Hillbilly Ten Commandments

Lesson 48: “The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord”

"Lesson 48: “The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord”," Old Testament: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2001), 225–29

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Zechariah 10–14; Malachi

Additional reading: Doctrine and Covenants 45.

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Purpose

To encourage class members to (1) prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, (2) pay an honest tithe and generous offerings, and (3) experience the blessings that come because of the sealing power of the priesthood.




?  How do we PREPARE?

Preparation

1. 1. Prayerfully study the passages from Zechariah 10–14 and Malachi that are discussed in this lesson.
   
2. 2. Additional reading: Doctrine and Covenants 45.
   
3. 3. You may want to write some of the scripture references from the first part of the lesson on separate pieces of paper to distribute to class members.
   
4. 4. If you use the attention activity, obtain the picture The Second Coming (62562; Gospel Art Picture Kit 238).
   
5. 5. Obtain a copy of the New Testament Class Member Study Guide (31392) for each person in your class. (The ward should have ordered these study guides as part of the annual curriculum order; a member of the bishopric should give them to the Sunday School presidency.)
   

Suggested Lesson Development

Attention Activity

You may want to use the following activity (or one of your own) to begin the lesson.

Show the picture The Second Coming. Then ask the following questions:

What feelings do you have when you hear words like Second Coming, last days, or signs of the times? The scriptures refer to the Second Coming as a “great and dreadful day” (Malachi 4:5). How can it be both?

5¶Behold, I will ^asend you ^bElijah the prophet ^cbefore the coming of the ^dgreat and dreadful ^eday of the Lord:
President Ezra Taft Benson said, “[The Savior’s] coming will be both glorious and terrible, depending on the spiritual condition of those who remain” (“Prepare Yourself for the Great Day of the Lord,” New Era, May 1982, 49).

?How can a day  be both great and dreadful?

Explain that this lesson includes discussions about (1) the prophecies that Zechariah and Malachi made about the last days and (2) our preparation for the Second Coming.

Scripture Discussion and Application

As you teach the following scripture passages, discuss how they apply to daily life. Encourage class members to share experiences that relate to the scriptural principles.

1. Zechariah and Malachi prophesy of many events of the last days.

Discuss some of the following prophecies from Zechariah and Malachi, which describe events of the last days. If you have prepared pieces of paper with the scripture references written on them, distribute them to class members. Have class members read each passage and tell what it teaches. If the passage gives information that can help us prepare for the Second Coming, discuss how we can apply it.

Prophecies that have been fulfilled in preparation for the Second Coming

? Who is the messenger who prepared the way for the Second Coming?

1. a. Malachi 3:1. Malachi prophesied that a messenger would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord’s mortal ministry, and Joseph Smith is the messenger who prepared the way for the Second Coming (see Matthew 11:10; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:193–95, 3:10–14).
   
   1Behold, I will ^asend my ^bmessenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly ^ccome to his ^dtemple, even the ^emessenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
   
   
   Matthew 11: 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my ^amessenger before thy face, which shall ^bprepare thy way before thee.
   
   
2. b. Malachi 4:5–6. Malachi prophesied that the prophet Elijah would return before the Second Coming to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. This prophecy was fulfilled when Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, restoring the keys of the sealing power (D&;C 110:13–16). Possible application: We should search out the names of our ancestors and perform ordinances for them in the temple (this is discussed in more detail later in the lesson).
   
   5  Behold, I will ^asend you ^bElijah the prophet ^cbefore the coming of the ^dgreat and dreadful ^eday of the Lord:  6And he shall ^aturn the ^bheart of the ^cfathers to the ^dchildren, and the heart of the ^echildren to their fathers, lest I come and ^fsmite the ^gearth with a ^hcurse.
3. 
   
   110: 13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious ^avision burst upon us; for ^bElijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
   14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come— 
   15 To ^aturn the ^bhearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
   16 Therefore, the ^akeys of this ^bdispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful ^cday of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

• Why is it helpful to know that some of the prophecies of the Second Coming have already been fulfilled?

Prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled before the Savior comes

1. a. Zechariah 10:6–8. The people of Judah and Joseph will be gathered, and the people of Ephraim will become mighty. The Lord will “hiss,” or call, for his people and gather them. Possible application: We can assist in this gathering by sharing the gospel with others.

6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will ^ahear them.

 7And they of ^aEphraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.

 8I will hiss for them, and ^agather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.

1. b. Zechariah 12:2–3, 8–9. A great war will be fought in and around Jerusalem, but the Lord will intervene and save the inhabitants of Jerusalem from destruction. Possible application: We should trust God to defend his people during the difficulties of the last days.

2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a ^acup of trembling unto all the ^bpeople round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be ^agathered together against it. . . . 

8 In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.

  9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to ^adestroy all the nations that come against ^bJerusalem.

1. c. Zechariah 14:8. Living waters will flow from the temple in Jerusalem and will heal the Dead Sea and the Judean wilderness (see also Ezekiel 47:1, 8–9).

8 And it shall be in that day, that ^aliving ^bwaters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Ezekiel

1Afterward he brought me again unto the ^adoor of the house; and, behold, ^bwaters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the ^chouse, at the south side of the altar.. . .

8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the ^asea: which being brought forth into the sea, the ^bwaters shall be healed. 

9And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

• Many of the prophecies of the last days include tragedies such as war, natural disasters, and widespread wickedness. How can we maintain hope when we hear of these prophecies and witness their fulfillment? (See D&C 38:28–30.)
  
  
  28And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your ^alives.
   29Ye hear of ^awars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.     UAdd a Note 
   30I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, ^atreasure up ^bwisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

Prophecies that will be fulfilled when the Savior comes

1. a. Zechariah 14:3–4. The Savior will stand on the Mount of Olives, and the mount will be divided in half (see also D&C 45:48).
   
