In the Book of Daniel, we see the remarkable journey of a young man who, through God's sovereignty, rises from a position of obscurity to great influence in Babylon. At the end of Daniel 1, God grants Daniel wisdom, influence, and health due to his faithful decision to remain undefiled by Babylonian culture and food. Yet, in the transition to chapter 2, these gifts are immediately threatened or disregarded as Daniel, still a young man of 18 or 19, holds little sway among the seasoned advisors of King Nebuchadnezzar, referred to as magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers. When Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream, Daniel is not even consulted initially and remains unaware of the crisis until an order is issued to execute all the wise men, including himself, thus putting his life and God-given blessings at risk. Despite this dire situation, God's sovereignty shines through as Daniel, under threat of death, responds with wisdom and faith. God places Daniel in a foremost position of leadership in Babylon, demonstrating His control over history and every detail of human affairs. This sovereignty is the primary theme of the entire Book of Daniel, evident in how God fulfills His promises to Daniel despite the looming threat of extermination. Nebuchadnezzar's dream, given by God, serves as a prophetic revelation of future events, further underscoring God's authority over the course of history. The Book of Daniel also reflects God's concern for diverse peoples through its linguistic structure, with chapters 2 through 7 written in Aramaic, the language of Babylon, making it accessible to that audience, while chapters 8 through 12, concerning the future of the Israelite people, are in Hebrew. This dual-language use supports the authenticity of the book, as only someone like Daniel, fluent in both languages from his time in the Babylonian court, would compose it in such a manner. Daniel's response to the crisis is marked by prayer and faith, as he leads his friends in seeking God's insight. With remarkable confidence in God's will, Daniel requests an audience with the king to reveal the dream and its interpretation even before God discloses it to him. That night, after fervent prayer with his companions, God reveals the dream to Daniel, who then interprets it for Nebuchadnezzar, giving full glory to God and taking no credit for himself. Daniel's prayer upon receiving the revelation praises God's wisdom and power, acknowledging that these attributes are imparted to mankind by God, and it reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty that permeates the narrative.

The Book of Daniel, particularly in chapters 7 and 8, presents prophecies received by Daniel through visions, with interpretations inspired by God. These visions focus on four successive world empires, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Chaldean-Babylonian Empire, followed by Cyrus' Medo-Persian Empire, Alexander the Great's Greco-Macedonian Empire divided among four generals after his death, and a fourth empire of Roman origin, extending through history to modern times. The visions in chapters 7 and 8 parallel the vision of a great statue in Daniel 2, each emphasizing Gentile world powers leading to a culmination where a divine kingdom, established by the Lord of heaven, replaces the fourth empire. In Daniel 2, this divine kingdom is depicted as a stone, representing Jesus Christ, cut without human hands from a mountain, which destroys the preceding kingdoms and grows to fill the earth. In Daniel 7, the Ancient of Days is shown seated in judgment, destroying the final enemy, after which the Son of Man comes with the clouds of heaven to receive dominion, glory, and an everlasting Kingdom. Daniel 7:18 further states that the saints of the Most High will receive and possess this Kingdom forever. Daniel's visions, spanning from the sixth century BC to beyond the second coming of Jesus Christ, are conveyed through vivid imagery rather than mere lists of facts or dates. Chapter 7, originally written in Aramaic, marks the beginning of a trans-historical section of the book, distinct from the historical accounts of the first six chapters detailing Daniel's service under kings like Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. Chapters 7 to 12 record visions that transcend specific time periods, revealing God's control over history and the ultimate establishment of His Kingdom. In Daniel 7, four beasts emerge from the Great Sea, symbolizing turbulent nations and representing four kingdoms characterized by strength, cruelty, and treachery, lacking godliness. The first beast, a lion, corresponds to the Babylonian Empire; the second, a bear, represents the Medo-Persian Empire with conquests over three regions; the third, a leopard, signifies the swift rise and division of Alexander's Greek Empire into four parts; and the fourth, a terrifying, unique beast with iron teeth and ten horns, represents a Roman-like power with enduring influence. A little horn emerges among the ten horns, uprooting three and displaying human-like traits with boastful speech, indicating a significant individual ruler. The vision in Daniel 7 parallels Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue in Daniel 2 but offers God's perspective, portraying worldly kingdoms as beastly and corrupt, in contrast to human admiration of their glory. It reveals God's sovereignty over history, the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ over worldly nations, and the future reign of the saints with Him. In the vision's climax, the Ancient of Days presides over judgment, stripping the beasts of authority, while the Son of Man, identified as Jesus Christ, is granted everlasting authority, glory, and sovereign power over all peoples and nations.

