Discovering the Overall Thematic Structure of the Book of Daniel, Part 3
Introduction
Heretofore, we have covered quite a bit of ground in our study of the book of Daniel. Here’s a review of what we’ve discovered so far:
We have outlined the entire book of Daniel
We discovered the thematic structure of Daniel 1
We analyzed Daniel 1 in the light of its chiastic nature to get an idea of how to interpret a passage that’s chiastically arranged
We began studying the remainder of the book of Daniel thematically and discovered:
Daniel 1 is thematically connected to Daniel 12
Daniel 2 is thematically connected to Daniel 11
Daniel 2-7 forms a chiastic structure as follows:
5. We discovered that Daniel 7-12 is arranged chiastically as follows:
As you can see, it looks like we’ve got Daniel pretty much mapped thematically! We know how each chapter thematically relates to each other. So, at this point, most of you are probably saying, “Okay, we’ve got that out of the way. Now it’s time to start studying the book in light of its thematic structure!” Well, not so fast. I’d like to do one more thing to muddy the waters a bit. As I’ve continued to study Daniel, I’ve found that our original set of connections between Daniel 1 and 12 needs to be expanded. Yes, I know . . . when will this end? It just so happens that Daniel chapter 1 is also very much connected to chapters 10 and 11, not just chapter 12! So, this is what I propose to do—document all the thematic connections between chapter 1 and chapters 10-12. This way we can show how these portions of Daniel are connected and appreciate the beautiful structure of the book. Part of this task is already done. If you will recall, in Discovering the Overall Thematic Structure of the Book of Daniel, Part 1, I already listed thirteen connections between Daniel 1 and Daniel 12. Furthermore, in that same article, we saw all the connections between Daniel 2:1-24 – Daniel 11:24-45. So, all that really remains is to show how Daniel 1 also connects to 10-11.
However, one of my end goals is to interpret end-time events using the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation together. So, as we find connections between Daniel 1 and 10-12, let’s go ahead and find the connections between those chapters in Daniel and the book of Revelation! This way, we’ll kill two birds with one stone. We’ll see how Daniel 1 and 10-12 relate, and how those chapters relate to the book of Revelation. This will put us in a position to start studying end-time events with both books at our disposal.
Connections Between Daniel 1, Daniel 12, and the Book of Revelation
As I mentioned earlier, Discovering the Overall Thematic Structure of the Book of Daniel, Part 1, already contains thirteen connections between Daniel 1 and 12, so we don’t need to list them all again. So, for this next section of the article, I’m only going to list those connections between Daniel 1 and 12 that have clear connections to the book of Revelation.
Theme 1—Israel oppressed by her enemies
Daniel 1:1-2 – In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
Daniel 12:1b and 11 – 1 . . . And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time . . . 11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
Revelation 11:2 – But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
Theme 2—Emphasis on the end of a time period
Daniel 1:5, 15 and 18 – 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 12:4, 9 and 13 – 4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” 13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
Revelation 2:26 – And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. Revelation 22:10 – And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.”
Theme 3—Adonai giving and withholding wisdom
Daniel 1:4a, 17 and 20 – 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand . . . 17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
Daniel 12:4, 9 and 10 – 4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.”[i]
Revelation 13:18 – Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. Revelation 17:9 – Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. Revelation 10:4 – Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
Theme 4—Preventing defilement and cleansing from defilement
Daniel 1:8 – But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 12:10 – Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly . . .
Revelation 3:4 – You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 14:4 – These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were
redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Theme 5—Being tested for a specific period of time
Daniel 1:5, 12 and 18 – 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 12:7, 11-12 – 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time . . .
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.”Revelation 2:10 – Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 3:10 – Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Theme 6—Protectors
Daniel 1:3 – Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles
Daniel 12:1a – “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people”
Revelation 12:7 – And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought
Theme 7—A period of purification
Daniel 1:5, 12, 14 and 19 – 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.
Daniel 12:10 – Many shall be purified, made white, and refined . . .
Revelation 19:6-8 – And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”
Theme 8—The appearance of the righteous
Daniel 1:15 – And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
Daniel 12:3 – Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
Revelation 7:9 – After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands
Theme 9—Religious literature
Daniel 1: 4 – . . . and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
Daniel 12:1 – . . . Everyone who is found written in the book.
Revelation 20:15 – And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Theme 10—The pagan wisdom of the astrologers of Babylon (Daniel 1) versus the outstanding wisdom of the Jews (Daniel 12)
Daniel 1: 20 – . . . and astrologers who were in all his realm.
Daniel 12:3 – Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
Revelation 13:18 – Here is wisdom. Let him who has
understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
Connections Between Daniel 1, Daniel 10-11 and the Book of Revelation
Now that we’ve seen how Daniel 1 and 12 thematically connect to each other and the book of Revelation, let’s go on and see how Daniel 1 also thematically connects to Daniel 10-11, as well as the book of Revelation.
