THE MARCH OF EMPIRE LECTURES ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL by Floyd Hitchcock (an eBook)
$3.00
Amazon Pay, Paypal, 2Checkout safe transactions
Our eBooks come in four digital formats – .pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader), .mobi and .epub (for most eBook readers like Amazon Kindle, iPad, Nook etc) and .html (for any web browser like Chrome, Opera, IE etc) You will be able to download (.zip archive with these 4 files in “My Account”) after your purchase.
— From a book of prepared and dedicated to Brother Hitchcock by the staff of the radio program.
To the consistent faithfulness of our founder, Floyd Hitchcock whose untiring devotion to the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and to the ministry of the Gospel, who has been used of GOD to accomplish much for Him, we do affectionately dedicate this little volume of Christian poems.
As a young man of 19, Brother Hitchcock began his active service for the Lord, as a creek-fording circuit rider in the area of Ava, Missouri, deep in the heart of the Ozarks. Later he also taught school in Taney County at “Possum Trot”, often riding many hours on horseback in all kinds of weather to preach and teach GOD’s word.
After a short term at Taylor University in 1923, he and his wife were called to the foreign mission field where they served six years in Japan, Korea, Formosa, and China.
When at home on their first furlough, the door closed to foreign missions, and after a short term in the pastorate, the Lord opened a new field of service on an international level, through the media of radio.
Under the incorporate name of “The Faith of Our Fathers Program,” — Mr. Hitchcock’s teaching ministry has been a source of Spiritual blessing to thousands of people throughout the Ozarks, during more than 26 years of daily broadcasting over KWTO at Springfield. Over 50 countries have been reached with the Gospel by his overseas programming. And, unknown scores have been blessed and strengthened through the printed page, youth Bible camps, and Bible conferences, which have become an important phase of the work.
Through all these years Brother Hitchcock has been much in demand as a guest speaker, and his personal appearances and presentation of colored motion pictures, which he took on several trips to the Holy Land and to other foreign mission fields, have made him one of the most loved and respected servants of GOD in all the Ozarks.
STATEMENT OF DEDICATION
To
all who
love GOD and
believe His word
and who delight to
study the prophetic
scriptures for needed light and
truth concerning the present and
the future, this book is graciously dedicated
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The material given in this book was originally prepared and given as a series of Bible Lectures over KWTO in Springfield, Missouri. They were later presented over WJJD in Chicago, Illinois. The literary style of the book is therefore quite different from that of the ordinary writer on Bible subjects because the material was arranged for an oral presentation and was given in that manner.
METHOD OF STUDY
Our method of study and exposition has been very simple and to the point because our purpose has been to give a chapter by chapter study and exposition of the entire book. In doing this our principal of interpretation has been to let the Scriptures act as their own commentary. After all the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself.
A TIMELY SUBJECT
A study of the book of Daniel is very necessary and very timely for all those who are interested in current events in the light of Bible prophecy. With the whole world now at war it is natural that many people would like to know what the outcome of these things is going to be. It was for this very purpose that the book of Daniel was given unto us by the Lord, through His prophet.
WHY STUDY PROPHECY?
The answer is, because “Prophecy is History Pre-written.” It indicates both the wisdom and fore-knowledge of GOD. In Isaiah 41:23, GOD challenges the gods of the heathen by saying: “Let them bring them forth, and show us what will happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods.”
In other words, the inability of the gods of the heathen to foreknow and foretell, or declare things to come, is sufficient proof that they are no gods at all.
Fulfilled prophecy, therefore, is one of the strongest proofs we have of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. And the fact that the GOD of the Bible does foreknow and foretell coming events, so that they come to pass exactly as recorded in His word, is chief among all reasons why we should believe and trust in Him, and in the sure word of prophecy which He has given.
THE FIRST GREAT PROPHECY
The first great prophecy was spoken by GOD Himself immediately after man has sinned, and is recorded in Genesis 3:15. In that prophetic pronouncement GOD said: “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” In prophetic language this was the first promise of a Saviour, who was to be the seed of the woman. It also declared that the seed of Satan would bruise His heel. In other words, it is CHRIST, the seed of the woman, and Antichrist the seed of Satan, that are brought to our attention in this passage. They are presented as enemies by divine appointment, and were to be engaged in a deadly combat that would result in bruising the head of Satan, and the heel of the CHRIST.
