isn't an apt title for todays world, you haven't been paying attention to political speeches or gasoline prices.
World War II was certainly a worse crisis - but that was similar to the world Daniel was born into. In a class society, he would have been an authority in Judea, but in Babylon he was in a unique position. The Babylonian king decreed:
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. (Daniel 1:3-4)
We are not given parent names for Daniel and the three other young men who consistently served the Lord their God in spite of local customs and regal commands. They continued the way of life that lead Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and his twelve sons that eventually became a nation, always with God in mind. That way included the belief they were to obey the Lord their God. It was done from Joseph through Moses, from Judges through kingdoms. Under good leaderships their land not only flourished, but their God became known further and further away.
That was one of their God's goals. Israel was to be the example to others in a long term situation where good and evil met and mixed. Paul wrote about that:
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:2-6)
God has, in His own time and place, chosen specific people to accomplish specific goals. Daniel's book isn't very long, though he lived to be elderly, and also lived as a high athority through multiple rulers of different kingdoms. The story is different, and the location, but is similar to that of Joseph in Egypt. Win the confidence of the ruler and one becomes a strong government authority.
The story of Daniel's initial encounter with authority was responding to a sentence of death in
Chapter 2. Chapter 1 was focusing on how Daniel and his friends purposed in their hearts (
Daniel 1:8-21) not to eat of the king's meat nor drink the wine. The meat would have come from sacrifices to local gods, or even to the king as a god. The wine would slow their minds down at a time they needed to focus on staying alive.
How does that relate to Christianity? Well, Jesus left us with a command that was very clear:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
I believe the Bible to be God's inspired words to teach us what He wants us to know. If you read Daniel and Revelation, you'll find there are things told Daniel and John that they could not write down. There are so many that we were not before, nor even now, given answers. That's why faith is a necessity.
The Bible has millenia of examples of God's grace to mankind and to individuals. I have specific answers to prayers that had to have come through God's planning. I am so hesitate to go into any of them, but have told the story of meeting Beloved Husband. But -- I don't write this to convince any reader because of my life. The Bible has better examples of answered prayers. However, it also has the answer to: Is there life after death. And - the answer is yes.
The word gospel comes from Greek. See Strongs G2098 or G2097:
εὐαγγέλιον euaggelion yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on
From the same as G2097; a good message, that is, the gospel: - gospel.
εὐαγγελίζω euaggelizō yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zoFrom G2095 and G32; to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).
Do you get the "evangelize" right there in the middle? Yes. Christians are evangelicals. I know - your chuirch denomination may or may not frown on that label, but that is exactly what we are told to do. As a professing Christian I have a command to tell people that Jesus of the Bible is the promised Messiah of the Jews. In Greek, Messiah is Christ. Christians are followers of Christ. Jesus died - no doubt about that - on a cross. The story does not end there. That next Sunday He rose. Paul wrote with logic:
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:13-20)
Because Christ is risen, what He promised is true:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:1-3)
Daniel made the best of a very bad situation. He determined what God would want him to do, and he did it. Believe me, he had God's help, just as we do. Get to know what can be done. Even from the cross to a dying thief:
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
