by f ziamond | Feb 15, 2025
#ThisVerseFitz relating to modern time, modern concerns and the sin of materialistic worship.
On this seventh Sunday of 2025, February 16, we enter the book of Daniel. This is shorter than the last few we have gone through. It begins where King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The king requested to be brought the youths of the nation without blemish, with good appearance, skillful in wisdom and endowed with knowledge, understanding to teach the literature and language of the Chaldeans. Daniel was among the chosen group – Daniel 1:6-7 – “Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
Similar to our favorite verse, Acts 2:17, and much of the story of Joseph within Genesis, this book revolves around visions, dreams and the translations of them. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubled spirit regarding his dreams, he called for any and all of his enchanters, magicians or sorcerers to assist in interpreting the dreams. He did not only want them interpreted. He wanted them to tell him what his dream was first. They all found that request to be impossible. Daniel was given an incredible gift. He asked for additional time and he was given a vision of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation. When he returned to inform Nebuchadnezzar, he was pleased with the results and promoted Daniel to ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
In chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar has a gold statue built and demands the public to worship the statue. He shows his arrogance and worship of materialistic idols, statues, purple robes and gold chains instead of focusing on God. The three men from Daniel’s group, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship these false idols and Nebuchadnezzar sentenced them to burn in the furnace. This is when the three men are seen walking through the fire and Nebuchadnezzar notices a fourth man with them. This is their savior. This is where the phrase “fourth man in the fire” comes from. On that note, another song recommendation from Elevation Worship is “Trust In God” where the line says, “He’s been my fourth man in the fire time after time.”
Nebuchadnezzar’s next dream is a warning that he will lose his reign as a lesson due to him putting idols before God. Once again it was translated by Daniel. When his son, King Belshazzar reigned, he too became arrogant and worshipped materials as well. He was shown with a handwriting the error of his ways. He called on anyone who could solve problems, puzzles, riddles and Daniel was once again the only one who could interpret the handwriting. Daniel interprets it and Belshazzar offers him gold, silver, bronze and materialistic gifts. Daniel turns them down. He translates: Daniel 5:24-31 – “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about 62 years old.”
In chapter 6, Daniels most popular story takes place. Once again, another king wants the people to worship materials. Daniel is caught praying to God. He refuses to worship the statues, false idols and is sentenced to the lions den. This king, Darius, is in hope that God will save him. And he does. Daniel 6:18-24 – “Then at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he has trusted in his god. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions – they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottomof the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
The king instructed all of his people to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
Lions
Daniel goes on to have many more visions. One of his most memorable are of the four beasts said to represent the four earthly kingdoms, The Lion with Eagle wings – King Nebuchadnezzar, The Bear – Medo Persian Empire, Four headed, Four winged Leopard – The Greek Empire, Beast with ten horns – The Roman Empire. He later sees the Ram and the Goat which is explained to Daniel by Gabriel the angel.
Michael the Archangel appears in chapter 10, he is a warrior angel who fights on the side of good in the spiritual war to assist the angels that are held back from reaching Daniel. This “fitz” in modern times with the many spiritual battles taking place.
Archangel Michael
Many of Daniels visions represent end times and he was instructed not to share them because the events will not take place for a long time into the future. Daniel 12:1-4 – “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Daniel will rise to receive his reward. The book ends speaking of the wise versus the wicked, good versus evil, not much has changed to this day.
A story that truly “Fitz”, and a Lion included – We mentioned in Romans and other books how we were inspired by our Pastor and our church. During the writing of this article, our beautiful Attorney General, Pam Bondi, was at the White House and announced that her Pastor is our Pastor and she’s been at this church for over a decade. God Bless Pam, Aaron, their families and all of those with beautiful Hearts, Soul and Spirit! Another piece worth mentioning since it “Fitz”, with “Daniel”, is, we were referred to Radiant by a “Danielle”.
God Search in Words – Print N Play
“God Search in Words” works exactly as a normal “Word Search” with a somewhat higher level of difficulty given the Biblical terms. Once all the words are found, the leftover letters repeat a phrase 7.6 times (meaning the phrase is present 7 times and 6 letters of the phrase are left over).
PrintNPlay
Print N Play, Have some fun and Read your scriptures… For the ultimate Bible experience, visit New Wine: NEW WINE – from our PHP family, Justin & Wendy Leoni. They can also be found on the Patriots Helping Patriots rumble channel on their hit show “Under The Oak Tree”! FZIAMOND.COM:
Take a look at “ThisShirtFitz” – Click for Details:
Lions
Lions