2. Difficult Bible Passages “Please explain Daniel 7-12. Are these events yet to happen?” wA part of “apocalyptic” scriptures, like Revelation, “an uncovering” during times of persecution wNot intended to conceal, but reveal wFigurative language, cf Mt. 13:10-17 w“ Blessed are you eyes, for they see” By Tom Roberts

3. Daniel: Prophet of Captivity wI Kgs. 8:46-52 Promise to hear prayers wAt Death of Solomon wIsrael & Judah Divide wIsrael into Idolatry - captive 721 B.C. wJudah sins - captive 606 B. C. wIn Captivity, “uncovering” encourages wGod uses Babylon to do His will wDaniel: captive & a prophet 1:1-4, 17

4. Captivity & Return Prophesied wIsa. 39:5-7; Jer. 25:1-11 (1 Kgs 8) wPromise of Cyrus Isa. 45:1-7 w Return took place 536 B.C. Ez 1:1-4 w Daniel encouraged while in Babylon w Daniel & Neb.’s dream Chap. 2 w Image: Babylon, Medo-Persian, Alexandrian, Roman empires seen

5. Daniel 2 Repeated in Dan 7 wNow To King Belshazzar wFour Beasts wLion = Babylon wBear = Medo-Persian wLeopard = Alexandrian (Greek) wIron Teeth = Roman wTen horns = Roman kings (Domitian?) w Dan. 7:15-22 Purpose of Writing

6. Daniel 8 & 9 wSure explanation Dan. 8:1-8, 15-21 wDan 9 in reign of Darius w Daniel read scrolls (Jer. 25) w Daniel prayed for forgiveness (1 Kg 8) w Prayer answered vv. 20-27 w 70 weeks: apocalyptic view of Jesus and kingdom until 70 A.D. destruction of Jerusalem (Mt. 24)

7. Cyrus Fulfills Prophecy wCyrus replaces Darius Dan. 10:1 w 2 Chron. 36:17-23 (Ezra 1:1-4ff) Recap of Captivity and Return w Mistake of Premillennialists: wLack of Knowledge of Bible History wConcept of “future kingdom” wDestroys Bible time-table wAll has been fulfilled Acts 2 (Dan 2:44-45)