Daniel's prophecy, recorded in the book that bears his name, is one of the richest and most complex texts in Scripture, offering a comprehensive view of the empires that would shape the world until the end of time. To understand the relevance of these prophecies, it is critical to consider associated texts, such as Joel 1-3, Ezra 1-6, and Psalm 137, which provide additional historical and spiritual context.
Historical and Prophetic Context
The book of Daniel is central to understanding the empires that will dominate history, as revealed to Daniel in his visions. Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 describe four great empires that will succeed one another, beginning with Babylon, followed by the Medes and Persians, Greece, and Rome. These empires are represented symbolically, with the statue of various metals in Daniel 2 and the wild beasts in Daniel 7 illustrating the change and instability of human kingdoms in contrast to the durability of the Kingdom of God.
Daniel 1-12 narrates his experience as a young captive in Babylon and his prophetic visions about the future of empires and the coming of the eternal Kingdom of God. The central message is God's sovereignty over human kingdoms and the certainty that, despite changes and challenges, the Kingdom of God will prevail. For example, Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
The books of Ezra and Joel provide historical context that illuminates the situation during and after the Babylonian exile. Ezra 1-6 describes the return of the Jews from exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem under the decree of Cyrus, the king of Persia, which represents the change of rule from the Babylonian to the Persian Empire. This restoration fulfilled God's promises and was a sign of the change of empires described in Daniel.
Joel 1-3, in turn, presents a vision of judgment and restoration. Joel prophesies about the Day of the Lord, which involves divine judgment on the nations and the promise of restoration and blessing for God's people. Joel 3:2 says, “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.”
The texts of Daniel, Ezra, Joel, and Psalm 137 offer profound insight into the transition between empires and God's response to the suffering of His people. Daniel's prophecy provides a picture of the empires that would dominate history, highlighting the transience of human kingdoms in contrast to the eternal Kingdom of God. Ezra reveals the fulfillment of the promise of restoration after the exile, while Joel offers a vision of final judgment and divine restoration. Psalm 137 encapsulates the suffering and hope during exile, reminding the people of the importance of faith and patience in waiting to fulfill God's promises.
These texts underscore God's sovereignty over historical events and the certainty of His final intervention. They show that despite the changes and challenges posed by earthly empires, God's plan for restoration and redemption is infallible. The central message is trust in divine sovereignty and the certainty that, in the end, the Kingdom of God will prevail over all human powers.