A Teaching Outline for the Book of Daniel

Nebuchadnezzar. Cyrus. Alexander the Great. Antiochus Epiphanes. Though their names may live on in the history books, their kingdoms have long been discarded. Of all the great world empires, only one will remain forever: the coming kingdom of God. Such was the essence of Daniel’s prophetic ministry in Babylon—and for good reason. Whereas his contemporaries ministered among commoners (Jeremiah to his fellow countrymen still in Jerusalem, and Ezekiel to his fellow exiles in the outskirts of Babylon), Daniel found himself in the city among Gentile royalty. Thus, his message centered around not only the unfailing love of God for Israel, but the primacy of God over all earthly powers. Through a series of dreams and visions, God revealed to Daniel not only much about His predestined plans for the future, but much about the coming one-world ruler who would try (unsuccessfully) to stop them.

Taken captive in 605 BC, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah and a number of other prominent young Israelite men were brought in to be evaluated for potential service to Nebuchadnezzar as royal advisors (cf. Dan. 1:1). Through a number of indoctrination tactics, Nebuchadnezzar’s goal was that these young men would forget about their history, their land, their people, and their God, and instead be fully conformed to Babylonian culture. For that reason, they were given new Babylonian names (Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abed-nego), a Chaldean education, and daily access to the king’s food. Yet, knowing that Mosaic Law prohibited the consumption of unclean animals (cf. Deut. 14:3-21), Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah bravely requested only vegetables and water, trusting that the Lord would sustain them. After ten days, the appearances of these four men who refused to compromise exceeded that of the others, and they were promoted to being personal servants of the king. And so it was that God demonstrated His unfailing care for His elect people even in the midst of a foreign land. These men did not forget about God, but more importantly, God did not forget about these men.

Almost immediately after Daniel’s promotion, God gave Nebuchadnezzar a vision of a statue consisting of four metals, representing four world kingdoms—a vision that would characterize most of Daniel’s prophetic ministry for the next several decades. In this vision, God revealed the succession of coming Gentile empires, starting with Babylonia (cf. Dan. 2:37-38), followed by Medo-Persia (cf. Dan. 2:39a), then Greece (cf. Dan. 2:39b), and finally Rome (cf. Dan. 2:40-41). Perhaps most surprisingly in the vision, the Roman Empire was shown existing in two forms: a strong unified form immediately following the Grecian Empire, and then a weaker ten-nation coalition far in the future. The vision ended with a supernatural rock crashing into the statue, bringing it to its knees, representing the kingdom of God which will be one day put an end to all pagan powers.

From that point on in Daniel’s life, God continued to reveal His supremacy in unique and memorable ways. First, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were saved from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, demonstrating that God’s power is unrivaled (cf. Dan. 3:28-29). Then, Nebuchadnezzar was humbled under the hand of God to the point of living as an animal for seven years, demonstrating that God’s dominion—not Nebuchadnezzar’s—was everlasting (cf. Dan. 4:30-32). Next, after blaspheming Yahweh by using Jerusalem’s gold and silver cups for the purposes of a drunken feast, Belshazzar was shown an angelic message on the wall of his banquet hall (God’s proverbial “Game, Set, Match” message to Babylonia), demonstrating that God’s judgment was unwavering (cf. Dan. 5:22-23). Finally, when Daniel refused to stop praying to the one true God, Darius the Mede (also known as Cyaxeres II, the uncle of Cyrus the Persian) threw him into a lion’s den—in which God supernaturally protected him, demonstrating an unchanging faithfulness to His people. Throughout his time in captivity, and during the reigns of several kings of both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires, Daniel and his believing companions were providentially (and at times, supernaturally) guided by their Savior. God had not deserted His people, but on the contrary, would triumph in the end—and the proof of this promise was found in those unforgettable miracles. In the bleakest of circumstances, God’s attributes burned the brightest.

Whereas the first half of Daniel’s book describes primarily historical accounts of miraculous events, dreams, and visions involving the pagan kings under whom he served, the second half of the book focuses mainly on the prophetic dreams and visions Daniel himself received. These divine revelations further developed the central theme God wanted to communicate to His people: with the coming of many world powers there would be intense grief for Israel, but in the end the kingdom of God would be triumphant.

The first vision described by Daniel set the stage for this theme, but with an important twist: not only would there be four major world empires, but out of the future form of the fourth empire (Rome) would come a one-world ruler who would rise to power, make war against God’s people for “a time, times, and half a time” (three and a half years), and ultimately be annihilated (cf. Dan. 7:23-26). Centuries later, the apostle John revealed that this coming ruler would be known as the Antichrist (cf. 1 John 2:18). Thus, this vision answers the question: Where will the Antichrist come from?

