C. Battle Cry
Ministry (BCM),
Oct., 2001
The Book of Daniel
An Introduction to the Book
and its Writer and a
Summary of the Main
Messages
Backgr
ound:
Image
&
Beasts
of
Daniel.
• Daniel was told to close the book he wrote
(Daniel 12:4). However, the book is no longer
a closed book, because God told Daniel “shut
up the words and seal the book even to the
time of the end.” All serious Bible scholars
agree that the condition for the opening of
the book has been met, for we are indeed in
the “time of the end”(Matthew 24). Indeed, it
will soon be the “end of time”.
Introduction
•
•
•
•
• The Book of Daniel:
(i) Who was Daniel?
(ii) When was the book written?
(iii) Daniel as a prophet.
(iv) The book’s authenticity.
Who was Daniel?
• “Daniel” means “God is my judge” OR “Judge of God”.
• (1) David’s second son, born unto him in Hebron, of Abigail
the Carmelitess (he is also called Chileab - 2 Sam. 3:3; Other
Daniel ref.: Ezra 8:2; Neh.10:6).
• (2) One of the four great prophets although he is not once
spoken of in the Old Testament as a prophet.
• Daniel was descended from one of
the noble families of Judah
(Daniel 1:3) and was probably
born in Jerusalem about 623 B.C.,
during the reign of Josiah.
At the first deportation of the Jews by
Nebuchadnezzar (the kingdom of
Israel had come to an end nearly a
century before), or immediately after
his victory over the Egyptians at the
second battle of Carchemish, in the
fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim
(606 B.C.), Daniel and three other
noble youths were carried off to
Babylon along with some of the
vessels of the Temple.
• There, he was
obliged to enter
into the service
of the king of
Babylon, and in
accordance with
the custom of
the age, received
the Chaldean
name of
“Belteshazzar”,
i.e. “Prince of
Bel” OR “Bel
protect the
king”
• His residence in Babylon was very probably in the palace of
Nebuchadnezzar. His training in the schools of the wise men in
Babylon (Dan. 1:4) was to fit him for service to the empire.
• He was distinguished during this period for his piety and his
strict observance of the Mosaic law (Dan. 1:8-16), and gained
the confidence and esteem of those who were over him.
• His habit of attention gained
during his education in
Jerusalem enabled him soon to
master the wisdom and learning
of the Chaldeans, and even to
excel his compeers.
• At the close of his three years of discipline and
training in the royal schools, Daniel was
distinguished for his proficiency in the
“wisdom” of his day, and was brought out into
public life. He soon became known for his skill
in the interpretation of dreams
• (Dan. 1:17; 2:14).
• Daniel rose to the rank of
governor of the province of
Babylon, and became “chief of
the governors” (Chald. Rabsignin) over all the wise men of
Babylon.
• He made known and also interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream;
and many years afterwards, when he was now an old man, amid
the alarm and consternation of the terrible night of Belshazzar’s
impious feast, he was called in at the instance of the queen-mother
(perhaps Nitocris, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar) to interpret
the mysterious handwriting on the wall.
•
He was rewarded with a purple robe and elevation to the rank
of “third ruler.” The place of “second ruler” was held by
Belshazzar as associated with his father, Nabonidus, on the
throne (Dan. 5:16). Daniel interpreted the handwriting, and “in
that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.”
• After the taking of Babylon, Cyrus, placed
Darius (q.v.), a Median prince, on the throne,
during the two years of whose reign Daniel
held the office of first of the “three
presidents” of the empire, and was thus
practically at the head of affairs, no doubt
interesting himself in the prospects of the
captive Jews (Dan. 9),
• whom he had at last the
happiness of seeing restored
to their own land, although he
did not return with them, but
remained still in Babylon.
Vocal Union - Homesick
• His fidelity to God exposed him to persecution, and he
was cast into a den of lions, but was miraculously
delivered; after which Darius issued a decree enjoining
reverence for “the God of Daniel” (Dan. 6:26). He
“prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of
Cyrus the Persian,” whom he probably greatly
influenced in the matter of the decree which put an
end to the Captivity (536 B.C.).
• He had a series of prophetic visions vouchsafed to him
which opened up the prospect of a glorious future for
the people of God, and must have imparted peace and
gladness to his spirit in his old age as he waited on at
his post till the “end of the days.”
•
The time and circumstances of his
death are not recorded. He probably
died at Susa, about eighty-five years
of age.
• Ezekiel, with whom he was
contemporary, mentions him as a
pattern of righteousness (Ezek. 14:14,
20) and wisdom (Ezek. 28:3).
The Book of Daniel:
• Is ranked by the Jews in that division of their Bible called the
Hagiographa (Heb. Khethubim). It consists of two distinct parts.
The first part, consisting of the first six chapters, is chiefly
historical; and the second part, consisting of the remaining six
chapters, is chiefly prophetic.
