Daniel & Revelation-Prophecy Explained-Part 3

The book of Daniel is a very interesting book, and the stories have a lot of parallels with those of us living at this time.  The first 6 books are mostly stories with some prophecies, and the last 6 books are mostly prophecies. 
  Israel was taken captive after repeated warnings from God through prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  God had lovingly asked them to let go of idol worship, and many ignored His plea.  God prophesied through the prophet Jeremiah that they would be taken into captivity for 70 years, if they would not repent, and turn back to Creator God Almighty.  Israel was supposed to take a knowledge of the One True God to the whole earth, and this wasn't happening.  Jeremiah 25:11,12 says, "This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.  Then, after the seventy years of captivity are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his people for their sins,” says the Lord. “I will make the country of the Babylonians a wasteland forever. Jeremiah 29:10 says, "This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again." 

  Babylon was the superpower of that time, and was where Iraq now is.  In Southern Iraq, Saddam Hussein was planning on rebuilding the city of Babylon, and had bricks with king Nebuchadnezzar's name inscribed on them.  He thought of himself as Nebuchadnezzar.  He was never able to rebuild Babylon because God said it would never again be inhabited, and it hasn't. 

  Israel was taken captive by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, just as God had predicted!  Daniel and his 3 friends that are mentioned in the book of Daniel, were teenagers at the time.  They were more than likely taken from their parents, to be taught the ways of Babylon.  They would have been very intelligent and good looking as the king requested in Daniel 1:3,4 "Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.  Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men, he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.^" So as Daniel and his friends were forced

to walk across the hot dry desert, they had plenty of time to think and to pray.  They had been taught to trust in Creator God, and they realized that God would bring good out of this situation.  I'm sure they went through some very lonely times, but God always let them know He was with them.  They chose to obey God rather than man. 

  Daniel's writings left in Babylon and that part of the world, are what the wise men studied hundreds of years later, and that's how they knew about what time Messiah was to appear, from Daniel's God inspired prophecies! 
  In the next post, I will briefly discuss Daniel 1, and then follow with Daniel 2 and it's time prophecy that outlines almost 2500 years of history, and what kingdoms would fall and rise, with pinpoint accuracy.  You will see how history has proven these Bible prophecies to be spot on! 
  You will start to see the heavenly GPS(God's Prophetic System) guide you to a solid faith in God's Holy Bible! 
  God's best 2 U,       Joy J