The Eternal revealed Himself through Daniel as a sovereign, all-powerful, governing God who is to be obeyed. In the prophecy, Daniel spoke of a succession of world-ruling kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Chaldean Empire as the head of gold. After this, a second kingdom, the Persian Empire under Darius and others, arose, inferior to the Chaldean in some aspects but still powerful. This empire was part of the great metallic image representing national and international governments, real and literal kingdoms that bear rule over the earth. The Persian Empire followed the Chaldean in the time sequence of these world empires, marking its place in the historical progression of dominant powers as foretold by Daniel.

King Darius considered placing Daniel over the whole realm in the Medo-Persian Empire during the sixth century BC, as Daniel distinguished himself above the other governors and satraps. Jealous of his position, the other governors conspired against him, manipulating the king's vanity to sign a decree that anyone petitioning any god or man other than Darius for thirty days would be cast into a den of lions. Despite knowing the decree, Daniel continued praying and giving thanks to God on his knees three times a day. The politicians reported Daniel to the king, who, saddened by the situation but bound by the law of the Medes and Persians, commanded the sentence be carried out. After Daniel spent a night in the lions' den, he emerged unharmed, demonstrating God's protection through His angels, as Daniel remained innocent of breaking God's law and respected the leadership placed over him.

After seventy years in Babylonian captivity, the Jews began returning to Canaan. Under Ezra and Nehemiah, the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt, and the Temple was restored under Zerubbabel and Joshua. During this period of restoration and return, the influence and decrees of Darius played a significant role in facilitating the rebuilding efforts, ensuring the protection and support of the Jewish people as they reestablished their presence in the Promised Land.