To first understand the book of Daniel, we need to understand a very significant question: What is a Jewish man doing in Babylon? Shouldn’t he be in Jerusalem? The answer is that Daniel, along with all of his society, was deported to Babylon. But why? The answer to the question is long, but necessary in answering this fundamental question. To begin, we need to go all the way back to the book of Judges, some 800 years before. Here we see a cycle of judgment and restoration, God’s wrath and mercy, and it all plays into the story of Daniel.
We have to travel back to about 1350 BC, the time the Jews were entering the Promised Land. They were to enter the land as God’s chosen people, a shining light to all the surrounding nations, a symbol of what following God looked like. Unfortunately, this wasn’t going to come to pass. The Jewish nation immediately foibles their rush into the promised land, negating the work Joshua had done years before. Instead of driving the people out of the land they begin living with them. This, of course, was the very item God warned about. Why? Because the people (Canaanites), if they were left in the land, would become a snare. Their sinful practices would weave their way into the Jewish culture and corrupt them.
You see, the Canaanites are people beyond redemption. They have completely turned their backs on God and worship the despicable god Molech, who demands child sacrifice and has perverted their worship with sexual rites. In other words, God used the Jews as the implement of judgment against the Canaanites. But the Israelites are unable to do it. They fumble God’s plan and end up corrupting themselves in the process.
So God sets up another plan. When Israel wanders away and are ultimately oppressed by an outside force, they eventually call out to God in their despair. So each time they do this, a savior rises from he ranks of the Israelites. A judge who is a person specifically picked by God to lead Israel back to Him. This process, called the Sin Cycle, is prevalent for the next 300 years and is God’s preferred method for his wayward children.
The prophet Samuel is considered the last judge. When we get to his life, around 1050 BC, we see that he is a faithful leader and is running around Israel rescuing the people of different tribes. But Samuel is aging and the officials in Israel see this. They also notice that his sons aren’t cut from the same cloth. They are wild and evil, and they cannot take the mantle. So instead of realizing how God provides through mercy, the officials decide they should have a king rule over them.
Samuel doesn’t like this idea, because it feels like the people are rejecting him. But Samuel goes to God and God reminds him that he is not rejected, but the people are rejecting God himself. So, God allows them their wishes, but Samuel warns them of what will happen. They still want a king. If the king follows God, and the people follow the king, there will be a blessing.
The first King to rule Israel is Saul. The selection is not a good one, as Saul is not a king of noble birth and really tries to follow his own lead. In fact, one item that marks Saul is a counterfeit discipleship. He looks like he is following God, but really leads without God. It is only when he gets into trouble that he makes quick sacrifices so God will bless his actions. Ultimately, a judgment is leveled on Saul. The Spirit of God, which for most of his story was thrown upon him, shown to him, given to him, ends up leaving, and Saul is tossed into a paranoid and fitful existence that ends in death by his own hand.
David rises in 1010 BC and is a good king for the people, but his personal life is a shambles. As a matter of fact, David stumbles hard personally, dealing with such issues as fear, revenge, lust and lying. He is also brought into judgment from God, one that ends with his illegitimate son dying. But he is restored and given another son, this one named Solomon.
Solomon is the most successful king in Israel’s history. He expands the borders of Israel as far as they ever would be, creates a peaceful land that is abundant and blessed. But just as his father did, he slips. Unlike his father though, Solomon doesn’t readily turn from his sin back to God. He too is judged for wandering away, and his judgment is the loss of his kingdom. But we see God’s mercy in this as well. The kingdom will stand for the rest of Solomon’s life. So Solomon gets to remain in his lavish kingdom and will not see it dissolve in his lifetime. This is a mercy, because later in his life he begins to understand his treacherous nature and produces Ecclesiastes, which is an experiment in discovering what the meaning of life is.
After Solomon, the kingdom splits. The 10 northern tribes split off from the southern tribes, Judah and Benjamin. The 10 northern tribes, referred to as Israel, starts off bad and continues in its evil. It produces no good kings. It lasts 250 years, until God says enough. This time, the society of Assyria is God’s hammer against Israel, and in 722 BC Israel is conquered and disassembled, some deported to Assyria, some remaining.
In Judah, however, there are good, but flawed kings in the mix. Judah is able to continue for 344 years. The kings start as mostly good but as time goes on, they get progressively worse. Eventually they wander away from God completely and God says enough. Judgment is levied against Israel and they are conquered by Babylon in 605 BC.
You’ll notice a trend in all of this history: God takes his time. It doesn’t happen immediately but instead takes hundreds of years. We have to remember this in our own life, when prayers seemingly go unanswered. If you consider that there were good Israelites who kept God’s word during this time (the remnant), then it becomes obvious that for many of them, praying for better leadership or a hope that Israel would return to God, those prayers were not answered in their lifetime.
Babylon’s capture is a long one. They first show up in 605 BC, a bloodless coup of Judah. The Babylonian’s take over the culture and insert a puppet king, and three years later (602 BC), they begin to deport people to Babylon. Daniel is among those first taken. Five years later, in response to a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and carries off riches from Solomon’s temple. 597 BC also marks the second deportation of the Jews, where Nebuchadnezzar strips the land of all the craftsmen and smiths- all of the people with skills- leaving the poorest in Jerusalem. In 590 BC, in retaliation of another uprising, Nebuchadnezzar lays a seigeworks against Jerusalem. Four years later he comes back, burns the city and destroys the temple, and breaks down the city walls. In this final act, Jerusalem is destroyed, the people gone, and judgment has been rendered.
So we see, from this long history, that the Jewish people have a history of judgment. Daniel and his people are in Babylon because they turned their backs on God and were judged for it. Does that mean that all of the Jews are corrupt? Not at all. The remnant, the small amount of people who follow God even when the greater society does not, is still evident. Daniel is one of those people, a devout young man who follows God, even in the shadow of one of the most despotic leaders known.
Nebuchadnezzar is a ruthless leader who reigned from 605BC-562 BC. He is the longest reigning Babylonian king and we get to meet him in the first four chapters of Daniel. In fact, Daniel is serving in his court. That’s where the story begins.
CHAPTER 1
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
We first have to look at where the Babylonians are spiritually. The Babylonians primarily worship the god Marduk. Marduk is the god of thunderstorms. This is typical of many supposed gods of old time cultures. Zeus, Jupiter, Baal- these are gods of thunderstorms. This is because the storm, the rain, waters the crops. The crops grow, people can eat and ultimately build a life. The Babylonians are a polytheistic society, meaning that they believe and worship more than one god. Marduk, the head of the gods, has a variety of subset gods for specific tasks. To show allegiance to the main god, it was important for Nebuchadnezzar to give the stolen treasures of Judah to his god. Marduk’s name is also Bel.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.[b] 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
The next part of Nebuchadnezzar’s plan against Judah: indoctrination. You may remember that Nebuchadnezzar systematically dismantled Judah. In three different waves he deported Judaens to Babylon, stripping the land of the best and brightest, until Judah was a shell of what it once was. In Babylon, from the displaced population of Jews, he begins to select the best and brightest to serve in his royal court. From there, he gives them the best he can offer: eating at the royal table. Shelter. And new names. Nebuchadnezzar’s plan is to indoctrinate these men into Babylonian culture so they will forsake or lose their heritage.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel does not want to defile himself with the king’s food. Defile speaks to a spiritual condition. The food in Nebuchadnezzar’s palace most likely isn’t kosher. So first, we see that Daniel has a devout nature to him that translated even to the food he eats. But there’s a larger item at play here. If Daniel eats the food, he is bound to Nebuchadnezzar. It is a silent acceptance of the Babylonian culture, a contract that removes the final pin of Daniel’s culture and secures him to the Babylonians.
