Understanding Daniel from a Partial Preterist View

Daniel and Partial Preterism

The partial preterist view of Daniel gives us a powerful way to read this fascinating book. Daniel lived as an exile in Babylon, far from his home in Jerusalem. Although he faced pressure to conform, he remained faithful to God. Because of his devotion, God gave him visions that revealed both history and prophecy. These visions help us see God’s hand at work in kingdoms and events that shaped the world.

When most people think of Daniel, they picture the fiery furnace or the lions’ den. Those stories matter, but they also prepare us for something larger. The book of Daniel includes dramatic visions of beasts, statues, angelic messengers, and detailed predictions of coming kingdoms. Together, these visions show that God rules over history. Earthly empires rise and fall, but His kingdom endures.

From a partial preterist perspective, many of Daniel’s prophecies have already been fulfilled. The statue of Daniel 2 and the beasts of Daniel 7 represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. During the time of Rome, Christ came as the “stone cut without hands.” His death, resurrection, and ascension established an everlasting kingdom. The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 confirmed the end of the Old Covenant age and the fullness of His reign.

This introduction prepares us to explore Daniel’s visions one chapter at a time. As we study, we will see how God’s plan unfolds with precision. More importantly, we will discover the hope and encouragement found in Christ’s unshakable kingdom.

Daniel 2 – The Statue Dream

In Daniel 2, the story begins with King Nebuchadnezzar having a disturbing dream. He saw a massive statue made of different materials. Its head was gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, and its legs were iron with feet mixed with iron and clay. None of his wise men could explain the dream, but God revealed both the dream and its meaning to Daniel. Because of this, Daniel boldly explained what the king had seen.

Four Great Kingdoms

Daniel explained that the statue represented a sequence of world empires. The head of gold was Babylon, the empire of Nebuchadnezzar himself. The chest and arms of silver pointed to the Medo-Persian Empire that would follow. The belly and thighs of bronze represented Greece, known for speed and conquest under Alexander the Great. Finally, the legs of iron and feet mixed with clay represented Rome, strong yet divided. These details show that God knows the rise and fall of kingdoms long before they occur.

The Stone Cut Without Hands

The dream did not end with the statue. Daniel described a stone cut without human hands that struck the statue’s feet. The entire statue shattered, and the stone grew into a mountain filling the earth. This stone represents the kingdom of God, established by Christ. From the partial preterist view of Daniel, the prophecy points to Christ’s first coming during the time of Rome. Through His death, resurrection, and ascension, He established a kingdom that will never end.

A Lasting Lesson for Believers

This vision shows us that human kingdoms are temporary, no matter how powerful they appear. However, God’s kingdom is eternal. The partial preterist view of Daniel encourages us to see Christ’s rule as already present and unshakable. Therefore, while the world may seem unstable, believers can rest in the assurance that His kingdom will endure forever.

Daniel 7 – The Four Beasts & the Son of Man

In Daniel 7, the prophet describes a powerful night vision. He saw four beasts rising out of a stormy sea. Each beast was unique, representing kingdoms that would dominate the world. The first beast looked like a lion with eagle’s wings. The second was a bear raised on one side. The third was a leopard with four wings and four heads. Finally, the fourth beast was terrifying, with iron teeth and ten horns.

Connecting the Beasts to World Empires

These beasts connect to the statue dream in Daniel 2, but with more vivid detail. The lion represents Babylon, Daniel’s place of exile. The bear stands for the Medo-Persian Empire, strong but uneven in its power. The swift leopard with four heads points to Greece under Alexander the Great, later divided into four parts. The dreadful fourth beast represents Rome, known for its iron strength and crushing authority. Together, the visions confirm that God revealed the same story in different images.

The Son of Man Appears

The vision then shifts from beasts to hope. Daniel saw “one like a Son of Man” coming with the clouds of heaven. Dominion, glory, and a kingdom were given to Him. Unlike earthly kingdoms, His rule would never pass away. Jesus used this title for Himself, showing that He is the Son of Man. Therefore, the vision points directly to Christ’s reign.

Partial Preterist Perspective

From the partial preterist view of Daniel, this vision highlights Christ’s authority established during the Roman period. His death, resurrection, and ascension marked the beginning of His everlasting kingdom. The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 confirmed the close of the Old Covenant age. Because of this, we can see Daniel’s prophecy as already fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation.

Hope for Believers Today

This chapter reminds us that kingdoms rise and fall, but Christ reigns forever. The partial preterist view of Daniel encourages us to trust His unshakable authority.

Daniel 9 – The Seventy Weeks

Daniel 9 presents one of the most important prophecies in the book. After praying for his people, Daniel received a message from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel explained that seventy weeks were appointed for the people of Israel and the holy city. These weeks would bring an end to sin, establish righteousness, and fulfill God’s covenant promises.

Understanding Symbolic Time

The seventy weeks do not represent literal calendar weeks. Instead, they are symbolic periods of time. Most interpreters understand them as seventy sets of seven years, adding up to 490 years. The prophecy divides this timeline into three parts: seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and a final week. This structure points forward to events beyond Daniel’s own lifetime, reaching to the coming of the Messiah.

