Outline of Chapter Nine
Prayer of Daniel
- Its Prompting, 1-3
- Its Particulars, 4-15
- Its Petition, 16-19
- Its Power, 20-23
Prophecy of Gabriel
- Its Mathematics, 24
- Its Message, 25-27
Sixty-six years have passed since Daniel had been
exiled. The prophet is about eighty years old in 539 B.C.
The golden empire has been replaced by the silver empire
of Medo-Persia. Nebuchadnezzar’s own dream of having his
empire continue forever, as seen in his golden image, has
fallen by the wayside.
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, Daniel’s
dream of the four beasts and his vision of a ram and a
goat point to an extended period before Israel takes its
coveted place in the world. Consequently, the purpose of
this chapter is to elaborate on the predictions of
chapters seven and eight, as well as to reveal God’s
timetable for His future dealings with Israel.
There is no symbolic imagery in this chapter. The
archangel Gabriel may have actually come to Daniel and
presented his most important message with a vision.
Gabriel outlines the future in terms of time as it relates
to the coming of two prominent princes and an abomination
that causes desolation. This chapter is a significant part
of the framework or skeleton upon which all prophecy is
built or fleshed out during the times of the Gentiles.
Daniel 9, Ezra 9 and Nehemiah 9 contain three of the
great intercessory prayers of the Scriptures. Here Daniel
pours out his heart to God on behalf of Israel. His prayer
is one of the most sublime, touching, burning and
effective prayers in the Word of God.
The events of chapter nine occur in 539 B.C., the first
year of Darius’ reign, when change was the order of the
day. How would the change of empires affect God’s people
in captivity?Undoubtedly, the answer to this pressing
question prompted Daniel to search the Scriptures for the
answer.
