Introduction to Daniel: The Coming of the Lord

The Book of Daniel is a profound and prophetic book of the Old Testament that provides both historical narratives and apocalyptic visions. Set during the Babylonian exile, it chronicles the life and faithfulness of Daniel, a young Jewish captive who rises to prominence in the courts of Babylon and Persia through God’s divine wisdom and protection. The book is structured in two distinct sections: the first half (chapters 1-6) contains historical accounts of Daniel and his companions, while the second half (chapters 7-12) consists of vivid prophetic visions concerning future kingdoms and God’s ultimate plan for history.

Daniel underscores God’s sovereignty over nations and history, demonstrating that earthly rulers are subject to divine authority. The faithfulness of Daniel and his friends in the face of persecution highlights themes of courage, integrity, and unwavering trust in God. The prophetic visions, particularly the coming of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14), foreshadow the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and His future reign. The book also emphasizes God’s providential care for His people, affirming that He remains in control despite worldly chaos. Daniel’s visions offer both encouragement and a call to faithfulness, pointing to the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom over all earthly powers.

  • "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory & sovereign power; all nations & peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

    Daniel - Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)

  • Then I praised the Most high; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His kingdom is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of th eearth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'"

    Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel 4:34-37 (NIV)

  • "Know & understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore & rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood."

    Angel of the Lord - Daniel 9:24-27 (NIV)

Authorship, Location & Date

  • The Book of Daniel was written by the prophet Daniel, a Jewish exile in Babylon. Daniel was among the young men taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 605 B.C. He served in the courts of multiple Babylonian and Persian kings, remaining faithful to Yahweh in a foreign land. The book is set primarily in Babylon and later in the Persian Empire.

Daniel’s Historical Context

  • The events of Daniel take place during the Babylonian exile (605–539 B.C.), a period when Judah was conquered, and its people were deported to Babylon as divine judgment for their disobedience (2 Kings 24–25). The Babylonian Empire was later overthrown by the Medo-Persians in 539 B.C. under Cyrus the Great. Daniel lived through the transition of power and served in both Babylonian and Persian royal courts. The book also includes prophetic visions that extend beyond Daniel’s lifetime, forecasting future empires and eschatological events.

Purpose of the Book

  • Primary Purpose

    • God’s Sovereignty Over Kingdoms - The Book demonstrates that earthly rulers rise & fall under God’s control.

  • Secondary Purposes

    • Encouragement to the Exiles – It reassures the Jewish people that despite their captivity, God remains sovereign over history and the nations.

    • Faithfulness Amid Persecution – Daniel and his companions serve as examples of unwavering faith in a pagan society.

    • Prophecy of Future Kingdoms – The book provides visions of future empires and the coming Messianic kingdom.

    • The Ultimate Triumph of God’s Kingdom – The prophetic sections of Daniel look forward to the end of history when God’s kingdom will reign supreme.

Theological Themes

  1. God’s Sovereignty – God controls the rise and fall of nations (Daniel 2, 4, 7).

  2. Faithfulness in Exile – Daniel and his friends remain obedient despite opposition (Daniel 1, 3, 6).

  3. The Coming Messiah – Daniel 7 and 9 foreshadow Christ’s reign and atoning work.

  4. Eschatology (End Times Prophecy) – Daniel’s visions predict future events, including the Antichrist and final judgment (Daniel 7-12).

  5. Spiritual Warfare – Angels and demons play roles in influencing world events (Daniel 10).

How to Read Daniel

  1. Understand the Literary Style – Daniel contains symbolic visions, parables, and allegories. Recognizing these literary devices is key to interpretation.

  2. Read in Historical Context – Consider the setting of the Babylonian exile to grasp the significance of the messages.

  3. Look for Christological Themes – There are images in Daniel both of the Messiah & His eternal kingdom. Look for them.

  4. Be Patient with Symbolism – Some of the visions are hard to understand. Focus on both - and interpretations in relationship to history more than either - or. The already not yet is present as it describes the future. There are also partial fulfillments in the return from the Babylonian exile.

  5. Near-Far Fulfillment – Look for fulfillment in Israel’s history. Identify distant fulfillment in Christ, the Church, & the end of this age in Revelation.

