1. Daniel Chapter 1

2. Daniel Introduction
Chart by Chuck Missler

3. Daniel Introduction Why Daniel? Personal Impact
Reveals Gentile history in advance
Discovery of its validation
Contains the most amazing
passage in the Bible
Gentile history is the times of the gentiles. Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

4. Daniel Introduction

5. Daniel Introduction Discovery: The Bible is a highly sophisticated,
integrated message system; tightly engineered in theme, structure, details; interdependence. Thus, 66 books, written by 40 authors over thousands of years, yet evidences integrity of design and demonstrates a proven origin from outside the domain of time. It is an extraterrestrial book.
One of the few books that describes Gentile history, in advance. It is as timely as tomorrow’s newspaper.
It contains the most amazing passages in the entire
Bible.
Why study Daniel?

6. Old Testament (Tenach) Texts
Daniel Introduction
Old Testament (Tenach) Texts
Original Hebrew (“Vorlage”)
- In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah
Septuagint Translation (LXX)
BC, 72 Scholars at Alexandria
- Primary quoted test in the New Testament
Masoretic Text (MT)
- Derived from the Council of Jamnia

7. Who wrote the Book of Daniel?
Daniel Introduction
Who wrote the Book of Daniel?
(Dan 7:15) I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
There are many books and commentators who say that the Book of Daniel could not have been written by Daniel. They can’t seem to believe that Daniel wrote this book at the time of the Babylonian captivity. They have a lot or reasons for believing that this book was written after Antiochus Epiphanes who conquered Jerusalem and desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig in it. They say that whoever wrote it had to have lived after that time because Daniel predicts in great detail all of the nations of the world from Babylon forward to Antiochus Epiphanes.
Daniel told of Medo-Persia before it existed. He talked about Greece before it came into being. He explained the break-up of the empire of Alexander the Great and the four generals who followed him, as well as he coming of the Roman Empire. He described the battles of the Ptolemies and Seleucids over Israel in the break-up of Alexander’s Grecian Empire. He gives it blow by blow and king by king. The historical accuracy of Daniel, chapter 11, is unquestioned. Therefore, some people say there is no way he could have written this book before it happened. If you believe Daniel wrote it, you have to believe in the divine revelation of Scripture.
11 times there are verses like these where Daniel identifies himself as the author.

8. The Providence of God and the
Daniel Introduction
Date Written:
About 538 BC
Theme:
The Providence of God and the
Last Days
The book features the providence of God among His faithful people, even in exile. It also contains a series of apocalyptic (prophetic) visions, through which future events are revealed to the statesman-prophet.
Together with Genesis, Daniel has been subject to greater critical attack than any other Old Testament book. Supposed anachronisms (chronological mistakes), historical inaccuracies, and prophetic impossibilities have been charged against the prophecy. However, subsequent archaeological discoveries have largely vindicated the assertions of Daniel. The critic’s den has been more formidable than the lion’s den in its insistence that the Book of Daniel must have a late date (second century), since Daniel could not have predicted the historical events which unfolded later exactly as he described.
It’s in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament (LXX): B.C

9. Daniel Introduction

10. Daniel in the Critic’s Den
Daniel Introduction
Daniel in the Critic’s Den
No other book is as vindicated by history.
332 BC: Alexander’s conquest of Jerusalem:
Priest Jaddua showed him references to himself in
Daniel; city was spared. (Josephus)
R. Kodewey, ; excavations of
Nebuchadnezzar’s palace, it al, Banquet hall
found, 173 feet by 56 feet (Rebuilt by Saddam)
Daniel had to be an eyewitness.
Daniel was loved by God,

12. Ultimate Authentication
Daniel Introduction
Ultimate Authentication
Jesus quotes Daniel 3 times:
“Daniel the Prophet”
Quoted 3 times in Ezekiel
Ezek 14:14, 20; 28:3
- Classed with Noah, Job et al
One of only two of which no evil is spoken of
Foreign words: 15 Persian words
3 Greek

13. Daniel Introduction
(Matt 24:15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
In the time of Daniel people could not understand these prophetic things that were going to occur. In fact Daniel was told to seal up this book until the time of the end, when people could understand it. Now I believe we do have a great understanding of this book and we can see where the prophecies have been fulfilled just exactly as given, and we can believe that the prophecies that are to be fulfilled will be fulfilled exactly as given.