In other words, it was the whole plan of redemption in one verse. It revealed to fallen man the future purposes of GOD in redemption. It became at once the foundation stone, and the foundation-head of all prophecy. All subsequent prophecy has merely added detail to the general statement of fact given here. This original prophecy established the fact that man’s redemption from sin was dependent upon a Saviour who would be the seed of the woman. It also declared that the bruising of Satan’s head was dependent upon the man who was to be the seed of the woman. The victory of CHRIST, as the Son of GOD, and the defeat of Antichrist, as the son of Satan, therefore, became at once the subject and burden of all prophecy, and the doctrine of the virgin birth became the necessary means whereby GOD purposed to bring these things about.
We are not surprised, therefore, to find that the Bible, which is a divine revelation of GOD’s plan of redemption, is largely a book of prophecy. The time element involved in redemption has made prophetic Scriptures a necessity.
THE COVENANTS ARE PROPHETIC
A careful examination of the major covenants of the Bible, such as the Adamic, the Noahic, the Abrahamic, the Mosaic, the Davidic, the Palestinian, and the New Covenant will reveal that they are largely prophetic in nature and material, and that they form a well outlined, systematic program of redemption. Many of the Psalms also are prophetic, and fit well into the divine plan. JESUS often quoted from the Psalms, as well as from other Old Testament prophecies.
The Old Testament prophets prophecied that JESUS, the virgin born man, the seed of the woman, would come. When He did come — JESUS was Himself a great prophet. Much of His preaching was made up of wonderful prophetic statements. The 24th and 25th chapters of Matthew are an example of the prophetic utterances of JESUS. Therefore, how can we understand the true message of JESUS, and teach it to others, unless we understand the full intent of the wonderful prophecies he uttered during His ministry.
PROPHECY IS LIGHT
The Apostle Peter encouraged all Christians to study the prophetic Scriptures when he said in II Peter 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.”
The night is growing dark about us, and it is difficult for us to find our way, but if we understand the prophetic Scriptures, the beacon light of prophecy will light the way before us, and we can march on into the deepening shadows with faith and hope and courage, knowing full well that all that GOD has prophecied in His word He will bring to pass.
Therefore, let us give ourselves to a prayerful study of the prophetic Scriptures of both the Old and New Testament, and in doing so we shall receive knowledge, light, hope, and a special blessing, and we shall be enabled also to discern the signs of the times, and to know what the will of the Lord is.
THE MARCH OF EMPIRES
The Book of Daniel reveals unto us in a very interesting and unique way the March of Empire as GOD knew it would be during “The Times of the Gentiles.” Daniel, although he was a Jewish Prophet, became the great prophet of GOD to the Gentiles.
CURRENT EVENTS
Realizing that the current events of these very days in which we live are, as it were, an index finger pointing toward the fulfillment of those things which have been prophecied in the Book of Daniel, I submit the material contained in the pages of this book hoping and praying that it may be used of the Lord to bring needed light and truth and spiritual blessing and understanding to Jews, Gentiles and Christians alike.
Very sincerely yours in His fellowship and service.
— Floyd Hitchcock
JESUS CHRIST is “Divine Love Incarnate”
“And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” — I Timothy 3:16
***
THE WAY-MARKS
Look for the way-marks as you journey on,
Look for the way-marks, passing one by one;
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,
Where are we standing? Look the way-marks o’er.
First the Assyrian kingdom ruled the world,
Then Medo-Persia’s banners were unfurled;
And after Greece held universal sway,
Rome seized the scepter — where are we today?
Down in the feet of iron and clay,
Weak and divided, soon to pass away;
What will the next great, glorious drama be?
CHRIST and His coming, and eternity!
Look for the way-marks, the great prophetic way-marks,
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,
Look for the way-marks
The journey’s almost o’er.
— Selected
MARKED FOR HIS OWN
“How lovely are Thy dwellings
O Lord God of Hosts!”
“How lovely are the faces of
The men who talk with GOD,
Lit with an inner sureness of
The path their feet have trod;
“How gentle is the manner of
A man who walks with Him,
No strength can overcome him, and
no cloud his courage dim.
“Keen are the hands and feet — ah yes —
Of those who wait His will,
And clear as crystal mirrors are
The hearts His love can fill.
Some lives are drear from doubt and fear
While others merely plod —
But lovely faces mark the men
Who walk and talk with GOD!”
