Then Daniel answered the king” you may keep your gifts yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. Daniel 5:17 (NIV)
King Belshazzar, the king of the Babylonian Empire was ruler over Judah at this time. He and his father, King Nebuchadnezzar, were both non-Christian rulers. They worshipped many idols and had many lavish drunken parties.
It was during the party mentioned in Daniel 5, that a hand wrote something on the wall of the banquet hall. The words were “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PERES” No one knew what these words meant, not even the kings enchanters, wise men, or astrologers. Finally , the queen said there was a man called Daniel, that had helped King Nebuchadnezzar solve some mysterious things like this. The king said he would give David a scarlet robe, a gold chain around his neck and make him number 3 in the kingdom, Daniel replied with the words from Daniel 5:17(NIV)------This is what the words mean;
MENE--God had numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
TEKEL--You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
PERES--Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
What can we learn from this? Our days on earth are numbered. We don’t know the day or the hour when it will happen. We need to be ready at all times to join Him in heavenly glory.
Our lives have been put on God’s scales and he checks to see if we have lived up to His expectations. Did we follow the Golden Rule? “Do unto others” Did we help people in need, love them, minister to them in their darkest days?
On the last day, the kingdom on earth will be divided, some going to eternal glory and some to eternal damnation. It is my prayer that all will be enjoying eternal joy with Jesus in Heaven.
-Al Hormann
Eternal God, merciful Father, You have appointed Your Son as Judge of the living and the dead. Enable us to wait for the day of His return with our eyes fixed on the kingdom prepared for Your own from the foundation of the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Sources:
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS used by permission for private and congregational use
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
Collect for Christ the King Sunday Series A - Lutheran Service Book © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
King Belshazzar, the king of the Babylonian Empire was ruler over Judah at this time. He and his father, King Nebuchadnezzar, were both non-Christian rulers. They worshipped many idols and had many lavish drunken parties.
It was during the party mentioned in Daniel 5, that a hand wrote something on the wall of the banquet hall. The words were “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PERES” No one knew what these words meant, not even the kings enchanters, wise men, or astrologers. Finally , the queen said there was a man called Daniel, that had helped King Nebuchadnezzar solve some mysterious things like this. The king said he would give David a scarlet robe, a gold chain around his neck and make him number 3 in the kingdom, Daniel replied with the words from Daniel 5:17(NIV)------This is what the words mean;
MENE--God had numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
TEKEL--You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
PERES--Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
What can we learn from this? Our days on earth are numbered. We don’t know the day or the hour when it will happen. We need to be ready at all times to join Him in heavenly glory.
Our lives have been put on God’s scales and he checks to see if we have lived up to His expectations. Did we follow the Golden Rule? “Do unto others” Did we help people in need, love them, minister to them in their darkest days?
On the last day, the kingdom on earth will be divided, some going to eternal glory and some to eternal damnation. It is my prayer that all will be enjoying eternal joy with Jesus in Heaven.
-Al Hormann
Eternal God, merciful Father, You have appointed Your Son as Judge of the living and the dead. Enable us to wait for the day of His return with our eyes fixed on the kingdom prepared for Your own from the foundation of the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Sources:
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS used by permission for private and congregational use
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
Collect for Christ the King Sunday Series A - Lutheran Service Book © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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