Scripture

“He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the gods loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all. Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses – a god, his ancestors never knew.”

Observation

This chapter lists a series of battles and skirmishes between kings in Daniel’s future, often referred to as the Ptolemies and the Seleucids. These are dynasties of kingly families struggling for domination in the region. The most despicable of these was Antiochus Epiphanes IV, who desecrated the Temple by offering unclean sacrifices to Zeus there.

A king is mentioned, who even deserts the gods of his ancestors to worship a new god, the god of fortresses.

Application

It has always been a temptation for kings and other political leaders to put their trust in military might. In some cases, this can be benign, for example when leaders simply want to ensure that they can maintain peace by deterring potential enemies from attacking them. At other times, it can result in deliberate provocation and hostility towards neighbours and rivals, leading to all out war.

This king worshipped a god of fortresses. He obviously believed that his army was his salvation. This is folly, as salvation – whether individual forgiveness or national deliverance – comes only from the Lord. When people, ordinary workers or leaders of nations, commit to trusting, the Lord and walking in his ways, many miracles are released

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for your victory over sin. May the people of my nation enter into the blessings of your grace. Amen.

Scripture

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days, the spirit prince of the Kingdom of Persia blocked my way.”

Observation

Following twenty-one days of partial fasting, David sees a vision that deeply disturbs him.

He sees a man richly dressed. Daniel falls down terrified, and his companions flee. The man reaches down to Daniel and tells him that he is precious to God. Daniel’s prayer was heard from the first day he started praying and fasting, but the spirit over Persia had blocked the man from coming until the angel Michael had assisted him.

The angel then tells Daniel to not be afraid. He will soon go to resume his battle against the spirit of Persia, but first, he will give David a revelation from God’s book of Truth.

Application

Why does it seem that God sometimes delays his answers to our prayers? According to this chapter, God hears our prayers from the moment we speak them. But sometimes the answers to our prayers can be held up by opposing spirits.

This passage opens our eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare. Angels are fighting demons, good spirits against evil spirits. The battle is real.

Many christians do not understand this. Their experience is limited to what makes sense in their head. The fact is that the spirit realm is every bit as real as the physical realm.

There needs to be balance. It is wrong to chase angelic encounters. But it is also wrong to assume that the spirit world is irrelevant to us.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for the assurance that you hear our prayers even if it seems to take longer than I would like sometimes. Please help me to understand the realities of the spirit world. Amen.

Scripture

“After the period of 62 sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.”

Observation

As Daniel continues to pray, the angel Gabriel appears to him. He explains that he has come to give Daniel insight and understanding. He now explains a timeline for the salvation story.

A period of 70 times seven years has been given for the Jewish people to atone for their sins and for the Most Holy Place to be anointed.

After 62 sets of seven years, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing. A ruler will rise whose army will destroy the city and the Temple. As a climax to his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration until his fate is poured out on him.

Application

This is a very complex prophecy with definite times in view. However, it is not clear when we should start the counting of the sets of seven years.

Gabriel talks about the Anointed One who will be killed appearing to have accomplished nothing. Jesus, of course, died on the cross, and until the resurrection, it appeared His life was in vain. However, after the resurrection and at Pentecost, everything made sense.

In AD70, a ruler did arise who destroyed the city and the temple.

So what are we to make of all this? The most important thing is to recognise that God is in charge of everything, Even when governments seem unstable and rulers rage against each other, none of this takes God by surprise. He loves us and He works out all things for our good and for his eternal purpose.

Prayer

Lord, what peace comes with the knowledge that you reign over all things, Thank you for this assurance. Amen.

Scripture

I learned… that Jerusalem must lie desolate for 70 years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting.

Observation.

In the first year of King Darius, Daniel learns from reading the prophecy of Jeremiah that Jerusalem must lie desolate for 70 years. So he turns to the Lord in prayer and fasting.

Daniel’s prayer is a prayer of confession and intercession. Even though Daniel himself is a righteous man, he identifies himself with the sins of his people. He recognises that God has punished His people for rebelling against Him.

He recognised that what has happened to the people of Israel is the exact curse and judgement that is written in the law of Moses.

Daniel now asks that the Lord opens His eyes and see the despair of His people and the ruins of the Lord’s own city.

