Daniel-The End, A Message from the Angel

By Mary Vee
Daniel 12

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

The message has been long, I know. This is the fourth and last time I'm writing you about this message. If you missed any, scroll down these posts to read the ones before. The news is very important for us to hear.  It can help prepare us for the day these events will come to pass. This is what the angel explained next: 

"At the time when the king of the North will come to his end, Michael, the great prince who protects your people will arise. Terrible things will happen, such as has never happened from the beginning of nations nor will be until that time. 

"At the appointed time your people, everyone whose name is found written in the book, will be delivered. Those who have died before will come to life. Some will go to where they will live forever, others will go to where they will live their shame and forever be condemned.  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 

"Now Daniel, you are to close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Two men joined us. One on this bank of the river and one on the other. One asked the angel, "How long will it be before these amazing things happen?"

The angel answered, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

I didn't understand what this meant, so I asked, "My lord, what will the result be?"

The angel answered, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be made spotless but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. 

"From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the horrors that cause destruction is set up there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

"As for you, Daniel, go your way till the end. You will rest, then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your inheritance."

After the angel said those words, he left. 


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1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?

2.  What will happen to those whose name is written in the book?

3.  What will happen to those who are wise?

4.  When will this happen?

5.  What will happen to the words until the end time?

Daniel-The Future Stolen By an Evil King

By Mary Vee
Daniel 11

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

The message has been long, I know. This is the third time I'm writing you, carrying on the message. If you missed any, scroll down these posts to read the ones before. The news is very important for us to hear.  It can help prepare us for the day these events will come to pass. This is what the angel explained next: 

The evil king from the North will do whatever makes him happy. He will say he is greater than every god and speak agains the holy true God. To make matters word the king of the North will be successful until the time of wrath is complete. All of these events must take place.

The king of the North will not respect the gods of his fathers, or for the one desired by women, or respect any god. He will declare himself above all. He will honor an unknown god with gold and silver, precious stones and costly gifts. He will honor those who agree with him and make them rulers over many people, redistributing the land at a price.

When this time comes to an end, the king of the South will go to battle. The king of the North will fight back with chariots, calvary, and a greet fleet of ships. The North king will sweep through many countries like a flood including Egypt and invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall except Edom, Moab, and the leaders of Ammon, which will be spared.

Reports from the east and north will frighten the king of the North. He will attack, annihilate, and destroy many and set his tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. That is where he will come to an end, 

and no one will help him.

Thank God, hope is finally coming in this news. Please come back next time to hear the end of the Angel's message.

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1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?

2.  Who is the evil king?

3.  What will he think of himself?

4.  Who will he reward?

5.  Why do you think the angel told Daniel what would happen in the future?

Daniel-The Angel Escaped And Told Daniel the Future

By Mary Vee
Daniel 11

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

The angel continue explaining the vision to me from the last time: 

"A man with no line of royalty will worm his way into the hearts of the people living in the North. The country will be at a time when everything is going well. This despicable man will compel the people to listen to him. 

"With him, a few trusted people will rise to power. They will go where the richest people live. And while those citizens trust him, he will rob all their wealth and give it to his army.

"His army will grow and this leader of the North will encourage his men to fight with their strength and courage against the king of the South. He will lead his powerful army to battle but he will fail because men in his realm will plot against him.  Many of his men will fall in that battle.

"A grand meeting will be held between the king of the North and the king of the South. They will sit down to a meal and lie to each other. All these lies will mean nothing because the end will come at the time God set. The king of the North will go home with great wealth, but his heart will be against the holy covenant. And he will honor those who are against the holy covenant.

"The king of the North's anger will build again. He will set out to invade the South, but this time something new will happen. Ships from the western coastlands will fight him and he will become discouraged.  

"He will turn back and take his wrath out on the holy covenant. He will order his army to destroy the temple fortress and stop daily sacrifice. He will compliment and flatter those who disobey the holy covenant. 

But the people who know their God will firmly resist him. 

"Those who are wise will teach all who will listen. For a time these wise teachers will be killed by the sword or be burned or be captured or robbed. When they fall, few will help. Unfortunately many who are not sincere will join them causing some of the wise to stumble. 

