THE BOOK OF DANIEL (THE MOVIE)

XIV. Table of Contents

1. Introduction

   • Babylonian Conquest and Exile
   • Selection of Israelite Youth
   • Daniel and His Companions
   • Daniel's Dietary Request
   • Wisdom and Understanding
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Troubling Dream

2. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Interpretation

   • The King's Demand
   • Daniel's Intervention
   • The Dream's Content
   • Daniel's Interpretation
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Response

3. The Fiery Furnace

   • The Golden Image
   • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's Defiance
   • The Fiery Furnace
   • Miraculous Deliverance
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Decree
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Testimony

4. Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream

   • Another Troubling Dream
   • Daniel's Interpretation
   • Daniel's Counsel
   • Fulfillment of the Dream
   • Restoration and Testimony

5. Belshazzar's Feast and the Handwriting on the Wall

   • The Feast and Sacrilege
   • The King's Fear
   • Daniel's Interpretation
   • Belshazzar's Fate

6. Daniel in the Lions' Den

   • Daniel's Prominence and Enemies
   • The Decree Against Prayer
   • Daniel's Faithfulness
   • Darius's Dilemma
   • Daniel in the Lions' Den
   • Divine Deliverance
   • Justice and a New Decree
   • Daniel's Prosperity

7. Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts

   • The Vision
   • The Ancient of Days and Judgment
   • The Son of Man
   • Interpretation
   • Daniel's Troubled Thoughts

8. Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat

   • The Vision
   • The Interpretation
   • Daniel's Illness and Recovery

9. Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy

   • Daniel's Prayer and Confession
   • Gabriel's Appearance and Explanation

10. Daniel's Final Vision and Angelic Encounter

    • Daniel's Mourning and the Angelic Messenger
    • Angelic Conflict and Future Events
    • Sealing the Book and the Time of the End

11. Abstract Facts and Obscure Opinions

    • The movie emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God, even in the face of adversity.
    • It highlights the consequences of pride and idolatry.
    • The film presents a complex view of Nebuchadnezzar, who initially appears as a ruthless conqueror but eventually recognizes the sovereignty of God.
    • The movie's interpretation of Daniel's visions is influenced by specific theological perspectives, particularly regarding the end times.

12. Opposing Opinion

    • Some viewers might find the movie's depiction of historical events and prophecies to be overly literal and simplistic.
    • Others might object to the film's focus on divine intervention and miracles, arguing that it neglects the role of human agency and responsibility.
    • Some might criticize the film's portrayal of other cultures and religions, particularly its depiction of Babylonian and Persian rulers.

13. Summarized Essay

The movie "The Book of Daniel" offers a dramatic retelling of the biblical book, focusing on Daniel's unwavering faith and wisdom in the face of trials and tribulations during the Babylonian exile. The film begins with the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the deportation of Daniel and other young Israelites to Babylon. There, Daniel's refusal to compromise his religious beliefs by consuming the king's food leads to a divine demonstration of favor, marking the beginning of his rise to prominence. Daniel's ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dreams not only saves the lives of the wise men of Babylon but also establishes Daniel as a key figure in the king's court. This sets the stage for a series of events where Daniel and his companions face challenges to their faith, including the fiery furnace and the lions' den, emerging victorious through divine intervention.

The film also delves into the prophetic visions granted to Daniel, which reveal the rise and fall of empires, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. These visions, filled with symbolic imagery of beasts and celestial beings, provide a glimpse into the future, including the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. While Nebuchadnezzar initially appears as a powerful and arrogant ruler, his encounters with Daniel and the God of Israel lead him to a humbling recognition of divine sovereignty. This transformation, however, is not mirrored in his successor, Belshazzar, whose sacrilegious actions during a feast invite divine judgment. The movie concludes with Daniel receiving further revelations about the end times, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful and steadfast in the face of coming trials.

XIV. Table of Contents

1. Introduction

   • Babylonian Conquest and Exile
   • Selection of Israelite Youth
   • Daniel and His Companions
   • Daniel's Dietary Request
   • Wisdom and Understanding
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Troubling Dream

2. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Interpretation

   • The King's Demand
   • Daniel's Intervention
   • The Dream's Content
   • Daniel's Interpretation
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Response

3. The Fiery Furnace

   • The Golden Image
   • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's Defiance
   • The Fiery Furnace
   • Miraculous Deliverance
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Decree
   • Nebuchadnezzar's Testimony

4. Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream

   • Another Troubling Dream
   • Daniel's Interpretation
   • Daniel's Counsel
   • Fulfillment of the Dream
   • Restoration and Testimony

5. Belshazzar's Feast and the Handwriting on the Wall

   • The Feast and Sacrilege
   • The King's Fear
   • Daniel's Interpretation
   • Belshazzar's Fate

6. Daniel in the Lions' Den

   • Daniel's Prominence and Enemies
   • The Decree Against Prayer
   • Daniel's Faithfulness
   • Darius's Dilemma
   • Daniel in the Lions' Den
   • Divine Deliverance
   • Justice and a New Decree
   • Daniel's Prosperity

7. Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts

   • The Vision
   • The Ancient of Days and Judgment
   • The Son of Man
   • Interpretation
   • Daniel's Troubled Thoughts

8. Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat

   • The Vision
   • The Interpretation
   • Daniel's Illness and Recovery

9. Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy

   • Daniel's Prayer and Confession
   • Gabriel's Appearance and Explanation

10. Daniel's Final Vision and Angelic Encounter

    • Daniel's Mourning and the Angelic Messenger
    • Angelic Conflict and Future Events
    • Sealing the Book and the Time of the End

11. Abstract Facts and Obscure Opinions

    • The movie emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God, even in the face of adversity.
    • It highlights the consequences of pride and idolatry.
    • The film presents a complex view of Nebuchadnezzar, who initially appears as a ruthless conqueror but eventually recognizes the sovereignty of God.
    • The movie's interpretation of Daniel's visions is influenced by specific theological perspectives, particularly regarding the end times.

12. Opposing Opinion

    • Some viewers might find the movie's depiction of historical events and prophecies to be overly literal and simplistic.
    • Others might object to the film's focus on divine intervention and miracles, arguing that it neglects the role of human agency and responsibility.
    • Some might criticize the film's portrayal of other cultures and religions, particularly its depiction of Babylonian and Persian rulers.

13. Summarized Essay

The movie "The Book of Daniel" offers a dramatic retelling of the biblical book, focusing on Daniel's unwavering faith and wisdom in the face of trials and tribulations during the Babylonian exile. The film begins with the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the deportation of Daniel and other young Israelites to Babylon. There, Daniel's refusal to compromise his religious beliefs by consuming the king's food leads to a divine demonstration of favor, marking the beginning of his rise to prominence. Daniel's ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dreams not only saves the lives of the wise men of Babylon but also establishes Daniel as a key figure in the king's court. This sets the stage for a series of events where Daniel and his companions face challenges to their faith, including the fiery furnace and the lions' den, emerging victorious through divine intervention.

The film also delves into the prophetic visions granted to Daniel, which reveal the rise and fall of empires, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. These visions, filled with symbolic imagery of beasts and celestial beings, provide a glimpse into the future, including the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. While Nebuchadnezzar initially appears as a powerful and arrogant ruler,