So Daniel refuses the food. But he strikes an agreement with the guard. He asks for 10 days. If he is fine with his food after 10 days, then what is the problem? The guard agrees, and Daniel and his friends don’t defile themselves, the king doesn’t know, and Daniel is able to refuse the king’s food and remain where he is supposed to be.
This isn’t just a diet. Their purity and dedication, in the face of fear, is rewarded by God. They are able to remain in the palace, able to not draw the ire of the king, and keep their standing in the palace, right where God wants them to be.
CHAPTER 2
In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”
God is orchestrating the situation to bring all the players to the right spot. Nebuchadnezzar starts to have significant dreams about his kingdom and beyond. Although he doesn’t understand the content of these dreams, he knows there is something crucial in them. His only resource is to call the staff of seers and astrologers to interpret the dream. This dream disturbs him to the point that he has to call on professionals to tell him what it means. But you’ll notice that Nebuchadnezzar wants also to test these “wise men”. If they can tell him what the dream is, then the meaning, the king will believe them.
4 Then the astrologers answered the king,[c] “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” 7 Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” 8 Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: 9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.” 10 The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.” 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
The astrologers first ask for Nebuchadnezzar to tell them the dream, but Nebuchadnezzar does not. In fact, the king issues a threat: If you don’t first tell me the dream, then interpret it, I will cut you in pieces. I will reduce your home to rubble. In verse 10, you’ll see the astrologers, who are really frauds, slip up. They admit that the knowledge the king is looking for only comes from God. Their only recourse is to convince the king that he is unreasonable. The king has no need for “wise men” who can’t bring him the wisdom he desires. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
In these verses Daniel’s character is revealed. He doesn’t panic. He calmly deals with what is in front of him. Daniel knows a great truth: it takes time to to listen and wait on God. Therefore he asks for time, and since Arioch is predisposed to Daniel, he is granted the time.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
So what does Daniel do with his time? He prays. He gets others to pray with him. He knows that only God can meet his needs, not man, not himself.
19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
A great truth is revealed in this section of scripture: Our job isn’t about figuring God out, but understanding what God has revealed to us.
24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” 25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.” 26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: 29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.
In verse 25 you’ll notice that Arioch tries to take the credit for finding Daniel. But Daniel turns the credit to God. He humbly admits that it isn’t him who is wiser, but he is there because God wants to use him to reveal truth to the king.
31 “Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
The statue revealed in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is quite dazzling, but is very much mired in symbolism. First, we must note that the materials descend in value from top to bottom. First gold, then silver, then bronze and finally a mix of bronze and clay. These represent different eras of civilization, each of which we will look at in depth. The explanation of the dream is that there is a grand statue which is knocked down by a rock from heaven. Then the rock becomes a huge mountain.
36 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. 39 “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. 41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. 44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
You’ll notice that Daniel gives the king what he wants. He first reveals the dream to him. He does what the wise men of Babylon were unable to do, a feat they claimed that could only be done by God.
Second, Daniel describes the Gold head of the statue and its meaning. The gold head represents Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. Now Babylon isn’t a Godly place, yet it is representative of the way God rules. God rules as an absolute monarchy. He is the head, the ruler, the chief executor of everything. In the same way, Nebuchadnezzar runs Babylon, although not in a Godly way. As we move down the statue, we see in hindsight that all the sections are representative of different eras of rule.
The second section represents Persia (Silver). They ruled approximately from 539-331 BC. They did not rule for long, but they were able to overtake many lands quickly. One way this was achieved was through the machinations of King Cyrus. He collected smaller nations, giving them a simple choice: either you join Persia, or you suffer. This allowed many nations to fall under the umbrella of Persia quickly, and allowed Cyrus to amass a large army that steamrolled over the entirety of the known world.
The third section represents Greece (Brass or Bronze). Greece was in charge of the known world for approximately 200 years (331 BC to 168 BC). They were fast and mighty, led by Alexander the Great, and they overtook the nations in a lightning fast way.
The fourth section is representative of Rome (168BC - 476 AD). Rome was by far the longest-longest-standing empire amongst them, and you’ll notice, in the statue, they take the largest portion of it. Rome is depicted in prophecy as iron.
The feet of iron and clay represent a future nation of western Europe which is to one day come. This is the nation at the end of time, living during the return of Christ. In fact, when we look at the rock hitting the statue, we see that is Christ’s return, a return that destroys the governments of the world in one amazing reveal.
None of these empires has the same centralized rule of Babylon, thus not echoing the same rule as God. Each were much larger than Babylon, and thus de-centralized. Each of these following nation’s rulers stood for long periods of time. But the diminishment of power, despite the enormity of each empire, is significant. What we see is a general distilling of God in a society over time. Not that Babylon had God in it- Marduk was the main God of Babylon - but what we see are vast decentralized empires that fall further and further away from God over time. As societies increase and fall, God isn’t in it. When we get to verse 41-43 we are hearing about a future kingdom that is ruling at the end times. In this time there is a decisive event, a rock cut from a mountain (not literal) which will shatter the world dynamic. This rock will set up a kingdom (not made from man) that will not be destroyed. It will bring all other kingdoms to an end. When discussing the rock, we see that it isn’t something constructed by man, but something completely different. It isn’t religion, it isn’t even salvation. It is Jesus. The great society of end times is a revitalized version of the Roman Empire.
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.
Nebuchadnezzar rewards Daniel. He does this because Daniel is the only authentic wise man that he has.
CHAPTER 3
3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Shortly (or a long time after) the events of chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar forgets the lessons learned about God and actually erects a giant statue on Dura. In Dura today, a large foundation has been discovered, one that can support the statue described in scripture. The 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide imply a gold-covered obelisk, which would have been a common structure for the time. But the main issue about this is that Nebuchadnezzar creates a system in which all allegiance is to be paid to him. He does this by gathering all of his officials and guaranteeing that they will enforce the worship of this object. If you can imagine, when a political figure of our time comes forward with a new sweeping measure, he typically has a bunch of supporters standing behind him. It’s theatrics, but it serves a purpose of showing unity. The people fall into line immediately. How does this happen? We have to remember that Nebuchadnezzar has a track record of being a cruel ruler. The people know that if they go up against Nebuchadnezzar, they will die and their families will also die.
8 At this time some astrologers[b] came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The astrologers come forward and accuse three of Daniel’s friends, Jews, that they are not abiding by Nebuchadnezzar’s decree. Now you’ll remember back in chapter 1 that Daniel was promoted to higher office, and so were others in his group. These astrologers, who were humiliated by Daniel’s ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, are out for revenge. The’ve called out these men. The men did not formally protest worship of the statue, but refrained from worship. They obeyed God rather than man.
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Nebuchadnezzar’s furious rage is subdued. But he gives them an opportunity to squirm out of it. He asks them first if it is true. Second, he reiterates what they are supposed to do, and even invokes the fact that there is no god that can save them from this fate. In short, he’s asking them if they understand what the rules are, and perhaps, if there was a miscommunication, they can save their skin.
