THE BOOK OF DANIEL
The
Book of Daniel is the only Book of the Bible with historic proof to the world.
Isaiah
speaks more of the “messianic prophecies”; which surely are clearer and more
explicit than those in any other Old Testament book.
Zechariah
speaks more of Israel; it speaks of their fortune and future.
Jeremiah
chiefly speaks to Judah concerning her call and ministry, as well talks of
Jerusalem’s fall, exile to Babylon, and restoration, and prophecies to the
surrounding Gentile nations.
But
the Book of Daniel is like a panorama which connects the major events around
the universe and the world from the days of reign of the Chaldeans to the end
of the world. The prophecies, dreams and visions in the Book of Daniel connects
with today's news around the world.
The
Book Of Daniel is today’s headline news. It reveals to us what we read today in
the print and electronic media in news around the world.
It
has the history of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar (in chapter 11), King Nebuchadnezzar
(from chapter 1 to 4), Darius (from chapter 5), Cyrus (from chapter 1), Belshazzar
(chapter 5), and several other historic figures around the world. And of course, Daniel, the wise and faithful
prophet of GOD from Judah who was among the exiles in Babylon, also Hananiah,
Mishael and Azariah (from chapter 1).
The
Book Of Daniel speaks of: “The Ancient Of Days” (7:9-10), and “The Son of Man”
to whom is given all dominion (7:13, 14), “The Rock of Ages” (2:34, 35, 44);
‘the Rock’ which will destroy the kingdoms of men—the world rising empires of
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, the coming “Messiah” (10:25, 26), and a vision of “a
Heavenly Messenger” (10:5-9) which is a revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev.
1:12-16).
Daniel’s
prophecy of the seventy weeks (9:24-27) provides the chronological frame for
“messianic prophecies” from the time of Daniel to the establishment of GOD’s
Kingdom on earth.
Daniel
also speaks of “the antichrist” (in chapter 8), and the nations which rises to
power.
In
chapter 9:20-23, Archangel Gabriel came to Daniel with the answer to his prayer,
and was later resisted by a spiritual wicked principality—“the prince of
Persia” for 21 days and then, one of the angelic chief princes of
Heaven—Archangel Michael came to help him (10:13-14). Archangel Michael is ‘the great prince’ who
protects Israel and the Church. At the time of greatest distress on the earth—“the
Great Tribulation,” he will protect “the Elect” of GOD (12:1).
The
last chapter of the Book—chapter 12, speaks of “the time of the end.”
The
Book of Daniel is seen as “the Apocalypse of the Old Testament,” which presents
a surprisingly detailed and comprehensive sweep of prophetic history. After an
introductory chapter in Hebrew, Daniel switches to Aramaic in chapters 2 to 7
to describe the future course of the gentile world powers. Then in chapters 8
through 12, Daniel reverts back to his native language to survey the future of
the Jewish nation under Gentile dominion.
To
understand The Book Of Revelation, you need to read and study carefully, The
Book Of Daniel.
Nine
of the twelve chapters of the Book of Daniel revolve around dreams, including
GOD-given visions involving trees, animals, beasts, and images. In both his
personal adventures and prophetic visions, Daniel shows GOD’s guidance,
intervention, and Power in the affairs of men.
Daniel’s
wisdom and divinely given interpretive abilities brought him into a position of
prominence, especially in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius.
Daniel’s
life was characterized by faith, prayer, courage, consistency, and integrity.
He was listed in “the hall of faith” in Hebrews 11, as a ‘hero of faith’ along
with Abraham.
Babylon
rebelled against the Assyrian Empire in 626 B.C. and overthrew the Assyrian
capital of Nineveh in 612 B.C. Babylon became “the master of the Middle East”
when it defeated the Egyptian armies in 605 B.C. Daniel was among those taken
captive to Babylon that year when Nebuchadnezzar subdued Jerusalem. He
ministered for the full duration of the Babylonian captivity as a prophet and a
government official and continued on after Babylon was overcome by the Medes
and Persians in 539 B.C., his prophetic ministry was directed to the Gentile
courts of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar) and Persia (Darius and Cyrus),
as well as to his Jewish countrymen. He prospered exceedingly in the reign of
Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Persian.
The
Persian Empire conquered Babylon, Lydia and Macedonia, and continued until
Alexander the Great (11:2, 3), who extended the boundaries of the Greek Empire
as far east as India.
The
Romans later displaced the Greeks as rulers over the Middle East and beyond.
Nebuchadnezzar
was the king of renown first world ruling empire—Babylon, Darius was the king
of Persia— the second world empire—which flourished from 539-331 B.C. Alexander
the Great was a general who ruled over Greece, the
third world ruling empire, he was born in 356 B.C. And Julius Caesar ruled over the Roman Empire,
which conquered Greece. There had been
nine resurrections and fall of The Roman Empire, the tenth and last one is now
rising, which the world will see as “the revived Roman Empire,” but the saints
of GOD see it as “Mystery Babylon” by the understand of Biblical prophecy.
Although
the Medo Persia Empire was inferior to Babylon in chapter 2 verse 39, Babylon
was defeated and divided by two; Darius the Mede received a part of the
kingdom, and to Cyrus was allotted the other part.
The
rise of Cyrus to power was prophesied 100 years before he was born.
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand
I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of
kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be
shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I
will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden
riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call
thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even
called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside
me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the
west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create
evil: I the Lord do all these things.
Isa 45:1-7 KJV
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his
ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price
nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.
Isa 45:13 KJV
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my
pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy
foundation shall be laid.
Isa 44:28 KJV
The
theme of GOD’s sovereign control in the affairs of world history clearly
emerges and provides comfort to “the Church,” as well as to “the Jews” whose
nation was destroyed by the Babylonians. Babylon, Media and Persia, Greece, and
Rome rises to fall, but GOD ALMIGHTY will establish HIS Kingdom upon the earth through
CHRIST, for a thousand years, and HE shall reign and rule with HIS redeemed
people in eternity.