DANIEL
Written about 597-548 BC
The first Babylonian Empire was of Cush- Hamites
Nebuchadnezzar was a Chaldean (Ezra 5:12), stock of Aram, a Shemite.
He reigned from 604-562 BC
The Kennites were a mixed race descended from Cain and likely were mixing with the Chaldeans at this time.
Daniel did not make it back to Jerusalem after captivity (too old).
Daniel was a contemporary of Ezekiel.
Daniel was a young prince of the royal line of Judah, who had been taken captive to Babylon.
The book itself is written partly in the Hebrew language and partly in a peculiar Aramaic dialect, often miscalled 'Chaldee'.
The parts of Daniel which were written in Aramaic are 2:4 to 7:28. Aramaic is the language of the people of Aram, son of Shem. It became the commercial language of Babylon, replacing the old Assyrian.
The book of Daniel may be divided into two parts.
General Prophecies comprising chapters 2-6 relating to the time of the nations.
Symbolic prophecies in chapter 2. Allegorical prophecies in chapters 3-6.
Particular Prophecies of certain nation powers in chapters 7-12.
Symbolic prophecies in chapters 7-8. Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy in chapter 9.
From the Apocrypha. Intro to the young man Daniel. Susanna chapter 1 is Daniel chapter 13.
Susanna's Beauty Attracts Two Elders
Susanna 1:1 There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:
2 And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair (Anglo-Saxon) woman, and one that feared Yahweh.
3 Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.
4 Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Judahites; because he was more honourable than all others.
5 The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as Yahweh spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to (who were supposed to) govern the people.
6 These kept much at Joacim's house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.
7 Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk.
8 And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.
9 And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments (or remembering their duty to administer justice).
10 And albeit they both were wounded with her love (passion for her), yet durst not one shew another his grief.
11 For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with (to seduce) her.
12 Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.
13 And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for (who) it is dinner time.
14 So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause (reason), they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.
The Elders Attempt to Seduce Susanna
15 And it fell out, as they watched a fit (opportune) time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.
16 And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.
17 Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.
18 And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.
19 Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,
20 Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with (we are burning with desire for) you; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.
21 If you wilt not, we will bear witness against you, that a young man was with you: and therefore you didst send away your maids from you.
Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (Deut 22:22)
22 Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened (trapped) on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.
23 It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of Yahweh.
24 With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.
25 Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.
26 So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.
27 But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.
The Elders Testify Against Susanna
28 And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination (wicked plot) against Susanna to put her to death;
29 And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim's wife. And so they sent.
30 So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.
31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman (great refinement), and beauteous to behold.
32 And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.
33 Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.
34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.
35 And she weeping looked up toward heaven (the sky): for her heart trusted in Yahweh.
36 And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.
37 Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.
38 Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.
39 And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.
40 But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.
41 Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.
42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:
43 You knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.
44 And Yahweh heard her voice.
45 Therefore when she was led to be put to death, Yahweh raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:
46 Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the (I want no part in shedding the) blood of this woman.
Daniel Rescues Susanna
47 Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that you hast spoken?
48 So he standing in the midst of them said, Are you such fools, you sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth you have condemned a daughter of Israel?
49 Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.
50 Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given you the honour of an elder.
51 Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.
52 So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O you that art waxen old in wickedness (You old relic of wicked days), now your sins which you hast committed aforetime are come to light.
53 For you hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit Yahweh saith, The innocent and righteous shalt you not slay.
Exodus 23:7 Keep you far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay you not: for I will not justify the wicked.
54 Now then, if you hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest you them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.
The Greek words for mastick tree and cut are similar, thus forming an ironic wordplay.
55 And Daniel said, Very well; you hast lied against your own head; for even now the angel (messenger) of God hath received the sentence of God to cut you in two.
56 So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O you seed of Canaan (Canaanite Jew), and not of Judah, beauty hath deceived you, and lust hath perverted your heart.
57 Thus have you dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Judah would not abide (tolerate) your wickedness.
58 Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst you take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree (evergreen oak).
The Greek words for evergreen oak and split are similar, thus forming an ironic wordplay.
59 Then said Daniel unto him, Well; you hast also lied against your own head: for the angel (messenger) of God waiteth with the sword to cut (split) you in two, that He may destroy you.
60 With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in Him.
61 And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:
62 And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day. (Deut 19:16-21)
63 Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.
64 From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.
Daniel in the Hebrew is Daniyel meaning 'God is my judge', or 'God is judge'.
597 BC
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. (2 Ki 24:1-5; Jer 25:1-38)
1:2 And Yahweh 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.
Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
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 (nobility);
1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning (knowing) in knowledge, and understanding science (knowledge), 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.
1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat (food), and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing (bringing them up, teaching) them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah (God is gracious), Mishael (Who is like El), and Azariah (God is my help):
But the Chaldeans changed their Hebrew names to pagan names.
1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar (Bel will protect); and to Hananiah, of Shadrach (inspired of Aku); and to Mishael, of Meshach (belonging to Aku); and to Azariah, of Abednego (servant of Nego).
4Maccabees 16:3 And not so fierce were the lions round Daniel, nor the furnace of Misael burning with most vehement fires as that natural love of children burned within her, when she beheld her seven sons tortured.
1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat (food), nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
The Babylonians likely ate everything, but even in captivity Daniel chose to obey Yahweh's food laws, and that most definitely excluded pork!
1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Genesis 39:21 But Yahweh was with Joseph (here, Daniel), and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison (prince of the eunuchs).
Psalm 106:46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my master the king, who hath appointed your meat (food) and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse (sadder) liking (looking) than the children which are of your sort (age)? then shall you make me endanger my head to the king.
He was worried Daniel would be malnourished.
1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
1:12 Prove your servants, I beseech you, ten days; and let them give us pulse (veggies) to eat, and water to drink.
1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before you, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as you seest, deal with your servants.
1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
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.
1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat (food), and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse (veggies).
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.
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.
1:19 And the king communed (spoke) with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus (Koresh) (40+ years later).
Symbolic Prophecy
Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation
Daniel 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers (conjurers), and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
2:3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
The Hebrew switches over to the Aramaic language starting with verse 2:4-7:28.
2:4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack (Aramaic), O king, live for ever: tell your servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
2:5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if you will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
2:6 But if you shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, you shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
2:7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
2:8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that you would gain the time, because you see the thing is gone from me.
2:9 But if you will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can shew me the interpretation thereof.
2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man (mortal) upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, master, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer (conjurer), or Chaldean.
2:11 And it is a rare (difficult) thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
2:14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven (the sky) concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven (the sky).
Numbers 12:6 And He said, Hear now My words: If there be a prophet among you, I Yahweh will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God (Yahweh) for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His:
2:21 And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.
2:23 I thank You, and praise You, O You God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of You: for You hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
God in Hebrew is Elohiym. God in Aramaic is Elahh.
2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art you able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers (conjurers), the magicians, the soothsayers (determiners of fate), shew unto the king;
2:28 But there is a God (Elahh) in heaven (the sky) that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days (near future). Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, are these;
2:29 As for you, O king, your thoughts came into your mind upon your bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to you what shall come to pass.
2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that you mightest know the thoughts of your heart.
2:31 You, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and the form thereof was terrible.
2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass (bronze),
2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Head of gold- Babylonian empire came to an end in 536 BC.
Breast and arms of silver- Medo-Persian empire came to an end in 331 BC.
Belly and thighs of bronze- Alexander the Great's empire was divided into four parts after his death in 323 BC.
Legs of iron, feet of iron and clay- Roman empire, at it's end multicultural.
2:34 You sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Stone cut out without hands- Aryan and Germanic tribes, these were nations that earlier were the dispersed tribes of Israel from the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.
These would be the Alans, Vandals, Visigoths, Suevi, Alemania, and others.
2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass (bronze), the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain (kingdom), and filled the whole earth (land).
Indeed the anglo-saxon race of true Israel has become as many as the sands of the sea and stars in the sky and filled the whole earth.
2:36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
2:37 You, O king, art a king of kings: for the God (Elahh) of heaven (the sky) hath given you a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven (sky) hath he given into your hand, and hath made you ruler over them all. You art this head of gold.
Jeremiah 27:6-7
6 And now have I (Yahweh) given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.
2:39 And after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you, and another third kingdom of brass (bronze), which shall bear rule over all the earth.
The Medes and Persians followed by Alexander the Great.
2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
Rome. Rome fell apart towards it's end because of multiculturalism.
2:41 And whereas you sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as you sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
Iron mixed with clay would be weak. The iron would be Israelites, the clay would be the other races. Yahweh demands we be separate.
2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
In 364 AD the empire was divided east and west, and this represents the beginning of the dissolution of the ten toes: the splitting of the original provinces of the empire as it existed under the first Caesars.
The eastern portion would last another thousand years, however the west fell quickly. Later in the fourth century the Visigoths, after defeating the Romans in a large battle, were given leave to cross into the lands of the Empire. Eventually they were mistreated by Rome, and rebelled against the empire. Around 406 AD tribes from out of the Vandals, Alans and Suevi crossed the Rhine into Gaul and began to loot and pillage the empire, and take much of its lands in Gaul and Iberia, which were never recovered. The Visigoths at this same time raided Greece, and then invaded Italy. At first the western empire attempted to buy off the Goths with a large sum of gold. Rome was then sacked by the Goths under Alaric in 410 AD. The years from 433-453 AD saw the Hunnic Empire under Attila and Bleda, who raided the Balkans, Gaul, and Italy, threatening both Constantinople and Rome. The Vandals then sacked Rome in 455 AD. The Huns were bought off in the east with a large grant of land which eventually became Hungary. But looting and bribes were eventually not enough for the Goths, who really wanted the fertile soil of Italy and the treasures of the empire for themselves, and so finally in 476 AD they took it, when the Gothic chieftain Odoacer declared himself ruler of Italy. Rome could no longer defend herself first because the empire was completely corrupt and decadent, but more importantly, as Daniel 2:43 attests, because there was little unity in the citizenry, which was now made up of people of diverse and mixed races.
2:43 And whereas you sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God (Elahh) of heaven (the sky) set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Christianity started it's spread throughout the empire, making it's way into Europe and eventually America, the regathering place of the 12 tribes, a nation under Yahweh. True Israel.
The end of verse 44 has not happened yet.
