Diving into Daniel: Summary of Daniel Part II

This devotional summarizes my devotionals for Daniel 7-12.

Jun 19, 2025

a book sitting on top of a white table — Photo by Alabaster Co on Unsplash

This devotional summarizes the devotionals I made for Daniel chapters 7 through 12. The first devotional, published on 6/17/2025 has an overview of what I learned from the entire book and also summaries of Daniel 1-6.

Summary of Daniel 7-12 Devotionals

Daniel 7

Daniel 7:1-8 - A Strange Vision

Synopsis: During the first year of the reign of Belshazzar, Daniel has a strange dream and visions of four beasts. The first was like a lion with wings of an eagle who has its wings plucked, the second was like a bear with ribs in its mouth, the third was like a leopard with four wings and four heads. A terrifying fourth beast appears with horns and iron teeth and stomps on the first ones; a fourth horn appears uttering boasts.

Lesson: Analyzing Biblical prophecy is a way to grow in spiritual understanding and belief, even if some things don’t make sense (yet).

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please guide me into understanding as I dive into the prophecies of Daniel. Amen.

Daniel 7:9-12 - Ancient of Days

Synopsis: The Ancient of Days (God) is on the throne. His hair and vesture (robe) are white. A river of fire flows from the throne and thousands were attending Him and thousands were standing before Him. And the books were opened.

Lesson: Are you ready for this vision to be manifested?

Prayer: Dear Lord - I tremble to think that my mundane and silly things of this life are occupying my time. I should be thinking about overcoming my sinful ways and being sure of my place in the book of life. Amen.

Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man

Synopsis: One like a Son of Man comes up to the Ancient of Days. He is given dominion, glory and a kingdom that will not perish. This is a vision of Jesus Christ.

Lesson: The Son of Man is given dominion!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank You for teaching me about the Son of Man today! I look forward eagerly to His dominion and kingdom! Amen

Daniel 7:15-28 - The Vision “Interpreted”

Synopsis: Daniel consults with heavenly messengers nearby. The first beast is Babylon, the second is Medo-Persia and the third is Greece. The fourth beast is the Roman Empire and the little horn is the future antichrist. He will rise to power from a league of ten future kings and will likely be part of a new Roman Empire. He will reign for a temporary period of time.

Lesson: Prophecy can be disturbing but we know how the story ends if we have faith.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I place my future eternal life in Your hands. I have faith that I will see the dominion and establishment of the kingdom! Help me to be ready and resilient! Amen.

Daniel 8

Daniel 8:1-8 - A Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Synopsis: In the third year of Belshazzar, Daniel has another vision. He is by the Ulai canal and sees a ram with two horns, one longer than the other. The ram is butting in three directions (west, north and south). A goat comes from over the entire earth without touching the ground and it has a conspicuous horn between its eyes. It strikes the ram and shatters its horns; the goat’s horn is broken and four horns appear in its place and point to the four directions. The first animal is the Medo-Persian empire. The goat is the Greek empire, which splits into four factions following the death of Alexander.

Lesson: Another vision containing powerful animals shows Daniel the future.

Prayer: Dear Lord - The mechanisms and methods that You put in place to ensure the Gospel would be heard 600 years after Daniel are extraordinary! It is all in Your hands! Amen!

Daniel 8:9-14 - The Story of the Little Horn

Synopsis: A rather small horn comes out of the four horns that were on the goat. This horn grows exceedingly large and pointed towards the south, the east and towards the Beautiful Land (Israel). The small horn is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a king of the north who persecutes the people of Israel. But this carries over into an end time vision. Support for understanding this passage comes from 1 & 2 Maccabees.

Lesson: Deep diving into scripture, including supporting texts from the Apocrypha, help us understand a short and enigmatic passage.

Prayer: Dear Lord - A small prophetic passage means so much more to me now that I have done a deep dive into this part of the Book of Daniel. I am so grateful that You have led me into a deeper understanding of Scripture and of prophecy and of how You guide the future. Amen.

Daniel 8:15-19 (incorrectly labeled Daniel 8:13-19) - Gabriel Appears to Answer Questions.

Synopsis: Gabriel appears to Daniel and tells him the vision pertains to the end of time. Daniel falls into a deep sleep, but Gabriel makes Daniel stand to hear the answer.

Lesson: A great angel is asked to explain the vision to Daniel.