The Book of Daniel vividly illustrates the power of God's protective and saving promises through the trials faced by Daniel and his companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Their stories underscore the theme of God's supreme authority over history and human rulers. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a statue with a gold head representing his Babylonian kingdom, succeeded by lesser but stronger kingdoms, ultimately overthrown by the eternal Kingdom of God. Displeased by this vision, Nebuchadnezzar constructs a massive golden statue in Daniel 3, defying God's decree by asserting his kingdom's permanence. He demands worship of this statue, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refuse, standing firm in their conviction to obey God over the king. Their refusal leads to a confrontation where they are thrown into a fiery furnace, yet they emerge unharmed, accompanied by a fourth figure, demonstrating God's presence and protection in their trial. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar's pride is further challenged through another vision of a great tree, representing himself, which is cut down due to his arrogance. Daniel interprets this as a warning that the king will lose his sanity for seven years until he acknowledges the sovereignty of the Most High God. This prophecy comes to pass as Nebuchadnezzar, after boasting of his achievements, is driven to live among beasts until his reason returns, leading him to confess the supremacy of God. Throughout these accounts, the Book of Daniel emphasizes that God rules over all, humbling the proud and upholding those who remain faithful to Him, regardless of earthly opposition or consequences.

The Book of Daniel reveals the meaning of history with unparalleled clarity, demonstrating how to live for God in ungodly times. It portrays Daniel as a godly man in the secular society of Babylon, a situation akin to believers today navigating a world that often disregards God. Babylon, in Daniel's era, typifies kingdoms that reject God, mirroring much of the modern world. Daniel and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, faced immense pressure to conform, allowed to practice their faith only if it remained private, much like contemporary challenges where religion is sidelined from public spheres. Despite the apparent triumph of worldly powers, as exemplified by Nebuchadnezzar's belief in his own supremacy, God revealed to Daniel that He controls history. His purposes unfold even through the captivity of His people, and He will ultimately establish an eternal Kingdom. The central theme of Daniel is the sovereignty of the living God, whose Kingdom endures forever and whose dominion is unending. This message remains profoundly relevant for those living in secular, materialistic times. Daniel's life offers a powerful example of triumph without compromise in a hostile environment. He refused to bow to worldly idols, faced hatred and plots, yet excelled in public life to God's glory through trust in Him. His friends, summoned before Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship a golden statue, displayed unwavering faith, providing a model of character for facing similar trials today. Historically, Daniel and his companions were taken to Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Judah in 605 BC, trained for service while their sacred temple articles were placed in a pagan treasure house, symbolizing a perceived victory of heathen gods. Yet, the narrative underscores that God was sovereign over Jerusalem's fall, using it as punishment for sin, and repeatedly demonstrated His power through miracles in Daniel's life and those of his friends. These events, from their health on a simple diet to deliverances from fiery furnaces and lions' dens, affirm God's control over human affairs and His ability to protect His faithful. The Book of Daniel contrasts two societies: Babylon, representing the earthly city driven by self-love, and Jerusalem, symbolizing God's city rooted in love for Him. This struggle between worldly and divine ways, evident in Nebuchadnezzar's pride and eventual humbling, remains relevant as a contemporary lesson in resisting secular humanism. Daniel and his friends, though less visible than worldly powers, made a lasting difference through their faithfulness, showing that personal holiness and devotion to God are crucial for impacting the world positively.

