1. Daniel

2. “Daniel, I now command you to keep the message of this book secret until the end of time, even though many people will go everywhere, searching for the knowledge to be found in it.” (Daniel 12:4 – CEV)
“He said to me, ‘And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal on it until the end of the world. Meanwhile, many people will waste their efforts trying to understand what is happening." (Daniel 12:4 – GN)

3. Chronology King Prophet 650 Manasseh Amon Nahum Josiah
Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Ezekiel
Joahaz
600
Jehoiakim
605 – 1st invasion (Daniel)
Jehoiachin
597 – 2nd invasion (Ezekiel)
586
Zedekiah
586 – 3rd invasion (Jeremiah)
538
*Cyrus conquers Babylon*

4. “In the third year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia attacked Jerusalem and surrounded the city. The Lord let him capture King Jehoiakim and seize some of the Temple treasures. He took some prisoners back with him to the temple of his gods in Babylon, and put the captured treasures in the temple storerooms. The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief official, to select from among the Israelite exiles some young men of the royal family and of the noble families. They had to be handsome, intelligent, well-trained, quick to learn, and free from physical defects, so that they would be qualified to serve in the royal court.

5. Ashpenaz was to teach them to read and write the Babylonian language
Ashpenaz was to teach them to read and write the Babylonian language. The king also gave orders that every day they were to be given the same food and wine as the members of the royal court. After three years of this training they were to appear before the king. Among those chosen were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, all of whom were from the tribe of Judah.” (Daniel 1:1-6 – GN)

6. Daniel (‘God is my Judge’) to Belteshazzar (‘Lady protect the king’),
Hananiah (‘God has been gracious’) to Shadrach (‘I am very fearful [of god]’),
Mishael (‘Who is what God is?’) to Meshach (‘I am of little account’)
Azariah (‘The Lord has helped’) to Abed-Nego (‘Servant of the shining one’ [i.e. Nebo])

7. “Daniel made up his mind not to let himself become ritually unclean by eating the food and drinking the wine of the royal court, so he asked Ashpenaz to help him, and God made Ashpenaz sympathetic to Daniel. Ashpenaz, however, was afraid of the king, so he said to Daniel, ‘The king has decided what you are to eat and drink, and if you don’t look as fit as the other young men, he may kill me.’ So Daniel went to the guard whom Ashpenaz had placed in charge of him and his three friends. ‘Test us for ten days,’ he said. ‘Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare us with the young men who are eating the food of the royal court, and base your decision on how we look.’ He agreed to let them try it for ten days. When the time was up, they looked healthier and stronger than all those who had been eating the royal food.

8. “So from then on the guard let them continue to eat vegetables instead of what the king provided. God gave the four young men knowledge and skill in literature and philosophy. In addition, he gave Daniel skill in interpreting visions and dreams. At the end of the three years set by the king, Ashpenaz took all the young men to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them all, and Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah impressed him more than any of the others. So they became members of the king's court. No matter what question the king asked or what problem he raised, these four knew ten times more than any fortuneteller or magician in his whole kingdom. Daniel remained at the royal court until Cyrus, the emperor of Persia, conquered Babylonia.” (Daniel 1:8-21 – GN)

10. “So then, about eating the food offered to idols: we know that an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God. Even if there are so-called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these "gods" and "lords," yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we live. But not everyone knows this truth. Some people have been so used to idols that to this day when they eat such food they still think of it as food that belongs to an idol; their conscience is weak, and they feel they are defiled by the food. Food, however, will not improve our relation with God; we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-11 – GN)

11. “None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others. You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience. For, as the scripture says, ‘The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.’ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to go, eat what is set before you, without asking any questions because of your conscience. But if someone tells you, ‘This food was offered to idols,’ then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake--- that is, not your own conscience, but the other person's conscience. ‘Well, then,’ someone asks, ‘why should my freedom to act be limited by another person's conscience? If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?’ Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory. Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:24-33 – GN)

13. “But the place the LORD your God will choose to put his name may be too far away. He may bless you with so much that you can’t carry a tenth of your income that far. If so, exchange the tenth part of your income for silver. Take the silver with you, and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you want: cattle, sheep, goats, wine, liquor-whatever you choose. Then you and your family will eat and enjoy yourselves there in the presence of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 14:24-26 – GOD’S WORD)

14. “In the second year that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had a dream
“In the second year that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had a dream. It worried him so much that he couldn't sleep, so he sent for his fortunetellers, magicians, sorcerers, and wizards to come and explain the dream to him. When they came and stood before the king, he said to them, ‘I’m worried about a dream I’ve had. I want to know what it means.’ They answered the king in Aramaic, ‘May Your Majesty live forever! Tell us your dream, and we will explain it to you.’ The king said to them, ‘I have made up my mind that you must tell me the dream and then tell me what it means. If you can’t, I’ll have you torn limb from limb and make your houses a pile of ruins.” (Daniel 2:1-5 – GN)