Prayer: Dear Lord - We go about our mundane lives, reading scripture and praying to You. But the power and plan from You from the beginning to the end of all things is so mysterious and beyond comprehension. We all need help to understand! Amen.

Daniel 8:20-27 - The Vision Interpreted

Synopsis: The vision is describing the Medo-Persian empire, the Greek Empire, the four divisions of Alexander’s kingdom after his death, and the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes from the Seleucid empire. The vision also connects to the future antichrist.

Lesson: Antiochus and the Antichrist are both described in this vision.

Prayer: Dear Lord - With everyone that may be part of this final plan, please help me to keep my eyes on the King and not neglect the work of His Kingdom. Amen.

Daniel 9

Daniel 9:1-2 - Daniel Reads Scripture

Synopsis: In the first year of King Darius, Daniel observes the number of years of exile that was revealed to Jeremiah the prophet (70 years).

Lesson: God’s Word invites deep study and then intensive prayer.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for inviting me into doing a deep study of Daniel. I pray that I learn the lessons from these devotionals and Your Word to help my prayer life. Amen.

Daniel 9:3-19 - Daniel Prays

Synopsis: Daniel praises God, confesses sin and iniquity not only for himself, but for the people of Israel, recognizes that righteousness belongs only to God, declares shame for Israel, declares that they are disobedient, tells God that He keeps His covenants, brings his petitions to God and pleads for compassion and mercy. An amazing prayer!

Lesson: Daniel sets the bar for a heartfelt confessional prayer that is both earnest and full of understanding and also recognizes God’s mercies.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to pray like Daniel, full of humility and confession and also knowing about Your mercies and compassion. Amen.

Daniel 9:20-23 - Gabriel Appears Again

Synopsis: Daniel’s prayer is heard before it is even finished. Gabriel appears to Daniel to tell him the interpretation of the prophecy because Daniel is highly esteemed in heaven. Heaven is very close to us!

Lesson: Daniel is highly esteemed and will receive an extraordinary answer from God’s messenger Gabriel.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for giving me insight into the closeness of Heaven and the fact that there is only one Way to reach the heavenly realms. Thank you for the lessons on diligent and true prayer. Thank you for the insights that you gave Daniel, which are truly remarkable! Amen.

Daniel 9:24-25 - Seventy Weeks

Synopsis: Gabriel tells Daniel about seventy weeks, which is, according to Biblical scholars, seventy sets of seven years or 490 years. This is the timeline until Messiah the Prince. The timeline predicts with great accuracy the timeline of Palm Sunday and Jesus entering Jerusalem. The timeline includes several infinitive actions.

Lesson: The first part of an amazing prophecy is given to Daniel by Gabriel in these two verses.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for the incredible details that Daniel received that confirm the timeline of Jesus as the Messiah! Amen.

Daniel 9:26-27 - The Coming Prince

Synopsis: These two verses describe the Messiah being “cut off” and then jumps into the future about the coming antichrist who will bring great destruction and desolation. Most scholars agree that there is a time gap between the 69th and 70th weeks that has yet to be fulfilled.

Lesson: I’m probably a dispensational pre-millennialist [or not] but I would most like to be known as a faithful follower of Christ!

Prayer: Dear Lord - My journey through the book of Daniel has been so eye-opening! Your sovereignty and scriptural inspirations and prophecies fulfilled are more apparent than ever! Amen.

Daniel 10

Daniel 10:1-9 - A Mourning Daniel is Terrified by a Vision

Synopsis: In the third year of King Cyrus, Daniel is in mourning and is by the Tigris river when he sees the vision of an extraordinary man who may be a pre-incarnate Christ or an angel of of high rank (scholars are torn and ascribe the possibility of both). The vision terrifies him but he is the only one who sees it. He falls into a deep sleep with his face to the ground.

Lesson: Who does Daniel see by the Tigris River?

Prayer: Dear Lord - As I know You as a God of Mercy and Compassion and Love, may I never forget that You are also beyond description as a Being of infinite Power and Might. Amen.