Fulfillment in Christ

From the partial preterist view of Daniel, the seventy weeks find fulfillment in Christ. The sixty-nine weeks lead to the arrival of the “anointed one,” fulfilled in Jesus. In the final week, He confirmed the covenant through His ministry, death, and resurrection. Through His sacrifice, sin was dealt with, and everlasting righteousness was established. However, the prophecy also included a warning. Rejection of the Messiah would lead to destruction, which came in AD 70 with the fall of Jerusalem and the temple.

Hope and Judgment Together

This prophecy brings together hope and judgment. God’s plan of redemption is precise, revealing that Christ came at the appointed time. His work brought salvation to those who believe, while judgment fell on those who rejected Him. The destruction of the temple ended the Old Covenant system and confirmed Christ’s everlasting kingdom.

Encouragement for Believers

The partial preterist view of Daniel helps us see this prophecy as already fulfilled in Christ’s work. It reminds us that God’s promises are reliable and that His kingdom stands secure today.

Daniel 10 & 11 – Heavenly Warfare & Historical Conflict

In Daniel 10, the prophet fasted and prayed, seeking understanding of future events. After three weeks, an angel appeared to him. The angel explained that heavenly conflict was occurring, involving the “princes” of Persia and Greece. This glimpse revealed that battles on earth often reflect greater spiritual struggles. Because of this, Daniel was reminded that God rules even over unseen realms.

Prophecy of Coming Kingdoms

The angel continued in Daniel 11 with a detailed prophecy of kings and kingdoms. He described the future of Persia, including powerful rulers who would rise after Daniel’s time. Then he turned to Greece, which would be led by a mighty king—understood as Alexander the Great. After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided among four generals. From these divisions came the kings of the north and south, whose wars created great hardship for God’s people.

Antiochus Epiphanes as an Oppressor

One ruler stands out in this prophecy: Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid king from the north. He harshly oppressed the Jewish people, desecrated the temple, and halted sacrifices. He even set up an idol, bringing shame and sorrow to God’s people. Many recognize him as a type of oppressor who foreshadows greater opposition. However, his power was limited, and he eventually fell, showing that God restrains even the strongest enemies.

Fulfillment in History

From the partial preterist view of Daniel, these prophecies were fulfilled in history long before Christ’s coming. Persia, Greece, and the Seleucid kingdom all rose and fell as Daniel predicted. The accuracy of these details shows God’s sovereignty over nations and rulers.

A Word for Believers Today

These chapters remind us that while history is filled with conflict, God remains in control. The partial preterist view of Daniel reassures us that no earthly ruler is beyond His authority. Believers can trust that God works through both spiritual and earthly events to accomplish His purposes.

 

Daniel 12 – The Time of the End

Daniel 12 closes the book with a vision about the “time of the end.” Daniel was told that Michael, a great prince, would arise during a season of great trouble. Yet those whose names were written in the book would be delivered. The prophecy even describes resurrection language, with some rising to everlasting life and others to shame. These words remind us that God’s plan stretches beyond present struggles into eternal realities.

The End of the Holy People’s Power

The angel explained that the vision concerned the “end of the power of the holy people.” For beginners, this does not mean the end of the physical world. Instead, it refers to the collapse of the temple system in Jerusalem. Israel’s strength rested in sacrifices and rituals of the Old Covenant. When the temple fell in AD 70, that system came to a permanent end. Because of this, God’s people moved fully into the New Covenant era.

The Partial Preterist Perspective

From the partial preterist view of Daniel, this prophecy was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Christ had already established His kingdom through His death, resurrection, and ascension. The events of AD 70 confirmed the close of the Old Covenant age and displayed the fullness of His reign. Therefore, Daniel 12 is not about the end of the world but about God’s completed shift from the old to the new.

Living in the Already and the Not Yet

This chapter encourages believers to live with confidence in Christ’s reign. His kingdom has already come, yet its final fullness still lies ahead. The partial preterist view of Daniel helps us see that history belongs to Christ and that His promises stand secure. Because of this, we can face uncertainty with hope, knowing His kingdom will never fail.

Closing Thoughts: Fulfillment in Christ & the Fall of the Temple

As we look back over Daniel’s visions, the message becomes clear. Each prophecy pointed forward to Christ’s kingdom and the end of the Old Covenant system. The statue of Daniel 2, the beasts of Daniel 7, the timetable of Daniel 9, and the conflicts of Daniel 10 and 11 all carried the same truth. Daniel 12 tied it together, showing the end of the “power of the holy people” with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

From the partial preterist view of Daniel, these prophecies are not simply distant predictions waiting for fulfillment. Instead, they reveal how God’s plan unfolded in history through the rise and fall of empires, the coming of Christ, and the fall of the temple. Because of this, believers today can see that Christ’s reign has already begun, and His kingdom will never end.

For us, the lesson is both simple and powerful. Earthly kingdoms may rise and fall, but God’s sovereignty never changes. We can trust His promises because they always come to pass.

This overview is only the beginning. Each vision deserves careful study, and deeper lessons await in the following chapters. As you explore further, may your faith be strengthened in Christ’s unshakable kingdom.