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Home , Belshazzar, Jeremiah 25, Jeremiah 49, Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51

Agents of Contents Study Guide Questions

1. The Hostage 1:1-21 p.1

2. The Insomniac :1-30 p.5

3. The Colossus Daniel 2:31-49 p.7

4. The Fire Men Daniel 3:1-30 p.11

5. The Wolf-Man :1-37 p.14

6. The Fingers of God Daniel 5:1-31 p.17

7. The Lion King Daniel 6:1-28 p.20

8. The Conqueror :1-8, 15-22 p.24

9. The Madman Daniel 8:9-14, 23-27 p.27

10. The Herald Daniel 9:1-27 p.31

11. The Archangel Daniel 10-11 p.34

12. The End Daniel 12:1-13 p.38

Agents of Babylon Lesson 1 – The Hostage

1. Read 2 Kings 23:36-24:7 1a. How old was (:1) when he began to reign over ? How long did he reign as king? (verse 23:36)

1b. How was his reign characterized? (verse 37)

1c. Why did Nebuchadnezzar attack in the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign? (Daniel 1:1, 2 Kings 24:1-2)

1d. Why did God send armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah? (verses 3-4)

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1e. What had King (four kings prior to Jehoiakim) done that warranted the destruction of Judah? (2 Kings 21:11-12, 22:17, 23:26-27; 15:3-4)

1f. What did Jehoiakim himself do? (2 Kings 24:4, :20-21)

1g. What kind of death did Jeremiah predict for King Jehoiakim? (:18-19)

2. Read Leviticus 25:1-7.

2a. What was the ordinance concerning the Promised Land–the earth itself? (verse 1-5)

2b. How were the people to live during the seventh year? (verse 6)

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2c. What did God promise would happen to the land if the Israelites did not walk in His ways? (Leviticus 26:33-35)

2d. How long did Jeremiah say the captivity would last? (:11-12)

2e. What benefit did the land gain from the captivity? (:21)

2f. What insight about “rest” do you find in the Sabbath rest ordinance for the land? If the land needs rest what about people? (Exodus 20:8-11)

3. How did Daniel and his friends carry out all four of the admonitions in 1 Corinthians 16:13? 3a. watch

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3b. stand fast in the faith

3c. be brave

3d. be strong

4. How does Daniel’s commitment to his beliefs, as a teenager, inspire you to be prepared for the challenges of your faith?

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Agents of Babylon Lesson 2 – The Insomniac

1. What role does God play in who governs the kingdoms of this world? (Daniel 2:21)

1a. How was this truth revealed again to Nebuchadnezzar in another dream? (Daniel 4:17)

1b. Why was this a message Nebuchadnezzar needed to hear? (Daniel 4:28-30)

1c. What did it take for Nebuchadnezzar to learn this truth? (Daniel 4:32)

1d. Why does this message apply to all men instead of just kings? (Psalm 75:6-7)

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1e. How can these truths bring comfort to Christians in a world filled with geo-political maneuverings?

2. Read Daniel 2:13-25.

2a. Why did Daniel feel confident praying for God’s help? (verse 13,18)

2b. How does Daniel describe God’s sovereignty over kings and authorities? (verses 17- 19, 21, 23)

2c. How is God sovereign over counselors and advisors? (verse 20)

2d. How do verses 24-25 describe Nebuchadnezzar – unable to understand his own dreams?

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Agents of Babylon Lesson 3 – The Colossus

1. What is the irony found in Nebuchadnezzar having a biblical account of kingdoms falling being revealed to him?

2. From the dream, what lesson can be learned regarding God’s sovereignty?

3. From what you learned from the lesson; how would you define “the times of the ”? (Luke 21:24)

3a. What does Paul say God is doing to during this time? (Romans 10:19; 11:11; Deuteronomy 32:21)

3b. What eventually will happen with Israel? (Romans 11:25-27)

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3c. How long has God made this promise to Israel? (Psalm 130:8; 59:20-21)

3d. What does “the times of the Gentiles” say about the faithfulness of God to Israel?

