The Bible Really Is God's Inspired Word

Attacks From "Friends"

Do not be put off  by the fact that even some who describe themselves as "friends" of the Bible attack its authenticity and reliability.  Today, most Bible commentators, although claiming to be Christian, "will only speak of Scripture as a human record,"  says the New Dictionary of Theology.

Many theologians challenge the authorship of the books of the Bible.  Some say, for example, that the prophet Isaiah did not write the book of Isaiah.  This  Bible book, they say, was written long after Isaiah's time.  The Concise Bible Commentary, by Lowther Clarke, contends that it is "the product of many minds and many generations."  But such assertions ignore that Jesus Christ and his disciples repeatedly credit Isaiah with writing this book. -Matthew 3:3; 15:7; Luke 4:17; John 12:38-41; Romans 9:27, 29.

Even worse, critics of the Bible, such as commentator J.R. Dummelow, says that the prophecies found in the book of Daniel "are really past history thrown by the author into the guise of ancient prediction."  Once again,  in saying so, they ignore the testimony of Jesus Christ himself.  Jesus warned of what he called "the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place."  (Matthew 24:15) Is it reasonable for a Christian to believe that Jesus Christ himself would have been party to deception-that he would have supported history disguised as prophecy?   Surely not.

Next time: Does It Make Any Difference?

Watchtower, 2010

Jehovah's Word Is Alive-Highlights From the Book of Daniel

What Do Daniel's Visions Reveal?
               (Daniel 7:1-12:13)

When Daniel receives his first dream vision in 553 B.C.E., he is in his 70's.  Daniel beholds four huge beasts that portray a succession of world powers from his day to ours.  In a vision of a scene in heaven, he sees "someone like a son of man" given "indefinitely lasting rulership."  (Daniel 7:13, 14) Two  years later, Daniel has a vision that involves Medo-Persia, Greece, and an entity that becomes "a king fierce in countenance." -Daniel 8:23.

The year is now 539 B.C.E. Babylon has fallen, and Darius the Mede has become ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans.  Daniel prays to Jehovah  about the restoration of his homeland.  While he is still praying, Jehovah sends the angel Gabriel to make Daniel  "have insight with understanding" about the coming of the Messiah.  (Daniel 9:20-25) Time moves  on to 536/535 B.C.E. A remnant has returned to Jerusalem.  But there is opposition to the temple-building work.  This becomes a source of anxiety to Daniel.  He makes it a matter of prayer, and Jehovah sends an angel of high rank to Daniel.  After Strengthening and encouraging Daniel, the angel relates the prophecy that outlines a struggle for supremacy between the king of the north and the king of the south.  The conflict between the two kings stretches from the time when the kingdom of Alexander the Great is divided among his four generals to the time when the Great Prince, Michael, "will stand  up." -Daniel 12:1.

Next time: Jehovah 'Blesses Those Fearing Him'

Watchtower, 2007

Jehovah's Word Is Alive-Highlights From the Book of Daniel

"THE book of Daniel is one of the most intriguing works in the Bible," states the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.  "Timeless truths fill its pages."  Daniel's account beings in 618 B.C.E. when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon comes to Jerusalem and lays siege to the city, and he takes  "some of the sons of Israel" into captivity in Babylon.  (Daniel 1:1-3)  Among them is a  young Daniel, probably only in his teens.  The book concludes with Daniel still in Babylon.  Now almost 100 years old, Daniel receives God's promise:  "You will rest, but  you will stand up for  your lot at the end of the days." -Daniel 12:13.

While the first part of the book of Daniel is presented chronologically in the third person.  Penned  by Daniel, the book contains prophecies regarding the rise and fall of world powers, the time of the Messiah's arrival, and events that take place in our day.    The aged prophet also looks back on his life and narrates episodes that encourage us to be godly men and women of integrity.  (Too bad there is little of that  in today's world)  The message of Daniel is alive and exerts power. -Hebrews 4:12.

Next time: WHAT DOES THE  CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT TEACH US?
                         (Daniel 1:1-6:28)

Watchtower, 2007