Daniel

(The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Book of Daniel)

The Book of Daniel is an extraordinary account of faith, visions, and prophecies. Known for its stories of Daniel in the lions’ den and his friends in the fiery furnace, this book also contains some of the most powerful prophecies in the Bible—prophecies that point directly to Jesus Christ. Through Daniel, we not only see God’s deliverance and sovereignty over earthly kingdoms but also the promise of a coming King who will reign forever. Let’s take a closer look at how the Gospel of Jesus is revealed in Daniel and why you should dive into this prophetic masterpiece.

God’s Sovereignty and Kingdom

A central theme in the Book of Daniel is the sovereignty of God. No matter how powerful the rulers of this world seem, God is in control. Daniel’s visions, as well as his experiences in Babylon, remind us that human empires rise and fall, but God’s kingdom endures forever. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a great statue representing different kingdoms, but it is destroyed by a stone “cut out without hands” (Daniel 2:34), which grows into a mountain and fills the whole earth. This stone represents the kingdom of God, which will be established by Christ.

This prophecy points directly to Jesus, who came proclaiming the kingdom of God and who, through His death and resurrection, established a kingdom that will never end. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Like the stone in Daniel’s vision, Christ’s kingdom will outlast all others, and His rule will be eternal.

Deliverance and Salvation Through Faith

Daniel’s own life is an incredible testimony to God’s power to deliver and save. Whether it’s Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6) or his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, walking unharmed in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3), the message is clear: God saves those who put their faith in Him.

These dramatic stories of deliverance are a reflection of the salvation Jesus offers. Just as God rescued Daniel and his friends from certain death, Jesus rescues us from the penalty of sin and eternal death. John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The deliverance we see in Daniel’s life is a foretaste of the greater deliverance we receive through Jesus Christ.

The Son of Man: A Vision of Jesus

One of the clearest references to Jesus in Daniel is found in Daniel 7:13-14, where Daniel has a vision of “one like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven. This “son of man” is given authority, glory, and sovereign power over all nations, and His kingdom will never be destroyed. This passage is a direct prophecy of Jesus Christ, who often referred to Himself as the Son of Man during His earthly ministry (e.g., Matthew 26:64).

Jesus fulfills this prophecy as the one who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is the eternal King, whose rule is both just and merciful, and whose kingdom will last forever. In this vision, we see the Gospel clearly—the Son of Man is the one who comes to save us and to establish God’s eternal kingdom.

The Messiah Cut Off

Another significant prophecy in Daniel is found in Daniel 9:24-27, often referred to as the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks. In this passage, Daniel is told that an anointed one (the Messiah) will be cut off and will bring an end to sin, atone for wickedness, and bring in everlasting righteousness. This prophecy points directly to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where He was “cut off” for the sins of humanity.

Through His death, Jesus accomplished exactly what was foretold in Daniel—He atoned for our sins and made it possible for us to be made righteous in God’s sight. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Daniel’s prophecy reveals the Gospel message long before Jesus walked the earth, showing us that God’s plan of redemption was in place from the very beginning.

Hope for the Future: The Resurrection and Eternal Life

The Book of Daniel also contains a profound hope for the future—the resurrection of the dead and the promise of eternal life. In Daniel 12:2, we read, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” This is one of the clearest references to the resurrection in the Old Testament and points directly to the Gospel promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself affirmed this hope in John 5:28-29, where He speaks of a time when “all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” The resurrection and eternal life are at the heart of the Gospel, and Daniel’s vision assures us that God’s plan includes a future where the faithful will be raised to live with Him forever.

You Need to Read Daniel

The Book of Daniel is a testament to God’s sovereignty, His power to save, and His promise of a coming Messiah. In Daniel, we see the Gospel of Jesus Christ woven into every vision, every act of deliverance, and every prophecy of the coming kingdom. It reveals God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death, and it points us directly to the hope of eternal life through Jesus.

Reading Daniel will open your eyes to God’s faithfulness in the past, His control over the present, and the glorious future He has promised through Jesus. If you want to deepen your understanding of the Gospel, the Book of Daniel is an incredible place to start. You will discover God’s sovereignty, His justice, and His mercy, and you will be filled with hope as you see how God’s ultimate plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was foretold long ago.

So, take the time to read Daniel for yourself and discover how this ancient book speaks to the eternal truth of the Gospel and the unshakeable kingdom that Christ came to establish.