Daniel
The book of Daniel tells the story of Daniel, a Jewish captive in Babylon, who rises to prominence through his wisdom and faith in God. Daniel interprets dreams and visions for King Nebuchadnezzar, including a dream about a great image that represents a series of kingdoms that will rise and fall, and a dream about a tree that represents Nebuchadnezzar's own downfall. Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, face persecution and danger, but God delivers them from harm. The book also includes visions of the future, including the rise and fall of various kingdoms, the coming of the Messiah, and a final period of great trouble before the resurrection of the dead. Throughout the book, Daniel's faith and trust in God are contrasted with the pride and arrogance of the kings of Babylon and Persia, and the book ultimately points to the triumph of God's kingdom over all human kingdoms.
Chapter 1
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and took some of the vessels of the house of God, as well as some of the children of Israel, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to serve in his palace. The king ordered them to be taught the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans and provided them with a daily provision of the king's meat and wine. However, Daniel refused to eat the king's meat and wine, and instead requested to be given pulse to eat and water to drink for ten days, after which his countenance appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than the others. God gave the four children knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and they stood before the king, found to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in the realm.
Chapter 2
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him, but he couldn't remember it. He demanded that his wise men tell him the dream and its interpretation, threatening to kill them if they failed. The wise men said it was impossible for them to do so, but Daniel, a Jewish captive, asked for time and prayed to God for the answer. God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, who then told the king that the dream was about a great image with different parts made of gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay, which represented a series of kingdoms that would rise and fall. The image was destroyed by a stone cut out without hands, symbolizing the kingdom of God that would be established and last forever. The king was impressed and made Daniel a high-ranking official, along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Chapter 3
Nebuchadnezzar built a golden image and ordered everyone to worship it when they heard music, threatening to throw anyone who refused into a fiery furnace. Three Jewish officials, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to worship the image, and Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the furnace. However, they were unharmed, and a fourth figure, like the Son of God, appeared with them in the fire. Nebuchadnezzar then praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and promoted the three men in the province of Babylon.
Chapter 4
King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream about a great tree that is cut down, and he calls upon Daniel to interpret it. Daniel explains that the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar himself, and that he will be driven from men and live like a beast for seven years as punishment for his pride. Despite Daniel's warning to repent, Nebuchadnezzar does not change his ways, and the prophecy is fulfilled when he is suddenly driven mad and forced to live in the wilderness. After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity is restored, and he praises and honors God for his power and dominion.
Chapter 5
King Belshazzar held a feast and used the golden vessels from the temple in Jerusalem to drink wine, praising the gods of gold, silver, and other materials. A hand appeared and wrote on the wall, causing Belshazzar to become troubled and seek the interpretation from his wise men, who were unable to decipher the message. The queen suggested calling Daniel, who was brought before the king and offered a reward if he could interpret the writing. Daniel refused the reward but explained the message, which stated that Belshazzar's kingdom was numbered and finished, he was found wanting, and his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Despite this warning, Belshazzar promoted Daniel, but that night he was killed, and Darius the Median took the kingdom.
Chapter 6
King Darius appointed 120 princes and three presidents, with Daniel as the first president, to oversee the kingdom. The other presidents and princes sought to find fault in Daniel but could not, so they convinced King Darius to issue a decree that no one could pray to any god or man except the king for 30 days, or they would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel continued to pray to his God, was caught, and thrown into the den of lions, but God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths, and Daniel was unharmed. The king was overjoyed and had Daniel's accusers thrown into the den of lions, where they were killed, and then issued a decree that all people in the kingdom should fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.
Chapter 7
Daniel has a dream in which four beasts emerge from the sea, each representing a different kingdom. The beasts are a lion with eagle's wings, a bear, a leopard with four wings and four heads, and a fourth beast with iron teeth and ten horns. The fourth beast is diverse from the others and has a little horn that speaks great things and makes war with the saints. The Ancient of Days sits in judgment and gives dominion to the Son of Man, who is given an everlasting kingdom that all people will serve. The four beasts are interpreted as four kings that will arise, but the saints of the most High will take the kingdom and possess it forever.
Chapter 8
Daniel has a vision of a ram with two horns, representing the kings of Media and Persia, which is defeated by a goat with a notable horn, representing the king of Greece. The goat's horn breaks into four smaller horns, symbolizing four kingdoms that will rise from Greece but not with the same power. A king with a fierce countenance will eventually rise, destroying many and prospering through deceit, but will ultimately be broken without human intervention. The vision is explained to Daniel by the angel Gabriel, who tells him that it will be fulfilled in the latter days.
Chapter 9
Daniel prays to God, confessing the sins of Israel and asking for forgiveness and restoration of Jerusalem. He acknowledges that the 70-year desolation of Jerusalem, as prophesied by Jeremiah, is almost complete. While Daniel is praying, the angel Gabriel appears to him, explaining that 70 weeks have been determined for Israel and Jerusalem to finish transgression, make an end of sins, and bring in everlasting righteousness. Gabriel also provides a timeline, stating that 7 weeks and 62 weeks will pass before the Messiah comes, and that after the Messiah is cut off, the city and sanctuary will be destroyed, and desolations will continue until the end of the war.
Chapter 10
Daniel received a vision in the third year of Cyrus' reign, but it was unclear and caused him to mourn for three weeks. A man clothed in linen appeared to him, describing a future time of conflict and struggle for the Israelites. The man, who was likely an angel, told Daniel that he had been sent to help him understand the vision, but was delayed by the prince of Persia, and was aided by Michael, a chief prince. The angel then touched Daniel and gave him strength to hear the message, which included a warning about the prince of Grecia and a promise to show Daniel the truth from scripture.
Chapter 11
A series of kings will rise in Persia, with the fourth being the richest and most powerful, who will stir up conflict against Greece. A mighty king will then rise and rule with great dominion, but his kingdom will be broken and divided among others. The king of the south and the king of the north will engage in a series of conflicts, with the king of the north eventually gaining the upper hand. A vile person will then rise to power, working deceitfully and gaining control through flattery. He will wage war against the king of the south, but will eventually be troubled by news from the east and north, leading to his downfall.
Chapter 12
Michael will stand up for God's people during a time of great trouble, and those whose names are written in the book will be delivered. Many who have died will be resurrected, some to eternal life and others to shame and contempt. The wise will shine brightly, and knowledge will increase until the end. A period of 1,290 days will pass from the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the abomination is set up, and those who wait until the 1,335 days will be blessed.
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