Biblical Reference:
The account of "The Writing on the Wall" is found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 5:1-31. This event occurs during the reign of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon.

Historical Context:
Belshazzar, identified as the son of Nabonidus, was co-regent of Babylon. The narrative takes place during a time of great opulence and decadence in the Babylonian Empire. The city of Babylon was known for its grandeur and was considered impregnable due to its massive walls and fortifications. However, the empire was in decline, and the Medo-Persian forces were rising in power.

The Event:
During a lavish banquet hosted by King Belshazzar, the king, in a display of arrogance and sacrilege, commanded that the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought so that he and his nobles, wives, and concubines might drink from them. As they drank wine and praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace.

The Inscription:
The king was terrified, and his countenance changed. He called for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to interpret the writing, but none could do so. The queen, hearing the commotion, reminded Belshazzar of Daniel, a man of exceptional wisdom who had served under King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was summoned and offered rewards to interpret the writing.

Daniel's Interpretation:
Daniel refused the rewards but agreed to interpret the writing. He reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God due to his pride and warned that Belshazzar had not humbled his heart, despite knowing all this. Daniel then interpreted the writing: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN."

· MENE: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
· TEKEL: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
· PARSIN (PERES): Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

The Fulfillment:
That very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy of the writing on the wall. This event marked the end of the Babylonian Empire and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire.

Theological Significance:
The writing on the wall serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to humble the proud. It underscores the biblical theme that God holds rulers accountable for their actions and that divine judgment is inevitable for those who defy Him. The event also highlights the importance of humility and reverence for God, as exemplified by Daniel's faithfulness and wisdom in contrast to Belshazzar's arrogance and idolatry.

Key Verses :
· Daniel 5:5: "At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing,"
· Daniel 5:25-28: "Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."

Cultural Impact:
The phrase "the writing on the wall" has entered common parlance as an idiom indicating an impending doom or inevitable outcome, often used to describe a situation where the signs of failure or disaster are apparent.