"That is okay because these who have stumbled will be refined, purified and made spotless until all of this comes to an end.

The end will come at the appointed time.

This story continues next time.
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1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?

2.  Where is the information taken from?

3.  What kingdoms will battle?

4.  How will this affect the world?

5.  Why do you think the angel told Daniel something that would happen in the future?

Daniel- North and South

By Mary Vee
Daniel 11

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

I said to the angel, "How can I speak with you? My strength is gone. I can hardly breathe."

The angel touched me again and gave me strength. "Don't be afraid Daniel for you are highly esteemed. Peace to you. Have peace and be strong."

Just like that my strength returned. I was able to focus on his words. "Speak, my lord."

"Do you know why I came to you?" He looked up and away for a brief moment. "Soon I will go back to fight the evil prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece will come. Before I leave, I will tell you what is written in The Book of Truth. No one is helping me in this battle except Michael, your prince. Years ago I took my stand to protect him.

"I tell you the truth. Three more kings will appear in Persia. The one who comes after will be far richer than all the others. He will use his wealth to gain power and stir everyone up against the kingdom of Greece. At that time, a mighty king will appear. He will rule with great power and do as he pleases. Once he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and sent in all directions. His descendants will not take his thrown. His kingdom will not have the power he had. His kingdom will be given to others.

"The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will overtake his thrown and have great power. Some years later these two men will work together. The daughter of the king of the South will marry the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will lose her power.

"A man from her family line will rise up to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his kingdom. His armies will take the gold and valuables to Egypt. The two countries will stop fighting for a time.

"But that is not the end. The king of the North will rise up. He and his sons will march like a roaring flood to the kingdom of the South. The northern army will fail and the kingdom of the South will become full of pride and go about killing thousands.

"Again this is not the end. After several years pass, the army of the North will be so angry they will raise up an even bigger army.

"At that time many will rise up against the kingdom of the South. The armies of the South will be powerless to resist the kingdom of the North. The king of the North will attempt to take over every country but fail. He will return to the north and not be heard from again.

There is more. Rest. Then I will tell you more.

This story continues next time.
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1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?
2.  Where is the information taken from?
3.  What kingdoms will battle?
4.  How will this affect the world?
5.  Why do you think the angel told Daniel something that would happen in the future?

Daniel- 21-day Battle of the Angels

By Mary Vee
Daniel 10

From Ezra's Journal

Photo Courtesy. The Angel Michael takes over the battle

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

I suppose they have settled into their homes and gathered the materials to rebuild the temple. 

The Lord sent me a message in a vision. The message was so terrifying I ate no choice food, meat, or drank wine. I didn't use any lotions at all until three weeks went by. 

It was the twenty-fourth day of the first month when I stood on the bank of the great river, Tigris. A man stood next to me. He wore linen with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a huge crowd.

Other men were with me when I received the vision, but they did not see it. Even still, terror overwhelmed them and they ran away. 

I was left alone to watch this great vision. I had no strength. My legs hardly held me. I fell to the ground in fear. I heard the man speaking, and as I listened to him I fell into a deep sleep.

A hand touched me. He helped me up to my hands and knees. I couldn't stop shaking. 

The man said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, think about the words I am about to tell you. Stand up."

I stood but didn't stop trembling.

"Don't be afraid Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to them. 

"You were heard this time, too. I would have come sooner, but the evil of the Persian kingdom fought me for twenty-one days. Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me get free. I have finally come to explain what will happen to your people in the future. This vision concerns a time yet to come.

This story continues next time.
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1.  Who stood by Daniel.
2.  Where was Daniel.
3.  Who was king?
4.  Why did Daniel fall to the ground?
5.  Why did the angel Michael have to take over the battle.

Daniel-What I Did in the Lion's Den

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel, I am a prophet of God and am living in captivity in Babylon.

Yes, I am alive.

All because God spared my life.

This morning the rock rolled away from the opening of the den where I was held prisoner all night. 

The den wasn't empty. Several lions kept me company along with an amazing angel. 

