3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the young men of Israel, including some from the royal family and of the noble families, 4 youths with no defect, who were good looking and intelligent in every branch of wisdom, having understanding and discerning knowledge, and who would be able to serve in the king's court. He ordered that they be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 They were to be assigned their daily food and wine the same as the king had. They would be trained for three years. After that they would enter the king's service.

6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among those brought from Judah.

COMMENT: But not the only ones from Judah. Their behavior was exemplary when compared to their countrymen.

7 The commander of the officials gave them Babylonian names. Daniel he named Belteshazzar. Hananiah he named Shadrach. He named Mishael Meshach and Azariah he named Abednego.

8 Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's food or wine, so he asked the commander for permission to not eat this food or drink the wine. 9 God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 10 and he said to Daniel, "I have been instructed to feed you from the king's own menu. It you should not look as healthy as the other youths, I might suffer the king's anger." 11 But Daniel made a reasonable suggestion. He said, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days letting us eat vegetables and drink only water." 13 "Then decide for yourself how we compare with the other youths before you make your decision."

14 So the commander listened to their request and agreed to test them for ten days. 15 At the end of the tens days they looks more healthy than the other youths who had eaten from the king's choice food. 16 So their overseer continued to give them only vegetables and water.

17 God gave these four young men knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom. Daniel even understood visions and dreams. 18 And at the end of the training period the commander presented all of the youth to Nebuchadnezzar for his examination. 19 He talked with each of them and found Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to be better than all the rest. So they entered the king's personal service. 20 With every question the king presented concerning wisdom and understanding, he found these four young men to be ten times better that all his magicians and astrologers in all his realm. 21 Daniel continued working for the king until the first year of Cyrus the king of Persia.

Daniel 2 - RWB Paraphrase (49 V)
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Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
1 Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had dreams. He was troubled by them so that he could not get back to sleep. 2 He called for his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans, and asked them to help him recall what he had dreamed. They came and stood before him. 3 The king said, "I had a dream and I am anxious to know what the dream meant." 4 The Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, saying, "O king, live forever! Tell us the dream and we will tell you its meaning." 5 The king replied to them in no uncertain terms, saying, "You must tell me what I dreamed and then tell me its meaning. If you cannot do this I will completely destroy you, your homes and everyone in them." 6 "But if you tell me what I dreamed, I will richly reward you with gifts and great honor. So tell me now the dream and what it means." 7 Again they said, "Please tell us the dream and your servants will explain its meaning." 8 The king then said, "I can tell you are stalling for time because you know that I mean every word I have said." 9 "If you do not make the dream known to me there can be only one outcome for you. I know you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words until your situation improves. However, if you can tell me what I dreamed I will have confidence in your interpretation." 10 The Chaldeans answered the king, saying, "No man can tell you what you dreamed. No king or ruler has ever asked such a thing of his magicians, conjurer or Chaldean." 11 "Only the gods whose dwelling is not with men can do such a thing."

12 At these words the king became furious and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13 So the decree went out to kill all the wise men and they came looking for Daniel and his three friends as well. 14 Daniel replied with discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's body guard who had come to take him away. 15 He said to Arioch, "Why has the king made this sudden decision?" And Arioch told Daniel what had taken place. 16 So Daniel went to the king and asked him for time so that he might be able to tell the king what he had dreamed. 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and told his three friend everything, 18 so that they might approach the God of heaven concerning the king's dream, and they would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 He said, "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him." 21 "It is He who changes the times and the epochs. He takes down kings and sets them up. He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding." 22 "He reveals that which is profound and hidden. Nothing is too dark for Him, for the light dwells with Him." 23 "To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and power. Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, making known to us the king's dream."

COMMENT: Daniel praised God first and not as an after thought.

24 So Daniel went to Arioch, who had been appointed to carry out the king's decree to destroy the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me to the king and I will tell him his dream and its interpretation." 25 So Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king's presence and said, "I have found a man from among the exiles from Judah who can tell you what you dreamed and what the dream means." 26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me what I dreamed and give its interpretation?" 27 Daniel answered him, saying, "No wise man, astrologer, magician or soothsayer can tell you what you dreamed." 28 "But, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. Here is what you dreamed while you slept." 29 "You had been thinking about the future and He who reveals mysteries has shown you what will happen." 30 "This was not revealed to me because of any wisdom within me, but in order that you might have answers to your questions concerning the future."

COMMENT: Daniel is self defacing not choosing to place himself on the same plane as Nebuchadnezzar.

