Daniel 5 Explained

Introduction: Daniel 5 — When Mercy Is Rejected

Daniel 5 stands as one of the most sobering chapters in Scripture. While Daniel 4 reveals God’s mercy toward the humble, Daniel 5 reveals God’s judgment upon persistent rebellion. It marks the fall of Babylon, both historically and symbolically, and serves as a powerful warning to end-time spiritual Babylon.

This chapter answers urgent apocalyptic questions:

• What happens when divine warnings are ignored?
• Why does judgment sometimes come suddenly?
• How does God deal with leaders who despise sacred truth?
• What lessons does ancient Babylon teach the last generation?

Ellen G. White writes:

“Every nation that has disregarded the law of God has been weighed in the balances and found wanting.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 535

Daniel 5 reveals that probation closes—for individuals and for nations.

Daniel 5:1 — A Feast on the Eve of Judgment

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords…”

Babylon is under siege, yet the king chooses celebration over repentance.

This reveals:

• False security
• Arrogant defiance
• Spiritual blindness

Ellen G. White comments:

“While destruction was impending, the king and his lords gave themselves up to reckless mirth.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 523

End-time parallel: Modern society continues in pleasure while judgment approaches (Luke 17:26–30).

Daniel 5:2–4 — Deliberate Profanation of the Sacred

Belshazzar commands the use of sacred vessels from God’s temple.

This is not ignorance—it is intentional rebellion.

“They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver…”

This act represents:

• Contempt for God
• Exaltation of false worship
• Union of apostasy and state power

Ellen G. White warns:

“Sacred things are treated with contempt when God’s warnings are disregarded.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 524

Daniel 5:5–6 — Heaven Interrupts the Party

Suddenly, a mysterious hand writes on the wall.

The king’s reaction is immediate terror.

“His countenance changed… his knees knocked together.”

No amount of pleasure can silence a guilty conscience.

Daniel 5:7–9 — Human Wisdom Fails Again

Babylon’s wise men are summoned—but fail, just as in Daniel 2.

This repetition reinforces a key apocalyptic truth:
👉 Human wisdom cannot interpret divine judgment.

Daniel 5:10–12 — Forgotten Faithfulness Remembered

The queen recalls Daniel.

Daniel had been forgotten—until crisis came.

Ellen G. White notes:

“Those who are faithful may be forgotten, but God does not forget them.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 528

End-time encouragement: God’s faithful servants will be called upon again in the final crisis.

Daniel 5:13–16 — Daniel Unmoved by Power

Belshazzar offers rewards.

Daniel refuses.

“Let your gifts be for yourself…”

Truth cannot be bought.

Adventist scholar C. Mervyn Maxwell writes:

“Daniel’s independence shows his allegiance to God alone.”
— God Cares, Vol. 1, p. 98

Daniel 5:17–21 — Judgment Based on Rejected Light

Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in Daniel 4.

Belshazzar knew:

• God’s power
• God’s mercy
• God’s warning

“But you his son… have not humbled your heart.”

This is the heart of judgment:
👉 Sin against light received.

Ellen G. White emphasizes:

“Belshazzar sinned against greater light than any before him.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 529

Daniel 5:22–23 — The Sin Defined

Belshazzar:

• Exalted himself
• Mocked sacred truth
• Ignored the God who gave him life

This is spiritual rebellion at its peak.

Daniel 5:24–28 — The Handwriting Explained

MENE — God has numbered your kingdom

TEKEL — You are weighed and found wanting

PERES — Your kingdom is divided and given to others

This is irreversible judgment.

Ellen G. White writes:

“The irrevocable sentence had been pronounced.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 531

Daniel 5:29 — Empty Honors Before the End

Daniel is honored—but it is meaningless.

Earthly recognition cannot delay divine judgment.

Daniel 5:30–31 — Babylon Falls in One Night

“That very night Belshazzar… was slain.”

History confirms Babylon fell exactly as foretold.

Adventist historian Gerhard Pfandl observes:

“Prophecy and history converge with remarkable precision.”
— Biblical Research Institute

Apocalyptic Meaning of Daniel 5

Daniel 5 points forward to:

• Revelation 18: Babylon’s fall
• The close of probation
• Final judgment
• Sudden destruction after long warning

🔗 Further Reading for Daniel Series

• Daniel 1 → Faithfulness in Small Things
• Daniel 2 → God’s Timeline of Kingdoms
• Daniel 3 → Worship Under Compulsion
• Daniel 4 → Warning Before Judgment
• Revelation 14 → The Three Angels’ Messages
• Revelation 18 → Fall of Babylon

Ellen G. White states:

“The fall of Babylon will be sudden and complete.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 653

Daniel 5 and the Last Days

Just as ancient Babylon:

• Rejected truth
• Mocked sacred things
• Trusted false security

So will end-time Babylon.

This chapter urges urgent repentance.

Conclusion: When the Writing Appears, Time Is Over

Daniel 5 teaches:

• God warns repeatedly
• Judgment is just
• Light rejected brings accountability
• Probation does not last forever

The handwriting still speaks today.

Next Study: Daniel 6 — Faithfulness Under Law

Daniel 6 shifts from national judgment to personal loyalty.

👉 Continue to the next article:
Daniel 6 Explained: The Lion’s Den, God’s Law, and Faith Under Persecution

This chapter powerfully parallels end-time religious laws and faithfulness under pressure.