Jensens survey of the old testament adam 226
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prominent, and so the prophetic decrees
are delivered to them, as it were, in the
official diplomatic language of the
world. The survey chart shows the two
main sections thus:10
chapters 2-7: Gentile Nations
chapters 8-12: Hebrew Nation
The introductory chapter 1 involves the
Gentile setting, but the spotlight is on the
four Jewish boys in that setting. Gentile
nations appear much in chapters 8-12, but
only as the setting for the experiences of
Israel up to the end times.
12. On the basis of your study thus far,
what appears to be the book’s main theme?
Can you think of any supporting themes as
well?
13. What do the prophecies reveal
concerning the relations between Gentile
nations and Israel?
14. How is God shown in this book to be
the God of all history?
15. Your survey of Daniel has not
answered all questions that arise out of such
a di cult book. The purpose of the survey,
as with all survey study, is to see the
highlights and main themes, which in turn
open doors to ever increasing understanding
of the book.
VI. PROMINENT SUBJECTS
Each of the subjects discussed below is
not expounded in detail. Helpful suggestions
are given for any later studies made on the
subjects.
A. PROPHECY OF END-TIME WORLD HISTORY
Daniel’s unique contribution to the canon
of Scripture is that it gives detailed
descriptions of the destinies of Gentile
nations under the directive sovereign hand
of God. Other prophets of Israel spoke of
this, but more sparingly, for their main
message concerned their own people. The
Holy Spirit inspired Daniel to write more
about “world” history.
Some Bible scholars see all of Daniel’s
Gentile and Israel prophecies ful lled by the
second century B.C. or, at the latest, during
Christ’s earthly ministry. The opposite view,
which is re ected in this book, is that the
ful llments of the prophecies culminate in
the end times.11 This long-range scope of
interpretation is concisely summarized by
John Walvoord.
In many respects, the book of Daniel is
the most comprehensive prophetic
revelation of the Old Testament, giving
the only total view of world history
from Babylon to the second advent of
Christ and interrelating Gentile history
and prophecy with that which
concerns Israel. Daniel provides the
key to the overall interpretation of
prophecy, is a major element in
premillennialism, and is essential to
the interpretation of the book of
Revelation. Its revelation of the
sovereignty and power of God has
brought assurance to Jew and Gentile
alike that God will ful ll His sovereign
purposes in time and eternity.12
B. NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM AND DANIEL’S VISION
(chaps. 2 and 7)
Nebuchadnezzar, who had so recently
been raised to the position of “world” ruler,
was anxiously thinking about his newly
acquired possessions when God revealed to
him in a dream a prophetic outline of the
future history of the world powers (2:1-30).
About fty years later Daniel had a vision
(also called a dream, 7:1) concerning the
