Tonight on The Hal Lindsey Report

Unavoidable transportation delays interrupted our network delivery schedules this week. So once again I'll discuss how the steadfast faithfulness of Daniel provided the perfect picture of the certainty of God's Word. 

The book of Daniel is the most important prophetic book in the Bible, even more so than the Book of Revelation. This week, however, I will focus, not on the prophecies of Daniel, but on the man and his character. It's an especially timely study in a world charging headlong into a new dark age.  

Daniel lived one of the most remarkable lives in the history of the world. Even as a teenager, he changed the course of history. But in the story I want to examine this week, many years have gone by. The Medes and Persians had defeated the Babylonians and taken their empire. Darius now ruled. For about twenty years following the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, it had seemed like Daniel's career was over. But as happened to him so often, he quickly rose through the ranks again. 

After becoming one of the most important figures in the empire, Daniel's integrity and the king's confidence in him ignited the jealousy of his peers. But the only way they could eliminate him was by concocting a plan that depended on his faithfulness to his God. 

As the world grows darker, God can and will prosper and care for His people, but don't expect everything to be easy. The psalmist wrote, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." But he doesn't stop there. He goes on to affirm, "But the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19, NASB) 

Daniel is testimony to that promise. He made the decision to honor his convictions rather than obey the dictates of the state. By doing so, he assured himself of a terrible fate. He was thrown to the hungry lions. 

And his friend, King Darius, trapped by the power of his own words, was helpless to intervene. 

It's interesting to note that because the law of the Medes and Persians, once signed and confirmed by the king, was unalterable, King Darius found himself facing a dim reflection of the dilemma God Himself once faced when Adam and Eve chose death over life with Him. He loved them but had given His word that sin always carries a death sentence. And God's word is infinitely more certain than the law of the Medes and Persians. 

So in His infinite wisdom, God devised a way for His love to deliver sinners from His wrath while not compromising His righteousness and justice. Jesus Christ took upon Himself a human nature, lived as a true man, and never once sinned. He therefore qualified to voluntarily take upon Himself the penalty and punishment for our sins. He died in our place and secured a true forgiveness for each one who will receive it as a gift. Salvation cannot be given if any human merit is attached to it. Salvation is an absolute gift. 

Tune in this week as I examine how the intractability of the Law of the Medes and Persians and Daniel's faith in his God led to a national revival of faith in the one true God. 

Don't miss this week's Report here Sunday.   

God Bless,

Hal Lindsey