Daniel: A Study in Faith and Prophecy
A study of the book of Daniel, focusing on God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and power as revealed through the prophet's life and visions.
1. Faithfulness in the Face of Adversity
1.1 Daniel's Prayer Life
Verses: Daniel 6:10; Daniel 9:3-5; Daniel 10:12
- Daniel's unwavering commitment to prayer and obedience, even in the face of death.
- The power of prayer to influence earthly events and access divine intervention.
1.2 Deliverance from the Lion's Den
Verses: Daniel 6:16-23; Daniel 6:25-27
- God's miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lion's den.
- The king's subsequent recognition of God's supreme power and authority.
2. Prophetic Visions and Their Significance
2.1 The Dream of the Great Image
Verses: Daniel 2:1-13; Daniel 2:27-45
- Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great image and its interpretation by Daniel.
- The revelation of successive kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
2.2 The Vision of the Four Beasts
Verses: Daniel 7:1-8; Daniel 7:19-28
- Daniel's vision of four beasts representing earthly kingdoms.
- The emergence of a horn that blasphemes God and persecutes the saints.
- The ultimate judgment and the establishment of God's everlasting dominion.
2.3 The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks
Verses: Daniel 9:20-27
- The prophecy of the seventy weeks and its significance for understanding God's plan.
- The fulfillment of prophecy in the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the new covenant.
3. God's Power to Deliver
3.1 The Fiery Furnace
Verses: Daniel 3:1-18; Daniel 3:24-30
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's refusal to bow down to the golden image.
- God's miraculous preservation of them in the fiery furnace.
- Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of the power of the Most High.
4. Divine Judgment and Sovereignty
4.1 The Handwriting on the Wall
Verses: Daniel 5:1-9; Daniel 5:22-31
- Daniel's interpretation of the handwriting on the wall during Belshazzar's feast.
- The judgment that came upon Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom.
- The transfer of power to the Medes and Persians.