Page 32 - Daniel

contradict Daniel, but with theories too often supported by circular
arguments. The critical arguments have not been confirmed by fact and
must be accepted by faith. For the conservative expositor, it is far more
preferable to accept the book of Daniel in view of its confirmation by
Christ Himself (Matt. 24:15).

INTERPRETATION

Problems of interpretation in Daniel are considered in the exposition
of the text. If the premise be granted that the book is genuine Scripture
and that detailed prediction of the future as in Daniel may be admitted

as genuine, the problems of interpretation are then reduced to
determining what the text actually says.

The interpretation of apocalyptic literature such as the visions of
Daniel requires special skills and close attention to hermeneutics as it
applies to such revelation. Alexander offers twenty-three rules to be used
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in the interpretation of Old Testament apocalyptic literature. In
general, however, the meaning of the text can be ascertained, especially
with the help of fulfilled prophecies in history that are now available to
the expositor.

Historical records have been kind to Daniel in providing such
adequate proofs of the fulfillment of his prophecies that critics want to

place his predictions after the events. As pointed out in the exposition,
the book of Daniel supports the interpretation that Daniel is presenting
truth relative to the four great world empires beginning with Babylon,
with the fourth empire definitely prophetic, even from a second-century
point of view. The interpretation of chapter 2 is confirmed by chapter 7,
which has special revelation concerning the fourth empire in its yet-
future stage, and by the considerable detail added in chapter 8 on the

Medo-Persian and Grecian Empires. Most, if not all, of chapter 8 was
fulfilled in history in the five hundred years from the death of Daniel to

the formal beginning of the Roman Empire in 27 B.C.
The compressed prophecy of Daniel 11:36–12:13 is properly regarded
as a detailed discussion of “the time of the end,” the period immediately
preceding Christ’s second advent. Chapter 9:24–27, giving the broad