31 "You, O king, saw a great and splendid statue standing before you. It was awesome in appearance." 32 "The head of that statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were of silver and its belly and thighs of bronze." 33 "It had legs of iron and its feet were made of iron mixed with clay." 34 "You watched until you saw a stone formed without hands, which struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them." 35 "As you watched, the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed together and became as chaff on the summer threshing floors. The wind carried everything away and didn't leave even a trace. And the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain filling the whole earth."

36 "This was your dream and here is its interpretation." 37 "You, O king, are the King of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion, power, might and glory." 38 "Everything that dwells on the earth, whether man, beast or bird, He has caused you to rule over. You are the head of gold." 39 "After you another kingdom will arise. It will be inferior to you. Following that kingdom a third kingdom of bronze will rule over all the earth." 40 "Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron. Just as iron can crush anything, so it will crush and break its predecessors." 41 "You saw the feet and toes made of potter's clay mixed with iron. The next kingdom will be a divided kingdom. Some of it will be as strong as iron, just as you saw the iron mixed with clay." 42 "And some of this divided kingdom will be brittle." 43 "You saw the iron mixed with clay. So this kingdom will combine with one another in marriage, but they will not remain united any more than iron mixes with clay."

44 "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed. His kingdom will not be over thrown by another people. It will put an end to all the former kingdoms, and it will endure forever." 45 "For as you saw the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and watched it crush the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, so the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation can be trusted."

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.

COMMENT: Previous to this Nebuchadnezzar had bowed to no one. He was now overwhelmed at the thought of what Daniel had been able to do. He was yet to transfer that wonder to Daniel's God. This is a bit like the child's wonder for his parent until that admiration is transferred to what he learns about God.

47 He said, "Surely, Your God is the God of gods and Lord of kings, and is able to reveal mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery."

COMMENT: So Nebuchadnezzar did associate what Daniel had done with his God.

48 The king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel asked the king to appoint Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon, but Daniel sat in the king's court.

COMMENT: In this great triumph Daniel did not forget his friends who had, no doubt, united with him in prayer for a revelation of the king's dream.

Daniel 3 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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The Image Of Gold
1 King Nebuchadnezzar set up an image of gold on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. It was sixty cubits high (90 feet) and six cubits wide (9 feet). 2 He then sent word to assembled the princes, governors, captains, judges and treasurers, the counselors, sheriffs and all the rulers of the provinces. They were to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So they all came for the dedication of this image and stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language," 5 "the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up." 6 "Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be immediately thrown into the midst of the fiery furnace." 7 "So when the sound of these instruments was heard, all the people fell down and worshiped the golden image." 8 But some of the Chaldeans brought charges against the Jews. 9 They said to Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!" 10 "You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image." 11 "And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a fiery furnace." 12 "Certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon have disregarded your order. They are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego."

13 Nebuchadnezzar was in rage as he gave orders to bring them before him. 14 He asked them, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, is it true that you have not served my gods or worshipped the golden image I have set up?" 15 "If you are now ready to worship the image when you hear the sound of the instruments, very well. But if you will not worship it, you will be immediately thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. What god can save you from my hand?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter." 17 "If our God wants to save us from the blazing fire, He is well able to deliver us from your hand, O king." 18 "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and looking hard at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, he gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter. 20 Then he commanded some of his mightiest men to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 They were tied up fully clothed and cast into the blazing fire of the furnace. 22 And because the furnace was so extremely hot, the men who threw them into the fire died from the heat.

23 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fell into the midst of the furnace still tied up. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and stood up quickly. He said to his high officials, "Were not three men cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Yes, O king." 25 He then said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire. They are coming to no harm. And the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God!"

26 Nebuchadnezzar came as near as possible to the door of the blazing furnace and called out to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, saying, "Come out here, you servants of the Most High God!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out from the midst of the fire. 27 All of Nebuchadnezzar's officials gathered around to look at these men who had walked in the fire, and saw that there wasn't even the smell of fire on their hair or clothing.

COMMENT: This must have quelled at least some of the jealousy toward these three who had occupied high government positions.

28 Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, violating the king's command, and yielding up their bodies in order to not serve or worship any god except their own God." 29 "For this reason I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap. For there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." 30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be exalted in the province of Babylon.

Daniel 4 - RWB Paraphrase (37 V)
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Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream
1 King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world, "May you prosper greatly!" 2 "I wish to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has shown to me." 3 "For His signs are great and His wonders are mighty! His kingdom is everlasting and His dominion endures throughout all generations."

COMMENT: This sounds like a true conversion.