2. b. Zechariah 12:10; 13:6. The Jewish people living at the time of Jerusalem’s deliverance will see Jesus Christ and will mourn because they as a people have rejected him as the Messiah (see also D&C 45:51–53).
   
3. c. Zechariah 13:2. False idols, unclean spirits, and false prophets will be destroyed.
   
4. d. Zechariah 14:5. The righteous who are alive on the earth will be caught up to meet the Savior. The righteous who have died will be resurrected and will also be caught up to meet him (see also D&C 88:96–98).
   
5. e. Zechariah 14:9. The Lord will be king over all the earth and will rule during the Millennium.
   
6. f. Zechariah 14:12–13; Malachi 3:13–18; 4:1–3. The wicked will be destroyed, and the righteous will be spared (see also 1 Nephi 22:15–17, 19).
   

• Why do you think the Lord has revealed these prophecies about the latter days, the Second Coming, and the Millennium? (See D&C 45:34–44.) How can we prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior? (See D&C 45:56–57.)
  President Ezra Taft Benson said: “As we live the commandments of God, we can look forward with joyful anticipation to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and know that through our efforts we are worthy, with our loved ones, to dwell in His presence for all eternity. Surely nothing is too hard to gain this great goal. We cannot let down for a moment. We must prove, every day of our lives, that we are willing to do the will of the Lord—to spread the restored gospel, to bear testimony to the world, to share the gospel with others” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 341).
• How does it help you to know that righteousness will eventually triumph over wickedness?

2. Malachi teaches about the blessings that come to those who pay tithes and offerings.

Teach and discuss Malachi 3:8–12. 

• How do people “rob God” by not paying tithes and offerings?
• What does it mean to pay a full tithe?
  The First Presidency has stated: “The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one-tenth of all their interest annually,’ which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this” (First Presidency letter, 19 Mar. 1970; see also D&C 119:1–4).
• What blessings has the Lord promised us if we pay tithing? (See Malachi 3:10–12.) How has the Lord blessed you as you have paid tithes and offerings?
• What should be our motivation for paying tithes and offerings?
  After referring to the blessings the Lord gives to tithe payers, President Gordon B. Hinckley said:
  “Now, do not get me wrong. I am not here to say that if you pay an honest tithing you will realize your dream of a fine house, a Rolls Royce, and a condominium in Hawaii. The Lord will open the windows of heaven according to our need, and not according to our greed. If we are paying tithing to get rich, we are doing it for the wrong reason. The basic purpose for tithing is to provide the Church with the means needed to carry on His work” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1982, 60; or Ensign, May 1982, 40).
• Why is it sometimes a challenge to obey the law of tithing? What can be done to overcome that challenge?

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Tithing Develops and Tests Our Faith

"Just over three months after the Martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, at the time the Saints were building the Nauvoo Temple, Brigham Young wrote on behalf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: 'Enter steadily and regularly upon a strict observance of the law of tithing, . . . : then come up to the House of the Lord, and be taught in his ways, and walk in his paths' (History of the Church, 7:282).

"The strict observance of the law of tithing not only qualifies us to receive the higher, saving ordinances of the temple, it allows us to receive them on behalf of our ancestors. When asked whether members of the Church could be baptized for the dead if they had not paid their tithing, President John Taylor, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, answered: 'A man who has not paid his tithing is unfit to be baptized for his dead. . . . If a man has not faith enough to attend to these little things, he has not faith enough to save himself and his friends' (History of the Church, 7:292-93).

"Tithing develops and tests our faith. By sacrificing to the Lord what we may think we need or want for ourselves, we learn to rely on Him. Our faith in Him makes it possible to keep temple covenants and receive eternal temple blessings. Pioneer Sarah Rich, wife of Charles C. Rich, wrote in her journal after leaving Nauvoo, 'Many were the blessings we had received in the House of the Lord, which [have] caused joy and comfort in the midst of all our sorrows, and enabled us to have faith in God, knowing He would guide us and sustain us in the unknown journey that lay before us' (journal of Sarah De Armon Pea Rich, Archives, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University [typescript], 42).

"Like the pioneers, the obedient payment of tithing fortifies our faith, and that faith sustains us through the trials, tribulations, and sorrows in our life's journey."

Robert D. Hales, "Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings," Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26-27

Topics: Tithes and Offerings 

 from:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=23bd6f3d78dd9110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=899649f6f4b7a110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&topic=Tithes%20and%20Offerings

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3. Malachi prophesies of Elijah’s return to the earth to restore the keys of the sealing power.

Teach and discuss Malachi 4:5–6.

• Malachi prophesied that the prophet Elijah would come to the earth before the Lord’s Second Coming (Malachi 4:6). How was this prophecy fulfilled? (See D&C 110:13–16. 3 April 1836--  Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple and restored to Joseph Smith the keys of the sealing power.) What does it mean to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers”? (It means to be sealed to all our ancestors—our “fathers”—and to all our posterity—our “children”—forever. Because of the sealing power of the priesthood and the temple ordinances for the living and the dead, families can be bound together for eternity.)
• How have you felt your heart turn to your ancestors as you have done family history and temple work for them? How do the promises of temple covenants turn your heart to your parents, spouse, and children?
• The message in Malachi 4:5–6 is taught in each of the standard works (Luke 1:17; 3 Nephi 25:5–6; D&C 2:1–3; Joseph Smith—History 1:37–39). Why do you think this message is repeated so often?

Conclusion

Bear testimony of the things you have chosen to discuss in the lesson. As a conclusion to this year’s course of study, you may also want to express your gratitude for the teachings in the Old Testament.

Give each class member a copy of the New Testament Class Member Study Guide (31392; see “Preparation,” page 225). Explain that next year’s course of study is the New Testament. Encourage members to begin using the study guide to prepare for next week’s lesson and to study the New Testament with their families.

Additional Teaching Ideas

The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.

1. Prophesied appearances of the Savior

• At least seven latter-day appearances of the Savior have been foretold in the scriptures. How many of them can you identify?

