Sunday
October 29
1. THE SPIRIT OF LICENTIOUSNESS
a. When Belshazzar inherited the Babylonian throne at a young age, what traits were readily seen in his character? Daniel 5:1.
“Belshazzar gloried in his power and lifted up his heart against the God of heaven. Many had been his opportunities to know the divine will and to understand his responsibility of rendering obedience thereto. He had known of his grandfather’s banishment, by the decree of God, from the society of men; and he was familiar with Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion and miraculous restoration. But Belshazzar allowed the love of pleasure and self-glorification to efface the lessons that he should never have forgotten. He wasted the opportunities graciously granted him, and neglected to use the means within his reach for becoming more fully acquainted with truth. That which Nebuchadnezzar had finally gained at the cost of untold suffering and humiliation, Belshazzar passed by with indifference.”–Prophets and Kings, pp. 522, 523.
b. How did Belshazzar blatantly display his irreverence for the sacred vessels of God? Daniel 5:2–4. Explain how still greater profanations occur today, even among professed believers.
“It is a truth which should make every one of us weep, that those living in these last days, upon whom the ends of the world are come, are far more guilty than was Belshazzar. This is possible in many ways. When men have taken upon themselves the vows of consecration, to devote all their powers to the sacred service of God; when they occupy the position of expositors of Bible truth, and have received the solemn charge; when God and angels are summoned as witnesses to the solemn dedication of soul, body, and spirit to God’s service–then shall these men who minister in a most holy office desecrate their God-given powers to unholy purposes? Shall the sacred vessel, whom God is to use for a high and holy work, be dragged from its lofty, controlling sphere to administer to debasing lust? Is not this idol worship of the most degrading kind?–the lips uttering praises and adoring a sinful human being, pouring forth expressions of ravishing tenderness and adulation which belong alone to God–the powers given to God in solemn consecration administering to a harlot; for any woman who will allow the addresses of another man than her husband, who will listen to his advances, and whose ears will be pleased with the outpouring of lavish words of affection, of adoration, of endearment, is an adulteress and a harlot.”–Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 434, 435.
Monday
October 30
2. OUR ACCOUNTABILITY
a. What amazing sight stopped the party? Daniel 5:5.
“In the midst of the revelry, Belshazzar saw the bloodless hand of an uninvited guest tracing upon the wall of the palace words that gleamed like fire–words which, though unknown to that vast throng, were a portent of doom to the new conscience-stricken revelers. The boisterous mirth was hushed, and they shook with a nameless terror as their eyes fastened upon the wall. Where but a few moments before had been hilarity and blasphemous witticism, were pallid faces and cries of fear.”–Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, pp. 20, 21.
“If they could not understand the writing, why were they so troubled? The writing on the wall gave evidence that there was a witness to their evil deeds, a guest not invited or welcome to their idolatrous feast, and his presence convicted of sin, and foretold doom and disaster. Before them passed, as in panoramic view, the deeds of their evil lives, and they seemed to be arraigned before the Judgment, of which they had been warned.”–The Signs of the Times, July 20, 1891.
b. How did Belshazzar react? Daniel 5:6. Why should this impress us to reexamine our own lives? Ecclesiastes 11:9.
“Belshazzar was the most terrified of them all. He it was who above all others had been responsible for the rebellion against God which that night had reached its height in the Babylonian realm. In the presence of the unseen Watcher, the representative of Him whose power had been challenged and whose name had been blasphemed, the king was paralyzed with fear. Conscience was awakened.”–Prophets and Kings, pp. 524–527.
“The same Witness that recorded the profanity of Belshazzar is present with us wherever we go. . . . You may feel that you are at liberty to act out the impulses of the natural heart, that you may indulge in lightness and trifling, but for all these things you must give an account. As you sow, you will reap, and if you are taking the foundation from your house, robbing your brain of its nutriment, and your nerves of their power by dissipation and indulgence of appetite and passion, you will have an account to render to Him who says, ‘I know thy works’ (Revelation 3:15).”–The Review and Herald, March 29, 1892.