4 "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous." 5 "As I lay on my bed I had a dream that alarmed me." 6 "I gave orders to bring in all my wise men that they might explain its meaning." 7 "So the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners listened as I related my dream to them. But they could not tell me its meaning." 8 "Finally Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, whom I named after my god, came in. The spirit of the holy gods dwells in him. Here is the dream as I related it to him."

9 'O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell me the interpretation of my dream. 10 "As I lay on my bed I saw a tree of great height in the midst of the earth." 11 "It was large and strong, and it reached to the sky and was visible to the whole earth." 12 "It was covered with leaves and fruit, enough for everyone who wanted to eat from it. The beasts of the field enjoyed its shade and the birds lived in its branches. All creatures fed from it." 13 "As I watched I saw a Holy One come down from heaven." 14 "He called out with a loud voice, saying, 'Cut the tree down. Strip off its branches and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds away from it branches.'" 15 "Leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Put a band of iron and bronze around it. Let it be drenched with the dew of heaven and share grass with the beasts of the field." 16 "Let his mind be changed from a man's mind to that of a beast. And let seven times pass over him."

COMMENT: Here is a reference to a time, as translated in the KJV. A time is a year.

17 "This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers and the decision is a command of the Holy Ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men."

COMMENT: This may be a reference to men who are meek.

18 "This is the dream which I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have dreamed. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the wise men of my kingdom have been able to explain its meaning. But I know that you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you."

19 After hearing the dream, Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you." Then Belteshazzar replied, "My Lord, if only the dream applied to your adversaries!" 20 "The tree you saw, which became large and strong, and reached to the sky, so that it was visible to all the earth," 21 "whose leaves were beautiful and was loaded with abundant fruit for everyone, providing refuge for beasts and birds," 22 "is you, O king. You have become great and strong. Your greatness has reached up to heaven and your dominion is to the end of the earth." 23 "You saw an angelic watcher descend from heaven and give the order to chop down the tree and to leave only the stump with it roots and a band of iron and bronze around it with the grass of the field growing around it. He also said, that the stump should be drenched with the dew of heaven, and share grass with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time had pass over it." 24 "This is its interpretation, O king. It is a decree from the Most High concerning you my lord." 25 "You will be driven from among mankind and dwell with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like the cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass over you, until you recognize that it is the Most High that rules the kingdoms and gives them to whomever He chooses." 26 "It was commanded that the stump be left with the roots because your kingdom will be given back to you once you recognize that it is Heaven that actually rules." 27 "Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and showing mercy to the poor, that your prosperity may be prolonged."

28 All of this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked about the palace at the surrounding city, he said to himself, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 While the words were in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared, your sovereignty has been removed." 32 "You will be driven away from mankind to dwell with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like the cattle and seven times will pass over you until you come to recognize that the Most High is ruler over all mankind and bestows rulership on whomever He chooses." 33 This was fulfilled immediately and Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of the palace and away from mankind. He began eating grass like the cattle and was drenched by the dew of heaven. His hair grew long like eagle feathers and his nails like bird claws. 34 "At the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High, praising and honoring the One Who lives forever. His dominion is everlasting and His kingdom endures for all generations." 35 "All the inhabitants of the earth count for nothing when compared to Him. He does whatever He wishes in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. No one can withstand His hand or question what He does."

36 "At that time my sanity was restored and my honor and splendor were returned to me along with my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before." 37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and glorify the King of heaven. Everything He does is right. All his ways are just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride."

Daniel 5 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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Belshazzar's Feast
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine with them. 2 He then gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, intending to drink wine from them with his lords, his wives and his concubines. 3 The vessels were brought in and the king and his guests then drank wine from them. 4 As they did this they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.

COMMENT: All this while the armies of the Medes and the Persians were attempting to overrun Babylon. Belshazzar mistakenly believed that he was secure within Babylon's high thick walls.

5 Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand appeared and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king saw the back of the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale with fright, his knees knocked together and his legs began to give way. 7 Calling for the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners, he said to them, "Any man who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me shall be clothed with purple and have a necklace of gold around his neck. And he shall become the third ruler in the kingdom." 8 But the king's wise men could not read the inscription or interpret it's meaning. 9 Then King Belshazzar grew pale while his lords were perplexed. 10 The queen came into the banquet hall, having heard of the perplexity of the king and his lords. She spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not be so alarmed." 11 "There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, wisdom like that of the gods was found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him as chief of all the wise men."

COMMENT: This was no doubt Nebuchadnezzar's wife.

