Daniel 1:1-21
Background: Reign of Jehoikim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Bablylon…God delivered Jehoikim king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar vs 1-2….some of the articles from the temple of God…carried off to the temple of hus god in Babylonia…
Selection of young men without any physical defects, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace vs 3-4.
TH: Interesting selection criteria to serve the king-the best.
…assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table…vs 5
Daniel and his friends were selected vs 6
Daniel requested..asked the chief official… for a vegetarian and water diet…not to defile himself. …at end of ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food-vs 15.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds-vs 17…every matter of wisdom and understanding..found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom vs 20.
TH: God sets up Daniel and his friends for His purpose..to glorify him in the eyes of the king of Babylon.
…Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. (vs 21).
Revelation 3:7-13
To the Church in Philadelphia
….holds the key of David. What he opens, no one can shut; and what he shuts, no one can open.
…new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God…vs 12.