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Y8 Theology: Daniel

Key facts

  • Daniel is the only prophet we know of who lived before the exile in Judah, was taken into captivity in Babylon for the whole exile period and then returned to Judah. (620-540BC)
  • He became a very highly regarded advisor to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, and God helped him to interpret the king’s dreams (lots of parallels with the story of Joseph).
  • He was very committed to God and refused to stop praying to God even when threatened with death.
  • He was vegetarian for part of his life, to avoid eating the Babylonian food which broke Jewish food laws.
  • He is well-known for his vividly described visions of the four empires that will come before God establishes his eternal kingdom.

Image credit: Daniel's answer to the king by Briton Rivière - Manchester Art Gallery, Public Domain

Christian vs Jewish interpretation

Christian vs Jewish interpretation

  • Jesus is very clear that he is Daniel’s Son of Man (Matt 24:15, Matt 24:30, Mark 13:26)
  • Many non-Christian Jewish scholars say Daniel 9 is not about the Messiah but an earthly king

Key quotes

Christian and Jewish Messianic quotes

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:1-3)

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel 2:44)

Christian only Messianic quotes

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.  (Daniel 9:24-25)

Many Christians use this passage to date Jesus’ coming 70 ‘weeks of years’ (so 490 years after the restoration of the temple). Non-Christian Jews don’t agree.

Further resources: Daniel

Bible Project Book of Daniel

Videos:

Musical interlude: Daniel

Modern worship songs and hymns

References from resource pack

Resources provided:

  • Reynolds, P. (2019). ‘King Herod killed the children in Bethlehem’. In 30 prophecies: One story: How God’s Word points to Jesus (pp. 66–67). Christian Focus Publications.
  • Vries, A. de, & Apps, F. (2004). Daniel in the Lions’ Den. In The new children’s Bible (pp. 168–171). Christian Focus Publications.
  • Vries, A. de, & Apps, F. (2004). The Israelites in Babylon. In The new children’s Bible (pp. 162–164). Christian Focus Publications.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica. (1998, July 20). The Book of Daniel. Britannica School. school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/The-Book-of-Daniel/28709
  • Bakerink, L. (2021, December 20). The messianic prophecies in the book of Daniel | modern reformation. https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/the-mod-the-messianic-prophecies-in-the-book-of-daniel
  • Quotes in ESVUK and Good News translations from Biblegateway.com

Downloadable info pack

What's in a name? The meanings of biblical names

Daniel: God (El) is my judge

Source: Daniel | The amazing name Daniel: meaning and etymology

Documentary clip

Things you might want to include in your documentary clip

  • A well-known story such as Daniel in the Lions’ Den or Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
  • Some of Daniel’s quotes about the Messiah. Make it clear which Jews regard as Messianic.
  • An explanation of how Daniel’s prophecy relates to Jesus.
  • Catchphrase: “I saw in the night visions…”

End your documentary clip with the prophet or interview giving a summary to the camera – “I predicted that the Messiah would…”