Message & Theme of Daniel
The Book of Daniel’s main message is the power and sovereignty of God – even over evil! This is displayed in its unusual visions, dreams, and prophecies; as well as the unique stories of fidelity to God in the face of persecution and suffering.
An interesting fact about the Book of Daniel is that an entire genre of literature, known as “apocalyptic,” has emerged due to the book’s vast prophetic content. Apocalyptic literature, also found in the Book of Revelation, uses images and symbols to describe future events. It is this apocalyptic literature that can sometimes be difficult to interpret and understand. But as we will see in this article, there is a wonderful order to how the book is laid out, with flow given to each parallel theme, helping us understand the one major message – God’s sovereignty.
Table of Contents
→ Background to Daniel
→ Parallel Themes
→ God’s Sovereignty
→ For More on Daniel and End Time Events
Background to Daniel’s Message
The author of Daniel is none other than the prophet himself (Matthew 24:15). He wrote it during the Babylonian captivity (605-539 B.C.). Daniel’s name means “God is my judge” and Daniel knew that to be true. He was a faithful and dedicated man of God and this is evident when he didn’t defile himself with the King’s food (Daniel 1:8) and when he refused to pray to Darius (Daniel 6). Daniel also desired to seek God in prayer and carefully interpret the visions he received (Daniel 2:17-18).
In recording specific parallel concepts, Daniel laid out the book in a very diligent and organized fashion – which is very helpful in seeing its main message!
Parallel Themes
Each of the multiple stories found in Daniel correlates with another. For example, the following chapters correspond with each other:
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- Chapters 1 and 12
- Chapters 2,7,8,11
- Chapters 3 & 6
- Chapters 4 & 5
- Chapters 9 & 10
Chapter 1 shows the captivity of God’s people in history (Babylon) while chapter 12 shows the great liberation of God’s people into His kingdom at the end of the age.
Chapters 2, 7, 8, 11 reveal four great beasts (the earthly kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome) that will be set against God’s people. A final beast will be destroyed and God’s kingdom will be ushered in.
Chapters 3 & 6 explain the false worship that Daniel was confronted with and his faith to withstand. He keeps his allegiance to the only true and living God, revealed in Scripture, who was to be worshiped. (Revelation 13 gives a future glimpse of a coming false worship that will be similar and will try the patience and faithfulness of God’s people.)
Chapters 4 & 5 tell the story of two rulers, Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, whom a sovereign God brought under His judgments. This is a clear foreshadowing of the reality that all will be judged by God’s sovereign hand. There is no hiding from Him who sees all.
Chapters 9 & 10 comfort Daniel when he is reassured of God’s provision and protection of His people. He first is visited by the angel Gabriel who reveals the “70 weeks of Daniel.” Then there is the appearance of a man who reveals to Daniel that God and His angels are in the battle for His people and against the powers of this evil world.