3e. What should this mean to you in spite of your circumstances at times? (2 Timothy 2:13)

4. The colossal image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream foretold what kingdoms?

5. How does understanding Nebuchadnezzar’s image and the “stone out of the mountain without hands” that destroyed it, help you better understand Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:10?

5a. Who is the “stone”?

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5b. What part do we play as Christians in the growth of God’s kingdom until it is established on earth?

5c. How does Paul picture our present time as we wait on the establishment of God’s kingdom? (Romans 8:19-23)

5d. How can you identify with the “groaning” of creation that longs for the realization of God’s kingdom?

6. What evidence do you see in our world of the futility of human “kingdoms” and nations?

6a. How has America experienced a rise in power and a decline in values at the same time?

6b. Why do great power and weak values create a dangerous combination for any “kingdom”?

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7. In Daniel 2:47, by what names does Nebuchadnezzar refer to Daniel’s God?

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Agents of Babylon Lesson 4 – The Fire Men

Read : 3-9

1a. Why does Jeremiah use the word “futile” to describe the making of an idol? (verse 3)

1b. In terms of communication from one’s “god”, what is the main problem with an idol? (verse 5)

1c. Explain Jeremiah’s words: “A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.” (verse 8)

2. How was the challenge for Daniel and his friends in Babylon similar to the challenge we face in modern cultures in terms of obedience to laws?

2a. What did the three Hebrew men do when the king’s command violated their faith? (Daniel 3:18)

2b. What should a Christian do today when a government’s law violates their faith in God?

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2c. How did Peter and the apostles answer that question in first-century Jerusalem? (Acts 4:19; 5:29)

2d. How was the response of the three Hebrew men similar to Peter and John’s?

2e. What specific command of God were the three Hebrew men being asked to violate? (Exodus 20:4-6)

2f. What precedent did they have to go by in terms of God’s response to violating this commandment? (Exodus 32:1-10)

3. Why is it important to decide what your moral and spiritual boundaries are before you are faced with the “flames” of challenges to your faith?

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3a. Have you set those boundaries in your own life?

3b. What would you have said to the king if you had been in the place of the three Hebrew men?

4. What assurance can you gain from knowing that the One in the fire with the three men was the Lord?

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 5 – The Wolf-Man

1. What other things are grouped with “a proud look” in Proverbs 6:16-19?

1a. What would “a proud look” or “haughty eyes’ say about a person? (v. 17)

1b. What does it say about pride that it is grouped with wickedness and evil?

1c. Why was pride possibly at the root of the very first sin? (Genesis 3:5)

1d. On what occasions do you find yourself tempted to feel, if not speak and act, prideful in a sinful way?

1e. Is there a difference between being “proud” of something and being “prideful”? When is the line crossed?

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1f. What did Nebuchadnezzar’s pride cost him? How could the same thing happen over time to us?

2. How is the image in Matthew 3:10 comparable to the image of the tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? (Daniel 4:23)

2a. Compare the tree described in :7-8 with the heart described in the next verse (verse 9). How do these verses illustrate what happened to Nebuchadnezzar in his downfall?

2b. How can we prevent that downward cycle in our lives? (Jeremiah 17:7) How does that reflect where Nebuchadnezzar ended up? (Daniel 4:34-35)

2c. How can the “pride of your heart” deceive a person? (:16; 3)

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3. How does Proverbs 16:18 describe Nebuchadnezzar’s experience?

3a. When does the “fall” (Proverbs 16:18) from pride happened? Nebuchadnezzar’s happened twelve months after his prophetic dream. How might that lull us into complacency?

3b. How was that twelve-month delay actually a form of mercy toward Nebuchadnezzar? Why should we not take advantage of God’s mercy?

3c. Nebuchadnezzar was a prideful, pagan king. How do we know God will also discipline us if pride becomes a problem? (Hebrews 12:5-13)

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 6 – The Fingers of God

1. Read Esther 1:2-3, 9, and Daniel 5:1-4. What cultural boundaries did violate on this night of feasting and revelry?

2. Belshazzar could be found to be intoxicated by: 2a.

2b.