Application

Having read Jeremiah’s prophecy, Daniel comes to the Lord in prayer. It is not yet 70 years since Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians, but Daniel sees that the time is coming close. So he presses in with prayer and fasting.

Apparently yesterday, September 23rd 2025, was a significant day according to some prophecy experts As far as I can tell neither the Rapture nor the Tribulation happened, despite it being the most significant day in seven thousand years.

Daniel was not a person who sought to sensationalise prophecy. Instead he saw the prophecy, interpreted it to mean that the time was coming, and he turned to God in powerful confession and intercession for his nation.

Perhaps there is a lesson here for us. Instead of reacting to the sensationalism of some modern day prophets, we should use their words to drive us to fellowship with the Lord and to deep intercession.

Prayer

Lord, I know that you are in control of all things. Please help me to trust you always and to seek your face each day. Amen.

Scripture

“This vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings is correct. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so keep this vision a secret.”

Observation

As Daniel tries to understand his vision, the angel Gabriel comes to him. Daniel is overcome by fear, but Gabriel rouses him with a touch.

Gabriel explains that the two horned ram represents the kings of Persia and Media. The male goat is the king of Greece. The Greek Empire will break into four parts.

At the end of their rule, a new king will arise, who will bring a shocking amount of destruction. He will destroy many without warning. He will be broken but not by human power.

The vision about 2,300 mornings and evenings is true. But none of this will happen for a long time, so Daniel is to keep it quiet.

At the end of all this, Daniel is sick for seven days.

Application

The specific time period of 2,300 evenings and mornings is astounding. This is about seven years, or three and a half years if you count mornings and evenings as separate times,

King Antiochus Epiphanes IV removed the high priest in 171 BC, and he desecrated the Temple with unclean, sacrifices in 167 BC. The Temple and altar were cleansed and rededicated in December 164 BC. This was seven years after the high priest was removed and a little over three years after the temple was desecrated.

The Lord knows what is happening and what He is permitting to happen. Therefore, we have hope in this life because God works in all things to bring good to those whom he has called (Romans 8:23).

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for this assurance that you have all things in hand. Amen.

Scripture

It even challenged the commander of heaven’s armies, cancelling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by destroying his Temple

Observation

Daniel recounts another vision of future Empires. This vision is explained in the second half of the chapter. In the vision, a ram with two long horns stands beside the river at Susa. This ram, butts everything in every direction, and no one can stand against him.

A male goat appears swiftly from the West, The goat tramples the ram and nobody can stop him.

The goat becomes very powerful, but at the height of its power, the horn is broken off and replaced by four smaller horns. From one of these horns comes another horn that extends into Israel. This horn attacks the Heavenly Army challenging the Commander Himself.

One of the holy ones asks, “How long will the temple be trampled on?” The other responds “2, 300 days and nights.”

Application

There is an arrogance at the heart of men and women who do not surrender to God. Sometimes this takes the form of petty rebellion and wanton sin. In the case of rulers of nations, it becomes defiance against God and His people, even to the point of attacking God Himself.

How can we be so insolent and deceived?

How can we, the creatures, take issue with the Creator?

This defies all logic, and yet has been the universal experience of humanity.

Praise God for his forbearance with us,

Praise God for dealing with our sins in sending His Son to lay down His life for us.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for your great patience with us. Thank you that while I was still a sinner, Jesus died for me. Amen.

Scripture

“Then, the court will pass judgement, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed.”

Observation.

Daniel is troubled by his vision. So he approaches one of those standing by the throne and asks him what it means. He explains that the beasts are four kingdoms that arise from the earth. Daniel asks about the fourth beast, which seems the most terrible of them all. This beast is the fourth world power, that is different to the others. There are ten Kings who rule this Empire. But then another king arises who defies God and oppresses His people.

The court passes judgement on this king, and all his power is taken away, The sovereignty, power, and greatness of the king are given to God’s people This Kingdom will last forever.

Application

In the final analysis, all kings and rulers are subject to the most high God, They serve at his pleasure.

Back in the 1980s, the power of Communism seemed firmly entrenched and invincible in Europe and in what was then called the USSR. Suddenly the whole structure crumbled and everything changed.

As Daniel says, it is as if the court of Heaven had passed judgement and the power that had ruthlessly oppressed millions of people was no more.

