Even people who know nothing about the Bible or the Babylonians use the phrase, “the handwriting is on the wall.” The phrase means that something is a foregone conclusion – it’s a matter of when, not if, and there’s nothing you can do about it. We may recall that in chapter 2, Daniel predicted that after Nebuchadnezzar, there
would arise another kingdom which would conquer the Babylonian kingdom (2:39). This chapter fulfills that prediction. The phrase comes from this chapter and announces the impending judgment on Babylon at the hand of the Medes and Persians who were waiting at the city gates ready to invade.
I. The Fool (1)
- It’s now approximately 70 years after Daniel was taken captive to Babylon and scholars place him in his early 80s.
- Just when it looked like all the evidence was stacked against Scripture, a series of archaeological discoveries showed that Belshazzar did exist after all.
- There is one book in the entire universe that is always true and always accurate and that is the Word of God.
II. The Feast (1-4)
- This act was intended to mock the God of Israel and to celebrate the gods of Babylon as being superior.
- This world is focused on indulgence.
- There is also indifference.
- They are also irreverent.
III. The Fingers (5-6)
- God has always communicated through the written Word.
- God’s Word is serious, sacred business.
IV. The Faithful (10-12)
- To me, the most important commendation is that Daniel had an excellent spirit. It’s not enough to obey, we must obey with an excellent spirit.
- From teenager to old man, he had strong convictions, courage, wisdom, purity, and an excellent spirit!
- Please note: our spirit is more important than our skills.
V. The Facts (13-23)
- Even though he knew the story, it didn’t change the way he lived.
VI. The Future (24-28)
- The first phrase “mene, mene” means counted and numbered.
- “Tekel” means “weighed.” God is the Judge and Jury and when He weighs us, we all come up short because of sin.
- “Upharsin” is the plural of “perez” and it means that the kingdom will be divided into two powers.
VII. The Fulfillment (29-31)
- God’s rule may be invisible, but He still rules.
- God’s judgments may be delayed, but He still judges.
- God’s offer of salvation may be ignored, but He still offers.