1. Lesson 5 for August 1, 2015
Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that
all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion
is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his
kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

2. “Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some
of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the
nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in
all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to
serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and
literature of the Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:3-4)
Daniel and his friends had to follow their faith without the main pillars of
Judaism in Babylon: The temple, the priesthood and the sacrifices.
Daniel’s testimony in that strange land was recorded in the Bible:
 Daniel 1:8. “Daniel purposed in his
heart that he would not defile
himself.”
 Daniel 2:47. “Truly your God is the
God of gods.”
 Daniel 5:12. “Inasmuch as an
excellent spirit, knowledge,
understanding… were found in this
Daniel.”
 Daniel 6:4. “They could find no charge
or fault, because he was faithful.”

3. Daniel 2
He accepted God as
being greater than
other gods.
Daniel 3
He saw Jesus and
praised God before his
subjects.
Daniel 4
He was finally
humiliated and
converted.
Belshazzar
Daniel 5
Sadly, he didn’t
accept God.
God used the exiled believers to
testify before the Babylonian kings
several times so they could be
converted.

4. “Through the Hebrew captives the Lord was
made known to the heathen in Babylon. This
idolatrous nation was given a knowledge of
the kingdom the Lord was to establish, and
through His power maintain against all the
power and craft of Satan. Daniel and his
fellow-companions, Ezra and Nehemiah, and
many others were witnesses for God in their
captivity. The Lord scattered them among
the kingdoms of the earth that their light
might shine brightly amid the black darkness
of heathenism and idolatry.”
E.G.W. (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, on Daniel 2:47)

5. A WITNESS IN PERSIA
“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)
Daniel was a minister in the previous
government. Still he was respected in the new
régime because of his honesty and faithfulness.
Darius had confidence in him. He knew Daniel
had a strong relationship with God: “Your God,
whom you serve continually, He will deliver
you.” (Daniel 6:16).
Daniel’s testimony
ended up as a royal
decree that read
“men must tremble
and fear before the
God of Daniel.”
(Daniel 6:26).
It doesn’t matter where you
are or the circumstances
around you. God calls you to
be a witness by living an
upright life in communion
with Him.

6. “Then 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 the one which shall
not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)
Daniel had several visions about the End Time
(Daniel 8:17, 19; 12:4, 9, 13). Those visions have
been a living testimony over many generations,
so we could strength our trust in God’s Word.
The main theme in all those prophecies is the
establishment of God’s eternal kingdom on Earth.
Jesus used Daniel’s
prophecies when He
talked about the
signs of His Coming
and the preaching
of the Gospel in the
whole world
(Matthew 24:14-16).

7. “And seek the peace of the city where I have
caused you to be carried away captive, and pray
to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have
peace.”(Jeremiah 29:7)
God allowed that
several men and
women were
sent to exile so
they could
testify there,
either actively
or passively.
They were a
blessing for both
the people and
God and the
country they
lived in.
Daniel
They knew he
was Hebrew.
He made his
religious
convictions
public.
God protected
him and his
friends.
He testified
from important
positions to
save his and
other people’s
lives.
Esther
They didn’t
know she was
Hebrew.
She kept her
religion secret.
God protected
her and her
family.
She testified
from important
positions to
save her and
her people’s
lives.
Joseph
They knew he
was Hebrew.
He made his
religious
convictions
public.
God protected
him and his
family.
He testified
from important
positions to
save that
country and his
family.

8. “What a lifework was that of these noble
Hebrews! As they bade farewell to their
childhood home, how little did they dream of
their high destiny! Faithful and steadfast, they
yielded themselves to the divine guiding, so
that through them God could fulfill His
purpose.”
Let’s give our life to God so He can use us to
fulfill His good purpose.
E.G.W. (Education, cp. 7, pg. 57)