The following information will help to answer this question:

1. a. To the Prophet Joseph Smith in the First Vision (Acts 3:19–21; Joseph Smith—History 1:15–17).

19¶^aRepent ye therefore, and be ^bconverted, that your sins may be ^cblotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the ^dpresence of the Lord;

 20And he shall send ^aJesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:^b

 21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of ^arestitution of all things, which God hath ^bspoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

1. b. In his latter-day temples (Malachi 3:1; D&C 133:1–2).

 1 Behold, I will ^asend my ^bmessenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly ^ccome to his ^dtemple, even the ^emessenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

1. c. In the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman (D&C 116; Daniel 7:13–14, 22; see also D&C 107:53–56, which describes a past meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman that is similar to the meeting that will take place there).

 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the ^aSon of man came with the ^bclouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  

14And there was given him ^adominion, and glory, and a ^bkingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an ^ceverlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. . . . 
 22 Until the ^aAncient of days came, and ^bjudgment was given to the ^csaints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

The following is from http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/ot-in-2/manualindex.asp  :

Daniel 7:1–28. What Was Represented by the Beasts Daniel Saw?

Like chapter 2, chapter 7 gives a pictorial representation of history: There are four successive empires, and then the kingdom of God is established. Chapter 7, however, seems to relate more to the establishment of the ecclesiastical aspects of the kingdom, whereas chapter 2 deals more with the political aspects of the kingdom of God.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the following about Daniel’s vision of the beasts:

“You there see that the beasts are spoken of to represent the kingdoms of the world, the inhabitants whereof were beastly and abominable characters; they were murderers, corrupt, carnivorous, and brutal in their dispositions. The lion, the bear, the leopard, and the ten-horned beast represented the kingdoms of the world, says Daniel. . . .

“. . . The prophets do not declare that they saw a beast or beasts, but that they saw the image or figure of a beast. Daniel did not see an actual bear or a lion, but the images or figures of those beasts. The translation should have been rendered ‘image’ instead of ‘beast,’ in every instance where beasts are mentioned by the prophets. . . . When the prophets speak of seeing beasts in their visions, they mean that they saw the images, they being types to represent certain things. At the same time they received the interpretation as to what those images or types were designed to represent.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 289, 291.)

Daniel 7:4–8. What Is the Connection between the Four Beasts and Historical Events?

As mentioned in Daniel 7:17, the four beasts represented “four kings [or kingdoms] which shall arise out of the earth.” The first, which was like a lion with eagles’ wings, represented the Babylonian kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar. The lion and eagle are both supreme among beasts of their class. The head of gold in the dream of chapter 2 can be similarly compared. “What the gold is among metals and the head among the members of the body, that the lion is among beasts and the eagle among birds” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 9:3:223). The plucking of feathers (see Daniel 7:4) seems to have represented a deprivation of power to fly or the power to dominate and conquer. The change that gave it a man’s heart is evidently a reference to the humanizing effect of Nebuchadnezzar’s madness (see Daniel 4:34–37).
The second beast (see Daniel 7:2) represented the Median-Persian Empire, as did the breast and arms of silver in the image of chapter 2. The bear was considered next to the lion as the strongest among animals by the people of the ancient Middle East. The raising up on one side could represent the raising of the forefeet of the bear (standing on its hind feet) as when it goes after prey. “The Medo-Persian bear, as such, has . . . two sides: the one, the Median side, is at rest after the efforts made for the erection of the world-kingdom; but the other, the Persian side, raises itself up, and then becomes not only higher than the first, but also is prepared for new rapine.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 9:3:225.) The ribs held between the bear’s teeth and its devouring “much flesh” (Daniel 7:5) signify the ferocity with which its dominion would be exerted.
The third kingdom corresponded to the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. Wings signify power to move and extend influence. Heads signify governing power or the seat of government. The Grecian kingdom was extended greatly under Alexander and had power over much of the earth.
The fourth beast was not likened to an animal. It was, however, very strong and dreadful and broke into pieces the remains of the former kingdoms. It represented the Roman Empire and the forces of evil that were manifest through that empire. The ten horns are the kingdoms into which the Roman Empire was afterwards divided. They are similar to the ten toes of the great image described in Daniel 2. (See also Daniel 7:23–24.)
Though each of these beasts may be said to represent the worldly kingdoms mentioned, the representation probably was not just of their political dominion, but also of the evils upheld and perpetrated upon the world by their rule. The vision should not be thought of as wholly political, either, particularly in view of the “little horn” (v. 8). This symbol cannot be positively identified with any specific individual or kingdom of the world, but seems to be similar to the “beast [rising] out of the sea” that John saw (Revelation 13:1), which also made “war with the saints” (Revelation 13:7) as did this form (see Daniel 7:21–22, 25). The little horn represented a notable anti-Christ power that was to be raised up after the time of the Roman Empire, and it was to be different from the other ten kingdoms mentioned after the Roman kingdom. Daniel said that this horn would have power to make war with and hinder the Saints until the time of Christ’s Second Coming (see Daniel 7:20–27).
Concerning this great evil power and the beast from which it arose, Sidney B. Sperry said:
“May I suggest that the last beast which Daniel saw, which was so terrible and which had a mouth speaking great things, (7:7, 8) is none other than the ‘great and abominable church’ of our modern scriptures. Let me make my point clear. Keep in mind that Daniel saw that ‘the beast was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire.’ (7:11) In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning the destructive forces to be unleashed prior to the Second Advent, the Lord explains: [D&C 88:94].
“This evil power is doubtless the same one spoken of in the twenty-ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants and testified to by Ezekiel the prophet: [D&C 29:21; compare Ezekiel 38:14–23].
“The Book of Mormon also speaks at length concerning this evil force in the world that shall meet destruction. Notice a few of the words of Nephi: [1 Nephi 22:13–18].
“May I emphasize that even if the ‘great and abominable church’ is correctly identified as the power which is represented by Daniel’s great beast, we do not at present fully comprehend the ramifications of it or the range of dominion it will have prior to its destruction.” (The Voice of Israel’s Prophets, pp. 260–61.)

