Daniel

Overview – May 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Daniel

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things.” —Daniel 2:20-22 NKJV

Like Ezekiel, Daniel, meaning “My judge is God,” also prophesied in captivity during Israel’s exile to Babylon. He earned a place of honor and respect among the Gentiles by the simple, firm reality of his faith in the living God. That faith produced a life of consistent godliness, of wise and circumspect conduct with no compromising of truth.

Historical matters of deep interest are given to the end of Daniel 6. These provide clear insight into the character of the kingdoms of Babylon and of the Medes and Persians. They also show us God’s preserving care of the godly remnant of Israel among the Gentiles. Besides being histories, these accounts are also prophetic of events to take place in the future.

From chapter 7 to the end of the book the subject matter is of distinct prophetic visions given to Daniel. These visions involve the great empires of the world and Israel’s connection with them, and the eventual triumph of the Lord of Glory over all the nations on behalf of His people.

Daniel is an excellent book to teach us that prophecy is only properly understood through godly exercise coupled with a faithful walk, and that God expects His own to have a vital interest in His prophetic revelations!

By Leslie M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.”
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.