Messianic Moments Devotional Series—Daniel

The book of Daniel is a breathtaking prophetic masterpiece that reveals the sovereignty of God and points unmistakably to Jesus as the Messiah. From Daniel’s vision of the “Son of Man” coming with the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13-14), we see a clear picture of Jesus, who identifies Himself with this title and is given an everlasting kingdom. The fiery furnace story, where a fourth figure “like a son of the gods” appears, foreshadows Jesus’ presence with His people in their trials. Daniel’s role as a blameless intercessor and revealer of mysteries reflects the Messiah, who mediates between God and humanity and unveils God’s redemptive plan. The prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9) pinpoints the coming of the Anointed One, foretelling His sacrificial death for the sake of many. Daniel’s faithfulness and the triumph of God’s kingdom over all earthly powers ultimately point to Jesus, the King whose reign will never end.

1. Daniel 7:13-14 — The Son of Man:

1. • Daniel 7:13-14 introduces the figure of the Son of Man, who is given authority and sovereignty over all peoples, a dominion that will never pass away. Christians universally interpret this passage as a prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ, who often referred to Himself as the Son of Man (Matthew 8:20, John 3:13).
   • The Son of Man in this vision comes with the clouds of heaven, which suggests divine authority and a heavenly origin. This is a clear reference to the second coming of Jesus (Acts 1:11, Matthew 24:30). His eternal kingdom and dominion are fulfilled through His resurrection and ascension, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20-22, Revelation 5:13-14).
   • The worship of all nations reflects the global scope of Jesus’ reign, where people from all nations are invited to worship Him as the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 7:9-10).

2. Daniel 9:24-26 — The Seventy Sevens and the Death of the Anointed One:

1. • Daniel 9:24-26 provides a prophetic timeline regarding the coming of the Anointed One, who Christians interpret as Jesus. The seventy sevens (or 490 years) refer to a period that will culminate in the arrival of the Messiah, who will bring atonement and everlasting righteousness (Luke 24:46-47, Romans 3:24-25).
   • The prophecy indicates that after the 69th seven, the Anointed One (the Messiah) will be “cut off” or put to death. Christians see this as a reference to Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37). The fact that Jesus was crucified and “had nothing” (Daniel 9:26) speaks to His suffering and humiliation on the cross, where He gave His life for the sins of humanity.
   • This prophecy also predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary, which occurred in 70 AD. The death of the Messiah marks the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new, where the sacrifice of Jesus fulfills the need for atonement once and for all (Hebrews 9:12-14).

3. Daniel 12:2 — The Resurrection of the Dead:

1. • Daniel 12:2 speaks of a future resurrection where the dead will rise to either everlasting life or everlasting contempt. Christians interpret this as a foreshadowing of the resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself spoke about the resurrection of the dead and the judgment to come (John 5:28-29, John 11:25-26).
   • The resurrection of the righteous is fulfilled in Jesus’ own resurrection and the promise that believers in Him will experience eternal life (John 14:19, Romans 6:5-8). The resurrection of the unrighteous refers to the final judgment, where those who reject Christ will face eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:12-15).

1. Daniel 7:13-14 — The Son of Man:

1. • In Jewish tradition, the figure of the Son of Man is often interpreted as a symbol of Israel or as a future Messianic figure who will bring about the redemption of Israel. Jewish interpretations tend to focus on the political deliverance of Israel, where the Messiah will come as a mighty ruler to restore Israel to its rightful place among the nations.
   • Christians, however, understand this passage as referring to the divine Messiah, Jesus, who will return in glory, bringing an eternal kingdom that transcends political boundaries and includes all of humanity.

2. Daniel 9:24-26 — The Seventy Sevens and the Death of the Anointed One:

1. • Jewish commentators interpret the seventy sevens as referring to the period in which the Jewish people will experience trials, and they often see the cutting off of the Anointed One as referring to either historical figures or the restoration of Israel after the exile.
   • For Christians, this prophecy is seen as the most direct foretelling of Jesus’ crucifixion and the establishment of the new covenant in His blood. The death of the Anointed One is viewed as the pivotal moment in human history, fulfilling the need for atonement and bringing everlasting righteousness through Jesus.

3. Daniel 12:2 — The Resurrection of the Dead:

1. • Jewish interpretation views this verse as part of the broader hope for resurrection in the Messianic age, a time when God will bring about the restoration of Israel and the reward of the righteous.
   • Christians see this prophecy as fulfilled through Jesus’ resurrection and His promise of the resurrection of believers to eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). The final resurrection of the dead, to eternal life or eternal punishment, is a central doctrine of Christian eschatology.

1. The Messianic Hope:

1. • During the time of Daniel, the Jewish people were under oppression by foreign powers, and there was a strong hope for a divinely appointed leader who would deliver Israel and establish God’s kingdom. The Son of Man figure represents the ideal king who will lead the people to victory, righteousness, and eternal peace.
   • For Christians, Jesus fulfills this role, but not through military conquest or political power. Instead, His kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and eternal life, inaugurated through His death and resurrection.

2. The Seventy Sevens and Atonement:

1. • The seventy sevens timeline reflects the divine plan for the atonement of sin and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. This timeline points to the coming of the Messiah who will bring both judgment and salvation, and in Christian theology, it is fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

3. Resurrection and Eternal Life:

1. • The hope of resurrection in Jewish thought was a significant part of the eschatological promises. It was expected that in the Messianic age, there would be a general resurrection, where the righteous would be rewarded and the wicked judged.
   • Christianity takes this resurrection hope further, seeing Jesus as the firstfruits of the resurrection, whose own victory over death guarantees eternal life for His followers.

• The early church saw Daniel’s prophecies as directly pointing to Jesus Christ. Church Fathers like Irenaeus and Justin Martyr emphasized that the Son of Man in Daniel’s vision was Jesus, who would return in glory to establish God’s eternal kingdom. The seventy sevens were interpreted as being fulfilled in the first coming of Christ and His sacrifice for sin.
• The resurrection spoken of in Daniel 12:2 was understood as a promise of the resurrection of the dead made possible through Jesus’ resurrection, which guaranteed eternal life for all believers.

The book of Daniel offers us a breathtaking glimpse into God’s divine plan and the Messiah’s role in fulfilling it, pointing us directly to Jesus. As the Son of Man, Jesus is given an eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14), offering us not just a future hope but a present reality as we live under His sovereign reign. The prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-26) speaks of a Messiah who would bring atonement for sin, fulfilled through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. As followers of Jesus, we can be deeply thankful for His obedience, which makes us heirs to an everlasting kingdom, and the promise of resurrection to eternal life (Daniel 12:2). This should inspire us to reflect on our own role as agents of the Kingdom, living with the confidence that, like Daniel, we are called to be faithful, even in the midst of trials, knowing that Jesus is with us through it all. May this reminder compel us to live with hope, peace, and unwavering trust in the sovereignty of God.