1538. The Open Window

The Open Window

Dan_6:1-23

In the World but Not of the World (Joh_17:15).

Jerusalem, the City of Peace (Psa_122:1).

The Open Window Explained (2Pe_1:19).

The Closed Window (Pro_29:18).

The Result of the Closed Window (2Pe_1:9).

The Opponents of the Open Window (2Ti_3:8).

The Message of the Open Window (Heb_10:36-37).

The study of Daniel's life is set forth in striking epochal periods. In reading the Book of Daniel, these periods are not made prominent, but when they are understood much added interest accrues to the reading.

Daniel was about 17 years of age when he was carried to Babylon. This was in 607 B. C.

When Daniel was 21 years of age, in 603 B. C., he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream concerning the image with the head of gold, the chest of silver, the belly of brass, the legs of iron, and the toes of iron mixed with clay.

Twenty-three years later, when Daniel was 44, in the year 580 B. C., the golden image was set up and the three Hebrew children were cast into the burning, fiery furnace.

In the year 570 B. C., the 54th year of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had his dream of the great tree which was cut down. At this time Daniel interpreted the dream and foretold how the king would be dethroned, and wander with the beasts of the earth for seven years, with his body wet with the dew of heaven.

When Daniel was 69 years of age, in 555 B. C., he had his vision of the lion, the bear, the leopard, and the terrible creature. Two years later Daniel had his vision of the ram and the he goat. In these visions God set before Daniel the prophecies of the great world empires that would yet arrive among men.

When Daniel was 86 years of age, Belshazzar's feast was held, the handwriting on the wall was seen, and Daniel was brought in to read the writing. That night was Belshazzar slain and Darius the Median took the kingdom. In the same year, 538 B. C., Daniel offered his prayer to God in behalf of his people. This prayer is recorded in chapter 9.

In the succeeding year 537 B. C., when Daniel was 87 years of age, he was made the chief of the three presidents of the Media-Persian empire. During this same year, Darius signed the writing that no one should offer any prayer or petition to any God or man save of the king for thirty days. Daniel, however, knowing that the writing had been signed and sealed by the unchanging law of the Medes and the Persians, opened his window toward Jerusalem and prayed three times daily. Then followed Daniel's casting into the lions' den, and his miraculous deliverance.

It is the purpose of this message to study the significance of the open window.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR