The following is a summary containing some of the highlights that are found in the PDF File and the Audio below.
Daniel Part 1
Dating the Book of Daniel
The Bible claims to be the Word of God, and prophecy is one of its most compelling proofs. The Book of Daniel stands out as a powerful apologetic, offering detailed prophecies that were fulfilled in history, thus confronting us with the reality of God and the reliability of Scripture.
Prophecy as Proof
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 teaches that true prophecy is a test of divine revelation: if a prophet’s words come true, they are from God. Daniel’s prophecies—such as the rise and fall of empires—were fulfilled with remarkable accuracy, confirming the Bible’s claim to divine inspiration.
The Dating of Daniel
Skeptics often argue that Daniel was written after the events it predicts (so-called “late dating”), claiming it was composed during the Maccabean wars (167-164 BC). However, historical and textual evidence refutes this:
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures, was completed between 275-100 BC and includes Daniel. This means Daniel had to exist in Hebrew before this translation, making a late date impossible.
The Jewish historian Josephus (AD 37–100) placed Daniel in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (605–561 BC) and records that Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) read the Book of Daniel, believing it foretold his conquest. This shows Daniel was accepted as authoritative centuries before the Maccabean period.
Daniel is mentioned in Ezekiel (early 6th century BC), indicating he was a real, recognized figure during or before Ezekiel’s time.
Jesus’ Testimony
Jesus Himself referred to “Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15), affirming both Daniel’s authorship and the prophetic nature of the book. If Jesus, whom Christians accept as Lord, recognized Daniel as a prophet, Christians have every reason to trust the book’s authenticity.
Internal Evidence
The Book of Daniel claims to be written by Daniel, using first-person language and dating events to the reigns of Babylonian and Persian kings. The linguistic style—Hebrew and Aramaic—matches what would be expected from a 6th-century BC Jew living in Babylon.
Fulfilled Prophecy
Daniel predicted the succession of empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The accuracy and detail of these prophecies surpass any mere guesswork, pointing to divine revelation: “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28).
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Conclusion
The evidence from history, archaeology, and the testimony of Jesus and early Jewish sources all point to the authenticity and divine inspiration of the Book of Daniel. Its fulfilled prophecies are a powerful apologetic for the Christian faith, showing that belief in the Bible is not “blind faith,” but a reasoned trust in the God who declares “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10).
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