Major Prophets · Old Testament

The Book of Daniel

Daniel demonstrates God's sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms through the faithfulness of Daniel and his companions in exile and through prophetic visions of future kingdoms and the ultimate reign of God.

Chapters
12
Testament
Old
Category
Major Prophets
Traditional Author
Traditionally attributed to Daniel

Overview

Daniel was taken captive to Babylon as a young man and served in the courts of Babylonian and Persian kings. The first half of the book records events demonstrating faith and God's power: Daniel's refusal of the king's food, the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, and the lions' den. The second half contains apocalyptic visions of four great kingdoms, the rise and fall of empires, and the coming of "one like the Son of Man" who receives an everlasting kingdom. The book declares that God rules over the kingdoms of men.

Key Themes

  • God's sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms
  • Faithfulness to God under persecution
  • Prophetic visions of future kingdoms
  • The coming of God's everlasting kingdom

Key Verses

"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."

Daniel 2:44 (NKJV)

"If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Daniel 3:17-18 (NKJV)

How It Applies Today

Daniel shows that faithful devotion to God is possible even in hostile circumstances and that God is able to deliver those who trust in Him. The courage of Daniel and his friends inspires believers to stand firm in their convictions regardless of the cost. The prophetic visions assure believers that God's kingdom will ultimately triumph over all earthly powers.