Welcome to CALLED Men’s Group!  If you're looking to move forward in your faith, then this is the place for you!  We are a group of men, called by God to understand who He is, who we are, and what we are CALLED to do for Him!  We study the Bible & discuss together, find projects where we can give back, and encourage each other in spiritual growth! 

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is our final meeting of the Fall 2026 Semester for the Called Men’s Growth Group.  Please monitor FV.church/events for more information about the next semester.    
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Tonight, we are finishing our SOAP Bible study -  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions, of the book of Daniel.  Reminder: there are no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend, and you do not have to have been at a previous meeting or a prior semester to attend tonight.  

Our purpose tonight, is to come together, read and study God’s word; we should develop an understanding, grow in our faith and have a friendly discussion.  Keep in mind, we are all in different places in our faith journey; we all come from various backgrounds and have different points of view.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a believer for 10 seconds, 10-years, or an entire lifetime; everyone is welcome; everyone has a voice and everyone has value.  If there are different points of view, we should not be hostile to one another or feel attacked; it is our various points of view that adds to the discussion.  We came together tonight as friends and brothers in Christ, and we should leave the same -friends and brothers in Christ.  
We need to remember – often there is no clear right or wrong answer; there is only interpretation of scripture.  Biblical scholars don’t even agree all the time; ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.  

Reminder: Sometimes we are the only Bible people will ever read. So, we need represent Christ well in all situations.      /// Go around the room and have people introduce themselves. ///


BACKGROUND, HISTORY AND AUDIENCE: 
The Book of Daniel stands out in the Old Testament as a unique combination of stories and visions. Written partly in Hebrew and partly in Aramaic, it captures the tension of God's people living as exiled minorities in a hostile, pagan empire.  
It is also a survival manual for believers living as a minority in a secular culture. Written in a blend of court narrative and visions, the Book shows how God remains sovereign even when His people are living under pagan rule.

1. Historical Setting: The Babylonian Exile
The book begins in 605 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon besieged Jerusalem.  Rather than destroying the city immediately, Nebuchadnezzar took the young men of noble and royal families back to Babylon.  The goal was forced assimilation: strip them of their culture, rename them after pagan gods, re-educate them in Babylonian literature and science, and deploy them into royal service.
Daniel (renamed Belteshazzar) and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)—were swept into this system as teenagers and subjected to a three-year Babylonian re-education program designed to strip them of their Jewish identity and assimilate them into pagan service.

Daniel served faithfully through the rise and fall of two world empires: the Babylonian Empire (under Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar) and the Medo-Persian Empire (under Darius and Cyrus).

2. Structural Overview: Two Distinct Halves, The book splits cleanly into two major sections across 12 chapters:
Chapters 1–6 Court Narratives --  Daniel and his friends standing firm under pressure in Babylon and Persia (Fiery Furnace, Lion's Den, Writing on the Wall).
Chapters 7–12 Apocalyptic Visions -- Symbolic visions granted directly to Daniel, predicting the rise and fall of world empires and God's final victory.

The Book of Daniel speaks to two distinct audiences—the immediate historical readers and future generations:
1. Jewish Exiles in Babylon and Persia (6th Century BC):
The primary audience consisted of God’s displaced people living in captivity. Stripped of their land, the Temple, and political independence, many Jews wondered if the pagan gods of Babylon had defeated the God of Israel. Daniel was written to reassure them that God had not lost control.

2. Believers Facing Cultural & Political Pressure, The bilingual structure of the book highlights its dual audience:
The Two Languages:  Uniquely, Daniel was written in both Aramaic, and Hebrew.

• Aramaic Section (Chapters 2–7): Written in the common trade language of the empire to declare God’s ultimate authority to the gentile nations and surrounding cultures. , making it readable to the broader ancient world.
• Hebrew Sections (Chapters 1 & 8–12): Written specifically for the Jewish people to provide comfort, hope, and prophetic clarity about the future.

3. Timeline of Empires
Daniel lived a remarkably long life, serving through the fall of the Babylonian Empire and into the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire.

• 605 BC: Deportation to Babylon, Reign of Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel is taken captive to Babylon as a teenager and enters royal service (Daniel 1).
• 539 BC: Fall of Babylon, Reign of Belshazzar - Babylon falls in a single night after the "handwriting on the wall" judgment (Daniel 5).
• 539–536 BC: Medo-Persian Rule, Reign of Darius & Cyrus - Persia takes over; Daniel serves under King Darius and experiences the lions' den (Daniel 6).

4. Core Purpose and Takeaways
For a reader navigating the text today, the Book of Daniel delivers three primary themes:

1. Uncompromising Integrity: Showing how to draw a line in the sand or establishing a boundary on  convictions while maintaining respect and excellence in work (Daniel 1 & 6).
2. The Limits of Human Power: Kings, presidents, and empires think they hold ultimate power, but God sets boundaries on every earthly ruler (Daniel 4).
3. The Coming Kingdom: The visions in the second half point forward to an eternal kingdom established by "someone like a Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13–14)—a prophecy Jesus directly applied to Himself in the Gospels.

5. Major Themes in Daniel
The Book of Daniel serves as the apocalyptic anchor of the Old Testament, bridging ancient Near Eastern history with end-times prophecy. The book is structured around five major visions and prophetic dreams that outline the rise and fall of world empires, the arrival of the Messiah, and the ultimate establishment of God's everlasting kingdom.

A. The Sovereignty of God Over World Empires
The dominant theme throughout the book is that human kingdoms, no matter how powerful, are temporary. God determines who rises and falls.

B. Faithfulness in Culture (Uncompromising Integrity)
Daniel and his friends demonstrate how to live faithfully under hostile pagan rule without compromising core convictions, whether refusing non-kosher royal food (Ch. 1), refusing to bow to an idol (Ch. 3), or continuing daily prayer despite a royal decree (Ch. 6).

C. The Coming Eternal Kingdom
Daniel's visions introduce the foundational Old Testament imagery of the "Son of Man"—a messianic figure who receives an everlasting kingdom from God (the Ancient of Days). Jesus frequently used this exact title ("Son of Man") for Himself in the Gospels.


PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer:    Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your word. Lord thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus.  Father, help refine us and make us pure.  Lord help us remember you are always with us no matter where we go. Give us the courage and endurance to overcome challenges and attacks from the enemy.  Lord help us, Lord help me grow in my faith.  In Jesus name  – Amen

Scripture - Read:  Daniel Chapter 12  (13 Verses)  

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%2012&version=NLT     

Observation, Application & Questions:  (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)

Discussion Questions: Daniel Chapter 12
Daniel chapter 12 brings the entire book to its grand, eschatological climax. Moving beyond the rise and fall of Near Eastern empires, the curtain lifts to reveal the ultimate conclusion of human history: unprecedented tribulation, angelic defense by Michael, the bodily resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and the eternal vindication of the righteous. For Daniel personally, the vision closes not with an invitation to endlessly decode dates, but with a pastoral commission to rest in faith and await his promised resurrection inheritance.
Key Takeaway:  "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever... As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and yet at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance allotted to you." — Daniel 12:3, 13

Discussion Questions
1. Unprecedented Anguish and Angelic Guardianship (Daniel 12:1a) The angel declares: "At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your people, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence."

• Question: Scripture does not disguise the reality of severe tribulation in the last days, yet it highlights that Michael—the great prince—is actively standing guard. When global chaos, moral decay, or persecution intensifies, how does knowing that God has deployed mighty celestial defenders keep you from yielding to panic?

2. The Infallible Registry of Heaven (Daniel 12:1b) The text continues with a concrete promise: "But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued."

• Question: In ancient times, citizens' names were kept in civic registries; to be blotted out meant disenfranchisement or exile. Why is having your name written in God’s heavenly book the ultimate foundation of peace, and how does this eternal security anchor you against the fear of earthly rejection or loss?