(28-38) Daniel 7:9–14. Daniel Saw Adam, or the “Ancient of Days,” and Also Christ Taking His Rightful Place As King over the Earth

Daniel’s vision continued until he saw “thrones . . . cast down” (Daniel 7:9), that is, until the worldly governments lost their dominion (see vv. 12, 14, 18, 27). He then saw the establishment of the kingdom of heaven with Christ at its head. This kingdom would rule “all people, nations, and languages” forever (v. 14). Latter-day revelation teaches that eventually all worldly kingdoms will come to an end in preparation for the millennial Zion (see D&C 87:6). This seems to be what Daniel saw.
In an address to the Twelve Apostles, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained the name “Ancient of Days”: “Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.” (Teachings, p. 157.)

(28-39) Daniel 7:13–14. What Will Happen at the Great Gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman?

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained the teachings of Daniel about the great priesthood gathering to be held at Adam-ondi-Ahman: “Daniel speaks of the coming of Christ, and that day is near at hand. There will be a great gathering in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman; there will be a great council held. The Ancient of Days, who is Adam, will sit. The judgment—not the final judgment—will be held, where the righteous who have held keys will make their reports and deliver up their keys and ministry. Christ will come, and Adam will make his report. At this council Christ will be received and acknowledged as the rightful ruler of the earth. Satan will be replaced. Following this event every government in the world . . . will have to become part of the government of God. Then righteous rule will be established. The earth will be cleansed; the wicked will be destroyed; and the reign of peace will be ushered in.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:13–14; see also D&C 78:15–16; 107:53–57; 116; Smith, Teachings, pp. 122, 158.)

28-40) Daniel 7:14. The Saints Are Preparing the Kingdom in Which Christ Will Reign

In relating a personal experience, Elder LeGrand Richards taught of the importance of the work the Saints are doing in this dispensation and of its relationship to the eventual rule of Christ upon the earth:
“When I was president of the Southern States Mission, one of our missionaries preached on that dream of Nebuchadnezzar in one of our meetings where we had some investigators, and I stood at the door to greet them as they went out. A man came up and introduced himself as a minister, and he said, ‘You don’t mean to tell me that you think that the Mormon Church is that kingdom, do you?’
“And I said, ‘Yes, sir, why not?’
“He said, ‘It couldn’t be.’
“I said, ‘Why couldn’t it?’
“He said, ‘You can’t have a kingdom without a king, and you don’t have a king, so you don’t have a kingdom.’
“‘Oh,’ I said, ‘my friend, you didn’t read far enough. You just read the seventh chapter of Daniel, where Daniel saw one like the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, “and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.” (Dan. 7:14.)
“‘Now,’ I said, ‘my friend, tell me how can the kingdom be given to him when he comes in the clouds of heaven if there is no kingdom prepared for him? That is what we Latter-day Saints are doing.’” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1975, pp. 76–77; or Ensign, Nov. 1975, p. 51.)

(28-41) Daniel 7:18, 22, 27. The Saints Will Possess the Kingdom

Daniel taught that the Saints will possess the kingdom after the Lord returns to take His rightful place at the head of that kingdom. It is necessary, however, for the Saints to prepare themselves to take possession of the kingdom.
Elder Daniel H. Wells indicated what the Saints must do to receive the kingdom: “I have often been asked the question, ‘When will the kingdom be given into the hands of the Saints of the most high God;’ and I have always answered it in this way: just so soon as the Lord finds that He has a people upon the earth who will uphold and sustain that kingdom, who shall be found capable of maintaining its interests and of extending its influence upon the earth. When he finds that he has such a people, a people who will stand firm and faithful to him, a people that will not turn it over into the lap of the devil, then, and not until then, will he give ‘the kingdom’ into the hands of the Saints of the most high, in its power and influence when it shall fill the whole earth. . . . It depends, in a great measure, upon the people themselves, as to how soon the kingdom spoken of by Daniel shall be given into the hands of the Saints of God. When we shall prove ourselves faithful in every emergency that may arise, and capable to contend and grapple with every difficulty that threatens our peace and welfare, and to overcome every obstacle that may tend to impede the progress of the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth, then our heavenly Father will have confidence in us, and then he will be able to trust us.” (In Journal of Discourses, 23:305.)

1. d. In Jerusalem during a worldwide conflict known as the battle of Armageddon (Ezekiel 38–39; Zechariah 12–14; Revelation 11; D&C 45:47–53).
   
2. e. In the city of New Jerusalem, at Independence, Missouri (3 Nephi 21:24–26).
   
3. f. To the righteous at the time of his Second Coming (Zechariah 14:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; D&C 88:96–98).
   
4. g. To the wicked (D&C 133:42–51).
   

2. When will the Second Coming occur?

The Lord has made clear that while he will surely come again, no person knows the exact time (D&C 39:20–21; 49:7). 

Elder Richard L. Evans said: “Some of the brethren … approached [President Wilford Woodruff] and … inquired of him as to when he felt the end would be—when would be the coming of the Master? These, I think, are not his exact words, but they convey the spirit of his reported reply: ‘I would live as if it were to be tomorrow—but I am still planting cherry trees!’ I think we may well take this as a page for our own book and live as if the end might be tomorrow—and still plant cherry trees! In worrying about things that are beyond our reach, we should not overlook our opportunities with our own families and friends; in worrying about possible eventualities we should not neglect the things that need to be done here and now, and that are within our reach” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 105–6).

Additional Materials:
http://byustudies.byu.edu/showtitle.aspx?title=6791
http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/ot-in-2/manualindex.asp 
http://lds.org/hf/art/display/1,16842,4218-1-2-81,00.html  This includes information about the Second Coming, as well as the painting shown above.

