Beginning on March 29, Pastor Mark Hartman will begin the series, "Daniel: Back to the Future". This exciting study will feature the book of Daniel and the experiences and visions of one of the Bible's greatest prophets.
Enjoy some background information on this great historical Christian figure:
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In 605 BC, as a teenager, Daniel, whose name means The Judgment of God, was captured by the Babylonian army during an attack on Jerusalem. He had been a member of the royal house.
Daniel spent the rest of his life in Babylon. The city was generally regarded as the most beautiful in the known world. Ancient depictions say that Babylon's walls were 60 miles long, 300 feet high and 80 feet thick. The Euphrates river divided the city into two equal parts. The beautiful city was also home to The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the world, which was built by Nebuchadnezzar for his Queen. It's ruins lie in modern-day Iraq.
Daniel lived in Babylon during the entire Babylonian empire which lasted 72 years. He arrived during the last year in the reign of Nabopolassar, stayed through the entire 45 year reign of Nebuchadnezzar, assisted 5 succeeding kings, survived through the occupation by the Medes and into the occupation of the Persians. He was present as Israel was taken into captivity; he died two years after a fragment of the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem.Chapters 1-6 of Daniel contain five well known stories:
- - Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream
- - The attempted execution of Daniel's three friends in the fiery furnace
- - Nebuchadnezzar's madness
- - The handwriting on the wall of King Belshazzar's banquet hall
- - Daniel surviving in the den of lions
The remainder of the book deals with Daniel's visions:
- - A dream of 5 new kingdoms which will emerge in history
- - The vision of the last days and a coming evil world ruler
- - A prayer of confession to, and trust in, God.
- - A momentous vision of Israel's future, leading to the Second Coming of Christ
The Old Testament prophet Daniel authored the book in the 6th century B.C. Several verses identify Daniel as its author:
- - Daniel 7:1: "Then he wrote down the dream. and here his account begins."
- - Daniel 7:28: "...as for me, Daniel, my thoughts dismayed me greatly...."
- - Daniel 8:1: "...a vision appeared to me, Daniel, following my earlier vision."
- - Daniel 9:2: "I, Daniel, was reading the scriptures..."
- - Daniel 10:2: "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for thee whole weeks..."
- - Daniel 12:5: "I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing..."
In Matthew 24:15, Jesus mentions Daniel authoring the book when he says, "So, when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' of which the prophet Daniel spoke, standing in the holy place...then those who are in Judea must take to the hills."