— Pauline Prosser-Thompson
CHAPTER 1 Introductory Lesson – The Babylonian Captivity
LESSON TEXT — Daniel 1:1-21
Daniel, a Book of Bible Prophecy — A Personal Word — The Importance of Bible Prophecy — Only the Ignorant or Godless Object to a Study and Preaching of Prophecy — The Authentication of the Book of Daniel Was Confirmed by JESUS CHRIST — The Personal History of Daniel — The Babylonian Captivity of the Jews Had Been Prophecied — The Real Reason Why GOD Allowed Such a Captivity to Happen.
Like the Book of Revelation, the Book of Daniel is primarily a book of prophecy. Some of the prophecies in the Book, however, have already been fulfilled, and have become history, while other prophecies recorded in the Book are still future and await fulfillment.
I am accused sometimes of preaching too much on the subject of prophecy, but so long as others neglect to preach upon this important subject, and just as long as I find the material for my sermons, in the Word of GOD, I feel that I am standing upon a sure foundation and that I am doing the Lord’s will regardless of any criticism which men may bring against my ministry of GOD’s word. Surely, GOD intended that all of His Word should be preached and not merely a certain portion of it. That, my friends, is exactly what I am trying to do. Without fear or favor, I am trying to preach the entire Word of GOD to Jews, Gentiles and Christians alike.
The importance of prophecy is well affirmed in II Peter 1:19-21, where it says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Understanding these things, it is my firm conviction that GOD will bless any preacher who will preach on the subject of prophecy, and give to the people what they need rather than what they want. Few people realize that a greater portion of the Bible is pure prophecy. This applies to both the Old and the New Testaments. Certainly the Book of Daniel was necessary or it would never have been written, and if we neglect to study it, the truth of the book will remain the same, and we will only be robbing ourselves of the spiritual light and truth which GOD intended that we should have.
JESUS SPOKE OFTEN OF THE FUTURE
Some people, in their thinking, live only in the present. Others, while living in the present, love to think and meditate upon the past, but, how few people there are, who really seem to be interested in the things of the future. When JESUS was upon earth, He more than any other Man who ever lived, (as the Son of GOD and the PROPHET of the Lord) spoke continually to the people and to His disciples about the things of the future. He cried out prophecies against the scribes and Pharisees because of their sins and their wickedness and that was the reason they hated Him. When He told His disciples and the multitudes, of the glorious things which were in store for those who would believe and obey the Word of GOD, that was the reason they loved and trusted in Him. We can readily see, therefore, that the faithful and believing children of GOD do not object to a study of prophecy, because it increases their faith and encourages them in hope, and gives them a vision of things which are yet to come. But the godless and the wicked and unbelieving, and the unprepared, are those who object to the study and teaching of the prophetic Scriptures because it makes them uneasy in their hearts concerning what the future may bring forth.
We affirm, therefore, that the Book of Daniel is both, important and needful, especially for those of us who are living in these times, for Daniel was more than anyone else the great prophet to the Gentiles.
THE AUTHORSHIP OF THIS BOOK CONFIRMED
The authenticity of the Book of Daniel is confirmed by the fact that JESUS Himself gave His personal endorsement of Daniel and the things which he had written. This is confirmed in Matthew 24:15-16, where JESUS said, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand;) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.”
Indeed, my friends, if JESUS gave His personal endorsement to the author of this book, which we are about to study, and spoke of him as a true prophet, and endorsed the things which he had written, I am willing to accept the truth which it contains, in spite of all the higher criticism which modern critics have brought against the book in order to discredit its teachings.
THE PERSONAL HISTORY AND CHARACTER OF DANIEL
A few remarks concerning the personality of Daniel will be of interest and help, I am sure.
It so happens that we know more of the personal character of Daniel than we do of any of the other prophets. We must say first of all that he was a great man of faith as indicated throughout the entire Book of Daniel. All children know the story of how Daniel was cast into the lions’ den and how he escaped unhurt because of the great faith he had in GOD.
He was also a man who realized his dependence upon GOD. He was also deeply spiritual and was a man of great humility. In addition to this he was a man of great prayer. During his lifetime he talked not only with men of high estate, but he also talked with angels who were sent of GOD, to speak with him. The angel Gabriel addressed Daniel as the “man greatly beloved.” In addition to all this, he received divine revelations from GOD as recorded in the Book which bears his name.
AN INTERESTING QUESTION
In the New Analytical Bible it says, quoting, “The study of Daniel is invested with a special interest, in that we know more of his personal history than of any other prophet. He was of royal descent.
“While Jeremiah was being persecuted by the people and priests in the reign of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and carried away Daniel and others (606 B.C.). In the following year he ascended the throne of Babylon. Daniel was then about eighteen years of age and could not have been much younger than Nebuchadnezzar himself. Thus, this prophet lived through the entire period of the Captivity and was an old man when placed in a high position in the Persian Empire.