12 "Because of the extraordinary spirit in him he had knowledge and insight. He could interpret dreams, explain enigmas and solve difficult problems. His name is Daniel but the king named him Belteshazzar. Summon him and he will interpret the writing on the wall."

COMMENT: Judging by her word, she had extraordinary faith in Daniel.

13 Daniel was brought in before the king who said to him, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?" 14 "I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you." 15 "The wise men and the conjurers were brought in before me to read this inscription and explain its meaning to me, but they were not able to do this." 16 "But I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will become the third ruler in the kingdom."

17 Then Daniel answered the king, saying, "Keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to another. However, I will read the inscription to you and make its interpretation known."

18 "O king, the Most High God granted glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father." 19 "Because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and men of every language feared and trembled before him. Whomever he wished he killed and whomever he wished he kept alive. He was allowed to decide who to elevate and who to humble." 20 "But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, his royal throne and his glory were taken from him." 21 "He was driven from among mankind and lived with the beasts. He ate grass like the cattle and was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God rules over all mankind and chooses those who will rule." 22 "Though you knew all of this you did not humble yourself." 23 "Instead you have exalted yourself against the LORD of heaven, having brought in the vessels from His house. You and your lords, your wives and concubines, have drunk wine from them, while praising the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear. And you have not glorified the God of heaven who holds your breath in His hand." 24 "The hand you saw was sent from Him and this is the inscription written on the wall." 25 "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." 26 "The interpretation is, MENE: 'God has numbered your kingdom and has brought an end to it.'." 27 "TEKEL: 'You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.'" 28 "PERES: 'Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.'"

29 Then Belshazzar ordered that Daniel be clothed with a purple robe and a gold necklace be placed around his neck. A proclamation was made giving him authority as the third ruler of the kingdom.

COMMENT: Daniel was probably not excited about any power or authority in a kingdom about to fall. But then, being who he was, Daniel must not have craved power or authority.

30 And that same night Belshazzar the king of Babylon was slain. 31 So Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty two.

Daniel 6 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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Daniel In The Lion's Den
1 Darius decided to place one hundred and twenty princes over the kingdom. 2 He place three presidents over these and Daniel he made first. All the princes were to give an account to these three presidents so that the king might not suffer any loss. 3 Daniel began to distinguish himself among all of these because he possessed an extraordinary spirit. Because of this, the king appointed him over the entire kingdom. 4 Though the princes and presidents tried very hard, they could find no fault with Daniel in regard to government affairs, because he did his work so faithfully. No corruption could be found in him. 5 Since they could find nothing wrong in his work they decide to work against him regarding the law of his God. 6 These presidents and princes came before the king, and said to him, "King Darius, live for ever." 7 "All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of You, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions." 8 "Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed." 9 So King Darius signed the document.

10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he entered his house, went up to his roof chamber and opened his windows toward Jerusalem. Here he continued kneeling in prayer three times a day, giving thanks before his God, as he had always done. 11 The men who had conspired against him watched him praying to his God. 12 They then approached the king and reminded him of his injunction that no one was to make any petition save to him for thirty days, lest they be cast into the den of lions."Isn't it true," they said, "This law of the Medes and Persians cannot be revoked?"

COMMENT: Daniel might have prayed in his closet, so to speak, just for thirty day. But his adversaries knew him well enough to be sure he would not do this.

13 They then said, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed. He still prays three times a day to his god." 14 When the king heard what they said, he was deeply distressed and tried to think of a way to deliver Daniel. Until sunset he kept looking for a way rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to him, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed."

COMMENT: It seems not to have occurred to them that they could suffer the king's displeasure.

16 So the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought and cast into the lion's den. The king said to Daniel, "Your God whom you serve constantly will deliver you." 17 A stone was laid over the mouth of the lion's den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.

18 The king spent the night fasting. He had no entertainment or sleep that night. 19 At the break of day he went quickly to the lion's den. 20 Arriving he called out with a troubled voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21 Daniel replied to the king, "O king, live forever!" 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, because I was found innocent before Him, and also toward you, O king, for I have committed no crime." 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted out of the den. When Daniel was examined, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave orders to bring the men who had accused Daniel. He had them and their families cast into the den of lions, and before they reached the bottom the lions leap on them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land, "May your peace abound!" 26 "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God and endures forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed, and His dominion will last forever." 27 "He delivers, rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."

COMMENT: It was God's plan that Israel should witness to the world about Him. Even in their captivity He was glorified.

28 So Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius the Mede and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 7 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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Vision Of The Four Beasts
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a vision as he lay on his bed. He later related it in the following summary.

