“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

Value of Prophecy If there is no future, the only remaining reality is the present.

The Clock is Running On Your Life ( ) * . . . . You are here. You will be here! Time Eternity

Value of Prophecy If there is no future, the only remaining reality is the present. If there is no future, the Bible is fraudulent. If there is no future, all hope is extinguished. If there is no future, Christian steadfastness is meaningless

Persistence in… Worship Holiness Service Prayer Steadfastness

Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past. Only what’s done For Christ will last.

( ) Prophetic Overview 1 Cor 3;2 Cor 5 bema 1 Cor 15;1 Th 4 Rap 2nd Com ( ) GWT New Heavens & Earth Church Age Trib Per Mill King Rev 1 Rev 2 & 3 Rev 4-18 Rev 19 Rev 20 Rev 20 Rev 21 & 22

Signs of the Times… Importance of Israel Importance of the Arab Bloc Importance of Russia Importance of Red China Importance of the EU Importance of the World Church Importance of the World Government

The Hebrew Bible Three Sections The Law The Prophets The Writings

The Big Idea 722 R e t u r n N E x I l e 931 Solomon David/ S 586

Prophetic Books Obadiah 845 Joel 830 Jonah 780 Amos 760 Hosea 750 Isaiah 740 Micah 735 Nahum 650 Zephaniah 635 Jeremiah 626 Habakkuk 609 Ex i l e Haggai 520 Zechariah 520 Malachi 430 Daniel 530 Ezekiel 571

Why… Historical purpose – encouragement to exiles so that they would be faithful Doctrinal purpose – God is sovereign over the affairs of this world. Prophetic purpose – God is faithful to His covenant people Christological purpose…Christ is the anointed one (9:26), the kingdom crusher (2:34, 35), the Son of Man (7:13)

“Daniel’s purpose in writing blended the two themes of prophecy and piety. He wrote first to show God’s future program for Israel (in light of her fall) during and after “the times of the Gentiles.” Second, he wrote to show what the believer’s present response should be during “the times of the Gentiles” as they await the coming kingdom of God. Daniel encouraged his readers to remain faithful to God in a hostile society while they waited for God’s promised kingdom.” Dr. Charles Dyer

Themes of Daniel The Times of the Gentiles

Times of the Gentiles (Lk. 21:24) An extended period of time in which the land given in covenant by God to Abraham and his descendants is occupied by Gentile powers and the Davidic throne is empty of any rightful heir in the Davidic line. Start? Neb’s invasion of 605 BC. End? Christ’s return.

Themes of Daniel The Times of the Gentiles The Sovereignty of God The Life of the Saint under Pressure The Grace of God

Structure… 1st Section historical (1-6) 2nd Section prophetic (7-12) or 1:1-2:4a – Heb – Daniel’s history 2:4b-7:28 – Ara – relates to Gent nations + historical information 8:1-12:13 – Heb – relates to future of Israel

Chapters… 1 – The Life of Daniel 2 – The King’s Dream 3 – Faith Under Fire 4 – Sovereignty and the Tree 5 – A Feast and a Finger 6 – Daniel in the Lion’s Den 7 – The Beasts: Back to the Kingdoms

Blue = Hebrew Red = Aramaic Chapters… 8 – The Ram, the Goat, the Horn 9 – Daniel’s Seventy Weeks 10 – Strength for the Journey 11 – Back to the Future 12 – The Salvation of the Saints Blue = Hebrew Red = Aramaic

Two primary goals: Learn We have one book. Learn it! Worship We have one God. Stand in awe!