Daniel chapter one is arguably the most important chapter in the book if not the Bible because it sets the stage for victory over sin / righteousness by faith. Victory over appetite will lead to victory over all things. Our first parents succumbed to the indulgence of appetite and lost Eden. We are to overcome the lusts of the flesh through the firm denial of appetite and passion and thereby regain Eden.  This chapter demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's Law, His word, in order to be a true disciple of Christ, a true Christian - John 8:31,32.

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DANIEL CHAPTER ONE

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of

Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and of the kingʼs seed, and of the princes;

4 Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the kingʼs palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the kingʼs meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the

king.

6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel [the name] of

Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of

Abednego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the kingʼs meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath 

appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the

children which [are] of your sort? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the king.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to

drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children

that eat of the portion of the kingʼs meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the

kingʼs meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of

the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel,

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.

21 And Daniel continued [even] unto the first year of king Cyrus.

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Verse 1 

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of

Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

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• Two cities - Babylon and Jerusalem in conflict in Bible prophecy.

• Literal Babylon in Daniel, Spiritual Babylon in Revelation.

• Note the transition from the literal to the spiritual -cf Pagan Rome to Papal Rome

• Babylon (literal or spiritual) always attacks Jerusalem.

• Babylon represents false religion.

• Jerusalem represents truth and is symbolically the bride of Christ - Revelation 21:2,10

• *Attack occurs In the 3rd year of Jehoiakim in Daniel but his 4th year in Jeremiah 25:1???

 

* Jer 25:1 says Nebuchadnezzar attacked “in the fourth year of Jehoiakim,” whereas Dan 1:1 says the attack was “in the third year”.

Archaeology has shown that both the Jews and Babylonians of that time reckoned the reignal years of kings by the “accession year method.” In this method the year the king came to the throne was not counted as his official “first” year. The “first” year began at the next New Years Day. We know from Josephus (citing Berosus) and a Babylonian chronicle, that Nebuchadnezzar was on a military campaign in Palestine against Egypt when his Father died and he succeeded to the throne. Hence Daniel and Jeremiah are in perfect agreement. Jeremiah synchronized Nebuchadnezzarʼs 1st reignal year with Jehoiakins 4th year, whereas Daniel was taken captive in

Nebuchadnezzarʼs accession year, which he identifies with Jehoiakimsʼs 3rd year.

The first of Babylonʼs three attacks on Jerusalem: 606-605BC.

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Verse 2

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

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• Judgment is a common thread throughout Daniel as noted in the Introduction page

• More often than not Judgment occurs against God's disobedient people in the old testament.

• God will not protect a disobedient people.

• Babylon (Babel) was built in the land of Shinar  - Genesis 10:10

• Conquest of Jerusalem began the prophetic fulfilment of 2 Kings 20:17-18; Jer 25:3,9-11.

• Isaiah prophesied the treasures would be taken to Babylon and royal children as well (See 2Kings 20, esp. v 17-18).

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Verse 3

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and of the kingʼs seed, and of the princes.

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• An Eunuch is a castrated male.

• Daniel was under the command of the master of the eunuchs

• It appears that Daniel was castrated. (cf. 2 kings 20:18; 2 Kings 24:17).

• The fact that Daniel never mentions a wife also suggests this. 

• In the first raid of 606BC. Princes of royal blood were selected from among the Jews.

• These were taken to Babylon to be trained for government service.

• Among these were Daniel and his three companions. 

• The word “children” can refer to youth. See Strongʼs Concordance.

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Verse 4

Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the kingʼs palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

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• Those serving in the kings court were to be without physical imperfection.

• They would represent Babylonʼs finest to any who visited.

• God also required unblemished individuals for the temple service (Lev 21:17-24)

• They were also individuals of rare intellectual skill.

• The tongue (“language”) Daniel learned would have included:

• 1. Akkadian, the national language of Babylon.

• 2. Summerian, the language of traditional religion.

• 3. Aramaic , the language of international commerce and diplomacy.

