Daniel’s Authority

1. Daniel’s Authority Daniel 1

2. Daniel: The Keys to God’s Plan

3. The Babylonian Kingdom in Daniel’s Time Iraq

4. The Babylonian Kingdom in Daniel’s Time

5. Battle of Carchamesh Temple Sacked! 605 BC

6. Where is ‘Yahweh’ ? To King David: Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” 2 Samuel 7:16 Marduk Mars

7. Where is ‘Yahweh’ ? ‘Eternal!’

8. Where is ‘Yahweh’ ? ‘Eternal!’ To King David: Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” 2 Samuel 7:16

9. ‘American Empire’ The Newest‘Forever-Kingdom’

10. ‘American Empire’ The Newest‘Forever-Kingdom’

11. The Weak Empires • 1 John 2:17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is dying…

12. The Weak Empires • 1 John 2:17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is dying…

13. A Savage Kosmos

14. The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace…” Daniel 1:3-4 • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Taken by Force • To Be Babylonian Rulers Daniel Gains Authority

15. Daniel 1:4-7 “…Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Taken by Force • To Be Babylonian Rulers • Indoctrinated Daniel Gains Authority

16. Daniel 1:4-7 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. . • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Taken by Force • To Be Babylonian Rulers • Indoctrinated • Bribed • Intimidated / Persecuted Daniel Gains Authority

17. Daniel 1:4-7 …The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiahwas called Shadrach. Mishaelwas called Meshach. Azariahwas called Abednego • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Taken by Force • To Be Babylonian Rulers • Indoctrinated • Bribed • Intimidated / Persecuted • New Identities Daniel Gains Authority

18. Daniel 1:8-10 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Works & Goes to ‘School’ Daniel Gains Authority

19. Daniel 1:8-10 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Works & Goes to ‘School’ • Respectfully Refuses Bribes Daniel Gains Authority

20. Daniel 1:9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials… • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Gains Godly Authority • Granted By God Daniel Gains Authority

21. Daniel 1:9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials… • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Gains Godly Authority • Granted By God • By “Favor & Compassion” Daniel Gains Authority

22. Daniel 1:10 the commander of the officials said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king…you would make me forfeit my head!" … • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Gains Godly Authority • Granted By God • By “Favor & Compassion” • Unafraid: a “Bigger Boss” ‘The Freedom of TRUTH’ “TRUTH will set you free.” John 8:32 Daniel Gains Authority

23. Daniel 1:12-13 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Gains Godly Authority • Granted By God • By “Favor & Compassion” • Unafraid: a “Bigger Boss” • Wise, Practical, Useful Daniel Gains Authority

24. Daniel 1:15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. • Groomed For ‘Leadership’ • Respectful Non-Conformist • Gains Godly Authority • Wildly Successful! • “God Invades Babylon” Daniel Gains Authority

25. God Confronts a Savage World The mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 …all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (Hebrews 2:14-15) “They were all in love with dying”

26. God Confronts a Savage World Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

27. God Confronts a Savage World Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

28. God Confronts a Savage World Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; Authority By Character

29. God Confronts the Savage World And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; Revelation 14:6

30. Can you: Be Different? Be Willing to Sacrifice? Disregard immediate reward? • Need to communicate: • The Pressures: • Indoctrination, domination, intimidation, bribery, conformity, persecution, discomfort. • I.e., submit to this authority. • The Path of Non-Conformity • The prisoner who takes Babylon captive. • Respectful, must be above reproach. • Answers to a different authority. • Is not subject to the same rules. • Lived in freedom wherever he went. • No way to dominate Daniel. • Determined at a young age. • Thus: everyone else melted away, Daniel & Co. stands strong today.