Daniel 10:10-21 - Daniel is Comforted

Synopsis: The heavenly being comforts Daniel and tells Daniel that he will share the vision for the future. He tells Daniel to be courageous. This being has been fighting dark princes and he describes the archangel Michael as being over the people of Israel

Lesson: You are beloved! There is a spiritual battle going on that we cannot perceive but persistence in prayer helps to get an answer.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I am in awe of the fact that there is much more to the spiritual realm than we can imagine. Thank You for sending Your messengers and for loving us beyond our understanding. Amen.

Daniel 11

Daniel 11:1-4 - A Mighty King

Synopsis: The heavenly messenger tells Daniel that three more kings will arise in Persia and a fourth will rouse the empire against Greece. However, a mighty king will arise from Greece but his kingdom will be broken up into four points and given to others (prophesying Alexander the Great and the four kingdoms after his death).

Lesson: The prophecies in Daniel 11 are among the greatest in God’s scripture. Of course they will be attacked by the enemy!

Prayer: Dear Lord - In the spiritual battles that rage around this planet and in the supernatural realm, thank you again for rescuing me from the evil minds of those who deny Your divinity and Your sovereignty over all. Amen.

Daniel 11:5-6 - The Kings of the North and South

Synopsis: The King of the South will grow strong (Ptolemaic Empire) and an alliance is tried with the King of the North (Seleucid Empire). But there is intrigue and murder and manipulation of these kingdoms, particularly on the part of a deceitful woman named Laodice and her victim Berenice from the South, who was part of the hoped-for alliance.

Lesson: Human history, as prophesied to Daniel in this chapter, shows that nothing has changed since the Fall.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for bringing these prophecies to Daniel and setting in motion the historical events that precede and postdate the Messiah. Amen.

Daniel 11:7-9 - An Avenger with Great Strength.

Synopsis: One of the descendants of Berenice will come to the kingdom of the North displaying great strength and grab treasures and territory and return home (this is Ptolemy III Euergetes). The king of the north (Seleucus II Callinicus) goes to Egypt but then returns home.

Lesson: The advantage goes to Ptolemy III Euergetes, at least for now.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I’m learning more about the history of the time from the last prophet in the Old Testament until the time of the advent of Christ. This history fulfilled prophecies that You gave to Daniel. Thank you for the insights! Amen.

Daniel 11:10-13 - The Kings Battle Again and Again

Synopsis: The kings of the Ptolemaic Empire and the Seleucid Empire battle back and forth, with advantages (for a while) going to each side.

Lesson: There are at least three things assured in this mortal, fallen life: Death, taxes and war!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to learn the lesson of pride when an accomplishment is achieved, as being prideful can lead to inertia when faced with new tasks. Amen.

Daniel 11:14-16 - The King of the North Prevails (For a Time)

Synopsis: Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid empire is victorious over the Ptolemaic Empire, being assisted by Philip V of Macedonia. He is assisted by violent people from the “Beautiful Land”.

Lesson: Various players allow for Antiochus III the Great to win, but these territorial disputes are very temporary things in the great arc of Earth time.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I can see the wheels turning in this prophecy that leads to the circumstances of the Maccabee Revolt and, more importantly, the empires in place at the time of the birth of Christ. Thank you for the insights and for the scholarship on Precept Austin. Amen.

Daniel 11:17-19 - Antiochus III Fades Away

Synopsis: Antiochus III attempts peace with the Ptolemaic Empire and secretly gains control of it. His daughter marries into the Ptolemaic family but turns against her father. Antiochus III attempts to gain lands in the Mediterranean but is stopped by the Romans in the battle of Magnesia. The subsequent treaty is very costly to his empire.

Lesson: The amazing details of this prophecy should serve to strengthen the believer’s understanding of the power of God.

Prayer: Dear Lord - The enemy has a tool that he likes to use to introduce doubt into the believer’s mind. This tool (skepticism) comes from paying too much attention to the critics and not enough attention to the Word of God. Help me to be able to overcome these tools and stand in awe of Your power and might over the affairs of the humans You created. Amen.

Daniel 11:20-22 - A Tax Collector, An Evil Ruler

Synopsis: The successor to Antiochus III sends a tax collector to Jerusalem because the treaty with the Romans requires so much money to fulfill. The tax collector is defeated (according to 2 Maccabees). A new king pops up in the Seleucid Empire who is very evil (Antiochus IV Epiphanes).

Lesson: Are you disobedient to God? Perhaps you, too, can be called despicable.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray that I do not act in a despicable way and show contempt for You by willfully sinning or being disobedient. Please help me to know that times of tranquility are not necessarily times of peace and evil can overcome us in an instant. Amen.

