GOD'S KINGDOM: HIS PLAN FOR HISTORY

BSF Lesson Eight. God’s Kingdom:His Plan For History

First Day: Read Lesson 7 Notes.
The notes and lecture fortify the truth of the passage for understanding and application to daily life.


1. How did the lecture enhance your appreciation of the necessary unity among God's people?


2. What in the notes expanded your thinking about the identity of God's people?

On page 88, paragraph one, it reads “Believers are strengthened by unity and solidarity with God’s people in the past, present, and future. Unity means being one, undivided entity. Solidarity
is union among people to pursue a common goal. God pulls us individuals into one group and we remain together in Him. Hebrews 13:8 states Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We believers are united yesterday, today, and tomorrow.


Second Day: Read Daniel 1.
As we prepare to explore the concept of God's kingdom in Revelation, this lesson in Daniel helps us
understand God's plan to establish His kingdom.

What circumstances brought Daniel to a foreign land and led to his unique position in the king's palace?

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. He took royal and noble hostages to indoctrinate them to be Chaldeans.

b. What challenges did Daniel face, and what did he resolve to do?
Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah a portion of food and wine from his table. These had been sacrificed to idols. Daniel refused to defile himself by eating these items. Daniel asked the Chief eunuch to stop delivering the food. The eunuch feared Nebuchadnezzar’s anger if he stopped providing the food and Daniel and his friends grew weak. Daniel persuaded the eunuch to feed him and the others vegetables and water for ten days to see if they weakened. They became healthier than the other young men. They were served only vegetables and water after that.

c. How did God bless Daniel and his friends for being loyal citizens of God's kingdom?
God gave Daniel and the others knowledge and understanding. Daniel knew the literature that was written in a foreign language. Gods gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams and visions. When he was called to the king, Daniel and his friends demonstrated they had no equal. The king put them into his service. Any questions of wisdom and understanding the king asked received answers ten times better than answers that came from the king’s enchanters and magicians in the kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar’s existing, experienced men who had provided answers to the king were inferior to four young Jewish boys. I bet that rankled!

4. What lessons can you learn from Daniel's experience?

Daniel didn’t compromise his faith, but relied on God for an answer. God gave Daniel understanding of all the king desired, even though it was alien in language and culture. Daniel was given the favor of the king and access to the king. I can trust in God and rely on Him to provide answers. God Is working all things for my good. I must fear God, not men. I must follow and serve God, not men.

5.How might you, like Daniel, trust God to live as a faithful citizen of God's kingdom, resisting this world's pressure to conform?

Live in the word, and speak His words, follow His narrow path, and refuse to deny Jesus.


Third Day: Read Daniel 2.
Daniel interpreted the king's dream.

6a. From verses 1-18, describe the desperate situation Daniel faced and his response.

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he couldn’t interpret, and expected his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to tell him what the dream was. The king stated that if they didn’t, they would be cut into pieces and their homes in ruins. No one could, and Nebuchadnezzar ordered all of these kinds of men killed. Daniel was found so he and his friends could be murdered with the others. Daniel asked for time, and went to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They pleaded with God that He reveal the dream to Daniel, so they wouldn’t be killed.


b. From verses 19-28, for what did Daniel specifically praise God when He revealed the king's dream?

1) For Changing times and seasons, for removing and setting up kings, giving wisdom to the wise and knowledge to people who have understanding. God reveals, because only God can reveal, deep and hidden things. Daniel specifically praised and thanked God for providing him with wisdom and might. He also thanked God for answering their plea and letting Daniel know the king’s dream.


c. What do you learn about God's relationship to earthly kingdoms and rulers from this account?

Only God can remove and set up kings, just as only God knows who and what these kingdoms will be. Their future comes as He plans it, and no human decisions or actions can shape it.



d. What has God done for you recently that prompts you to praise Him?

He protected me from serious illness. John and Daniel contracted pneumonia; I didn’t. He gave John and I the opportunity to see The Wild Robot.



7a. What do verses 29-45 say about the kingdoms of this world and God's kingdom?

The rulers of this world are in their positions because God placed them there. Earthly kingdoms have no control or power over God’s kingdom. The earthly kingdoms and empires are fleeting. God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed and will destroy other kingdoms so completely that they will be like chaff in the wind, scattered and impossible to reunite.


b. How does the promise of God's kingdom give you hope today and for the future?
I’m never alone. God Is my strength and my song. There will be no pain, no sorrow, no suffering. I belong to Jesus.



