Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.
This is part 3 of 3 of requirement to pray to governing authority.
Click for part 1 of 3 of requirement to pray to governing authority.
Click for part 2 of 3 of requirement to pray to governing authority.
- Darius was unable eat, enjoy music, nor was able to sleep after sealing Daniel in the den of lions.
- Darius checks on Daniel early in the morning to determine if he had been eaten alive by the lions.
- Darius orders the accusers of Daniel to be thrown in the den of lions to be eaten alive.
- Darius issued a decree that the population must tremble and fear the God of Daniel.
Darius was unable to eat, enjoy music, nor was able to sleep after sealing Daniel in the den of lions.
“Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.” Daniel 6:18
Darius was in physical turmoil over sealing Daniel into the den of lions. His was not experiencing spiritual turmoil about throwing a man who was faithful to the Living God into a den to be eaten alive by lions. His turmoil was about losing Daniel as his right-hand man and the revelation that the governors and satraps of Babylon were conspiring against his decisions. Daniel surviving the lion’s den would solve his problems and legally he would be able to take revenge on those who rebelled against his decisions and tricked him into signing a law that undermined his plans.
Today, those who live and govern for the beast that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel are not in turmoil about throwing Christians into a den of lions to be driven into extinction, but would be in turmoil about opposition to them progressing in their goals. If the outright legally sanctioned persecution of the way of Christ is perceived as being done due to political ambitions, that would hinder their image of bringing a kinder and gentler world. As it stands today, no global leader is willing to stand up before the world and openly proclaim that a law has been passed to persecute and kill Christianity. They serve the beast with two horns like a lamb, as described in Revelations 13:11-13, which is Satan’s version of the Holy Spirit.
We have to recall that king Darius intended to promote Daniel over the whole province of Babylon, above all other governors and satraps of Babylon, as quoted, “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” Daniel 6:3 The governors and satraps were against the king’s decision to promote Daniel over them, so they tricked Darius into signing a law to make Daniel an outlaw, as quoted, “So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom… consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, will be cast into the den of lions…King Darius signed the written decree.” Daniel 6:4, 7, 9 Darius was able to be tricked because he thought it was a good idea that everyone should pray to him and not the Living God.
Darius governed strictly by the letter of the law, and he watched as Daniel was thrown into the den of lions and watched as a stone was placed over the den. Darius then put his own seal on the stone so that it could only be opened by his authorization. Darius spoke to Daniel to the tune of, “Sorry, Daniel, but the law is the law, I wish you well, good luck, may God help you!” “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.” Daniel 6:16-17
Darius checks on Daniel early in the morning to determine if he had been eaten alive by the lions.
“Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?‘”
King Darius was up very early in the morning to see if Daniel had been eaten alive by the lions. Darius cried out to Daniel with a lamenting voice, but not the type of sorrow that brings repentance towards God, it was worldly sorrow knowing that one of his most cherished governing assets had probably been eaten by the lions. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 1 Corinthians 7:10 If Daniel had been killed, then the governors and satraps that tricked him into sabotaging his own political plans would have won that victory. Daniel, who was a trustworthy and honorable man of God would be gone, and they would have control over the province of Babylon.
Today, I hear politicians give speeches of honoring all religions, some wear necklaces of Crosses, and they speak words of lamentation for religious persecution and the killing of Christians in countries around the world. Their lamentations do not bring them to God through Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They are voicing an insincere sorrow within the dilemma they brought on themselves by setting an example and encouraging people to live by the beast that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel. That beast comes against belief in God, opposes the gospel of Jesus Christ, and despises the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Today, it sounds like mockery for the governing authorities to ask us followers of Jesus Christ, “servants of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?‘” It sounds more like what happened when Christ Jesus was thrown into the “den of lions” to be crucified, as quoted below;
They “…took Jesus…and gathered around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified…And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”… “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” Matthew 27:27-43
“Then Daniel said to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.’” Daniel 6:20-22
Daniel gave king Darius a blessing instead of cursing him, even after the king sealed him into the den of lions with his own authorization. Today, we know that Christianity is placed on the extinction list. We even know that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are being imprisoned and killed in countries around the world. We even know that in coming days there will be the outright persecution coming from everyone who lives for the testimony of Jesus. Even then, we never repay evil with evil, as quoted, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19
As followers of Jesus Christ, there is always praise on our lips for God who sent us Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 We will not be hurt by the second death, which is eternal Hell, but will have eternal life, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”’ Revelations 2:11 The “mouths of the lions”, which is the global culture of the beast, will be shut at the return of Christ Jesus when He returns as King of kings, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelations 11:15
As followers of Jesus Christ, we live peaceably with those in authority, not being rebels, rioters, troublemakers, etc. We want to live in the presence of the Holy Spirit, by a meek and gentle spirit of peace to be able to say with Daniel, “O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
“Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” Daniel 6:23
Darius presented himself as being exceedingly glad for Daniel that he had not been eaten by the lions. The king commanded that Daniel be brought out of the den of lions. Today, the world is experiencing social and economic turbulence around the world, and people wonder when it will all come to an end and sanity, law, and order restored. The United Nations has positioned themselves as the savior of the world, as the one who will pull us all up from the “den of lions” to bring salvation to humanity and the planet. They promote their “Sustainable Development Goals” as the way in which to close the mouths of the lions. The United Nations even promises to solve global warming, which is the Fourth Plague of revelations 16:8-9. The more powerful the United Nations become as the undisputed one world government, the more intense the effects of global warming becomes.
