THE BOOK OF DANIEL Part 1 – Bro. David Rice

THE BOOK OF DANIEL [Part 1] – By Bro. David Rice

“O Daniel … thou art greatly beloved: therefore, understand the matter, and consider the vision” (Daniel 9:22, 23).

To this devoted worshipper of Jehovah were granted prophecies and visions of a unique kind. They span the history of the world from his day, during the Babylonian empire ruled by Nebuchadnezzar, until the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ and the resurrection of the dead, mentioned in Daniel 12:2.

REMARKABLE PROPHECIES

The prophecies of Daniel are remarkable for at least three reasons: (1) they are uncommonly precise and specific, (2) they predict exact time periods in God’s Plan, (3) Several of the symbols in Revelation are drawn from the symbols used in Daniel. Thus the study of Daniel is necessary in order to understand the book of Revelation. Let us examine these three features.

(1) PRECISION

Daniel was a young man when Babylon became an empire, and an old man when Persia replaced it as an empire. Yet Daniel recorded in advance the name of the country which would later succeed Persia as an empire, namely Greece (Daniel 8:21). This itself is remarkable, because when Daniel wrote, Greece was a disunited gathering of city states. Before it could ever mount a threat to become an empire it would first need to be united, and this did not happen until the days of King Philip, who was the father of Alexander the Great. [King] Philip reigned from 360 to 336 BC. Thus his reign ended, and Alexander’s reign began, about two centuries after Daniel passed away. In other words, Daniel saw two centuries into the future to identify Greece as the next world empire.

But there is more to this prediction. Daniel said the king which made Greece into an empire — that was Alexander the Great — was represented by a “great horn” on the head of a goat which represented Greece. In Daniel’s vision that horn was broken and in its place four horns rose up. Here is Daniel’s comment:

“The rough goat is … Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king (of Greece as an empire). Now that being broken, whereas four (horns) stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power” (Daniel 8:21, 22). In other words, the prophecy accurately predicted that after Alexander the empire would not endure whole, but would split into four parts.

A succeeding prophecy specified that Alexander’s son would not rule any of those new kingdoms. “When he (Alexander) shall stand up (become king), his kingdom shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity” (Daniel 11:4).

To understand the uniqueness of such a prediction, one must look at the history of the two empires preceding Greece, namely Babylon and Medo-Persia. Here are the successive rulers of Babylon, and the years they reigned over the kingdom.

Nabopolassar	21 years
Nebuchadnezzar	43 years
Amel-Marduk	2 years
Neriglissar	4 years
Labashi-Marduk	a few months
Nabonidus	17 years

The Belshazzar of Daniel 5:1 was the son of Nabonidus. He was not emperor in his own right, but was made co-regent in Babylon during the third year of Nabonidus and ruled Babylon for his father while Nabonidus was away from the city on extensive leaves. It was Belshazzar who lost the throne when the Medes and Persians, ruled by Cyrus, took Babylon in 539 BC (Daniel 5:30). Then followed these rulers of the Medo-Persian empire.

Cyrus	9 years
Cambyses	8 years
Bardiya	(months)
Darius	36 years
Xerxes	21 years
Artaxerxes	41 years
Darius II	19 years
Artax. II	46 years
Ochus	21 years
Arogos	2 years
Darius III	4 years

The forces of Darius III were conquered by Alexander who then took the empire. Notice that throughout these two empires, Babylon and Medo-Persia, the kingdom always passed unified from one ruler to the next. In most cases the successor was a son of the previous king. Yet Daniel predicted, two centuries in advance, that after its first ruler, the Grecian empire would not pass unified to a successor. Instead it would break into four distinct kingdoms, *{*The four kingdoms which fragmented from Alexander’s empire were Macedonia, Thrace, Syria, and Egypt. These four were originally ruled by Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy, respectively. Cassander subsequently ordered the death of Olympias (mother of Alexander), Roxana (widow of Alexander), and Alexander IV (son of Alexander the Great).} none of them governed by Alexander’s posterity.

These unexpected twists in the affairs of history could not be “guessed” at by Daniel. It was God who foreknew these things, and God who caused his angelic ministers to communicate these visions to Daniel. This type of prophecy sets the Bible apart from all other writings. These unique prophecies are an evidence of divine inspiration. “I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9, 10).