The Book of Daniel
• HAGIOGRAPHA
•
[HAG ee AHG ruh fuh] (holy
writings)-- the third division of the
Hebrew Bible. The other two divisions
are the Law and the Prophets. Also
known as the Writings, the
Hagiographa contained 11 books
• (13 in the English Bible) in the
following order in the Hebrew
Bible: Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
Canticles (Song of Solomon),
Ruth, Lamentations,
Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel,
Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 and 2
Chronicles.
•
•
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
• The historical part of the
book treats of the period
of the Captivity. Daniel is
“the historian of the
Captivity, the writer who
alone furnishes any series
of events for that dark
and dismal period during
which the harp of Israel
hung on the trees that
grew by the Euphrates.
Psalm 137:1-6
• His narrative may be said in
general to intervene between
Kings and Chronicles on the one
hand and Ezra on the other.
• The prophetic part consists of
three visions and one lengthened
prophetic communication.
The Genuineness of the Book of Daniel
• The genuineness of this book has been
much disputed, but the arguments in its
favor fully establish its claims.
• (1)We have the testimony of Christ
(Matt. 24:15; 26:64) and his apostles
• (1 Cor. 6:2; 2 Thess. 2:3) for its
authority; and
• (2) the important
testimony of Ezekiel
(Ezek.14:14, 20; 28:3).
• (3) The character and
records of the book are
also entirely in
harmony with the
times and
circumstances in which
the author lived.
• (4) The linguistic character of the book is, moreover, just
such as might be expected. Certain portions (Dan. 2:4; 7)
are written in the Chaldee language; and the portions
written in Hebrew are in a style and form having a close
affinity with the later books of the Old Testament,
especially with that of Ezra.
• The writer is familiar both with the Hebrew
and the Chaldee, passing from the one to the
other just as his subject required.
• This is in strict accordance with the
position of the author and of the
people for whom his book was written.
That Daniel is the writer of this book is
also testified to in the book itself
• (Dan. 7:1, 28; 8:2; 9:2; 10:1, 2; 12:4, 5).
• In the book of Daniel, Daniel had five visions:
• 1. The repetition of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2:19).
• 2. The vision of the four
beasts, little horn and
judgement scene (Dan. 7).
• 3. The vision of the two beasts, little
horn and 2300 days (Dan. 8).
• 4. The seventy weeks (Dan. 9).
• 5. The history of God’s people till
the end of time (Dan. 10 - 12).
We shall wear a crown - #1, Vocal Union
Jesus the Supreme Sculptor
(The Great Image of Daniel)
•
In a dream, King
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
saw a frightening image,
consisting of five different types
of metal. The head was of fine
gold, the breast and arms of
silver, the abdomen and thighs
of bronze, the legs of iron, and
the feet of iron and clay
• (Dan. 2:32-33).
• These materials, representing four world
empires, were inferior in quality from the
head downward, terminating in clay.
While the king was thinking about the
meaning of the image, a stone broke loose
from the mountains, struck against the
lowest part of the image, broke the whole
statue into pieces, and ground all of its
material to powder (Dan. 2:34-35).
• The stone - “in the days of these
kings shall the God of Heaven set
up a kingdom, which shall never
be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:35,44,45)
• Nebuchadnezzars dream, as
interpreted by the prophet
Daniel, symbolized the ultimate
end of Gentile world power at
the second coming of Christ
• (Daniel 2; 7; Rev. 16:19).
• One widely held view is that the four kingdoms
represented by his dream were Babylon, MedoPersia, Greece, and Rome. The stone that
struck the image and became a great mountain
symbolized the triumphant return of Christ as
King of kings and Lord of lords (Dan. 2:35,44).
•
•
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
• Stone:
• In Dan. 2:45 it refers also to
the Messiah. He is there
described as “cut out of the
mountain.”
• Rock
• (Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in
the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3;
Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2, 3; 89:26; 95:1);
also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18;
Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the
Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is
translated “mountain.” It ought to be
translated “rock,” as in Hab. 1:12 in the
Revised Version. The “rock” from which the
stone is cut there signifies the divine origin
of Christ.
• The
Four Kingdoms:
Babylon: 605
- 539 B.C.
Medo-Persia:
539 - 331 B.C.
Greece: 331 168 A.D.
Rome: 168
B.C. - 476
A.D.
476 A.D. - Present
No. of Years: 68, 206, 163, 644
Jesus’ Zoo of Terrible Beasts
(The Four Beasts of Daniel 7)
• “And four beasts came up from the sea,
diverse one from another.” v.3
• The four beasts
that Daniel saw:
• (1) Lion
• (2) Bear
• (3) Leopard
• (4) Terrible / Nondescript beast with
ten horns
The Lion
• The lion was the most
awesome and
dangerous wild beast
… a lion looks and
sounds so imposing
that he symbolizes
royalty and courage.
The nation of
Babylon adopted the
lion as their symbol.
Eagle’s wings - rapidity with which Babylon rose to its peak
of power under Nebuchadnezzar.
• In Old Testament times,
bears were a threat to
man and beast: they ate
honey, fruit and livestock,
so they harmed both crops
and herd. Bears are easily
angered. The Asian black
bear will attack man
with/out provocation.
