DANIEL

DANIEL 1

DANIEL IS STEADFAST BEFORE THE KING

During the reign of King Jehoiakim, Judah is overthrown by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Babylon besieges Judah, plunders the temple, and takes many of the Judean people captive. Among the captives is a young man named Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar selects some of the most competent, attractive, noble, and wise Israelites from among the exiles to serve in his palace, instructing them to learn the culture and literature of Babylon. Among those chosen are Daniel and three others: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

These men are given Babylonian names to assimilate them into the culture. For clarity, we will refer to them by their most commonly known names: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Despite pressure to conform to Babylonian customs, Daniel remains faithful to Jewish law and refuses to defile himself with food from the king’s table. Daniel and his friends propose an alternative diet of vegetables and water for ten days, trusting that God will provide for them. At the end of the ten days, they appear healthier than those who ate the king’s food.

Recognizing their wisdom, Nebuchadnezzar finds Daniel to be ten times more capable than his magicians and enchanters. God grants wisdom and understanding to Daniel and his friends, allowing them to gain favor with the king. Despite being in captivity, these four men remain steadfast in their faith and become influential figures in Babylonian leadership.

DANIEL 2

GOD REVEALS NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM TO DANIEL

Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream that leaves him anxious and unable to sleep. He summons his magicians and sorcerers, demanding not only that they interpret the dream but also that they describe the dream itself without him revealing it. Faced with this unreasonable task, the fortune tellers have nothing to offer, and Nebuchadnezzar orders their execution. When Daniel hears of this, he requests time to speak to the king.

Daniel, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, seeks God’s mercy and guidance. In response, God reveals both the dream and its interpretation to Daniel. Before reporting to the king, Daniel praises God for providing him knowledge and understanding.

When Daniel stands before Nebuchadnezzar, he boldly declares that it is God who revealed the mystery of the dream. Daniel describes the dream for Nebuchadnezzar, stating that his dream consisted of a giant statue made of four different types of metal: a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, middle and thighs of bronze, and legs and feet of iron and clay. In the dream, a large stone struck the feet of the statue, causing all four layers to collapse and crumble into dust.

Daniel explains the meaning of this dream, telling Nebuchadnezzar that the head of gold represents the Babylonian empire. The sections of silver, bronze, and iron, represent the three successive world powers following Babylon. From a historical context, these kingdoms will be Persia, Greece, and Rome, though this is not known to them at the time. The stone that destroys the statue represents God’s eternal kingdom, which will eventually overthrow all earthly kingdoms. Daniel trusts that God’s kingdom will be eternal, while man-made kingdoms will fall.

Nebuchadnezzar falls to his face and honors Daniel, acknowledging God as the one who revealed his dream. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are given higher positions of power within Babylon.

Daniel 2:20-22 - Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”

DANIEL 3

GOD PROTECTS SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO IN THE FLAMES

Shortly after Nebuchadnezzar praises God for revealing his dream, Nebuchadnezzar builds a large gold statue, similar to the one in his dream. Instead of continuing to acknowledge God alone, Nebuchadnezzar decrees that the Babylonians must worship the statue whenever music is played. Whoever refuses to worship will be put to death by a fiery furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resist worshiping the idol and are taken before Nebuchadnezzar, who is furious over their withholding. In a bold act of faith, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the idol and accept their fate within the fiery furnace. These three men trust that God would save them from the fire, but even if He didn’t, they have confidence in their decision and vow their faithfulness to God.

Angry with the refusal, Nebuchadnezzar orders that the furnace be made seven times hotter, causing a more imminent death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are bound by their garments and thrown into the fire. The furnace is so incredibly hot that the men who are ordered to deliver them into the fire die immediately by flame.

After Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are placed in the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar is shocked to see four unbound men surviving within the flames. The appearance of the fourth man is believed to be an image of God's presence or a pre-incarnate Christ. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exit the furnace, they are unscathed without even the smell of smoke on their clothing. God protects these men for their faithfulness and loyalty!

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God for saving them and makes a decree that no one can speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

DANIEL 4

NEBUCHADNEZZAR REPENTS AFTER BEING HUMBLED BY GOD

Shifting from the perspective of Daniel, this chapter is from Nebuchadnezzar’s point of view. Nebuchadnezzar praises God as the Most High God, recalling His mighty works and acknowledging His everlasting kingdom.

In a second dream, Nebuchadnezzar sees a tall, flourishing tree that provides abundant fruit and shelter for animals. However, a messenger from heaven declares that the tree is to be stripped of its branches, cut down to a stump, and left in the fields with the beasts for seven years.

