THE BOOK OF DANIEL

AN
ASSIGNMENT

ON
THE MAJOR PROPHETS

SUBMITTED TO: - MRS. GLORY S.

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

MASTER OF DIVINITY

SUBMITTED BY: - ROSHAN M.V

CLASS: - M-DIV 3RD 1-SEM
REG.NO:- 189/21
DATE:- 25/09/22

CENTRAL INDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ITARSI, MP.

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 OUTLINE

Introduction

1. The adversity in faithfulness (1-6)

1.1 Daniel’s deportation to Babylon (1:1-7)

1.2 Daniel’s faithfulness in Babylon (1:8-16)

1.3 Daniel’s reputation in Babylon (1:17-21)

2. Visions concerning the kingdom (7-12)

2.1 Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s vision
2.2 The four beasts
2.3 The ram and the he-goat
2.4 The seventy weeks
2.5 The final vision
3. The Great Tribulation and the Rising up

CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Introduction

1. The adversity in faithfulness (1-6)

 The Responsibility of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-3) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one
hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of
whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer
no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an
excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
(NKJV) (Daniel 6:1-3) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps,
to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the
satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel
distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and
the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.1

1.1 Daniel’s deportation to Babylon (1:1-7)

1:3–4. Along with the temple vessels, Nebuchadnezzar had a group of young men brought
to Babylon for the purpose of immersing them in Babylonian culture. Those chosen for training in
royal service had to meet five qualifications. They had to: (1) be young; (2) be of royal or noble
birth; (3) be physically fit; (4) be intellectually sharp; and (5) possess the poise and presence of
mind to stand before the king. Assimilation was the purpose of this training: “. . . to teach them the
literature and language of the Chaldeans” (Dan. 1:4). Nebuchadnezzar did not want to put these
young men to work; he wanted to turn them into Babylonians.

1:5–7. The king’s method to babylonianize Daniel and his friends included a rich diet, a
three-year educational curriculum, and a name change. These things, coupled with their unfamiliar
surroundings, would result in four young men committed to the Babylonian way of life. Daniel’s
concern was based on spiritual considerations more than nutritional or physical issues. The king’s
rich food was considered unclean by Jewish dietary laws. No doubt some of this food had been
sacrificed to idols, making it an insult to God to eat it.2

1.2 Daniel’s faithfulness in Babylon (1:8-16)

Daniel’s first moment of resolute noncompliance and it evidently occurs at the very
beginning of his new life in Babylon. Notice, however, which of the four actions of reeducation
that Daniel resolves to defy. He went away to Babylon rather than resisting unto death. He learns
the language and literature of the Babylonians, just as he is commanded to do. He even
acknowledges and answers to his new Babylonian name, Belteshazzar.[1] Yet Daniel draws the
line of nonconformity at eating the king’s food and drinking the king’s wine, which is the very
element of his new life that Daniel may have been tempted to hold as a consolation for all that he
was forced to experience. Why, therefore, did Daniel view taking the king’s food and wine as an
act of defilement?

1
https://slideplayer.com/slide/7037500/ ( Accessed on 23/08/22,9:50pm)
2
https://s3.amazonaws.com  texasbaptists, Daniel and His Friends ,(Accessed on 23/08/22,10:05pm)

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 Daniel is resolved to maintain a visible display that he is dependent upon the LORD rather
than upon Nebuchadnezzar, yet how will the man of God make his intended defiance known? We
read: Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Take special
notice of two words. Daniel asked to be allowed not to defile himself. He pointedly did
not demand special treatment. He did not appeal to his status as a servant of the Most High, the
only true and living God; instead, this young man already had the wisdom to understand, as we
saw last week, that God Himself had given he and his friends into exile. His recognition of God’s
ultimate authority over his circumstances enables him to treat with honor his immediate authority,
the chief eunuch. His defiance, therefore, is resolute but not revolutionary. His appeal to his
superior was humble, meek, and without fear.3

1.3 Daniel’s reputation in Babylon (1:17-21)

Daniel’s and his friends excelled in the various fields of study, for God gave them
knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom’’ ( verse 17) it illustrates the truth the man of God
had said to Eli many years before: ‘’Those who honor me I will honor’’ ( 1 Sam. 2:30). Even a the
Babylonians forced them to undertake a process of assimilation, the true source of their wisdom
was not the Chaldean curriculum, but the God of Israel.
Daniel’s special gift was the ability to understand visions and dreams, as had Joseph in the
book of Genesis. In the first half of book of Daniel he interprets dreams for others, while in the
second half he receives the vision’s and dreams himself. The prophet might well have prayed with
the psalmist, ‘’you through your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies: for they ever
with me I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I
understand more than ancient, because I keep your precepts. At the end of the three-year course
the Hebrew captives had their final exam. As in British Universities in times past, the final test, it
seems, was oral, not written. Nebuchadnezzar personally evaluated them, and he found Daniel and
his friends 10 times better than all the students, hence he had them selected to serve him (Dan.
1:19). Subsequently, when he consults them, he found them even better than all magicians and
astrologers in his realm (verse 20).4

