Conclusion of Handwriting on the Wall

'But you,' Daniel tells Bel-shaz'zar,  'knew what happened to him, and still you are proud just as Neb-u-chad- nez'zar was. You brought in the cups and bowls from Jehovah's temple and drunk out of them.  You have praised gods made of wood and stone, and you have not honored our Grand Creator.  That is why God sent the hand to write these words. 

'This is what is written,' Daniel says. 'ME-NE, ME'NE, TE'KEL and PAR"SIN.'

'ME'NE means that God had numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. TE'KEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found to be no good. PAR'SIN Means that your kingdom is given to the Medes and the Persians.'

Even while Daniel is speaking, the Medes and the Persians have begun to attack Babylon.  They capture the city and kill Bel-shaz'zar.  The handwriting on the wall comes true that very night! But what will happen to the Israelites now?  We will soon find out, but first let's see what happens to Daniel.

Daniel 5:1-31. 

Next time: Daniel in the Lion's Pit

From the jw.org publications