The angel kept the lions away from me. I didn't sleep. No. I took advantage of the opportunity to speak with the angel. We sang praises to God..it was amazing. 

All night long we sang together, praising God. The lions sat there, they might have been humming along.

When the stone rolled away, sunlight and fresh air poured into the hole where I'd been. I looked behind me and didn't see the angel, yet the lions still stayed away from me.

The king called down to me. "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve faithfully, been able to rescue you from the lions?"

Did you hear that? The king saw my faithfulness to God. 

I walked to the opening, but stayed down in the den. I called up to answer him, "O King live forever!" I laughed so delighted to tell him what had happened. "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight." Then I became serious. "Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."

King Darius leaped and laughed. He clapped his hands and ordered the guards to lift me out of the den. They brought me to him. He looked me over and slapped my arms. "You have no wounds. Anywhere. This is amazing."

Then he furrowed his brow. He turned away from me and faced his satraps and administrators. He yelled, "Take every man who falsely accused Daniel and throw them, their wives, and their children into the den.

The guards did as they were told. Before my accusers reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. What a horrible sight.

That afternoon, King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language throughout the land:

"May you prosper greatly!

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. 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."

As for the rest of my story, I continued to serve King Darius while he was in power. When Cyrus the Persian took power and conquered Babylon, I found favor in his sight and served there until the first year of his reign.  

I was pretty old. The end of my story is not important. What matters is I found that serving God everyday even while in captivity brought joy and peace to my heart.

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1. What did Daniel do all night in the den.
2. What did King Darius do as soon as the sun rose?
3. After seeing Daniel was not harmed, what did the king do to the ones who accused Daniel?
4. What did King Darius decree to the people?
5. Who ruled over the land after Darius?
6. What was most important to Daniel?

Darius-The Longest Night of My Life

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From King Darius' Chronicle

My name is Darius, I am the king of many countries. Babylon has been recently added to my empire.

I placed a man who was a hard working and an honest person at a top position in my kingdom. His name was Daniel.

Days later I fell into a trap made by the satraps and administrators working in my kingdom. I didn't realize how jealous these men were of Daniel.

They conned me into signing a decree forbidding anyone from praying to anything but me.

What was I thinking?

At this very moment Daniel is in the lions den for violating that decree. He had prayed to his God. His God had done some amazing things here in Babylon. But, I don't know if his God will save his life. 

I went to my palace and ordered everyone to leave me alone. I couldn't eat or drink. I paced for hours, waiting for the sun to rise. No one was allowed to move the rock keeping Daniel in the Den before the sun shined over the horizon, not even me. 

With each turn of my pacing I looked out the window. The night lasted longer than any other night in my life. I replayed the last moments by the lion's den over and over in my mind:

"Wait," I cried. I had hurried to Daniel's side and said the only thing that came to my mind. "May your God, whom you serve continually rescue you!"

I meant those words with all my heart. I didn't know how any god could rescue someone from the lions' den, but if one could, it would be Daniel's God.

My soldiers had pushed Daniel into the den. I couldn't watch. "Close it," I said.

A rock was pushed over the opening. I had to follow the usual ceremony by sealing the opening with my signet ring. So did the nobles. No one could save Daniel now. Except, maybe his God.

I walked away, so very sad. If only Daniel's God would choose to save him. 

The time eventually moved forward. The morning sun peeked over the horizon. I raced to the door. "Bring me my chariot at once."

I rode with great speed to the lion's den and ordered the rock moved. It took several strong soldiers to move it. "Hurry. Move the rock faster!"

Once the opening appeared I cried out, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve every day been able to rescue you from the lions?"

I waited. 

There wasn't a lion snarling. Oh, no. The lions' bellies must be full. "Daniel?"

He walked to the opening and looked up at me. "O king live forever! My God sent his angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."

I couldn't believe my ears. I leaped in the air and cheered. "Hurry, pull Daniel out of there." Soldiers reached down and heaved Daniel out of the den. I pulled him closer and looked at him. There wasn't a single wound on his skin. Not a single injury at all. All of this was because he obeyed and trusted his God to save him.

I had been a fool. But I wouldn't let this end here.


Come back next time to see what happens.

