INTRODUCTION: God will judge sin and defend His honour. Though God often delays to judge man for sin (Ecclesiastes 8:11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
See All...), this should never be taken as weakness or lack of conviction. God delays punishment in order to give men a longer time in which to repent. The goodness of His forbearance should lead to repentance (Romans 2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
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God will not always delay judgment and when He acts, He does so swiftly. 2 Peter 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
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See All...). We must make sure that our sins are under the blood of Christ as concerning our salvation and that we repent of and confess our daily sins.

1. THE VESSELS OF GOD (Daniel 5:1-4 [1] Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. [2] Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. [3] Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. [4] They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
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1. Dedicated to the Service of God (Daniel 5:1-2 [1] Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. [2] Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
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1. The great feast of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
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2. The command to bring the vessels (Daniel 5:2Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
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1. That had been dedicated to the Lord (Exodus 40:9-10 [9] And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. [10] And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
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2. That had been carried away (2 Chronicles 36:7Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
   See All...; Daniel 1:1-2 [1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. [2] And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
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2. Desecrated in Praise to False Gods (Daniel 5:3-4 [3] Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. [4] They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
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1. Taken from the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 5:3Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
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2. Brought to the feast of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:3Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
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3. Used to drink the wine of the feast (Daniel 5:3Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
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4. Used to praise the gods of Babylon (Daniel 5:4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
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2. THE WRITING OF GOD (Daniel 5:5-16 [5] In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. [6] Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. [7] The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. [8] Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. [9] Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. [10] Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: [11] There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; [12] Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. [13] Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? [14] I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. [15] And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: [16] And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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1. Bringing Fear to the King (Daniel 5:5-6 [5] In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. [6] Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
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1. The fingers of a man’s hand (Daniel 5:5In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
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1. They appeared in the same hour the king was misusing the vessels.
2. They wrote over against the candlestick. Note: God wants man to be able to read what He writes.
3. They wrote on the plaster of the wall of the palace.
4. They wrote in the viewing of the king.
2. Note: other times the hand of God wrote for man to see
1. The two tables of testimony (Exodus 31:18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
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2. The writing of Jesus on the ground (John 8:6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
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3. The reaction of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:6Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
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1. His countenance changed.
2. His thoughts troubled him.
3. His joints of his loins were loosed.
4. His knees smote together.
2. Bringing Confusion to the Wise Men (Daniel 5:7-9 [7] The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. [8] Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. [9] Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
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1. The wise men were called (Daniel 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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1. The astrologers
2. The Chaldeans
3. The soothsayers
2. The wise men were promised rewards (Daniel 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
   See All...).
1. The requirements for reward
1. To read the writing
2. To shew the interpretation
2. The rewards promised
1. To be clothed in scarlet
2. To have a golden necklace
3. To be the third ruler in the kingdom
3. The wise men could not accomplish the task (Daniel 5:8Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
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1. They could not read the writing.
2. Or provide the interpretation thereof
4. The people were troubled (Daniel 5:9Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
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1. The king was troubled and his countenance was changed.
2. The lords were astonied.
3. Bringing Remembrance to the Queen (Daniel 5:10-12 [10] Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: [11] There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; [12] Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
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1. She came into the banquet house (Daniel 5:10Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
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2. She spoke to calm the king (Daniel 5:10Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
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1. Let not thy thoughts trouble thee.
2. Let not thy countenance be changed.
3. She told him of Daniel (Daniel 5:11There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
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1. A man in whom “is the spirit of the holy gods”; Note: This is not a true statement, but was the way Daniel was perceived by the queen.
