Distinctive amid the Hebrew prophetic books, the Book of Daniel offers us a historical account about the faithful Israelites who lived in Babylonian captivity; then it points us to the gentile nations’ future destiny through apocalyptic vision series. In book of Daniel, we find the famous story of Daniel in the lions’ den because the prophet was the victim of political and religious persecution. The book offers us a direct prediction about Messiah Yeshua’s coming to save the world from sin.
God is omniscient, and he is in control of global events. God overrules and removes rebellious leaders who defy him. God will overcome evil; no one is exempt. However, he will deliver the faithful who follow him. Although nations battle for world control now, one day Messiah’s Kingdom will replace and surpass the kingdoms of this world. Our faith is sure because our future is secure in Messiah. We must have courage and put our faith in God, who controls everything.
Daniel and his three friends are examples of dedication and commitment. They determined to serve God regardless of the consequences. They did not give in to pressures from an ungodly society because they had a clear purpose in life. It is wise to make trusting and obeying God alone our true purpose in life. This will give us direction and peace in spite of the circumstances or consequences. We should disobey anyone who asks us to disobey God. Our first allegiance must be to God.
Daniel served for 70 years in a foreign land that was hostile to God, however, he did not compromise his faith in God. He was truthful, persistent in prayer, and disinterested in power for personal glory. In order to fulfill your life’s purpose, you need staying power. We must never let our Christian distinctness become blurred. Be relentless in our prayers, maintain our integrity, and be content to serve God wherever he puts us.
God was faithful in Daniel’s life. He delivered him from prison, from a den of lions, and from enemies who hated him. God cares for his people and deals patiently with them. We can trust God to be with us through any trial. Because he has been faithful to us, we should remain faithful to him.
SUMMARY OF DANIEL’S VISIONS
Daniel was the prophet for “the Gentiles Times.” Within his prophetic writings major portions were directly concerned with the gentile nations. With the notable exception of Daniel chapter 9, which concerns the 70 weeks, but here the emphasis is upon the interval after the cutting off of the Messiah between the 69th week and the 70th week. It is during this period that the city and sanctuary are destroyed, and “the Gentiles Times” are identified as the time when “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). Evidently, the “wise men from the east” knew Daniel’s prophecy. A portion of the Book of Daniel was written in Aramaic, the Gentiles’ language of that day. All this does not imply that the Book of Daniel was not written for the nation Israel; on the contrary, Israel was acquainted with Daniel’s prophecies in his day. Ezekiel, who was with the captives, made reference to the character of Daniel and to his office as a prophet (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 28:3). By the way, this reference to Daniel by Ezekiel, who was Daniel’s contemporary, is conclusive evidence against the theory that this book belongs to the Maccabean period of 165 BC.
The Book of Daniel chapters two and seven cover the same chronological prophetic history, commonly describe as the “Gentile Times,” and the chapters retells the same subject about the future gentile nations. These gentile nations are identified as Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a revive Middle East Empire. The gold head (chapter 2) and lion (chapter 7) represent the Babylonian Empire. The silver chest and arms (chapter 2) and Bear (chapter 7) represent the Media-Persian Empire. The bronzes stomach and thighs (chapter 2) and leopard (chapter 7) represent the Greco-Macedonian Empire. And the legs of iron mixed with clay (chapter 2) and the composite beast (chapter 7) represen
Analysis of chapter two reveals how mankind view these gentile empires, while chapter seven shows how God view these empires. In other words, we see these gentile nations as part of a majestic metallic image representing the glorious history of humanity. However, God view these empires as ferocious animals devouring each other in the struggle to gain and maintain power over other wild beasts.
RELATED SOURCES
Biblical Mysteries; Donald P. Ryan, Ph.D; 2000. The Bible; Jim Bell and Stan Cambell; 1999. The Complete Guide to the Bible; Stephen M. Miller; 2007. The Hand Writing of God; Dr. Grant Jeffrey; 2000. The Signature of God; Dr. Grant Jeffrey; 2010. The Septuagint With Apocrypha: English; Sir Lancelot C.L. Brenton; 1851. Bible Prophecies; 2013. The Book of Jeremiah; J Vernon McGee; 1988.