2c.

3. What familiar cultural expressions do we use today that originated in the following verses? 3a. Daniel 5:5,

3b. Galatians 6:7,

3c. Matthew 5:41,

3d. Matthew 16:3,

3e. Luke 14:27,

3f. 1 Thessalonians 1:3,

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4. From the following verses, what events regarding the were prophesied 70 years before they took place? :1-3, 9

Jeremiah 50:24

Jeremiah 51:36

Jeremiah 51:39

5. “The handwriting is on the wall” conveys a sense of immediacy. How was that fulfilled in the setting of Daniel 5? (Daniel 5:30-31)

6. What common description had Nebuchadnezzar applied to Daniel as a result of Daniel’s ministry to him? (Daniel 4:8, 9, 18)

6a. Why did the queen mother recommend calling upon Daniel to interpret the handwriting on the wall? (Daniel 5:11)

6b. What does Daniel 5:10-12 say about how people observe and remember our life?

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7. Daniel’s reputation had preceded him that he was a man who had “the Spirit of the Holy God” in him (Daniel 5:13-17). What principle do you find Daniel demonstrating in Daniel 5:16-17?

8. What connection is there between Daniel’s refusal to accept riches and recognition from Belshazzar and his wisdom being a gift from God?

9. Read Daniel 5:22-23. What can we learn from this interpretation of the writing on the wall that we can apply to our own lives today?

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 7 – The Lion King

1. With whom is Daniel grouped in Ezekiel 14:14,20?

1a. What character trait defined all three? (verses 14, 20)

1b. How is that trait evidenced in Daniel’s life based on Daniel 6:4?

1c. What term does Paul use in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:7 that could have been applied to Daniel’s life?

1d. Was Daniel sinless or perfect? What exactly does it mean to be “blameless”?

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2. Compare the light that Daniel brought into Babylon and Medo-Persia with the light John talks about in John 1:6-10.

2a. How was the reaction to Daniel similar to the Jews’ reactions to Jesus? (Daniel 6:3- 4).

2b. How is Daniel’s consistency in spite of rejection a model for what we should do when our “light” is rejected? (Daniel 6:10).

2c. What was Daniel’s (apparent) reaction to being rejected by those he was called to serve in Medo-Persia? (How is 1 Peter 2:19-23 a good description of how Daniel responded? How should we respond?)

3. Based on what you know about Daniel, and have seen modeled in Daniel 6, describe the reasons he is a good model for a…

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3a. Professional life:

3b. Personal life:

3c. Prayer life:

3d. Which of those three areas of life represents the greatest challenge for you? What do you see in Daniel’s life that you can apply to your own?

4. Read Daniel 6:5-9. What prompted the other governors and advisors to plot against Daniel?

5. Read Daniel 6:14-15. The king’s frustration at not being able to save Daniel from a law that had been violated shows what feature about the law of the and Persians that was also in place in Esther 3:9-15 when King Ahasuerus issued a similar proclamation?

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6. Did Daniel know whether or not he would make it through the night alive in the lions’ den? Why is Philippians 4:6-7 a good passage for situations where the outcome is in doubt?

7. Why does Daniel 6:25-27 represent a good reason why God delivered Daniel from the lions?

7a. How many people heard about God through Darius proclamation? (Verse 25)

7b. Why should we tell others about God’s deliverance or provision in our life? What is the benefit for others?

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 8 – The Conqueror

1. What did the two horns on the ram represent in Daniel’s vision? (Daniel 8:3, 20)

1a. What did the horn that gained prominence represent? (verse 3)

1b. In spite of Babylon’s strong fortifications, how does the description in verse 4 fit what happened in Babylon? (Daniel 5:30-31)

2. How does the description of the goat in verse 5 – a single prominent horn, advancing at great speed – fit what you have learned about the Greek Empire?

2a. What does “furious power” suggest to you about the temperament and goals of Alexander the Great? (verse 6)

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2b. What does it say about human power and authority for it to be unstoppable in one moment (verse 7) and then destroyed in the next (verse 8)?

2c. How does what you learned in Daniel 2:21 help answer the previous question?