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
They don’t need to defend themselves. They believe that their faith in God will save them. God’s will is superior to their own needs. And if God does not save them, that’s okay too. If they did what the king commanded, they would be breaking several of the 10 Commandments. They will never worship Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or his image of gold.
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar reacts with fury against the three men’s challenge. He orders the furnace to be seven times hotter than normal so they will burn up quickly. As a tyrant, Nebuchadnezzar knows how to quell any resistance. These men will be an example of those who do not comply with the king’s wishes. The furnace is so hot it kills the soldiers who throw the three men of God into the fire.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Nebuchadnezzar is witness to one of the most amazing scenes in scripture. He sees four men in the fire! They are walking around inside a burning furnace, their ropes burned off. And there’s someone else in there with them, who Nebuchadnezzar says looks like a “son of the gods.” Many believe this is a Christophany, or an early sighting of Jesus in the old testament.
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Nebuchadnezzar now realizes the power of God and announces them as the servants of the most high God. The figure within the furnace protected them, and they weren’t even burned.
God allowed this situation to escalate. Because they stayed true to God, God was able to do great things.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
The servants of God completely surrendered themselves to God in the moment they needed to stand up. Their courage is seen by the king, who recognizes the true power of God.
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar makes a decree of protection for these men. The three were promoted. The worship of the true God was secure. The king recognized the true God. His proclamation protected God.This changes Nebuchadnezzar. He understands the power of God and perhaps the futility of his own gods.
By maing the choice to obey God instead of being “bullied” into compliance with the ungodly rules, these three made significant strides in growing a stronger Jewsih community while God’s blessing continued to come.
God has a reason for the things that happe, even if we don’t understand why. Our job is to follow Him and the teaching He gives us.
CHAPTER 4
4 King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! 2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Chapter 4 is a special chapter in the book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar himself narrates this section, and it is designed to show us how God changed his heart. He calls himself a witness (which is one who shares and relates an experience). In verse 3 he calls out God’s power and His eternal kingdom.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) 9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.
First, we see that Nebuchadnezzar is in his palace, contented and prosperous. In other words, the king has fallen back into his worldly trappings. He is enjoying his kingdom and power. But God has a different road for him. God shakes him with this dream. He calls all his astrologers and sorcerers, as he had before, but they are unable to help. So he calls on Daniel, who is still in the king’s palace. This story tells us a very simple truth about ourselves. The king goes to his earthly resources before he taps into his spiritual ones. He calls for David by his Babylonian name, the one given him in order to replace his Jewish heritage.
10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. 13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him. 17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ 18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Nebuchadnezzar reveals his dream. The dream is best understood when we break it into sections. First, there is an enormous tree in the middle of the land. It is strong. It is visible from everywhere. It is beautiful, abundant and life-giving. Animals shelter under it. They are also fed by it.
Second, a messenger comes to him and tells him to cut down the tree and trim its branches. Scatter the fruit. Animals and birds leave it. But the stump is bound in the ground with brass and iron.
Third, the man is to be turned loose. He will be drenched with dew, he’ll live among the animals and plants, and even his mind will be changed to that of an animal for 7 years.
19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. 23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ 24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
Daniel interprets the dream.
1.The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar. God gave Nebuchadnezzar his kingdom, a strong, prominent and beautiful shelter. But the king has become prideful and God wants to stamp this out in Nebuchadnezzar. 2.The tree must be chopped down. Nebuchadnezzar will be stripped of his power and will be bound to the land. 3. He will be reduced to an animal. He will lose his sanity. He will depart from his kingdom. Why is God doing this? Nebuchadnezzar, for all his faults, is still important to God. He doesn’t deserve the mercy, but God is giving it to him. God is sovereign over all nations, and this is a way the king has become prideful. His kingdom will return to him once he understands this truth. He must renounce his sins and be good to the oppressed. God wants to humble Nebuchadnezzar.
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. As this passage begins, we find that a year has gone by and Nebuchadnezzar has let the power of the dream and its interpretation fall away. In fact, he’s walking on his rooftop lost in his own glory. He has either forgot or dismissed the dream.
Suddenly he is stricken with an ailment. We don’t know quite what it is, but there are two medical ailments that could explain. The first is Insania Zoanthropica, which is the belief that you are an animal. The second is Boanthropy, which is the belief you are an Ox. Whether it was one of these or something else, it is straight form the hand of God, and he is stricken for a seven year period. This sounds fantastic, but perhaps there is some historical synergy. Abydenus, who was a Greek Historian, wrote about an affiliation that Nebuchadnezzar suffered for 7 years. Also, during Nebuchadnezzar’s 40 year reign, 7 years are unaccounted for. 582-575 BC shows no record of Nebuchadnezzar’s activity, which is odd because the Babylonians were very adept at logging all of their accomplishments.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Nebuchadnezzar is restored in the only way he can be restored: he turns his eyes back to God. He realizes his pride, he is humbled, and his kingdom is restored to him. God not only exists, but he reigns. Those who walk in pride will be put down. God will glorify himself.
CHAPTER 5
Before we begin our study in Daniel 5, we have to delve into history. First, it’s important to understand that Babylon had a subsequent number of kings after Nebuchadnezzar. In chapter 4 we bade farewell to the king, who turned his life around by accepting God. His 43 year reign was the longest in Babylon, and as we go down the list, we’ll see that Babylon was never as strong or stable as when it was ruled by Nebuchadnezzar.
605-562 BC Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (43 years) 562-560 BC Evilmerolach (2 years) assassinated 560-556 BC Neriglaser (4 years) natural causes 556 BC Laborosoarchod (9 months)beaten by conspirators 556-539 BC Nabonidus ruled until conquered by Persia • lived in Arabia last part of his reign Eldest son: Belshazzar (co-regency with Nabonidus)
The most important king we have on this list, besides Nebuchadnezzar, is Nabonidus. He is the last known King of Babylon. He is also known to have lived in Arabia during the last part of his reign. Most likely he was out fighting the Persians, who were conquering the world at that time. In his absence Belshazzar, his co-regent, was physically in Babylon when the city was conquered by the Persians. It is Belshazzar who is in charge of Babylon when the story opens.
King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father[a] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. 3 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Belshazzar is not like Nebuchadnezzar. We see this from the very first line. First, he is throwing a great party and requires the goblets stolen from Jerusalem. These are the treasures robbed from Solomon’s temple, which Nebuchadnezzar burned and destroyed during the siege on Jerusalem. He has no self-control, no respect for God. Most notably, as we will discover, this party is happening as Persia is finalizing its invasion of Babylon that very night! So Belshazzar is partying as the Persians close in.
5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking. 7 The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.
God communicates in a startling way. A disembodied hand scrawls out a message on a wall as Belshazzar watches. This is where the saying “the writing is on the wall” comes from. Belshazzar is notably terrified, and summons all of the wise men to interpret the strange language, but none of them can. Again, the king is summoning his earthly resources before considering spiritual ones. He sweetens the deal: whoever can interpret it can become the third most powerful ruler in Babylon.
10 The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. 12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.” 13 So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. 15 The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Daniel is summoned, only after the queen, perhaps one of Nebuchadnezzar’s surviving wives, remembers that Daniel was able to decipher Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams way back during that reign. This tells us that Daniel has been in the palace for a very long time. He was there through all of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, plus all of the subsequent kings. That is almost 70 years. If we’ve learned anything about Daniel, we understand that he knows where God needs him and remains dutiful to each king in Babylon.