15. “What Your Majesty is asking for is so difficult that no one can do it for you except the gods, and they do not live among human beings.” (Daniel 2:11 – GN)

16. “The king said to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar), ‘Can you tell me what I dreamed and what it means?’ Daniel replied, ‘Your Majesty, there is no wizard, magician, fortuneteller, or astrologer who can tell you that. But there is a God in heaven, who reveals mysteries. He has informed Your Majesty what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you the dream, the vision you had while you were asleep. While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about the future; and God, who reveals mysteries, showed you what is going to happen. Now, this mystery was revealed to me, not because I am wiser than anyone else, but so that Your Majesty may learn the meaning of your dream and understand the thoughts that have come to you.’” (Daniel 2:26-30 – GN)

17. Authorship of Daniel?
“The repeated allusions to the desecration of the Jerusalem Temple suggest the time of persecution… – B.C.” – Good News Bible
“The ram you saw that had two horns represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. The goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the prominent horn between his eyes is the first king.” (Daniel 8:20-21 – GN)

18. “In the first year that Belshazzar was king of Babylonia, I had a dream….” (Daniel 7:1 – GN)
“In the third year that Belshazzar was king, I saw a second vision.” (Daniel 8:1 – GN)
“Darius the Mede, who was the son of Xerxes, ruled over the kingdom of Babylonia. In the first year of his reign I was studying the sacred books and thinking about the seventy years that Jerusalem would be in ruins, according to what the LORD had told the prophet Jeremiah. (Daniel 9:1-2 – GN)

19. “The LORD says, ‘When Babylonia's seventy years are over, I will show my concern for you and keep my promise to bring you back home.’” (Jeremiah 29:10 – GN)
“In the third year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia attacked Jerusalem and surrounded the city.” (Daniel 1:1 – GN) BC
“Daniel remained at the royal court until Cyrus, the emperor of Persia, conquered Babylonia.” (Daniel 1:21 – GN) BC

20. “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Almighty LORD says…You think that you are wiser than Daniel and that no secret can be hidden from you.” (Ezekiel 28:2-3 – GOD’S WORD)

21. “You will see ‘The Awful Horror’ of which the prophet Daniel spoke
“You will see ‘The Awful Horror’ of which the prophet Daniel spoke.” (Matthew 24:15 – GN)
Textual analysis*

23. "This was the dream. Now I will tell Your Majesty what it means
"This was the dream. Now I will tell Your Majesty what it means. Your Majesty, you are the greatest of all kings…You are the head of gold.
After you there will be another empire, not as great as yours,
and after that a third, an empire of bronze, which will rule the whole earth.
And then there will be a fourth empire, as strong as iron, which shatters and breaks everything. And just as iron shatters everything, it will shatter and crush all the earlier empires.
You also saw that the feet and the toes were partly clay and partly iron….
You saw how a stone broke loose from a cliff without anyone touching it and how it struck the statue made of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God is telling Your Majesty what will happen in the future. I have told you exactly what you dreamed, and have given you its true meaning.” (Daniel 2:36-45 – GN)

24. Dan.2 Head: Gold Chest: Silver Waist: Bronze Legs: Iron Feet: Clay
(Babylon)
Chest: Silver
(Medo-Persia)
Waist: Bronze
(Greece)
Legs: Iron
(Rome)
Feet: Clay

25. Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. For the scripture says, ‘I chose a valuable stone, which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion; and whoever believes in him will never be disappointed.’ This stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe: ‘The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.’” (1Peter 2:4-7 – GN)

26. “Your God is the greatest of all gods, the Lord over kings, and the one who reveals mysteries. I know this because you have been able to explain this mystery.’ Then he gave Daniel a high position, presented him with many splendid gifts, put him in charge of the province of Babylon, and made him the head of all the royal advisors. (Daniel 2:47,48 – GN)

27. “King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold statue made, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and he had it set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then the king gave orders for all his officials to come together…As soon as the music starts, you are to bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.’” (Daniel 3:1-6 – GN)

29. “He said to them, ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you refuse to worship my god and to bow down to the gold statue I have set up? Now then, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, oboes, lyres, zithers, harps, and all the other instruments, bow down and worship the statue. If you do not, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Do you think there is any god who can save you?’ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, ‘Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.’” (Daniel 3:14-18 – GN)

30. “Then Jacob made a vow to the LORD: ‘If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then you will be my God.’” (Genesis 28:20-22 – GN)

31. “Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the form of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” (Daniel 3:25 – Amplified)
“...the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (RSV, ASV; NASB, ESV)
“...the fourth looks like a god!” (TLB, NEB, CEV)
“...has the appearance of a god.” (NRSV)

