The Writing is on the Wall

This chapter describes a vision which took place at a great banquet that King Belshazzar of Babylon gave for thousands of his nobles. While he drank he gave orders for the goblets taken from the Jewish temple by his father Nebuchadnezzar to be brought in so they all might drink from them. “As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace.” (Dan 5:4-5 NIV)

The Babylonian empire was full of idols and sinful lifestyles but this incident seems to be the final straw for God to say enough is enough. God then brought judgment upon the Babylonians and King Belshazzar and that very night he was slain and the Kingdom taken over by the Medes and Persians.

The sin Belshazzar committed was using Holy vessels for an unholy purpose. The vessels were Holy not because they were elaborate gold and silver goblets but because God declared them Holy probably during the time of King Solomon. In our time God does not declare objects such as goblets or buildings holy but he makes us, his people, holy vessels. 2 Timothy 2:21

Are we, holy vessels of God, allowing ourselves to be used for unholy purposes? If we are sinning will God bring judgement on us like he did King Belshazzar?

God is the same God today as he was in the Old Testament but we now live in a time of grace. Luke 9:52-56. Today Jesus is speaking to us and asking us to turn from our sinful ways and live for him. God knows what is best for us and all sin will ultimately lead to destruction and death preventing us from living out the life God has destined for us. God wants us to stop sinning because he is a loving father who wants to see his children happy.

If we do not turn from our sins today chances are we will not be struck down this very night (although Ananias and Sapphira were in Acts chapter 5) because we live in a period of grace under the new covenant through Jesus Christ. However, there will be a day when God judges all the sin of the world again similar to Old Testament judgements. When this day comes only those that are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and have put their trust in him will be saved.

Is it hard to hear the voice of God? Does God still speak to us today like he did to Daniel? Jesus said that it was better for him to leave us so the Holy Spirit could come and teach us all things. John 16:5-8, 13

God speaks to us all the time through the Holy Spirit in our lives today. We must grow in our relationship with him and mature to become believers that can hear his voice. John 10:27

Other Scriptures
Dan 5:4-5
John 16:5-8, 13
John 10:27
Luke 9:52-56
2 Timothy 2:21

Questions to Reflect on

 
Q1. Are we, holy vessels of God, allowing ourselves to be used for unholy purposes?

Q2. If we are sinning will God bring judgement on us like he did King Belshazzar?

Q3. Does God still speak to us today like he did to Daniel?