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.
