The Book of Daniel was written to encourage exiled Jews by unveiling God’s sovereign plan for their future, both during and beyond the era of Gentile domination. Central to its message is the overarching theme of God’s supreme control over all rulers and nations, culminating in their eventual replacement by the True King. Key passages, including Daniel 2:20-22 and 2:44, emphasize this divine sovereignty (see also 2:28, 37; 4:34-35; 6:25-27). Israel’s fall is not a sign of God’s defeat (Daniel 1); rather, it reflects His providential working toward the ultimate revelation of His King, the exalted Christ.
God permitted Gentile powers to dominate Israel in successive stages: Babylon (605–539 B.C.), Medo-Persia (539–331 B.C.), Greece (331–146 B.C.), Rome (146 B.C.–476 A.D.), and ultimately until Christ’s Second Coming. This progression is depicted in Daniel’s visions, particularly in chapters 2 and 7. Additionally, the book highlights Israel’s journey from suffering to eventual kingdom restoration (chapters 8–12; see also 2:35, 45; 7:27). The Messiah is a central figure within this theme, portrayed as a stone in chapter 2, the Son of Man in chapter 7, and the Anointed One in chapter 9:26. Chapter 9 offers a chronological framework linking Daniel’s era to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.
A secondary theme interwoven throughout Daniel is the demonstration of God’s sovereign power through miracles. The book aligns Daniel’s time with other key biblical periods marked by miraculous works, including:
Creation and the Flood (Genesis 1–11)
The Patriarchs and Moses (Genesis 12–Deuteronomy)
Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17–2 Kings 13)
Jesus and the Apostles (Gospels and Acts)
The Second Advent (Revelation)
God’s eternal dominion and ability to act according to His will (4:34-35) are showcased through these miracles. Notable examples in Daniel include:
Dream interpretation (chapters 2, 4, and 7)
The writing on the wall and its interpretation (chapter 5)
Protection of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (chapter 3)
Deliverance of Daniel from the lions’ den (chapter 6)
Supernatural prophecies (chapters 2, 7, 8; 9:24–12:13)
These miracles serve as lesser yet significant manifestations of the same divine power evident at creation (Genesis 1:1). The Book of Daniel, through its profound theological and historical insights, reinforces the sovereignty and majesty of God over all human history.
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