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1. Why did King Darius pace all night?
2. Why couldn't Darius eat or sleep?
3. What was King Darius waiting for?
4. What did he do the second time allowed?
5. What happened to Daniel?

Darius-Deceived Into Harming Daniel

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From Darius' Chronicle

Photo Courtesy

My name is Darius, I am the king of many countries. Babylon has been recently added to my empire.

I moved into the palace in Babylon once the former king, Belshazzar had been eliminated.

I set up an order for the people. Three men served as administrators beneath me. Then 120 satraps served under those three men.

Daniel's work impressed me the most. He was an honest and hard worker. I guess I hadn't noticed the other's jealousy when I mentioned I would promote Daniel as the top administrator, but didn't think too much of it.

One day the administrators, except Daniel, and the satraps came to my chamber. They complimented me and came up with what seemed like a great plan. They suggested I write a decree that required people of the land to only pray to me and no one else. If anyone didn't obey, they were to be thrown in the lions' den. I must admit I was honored and agreed to it right away. I didn't think at all about possible problems. 

The next day, those same men came tattling to me saying Daniel had prayed to his God and therefore should be punished. They demanded I should have Daniel thrown in the lions' den immediately.

I couldn't believe their words. How could this happen? What kind of a king was I to allow the best worker in the whole kingdom to be thrown in the lions' den? My stomach ached. My head hurt. I felt sick and unable to think There had to be some way to save Daniel. 

But the men pestered me, reminding me of the law that demanded no exceptions. I turned away and gave the order. I had no other choice.

I couldn't watch the guards escort him there. I paced back and forth in my chamber then changed my mind. "Hurry, fetch me a chariot."  I rushed to the site just before the guards pushed him.

"Wait," I cried. I hurried to Daniel's side and said the only thing that came to my mind. "May your God, whom you serve continually rescue you!"

I meant those words with all my heart. I didn't know how any god could rescue someone from the lions' den, but if one could, it would be Daniel's God.

Daniel fell into the den. I couldn't watch. "Close it."

A rock was pushed over the opening. I followed the usual ceremony by sealing the opening with my signet ring. So did the nobles. No one could save Daniel now. Except, maybe his God.

I walked away, so very sad. I didn't want to speak to anyone.

A few of the satraps and administrators came close to me. There smug faces sickened me. They had set this up and I had fallen for their trap. Now everything must play. And I had no control.


Come back next time to see what happens.

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1. Most of the questions for this story have been asked in the last post. Just one remains, how did Darius feel about what happened and why did he feel that way?

Daniel-How to Close the Mouth of a Hungry Lion

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.

The guards have walked me to the lions' den. 

At first, the king didn't come with us. I listened to the satraps and administrators make fun of me the whole walk here.

Just before the guards shoved me into the den as they were ordered, the king arrived on his chariot and stopped near the den. He climbed down and walked toward me. "Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you."

He signaled the guards to do their duty.

They pushed me down into the lions' den. I was prepared to die. The lions' snapped at first. The king then said in a very sad voice. "Roll the stone over the opening."

He would have used his signet ring to seal the opening. The nobles would have done the same. This would hold as proof that no one tampered with the rock to help me escape.

I cowered against the wall and waited for the lions to attack. A whole minute passed. I felt my arms and chest to make sure I really was alive. 

Photo Courtesy

The lions had gathered on the other side of the den. I saw men dressed in white. They had a glow around them helping me to see in the dark.

"Fear not, Daniel. For you are favored with the Most High God. He has sent us to hold the mouths of the lions closed and to keep them from harming you. God has said you are found innocent in his sight. You have not sinned and should not be given this punishment."

They smiled and then sang. Their song calmed the lions. They ran one hand over the main of the lions, treating the creatures with the kindness I have known from the Almighty God.

I'm not sure if I slept. I didn't want to. It's not often a whole evening can be spent with angels from God, sent especially for protection. I remember singing praises to God with them. We talked, but I don't remember the conversation.

What I do remember is the joy in my heart. Like a breath of the purest air--even down in a smelly lions' den.

Since I couldn't watch the sky, I had no idea of how the time passed. The lions mostly slept as the stars and moon moved in the sky above the rock.