14. Daniel Introduction Organization Historical Chapters 1-6
Deported as a teenager
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Bow or Burn; The Furnace
Nebuchadnezzar's Pride Aramaic
The Fall of Babylon
The Lions Den
Daniel’s Vision
Even though the books are historical they still contain prophecy.

15. Daniel Introduction Organization Historical Chapters 1 - 6
Visions Chapters
7. Four Beasts
8. The Ram and the He-Goat
9. The Seventy Weeks
10. A Glimpse of the Dark Side
11. The “Silent Years” (in advance)
12. The Consummation of All Things
It is interesting that the book of Daniel is so evenly divided like this because it is not written in chronological order. (next slide)

16. Chronological Order Babylonian Captivity 606 B.C.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 602 B.C.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Image
Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
The vision of the 4 beasts 556 B.C.
Ram and He-goat vision 554 B.C.
Babylon falls to Persians 539 B.C.
Vision of Seventy weeks 538 B.C.
The Lions’ Den
10-12 Closing visions

17. Historical Prophecies
Chronological Order
Historical Prophecies
Babylonian Captivity
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Nebuchadnezzar’s Image
Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
7. The Times of Gentiles
8. Ram and He-goat vision
Babylon falls to Persians
9. Vision of Seventy weeks
6. Lions Den
10 The Dark Side
11-12 Conclusion
Chapters 7 and 8 occur between Chapters 4 and 5.
McGee Introduction: Chapter 7 opens a new and different section of the Book of Daniel. The first six chapters contained the historic night with prophetic light; the last six chapters are prophetic light in the historic night. Whereas in the first section of the book the emphasis was upon the historical, the emphasis will now be on the prophetic, yet still with an historical background.

18. Daniel Introduction Chronology
612 BC: Nineveh falls to an alliance of Babylon
and Media
609 BC: Pharaoh Necho leads army against
Assyria
- Josiah fights Necho and gets killed
(2 Chron 35:20-24)
606 BC Battle of Carchemesh
- Nebuchadnezzar vs Pharaoh Necho
- W bank of Euphrates (Jer 46:1-6)

19. Daniel Introduction Siege #1 1st Siege of Jerusalem (605 BC)
- Jehoikim released as a vassal
- Temple plundered (for museum)
- Hostages (Daniel et al.) taken
- Begins 70 year “Servitude of the Nation”

20. Daniel Introduction Siege #2 Jehoikim ignores Jeremiah’s counsel,
- rebels, 5 year battle; Jehoikim dies; Jer 22
- Son Hehiachin reigns until siege over Jer 22
- Blood curse now on royal line? Jer 22
Jeconiah captured;
- 10,000 captives (including Ezekiel)
Zedekiah, his uncle, installed as vassal
Jeremiah and Ezekiel warn against rebellion but
false prophets again prevail

21. Daniel Introduction Siege #3 587 BC: Zedekiah ignores Jeremiah’s and
Ezekiel’s warnings and yields to false
prophets and rebels Jer 32:5’ 39:6,7;
Ezek 12:13 2; Kgs 25:1-7
3rd Siege results in the destruction of the Temple and the city:
- Begins 70 year “Desolations of Jerusalem”
Many understand that the servitude of the nation and the desolations of Jerusalem run concurrently. However they do not. They both last 70 years however have different starting dates.

22. Daniel Introduction
(Ezekiel 12:13) My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

23. Daniel Introduction
(Jeremiah 39:6-7) 6Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. 7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

24. Daniel Introduction

25. Daniel Introduction Servitude of the Nation:
606 B.C years = 537 B.C.
If July 23, 537 B.C. was the release from the Servitude of the Nation,
then y 7m 23d
(no “year 0”):
2483y 9m 21d
which is May 14, It was on this date that David Ben Gurion declared on international radio, and using Ezekiel as his authority, the re-establishment of Israel as the new Jewish homeland.