Since bears are rather
clumsy they sometimes lie
in ambush waiting for
prey to come.
The Bear
Bears are very cruel,
voracious and blood thirsty.
The Leopard
• The huge cats known as leopards are feared with good reason: Smaller & lighter than lions,
leopards are better hunters. They are swift, wary
& intelligent & they can climb trees as easily as a
domestic cat. He is also strong enough to drag his
prey to a tree branch where he can devour it out
of reach of lions and hyenas.
• The books of Daniel & Revelation use the
leopard as a symbol of swiftness in cruelty
• (Dan. 7:6;Rev.13:2).
The Fourth Beast
Beast unlike any other - with iron
teeth and ten horns!
• This kingdom was
exceeding strong and
different from any other.
Ten horns - ten kings
that shall arise. Notable
horn plucks up 3 others
- Ostrogoths, Vandals &
Heruli (because they
opposed Papal rule).
• Another horn comes up
- bigger, fatter, has eyes
and mouth - persecutes
the saints for time,
times & 1/2 a time (the
Papacy • 538 - 1798).
Daniel Chapter Eight
• The eighth chapter of Daniel reviews briefly the
history of the kingdoms (The ram with the 2 horns and
the he goat with the notable horn - Medo-Persia and
Greece), predicts the persecutions of the chosen people
by Pagan and Papal Rome and gives a remarkable
prophecy concerning the sanctuary (v. 14).
• This chapter contains
Daniel’s prayer for
his people and tells of
Gabriel coming
towards the end of
the prayer to give
him understanding
concerning the 2300
days - mention made
of the 70 weeks,
Messiah being cut off,
etc.
Daniel Chapter Nine
Acapella - Set me free
Daniel 10, 11 & 12:
Speaks of
What will happen to
God’s people to the end
of time.
• A very fascinating passage of
scripture in Daniel 10:13 reveals to
us a behind the scenes, graphic,
chilling look at the great
controversy between good and
evil! Amazing!
(Other show)
A Summary/Outline of the Book
of Daniel - A Second Perspective
• Title and Background:
• Daniel records events that took
place during Israel’s captivity and
encourages the people to trust in
God who controls all history.
Author and Date of Writing:
• In several passages, such as 9:2 and 10:2, the
book itself mentions Daniel as the author. Jesus
himself referred to Daniel as the author (Matt.
24:15).
• Objective evidence indicates that the book was
written about 530 B.C., shortly after the
capture of Babylon by Cyrus in 539.
Theme and Message:
• The theological theme of the book is
God’s sovereignty: “The Most High God
is sovereign over the kingdoms of men”
(5:21). Daniel’s visions always shows God
as triumphant. The climax of His
sovereignty is described in Revelation
11:15 (cf. Dan. 2:44; 7:27).
Outline:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
I. Introduction: The Setting
(Daniel 1:1 - 21).
II. The Destinies of the Nations
(Dan 2:1 to Dan. 7:28).
A. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dreams
(Dan. 2:1 - Dan. 4:37).
B. Belshazzar’s and Babylon’s Downfall
(Dan. 5:1-31).
C. Daniel’s Deliverance and Dream
(Dan. 6:1 - Dan. 7:28).
Outline (cont.):
• III. The Destiny of Israel (Daniel 8:1 - Dan.
12:13).
• A. Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat (Dan.
8:1 - 27).
• B. Daniel’s Prayer and the Seventy “Sevens”
(Dan. 9:1 - 27).
• C. Daniel’s Vision of Israel’s Future (Dan. 10:1
- Dan. 12:13).
• Pop Quiz: Things you should now know on the
Book of Daniel
• 1. Which part of the Bible did Nebuchadnezzar
write?
• 2. What does “Gabriel” mean?
• 3. What does Daniel mean?
• 4. Who is Michael?
• 5. What does Michael mean?
• 6. What was the height and width of
Nebuchadnezzar’s image?
• 7. In chapter 10 Daniel fainted - why?
• 8. How long did Daniel’s fast last? (in chap. 10)
9. What is Daniel chaps. 10 - 12 about?
10. What were the four kingdoms that the image
represented?
11. What were the four beasts and what kingdoms
did they represent?
12. What was the name of the fifth world kingdom?
13. When did the 2300 days/years begin?
14. When did the 2300 years end?
15. What is the real theme of the Book of Daniel?
16. Who saw the hand writing on the wall?
17. Who was the madman in the Book of Daniel?
• 18. Why & for how long was he insane?
• 19. Approximately how old was Daniel
when he died?
• 20. In Daniel 2:49 Daniel did something to
show he was very unselfish. What did he
do?
• 21. For how long was Daniel and his friends
tested on the pulse and water diet?
• 22. Under how many rulers did Daniel
serve?
• 23. How many visions did Daniel have?
Whom will you
choose to be
sovereign
(Lord/Ruler/King)
of your life?
At BCM we choose Jesus! Hope you will too.God Bless.