Christadelphian.com | HYE 2010
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Believe, Obey, and Be Baptized Lecture Summary (click here)
* Why should we believe the Bible?
* Inspired by God * Bible prophecy: what is in the Bible for me... the promises * How to obey God * Why do we need baptism? * The importance of Bible study This relates to our study of Daniel in that he was prepared prior to being carried away to Babylon. Throughout his time in Babylon, he was always ready to give an answer and carry out the will of God. This took preparation, study, self examination, etc
Is the Bible Really the Word of God? Lecture Summary (click here)
Throughout the ages, many have called into question the authenticity of the Bible. “For”, writes Paul in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths." However, the deeper we study the Bible, the more the hand of God is revealed. The fulfillment of Bible prophecy leaves no doubt that it is the authoritative word of God, and the writer must be divine. Therefore, we can be assured that the things that the Bible says will happen will come to pass: Christ will return to reign on earth.
The Kingdom of God Lecture Summary (click here)
Daniel saw in vision the rise and fall of mighty earthly empires, the culmination of which is revealed in Daniel 7:27: "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” A few questions to consider: Where will the kingdom be? Is it to be a real kingdom? Who will rule this kingdom? Where will it be centered? Who are to be the people of the kingdom? How long will it last? What is the importance of understanding and believing the things concerning the Kingdom of God?
Angels Lecture Summary (click here)
Only two angels are named in Scripture, and Daniel names both: Gabriel (8:16, 9:21) and Michael (10:13, 10:21, 12:1). What are angels? Are the popular artist's renderings accurate? Are they mythical creatures found only in the imaginations of religious zealots? Since their existence is not apparent by our natural observation, it is all too easy to assume that what we do not see does not exist. The answers to these questions can be found only in the Bible. We have no other source of reliable information. Angels are prominent in both the Old and New Testaments. Although the word "angel" in the Bible, meaning a messenger, nearly always applies to heavenly beings, it can occasionally apply to human messengers. Why did God create angels? Is it possible for an immortal, heavenly angel to sin?
Resurrection Lecture Summary (click here)
This relates to the five stages of Daniel's typical resurrection found in Daniel 10, verses 8-19. In this remarkable enactment, Daniel is brought before the Angelic Beings, representatives of Yahweh. He undergoes five different stages that reveal the process by which he will become part of "the certain man," the "man of a multitude" he had seen in vision. This would involve his death, and his subsequent typical resurrection to immortality. The same order is revealed in 1 Corinthians 15 in Paul's discourse on the resurrection, and in Ezekiel 37 in which the prophet sees the process of the national resurrection of Israel.
Stage 1: THE TASTE OF DEATH (vv.8-9). Being left alone, Daniel feels his strength ebb away, and his appearance is turned into corruption. He falls into a deep sleep, typical of the death of the saints. Stage 2: THE RESURRECTION MORN (vv.10-11). He is visited by the angel, who touches him, and sets him upon his feet. But he remains trembling. Typically, being resurrected, but still mortal, he feels the continuing weakness of flesh. Stage 3: GATHERED FOR JUDGMENT (w. 12-17). Daniel's heart is revealed, as the angel speaks concerning his previous desires. The angelic work on behalf of Daniel is revealed. Though Daniel was dumb, the touch of the angel restores his speech, and he confesses his weakness. He speaks about his faith, his humility and his desire to be strengthened. Stage 4: WORDS OF APPROVAL (v.18). The comforting assurance of the angel is now heard. Daniel is encouraged and strengthened. Stage 5: MADE IMMORTAL (v. 19). The Divine Voice of power is expressed, as Daniel is strengthened. He feels the power in his being, resulting from the angel's words. The terms of approval by the angel are now accompanied by the physical reaction felt by Daniel, as typically he is given eternal life.
The Kingdom of Men Lecture Summary (click here)
The Kingdom of Men was founded by Nimrod (Gen 10:8-12). It has been diversified in its constitution since its foundation to the present time, but has been the same Nimroudian Kingdom. We see, in Daniel, an image of a man whose components represent the different forms that the Kingdom of Men would assume throughout history. These world powers (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman) have successively dominated the world. The modern religious world is fundamentally Babylonian, and “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth” is the title that the Scriptures give this system. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's image was destroyed, the Kingdom of Men will soon be destroyed, and God will establish His Kingdom, to be ruled by His son and those who obey His will.
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