17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. 18 “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son,[d] have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24 Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
Daniel first doesn’t accept any payment for his gift. This is important to note because all of the astrologers and sorcerers are on the king’s tab, yet they can’t serve the king in a true way. Next, Daniel bluntly lays out how God operates. He tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar and how humbling is part of God’s plan. Belshazzar has known the history, he knows how God operates, and yet has chosen to be filled with pride instead of humility. All men know God through creation, and we all have a responsibility to honor him. Belshazzar failed to honor God.
25 “This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin 26 “Here is what these words mean: Mene[e]: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. 27 Tekel[f]: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. 28 Peres[g]: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Daniel then interprets the inscription. Mene, Tekel Peres. Each has a significant meaning for the king. Mene - Numeration -means Belshazzar’s days are numbered Tekel - Weight - God has weighed him and he has come up light Peres - Division - The kingdom will be divided
The historical part of the story is interesting. Spiritually the kingdom lacked moral value. Physically Belshazzar wasn’t leading properly. Cyrus, the Persian king, had his sights on Babylon and prepared to invade by diverting the Euphrates, which ran under the city. The water lowered and the army entered through the outer gates. Inexplicably, the inner gates were left open. In 539 Persian armies entered the city and captured Babylon. This was prophesied in scripture as well: Isaiah 44:45, Jeremiah 51:57-58.
29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians,[h] was slain, 31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.
Daniel is put in charge as the third most powerful ruler in Babylon - for a few hours. Belshazzar is slain that very night, and Darius the Mede takes over the city. The city in divided, just as predicted by Daniel.
CHAPTER 6
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
King Darius is the new king over Babylon. He takes charge of Babylon after Persia’s capture. Who is Darius though? There is no secular history of this king, but there are theories to who he may be. 1.Darius could be another name for Cyrus: Cyrus was the official king of the Persian Empire, but he didn’t rule over each city he conquered, so this theory is weak. Darius means holder of the scepter, so it may likely be this name refers to title rather than an exact name. 2.Possibly Cambysses: He was Cyrus’ son, who later ruled over the entire kingdom. 3.Most likely Gubaru: This king was appointed over Babylon after its capture.
Daniel is appointed as one of the three ruers of Babylon, over all the satraps (governors). Because of Daniel’s character, the king plans to make him the ultimate authority over all the governors.
4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.
We see the treachery in these Persian officials right away. They are jealous that Daniel is gaining momentum with the king. They want to bring him down, but cannot find any cause to do so. He is beyond reproach, a truly benevolent and corrupt-free ruler. So they devise a plan to take him down. It can’t be based on anything in his conduct; they have to attack the very fabric of his foundation: his relationship with God.
The plan goes like this: they know Daniel prays regularly to God. So they come up with a weird new law that says if anyone is caught praying to anyone, besides the king, within the next 30 days, they will be put to death. The object, of course, is to immediately fling this ordinance right at Daniel and get rid of him.
King Darius puts the decree into law without knowing their true motives. They already have the means to arrest and convict Daniel, and they also know Persian law that says once a decree is made, it is irrevocable. They’ve got him. They can restore power to themselves and get rid of the man who stands in their way.
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. 15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”
You can easily see how the group of satraps execute their plan. They know Daniel’s schedule and are there when he is praying. They frame it as if it is a slap against the king. What they don’t understand is that Daniel is loyal to God and is not disrespecting the king. Daniel understands God’s protection and provision. He understands how this provision has worked in his life and is not afraid.
The other item to note in this passage is Darius’ reaction. The king realizes he was duped and wants to help Daniel. But he is bound by the decree. He has no choice.
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
Daniel’s faith is an example to Darius. He has been changed by him, in a similar way to how Nebuchadnezzar was changed by Daniel throughout his reign. He is greatly troubled but has, in a sense, put faith in Daniel’s God to work it out.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. The king rushes to the lion’s den after a night of worry. And when he calls to Daniel, Daniel says an angel protected him. Daniel’s trust, obedience and courage are all tested here, but he is a man of great faith and is found innocent by God. You’ll notice too how Darius refers to God. “The living God,” he says, further evidence that Daniel has again changed the heart and mind of a king during his long tenure at the castle.
The king exacts revenge on those who falsely accused Daniel. In the Persian culture, when someone is guilty and sentenced to die, the entire family dies with that person. Like Nebuchadnezzar decades before, the king protects and promotes Daniel. Why? Because Daniel is steadfast. He never fails in his trust, despite the very real circumstances of horror and death. He knows who is in charge.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[b] the Persian.
The first six books of Daniel culminate into this concept: When we stand firm, God delivers us and others who see God’s strength. Chapter 4 told us about how God restores the man who is willing to submit. Chapter 5 reveals to us how God judges those who will not submit. And chapter 6 tells us about God’s protection to those who faithfully serve.
CHAPTER 7
This is one of the most fascinating chapters in Daniel. It details one of Daniel’s most enduring and stirring prophecies of end times. Daniel will first take us through the strangeness of the dream, then the interpretation. The interpretation is a revealing of the dream, so our study will begin primarily in the interpretation.
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. 2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
First, we see an image of the sea. This is perhaps the Mediterranean Sea and it is in chaos. The sea sometimes is used as a picture of the Gentile Nations (Psalm 74:13, Isaiah 57:20), but we also have to understand that Jews didn’t like the sea. In fact, they thought the sea was evil and chaotic, and this makes perfect sense for detailing what he sees coming from it.
Also, he talks about the four winds of heaven. Is this the sovereign power of God (Isaiah 41:6) or satanic forces (Revelation 7:1)? We don’t know, but some interpretation calls it the four directions of the world (North, south, east west).
4 “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it. 5 “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’ 6 “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7 “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. 8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. 11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.) 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
The Interpretation of the Dream 15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’
First, Daniel is disturbed by what he sees, which shows us that Daniel is a human being, just like us. He doesn’t understand everything. So he approaches one of the figures inside the dream for clarification.
The four beasts are representations of four kings, or kingdoms. We’ll see that this vision will cover some familiar territory as Nebuchadnezzar’s dream from Daniel 2. The difference is this: Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was from Man’s perspective. Daniel’s vision is from God’s perspective.
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he saw the empires as stately and noble. This is evident in the statue that was presented. It was built of precious metal (Gold, silver, bronze and iron). In God’s view,, the four kingdoms are seen as wild animals (Lion, Bear, Leopard and something unknown). These are ferocious animals, untamed and brutal.
The first animal (Lion with wings), is a combination of Lion and Eagle (Majesty). This is representative of the Babylonian Empire. The Babylonian Empire was the epitome of power and success, but in Daniel’s time this empire was overtaken. Its wings were torn away.
The second animal (Bear, strong, more crushing than a lion) is associated with the Meso-Persian Empire. The second animal’s brutality is noted, which is in line with Persia. The ribs represent the military conquests of Babylon, Egypt and Lydia. Also in Daniel’s time, he saw the Persian Empire overtake Babylon and the known world. Persia was brutal and barreled over the known world with a severity that left many nations crushed.