2d. What would eventually happen to the vast empire Alexander created after his death? (verse 22)

2e. Refer back to this lesson and list the four generals of Alexander and the parts of his empire they inherited? 1.

2.

3.

4.

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2f. Referring to the tradition of Alexander being shown “himself” in the prophecy of Daniel by the high priest, in what way are you participating in prophecy as a follower of Christ? (Matthew 24:14)

3. Consider the statement from the lesson: “It is one thing to change the world in one’s day; it is another to change the world forever.” Summarize the difference in impact of Alexander and Jesus after the each lived 33 years.

3a. How could you apply that statement in your life? Is it possible to do both – change the world today and forever at the same time? How?

3b. How does one change the world forever when life is consumed with mundane, “in- the-moment” tasks? How can those have eternal significance?

3c. Why isn’t every great worldly accomplishment eternally valuable? What disqualifies some worldly accomplishments?

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 9 – The Madman

1. How do Jesus’ words in Mark 13:14 show that the abominations perpetrated by Antiochus are not the only ones Daniel referred to? (Daniel 11:31; 12:11)

1a. Describe all the things that will take place when the “abomination of desolation” will occur, both past and future. (Daniel 11:31; 12:11)

1b. Of what will the abomination of desolation in the future serve as a warning? (Mark 13:14-20, esp. verse 19)

1c. Exactly how difficult will things become following the abomination of desolation in the future? (Mark 13:20)

1d. If you are a Christian, you will not be on earth during those days. But what does the severity of Mark 13:20 say about friends and family who don’t know Christ?

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1e. In what way should the shock of what is coming cause us to have a reaction that might parallel Daniel’s? (Daniel 8:27)

1f. Why is it so easy to become complacent about what will be a terrible time for any who are on earth in those days?

2. From what you learned in this lesson, compare the commitment of the Maccabees to that of Daniel (Daniel 6) and his three friends (Daniel 3) when their faith was challenged.

2a. In what ways must Christians today “fight” to maintain the purity of their faith against a world that tries to defile it?

2b. How are attacks on our faith today more subtle than during the reign of Antiochus? Examples?

3. Read Daniel 8:23-26.

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3a. How far into the future were the words of verses 23-25 to be applied? (verse 26)

3b. Describe the king that will arise as to appearance and character. (verse 23)

3c. How will he be empowered? (verse 24)

3d. Who and how will he destroy? (verses 24-25)

3e. What do the words “cunning,” “deceit,” and “exalt himself” say about his character? (Verse 25)

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3f. Who is the “Prince of princes” he will rise against? How will he do that? [verse 25]

3g. How will he be “broken without human means”? [verse 15; Revelation 19:11, 20]

4. What does the destruction of Antiochus and the Antichrist say about the limits of evil in the world? Who always has the final say?

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 10 – The Herald

1. To get a perspective on how saw “what” rather than “when”… 1a. In Isaiah 9:6, which part of the verse was clearly not fulfilled at Christ’s first coming? When will it be fulfilled?

1b. In Zechariah 9:9-10, which parts of his vision of Christ were not fulfilled at His first coming? (verse 10)

1c. How does 2 Peter 3:8 help you understand the “gaps” in the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?

2. Daniel 9:4-19 records the prayer Daniel prayed. What did he read in Jeremiah that prompted him to pray? (Daniel 9:2-3)

2a. If Daniel had seen God’s promise of restoration in Jeremiah, why did he feel compelled to pray about it? What was the focus of his prayer?

2b. What did Daniel know for certain about God? (verse 4)

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2c. What was the focus of his prayer? (verses 5-8, 10-11)

2d. How did praise figure into Daniel’s prayer? (verse 9)

2e. What does the word “yes” in verse 11 signify? Is Daniel arguing with God or agreeing with God? Why is this important in prayer?

2f. We know God forgives our sin, so why is it important to pray about it? (1 John 1:9)

3. What nations were involved in the prophetic visions of Daniel 2 and 7?

3a. Which nation is the focus of Daniel 9?