26. Daniel Introduction Desolations of Jerusalem:
587 B.C years = 518 B.C.
If August 16, 518 B.C. was the completion of the Desolations of Jerusalem,
then -518y 8m 16d
(no “year 0” 1 B.C. to 1 A.D.) 1
2483y 9m 21d
which is June 7, 1967, when, as a result of the “Six Day War,” Israel regained control of the Old City of Jerusalem for the first time since the time of Christ.

27. Daniel Introduction Daniel was a man of purpose Dan 1:8; 6:10
Daniel was a man of prayer
Dan 2:17-23; 6:10; 9:3-19; 10
Daniel was a man of prophecy
The Book of Daniel divides itself equally: the first half is history, and the last half is prophecy

28. Daniel 1:1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Jehoiakim was raised to the throne of Judah in the place of his brother Jehoahaz by Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt (2 Kings 23:34-36; 2 Chron. 36:1-4). He continued tributary to Egypt for 3 years. In the 4th year, which was the 1st year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 25:1-3), who defeated Egypt at Carchemish on the River Euphrates, Judah, Syria and other countries were made subject to Babylon (Jeremiah 46:1-2). The 70 years captivity to Babylon began here (Jeremiah 25:1-11). Daniel was taken captive a this time.
Jehoiakim served Babylon 3 years and then rebelled (2 Kings 24:1-7). Nebuchadnezzar, being occupied in wars, did not proceed against Judah for about 3 or 4 years. Then in the 11th year of Jehoiakim Babylon again conquered Judah (2 Kings 23:36-24:7). Jehoiachin was made king but reigned only 3 months, for Nebuchadnezzar then carried him captive to Babylon and made Zedekiah king over Judah. He reigned 11 years and then rebelled. Babylon again came against Judah and destroyed the nation and the city Jerusalem, taking almost all the Jews captive (2 Chron. 36:11-21).

29. Daniel Introduction

30. Daniel 1:2
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
The Lord gave them into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand.
Shinar = Babylon (used 7 times), We may think of this as Shinar being the county and Babylon a city within the county.
the old name of Babylonia (Genesis 11:2; Genesis 14:1; Isaiah 11:11; Zech. 5:11).
[the Lord gave]: The Book of Daniel emphasizes the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. Jerusalem did not fall merely because Nebuchadnezzar was strong, but because God had judged the people of Judah for their disobedience and idolatry.
part of the vessels: The remainder of the articles were removed later when Jehoiakim surrendered (see 2 Kin. 24:13; 2 Chr. 36:18).
into the treasure house: The articles taken from the house of God appear later, on the night of Belshazzar’s feast (ch. 5). Eventually they were returned to Zerubbabel who brought them back to Israel (see Ezra 1:7).
This god may have been Bel, also called Marduk, the chief god of the Babylonians.

31. Daniel 1:3
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
Master of his eunuchs—This word eunuchs signifies officers about or in the palace whether literally eunuchs or not.
[bring certain of the children of Israel] They did not just gather up people or children of Israel, they were selective, they took certain of the children.
[of the king's seed] Daniel and his companions were chosen to fulfill Isaiah 39:1-8 (Daniel 1:3-6).
a king of Judah under whom the kingdom underwent a ruinous Assyrian invasion at the end of the 8th century b.c.
Here was fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah had foretold king Hezekiah, Isa 39:7. Some think Daniel and his companions were made eunuchs in a strict sense, which doth not appear to be probable; but rather to be bred up in the court for officers, and thereby to alienate their minds from the religion of their country, and from seeking the welfare and return of their people; but God had otherwise appointed by this education of them, as appears in many signal testimonies of the presence and power of God with them, for the conviction of idolaters that God was above all gods.
Isa 39: 5Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: 6Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 7And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

