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The timing of God for His release of understanding, the unsealing of awaiting prophecies and the promised end-days outpouring all point to great opportunity and great accountability for the people of God. 

Daniel's own second vision is so profound it leaves him ill for a while. Angelic messengers explain to him (and to us) the symbolism of demonic realms that will war against God and His people until the end of the age, when the Ancient of Days is seated in place and the books are opened. 

Daniel is grieved and troubled at the vision he personally receives. The prophet asks an angelic guide about four beasts he's just been shown, particularly the most terrible fourth beast out of which 10 horns, and then a smaller horn, appear. 

Daniel Chapter 9 is Daniel's own prayer for a troubled Israel. Troubles (70-year national captivity) back THEN were different from Israel's troubles (attacks and captivity) RIGHT NOW - but his prayer remains soberly accurate and pertinent in that God's covenant nation is still dealing with much of the same spiritually rebellious climate. Daniel the prophet cries out for God's mercy, as we should, for Israel, in these days. And we read chapter 6: Daniel facing the lions (in his faithful stance) and finding deliverance in his faithful God. 

The conflict in the Middle East is ongoing, and is in accordance with biblical prophecy. The covenant nation of Israel needs something very specific and critical to its survival and its success. The saints are to be praying for that to occur. It's a truth of scripture. Rabbi Paul speaks of it, and we know it. The saints are purposely here on earth, and anointed to proclaim that truth. 

Daniel is called into a godless and idolatrous banquet to interpret a supernatural omen written to a sinful ruler and his empire, on the night of their invasion and collapse.  Our God sets kingdoms up and takes kingdoms down.

The story of Nebuchadnezzar driven to live like an animal for lengthy season concludes with this statement, for all mankind to consider: 

Daniel 4:34-35
³⁴ And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, "What have You done?" 

We look into the depth of wickedness permeating both Babylon and its king. We also see the faithfulness of the people of God when confronted with compromise or potential death. And we see the fourth man in the furnace. 

Daniel both reveals and then interprets what is often referred to as "the mother of all prophecy" - Nebuchadnezzar's frightening dream about empire conquering empire conquering empire - taking us from ancient Babylon through the end of the age in which we are living. There's been misconceptions and speculative assumptions, and meanwhile history has been catching up to biblical context - pointing to the "difference" of the "empire" identified as the final-battle enemy of God's people and of God's purposes. 

Prior to reading chapter 1, we spend more time discussing the book itself - its critical position in the plan of God, its prophetic significance, the demonic resistance and accusations against the validity of the book, and the divine plan of God to transform His people (the readers) by way of opening the book to us. Then we get into and through chapter 1 to learn the character of Daniel and his friends, and the character of their captor nation, Babylon.