1. Why do you think Daniel is referred to as a book about Gentile World History?
2. When was it written? By whom?
3. Why the two languages?
4. How old do you think Daniel lived to be?
5. What do you think Jesus is referring to in Matthew 24 when he speaks about "the abomination of desolation?"
6. Given all the numbering in Daniel, can we accurately determine when Jesus will return?
7. Should we be watching for the antichrist or should we be watching for Christ?
8. How do you interpret the "weeks" of Daniel 9?
I have a couple of hours of audio on Daniel, but I am having a problem with the audio quality. I will work on it and try to get it posted for you as bonus audio. In the mean time, listen to the audio of Christ in Daniel and read this marvelous prophet and reflect on any of the above or something else you have related to Daniel.
I love the Book of Daniel, but I might have a little be of a bias:) I believe the Book of Daniel is referred to as the book of Gentile World History because he outlines it in his dreams and visions from the point his Jewish Nation fell until the end of the gentile age at the Tribulation.
ReplyDelete2. The Book of Daniel was written during the 70 years of the Babylon Captivity, most likely by Daniel himself and King Nebuchadnezzar, and I would guess possibly other scribes.
3. I believe it was written in two different languages because it had two different authors and target audiences. In the End Times I believe this book will be effective to the Muslim community as well.
4. I believe Daniel lived to be an example and a witness of Yeshua, to a lost people that God strategically put him there to witness to.
5. I not sure but I believe the abomination of desolation has a parallel meaning between the Antichrist, Satan, and a Curse being setup on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
6. I believe can determine when Christ will return with the numbering in Daniel. He gives it to us in years, month, and even days, form the very start and the mid point of the Tribulation.
7. I believe we should be watching for Christ, focusing on the Antichrist will not bring anything good in our lives as far as I'm concerned.
8. I believe the seventy weeks are 70 Sabbatical years. I also think it's interesting how in 9:26 Daniel speaks of the Messiah's crucifiction.
I also like to think that Daniel may have been been referring to the constellations of Orion and Eridanus when he was speaking of the Thrown of God and the River of Fire that issued from it, since I believe Daniel studied the stars and I think these two constellations represent.
Daniel I want to say amen to your last point referring to the constellations of Orion and Eridanus as possibilities as we both agree that Daniel studied the stars. Conjecture has it that he instructed a group of star gazers and taught them the Hebrew meanings behind the names of the constellations. This is an exciting subject to ponder. In exile Daniel may have and it is probable that he did teach the very group of men that centuries later would make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to esquire of Herod where the new king of the Hebrews was born.
DeleteE.W. Bullinger wrote a fascinating book called, The Witness of the Stars. It is an online book that may be downloaded as well as Francis Rolleston (sp?) that is downloadable as well called the Mazzaroth. These books along with the recent DVD called the Bethlehem Star give good insight into what now is called Biblical Astronomy. There are many good sights you can look into by Googling Biblical Astronomy.
Thank you so much for mentioning this in your post.
Thanks Hugh! I will definitely check these out. I love finding out about the deeper things in the Bible, like this.
DeleteThe events in the book of Daniel cover from between 606 - 534 b.c. and were undoubtedly written by Daniel. There is a great deal of internal evidence to attest to this fact, not to mention the very testimony of Christ in Matthew 24, verse 15. Moreover, in the New testament there is the assurance that Daniel was the author of this book in Matthew 10:23; 6:27; 19:28; 24:30; and 25:31.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the Abomination of Desolation spoken of in Matthew refers to the abomination and desecration of the temple perpetrated by Epiphanes, it almost certainly is also an allusion to the literal desecration of the temple by the Roman authorities; or the metaphorical destruction of the temple by Christ himself (to be rebuilt on three days)
Moreover, The end will come like a flood: War will continue till the end and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the Temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (Daniel 9:27)As we read this we see more than an allusion to a previous assault on the sanctity of the temple; we read what the direct actions of the anti-Christ will look like, as well as a time line for them. These "desolations" will continue until "the end that is decreed is poured out on him" Wow.
Daniel is an amazing book to read considering the breadth and depth of the prophesy concerning the known "gentile" world. Knowing the world empires of which Daniel is speaking (Media-Persia, Babylon, Greece, and Rome) one can truly get a "history" of the gentile world through Daniel's work.
One can truly get a glimpse of the Gospel of Christ which will be lived and proclaimed in the New Testament as the anti-Christ (little horn) gives way to the tribulation period (seventy weeks) which in turn prophesies the resurrection of Israel.
