Daniel

Introduction

The study of Bible prophecy does not always yield exact verifiable knowledge, and many Bible readers are discouraged from making the effort to study it. Some argue that it is premature to study prophecy and seek the correct information that Bible prophecy contains. In doing so, they point to the many prematurely proclaimed ends of the world and the coming of the kingdom of God. On the other hand, we can note a great effort to translate the Bible in its native language as best as possible by people who are sincere believers, linguistically gifted, endowed with patience, a strong will, and a conviction that they will thus contribute to a better understanding of the Scriptures. If the former were right, the efforts of the latter would be quite futile. In the Bible itself we read:

" For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4;

Notice that the Apostle Paul associates instruction from the Scriptures with encouragement and hope. You probably know even from your own experience that understanding important things that can move you forward in what you are interested in brings encouragement and strengthens your spirit and hope for a successful outcome.

" All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16,17;

We see that the Scriptures are God's help to man, for instruction, for revealing the truth, for training in righteousness, for correction; they serve for encouragement in the hope of which the Scriptures bear witness. The purpose of Scripture is to prepare everyone to do good works . It is written in the Torah that good is always associated with the promotion of life and evil is associated with death. Deut. 30:15; "See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil; " The Hebrew word "Torah," which is the name given to the first five books written by Moses, can also be interpreted as "instruction."

Note : The Hebrew word תּוֹרָה (torah) comes from the verbal root י-ר-ה (yarah), which means "to show," "to lead," "to instruct," or "to throw, to cast" (in the sense of to throw an arrow - i.e., to direct). Literal meanings of "Torah" can therefore include: instruction, teaching/learning, instruction, law (in the sense of a rule or standard of conduct), directive, guide

In common religious and cultural contexts, "Torah" is usually translated as "Law", but this is only a partial and rather traditional translation - a more literal translation would be more like 'teaching' or "instruction". For example:

תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה (Torat Moshe) = "the doctrine of Moses" or "the law of Moses"

הַתּוֹרָה (ha-Torah) = "the doctrine" or "the instruction" - a reference to the Five Books of Moses

The Torah and all of Scripture serve as a guide, instruction, teaching for life. Not only for the present life, but especially for the enduring, never-ending life, for God, the Creator, made man to live forever .

The Apostle Paul writes that the Scriptures are for teaching, for encouragement, for conviction, for correction, that we may be sufficiently equipped to do good works. This is also true of Bible prophecy. That is why those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are declared blessed in the opening of John's Revelation, "...for the time is at hand." The word "keep" is a translation of the Greek "téreó" which also means to guard, to keep, to preserve. The King James Bible uses the apt word "keep," which can also be loosely translated as not to forget, not to lose sight of.

Bible prophecy is not intended to gain some sensational revelation of the future. But to people who allow themselves to be patiently and persistently educated by the Word of God, it gives such people a testimony of the future development of mankind and its governments. Of the salvation of mankind from extinction which God is preparing for those who trust and take refuge in him. Thanks to God's Word, we also know that the last beast of the entire Babylonian epoch will be replaced by God's government, which will establish a righteous government on earth.

One of the characteristics of Scripture is timelessness, and this is even more true of prophecy. Most Bible prophecies are written in such a way that their understanding comes only when their fulfillment is imminent. It cannot be otherwise, because they were spoken and written down at a time when, for some of the pictures of the future described, there were no concepts in the lifetime of the prophet. Hence the terms then common in Bible prophecy are used in a symbolic way. For example, a head or a horn are symbols for a ruler and personified power. The eyes may signify prophets. The mountain represents the kingdom, its center, the capital of the kingdom. For example, Jerusalem or Babylon. The animals in Daniel's prophecy symbolize the kingdom, and the great statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream symbolizes the era that then began and will end with the coming of God's kingdom.

We will encounter all of this in this larger study. In the way the book of Daniel is analyzed and examined, this study probably differs from many other studies and interpretations. It is intended to show how to work with Bible prophecy rather than to interpret it in detail. Daniel's prophecies, like John's book of Revelation, describe a prophetic picture of the end of an entire (Babylonian) era based on now historically known events that have already occurred once, in a so-called small fulfillment. So we have something to go on.

The individual chapters of the book of Daniel form one great whole, consisting of prophecies, of stories told by Daniel and his friends, of events bearing witness to God's mighty acts in the sight of the most powerful rulers of the day and their respect for the God of Israel. The whole book is God's message to the rulers of the world to realize that the authority of all heaven and earth is over them and should be respected. That is why Daniel recorded in chapters 3-6 the mighty acts of God that He did in the sight of kings and the highest dignitaries. Their testimony is as valid today as it was then.

We will add the chapters as they are completed.

Chapter 1. The beginning of Daniel's story.

Chapter 2. Humanity's evolution to world government

Chapter 3. Deliverance from the Fiery Furnace