• Such knowledge enabled him to witness to Babylonians more effectively

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Verse 5

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the kingʼs meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

 

• The king fed them from his own table - the king's meat & the king's wine.

• The king was bestowing upon them great honor & best physical and mental development.

• The king would assess (judge) them at the end of 3 years - a TYPE of the Judgment.

• The king's food would have included swine's flesh prohibited by the law of Moses as unclean.

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Verse 6

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

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The following have been suggested as to the meaning of their names:

• Daniel - - “God is my judge.”

• Hananiah - “Yaweh is gracious.”

• Mishael - “Who belongs to God.”

• Azariah - “Yahweh helps.”

• The names collectivelly descibe their experience.

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Verse 7

Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

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• Their Babylonian names contain the names of Babylonian Gods.

• Daniel - Belteshazzar. In Babylonian - “Bel lit shar usar.” “Bel, a Babylonian deity (cf. Dan 4:8) protect the hostage of the king.” That Daniel should be given such a name may be testimony to friendship Daniel had formed with the chief of the eunuchs (see v 9).

• Hananiah - Shadrach. Corresponds to the Assyrian Saduraku and Babylonian Saduraku, meaning “I am put in much fear.” Information on the names from, Symposium on Daniel, Review & Herald Publishing, p 126.

• Mishael - Meshach.  Corresponds to the Akkadian name Mesaku, meaning “I am of little account.”

• Azariah - Abednego. Corresponds to the Akkadian, Abad Nabu, meaning “servant of the shining one.”

 

The Babylonians viewed the Hebrew God as a conquered God for they had just ransacked Jerusalem. As the name of this God was embeded in the names of the Hebrew captives (see below & verse 6) the Babylonians no doubt felt that their names had to be changed.

The renaming would tend to erase the memory of their Jewish roots and signified their adoption into the Babylonian court.

 

“ By giving them names significant of idolatry, by bringing them daily into close association with idolatrous customs, and under the influence of the seductive rites of heathen worship, he hoped to induce them to renounce the religion of their nation and to unite with the worship of the Babylonians.” PK, p481.

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Compare the life of Joseph Genesis 41:45.

The experiences of Joseph & Daniel are very similar.

1. Both were captives in foreign lands.

2. Both passed an inital test. cf Gen 39:7

3. Both had name changes. cf. Gen 41:45

4. Both were revealers of dreams. cf Gen 40:8

5. Both were given opportunities after magicians had failed (Gen 41:8, 24).

6. Both rose to become prime ministers.

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Daniel’s use of terms that are only found in Genesis, in the story of Joseph, indicates that Daniel was aware of the similarity of his experience to that of Joseph , e.g. In Dan 1:20 the word Daniel uses for “magicians” is not a Babylonian word, and the word is only found in Genesis 41:8

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“The history of Joseph and Daniel is an illustration of what He will do for those who yield themselves to Him and with the whole heart seek to accomplish His purpose.” Education, p 57

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THE TEST OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (HIS WORD)

 

Verse 8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

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Babylon desired to:

• Change their education

• Change their names

• Change their diets.

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Daniel had not objected to having to learn from Babylonians or to having been given a new name, but He was unwilling to dishonour God by consuming unclean animals, alcohol and things offered to idols which was contrary to the Ceremonial Law. 

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At the risk of his life Daniel refused to eat the kings food. - Proverbs 23:1-3

There were several reasons Daniel took this stand:

• Like other pagan nations the Babylonians ate unclean foods which God forbids (Lev 11).

• These foods included swine's flesh and and other foods pronounced unclean. CD 30

•  Even the clean meat would not have been prepared the way God requires (Lev 7:22-27)

•  The foods would have been offered to idols and eating and drinking would have been considered by many as an act of worshipping the idols to whom the food was offered.