Talks: 
http://lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/hearts-bound-together?lang=eng 

The great and dreadful day of the Lord is the end of the world. Jehovah, the Messiah, will come in glory. The wicked will all be destroyed. We live in the last days. Time could be running out for us to do what we have promised to do.. . .
President Smith also saw the leaders the Savior called to take the gospel to Heavenly Father’s children in the spirit world. He named some of them: Father Adam, Mother Eve, Noah, Abraham, Ezekiel, Elijah, prophets we know from the Book of Mormon, and some from the last days, including Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff. Think of the power of those missionaries to teach the gospel and to touch the hearts of your ancestors. It is not surprising that Wilford Woodruff said while he lived that he believed few, if any, of the ancestors of the Latter-day Saints in the spirit world would choose to reject the message of salvation when they heard it. ⁴
Many of your deceased ancestors will have received a testimony that the message of the missionaries is true. When you received that testimony you could ask the missionaries for baptism. But those who are in the spirit world cannot. The ordinances you so cherish are offered only in this world. Someone in this world must go to a holy temple and accept the covenants on behalf of the person in the spirit world. That is why we are under obligation to find the names of our ancestors and ensure that they are offered by us what they cannot receive there without our help. . . .

Your opportunities and the obligations they create are remarkable in the whole history of the world.. . .
With those opportunities there comes greater obligation to keep our trust with the Lord. Where much is given, much is required. ⁵ After you find the first few generations, the road will become more difficult. 


http://lds.org/ensign/1972/01/the-coming-of-elijah?lang=eng

http://lds.org/ensign/1972/05/the-future-of-the-holy-land?lang=eng

http://lds.org/ensign/2005/06/messages-from-the-doctrine-and-covenants-finding-hope-in-the-second-coming?lang=eng

Lesson 46: A Kingdom Which Shall Never Be Destroyed

Lesson 46: “A Kingdom, Which Shall Never Be Destroyed”, Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 216

Daniel 2

Purpose

To strengthen class members’ testimonies of the restored Church of Jesus Christ and encourage them to help build the kingdom of God on earth.

From Institute Manual: "Because of his righteousness and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, he  [Daniel] was greatly favored of God."  , , , "He was made chief of the wise men, chancellor of the equivalent of a national university, ruler of all the Hebrew captives, and, as governor of the province of Babylon, one of the chief rulers in both the Babylonian and Persian Empires. Though at times his life was endangered because of the jealousy of evil men, yet he lived so perfectly that the Lord continually protected and preserved him." (28-1)

Preparation

• 1. Prayerfully study the following scriptures:
  
  • a. Daniel 2:1–23. King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and commands his advisers to describe and interpret it (2:1–13). Daniel prays with his friends, and God reveals to him the dream and its interpretation (2:14–23).
    
  • b. Daniel 2:24–49. Daniel reveals that King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream foretells the rise and fall of the great kingdoms of the earth and the latter-day triumph of the kingdom of God over all other kingdoms.
    
• 2. Additional reading: Doctrine and Covenants 65.
  
• 3. Invite two or three class members to prepare to bear brief testimonies about the truthfulness of the Church.
  
• 4. If you use the attention activity, draw the chart at the bottom of this page on a poster or on the chalkboard before class begins.
  
• 5. If you use the “Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream” diagram (see page 218), draw it on a poster or on the chalkboard before class. Do not write the names of the individual kingdoms until you discuss the diagram in class.
  
• 6. If the picture Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream is available, you may want to use it during the lesson (62531; Gospel Art Picture Kit 115).

http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8555-1-4779-3,00.html

Suggested Lesson Development

Attention Activity

You may want to use the following activity (or one of your own) to begin the lesson.
Direct class members’ attention to the chart you have drawn on a poster or on the chalkboard:

	6 April 1830	1880	1930	1980	1995	2000
	6	133,628	670,017	4,639,822	9,340,898	Over 11,000,000
	1	10	16	44	88	100
	0	23	104	1,218	2,150	2,581
	0	10	30	188	307	334
	0	1	7	19	47	102

• • What do you think these numbers represent?

	6 April 1830	1880	1930	1980	1995	2000	31 December 2009
	6	133,628	670,017	4,639,822	9,340,898	Over 11, 000,000	13,824,854
	1	10	16	44	88 (39+49)	100 (61 + 39)	100 +  (83 +25) (12/31/01)
	0	23	104	1,218	2,150	2,581	2,865
	0	10	30	188	307	334	344
	0	1	7	19	47	102	130

 

Give class members a few minutes to suggest answers to this question. Then complete the chart as shown below:

	6 April 1830	1880	1930	1980	1995	2000
Members of the Church	6	133,628	670,017	4,639,822	9,340,898	Over 11,000,000
Languages with published editions of the Book of Mormon	1	10	16	44	88 (39 full and 49 partial translations)	100 (61 full and 39 partial translations)
Stakes	0	23	104	1,218	2,150	2,581
Missions	0	10	30	188	307	334
Temples in operation	0	1	7	19	47	102 152 temples throughout the world either in operation, under construction, or announced 2010

(Current statistics can be found in recent Church publications. You may want to add a column to the chart to include those statistics.)
Invite class members to comment on the rapid growth of the Church. Explain that this lesson tells of Daniel, an ancient prophet who foresaw the triumph of God’s kingdom on earth—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Scripture Discussion and Application

As you teach the following scripture passages, discuss how they apply to daily life. Encourage class members to share experiences that relate to the scriptural principles.

1. Daniel receives a revelation in which he is shown King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and given its interpretation.

Teach and discuss Daniel 2:1–23.
King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream one night. He tested his advisers by telling them that he had forgotten it and commanding them to reveal it and its interpretation (Daniel 2:2–5; see footnote 5a). When they said that they could not describe the dream, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the death of all the wise men of Babylon, including Daniel and his friends (Daniel 2:10–13). When the king’s captain came to take Daniel to be slain, Daniel went to the king and asked for time to interpret the dream (Daniel 2:14–16).

