ЁЯжБ The Book of Daniel ЁЯМ┐
ЁЯжБ The Book of Daniel — Faith in the Fire and Visions of God's Kingdom
Overview
Hebrew Name
Daniyyel — "God is My Judge."
Author
Daniel, a noble Jew exiled to Babylon.
Date
~605–530 BC.
Setting
Babylon and Persia (during the exile).
Audience
The Jewish exiles and all who trust God in a foreign world.
Key Verse
"The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will."
— Daniel 4:17
About Daniel
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Tribe | Judah (royal family). |
| Age when exiled | About 17 years old. |
| Roles | Prophet, dream interpreter, governor, and advisor to kings. |
| Faith | Remained pure and prayerful amid pagan culture. |
| Kings served under | Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. |
Historical Background
- 605 BC: Babylon conquered Jerusalem; Daniel and others taken as captives.
- Daniel lived in Babylon for ~70 years, serving in high positions while staying faithful to God.
- The book shows how faith survives in exile — and how God controls every empire.
Structure of the Book
| Section | Chapters | Focus | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Historical Narratives | Daniel's faith under foreign kings | Faithful living |
| 7–12 | Prophetic Visions | Future kingdoms and the Messiah | God's sovereignty |
Key Events (Chapters 1–6)
| Chapter | Event | Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel and friends refuse royal food. | Purity and obedience bring favor. |
| 2 | Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a statue (gold, silver, bronze, iron). | God controls world empires. |
| 3 | Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego in the fiery furnace. | God delivers those who trust Him. |
| 4 | Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great tree — humbled to live as a beast. | Pride leads to downfall. |
| 5 | Belshazzar's feast — handwriting on the wall. | God judges arrogance and idolatry. |
| 6 | Daniel in the lions' den. | Faithfulness under pressure brings divine protection. |
Prophetic Visions (Chapters 7–12)
| Chapter | Vision | Symbolism / Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Four beasts from the sea | Four kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome. |
| 8 | Ram and Goat | Persia and Greece — prophecy of Alexander the Great. |
| 9 | Seventy weeks prophecy | Foretells the coming of the Messiah and end-time redemption. |
| 10–12 | Angelic visions | Spiritual warfare and the end-time resurrection. |
The Statue Dream (Daniel 2)
| Metal | Represents | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Head | Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) |
| Silver | Chest & Arms | Medo-Persia |
| Bronze | Belly & Thighs | Greece |
| Iron | Legs | Rome |
| Iron + Clay | Feet | Divided Kingdom / End times |
| Stone | — | God's eternal kingdom (Christ's rule) |
"The stone cut without hands" = The Kingdom of God that will never end.
Key Themes
| Theme | Explanation | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| God's Sovereignty | He rules over all nations and times. | Dan. 2:21 |
| Faithfulness in Exile | Daniel remained pure and prayerful. | Dan. 6:10 |
| Judgment and Restoration | God humbles the proud, lifts the humble. | Dan. 4:37 |
| Messiah's Kingdom | God's eternal reign will replace all earthly kingdoms. | Dan. 7:14 |
| End-Time Revelation | Prophecies about Antichrist, resurrection, and final judgment. | Dan. 12:2–4 |
Key Prophecies of Christ
| Prophecy | Description | Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|
| "Son of Man" (7:13–14) | Messiah receives eternal dominion. | Matthew 26:64 |
| "Anointed One cut off" (9:26) | Prophecy of Christ's death. | Luke 19:41–44 |
| Everlasting Kingdom (2:44) | God's kingdom will never be destroyed. | Revelation 11:15 |
Famous Passages
Daniel 3:17–18 — Faith in the Fire
"Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, we will not bow."
ЁЯФе True faith stands firm even without results.
Daniel 6:22 — God's Protection
"My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths."
ЁЯХК God honors those who stand for righteousness.
Daniel 12:3 — Eternal Reward
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament."
ЁЯТО Faithful believers will shine forever.
Timeline Summary
605 BC
First exile (Daniel taken to Babylon)
603 BC
Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream
586 BC
Jerusalem destroyed
539 BC
Fall of Babylon (Cyrus conquers)
538 BC
Daniel prays; receives 70-weeks prophecy
530 BC
Daniel's final vision and death
Symbols and Meanings
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statue | Successive world empires. |
| Four Beasts | Political powers of history. |
| Ram & Goat | Medo-Persia and Greece. |
| Little Horn | Antichrist or evil ruler. |
| Ancient of Days | God on His throne of judgment. |
| Fire | Purity and divine presence. |
Spiritual Lessons
- Stay faithful in a foreign world — integrity matters.
- Prayer is power — Daniel prayed three times daily.
- God's sovereignty is absolute — He raises and removes kings.
- Prophecy proves God's plan — history unfolds as He declared.
- Faith outlasts kingdoms — God's people always prevail.
Summary
Daniel's life blends prophetic vision and practical faith.
His prophecies reveal God's plan from Babylon to the end of time.
His courage and purity serve as an example for every believer living under pressure.
The book moves from fiery trials to eternal triumph.
Key Verse
"The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits." — Daniel 11:32
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