Daniel interprets the dream, revealing its unfortunate meaning. Nebuchadnezzar will be like the tree stump—cut down from his greatness and removed from his people. For seven years, he will live among the animals, eating grass like the beasts of the field.

Daniel’s interpretation comes to pass, and Nebuchadnezzar is humbled. Nebuchadnezzar eventually exalts God and praises Him for His everlasting dominion as Lord. Once Nebuchadnezzar extols God as the King of Heaven, Nebuchadnezzar is restored as king of Babylon.

DANIEL 5

THE PRIDE OF BELSHAZZAR WRITTEN ON THE WALLS

Belshazzar, a direct descendant of Nebuchadnezzar, becomes king of Babylon. During a large drunken feast, he orders that the wine is to be consumed out of the sacred temple goblets, which Nebuchadnezzar previously plundered from the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 1:2). In his pride and arrogance, Belshazzar defiles God’s holy items, using them to honor false idols.

Suddenly, a disembodied hand appears and begins writing on the plaster walls of the palace. Horrified by the sight, Belshazzar turns pale with fear. He calls for his fortune tellers and astrologers to interpret the mysterious writing, but they are unable to decipher it. Remembering Daniel’s ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams, the queen advises Belshazzar to summon Daniel.

Daniel divulges the meaning of the writing, telling Belshazzar that Babylon does not measure up, their days are numbered, and they will soon be overthrown by the Persians and Medes. Belshazzar praises Daniel for his wisdom, dresses him in royal purple robes, and makes him third in line to the throne.

That very night, Belshazzar is killed, and Darius the Mede becomes ruler of the kingdom. Mere hours later, Daniel’s interpretation is already fulfilled.

DANIEL 6

GOD PROTECTS DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS  

With Darius as the new king, Daniel is promoted to a higher level of authority and power. Jealous of Daniel’s position, the other leaders seek to find a scandal in Daniel’s life. However, Daniel is an upstanding man, and they find no misconduct to report. Instead, they decide to use his faith in God against him.

There is a new decree that for thirty days, Darius should be the only recipient of prayer, forbidding prayers to any other idol or god. Daniel’s faithfulness does not waiver due to the decree and he continues living a prayerful life that honors God.

The leaders convince King Darius to issue a new decree that for thirty days, no one is allowed to pray to any god or man except the king. Violators of the decree will be thrown into a den of lions. Despite the decree, Daniel remains faithful and continues living a prayerful life that honors God, as he has previously done.

Daniel’s conspirators catch him praying and report his actions to the king. Bound by the decree, Darius reluctantly orders Daniel to be thrown into the lions’ den, believing that Daniel’s God will deliver him.

That night, God sends an angel to shut the mouths of the lions, sparing Daniel’s life. Because Daniel trusted in God and refused to pray to Darius, he is protected from harm. The next morning, Darius finds Daniel unharmed!

The men who conspired against Daniel are thrown into the lions’ den and immediately devoured. In response to Daniel’s miraculous deliverance, Darius decrees that Daniel’s God should be worshiped and feared. Showing humility and faith, Darius proclaims that God is sovereign, and His kingdom will never fail.

Daniel’s story parallels the resurrection of Christ in several ways. Both Daniel and Jesus were innocent men persecuted unjustly. Daniel’s survival in the lions’ den mirrors Christ’s victory over the grave, as both stories highlight God’s power to deliver and redeem.

DANIEL 7

DANIEL’S VISION OF FOUR POWERFUL BEASTS

Daniel has a vision of four great beasts, each unique and mysterious. The most terrifying and dreadful of these beasts has ten horns until a smaller, additional horn emerges, possessing a human mouth and eyes.

During the vision, Daniel sees God, referred to as “the Ancient of Days”, seated upon His throne. The small horn of the beast speaks arrogantly against God and the beast is destroyed entirely.

Daniel then sees Jesus, described as “the Son of Man,” who appears before God. The Son of Man is given everlasting dominion over a new kingdom that includes all people. This kingdom will be eternally established and never destroyed.

Perplexed by the vision, Daniel seeks help interpreting it, possibly from an angel or messenger of God. The four beasts represent four kings whose nations will rise to power, likely paralleling the nations from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2.

Daniel is particularly curious about the fourth beast, which is more terrifying than the others and is ultimately defeated by God. This beast represents a fierce and destructive kingdom. The ten horns symbolize the kings of this nation, with the eleventh king being the most oppressive and blasphemous.