The second vision described a goat attacking a ram, revisiting the theme of one empire (Greece) conquering another (Medo-Persia). In this vision, a “little horn” (representing the leader of a nation) grew out of the goat and committed a number of blasphemous atrocities (cf. Dan. 8:9-12). History confirms that this occurred through the tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes, a man who arose to power in 175 BC, plundered the temple in Jerusalem, and desecrated the altar. The purpose of this vision was to help Daniel understand “what will occur at the final period of the indignation” (Dan. 8:19). In other words, serving as a prototype of the coming Antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes previewed what that final one-world ruler would do: starting humbly but increasing in power, blaspheming God, demanding worship, persecuting the Jews specifically, putting an idol in the temple, and deceiving many in order to elevate himself (cf. Rev. 13). In other words, this vision answered the question: What will the Antichrist be like?

The next vision explained how long it would be until the kingdom of God would be fully restored. Although Mosaic Law required the Israelites to give their land a rest from cultivation every seventh year (cf. Lev. 25:1-7), the nation had disregarded that command an astonishing seventy times. That means that for a total of 490 years—which is seventy sets (or “weeks”) of seven years—they disobeyed this instruction. Thus, they were in captivity for seventy years as punishment, which gave the land its required rest. Yet, the angel Gabriel revealed to Daniel that the kingdom would not be fully restored immediately after the Jewish return from captivity. Instead, just as there was seventy sets of seven-year periods (490 total years) of disobedience that brought about exile from the kingdom, so too would there be seventy sets of seven-year periods (490 total years) to bring about the restoration of the kingdom. To track the timing of this, Gabriel explained that from the time the Jews were allowed to return to the Promised Land, there would be seven sets of seven (49 years) to rebuild Jerusalem, followed by another sixty-two sets of seven (434 years) until the Messiah would come (cf. Dan. 9:25). Then, after both of those intervals of time elapsed, the Messiah would be killed (rather than being received as rightful king of the nation).

These first two intervals came to pass exactly as Gabriel described: 49 years after Cyrus sent the Jews back to their land, men like Zerubbabel and Nehemiah brought about the rebuilding of the entire city. Then 434 years after that, Jesus entered Jerusalem as rightful King and Messiah, but was subsequently rejected by His own people. Thus, at the time of Christ’s first coming, a total of 483 years of the prophesied 490 total had elapsed. Since Jesus was rejected by His own people, the kingdom was not established at that time, Daniel’s timeline was paused as God turned His redemptive program away from the nation of Israel, and seven more years (one set of seven) remain unfulfilled. (cf. Acts 1:6). In the future, this final seven-year interval will commence, the Antichrist will step onto the world scene, wreak havoc, but ultimately be destroyed. At that point, the 490 total years will have been completed, and the kingdom of God will be inaugurated. In the meantime, the Church—not the nation of Israel—is the institution through which God is administering His redemptive work. When will the final seven-year period begin? It was not revealed to Daniel, nor to us today. Nevertheless, because the timeline given to Daniel described the order of events that had to take place prior to the Antichrist’s appearance, the vision still addressed the question: When is the Antichrist coming?

The final vision given to Daniel revealed a profound spiritual reality that God’s holy angels would be protecting Israel from Satan’s (and his demons’) schemes throughout the difficult years that were to come (cf. Dan. 10:13-14). Though Israel would be in the center of international conflict (cf. Dan. 11)—as they still are today—they would be delivered in the last days. And not only would they survive until the end, but it would actually be through this final tribulation period (the “time of Jacob’s trouble,” cf. Jer. 30:7) that they would finally be humbled enough to receive Jesus as they should have at His first coming (cf. Matt. 23:39, Rom. 11:26). The Antichrist would be God’s instrument used to bring about their repentance. Ultimately, the descendants of Abraham who are trusting in the Savior—true Jews (cf. Rom. 3:28-29)—would one day be resurrected (cf. Dan. 12:2), refined (cf. 12:10), and restored (cf. Dan 12:13). Thus, the vision answered several questions: How will the Antichrist be hindered? What will the Antichrist do to God’s people? What is his ultimate purpose in God’s plans?

The book ends with Daniel clamoring for a greater understanding of what is to come. Several times he asked for clarification, confessing that he didn’t quite understand every intricate detail. God responded by saying, “Go your way, Daniel” (Dan. 12:9, 13). Stated differently, God’s counsel was this: rather than being panicked about the coming tribulation, paralyzed in fear, or provoked by a craving to know every last eschatological minutia, the best way to prepare for the future is to rest in the Lord today. In an ultimate sense, God’s intent with these wondrous visions was to provide Daniel with a pillow more than a microscope, as a comfort to know that the kingdom will arrive at exactly the right time and in exactly the right way. And that is precisely the counsel we need today. As the world continues to get worse and worse (cf. 2 Tim. 3:13), may you and your disciples likewise find peace in this masterful message of Christ’s supremacy over all earthly powers. The following outline is offered to help.