Fourth Day: Read Daniel 6.
As the Babylonian empire fell to the Medes, Daniel's growing influence evoked jealous scheming.

8a. How did God continue to bless Daniel's wisdom and leadership under this new regime?

King Darius made Daniel one of three high officials over 120 satraps, and the satraps had to answer to him. Daniel distinguished himself above the other administrators and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him, the spirit of Gods. Darius intended to set Daniel over the entire kingdom.

b. What conflict caused Daniel to be thrown into the lions' den?

The satraps and administrators were jealous of Daniel. The only point of weakness they could see was Daniel’s faith. They persuaded Darius to pass a law stating that praying to any god or person in the next thirty days will be thrown in the lion’s den. These men pointed out that the law could not be changed or revoked under Mede-Persian law. Daniel was caught praying. The satraps and administrators went to Darius and reminded him of the decree, and stated Daniel did not follow the injunction and prayed to God. Darius could find no way to free him.

c. How did Daniel demonstrate integrity? How did God protect and preserve him?

Daniel knew about the injunction, but continued to pray three times a day, facing Jerusalem. He did not try to escape or plead for his life. He refused to renounce his faith in God, or hesitate to enter the lion’s den. Daniel trusted Gods and was delivered from the lion’s den unharmed.

9. From verses 24-28, what were the results of Daniel's actions?

The men who accused Daniel, their wives, and their children were thrown into the lion’s den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Darius write to all peoples, nations and kingdoms worldwide, declaring a decree that everyone under his dominion are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel. This decreed a new national religion.
Darius praised God, saying:

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
Darius came to believe in God.

10. How does Daniel's faith encourage you as you face conflicting loyalties and difficult choices?

Daniel never states he expects God to deliver him, but enters the den without hesitation, ready to accept God’s will. I can trust the Lord to do what is best, no matter how difficult. I am more willing to share my faith with my children. I find my courage in Him. Php. 4:13

Daniel 3:16-18 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”



Fifth Day: Read Daniel 7.
Daniel prophesied of the eternal kingdom to come.

11a. From verses 9-14, describe what Daniel saw in his vision.

Daniel saw the Ancient of Days, a.k.a. God, sitting upon a throne of fire. He wore white clothing and His hair was white like wool. He appeared in physical form, as in Isaiah 6:1. “ In the year King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of His robe filled the temple.” Fire came out before Him. One million people served Him, and one hundred million stood before Him. At that time, one hundred million was the worldwide population.

Daniel heard a horn speaking, and saw a beast killed. Its body was destroyed and given over to be burned. The rest of the beasts had their dominion removed, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. The Son of Man, a.k.a. Jesus, came on the clouds to God. Godard all people nations and languages shall serve Him. God presented Him with an everlasting dominion and a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.

11b What does it mean that the Ancient of Days took His seat in this courtroom setting?

God was sitting in judgment and handing down a verdict. The people before Him were witnesses. Fire cleanses and purifies. Isaiah 6: 5-7. Fire also can symbolize God and/ or His presence. God speaking to Moses from the burning bush, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire with the Son of God. Fire can also mean judgment. Gen.19:23-25, 28.

12. How does this vision and its interpretation in verses 15-27 give you confidence in God's dominion over all kings and kingdoms?

The vision begins with God destroying kingdoms and the final beast. No matter how harsh the final beast is or the acts he performs, God prevails. The beast’s influence is limited and temporary, and its destruction is assured. All power and dominion belongs to the Lord, and all other dominions will serve Him.


13. Twice, in verses 15 and 28, Daniel confessed that his visions troubled him. Does what Daniel described trouble you or encourage you? Why?
I’m encouraged. Daniel is presented as always faithful, always trusting God, and relying on God for answers. Reading he was troubled by these visions and their meaning, to the point he turned pale, shows he can doubt and be afraid, even as he trusts God.




Sixth Day: Review Daniel 1-2; 6- 7.
God's kingdom secures His people in His presence forever.

14. What have you learned this week about God and His kingdom, plan, and sovereignty?

That He doesn’t only tell us what will happen, He reveals it to His people. The book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation show Gods/Jesus speaking not just to His people, but speaking through them. This is to our benefit. When He reveals things to us, it is with the reminder that He Is in control.




No Passage Discovery (homiletics, word study, etc.) assigned for Group and Administrative Leaders.