COMMENT: We can see here that the book of Daniel is not organized in the order that things happened. The second half of the book deals with visions that are of major interest to all readers. Belshazzar was dealt with two chapters earlier.

2 He said, "I had a vision one night and saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the sea." 3 "Four great beasts came up out of the sea. Each one was different." 4 "The first was like a lion except that it had wings like an eagle. As I watched its wings were plucked off and it stood up on two feet like a man and was given a human mind."

COMMENT: Babylon conquered much of then known world. Nebuchadnezzar was its most important king. God humbled him (Daniel 4) and he had a major change of heart.

5 "Another beast looking like a bear came up out of the deep. It was higher on one side and had three ribs between its teeth. It was told to arise and devour much."

COMMENT: The Medes and the Persians worked together to conquer Babylon. Persia was stronger than the Medes. Hence one side of the bear was higher. They also conquered Lydia and Egypt, Thus the three ribs in its mouth.

6 As I watched a leopard like beast with four wings of a bird appeared. It had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

COMMENT: Greece moved very quickly, signified by the leopard's wings. The four heads signify the four generals who took over after Alexander's death.

7 "After this I watched in the night visions, and saw a fourth beast. It had very strong large iron teeth and was dreadfully terrifying. It devoured, crushed and trampled down every other beast. It was different from the beasts that preceded it, and it had ten horns."

COMMENT: How interesting that God planned for the first advent of Christ during Rome's rule.

8 "While I was considering the ten horns, I watched as a little horn came up among them. It displaced three of the ten horns, pulling them out by their roots. It had a man's eyes and made great boasts."

COMMENT: The ten horns are the ten kingdoms that came out of Rome: Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Heruli, Lombards and Burgundians. Eventually the papacy was responsible for the demise of three of these: the Heruli, the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. Note that the seven remaining kingdoms became the kingdoms of modern Europe.

9 "I kept watching until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His garments were as white as snow and his hair was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire and its wheels blazed."

COMMENT: The judgment began during the days of these kingdoms.

10 "A river of fire flowed out before Him. Thousands upon thousands stood before Him. The judgment was set and the books were opened."

11 "The sound of the little horn speaking made me look at him once more. I watched until the beast was slain and its body destroyed in the burning fire."

COMMENT: The little horn is part of this beast which shall be destroyed.

12 "Their dominion was taken from the other beasts, which were were allowed to live a while longer." 13 "As I watched in the night vision I saw One like the Son of Man come before the Ancient of Days to be presented before Him." 14 "He was given dominion, glory and a kingdom so that all the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion will last forever and never be destroyed."

15 "I, Daniel, was troubled as I considered the vision I had seen." 16 I approached one of those standing by and asked him to explain its meaning. Here is what he said to me. 17 "The four great beasts are four kings that will rise to power." 18 "But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess it for all ages to come."

COMMENT: The four kingdoms represented by the four beasts were great, but nothing when compared to the kingdom God will eventually set up on this earth where the saints will reign forever.

Daniel 2:44 "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed. His kingdom will not be over thrown by another people. It will put an end to all the former kingdoms, and it will endure forever."

19 "I wanted to know more about the fourth beast which was so different from the others. It was terrible with its iron teeth and bronze claws, crushing the other beasts before devouring them." 20 "I wanted to know the meaning of its ten horns and of the three that fell before the little horn that had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts as it became more powerful than the others." 21 "I watched as that little horn made war against the saints and overpowered them." 22 "He continued doing this until the Ancient of Days passed judgment in favor of His saints and the time came for them to take possession of the kingdom." 23 "He explain to me that the fourth beast would be a kingdom different from the other kingdoms. It would devour the whole earth, crushing it and treading it underfoot." 24 "The ten horns will be ten kings that arise. And another will come up after them that is different, subduing three of them." 25 "He will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Most High. He will intend to change times and laws and will have his way for a time, two more times and half a time."

COMMENT: This little horn power will take on the prerogatives of God, forgiving sins and changing the day of worship. He will have power for 1260 years, from 538 AD to 1798 AD. 1260 Is derived from three and one half years or forty two months. A year was 360 days. 360 X 3. 5 = 1260. See the graphic below for Daniel 12.

26 "But the court will sit in judgment and his dominion will be removed and he will be destroyed forever." 27 "Then everything under heaven will be given to the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will last for eternity and everyone will serve and obey Him."

28 "At this point the vision was over. I, Daniel, was greatly troubled, and sick with concern. But I kept the matter to myself."

Daniel 8 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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Vision Of A Ram And A Goat
1 In Belshazzar's third year as king of Babylon, I Daniel had a vision related to my previous vision.