3. The Bodily Resurrection and Two Eternal Destinies (Daniel 12:2) This verse provides one of the clearest Old Testament declarations of individual bodily resurrection: "Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace."

• Question: Daniel 12:2 explicitly outlines two—and only two—eternal outcomes. How does a clear, biblical belief in bodily resurrection and final judgment dismantle the modern lie that physical death is merely the end of consciousness with no moral accountability?

4. Shining Like the Brightness of the Heavens (Daniel 12:3) Verse 3 paints a radiant picture of faithful believers: "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever."

• Question: The world celebrates celebrities, political powerbrokers, and billionaires who quickly fade from memory. Why does God reserve eternal, starlike radiance specifically for "those who lead many to righteousness"? What does this priority look like in your daily relationships and conversations?

5. Sealing the Prophetic Words (Daniel 12:4) Daniel is commanded: "Keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."

• Question: While John in Revelation 22:10 is told not to seal his book because the time is near, Daniel is told to seal his because its ultimate fulfillments lay far in the future. What does the description of people "rushing here and there, and knowledge increasing" tell us about the restless pace and information overload of the end times?

6. The Solemn Oath Above the Waters (Daniel 12:5–7) Two beings stand on opposite banks of the river, and one asks the man clothed in linen above the water how long it will take for these miraculous events to conclude. The man in linen raises both hands to heaven, swears by the One who lives forever, and declares it will be for "a time, times, and half a time" (3.5 years), ending when the power of the holy people has been completely broken.

• Question: Why does God allow the apparent "breaking of the power of the holy people" before bringing the final victory? How does reaching the end of our human self-sufficiency create the necessary space for God’s miraculous deliverance?

7. Walking in Faith When You Don’t Fully Understand (Daniel 12:8–9) Daniel admits his confusion: "I heard what he said, but I did not understand what it meant. So I asked, 'How will all this end, my lord?' But he said, 'Go your way, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end.'"

• Question: Even Daniel, who had interpreted royal dreams and seen terrifying heavenly visions, had to accept that he was not meant to understand every detail. How do you handle portions of Scripture or seasons in your own life where God gives you guidance to obey, but keeps the broader timeline and details veiled?

8. The Sifting Fire: Cleansed vs. Blinded (Daniel 12:10) The angel explains the polarizing effect of hardship: "Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will understand."

• Question: The same fiery trials that refine and cleanse the humble cause the proud to harden their hearts in stubborn rebellion. When difficulties strike your life, what spiritual practices protect your heart from becoming resentful or spiritually blind?

9. The Faithful Promise of Final Rest and Reward (Daniel 12:11–13) After referencing prophetic periods (1,290 days and 1,335 days) that promise blessings to those who wait and endure, the book concludes with a deeply personal word to the aged prophet: "As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and yet at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance allotted to you."

• Question: Daniel served through brutal regimes, survived political executions, and witnessed terrifying cosmic visions, yet God’s final charge was simple: "Go your way... you will rest... you will rise again." How does knowing your resurrection inheritance is completely secure give you the strength to rest from anxiety and finish your earthly race with quiet faithfulness?

Supporting Scripture to Review:  (Discuss Among the Group)
1. On Unprecedented Tribulation and Angelic Rescue
Scripture Reference: Matthew 24:21–25  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  Jesus warns that there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began, one that will never be equaled again. In fact, unless those days were shortened, not a single person would survive; but for the sake of God’s chosen ones, those days will be limited. He cautions against false messiahs and false prophets performing astounding signs to deceive, reminding His followers that He has warned them beforehand.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Connects directly to Daniel 12:1, where the angel tells Daniel that "there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence." Jesus directly echoes Daniel’s exact prophetic phrasing to describe the climactic trials of the end times, reassuring believers that God preserves His elect through divine protection.

2. On Names Recorded in the Heavenly Registry of Life
Scripture Reference: Revelation 20:12–15; 21:27  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  John sees the dead, great and small, standing before the great white throne as the books are opened, alongside the Book of Life. The dead are judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life is thrown into the lake of fire. Chapter 21 adds that nothing unclean or evil will ever enter the holy city, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Parallels Daniel 12:1b: "But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued." Across both testaments, divine rescue from judgment is fundamentally tied to having one’s name inscribed in God’s heavenly registry.

3. On the Bodily Resurrection to Two Eternal Destinies
Scripture Reference: John 5:25–29  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  Jesus solemnly affirms that an hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will live. Just as the Father has life in Himself, He has granted the Son the authority to judge. Jesus urges His hearers not to be amazed, declaring that the time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and rise—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have continued in evil to the resurrection of judgment.

• Connection to Daniel 12: This is the direct New Testament exposition of Daniel 12:2: "Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace." Jesus validates Daniel's revelation of a literal, physical bodily resurrection yielding two distinct and permanent eternal realities.

4. On the Righteous Shining Like Radiance and Stars
Scripture Reference: Matthew 13:40–43  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  In explaining the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus states that just as weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels to remove from His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, throwing them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Directly fulfills Daniel 12:3: "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever." Both texts contrast the shame of the wicked with the eternal, radiant glory conferred on God's faithful disciples.

5. On the Restless Pursuit of Knowledge in the Last Days
Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 3:1, 4–7  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  Paul instructs Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times, as people become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They will act religious while rejecting the power that could make them godly. Such people prey on vulnerable individuals weighed down by sins, describing those who are always learning and acquiring information, yet never able to arrive at the knowledge of the truth.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Aligns with Daniel 12:4, where Daniel is told to seal the book until the time of the end, when "many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase." The New Testament highlights this exact tension—an explosion of rapid movement and technological information coupled with widespread spiritual blindness and moral decay.

6. On the Solemn Oath of the Living God Over Time and History
Scripture Reference: Revelation 10:5–7  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  The mighty angel standing on the sea and on the land raises his right hand toward heaven. He swears an oath in the name of the One who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. He declares that there will be no more delay, but that in the days when the seventh angel is about to blow his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be completely fulfilled, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Closely mirrors Daniel 12:7, where the celestial figure clothed in linen above the waters raises both hands to heaven, swears by the One who lives forever, and sets a definite timeframe ("a time, times, and half a time") for the completion of all these wonders.

7. On the Refining Furnace of Persecution and Trial
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:6–9  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  Peter writes that believers can rejoice with great joy, even though they must endure many trials for a little while. These troubles test faith to show that it is strong and pure, being refined just as gold is purified by fire—though faith is far more precious than mere gold. The purpose is that when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world, their tested faith will bring praise, glory, and honor.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Echoes Daniel 12:10: "Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials." Hardship is not random calamity for the believer; scripture reveals it as a divine crucible designed to purge compromise and prepare the saints for glory.

8. On the Polarization Between the Wise and the Hardened Wicked
Scripture Reference: Revelation 22:10–13  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  John is instructed not to seal up the words of the prophecy because the time is near. The text issues a sober warning: let the one who is doing wrong continue in wrong, and let the vile person continue to be vile; but let the righteous continue to live righteously, and let the holy person continue to be holy. Jesus announces that He is coming quickly, bringing His reward with Him to repay all people according to their deeds.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Directly reflects Daniel 12:10b: "But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will understand." As the end approaches, moral and spiritual neutrality dissolves, crystallizing humanity into two distinct camps: the unrepentant who remain blind, and the wise who heed God's word.

9. On Peaceful Rest and Receiving the Promised Resurrection Inheritance
Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 4:6–8; Colossians 1:12  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  Facing his execution, Paul writes that his life is already being poured out like an offering, and the time of his departure is near. He declares that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and remained faithful. Ahead of him lies the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him on the day of His return—and not only to Paul, but to all who eagerly look forward to His appearing, having qualified them to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the light.