Tuesday
October 31
3. GROPING FOR LIGHT
a. What was the frantic desire of Belshazzar? Daniel 5:7–9.
“In vain the king tried to read the burning letters. But here was a secret he could not fathom, a power he could neither understand nor gainsay. In despair he turned to the wise men of his realm for help. His wild cry rang out in the assembly, calling upon the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers to read the writing. [Daniel 5:7 quoted.] But of no avail was his appeal to his trusted advisers, with offers of rich awards. Heavenly wisdom cannot be bought or sold. . . . They were no more able to read the mysterious characters than had been the wise men of a former generation to interpret the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar.”–Prophets and Kings, p. 527.
b. How was Daniel’s name brought up during this crisis? Daniel 5:10–12. What was known about him? Daniel 5:13, 14.
“There was in the palace a woman who was wiser than them all–the queen of Belshazzar’s grandfather. In this emergency she addressed the king in language that sent a ray of light into the darkness. [Daniel 5:10–12 quoted.]”–The Youth’s Instructor, May 26, 1898.
Wednesday
November 1
4. A HEAVEN-SENT VERDICT
a. Describe the prophet’s introduction to the king. What should the prophet’s warning make us realize? Daniel 5:15–28.
“Before that terror-stricken throng, Daniel, unmoved by the promises of the king, stood in the quiet dignity of a servant of the Most High, not to speak words of flattery, but to interpret a message of doom.”–Prophets and Kings, p. 529.
“When Daniel was brought in before Belshazzar, as the king and his nobles sat at their sacrilegious feast, he plainly told the king that the calamity to come upon Babylon was the result of a disregard of heaven-sent light. He disregarded the light given to Nebuchadnezzar, and thereby lost the benefits he might have received had he been obedient to the light. God gives His people lessons to instruct them and lead them to reform. If they do not receive and practice these lessons, their neglect will surely bring judgments upon them.”–Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, pp. 98, 99.
b. How did God’s judgment affect the king and the entire nation? Daniel 5:29–31.
“Belshazzar was without excuse, for abundant light had been given him to reform his life. . . . His great sin was that, notwithstanding God had given him light, he refused to walk in the paths of righteousness.”–The Signs of the Times, July 20, 1891.
“God ascribes the fall of Babylon to her gluttony and drunkenness. Indulgence of appetite and passion was the foundation of all their sins.”–Counsels on Health, p. 110.
Thursday
November 2
5. GOD’S FAVOR CONDITIONAL
a. What must we take into serious consideration if we do not want to be found wanting? 1 Samuel 2:3.
“The fact that you conscientiously believe a lie will not save you from ruin, when the truth might have been yours.”–The Signs of the Times, July 27, 1891.
“Those who are ‘do-nothings’ now will have the superscription upon them, ‘Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting’ (Daniel 5:27). They knew their Master’s will, but did it not. They had the light of truth, they had every advantage, but chose their own selfish interests, and they will be left with those whom they did not try to save.”–Testimonies to Ministers, p. 237.
b. What may keep us out of the kingdom? Proverbs 16:2; Hebrews 4:13; James 4:17.
“The church cannot measure herself by the world nor by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her position in the world as they now are must be compared with what they would have been if her course had been continually onward and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon her, she will be found wanting.”–Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 83.
“Men are weighed in the balance and found wanting when they are living in the practice of any known sin. It is the privilege of every son of God to be a true Christian moment by moment; then he has all heaven enlisted on his side.”–Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 440, 441.
Friday
November 3
REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. How can a professed Christian be more guilty than Belshazzar?
2. Why was the king the most terrified witness at the party?
3. What was Daniel’s reputation in the mind of the king?
4. In the judgment, why are many found wanting?
5. How can we keep Heaven enlisted on our side?