What is your opinion about books of the Old Testament such as Daniel?

Question

In the book of Daniel it states the events that would occur in order from the fall of Babylon to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. It begins with the fall of Babylon to the Persians/Medes. Then it proceeds on to the fall of Perisa to Alexander (Prince of Grecia). It then states that this kingdom would be divided into 4 (and this happened after Alexander died). Then it alludes to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Now my question for you is do you think these events described in Daniel were predictions of future events? Do you think this book was written years after the Roman Empire was established, as some suggest? What do you think? I am looking for intelligent insight. Thanks.

Answer 1

The book of Daniel is one of my favourites.  The story of how a young man was taken into exile and despite living in a foreign land, amongst others with different beliefs and no matter what he faced as a result, he never one lost his faith in the one true God.  

The events described in Daniel are most certainly prophecies, predicting what will happen in the future.  It was most certainly written centuries before the Roman Empire was established.  The prophecies about the kingdoms were all fulfilled accurately.  The prophecy of the Son of Man in Daniel is clearly a prophecy about Jesus and it is the term Jesus preferred to use when talking about himself.  Only God himself could have revealed these things to Daniel.

Answer 2

As with most of the books in the old testament Daniel is a collection of historical stories. The old testament gives us an outline of certain events, beliefs, cultures, laws, teachings, guidelines, and fables (myths, stories, etc.) that were predominant and popular in Hebrew and Jewish culture. These things have been distorted by Christians, Jews, Atheists, etc. today to either promote or discourage people from practising certain religious beliefs.

Now, whether or not the stories in the Book of Daniel were historical documentation or prophecies of the fall of Babylon and the Roman Empire is not in my area of expertise. I couldn't even tell you exactly when the Book of Daniel was written. If it was historical documentation we cannot argue that the historical side did not come true - if it was prophetic then maybe we should think a little harder about other prophecies written in the Bible.

Either way when reading the Bible instead of dismissing every verse people should take the content and try to learn from it. After all the Bible was written by over 30 men over a period of more than 200 years so it has to have some factual information in it. The Books of Kings I and Kings II both have historical information in it that has been recorded. There has been hieroglyphics found that support the story of some of the 7 plagues of Egypt. Those who dismiss everything in the Bible are really the ignorant ones. Even if you discount the religious aspect the Bible is filled with Historically correct facts.

Answer 3

Q - Now my question for you is do you think these events described in Daniel were predictions of future events?

A – Yes

Q - Do you think this book was written years after the Roman Empire was established, as some suggest?

A – No.  It had obviously had been in existence sometime before Jesus began his ministry.  

Knowing how the religious leaders of the time guarded and revered the religious writings it would be very likely that the Book of Daniel Jesus referred to was an ancient copy.

When Jesus refers to Daniel’s prophesy he expect his listeners to understand his references.

Matthew 24:14

14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

And

Mark 13:14

14  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

15  And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

16  And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Q - What do you think?

A - Prophesy is something many people do not understand.  

Its aim is to “predict what is going to happen” and in the Biblical sense to “reveal the will of a deity in predicting a future event”  

It provides an insight to world events giving us evidence that despite what mankind thinks, God is still in control.

Alas if individuals will not read the Bible for themselves.

If they only accept what other people tell them what the Bible says.  

The chances of them ever beginning understand these prophesies and there message is “nil”.

Answer 4

Sounds a bit like private interpretation to me. Beware. Check 2 Tim. 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Answer 5

If you are looking for intelligent insight.....why are you discussing a work of fiction....

Answer 6

There have been many in my view rather effete attempts to discredit Daniel, generally by atheistic debunkers. In every attempt I have examined, the person presenting his views was guilty of circular reasoning and while it MAY have been due to simply not knowing about other views or evidence, they one and all ignored any and all credible evidence contrary to their opinions or simply put such a spin on it to minimize its importance. One thing that typically is ignored is the fact that Daniel is part of a large, intricate pattern that goes far beyond its pages and a significant portion of it has a fairly recent fulfillment. If one takes only the Christian view and puts it in a vacuum, some of the arguments against Daniel stand up, however wobbly. But when one takes into consideration the recent fulfillment(s), the patterns it fits in with the other books of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments and beyond that the connections with Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Zoroastrianism among others and in addition some very specific dates, then every attempt to debunk Daniel shows the attempt to be bunk. If you have one questionable witness saying one thing and a hundred credible ones all agreeing on a different version, wisdom would seem to indicate you believe the hundred. My conclusion is Daniel (along with other books of the Bible) is legitimate and predated each and every fulfillment. I could not reach any other and still call myself honest.

Answer 7

It's all rubbish.