• Connection to Daniel 12: Matches the final promise given to the prophet in Daniel 12:13: "As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and yet at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance allotted to you." Both Daniel and Paul model the quiet, steadfast rest of the believer who finishes their earthly work in total confidence that their resurrection inheritance is secure in the hands of God.

Living with Conviction in a Hostile Culture – End of Semester Summary
Examine the Book of Daniel alongside key New Testament teachings, demonstrating how Old Testament resilience provides a clear blueprint for New Testament daily living.

1. Renouncing the Culture’s Mold (Daniel 1 & Ephesians 4:17–31)
In Ephesians 4, Paul urges believers to abandon the empty, hardened mindset of pagan culture, throwing off corrupt old habits to embrace truth, self-control, and integrity instead of bitterness or foul language. In Daniel 1, Daniel and his three companions faced forced assimilation into Babylonian literature, pagan names, and royal customs. While they mastered the education to serve effectively, they drew a hard line against moral defilement, rejecting the royal provisions and demonstrating that godly men live within a secular society without adopting its spiritual blindness or corrosive behaviors.

• The Pressure: Daniel and his friends were forced to learn Babylonian language and literature, but drew the line at eating the king's food. In Ephesians 4, Paul says not to live like the world with "hardened hearts" and "empty minds." Where is modern culture currently trying to pressure you into adopting its habits, vocabulary, or mindset?
• Actionable Step: Ephesians 4:22–24 talks about stripping off the "old nature" and putting on the "new nature." What is one specific worldly attitude (e.g., bitterness, foul language, deceitful speech) that you need to purge from your daily routine to stay spiritually sharp like Daniel?

2. Walking as Children of Light (Daniel 5–6 & Ephesians 5:1–9)
Paul commands followers to imitate God by walking in selfless love and moral purity, deliberately exposing darkness through lives marked by goodness, righteousness, and truth. Daniel embodied this exact standard during the reigns of Belshazzar and Darius. Confronting Belshazzar's drunken arrogance during the feast of the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5), and refusing to hide his routine prayers before corrupt officials in Darius's court (Daniel 6), Daniel operated with such blameless integrity that his enemies found zero corruption in his public life. His moral clarity illuminated a decadent empire.

• Integrity Under Scrutiny: When Daniel’s political rivals looked for corruption in his life in Daniel 6, they couldn't find a single fault or piece of negligence. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8–9 to "live as people of light." If someone combed through your daily work, your calendar, or your browser history, would they find blameless integrity or compromise?
• Exposing Darkness: Daniel stood before King Belshazzar and boldly delivered God’s hard truth without flattery (Daniel 5). How can Christian men today shine light and speak truth with both boldness and grace when workplace or social environments celebrate greed and pride?

3. Exposing Motives Under Divine Scrutiny (Daniel 2 & 4 & Hebrews 4:12)
Hebrews 4 describes God’s message as alive, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword, cutting straight to the core of the human heart to judge secret thoughts and motives. King Nebuchadnezzar believed his royal decrees, astrologers, and military strength made his authority absolute. Through Daniel’s interpretation of the colossal statue dream (Daniel 2) and the humbling vision of the towering tree (Daniel 4), God systematically stripped away the emperor’s delusions, exposing the king's inward pride and proving that human ambition cannot withstand divine truth.

• Piercing the Ego: Hebrews 4:12 says God's word exposes the innermost thoughts and desires of the heart. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar had to be brought to his knees before he acknowledged his own pride. When was the last time Scripture or the Holy Spirit confronted your ego or selfish ambition, and how did you respond?
• Human Power vs. God’s Word: Nebuchadnezzar built an empire, yet a simple dream from God shattered his peace of mind. What areas of life (finances, career milestones, physical strength) are you tempted to rely on for security instead of trusting in God's eternal authority?

4. Living Sacrifices and Renewed Minds (Daniel 1 & 3 & Romans 12:1–2)
Paul calls believers to present their bodies as living, holy sacrifices to God and refuse to conform to worldly patterns, instead undergoing a thorough mental renewal to discern God’s will. In Daniel 1, the young exiles treated their physical bodies as sacred, refusing compromise over food and wine. Later, in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego literally offered their bodies up to the fiery furnace rather than bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. Their minds were already grounded in divine reality, declaring that God could deliver them, but even if He did not, they would not bow.

• The "Even If" Faith: In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king that God could save them, but "even if he doesn't," they would still not bow down. Paul calls this presenting your body as a "living and holy sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). What is an area in your life right now where you need an "even if" level of obedience, regardless of the outcome?
• Rejecting the Mold: Romans 12:2 warns against conforming to worldly patterns. What practical habits or guardrails do you use during the week to intentionally renew your mind instead of passively letting the world dictate your values?

5. Trusting God Through the Impossible (Daniel 6 & Hebrews 11:6)
Hebrews 11 asserts that it is impossible to please God without faith, which requires believing that God exists and actively rewards those who sincerely seek Him. When King Darius signed a law forbidding prayer to any god other than himself for thirty days, Daniel maintained his open-window prayer routine facing Jerusalem three times a day. He recognized that ultimate reward and protection rest with God alone, not royal favor. God honored that trust by shutting the mouths of the hungry lions, validating Daniel’s steadfast faith before the entire Medo-Persian empire.

• The Habit of Prayer: Daniel didn't start praying because he was thrown into the lions' den; he went to the lions' den because he refused to stop his daily habit of prayer three times a day. Hebrews 11:6 says God rewards those who sincerely seek Him. How consistent is your private discipline of prayer when life gets frantic or hostile?
• Facing the Lions: When public decrees threatened his life, Daniel trusted God rather than seeking political safety. What modern "lion" are you currently facing (fear of failure, career risk, relational conflict), and what does it look like to step forward in faith believing God is your ultimate protector and rewarder?

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Other questions to explore:

• What was the context?  What was going on at the time this was written? 
• What and where is this happening? 
  • What makes what was happening meaningful?
  • Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?

• Who is involved?  
  • How do they respond to God? 
  • What character traits do you notice about them?
  • What is the significance of their involvement?

• What do you think is the key message?
• Did anything that surprised or stood out to you?  What was it?  Share with the group and discuss.
• Are there any key verses that stand out to you?  Discuss among the group.  
• Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you?  What were they?

• Is there anything that left you with more questions?  What were they?  Share with group, discuss, and research. 
• Biggest takeaway?

References/Acknowledgements:
Elements of today’s Bible study were referenced from:

1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries
   Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation
        https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/

2. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008.  The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois. 

3. NIV Study Bible, Revolution, copyright 2011.  The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV); copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. https://www.zondervan.com/p/niv-bibles-for-teens-true-images-revolution/

4. NLT Parallel Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2011 Tyndale House Ministries
   Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation

5. HCSB/CSB The Apologetics Study Bible, copyright 2007.  The Holy Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB/CSB); copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holmon Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

7. https://www.jeremiahstudybible.com/Daniel  

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the eleventh meeting of the Fall 2026 Semester for the Called Men’s
Growth Group. We have one more meeting left in this semester; next week Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
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Tonight, we continue the SOAP Bible study - Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions, of the book of
Daniel. Reminder: there are no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend
Our purpose tonight, is to come together, read and study God’s word; we should develop an understanding, grow in
our faith and have a friendly discussion. Keep in mind, we are all in different places in our faith journey; we all come
from various backgrounds and have different points of view. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a believer for 10 seconds,
10-years, or an entire lifetime; everyone is welcome; everyone has a voice and everyone has value. If there are
different points of view, we should not be hostile to one another or feel attacked; it is our various points of view that
adds to the discussion. We came together tonight as friends and brothers in Christ, and we should leave the same -
friends and brothers in Christ.
We need to remember – often there is no clear right or wrong answer; there is only interpretation of scripture. Biblical
scholars don’t even agree all the time; ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.
Reminder: Sometimes we are the only Bible people will ever read. So, we need represent Christ well in all situations.
/// Go around the room and have people introduce themselves. ///

BACKGROUND, HISTORY AND AUDIENCE:
The Book of Daniel stands out in the Old Testament as a unique combination of stories and visions. Written partly in
Hebrew and partly in Aramaic, it captures the tension of God's people living as exiled minorities in a hostile, pagan
empire.
It is also a survival manual for believers living as a minority in a secular culture. Written in a blend of court narrative
and visions, the Book shows how God remains sovereign even when His people are living under pagan rule.