God’s people will be persecuted by this king for three and a half years. In biblical literature, seven often symbolizes completion, while three and a half represents imperfection or incompletion. Despite the king’s oppression, he will ultimately be destroyed, and God’s everlasting kingdom will triumph.

Although interpretations of the nations and kings in Daniel’s vision vary, the central message is one of hope and assurance that God’s kingdom will eventually triumph over oppressive rulers.

DANIEL 8

DANIEL’S VISION OF A RAM + A GOAT

In a vision similar to his earlier one, Daniel sees two beasts. The first resembles a ram with two horns, one higher than the other. The ram is dominant and forcefully charges against its enemies.

Next, Daniel sees a goat with a large obtrusive horn between its eyes. The goat is stronger than the ram, overpowering it, breaking its horns, and trampling it. As the goat grows in power, its horn breaks off and is replaced by four smaller horns, each pointing in a different direction.

An angel appears to Daniel to explain the perplexing vision. The ram with two horns represents the Medes and Persians, while the goat represents Greece. The large horn symbolizes the first Greek king, and the four smaller horns represent his successors. The largest of the horns symbolizes an evil king who will attack Jerusalem and exalt himself above God.

Daniel is frightened and made ill by this news, but continues his diligent work for the king, despite his fear and confusion around the vision.

DANIEL 9

DANIEL PRAYS FOR MERCY UPON THE ISRAELITES 

Daniel spends time meditating on the words of the prophet Jeremiah and realizes that the foretold seventy years of exile are almost complete (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). During the years of exile, the Israelites rebelled against God and continued to sin in every way imaginable. Mourning the faithlessness of God’s people, Daniel grieves, wearing sackcloth and covering himself in ashes.

Daniel prays for God’s grace and favor, not because of Israel’s righteousness, but because of God’s great mercy. Daniel serves as an intercessor between God and the Israelites, both relaying God’s messages to the Israelites and showing repentance on their behalf.

In response to Daniel’s prayer, the angel Gabriel appears to provide Daniel insight and understanding. Gabriel informs Daniel that, due to Israel's sinfulness, the exile will extend beyond the original seventy years, totaling seventy “weeks of years,” seven times seventy, or 490 years. During this time, Jerusalem will be rebuilt, only to face destruction again. Despite this troubling news, God reassures Daniel that he is greatly loved.

Daniel 9:14 - Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.

DANIEL 10

AN ANGELIC BEING APPEARS BEFORE DANIEL

Daniel spends three weeks mourning and fasting in prayer when an angelic being appears before him. Everyone who is with Daniel runs away in fear, leaving him alone with the divine presence. The angel reassures Daniel, telling him not to be afraid and reminding him that he is greatly loved by God.

The angel explains that he was delayed for three weeks by a spiritual being in Persia, giving Daniel a rare glimpse into the unseen spiritual realm. Gabriel also mentions Michael, one of the chief angels, who serves as a protector of Israel.

Overwhelmed and speechless in the presence of the angel, Daniel is unable to respond. To strengthen him and give him the courage to speak, the angel touches Daniel, restoring his strength.

DANIEL 11

GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL NATIONS

The angel who appears before Daniel continues to reveal future events concerning the nations that will rise and fall after Babylon’s captivity. Following the reign of three Persian kings, a fourth king will arise, often identified as Alexander the Great, who will build a powerful empire. After his death, this empire will be divided into four lesser kingdoms, ruled by his successors.

A prolonged conflict will unfold between the king of the south (Egypt) and the king of the north (Syria). The king of the north will eventually exalt himself above God, desecrating the temple and persecuting the faithful. This part of the vision aligns with historical events during the time of the Maccabees, when Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Syrian ruler, oppressed the Jewish people and defiled the temple.

This chapter contains rich and complex historical context, offering insight into the political and military developments of the time while highlighting God’s sovereign reign over the nations and events of the world. Despite these tumultuous events, the chapter reassures believers that God remains in control.

DANIEL 12

GOD HAS PLANS FOR THE END OF TIME

As the conversation with the angel concludes, Daniel learns that one day the angelic creature Michael will rise as a great prince over God’s people. During this period, those who have died will be granted into eternity. Daniel is instructed to seal up the vision, indicating that its fulfillment lies in the distant future.

The timing of this prophecy is not clearly revealed. Instead of worrying or planning, Daniel is told to rest, trusting in God’s plan. This chapter gives a small glimpse into God’s purpose for the end of time, showing how all human nations will fail, but God’s eternal kingdom will prevail. While the specifics of this revelation are highly debated and widely interpreted, the focus remains on God’s sovereignty and authority over Earth.