Theme 1—Understanding visions
Daniel 1: 17 – As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 10:1 and 14 – 1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.
Revelation 1:19 – Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. John was given a vision of the end times (the book of Revelation) just as Daniel had visions of the end times (the book of Daniel).
Theme 2—Daniel’s name changed
Daniel 1: 7 – To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
Daniel 10:1 – In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar.
Revelation 2:17 – He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Theme 3—Restrictive diet
Daniel 1: 8 – But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 10:3 – I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Revelation 2:14 – But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Theme 4—Stunning appearances
Daniel 1:10 and 15 – 10 . . . For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
Daniel 10:6 – His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Revelation 1:13-15 – and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters
Theme 5—Favor from Adonai
Daniel 1:9 – Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
Daniel 10:11 – And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.”
John 20:2 – Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” (Although this verse was not taken from the book of Revelation, the connection (and the point being made) is that both Daniel and John were said to be especially loved by Adonai/Yeshua and both of them were given revelations of the end-times.)
Theme 6—At the end of days, After testing
Daniel 1: 15 and 18 – 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 10:14 – Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
Revelation 22:10 – And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
Theme7—Stewards ensuring strength
Daniel 1 – The chief of the eunuchs was responsible for Daniel’s safekeeping and diet to ensure he would remain strong and healthy.
Daniel 10 – Gabriel, along with Michael, are angels who are responsible for the safekeeping of Daniel (Israel). Furthermore, Gabriel was able to supernaturally strengthen Daniel.
Revelation 11:3 – “And I will give power to my two witnesses,
and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Theme 8—The writings of the cultures
Daniel 1: 4 – young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
Daniel 10:21 – But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth . . .
Revelation 22:18-19 – For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Theme 9—The people and their gods conquered
Daniel 1: 1-2 – In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
Daniel 11:7-8 and 43 – 7 But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail. 8 And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes
and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.Revelation 18 – The destruction of Babylon!
Theme 10—Eating delicacies
Daniel 1:8 – But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 11:26 – Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.
Revelation 2:20 – Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Theme 11—Removal of “food”
Daniel 1:16 – Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Daniel 11:31 – And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.[ii]
Revelation 6:5-6 – When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
Theme 12—Success/rewards of the faithful
Daniel 1:19-20 – Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
Daniel 11:32-33 – Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
Revelation 2-3 – The promises given to each congregation: “to him who overcomes . . .”
Theme 13—The Appointed Time (at the End)
Daniel 1:5 – And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
Daniel 11:27, 29 and 35 – 27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time . . . 29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make
them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.Revelation 22:10-11 – And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
Theme 14—Nations conquered
Daniel 1:1-2 – In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
Daniel 11:41 and 45 – 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.
Revelation 6:1-2 – Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Summary
Let’s take a final inventory of how the book of Daniel is thematically arranged. We have just seen how Daniel 1 is thematically connected to Daniel 10-12. We also know that Daniel 2 is thematically connected to Daniel 11. So let’s just combine those and say that Daniel 1-2 is thematically connected to Daniel 10-12. We also know that Daniel 2-7 is arranged in a chiastic structure. Finally, we also learned that Daniel 7-12 is arranged chiastically. If we color coordinate these, we can see the overall structure of the entire book of Daniel.
One thing you must remember when analyzing Scriptures thematically is that different people may be able to see different patterns! In other words, my thematic structure may be slightly different than others’, and that’s okay! Our God is a big God and very, very creative. He can imbed more than one structure within the text, so don’t be surprised if someone else has a structure different than mine. What’s most important is that the structure is authentic and that can only be judged by the quality of the thematic connections. Do most of the connections seem to be a bit of a stretch? If so, then perhaps the structure is not authentic. I’ll leave it up to you to judge the authenticity of what I’m presenting. Also, I have not shown the multitude of other smaller chiasms and parallelisms that exist in the book of Daniel! This is simply the major thematic structure of the prophecy as I see it. There are many smaller chiastic structures and parallelisms hiding in the text, but those are for another day as time permits. My goal at this point is to map the entire book thematically as I did the book of Revelation. Now that we have the major thematic structure of both books mapped out, we’ll have an endless supply of connections to probe, and hopefully give us a richer interpretation of the texts. The next article I write on Daniel’s prophecy will be on interpreting Daniel 1 and 12 in light of their chiastic connection. At that time, I’ll also connect both of them to what we read in the book of Revelation to see how they shed light on its interpretation.
[i] Sometimes, as in the present situation, matching themes can be opposites! The themes of this third connection are opposites. On the one hand, in Daniel 1, it was Adonai who gave the Hebrew lads wisdom and understanding. On the other hand, in Daniel 12, it was Adonai who prevented Daniel from understanding his visions of the end times!
[ii] See Numbers 28:2—My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me. Here, we see that the daily offering is referred to as Adonai’s food!