In the book of Second Peter chapter one and verse nineteen thru twenty-one, the apostle Peter wrote, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”, and the book of Daniel is one of those prophetic books God included in the Bible.
Daniel is a wonderful book of prophecy written sometime between the third year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar around 606 B.C and the first year of Cyrus which was about 536 B.C.. It includes the prophetic word concerning the “times of the Gentiles”, (See Luke 21:24) with the major portion of his prophecies directly concerning the gentile nations.
Ezekiel was Daniel's senior but his contemporary. (See Ezekiel 28:3) “Ezekiel told us what was seen, and what was foreseen, by him in the former years of the captivity: Daniel tells us what was seen, and foreseen, in the latter years of the captivity” with the first six chapters being historical and easy to be understood, however, the last six chapter being prophetic and much more difficult to understand. All of Daniel's words were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, and we shall gain from the study of every verse, line, precept and word. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The theme of the book can be found in chapter two and verse forty-four, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”, and in chapter twelve and verse four, “But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” This aligns with the theme of the Bible which is the redemption of man, and the events described in the book of Daniel lead to Jesus being born and becoming the Savior of the world.
Jesus Christ our Lord, in the Olivet Discourse, quoted only from the Book of Daniel, (See Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Daniel 9:27; 12:11, 7:13) and the Book of Revelation is largely an enigma without the Book of Daniel. Paul the apostle's revelation concerning “the man of sin” needs Daniel’s account for amplification and clarification.”
We shall rely upon the instruction of the Holy Spirit of God as we study this book because as Peter the apostle wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20) God will be with us while we search the scriptures daily, (See Acts 17:11) and may He bless us with understanding and wisdom as we discover what He said through the prophet Daniel.
Next time we begin the book of Daniel where he refers to “the third year of Jehoiakim the king of Judah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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