The Major Prophetic Books MjP4:The Book of Daniel The Statesman and Prophet

1. Bible Study for Pr-Servants The Major Prophetic Books MjP4:The Book of Daniel The Statesman and Prophet Dec 17, 2011

2. Lecture Points • Between Ezekiel (last lecture) and Daniel • Who is Daniel? • Overview of the Book of Daniel • Individual Chapters summary • Christ in the Book of Daniel • Practical values from this book

3. References • Holy Bible (the “Open Bible” – New King James Version) • Various commentaries on the Book of Daniel • Internet articles and presentations

4. Daniel and Ezekiel

5. Who Is Daniel? • Descended from one of the noble families of Judah (Daniel 1:3) and was probably born in Jerusalem about 623 B.C., during the reign of Josiah. • At the first exile of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar , Daniel and three other noble youths were carried off to Babylon along with some of the vessels of the Temple. • He was obliged to enter into the service of the king of Babylon and was trained in the royal schools (Daniel 1:4). According to the custom of the age, received the Chaldean name of “Belteshazzar”, i.e. “Prince of Bel” OR “Bel protect the king” • 4. Daniel rose to the rank of governor then “chief of the governors” over all the wise men of Babylon.

6. Overview of the Book of Daniel • The first six chapters are largely narrative, with some prophecies interspersed. They narrate the life of Daniel from his exile in Babylon up to his old age. • The last six chapters are largely prophetic, with only a bit of narrative regarding how each vision came to him.

7. BOOK OF DANIEL AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL The Book of Daniel has 3 main sections: 1. Introduction to the person of Daniel (Chapter 1) 2. Daniel’s key tests of character and development of his prophetic interpretation skills (Chapters 2-7) 3. His series of visions about future kingdom" and events (Chapter" 8-12)

8. Mostly Narrative (chs 1-6) • Daniel trained in royal service (1) • Nebuchadnezzar’s image dream (2) • The golden image & fiery furnace (3) • Nebuchadnezzar's tree dream (4) • The handwriting on the wall (5) • Daniel in the lions' den (6)

9. BOOK OF DANIEL AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL I. The Historical setting of Daniel (Chapter 1: 1-21) A. Daniel and his friends deported to Babylon (1: 1-7) B. The faithfulness of Daniel and his friends in Babylon (1:8-16) C. The promotion of Daniel and his friends in the King's court (1: 17-21)

10. BOOK OF DANIEL Chapter 1 demonstrates Satan's strategy of demoralizing people he takes captive (or he desires to take captive)  Steps: 1 - Took them captive 2 - Attempt to steal their identity with their God and their heritage and purpose (to cause them to forget who they were in God.) Note: on the positive side: God changes our names when we come to Him!!!! 3 - Attempt to defile them with an identity of a "new thinking" Note: The Israelites who came out of Egyptian bondage had allowed themselves to assimilate the ways and thinking of Egypt!

11. Nebuchadnezzar's image (2) • An unusual image w/ gold head, silver upper body, bronze lower body, iron legs, iron & clay feet • Daniel interprets the parts as picturing world empires to come (Babel, Persia, Greece, and Rome).

12. Golden image & fiery furnace (3) • Nebuchadnezzar has a golden image built which he commands all to bow down & worship. • Daniel's companions refuse to worship the image & are thrown in a fiery furnace. • God rescues them in the midst of the fire.

13. Nebuchadnezzar's tree dream (4) • A mighty tree is cut down, leaving only stump & roots. • Daniel: judgment to come for pride of Nebuchadnezzar. • Dream fulfilled: Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, madness, & recovery.

14. Handwriting on the wall (5) • Belshazzar uses the sacred dishware from God’s temple. • A mysterious message appears. • Daniel: your empire is at an end. • That night the kingdom is taken.

15. Daniel in the lions' den (6) • Daniel is punished for praying to anyone but the king. • God protects Daniel from the lions, but his accusers are later devoured.

16. Mostly Prophecy (chs 7-12) • Daniel’s dream of the four beasts (7) • His vision of the ram & goat (8) • His prayer & the message of the 70 sevens (9) • His vision of the heavenly man (10) • The angel's message (11-12)

17. The four beasts (7) • Lion, bear, leopard, & terrible beast appear. • Then a throne scene w/ Ancient of Days • Son of Man receives universal kingdom. • Four kingdoms to come, then judgment, then eternal kingdom of saints

18. Ram & goat (8) • Ram w/ 2 unequal horns conquers all. • He in turn is defeated by a goat with 1 horn, which horn breaks & is replaced by 4 horns. • Ram = Medes & Persians • Goat = Greece

19. The 70 sevens (9) • Daniel repents for self & Israel. • God sends an angel with this message. • 70 sevens determined upon your people & your holy city…

20. The heavenly man (10) • Daniel sees a shining man, is terrorized • Is this Gabriel? • Mentions princes of Persia & Greece (seemingly angelic) • Comes with message for Daniel

21. The angel's message (11-12) • The doings of the coming kings of the north and the south • The king who exalts himself (Antichrist) • The end-times • The wise will understand at that time.

22. Christ in the Book of Daniel • The Great Stone who will crush the kingdoms of this world (2:34, 35, 44). • The Son of Man who is given dominion by the Ancient of Days (7:13, 14). • The vision of the 70 weeks (9:25, 26) pinpoints the coming of the Messiah.

23. The End What are some of the practical values of Daniel’s prophecy?

24. Some Practical Values • God's people must typically live as a minority in their dispersion. We need to know how to do so in time of difficulties. • We (like Daniel) need to do our best in the situation God puts us in. • We need to use the opportunities He provides. • We gain strength and encouragement from knowing how it all ends.