Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 6:1–28

(1) Presumably, Darius (the Mede) must have subsequently been told of the writing on the wall, and also of who Daniel was and what he did. By this time, Daniel would be in his eighties or at least late seventies. However, Daniel still held a very important position, based not only on his exceptional past, but also on his continued  distinguishing and “exceptional qualities”. From the description in vv. 1-5,

a. Can you list what constituted his “exceptional qualities”?

b. Which of these qualities do you admire most?

c. Why?

(2) There were 120 satraps and 3 administrators. Why did these leaders pick on Daniel?

(3) How does 1 Peter 4:4 speak to Daniel’s situation?

(4) Did you have any similar encounter like that of Daniel?

(5) What further insight does v. 13 provide about their dislike about Daniel?

(6) What was the plan drawn up by these leaders to trap Daniel? Why would the king even entertain such an absurd idea which only lasted for 30 days?

(7) I believe Daniel would have been praying or conversing with God all the time, but to kneel down and pray (i.e. to cut out a specific time to pray) meant that he had developed a habit of praying three times a day:

a. Why would he set aside three times a day to pray, given his busy schedule as such an important official of the royal court? Do you think it was merely a ritual to him? Why or why not?

b. How would you compare your prayer-life to his?

c. How should you emulate him?

(8) Given the trap and that he was well aware of it:

a. What options were open to Daniel?

b. Which option did he choose?

c. Why?

(9) As Daniel was being thrown into the lions’ den, the king said to him, “May your God whom you serve continually rescue you”.

a. Was the king being sincere? Why or why not? (See vv. 14, 18 ,19, 20.)

b. What impact might the life of Daniel have on the king?

c. What impact does your life have on the people around you?

(10) How did God rescue Daniel and what reason did he give for God’s rescue?

(11) What was the fate of Daniel’s accusers?

(12) From the subsequent decree issued by the king, can you tell what he had learned about the God of Daniel?

(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 7:1–28

As a devotional study, we will not concern ourselves too much with all the debates regarding the identification of the world powers depicted by the beasts, but the dream obviously portrays human kingdoms and contrasts them to the Kingdom of Heaven that will finally come and destroy all human dominions; they also appear to be an elaboration of the dream of the statue interpreted by Daniel in chapter 2. (See Note 1 below and a table which sets, side by side, the main contents of the two dreams.)

7:2-14 is the vision

7:15-27 is the interpretation

(1) Let’s begin our study with the summary of the interpretation of the vision given by “one of those standing there” (likely referring to angels) (v.16) :

a. What do the four beasts represent according to v. 17?

b. How does it aid our understanding of the use of “four winds of heaven churning up the great sea” in v. 2?

c. What is the final outcome of the vision according to v.18? In particular, instead of human kings who rule, who will receive this eternal kingdom? What does “receive” mean?

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Let’s consider the four beasts, i.e. kingdoms that arise, which lead until the end of human dominion on this earth (See Note 2.)

(2) Most commentators believe that the first beast, in fact, refers to Nebuchadnezzar:

a. How were Nebuchadnezzar’s wings being torn off by God in chapter 4?

b. How appropriate was the description that he was given a “heart of a man” after being humbled by God?

(3) In what way does this vision of a second beast being a bear echo the second kingdom seen in the dream of chapter two? (By the way, the raising of one side, obviously higher than the other side, seems to fit perfectly the divided kingdom under the Medo-Persian Kingdom in which Persia was the more dominant of the two.)

(4) What features are being ascribed to the third beast and what does “given the authority to rule” (v.6b) signify? (Note that its four heads appear to jive with the four-fold Greek Empire after the death of Alexander of the Great prophesied in 8:8, 22.)

