How were those punished who in olden time made light of what God had chosen as sacred to Himself? Belshazzar and his thousand lords profaned the golden vessels of Jehovah and praised the idols of Babylon. But the God whom they defied was a witness of the unholy scene. In the midst of their sacrilegious mirth a bloodless hand was seen tracing mysterious characters upon the palace wall. Filled with terror, king and courtiers heard their doom pronounced by the servant of the Most High. {5T 244.4}

Hvilken straf fik de, der fordum lod hånt om, hvad Gud havde udvalgt sig som helligt? Belsazzar og hans tusind stormænd vanhelligede Jehovas guldkar og priste Babylons afguder. Men Gud, som de trodsede, var vidne til det vanhellige skue. Midt under deres profane lystighed så man en blodløs hånd ridse mystiske tegn på paladsets væg. Skrækslagne hørte kongen og hoffets mænd den Højestes tjener udtale dommen over dem.