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“...a portion having been offered to idols, the food from the king's table was consecrated to idolatry; and one partaking of it would be regarded as offering homage to the gods of Babylon. In such homage, loyalty to Jehovah forbade Daniel and his companions to join. Even a mere pretense of eating the food or drinking the wine would be a denial of their faith. To do this would be to array themselves with heathenism and to dishonor the principles of the lawof God.” PK, 481

 

“In the food provided for the king's table, were swine's flesh and other foods which were proclaimed unclean by the law given to Moses. Again, a portion of the food, and also of the wine, was set apart as an offering to the false gods of Babylon. According to the religious ideas of the day, this act consecrated the whole to the heathen gods. Daniel and his three brethren thought that if they should not actually partake of the king's bounty, a mere pretense of eating the food and drinking the wine, where such idolatry was practised, would be a denial of their faith. To do this would be to implicate themselves with heathenism, and to dishonor the law of God.” YI 10, 29, 1907

 

Daniel saw the results of improper diet and realized that to eat such the kings food would harm his body. (cf. 1Cor 3:17). They knew that indulgence in wrong food would revent them from securing the highes tphysical and mental development. 

 “After careful consideration from cause to effect, Daniel ‘purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself...’” 12MR, p122.

 

Daniel and his three friends were already vegetarians. See on verse 12.

 

Daniel only fought the battles which Biblical principle demanded. The blessing that attended their faithfulness shows that it is right to refuse that which God forbids even if it happens to upset your host. See more on verse 12

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Verse 9

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

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"The good behaviour of these youth obtained for them favor". Manuscript Rrelease Vol 12, p. 123

Daniel most likely had previously broken down any prejudice without which his result would probably have been rejected.

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Verse 10

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

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The prince of the eunuchs feared for his life. Such was the rule of Babylon. Spiritual Babylon is no different. It's religion is one of superstition and fear. Fear of the dark, Fear of ghosts. Fear of hell. Fear of the church. I must obey what the church says else I will burn in hell. It is a mortal sin to miss church on Sunday. etc

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Verse 11

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

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Melzar means ʻsteward.ʼ

Note: Daniel did not jump the chain of command but respected peoples position and spoke to the Melzar.

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THE PLANT BASED DIET

In their perfect sinless condition, God provided Adam and Eve a plant based diet - Genesis 1:29. It should not come as a surprise that God, in leading his people back to Eden should provide them with a similar diet. The benefits of such a fare is well demonstrated in the scientific literature with many scientific studies showing longevity of life, better quality of life and being less prone to disease including cancer.  

 

Verse 12

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

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• The Chaldean word translated pulse is the Hebrew equivalent of Zeroa (or Zeron)

• Zeroa means things sown - vegetables, fruits & nuts.

• Daniel basically requested a vegan diet. 

• Not only did Daniel and his friends refuse unclean foods they also refused clean meat!

• They chose a plant based diet like the diet God gave in the beginning (Gen 1:29)

• God blessed them with wisdom and understanding.

• Whatever Daniel & his friends requested in place of the kings food was sure to offend.

• Had they wanted to, they could have requested the flesh of clean animals.

• Animals which had not been offered to idols and prepared in a Kosher manner. 

• Their request suggests they knew a vegetarian diet would afford them maximum physical benefit and that they may have been used to such a diet in the past.

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“They decided that as flesh-meat had not composed their diet in the past, it should not come into their diet in the future, and as wine had been prohibited to all who should engage in the service of God, they determined that they would not partake of it.” SDABC, Vol. 4, p1166-1167.

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Verse 13

Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee,

and the countenance of the children that eat of the

portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with

thy servants.

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Daniel expected that a physical change would be

apparent.

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Verse 14 & 15

14. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved

them ten days.

15. And at the end of ten days their countenances

appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children

which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

 

It is commonly thought that a vegetarian diet will produce weakness but Godʼs Word reveals the opposite. Within 10 days Daniel and his friends “appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the kingʼs meat.” (Dan 1:15). This is not surprising as God designed man to function on a vegetarian diet (Gen 1:29).