“Daniel is pre-eminently the prophet of the ‘times of the Gentiles.’ In this book of prophecy, we have a new view of the world-order as it is not given by any other prophet. This book is distinctly different from any other book of the Old Testament in the manner in which it sets forth Gentile rule, from the rise of the Babylonian Empire, through the four universal empires, and to the time of the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom. It is this historical picture, having such remarkable scope, that is hung up for us in the book of Daniel.
“In His great prophetical discourse in which He sketched the peculiarities of the age, to the time of His second coming, Our Lord quoted Daniel with reference to the great tribulation, placing that event just prior to the second advent. Thus, from CHRIST’s interpretation of this prediction, we can see the historical range of the prophet’s inspired vision.”
NEW TESTAMENT PROPHECY
Dr. Scofield also says, “Daniel is the indispensable introduction to the New Testament prophecy, the themes of which are, the apostasy of the Church, the manifestation of the man of sin, the great tribulation, the return of the Lord, the resurrections, and the judgments! These, except for the first, are Daniel’s themes also.
LESSON TEXT Daniel 1:1-21
We are now ready to read our lesson text, which of necessity, due to the nature of the material given, will included the first chapter of the Book of Daniel which says:
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king ofBabylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus”
THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY PROPHECIED
This chapter is very interesting because it gives us a personal history of Daniel and his fellow captives. The circumstances which we find recorded here are all the more interesting in view of what is stated in Isaiah 39:7, where it says, “And of thy sons, that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Thus we see that what came to pass was a fulfillment of this prophecy given earlier by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah.
WHAT JEREMIAH SAID
The Prophet Jeremiah also foretold the Babylonian captivity when he spoke of the vessels of the Lord which belonged to the temple in Jerusalem in Jeremiah 27:21-22, saying, “Yea, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the GOD of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem; They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be, until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.”
THE REAL REASON
Many people study about the Babylonian captivity and fail to understand the divine reason for it.
In the 26th Chapter of Leviticus we have recorded the law of the sabbatic, year, in which the Children of Israel were instructed to let the land rest every seventh year. During that year they were neither to sow nor reap but were to live by the old store which GOD had provided for them during the six years. But for 490 years which would include a total of seventy sabbatic years, they failed to do this. Apparently, they thought they would prosper by disobeying the Lord and by tilling the ground contrary to the Lord’s command.
For a time it seemed as if GOD had given no attention to this trespass and disobedience. They thought GOD had winked at their sin, but in this they were mistaken, for in due time GOD allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to come and take them into Babylonian captivity, which captivity lasted for seventy years, which was exactly time enough to balance the budget, as it were. They refused to let the land rest one year in seven and therefore, GOD allowed them to be dispossessed of the land until their trespass was atoned for.
IDOLATRY
Another reason GOD allowed them to be taken into Babylonian captivity was because they had fallen into idolatry. Historically speaking, all idolatry had originated in Babylon. Therefore, Babylon was the fountainhead of all idolatrous systems of worship. GOD allowed the Children of Israel to be taken captive into Babylon and to remain there for seventy years, in order that He might teach them once and for all the sinfulness of their own idolatry. Needless to say, they learned their lesson well, for since their return from Babylonian captivity, the Jewish people have never been an idolatrous people, as before.
And so, in this lesson we have discovered a real reason for the Babylonian captivity, at which time Daniel and his fellow princes were carried into Babylon.
THE MARCH OF EMPIRE LECTURES ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL by Floyd Hitchcock (an eBook)
$3.00
Amazon Pay, Paypal, 2Checkout safe transactions
Our eBooks come in four digital formats – .pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader), .mobi and .epub (for most eBook readers like Amazon Kindle, iPad, Nook etc) and .html (for any web browser like Chrome, Opera, IE etc) You will be able to download (.zip archive with these 4 files in “My Account”) after your purchase.