2:45 Forasmuch as you sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass (bronze), the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God (Elahh) hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
The “mountain without hands” refers to the kingdom of Yahweh's people, His people are the temples made without hands.
2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Master of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing you couldest reveal this secret.
2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
2:49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate (court) of the king.
The phrase “sat in the gate of the king” is a reference to a mediator or middle man. You had to go through Daniel to get to the king.
Allegorical Prophecies
Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden image, and commanded that all people should fall down and worship it. Daniel's companions refused to comply and were thrown into a fiery furnace. However, they were miraculously preserved by the Son of God in the flames, and this was acknowledged by the king himself, who decreed that henceforth no one should say anything against the God of 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.' Similarily, we find that to succeed in this world everyone must bow before the power of money, as represented by gold, and to similar man-made institutions. Those who refuse to conform must suffer, but it is a fact that Christ stands with His people in their fiery trials.
The fiery furnace
Daniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits (90'), and the breadth thereof six cubits (9'): he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes (satraps), the governors (prefects), and the captains (governors), the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3:3 Then the princes (satraps), the governors (prefects), and captains (governors), the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
3:5 That at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Judahites.
3:9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
3:12 There are certain Judahites whom you hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they serve not your gods, nor worship the golden image which you hast set up.
3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not you serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
3:15 Now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, you fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful (we have no need) to answer you in this matter.
3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
3:18 But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you hast set up.
3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen (pattiysh- unknown meaning), and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
3Maccabees 6:6 When the three friends in the land of Babylon of their own will exposed their lives to the fire rather than serve vain things, thou didst send a dewy coolness through the fiery furnace, and bring the fire upon all their adversaries.
3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
The Prayer of Azariah
1 And they walked in the midst of the fire, praising God, and blessing Yahweh.
2 Then Azarias stood up, and prayed on this manner; and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire said,
3 Blessed art Thou, O Yahweh God of our fathers: Thy name is worthy to be praised and glorified for evermore:
4 For Thou art righteous in all the things that Thou hast done to us: yea, true are all Thy works, Thy ways are right, and all Thy judgments truth.
5 In all the things that Thou hast brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, even Jerusalem, Thou hast executed true judgment: for according to truth and judgment didst Thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins.
6 For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing from Thee.
7 In all things have we trespassed, and not obeyed Thy commandments, nor kept them, neither done as Thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us.
8 Wherefore all that Thou hast brought upon us, and every thing that Thou hast done to us, Thou hast done in true judgment.
9 And Thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful forsakers of God, and to an unjust king, and the most wicked in all the world.
10 And now we cannot open our mouths, we are become a shame and reproach to Thy servants; and to them that worship Thee.
11 Yet deliver us not up wholly, for Thy name's sake, neither disannul Thou Thy covenant:
12 And cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, for Thy beloved Abraham's sake, for Thy servant Issac's sake, and for Thy holy Israel's sake;
13 To whom Thou hast spoken and promised, that Thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of the sky, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore.
14 For we, O Yahweh, are become less than any nation, and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins.
15 Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to sacrifice before Thee, and to find mercy.
16 Nevertheless in a contrite heart and an humble spirit let us be accepted.
17 Like as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be in Thy sight this day, and grant that we may wholly go after Thee: for they shall not be confounded that put their trust in Thee.
18 And now we follow Thee with all our heart, we fear Thee, and seek Thy face.
19 Put us not to shame: but deal with us after Thy lovingkindness, and according to the multitude of Thy mercies.
20 Deliver us also according to Thy marvellous works, and give glory to Thy name, O Yahweh: and let all them that do Thy servants hurt be ashamed;
21 And let them be confounded in all their power and might, and let their strength be broken;
22 And let them know that Thou art God, the only God, and glorious over the whole world.
23 And the king's servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the oven hot with rosin, pitch, tow, and small wood;
24 So that the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits.
25 And it passed through, and burned those Chaldeans it found about the furnace.
26 But the angel of Yahweh came down into the oven together with Azarias and his fellows, and smote the flame of the fire out of the oven;
27 And made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist whistling wind, so that the fire touched them not at all, neither hurt nor troubled them.
28 Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed, God in the furnace, saying,
29 Blessed art Thou, O Yahweh God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
30 And blessed is Thy glorious and holy name: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
31 Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thine holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
32 Blessed art Thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
33 Blessed art Thou on the glorious throne of Thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
34 Blessed art Thou in the firmament of heaven: and above ail to be praised and glorified for ever.
35 O all ye works of Yahweh, bless ye Yahweh : praise and exalt Him above all for ever,
36 O ye heavens, bless ye Yahweh : praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
37 O ye angels of Yahweh, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
38 O all ye waters that be above the heaven, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
39 O all ye powers of Yahweh, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
40 O ye sun and moon, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
41 O ye stars of heaven, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
42 O every shower and dew, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
43 O all ye winds, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever,
44 O ye fire and heat, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
45 O ye winter and summer, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
46 0 ye dews and storms of snow, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
47 O ye nights and days, bless ye Yahweh: bless and exalt Him above all for ever.
48 O ye light and darkness, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
49 O ye ice and cold, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
50 O ye frost and snow, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
51 O ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
52 O let the earth bless Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
53 O ye mountains and little hills, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
54 O all ye things that grow in the earth, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
55 O ye mountains, bless ye Yahweh: Praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
56 O ye seas and rivers, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
57 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
58 O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
59 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
60 O ye children of men, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
61 O Israel, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
62 O ye priests of Yahweh, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
63 O ye servants of Yahweh, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
64 O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
65 O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
66 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye Yahweh: praise and exalt Him above all for ever: for He hath delivered us from hell, and saved us from the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame: even out of the midst of the fire hath He delivered us.
67 O give thanks unto Yahweh, because He is gracious: for His mercy endureth for ever.
68 O all ye that worship Yahweh, bless the God of gods, praise Him, and give Him thanks: for His mercy endureth for ever.
3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form (appearance) of the fourth is like the (a) Son of God (bar elahiym- angelic creature).
Isaiah 43:2 When you passest through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walkest through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.
3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
3:27 And the princes (satraps), governors (prefects), and captains (governors), and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
They had faith (allegiance) in Yahweh's delivering power.
Hebrews 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent His angel (messenger), and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
4Maccabees 13:9 Brothers, may we die brotherly for the law. Let us imitate the three young men in Assyria (Babylon) who despised the equally afflicting furnace.
16:21 And the righteous Daniel was cast unto the lions; and Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael, were slung out into a furnace of fire; yet they endured through God.
Allegorical Prophecies
Nebuchadnezzar's peculiar behavior in eating grass symbolized the changed character of his empire. It was to be no longer a benevolent protector of smaller nations, as Egypt had been, but a predatory power, feeding of the common people.
That is, in fact, what all the great beast empires of the world have been. They were founded and established by military conquests whose main objective was to plunder, rob and hold to ransom the common people of the weaker nations, and this was followed by the systematic collection of tribute or taxes from the conquered masses. (Rev 17:10)
The Aramaic continues chapter 3.
The kings dream and Daniel's interpretation
Daniel 4:1 (3:31) Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
4:2 (3:32) I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
4:3 (3:33) How great are His signs! and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.
4:4 (Daniel 4:1) I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
4:5 (4:2) I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
4:6 (4:3) Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
4:7 (4:4) Then came in the magicians, the astrologers (conjurers), the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
4:8 (4:5) But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
4:9 (4:6) O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubleth (baffles) you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
4:10 (4:7) Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth (land), and the height thereof was great.
4:11 (4:8) The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven (the sky), and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth (land):
4:12 (4:9) The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat (food) for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven (sky) dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
This tree represents the Babylonian universalist system. The children of Adam and the beasts of the field, and they all have shadow under it together. Their all eating from the same system. Just like today, which is Mystery Babylon.
4:13 (4:10) I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven (the sky);
4:14 (4:11) He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
These are nations and peoples.
4:15 (4:12) Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth (ground), even with a band of iron and brass (bronze), in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven (the sky), and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth (ground):
The 'stump': is the kingdom of Babylon surviving and arising again. Not the empire, but the system. This system today is this stump come alive, Mystery Babylon. The Jewish usury and deceptive system which now rules the world.
The bands of bronze is Greece and iron is Rome.
4:16 (4:13) Let his (King Nebuchadnezzar's) heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart (mind) be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
Seven years for Nebuchadnezzar himself. Also...
Seven years of prophecy. Nebuchadnezzar's reign began in 604 BC. 2520 years (7x punishment) brings it to 1917. The christian monarchies were handed over to Jewish money dominated democracies.
Things that happened in 1917:
US President Woodrow Wilson is inaugurated for a second term
British forces occupy Baghdad, the capital of Mesopotamia, after Turkish forces evacuated
A German submarine sinks an unarmed US merchant ship, the 'Algonquin' on the same day that US President Wilson gives executive order to arm US merchant ships
Jews are expelled from Tel Aviv & Jaffa by Turkish authorities
US declares war on Germany, enters World War I
Turkish government authorizes Jews to return to Tel Aviv & Jaffa
10 million US men begin registering for draft in WW I
Leon Trotsky named chairman of the Petrograd Soviet as Bolsheviks (Jews) gain control
New York State adopts a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote in state elections
British capture Gaza, Palestine, from Turks
October Revolution (Oct 25 OS) in Russia, Lenin and the Bolsheviks seize power, capture the Winter Palace, overthrowing Provisional Government
Sigma Alpha Rho, a Jewish high school fraternity, is founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
We can see that Babylon made great strides in its re-emergance at this time.
Note: Final downfall of Jerusalem at hands of Babylonians was in 586 BC. Add 2520 and brings it to 1935. Things that happened in 1935:
Iceland becomes 1st western country to legalize abortion
"Monopoly" board game goes on sale for 1st time
Bank of Canada opens
US Congress accepts FDR's "New Deal"
FDR orders a federal gold vault to be built at Fort Knox, Kentucky
The Gold Reserve Act (1934) outlawed most private possession of gold, forcing individuals to sell it to the Treasury, after which it was stored in the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox.
What a “coincidence” that Babylon represented gold and the 7x punishment ended the same time our gold was confiscated by the Jew bankers.
4:16 (4:13) Let his (King Nebuchadnezzar's) heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart (mind) be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
4:17 (4:14) This matter is by the decree of the watchers (Chaldean for angel), and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest (lowliest) of men.
