An overview of the book of Daniel to help you as you read your Bible

DANIEL – – Books of the Bible

WRITER:

Daniel was very well prepared to be used by God to pen the book of Daniel because he had been a statesmen who held high office under three successive kings (Nebuchadnezzar, Balshazzar, and Darius).  Daniel became a captive in Babylon during the reign of Jehoiakim. Daniel had also lived through all 70 years of captivity.  He was of royal blood and a high ranking family and his captivity fulfilled the prophecy to Hezekiah (Isaiah 39:3-8).  He is the only man in the Bible to have been ministered to by both of Heaven’s recorded archangels, Gabriel and Michael.  Dan 9:21; 10:13 He was a contemporary to Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Ezra.

Daniel Speaks more of the antichrist than any other Old Testament writer.

Ezekiel refers to Daniel’s righteousness comparing him with Job and Noah in Ezekiel 14:14.  Ezekiel could do this because he was near the same age as Daniel and captive with him.  Ezekiel also refers to Daniel’s wisdom in Ezekiel 28:3. Jesus quoted Daniel when He was teaching about prophesy in Matt. 24:15

DATE: 605-536 B.C.

THEME:     “The Way to Live Away From Home.”  Daniel is called “Man greatly beloved,” three times – Dan. 9:23; 10:11; 10:19

He was taken from his home during the first invasion by Babylon in 606 BC.

He name and language was changed

He was made a eunuch – Isaiah 39:6-7

The purpose of the book is to reveal that God controls, not only in the lives of Hebrew captives, but also the mighty empires of the earth.  God called Daniel to expose the gods of the heathens as powerless, lifeless idols and to prove the reality and supremacy of the one, true God of Heaven and earth.

KEY VERSE:

Dan 2:20‑21 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21               And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

 DIVISIONS:  there are two sections to the Book of Daniel.

Ch. 1-6      HISTORY

Ch. 7-12    PROPHESY  (Visions and Interpretations)

FACTS:      There are 5 great periods of Miracles in the Bible and Daniel’s time is the third.

1. Moses and Joshua
2. Elijah and Elisha
3. Daniel
4. Jesus Christ and His disciples
5. Peter and Paul

Daniel is to the Old Testament what Revelation is the New Testament.

Both books record prophecies of the end times, which will complete the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:25). The great prophecies reveal the omniscience of God to know the future and the omnipotence of God to fulfill the words of detailed prophecies (Isa. 41:21-24: Rev. 19:10).

Five visions describe worldwide kings and kingdoms as beasts until the final beast, the Antichrist (Rev. 13). These supernatural prophecies fill the historical gap between Malachi and Matthew.

What is unusual is that from Daniel 2:4 – Daniel 7:28 is written in the Aramaic Language.

Assyria had defeated the Northern Kingdom (ten tribes)

Judah had lost much of her power (two tribes)

The Syrian kingdom had been conquered by Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon).

Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and defeated her (606-586 B.C.)

Nebuchadnezzar had carried approximately 10,000 chief men to Babylon.

Daniel, the Hebrew Children, Ezra, Ezekiel, and others were in the wave of captives.

The captivity lasted 70 years.

Daniel had been captured when he was 16 (in the first invasion) 606 BC.  Ezekiel was captured eight years later.

THERE IS NO BOOK OF THE BIBLE THAT HAS BEEN ATTACKED LIKE THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

The book of Daniel has been attacked for sixteen centuries.

The liberal modernistic world rejects it as forgery and fraud.

They foolishly say:

1. It is inaccurate and historically wrong.
2. It has linguistic irreconcilables.
3. It is prophetically impossible.
4. It has doctrinal mistakes in it.

MISCELLANEOUS:

THE IMAGE OF CHAPTER TWO and    THE BEASTS OF CHAPTER SEVEN

Man sees it as:                            God sees it as:

Head of Gold                                        Babylon                       Lion        606-539 B.C.

Chest and Arms of Silver                Persia                          Bear       539-331 B.C.

Stomach and Thighs of Brass      Greece/Roman          Leopard   331-323 B.C.

Legs and Feet of Iron and Clay Islamic Empire            Monster   322 B.C. – 476 A.D.

In Chapter 2 the kingdoms of the world are compared to metals of decreasing value.  This is how man sees this world and what he can get and attain.  In chapter 7 the same kingdoms of the world are compared to wild beasts and monsters.  This is how God sees man and his striving.

MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRIBULATION IS GIVEN IN DANIEL 12

Daniel 12:1  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

1. Helper in the tribulation

Michael the Archangel (Dan 12:1)

2. Length of the Great Tribulation

Three and one-half years             Dan     12:7 – 1,260 days

12:11 – 1,290 days

12:12 – 1,335 days

3. Interest concerning the tribulation

Both Angels and Old Testament Prophets (Dan 12:5-8)

4. Salvation during the tribulation

By trusting Jesus Christ (Dan 12:1 & 10)

5. Signs of preceding the tribulation – – Increase in speed and increase in knowledge (Dan 12:4)

6. The resurrections following the tribulation      Dan 12:2-3

INTRODUCTION:    As we have found in previous lessons, when the Jews left the Promised Land and were taken captive into Babylon the rich folks and the craftsmen were taken; the very poor were left.  Some of the Israelites were exceptional people.  These were taken and trained for places of responsibility. Such was the case in the life of Daniel.  He was a teenager with unusual ability and a rich heritage.  Hence, he was taken in 606 B.C. during the first siege of Jerusalem and trained for a high place.  While in this training and, for that matter while in the high place, he was tested.  It was Daniel who would not cease praying in his usual manner and therefore was cast into the lions’ den.  It was Daniel who refused to eat the king’s meat and drink the king’s wine.  Let us notice a few things about him.