32. Daniel 1:4
Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
[stand in the king's palace] This was a special department in the palace school for courtiers.
No blemish; top grade; teachable; These people taken were the cream of the crop. They were already intelegent and now would go into a post graduate school. Babylon: sciences and astronomy were profound in nature,

33. Daniel 1:5
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

34. Daniel 1:6
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Hebrew names:
Daniel; “God is my Judge”
Hananiah: “Beloved of the Lord”
Mishel: “Who is as God”
Azariah: “The Lord is My Help”
There were no doubt that several noble youths from other provinces were also taken: but the four mentioned here were Jews, and are supposed to have all been of royal extraction.
[children of Judah] the most noble tribe, being that to which the "king's seed" belonged (compare Daniel 1:3).
According to the first-century Jewish historian Josephus, all four of these young men were members of Zedekiah’s royal family.

35. Daniel 1:7
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
[gave names] Giving names to captives or foreign slaves was a sign of their being put under subjection (Genesis 41:45; 2 Kings 23:34; 2 Kings 24:17).
If you adopted a infant with a foreign name , you might change his name to something familiar to your culture, John Smith.

36. Daniel 1:6-7 New Names Given Daniel Belteshazzar Hananiah Shadrach
“God is my Judge” “Prince of Bel”
Hananiah Shadrach
“Beloved of the Lord “Illumined by the Sun God”
Mishel Meshach
“who is as God” “Who is like the Moon God”
Azariah Abednego
“The Lord is My Help “Servant of Nego”

37. Daniel 1:8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
His Decision Was Made in His Heart:
Daniel’s mom and dad didn’t push him into this decision. It wasn’t his Jewish friends that carried him along. Daniel made this decision in his heart.
(Luke 9:23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
It is only in our hearts that we can determine to follow the Lord.
Evidently, there were certain things of the king's table that had been forbidden by the law of Moses, hence he did not want to break the law and be defiled. It could be that the meat was not butchered properly (Leviticus 3:17; Leviticus 7:26; Leviticus 17:10-14; Leviticus 19:26) or that it was offered to idols (Exodus 34:15; 1 Cor. 10:20) or that it was unclean.

38. Daniel 1:9
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Daniel's case is similar to that of Joseph in some respects:
1. In being a captive from his own people (Genesis 37)
2. In receiving favor from his captors (Genesis 39:21 with Daniel 1:9)
3. In interpreting dreams (Daniel 1:17 with Genesis 37:5-11; Genesis 41:1-45)
4. In being exalted by rulers (Daniel 2:46-49; Daniel 5:29; Daniel 6:26 with Genesis 41)
5. In holy living (Daniel 1:8 with Genesis 39:12)

39. Daniel 1:10
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
He had good reason to fear the King (next slide)

40. Officer’s fears justified
Daniel 1:9-10
Officer’s fears justified
Nebuchadnezzar was known to:
- Put out eyes (after killing progeny) Jer 39:6
Make their houses into dung hills Dan 2:5
Cut people into pieces Dan 2:5
- Roast officers over a fire, etc. Jer 29:22

41. Daniel 1:11
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

42. Daniel 1:12
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
10 days: 10 always a test, measurement, testimony.
[pulse] Hebrew: zeroa’ (H2235), seed; that which is sown. It consisted of vegetables and grains—wheat, barley, rye, peas, beans, lentiles (Daniel 1:12,16; 2 Samuel 17:28). This does not mean that Jews were strict vegetarians, but that they could not legally eat the meat of animals that had not been properly killed and dedicated. The animals had to be clean.
The Babylonians were trying to change the thinking of these Jews by giving them a Babylonian education, their loyalty by changing their names, and their life-style by changing their diet. Without compromising, Daniel found a way to live by God’s standards in a culture that did not honor God. Wisely choosing to negotiate rather than to rebel, Daniel suggested an experimental ten-day diet of vegetables and water, instead of the royal foods and wine the king offered. Without compromising, Daniel quickly thought of a practical, creative solution that saved his life and the lives of his companions. As God’s people, we may adjust to our culture as long as we do not compromise God’s laws

43. Daniel 1:13
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
Daniel knew that even without the special blessing of God they would not look any worse with legal and proper food than others who did not observe the strict dietary and health laws of Moses.