Oh praise the Lord for he is good.



Come back next time to see what happens.

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1. What decree did the king sign into law?
2. What did Daniel do?
3. Why the the satraps and administrators tell on Daniel?
4. What was the king forced to do?
5. Where was Daniel taken?

Daniel-The March to the Lions' Den

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.

King Darius the Mede agreed to set up a rule saying no one in the kingdom may pray to anyone except the king for thirty days.

The satraps and administrators had so much fun spying on me and telling the king that I had prayed to my God. 

Of course I did.

The king was upset. He realized the satraps and administrators tricked not only me but him as well. There was absolutely nothing that could be done.

He turned to me. "Daniel. I am so sorry. I will try to do everything I can, but at this moment I must follow the law."

I think I even saw tears forming in his eyes. He turned away. "Take Daniel to the lions' den as is written in the decree."

The guards did not deal harshly with me. They didn't grab my arms or drag me down the corridor. They let me walk with dignity. I think, they, too, realized the horrible thing that the satraps and administrators had done.

We had quite the parade through the city. Babylonians stopped their work to watch us go by. The lions den was a distance away. 

The satraps and administrators followed, all of them. Giggling and sniggering. They didn't hide their mocking words. Instead they tried to get the people to mock me with them.

To tell the truth, I didn't let any of it bother me. I kept in mind what God had done for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I also kept in mind what God had done for Moses and the Israelites when they escaped Egypt, Joseph while he was in captivity, David as he fled King Saul, and a host of others--all helped by God. 

God doesn't promise to spare our lives, He promises to be our tower of strength, a place to hide, a place to find joy, our Father who listens and expects to be worshipped no matter what happens.

King Darius did not join the parade. He stayed in the palace. His eyes pooling with tears showed how sorry he was for allowing the satraps and administrators to trick him. 

We walked outside the palace toward the lions' den. I could hear their roars even from this distance. The animals were kept in a starving mode for times such as this.

Because of their hunger, the lions became ruthless and violent. No one lasted more than a minute after being thrown into the den.

I am prepare to die, though. I will never, under any circumstances or threat, give up my faith in God. 

Come back next time to see what happens.

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1. What decree did the king sign into law?
2. What did Daniel do?
3. Why the the satraps and administrators tell on Daniel?
4. What was the king forced to do?
5. Where was Daniel taken?

Daniel-The Law that Could Not Be Changed

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.

King Darius the Mede agreed to set up a rule saying no one in the kingdom may pray to anyone except the king for thirty days.

When I heard the news, I did the only thing that seemed right. I went home to my upstairs room and knelt by the window that opened toward Jerusalem. 

Three times a day I knelt and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as I had before.

This was the choice I decided to make. The punishment King Darius signed said anyone disobeying the rule would be thrown into the lions' den. Like my friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I know God can save me from any harm in the den, but if He choses not to, I also know that I cannot give up my faith in Him.

Of course the satraps and administrators hid, waiting to catch me praying. Once they had their proof, they ran to the king. They practically pushed the guards away. "Get out of the way, we have important business with the king."

King Darius gave them permission to come forward. "Yes. Yes. What is the problem?"

"O king live forever, did you not publish a decree saying no one is to pray to any god or man except you during the end thirty days. And if anyone did they would be thrown into the lion's den?"

The king frowned as if this did not seem to be that urgent of a problem. "Yes. The decree stands, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians. It cannot be stopped and there are no exceptions."

The two other administrators who served with me tipped their noses in the air. "Daniel, who I might remind you is nothing more than one of the exiles from Judah, has paid no attention to you, O king. Or to the law. He stills prays three times a day." 

The other administrator and satraps nodded.

Well, the smug looks on their faces showed they had me trapped. Maybe they did. But they will never get me to give up my faith in God.

The king became very upset. "There must be a way to save Daniel."

"My lord, you have signed the decree and said yourself that it cannot be undone and there would be no exceptions."

He rubbed his fingers through his hair. "Yes. I know. But I never thought this would happen.

"Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or law that the king issues can be changed."