(5) However, Daniel was most eager to learn more about the 4^th beast:

a. How different is this beast from the others in terms of power and ruthlessness according to v. 7, v. 19 and v. 23?

b. What do the 10 horns represent? (v. 24)

c. The little horn that uproots the other three horns appears not to be part of the original ten horns. This little horn which is more imposing than the rest has eyes of a man and mouth that speaks boastfully:

1. What might “eyes of a man” mean (in contrast with the heart of a man that the first beast has)?
2. How boastful will this little horn be according to v. 25? What does it mean?
3. What will this little horn do to the "saints”? Will the saints suffer in its hand? If so, for how long? (vv. 21, 25)
4. What will be the end of this little horn? (v. 11)
5. What will follow the end of this little horn?
6. Based on these events given in the vision, do you think the prophecy concerning this little horn leading the fourth kingdom and then is thrown in the fire (vv. 10 &11), has already taken place? Why or why not?

(6) In this vision, we are given one of the clearest pictures of the consummation of the heavenly kingdom in the Old Testament:

a. Why are thrones being set up?

b. How is God, the Ancient of Days, being described?

c. What might be the books that are opened before Him? (See Rev. 20:11-14.)

d. Who is this Son of Man in v. 13?

e. How will He come? (See Mk. 13:26, Matt. 24:30; 26:64, Acts 1:11, Rev. 1:7.)

f. How will He be worshipped? (See Rev. 7:9-12.)

g. How is His kingdom being described?

h. What will happen to you and me, the saints?

(7) Even (or perhaps, especially) after the interpretation given by the angel, Daniel was deeply troubled and his face even turned pale. Why?

(8) Are you troubled with the reading of this prophecy? Why or why not?

(9) What do you think is the reason that God has chosen to reveal to Daniel this vision?

(10) What do you think is the reason that God has chosen to reveal to us this vision?

(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note 1: It might be helpful to set the two dreams (of chapters 2 and 7) side by side below:

Chapter 2: Four Parts of the Statue	Chapter 7: Four Beasts
The Golden Head (as Daniel explains, it is that of Babylon)	Lion like creature with eagle wings – wings torn, but stood like a human with a human heart
The Silver chest and arms — likely Media-Persia	Bear like creature – raised on one side (i.e. two sided but unequal)
The Bronze belly and thigh — likely Greece	Leopard like creature with four bird wings
The Iron legs — likely Rome with its Eastern and Western Empires	Creature unlike the others — crushed, devoured and trampled victims
The feet and toes of mixed iron and clay: this is the less certain part which could depict the diversified rulers and dynasties that governed the Roman Empire or the various world powers	Same creature with ten horns; one little horn came up and uprooted 3 existing horns, with eyes of a man and a boastful mouth
Rock, not cut out by human hands, which sets up the kingdom that will never end	Son of Man given authority and everlasting dominion

Note 2: The words, “shall rise” in v.17 tend to exclude Babylon as a kingdom represented by the first beast. However, I find this explanation by some scholars helpful in that

“The future [tense], shall rise, is rather…for the purpose of declaring that the vision represents, the development of the world power as a whole, as it would unfold itself in four successive phases; whereupon the angel so summarily interprets the vision to the prophet, that, dating from the time of their origin, he points out the first world-kingdom as arising along with the rest, notwithstanding that it had already come into existence, and only its last stages were in the future” (quoted from various sources by K & D, 648-9).

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 8:1–27

Again, as a devotional study, we will not bother too much with the debates surrounding the identity of each of the animals in this vision. However, the angel has made clear the meaning of a good part of the vision already,  and that it covers the period from the Medo-Persian empire onwards to the “distant future” (v.26). See chart below.

8:1-14 : The Vision

8:15-26: The Interpretation

(1) Let’s consider this vision by first looking at what the angel, Gabriel, says about what it encompasses.

The vision concerns:

a. “the time of the end” (8:17)

b. “what will happen, later in the time of wrath” (8:19a)

c. "the appointed time of the end” (8:19b)

What do you understand as the “time of the end”, given the reading of the visions of chapters 2 and 7?

What do you understand as the time of wrath? (The wrath of God against the nations is a common theme in the Old Testament. There are so many references to it. Here is only a sample: Ps. 110:4-7; Isa. 63:3, 6; Zeph. 1:15, 18. But the best interpretation is given in Revelation — see 6:17; 11:18; 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19 and 19:15).

