The Book of Daniel is the twenty-seventh book of the Bible and the last of the Major Prophets.

Written during the Babylonian exile, Daniel’s story blends historical events with prophetic visions.

It shows how faithful living in a foreign culture honours God and how God is sovereign over kings, empires, and the future.

Daniel is a personal example of courage and integrity and a prophetic voice revealing God’s plan through history and into the end times.

Faith in Exile: Daniel and His Friends (Daniel 1–6)

The first half of the book tells narratives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, showing how their faithfulness to God brings glory to Him even under foreign rule.

Key Highlights:

• Daniel refuses to defile himself with Babylonian food and is blessed (Daniel 1).
• Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue reveals four world kingdoms (Daniel 2).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace, trusting God (Daniel 3).
• Nebuchadnezzar is humbled after becoming prideful (Daniel 4).
• Belshazzar’s “writing on the wall” signals the fall of Babylon (Daniel 5).
• Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den but is miraculously protected (Daniel 6).

Lesson: God honours bold faithfulness—He is present, even in the darkest situations.

Daniel’s Prophetic Visions (Daniel 7–12)

The second half shifts to apocalyptic visions, revealing the rise and fall of kingdoms, the coming of God’s eternal rule, and the end of the age.

Key Highlights:

• The vision of four beasts (Daniel 7) representing world empires—followed by the Son of Man receiving an everlasting kingdom.
• Ram and goat vision (Daniel 8) predicts the rise of Medo-Persia and Greece.
• Daniel’s prayer and the prophecy of the 70 weeks (Daniel 9) point toward the Messiah and end times.
• Daniel is shown visions involving spiritual warfare, kings of the North and South, and a time of great distress (Daniel 10–12).
• Ends with a promise of resurrection and reward for the faithful (Daniel 12:2–3).

Lesson: History is under God’s control, and He will ultimately judge evil and establish His eternal kingdom.

Themes of Daniel

• God’s Sovereignty: He raises and removes kings (Daniel 2:21).
• Faithfulness in Exile: Daniel and his friends remained obedient to God in a foreign culture.
• Prophecy and End Times: God reveals His long-term plan for the world through Daniel’s visions.
• Courage and Conviction: Standing for truth, even when it’s dangerous, brings lasting rewards.

Lesson: Living with integrity and trusting God leads to blessing—not always easy, but always a purpose and eternal reward.

Final Thoughts

The Book of Daniel is both a call to courage and a revelation of God’s eternal plan.

It reminds us that no matter how powerful earthly rulers may seem, God is the true King.

Daniel’s visions point forward to Jesus, the Son of Man, who will return to bring justice and establish His everlasting kingdom.