41000 Daniel (Level 3)

Lesson 1

The Book of Daniel is one of the most significant prophetic Books in all of the Word of God. Some of Daniel’s prophecies are yet future & have not been fulfilled, though they one day will be. The key verse of Daniel is chapter 4 verse 17 and the theme of the Book is the sovereignty of God. God gave Daniel extra intellectual abilities & the ability to interpret dreams & visions as he honored Him.

Lesson 2

Chapter one of Daniel is a historical introduction that sets the stage for everything in the Book. The final division of Daniel begins with chapter 2 & continues on until the end of the Book. Most of chapters 2 through 7 were written in Aramaic because it was a universal language in Daniel’s day. Daniel’s thanksgiving prayer is one of the greatest prayers concerning the greatness of God in Scripture.

Lesson 3

Nebuchadnezzar was a polytheist before Daniel revealed his dream, and then he was impressed with God. Though Daniel was greatly honored, he did not forget his 3 friends which is a good insight into his character. Conquered foreigners (Daniel and his friends) were put in authority over the native elite intellects of the land of Babylon. They became irritated and they sought to avenge themselves on them. An opportunity to do this came in chapter 3 of Daniel.

Lesson 4

We have the record of God’s sovereign rule over Gentile rulers illustrated in Daniel chapter 4. This chapter was written by King Nebuchadnezzar himself. In the latter half of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream there was great peace and it is during this time he wrote chapter 4. God had to humble Nebuchadnezzar, and sometimes believers have to be humiliated by God to be reminded that we exist to honor and glorify Him.

Lesson 5

In Daniel 2-7, God demonstrates His sovereign rule over different aspects of Gentile life. In chapter 5 we have God’s sovereign rule over Gentile defenses demonstrated. After 3 men had succeeded Nebuchadnezzar, a 4th man, Nabonidas, was king of Babylon in Daniel 5. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidas the king, & was co-regent of Babylon at this time. We could title chapter 5, Belshazzar’s Feast.

Lesson 6

Daniel tells us the new Gentile ruler’s name in the final verse of chapter 5, Darius the Mede. The name Darius was not a personal name but a title, such as Caesar. For the sake of administrative efficiency, King Cyrus subdivided the Empire into divisions. Daniel’s position under Darius the Mede was one of three commissioners. Daniel would be near 80 years of age and going strong. God used him to demonstrate who is the true and living God in the affairs of men on earth.

Lesson 7

Chapter 7 is the last chapter in this section of God’s rule over the Gentiles in the Book of Daniel. Daniel has a dream in this chapter, and the symbols Daniel saw in his dream represented something very real. For example, the sea that Daniel saw in his vision was a symbol of the Gentile world. The sea was in an uproar and it represented turmoil in the Gentile world. Four beasts rose out of the sea representing four Gentile empires.

Lesson 8

Daniel’s and Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams had some parallels. Daniel’s dream went from events on earth to events in Heaven. While God is about to judge the earth, the Messiah comes in the picture and God gives Him the rule of the earth which an everlasting dominion.

Lesson 9

Daniel is concerned to know what will happen to his people Israel during the time of Gentile world power. Daniel was very disturbed due to the revelation God gave him. In chapters 8-12 we see God demonstrating His sovereign rule over the nation Israel. In chapter 8, we see God’s chastening of the nation Israel in the near future.

Lesson 10

Daniel did some inquisitive research in several Books of the Old Testament in the year 538 BC. Daniel discovered that Israel must repent before God would deliver them from captivity. He began repenting on behalf of the people. Everything in this prophecy must be applied to the nation Israel & the city of Jerusalem exclusively. The Babylonian captivity was only the first part of God’s chastening of Israel.

Lesson 11

The Lord Jesus referred to the activity of the Antichrist in Matthew 24 beginning in verse 15. The Antichrist will be allowed to persecute Israel until God’s chastening of the nation is complete. Daniel chapters 10-12 fit together as one unit, & are God’s sovereign rule over Israel during the 70 weeks. When Jesus Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation, He will judge the Antichrist Himself.

Lesson 12

Daniel 12:1-3 deals with God’s final deliverance of the nation Israel. Michael the archangel is specially assigned by God to protect the nation Israel from total annihilation. The Abomination of Desolation refers to the image of the Antichrist that will be set up in the Temple. Daniel is told that he has received all the revelation that he will get. Then he is told to seal it.