2. Visions concerning the kingdom (7-12)

Chapter 7 The vision of the four beasts, the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man: The
first six chapters of Daniel are very different in form and content from the last six chapters. The
first six deal with history and stories, whereas the last six embody visions and prophecy of things
to come, revealed directly to Daniel.
Chapter 8The vision of the ram and the goat: This visions contained in this chapter
were given Daniel in the third year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, which would place it two years
after the vision recorded in the previous chapter.
Chapter 91. Daniel’s prayer for his people: Now we find Daniel in a kingdom that is
ruled by a new nation, the Medo-Persian empire, no longer in Babylonian rule.2. The seventy
weeks prophecy: After Daniel’s prayer to the Lord, Gabriel is sent to him to explain what will
happen in the future.
Chapter 10Opening to Daniel’s final vision: Chapter 10 begins what will be a three
chapter explanation of the final vision that Daniel records for us to read. This first chapter of the
series records the opening and background to the vision.
Chapter 11A prophecy of history: This chapter continues what was started in the
previous chapter with a revelation given to Daniel of the coming kingdoms and rulers. This
chapter lays out the details of the things to come in great detail, beginning with the next kings of
Persia.
3
Cole Newton, faithfulness in Babylon Daniel (Meadow: Western Baptist Church, 2021).,.
4
Gerhard Pfandl, Daniel the seer of Babylon(Hagerstown: publishing Association,2004).,18

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 Chapter 12
The time of the end: The culmination of this prophecy that was begun in chapter 10 is
here, as Daniel is told about the time of the end. It would seem that this passage is describing a
time that has yet to happen, one that would mean a great tribulation for the people of God.5
2.1 Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s vision
2.2 The four beasts
The first beast ‘The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings
were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand upon two feet like a
man; and the mind of a man was given to it.’ (Daniel 7:4) The winged lion is familiar in
Babylonian art. The eagle was a symbol of swiftness and the lion one of strength and nobility (II
Samuel 1:23). The eagle was the king of birds, and the lion the king of beasts. They correspond to
the image’s head of gold, the metal which was regarded as the noblest and most valuable of all
metals.
The second beast ‘And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up
on one side; it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, “Arise, devour much
flesh.”’ (Daniel 7:5) Although the bear is not so swift as the lion, it was equally feared owing to its
great strength and the unpredictability of its actions. The lion and bear are mentioned together a
number of times in Scripture,5 and both were clearly objects of special fear and respect. In a
similar way the rival powers of Babylon and Media together commanded the nations’ fear and
respect.
The third beast ‘After this I looked, and lo, another, like the leopard, with four wings of a
bird on its back; and the beast had four heads; and dominion was given to it.’ (Daniel 7:6) The
swift and agile winged leopard contrasts vividly with the clumsy, lop-sided bear. Such was the
contrast between the ponderous Median empire and the brilliant, swiftly-moving armies of Cyrus
the Persian. The early kings that followed Cyrus were not as brilliant as he, but they certainly
moved much faster and more purposefully than the Medes. Now the main characteristic of this
third kingdom is, like that of the ‘bronze’ kingdom, one of widespread authority or ‘dominion’,
which was the chief characteristic of Persia. This is shown by the four wings symbolizing the four
winds, one for each of the ‘four corners of the earth’.
The fourth beast:-The remarks made about the legs of iron in the first vision apply also to
this fourth beast. It is not likened to any known animal. In strength, ferocity and probably speed it
exceeded anything the orient could imagine. From the distant west Alexander descended on the
east like a thunderclap, shattering the armies of earth’s mightiest empire with a speed and
thoroughness the world had never witnessed before. The verses quoted above convey very vividly
the sense of terror which struck the east when the powerful city of Tyre fell to Alexander in 332
B.C. (see Ezekiel 26:15-21). The fourth beast is said to be ‘different’ from the first three beasts.
5
https://twentyeighteighteen.com/2015/09/12/daniel-7-12-visions-and-revelations/( (Accessed on
23/08/22,11:27pm)