Psalm 9:16 Yahweh is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion (to murmur, in pleasure or anger). Selah.
4:18 (4:15) This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but you art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
4:19 (4:16) Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered and said, My master, the dream be to them that hate you, and the interpretation thereof to your enemies.
4:20 (4:17) The tree that you sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth (land);
4:21 (4:18) Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat (food) for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven (sky) had their habitation:
4:22 (4:19) It is you, O king, that art grown and become strong: for your greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven (the sky), and your dominion to the end of the earth (land).
Jeremiah 27:6-8
6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.
8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith Yahweh, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
4:23 (4:20) And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth (ground), even with a band of iron and brass (bronze), in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven (the sky), and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
4:24 (4:21) This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my master the king:
4:25 (4:22) That they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven (the sky), and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.
Psalm 106:20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
4:26 (4:23) And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be sure unto you, after that you shalt have known that the heavens (skies) do rule.
4:27 (4:24) Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.
Tobit 12:9 For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life:
Sirach 3:30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.
1Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Psalm 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Yahweh will deliver him in time of trouble.
4:28 (4:25) All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
4:29 (4:26) At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
4:30 (4:27) The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
4:31 (4:28) While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven (the sky), saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from you.
Nebuchadnezzar will go insane for 7 years.
4:32 (4:29) And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
4:33 (4:30) The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven (the sky), till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
4:34 (4:31) And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven (the sky), and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation:
Sirach 18:1 He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
4:35 (4:32) And all the inhabitants of the earth (land) are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven (the sky), and among the inhabitants of the earth (land): and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest you?
Isaiah 40:15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
4:36 (4:33) At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my masters sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of Yahweh are riches, and honour, and life.
4:37 (4:34) Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven (the sky), all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.
Chapter 8 events come before chapter 5
Symbolic Prophecies
Chapter 8 resumes in Hebrew. Chapter 2:4-7:28 are in Aramaic.
Daniel 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.
8:2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
Esther 1:2-3
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
Medes and Persians. The Persians were more dominant.
8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth (land), and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
The phrase “touched not the ground” is a reference to quickly moving. This 'he goat' is a reference to Alexander the Great.
Setting out in 334 BC, overthrew the Medes and the Persians and established his own vast empire in Asia.
8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler (bitterness) against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
Alexander the Great defeated the Medo-Persian empire.
8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven (the sky).
The division of Alexander's empire after his death to his four generals.
Quite suddenly, in 323 BC, Alexander was taken ill and died at the early age 33.
8:9 And out of one of them (Alexander's generals kingdoms) came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
The Septuagint ends verse 9 as: “and toward the host:” The 'host' are the children of Israel.
Many believe this is the Seleucids from general Antigonus portion. Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
Arising south of Palestine from small beginnings in Arabia, the followers of Mohammed, immediately after his death in 632 AD attacked the Persians in the east before entering Palestine and capturing Jerusalem in 637 AD. Subsequent expansion was rapid and, within a hundred years, the Saracens, as they were called, had acquired an empire extending from India to the Atlantic, including all territories south of the Mediterranean and east of Palestine as far as central Asia.
8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven (the sky); and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. (Rev 12:4)
“stars to the ground”, stars are often a reference to the children of Israel.
This prophecy accurately describes the attitude of the Moslems to the Christian communities that remained within their territories. During the ten-year rule of Omar, the second Caliph (634-644), four thousand churches were destroyed, and the Christians were humiliated and degraded.
8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host , and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
The 'prince' would be Christ and the 'host' would be the children of Israel of course.
A third of Christendom was destroyed by in the Islamic conquest.
The phrase “daily sacrifice was taken away” signifies a forced change of religion portrayed in terms Daniel could understand.
This may not be a literal statement. Christ took the daily sacrifices away.
Mohammedism was convert or die.
The Septuagint reads: 11 And this shall be until the chief captain shall have delivered the captivity: and by reason of him the sacrifice was disturbed, and he prospered; and the holy place shall be made desolate.
8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.
A 'host' is a mass of people.
Septuagint: 12 And a sin-offering was given for the sacrifice, and righteousness was cast down to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
8:13 Then I heard one saint (holy one) speaking, and another saint (holy one) said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Septuagint: 13 And I heard one saint speaking, and a saint said to a certain one speaking, How long shall the vision continue, even the removal of the sacrifice, and the bringing in of the sin of desolation; and how long shall the sanctuary and host be trampled?
3Maccabees 2:18 We have trampled upon the holy house, as idolatrous houses are trampled upon.
8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Mohammed seems to be this little horn that waxed great. The muslims clearly magnify themselves against Christ.
It is also possible that this 2300 days is not fulfilled yet.
See the end of this study of Daniel for the Antiochus IV Epiphanes theory.
8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
8:16 And I heard a man's (adam's) voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
Luke 1:19 And the messenger answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to shew you these glad tidings.
8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man (adam): for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
8:20 The ram which you sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
Alexander.
8:22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
Alexander's generals were not as powerful as Alexander was.
This means that the four kingdoms would not be ruled by Alexander's own children and, in fact, his generals murdered his wife and only son, and divided the empire between them.
The four kingdoms into which it was divided were: Greece and Macedonia, ruled by Cassander. Thrace and Western Asia Minor, ruled by Lysimachus. Syria and other Asian territories, ruled by Antigonus. Egypt, ruled by Ptolemy. Later another general, Seleucus, overthrew Antigonus, and took over most of his kingdom, building Antioch, in Syria, as his capital.
8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
Deuteronomy 28:50 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:
Doubtless 'dark sentences' is a reference to the Koran.
8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
Mohammed was illiterate. Mohammed was an Arab Jew.
As we saw in the case of Alexander the Great, this expression indicates that his own children would not inherit his power and, in fact, the first caliphs were elected rulers.
8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft (deceit) to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
This must be talking of Mohammed. Islam is the religion of peace, as long as everybody is a Muslim.
The phrase “broken without hand” could be a reference to self destruction.
8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick (exhausted) certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
539 BC (17-18 year gap between chapter 4 and 5)(which is why chapter 8 precedes 5)
Allegorical Prophecies
Chapter 5 gives an account of what took place in Babylon on the night when the city fell.
History records that the Medes and Persians gained entrance to the city by diverting the river Euphrates, so that the river bed became dry where it ran through the walls.
The handwriting on the wall
Daniel 5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his masters (nobles), and drank wine before the thousand.
Esther 1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
5:2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his (grandfather) father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out (58 years ago) of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes (nobles), his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
Jeremiah 52:19 And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.
5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes (nobles), his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass (bronze), of iron, of wood, and of stone.
3Maccabees 4:16 The king was filled with great and constant joy, and celebrated banquets before the temple idols. His erring heart, far from the truth, and his profane mouth, gave glory to idols, deaf and incapable of speaking or aiding, and uttered unworthy speech against the Greatest God.
5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled (terrified) him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers (conjurers), the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
This shows that Belshazzar is co-regient with his father Nebannidus at this time.
5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
5:9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled (terrified), and his countenance was changed in him, and his masters (nobles) were astonied.
5:10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his masters (nobles), came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not your thoughts trouble (terrrify) you, nor let your countenance be changed:
5:11 There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your (grand) father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar your (grand) father, the king, I say, your (grand) father, made master (chief) of the magicians, astrologers (conjurers), Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences (explaination of riddles), and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art you that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
Judah, the Judahites, not Jews. Jewry is not a place, it's more like a way to describe the evil acts of a Jew.
5:14 I have even heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in you.
5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers (conjurers), have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
5:16 And I have heard of you, that you canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if you canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, you shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
5:18 O you king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar your (grand) father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up (exhalted); and whom he would he put down.
5:20 But when his heart was lifted up (vain), and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven (the sky); till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will.
5:22 And you his (grand) son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled your heart, though you knewest all this;
5:23 But hast lifted up yourself against Yahweh of heaven (the sky); and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you, and your masters, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine in them; and you hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass (bronze), iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand your breath (of life) is, and whose are all your ways (of life), hast you not glorified:
Psalm 115:4-8
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from Him; and this writing was written.
5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered your kingdom, and finished it.
5:27 TEKEL; You art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
Job 31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
5:28 PERES; Your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
The word Money comes from Mene.
H4484 pronounced men-ay' (Chaldee); passive participle of H4483: to count, appoint, number, ordain, set; numbered: - Mene.
TEKEL and PERES are presented here as verbs.
H8625 pronounced tek-al' (Chaldee); corresponding to H8254: to suspend or poise (especially in trade): - pay, receive(-r), spend, X throughly, weigh; to balance: - Tekel, be weighed.
H6537 pronounced per-as' (Chaldee); corresponding to H6536: to break in pieces, that is, (usually without violence) to split, distribute: - deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear.; to split up: - divide, [U-] pharsin.
5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
5:30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
Jeremiah 51:31,39
31 One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,
39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith Yahweh.
The Hebrew ends chapter 5 at verse 30 and begins chapter 6 here.
5:31 (Daniel 6:1) And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
This was Cyrus the Mede. Darius as well as Cyrus are actually titles.
Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith Yahweh to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden (strenghthened), to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings (Belshazzar), to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you mayest know that I, Yahweh, which call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I have even called you by your name: I have surnamed you, though you hast not known me.
5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded you, though you hast not known Me:
This was Isaiah's prophecy of Cyrus the Mede and the Persians referring to the siege of Babylon the night of the 'writing on the wall'.
The water channel which flowed into Babylon was diverted to lower the water level and the Medes and Persians entered the city and took it. Herodotus, the Greek historian writes about this event in Herodutus, Histories 1.189-191.
The word of Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin when added up equals 2520 gerahs. (money).
Daniel and the Priests of Bel
Daniel 14:1 And king Astyages (king of Medes 585-550 BC) was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus (Koresh) of Persia received his kingdom.
14:2 And Daniel conversed (was a companion) with the king, and was honoured above all his friends.
14:3 Now the Babylonians had an idol, called Bel (Baal), and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.
Isaiah 46:1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
Jereniah 51:44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
14:4 And the king worshipped it and went daily to adore it: but Daniel worshipped his own God (Yahweh). And the king said unto him, Why dost not you worship Bel?
14:5 Who answered and said, Because I may not worship (do not revere) idols made with hands, but the living God, who hath created the heaven (the sky) and the earth (land), and hath sovereignty over all flesh.