[A]Daniel, the Prophet (Michelangelo)

(2) EXACT TIME PERIODS

Daniel’s prophecies contain precise time prophecies. We will note several as we examine this book in future issues. Here we note but one. It is the prophecy from Daniel chapter nine of the coming and death of Messiah, fulfilled by Jesus.

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity … from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem. … Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself” [B](Daniel 9:24, 25). [Dan. 9:24,25,26]

Christians have long recognized this to be a time prophecy pointing to our Lord Jesus and his death as our atonement for sin. The “seventy weeks” are acknowledged by both Christians and Jews to refer to weeks of years, which would be 70 x 7 = 490 years. But there have been a variety of theories about the specific dates marked by this prophecy.

Today the evidence is clear that Jesus died on Calvary’s cross in the spring of 33 AD. The precise Julian date was April 3, 33 AD. The Gospel narratives record that Jesus died on Friday, the day before the Jewish Sabbath. That Friday was also the “preparation of the Passover,” the day the Israelites killed their Passover lambs at the temple in Jerusalem (John 19:14). This was Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar. It was not common for Nisan 14 to fall on a Friday, but this did occur on April 3, 33 AD.

Counting 490 years earlier brings us to 458 BC as the commencement of the prophecy. (490 minus 33 AD yields 457, plus 1 to account for the absence of a year “zero” between BC and AD years, yields 458 BC in the spring of the year.) At this time Persia ruled the world, and in particular Artaxerxes was king of that empire. Today, the history of those times is known with clarity from a network of ancient records. The uncertainty of past years is no more. The spring of the year 458 BC commenced the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes. This date can be verified from any number of current reference works.

This is the year which the scriptures explicitly identify with a decree from this king, given to Ezra the scribe, to return to Jerusalem to “enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:14). The decree is cited at length in Ezra 7:11-26, and dated in verse seven to the “seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.” [Ezra 7:7]

Here [in Daniel], then, is not only a prophecy predicting the advent of Christ as Messiah, and his death for our redemption, but a precise time prophecy marking the very year of his sacrifice. The time from the decree given to Ezra to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the death of Jesus on the cross, was predicted to the very year — 490 years exactly. How could Daniel know this? How could he span the chasm of more than five centuries from his day, and identify the very year of Jesus’ death?

Only the Spirit of God could do this. It is another firm evidence for our faith that the Scriptures are the inspired word of God. They are a trustworthy and reliable guide to the Plan of God, because they were written through the Spirit of God. “The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

(3) BASIS FOR REVELATION

The visions of Daniel are the basis for several of the symbols used in Revelation. Notably, in the seventh chapter Daniel records a dream of four beasts, representing four empires which ruled Israel — Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (Daniel 7:17). The four beasts were a Lion, Bear, Leopard (with four heads for the four divisions of that empire), and lastly one described as “dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly”, which describes the Roman Empire (Daniel 7:7). That beast had ten horns, representing the countries of Europe which sprouted from the Roman Empire.** {**The original ten may have been those listed below, following the observation of Bro. James Parkinson that coins from these tribes all display the diadem which was emblematic of their right to rule by authority of the Roman Emperor who then governed from Constantinople: Heruli, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Vandals, Visigoths, Suevi, Franks, Burgundians, Allemans, Anglo-Saxons.} Among those horns rose another little horn which grew in stature. It dominated the others and persecuted the Lord’s people for centuries (Daniel 7:8, 21, 22).

That “stout horn” (verse 20) [Dan. 7:20] is easy to identify in history. After the demise of the Roman Empire, the Roman Church dominated the kings of Europe and persecuted the Lord’s people until their persecuting power was broken in the late 18th century. [C]The “time, times, and half a time” [Dan. 7:25] of their power (Daniel 7:26) has long been identified as 3½ “times” of 360 years each, thus 1260 years total. These years began in 539 AD and ended in 1799 AD. We will speak more of this in later articles. The reader can find details of this application in Volume Three of “Studies in the Scriptures,” titled The Kingdom of God, chapter three, “Days of Waiting for the Kingdom.”