1. Historical Setting: The Babylonian Exile
The book begins in 605 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon besieged
Jerusalem. Rather than destroying the city immediately, Nebuchadnezzar took the young men of noble and royal
families back to Babylon. The goal was forced assimilation: strip them of their culture, rename them after pagan gods,
re-educate them in Babylonian literature and science, and deploy them into royal service.
Daniel (renamed Belteshazzar) and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (renamed Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego)—were swept into this system as teenagers and subjected to a three-year Babylonian re-education
program designed to strip them of their Jewish identity and assimilate them into pagan service.
Daniel served faithfully through the rise and fall of two world empires: the Babylonian Empire (under Nebuchadnezzar
and Belshazzar) and the Medo-Persian Empire (under Darius and Cyrus).

2. Structural Overview: Two Distinct Halves, The book splits cleanly into two major sections across 12 chapters:
Chapters 1–6 Court Narratives -- Daniel and his friends standing firm under pressure in Babylon and Persia (Fiery
Furnace, Lion's Den, Writing on the Wall).
Chapters 7–12 Apocalyptic Visions -- Symbolic visions granted directly to Daniel, predicting the rise and fall of world
empires and God's final victory.

The Book of Daniel speaks to two distinct audiences—the immediate historical readers and future generations:
1. Jewish Exiles in Babylon and Persia (6th Century BC):
The primary audience consisted of God’s displaced people living in captivity. Stripped of their land, the Temple,
and political independence, many Jews wondered if the pagan gods of Babylon had defeated the God of Israel.
Daniel was written to reassure them that God had not lost control.

2. Believers Facing Cultural & Political Pressure, The bilingual structure of the book highlights its dual audience:
The Two Languages: Uniquely, Daniel was written in both Aramaic, and Hebrew.
o Aramaic Section (Chapters 2–7): Written in the common trade language of the empire to
declare God’s ultimate authority to the gentile nations and surrounding cultures. , making it
readable to the broader ancient world.
o Hebrew Sections (Chapters 1 & 8–12): Written specifically for the Jewish people to provide
comfort, hope, and prophetic clarity about the future.

3. Timeline of Empires
Daniel lived a remarkably long life, serving through the fall of the Babylonian Empire and into the rise of the Medo-
Persian Empire.
 605 BC: Deportation to Babylon, Reign of Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel is taken captive to Babylon as a teenager
and enters royal service (Daniel 1).
 539 BC: Fall of Babylon, Reign of Belshazzar - Babylon falls in a single night after the "handwriting on the wall"
judgment (Daniel 5).
 539–536 BC: Medo-Persian Rule, Reign of Darius & Cyrus - Persia takes over; Daniel serves under King Darius
and experiences the lions' den (Daniel 6).

4. Core Purpose and Takeaways
For a reader navigating the text today, the Book of Daniel delivers three primary themes:
a. Uncompromising Integrity: Showing how to draw a line in the sand or establishing a boundary on convictions
while maintaining respect and excellence in work (Daniel 1 & 6).
b. The Limits of Human Power: Kings, presidents, and empires think they hold ultimate power, but God sets
boundaries on every earthly ruler (Daniel 4).
c. The Coming Kingdom: The visions in the second half point forward to an eternal kingdom established by
"someone like a Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13–14)—a prophecy Jesus directly applied to Himself in the Gospels.

5. Major Themes in Daniel
The Book of Daniel serves as the apocalyptic anchor of the Old Testament, bridging ancient Near Eastern history with
end-times prophecy. The book is structured around five major visions and prophetic dreams that outline the rise and
fall of world empires, the arrival of the Messiah, and the ultimate establishment of God's everlasting kingdom.
A. The Sovereignty of God Over World Empires
The dominant theme throughout the book is that human kingdoms, no matter how powerful, are temporary. God
determines who rises and falls.

B. Faithfulness in Culture (Uncompromising Integrity)
Daniel and his friends demonstrate how to live faithfully under hostile pagan rule without compromising core
convictions, whether refusing non-kosher royal food (Ch. 1), refusing to bow to an idol (Ch. 3), or continuing daily
prayer despite a royal decree (Ch. 6).

C. The Coming Eternal Kingdom
Daniel's visions introduce the foundational Old Testament imagery of the "Son of Man"—a messianic figure who
receives an everlasting kingdom from God (the Ancient of Days). Jesus frequently used this exact title ("Son of
Man") for Himself in the Gospels.
PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your
word. Lord thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus. Father, you tell us to expect trials in this life, and to seek and find
hope in You. Help me to remain strong and abide in You regardless of what happens to us or whatever situations we
face. Our faith and hope are found in You. In Jesus name – Amen

Scripture - Read: Daniel Chapter 11 (45 Verses)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%2011&version=NLT

Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)

Discussion Questions: Daniel Chapter 11
Daniel chapter 11 contains one of the most astonishingly detailed prophetic discourses in all of Scripture. Unfolding
from the Persian period through the Hellenistic kingdoms (the Ptolemies of the South and the Seleucids of the North),
the chapter tracks generations of military campaigns, political marriages, betrayals, and treaty negotiations. The text
culminates in the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes—a tyrant whose desecration of the Temple and persecution of the
faithful foreshadow the ultimate end-times oppressor. Through it all, the vision demonstrates that God holds absolute
command over every shift on the global geopolitical stage.
Key Takeaway: "He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their
God will be strong and will resist him." — Daniel 11:32

Discussion Questions
1. The Illusion of Military Superiority and Sudden Division (Daniel 11:1–4) The angel outlines the succession of
Persian rulers leading to a fourth king far richer than the rest, who stirs up everyone against Greece (Xerxes I). Then a
mighty king arises, ruling with vast power and doing as he pleases (Alexander the Great), only for his empire to be
broken and scattered to the four winds rather than passing to his descendants.
Question: Alexander built an unprecedented empire in barely a decade, yet it immediately fractured into four
rival kingdoms upon his death. How does this abrupt collapse warn us against mistaking rapid worldly success
or momentum for lasting security?
2. Political Alliances and Broken Pledges (Daniel 11:5–6) The prophecy details a strategic alliance: the daughter of the
king of the South (Berenice) marries the king of the North (Antiochus II) to secure peace. Yet the plan fails
miserably—she, her child, and her attendants are betrayed and assassinated.
Question: World leaders frequently try to engineer permanent security through compromises, tactical pacts,
and political maneuvering. When have you been tempted to rely on human diplomacy or worldly shortcuts to
solve problems instead of trusting God's direction?
3. The Relentless Cycle of Geopolitical Retaliation (Daniel 11:7–19) Generations of warfare follow between the
Ptolemaic kings of the South (Egypt) and the Seleucid kings of the North (Syria). Each victory fuels pride, followed by
counter-invasions, broken treaties, and mounting casualties, until mighty conquerors stumble, fall, and vanish (v. 19).
Question: History continually repeats this loop of vengeance and territorial ambition. How does understanding
the futile churn of earthly power keep us from placing our ultimate hope in political systems or national
fortunes?
4. The Rise of the Master of Intrigue (Daniel 11:20–24) After a brief ruler who imposes heavy taxes, a "contemptible
person" arises (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) who was not given royal honor. Instead, he seizes the kingdom through
flattery, deception, and deceitful alliances, distributing plunder to buy off supporters.
Question: Notice that this tyrant gains power through slick flattery, charm, and strategic bribes rather than
open warfare. Why is moral corruption introduced through subtle flattery and gradual compromise far more
dangerous to God's people than direct physical persecution?
5. Venting Rage Against the Holy Covenant (Daniel 11:25–30) After Roman warships ("ships from the western
coastlands" / Kittim) force Antiochus to withdraw from Egypt in complete humiliation, he turns his fury against
Jerusalem. Verse 30 records: "He will be filled with rage against the holy covenant and will take immediate action and
will favor those who turn their backs on the holy covenant."
Question: When worldly leaders or cultural figures feel humiliated or powerless, they often scapegoat
believers and attack God's standards. How should the church respond when secular frustration and cultural
shifts translate into hostility toward biblical truth?
6. Desecrating the Sanctuary and Outlawing Worship (Daniel 11:31) Antiochus’s forces occupy the fortress, stop the
daily sacrifices, and set up the "sacrilegious object that causes desolation" (the abomination of desolation, historically
sacrificing a pig on the altar to Zeus).
Question: The adversary’s primary objective was to halt genuine worship and defile what God called holy.
What are the modern, subtle substitutes or distractions that attempt to choke out our daily personal worship
and devotion to Christ?