In this vision, Daniel is considering the power of the various Empires in history. The most powerful of these was yet to come in Daniel’s time. We look back through history and we can see that Rome established a powerful Empire. But in the end, it was the people of God who prevailed

And now God’s kingdom extends to nearly every nation of the world. The gates of Hell have not prevailed against it.

Prayer.

Father, thank you for letting me share in your kingdom. May this kingdom grow and touch every person in the world. Amen.

Scripture

He was given authority, honour and sovereignty over all the nations of the world so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal – it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Observation

The story now winds back to King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, as Daniel recounts a vision he had then.

In the vision, He sees four beasts coming from the churning ocean.

The first Beast is like a lion with eagles’ wings, but its wings are pulled off and it becomes like a human. The second beast looks like a bear. The third is like a leopard. The fourth beast has huge metal teeth.

Finally, thrones are put into place and the Ancient One sits down to judge the nations. Then someone like a son of man comes on the clouds. He is given authority and honour to rule over all the nations of the world. His rule is eternal and his kingdom will never end.

Application

These four beasts represent various human Empires – Babylon. Persia. Greece, and Rome. God has judged all of these kingdoms as evil and barbaric. In place of these beasts, He has established a truly human kingdom that rules over the people of every race, nation, and language.

That King is, of course Jesus. His Kingdom is not based on violence and oppression, but on love. It is true that His Kingdom has reached just about every nation and every people group in the world.

This is so encouraging! When we look at the turmoil in the Middle East or in Ukraine, or the internal turmoil in the nations of the West, we can become fearful. But Jesus’ Kingdom is above all these things. He has authority that is greater. The nations of the world will pass away, but Christ’s kingdom is eternal.

Prayer

Lord, you are greater than any human ruler or kingdom. I praise you, Lord Jesus Christ, and I surrender my life to you. Amen.

Scripture

Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

Observation

The king tries to find a way to circumvent his own law in order to save Daniel, but he cannot At the demands of the officials, Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den and the entry is sealed.

The king spends an anxious night before going to the lions den and calling to Daniel. Daniel responds that the Lord sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, The king orders Daniel to be lifted from the den.

The man who had maliciously accused Daniel, along with their wives and children, are thrown into the lions den where they are instantly torn apart by the lions.

King Darius then sends a message throughout the kingdom ordering all the people to fear the Lord.

Application

Daniel was greatly blessed by the Lord because of his faithfulness to God.

Despite being at the mercy of a number of lions, Daniel emerged without even a scratch, because he trusted the Lord.

Earlier, in the book of Daniel, his three friends were thrown into a furnace because they refused to bow down to a statue. Their response was, “Our God is able to save us, but even if he doesn’t, we will never bow down to a statue.

Daniel’s attitude was the same. He knew that God could save him but even if God did not intervene, he would remain faithful.

From the earliest days of the church, followers of Christ have been tortured and killed for their faith, sometimes literally thrown to the lions like Daniel was. This continues today in many parts of the world. We must not assume that these people are less in faith or stature than Daniel. They are to be honoured for their courage in suffering.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to be faithful in times of suffering for the name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture

“That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

Observation

King Darius decides to divide his empire into 120 provinces and he appoints a high officer to rule over each one. To rule over these officers and to protect the king’s interests, he appoints Daniel and two others. Because Daniel rules with great ability, King Darius, plans to place him over the entire empire.

The high officers and other administrators concoct a plan. They go to the king and ask him to sign a law that for the next 30 days, nobody is to pray to anyone other than the king under penalty of being thrown to the lions.

Daniel, however, continues his practice of praying in front of his windows in an upstairs room. The officials then go to the king with the accusation that Daniel has broken the law.

Application

Jealousy is a terrible sin. It is a form of coveting in that we think we should be entitled to get the same treatment as another person. The officials were jealous of Daniel because of his favour with the king, and so they plotted to get rid of him unjustly.

People can be jealous of all kinds of things- money, careers, a promotion at work, a spouse of a friend, a family, and much more.

When we see somebody with a lifestyle, or a thing that we wish we could have, do we rejoice that they are blessed? Or do we get angry that we don’t have it ourselves?

Being jealous of others, can release all kinds of negative spiritual power. It can result in soulish prayers or curses giving satan authority to harm the person we are jealous of.

It should go without saying that jealousy should have no part in any Christian’s life.

Prayer

Lord, examine my heart and see if there is any jealousy or envy in my heart. Amen.