DANIEL STOOD TRUE.

3. He stood true even away from home. He was 500 miles from home; he was in a strange land; but even more than that, he was living with people whom he did not know well. Daniel could have turned. He could have yielded his convictions, but he stood true.  This is because if it is right to do at home then it is right to do where God wants you to be.  If it is right to pray and thank God for your food at home then it is right to pray and thank God for the food while in a restaurant.  There is an old saying that says, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.  This is not a good thing to do if you are a Christian.  Our statement should be: “When in Rome, do what Jesus wants us to do.”  (Teacher: Discuss with the pupils the fact that when school is out and vacations are scheduled, we must stay true to Christ. Some people in college and some in the service find it harder to stand when they are transplanted into a different area. Stress to the young people that they should stand even though they are away from home.  Teach them the importance of being the same and living the same when they are away from their parents, Pastor and church.)
4. He stood true in the worldly crowd. Not only was he away from home, but he was in a worldly country, a country of idolatry, sensuality and paganism. Hence, it was even more important that he stand. People oftentimes say they cannot stand because of the circumstances and because of the bad crowd.  This is when standing is even more important!  It is much more vital that we stand when we are with those who are not of our persuasion than when we are in our own crowd. The world needs to see you live for the Lord.  They need you to love God and enjoy being saved.  When we do what the world wants us to do we fail them and wrong them.  When they needed to see something that was real, when they needed to see Jesus in us, when they needed us the most we failed them because of our selfishness and wanting the praise of men more than the praise of God.  (Teacher, teach the pupil to stand for God at school, at work and at play.  Even though he is in the enemy camp, he should be faithful to his convictions and not do that which he knows is wrong.)
5. He stood when “everyone else was doing it.“ Notice Daniel 1:8. Everyone else ate the king’s meat, but he would not do it. Then, too, when his time came to pray he prayed as he had always prayed. He did not add anything to his prayer or to his custom, but neither did he take away from it. He went on doing what he knew was right in spite of the fact that it meant the lions’ den.

Exodus 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

Proverbs 1:10         My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Proverbs 1:15         My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Proverbs 4:14‑15   Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15       Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

GOD GAVE DANIEL BLESSINGS BECAUSE HE STOOD.

2. God gave him better health. The best health course in the world is a clean life.
3. God gave him better looks.

Daniel 1:15  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

The best beauty course in the world is a clean, holy, Christian life.

3. God gave him better knowledge.

Daniel 1:17  As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

 God gave him spiritual insight.

Daniel 1:20  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

5. God gave him promotion.

Daniel 2:48  Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

III.       REASONS WHY DANIEL STOOD.

1. HE KNEW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT CROWD

There are many reasons why he stood. He was trained properly. He was disciplined. He had been taught to have character. You will notice in Daniel 1:4 that he had been taught to be appropriate.  Perhaps, however, the underlying cause behind all of these reasons was that he had good examples to follow.  Daniel grew up under Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra, and other great men. They imparted to Daniel things that made him stand while he was away from home, while he was in a worldly crowd, and when everyone else was doing it. They are the ones who deserve the credit for his promotion, his spiritual insight, his knowledge, his looks, and his health. (Teacher: Explain to the class that everyone has influence. There are those who look to each of us.  We must live the right kind of lives, be the proper examples and the proper kind of teachers so they too, will be Daniels.)

2. HE KNEW WHAT PRAYER WAS

Daniel knew how to pray.  Daniel had two types of prayer.  The old saying still goes – “Those who kneel before God can stand before men.”  and  “You will never be able to stand before men until you learn to kneel and get alone and walk with your God.”

Prayer with other Christians

Daniel 2:17‑18       Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18       That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

You should pray with your friends.  Matthew 18:19-20 If they don’t want to pray with you and think that talking to the Lord is silly then they are not the right kind of friends you need.  A true friend will encourage you to walk with God and stay close to the Lord.

Prayer by himself alone

Daniel 6:10    Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel 9:3‑4    And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:  4    And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

You should pray alone on your knees at the same place, at the same time, every day.  Matthew 6:6      Luke 11:1

Prayer is simple, but prayer is learned.  Luke 11:1

Ask the Lord to help you and teach you.  God expects honesty and sincerity not fancy words.  God loves you and wants to spend time with you.  God already knows everything there is to know about you but you need to get to know your God.  Daniel was beloved of the Lord because Daniel spent time with God.  God said, “You are special because you give me your time.  I wish everyone would spend time with me but only a few do.”

CONCLUSION:        Ask the pupils to share with you tines when they had to stand alone and when they had to stand for Christ when away from here. Ask than to share with you some illustrations when others stood and therefore served as examples for them. Encourage than to stand for Christ and remain true to Him.

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