Biblical Theology XXIII: Daniel

The book of Daniel is the only fully apocalyptic book in the Old Testament. This is important to note, as apocalyptic is a type of prophetic book that is ex eventu (commentary on an event during or after it occurs rather than predicting it beforehand). Even the narrative portions should be seen as constructed to speak to the main event the book is addressing: the persecution under Antiochus IV. The book is written, not during the exile, but in the early second century B.C. during or after this persecution takes place. As is common among apocalyptic speech, a prominent individual in the past is chosen as the main character in the work, and the author, who lives at a later time, speaks to his own generation through the mouth of the "prophet" in the work.

Theology: The book of Daniel argues that God is the ultimate sovereign over all kingdoms, and that His kingdom will endure forever. The other kings and kingdoms are temporary and will one day pass away. Those who bow to the sinful demands of these kingdoms, therefore, will be destroyed with them, and enter into eternal shame in the resurrection. Those who choose to follow God, even in the face of death, will be resurrected to eternal glory in His enduring kingdom.

The book also argues that the reason why Judah is still undergoing severe persecution from the nations is due to the fact that it is still under the exilic judgment, which has been extended because Jews have continued to act unfaithfully even when they returned to the land. The book argues that the exile is officially over after the death of Antiochus IV and the initiation of Maccabean rule and the subsequent Hasmonean Dynasty.

Ethics: Because the empire of God is eternal and has God as its King, its concerns should be considered over the concerns of any earthly empire. Hence, identifying oneself first as a member of God's eternal kingdom means that he or she may have to disregard the pressures of temporal kingdoms that conflict with the eternal kingdom and one's ultimate King, God. This means that, even in the face of execution, one should remain faithful to what God has commanded over what the temporal king or empire demands. This is displayed in the narrative portion where Daniel and his three friends must face persecution and even death for worshiping God over the king. They represent good examples of those who are faithful under the persecutions of Antiochus IV and are willing to die before bowing to a temporal king over the eternal One.

Likewise, the book argues that all temporal kings would be wise to also yield to God as the ultimate King, to see their reigns and empires as temporary, and to set their policies and attitude toward God's people more in line with His commands.