-------------------------------------------

From the Old Testament Institute Manual:

28-9) Daniel 2:5. Did Nebuchadnezzar Really Forget His Remarkable Dream?

Ellis T. Rasmussen gave the following helpful commentary on the king’s dream: “In verse 5 the phrase ‘is gone from me’ should probably read ‘is certain with me,’ as the Persian word azda (‘sure’) is used. Note in verse 9 that the king makes the point that he knows what he dreamt; therefore if the interpreters can tell him the dream, he will know that they know what they are talking about and he will know whether he can have confidence in their interpretation or not!” (An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Teachings, 2:92; see also Daniel 2:5a.)

(28-10) Daniel 2:17–19. Daniel and His Companions Preserved Their Lives by Obtaining Revelation from God

The response of Daniel and his friends at a time when their lives were in danger because of the king’s sentence on all the wise men illustrates the application of a principle taught by President Harold B. Lee: “By faith in God you can be attuned to the Infinite and by power and wisdom obtained from your Heavenly Father harness the powers of the universe to serve you in your hour of need in the solution of problems too great for your human strength or intelligence” (in Church News, 15 Aug. 1970, p. 2).

President Spencer W. Kimball further clarified the prophecy with the following explanation:
“Rome would be replaced by a group of nations of Europe represented by the toes of the image.
“With the history of the world delineated in brief, now came the real revelation. Daniel said:
“‘And in the days of these kings [that is, the group of European nations] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed . . .
“This is a revelation concerning the history of the world, when one world power would supersede another until there would be numerous smaller kingdoms to share the control of the earth.
“And it was in the days of these kings that power would not be given to men, but the God of heaven would set up a kingdom—the kingdom of God upon the earth, which should never be destroyed nor left to other people.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored in 1830 after numerous revelations from the divine source; and this is the kingdom, set up by the God of heaven, that would never be destroyed nor superseded, and the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that would become a great mountain and would fill the whole earth.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1976, p. 10.)


 ----------------------------------------------

• • How did Daniel prepare to interpret the king’s dream? (See Daniel 2:17–18. He asked his friends to pray with him.) How have the prayers of family members and friends helped you?

[From lesson 45: • What did Esther ask of her maidens and the local Jews as she prepared to approach the king? (See Esther 4:16.) How can the united fasting and prayers of many people help us?]

• • How were the prayers of Daniel and his friends answered? (See Daniel 2:19, 27–28.) What did Daniel do immediately after receiving the vision of the king’s dream? (See Daniel 2:20–23.) What did his words reveal about his feelings toward God? Why is it important to show gratitude to the Lord? How can we show him our gratitude?
  
• • Contrast the sources to which Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar turned when they sought answers to questions. (See Daniel 2:2, 19–23, 28.) What questionable sources do people today turn to when they need help answering difficult questions or making decisions? What keeps many people from seeking God’s guidance in such situations?
  

2. Daniel describes and interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Teach and discuss Daniel 2:24–49.

• • How did Daniel describe the great image that the king had seen in his dream? (See Daniel 2:31–33. Refer to the picture Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream or to your drawing of the diagram shown below.)
  

  Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Daniel 2:31–45) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “A stone … cut out without hands” (Daniel 2:34) Nebuchadnezzar Babylon Cyrus the Great Media and Persia Philip and Alexander the Great Greece The Roman Empire A group of European nations

• • What did the different parts of the image represent? (See Daniel 2:36–43. The parts represented different kingdoms that would succeed each other as world powers.)
  
  • Write the names of the kingdoms on the diagram as you review the following interpretation from President Spencer W. Kimball:
    
  • a. The head of gold represented Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom of Babylon.
    
  • b. The breast and arms of silver represented Cyrus and his kingdom of Media and Persia.
    
  • c. The belly and thighs of brass represented Philip and Alexander and the Greek or Macedonian kingdom.
    
  • d. The legs of iron represented the Roman Empire.
    
  • e. The feet of iron and clay represented a group of European nations. (In Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 10; or Ensign, May 1976, 8.)
    
• • In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, what destroyed the image that represented the earthly kingdoms? (See Daniel 2:34–35.) What did the “stone … cut out without hands” represent? (See Daniel 2:44–45; D&C 65:2.)
  
  • President Kimball taught: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored in 1830. … This is the kingdom, set up by the God of heaven, that would never be destroyed nor superseded, and the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that would become a great mountain and would fill the whole earth” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 10; or Ensign, May 1976, 8–9).
    
• • What did Daniel prophesy concerning the Church in the latter days? (See Daniel 2:34–35, 44.)
  
  • You may want to list the following prophecies on the chalkboard. Daniel prophesied that the Church would:
    
  • a. Be “cut out without hands” (Daniel 2:34).
    
  • b. Become “a great mountain, and [fill] the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35).
    
  • c. “Never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).
    
  • d. “Not be left [given] to other people” (Daniel 2:44).
    
  • e. “Consume all [other] kingdoms” (Daniel 2:44).
    
  • f. “Stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44).
    
• • What did it mean that the stone would be “cut out without hands”? (See Daniel 2:34. It would not be man-made.) How is the restored Church of Jesus Christ like a stone cut out without hands?
  
  • Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: “Our Lord and Savior stands at the head of this church and directs it through his servants. This is the Lord’s church; it is not a church of men” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 5).
    
• • How is Daniel’s prophecy that the Church will “fill the whole earth” and “never be destroyed” being fulfilled today? (You may want to refer to the second chart in the attention activity.)
  
  • President Gordon B. Hinckley testified: “This Church is true. It will weather every storm that beats against it. It will outlast every critic who rises to mock it. It was established by God our Eternal Father for the blessing of His sons and daughters of all generations. It carries the name of Him who stands as its head, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. It is governed and moves by the power of the priesthood. It sends forth to the world another witness of the divinity of the Lord. Be faithful, my friends. Be true. Be loyal to the great things of God which have been revealed in this dispensation” (“Keep the Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 1985, 6).
    