I interpret the "weeks" of Daniel to be just that - the "weeks" of Daniel and I expect that I will understand fully to what they fully refer when I am allowed. I also agree that we should be focusing on Christ - in fact, I believe that we are being challenged to focus on Christ as the "anti-Christ" that is this world (and the devil who controls it) works to distract believers and unbelievers alike. My focus is toward the center of the circle in which my savior stands.
That was written by Brian - I forgot to sign it.
ReplyDeleteI would like to mention the steadfast faith that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack and Aben-Diggo (Sorry for the bad spelling) exhibited while in exile or you could say while incarcerated. They rose to the top by their faith in Yahweh and their hard work ethic. I think their example speaks very loud even today as we find ourselves steeped in humanism and the Grecco/Roman church model. They were appointed to this task and they were not going to be swayed by any proclamation of any king except the king of heaven. Yahweh delivered them in such great fashion that further proclamations by kings of empires stated that He was superior in every way. Burning furnace heated 7 times and a lion's den would make anyone afraid yet they remained steadfast in the faith. Wow that preaches!!!Beyond the facts and figures and visions this book brings out in apocalyptic fashion, I trust we see the simplicity of faith in and through our Lord God that when we stand on His Word He will back us up!!!
ReplyDeleteI also loved chapter 10 where Daniel waited three weeks for an answer and he got it from the angel. He was told that he was a man of value and highly esteemed. How many times have we told God's people that they are valued and highly esteemed? They deserve it as it is the truth. I am going to preach on this in the month of April at our church as we are going through the fruit of the Spirit. Patience to wait for an answer from God is of great value and price. Blessing to you all!
I also think it's prophetic in the book of Daniel, who's name actually means God is my Judge, prophesies about judgement. It's kind of interesting that a Judge is a governmental role, and Daniel himself appears to have lived out most, if not all, of his life in a governmental role. His book in the Bible was also divided into 12 chapters, the Biblical number said to represent government.
ReplyDeleteI also ran into this video online a while back. I don't know if it's true or not, but I think it could be entirely possible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzoQmrFNE48&list=UUazpj1MQCdFD_UlaymlwQiw&index=19&feature=plcp
This is one hard post. I will do my best. I guess I enjoy reading the Books of the Prophets, but I get timid and find myself afraid to really search out questions and deal with tough answers. I guess I enjoy logical, tested biblical reading over prophetic, inference driven reading. I will do my best here :).
ReplyDeleteI think Daniel is referred to as the book about Gentile world history because he gives historical overviews of the Gentile world from beginning to end; the very end. Daniel deals a lot with what the Gentile world will be like at the time of the tribulation. It was written during the Babylonian exile, by Daniel and other scribes.
Daniel is a prophetic book, but I fear that it is utilized in the wrong way. I do not believe that we can tell when the coming of Christ will be by just adding up the numbers. Christ himself tells us, "no man knows the day or hour, not even the angels or the Son. Only the Father" (Matthew 24:36). If Jesus doesn't even know, then surely Daniel doesn't know. I do believe, however, that it is important to watch for the second coming of Christ. I don't think we should spend our time watching for the antichrist. The spirit of the antichrist has been here since the beginning of time. Anything that is against God can be considered an antichrist. If a believer focuses on those things, there isn't much time to enjoy an abundant life. Christ wants us to focus on HIM (Phil 4:8).
I am careful in what I take away from Daniel. The main lesson I learn from Daniel is that of faith and steadfastness. Daniel is a picture of steadfast faith. He believes God, even when the chips are stacked against him. HIs faith is shown not only in his prayer life, but in public life. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego serve as great examples of uncompromising faith. It is my goal to serve God as wholeheartedly and steadfastly as Daniel did.
Ashley,
DeleteYes! Finally someone has mentioned that Jesus tells us we can not figure out the day or the hour. This is so important and ignoring this has been the cause of so much error and pain.
Again, yes! We must keep our eyes focused on Jesus and forget all the nonsense about who the antichrist is and what does the number 666 mean? The message of the gospels is "be ready." We must live with the expectancy of Jesus' return, but trust God's timing.
Thank you for your good post.
--- marty ---
I am not one who pays much attention to the latest conversations on Christian Television. I see more danger in trying to figure out when the second coming is going to happen. For example, the events of last year created such an embarrassing stir within Christianity. It is so sad that the truth of the second coming of Christ was mocked by unbelievers, not because they hate Christ, but because of the foolish actions of some Christians. We must portray a Christ that is balanced and sane. The second coming of Christ is not about bringing chaos and confusion. It’s about those who have been faithful receiving their just reward. The Gospel message is about preparing the believers to receive their reward.
DeleteAshley