14:6 Then said the king unto him, Thinkest you not that Bel is a living God? seest you not how much he eateth and drinketh every day?
14:7 Then Daniel smiled, and said, O king, be not deceived: for this is but clay within, and brass (bronze) without, and did never eat or drink any thing.
14:8 So the king was wroth, and called for his priests, and said unto them, If you tell me not who this is that devoureth these expenses (provisions), you shall die.
14:9 But if you can certify me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die: for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. And Daniel said unto the king, Let it be according to your word.
14:10 Now the priests of Bel were threescore and ten (70), beside their wives and children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel.
14:11 So Bel's priests said, Lo, we go out (outside): but you, O king, set on the meat, and make ready the wine, and shut the door fast and seal it with your own signet;
14:12 And to morrow when you comest in, if you findest not that Bel hath eaten up all, we will suffer death: or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely against us.
14:13 And they little regarded it: for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.
14:14 So when they were gone forth, the king set meats before Bel. Now Daniel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and those they strewed throughout all the temple in the presence of the king alone: then went they out, and shut the door, and sealed it with the king's signet, and so departed.
14:15 Now in the night came the priests with their wives and children, as they were wont to do, and did eat and drink up all.
14:16 In the morning betime the king arose, and Daniel with him.
14:17 And the king said, Daniel, are the seals whole? And he said, Yea, O king, they be whole (unbroken).
14:18 And as soon as he had opened the dour, the king looked upon the table, and cried with a loud voice, Great art you, O Bel, and with you is no deceit at all.
14:19 Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these.
14:20 And the king said, I see the footsteps of men, women, and children. And then the king was angry,
14:21 And took (arrested) the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table.
14:22 Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel's power, who destroyed him (it, Bel) and his (Bel's) temple.
Daniel Kills the Dragon
14:23 And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.
14:24 And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt you also say that this is of brass (bronze)? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; you canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.
14:25 Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship Yahweh my God: for He is the living God.
14:26 But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give you leave (permission).
14:27 Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon's mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods you worship.
14:28 When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Judahite, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death. Story continues at Daniel 6:17
Allegorical Prophecies
The story of Daniel in the Lion's Den typifies this world where wicked men plot to overthrow the righteous, and seem to succeed, but Yahweh preserves His people and the wicked often fall into their own trap and perish.
The lion's den
Daniel 6:1 (6:2) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes (satraps), which should be over the whole kingdom;
6:2 (6:3) And over these three presidents (overseers); of whom Daniel was first: that the princes (satraps) might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
6:3 (6:4) Then this Daniel was preferred (distinguished) above the presidents (overseers) and princes (satraps), because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
6:4 (6:5) Then the presidents (overseers) and princes (satraps) sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
6:5 (6:6) Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
6:6 (6:7) Then these presidents (overseers) and princes (satraps) assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
6:7 (6:8) All the presidents (overseers) of the kingdom, the governors (prefects), and the princes (satraps), the counsellors, and the captains (governors), have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
3Maccabees 6:7 It was You who, when Daniel was hurled, through slander and envy, as a prey to lions down below, didst bring him back against unhurt to light.
6:8 (6:9) Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. (Est 1:19, 8:8)(Vashti)
6:9 (6:10) Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
6:10 (6:11) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God (Yahweh), as he did aforetime.
Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy: and in Your fear will I worship toward Your holy temple.
6:11 (6:12) Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
6:12 (6:13) Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast you not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
6:13 (6:14) Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not you, O king, nor the decree that you hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
6:14 (6:15) Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
6:15 (6:16) Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
The kings of Media and Persia did not break their own decrees. One example can be found in Herodotus Bk3 Sec31.
6:16 (6:17) Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Your God whom you servest continually, He will deliver you.
6:17 (6:18) And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his masters; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
Lamentations 3:53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
Daniel 14:31 Who cast him into the lions' den: where he was six days.
14:32 And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every day two carcases, and two sheep: which then were not given to them, to the intent they might devour Daniel.
14:33 Now there was a prophet, called Habbacuc (Habakkuk), who had made pottage, and had broken bread in a bowl, and was going into the field, for to bring it to the reapers.
14:34 But the messenger of Yahweh said unto Habbacuc, Go, carry the dinner that you hast into Babylon unto Daniel, who is in the lions' den.
14:35 And Habbacuc said, Yahweh, I never saw Babylon; neither do I know where the den is.
14:36 Then the messenger of Yahweh took him by the crown, and bare him by the hair of his head, and through the vehemency of his spirit (speed of the wind) set him in Babylon over the den.
14:37 And Habbacuc cried, saying, O Daniel, Daniel, take the dinner which God hath sent you.
14:38 And Daniel said, You hast remembered me, O God: neither hast You forsaken them that seek You and love You.
14:39 So Daniel arose, and did eat: and the messenger of Yahweh set Habbacuc in his own place again immediately.
6:18 (6:19) Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
6:19 (6:20) Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
6:20 (6:21) And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you servest continually, able to deliver you from the lions?
Daniel 14:40 Upon the seventh day the king went to bewail (mourn for) Daniel: and when he came to the den, he looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting.
6:21 (6:22) Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
6:22 (6:23) My God hath sent His angel (messenger), and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt.
Tobit 4:17 Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked.
12:14 And now God hath sent me to heal thee and Sara thy daughter in law.
12:15 I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.
Daniel 14:41 Then cried the king with a loud voice, saying, Great art Yahweh God of Daniel, and there is none other beside You.
6:23 (6:24) Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
Daniel 14:42 And he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den: and they were devoured in a moment before his face.
6:24 (6:25) And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
The Septuagint reads clearer: 24 And the king commanded, and they brought the men that had accused Daniel, and they were cast into the den of lions, they, and their children, and their wives: and they reached not the bottom of the den before the lions had the mastery of them, and utterly broke to pieces all their bones.
Deuteronomy 19:19 Then shall you do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt you put the evil away from among you.
6:25 (6:26) Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
6:26 (6:27) I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end.
6:27 (6:28) He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven (the sky) and in earth (land), who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
6:28 (6:29) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus (Koresh) the Persian.
Symbolic Prophecies
Dream and visions of 4 beasts and the interpretation
Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven (sky) strove upon the great sea (Mediteranean).
Mass of people.
7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Great empires.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that you sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the land shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth (land), and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Deuteronomy 28:49 Yahweh shall bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the land, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue you shalt not understand;
7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
The bear is Medes and Persians. The Persians were the dominant nation, “raised”.
The 3 ribs are Babylonia, Assyria, Egypt.
7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (Rev 13:2)
Alexander the great, who conquered the Medo-Persian empire in 330 BC.. He conquered the whole known world in 10 years, fast.
Four wings are four generals that took over after his death.
Diodorus Siculus Library of History, Bk 19.105.102, explains agreement.
Greece, under Cassander, Thrace, under Lysimachus, Syria, under Antigonus, and Egypt, under Ptolemy.
7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. (Rev 12:3, 13:1)
This can only be Rome. Rome perfected iron. Ten horns are the ten provinces that Rome was divided into in the time of the Caesar's.
Eli-Most likely, the ten horns are the ten European nation-states which eventually formed a league with Rome after the city of Rome was sacked by the Germanic tribes. These ten nations or tribes were the 1. Franks, 2. Huns, 3. Vandals whose kingdom had been established in north Africa, 4. Visigoths, 5. Ostrogoths who had established a kingdom in Italy and the Alemannian kingdom north of Italy, 6. Alans (and Sueves), 7. Burgundians, 8. Odoacer’s Italian kingdom of several tribes, 9. Saxons, 10. Lombards.
7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
The little horn is the papacy. Justinian was the eleventh emperor of the eastern empire and he was the one who established the temporal power of the papacy. (see C.E. WTL# 53, and notes on Comparet Revelation series pt. 9)
Three of the 10 provinces were overcome.
Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Seven heads are the seven forms of government that Rome had through it's history.
Kingdom, became a Republic, Desempirate?, Triempirate?, tyranny (Caesars), etc.
13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The serpent was the symbol of authority in ancient Egypt, and in Assyrian and Hittite empire.
13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
The empire of Rome fell, but the papacy, the Catholic church is the Holy Roman Empire.
13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
1260 years.
752 BC is the approximate founding of Rome.
Eli- 529 AD Justinian founded the monastic system, and kicked the Jews out of the court.
529 + 1260 = 1789. French Revolution. Dispossessed the papacy and all of it's real estate in France and Napoleon conquered the papal states and put the pope in prison.
13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
The Roman emperors. Deifying themselves.
13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
True of imperial and papal Rome.
13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. (Rev 20:4, 1:14)
7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Rev 5:11, 20:12)
Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet (a place of cremation, near Jerusalem) is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of Yahweh, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Justinian, the whole system and every one worshiped it.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The peoples of these empires were not all destroyed with their empire.
7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven (the sky), and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before Him.
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in the sky: and then shall all the tribes of the land mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. (Rev 1:7, 13, 14:14)
7:14 And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Rev 11:15)
Psalm 2:6-8
6 Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: Yahweh hath said unto me, You art My Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of Me, and I shall give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the land for your possession.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in the sky and in the land.
7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth (ground).
7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. (Rev 22:5)
7:19 Then I would (wish to) know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass (bronze); which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout (larger) than his fellows.
7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
The Popes made war with the saints throughout their history.
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Sovereign of sovereigns, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Rev 20:4)
When the children of Israel (saints) were obedient, they possessed the kingdoms upon the earth.
7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth (the land), which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth (land), and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Justinian subdued 3 kings. Vandal-Delemar?, Ostrogoth-Viticus?, Gothic king Kotilla?.
Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which you sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Rev 12:14, 13:5-6)
Justinian established the supremacy of the bishop of Rome over all the rest of Christianity within the empire, the temporal power of the papacy, changed laws (Novele Constitution) which was a re-codification of Roman law. 529 AD until 1789 was how long the popes ruled. 1260 years.
7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
The French Revolution took away the dominion of the papacy, but not the papacy itself, it's still here.
7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven (sky), shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. (Rev 20:4, 22:5)
Luke 1:33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart (mind).
