Part 1 of 12
Daniel 1:1 – 2:39
Introduction: What Does the Book Actually Say?
When approaching the Book of Daniel, the first question must always be:
What does the text say?
Not what tradition says.
Not what popular prophecy teachers say.
Not what we have “always heard.”
Scripture must interpret Scripture. As it is written:
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17
The goal of this study is not argument for argument’s sake, but clarity. If Script... morePart 1 of 12
Daniel 1:1 – 2:39
Introduction: What Does the Book Actually Say?
When approaching the Book of Daniel, the first question must always be:
What does the text say?
Not what tradition says.
Not what popular prophecy teachers say.
Not what we have “always heard.”
Scripture must interpret Scripture. As it is written:
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17
The goal of this study is not argument for argument’s sake, but clarity. If Scripture corrects us, we adjust to Scripture — not the other way around.
Daniel: A Historical and Prophetic Book
Daniel is not a mystical riddle detached from history. It is deeply rooted in real events, real empires, and measurable time frames. If one ignores history, much of Daniel becomes unintelligible.
God often gives Israel time-specific prophecies:
• 430 years to Abraham’s descendants (Exodus 12:40)
• 70 years of Babylonian captivity
• 490 years (the Seventy Weeks of Daniel)
When God gives time frames, history must unfold to fulfill them. Prophecy moves through history.
Three Prophets Outside the Land
An important observation: three major prophetic books were written outside Israel:
• Daniel — in Babylon
• Ezekiel — by the River Chebar
• John (Revelation) — on the Island of Patmos
Each writes in symbolic, apocalyptic language. Symbolism must be interpreted — not ignored, but also not forced.
For example:
• Ezekiel’s dry bones symbolize Israel in dispersion (Ezekiel 37).
• Daniel’s metallic image symbolizes successive Gentile empires (Daniel 2).
• Revelation’s white horse represents a conquering figure (Revelation 6), not a literal cavalry charge.
Symbolism must be defined by Scripture itself.
The Rise of Gentile World Power
After the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), civilization centralized in Mesopotamia — the cradle of world empires.
Babylon becomes the first great Gentile world empire.
Though they did not know the Western Hemisphere, Babylon ruled the known world of that time. Scripture calls Nebuchadnezzar the head of gold (Daniel 2:38).
Daniel opens during the rise of this first global Gentile power.
The Three Invasions of Jerusalem
Babylon invaded Judah three times:
1. First invasion (Daniel taken) — No temple destruction.
2. Second invasion — Temple and city destroyed.
3. Third invasion — Remaining population deported.
Daniel was taken during the first deportation — likely between ages 12–14. He was among the elite of Judah’s royal lineage.
Babylon did not take laborers first. They took the brightest minds.
Daniel and His Friends
Daniel 1 describes four young men:
• Daniel
• Hananiah
• Mishael
• Azariah
They were:
• Physically strong
• Intellectually gifted
• From royal lineage
• Trained in Babylonian science, mathematics, and language
Their Hebrew names honored Israel’s God. Babylon replaced them with names honoring pagan deities. This was an attempt to:
• Change identity
• Reprogram worldview
• Assimilate faith
Yet verse 8 is the turning point:
“But Daniel purposed in his heart…”
The Heart — The Core of Faith
Scripture consistently emphasizes the heart.
Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). God is Spirit. Therefore, the image refers to the invisible aspect of man — mind, will, and emotion — the soul.
Romans 10 clarifies salvation:
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness…” (Romans 10:10)
Faith is not intellectual agreement alone. It is heart conviction.
Daniel’s refusal was not dietary preference — it was heart allegiance.
The Issue of Defilement
Why refuse the king’s food?
Babylonian meat and wine were:
• Offered to pagan gods
• Used in idolatrous libations
• Connected to false worship
Daniel would not participate.
He did not protest violently.
He did not rebel politically.
He respectfully requested accommodation.
And God honored his conviction.
After ten days, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than all others. More importantly:
“God gave them knowledge and skill…”
Faithfulness preceded promotion.
A Pattern Seen in Joseph
Joseph in Egypt mirrors Daniel in Babylon:
• Betrayed
• Imprisoned
• Elevated
• Never compromised
Old Testament narratives are written for our learning (Romans 15:4). They demonstrate how believers function within hostile systems.
Daniel serves pagan kings for decades — without surrendering his faith.
Why Did God Allow Babylon to Conquer Judah?
The captivity was not accidental. It was disciplinary.
Israel lived under blessing and chastisement (Leviticus 26).
Reason 1: Failure to Observe Sabbatical Years
Leviticus 26 foretold:
• The land would be desolate.
• Israel would be scattered.
• The land would “enjoy her Sabbaths.”
Israel failed to let the land rest every seventh year.
For 490 years they neglected this command.
490 ÷ 7 = 70 missed Sabbaths.
God removed them for 70 years so the land could rest.
