Peter wants the interconnected Christian community throughout Asia Minor to know that even though they may be exiles in this world, they are also the elect of God.

After the final vision, which culminates in the promise of rest and resurrection, Daniel is encouraged to wait patiently for that day to come.

Through a cryptic unfolding of history, God is revealed to be the sovereign interpreter, guider, and victor of history.

Part 11 in the series on “Living in Exile"

Daniel prays a prayer of repentance for and on behalf of the people, to which the angel Gabriel responds by telling Daniel that the exile will be extended sevenfold but eventually God will show mercy.

Daniel sees a vision of a ram and a goat, representing the Media-Persian and Greek empires, culminating in the desecration of the Jerusalem temple. But God reassures Daniel that though it will be a long time before the temple is restored, it won’t be forever because God will act.

It may appear that those doing evil are getting the upper hand and they seem to be winning, but even now, unbeknownst to them, a divine courtroom is being convened with an awesome, mighty, and terrifying judge taking His seat at the bench. They will be judged. Bottom line: GOD WINS!! and because He wins...WE WIN!!

Though liked by King Darius, Daniel is targeted by other administrators who want to bring him down and get him thrown into a den of lions. However, God demonstrates his power by shutting the mouths of the lions and delivering Daniel.

After Belshazzar defiles the temple vessels, God announces his impending judgment upon Balshazzar and his kingdom.

Nebuchadnezzar has a dream in which he sees a tall tree at the center of the world, symboling his own sense of greatness in what he has accomplished. However, in the dream, the tree is chopped down, symboling that he will be humbled until he lifts up his eyes to heaven and recognizes that God is the true King.