The handwriting is on the wall for America!  Why?  Because we have followed the same path of Ancient Babylon.

What made America so glorious in the beginning? What distinguished us from our neighbors to the north and south?

The original 13 colonies charter reminds us of this. Listen to what was said about Rhode Island “We submit our persons, our lives, and our estates to the Lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Proverbs 14:34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Remember that Babylon was the place where the great tower of Babel was made, where men said, “Let us make us a name for ourselves” Genesis 11:4

King Neb was humbled and 23 years have now passed, Daniel is in his late 80’s

A new King, King Neb’s son Belshazzar is on the throne.  His name means “Bel protect the king”

What was happening here in the beginning of chapter 5?  They were drinking and defiling the items from the temple in Jerusalem.  No good decision comes from being drunk.  You cannot run a nation, a home, a business from a state of intoxication. 

Did you know In the United States, there’s a death from auto accidents due to alcohol every 11 minutes and an injury every 18 seconds. We are a drunken nation.

God’s Power vv.18-19

God orchestrates events for His glory!

Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Man’s Pride v.20

Proverbs 16:5 “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

God’s Punishment vv.21-31

Mene– numbered

Hebrews 9:27 “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Our days are numbered!

Tekel– Weighed

Parsin– separated or divided

These three words proclaim the destiny of all those without Christ

Our days are numbered and we are appointed to die, then face the judgment, we will be separated forever if we are found wanting.

The only way for the scales to be balanced is for One who is equal to God to take our place.  That is Christ! 

This was a proclamation of Judgment.

Numbered– Our days are numbered.

Weighed– we are appointed to die, then face the judgment,

Separated– we will be separated forever without Christ

What causes a nation to fall?

1-Failure to Remember (forget lessons Neb learned)

2-Failure to come to Reality– thought they were invincible

3-Failure to practice Restraint– became increasingly morally degenerate

4-Failure to Respect– nothing was sacred anymore

God’s Passion

What causes a nation to fall in love with Christ?