44. Daniel 1:14
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

45. Daniel 1:15
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
Daniel’s diet worked in their behalf. This ought to tell us something. God wanted His people Israel to be different from the surrounding nations, but He did not give them a special diet just to make them different—there was also a health factor involved. I firmly believe that if we followed the diet outlined in Leviticus, we would be healthier than our neighbor who eats just anything.

46. Daniel 1:16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
They past the test and now continued to eat following the food laws.

47. Daniel 1:17
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
[God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom] This confirms the supernatural element in the training of these four youths. God blessed them physically when they took a stand for a proper diet (Daniel 1:8-16). He also blessed them mentally and spiritually for their stand regarding His law.
[Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams] Daniel had a special gift of God in understanding all visions and dreams—the gift of interpretation (similar in operation to the gift of interpretation of tongues of 1 Cor. 12:10,30; 1 Cor. 14:26-28). It was simply divine skill and understanding imparted by the Holy Spirit. Any gift of the Spirit is divine ability imparted by the Spirit of God dwelling in the one so blessed (1 Cor. 12:4-11). Daniel was to use his gift many times for God's glory, as seen in Daniel 2; Daniel 4; Daniel 5; Daniel 7; Daniel 8; Daniel 9; and Daniel This verse lets us know right up front about this gift and where it came from.

48. Daniel 1:18
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
[Now at the end of the days] At the end of the three years.

49. Daniel 1:19
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
[communed with them] Questioned them (Daniel 1:20).
[them all] All the captives from all nations.
 [therefore stood they before the king] All four Jews stood before the king to advise on state and other matters.

50. Daniel 1:20
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Nebuchadnezzar put Daniel and his friends on his staff of advisers. This staff included many “magicians and enchanters.” These were astrologers who claimed to be able to tell the future through occult practices. They were masters at communicating their message so that it sounded authoritative—as though it came directly from their gods. In addition to knowledge, Daniel and his three friends had wisdom and understanding, given to them by God. Thus the king was far more pleased with them than with his magicians and enchanters. As we serve others, we must not merely pretend to have God’s wisdom. Our wisdom will be genuine when we are rightly related to God.

51. Daniel 1:21
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
[continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus] He continued in office the rest of the 70 years captivity to the time of Cyrus (Daniel 9:2). It does not say that he did not continue longer, but this may be when he wrote or began to write this book.
(2 Chron. 36:22; Ezra 1:1)
Daniel was one of the first captives taken to Babylon, and he lived to see the first exiles return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. Throughout this time Daniel honored God, and God honored him. While serving as an adviser to the kings of Babylon, Daniel was God’s spokesman to the Babylonian empire. Babylon was a wicked nation, but it would have been much worse without Daniel’s influence.

52. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49

53. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49
Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Heb 12:9-13; Prov 3:11, 12; 13:24
cf. Eli’s sons, 1 Sam 2:12-30

54. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49
Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Power to voice disagreement

55. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49
Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Power to voice disagreement
Physical courage Dan 2:5

56. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49
Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Power to voice disagreement
Physical courage Dan 2:5
Perseverance

57. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49
Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Power to voice disagreement
Physical courage Dan 2:5
Perseverance
Determination
Meekness

58. Elements of Moral Heroism
Discernment Deut 6:49
Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Power to voice disagreement
Physical courage Dan 2:5
Perseverance
Determination
Meekness
Good sense Eze 28:3; Prov 2:11

59. Daniel’s Career Daniel was Destined to:
Rise to prime prominence in Babylonian
Empire
Rise to prime prominence in the subsequent
Persian Empire
Personally receive the most astonishing
prophecies in the entire Bible Dan 9-12
- Authenticated by Jesus Himself Matt 24:15
- Classed with Noah and Job Eze 14:14

60. Conclusion Who’s in charge here? God gave them into the hand of
Nebuchadnezzar… :2
God caused the official to show favour 1:9
God gave them skill and understanding 1:17

61. End Daniel Chapter 1