32. “The king said, ‘Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
“The king said, ‘Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued these men who serve and trust him. They disobeyed my orders and risked their lives rather than bow down and worship any god except their own. And now I command that if anyone of any nation, race, or language speaks disrespectfully of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he is to be torn limb from limb, and his house is to be made a pile of ruins. There is no other god who can rescue like this.’” (Daniel 3:28-29 – GN)

33. “While I was asleep, I had a vision of a huge tree in the middle of the earth. It grew bigger and bigger until it reached the sky and could be seen by everyone in the world. Its leaves were beautiful, and it was loaded down with fruit---enough for the whole world to eat. Wild animals rested in its shade, birds built nests in its branches, and every kind of living being ate its fruit. While I was thinking about the vision, I saw coming down from heaven an angel, alert and watchful. He proclaimed in a loud voice, ‘Cut the tree down and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Drive the animals from under it and the birds out of its branches.” (Daniel 4:10-14 – GN)

34. “Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means
“Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means. None of my royal advisers could tell me, but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’ At this, Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar, was so alarmed that he could not say anything. The king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream and its message alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘Your Majesty, I wish that the dream and its explanation applied to your enemies and not to you.” (Daniel 4:18-19 – GN)

35. “This, then, is what it means, Your Majesty, and this is what the Supreme God has declared will happen to you. You will be driven away from human society and will live with wild animals. For seven years you will eat grass like an ox and sleep in the open air, where the dew will fall on you. Then you will admit that the Supreme God controls all human kingdoms and that he can give them to anyone he chooses. The angel ordered the stump to be left in the ground. This means that you will become king again when you acknowledge that God rules all the world. So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous.” (Daniel 4:24-27 – GN)

36. “Only twelve months later, while he was walking around on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon, he said, ‘Look how great Babylon is! I built it as my capital city to display my power and might, my glory and majesty.’ Before the words were out of his mouth, a voice spoke from heaven, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, listen to what I say! Your royal power is now taken away from you. You will be driven away from human society, live with wild animals, and eat grass like an ox for seven years…’ The words came true immediately. Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of human society and ate grass like an ox. The dew fell on his body, and his hair grew as long as eagle feathers and his nails as long as bird claws.

37. ‘When the seven years had passed,’ said the king, ‘I looked up at the sky, and my sanity returned. I praised the Supreme God and gave honor and glory to the one who lives forever…When my sanity returned, my honor, my majesty, and the glory of my kingdom were given back to me. My officials and my noblemen welcomed me, and I was given back my royal power with even greater honor than before. And now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, honor, and glorify the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right and just, and he can humble anyone who acts proudly.” (Daniel 4:29-37 – GN)

38. In the first year that Belshazzar was king of Babylonia, I had a dream…Four huge beasts came up out of the ocean, each one different from the others.
The first one looked like a lion, but had wings like an eagle. While I was watching, the wings were torn off. The beast was lifted up and made to stand up straight. And then a human mind was given to it.
The second beast looked like a bear standing on its hind legs. It was holding three ribs between its teeth, and a voice said to it, ‘Go on, eat as much meat as you can!’
While I was watching, another beast appeared. It looked like a leopard, but on its back there were four wings, like the wings of a bird, and it had four heads. It had a look of authority about it.

39. As I was watching, a fourth beast appeared
As I was watching, a fourth beast appeared. It was powerful, horrible, terrifying. With its huge iron teeth it crushed its victims, and then it trampled on them. Unlike the other beasts, it had ten horns. While I was staring at the horns, I saw a little horn coming up among the others. It tore out three of the horns that were already there. This horn had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting proudly.” (Daniel 7:1-8 – GN)
“This is the explanation I was given: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth empire that will be on the earth and will be different from all other empires. It will crush the whole earth and trample it down.’” (Daniel 7:23 – GN)

40. Lion Dan.2 Head: Gold Chest: Silver Waist: Bronze Legs: Iron
(Babylon)
Chest: Silver
(Medo-Persia)
Waist: Bronze
(Greece)
Legs: Iron
(Rome)
Feet: Clay
Dan.7
Lion

41. “Thrones were set up while I was watching, and the Eternal God took his place. His clothing and his hair were white as snow. His throne was a blazing fire with fiery wheels, and flames were dashing out from all around him. Countless thousands were standing there to serve him. The time of judgment began, and the books were opened. I watched closely to see what would happen to this smaller horn because of the arrogant things it was saying. Then before my very eyes, the fourth beast was killed and its body destroyed by fire. The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer. As I continued to watch the vision that night, I saw what looked like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven, and he was presented to the Eternal God. He was crowned king and given power and glory, so that all people of every nation and race would serve him. He will rule forever, and his kingdom is eternal, never to be destroyed.” (Daniel 7: CEV)