Daniel

Old Testamentprophecy12 Chapters357 verses

Daniel contains stories of faithfulness in exile and apocalyptic visions of God's sovereign control over empires and history. The first half records Daniel and his friends maintaining faith under Babylonian and Persian rule. The second half presents visions of successive world empires culminating in God's eternal kingdom through the 'Son of Man.'

Chapters

Book Outline

1-6Life in Exile

Daniel's faithfulness in diet, interpreting dreams, fiery furnace, lions' den, handwriting on the wall.

7-12Apocalyptic Visions

Four beasts, ram and goat, seventy weeks, final conflict and resurrection.

Key Themes

God's Sovereignty Over History

God raises up and deposes kings; all empires serve His purposes.

Faithfulness Under Pressure

Daniel and friends demonstrate that believers can remain faithful even in hostile environments.

The Coming Kingdom

God will establish an eternal kingdom that will crush all human kingdoms.

The Son of Man

A divine-human figure receives everlasting dominion from the Ancient of Days.

Key Verses

DAN 7:13-14

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 was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion.

The Son of Man vision, foundational for Jesus' self-designation.

DAN 3:17-18

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it... But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods.

Bold declaration of faith regardless of outcome.

DAN 2:44