The Book of Daniel contains significant prophecies, particularly in chapters 11 and 12, which form the longest prophecy recorded. Chapter 10 serves as the prelude, while chapter 12 completes this extensive revelation. The first thirty-five verses of Daniel 11 cover historical events before the time of Christ, detailing intricate relationships among forgotten historical figures and emphasizing that God rules over human history, knowing the end from the beginning. These prophecies expand on earlier visions given to Daniel, answering his prayer for deeper understanding of God's plans for Israel. In the Hebrew organization of the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel is placed among the writings, not the prophets, as Daniel is referred to as a seer or wise man rather than a prophet by title. His role as a statesman in a secular court, rather than a mediator between God and the nation, aligns with this classification in the third division of the Hebrew Canon, known as the Kethubhim or writings. Daniel 11 chronicles the rise of kings from Persia and Greece, detailing conflicts between the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria, as well as the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Specific historical fulfillments include the reign of Xerxes, the division of Alexander the Great's empire into four parts without descendants inheriting, and precise events such as the political marriage of Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy II, to Antiochus Theos of Syria. Antiochus IV Epiphanes is highlighted for his deceitful rise and desecration of the temple, marking the abomination of desolation. Chapter 12 promises salvation for God's people out of tribulation, their resurrection, and provides a timeframe for the great tribulation. It describes characteristics of the last days, urging the righteous to live faithfully amidst persecution. The prophecy includes unfulfilled portions concerning future events, such as the actions of the King of the South and the King of the North, leading to the Great Tribulation. Specific time periods like the 1,290 and 1,335 days are mentioned, indicating precise durations predetermined by God, culminating in the return of Christ. The overarching theme of the Book of Daniel underscores the sovereignty of God, who condemns rebellious powers and delivers His faithful people. Despite surrounding wickedness, God's people are encouraged to stand firm, live righteously, and reflect His glory, trusting in His promises and ultimate plan for their inheritance at the end of days.

The Book of Daniel presents a profound exploration of God's sovereign control over world history, offering comfort to both the Jewish nation and the future church of God amidst the destruction by the Babylonians. In chapters 8 through 12, Daniel reverts to Hebrew to survey the future of the Jewish nation under Gentile dominion, focusing on prophecies concerning the end times. Chapter 8 narrows to a vision of a ram and a goat, representing the Medo-Persian and Greco-Macedonian empires, respectively, with Israel under their rule. The ram, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire, emerged in 539 BC with two horns indicating the dominance of the Persian element, while the goat, representing the Greco-Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great, appeared in 331 BC, marked by swift conquests and a great horn symbolizing Alexander himself. This horn was broken upon Alexander's sudden death in 323 BC, leading to the division of his empire into four parts by 301 BC among his generals: Ptolemy, Seleucus, Lysimachus, and Cassander. The vision in chapter 8 elaborates on earlier prophecies, corresponding to the second and third parts of Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the statue in chapter 2 and the bear and leopard of chapter 7, providing additional details about these middle portions of history. A significant shift to Hebrew from Aramaic in chapter 8 underscores a focus on the Jewish people, distinguishing it from the Aramaic sections of chapters 2 through 7, which addressed Gentile world empires. A little horn arises from one of the four divisions of Alexander's empire after 301 BC, symbolizing a future ruler in the latter days who will stand against the Prince of Princes at His second coming. This prophecy includes the cessation of daily sacrifices and the desecration of the sanctuary for a period described as twenty-three hundred evenings and mornings, equating to eleven hundred and fifty days, with a dual fulfillment anticipated in the latter days beyond the historical actions of Antiochus Epiphanes from 167-164 BC. In chapter 9, Daniel, troubled by the vision of chapter 8, turns to study Scripture and prayer, seeking mercy for Jerusalem as the seventy years of desolation prophesied by Jeremiah near their end. The angel Gabriel appears, revealing a further period of seventy sevens for God's people, providing a chronological framework for future events. Daniel's prayer in this chapter is a model of confession and intercession, acknowledging the sins of his people and pleading for God's mercy, identifying himself with their guilt. The first half of the Book of Daniel offers narratives of Daniel and his friends in pagan Babylon, demonstrating God's protection in a hostile environment, while the second half focuses on prophetic visions, emphasizing practical lessons within symbolic elements that are not all equally difficult to interpret.

