Old Testament - Daniel 5:1-31 - (The Handwriting On The Wall)
Channel: Calvary Chapel Windward
Date: 2016-06-20

Old Testament - Daniel 5:1-31 - (The Handwriting On The Wall) - CC Windward - Pastor Tim

Old Testament - Daniel 5:1-31 - (The Handwriting On The Wall) - Calvary Chapel Windward - OAHU, HAWAII - Pastor Tim Newman - 

PASTOR TIM's NOTES:

Daniel 5:1-31
“The Handwriting on the Wall”
1. King Belshazzar RECEIVES an unexpected message.
Vs. 1-12
There were 3 things he wasn’t expecting.
1a. King Belshazzar wasn’t expecting a message when he brought out the sacred goblets
of the temple.
This man had a contemptible attitude toward the things of God.
Belshazzar was 14 years old when the prophecy of the statue with the head of gold
was given.
Therefore he knew that his grandfather’s reign would last only 3 generations.
He was the third generation.
1b. King Belshazzar wasn’t expecting to see the hand writing on the wall.
A finger of a human hand wrote on the wall and the King was terrified.
God can use a number of way of getting our attention.
1c. King Belshazzar wasn’t expecting his grandfather’s friend to give the meaning and the
interpretation of the writing.
The Queen comes in and reminds the King that Daniel was chief of the wise men
under Nebuchadnezzar. He will be able to explain the writing.
2. King Belshazzar is given the REASON for the message.
Vs. 13-24
There are 3 reasons for the message on the wall.
2a. So King Belshazzar could be reintroduced to Daniel.
Notice what he says next;
Vs.14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and
outstanding wisdom.
He has more than heard about Daniel; Daniel use to have his job.
Daniel tells him to keep him reward but offers to interpret the writing.
2b. So King Belshazzar could be reminded of the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel tells of how Nebuchadnezzar was powerful but his heart became hardened
and proud. So God humbled him so that he would acknowledge the Most High God.
2c. So King Belshazzar could understand what happens when you set yourself up against
God.
Daniel says that Belshazzar has not humbled himself.
Instead he has set himself up against the Lord of Heaven.
3. King Belshazzar REAPS what he has sown in this life.
Vs. 25-31
3a. King Belshazzar will reap judgment from God.
The meaning and the interpretation are a judgment of his life.
God says Belshazzar’s life will end abruptly.
MENE, MENE
The word means numbered; as in the past.
It is already a done deal.
God says that Belshazzar does not measure up to his standard.
TEKEL
This is close to the Hebrew word shekel.
It means weighed and refers to a system of weights used in the ancient world.
You have been weighed and found wanting, you have not measured up.
God says that Belshazzar will have everything he owns given to another.
PARSIN
This is a play on words, it sounds like Persian.
It means divided and is a reference to the fact that the Kingdom would
be divided.
It will be exactly the way that God said it would take place.
3b. King Belshazzar assumes there will be time to repent and not be judged.
Therefore He rewards Daniel for having given the explanation.
3c. King Belshazzar’s judgment comes to pass.
That night Belshazzar was killed and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.
Who is Darius the Mede?
He is a ruler under the authority of a man named Cyrus.
This is the Cyrus named by Isaiah the Prophet who would send the people of God
back to Jerusalem.
Isa 47:4-5, Isa 47:9