7. Flattery vs. Knowing Your God (Daniel 11:32) The verse draws a stark division among God's people: "He will flatter
and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist
him."
Question: This is the spiritual watershed of the entire chapter. What is the difference between merely knowing
about God (religious tradition) and truly knowing God? How does deep, experiential knowledge of God provide
the spiritual backbone needed to resist cultural pressure?
8. The Cost and Purpose of Refining Trials (Daniel 11:33–35) Wise teachers instruct the masses, yet they face the
sword, flames, captivity, and plunder. Even when given "a little help," some join them insincerely. Verse 35 gives the
divine purpose: "And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and
made pure until the time of the end."
 Question: Scripture never promises that believers will escape all hardship; instead, it reveals that God uses
intense pressure to purify and refine His people. How has personal suffering or cultural opposition refined your
own motives and burned away superficial faith?
9. The Self-Exalting Ruler and His Decreed End (Daniel 11:36–45) The prophecy pivots toward the ultimate Antichrist:
an arrogant monarch who exalts himself above every god, speaks monstrous blasphemies against the God of gods,
honors a god of fortresses, and invades many lands. Yet verse 45 concludes with blunt certainty: "He will set up his
royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, and no one will help him."
Question: Worldly tyrants often appear omnipotent, controlling armies and sweeping through territories like a
flood. Why is the statement "he will come to his end, and no one will help him" such a profound anchor of hope
for the persecuted church?

Supporting Scripture to Review: (Discuss Among the Group)

1. On World Empires and Strategic Treaties Proving Futile
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 8:9–13 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): The prophet calls the distant nations to listen and
arm themselves for battle, yet warns that their preparations will end in shattered ruin. Even if they gather to plot
against God’s people and formulate grand strategies, their schemes will come to nothing, for God is with His people.
The Lord takes Isaiah firmly by the hand and warns him not to walk in the paths of the surrounding culture, forbidding
him from joining in their cries of conspiracy or fearing what worldly populations fear. Instead, the Lord of Heaven’s
Armies is the one to be held holy, feared, and revered.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Connects directly to Daniel 11:5–6, 17, where the rival Ptolemaic and Seleucid

dynasties continually engineer political alliances, military coalitions, and royal marriages (such as the doomed
union of Berenice to Antiochus II) to manufacture peace. The biblical record illustrates that human geopolitical
scheming collapses because secular alliances cannot override God’s sovereign control over history.
2. On Seducing the Vulnerable Through Flattery and Intrigue
Scripture Reference: Psalm 12:1–5  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  David cries out for help because the godly are rapidly disappearing and the faithful have vanished from human society. Neighbors routinely lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful, double hearts. The psalmist asks the Lord to cut off all flattering lips and boastful tongues that declare they will triumph through their own speech, believing their words give them ultimate leverage and that no one rules over them. In response, the Lord promises to arise to defend the oppressed and rescue the poor who groan under exploitation.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Reflects the character and tactics of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Daniel 11:21–24, 32. Antiochus seizes imperial control not through rightful royal inheritance, but by slippery flattery, smooth promises, and distribution of plunder, using deceptive charm to corrupt those who are willing to compromise their covenant loyalties.

3. On Hostility Directed at the Holy Covenant and Sacred Things
Scripture Reference: Psalm 74:3–8  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  The psalmist walks through the ruined sanctuary, urging God to see the permanent devastation wrought by the enemy. Adversaries roared inside the meeting place, setting up their own battle standards as victory signs and hacking through the carved wooden paneling like woodsmen chopping down a forest. They burned the sanctuary to the ground, utterly desecrating the dwelling place of God’s name, and resolved in their hearts to crush the people completely, burning down every place of divine worship across the land.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Parallels Daniel 11:30–31, where Antiochus, humiliated by Roman intervention, turns his fury directly against Jerusalem. His armed forces occupy the Temple fortress, abolish the daily sacrifices, desecrate the holy sanctuary, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desolation (the abomination of desolation).

4. On the Courage of Those Who Truly Know Their God
Scripture Reference: Joshua 1:6–9  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  The Lord commands Joshua to be strong and courageous as he prepares to lead the people into the promised inheritance. He is charged to obey every detail of the law given through Moses, turning neither to the right nor to the left so that he may prosper wherever he walks. The book of the law must never depart from his mouth; he must meditate on it day and night and be careful to practice everything written in it. The Lord repeats His direct mandate: be strong and brave, refusing to tremble or give in to fear, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Directly anchors the famous declaration of Daniel 11:32b: "But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him." When Antiochus seduced covenant violators with flattery, it was the faithful believers—those grounded in personal, experiential knowledge of the living God—who stood unyielding against state-enforced apostasy.

5. On the Refining and Purifying Power of Persecution
Scripture Reference: Zechariah 13:7–9  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  The Lord calls for a sword to awaken against His shepherd and the man who is His close companion, scattering the sheep while His hand turns against the little ones. Across the entire land, two-thirds of the people will be cut off and perish, but a third will be spared. The Lord declares that He will bring this surviving third through the fire, refining them as silver is refined and testing them as gold is tested. They will call upon His name and He will answer them, declaring, "These are my people," while they respond, "The Lord is our God."

• Connection to Daniel 11: Mirrors Daniel 11:33–35, which explains that wise teachers will face persecution, sword, fire, and captivity. Scripture reveals the divine purpose behind this suffering: the righteous fall so that they may be refined, cleansed, and purified until the appointed time of the end.

6. On the Arrogant Monarch Exalting Himself Above God
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 14:12–16  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  The prophet recounts the staggering fall of the morning star, thrown down to the earth after conquering nations. In his heart, this ruler boasted that he would ascend into heaven, elevate his throne above the highest stars of God, preside on the mountain of assembly in the far north, climb above the highest clouds, and make himself like the Most High. Instead, he is brought down to the depths of the grave, down to the bottom of the pit, where onlookers gaze in disbelief, wondering if this dead corpse is truly the man who shook the kingdoms of the earth.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Aligns with the profile of the self-deifying king in Daniel 11:36–37, who exalts himself above every god, speaks monstrous blasphemies against the God of gods, and shows no regard for the gods of his ancestors. Both passages expose the demonic pattern of absolute rulers trying to usurp the throne of the Creator.

