This message deals with Belshazzar and the hand writing on the wall.

There are many roads in life, If we stop and think. We often refer to "the road to success" , "the road to recovery", "The road to fame". Roads lead somewhere and at the end of every road, there is something!

In the physical, we think of "paved roads, blacktopped roads, dirt roads, oiled roads, gravel roads and yet, these all lead to somewhere and to something.

Today, I want to share with you about 3 different kinds of roads and yes, they too, lead to somewhere and to something.

In the Scripture today, it was "Party Time"in Babylon. King Belshazzar had planned " A party of parties". All the elite socialites and the "who's who, of Babylon was there. the King, his princes, his lords, his wives and concubines had all came for the big feast and the big party. Wine flowed freely and people were "having a good time", but, eventually it turned into irreverance and shame.

Years ago, I attended these "Party Times", when I was a Biker. I have seen the end results of these "having a good time" parties. The sexual sins, the fights, beatings, sadness, sorrow, and yes, even death too.

If we back up a few verses, we find that Belshazzar's father had been very wealthy and powerful but, notice in verse 20. "But when his heart was lifted up and his mind hardened with pride, he was disposed from his throne and they took his glory from him. Look back at Chpt. 4.
He lived with the beasts of the field, he ate grass like an ox, his hair grew long like an eagle's feathers and his fingernails and toenails grew as bird claws!!!!!!!!
When he repented, he was restored to his greatness!! Belshazzar knew all of this but, ignored it and, he ignored God. He called for the Gold and Silver vessels that were taken from the Jewish Temple of worship and, had them brought to this drunken party. They drank from them, mocked God, worshipped their idols of Gold, Silver, Brass, iron, wood, and stone. Then, something happebned. Vs-5 Chpt 5 says, There was a hand that started writing on the wall.
It was the same hand that had written the 10 commandments "Fun changed to Fear, in an instant. God's judgment had come.

1. It was a Road to a Wasted Life: Vs-17-24
Belshazzar had lived his life and never got right with God. He had saw what happened to his dad. He had refused the warnings he'd been given. The last verse in Chpt 4 says, "those that walk in pride, He is able to abase. He had invested his life in that that disappear and now, he faced eternity with nothing!!!!!
He had time for business, he had time for fun and frolic but, he had no time for God. We have people today, who have time for everything else but, no time for God. We have Christians, that if the preacher preaches longer than 15 minutes, they get mad. They complain about services being too long but, they will go to a baseball game, set in the hot sun and watch overpaid guys swing at a ball for 15 or 16 innings and never complain about anything unless their team is losing!!!!!!!!
What dies Mark 8:36 say? What profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul!!!!!

2. It is a Road to God's Wrath: vs- 25-28
"Weighed in the balance and found wanting" God's patience had come to an end. Belshazzar's rule and reign would end that night. Listen, Sin always catches up with us! One of the worst deceptions of mankind today is that man does not fear God, anymore!!!!! We have churches today who are more interested in Programs than they are people. We have churches today who focus on their social standing in the community than they do on winning souls for Christ. We have church leaders who should not be serving because their hearts are not in tune with God's plan, purpose and provision of love, compassion, and peace among the church as well as for the lost, wounded, and hurting.
Funny thing about God's wrath. Moses wrote about it on Deut. Chpt. 9 Paul Wrote about it in Romans 1;18 and John wrote about it in John 3:18, 36 and Rev. 14: 19-20.
How do we escape God's wrath? Glad you asked!! We come to Jesus as a repentant sinner, we confess our sin, accept His atoning death on the cross as payment for our sins, ask Him to save us and be our Lord and to come to live within us, by the power of the Holy Spirit and, help us to be what He wants you to be. Put your total faith in His promises to save you. Those who place their lives into Christ's safe keeping are delivered from God's wrath.

3. It was a Road to a Sinners Death: vs-30
Death was the farthest thing from Belshazzar's mind when the party started. It had been a night of drinking, dining and dancing, not a night for death and destruction. Listen folks, the same thing happened in Noah's day. They were eating and drinking and giving in marriage and kneweth not until the flood came upon them,Matt. 24: vs-37-39. Another picture of God's wrath.

Listen folks, I have been asked "why do you preach sermons like this? Why do you preach these to church members who are saved?
1. There may be a person who does not know how to be saved.
2. There may be a church member who is not saved.
3. there may be a friend, a loved one or a relative that you need to talk to about Eternity, Heaven and Hell.

Life is really short compared to Eternity. Life is fragile at it's best. James says "what is life, but a vapor, which appeareth for a little time then, quickly vanisheth away". Christ came, lived, died, and rose again to bring Salvation to all who will accept Him. Trusting Christ brings purpose to life and an assurance of heaven.

Last Question: Haven't you been on the Road to Hell, long enough?

You see, the Bible is full of stories, just like this one. People lived, heard and ignored the warnings of God. They refused to believe in Him, refused to trust Him and they died without Him.

Thank God for his Plan, His Purpose and His Provision of sending Jesus to pay our sin debt. Purge us from our sins and Purchase us for His Glory, Praise and Worship.

Oldbiker