Those who follow Godʼs dietary laws gain PHYSICAL and MENTAL benefits - see verse 16,17.  The issue of clean and unclean is not merely ceremonial.

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Verse 16 & 17

16. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

17. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

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Spiritual and mental development are here associated with God dietary practices. God blessed them with health, knowledge and wisdom which led to them being exalted over all others.

“Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat

in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Ecc 10:17.

 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1Cor 10:31.

True Christians consume only those things which will maintain their health in order to glorify God.

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A TYPE OF THE JUDGMENT

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Verse 18-21

18. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

20. And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.

21 And Daniel continued [even] unto the first year of king Cyrus.

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• Daniel honoured his God by remaining faithful on the point of appetite.

• God honoured Danielʼs faithfulness by making him a prophet in a foreign land - 1 Samuel 2:30

• King Nebuchadnezzar recognised Danielʼs outstanding gifts.

• Daniel is exalted to the position of statesman in the worldʼs most powerful empire.

• Daniel continued till, and beyond the first year of King Cyrus, the Persian.

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The dream of Nebuchadnezzar occurred “In the same year that Daniel and his companions entered the service of the king of Babylon...” E.G. White, The Sanctified Life, p34.

Therefore Daniel began his three years training before he was 18. This means that Daniel was born after the discovery of the book of the law and the reforms under Josiah.

Daniel thus lived when the book of the law was rediscovered and was being proclaimed. He lived at the time of Huldah the prophetess, and he was vegetarian.

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“Daniel was but eighteen years old when brought into a heathen court in service to the king of Babylon...” E.G. White, Testimonies Vol 4, p570.

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The experiences of Joseph & Daniel are very similar.

1. Both were captives in foreign lands.
2. Both passed an inital test. cf Gen 39:7
3. Both had name changes. cf. Gen 41:45 4.

4. Both were revealers of dreams. cf Gen 40:8
5. Both were given opportunities after magicians had failed (Gen 41:8, 24).
6. Both rose to become prime ministers.

 

Danielʼs use of terms that are only found in Genesis, in the story of Joseph, indicates that Daniel was aware of the similarity of his experience to that of Joseph , e.g. In Dan 1:20,  the word Daniel uses for “magicians” is not a Babylonian word, and the word is only found in Genesis 41:8

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“The history of Joseph and Daniel is an illustration of what He will do for those who yield themselves to Him and with the whole heart seek to accomplish His purpose.” E.G. White, Education, p 57.

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WHAT CAN WE LEARN?

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• Victory over appetite, (“eat for strength.” Ecc 10:17) leads to victory over sin. - 1Cor 9:25.

• Adam & Eve fell over appetite and lost Eden.

• Esau succumbed to appetite, a pot of lentil soup and lost his birth right - Genesis 25:34

• Christ, at the beginning of His ministry, was tempted with appetite - Matthew 4:2-4

• Christ overcame appetite in the wilderness - Matthew 4:2-4

• Daniel and his three companions were overcomers of appetite, temptation & sin.

• They endured by God's grace very stressful life threatening situations in Daniel 1,2,3, and 6

• They endured situations in which they were willing to die rather than disobey God.

• The true Christian in the last days will face a similar situation as did Daniel & the 3 worthies.

• The true Christian will face discrimination - Revelation 13:17

• The true Christian will face persecution & even death by decree - Rev 13:15

• Daniel & the three worthies represent the end-time faithful overcomers.

• It is time to cultivate that type of FAITH which will endure - i.e. the faith of Jesus - Rev 14:12

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The Scripture declares, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

 

The knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith, is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired. We suffer much trouble and grief because of our unbelief, and our ignorance of how to exercise faith. We must break through the clouds of unbelief. We can not have a healthy Christian experience, we can not obey the gospel unto salvation, until the science of faith is better understood, and until more faith is exercised. There can be no perfection of Christian character without that faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. { RH October 18, 1898, par. 7 }

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See the webpage on SIN, its definition and victory over sin - (yet to come).