The King’s Food—God’s Unfailing Care (Daniel 1:1-21)

Sent to Babylon (Dan. 1:1-2)

Summoned by the King (Dan. 1:3-7)

Settled in Conviction (Dan. 1:8-13)

Strengthened by God (Dan. 1:14-17)

Selected for Service (Dan. 1:18-21)

The King’s Dream—God’s Unrivaled Kingdom (Daniel 2:1-49)

The King’s Dilemma (Dan. 2:1-3)

The King’s Desire (Dan. 2:4-11)

The King’s Declaration (Dan. 2:12-13)

The Prophet’s Dilemma (Dan. 2:14-16)

The Prophet’s Desire (Dan. 2:17-23)

The Prophet’s Declaration (Dan. 2:24-30)

The Statue’s Description (Dan. 2:31-36)

The Statue’s Details (Dan. 2:37-43)

The Statue’s Downfall (Dan. 2:44-49)

The King’s Furnace—God’s Unparalleled Power (Daniel 3:1-30)

The Requirement from the King (Dan. 3:1-7)

The Resistance from the Saints (Dan. 3:8-18)

The Rescue from the Fire (Dan. 3:19-27)

The Result from the Miracle (Dan. 3:28-30)

The King’s Vision—God’s Unending Dominion (Daniel 4:1-37)

The Proclamation (Dan. 4:1-3)

The Situation (Dan. 4:4-9)

The Revelation (Dan. 4:10-18)

The Explanation (Dan. 4:19-27)

The Culmination (Dan. 4:28-33)

The Affirmation (Dan. 4:34-37)

The King’s Feast—God’s Unwavering Judgment (Daniel 5:1-31)

A Depraved Feast (Dan. 5:1-4)

A Divine Interruption (Dan. 5:5-6)

A Difficult Message (Dan. 5:7-16)

A Dependable Explanation (Dan. 5:17-29)

A Defeated Kingdom (Dan. 5:30-31)

The King’s Lions—God’s Unchanging Faithfulness (Daniel 6:1-28)

Promotion (Dan. 6:1-3)

Persecution (Dan. 6:4-9)

Prayer (Dan. 6:10-11)

Punishment (Dan. 6:12-17)

Protection (Dan. 6:18-23)

Praise (Dan. 6:24-28)

Vision of the Four Beasts—The Presentation of Antichrist (Daniel 7:1-28)

The Rise of the Four Beasts (Dan. 7:1-7)

The Rise of the Little Horn (Dan. 7:8)

The Fall of the Four Beasts and the Little Horn (Dan. 7:9-15)

The Rise and Fall of the Four World Kingdoms (Dan. 7:16-18)

The Rise and Fall of the One World Leader (Dan. 7:19-28)

Vision of the Ram and the Goat Horns—The Prototype of Antichrist (Daniel 8:1-27)

The Rise of the Ram’s Two Horns (Dan. 8:1-4)

The Rise of the Goat’s Large Horn (Dan. 8:5-7)

The Rise of the Goat’s Four Horns (Dan. 8:8)

The Rise of the Goat’s Little Horn (Dan. 8:9-14)

The Rise of Medo-Persia (Dan. 8:15-20)

The Rise of Alexander the Great (Dan. 8:21)

The Rise of Alexander’s Generals (Dan. 8:22)

The Rise of Antiochus Epiphanes (Dan. 8:23-27)

Vision of the Seventy Weeks—The Period with Antichrist (Daniel 9:1-27)

The Confession of Sin (Dan. 9:1-15)

The Call for Help (Dan. 9:16-19)

The Care of Gabriel (Dan. 9:20-23)

The Characteristics of the Seventy Weeks (Dan. 9:24)

The Chronology of the Sixty-Nine Weeks (Dan. 9:25)

The Chronology after the Sixty-Nine Weeks (Dan. 9:26)

The Chronology of the Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:27)

Vision of Israel’s Defense—The Protection from Antichrist (Daniel 10:1-11:1)

Startled by the Lord’s Manifestation (Dan. 10:1-9)

Speechless by the Angel’s Mission (Dan. 10:10-15)

Sickened by the Angel’s Majesty (Dan. 10:16-17)

Strengthened for the Angel’s Message (Dan. 10:18-11:1)

Vision of Israel’s Distress—The Persecution from Antichrist (Daniel 11:2-45)

Ahasuerus (Dan. 11:2)

Alexander the Great (Dan. 11:3-4)

Alexander’s Generals (Dan. 11:5-9)

Antiochus the Great (Dan. 11:10-20)

Antiochus Epiphanes (Dan. 11:21-35)

Antichrist (Dan. 11:36-45)

Vision of Israel’s Deliverance—The Purpose of Antichrist (Daniel 12:1-13)

Resurrection (Dan. 12:1-4)

Refinement (Dan. 12:5-10)

Restoration (Dan. 12:11-13)