COMMENT: The previous vision referenced here was in Belshazzar's first year of reign. God sometimes waits a while to give further explanation.

2 In the vision I was looking at the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam beside the river Ulai. 3 Looking up I saw a ram with two horns standing by the river. Both horns were long but the horn that came up last was longer.

COMMENT: The ram represented Medo-Persia. The Persians were the greater of the two kingdoms.

4 The ram butted west, north and south. No beast could stand up to him or be rescued from his power. 5 As I watched, a male goat came from the west. It had a prominent horn between his eyes and crossed the whole earth without touching the ground.

COMMENT: This was Greece and the prominent horn was Alexander the Great.

6 It made a mighty rush toward the ram I had seen standing by the river.

COMMENT: Greece overcame Medo-Persia.

7 The goat was enraged with the ram and shattered its two horns so that the ram could no longer stand up against it. 8 The goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.

COMMENT: Alexander died at a young age and his four generals divided up his kingdom.

9 Out of one of these horns came a little horn which grew very great toward the south, the east, and toward the glorious land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, so that it threw some of the stars to the ground and trampled them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host, taking away the daily sacrifice from him, and throwing down the place of his sanctuary. 12 Because of its rebellion the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did as it threw truth to the ground.

13 Then I heard one saint speaking to another saint, saying, "How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgressor is allow to trample the holy place and the saints?" 14 He said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the holy place will be properly restored."

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it. I saw someone who looked like a man standing near me. 16 I heard a man's voice from the banks of the Ulai river saying, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision." 17 So he came near to where I stood. I was frightened and fell on my face, but he said, "Son of man, the vision pertains to the time of the end." 18 When he spoke I fell as though dead with my face to the ground. He touched me and then I was able to stand up. 19 He said, "I am going to explain what will happen at the end of time in the final moments when right finally prevails."

20 "The ram you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia." 21 "The goat is the kingdom of Greece and its large horn is its first king." 22 "When its horn is broken, four horns will replace it. These represent four kingdoms that will arise from the original nation, but they will not have the first horn's power." 23 "At the latter time of their rule, when the transgressors have reached their full measure, a king of bold countenance who understands riddles, shall arise." 24 "He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and succeed in everything he does, destroying mighty men and holy people." 25 "He will cause deceit to prosper, and consider himself superior. He will destroy many while they feel secure, and take his stand against the Prince of princes. But he will be destroyed, though not by human power."

COMMENT: God Himself will intervene.

26 "This vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true. Seal it up, for it concerns the distant future."

COMMENT: This vision would not be understood until a much later time.

27 I, Daniel, was sick with exhaustion for days. Eventually I got up and went about the king's business. But the vision confounded me, and there was no one to explain it so I could understand its meaning.

Daniel 9 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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Daniel Prayers For His People
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans,

COMMENT: This was during the first year after Babylon was conquered.

2 I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of years revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the seventy years Jerusalem was to remain desolate. [Jeremiah 25:11]. 3 So I focused my thoughts on the LORD, praying and fasting, with sackcloth and ashes.

COMMENT: Evidently God does not answer some prayers without serious focus on the part of the petitioner.

4 I prayed to the LORD, saying, "O LORD, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments," 5 "we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled. We turned aside from Your commandments and ordinances."

COMMENT: Daniel here take partial ownership of Israel's sins. Like Moses, he casts his lot with his people.

6 "We have not listened to Your prophets who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land." 7 "Righteousness belongs to You, O LORD. But to us belongs open shame. This is true of the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, wherever they now are living, sent there by You because of their unfaithfulness to You." 8 "Open shame belongs to us, O LORD, and to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You." 9 "To the LORD our God belongs compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him." 10 "We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, and walked in the teachings He has given us through His prophets." 11 "For all of Israel has transgressed Your law by disobeying Your voice. So the curse has been poured out on us, just as it was written in the law of Moses Your servant. We have sinned against You."

COMMENT: Daniel expresses Israel's full responsibility for where they now find themselves.

12 "You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great calamity. Jerusalem in its present condition is proof of this." 13 "Everything written in the law of Moses has come to pass. Yet we still have not sought the favor of the LORD our God and turned from our iniquity to Your truth." 14 "So the LORD has not removed this calamity from us, for He is righteous in everything He does, though we have not obeyed Him."

COMMENT: Daniel recognizes that the seventy years have been fulfilled, or nearly so, but it does not appear that God is ready to take Israel back to the land He gave to them.

