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DOMENIC MARBANIANG
CITS, ITARSI, SEPT 2010
THE BOOK OF DANIEL, INTRODUCTION
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and
ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and
the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth
wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know
understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth
what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee,
and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me
wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we
desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s
matter. (Dan 2:20-23)
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not
be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Dan 2:44)
VERSES 20-23
The Sovereignty of the LORD (YHWH)
The verses declare the Sovereignty of God over the world. Israel’s ceasing as a
nation didn’t mean the cessation of divine activity. God is Sovereign forever
“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever” and He governs the world with
His wisdom and His might “for wisdom and might are his”.
DOMENIC MARBANIANG
CITS, ITARSI, SEPT 2010
THE BOOK OF DANIEL, INTRODUCTION
The Bible declares that all political and judicial authority is divinely ordained
(Romans 13:1-2). The men and women in authority are called ministers of God for
good (Romans 13:4) though they might not acknowledge themselves as such.
Their placement in political history is by divine determination (cf. Esther 4:14).
Whether it is a monarchy, an oligarchy, or a democracy, it is God who removes
leaders and sets up leaders. The devil himself may inspire certain leaders, but he
doesn’t have permission apart from God’s judicious determinations; even the anti-
christ will not appear until God allows him to appear. Then, it will be God alone,
no mortal hand, that will put an end to the reign of the beast.1 It is necessary for all
people to honor authority, though the one in the position may be evil. Remember
Paul, the great missionary, almost a household name in his day, when he stood
before the magistrates and the governors, how he conducted himself with boldness
and sincerity of faith, but with great humility and respect for authority.
Schools and Universities rule the world. Information is power, someone said; and,
the world has seen an awakening out of superstitious slumbers into the dawn of
Reason.2 The Universities are getting increasing and intensely secular. Harvey
Cox had suggested four decades ago that this was to be Biblically anticipated. The
unshackling of the ecclesiastical from the secular is the act of God. In this manner,
man was liberated from dogmatic tutors to freedom of thought and expression.
Research has become more scientific, if not totally bias-free. This has enabled
greater strides in the area of civilization and culture. The world has grown smaller
1
It is said that the Beast will recover from a mortal wound (Revelation 13:3). Perhaps, there will be an attempt to
assasination; but, that attempt will not prevail because God’s order has ordained the Beast’s destruction only at the
hands of the Messiah.
2
At whichever age, however, cynicism and credulity, both opposite tendencies, were never totally dismissed.
DOMENIC MARBANIANG
CITS, ITARSI, SEPT 2010
THE BOOK OF DANIEL, INTRODUCTION
Daniel, unlike his contemporary Ezekiel, is more concerned about the political
future of the world and emphasizes on the Kingdom of God. He hailed from Judah
and the Lord had chartered his course into the palace of Babylon.
Ezekiel, on the other hand, was of a priestly family and his visions were primarily
related to the religious life of the people.
Ezekiel’s visions relate to the TEMPLE - the Glory of God, the Cherubim, etc.
DOMENIC MARBANIANG
CITS, ITARSI, SEPT 2010
THE BOOK OF DANIEL, INTRODUCTION
OUTLINE
Daniel can be divided into two parts:
DOMENIC MARBANIANG
CITS, ITARSI, SEPT 2010
THE BOOK OF DANIEL, INTRODUCTION
“Going forth of the commandment” – March 14, 445 B.C. (Neh. 2:5)
“After 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off.” – April 06, A.D. 32 (Mat. 21)
62+7 = 69 Weeks (Dan. 9:25) x 7 x 360 days = 173,880 days (Jewish Calendar)
March 14, 445 – April 06, 32 = 173,880 days (Our Calendar)
The Final Week (7 years of Tribulation) when the Anti-Christ will be revealed is
the 70th week (Dan. 9:27).
DOMENIC MARBANIANG
CITS, ITARSI, SEPT 2010