These very symbols, and this very time prophecy, appear again in Revelation chapter 13. There a dreadful beast rises from the sea, its various parts described as the four beasts of Daniel chapter seven. This beast in Revelation “made war with the saints for 42 months,” which is 3½ “times” of 12 months each.

Revelation mentions this prophetic period five times, terming it variously 1260 days, 42 months, 3½ times. In each case it refers to the same period. The key to the prophecy is that each day represents a year in fulfilment, as with the prophecy of 70 weeks just examined. (See this prophetic key also in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6.) Thus Revelation builds upon the symbols of Daniel. This remarkable book, Daniel, is a prophetic primer for Revelation.

TWO PARTS

The Book of Daniel is divided in our common version into 12 chapters. The first six describe events which occurred to Daniel from the time he went captive to Babylon as a young man in his teen years, at the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire, until Daniel’s old age when the Medes and Persians under the rule of Cyrus conquered Babylon and established the Medo-Persian Empire. Each chapter discusses a separate incident which occurred to Daniel through these years.

The next six chapters, chapters seven through 12 inclusive, record the prophecies given to Daniel himself. Daniel had earlier interpreted two dreams of Nebuchadnezzar (chapter two and chapter four), but not until the reign of Belshazzar, last acting regent of the empire, did Daniel himself receive original dreams, visions, or angelic visitations.

There were four of these. Chapters 7, 8, 9 each record one. Chapters 10, 11, 12 are together one narrative containing the fourth.

In each of these sections — the first six historical chapters, and the second six prophetic chapters — the episodes are recorded sequentially, as one would suppose. However, there is an overlap between the two sections. Thus the dream given [to] Daniel in chapter seven, in the first year of Belshazzar (553 BC), appeared 14 years before Daniel’s den of lion’s experience recorded in chapter six, in the year Cyrus ascended the throne of the Medo-Persian Empire (539 BC) ***. {***Both the Babylonian empire and the Medo-Persian empire counted their years from spring to spring. Babylon fell to Cyrus in October of 539 BC. That year, which began in the spring of 539 BC and continued to the spring of 538 BC, was officially termed the year of Cyrus’ accession to the throne of the empire. His formal year “one” began in the spring of 538 BC. If chapter six occurred following December of 539 BC, then our date 538 BC would apply.}

PART ONE

The six historical chapters cover the following episodes. (1) The captivity of Daniel in his youth, together with his companions. (2) The interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of world governments, represented by a great image made of various metals. This resulted in the rise of Daniel and his companions to positions of authority over the province of Babylon, in the third year of their captivity. (3) The peril to Daniel’s three Hebrew companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, for not bowing to a large idol set up by Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was evidently away on matters of state at the time. (4) Daniel’s interpretation of another dream of Nebuchadnezzar late in that king’s life. (5) The fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. (6) Daniel’s old age experience in the lion’s den, from a jealous conspiracy against him.

PART TWO

We mentioned earlier the contents of chapters seven, eight and nine. Chapters 10, 11, 12 are one unit, and comprise the most detailed and extensive prophecy of the book. This prophecy was given in the third year of Cyrus (536 BC), and is the last dated portion of Daniel’s record. By this time Daniel would have been in his mid-80s, and likely his long life ended not long after. The final verse of the last chapter refers to his anticipated passing — “Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest (in the sleep of death), and stand in thy lot (in the resurrection) in the end of the days” (Daniel 12:13).

The prophecy refers to four generations of Persian kings following Cyrus, which takes us to Xerxes, who unsuccessfully invaded Greece (Daniel 11:2). It then jumps to Alexander the Great, who a century and a half later would successfully invade Persia (verse 3) [Dan. 11:3]. Verse 4 [Dan. 11:4] refers to the death of Alexander and the four-way split of his kingdom. Verses 5 through 31 [Dan. 11:5-31] then take us through six generations of the two parts of that empire which bordered Israel on the north (Syria) and the south (Egypt), for their wars, which were frequent, continually affected the Israelites who are God’s people.