The men were right. There was no way the king could save me from the punishment that had been signed into law.


Come back next time to see what happens.

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1. What decree did the king sign into law?
2. What did Daniel do?
3. Why the the satraps and administrators spy on Daniel?
4. What did they do when Daniel chose to pray?
5. What did the king say?

Daniel-The Epic Plot Against My Life

By Mary Vee
Daniel 6

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.

Darius the Mede is the new king. He took the throne the same night his troops killed King Belshazzar. 

He set up his kingdom in this way: Three men were appointed as administrators serving under the king. I was one of the three.

Under us, 125 men served. They had the title of satrap and reported to the three administrators.

King Darius seemed very pleased with my work. He went so far as to say he would appoint me over the whole kingdom. The only person I would have to report to was him.

Everywhere I went the administrators and satraps watched me. Looking for any and every mistake I could make. I didn't feel pressure though. I did my best all the time, dedicating my service to God first and desiring to please the Almighty God by doing the work required by the king.

The one thing I really missed was friendship. All the people who worked near me kept their distance, yet watched my every move. I could see their eyes behind bushes, their feet sticking out from behind corners, their ears tuned to my every word. They grunted and groaned when they failed t catch me doing something wrong, hungry to get rid of me in some way.

My goal was not to please them but to live as a worker who was trustworthy, not corrupt or negligent.

Their goal seemed crystal clear. They didn't hide their desires. They said loud enough for me to hear, "We will never find any reason to bring a charge against Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."

"Daniel," a servant came to me. He seemed very upset. "The administrators and satraps have gone before the king. They said, 'O King Darius, live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue a law and enforce it. The law should say this: Anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be town into the lions' den. 

"Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed.'"

"The king thought for a moment. He seemed really pleased with the idea. He said, "Good idea." He called to his scribe and put the words into writing.

"What are you going to do? If you are caught praying as you do everyday, you will be thrown into the lions' den."

I had several choices, actually. I could pray in secret. I could simply pray inside my head where no one would hear me. Or I could continue to pray, kneeling by my window as I always have in the past. But praying at the window meant anyone would see me.

Come back next time to see what happens.

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1. Who did the new king, Darius place in the top three men over the kingdom.
2. What did the king think of Daniel's work?
3. Why were the satraps and other administrators jealous of Daniel?
4. How did they plan to get Daniel in trouble?

5. Did the king agree to the idea?

6. What do you think Daniel will do?

Daniel-Seventy Sevens

By Mary Vee
Daniel 9

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.

I was in the middle of praying to God, asking Him to forgive our nation for the sins we have done when suddenly a man whom I had seen in a vision before appeared. 

His name was Gabriel. He surprised me by flying quickly to my side a moment ago. It was nearly time for the evening sacrifice.

He obviously had something important to share--right then. I waited for him to speak.

Gabriel said, "Daniel, I have come to give you insight and understanding. The moment you started praying an answer was given. I have come to tell you that answer because you, Daniel, are highly esteemed. Think about this message I am about to give and understand what I am about to say.

"A decree has been issued. Your people have seventy sevens of time 

1. To stop the rebellion
2. To put an end to sins
3. To make things right for the things you have done wrong
4. To bring in righteousness that lasts forever
5. To seal up the prophet's vision
6. And to anoint the Most Sacred Place

"You need to know and understand this: From the moment the decree is spoken there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes. The streets of the city will be rebuilt with great defenses even though trouble surrounds the workers.

"After the sixty-two sevens, the Anointed One, Messiah, will be cut off and have nothing. Soldiers of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come quickly like a flood. War will continue until the end. Utter destruction has been decreed. 

"That prince will make a treaty with many people for one seven of time. In the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings to the Lord. At the biggest moment of his terrible rule, he will set up an idol that mocks the Most Holy Place, and it will stay until the destruction is poured out on him."

Gabriel's message was difficult to understand. So much is yet to happen. There are some messages that I record for now, knowing that the understanding will come at the right time.


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1. Who visited Daniel while he was praying?
2. Who sent the visitor?
3. Why did the visitor come?
4. What do the people of Judah need to do?
5. The Anointed One has come! Who was the Anointed One?