7. On Trusting in Wealth and Military Might Rather Than the Lord
Scripture Reference: Psalm 52:1–5, 7  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  David rebukes the boastful tyrant who prides himself on evil rather than relying on God’s unfailing love. The oppressor schemes destruction with a tongue as sharp as a razor, loving wickedness more than good and lies more than truth. Because of this, God will break him down permanently, snatching him from his home and uprooting him from the land of the living. The righteous will look on with awe and declare: "Look at what happens to those who will not make God their refuge, but trust instead in their great wealth and grow bold in their wickedness."

• Connection to Daniel 11: Corresponds to Daniel 11:38–39, where the willful king disregards traditional worship and honors a "god of fortresses"—a god of military munitions, massive wealth, gold, silver, and precious stones—relying entirely on raw violence and bought loyalty to enforce his dominion.

8. On the Inevitable Destruction of the Proud Oppressor
Scripture Reference: 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 8–10  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  Paul describes the man of lawlessness who exalts himself and defies every object of worship, even sitting in God's temple and claiming to be God. Yet when the appointed time arrives, the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and annihilate him by the sheer splendor of His coming. This oppressor operates with the power of Satan, employing counterfeit wonders and evil deception to ensnare those who refuse to love the truth that could save them.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Fulfills the trajectory of Daniel 11:45, where the final oppressor pitches his royal pavilions between the sea and the holy mountain, appearing to sit at the height of uncontested world domination, only to meet a swift, decreed end where "he will come to his end, and no one will help him."

9. On Wisdom and Endurance for the Faithful in Dark Times
Scripture Reference: Revelation 13:7–10  Passage Overview (Paraphrase):  The beast is permitted to wage war against God’s holy people and overcome them for a season, ruling over every tribe, nation, language, and people across the earth. All whose names are not recorded in the Book of Life belong to this fallen world and bow down in worship. The passage issues a solemn warning: anyone destined for captivity will go into captivity, and anyone destined to die by the sword will be killed by the sword. This reality calls for the patient endurance and unfaltering faithfulness of God's holy people.

• Connection to Daniel 11: Echoes the sober realism of Daniel 11:33–35. Scripture does not disguise the fact that in seasons of intense state-sponsored oppression, believers may face severe temporal loss. The passage reminds the church that remaining steadfast requires enduring faith, anchoring our ultimate rescue in God rather than immediate temporal comfort.

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Other questions to explore:

• What was the context?  What was going on at the time this was written? 
• What and where is this happening? 
  • What makes what was happening meaningful?
  • Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
• Who is involved?  
  • How do they respond to God? 
  • What character traits do you notice about them?
  • What is the significance of their involvement?
• What do you think is the key message?
• Did anything that surprised or stood out to you?  What was it?  Share with the group and discuss.
• Are there any key verses that stand out to you?  Discuss among the group.  
• Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you?  What were they?
• Is there anything that left you with more questions?  What were they?  Share with group, discuss, and research. 
• Biggest takeaway?

Elements of today’s Bible study were referenced from:

1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries
   Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation
        https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/

2. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008.  The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois. 

3. NIV Study Bible, Revolution, copyright 2011.  The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV); copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. https://www.zondervan.com/p/niv-bibles-for-teens-true-images-revolution/

4. NLT Parallel Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2011 Tyndale House Ministries
   Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation

5. HCSB/CSB The Apologetics Study Bible, copyright 2007.  The Holy Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB/CSB); copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holmon Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

7. https://www.jeremiahstudybible.com/Daniel  

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the tenth meeting of the Fall 2026 Semester for the Called Men’s
Growth Group. We have 2 weeks left this semester; we will meet every Wednesday through November 11, 2026.
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Tonight, we are continuing our SOAP Bible study - Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions, of the
book of Daniel. Reminder: there are no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend, and you do
not have to have been at a previous meeting or a prior semester to attend tonight.

Our purpose tonight, is to come together, read and study God’s word; we should develop an understanding, grow in
our faith and have a friendly discussion. Keep in mind, we are all in different places in our faith journey; we all come
from various backgrounds and have different points of view. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a believer for 10 seconds,
10-years, or an entire lifetime; everyone is welcome; everyone has a voice and everyone has value. If there are
different points of view, we should not be hostile to one another or feel attacked; it is our various points of view that
adds to the discussion. We came together tonight as friends and brothers in Christ, and we should leave the same -
friends and brothers in Christ.

We need to remember – often there is no clear right or wrong answer; there is only interpretation of scripture. Biblical
scholars don’t even agree all the time; ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.

Reminder: Sometimes we are the only Bible people will ever read. We represent Christ wherever we go. So, we need
represent Christ well in all situations. /// Go around the room and have people introduce themselves. ///

BACKGROUND, HISTORY AND AUDIENCE:
The Book of Daniel stands out in the Old Testament as a unique combination of stories and visions. Written partly in
Hebrew and partly in Aramaic, it captures the tension of God's people living as exiled minorities in a hostile, pagan
empire.
It is also a survival manual for believers living as a minority in a secular culture. Written in a blend of court narrative
and visions, the Book shows how God remains sovereign even when His people are living under pagan rule.

1. Historical Setting: The Babylonian Exile
The book begins in 605 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon besieged
Jerusalem. Rather than destroying the city immediately, Nebuchadnezzar took the young men of noble and royal
families back to Babylon. The goal was forced assimilation: strip them of their culture, rename them after pagan
gods, re-educate them in Babylonian literature and science, and deploy them into royal service.

Daniel (renamed Belteshazzar) and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (renamed Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego)—were swept into this system as teenagers and subjected to a three-year Babylonian re-
education program designed to strip them of their Jewish identity and assimilate them into pagan service.

Daniel served faithfully through the rise and fall of two world empires: the Babylonian Empire (under
Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar) and the Medo-Persian Empire (under Darius and Cyrus).

2. Structural Overview: Two Distinct Halves, The book splits cleanly into two major sections across 12 chapters:
Chapters 1–6 Court Narratives -- Daniel and his friends standing firm under pressure in Babylon and Persia (Fiery
Furnace, Lion's Den, Writing on the Wall).
Chapters 7–12 Apocalyptic Visions -- Symbolic visions granted directly to Daniel, predicting the rise and fall of world
empires and God's final victory.

The Book of Daniel speaks to two distinct audiences—the immediate historical readers and future generations:
a). Jewish Exiles in Babylon and Persia (6th Century BC):
The primary audience consisted of God’s displaced people living in captivity. Stripped of their land, the Temple,
and political independence, many Jews wondered if the pagan gods of Babylon had defeated the God of Israel.
Daniel was written to reassure them that God had not lost control.

b). Believers Facing Cultural & Political Pressure, The bilingual structure of the book highlights its dual audience:
The Two Languages: Uniquely, Daniel was written in both Aramaic, and Hebrew.

• Aramaic Section (Chapters 2–7): Written in the common trade language of the empire to

declare God’s ultimate authority to the gentile nations and surrounding cultures. , making it
readable to the broader ancient world.

• Hebrew Sections (Chapters 1 & 8–12): Written specifically for the Jewish people to provide

comfort, hope, and prophetic clarity about the future.

3. Timeline of Empires
Daniel lived a remarkably long life, serving through the fall of the Babylonian Empire and into the rise of the Medo-
Persian Empire.

• 605 BC: Deportation to Babylon, Reign of Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel is taken captive to Babylon as a teenager

and enters royal service (Daniel 1).

• 539 BC: Fall of Babylon, Reign of Belshazzar - Babylon falls in a single night after the "handwriting on the wall"

judgment (Daniel 5).

• 539–536 BC: Medo-Persian Rule, Reign of Darius & Cyrus - Persia takes over; Daniel serves under King Darius

and experiences the lions' den (Daniel 6).