Daniel 11:23-25 - A Deceitful King

Synopsis: Epiphanes comes into power during a time of tranquility and is extremely deceitful, garnering treasures. He goes up against the King of the South and there are schemes devised against both of them (apparently).

Lesson: Deceitfulness and scheming define so many earthly kingdoms and nations.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Sometimes I cannot glean the deep meanings of this prophecy through my research. All I can do is know that You are in control in even the worst situations and will not let evil prosper for long. Amen.

Daniel 11:26-30 - Deceit Continues and Rome Gets Involved

Synopsis: Epiphanes has traitors in his midst, but both he and the king of the South practice deceit and lies. The Romans jump into the fray in Egypt and Epiphanes is humiliated. He takes out his rage against Jerusalem and the Temple and commits atrocities against the people.

Lesson: Human history is a broken record of leaders who deceive and commit atrocities.

Prayer: Dear Lord - On the day that I write these words, the 81st anniversary of D-Day, I pray for those who sacrificed their lives on that day and in the days that followed to pursue a just war against tyranny and oppression. I pray for those few veterans of that day who are still alive and for the families of all who served. I pray we never forget what happens when there is deceit and godlessness. Amen.

Daniel 11:31-35 - The Evil King Turns to Words and Violence in the “Beautiful Land”

Synopsis: Epiphanes talks smoothly to religious leaders in the beautiful land, using them to turn against the covenant. People who know their God will be strong and take action. Epiphanes will desecrate the temple and set up an abomination for them to worship. He will kill thousands. Many will be hypocrites on both sides to save themselves. At the end of this passage, the prophecy transitions to the future.

Lesson: You will know believers by their knowledge of God, their strength and their deeds.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please help me to fulfill my various roles as Your servant with strength and knowledge: A scholar, A merchant, a helper, a traveler, a sufferer, a soldier. Amen.

Daniel 11:36-45 - Looking Ahead to the End Time

Synopsis: The last part of Daniel 11 and into Daniel 12 is a prophecy about the Antichrist in our future. Antiochus IV Epiphanes does not fit the words of this prophecy. The Antichrist is a worshipper of self and wants others to do the same. He rejects God and only wants power. The Great Tribulation happens under him. A great battle will occur. The details are in Revelation!

Lesson: I submit my will and trust to the sovereign God, who knows the beginning and the end of all things.

Prayer: Dear Lord - You gave this prophecy to Daniel and repeated many aspects of it to John. Learning about prophecy and the end times, while serving You, has been so valuable! I pray that I am enlightened further in Daniel 12. Amen.

Daniel 12

Daniel 12:1-4 - A Time of Trouble in the Future

Synopsis: The archangel Michael arises at the time of the Great Tribulation (3.5 years into the 7 years of the Tribulation). Very bad times will occur and Israel will be in the middle of it. There will be a separation of those who believe and those who don’t; both have eternal life but one is heavenly and the other is in hell. Those who have insight will become like shining stars. There will also be physical resurrection. Daniel is told to seal the prophecy.

Lesson: You will live for eternity. The choice you make as to what type of eternity you will endure or enjoy is contingent on looking up to Him and gaining insight.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to be a light that is shining in dark places. I am thrilled to know that those with insight into Your Word will be as bright as stars. Thank you for the great commentaries that I have read about Daniel and for this last prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled. Amen.

Daniel 12:5-13 - A Timeline by the River

Synopsis: Daniel sees two figures on opposite shores of the river and a figure above the waters. One of those figures asks a question about the timeline and gets the response of “Time, Times, and Half a Time”, which translates into 3.5 years. Daniel wants to understand and asks what the outcome will be. He is told to go his way and a timeline of 1290 days is revealed, noting that standing strong for 1335 days will be at the end. This timeline starts when the abomination of desolation is placed in the temple.

Lesson: We should go on our way forward in life sheltered in His promises.

Prayer: Dear Lord - We know the beginning and we are told about the end. For believers, that is a great comfort. Our task is to make sure others come to You for their salvation and to leave the details in Your sealed and concealed words for when You decide it is time. Amen.

My next devotional will be an introduction to the Epistle to the Philippians before beginning an in-depth study of that letter from Paul to the church at Philippi.