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The western nation of Greece was a complete contrast to the oriental Babylonian, Median and
Persian empires. Her culture was alien and her method of fighting also was completely different,
enabling her with small armies easily to defeat the vast but unwieldy hosts of the east.6
2.3 The ram and the he-goat
This Vision of the “RAM” and “HE-GOAT” occurred in the “Third Year” of the reign of
Belshazzar, B. C. 538, or two years after the previous Vision of the Four Wild Beasts. It occurred
in the same year as the “Fall of Babylon,” and probably before its “fall,” and its purpose was to
inform Daniel what Empires were to succeed the Babylonian. and to further trace the Little Horn,
for it is worth v of note that while the prophecies of Isaiah relate mainly to the “Christ,” the
Visions of Daniel are for the purpose of unveiling the ANTICHRIST. The Prophet was in Babylon
when he received the Vision, but was transported in spirit to Shushan, the Capital of Persia, in the
Province of Elam, where as he stood by the side of the river Ulai, he saw a wonderful sight.
THE RAM
“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a RAM
which had ‘TWO HORNS:’ and the ‘Two Horns’ were high, but one was higher than the other,
and the higher came up last. I saw the RAM pushing Westward, and Northward, and Southward;
so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand;
but he did according to his will, and became great.”
THE HE-GOAT
“And as I was considering, behold, a HE-GOAT came from the West on the face of the
whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the GOAT had a ‘Notable Horn’ between his eyes.
And he came to the RAM that had ‘Two Horns,’ which I had seen standing before the river, and
ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the RAM, and he was
moved with choler (rage) against him, and smote the RAM, and brake his ‘Two Horns:’ and there
was no power in the RAM to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped
on him: and there was none that could deliver the RAM out of his hand.”7
2.4 The seventy weeks
Daniel 9:24-27, commonly referred to as the prophecy of “Daniel’s 70 weeks.” A proper
analysis of Daniel 9:24ff. Involves several factors. First, one should reflect upon the historical
background out of which the prophetic utterance arose. Second, consideration should be given to
the theological aspects of the Messiah’s work that are set forth in this passage. Third, the
chronology of the prophecy must be noted carefully; it represents a prime example of the precision
of divine prediction. Finally, one should contemplate the sobering judgment that was to be visited
upon the Jewish nation in the wake of its rejection of Christ. Let us give some attention to each of
these issues.

6
https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/gic/chapter-3.pdf, 1980( Accessed on 23/08/22,11:53pm).
7
clarence larkin,the book of Daniel (America:Litchfield Associates,2009).,

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Daniel’s inspired record regarding the “seventy weeks” is a profound demonstration of the validity
of scriptural prophecy. It not only foretells the coming of the Messiah, but details His benevolent
work. The prophecy also pinpoints the very time of Jesus’ crucifixion. Finally, it reveals the
disastrous consequences of rejecting the Son of God. How thankful we should be to Jehovah for
providing this rich testimony.8
2.5 The final vision
Daniel 10-12) is from the period of Cyrus, the king of Persia, who ascended the throne
only a few months after Darius. (According to some traditions, Cyrus was Darius's son-in-law.)
Cyrus appears in Tanakh mainly in two places. Yishayahu speaks of him in his prophecy:
He Who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, and shall do all that I desire,” and Who says
of Jerusalem, “It shall be built,” and of the Sanctuary, “Its foundation shall be laid:” So says God
to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and to
loosen the loins of kings, to open doors before him, and that the gates should not be shut: I shall
go before you, and make the crooked places straight; I will shatter the doors of brass, and cut
down the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places,
in order that you will know that I am the Lord who calls you by your name, the God of Israel. For
the sake of My servant, Yaak, and Israel, My chosen one, I have called you by your name; I have
given you a title, though you have not known Me.9
3. The Great Tribulation and the Rising up

CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY

8
Wayne Jackson, M.A. Daniel’s prophecy of the “seventy weeks” (U.S.A: Apologetic Press,).,1-2.
9
https://www.etzion.org.il/en/tanakh/ketuvim/sefer-daniel/daniel-13-final-vision,(Acceseed on 30/08/22,8:26pm)

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 1.1 Daniel’s deportation to Babylon (1:1-7)
1.2 Daniel’s faithfulness in Babylon (1:8-16)
1.3 Daniel’s reputation in Babylon (1:17-21)
2. Visions concerning the kingdom (7-12)
2.1 Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s vision
2.2 The four beasts
2.3 The ram and the he-goat
2.4 The seventy weeks
2.5 The final vision
3. The Great Tribulation and the Rising up

CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY

ROSHAN M.V
M-DIV 3RD I- SEM

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