15 "We recognize, O LORD our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day, and that we have sinned and done very wickedly!" 16 "O LORD, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your wrath from Jerusalem, Your city, Your holy mountain. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and Your people an object of scorn to all those around us." 17 "So now, O God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your own sake let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary." 18 "Give ear, O God, and hear. Open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We make these requests of You, not because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy." 19 "O LORD, hear and forgive! Listen and take action! Do this for Your own sake, and do not delay. Do this for Your city and Your people who are called by Your name."

20 While I was praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication to the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, 21 the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the previous vision, came to me about the time of the evening offering. I was extremely weary.

COMMENT: Gabriel is here referred to as a man, but he is certainly a mighty angel. In the New Testament he is identified as an angel.

Luke 1:19 The angel answered him, saying, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to bring you this good news."

22 He said to me, "O Daniel, I have come to give you understanding." 23 "When you first began praying I was told to come to you, for you are highly esteemed. So listen to this message and gain understanding of the vision."

24 "Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, in order to
finish the transgression,
to make an end of sin,
to make atonement for iniquity,
to bring in everlasting righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the most holy place.

"

COMMENT: Seventy weeks is four hundred and ninety days, or years using the day for a year in prophecy.

25 "So you must understand that from the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and then sixty two more weeks. Jerusalem will be built again with plaza and moat, though it will be during difficult times."

COMMENT: Or sixty nine weeks, actually four hundred and eighty three years until the Messiah begins his work on earth.

26 "After the sixty two week period the Messiah will be cut off. The people of the prince to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come like an overwhelming flood. War and desolation have been determined."

.

COMMENT: The prince to come is the one who works against everything God stands for. Ultimately this is Satan working through different world leaders, whether religious or secular.

27 "And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week, and in the middle of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. And by overwhelming abominations He shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that which has been determined has been poured out on the desolate."

Daniel 10 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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The Man Dressed In Linen
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and revealed a great conflict. And he understood the message in the vision.

2 "In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks." 3 "I ate no choice food. I had no meat or wine, and I used no lotions until the three weeks were complete." 4 "On the twenty fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the Tigris River," 5 "I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen. Around his waist was a belt of pure gold of Uphaz." 6 "His body was like beryl. His face had the appearance of lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze, and his words were like the voice of a multitude." 7 "I Daniel was the only one who saw the vision. The men with me did not see it. And yet, a great dread fell on them and they ran away and hid themselves."

8 "So I was alone as I watched this great vision. I had no strength and my color turned to a deathly pallor." 9 "As soon as I heard the sound of his voice, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground." 10 "Then a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees." 11 He said to me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, stand up and understand the words that I am about to tell you, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken these words, I stood up still trembling.

12 He then said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day you set your heart to understand this vision and humbled yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come in response to your request." 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had to remain with the kings of Persia." 14 "Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." 15 "As he spoke these words, I bowed my face toward the ground and could not speak." 16 "One who looked like a human being touched my lips. After that I was able to talk and said to the one standing before me, 'O my lord, as a result of the vision I am very troubled, and I have lost my strength.'" 17 "How can a person of my lowly standing talk with one such as you? My strength is gone and I cannot breath." 18 "Then the one with the human appearance touched me again and gave me more strength." 19 He said, "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed. Be at peace and be strong!" When he had said this, I felt stronger and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength."

20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? I am about to return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I am through with him, then the prince of Greece will follow."

COMMENT: So God was directing the world kingdoms, even though they must have thought they were managing the outcomes.

21 "But before I go, I will tell you what is written in the scripture of truth. No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince."

Daniel 11 - RWB Paraphrase (45 V)
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The Future Explained
1 "In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood in support of him and provided his protection." 2 "The truth is, three more kings will appear in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece." 3 "And a mighty king will arise in Greece who will rule with great authority and do whatever he pleases."

COMMENT: This will be Alexander the Great.

4 "After he appears, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. His descendants will not get his power which will be reduced as his empire is uprooted and given to others."

COMMENT: The empire will be split into four parts, each taken over by one of his generals.

5 "The king of the south shall become strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and have great dominion." 6 "After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful alliance. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power. She will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who sired her." 7 "One of her descendants will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress with a great victory." 8 "He will take captive to Egypt their metal images and the precious vessels of their gods made of silver and gold. For several years after that he will refrain from attacking the king of the North." 9 "After that the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will then retreat to his own country." 10 "His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress."

COMMENT: The sons of the king of the North will battle with the king of the South.

