Daniel

Nature of the Book Prophecy –Proclaims the need for faithfulness to God, but without the normal denunciation of sin, injustice, and unrighteousness. Apocalyptic –Visions, symbolic numbers, interpreting angels, mystical imagery, and eschatological focus. –The focus is on the end—where God wins. –The process of getting there is tied up in image and symbol, making it difficult to interpret.

Nature of the Book Two parts –Stories—Daniel 1-6 –Visions—Daniel 7-12 Two languages –Aramaic—2:4b-7:28

Date of the Book BC –Nebuchadnezzar's capture (3 rd year of Jehoiakim) to 1 st year of Darius. –Confusion between Darius and Cyrus (5:31) That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two (Dan. 5:31).

Date of the Book Nabopolassarc Nebuchadrezzar II (Nebuchadnezzar) Awil-Marduk (Evil-Merodach) Nergal-shar-usur (Neriglissar) Nabonidus Belshazzar Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great) Cambyses II Darius I Xerxes I

Date of the Book Many of the visions fit the context of 2 nd century BC (Dan. 9, 11, 12).

Message of the Book Faithfulness to God –God vindicated Daniel and his friends because of their faithfulness. But,... What if He had not?

Message of the Book The Kingdom of God –God is at work in the world. –God's kingdom will prevail in the end. Beast in Dan. 2 "Weeks of Years" in Dan. 9