3b. What does the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks tell you about God’s ongoing plans for Israel?

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3c. Why is it important to have a relationship with Christ prior to the beginning of the 70th week? (Daniel 9:26)

3d. From this lesson, what is the future signal that will indicate the arrival of the 70th week? (Daniel 9:27)

3e. Given current geo-political tensions in the Middle East, why is it easy to see a “covenant” of peace being established with Israel — then broken — in the future?

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 11 – The Archangel

1. How long did Daniel pray, fast, and mourn for his countrymen? (Daniel 10:2)

1a. How long did Jesus fast and pray in the wilderness? (Matthew 4:2)

1b. What is gained by praying for an extended period of time? What is gained by combing fasting with prayer?

1c. What kind of situation would it take in your life to fast and pray for three weeks?

1d. Why did Daniel stop his praying? (Daniel 10:4-5) What does that suggest? Was Daniel committed to praying until he received an answer? Is that what we should do?

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1e. What is the longest you have prayed - in consecutive days or an extended period - without receiving an answer? What does it take to keep on praying even when an answer is not forthcoming? (Hebrews 11:1,6)

2. Explain how Ephesians 6:12 helps illuminate the event described in Daniel 10:13.

2a. What word is used in Daniel 10:13 to describe the angelic agents for good and evil?

2b. Add to that name the titles of angels in Ephesians 6:12 and list the various titles in the satanic hierarchy of evil.

2c. Why is it important to be aware of “principalities and power” in the Christian life?

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2d. How does this knowledge affect your understanding of delays and difficult circumstances? Could there be a connection?

2e. Why do you this an angel might be assigned to a specific nation like Persia?

2f. How might the presence of Jews in Persia have influenced Satan’s assignment of a “prince” to monitor the nation?

2g. What was at stake? (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1; Micah 5:2)

3. Read Daniel 11:36-39, 45

3a. What will characterize the public ministry of the Antichrist in the Tribulation? (verse 36)

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3b. What do the words “[he] shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished” say about who is really in charge? [verse 36]

3c. What will be his attitude toward “gods?” (verses 37-38)

3d. How will he recruit supporters? (verse 39)

3e. In the end, what will be his fate? (verse 45; Revelation 19:11, 19-20)

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Agents of Babylon

Lesson 12 – The End

1. What role of the archangel is described in Daniel 12:1?

1a. What does his “standing up” in heaven initiate on earth?

1b. What does :7 call this period of time?

1c. What does the name “” in that verse signify? To whom does Jacob refer?

1d. Even though there will be trouble for Jacob, what will be the final result?

1e. How does Jeremiah 30:7 parallel the description in Daniel 12:1 of that time?

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1f. What do you find in Romans 11:25-27 that parallels Daniel 12:1 and Jeremiah 30:7?

2. Based on this lesson, how would you describe the book mentioned in Daniel 12:1, What is its purpose?

2a. What unique insight into God’s “book” do you find in Psalm 139:16?

2b. What action regarding Gods “book” so you find requesting in Psalm 51:1?

2c. What dramatic request does make of God regarding the “book” in Exodus 32:32? What was God’s response? (vs 33)

2d. In Daniel 12:1, what does the last line about the book suggest about its contents? Is every person recorded in the book? 2e. Who will be delivered (rescued) by God for eternity? (Daniel 12:1)

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2f. What does Paul call the “book” in Philippians 4:3? And Jesus in Revelation 3:5? What does “life” signify?

2g. When were names written in the Book of Life? (Revelation 17:8)

2h. How does one avoid having his name blotted out of God’s book?

2i. How certain are you that your name is recorded in the Book of Life? What is the basis of your certainty?

3. How could you best “protect the prophecy” of Daniel (and other prophets) for the future? In your personal reading, how much attention do you give to the prophetic parts of the Bible?

3a. From your study of Daniel, how has this book accomplished the four purposes of Scripture mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:16?

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3b. How does Paul describe the results of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:3? How have you experienced those results from studying Daniel?

3c. How have you prepared for your “rest”? How hopeful are you in “arising” for your inheritance? (Daniel 12:13)

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