The third animal (Leopard-fast, cunning, surprise attacks) is representative of the Greek Empire. Alexander the Great conquered the world by age 28 and in 12 years subdued parts of Europe and Asia. After his death, the empire would be sectioned four ways. This is an empire Daniel would have no known concept of.
19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
The fourth beast has a dual interpretation. In history, it is fulfilled in the Roman Empire. But it is also intermingled in a future empire, the great government of the final times, which is sometimes referred to as “The new Roman Empire.”
The ten horns of the beast coincide with the toes of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (iron mixed with clay), which is a direct reference to the future government of end times. In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, a great stone flies from out of the sky and hits the statue at this point, bringing all governments into understanding of the truth (Daniel 2:34-35). In Daniel’s vision, we’ll see a similar end to the beast.
We again get a vivid description of the beast: Teeth of iron, claws of bronze; It devours; destroys the ground it walks on; ten horns on its head; heads horn comes up with eyes and a mouth; horn speaks blasphemy; will be in power until God comes; God judges against the beast.
23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
The ten horns represent the ten kings who will arise from this kingdom. After the ten kings, another king will rise (this is the new horn with eyes and teeth). He will subdue three kings (fallen horns). He will speak against the church (boastful talk- this is the Antichrist). He will try to change truths (the set time and laws will go away). The church and holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time. This time the people will be delivered into his hands is 3 1/2 years. In the book of Revelation, this is the Tribulation, the final 3 1/2 years when the Antichrist makes himself known and attempts to conquer the world and drive God completely out. The time of the Antichrist is limited though (Revelation 11:2-3, 13:5)
26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ 28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”
The viewpoint changes. We are in the throne room now and the Ancient of Days (God) is taking His seat. He is described in terms of holiness: His hair is white, clothing white, His throne flames (judgment), the wheels are ablaze (activity), and He sits atop a river flowing fire. There are thousands of angels in attendance. The court is set. The books are opened. What are these books? Quite possibly the Book of the Living (Psalm 69:28), Book of Remembrance (Malachi 3:16), and/or the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3). The power is restored to the church (holy people). This is something received, not achieved. The kingdom is given by Jesus to us.
CHAPTER 8
Daniel’s 8th chapter relays a fascinating vision. As with all of Daniel’s prophetic writing, there are many symbolic elements. First, we have to understand when the vision happened.
1In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me.
Daniel’s vision occurs in the third year of Belshazzar’s power. This is the last king of Babylon, but only in his third year. Belshazzar, although missing from the official roster of the kings of Babylon, is seen as a co-regent to Nabonidus, who ruled from 556-539 BC. A co-regent is a ruler that rules alongside the king with the notion that he will one day take over. This was very common during this time period as rule, usually happening between father and son. Babylon, in this period, is firmly in power/
2 In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. 4 I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great.
First, Daniel sees himself at the citadel. This is the main palace of the king. Susa is a province in Babylon. In the future, it is the same place which Nehemiah will one day ask King Artaxerxes for his return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city (Neh. 1:1-2).
The vision will be explained later, but it is important to lay down the scene.
The Ram (Male sheep) First, we have a ram with two horns. One of the horns is longer than the other. This longer horn grew up later than the original horn. The ram charges in three directions: west, north, south. This ram is powerful; no animal can stand up against it. This ram does what it wants and become great.
5 As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. 6 It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage. 7 I saw it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled on it, and none could rescue the ram from its power. 8 The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.
The Goat A goat with a prominent (singe) horn comes from the west. He crosses the entire land without touching the ground. It comes against the ram with significant force, shattering the two horns. The ram is powerless against this goat. The goat knocks the ram to the ground and tramples it. At the height of its power the goat’s horn is broken off and four new horns grow from it. They grow toward the four winds of heaven.
9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people[a] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
The New Horn Another horn grows from the four prominent horns. It starts off small but grows in power (southeast and toward the Beautiful land, Israel). Grows tall, throws down starry hosts and tramples then. Set’s itself up as a great commander of the army of the Lord. It removed the daily sacrifices and throws down the sanctuary. The holy people are given over to him. The horn prospers and the truth is thrown away.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?” 14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”
The Holy One A holy one, asks another holy one “How long will this take?” He is answered with this: It will take 2300 evenings and mornings for the sanctuary to be reconsecrated.
15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” 17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,”[b] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” 18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet. 19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.
Prophecy, first off, is never meant to remain mysterious. It is meant to be interpreted. Here, we see the heavenly people ready to interpret it for Daniel. The Angel, called out as Gabriel, approaches Daniel and he is terrified. This is common occurrence of saints who have encounters with angels (Luke 1:11-13, Acts27:1-26,Matthew 28:1-10). Gabriel refers to Daniel as “Son of Man”. This is not to be confused for the description of Jesus. Daniel is a servant of God. Gabriel’s intention is that Daniel, a mortal, will understand this vision, which concerns the end times.
20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. 22 The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.
The Ram: The ram represents the empire of Persia. The Persian empire was often referred to as Medo-Persia. This is important because the Meds-Persian Empire has not overtaken Babylon yet, and has not conquered the known world. This would certainly happen in Daniel’s lifetime and they would rage across the land until 331 BC. In the life-span of the Persian Empire, the Medes were first in power (short horn). But in time they were overtaken by the Persians (the horn that grew up later and longer), and allied with them (Medo-Persian Empire). The Medo-Persian alliance raged through the known world their empire extending all the way to the borders of Greece (charges toward the west, north and south). The empire conquered everyone, including the Egyptians, Lydians and Babylonians, the three largest empires of the time (no animal can stand against it). Although many of the lands they conquered simply gave up and assimilated into the empire, some did not. Those lands were conquered with brutal force (did as it pleased).
The Goat: This animal represents Greece and the large horn in its head represents Greece’s first king. This refers to Alexander the Great. He reigned from 356-323 BC) and conquered the known world within 12 years (crossing the whole earth without touching it, implying one fantastic jump). In 331 BC it pushed Persia back and destroyed it (shattered its two horns). Greece effectively destroyed Persia’s hold on the world (The ram is powerless against it. The goat tramples on it). But Alexander the Great dies at age 33 (The goat’s horn, however, is broken off at the height of its power), and the Greek kingdom is split into four sections (Four prominent horns grow toward the four winds of heaven). These four partitions are Cassander (ruled over Greece and its region), Lysimachus (ruled over Asia Minor), Seleucus (ruled over Syria and Israel’s land), and Ptolemy (ruled over Egypt).
23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
This portion of Daniel’s vision refers to a despotic ruler that was to come. In history this is fulfilled in Antiochus IV Epiphanes (God Manifest), who ruled in Greece from 216-164 BC. But this passage also tells us of the end times. When a passage gives us a historical basis and also future knowledge, this is called Near and Far Fulfillment.
To understand how this relates to Antiochus and the future Anti-Christ, we have to head back to verses 9-12:
9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people[a] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
Another horn comes from one of the four existing and prominent horns. Antiochus Epiphanes was a Hellenistic King (Greek King) ruling in the Seleucid Empire. He ruled over the Syrian and Israeli land. The horn starts off small but grows into power (south east and toward the Beautiful Land Ezk 20:6, 25:9, Daniel 11:16,41). Antiochus ruled over Egypt and famously fought wars against Egypt, persecuted the Jews in Syria, and fought against the Macabee revolt. Grows tall, throws down the starry hosts and tramples them. Antiochus murdered other rulers and persecuted Jews. He was also infamous for his persecution of God’s people. Sets himself up to be a great commander of the army of the Lord. Antiochus blasphemed God and commanded idolatrous worship of himself. Removes the daily sacrifice/throws down the sanctuary. He stopped the daily sacrifice in Jerusalem and desecrated the temple. Holy people given over to him. He prospers and the truth is thrown away. People under his authority were forced to follow.