(2) What might be the reason that Daniel was taken to the future capital of Persia, Susa to be shown this particular vision?

(3) Let’s consider the first animal which is a ram with two horns. The angel explains that it represents Media and Persia (8:20):

a. However, when did Daniel see this vision?

b. Do you understand why so many liberal scholars (and these days, Evangelical scholars included) have sought to date this book to the 2^nd century B.C. and claim that it is likely written by someone purported to be Daniel?

(4) How strong was the first animal, the ram? How would he be destroyed by the second animal, the one-horn goat?

(5) How then can one explain why as strong as the ram was, it could be so destroyed?

(6) The prominent horn of the goat (which the angel specifies as Greece), is recognized by all scholars as Alexander the Great who “over a period of four years between 334 and 331 B.C…demolished the Persian empire and established an empire of his own, extending from Europe to India” (Goldingay, Daniel, 209).
However, he suddenly died of illness in 323 B.C. at the young age of 32. How does Alexander’s life fit into the vision in 8:5-8?

(7) After the death of Alexander at such a young age, there was no apparent successor and through a series of power struggles by the generals, the empire was effectively divided into four: Lysimachus (Thrace and Bithynia); Cassander (Macedonia and Greece); Seleucus (Syria, Babylonia and the eastern countries, as far as India) and Ptolemy (Egypt, Palestine and Arabia Petrea) — these are well attested by world history. How does this phase of history fit into the vision in 8:8 and 22?

(8) The main focus of this vision appears to be tied to the rise and fall of the little horn that follows. See chart in Note 2 below (and today’s meditative reflection article).

a. Why did Daniel feel appalled by the vision?

b. Given the vision of the little horn, what kind of picture is being depicted about “the time of the end”?

c. If you have read the Scripture passages about the wrath of God cited above, how would you prepare yourself to face the end time?

(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note 1: It might be helpful to set the two visions (of chapters 7 and 8) side by side below:

Chapter 7: Four Beasts	Chapter 8: The Ram and the Goat
Lion like creature with eagle wings – wings torn, but stood like a human with a human heart— Babylonian Empire
Bear like creature – raised on one side- (i.e. two sided but unequal)— Media and Persia	Ram with two horns — charging west, north and south — Media and Persia
Leopard like creature with four bird wings — Greece	Goat with prominent horn from the west — Alexander the Great, but replaced by four prominent horns
Creature unlike the others — crushed, devoured and trampled victims
Same creature with ten horns; one little horn came up and uprooted 3 existing horns, with eyes of a man and a boastful mouth	Out of one came a small horn but grew in power to south, east & Beautiful Land — challenged starry host, set itself up as great as Prince of Host — daily sacrifice and saints given over to him for 2,300 (days?)
Son of Man given authority and everlasting dominion	Little horn destroyed not by human power

Note 2: Since the little horn appears to be the focus of this vision, the following chart puts the vision and its interpretation by the angel side by side:

	The Vision	Angel’s (partial) Explanation
Timing	Grew from four horns of goat, from small to strong	When rebels have become completely wicked
Who is he	From one of the four horns	A stern-faced king, master of intrigue
Coming to power		Not by his own power
His power	To south, to East, to Beautiful Land (i.e. Jerusalem) Reached host of heavens Threw and trampled some starry host to ground	Astounding devastation & success in whatever he does Destroys mighty men & “holy people”
His deeds concerning God and His people	Set itself as great as the Prince of host Took away daily sacrifice Brought low the sanctuary (temple) Host of saints and daily sacrifice given over to him Threw truth to the ground	Takes his stand against the Prince of princes Considers himself superior Destroys many who feel secure Causes deceit to prosper
Fate		Destroyed not by human power
Length of time	From its rise or from the stopping of daily sacrifice (not sure) to re-consecration of sanctuary = 2,300 evenings and mornings	It concerns the “distant future”

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 9:1–19

Since Daniel emphasized that this King Darius was a Mede by descent, he was most likely referring to Darius the Mede who took over the Babylonian kingdom in 5:31. The important point to note is that Daniel was moved to pray before the issue of the edict by the Persian King Cyrus for the return of the Jews to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.