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the land; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
This is a perfect description of the Romish popes, who under the guise of lambs – in the pretense of Christianity – devoured the sheep, just as the dragon would do. The popes certainly were the “lamb” which “spake as a dragon”, which exercised “all the power of the first beast” (for an example, just examine the Crusades). They ruled over all the kings of Europe, and controlled the hearts and minds of most of the people of Europe. For nearly all of the time from the reign of Justinian to that of Napoleon, the popes were the single dominating force in the fate of the peoples of Europe.
13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Burning of martyrs.
13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
The Catholic church claims 'signs' all the time.
13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
The popes made fire come down upon the earth by making war against the saints, and forcing the various nations of Christendom into papal idolatry with the threat of war and interdict.
One of Martin Luther's major complaints against the Romish church was the selling of indulgences, tickets out of Purgatory for oneself or one's loved ones that were purchased from the church. Of course, neither Purgatory nor the idea of indulgences are Scriptural, but the Romish church taught them and by them was able to transfer a large amount of wealth from the peoples of Europe and into their own greedy coffers.
13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Of course, this is the papacy.
-Vicarius Filii Dei, “A Substitute for the Son of God”. The Latin numerals add up to (666)
70 weeks prophecy
Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
Ahasuerus reigned 485-465 BC.
9:2 In the first year of his (Darius') reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
The 70 years of the Judahites in the Babylonian captivity.
Jeremiah 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 29:10
9:3 And I set my face unto Yahweh God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
9:4 And I prayed unto Yahweh my God, and made my confession, and said, O Yahweh, the great and dreadful (awesome) God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments;
The covenant and the commandments are 2 separate things.
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that Yahweh your God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
9:5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts (commandments) and from Your judgments:
Psalm 106:6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
9:6 Neither have we hearkened unto Your servants the prophets, which spake in Your name to our kings, our princes (officers), and our (fore) fathers, and to all the people of the land.
9:7 O Yahweh, righteousness belongeth unto You, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither You hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against You.
Daniel confirms that the Israelites have been dispersed after the Assyrian captivity in the 700's BC and here in Babylon in the 500's BC. They eventually went on to settle the nations of Europe and eventually regathered here in America, fulfilling the 2520 year punishment in 1776!
The “churches” teach that the tribes disappeared or were absorbed by other nations.
Friends, we are the descendants of these 12 tribes of Israel, not the Jews. The Jews are descendants of Cain and Esau.
Baruch 1:15 And ye shall say, To Yahweh our God belongeth righteousness, but unto us the confusion of faces, as it is come to pass this day, unto them of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
1:16 And to our kings, and to our princes (officers), and to our priests, and to our prophets, and to our (fore) fathers:
1:17 For we have sinned before Yahweh,
9:8 O Yahweh, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes (officers), and to our (fore) fathers, because we have sinned against You.
“confusion of face” refers to race mixed children. Mixed races among the Israelites. Here in America we now have 'confusion of face'. America was a white Christian nation, if our forefathers rose from the graves, they would see 'confusion of faces' in the country they built and died for!
9:9 To Yahweh our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him;
9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of Yahweh our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed Your law (torah), even by departing, that they might not obey Your voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law (torah) of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned (miss the mark of duty) against Him.
Baruch 1:19 Since the day that Yahweh brought our forefathers out of the land of Egypt, unto this present day, we have been disobedient unto Yahweh our God, and we have been negligent in not hearing His voice.
1:20 Wherefore the evils cleaved unto us, and the curse, which Yahweh appointed by Moses His servant at the time that He brought our (fore) fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land that floweth with milk and honey, like as it is to see this day.
1:21 Nevertheless we have not hearkened unto the voice of Yahweh our God, according unto all the words of the prophets, whom He sent unto us:
1:22 But every man followed the imagination of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of Yahweh our God.
Isaiah 1:4-6
4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken Yahweh, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5 Why should you be stricken any more? you will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
Leviticus 26:14-16
14 But if you will not hearken unto Me, and will not do all these commandments;
15 And if you shall despise My statutes, or if your soul abhor My judgments, so that you will not do all My commandments, but that you break My covenant:
16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague (fever), that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
9:12 And He hath confirmed His words, which He spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil (calamity): for under the whole heaven (sky) hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil (calamity) is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before Yahweh our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Your truth.
Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if you wilt not hearken unto the voice of Yahweh your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day; that all these curses shall come upon you, and overtake you:
Lamentations 2:17 Yahweh hath done that which He had devised; He hath fulfilled His word that He had commanded in the days of old: He hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and He hath caused your enemy to rejoice over you, He hath set up the horn of your adversaries.
9:14 Therefore hath Yahweh watched upon the evil (calamity), and brought it upon us: for Yahweh our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice.
9:15 And now, O Yahweh our God, that hast brought Your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten You renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
These stories and history were well known then. They were written about by Greek historians and philosophers.
9:16 O Yahweh, according to all Your righteousness, I beseech You, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our (fore) fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and cause Your face to shine upon Your sanctuary that is desolate, for Yahweh's sake.
Baruch 2:14 Hear our prayers, O Yahweh, and our petitions, and deliver us for Your own sake, and give us favour in the sight of them which have led us away:
9:18 O my God, incline Your ear, and hear; open Your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name: for we do not present our supplications before You for our righteousnesses, but for Your great mercies.
The Septuagint ends as: “for we do not bring our pitiful case before You on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of Your manifold compassions, O Yahweh.
Baruch 2:19 Therefore we do not make our humble supplication before You, O Yahweh our God, for the righteousness of our (fore) fathers, and of our kings.
9:19 O Yahweh, hear; O Yahweh, forgive; O Yahweh, hearken and do; defer not, for Your own sake, O my God: for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.
9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God;
9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation (grain offering).
9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill (wisdom) and understanding.
9:23 At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew you; for you art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation (propitiation) for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
To Finish the Transgression of Israel: His last words were “It is finished.” His First Advent completed the Old Covenant of the ritual laws of blood sacrifice. He was the last sacrifice under the Old Covenant.
The state of divorce between Israel and Yahweh. It releases Israel from marriage and satisfies the law of the husband. Romans 7:1-12. It frees Israel and allows for remarriage.
To Make and End of Sins: The New Covenant, which was announced at the Last Supper, was prophesied by Jeremiah, in Chapter 31. (31-37)
At that time, 99.9% of the Israelites in the world were in the Dispersion (outside of Judaea); and they didn’t even know that their Messiah had come. That Good News was not spread until after His death.
Sin did not end. It put an end to sins under the Old Covenant.
To Make Reconciliation for Iniquity: Reconciliation is atonement for our sins. As our Kinsman Redeemer, Yahshua Messiah took upon Himself all of our sins under the Old Covenant, thus atoning for the millions of violations of our oath at Mt. Sinai.
To Bring In Everlasting Righteousness: All of Christian history, starting from that day, was designed and intended by Yahweh to bring in everlasting righteousness (justice according to His Laws). This will not be accomplished until the Second Coming, when both death and evil will be destroyed.
Everlasting righteousness belongs to those of the seed of Jacob and obedient to Christ.
To Seal Up the Vision and the Prophecy: This means that Calvary fulfilled the Seventy Weeks prophecy. All of the prophecies concerning the first Advent were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
'Sealed up' means ratified.
To Anoint the Most Holy: John 12:1-16 (Mark 14:3)
The angel Gabriel still speaking:
9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be (re)built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
In 539 BC in the first year of Cyrus (Koresh) the Persian, the decree was given to rebuild the walls, temple and city of Jerusalem.
Cyrus, in 536 B.C., allowed the Judahites to return to Jerusalem, but Cyrus died in 530 B.C., he was followed by Cambyses, who was followed by False Smerdis. Smerdis reigned only half a year.
Construction was halted and resumed many times over 80 years due to neighboring nations (Canaanites) complaints, as well as other events, hence “troublous times”.
In 522 B.C., Darius I, a fairminded ruler, goes about setting things straight again in the Persian empire. With his support and Haggai's encouragement, temple construction is resumed.
The temple is completed in 516 BC. This fulfills the 70 year prophecy of Jeremiah (586-516BC).
After 7 weeks of years, Jerusalem was to be rebuilt. 539BC – 49yrs= 490 BC. (v 25)
In 457 BC the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem (the city) is the commandment of which the archangel Gabriel spoke.
Between 456-444 our mortal enemies (surrounding nations of Canaanites/Edomites) compelled Artaxerxes to have them stop building. They even often raided Jerusalem causing damage. (Ezra 4:23, Neh 1:3)
9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (destroyed), but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Sometime after the 69th week and before the end of the 70th week the Messiah be cut off.
Many of the Romans were Israelites of Zarah Judah. The Romans destroyed the temple in 70 AD. The lower case 'prince' (commander) is a reference to General Titus.
The first set of 7 weeks (49 yrs) was rebuilding Jerusalem.
After 62 more weeks of years (434 years), Yahshua’s baptism took place at the hand of John the Baptist. So, the first 69 weeks (483 years) brings us to the beginning of Jesus’ mission in Judaea.
Having achieved the age of thirty (Luke 3:23), Jesus was eligible to become a priest of Israel.
9:27 And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations He shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (1Mac 1:44-50, 54)
Isaiah 42:6 I Yahweh have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations;
Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Yahshua confirmed the Covenant with His people, Israel, during the final week of the 70 weeks prophecy. His fellowshipping with His disciples in Bethany and Jerusalem during Holy Week.
The Last Supper was the actual event at which the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-37 was instituted.
The “midst of the week” is a reference to the final prophetic week (final 7 years),the baptism of John in the Jordan River, which, although occurring in the middle of the final “week,” was the BEGINNING of His ministry, which was 3 ½ years.
The phrase “sacrifice and the oblation to cease” refers to the Levitical priesthood. The Levites cleansed and prepared the lambs for sacrifice for the atonement of sin for the children of Israel. When John, the last Levitical priest, was baptizing, he was cleansing the priesthood, and his baptizing of Christ was preparing Him for sacrifice. After Christ died, the priesthood, baptism, and sacrifices ended. These Levitical rituals expired. Christ is now our High Priest.
The “churches” teach that the law was “done away with”.
The law is still in effect. The priesthood and it's rituals were done away with.
The phrase, “the overspreading of abominations”, is a reference to the Edomite Jews that have taken over and reside in the land of Israel.
Wars in Palestine
Daniel sees a vision and is told he shall be made to understand what shall befall his people in the 'latter days'.
Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus (Koresh) king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel (Tigris);
10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
10:6 His body also was like the beryl (tarshiysh- unknown meaning), and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass (bonze), and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Revelation 1:15 And his feet like unto fine bronze, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
10:7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
3Maccabees 6:18 Then the all-glorious, all-powerful, and true God, displayed His holy countenance, and opened the gates of the sky, from which two messengers, dreadful of form, came down and were visible to all but the Judaeans.
10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
10:9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto you, and stand upright: for unto you am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you didst set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for (because of) your words.
10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes (divine beings), came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
The Septuagint ends as: “and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the Persians:”
10:14 Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
10:15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb (bound speechless).
10:16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men (adam) touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my master, by the vision my sorrows (pangs) are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
10:17 For how can the servant of this my master talk with this my master? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
10:18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man (adam), and he strengthened me,
10:19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my master speak; for you hast strengthened me.
10:20 Then said he, Knowest you wherefore I come unto you? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
10:21 But I will shew you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth (strengthens) with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
Daniel 11:1 Also I (Michael) in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. Dan 9:1 Darius son of Ahasuerus the Mede.
The Septuagint has: 1 And I in the first year of Cyrus stood to strengthen and confirm him.
There is much confusion of these names because they are not names, but titles, Darius, Cyrus and Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes). All titles.
11:2 And now will I shew you the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
Cyrus is the current king. (reigned until 529 BC)
Cambyses (529-522 BC)
Smerdis (ruled only a ½ year)
Darius (until 486 BC)
Xerxes (486 BC) set out to invade Greece in 480 BC and lost major battles in 478 BC.
11:3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
Alexander the Great, whose empire was divided by his generals into four parts.
11:4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven (the sky); and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
Alexander's posterity did not rule.
Greece, under Cassander, Thrace, under Lysimachus, Syria, under Antigonus, and Egypt, under Ptolemy.
This serves to introduce the kings of the north and south, namely, the Seleucid dynasy ruling in Syria, and the Ptolemies ruling in Egypt. There follows in verses 5-30 a detailed account of the wars between these two kingdoms until 163 BC.
11:5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes (officers); and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
Ptolemy is the king of the south.
11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an (equitable) agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
It seems to be the Ptolemys.
It seems to be the marriage of Antiochus the Great and Cleopatra.
While the of the wars between the north and south were the near future of this time, Ptolemy's verses the Seleucids, some believe these are references of a later time in the future that transcends this time.
This may be referencing the struggle between imperial Roman popery and Islam.
11:7 But out of a branch (shoot) of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:
11:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes (molten images), and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
11:9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
When the Arab Muslim conquest ended in 786 BC there was no more moves against Christendom until the Seljek Turks.
11:10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.
11:11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler (bitterness), and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.
11:12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
11:13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches (possessions).
The later conquest of the Seljek Turks.
11:14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of your people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
The popes wanted this conquest for Christianity and the popes wanted “to establish the vision”, of their kingdom.
11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a (seige) mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people (not Israel), neither shall there be any strength to withstand.
The king of the south being the Arab muslim powers. Seljek Turk mercenaries.
11:16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he (king of north) shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
The short lived 13th century victories the crusaders had in Palestine.
11:17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
Richard the Lionheart, sat in Jerusalem, giving his sister to the Arabs.
11:18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince (ruler) for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.
Richard took Cyprus and sold it to a French noble man.
On the way back to England he was shipwrecked, and he was confiscated by Henry V and held him for a ransom.
11:19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
He goes back to Britian, coronated for a second time because he was gone so long. Then goes to France where he had holdings, and dies in battle.
11:20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
They probably raised the taxes to pay for the ransom.
11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour (authority) of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Possibly the relationship between Fredrick II the Great and Pope Gregory.
Possibly Antiochus Ephiphanes, king of Syria from 175 to 163 BC. His father, Antiochus the Great, king of the north in verse 19, had been defeated at Magnesia in 190 BC by the Romans. They demanded 15,000 talents ransom, and his son, Seleucus IV, described in verse 20 as a 'raiser of taxes', was fully occupied in collecting this money, when he was assassinated by his chancellor, Heliodorus, Antiochus Ephiphanes, younger son of Antiochus the Great, then returned from Rome where he had been held hostage and, although he was not the heir, obtained the throne by lavish promises and bribery, verse 21. The prophecy then gives a description of two wars which he fought with Egypt.
11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
11:23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
Fredrick II did go to Palestine with a small army and were successful.
11:24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches (possessions): yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
11:25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
11:26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat (food) shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
11:27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief (evil), and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches (possessions); and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
11:29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
2Maccabees 5:11 Now when this that was done came to the king's ear, he thought that Judea had revolted: whereupon removing out of Egypt in a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms,
11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
The Septuagint has: 31 And seeds shall spring up out of him, and they shall profane the sanctuary of strength, and they shall remove the perpetual sacrifice, and make the abomination desolate.
The long term interpretation did not happen yet because Christ spoke about it yet happening.
Matthew 24:15 When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Some believe the mosques are the abomination that maketh desolate.
Some believe it's the Edomites being allowed in the temple under Herod. 36 BC.
Some believe it's the statue of Zeus that Antiochus placed there.
1948 could be this abomination when the Jews stole the land of Israel.
11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (valiantly).
Traditionalists verses Hellenists.
11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try (refine) them, and to purge (purify), and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Verses 31-35 relate to the Roman period. Fulfillment seems to be the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
Some say this may be Herod the Great.
It also describes the Popes.
2Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in the sky.
11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
Isaiah 14:13 For you hast said in your heart, I will ascend into the sky, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
11:38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
Herod honoring the Roman empire and it's rulers to get the necessary backing.
11:39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange (racial alien's) god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain (price).
The next period covered in verses 36-39 is the Byzantium period which was after the Capitol was moved from Rome to Byzantium.
11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
Caesar Augustus.
It also describes the conquest of the British. Or possibly the Arabs.
Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.
Ezekiel 38:4 And I will turn you back, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
Revelation 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Isaiah 11:14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble (alarm) him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
Definition 10. To bring into any state or condition; to constitute.
11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas (Mediteranean and Dead seas) in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Verses 40-45 covers the Muslim era (including the Ottoman Empire) up and into the present century.
The Second Advent
There remain only three verses of prophecy at the beginning of chapter 12 that have not yet been fulfilled.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (of life). (Rev 18/19)
Some believe Michael is Christ.
Isaiah 26:20-21
20 Come, My people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21 For, behold, Yahweh cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the land for their iniquity: the land also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth (ground) shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Isaiah 26:19 Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
2Maccabees 7:9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said, You like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for His laws, unto everlasting life.
7:10 After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully.
7:11 And said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for His laws I despise them; and from Him I hope to receive them again.
7:14 So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by Him: as for you, you shalt have no resurrection to life.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
2Esdras 7:97 The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on.
Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
1Corinthians 15:41-42
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
12:4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me (John), Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
12:5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven (the sky), and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 10:5 And the messenger which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the land lifted up his hand to the sky,
12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Master, what shall be the end of these things?
12:9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried (refined); but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, Yahweh is my God.
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of Yahweh are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
1947. The UN by resolution created the Israeli State on Nov 29, 1947.
612 General Allenby marched into Jerusalem and liberated it from the Turks.
12:13 But go you your way till the end be: for you shalt rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days.
The 1335 days is not the end, as verse 13 states.
Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Psalm 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
So far as the literal 'holy place' is concerned, to Daniel and all the Israelites the 'holy place' was where the Temple of Yahweh stood, at Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed by the Romans as foretold in Daniel 9:26.
Although the beginning of Mohammedanism as a power began in 622 AD it did not reach Jerusalem until 637 AD after Mohammed was dean and Omar was Caliph. Omar's reign lasted 10 years until his assassination in 644 AD. In the last years of his reign, ending 643-644 AD a mosque was built in the old Temple area. This would bring us to 1978-79 AD. It was not until 688 AD that Caliph Abdul Malik began to erect the Dome of the Rock right on the very spot where Yahweh's Temple had stood.
Because many prophecies are dual prophecies, and because the latter possibility of Mohammed was presented before, here we present the mainstream thought, which fits the immediate fulfillment.
From chapter 8
Antiochus IV Epiphanes interpretation.
Note: (internet source) From the Hebrew of Daniel 8:14, and the context that it is in, this verse should read:
(Daniel 8:14) "And he said to me, For two thousand three hundred sacrifices; evening - morning, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."
If you doubt that we should insert the word sacrifices here, then note that it is also inserted without the Hebrew for it in verses 12 and 13 (words are in italics), but it is obviously implied.
1 Chronicles 16:40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; (Also see Exodus 29:39, Numbers 28:4 )
More on Epiphanes theory: www.babylonforsaken.com/daniel8_9.html
History tells us of such a person by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes, who sprung from the kingdom of the Seleucidae in Syria, or from Seleucus king of Syria, one of the four horns before mentioned. The Apocryphal book of the bible called the Maccabees gives us great detail of this evil man.
“And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.”(1 Maccabees 1:10)
Did he wax great toward the south (Egypt)? “Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt,”(1 Maccabees 1:17-18)
Did he toward Persia? “Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.” (1 Maccabees 3:31)
Did he enter Israel? 1 Maccabees 1:20 “Antiochus… in the one hundred and forty-third year. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force.
Yes indeed, history tells us that Antiochus raged against the elect of God, and tread upon his precious stars (his religious leaders See I Maccabees 1:25, I Maccabees 2:35, etc). He even made himself ‘GOD’ by declaring himself “God Manifest”.
Did Antiochus defile the sanctuary? 1st Maccabees 1:21, 37, 39 “He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils... On every side of the sanctuary they shed innocent blood; they even defiled the sanctuary… Her sanctuary became desolate as a desert”
1st Maccabees 1:46-47 “to defile the sanctuary and the priests {he had them} to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals”
The little horn “Antiochus” did all that he could to abolish the true religion and godliness; he cut in pieces the copies of the book of the law, and burnt them and he put to death any one who had a copy of the bible or professed the truth. (1st Maccabees 1:56-57).
How long did this defiling of God’s Sanctuary last? Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Until two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings: then shall the sanctuary be vindicated. (BBE)
The Sanctuary is defiled for 2300 evening and morning sacrifices, which is equal 1150 days and then the Sanctuary would be vindicated from the ‘trampling’ of this horn, says the prophecy.
