Royal Apostasy and National Judgment

Royal Apostasy and National Judgment (Dan 5)
Intro
There is a road that the ungodly walk which has an invisible line across it. It's a line that God alone sees. And sometimes they cross that thin boundary between God's patience and God's wrath.

Exposition
"The Moving finger writes; and having writ, moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy tears wash out a word of it" (E. Fitzgerald).

Four charges
a. Rebellion: Belshazzar would not humble himself before God, although he knew all about God's dealings with Nebuchadnezzar (v18-23a)
b. Blasphemy: He and his court had profaned the vessels of the Lord's Temple (v23b)
c. Idolatry: He and his court were guilty of gross idolatry (v23c)
d. Impiety: He did not glorify the true God who was giving him the air he breathed (v23d)

Application
Lesson 1. We must not presume on the grace shown to others.
Lesson 2. Kings must know, or shall be made to know, that the most high God rules in their kingdom.
Lesson 3. Rulers and nations must obey and enforce the first table of the law.

Conclusion
The answer from the skies is sent,
'Ye that from God depart,
While it is called today, repent,
And harden not your heart!'
(J. A. Alexander)