(1) Why did the reading of the book of Jeremiah move Daniel to pray? (See Jer. 25:11 and 29:10, and consider the political situation indicated during the 1^st year of Darius the Mede.)

(2) Have you ever been moved to pray by the reading of the Word of God?

(3) As he was moved to pray, we read that he did more than just pray. What else did he do and why?

(4) Vv. 4-6: Confession

a. As much as his prayer began with confession, it was prefaced by adoration: Why? How did he describe God?

b. What specific sins did he confess on behalf of his people?

(5) Vv. 7-11a: Their present plight

a. In drawing God’s attention to their present demise, what is the word being repeated by Daniel to highlight their plight?

b. Did he blame God for their shame?

c. On what basis did he find hope according to v.9?

(6) Vv. 11b-14: Judgment already written in the Law

a. Why were they without excuse?

b. How serious was God’s judgment? Was it really that serious?

c. Daniel said God did not hesitate with His judgment. Was it true? Why would Daniel say that?

(7) Vv. 15-16: Basis of Petition (I)

a. What particular thing(s) did Daniel draw God’s attention to in order to urge God to turn away from His anger?

b. Why would he ask God to do so in keeping with “all” His righteous acts?

(8) Vv. 17-19: Basis of Petition (II)

a. What particular thing(s) did Daniel draw God’s attention to in order to urge God to hear his prayer?

b. Why did Daniel dare to pray with such urgency?

c. Have you ever prayed like Daniel before?

d. Do you think God would be moved by his prayer? Why or why not?

(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 9:20–27

(1) While he was praying, most likely in Babylon, why would he refer to the time of the “evening sacrifice”?

(2) What does the “swift flight” of Gabriel depict?

(3) Why was Daniel “highly esteemed”?

(4) Have you ever experienced God’s swift answer to your prayer? When was that?

(5) Instead of addressing the seventy years promised in the book of Jeremiah, Gabriel introduced him to a different set of prophetic time-table, that of the “seventy sevens”:

a. For whom is the time-table set?

b. Multiple purposes are being set for this time-table which include:

1. To finish (or to seal up) transgression
2. To put an end to sin
3. To atone for wickedness
4. To bring in everlasting righteousness
5. To seal up (same word as used with "transgression" above) vision and prophecy, and
6. To anoint the Most Holy Place (or the Most Holy One)

Given all the above, what does this time-table point to?

(6) While many modern commentators tend to shy away from identifying this prophecy with the return of Christ (as if they were afraid to be branded fundamentalists), the purposes laid down by the angel clearly points to the end time. However, any attempt to manipulate the prophesied time to fit into one’s bias concerning the end-time is not wise either.

From vv. 25-27:

a. List those items that by now we know for a fact that have taken place (which at least includes the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem—likely referring to Cyrus’s decree of 538 B.C., the coming of the Anointed One—i.e. the Messiah, and His death)

b. List those predictions that will yet to come to pass (note that the "seventy sevens" may refer to weeks or some periods of time, or years).

c. What are the events that mark “the end”? (Note: Jesus clearly refers to Daniel’s words of “abomination that causes desolation” in Matt. 24:15. Therefore it is helpful to read Matt. 24:1-31 as Jesus gives greater details about the end.)

(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 10:1–21

The last three chapters deal with the vision given to Daniel concerning the affliction of his people on the part of the rulers of the world, until the consummation of the Kingdom of God.

(1) The timing of this vision is important.

a. Can you recall what happened in the first year of Cyrus (Ezr. 1)?

b. What happened to the project of the rebuilding of the temple by the 3^rd year of Cyrus’ reign?

c. As an important figure both in the empire and among his own people, would Daniel be aware of the stalling of the project?

(2) What might be the reason for his mourning, especially fasting for three weeks? (It is true that the first month being Nisan coincides with the celebration of the Passover.)

(3) Who might this “man” be according to the glorious description ascribed to him and the fact that Daniel’s companion had to flee and he himself laid prostrate on the ground? (See Rev. 1:13-15 and the reaction of John.)