Verse 31 [Dan. 11:31] is a pivotal verse of the prophecy. It refers literally to the persecutions against the Jews by the Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, which were legendary for their cruelty. However, our Lord Jesus, referring explicitly to this text in Matthew 24:15, shows that a deeper application of Daniel 11:31 was still future from his day. This applied to the destruction of the Jewish temple by the Romans in 70 AD.

But there is a third and yet deeper application of the prophecy to the persecution of Christians by Papal Rome. This gets very deep into the prophecy, and we will discuss the details in coming issues. For now, the interested reader can compare 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, with Daniel 11:31,36. This comparison shows that Paul was referring to Daniel 11 when he predicted the coming of the “Man of Sin,” namely the Roman Catholic Church. The reason Paul calls him the “Man of Sin” is that he is applying Daniel 11:36 to Papacy. This verse speaks of Papacy as a “king” because the text refers literally to “king” Antiochus Epiphanes, secondly to Rome which would burn the temple at Jerusalem, and thirdly to Papacy which would persecute the spiritual temple of God, namely the elect “Church class”, during the dark ages.

DANIEL AS AN OVERALL PICTURE

Daniel was taken captive to a foreign land at an early age, but soon was exalted to a position of ruler ship. Against him nothing derogatory is recorded. He was conscientious [or careful] in his worship of Jehovah, even at the peril of his death. He interpreted dreams of the king through the Spirit of God, and also himself had dreams and revelations of grand things to come.

In these things he reminds us of Joseph, son of Jacob. Against Joseph nothing derogatory is recorded. He was cast into prison because of his integrity. He had important dreams, and he interpreted dreams. Joseph was exalted to second in command of Egypt (Genesis 41:39-42), and Daniel to the third position in Babylon (Daniel 5:7).

The parallels between the lives of these devoted servants is more than a coincidence. Joseph represents our Lord Jesus, and Daniel represents the followers of Christ. Joseph was sold by his brothers, just as Jesus was sold to the Romans. Joseph was imprisoned, just as Jesus was placed in the “prison house” of death. Joseph was raised out of prison to a high station next to Pharaoh himself, and Jesus was raised from death to a high station next to God himself.

Daniel was exalted to third place in the Kingdom, as the overcoming Church will be exalted to third place in the Heavenly Kingdom, next to Jesus and God.

SOMETHING DEEPER FOR FUTURE ISSUES

The first three chapters of Daniel focus on three enemies of the Church through the Gospel Age — the Dragon, Beast and False Prophet of Revelation. These refer to the Pagan Roman persecution of the Church early in the age (Dragon), the Papal Roman persecution of the Church following that (Beast), and the persecutions of the English Church which followed that (False Prophet). But this gets much deeper into Revelation, and we will hold the details for a later time.

[D]In our next issue we will look at some historical details in chapter one, and touch on the deeper meaning in that chapter. Meanwhile, the interested reader can take up their Bible, and night by night read the book of Daniel to become familiar with its contents. This familiarity will prove very helpful as we proceed through the book.

For now, try to summarize, in your mind, the two basic parts of Daniel — the historical (first six chapters) and prophetic (second six chapters). Try to remember the subject of each chapter in the first part, and each of the four visions in the second part. Having this kind of brief outline of Daniel in your mind will help you greatly when you seek out the deep things which God has placed there for your understanding.

Remember, we are in the “time of the end” when the prophecies of Daniel were promised to yield their blessings to “the wise” who value spiritual things. Even to Daniel himself the prophecies he penned were “shut up” and sealed (Daniel 12:4). But now they are open. You can understand them. They are spiritual meat, intended for those who wish to know the things of the Spirit.

– By Br. David Rice – From Faithbuilders Fellowship, December 2005.

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Good prophetic subject.

• Daniel, the Prophet (Michelangelo) – The original image of the painting is available at Wikipedia. Refer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet_Daniel_%28Michelangelo%29.
• “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity … from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem. … Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself” (Daniel 9:24, 25) – The text “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself” is from verse 26 rather than 25.
• The “time, times, and half a time” [Dan. 7:25] of their power (Daniel 7:26) – The verse reference seems to be 25 rather than 26.
• In our next issue we will look at some historical details in chapter one – Refer By “Daniel Chapter One” by Br. David Rice from Faithbuilders Fellowship, January 2006.