In the Book of Daniel, the sovereignty of God is a central theme, demonstrating that the Most High rules over kings and provides protection for His faithful servants. Through the first four chapters, it is evident that nothing can happen unless God allows it, and even when He permits trials, He grants strength to endure them. Chapters 5 and 6 continue to emphasize God's supreme authority, the importance of faithful prayer, and the strength of convictions based on truth. In Chapter 5, the narrative unfolds during a period of political instability in Babylon following the death of Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled for 43 years. His successors, including his son Evil-Merodach, son-in-law Neriglissar, grandson Labashi-Marduk, son-in-law Nabonidus, and finally Belshazzar, who co-ruled with Nabonidus, faced a waning empire. By the time Belshazzar became co-ruler, Babylon was in chaos, threatened by the advancing armies of Media and Persia. Despite the looming danger, Belshazzar held a riotous feast for a thousand officials, desecrating sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple by using them to drink wine and toast to Babylonian gods. During this feast, a disembodied hand appeared, writing on the wall, terrifying Belshazzar and his nobles. Unable to interpret the ominous message, they summoned Daniel, now an elderly man, who declared it as a judgment against Belshazzar's kingdom. That very night, in 533 BC, Darius the Mede overthrew Babylon, and Belshazzar was killed, marking a significant judgment from God. In Chapter 6, Daniel's unwavering dedication to God is highlighted as he faces a grave threat. Promoted to a high position, Daniel's faithfulness incites jealousy among his peers, who conspire against him by convincing King Darius to issue a decree forbidding petitions to any god or man except the king for thirty days, under penalty of being cast into a den of lions. Despite the edict, Daniel continues his custom of praying three times daily with his windows open, showing no compromise in his convictions. His enemies report him, and though Darius is reluctant, the unchangeable law of the Medes and Persians forces him to condemn Daniel to the lions' den. God protects Daniel by shutting the lions' mouths, ensuring his safety through the night. The next morning, Darius finds Daniel unharmed and, in awe of God's power, decrees honor to Daniel's God. The conspirators, however, are thrown into the den and killed by the lions, demonstrating God's justice. Throughout these accounts, Daniel exemplifies steadfast faith and conviction, standing alone against a hostile culture yet remaining secure in the knowledge of God's power and protection. The narratives underscore that God's will prevails, whether through miraculous deliverance or through judgment on the wicked, affirming His ultimate authority over all.

In the Book of Daniel, particularly in Chapter 9, Daniel addresses God as the great and awesome God, emphasizing His fearsome and reverent nature. Daniel recognizes God as deeply involved in human history, overseeing the affairs of individuals and nations, yet also as a transcendent Being whose Holiness and Majesty remain untouched by worldly events. His throne remains secure amidst earthly turmoil, surrounded by heavens, angels, and archangels. Daniel's prayer in Chapter 9 seeks mercy for Jerusalem, reflecting his concern for the fulfillment of God's promises as the 70 years of desolation near their end. In response, the archangel Gabriel is sent to impart skill and understanding, revealing the prophecy of seventy weeks. This prophecy outlines a chronological framework of seventy weeks of years, totaling 490 years, from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to significant future events. The prophecy divides into seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and one final week, with key events occurring after sixty-nine weeks, amounting to 483 years from the decree in 457 BC to 27 AD, marking a pivotal moment in history. The Book of Daniel also highlights the connection between faith and intelligence, urging thoughtful consideration of God's revelations. Gabriel instructs Daniel to understand the vision, emphasizing wisdom as a divine gift. The prophecy's six goals in Daniel 9:24 address the resolution of sin and the establishment of righteousness, pointing to a future age characterized by divine justice and the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes. In Chapters 10 through 12, forming the longest unit in the book, Daniel receives a detailed vision prefaced by fasting and self-discipline. Chapter 10 reveals spiritual warfare, as Daniel, mourning for his people's future trials, encounters a glorious angelic being, likely Gabriel, delayed by a powerful opposing force for three weeks until assisted by the archangel Michael. This struggle underscores God's protection over His people, even amidst unseen battles. Chapter 11 presents the longest prophecy, detailing future conflicts, while Chapter 12 serves as a postscript, reinforcing God's control over history and His ultimate triumph. Daniel's experiences, from prayerful intercession to receiving divine visions, demonstrate God's meticulous plan in history. Despite opposition from spiritual forces, God's messengers prevail, assuring Daniel and strengthening his resolve, affirming that God remains sovereign over all events, both earthly and heavenly.