(4) What was the vision about according to v. 14?

(5) Why was it given to him in particular?

(6) According to v. 13, what actually happened during the time Daniel was fasting and praying?

(7) This vision gives us a glimpse of the spiritual warfare waged behind the earthly powers that work against God, His plan and His people:

a. Can you recall from your reading of Ezra and Nehemiah, what were the forces that sought to stop the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem?

b. How did God use the various Persian kings to come to the aid of the people? (Ezr. 1:1-4; 6:3-12; 7:11-26; Neh. 2:9)

c. What can you learn about the spiritual warfare that takes place behind the struggles of world powers on earth?

(8) The “Book of Truth” appears to be a book about the history of the world. What is its implication on human history in that the book has already been written by God?

(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 11:1–45

The vision continues with a very short mention of the Persian empires and the divided empires after Alexander the Great—all these serve as transition to the main character “the king of the North” who desecrated the temple of God and put a stop to the worship of Yahweh. However, unlike modern scholars, Luther, Calvin and Jerome not only viewed him as a type of the Anti-Christ, but considered the final portion of the vision (i.e. 11:36-45) as prophecies directly about the Anti-Christ that have yet to be fulfilled. It is a very long vision, but the portion before v. 36 has been so accurately fulfilled to the point that many scholars refuse to believe that it is prophetic, but rather as history written afterwards. However, we believe that the Scripture is the revealed Word of God and there is no reason to doubt that God can and has revealed future historical events as written in His “Book of Truth” (10:21). May I suggest that as you read slowly each stage of the world's history as predicted, reflect on the amazing accuracy of the vision:

(1) Vv. 2-4: Rise and Fall of Persian kings and Alexander the Great

a. Why would the angel stress that he is telling the truth (v. 2)? How does it answer those who consider this as history written afterwards?

b. The four Persian kings after Cyrus would be

• Cambyses (530-522)
• Darius I (522-485)
• Xerxes (486-465) and
  
• Artaxerxes (465-424);
  
• with Xerxes the one who invaded Greece.

c. The mighty king that follows is Alexander the Great upon whose death the empire is divided into four. The two kings that are most relevant to this vision are the king of the South (Ptolemy of Egypt) and the king of the North (Seleucus of Syria).

(2) Vv. 5-6: Rise of the King of the South (Ptolemy of Egypt)

a. Ptolemy allowed the fleeing Seleucus I to take refuge as one of his generals and later helped him retake his empire and became “the largest of the post-Alexander empires".

b. Ptolemy II (about 100 year later) married his daughter Berenice to Antiochus II only to be killed by Antiochus’ former wife

c. Notice how accurate these prophecies are!

(3) Vv. 7-10: Ptolemy III & Seleucus II,

a. Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III, rose to power and avenged his sister’s death and gained control of much of Syria.

b. Seleucus II succeeded Antiochus II, and was succeeded by Seleucus III and Antiochus III in the North (223-187). The latter recaptured much of the lost territory.

(4) Vv. 11-13: Ptolemy IV

a. Ptolemy IV engaged Antiochus III in war with a huge army — 70,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry and 73 elephants - and killed over 14,000 men of Antiochus III (Polybius, Histories, 5.79)

b. Again, this prophecy is amazingly detailed and accurate.

(5) Vv. 14-19: Turmoil in Southern Kingdom

a. Within the Jewish community, it was a period of power struggles between the pro-Egypt (Hellenistic) Jews and the anti-Egypt (conservative) Jews.

b. Antiochus III regained his power in the next 14 years while Ptolemy III passed on and was succeeded by Ptolemy IV and V.

c. Antiochus III gave his daughter, Cleopatra, to Ptolemy V, hoping to solidify this powerful power but to no avail as Cleopatra stayed loyal to her husband and encouraged him to ally with Rome instead. (Note: this is Cleopatra I, not the famous Cleopatra IV of 69-30 B.C.)

d. Antiochus III attempted to invade Roman territories but failed and became a vassal of Rome. He was assassinated in 187 B.C.

e. Again, such prophecies are amazingly detailed and accurate.

