The book of Daniel is probably best known for its Bible stories: "Daniel and the Lion's Den" and for "The Fiery Furnace" where Daniel's three friends were thrown when they would not bend to the pressures of society and worship a false god.
But there is much more to this book than inspiring stories, for Daniel unravels much of God's plan for the future of the world. Chapters 2 and 7 describe and interpret two great visions of the future kingdoms of the world and assure us that only God's kingdom will reign forever. The final section of Daniel, chapters 8-12, contain visions of Israel's future. Though they will suffer much tribulation, they will finally see redemption in the coming of their Messiah.
What does it say?
The book of Daniel presents the reader with a wide sweep of prophetic history. Through the visions and dreams presented in Daniel, we see the great kingdoms of this earth laid out before us. First will be the Babylonian empire, ruled by king Nebuchadnezzar. Next will come the Persian empire, then the Greeks, and finally the Roman empire. This last worldwide empire will be crushed by God himself and the kingdom of God will rule on the earth forever.
Daniel is also a book about the faithfulness of Daniel and his three friends in the face of evil influence and persecution. As we wait for God's kingdom to rule over the earth, our allegiance - like Daniel and his friends - is to belong fully to the king of the coming kingdom of God.
Faces & Places
Daniel, along with his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were young men from the Jewish nobility in Jerusalem. They had been exiled to Babylon in the first wave of the Babylonian captivity. Daniel 1:1-7 introduces these four young men and their background.
Three kings from the land of captivity are characters in the book. Nebuchadnezzar was the king who first placed these four Jewish men into civil service. Nebuchadnezzar was followed by Belshazzar as the new king of Babylon. At the death of Belshazzar, Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.
The entire story takes place in the land of Babylon, much of it in and around the royal palace.
Key Verses & Themes
Sovereignty:
Daniel 5:21 "The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes."
The Kingdom of God:
Daniel 2:44 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever."
Faithfulness/Loyalty:
Daniel 3:16 "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
So what?
Do you ever need reminding that God is in control? Daniel was written to help you remember. It was written to show how God is in control of the heavens and the earth, that he directs the forces of nature, that he directs the destiny of nations, and that he cares dearly for his people. It is a book that displays the power of God in all its glory.
Sometimes people will ask the question, How big is your God? The God of Daniel personally directs the rise and fall of world-wide kingdoms. He decides who will reign and when they will reign, and when their reign will end. And he declares that one day all the fuss will be over when he will set up his own kingdom on the earth and rule forever. If you need a refresher course on the size of your God, Daniel will help remind you.