Description
THE MARCH OF EMPIRE
LECTURES ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL
by
Floyd Hitchcock
www.solidchristianbooks.com
2014
Contents
CONCERNING FLOYD HITCHCOCK. 3
STATEMENT OF DEDICATION. 5
AUTHOR’S NOTE. 6
CHAPTER 1 Introductory Lesson – The Babylonian Captivity. 12
CHAPTER 2 – Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah – The Name Changes 20
CHAPTER 3 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream.. 30
CHAPTER 4 Better to Die in A Furnace than to Disobey GOD. 44
CHAPTER 5 The King’s Heart is Changed. 54
CHAPTER 6 A Chapter Written by Nebuchadnezzar 62
CHAPTER 7 Belshazzar – Weighed and Found Wanting. 72
CHAPTER 8 Daniel in the Lion’s Den. 81
CHAPTER 9 Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts. 92
CHAPTER 10 The Ten Horns on the Nondescript Beast 102
CHAPTER 11 The Little Horn – A Symbol of the Antichrist 112
CHAPTER 12 Antichrist to be A Supreme Ruler for A Short Time 121
CHAPTER 13 Daniel’s Mistaken Idea Corrected. 131
CHAPTER 14 The Wonderful Prayer of the Prophet 141
CHAPTER 15 Seventy Years Determined Upon thy People and thy Holy City 152
CHAPTER 16 The Message of the Seventy Weeks. 163
CHAPTER 17 Daniel – A Man Greatly Beloved. 172
CHAPTER 18 The Kings of the North and the Kings of the South 180
CHAPTER 19 Two Hundred Years of Fulfilled Prophecy. 192
CHAPTER 20 The Antichrist of the Old Testament – Antiochus Epiphanes 203
CHAPTER 21 The Great Tribulation and Michael’s Defense of the Children of Israel 213
CONCERNING FLOYD HITCHCOCK
— From a book of prepared and dedicated to Brother Hitchcock by the staff of the radio program.
To the consistent faithfulness of our founder, Floyd Hitchcock whose untiring devotion to the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and to the ministry of the Gospel, who has been used of GOD to accomplish much for Him, we do affectionately dedicate this little volume of Christian poems.
As a young man of 19, Brother Hitchcock began his active service for the Lord, as a creek-fording circuit rider in the area of Ava, Missouri, deep in the heart of the Ozarks. Later he also taught school in Taney County at “Possum Trot”, often riding many hours on horseback in all kinds of weather to preach and teach GOD’s word.
After a short term at Taylor University in 1923, he and his wife were called to the foreign mission field where they served six years in Japan, Korea, Formosa, and China.
When at home on their first furlough, the door closed to foreign missions, and after a short term in the pastorate, the Lord opened a new field of service on an international level, through the media of radio.
Under the incorporate name of “The Faith of Our Fathers Program,” — Mr. Hitchcock’s teaching ministry has been a source of Spiritual blessing to thousands of people throughout the Ozarks, during more than 26 years of daily broadcasting over KWTO at Springfield. Over 50 countries have been reached with the Gospel by his overseas programming. And, unknown scores have been blessed and strengthened through the printed page, youth Bible camps, and Bible conferences, which have become an important phase of the work.
Through all these years Brother Hitchcock has been much in demand as a guest speaker, and his personal appearances and presentation of colored motion pictures, which he took on several trips to the Holy Land and to other foreign mission fields, have made him one of the most loved and respected servants of GOD in all the Ozarks.
STATEMENT OF DEDICATION
To
all who
love GOD and
believe His word
and who delight to
study the prophetic
scriptures for needed light and
truth concerning the present and
the future, this book is graciously dedicated
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The material given in this book was originally prepared and given as a series of Bible Lectures over KWTO in Springfield, Missouri. They were later presented over WJJD in Chicago, Illinois. The literary style of the book is therefore quite different from that of the ordinary writer on Bible subjects because the material was arranged for an oral presentation and was given in that manner.
METHOD OF STUDY
Our method of study and exposition has been very simple and to the point because our purpose has been to give a chapter by chapter study and exposition of the entire book. In doing this our principal of interpretation has been to let the Scriptures act as their own commentary. After all the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself.
A TIMELY SUBJECT
A study of the book of Daniel is very necessary and very timely for all those who are interested in current events in the light of Bible prophecy. With the whole world now at war it is natural that many people would like to know what the outcome of these things is going to be. It was for this very purpose that the book of Daniel was given unto us by the Lord, through His prophet.
WHY STUDY PROPHECY?
The answer is, because “Prophecy is History Pre-written.” It indicates both the wisdom and fore-knowledge of GOD. In Isaiah 41:23, GOD challenges the gods of the heathen by saying: “Let them bring them forth, and show us what will happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods.”
In other words, the inability of the gods of the heathen to foreknow and foretell, or declare things to come, is sufficient proof that they are no gods at all.