4. Core Purpose and Takeaways
For a reader navigating the text today, the Book of Daniel delivers three primary themes:
a. Uncompromising Integrity: Showing how to draw a line in the sand or establishing a boundary on convictions
while maintaining respect and excellence in work (Daniel 1 & 6).
b. The Limits of Human Power: Kings, presidents, and empires think they hold ultimate power, but God sets
boundaries on every earthly ruler (Daniel 4).
c. The Coming Kingdom: The visions in the second half point forward to an eternal kingdom established by
"someone like a Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13–14)—a prophecy Jesus directly applied to Himself in the Gospels.

5. Major Themes in Daniel
The Book of Daniel serves as the apocalyptic anchor of the Old Testament, bridging ancient Near Eastern history with
end-times prophecy. The book is structured around five major visions and prophetic dreams that outline the rise and
fall of world empires, the arrival of the Messiah, and the ultimate establishment of God's everlasting kingdom.
A. The Sovereignty of God Over World Empires
The dominant theme throughout the book is that human kingdoms, no matter how powerful, are temporary. God
determines who rises and falls.

B. Faithfulness in Culture (Uncompromising Integrity)
Daniel and his friends demonstrate how to live faithfully under hostile pagan rule without compromising core
convictions, whether refusing non-kosher royal food (Ch. 1), refusing to bow to an idol (Ch. 3), or continuing daily
prayer despite a royal decree (Ch. 6).

C. The Coming Eternal Kingdom
Daniel's visions introduce the foundational Old Testament imagery of the "Son of Man"—a messianic figure who
receives an everlasting kingdom from God (the Ancient of Days). Jesus frequently used this exact title ("Son of
Man") for Himself in the Gospels.

PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your
word. Lord thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus. Father, give me courage as we put our trust in you with our
future; thank you for your presence and Your power that conquers all evil and evil forces that come against us that we
cannot defeat on our own. In Jesus name – Amen

Scripture - Read: Daniel Chapter 10 (21 Verses)

Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)

Discussion Questions: Daniel Chapter 10
Daniel chapter 10 pulls back the invisible curtain between the physical world and the heavenly realms, serving as the
dramatic prologue to the final, sweeping prophetic revelation of chapters 11 and 12. Set in the third year of King Cyrus
of Persia, an aged Daniel enters a three-week period of mourning, fasting, and intense prayer beside the Tigris River.
The chapter provides one of Scripture’s most detailed glimpses into spiritual warfare, angelic ministry, and the unseen
cosmic conflicts that influence earthly geopolitical affairs.
Key Takeaway: "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."
— Daniel 10:12

Discussion Questions
1. Mourning Amid Partial Restoration (Daniel 10:1–3) In the third year of Cyrus, some Jewish exiles had already
returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, yet Daniel remains in Persia, mourning for three full weeks. He eats no rich
food, touches no meat or wine, and uses no fragrant lotions.

• Question: Why might Daniel have been mourning even though the decree to return home had already been

issued (consider Ezra 4 and the intense opposition rebuilding the temple faced)? How do you maintain spiritual
burden and intercession for God’s work even when initial victories or partial answers have already arrived?

2. The Vision by the Great River (Daniel 10:4–6) Standing on the bank of the Tigris River, Daniel looks up and sees a
heavenly figure dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold, a body like chrysolite/gemstones, a face like lightning, eyes
like flaming torches, limbs like polished bronze, and a voice like the roar of a vast multitude.
Question: This description closely mirrors the Apostle John’s vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation
1:12–16. How does encountering the sheer brilliance, purity, and holiness of God’s heavenly messengers
shatter our casual, domesticated concepts of God and the spiritual world?

3. The Solitude of Spiritual Revelation (Daniel 10:7–9) Daniel alone sees the vision. The men with him see nothing, yet
sudden terror grips them and they flee to hide. Left alone, Daniel’s strength drains completely away, his face turns
deathly pale, and he faints face down in the dust at the sound of the being's voice.
Question: Spiritual insight often involves loneliness; those around Daniel sensed the atmospheric weight of
God's presence without understanding what was happening. Have you ever felt isolated or misunderstood by
peers when God was doing a deep, sobering work in your life? How did you navigate that tension?

4. Heaven’s Assessment: "Very Precious to God" (Daniel 10:10–11) A hand touches Daniel, setting him trembling on
his hands and knees. The messenger addresses him: "Daniel, you are very precious to God... Stand up, for I have been
sent to you."
Question: Daniel was physically exhausted, overwhelmed, and flattened by holy awe, yet the angel’s first
words reaffirm his identity: he is deeply loved and highly valued by God. When you feel spiritually drained or
spiritually inadequate, why is it essential to anchor your confidence in God’s love rather than your personal
strength?

5. Immediate Answers vs. Invisible Delays (Daniel 10:12) The messenger tells Daniel: "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."
Question: Daniel prayed and fasted for twenty-one full days before the answer visibly arrived, yet heaven
responded on day one. How does knowing that God acts immediately when you humble your heart encourage
you not to give up when you experience long delays in prayer?

6. The Cosmic Conflict Behind the Curtain (Daniel 10:13, 20) The messenger reveals the reason for the delay: "For
twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came
to help me, because I was left there with the king of Persia." He later notes he must return to fight the prince of Persia,
and after that, the prince of Greece will come.
Question: Scripture reveals that fallen spiritual powers actively contest and attempt to influence world
empires and government policies. How does understanding that earthly political tensions often have unseen
demonic roots reshape how you pray for your nation and world leaders?

7. Human Weakness and Angelic Strengthening (Daniel 10:15–19) Daniel tells the messenger that his strength is gone
and he can barely breathe. The messenger touches his lips and his body, saying: "Don’t be afraid... for you are very
deeply loved by God. Be at peace! Take heart and be strong!" As the angel speaks, Daniel reports: "I felt strengthened
and said, 'Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.'"
Question: Three separate times the messenger physically touches and verbally strengthens Daniel. What does
this teach us about God's gentleness toward human physical limits? Where do you currently need the Holy
Spirit to minister peace and strength into your physical or emotional weariness?

8. The Ministry of Michael the Great Prince (Daniel 10:21) The angel notes that no one stands with him against these
demonic forces except Michael, "your prince"—the archangel specifically assigned to guard and defend God’s covenant
people.
Question: God uses angelic hosts to actively contend for and protect His people behind the scenes. How does
knowing that God deploys heavenly resources on behalf of His church build your confidence when cultural and
spiritual opposition seems overwhelming?

9. Preparation for the Written Truth (Daniel 10:14, 21) The messenger explains the purpose of his arrival: to make
Daniel understand what will happen to his people in the future, noting that he will first reveal what is written in the
"Book of Truth."
Question: Before Daniel is entrusted with the intense, granular geopolitical prophecies of chapters 11 and 12,
God first settles his heart, reminds him of his beloved status, and shows him the reality of spiritual warfare.
Why must our hearts be grounded in God’s character and peace before we try to grapple with heavy prophetic
or cultural truths?

Supporting Scripture to Review: (Discuss Among the Group)
1. On Mourning, Fasting, and Contrite Seeking
Scripture Reference: Ezra 9:3–6 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Upon learning of the people’s unfaithfulness, Ezra
tears his tunic and cloak, pulls hair from his head and beard, and sits down appalled until the evening sacrifice. At that
time, surrounded by those who tremble at the words of God, he rises from his mourning, falls on his knees with hands
spread out to the Lord, and confesses with deep shame that their sins are piled higher than their heads and their guilt
reaches up to the heavens.
Connection to Daniel 10: Mirrors Daniel 10:2–3, where Daniel enters three full weeks of deep mourning,
abstaining from rich food, meat, wine, and festive oils. Both statesmen demonstrate that genuine intercession
for the spiritual condition of God's people requires personal sorrow, bodily fasting, and solemn humility before
heaven.