Did Antiochus fulfill this prophecy? Yes indeed. On approximately the 15th Day of Tishri (7th Jewish month), of the year of one hundred and forty-five of the Greek Kingdom (167 BC); Antiochus sent out letters forbidding the sacrifices in the Sanctuary of GOD.
1 Maccabees 1:44-45 And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and feasts,
About two months later he placed an altar to Zeus upon the Lord’s Altar, making it desolate.
1 Maccabees 1:54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah,
If we count 1150 days from the approximate time of the letter forbidding the sacrificial offerings, it would reach to the 25th day of Chislev (the 9th Jewish month) in the year 148 of the Greeks (164 BC). Upon this day the Jews offered sacrifice once more in the CLEANSED house of GOD.
““Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary. So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law: Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place… Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu (Chislev), in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. ”(1 Maccabees 4:41-53)
The Jews commemorate the triumph of Judas with an annual feast called the Feast of Dedication (or Hanukkah). The Savior honored this feast by His presence (John 10:22).
The Sanctuary was "cleansed" by Judas Maccabeus when he purified the holy places, sanctified the courts, rebuilt the altar, renewed the vessels of the sanctuary, put all in their proper places and offered a new the daily sacrifice: Thus we can see a stunning fulfillment of prophecy as Judas Maccabeus cleansed and vindicated the sanctuary of God at the end of a 1150-day period.
Daniel 11
During the time this chapter was written, the kingdom of Babylon, which first took Daniel hostage has fallen to the kingdom of Persia. Daniel is now an elder man; counted wise by the ruler of Persia, as he was by the kings of Babylon. Here we find Daniel standing before Darius the governor of the Chaldeans, during the reign of Cyrus the king of Persia.
DANIEL 11:1-2 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. And now I will shew you the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
Four additional kings reigned in Persia after Cyrus. The fourth king was the richest of them all. Xerxes (Ahasuerus) who married Esther was this fourth king. (Esther 2:16-17)
Daniel 11:3And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
The king of Grecia (greece), Alexander the great, came and conquered Persia. (Daniel 8:20-21)
Daniel 11:4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides those.
Alexander the great died at the age of 32, and his kingdom was divided between his four generals.
Daniel 11:5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
One of these four generals, Ptolemy, began a dynasty in Egypt(South); and Seleucus did the same in Syria(North). Lycemicus took over Asia Minor (east) and Cassander took Macedonia (West).
Daniel 11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened he in these times.
Egypt and Syria formed an alliance in 250 B.C. after both generals had died. Ptolemy II (ruler of Egypt) gave his daughter Bernice in marriage to the grandson of Seleucus, Antiochus II (ruler of Syria). Two years later Ptolemy II died and Antiochus II divorced Bernice and remarried his former wife Laodice. Laodice then poisoned Antiochus and had Bernice killed. She appointed her son, Seleucus II, to the throne of Syria.
Daniel 11:7 But out of a branch of her (Bernice's) roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:
Back in Egypt, Bernice's brother, Ptolemy III now ruled. He invaded Syria and avenged his sister's death by executing Laodice. Seleucus II (the king of Syria) fled.
DANEIL 11:8-9 And shall also carry captive into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold: and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
Ptolemy III carried away tons of spoil from Syria; including 4,000 talents of gold, 40,000 talents of silver, and 2,500 idols.
DANIEL 11:10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, be stirred up, even to his forces.
Seleucus II mounted a counterattack against Egypt, but he was killed. His son Antiochus III succeeded him as king of Syria.
DANIEL 11:11-14 These verses tell of continuing warfare between Syria and Egypt.
DANIEL 11:15-16 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
In 198 B.C. Antiochus III (the king of Syria) won control of Palestine (the glorious land) at a battle outside of Sidon.
DANIEL 11:17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
The BBE reads: 17 And it will be his purpose to come with the strength of all his kingdom, but in place of this he will make an agreement with him; and he will give him the daughter of women to send destruction on it; but this will not take place or come about.
In 193 B.C. Antiochus III gave his daughter Cleopatra (not the famous Cleopatra) in marriage to Ptolemy V. He hoped that Cleopatra would foster Syrian interests in Egypt, but she remained faithful to her husband. Thus Syria and Egypt entered into covenants of alliance and marriage.
DANIEL 11:18-19 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. Then he shall turn his face toward the fort to his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Antiochus III joined with Hannibal and together they invaded Greece (the isles) , Being defeated in battle Antiochus III returned to Antioch, where he died while attempting to rob a pagan temple.
From here we will rely heavily upon the commentary of John Gill.
DANIEL 11:20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle.
“This was Seleucus Philopator, the eldest son of Antiochus the great; who succeeded him, and was settled in his kingdom in his father’s room, and stood upon his basis; and might well be called a raiser of taxes, being not only a covetous man, and a lover of money above all things; and therefore laid heavy taxes on his subjects, to gratify his avarice; but was indeed obliged to it, to raise the thousand talents yearly to pay the Romans… Seleucus reigned in all but twelve years at most, he did nothing but raise taxes yearly to pay this tribute…. Seleucus reigned but twelve years at most, which were but few in comparison of the long reign of his father, which was a reign of thirty seven years; and he died not through the rage of the populace, or through the sedition and rebellion of his subjects, nor in war, with a foreign enemy; but through the treachery of Heliodorus his treasurer, by whom he was poisoned, as is supposed; for the sake of Antiochus Epiphanes.” Ibid..
DANIEL 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
“Upon his basis or stand, in the same place where Seleucus Philopator stood, succeeded Antiochus Epiphanies his brother, called "vile", being a very immoral man, given to drunkenness, lasciviousness, uncleanness, and unnatural lusts, and a violent persecutor of the church of God… neither his father, nor his brother, nor the peers and people of the land of the kingdom of Syria (gave him honor); they never once thought of making him king; they neither chose him, nor called him, nor crowned him: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries; pretending to take it, not for himself, but for his nephew Demetrius, the son of his brother Seleucus.” Ibid..
DANIEL 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
The armies of Heliodorus which stood against Antiochus, in an attempt to help the young son of Seleucus, was overthrown. And Demetrius the prince (Son of Seleucus, nephew of Antiochus, and rightful holder of the throne of Syria) soon met his demise. The covenant being the covenant formed between the grandfather of Demetrius and Ptolemy of Egypt.
DANIEL 11:23-24 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
In the life of Cleopatra, Antiochus Epiphanes made a league with Egypt; while assuring the young Ptolemy that he held to the covenant of their fathers and even attended his coronation (2nd Maccabees 4:21), he shortly came against him with a small force and with the strength of surprise; and took Memphis and much of Egypt, even to Alexandria.
None of his ancestors, more near or more remote.. however greater these might be in power or riches, they were inferior to him in success; though they all… had their eye upon Egypt, and would gladly have been masters of it; yet none of the kings of Syria prevailed over it, as Antiochus did.
When Antiochus took a city, he scattered the spoil among his soldiers, whereby he gained their affections, and attached them to his interest; and in this his liberality and unificence he is said to abound above all the kings that were before him.
DANIEL 11:25-26 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
“That is, Antiochus shall arouse himself, and exert his courage, and gather a large and powerful army, and set out with them to fight with Ptolemy Philometor, king of
Egypt; this is his second expedition into Egypt, as is observed in the Apocrypha:
“About the same time Antiochus prepared his second voyage into Egypt:”(2 Maccabees 5:1)
“Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.”(1 Maccabees 1:17-18).. Ibid
The army of Antiochus, like a mighty flood of water, which carries all before it, overflowed, or bore down and destroyed the army of Ptolemy, and overran all Egypt.
DANIEL 11:27 And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
Antiochus and Ptolemy later met in Memphis to discuss conditions of peace. Though both men acted as if they respected each other greatly, the hearts of both men were filled with mischief. “Yet the Lord, by whom all events are predetermined; whose counsel shall stand, notwithstanding all the devices in the hearts of men, and of kings themselves: the end of this peace between these two kings, and the end of the wars between them, yea, the end of the two kingdoms, when they should cease, and come into other hands; all was fixed to a time appointed of God, and should surely come to pass, as he had decreed.”
DANIEL 11: 28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
Antiochus, with the spoils of Egypt, and the gifts and presents he had received there, returned to his own land. Then his attention was turned against the Jews; and the HOLY COVENANT; that existed between GOD and the Jews.
“And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,”(1 Maccabees 1:20-21)
Antiochus; heart became enraged with the Jews because a false rumor had been spread in Judea that Antiochus was dead, Jason took the opportunity to recover the office of high priest from his brother Menelaus; and, with a thousand men, took the city of Jerusalem. Antiochus, hearing of this, concluded the whole nation of the Jews had revolted from him; and therefore he fought against Judea in order to suppress this rebellion (2nd Maccabees 5:5-11)
“Upon reaching Jerusalem, he committed very wicked exploits. He ordered his soldiers to slay all they met, without mercy, old and young, women and children, virgins and young men; and in three days’ time eighty thousand were slain, forty thousand bound, and no less sold: he went into the temple, and took all the vessels in it, and all the gold and silver, and hidden treasures of it, to the value of a thousand and eight hundred talents (1st Maccabees chapter 1).” Ibid
Daniel 11:29-31 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
This is Antiochus’ third expedition into Egypt. But this third time, was not like the first or the second; for Ptolemy had called for the Romans to help him. The Romans sent their ambassadors Caius Popilius Laenas, Caius Decimus, and Caius Hostilius, in ships from Chittim to Antiochus, to require him to desist from making war upon Ptolemy,
With this Antiochus returned, being grieved with the intervention of the Romans; and thus he took out his frustrations against the Jews. Sadly, he received great intelligence against the faithful Jew, by those Apostate Jews who had forsaken the Jehovah and had accepted the Greek religion.
“And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.”(1 Maccabees 1:15)
The armies of Antiochus defiled the Temple of God, his Sanctuary of Strength, that contained his Ark. Antiochus ordered by letters that the daily sacrifices to Jehovah should cease. He offered swine’s blood upon the holy altar; and then placed an image of a heathen GOD upon it; thus desolating the house of GOD. (see 1st Maccabees chapter 1).
Please note that this abomination of Desolation is not that which Christ spoke of from the Mount of Olives; for this abomination of Daniel 11, is the same of Daniel 8, which happened about 200 years before the Lord preached this message. The abomination that Christ foresaw was the desolation of the temple in 70 AD by the Roman abomination (Luke 21:20, Mark 13:14).