Prophecy fulfilled precisely.
Reason 2: Idolatry
Israel adopted pagan worship — especially the “queen of heaven” (Jeremiah 44).
They burned incense and poured drink offerings to female deities.
When Jeremiah rebuked them, they responded:
“We will not listen.”
They even claimed prosperity came from idol worship.
This rebellion triggered judgment.
The Reality of Ancient Empires
Ancient empires showed little regard for human life. When Israel went into captivity, they entered systems without rights or protections.
Yet Daniel thrived there.
Why?
Because God was with him.
Daniel’s Test of Faith
Daniel proposes:
• Ten days of vegetables
• Water instead of wine
The eunuch fears execution if Daniel appears unhealthy.
But Daniel trusts God.
After ten days:
• They appear healthier.
• They excel intellectually.
• They surpass all magicians and astrologers.
God elevated them in a pagan court.
Daniel’s Longevity
Daniel serves from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus — spanning roughly 70 years.
Cyrus later issues the decree allowing Israel to return and rebuild Jerusalem.
Daniel witnessed:
• Babylon’s rise
• Babylon’s fall
• The rise of Medo-Persia
He lived through the full prophesied captivity.
Lessons for Believers
Daniel teaches:
1. Live faithfully in hostile systems.
2. Never compromise biblical truth.
3. God promotes the faithful.
4. Discipline does not cancel covenant promises.
5. Prophecy unfolds precisely in history.
As Paul said:
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning…” (Romans 15:4)
Daniel is not merely ancient history.
It is instruction for believers living in spiritually hostile cultures.
Daniel 2:1–30 — The God Who Reveals Secrets
When we come into Daniel chapter 2, remember who Daniel is.
He is not a seasoned prophet.
He is not an older statesman.
He is not yet a man.
He is likely 14 or 15 years old — a Jewish captive taken from Jerusalem into Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar.
Chapter 1 showed us how Daniel arrived in the palace. Chapter 2 now places this teenage exile into one of the most critical prophetic moments in world history.
The Troubled King
“In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar…”
This does not contradict Daniel 1:1. Chapter 1 referred to the third year of King Jehoiakim of Judah. Now the focus shifts to Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
The Babylonian king has a dream. Not an ordinary dream — but one that deeply disturbs him. His spirit is troubled. His sleep leaves him.
He summons the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans — the elite intellectual and occult class of Babylon. These were not harmless advisors. They were steeped in pagan mysticism and spiritual darkness.
The king demands something unprecedented:
“The thing is gone from me… tell me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.”
Whether he forgot it or withheld it deliberately, the demand was impossible by human means. If they failed, they would be executed — along with their families.
This was the nature of absolute monarchy in the ancient East. Life was disposable.
The Limits of Human Wisdom
The Chaldeans admit something remarkable:
“There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king’s matter… except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
They unknowingly confess a theological truth. Human wisdom has limits. Only deity can reveal such secrets.
But they speak of “gods” — plural. Babylon knew nothing of the One True God.
Israel alone had that revelation.
And now a Jewish teenager will demonstrate that reality before the most powerful man on earth.
Daniel’s Response
When the decree goes out to kill the wise men, Daniel responds with calm counsel and wisdom. He requests time — not to scheme, but to pray.
He gathers his three companions — Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) — and they seek:
“Mercies of the God of heaven.”
Notice that phrase: The God of heaven.
This is covenant language. This is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the Sovereign over all nations, even Babylon.
That night, the secret is revealed to Daniel in a vision.
And what does Daniel do first?
He worships.
“He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings…”
This is the central theme of Daniel.
Empires rise. Empires fall.
But God never abdicates His throne.
The Theology of “The Secret”
When Daniel stands before Nebuchadnezzar, he makes something clear:
“The secret… cannot the wise men show unto the king; but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets…”
The word “secret” is foundational here.
Deuteronomy 29:29 declares:
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God…”
God reveals truth progressively and sovereignly.
This theme carries into the New Testament. The Apostle Paul the Apostle repeatedly speaks of “the mystery” — truths hidden in ages past but revealed in his ministry (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3).
The same God who revealed prophetic secrets to Daniel later revealed doctrinal mysteries to Paul.
God keeps secrets.
God reveals secrets.
And He reveals them according to His timetable.
The Scope of the Dream
Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar:
“…what shall be in the latter days.”
This dream is not about personal matters.
It is about world history.
It will outline the entire timeline of Gentile world power — beginning with Babylon and stretching to the return of Jesus Christ.
Daniel becomes the foundation of biblical prophecy. Every serious student of end-time events must begin here.
And remember: this revelation came through a captive teenager.
The power was not in Daniel.
The power was in his God.
✠ Sir John Scivoletti ✠
✠ Turco Joan of Arc Priory ✠
✠✠Act and God will Act (Actus et Deus Act)✠✠