• • What can we do to participate in the building of the kingdom of God in our homes, in our communities, and throughout the world?
  

Invite the assigned class members to bear brief testimonies about the truthfulness of the Church.

Conclusion

Testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth and that Jesus Christ leads it. Encourage class members to participate in building God’s kingdom on earth.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkdeICqTwRVHjJ_RRhS5bZtDwE8nmCiIRyydOkVNSJ2zppEXjEzPtPfwQ9XYqmwg3hTaauA-6grc4QgfGbO2W4d6d1MaYDvGXivlzXncl0wCjL3kbeZenc-S_H7IYAcLT0Od8yB2eGhx-/s1600-h/World+Powers+Of+Daniel%27s+Prophecy.jpg

____________________________________

http://beardall2000.com/ot/ot46.html

• WHAT KEEPS MANY PEOPLE FROM SEEKING GOD'S GUIDANCE IN SUCH SITUATIONS?
• Consider these words:  "When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish." (2 Nephi 9:28)
• President Ezra Taft Benson:  "Our message to the world is that the kingdom of which Daniel prophesied is now on the earth. Its early beginnings were as inconspicuous as a small stone rolling down a mountain. Today, partly because of its accelerated growth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no longer ignored. Prejudice has largely subsided as people have come in contact with Mormons and their message." (This Nation Shall Endure, p114.)
• President Ezra Taft Benson:  "Today The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is extending the heralded message of the restoration of the gospel to every nation which permits us entrance through its borders. This is a fulfillment of the vision and revelation received by Daniel, the prophet (see Daniel 2:34-35, 44)." (Ensign, May 1978, p32)

• Elder Bruce R. McConkie:  "Here we have seen the kingdoms of this world, kingdoms drenched in blood and held together by the arm of flesh, one following another until the set time for the great latter-day restoration of all things. Then a stone is cut out of the mountain without hands and a kingdom is set up by the God of heaven. It is a new kind of kingdom. The arm of flesh plays no part in its creation. It is created without man's hand. It comes from God. It is established by revelation. It is the Church and kingdom of God on earth." (Millennial Messiah, p131)
• It is not possible for men to set this kingdom up on their own. Since the great apostasy, many men (most well intentioned) have attempted to set up the kingdom of God. But this kingdom would not be "cut out" with hands. While on my mission, I had the opportunity to use the old Lamanite discussions. In one of those lessons there is a picture of a deer head trophy hanging on a wall. It looks like a deer. It feels like a deer. But there is no life in this trophy. The question is asked if one can make that deer come alive. No man can do it. Only God can restore that deer. And thus it is with God's kingdom or church, only God can put life in it. Many men have tried to make their church look like God's church, but none have succeeded because only God can give it life.

President Ezra Taft Benson:  "This work will prevail in spite of all the opposition which might be mustered against it. This work will prevail! It will never be thrown down or given to another people (Daniel 2:44; D&C 138:44). God's kingdom has been established upon the earth for the last time in preparation for the second coming of the Master. We have the word of Jesus Christ whose name this Church bears to that effect." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p394)

________________________
Handwriting on the Wall
Daniel

Chapter 5

This work by the La Vista Church of Christ is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

 

Belshazzar and his revelers drink from the vessels of the temple—A hand writes upon the wall, telling of Belshazzar’s downfall—Daniel interprets the words and reproves the king for pride and idolatry—That night Babylon is conquered.

 1Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.     UAdd a Note 

 2Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver ^avessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.     UAdd a Note 

 3Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. 

 4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.  

 5¶In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote ^aover against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the ^bhand that wrote. 

 6Then the king’s ^acountenance was changed, and his thoughts ^btroubled him, so that ^cthe joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. 

 7The king cried aloud to bring in the ^aastrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

 8Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 

 9Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. 

 10¶Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

 11There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the ^aspirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 

 12Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king ^anamed Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. 

 13Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 

 14I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the ^agods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.     UAdd a Note 

 15And now the wise men, the ^aastrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:     UAdd a Note 

 16And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the ^awriting, and make ^bknown to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.     UAdd a Note 

 17¶Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy ^agifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 

 18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 

 19And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. 

 20But when his ^aheart was lifted up, and his ^bmind hardened in pride, he was ^cdeposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 

 21And he was driven ^afrom the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

 22And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 

 23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the ^agods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 

 24Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

 25¶And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. 

 26This is the interpretation of the thing: ^aMene; God hath ^bnumbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

 27^aTekel; Thou art ^bweighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

 28^aPeres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and ^bPersians. 

 29Then commanded Belshazzar, and they ^aclothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 

 30¶In that night was Belshazzar the king of the ^aChaldeans ^bslain.     UAdd a Note 

 31And ^aDarius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.


http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/ot-in-2/manualindex.asp     Daniel

(28-22) Daniel 5:1. Belshazzar the King

Many scholars have questioned the validity of the statement that Belshazzar was a king in Babylon because “Belshazzar never reigned as sole king, and is never designated as king (sharru) in the cuneiform inscriptions. Furthermore, it is maintained that there is no evidence to show that Belshazzar ever ruled upon the throne as a subordinate to Nabonidus his father. In reply to these charges we may note, first of all, that the Aramaic word malka (‘king’) need not have the connotation of monarch or sole king (see R. D. Wilson, Studies in the Book of Daniel, 1917, pp. 83–95). Furthermore, one of the cuneiform documents expressly states that Nabonidus entrusted the kingship to Belshazzar. . . . In all probability there was a coregency between Nabonidus and Belshazzar in which Belshazzar occupied a subordinate position. Since, however, he was the man upon the throne with whom Israel had to do, he is designated king in the book of Daniel. No valid objection can be raised against this usage.” (Guthrie and Motyer, New Bible Commentary, p. 694.)

(28-23) Daniel 5:3. Drinking from the Vessels of the Temple

When the Babylonians overthrew Jerusalem, they “carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 24:13). As Keil and Delitzsch noted, during the feast the Babylonians “drank out of the holy vessels of the temple of the God of Israel to glorify . . . their heathen gods in songs of praise. In doing this they did not only place ‘Jehovah on a perfect level with their gods’ (Havernick), but raised them above the Lord of heaven, as Daniel (ver. 23) charged the king. The carrying away of the temple vessels to Babylon and placing them in the temple of Bel was a sign of the defeat of the God to whom these vessels were consecrated; . . . the use of these vessels in the drinking of wine at a festival, amid the singing of songs in praise of the gods, was accordingly a celebrating of these gods as victorious over the God of Israel.” (Commentary, 9:3:180.)

(28-24) Daniel 5:6. What Is Meant by the Phrase the “Joints of His Loins Were Loosed”?

The great fear that came upon the king is described in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible as: “His limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together” (Daniel 5:6).

(28-25) Daniel 5:7. The Third Ruler in the Kingdom

The Hebrew word that is translated “third ruler” means “one of three” (Guthrie and Motyer, New Bible Commentary, p. 694). The promise was that the interpreter of the writing would be made third in authority in the kingdom next to Nabonidus and Belshazzar. The scarlet (sometimes purple) clothing and the chain of gold mentioned in Daniel 5:7 were symbols of rank worn by high officials.

(28-26) Daniel 5:17. “Let Thy Gifts Be to Thyself”

Those who function under the influence of the Spirit of God have increased capabilities, not because of their own qualifications, but because of the power of God which they are privileged to use. They are servants in the Lord’s hands who are to bless others and carry out the Lord’s will. Daniel knew this and neither deserved nor sought for earthly rewards for his role as an instrument in the hands of God.

(28-27) Daniel 5:25–29. The Interpretation of the Handwriting on the Wall

The handwriting on the wall indicated not only that the Babylonian kingdom would be overthrown but also the means by which it would be overthrown: “MENE, ‘numbered’, i.e. God has numbered . . . the days of the kingdom; TEKEL, a ‘shekel’, used both as a coin and as a weight, indicated that Belshazzar was weighed (in the balances) and found deficient; PERES, ‘division’, your kingdom is divided (peres) and given to the Medes and Persians (paras). The word paras would seem to point out that the Persians were the dominant power to whom Babylon would fall. When Daniel read the writing he read and PARSIN (v. 25), but in giving the interpretation he employed the form PERES (v. 28). . . . We have thus a play upon words in which the basic idea of division is linked with the name of the conqueror.” (Guthrie and Motyer, New Bible Commentary, p. 694.)

(28-28) Daniel 5:29. Why Was Daniel Rewarded by the King When He Prophesied of the King’s Destruction?

Although Belshazzar did not believe that Daniel’s God was the only true God, it is likely that he, like other heathens, believed in the gods and in revelations from God. He must have been deeply impressed with Daniel’s ability to interpret the writing on the wall because he rewarded him handsomely. Keil and Delitzsch suggested another possible reason: “Belshazzar perhaps scarcely believed the threatened judgment from God to be so near as it actually was . . . and perhaps . . . he hoped to be able, by conferring honour upon Daniel, to appease the wrath of God” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 9:3:191).

(28-29) Daniel 5:30. Was Babylon Really Overthrown in One Night?

Babylon was surrounded by a massive wall over one hundred feet thick and three hundred feet high (see Enrichment G). To breach such a wall, even with constant sieging, would take months, and yet there is no hint in Daniel’s record that the city was under siege at this time. Could a city of Babylon’s size and fortifications be taken in one night?
Historical sources other than the Bible indicate that that is exactly what happened, supporting Daniel’s record exactly. The ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, recorded that “Cyrus had previously caused the Pallacopas, a canal which ran west of the city, and carried off the superfluous water of the Euphrates into the lake of Nitocris, to be cleared out, in order to turn the river into it; which, by this means, was rendered so shallow that his soldiers were able to penetrate along its bed into the city.” (In Samuel Fallows, ed., The Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia and Scriptural Dictionary, s.v. “Babylon,” p. 207.)
Thus the Persians marched under the massive walls. Harry Thomas Frank discussed the reasons why the city, even then, surrendered so easily: “Cyrus’ orders preceded him to the city. No revenge was to be taken. The city was to have its normal life restored as quickly as possible. The gods which Nabonidus had taken from the equally well-treated provincial cities were to be restored at once. There was, above all, to be no terrorizing of the population. Indeed, Cyrus intended to change some of the policies of Nabonidus which had made him objectionable to his subjects. One can imagine the reception Cyrus received when he made his appearance in the capital a few weeks after its capture. He was not a conqueror. He was a liberator! And far from installing a foreign rule over the people, Cyrus personally took the role of Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, in the New Year Festival, thereby claiming for himself and his heirs the right to rule the Babylonian Empire by divine designation.” (Discovering the Biblical World, p. 140.)

(28-30) Daniel 6:1–3. Did the Medes and Persians Recognize the Promotion Given to Daniel by Belshazzar in the Last Hours of His Reign?

Keil and Delitzsch commented on this issue: “The successor [to Belshazzar] would be inclined toward its recognition [Daniel’s promotion] by the reflection, that by Daniel’s interpretation of the mysterious writing from God the putting of Belshazzar to death appeared to have a higher sanction, presenting itself as if it were something determined in the councils of the gods, whereby the successor might claim before the people that his usurpation of the throne was rendered legitimate. Such a reflection might move him to confirm Daniel’s elevation to the office to which Belshazzar had raised him.” (Commentary, 9:3:190–91.)
Though the above may be true, Daniel’s great capacity should not be discounted. A wise ruler would recognize and use a man of Daniel’s stature.

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