Fulfilled prophecy, therefore, is one of the strongest proofs we have of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. And the fact that the GOD of the Bible does foreknow and foretell coming events, so that they come to pass exactly as recorded in His word, is chief among all reasons why we should believe and trust in Him, and in the sure word of prophecy which He has given.
THE FIRST GREAT PROPHECY
The first great prophecy was spoken by GOD Himself immediately after man has sinned, and is recorded in Genesis 3:15. In that prophetic pronouncement GOD said: “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” In prophetic language this was the first promise of a Saviour, who was to be the seed of the woman. It also declared that the seed of Satan would bruise His heel. In other words, it is CHRIST, the seed of the woman, and Antichrist the seed of Satan, that are brought to our attention in this passage. They are presented as enemies by divine appointment, and were to be engaged in a deadly combat that would result in bruising the head of Satan, and the heel of the CHRIST.
In other words, it was the whole plan of redemption in one verse. It revealed to fallen man the future purposes of GOD in redemption. It became at once the foundation stone, and the foundation-head of all prophecy. All subsequent prophecy has merely added detail to the general statement of fact given here. This original prophecy established the fact that man’s redemption from sin was dependent upon a Saviour who would be the seed of the woman. It also declared that the bruising of Satan’s head was dependent upon the man who was to be the seed of the woman. The victory of CHRIST, as the Son of GOD, and the defeat of Antichrist, as the son of Satan, therefore, became at once the subject and burden of all prophecy, and the doctrine of the virgin birth became the necessary means whereby GOD purposed to bring these things about.
We are not surprised, therefore, to find that the Bible, which is a divine revelation of GOD’s plan of redemption, is largely a book of prophecy. The time element involved in redemption has made prophetic Scriptures a necessity.
THE COVENANTS ARE PROPHETIC
A careful examination of the major covenants of the Bible, such as the Adamic, the Noahic, the Abrahamic, the Mosaic, the Davidic, the Palestinian, and the New Covenant will reveal that they are largely prophetic in nature and material, and that they form a well outlined, systematic program of redemption. Many of the Psalms also are prophetic, and fit well into the divine plan. JESUS often quoted from the Psalms, as well as from other Old Testament prophecies.
The Old Testament prophets prophecied that JESUS, the virgin born man, the seed of the woman, would come. When He did come — JESUS was Himself a great prophet. Much of His preaching was made up of wonderful prophetic statements. The 24th and 25th chapters of Matthew are an example of the prophetic utterances of JESUS. Therefore, how can we understand the true message of JESUS, and teach it to others, unless we understand the full intent of the wonderful prophecies he uttered during His ministry.
PROPHECY IS LIGHT
The Apostle Peter encouraged all Christians to study the prophetic Scriptures when he said in II Peter 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.”
The night is growing dark about us, and it is difficult for us to find our way, but if we understand the prophetic Scriptures, the beacon light of prophecy will light the way before us, and we can march on into the deepening shadows with faith and hope and courage, knowing full well that all that GOD has prophecied in His word He will bring to pass.
Therefore, let us give ourselves to a prayerful study of the prophetic Scriptures of both the Old and New Testament, and in doing so we shall receive knowledge, light, hope, and a special blessing, and we shall be enabled also to discern the signs of the times, and to know what the will of the Lord is.
THE MARCH OF EMPIRES
The Book of Daniel reveals unto us in a very interesting and unique way the March of Empire as GOD knew it would be during “The Times of the Gentiles.” Daniel, although he was a Jewish Prophet, became the great prophet of GOD to the Gentiles.
CURRENT EVENTS
Realizing that the current events of these very days in which we live are, as it were, an index finger pointing toward the fulfillment of those things which have been prophecied in the Book of Daniel, I submit the material contained in the pages of this book hoping and praying that it may be used of the Lord to bring needed light and truth and spiritual blessing and understanding to Jews, Gentiles and Christians alike.
Very sincerely yours in His fellowship and service.
— Floyd Hitchcock
JESUS CHRIST is “Divine Love Incarnate”
“And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” — I Timothy 3:16
***
THE WAY-MARKS
Look for the way-marks as you journey on,
Look for the way-marks, passing one by one;
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,
Where are we standing? Look the way-marks o’er.
First the Assyrian kingdom ruled the world,
Then Medo-Persia’s banners were unfurled;
And after Greece held universal sway,
Rome seized the scepter — where are we today?
Down in the feet of iron and clay,
Weak and divided, soon to pass away;
What will the next great, glorious drama be?
CHRIST and His coming, and eternity!