There are many similarities between Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Anti-Christ:
• Rebels have become wicked • Fierce-looking king • Master of Intrigue • Will become strong, but not by his own power • Will cause devastation • Will succeed in all he does • Will destroy the holy people • Will cause deceit to prosper • Will fight against the Prince of Princes • He will be destroyed (not by human hands)
26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” 27 I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
This section of verse coincides with verse 14: He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.” Gabriel tells Daniel that this number given, 2,300 evenings and mornings, is true. But can we prove that it’s true? First, we need to understand the terminology. Does Gabriel mean actual days, both days and evenings, or years? It has been interpreted as each.
Days: 2300 days may refer to the actual cleansing of the temple, which happened in 165 BC. Tracking back from that date brings us to approximately 171 BC, which is the year that Antiochus began his persecution of the Jews.
Days and Evenings: If we look at it as days and evenings, we have to cut it in half (1150 actual days). Instead of a seven year span, it just over 3 years, which could refer to the actual defiling of the temple, 3 plus years into Antiochus’ reign of terror on the the Jewish population.
Years: 2300 years doesn’t work historically, although William Miller famously used it as a tool to predict the end of the world. Miller was a Baptist preacher who broke from traditional Baptist theology and formed a group called the Millerites. They believed the world was ending in 1844. This was achieved by Miller calculating this number, found in Daniel, and counting forward in time, beginning with Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1). This did not happen, of course, but it had a ripple effect in religion. From Miller’s failed predictions, he ultimately merged with Ellen White to form the 7th Day Adventists. From the 7th Day Adventist we get Jehovah’s Witness and Christian Science, all religions with a decided “end of the world” foundation.
CHAPTER 9
Chapter 9 of this book deals with two items. First, a lengthy prayer which shows us a pattern of foundational truth that defines Daniel and cements his faith squarely God. Second, a premonition of the Seventy-Sevens, an end-world prophecy which details a number of historical items that shows the vastness of God’s plan along with the amazing way He works through great spaces of time.
9 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes[a] (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
First we are reminded of something simple, yet profound: Daniel knows the scriptures. This speaks to his devotion to the word of God. If we recall Daniel’s early life (Chapters 1-6), we’ll note that Daniel was a man who stood up for God. This was only because he connected with the word, let it flow into him, until it became second nature. It affected every aspect of his life, his character, his journey. Knowing the scriptures isn’t just the reading them, but absorbing them into your system until it is part of you. That’s the connection Daniel had.
Second, he understood the word of Jeremiah. The prophecy of Jeremiah is found in Jeremiah 25:11-13, Jeremiah 29:10 and Isaiah 29:10. These prophecies all deal with the time that Israel must stay captive in Babylon. Daniel both understood the prophecy and believed the prophecy of 70 years of captivity.
Third, Daniel turns to God in petition. He must come humbly to God with his request. He resorts to sackcloth and ashes, which shows his humility. This prayer is not passive. It is not self-serving. He needs to get the motive of the prayer right.
KEY: Daniel first studies and absorbs the word of God. He then prepares for prayer
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Daniel confesses the sin of his people. He recognizes the glory of God first. He recognizes and acknowledges that God keeps His word. You’ll notice too that Daniel doesn’t separate himself from Israel. He is an accomplice to these crimes. His prayer, issued in humility, is as much for himself as for his people. He then specifically calls out Israel’s sin. What is the sin? Israel has not listened to God.
KEY: Daniel first studies and absorbs the word of God. He then prepares for prayer. He gives thanks and gory to God. Acknowledges weakness.
7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
Daniel confesses that the sin is not God’s fault. No excuses are offered. The realization is clear: Israel has not obeyed. There is great shame at Israel’s disobedience.
Israel has not sought repentance. The Law of Moses (the Ten Commandments) were designed for Israel to follow. Deuteronomy 23:1-14 shows another dimension of the God’s Will. It shows how Israel should operate inside God’s Will. If they do what God wants there is a great blessing not only to the individual, but to the entire people and to the land. Deuteronomy 28:15-68, conversely teaches what it is like when one steps outside God’s will, and how God’s wrath falls. The land is blighted. The people are cursed.
15 “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
Daniel prays for forgiveness. The prayer is a reminder of how God has provided for them (brought them out of Egypt). He recognizes the sin and pleads for God’s mercy. Israel’s action has not produced what God has intended.
KEY: Daniel first studies and absorbs the word of God. He then prepares for prayer. He gives thanks and gory to God. Acknowledges weakness. Acknowledges fault. Acknowledges disobedience. Acknowledges God’s provision. Asks for God’s mercy.
17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
The final salvo Daniel throws is for urgency. He asks for God’s mercy for Israel, pleads that God does not delay. The pleas are only according to God’s righteousness. His complete trust and dependency is on God.
KEY: Daniel first studies and absorbs the word of God. He then prepares for prayer. He gives thanks and gory to God. Acknowledges weakness. Acknowledges fault. Acknowledges disobedience. Acknowledges God’s provision. Asks for God’s mercy. Trust and dependence.
Why is prayer important?
Prayer connects us with God (Jer 33:3, James 4:8) Prayer helps us to express gratitude to God (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 9:1) Prayer helps us to confess our sins and ask for repentance (Psalm 32:5, James 4:7-10) Prayer is an act of obedience and worship (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Prayer acknowledges who is really in control (1 Chronicles 29:11)
Prayer is something you should want to do.
The Seventy “Sevens” 20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:
Gabriel arrives during Daniel’s prayer. Daniel’s heart is right for this prayer, and he is regarded as highly-esteemed.
Highly- esteemed, and beloved, are terms used for two people in scripture. One, of course is Daniel, but the other is the Apostle John (John 13:23). Both of these men are deemed “loved” by God and both are given strong prophetic visions. What they have in common is their diligence. They both sought God with passion, and both were given more than expected. 24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
This vision is a difficult one to interpret. First, depending on the translation you are reading, it may say seventy “sevens” (NIV) or seventy “weeks” (KJV). The Hebrew word used for this is Shabuwa. It refers to a unit of 7, usually a 7-day period or a 7-year period. This passage most likely refers to 70 7-year periods in order for “transgression” to be complete. The end of this transgression brings an everlasting righteousness (Peace) and an anointing of the Most Holy Place (The restored New World under Christ). So Daniel’s vision is one that ranges through time, from a specific starting point, to the arrival of Christ, to the end of time.
25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.[g] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.
The Anointed one in this passage refers to Jesus. This can be verified by the the KJV translation, which, along with its interpretation of “weeks” (Shabuwa, referring to either a 7-day period or a year) which, also translates the anointed one as “Messiah the Prince”.
In this time period (the final 69 sevens), there is a decrees to finish transgression (New Order), to put an end to sin (New redeemed world), to atone for wickedness (forgiveness), to bring an everlasting righteousness (New order of messiah), to seal up the vision and prophecy (conclusion of human history), and to anoint the most holy place (restoration).
