DANIEL THE PROPHET
While still a youth, Daniel was carried to Babylon where he lived during the whole period of the Captivity, at times occupying high office in the Babylonian and Persian Empires.
Daniel ~ "The Book of Loyalty and Light ~
Daniel means " God is my judge" He is the political prophet, the seer of world government, the father of the Gentile history. He is the prophet of dreams and visions.....he sets dates and events in advance. He is the prophet of the
"times of the Gentiles."
The book of Daniel was self written approximately 535B.C.
recording events that occurred from about 605 - 535 B. C.
Daniel had been taken captive and deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B. C. He served in the government for about 70 years during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzat, Darius, and Cyrus.
The key verse in this book is: 2:22
He revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
The key people in this book are Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Belshazzar and Darius.
The setting for the events of this book, were Nebuchadnezzar's palace, the blazing furnace, Belshazzar's feast, and the den of Lions.
Daniels prophecies contained visions (chapters 7 ~ 12) giving glimpses of God's plan for the ages, including a direct prediction of the Messiah.
There are 12 chapters in the book of Daniel, I am going to touch on the significant events that transpired in these chapters. The first chapter describes where Daniel came from and a bit about God's mission for him in his lifetime.
In chapter 2, we learn of Daniel's interpretations to Nebuchadnezzar's dreams
Daniel's early life demonstrates that there is more to being young than making mistakes. Daniel and his friends had been taken from their homes in Judah and exiled. Their futures were in doubt, but they all had personal traits that qualified them for jobs as servants in the king's palace. They took advantage of the opportunity without letting the opportunity take advantage of them.
The first hint of Daniels greatness comes in his quiet refusal to give up his convictions. He had applied God's will to his own life, and he resisted changing the good habits he had formed. Both his physical and spiritual diets were an important part of his relationship with God. He ate carefully and lived prayerfully. One of the benefits of being in training for royal service was eating food from the king's table. Daniel tactfully chose a simpler menu and proved it was a healthy choice. As with Daniel, mealtimes are obvious and regular tests of our efforts to control our appetites.
While Daniel limited his food intake, he indulged in prayer. He was able to communicate with God because he made it a habit. He put into practice his convictions, even when that
meant being thrown into a den of hungry lions. According to the translations in the Bible the fiery furnace incident occurred in the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, after Daniel and his three friends had been in Babylon about 20 years. That was the same year that Nebuchadnezzar had burned Jerusalem (586 B.C.)
Just as God had revealed to Daniel the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation, years before, so now he puts unto the hearts of these three men the firm determination to be true; and then He goes with them into the fire, not only to honor their faith, but to demonstrate before the assembled dignitaries of the far-flung empire, the Power of the God of Jerusalem over the boasted gods of Babylon. Thus a second time God manifested himself in the palace of the mighty empire, and a second time the mighty Nebuchadnezzar bowed before God, and proclaimed Him to be the True God to the utmost bounds of his empire.
Another time, we read of Nebuchadnezzar's insanity and of his recovery. Daniel had interpreted another dream, which came true. Nebuchadnezzar, was smitten with a mental disease, in which he fancied himself a beast and tried to act like one, roaming among the animals in the parks of the palace grounds. A third time Nebuchadnezzar bowed before God, and proclaimed His power to all the world. "Seven times" the word means "seasons".
Who could forget the story of Daniel in the lion's den,or the writing on the wall. All signs from God through Daniel that He was and still is the supreme being and no one shall
be bowed down before, except Him The God of All.
Daniel in the New Testament
Eternal kingdom ~ Daniel 2:44 with I Corinthians 15:24
Reconciliation for iniquity: Daniel 9:24 with II Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 9:12.
Christ "cut off"....His rejection and suffering..Daniel 9:26 with
Matthew 27: 22-35
Abomination of desolation Daniel 9:27 with Matthew 24:15.
Companion references:
Daniel unharmed in lion's den: Daniel 6:23 with Hebrews 11:33
Names written in book: 12:1, with Luke 10-20; Revelations 13:8
Eternal punishment: 12:2 with Matthew 25:46; John 5:28,29.
Reward for soul winning 12:3 with IThessalonians 2:19,20
Daniel's servitude before royalty resembled that of Joseph; he was promoted to the highest office in the realm next to the king(2:48) and he remained a consistent testimony for his God in the midst of a heathen court.
When Daniel was threatened by those who sought his life, he could look up with a smile of real confidence to His God, knowing full well that his life was in His hands. This book has taught us a rich spiritual truth, when the world begins to ask questions when they see us in difficulties, we can with calm assurance look up to God with His peace flooding our souls. When the king was forced by an irrevocable decree to thrust him in the lion's den, he knew his God would take care of him.
IS THY GOD ABLE TO DELIVER THEE - 6:20,21,22
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Compiled and written By
Shirley Barr June 15, 2005
References, KJV Bible,
The Worlds Bible Handbook |