2. On the Vision of the Glorified Celestial Being
Scripture Reference: Revelation 1:13–17 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): John sees one like the Son of Man standing
among seven golden lampstands, dressed in a long robe with a gold sash across His chest. His head and hair are white
like wool or snow, His eyes blaze like flames of fire, His feet resemble polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His
voice booms like the roar of rushing waters. In His hand are seven stars, a sharp two-edged sword comes from His
mouth, and His face shines like the sun in all its brilliance. When John sees Him, he falls at His feet as though dead, but
the Lord places His right hand on him and tells him not to be afraid.

Connection to Daniel 10: Connects directly to Daniel’s encounter by the Tigris River in Daniel 10:5–9. The
golden belt, eyes like flaming torches, limbs like polished bronze, face like lightning, booming voice, and
Daniel's resulting physical collapse face down in the dirt serve as the Old Testament precursor to John’s vision
on the island of Patmos.

3. On Human Fragility and Overwhelming Awe Before Divine Glory
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 6:1–5 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah sees the Lord
seated on a high and exalted throne, the hem of His robe filling the temple. Attending seraphim call out to one another
that holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and the earth is full of His glory. At the sound of their voices, the
doorposts shake and the sanctuary fills with smoke. Terrified, Isaiah cries out in despair, declaring himself ruined and
doomed because he is a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips, yet his eyes have seen the King.
Connection to Daniel 10: Reflects Daniel’s physical and emotional reaction in Daniel 10:8–9 and 10:16–17.
Encountering the raw purity and majesty of heaven strips away all human self-assurance, leaving both Isaiah
and Daniel completely powerless, drained of strength, and breathless until divinely touched and cleansed.

4. On Heaven Answering Prayer from the Very First Day
Scripture Reference: Psalm 139:1–5 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): David reflects on the Lord’s intimate knowledge,
noting that God has examined his heart and knows everything about him. The Lord knows when he sits down or stands
up and perceives his thoughts from afar; He charts his path, knows where he stops to rest, and is familiar with all his
ways. Before a single word is formed on David's tongue, the Lord already knows it completely, surrounding him front
and back with His protecting hand.
Connection to Daniel 10: Connects to the angelic revelation in Daniel 10:12: "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." Even when Daniel saw no tangible outcome for twenty-one days, God was intimately
attuned to his heart and had dispatched the answer the moment his prayer began.

5. On the Unseen Warfare of Dark Spiritual Rulers
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:10–14 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Paul commands believers to be strong in the
Lord and in His mighty power, putting on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. He explains that
our struggle is not against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against
mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Because of this, believers must take up
every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the evil day and stand firm.
Connection to Daniel 10: Daniel 10:13 and 10:20 pull back the veil on this exact realm of invisible warfare. The
angel explains that his journey was contested for twenty-one days by the demonic "spirit prince of the
kingdom of Persia" and that he would soon have to battle the "prince of Greece," demonstrating that
geopolitical regimes are influenced by territorial spiritual forces.

6. On Michael the Archangel Defending God's People
Scripture Reference: Jude 1:8–10; Revelation 12:7–9 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Jude notes that even Michael,
one of the mightiest archangels, did not dare bring an insulting accusation when disputing with the devil over Moses'
body, but simply declared, "The Lord rebuke you!" Meanwhile, Revelation describes war breaking out in heaven, with
Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon and its angels. The ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, is not
strong enough to hold his ground and is hurled down to the earth alongside his forces.

Connection to Daniel 10: Corresponds to Daniel 10:13 and 10:21, which introduce Michael as "one of the
archangels" and "your prince" who stepped in to assist the messenger against the prince of Persia. Daniel
identifies Michael as the heavenly warrior prince specifically charged with protecting God's covenant nation
against adversarial demonic powers.

7. On Angels Ministering and Imparting Supernatural Strength
Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 19:4–8 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Fleeing for his life into the wilderness, Elijah sits
under a broom tree and prays that he might die, confessing he has had enough. As he lies asleep, an angel touches him
and tells him to get up and eat. Looking around, Elijah finds fresh bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water. He
eats, drinks, and sleeps again until the angel touches him a second time, warning him that the journey is too great for
him alone. Strengthened by that food, he travels forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Connection to Daniel 10: Parallels Daniel 10:10, 16, and 18–19, where Daniel is three times physically touched
by a celestial messenger. The angel gently recognizes Daniel's physical exhaustion, restores his speech, speaks
peace and courage into his spirit, and supplies the physical strength he needs to stand and receive revelation.

8. On Believers Being Deeply Loved by Heaven
Scripture Reference: Zephaniah 3:14–17 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): The prophet calls the daughter of Zion to
sing and rejoice with all her heart, because the Lord has taken away her punishment and driven out her enemies. The
King of Israel is in her midst, and there is no longer reason to fear disaster. On that day, Jerusalem is told not to be
afraid or let her hands hang limp, because the Lord her God is with her as a mighty Savior who delights in her with
gladness, calms her with His love, and rejoices over her with joyful songs.
Connection to Daniel 10: Directly echoes the tender assurance spoken to Daniel in Daniel 10:11 and 10:19:
"Daniel, you are very precious to God" and "Don't be afraid... for you are very deeply loved by God. Be at peace!
Take heart and be strong!" In the midst of cosmic warfare and intimidating visions, God's anchoring message
to His servant is His deep, delighting love.

9. On Prophetic Revelation Sealed in the Heavenly Book of Truth
Scripture Reference: Psalm 119:89–92, 160 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): The psalmist declares that the Lord's
word stands firm forever, settled unchangeably in heaven. God’s faithfulness extends to every generation, just as He
established the earth and it stands. Everything serves His sovereign purposes to this day. Had God's law not been the
psalmist’s delight, he would have perished in his misery; he concludes in verse 160 that the very essence of God's
words is truth, and every righteous regulation endures forever.
Connection to Daniel 10: Connects to Daniel 10:21, where the angel explains the purpose of his mission: "I will
tell you what is written in the Book of Truth." This confirms that the geopolitical turmoil and detailed historical
prophecies unveiled in chapters 11 and 12 are not subject to human whim or demonic interference; they are
already fixed and settled within the sovereign counsel of God.

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Other questions to explore:

• What was the context? What was going on at the time this was written?
• What and where is this happening?
  • What makes what was happening meaningful?
  • Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
• Who is involved?
  • How do they respond to God?
  • What character traits do you notice about them?
  • What is the significance of their involvement?

• What do you think is the key message?
• Did anything that surprised or stood out to you? What was it? Share with the group and discuss.
• Are there any key verses that stand out to you? Discuss among the group.
• Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you? What were they?

---

• Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss, and

research.

• Biggest takeaway?

Elements of today’s Bible study were referenced from:
1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation
https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
2. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway,
Wheaton, Illinois.
3. NIV Study Bible, Revolution, copyright 2011. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV); copyright 1973,
1978, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. https://www.zondervan.com/p/niv-bibles-for-teens- true-images-revolution/
4. NLT Parallel Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2011 Tyndale House Ministries
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation
5. HCSB/CSB The Apologetics Study Bible, copyright 2007. The Holy Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible
(HCSB/CSB); copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holmon Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
7. https://www.jeremiahstudybible.com/Daniel/

August 2026:
_X_ 001, 08/26 Daniel, Introduction, Chapter 1
September 2026:
_X _ 002, 09/02 Daniel, Chapter 2
_ x_ 003, 09/09 Daniel, Chapter 3
_ x_ 004, 09/16 Daniel, Chapter 4
_x _ 005, 06/23 Daniel, Chapter 5
_ x_ 006, 06/30 Daniel, Chapter 6
October 2026:
_ x_ 007, 10/07 Daniel, Chapter 7
_ x_ 008, 10/14 Daniel, Chapter 8
_ x_ 009, 10/21 Daniel, Chapter 9
_ x_ 010, 10/28 Daniel, Chapter 10
November 2026:
_ _ 011, 11/04 Daniel, Chapter 11
_ _ 012, 11/11 Daniel, Chapter 12*