The Book of Daniel, particularly in chapter 12, focuses on the time of the end, highlighting a period of unprecedented trouble for God's people, as described in verse 1 with Michael the archangel standing up to assist and sustain them. This time of distress, known as the Great Tribulation, is set to last three-and-a-half years, or a time, times, and half a time, equivalent to 1,260 days or forty-two months, as noted in Daniel 7:25 and 12:7. The angel reveals to Daniel that his prophecies would remain sealed until the end of the age, when the wise would understand their meaning. Specific time periods of 1,290 days and 1,335 days are mentioned, each beginning with significant prophetic events and culminating at the return of Jesus Christ. Daniel 12:11 states that from the time the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be 1,290 days, suggesting a possible restoration of the twice-daily sacrifice by the Jews in modern Israel, though not necessarily requiring a rebuilt Temple. It is indicated that the armies of the Beast may ban this ritual upon entering Jerusalem, leading to the 1,290 days until the Messiah's appearance. Additionally, Daniel 12:12 pronounces a blessing on those who endure until the 1,335 days, a period starting 1,335 days before Christ's coming, though the exact starting event remains unclear. During these times, God's people are called to endure, with a place of refuge provided for them during the 1,260 days of the Great Tribulation, as described in Revelation 12:14-16. At the conclusion of these 1,260 days, Jesus Christ will return to earth. In the interim, the process of purification, being made white, and refined continues for the faithful, as noted in Daniel 12:10, preparing them to be among the blessed who reach the 1,335 days.

The Book of Daniel holds a significant place in understanding key prophecies, particularly through the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as described in Daniel 2:32-35. This dream, interpreted by Daniel, symbolizes various empires, beginning with Babylon at its height under Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC), who expanded his dominion from Persia to Egypt, conquered Judah, and took its citizens into captivity. His reign not only marked rapid ascension to world supremacy but also saw extensive beautification and fortification of Babylon, making it the largest and most magnificent city of the ancient world, though steeped in paganism with numerous temples and shrines. In a parallel prophecy in Daniel 7, Daniel saw four beasts, the first representing Babylon through the imagery of a lion with wings, symbolizing the swift and formidable nature of Nebuchadnezzar's early reign filled with war and destruction. Later, as his aggression waned, he focused on cultural and building pursuits, and was eventually humbled to acknowledge God's sovereignty. The successive Babylonian kings continued in peaceful endeavors until the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Persian in 539 BC. The lion imagery extends beyond Babylon, suggesting that qualities of this empire will reappear in future powers contrary to the way of God.

In the succession of world-ruling empires, the Book of Daniel presents the Medo-Persian Empire as the second kingdom, symbolized by the chest and arms of silver in King Nebuchadnezzar's vision. This empire, arising after Babylon, is described as inferior, though it controlled a larger territory, nearly double the size of Babylon, with conquests spanning from Asia Minor to Egypt under rulers like Cyrus and Cambyses. The inferiority is reflected in its internal disunity, symbolized by the two arms of the image and the bear raised up on one side, indicating Persian dominance over the Medes, as well as struggles over succession to the throne. Despite strong rulers maintaining the empire for over two centuries, it ultimately fell to Alexander's Macedonian army. The Book of Daniel further portrays the Medo-Persian Empire in other prophecies, depicting it as a ram with two horns of different heights, representing the Medes and Persians, with the taller horn signifying the later rise of Persian power. The ram's westward, northward, and southward conquests highlight its significant expansions, though its eastern campaigns were less consequential. Ultimately, the ram is overthrown by a he-goat, symbolizing Alexander's swift and unstoppable conquest, leading to the empire's collapse in just six years. The enduring traits of this empire are also suggested in later visions, where the end-time Beast power exhibits characteristics akin to the bear's formidable strength.

