OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL

Introduction

“Now while I believe it to be most important for us to remember that, for the real spiritual understanding of the word of God, and for its use as bearing on our consciences, we need no knowledge but that which the Spirit has given us in the word, yet we may often find truths intimated in the prophetic Scripture, which throw much light upon what we learn as facts from other sources.  This is a very different thing from using history in a manner for which God has given us no warrant, as though the world could be illuminated by any such doubtful, defective, and glimmering light of man’s kindling.” (Tregelles, Tregelles on Daniel, 7^th Ed., 1965, p. 31)

Historical Narrative

• BABYLON’S REIGN OVER JERUSALEM
  • Daniel 1 – near the beginning of Babylonian captivity (c. 510 B.C. using Bible’s chronology)
    • Key phrase: “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.” (Dan. 1:2)
  • Daniel 3 – during the captivity – God’s saints enduring fire
  • Daniel 5 – end of Babylonian captivity (c. 459 B.C.).  Drunken feast of Babylon leads to siege by the Medes and Persians
    • Key phrase: “Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his concubines drank from them.” (Dan. 5:3)

• MEDO-PERSIA’S REIGN OVER JERUSALEM
  • Daniel 5:30-31 – Beginning of Medo-Persia’s reign
  • Daniel 6 – During Medo-Persia’s reign – God’s saint endures the lions

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Dreams, Visions, and Revelations

• Nebuchadnezzar’s Dreams
  • Daniel 2 – Dream concerning the 4 kingdoms that would rule much of the world and the people of God (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome), contrasted with God’s Kingdom.  Daniel interprets the dream.
  • Daniel 4 – Dream concerns Nebuchadnezzar’s reign in Babylon.  Daniel interprets.

• Daniel’s Dreams/Visions
  • Daniel 7 – Dream concerning the 5 kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream (4 world kingdoms + God’s Kingdom, see Daniel 2).  Notable difference: Daniel sees these world kingdoms as beasts, and Nebuchadnezzar sees them as a glorious statue.  Dream interpreted by one standing near Daniel.
  • Daniel 8 – Vision concerning the 2 kingdoms that would come after Babylon: Medo-Persia and Greece.  Angel Gabriel interprets vision.
  • Daniel 9 – Revelation concerning God’s Kingdom, the Kingdom of Christ.  Revelation given by the angel Gabriel.
  • Daniel 10-12 – Vision and revelation concerning further details of the 2 kingdoms arising after Babylon (Medo-Persia and Greece), with allusions to Antichrist, Christ’s return, and the end of the age.  Vision and revelation given most likely by Christ (see his authority in Dan. 8:16 and 12:6; also compare Dan. 10:5-20 with Revelation 1).  

Connection Between Daniel and Revelation

In many regards, what Daniel is to the Old Testament corresponds with what the book of Revelation is to the New Testament.  Throughout the book of Revelation, there are numerous references and allusions to the contents of Daniel.

A link between Daniel and Revelation:

Similarities between Daniel’s last vision and John’s first vision in Revelation:

Daniel’s last vision (begins Dan. 10)	Revelation’s 1st vision (Rev. 1)
Man clothed in linen (10:5)	Revelation 1:13.Priests wore linen (Ex. 28:42), as well as those dwelling in heaven (Rev. 15:6; 19:8,14). Seems that the garment of Christ in Rev. 1:13 was probably linen.
Girded with gold (10:5)…at the waist.Girding at the waist “denotes preparation for battle or for active exertion” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary, see also Judges 3:16; 2 Sam. 20:8; Ps. 45:3; John 13:4)	Girded with gold (Rev. 1:13)…at the chest.Girding at the chest with gold denotes dignity, the apparel of kings and priests (Ex. 28:8; Eze. 44:18).
Body like beryl (10:6)	A stone set in high priest’s ephod (Ex. 28:20) and in the heavenly temple (Rev. 21:20).  Also is among the colors seen in the glory of God (Eze. 1:16,28).
Face shining (10:6)	Mt. 17:2; Rev. 1:16 – face shining.
Eyes like torches of fire (10:6)	1:14 – “eyes like a flame of fire”
Arms and feet like bronze (10:6)	1:15 – “feet like fine brass”
Voice like a sound of a multitude (10:6)	1:15 – “His voice as the sound of many waters” (compare with Rev. 17:15)
Daniel falls down after seeing vision (10:8-9)	1:17 – “when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.”
The Man’s hand touched Daniel (10:10)	1:17 – “He laid his right hand on me”
Daniel was greatly beloved (10:11)	Compare John 21:20 and 21:24 – John was “the disciple whom Jesus loved”
Tells Daniel not to fear (10:12)	1:17 – “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.”
Man has likeness of a son of men (10:16)	1:13 – “One like the Son of Man”
Daniel’s vision ends with a sealed scroll (12:4,9)	Revelation’s vision begins with a scroll whose seals are removed (5:4-5)