The Book of Daniel

Daniel is one of the most important prophetic books of the Old Testament, and it is one of the most heavily contested books. It is stuffed full of prophecies concerning the end times, or the end of the world as we currently know it. Among the prophetic topics introduced in Daniel are the Kingdom of the Beast (or the One World Order), the Antichrist, and the Tribulation. Daniel also predicted the date Jesus of Nazareth would ride into Jerusalem and proclaim himself the Messiah.

Daniel also deals with how a believer (Daniel was a Jewish exile) should live in a pagan culture (Babylon). Daniel served in the courts of Babylon and Persia, but never compromised his faith, even at risk to his own life. The book also introduces the topic of spiritual warfare; there are powerful, supernatural beings with oversight over human nations who oppose the will of God. Many of the topics introduced in Daniel were later revisited and expanded on more than 500 years later in the writings of the Apostle John in the book of Revelation.

Background to Daniel

Why is the Book of Daniel Important?

When was Daniel Written?

The dating of Daniel is controversial. There are two competing theories. One theory is the Early Date which proposes the book was written at the time of the events described, the 6th Century BC. The other theory is the Late Date, which argues the book was written much later, after the events described, during a period known as the Maccabean Revolt.

When was Daniel Written and Why Does it Matter?
Do the Books of Jeremiah and Daniel Disagree on Dates?
The Oldest Copies of Daniel