Daniel wrote the biblical book of Daniel in the 6^th century BC. Daniel was one of the young people captured and taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

The book of Daniel covers about 83 years and the chapters are not chronological.

The language of Aramaic was spoken in the court of Nebuchadnezzar and later became the official language of the western section of the Persian Empire.  These verses in the book of Daniel were originally written in Aramaic:  Daniel 2:4-7:28.

Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon 604-562 BC

Chapter 1 Daniel and others are taken captive to Babylon

Chapter 2 Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

Chapter 3 Shadrech, Meshack, Abednego in the firey furnace

Chapter 4 Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; Nebuchadnezzar is driven from men

Nabonidus – last king of Babylon, chose to stay in Tema in Arabia, coregent with his son

Belshazzar – reigned as coregent with father Nabonidus (553-539 BC)

Chapter 5 Daniel interprets writing on the wall; is made 3^rd ruler

Chapter 7 -1^st year of Belshazzar; Daniel has a dream

Chapter 8-3^rd year of Belshazzar, Daniel sees a vision

Darius –seed of Medes, king over Chaldean realm 521-486 BC

Chapter 6 Daniel in the lions’ den

Chapter 9-1^st year of Darius; Daniel understood the 70 years from book of Jeremiah

Chapter 11 -1^st year of Darius; Daniel prophesizes there will be 3 more kings of Persia

Cyrus king of Persia 539-530 BC

Chapter 10 -3^rd year of Cyrus; Daniel has a vision of the glory of God

Chapter 12 God’s last message to Daniel

What do these words matter to you?

What do these words tell you about God?

Our focus – Hebrews 12: ¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!