Look for the way-marks, the great prophetic way-marks,
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,
Look for the way-marks
The journey’s almost o’er.
— Selected
MARKED FOR HIS OWN
“How lovely are Thy dwellings
O Lord God of Hosts!”
“How lovely are the faces of
The men who talk with GOD,
Lit with an inner sureness of
The path their feet have trod;
“How gentle is the manner of
A man who walks with Him,
No strength can overcome him, and
no cloud his courage dim.
“Keen are the hands and feet — ah yes —
Of those who wait His will,
And clear as crystal mirrors are
The hearts His love can fill.
Some lives are drear from doubt and fear
While others merely plod —
But lovely faces mark the men
Who walk and talk with GOD!”
— Pauline Prosser-Thompson
CHAPTER 1 Introductory Lesson – The Babylonian Captivity
LESSON TEXT — Daniel 1:1-21
Daniel, a Book of Bible Prophecy — A Personal Word — The Importance of Bible Prophecy — Only the Ignorant or Godless Object to a Study and Preaching of Prophecy — The Authentication of the Book of Daniel Was Confirmed by JESUS CHRIST — The Personal History of Daniel — The Babylonian Captivity of the Jews Had Been Prophecied — The Real Reason Why GOD Allowed Such a Captivity to Happen.
Like the Book of Revelation, the Book of Daniel is primarily a book of prophecy. Some of the prophecies in the Book, however, have already been fulfilled, and have become history, while other prophecies recorded in the Book are still future and await fulfillment.
I am accused sometimes of preaching too much on the subject of prophecy, but so long as others neglect to preach upon this important subject, and just as long as I find the material for my sermons, in the Word of GOD, I feel that I am standing upon a sure foundation and that I am doing the Lord’s will regardless of any criticism which men may bring against my ministry of GOD’s word. Surely, GOD intended that all of His Word should be preached and not merely a certain portion of it. That, my friends, is exactly what I am trying to do. Without fear or favor, I am trying to preach the entire Word of GOD to Jews, Gentiles and Christians alike.
The importance of prophecy is well affirmed in II Peter 1:19-21, where it says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Understanding these things, it is my firm conviction that GOD will bless any preacher who will preach on the subject of prophecy, and give to the people what they need rather than what they want. Few people realize that a greater portion of the Bible is pure prophecy. This applies to both the Old and the New Testaments. Certainly the Book of Daniel was necessary or it would never have been written, and if we neglect to study it, the truth of the book will remain the same, and we will only be robbing ourselves of the spiritual light and truth which GOD intended that we should have.
JESUS SPOKE OFTEN OF THE FUTURE
Some people, in their thinking, live only in the present. Others, while living in the present, love to think and meditate upon the past, but, how few people there are, who really seem to be interested in the things of the future. When JESUS was upon earth, He more than any other Man who ever lived, (as the Son of GOD and the PROPHET of the Lord) spoke continually to the people and to His disciples about the things of the future. He cried out prophecies against the scribes and Pharisees because of their sins and their wickedness and that was the reason they hated Him. When He told His disciples and the multitudes, of the glorious things which were in store for those who would believe and obey the Word of GOD, that was the reason they loved and trusted in Him. We can readily see, therefore, that the faithful and believing children of GOD do not object to a study of prophecy, because it increases their faith and encourages them in hope, and gives them a vision of things which are yet to come. But the godless and the wicked and unbelieving, and the unprepared, are those who object to the study and teaching of the prophetic Scriptures because it makes them uneasy in their hearts concerning what the future may bring forth.
We affirm, therefore, that the Book of Daniel is both, important and needful, especially for those of us who are living in these times, for Daniel was more than anyone else the great prophet to the Gentiles.
THE AUTHORSHIP OF THIS BOOK CONFIRMED
The authenticity of the Book of Daniel is confirmed by the fact that JESUS Himself gave His personal endorsement of Daniel and the things which he had written. This is confirmed in Matthew 24:15-16, where JESUS said, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand;) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.”
Indeed, my friends, if JESUS gave His personal endorsement to the author of this book, which we are about to study, and spoke of him as a true prophet, and endorsed the things which he had written, I am willing to accept the truth which it contains, in spite of all the higher criticism which modern critics have brought against the book in order to discredit its teachings.
THE PERSONAL HISTORY AND CHARACTER OF DANIEL
A few remarks concerning the personality of Daniel will be of interest and help, I am sure.
