Daniel: The Overview

The Book of Daniel

c. 605 - 562 B.C.

Key Verse of the Book:  Daniel 4:17

"In order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men."

After Nebuchadnezzar defeats the Assyrians at Charcemish (605 B.C.), Jehoiakim and other dignitaries are taken to Babylon (2Ch 36:6; 2Kg 24:1).  Daniel is part of this exile (followed by two more, in 597 B.C. when Ezekiel is taken (2Ch 36:10), and 586 B.C. when Jerusalem is destroyed).  Daniel becomes part of Babylon's court, and serves in official capacities through Cyrus the Mede's rule (c. 536 B.C., the vision of ch.10).  Through the court narratives of the life of Daniel and his companions (Dan 1--6) the reader finds encouragement to trust God and obey His revealed will regardless of external pressures and circumstances.  Through Daniel's prophecies, those related to God see that He controls the His-story of the world (Dan 7--12) to flow according to His direction until the end of these times of the Gentiles when the Son of Man establishes the Kingdom of God on earth.

God’s Sovereignty in Our Lives (Chapters 1—6)

That no one is independent of God is clear in this section.  His people (such as Daniel, his three friends) are subjected to foreign rule at His hand, yet blessed in captivity for their obedience (1--3; Daniel given the revelation of the dream); the Gentile king rules only by the permission of God (4; Nebuchadnezzar's insanity), at  Whose hand kings are deposed and established (5; message to Belshezzar).  Finally, God sovereignly protects and exalts those who completely trust in Him (6; Daniel in the lion's den).

God’s Sovereignty in World History (Chapters 7—12)

That no nation is independent of God is clear in this section.  Through Daniel's visions, a panorama of the "times of the Gentiles" is given, demonstrating that God controls the process of history.  Successive world empires are outlined, and several individuals described, focusing on the fourth and most terrible empire (Rome), its leader (the little horn; abomination of desolation), and the final 3 1/2 years of his domain.  Into this empire will erupt the Son of Man (7:13; "Messiah" 9:26), Who replaces it with the Kingdom of God which remains forever.

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Overview of the Written Road to Rome, by Jay Quine

Summary of Paul's Epistle to the Romans

Written from Corinth A.D. 56-57 (Acts 20:2-3)

Filled with the desire to minister to the believers in Rome (1:11; 15:15,16) and for them to serve as a base of operations for further missionary activity (15:24), Paul writes this letter to impart the foundations of Christianity (justification, 1:5; sanctification, 6:1--8:17; glorification, 8:18-39; the continued faithfulness of God to Israel, 9:1--11:36), so that they might live by the obedience which stems from faith (12:1--16:27; 1:5; 16:26).

Chapters 1--5 God Righteously Condemns yet Saves Sinners

After expressing his desire to visit Rome, Paul asserts that God is righteousness in everything. God is right in condemning sinners, whether Gentile or Jew, blatant rebels or moral do-gooders, because all sin and cannot meet His perfect righteousness (1:18-3:20). Yet as a free gift any sinner is declared righteous (justified) by faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-31). Just as Abraham was declared righteous by faith (4) so now anyone may be reconciled to God through the obedience of Christ (5).

Chapters 6--8:17 God Righteously Sanctifies Believers

As in salvation, the process of sanctification is one of realizing the new position in Christ. Just because God's grace abounded over the results of sin does not mean that more grace is attained by more sin, for just as Christ died to sin and the Old Testament law, so too the believer is to consider himself dead to sin and law (6:1-14).

Chapter 8:18-39 God Righteously Glorifies Believers

As in salvation and sanctification, the means of glorification is through God’s work of grace. Because God does the work, nothing can separate us from His love and from our eternal relationship with Him.

Chapters 9--11 God Righteously Deals with Israel

The promise of our justification, sanctification, and glorification is not rendered insecure from the example of God’s dealings with Israel, for even though Gentiles have been grafted into his plan, God still preserves a remnant and promises a future restoration of Israel in accordance with His promises to them.

Chapters 12--16 God Righteously Directs our Lives

Our relations with God secure, God is righteous to direct our lives. Challenged to constantly renew our minds by the word (12:1-2), Paul appeals to show this renewal in service to others (12:3-8), love (12:9-21), civil obedience (13:1-7), general behavior (13:8-14), consideration of others (14:1-23), and by agreement with Christ (15:1-13). Paul ends with his travel plans, greetings, and a call to all to live by the obedience brought by faith.

Key Verse: Romans 1:5 (See also 16:25-26)

“Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake.”

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