An Outline of Daniel

I. Narrative Section: Daniel’s Life in Babylon (Chapters 1–6)

A. Daniel’s Personal Faithfulness in a Foreign Land (Chapter 1)

  1. Daniel and his friends taken into Babylonian captivity (1:1-7)

  2. Daniel resolves not to defile himself with royal food (1:8-16)

  3. Daniel and his friends excel in wisdom (1:17-21)

B. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of the Great Statue (Chapter 2)

  1. Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream (2:1-13)

  2. God reveals the dream to Daniel (2:14-23)

  3. The dream interpreted: Four world empires and the coming Kingdom of God (2:24-45)

  4. Nebuchadnezzar honors Daniel (2:46-49)

C. The Fiery Furnace: God’s Deliverance of His Faithful Servants (Chapter 3)

  1. Nebuchadnezzar erects a golden statue and demands worship (3:1-7)

  2. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow (3:8-18)

  3. They are thrown into the fiery furnace but miraculously saved (3:19-27)

  4. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of God (3:28-30)

D. Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride and Humiliation (Chapter 4)

  1. Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a great tree (4:1-18)

  2. Daniel interprets the dream as a warning of judgment (4:19-27)

  3. Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall: He is driven to madness (4:28-33)

  4. Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration and confession of God’s sovereignty (4:34-37)

E. Belshazzar’s Feast and the Writing on the Wall (Chapter 5)

  1. Belshazzar’s blasphemous feast (5:1-4)

  2. The handwriting on the wall appears (5:5-9)

  3. Daniel interprets the message of judgment (5:10-28)

  4. Belshazzar is slain, and Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians (5:29-31)

F. Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Faithfulness Under Persecution (Chapter 6)

  1. Daniel rises to prominence under Darius (6:1-3)

  2. Daniel’s enemies conspire against him (6:4-9)

  3. Daniel prays despite the king’s decree (6:10-15)

  4. Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den and miraculously saved (6:16-23)

  5. Daniel’s accusers are punished, and Darius acknowledges God’s power (6:24-28)

II. Prophetic Section: Daniel’s Visions of the Future (Chapters 7–12)

A. The Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man (Chapter 7)

  1. Four beasts representing four empires (7:1-8)

  2. The Ancient of Days and the coming of the Son of Man (7:9-14)

  3. Interpretation of the vision (7:15-28)

B. The Vision of the Ram and the Goat (Chapter 8)

  1. The ram (Medo-Persia) and the goat (Greece) (8:1-8)

  2. The rise of a little horn (Antiochus IV) (8:9-14)

  3. Gabriel explains the vision (8:15-27)

C. Daniel’s Prayer and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy (Chapter 9)

  1. Daniel’s prayer of repentance for Israel (9:1-19)

  2. Gabriel’s response: The prophecy of the seventy weeks (9:20-27)

D. The Final Vision of Israel’s Future (Chapters 10–12)

  1. Daniel’s vision of a heavenly being (10:1-9)

  2. Angelic conflict in the spiritual realm (10:10-21)

  3. Prophecies concerning Persia, Greece, and the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties (11:1-35)

  4. The rise of the Antichrist figure (11:36-45)

  5. The resurrection and final judgment (12:1-4)

  6. Daniel’s final instructions and promise of rest (12:5-13)

Visual Images in Daniel

  • The Great Statue (Daniel 2) – Represents successive world empires.

  • The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3) – Symbolizes God’s deliverance amid persecution.

  • The Handwriting on the Wall (Daniel 5) – God’s judgment on arrogant rulers.

  • The Lion’s Den (Daniel 6) – Faithfulness under trial and divine protection.

  • The Four Beasts (Daniel 7) – Represent the kingdoms of the world.

  • The Son of Man on the Clouds (Daniel 7:13-14) – The Messianic king.

  • The Ram and the Goat (Daniel 8) – Symbolic of Medo-Persia and Greece.

  • Michael the Archangel (Daniel 10:13, 12:1) – A key figure in spiritual warfare.

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Other Biblical References to Daniel

  • Daniel is referenced or alluded to in several places throughout Scripture:

    1. Ezekiel 14:14, 20 – Daniel is mentioned as a righteous man alongside Noah and Job.

    2. Ezekiel 28:3 – Daniel is noted for his wisdom.

    3. Matthew 24:15 – Jesus refers to “the abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11).

    4. Mark 13:14 – Another reference to the abomination of desolation.

    5. 1 Corinthians 6:2 – Paul speaks of the saints judging the world, possibly echoing Daniel 7:22.

    6. Revelation 1:7 – Daniel 7:13-14’s vision of the Son of Man coming on the clouds is referenced.

    7. Revelation 11-13 – Parallels exist between Daniel’s prophecies of the beastly kingdoms and the beasts in Revelation.

    8. Revelation 19:20, 20:10 – The final judgment of the beast, similar to Daniel 7:11, 26.

Next Steps

Search this theme in Daniel: Kingdom (King, reign, rule, throne, law, etc.)

  1. Read Daniel & keep a journal.

  2. Look for the key words: dominion, kingdom, king, rule, reign, prince, law, land, obey, serve, etc.

  3. Write out the verse with the key word in it. Look for at least one per chapter.

  4. Look for the concept which is connected to the key word & identify how it is being used.

  5. Identify the eternal truth that is being taught.

  6. Look for some of these verses in the New Testament especially their connection to Jesus, his people & his gospel along with the human sin nature, forgiveness of sin & righteousness.