2. A man in whom was found great wisdom
3. A man who was made the master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers
4. She encouraged him to call Daniel (Daniel 5:12Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
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1. Because of his past abilities
1. His excellent spirit
2. His knowledge
3. His understanding
4. His interpretation of dreams
5. His shewing of hard sentences
6. His dissolving of doubts
2. Because of his present ability – “he will shew the interpretation.”
4. Bringing Opportunity to the Man of God (Daniel 5:13-16 [13] Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? [14] I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. [15] And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: [16] And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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1. Daniel brought before the king (Daniel 5:13Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
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2. Daniel’s reputation preceded him (Daniel 5:13-14 [13] Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? [14] I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
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1. Art thou the Daniel that my father brought out of Jewry (Daniel 5:13Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
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2. I have heard of thee (Daniel 5:14I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
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1. That the spirit of the gods is in thee
2. That light, understanding, and excellent wisdom is found in thee
3. Daniel told of the failure of others (Daniel 5:15And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
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1. The identity of those who failed
2. The failure
1. To read the writing
2. To shew the interpretation
4. Daniel given the same promise of reward (Daniel 5:16And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
   See All...)
3. THE WORD OF GOD (Daniel 5:17-23 [17] Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. [18] O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: [19] And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. [20] But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: [21] And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. [22] And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; [23] But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
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1. The Rewards of Man (Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
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1. The king encouraged to keep his rewards
1. Let thy gifts be to thyself.
2. Give thy rewards to another.
2. Daniel will read the writing, and make known the interpretation.
2. The Pride of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:18-21 [18] O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: [19] And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. [20] But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: [21] And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
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1. The glory of his kingdom (Daniel 5:18-19 [18] O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: [19] And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
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1. God gave him a kingdom, majesty, glory, and honour (Daniel 5:18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
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2. The most high God gave him great power (Daniel 5:19And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
   See All...).
1. All people, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him.
2. Whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive.
3. Whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down.
2. The pride of his heart (Daniel 5:20But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
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1. His heart was lifted up.
2. His mind was hardened.
3. The loss of his kingdom (Daniel 5:20But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
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1. He was deposed from his kingly throne.
2. His glory was taken from him.
4. The lesson of humility (Daniel 5:21And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
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1. He was driven from the sons of men.
2. His heart was made like the beasts.
3. His dwelling was with the wild asses.
4. He ate grass like oxen.
5. His body was wet with the dew of heaven.
3. The Pride of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:22-23 [22] And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; [23] But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
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1. Belshazzar’s rejection of the lesson of humility (Daniel 5:22And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
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1. Thou hast not humbled thine heart.
2. Though thou knewest all this
2. Belshazzar’s reaction of pride (Daniel 5:23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
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1. He had lifted himself against the Lord of heaven.
2. He had defiled the vessels from the Lord’s house.
3. He praised the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone.
4. He glorified not the one true and living God.
4. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD (Daniel 5:24-31 [24] Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. [25] And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. [26] This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. [27] TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. [28] PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. [29] Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. [30] In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. [31] And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
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1. The Meaning of the Writing (Daniel 5:24-28 [24] Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. [25] And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. [26] This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. [27] TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. [28] PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
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1. The writing in full: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN (Daniel 5:24-25 [24] Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. [25] And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
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2. The interpretation of the writing (Daniel 5:26-28 [26] This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. [27] TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. [28] PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
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1. MENE (Daniel 5:26This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
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1. God hath numbered thy kingdom.
2. God hath finished thy kingdom.
2. TEKEL (Daniel 5:27TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
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1. Thou art weighed in the balances.
2. Thou art found wanting.
3. PERES (Daniel 5:28PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
   See All...); PERES is another form of UPHARSIN
1. Thy kingdom is divided.
2. Thy kingdom is given to the Medes and Persians.
2. The Promotion of Daniel (Daniel 5:29Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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1. He was clothed with scarlet.
2. A chain of gold was placed about his neck.
3. He was made the third ruler in the kingdom.
3. The Destruction of Babylon (Daniel 5:30-31 [30] In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. [31] And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
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1. Belshazzar slain that night (Daniel 5:30In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
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2. Darius the Median took the kingdom (Daniel 5:31And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
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CONCLUSION: Are you disobeying God and thinking that nothing will ever come of it? Be sure to know that judgment will someday come. How much better to repent of your sin and seek the forgiveness and cleansing of God! Will you turn to Him right now?