The issue then becomes: what is the starting point of the time period? If we are to verify Daniel’s vision, we must first establish when the first marker is. There are four possibilities:
1. Cyrus decrees rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 1:1-4) 2. Darius’ edict to Ezra to rebuild temple (Ezra 6:6-12) 3. Artaxerxes commission to rebuild the temple (Ezra 7:11-26) 4. Artaxerxes command to Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem (Neh 2:1-8)
The answer is number four. If you read the text carefully, Daniel states that the restoration and building of Jerusalem is the starting point for this prophecy, widely regarded as beginning, and ending, in 445 BC.
Seven Sevens (v.25)
This refers to a set of (7) 7 year periods, equalling 49 years. This was the amount of time it took for Jerusalem to be completely rebuilt, starting from the time of Nehemiah’s restoration in 445 BC. Sixty-Two Sevens This works out to 434 years. Together, it equals 483 years. If we add them together (445 BC + 483 years), we get a year of 38 AD (remember, since we are in BC, we are counting down toward zero). This is the time the anointed one, the Messiah the Prince, Jesus, is predicted to arrive.
The numbers are close, but they don’t precisely work out. Is Daniel’s prophecy wrong? The problem is this: we have to use the Hebrew calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. In the Hebrew calendar, there are 360 days in the year, not 365, so our calculation must change. 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days, which becomes equivalent to 476 years and 25 days. The calculation brings us to 30 AD, which corresponds to when Jesus presented Himself to Israel on Palm Sunday, was crucified on Preparation Day (the annual day when the passover lamb was slain), and rose form he dead on Sunday.
Verse 26 again: 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.[g] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.
This is an example of near and far prophecy. In less than two generations, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and destroyed the temple, erecting a temple dedicated to Jupiter on the temple mount (70 AD).
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[h] In the middle of the ‘seven’[i] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
The Final Seven
There is still one 7 remaining in this prophecy. First, who is “He”? This is again near and far fulfillment of prophecy. Some believe this was fulfilled in the time of the temple destruction and the erection of the temple of Jupiter. Others believe this is the antichrist, who breaks the covenant with Israel halfway through a covenant and make himself known. According to the second theory, there is an unknown period of time before the final “7”.
The Anti-Christ will put an end to the sacrifices during this 7 year period, and in the middle of this time will sever the agreement with Israel and create a desolation, showing the world who he truly is.
CHAPTER 10
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. 2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
First, this vision is given to Daniel during the reign of Cyrus. Cyrus overtook Babylon in 539. So Daniel has been serving the kings of Persia for over 70 years! He began with Nebuchadnezzar (605 BC), served through the reign of the last monarch Belshazzar (which ended in Cyrus’ takeover, and is issuing this prayer three years into Cyrus’ reign. Here is a listing of the kings of Persia:
605-562 BC Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (43 years) 562-560 BC Evilmerolach (2 years) assassinated 560-556 BC Neriglaser (4 years) natural causes 556 BC Laborosoarchod (9 months)beaten by conspirators 556-539 BC Nabonidus ruled until conquered by Persia • lived in Arabia last part of his reignEldest son: Belshazzar (co-regency with Nabonidus)
Why is Daniel mourning? Is it because more Jews hadn’t returned to rebuild the temple? Is it because of this vision of great war?
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. 7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
Who is the man of verse 5? Is it Jesus (Revelation 1:12-16)? If we do a comparison of the two men described between these two passages, we may be able to come to a conclusion.
Daniel 10:5-6 Dressed in linen Belt of Fine Gold Body like Topaz Face like Lightning Eyes like flaming torches Arms and legs like burnished bronze Voice like the sound of a multitude
Revelation 1:12-16 Robe reaching to his feet Golden sash around his chest Face like the shining sun Eyes like blazing fire Seven stars in his right hand Sword in his mouth Voice like rushing water
No one else sees this encounter. This isolated encounter, amongst others, happened to Paul (Acts 9:1-9). The people around him sense it, but do not share the experience.
10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
“Highly-esteemed” is also translated as “beloved”. Beloved is also a moniker given to the Apostle John. Each of these men were devoted to God and each were given a deep prophetic mission.
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
The man tells him that his devotion to God allowed God to hear his prayer. This man has come in response to the prayer, but he was resisted for 21 days. First, you’ll notice the recurrence of 7, which is the symbolic number for perfection. But this man was detained by the Prince of the kingdom of Persia. Prince is equal to ruler ((Eph. 6:12, Col 1:16, John 12:31). This illustrates that this man is not Jesus but a messenger.
The man had to allocate his time there, for three weeks, before he could attend to Daniel. Daniel’s prayer was subject o spiritual warfare for this time, a refining of the passion and devotion of Daniel. But Daniel kept praying, knowing not when his prayer would be answered, but that his prayer would be answered.
15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” 18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” 20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince).
This angel, perhaps Michael, (Rev 12:7-8), is to go back to the battle. Long after Daniel’s lifetime, Greece becomes a major reigning power in the region. This angel will fight against that as well. But first will reveal what is written in the Book of Truth. The final parenthetical tells us Michael is a champion for Israel, fights for Israel when it is weak, and will continue to do so through the centuries.
CHAPTER 11
1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)
Daniel 11 starts with Daniel marking the time. It is in the first year of Darius, after the overtake of Babylon by the Persians in 539 BC.
The Kings of the South and the North 2 “Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
Daniel recounts his prophecy. These kings that he will discuss are historical figures, some close to Daniel’s timeframe and others vastly far away. We begin with these three kings:
Cambyses (530-522) Gaumata (522) Darius (522-486)
These are the three next kings of Persia. It is important to note Daniel’s age here. Daniel, at this point in time, is very old. He began his servitude of Nebuchadnezzar upon the overthrown of Judah in 608 BC. The Jews have been deported and served their entire term in Babylon and have been released back to Judah by Cyrus. So Daniel, who was probably taken to Babylon in his teens, has served the subsequent Babylonian kings for 70 years. Here, he is serving the first Persian king. Even though that is remarkable, we’ll see his vision begin with the most current news and then span far into the future.
The fourth king Daniel talks about is Xerxes, who ruled between 486-465 BC. He attempted to conquer Greece in 480 BC and was thwarted. But his action caused Greece to view Persia as an enemy, and as Greece grew and Persia stagnated, the writing on the wall became evident.
3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. 4 After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
This next great king is Alexander the Great, a Greek (356-322 BC). Alexander swiftly moved across the Persian Empire and decimated it in 12 short years. Alexander’s empire, however, would not stand as a whole, strong unit. After his death, the kingdom was not given to his descendants (his heirs ended up murdering each other), but parceled into four ruling powers:
Cassander Ruling over Greece and its region
Lysimachus Ruling over Asia Minor
Seleucus Ruling over Syria and Israel’s land
Ptolemy Ruling over Egypt
5 “The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. 6 After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power[a] will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her.
The kings of the north and south are the northern and southern ruling powers in the parceled Grecian landscape. The northern king is Seleucus, ruling over the Syrian land, and the southern is Ptolemy, ruling over Egypt. The king of the south, Ptolemy I (323-285 BC), ruled not only Egypt but the holy land. Seleucid, his son, ruled over Syria and Israel (They will become allies). Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy II, married Antiochus II, the ruler in Syria (They will make an alliance). Once Ptolemy died, Antiochus II, took back his former wife Laodice. Laodice ultimately poisons him. Since now Antiochus is dead, Berenice is left unshielded and Laodice has her killed (She will be betrayed).
