Jesus in The Old Testament, Daniel

Jesus in the Book of Daniel

We are searching out the Old Testament, in light of this Statement of Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me,"

We have come to another Book of Prophecy called the Book of Daniel. Many feel that this is one of the most important Books in the entire Word of God. It introduces us to the realm of New Testament Prophecy. Like Ezekiel, the Author was just a Child during the Captivity of God's Chosen People.

He would introduce us to ''the time of the Gentiles.'' A completely new, and until this, unthought of, new Era in God's Redemptive Plan. One of the things I learned and found fascinating when Studying this is that from Verse 4 of Chapter 2 to the close of Chapter 7, the original Writing was not in Hebrew but in Chaldean, the language of Babylon. It is like God was telling us in advance that all the Kingdoms of the world would read His Word in their own Language.

The Book of Daniel has two major divisions. Historical, Chapters 1 - 6, and then Prophetical, Chapters 7 - 12. Be careful though, even the Historical parts contain Prophecy. Let's jump in here to Daniel Chapter 2.

Now we see that Daniel is in Captivity and at this time the King, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that disturbed him greatly and he could not find anyone to Interprete the dream. Daniel was shown the Message of the dream by God and went to told the King. Daniel 2:47-48

"Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon."

So how do we go from this to the Furnace? King Nebuchadnezzar had made an image of Gold, and set it up on the plain of Dura, in the Province of Babylon. Most likely of Himself. At the Dedication of the Golden Image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, the Herald proclaimed aloud

“You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:4-6

When all heard the sound of the Music, all fell down and Worshiped the Golden Image. Of course, the Jews, or God's Chosen People, would never do this. Certain Chaldeans came forward and informed the King this.

"O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Daniel 3:8-12

The King even gave them a chance. He asked if the allegations were true, then even gave them another chance and in essence, said "Look. This is my decree, if you do this, all is good. If not, I will have no choice but to follow through with the Comand that those who do not will be cast into the Furnace. They responded to the King this way.

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

King Nebuchadnezzar was so angry with their insubordination and what he perceived to be disrespect, that not only did he order them bound and cast into the Furnace, he commanded that the Furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. He wanted nothing left of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were bound and thrown into the Furnace. The fire was so hot that it actually killed the Men that took Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up to be thrown in.

"Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them." Daniel 3:24-27

Notice this as a bit of a side note. Outside there were Three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Inside there were Four, and outside there were Three again. Jesus never manifests Himself except inside the Firery Furnace, at the very moment when He was needed the most. When we come to the Firery Furnaces of Life, we may go in alone, however, if you are a Child of God, Jesus will be there waiting for you. 

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Can you imagine this? They were cast to certain death and yet Jesus showed up and said: "Nah, not today." Not even the smell of Smoke was on them. Remember, this Furnace was so hot it killed those that brought them up to throw them in. Yet because Jesus was there, no harm came to them. Notice this also. Why? For the Praise and Glory of God. Look what happens right after this. 

"Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon."

God received the Glory. It was not for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. No, it was for the Glory of God to be made known. Sometimes when we go through the Storms, Tests, Trials, of Life, it may not have anything to do with us at all, but for the very Glory of God. Think about that.

Look at this in Chapter 7. There can be no denying what Daniel sees here is the Return of Christ,

"As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened." Daniel 7:9-10

Then look at this.

"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." Daniel 7:13-14

Now look at Revelation 5:1-7

"Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne."

In Daniel 9, he foretells the death of Messiah, the Prince. {24-27} Then we see that the Lord Jesus Himself quoted from the book of Daniel {Matthew 24:14,15,30, Luke 21:24-27, Mathew 26:63,64}. He used the prophecy of Daniel, about the coming of the Son of Man in Clouds of Heaven, as proof of His Messiahship and Deity. There is no doubt.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!