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I’ve read the Book of Daniel at least once a year for 52 years. During my study of Daniel, I’ve noticed three aspects of this book:
1. Daniel is always faithful.
2. The Lord delivers those who are faithful.
3. The faithfulness of God in the end times.
Daniel is always faithful.
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank (1:8, ESV).
The prophet Daniel never stumbles. I’m sure he had bad days, unholy thoughts about some fellow Babylonians who betrayed him, and even uncertainties and doubts. But He didn’t forsake God, curse the goodness of God, or defile himself.
The Book of Daniel is an example of a man of God who always sought God.
The Lord delivers those who are faithful.
The “thrown into the fiery furnace” story about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego along with the epic of “Daniel in the lion’s den,” have been staples of Sunday School teaching for children since the dawn of Sunday School!
And what do we learn of God’s faithfulness? That God will miraculously empower those who walk in His will.
The Book of Daniel has a focus on prayer. Daniel’s determination to continue praying, despite a king’s edict to stop praying to the living God, landed him in a lion’s den!
But Daniel didn’t stop praying, and his prayers of the nation of Israel returning from Babylon to the land of Israel are described in chapters 9 and 10. It’s quite a prayer, with Daniel becoming like a dead man because of his intense intercession.
At the end of this prayer, we find a compassionate God comforting Daniel.
Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened (10:18-19).
Personally, I’ve never prayed the history-changing prayers of Daniel, but I’ve felt the presence of God strengthening me many times during my prayers.
It’s a key reason why I enjoy praying. We can all experience this presence!
The faithfulness of God in the end times.
The last six chapters of Daniel focus on prophecy.
Daniel contains more teaching on the Antichrist than any other book in the Bible. Chapter 11 of Daniel contains over 100 prophecies (some already fulfilled and many of them still to come).
The Book of Daniel concludes with one final prophecy given to Daniel, and when he sought insight into the meaning of this prophecy, he was told. . .
But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time (12:8-9).
Why wasn’t Daniel given an interpretation of his final prophecy? Let’s consider a vision given to Daniel. . .
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed (7:13-14).
The Book of Daniel is about a coming Kingdom. . . the Kingdom of God. Difficult for Daniel to understand hundreds of years before Christ’s first coming, but now the focus of the church as we wait for Christ’s second coming.
The final prophecy of the Book of Daniel was given for those reading this Interruption today! Let’s be encouraged.