7 “One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 9 Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country.
Ptolemy III (the brother of Berenice) takes power (246-221 BC) (One from her family line will arise to take her place). Ptolemy III invaded Syria and humbled its king (Seleucid II) (He will attack the forces of the king of the North).
10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress. 11 “Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated. 12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. 13 For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped. 14 “In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. 15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it. 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him. 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more. 20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
For 130 years there are battles between the Northern and Southern kingdoms. These wars are recorded in history. A string of Cleopatras and Seleucids and Ptolemys rage through battles, and Daniel’s unfolding prophetic history is completely on spot. One particularly intriguing prediction comes in verse 18, when Antiochus III’s plan to humiliate Egypt, with the help of the famous General Hannibal, goes asunder and the Roman General Scipio defeats him in Greece and forces Antiochus III back to Syria, humiliated. Seleucus III, Antiochus III’s successor, planned to pillage Israel with taxes, but stopped his plans after an angelic warning. It wasn’t long after that he was assassinated probably by his brother, Antiochus IV.
21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time. 25 “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.
Antiochus IV most likely killed his brother to rise to power (Contemptible person not of royalty). It was well-speculated in his time that he did indeed assassinate his brother (he will seize it through intrigue). Verse 23 tells us that he will invade the richest provinces. Antiochus V did this too. He invaded the rich provinces around Syria, destroying them and causing strife between the ruling and elite families, while pretending that he was allies with them. Antiochus and Ptolemy had some very famous battles (he will fight the king of the south), but the final point is that God is still in charge (an end will come at the appointed time).
28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country. 29 “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. 33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
Antiochus IV, the vile leader, reigned from 216-164 BC. He chose the name Epiphanes which means God Manifest. His life work is depicted in Daniel’s vision with startling clarity. First Anitochus IV sold the office of the high priest in Jerusalem and persecuted Jews to conform to Greek culture (his heart will be set against the holy covenant). During one of his great battles with Egypt, the Roman Navy aided Egypt agains his attack (Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart). After this humiliating defeat, Antiochus IV vents his anger at Israel and Egypt (He will turn his fury against the holy covenant). Antiochus IV ends the daily sacrifice at the temple and desecrates it by erecting a giant statue of Zeus in it, as well as slaughter a pig in the name of Zeus (He will desecrate the temple). Although many are killed and many assimilate, many resist and ultimately push Antiochus out (Maccabees) (But the people will resist). We see that this time of trouble is meant to purify, clarify and help many to a stronger faith (Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time). The King Who Exalts Himself 36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.
Verse 36 shifts to latter days. This is called future-fulfillment. Jesus himself intoned that that real abomination of the temple was in the distant future (Matthew 24:15). We are no longer talking about Antiochus IV but of the Antichrist, which of whom Antiochus IV is a model of. The verses below illustrate this.
37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.
This could be an allusion toward the Antichrist being of Jewish origin. The women notation is puzzling. It could possibly refer to homosexuality. As Jesus is referred to as desired by all nations (Hag 2:7), and the Bible’s propensity to use women as a metaphor when referring to nations, it could be that the verse also means that the antichrist will not consider himself attached to any nation. or could even refer to Jesus, in that women desired bearing the Messiah. This viewpoint can only refer to Christ. In the view of that context, the antichrist would have contempt for the Jewish laws and for Christ Himself. In the extirpation of this, the antichrist has no affinity for any god but only for himself. He does not conform to the truth.
38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.
He will honor military might (god of fortresses). He will be be a collector of both money and items (a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts). He will make it his duty to attack the strongest nations under the auspices of a “strange god.
40 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites[e] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
The southern kingdom with invade and will be met with a giant force. He will invade Israel and will lash out in every direction. But there is no hope for the antichrist and his followers. This great battle is detailed in Revelation 19, when Christ appears, with the saints behind Him, to wage a costly, and quick war against the beast, the Antichrist, who for a brief time rises to power and tricks the world into following.
CHAPTER 12
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
At that time means that these events are tied to 11:36-45, or the end times of the Exalted King. Michael, who is always associated with spiritual battle, is the protector of God’s people.
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Deliverance is assured (Genesis 17:7). But not all people will be delivered; it is reserved for those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah (Romans 11:25-27)
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Verse 3 is a promise. Among all of the calamity, God holds those who are wise; they will shine.(Those who are wise). They will shine eternally (Those who lead others to righteousness). We have a duty and commitment to our authentic relationship with God and with his message to the world. Those who are authentic are proven to be true followers (Proverbs 3:5-6), while those who are inauthentic have another fate (Matthew 7:21-23).
4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
God wants the message to be kept safe (roll up and seal the words of the scroll) until the appointed time. At that time, in the future, it will become much more valuable. Many people will try to figure out the truth of the visions in the End Times (Knowledge will increase).
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
All of Daniel 10-12 happens while Daniel is standing on the riverbank. Daniel asks the question of when these things will happen and the answer given back ( time, times and half a time) means 3 1/2 years. This timeframe is chronicled in Daniel and the Book of Revelation.
Daniel 7:25 - Period Saints are given into hands of AntiChrist Daniel 9:27 - Breaking of the AntiChrist’s covenant with Israel Daniel 12:7 - Time of trouble for Israel Revelation 11:2 - Holy city will be tread underfoot by Gentiles Revelation 11:3 - Time of the Ministry of the two witnesses Revelation 12:6 - Time that Israel’s remnant is preserved by God Revelation 13:5 - AntiChrist’s authority to rule
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
Daniel’s question is one of sincerity, mainly because he doesn’t understand. Can you imagine being in Daniel’s shoes? This is an overwhelming amount of information..
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. 11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. 13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
God’s answer isn’t what we want to hear. He says for Daniel to be content with what God has revealed so far. The revealing of this mystery will not come until the time of the end, meaning it will be less mysterious then. This may sound unfair. Why doesn’t God reveal everything to us? Look at John 21:22. Jesus does not reveal all to Peter. Why? because the end result of our following isn’t about knowing everything. It is to follow diligently, with purpose, with strength and focus to have faith.
Verse 10: revelation 7:9-10 verifies this. During this time of struggle, many will be purified. They will come to their senses. But the wicked will remain wicked. It is startling to think that a person, hit with so many spiritual and human disasters can remain hard-hearted toward God. Yet, the bible clearly states there will be those unchanged. They will follow the beast right into the pit.
Verse 11: 1290 equates to 3 1/2 years. This is the time when the antichrist will once agains desecrate the temple, break his alliance with Israel and show the world who he truly is. The 45 days after the 3 1/2 year mark is a bit of a mystery. Jesus will return and destroy the beast. Could it refer to the judgement?
Verse 13: There is rest provided for the people of God. This rest comes with an inheritance.
So the book of Daniel concludes. Here is a list of big points learned in this book:
If we are responsible with the small things, we will be responsible with the greater things Stand up for your faith, even in the face of opposition; God will prosper you Trust God with your situation; God will provide for you Bring others along in your faith; God will protect you Lead by example; you will bring others to faith Pray: It is your lifeline to God Diligence is rewarded with more work Prophecy is meant to be understood You don’t have to understand everything; follow anyway