Daniel Chapter 1

When the Israelites were taken captive, only a remnant was taken into the king of Babylon’s house. “…
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 favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and
understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace.” (Dan 1:3-4).
(made to stand in front of kings, counselor’s, judges to witness)

There the temptations were laid before God’s remnant people. Would they partake of the “daily
provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine of his drink: so nourishing them three years, that at the
end thereof they might stand before the king.” Dan 1:5. There are a couple of important spiritual truths
here. Firstly, they were required to eat and drink at the king of Babylon’s table. They were forced to
receive the mark of the beast but they refused to receive it. Why? Because they had the seal of the
living God (they reflected the character of God perfectly and had no taste or desire for any strange
flesh). The food and drink here spiritually represents worldly wisdom and false doctrine.

Those with the seal of God will eat and drink only from God’s table:

“Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, take, eat; this is my body. And he took the
cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for
many for the remission of sins” (Matt 26:26-28).

Those with the mark of the beast will eat and drink everywhere else:

“How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Then understood they how that he bade them no beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees” (Matt 16:11-12).

“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden
cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication” (Rev 17:4).

So, “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” (Dan1:9). Daniel made a decision in his heart not to receive the mark
of the beast. How was that honored? For if the king of Bablyon had had his way they would have been
force fed that food. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had a steward over them that was
responsible for what they ate. Their pleading was not with the king of Babylon but with this steward.
Their food came from this steward, a type of Jesus. They were tried ten days (they were tested against
the perfectness of God’s law, His Decalogue.)

“Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse” (Dan 1:16).

After that their “bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure” (Isaiah 33:16).

As a result of their connection with God unadulterated with the false doctrines of this world or its
wisdom, “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding
in all visions and dreams” (Dan 1:17).
The second spiritual truth in verse five of the first chapter of Daniel is the length of the training of Daniel
and his friends. Three years.

“At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy
gates: and the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow,
which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of
thine hand which thou doest” (Deut 14:28,29).

Also, “Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over
this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it” (Joshua 1:11).

If you missed the great truth in these two verses it is this: At the end of the three years in training (so to
speak) the remnant was to pass into the Promised Land.

“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.” (Dan 1:18,19)

This is speaking of the second coming of Jesus. At the end of days, Jesus will take us before the King
(our Father) and we will commune together. This is the consummation of the Great Controversy-man
finally reconciled with God!! Eternally!!!