Darius is not the one who saved Daniel from being eaten by the lions, he put Daniel there, but it was the God of Daniel, who we serve, who brought Daniel Salvation. Likewise, Salvation does not come through a global agenda but comes in the name of Jesus Christ, “…let it be known to you all…that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… this man stands here before you whole….Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are thrown into the culture of the beast, the “den of lions”, but there is no injury found in us relating to our faith in God, through Jesus Christ, in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our reward does not come by how exceedingly glad those of this world are to see us, but our reward is eternal life in the New Jerusalem. Our eternal reward comes because we believe in God, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
Darius orders the accusers of Daniel to be thrown in the den of lions to be eaten alive.
“And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.” Daniel 6:24
Darius commanded that Daniel’s accusers to be brought to him to be thrown into the den of lions to be eaten alive. We have to remember that those men were those who sabotaged the political aspirations of Darius. Darius had a murderous grudge against them. Daniel was part of the plan of Darius to gain absolute control over the Babylon province by promoting Daniel above every single governor and satrap of Babylon. Daniel would have been accountable to no one but Darius himself. The governors and satraps did not like that plan of Darius and tricked him into making Daniel an outlaw. Darius was easy to trick because he thought it was a good idea for everyone to pray to him instead of the Living God, that is described in the post on Daniel 6:10-17.
As soon as it was legally permissible, Darius freed Daniel and took revenge on those who sabotaged his political ambitions for absolute power. They, their children, and their wives were all thrown into the den of lions, broke into pieces before they even came to the bottom of the den.
On this earth, those who govern for the beast that gives them what to do, say, think, and feel are filled with vengeance against anyone who comes against their empowerment. They are ruthless against anyone who comes against the authority given to them through the beast. As followers of Jesus Christ, vengeance is not part of who we are in Jesus Christ, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19. When Christ Jesus returns, those of the global culture of the beast will be thrown into the “den of lions” and every bone will be crushed before they even come to the bottom of the “den”…every one of them from small to great, “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” Revelations 19:17-18
Darius issued a decree that the population must tremble and fear the God of Daniel.
“Then King Darius wrote: ‘To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.’” Daniel 6:25-27
King Darius put everyone in the province of Babylon on notice that Daniel was to be honored, that is, the God of Daniel was to be feared and for all the people to tremble before him. Darius is carrying out his political aspiration to make Daniel the governor over all of Babylon, over every other governor or satrap in Babylon. Daniel would be answerable to no one but Darius himself. As the most powerful man in all of Babylon, second only to Darius, the God of Daniel was to be feared and honored.
That’s the way the governing powers of this world operate, to throw their full support behind their political appointees and expect the masses of the people to revere them as they would the king himself. As followers of Jesus Christ, seeking greatness, honor, and respect through worldly power is not our ambition, as our Lord Jesus says, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” Luke 22:24-27
Daniel was counting the days to his release from captivity…it was no pleasure for him to rule as a political pawn of Darius, as quoted, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:1-2 The passage that Daniel is referring to from Jeremiah is this, “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” Jeremiah 25:11 Daniel was in the age of his late 70s to early 80s at this time.
One thing for sure, giving honor, reverence, and service to God cannot be legislated through decrees, proclamations, political influence, or any other worldly means. As the Holy Spirit says to us, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
In Christ Jesus peace is multiplied to us, not because a worldly governing leader declares it in a speech. His peace is for all nations and languages of the earth, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28 Reverence, fear, and trembling before God comes from within us, not from fearing the worldly governing leaders. There is an urge within us to say, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13 From within our heart, mind, and soul we know the Lord is the Living God who has an eternal and steadfast Kingdom. He has given us eternal life through Jesus Chris, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Our Lord delivers us through His Son Jesus Christ who works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He is the same God who had delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6:27-28
When Cyrus came to power, the release of the Israelites from captivity began. God raised up Cyrus for one purpose, to benefit the Israelites who were in captivity. He literally called Cyrus by name, as quoted, “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.” Ezekiel 45:1, 4 Click here for Isaiah 45:1-7
Cyrus allowed the Israelites to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed, as described in Ezra 1 “Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, “You will be built,”
and to the temple, “Your foundation will be laid.”’ Isaiah 44:28
Cyrus also returned all of the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple, “King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods; and Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. This is the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives, thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles. All the articles of gold and silver were five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:7-11
“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,
“‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1
Discover more from Spiritual Society in Jesus Christ
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Spiritual Society in Jesus Christ 