Daniel 8 records Daniel’s vision of a ram with two horns (symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire) and a goat with a prominent horn (representing Greece and its first king, Alexander the Great). The goat’s great horn is broken, and four arise in its place—referring to the division of Alexander’s empire. From one of these comes a “little horn”—a fierce, blasphemous ruler (fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes and foreshadowing the Antichrist)—who desecrates the sanctuary and persecutes God’s people until divine judgment brings his downfall and the sanctuary is restored.

In Daniel chapter 7, Daniel sees four beasts rise from the sea: lion with eagle wings, bear with three ribs, four-headed leopard, and a terrifying ten-horned beast with iron teeth. A little horn uproots three, speaks boastfully. The Ancient of Days judges on a fiery throne; books open, beast slain. The Son of Man receives everlasting dominion; saints inherit the kingdom. The vision foretells empires and end-time victory for God’s people.

In Daniel chapter 6, Daniel remains faithful to God despite a royal decree forbidding prayer. His rivals conspire against him, and he is cast into a den of lions. God miraculously delivers him, demonstrating divine protection and justice. King Darius acknowledges God’s power, and Daniel’s faith is vindicated.

In Daniel chapter 5, King Belshazzar holds a lavish feast using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple, mocking God. A hand appears and writes mysterious words on the wall: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. Daniel interprets the writing as God’s judgment—Belshazzar’s reign has been weighed, found wanting, and will end. That very night, Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians, fulfilling divine prophecy.

In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar recounts his dream of a vast tree cut down at heaven’s decree, symbolizing his coming humiliation for pride. Daniel interprets the dream, warning the king to repent. Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance leads to his temporary insanity and exile among beasts until he acknowledges God’s sovereignty. When he humbles himself, his sanity and kingdom are restored, and he praises the Most High as ruler over all.

In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar commands all to worship a massive golden image, threatening death in a fiery furnace for refusal. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow, remaining loyal to God. They are thrown into the furnace but are miraculously unharmed, and a fourth figure appears with them. Seeing their deliverance, Nebuchadnezzar praises the God who saved them and decrees His honor throughout the kingdom.

Daniel 2 recounts King Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream of a great statue representing successive earthly kingdoms, which only Daniel, through God’s revelation, is able to interpret. The dream foretells the rise and fall of human empires and the ultimate establishment of God’s eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed.

Daniel and other young men of Judah are taken to Babylon for royal service. Refusing to defile themselves with the king’s food, they remain faithful to God and are blessed with wisdom, health, and favor, surpassing all others in the king’s court.