It so happens that we know more of the personal character of Daniel than we do of any of the other prophets. We must say first of all that he was a great man of faith as indicated throughout the entire Book of Daniel. All children know the story of how Daniel was cast into the lions’ den and how he escaped unhurt because of the great faith he had in GOD.
He was also a man who realized his dependence upon GOD. He was also deeply spiritual and was a man of great humility. In addition to this he was a man of great prayer. During his lifetime he talked not only with men of high estate, but he also talked with angels who were sent of GOD, to speak with him. The angel Gabriel addressed Daniel as the “man greatly beloved.” In addition to all this, he received divine revelations from GOD as recorded in the Book which bears his name.
AN INTERESTING QUESTION
In the New Analytical Bible it says, quoting, “The study of Daniel is invested with a special interest, in that we know more of his personal history than of any other prophet. He was of royal descent.
“While Jeremiah was being persecuted by the people and priests in the reign of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and carried away Daniel and others (606 B.C.). In the following year he ascended the throne of Babylon. Daniel was then about eighteen years of age and could not have been much younger than Nebuchadnezzar himself. Thus, this prophet lived through the entire period of the Captivity and was an old man when placed in a high position in the Persian Empire.
“Daniel is pre-eminently the prophet of the ‘times of the Gentiles.’ In this book of prophecy, we have a new view of the world-order as it is not given by any other prophet. This book is distinctly different from any other book of the Old Testament in the manner in which it sets forth Gentile rule, from the rise of the Babylonian Empire, through the four universal empires, and to the time of the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom. It is this historical picture, having such remarkable scope, that is hung up for us in the book of Daniel.
“In His great prophetical discourse in which He sketched the peculiarities of the age, to the time of His second coming, Our Lord quoted Daniel with reference to the great tribulation, placing that event just prior to the second advent. Thus, from CHRIST’s interpretation of this prediction, we can see the historical range of the prophet’s inspired vision.”
NEW TESTAMENT PROPHECY
Dr. Scofield also says, “Daniel is the indispensable introduction to the New Testament prophecy, the themes of which are, the apostasy of the Church, the manifestation of the man of sin, the great tribulation, the return of the Lord, the resurrections, and the judgments! These, except for the first, are Daniel’s themes also.
LESSON TEXT Daniel 1:1-21
We are now ready to read our lesson text, which of necessity, due to the nature of the material given, will included the first chapter of the Book of Daniel which says:
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus”
THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY PROPHECIED
This chapter is very interesting because it gives us a personal history of Daniel and his fellow captives. The circumstances which we find recorded here are all the more interesting in view of what is stated in Isaiah 39:7, where it says, “And of thy sons, that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Thus we see that what came to pass was a fulfillment of this prophecy given earlier by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah.
WHAT JEREMIAH SAID
The Prophet Jeremiah also foretold the Babylonian captivity when he spoke of the vessels of the Lord which belonged to the temple in Jerusalem in Jeremiah 27:21-22, saying, “Yea, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the GOD of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem; They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be, until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.”
THE REAL REASON
Many people study about the Babylonian captivity and fail to understand the divine reason for it.
In the 26th Chapter of Leviticus we have recorded the law of the sabbatic, year, in which the Children of Israel were instructed to let the land rest every seventh year. During that year they were neither to sow nor reap but were to live by the old store which GOD had provided for them during the six years. But for 490 years which would include a total of seventy sabbatic years, they failed to do this. Apparently, they thought they would prosper by disobeying the Lord and by tilling the ground contrary to the Lord’s command.
For a time it seemed as if GOD had given no attention to this trespass and disobedience. They thought GOD had winked at their sin, but in this they were mistaken, for in due time GOD allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to come and take them into Babylonian captivity, which captivity lasted for seventy years, which was exactly time enough to balance the budget, as it were. They refused to let the land rest one year in seven and therefore, GOD allowed them to be dispossessed of the land until their trespass was atoned for.
IDOLATRY
Another reason GOD allowed them to be taken into Babylonian captivity was because they had fallen into idolatry. Historically speaking, all idolatry had originated in Babylon. Therefore, Babylon was the fountainhead of all idolatrous systems of worship. GOD allowed the Children of Israel to be taken captive into Babylon and to remain there for seventy years, in order that He might teach them once and for all the sinfulness of their own idolatry. Needless to say, they learned their lesson well, for since their return from Babylonian captivity, the Jewish people have never been an idolatrous people, as before.
And so, in this lesson we have discovered a real reason for the Babylonian captivity, at which time Daniel and his fellow princes were carried into Babylon.
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