The Book of Daniel provides significant insight into the nature and scope of the end-time Beast through various visions and interpretations. In Daniel 7:23, an angel describes the fourth beast as a kingdom that shall be different from all others, devouring the whole earth, trampling it, and breaking it into pieces. This phrase, "the whole earth," translated from the Aramaic words kol and 'ara', does not always imply the entire globe but can refer to a more limited region, as seen in other contexts within Daniel. For instance, in Daniel 2:39, the third kingdom, understood as the empire of Greece under Alexander the Great, is said to rule over all the earth, yet it did not encompass every part of the world, only a significant portion of the Near East and Middle East. Similarly, in Daniel 4:1, 11, 20, Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom is described with the same phrase, though it was not truly global. In Daniel 6:25, King Darius addresses all peoples, nations, and languages in all the earth, yet his reach was not worldwide. The exception is in Daniel 2:35, where the stone that becomes a great mountain filling the whole earth represents the rule of Jesus Christ, which will indeed be global. In Daniel 8:5, a male goat, also representing Alexander, is described as coming across the surface of the whole earth, yet his empire covered only a fraction of the planet's land. These examples indicate that "the whole earth" often refers to the territory of the Near East, Middle East, and North Africa, particularly areas related to the land promised to Israel. Additionally, Daniel 11:21-45 details the movements and conquests of the final king of the north, identified as the end-time Beast. This king conquers and rules in the same general region as historical figures like Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander, focusing on areas near the Promised Land rather than achieving global domination. Thus, the scope of the Beast's empire, as depicted in Daniel, may be more localized than a worldwide dominion, though no less fearsome for those within its reach.

By far, Daniel provides more details about the fourth world empire of Nebuchadnezzar's image than the first three. He describes this part of the image in Daniel 2:33 as having legs of iron and feet partly of iron and partly of clay. The body parts and the quality of the metal help in understanding the identity and characteristics of each empire. Like previous empires, this one is divided into two parts, represented by the two legs and two feet, and later further divided into ten toes, indicating a separation of powers into ten parts. The iron legs suggest strength far superior to the previous empires, just as iron is stronger than bronze, though it also shows a diminished quality of culture. With the addition of clay, a material that will not bond to iron, its power declines to the point of being partly strong and partly fragile. The clay also impacts the qualitative aspects, and verse 43 indicates the empire's internal unity will be very unstable in its final form, though it will retain some toughness. The phrase "mingle with the seed of men" in verse 43 suggests either cultural and political diversity preventing long-term unity or a mongrelized people no longer upholding the original nation's values and goals, resulting in fragile cohesion within the final stages of this kingdom. Daniel 7 expands on the image in Daniel 2, linking the huge iron teeth and the beast's actions to the legs and feet of Nebuchadnezzar's image. While the legs, feet, and toes suggest a continuous progression and dominance on the world scene, Daniel 7 shows that this empire would rise and fall in successive kingdoms and empires, represented by horns, until the last days. The ten horns are described as ten kings arising from this kingdom in Daniel 7:24. The last horn, the last head, and the ten toes represent a future final resurrection of this empire, a terrifying and brutal power soon to arise upon the earth. This final revival will be brief, made up of another ten horns or kings who give their power to a dictator known as the Beast. One of their main purposes is to make war with the Lamb Christ, but they will be destroyed in His wrath at His Second Coming. As the colossal image of Daniel 2 had two legs and two feet, this empire had two divisions, and the final resurrection is assumed to have its ten toes split between west and east, likely inhabiting areas formerly ruled by the empire and its subsequent revivals.