Daniel 11:33-35 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Those who had a true relationship with Jehovah stood firm against the dealings of this madman. And they taught many not to apostatize. The heroics of the Maccabees surely are being mentioned here. And for their stand for the truth, many, many faithful men were tortured to the death. What was the purpose of GOD allowing this? The Jewish nation had been corrupted with heathenism and were merely lukewarm. The exploits of Epiphanies tried them like fire, and it purged them and it made the white. Thus we see that God used the evil of this man, for the purifying of his people. And he assures them that it would not last forever, because the end of Antiochus’ reign had an appointed end. For Antiochus was soon overcome by a plague from GOD, and the divided Grecian Empire came to an end; As the Roman Empire conquered Asia and Africa.
Daniel 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
Because the angels purpose is to show the whole course of the persecutions of the Jews until the coming of Christ, he now speaks of the monarchy of the Romans, which he notes by the name of a king, who were without religion and condemned the true God. And we believe it transcends to the reign of Papal Rome, who is the little horn of Daniel 7.
Daniel 11:37-39 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
We cannot help but to believe that this is indeed a reference to the Papacy. For it is the Papal Rome who claims that it does not regard the desire of women, holding to the abominable doctrine of celibacy. It is also the Papacy that claims to be GOD OF GODS.
DANIEL 11:40-45
Concerning the following verses (Daniel 11:40-45); we believe that they are still future. So we can only speculate of their meaning. As we read these words, we know today that the Papacy wishes to rule over Jerusalem. They wish for the United Nations to declare it a ‘world city’, and to allow them to over see it.
If the Papacy is given such a position, then this could be very well the fulfilling of verse 45.
“And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.”
This would be another abomination that makes desolate, an abomination that will cause the world to become desolate; for it is the evil that precedes the return of Christ.
DANIEL– CHURCH DOCTRINE VS. SCRIPTURE
Below are 3 sources of what the modern churches preach today about the book of Daniel.
The purpose is to expose the apostasy and perversion of the scriptures, and to educate our people about the truth of our heritage. That we, the anglo-saxon race who are the descendants of ancient Israel, are the people of Abraham's seed and therefore the heirs of the promises of Yahweh. Not the Jews who distort and pervert the scriptures and teach the 'traditions of men'.
Biblehub.com
The genre of the book of Daniel is Narrative History, Prophetic Oracle, and it includes Apocalyptic material. The prophet Daniel wrote it around 530 B.C. and his writings records the events of the Babylonian captivity in 560-536 B.C. to which Daniel was a servant. It also describes the apocalyptic visions given by God, and reveals the events and plans for everyone’s future. Key personalities of this book include Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Belshazzar, and Darius.
The purpose of this book is to provide a historical account how the Lord God protected and provided for His faithful followers while in captivity. It also includes a vision of future redemption and hope.
• In chapters 1-6, Daniel writes about his own life in captivity. He was selected to work for the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel (or his Babylonian name Belteshazzar), and his friends made bold and tough decisions and several times displayed their integrity to stand for Godliness instead of culture. They rejecting the king’s food (Pork and other unclean animals), prayed when it was illegal to do so, and refused to bow to the king’s idol, for which they were thrown into a scorching furnace. Daniel interpreted the king’s dreams twice then was promoted as chief over all the wise men in Babylon. Yet, through all the great things that Daniel did He claimed it was God that did it through him and he gave all the glory to God, “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him” (2:22).
• Chapters 7-12 contain the visions that Daniel received from God and the events that are involved in his prophetic ministry. A portion of these includes the results of the earthly kingdoms that he lived in. They also mention the coming Messiah and the apocalyptic events to come. “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (12:8-9). To be continued...
Biblestudytools.com
Summary of the Book of Daniel
Author, Date and Authenticity
The book implies that Daniel was its author in several passages, such as 9:2; 10:2. That Jesus concurred is clear from his reference to " the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel" (Mt 24:15). The book was probably completed c. 530 b.c., shortly after Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, captured the city of Babylon in 539.
The widely held view that the book of Daniel is largely fictional rests mainly on the modern philosophical assumption that long-range predictive prophecy is impossible. Therefore all fulfilled predictions in Daniel, it is claimed, had to have been composed no earlier than the Maccabean period (second century b.c.), after the fulfillments had taken place. But objective evidence excludes this hypothesis on several counts:
To avoid fulfillment of long-range predictive prophecy in the book, the adherents of the late-date view usually maintain that the four empires of chs. 2 and 7 are Babylon, Media, Persia and Greece. But in the mind of the author, "the Medes and Persians" (5:28;;) together constituted the second in the series of four kingdoms (2:32-43). Thus it becomes clear that the four empires are the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman.
The language itself argues for a date earlier than the second century. Linguistic evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls (which furnish authentic samples of Hebrew and Aramaic writing from the third and second centuries b.c.) demonstrates that the Hebrew and Aramaic chapters of Daniel must have been composed centuries earlier. Furthermore, as recently demonstrated, the Persian and Greek words in Daniel do not require a late date. Some of the technical terms appearing in ch. 3 were already so obsolete by the second century b.c. that translators of the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT) translated them incorrectly.
Several of the fulfillments of prophecies in Daniel could not have taken place by the second century anyway, so the prophetic element cannot be dismissed. The symbolism connected with the fourth kingdom makes it unmistakably predictive of the Roman empire (2:33;7:7,19), which did not take control of Syro-Palestine until 63 b.c. Also, a plausible interpretation of the prophecy concerning the coming of "the Anointed One, the ruler," approximately 483 years after "the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem" (9:25;9:25-27), works out to the time of Jesus' ministry.
Objective evidence, therefore, appears to exclude the late-date hypothesis and indicates that there is insufficient reason to deny Daniel's authorship.
Theological Theme
The theological theme of the book is summarized in 4:17; 5:21: "The Most High (God) is sovereign over the kingdoms of men." Daniel's visions always show God as triumphant (7:11,26-27;8:25;9:27). The climax of his sovereign rule is described in Revelation: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ [i.e., Messiah, Anointed One'], and he will reign for ever and ever" (rev 11:15;da 2:44;7:27;s).
Literary Form
The book is made up primarily of historical narrative (found mainly in chs. 1 - 6) and apocalyptic ("revelatory") material (found mainly in chs. 7 - 12). The latter may be defined as symbolic, visionary, prophetic literature, usually composed during oppressive conditions and being chiefly eschatological in theological content. Apocalyptic literature is primarily a literature of encouragement to the people of God.
Insight.org
Who wrote the book?
Named after its writer, Daniel’s book is a product of his time in Babylon as a Jewish exile from Israel. Daniel was not a Jew, neither are Israelites Jews. Daniel was a Judahite. Jews are Canaanites and Edomites. Their fathers are Cain and Esau. The Jews claim they have never been in bondage (John 8:33), a dead giveaway that they are not Israel. While still a young man, Daniel travelled to Babylon with a group of young Israelite nobles (why didn't they say Jews here?), men of promise whom the conquering power felt could be of use in service (Daniel 1:3–4). Once Daniel arrived, the leadership in Babylon renamed him Belteshazzar in an effort to more closely identify him with his new home (1:7). Daniel lived there throughout the Jews’ seventy-year captivity (1:21; 9:2) (again, the Jews were never in captivity, but the Judahites were), eventually rising to become one of only three administrators over the provincial governors throughout the kingdom (6:1).
Daniel recorded his experiences and prophecies for the Jewish exiles during his time in the Babylonian capital, where his service to the king gave him privileged access to the highest levels of society. Another deception. These are Judahites of the children of Israel, not Jews) His faithful service to the Lord in a land and culture not his own makes him unique among almost all the people of Scripture—Daniel stands as one of the only major figures in the Bible to produce a completely positive record of his actions.
Where are we?
The Babylonians exiled the group containing Daniel and his three friends—best known by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—to the cultural center of the their empire, the city of Babylon, in 605 BC. This move was part of the first of three deportations (605, 597, and 586 BC) carried out by the Babylonians in Israel after they subdued Jerusalem and the unfaithful King Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36–24:2). The teenaged Daniel found himself in the midst of a strongly polytheistic religious culture, meaning he had ample opportunities to fall into error. However, he stood firm in his faith among the Babylonian people on several significant matters—including dietary regulations and worship practices (Daniel 1:8–16; 6:6–12). These dietary regulations could only be the Levitical laws of clean and unclean animals, that is still in effect today, even though the “churches” teach you to eat pork. Yahweh changes not.
Why is Daniel so important?
Daniel is one of the few Bible books that takes place during a period of judgment (many books foretell it and a few look back on it) and in a foreign nation. Whether it’s in the contrast between the culture’s idol worship and Daniel’s faithful purity or in the account of the arrogant Nebuchadnezzar and his humbling encounter with God, the pagan backdrop in Daniel makes the Lord’s power shine through in a magnificent and majestic way that stands out in Scripture. The book of Daniel makes it clear that the true God is the supreme ruler over heaven and earth (Daniel 4:17), even when all seems lost and the consequences of sin seem overwhelming.
What's the big idea?
The book of Daniel stands as a unique mix in the Old Testament, for while it begins with history, it makes a strong transition at chapter 7, where it contains visions of future events significant to the Jews (Judahites). In particular, Daniel 9:24–27 gives a meticulous timeline of when Israel’s Messiah would appear and the events that would follow. For the fate of the Jews, read Obadiah. Their fate is quite different than we true Israelites.
In both the historical and the prophetic sections, Daniel presents a strong case for the absolute sovereignty of God, even over a multiplicity of self-absorbed foreign powers. This theme of sovereignty occurs on numerous occasions, including Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den, his friends’ rescue from the fiery furnace, and the future arrival of the Ancient of Days to save His people from the forces of evil (Daniel 3:23–30; 6:19–23; 7:9–22).
How do I apply this?
Daniel and his God-fearing friends (kinsmen) were forced to live in Babylon, far from home and far from the land their Lord had promised them. Later in the book, Daniel prophesied of terrible trials still to come in the Promised Land (Daniel 11:31) and the future. Whatever the trial was, though, it was always the result of sin.
Have you ever endured the weight or consequences of sin and felt as though God had left you behind, that He had stranded you in a world far from the comforts associated with home? The book of Daniel paints a portrait of how to serve God faithfully in the middle of such a world and how to persevere in hope even with no immediate solutions to the problems that get us down.