(6) Vv. 20-24: Rise of the Infamous Antiochus IV

a. Seleucus IV succeeded Antiochus III but died in 175 B.C. and was succeeded by Antiochus IV, his younger brother.

b. Under the guise of protecting the young son of Seleucus IV, Antiochus seized the throne with the help of King of Pergamum.

c. He dealt deceitfully with the “covenant people” — although supported only by a small group of Hellenistic Jews, he basically abandoned the Law of Moses which was practiced as the local law in Judea from the time of Artaxerxes and affirmed even by Antiochus III, and made Jerusalem a Hellenistic city-state.

(7) Vv. 25-27: Dealing with Egypt

a. The Egyptian army that sought to recapture Palestine was defeated by Antiochus IV in 170 B.C. and he entered Egypt and captured Ptolemy VI.

b. Ptolemy VII was crowned king in the captured Ptolemy VI’s place which led to the alliance of Antiochus IV with his captive to help the latter regain his throne.

(8) VV. 28-35: Desecration of the Holy City

a. However, the two Ptolemy kings reconciled and Antiochus IV’s attempt to invade Egypt was intercepted by a delegation from Rome and was ordered off the Egyptian territory — a turning point in history which marked the beginning of Roman dominion in the Hellenistic empire.

b. Conservative Jews heard a rumor of Antiochus’ death and started a rebellion only to be brutally put down. Then followed the cessation of daily sacrifice and all practices of Mosaic Law and the desecration of the temple by the worship of Zeus, the Greek god, inside it.

(9) Vv. 36-45: The prophecies about Anti-Christ

a. Modern scholars try to fit these prophecies also in the history of Antiochus IV, but the fact is he never exalted himself above every god — he worshipped Zeus, which was not unknown to his ancestor.

b. “But regarding the expedition not only are historians silent, but the supposition of such a thing stands in irreconcilable contradiction to the historical facts regarding the last undertaking of Antiochus” (K&D, 806)

c. Given the above, carefully consider this coming Anti-Christ:

1. His arrogance (vv. 36-39)
2. His military power (vv. 40-43), and
3. His end.

(10) What is the main message of to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 12:1–13

This brings us to the  conclusion of the vision from chapter 10 to chapter 12 which was given in response to Daniel’s 3 weeks of fasting and praying, which he likely did for his people:

(1) As much as many critical commentaries tend to consider the first two verses as fulfilled in the time of the Maccabees and the severe Syrian oppression (circa 167 B.C.), how would you refute such a claim in light of the clear wordings of these two verses?

(2) How does Revelation 20:11-15 help in our interpretation of these two verses? (See also Jesus’ own words in Matt. 24:21.)

(3) Who are the wise mentioned in v. 3? (Refer to Matt. 25:1-13.) Who else are being mentioned as shining brightly as the sun? (See also Matt. 13:43.)

(4) V. 4 is a verse that lends itself to many interpretations, but Keil and Delitzsch’s version is preferred in that "to close up and seal (the words of the  scroll)" means to “guard tightly" lest it is misinterpreted. But given the angelic announcement in v. 9, it perhaps is best understood as a command to Daniel not to seek further understanding (“Go your way”), and allow the prophetic events to unfold by themselves when the time comes. But the fact has been that many have sought and studied the prophecies of the end-time throughout the ages. Martyn Lloyd-Jones sarcastically said that if one wanted to draw a crowd to increase the church attendance, preach about the end-time. Why is that the case? Is it good or bad?

(5) As much as the meaning of “a time, times and half a time” and the subsequent 1,290 days and 1,335 is subject to many interpretations, let’s at least consider:

a. Why did one of the messengers ask, “How long will it be?”(v.6)

b. Why would the reply include a very specific number of days?

(6) Based on the reply given in vv. 9-10, what, in essence, was Daniel’s question?

(7) How does Revelation 22:10-11 aid in our understanding of this reply to Daniel?

(8) What is the last word of the book of Daniel? What is this final message? How important is it (especially to you)?