The Book of Daniel contains significant prophecies that have been a focus of the church's teachings, particularly Nebuchadnezzar's image in chapter 2 and the beasts representing world empires in chapter 7. Among these, the Seventy Weeks Prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 stands out as a crucial revelation given to Daniel by the cherub Gabriel in 538 BC, around the time of Cyrus's decree allowing the Jews to return to Judah. This prophecy emerged from Daniel's prayer for forgiveness of Israel's sins and his unspoken question of when the Messiah would come, to which God provided this detailed response. The Seventy Weeks Prophecy, spanning verses 24 to 27, is not only prophetic but also poetic, employing contrasts typical of Hebrew poetry. Gabriel outlines that within seventy weeks, meaning seventy sets of seven years, God's entire plan will be fulfilled. The prophecy begins with a decree to rebuild Jerusalem, identified as the decree by Artaxerxes I in 457 BC, leading to the rebuilding of Jerusalem over forty-nine years until 408 BC. Following an additional 434 years, the timeline reaches AD 27, marking the start of Jesus's ministry at about thirty years of age, suggesting His birth around 4 BC. Further, the prophecy details that the Messiah would be cut off after sixty-two weeks, specifically in the middle of the seventieth week, indicating a ministry of three and a half years ending in AD 31 with His crucifixion. This event, occurring on a Wednesday, Nisan 14, aligns with the prophecy's timing and signifies the end of the need for animal sacrifices through His selfless act for mankind's redemption. The latter part of the prophecy also addresses the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans, from whom a future figure of opposition is expected to rise, predicting ongoing wars and desolation until the end.

The Book of Daniel provides significant insight into end-time events and the deliverance of God's people. In Daniel 11:40, the phrase "time of the end" sets the context for the prophecies discussed. Daniel 12:1 further clarifies that at this time, God's people shall be delivered, specifically those whose names are written in the Book of Life. The term "delivered" here can mean to slip away or escape, indicating a separation or segregation of some of God's people during this period. This deliverance is tied to the resurrection in Daniel 12:2, though it remains unclear how much these individuals will have endured before their escape, suggesting possible time gaps within the end-time context. The language in Daniel echoes other prophetic passages, emphasizing a unique and unprecedented time of trouble, underscoring the critical nature of the events and the need for divine intervention to ensure the survival of God's faithful.

The Book of Daniel provides significant insights into the nature of God's sovereignty and human pride through the experiences of Nebuchadnezzar, a prominent Gentile ruler. Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful and intelligent leader, was also deeply proud of his accomplishments and constantly sought further conquests and honors. God used a dream to impart a critical lesson to him, a lesson that remains relevant for us today. In this dream, detailed in verses 10-16, Nebuchadnezzar saw a great tree representing both Babylon and himself as its king. Unable to interpret the dream, he turned to his wise men, who failed to assist, and then to Daniel, whose reputation for wisdom was well-known. The pivotal message of the dream, as conveyed in verses 17 and 18, was to teach Nebuchadnezzar that God is the sovereign ruler over His creation. He acts according to His will, at the time of His choosing, and through whomever He selects. This truth underscores that, despite appearances on earth, God is always working out His purpose. Our duty is to faithfully obey Him, regardless of the intensity of the times or the sacrifices required. Even in a wealthy nation facing decline and increasing distractions, we must remember that God remains on His throne, steadily moving toward His goal, expecting us to keep pace with Him and not be pulled down by surrounding influences.

The book of Daniel holds a significant place in understanding the end times, offering the broadest and most vital information on this subject among Old Testament writings. The name Daniel itself means "God judges" or "God is Judge," reflecting the central theme of divine judgment woven throughout the book. It portrays God as the sovereign ruler who oversees matters on earth to fulfill His purpose of establishing His Kingdom. In various episodes, such as with Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, Daniel in the lions' den, and Belshazzar, the book illustrates how God evaluates and overrules the judgments of kings, demonstrating His ultimate authority and power to alter human decisions. Through these accounts, it becomes evident that God's judgments can swiftly change circumstances, debasing the proud and protecting the faithful, affirming His constant involvement in the affairs of men.