11 "This will enrage the king of the South and he will go forth to fight with the king of the North. Then the latter will raise a great army only to be defeated by the former." 12 "When his army is carried away, his pride will have caused tens of thousands to fall, and yet he will not prevailed." 13 "The king of the North will raise an even greater army some years later and come again with much equipment." 14 "In those times many will rise against the king of the South. The violent men among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but will not succeed." 15 "Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and capture a well fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist. Even their best troops will not be able to stand." 16 "Those who have come against him will do as they please, for they will be unstopable. He will also stay for a time in the Beautiful Land where he will be very destructive." 17 "He will decide to come with the might of his entire kingdom and make an alliance with the king of the South, giving him the daughter of women to his ruin, but his plans will not succeed." 18 "Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and take many of them. But a commander will repay him for his insolence." 19 "So he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land. Then he will stumble and fall and be seen no more."

20 "In his place one will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom. Yet within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger nor in battle." 21 "He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue." 22 "An overwhelming army will be swept away before him, both it and a prince of the covenant being destroyed." 23 "After an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and go up and gain power with only a small group of people." 24 "In a time of peace he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and accomplish what his fathers and his ancestors never did. He will distribute plunder, booty and possessions among them, and devise schemes against strongholds for a short time." 25 "He will muster a large army against the king of the South and the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army to make war. But he will not prevail because of the schemes devised against him." 26 "Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him and his army will be swept away with many falling in battle." 27 "Both kings will intend to do evil as they tell lies to each other. This will all take place to no avail for the end will come at the appointed time." 28 "The king of the North will return to his own country with great plunder, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant and he will act against it and then return to his own land." 29 "When the time is right he will come yet again against the South. This time it will turn out different." 30 "Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will be disheartened. Turning back, he will vent his rage against the holy covenant, showing regard only for those who forsake it." 31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the sanctuary fortress and abolish the daily sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination that makes desolation." 32 "He will use flattery to corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will continue to resist him." 33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned, captured or plundered." 34 "As they fall, they will receive a little help, and many will join them in hypocrisy." 35 "Some with insight will fall. The result will be to refine and purge them right up to the end of time. Everything will happen at its appointed time." 36 "The king will do as he pleases, exalting and magnifying himself above every god. He will say terrible things against the God of gods and be successful until the time of indignation is completed. What has been determined must take place." 37 "He will show no regard for the other gods of his fathers, or even have a desire for women. He will magnify himself above all of this."

COMMENT: Is this literal, maybe showing celibacy, or even the perversion of homosexuality? Or is there some spiritual application?

38 "His honor will be for a god of fortress, something his fathers did not think about. He will honor gold and silver, costly stones and other treasure."

COMMENT: Which is the richest governing entity in the world at the end of time?

39 "He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many and distribute land at a price."

COMMENT: He will have the power to give sovereignty to those who honor him and by his supreme command give or withhold their power to govern.

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will fight back with chariots, cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries, sweeping through them like a flood." 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but not Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon. 42 "He will stretch out his hand against Egypt as well as other countries." 43 "He will gain control of hidden treasures of gold and silver and all the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and Ethiopians will follow behind him." 44 "Then rumors from the East and the North will make him uneasy. He will set out in a rage to destroy and annihilate many." 45 "He shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end and no one will come to his aid."

Daniel 12 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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A Prophecy For The Very Last Days
1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the children of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never has been since there was a nation. And those whose names are written in the book shall be delivered."

COMMENT: When Michael stands up the judgment will be over and probation will have closed. It will be a time of great trouble for everyone, but those who have been sealed will be safe.

2 "Many who sleep in the dust will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt." 3 "And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of day, for those who turned many to righteousness will be as the stars for ever and ever." 4 "Now you, Daniel, seal up and conceal this message until the end of time. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge will increase."

5 "I, Daniel, looked and saw two standing, one on either bank of the river." 6 "One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the river, 'How long will it be until these wonders are finished?'" 7 "I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, say as he raised both hands toward heaven, swearing by Him who lives forever, 'It will be for a time, times, and half a time. As soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, these things shall all be finished.'"

COMMENT: The power referred to previously as having 1260 years uses its time trying to destroy God's people.

8 I heard what was said but did not understand, so I said, "My Lord, what will be the outcome of what you have described?" 9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel. These words are sealed up until the time of the end."

COMMENT: This prophecy has been understood since the end of the 1260 years, or 1798.

10 "Many will be purified and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly. None of them will understand, but the wise will understand."

.

11 "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days." 12 "Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days!" 13 "But you Daniel, go your way until the end. You will rest, and at the end of days you will rise to receive the inheritance alotted you."

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12