Christ, in the book of Daniel

The portrayal of Christ in the Book of Daniel, found in the Old Testament, is rich with symbolism and prophetic imagery that foreshadows the coming of the Messiah. Although Daniel does not explicitly name Jesus Christ, several passages are interpreted by Christians as prefiguring His life and mission.

One of the most significant references is found in Daniel 7:13-14. Here, Daniel describes a vision of "one like a Son of Man" coming with the clouds of heaven, who approaches the Ancient of Days (a title for God) and is given authority, glory, and sovereign power. All peoples, nations, and languages worship Him, and His dominion is everlasting. This figure is widely interpreted as a messianic prophecy, with Jesus often referring to Himself as the "Son of Man" in the New Testament, underscoring His divine authority and eternal kingdom.

Another key passage is in Daniel 9:24-27, known as the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks. This prophecy outlines a timeline for the coming of an "Anointed One" (Messiah) who will be cut off and will bring an end to sin, atone for iniquity, and usher in everlasting righteousness. Christians believe this prophecy points to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, highlighting His redemptive work and the establishment of a new covenant.

Daniel 3 also contains a narrative that some Christian interpreters see as a typology of Christ. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, a fourth figure, described as looking "like a son of the gods," appears with them in the flames, protecting them from harm. Many Christians view this fourth figure as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, known as a Christophany, symbolizing His presence and deliverance in times of persecution and trial.

In Daniel 12, the prophecy of the resurrection is seen. Daniel speaks of a time of unprecedented distress, followed by the deliverance of those whose names are written in the book. Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. This reference to resurrection and judgment is seen as an allusion to the final resurrection at the end of times, a core belief in Christian eschatology, which is fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection and His role as the judge of the living and the dead.

Furthermore, the themes of divine sovereignty and ultimate triumph over evil that permeate the Book of Daniel resonate with the Christian understanding of Christ's role in salvation history. Christ's victory over sin and death is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of the visions of triumph and restoration that Daniel experiences.

In summary, the portrayal of Christ in the Book of Daniel is largely seen through prophetic visions and typological narratives that foretell the coming of the Messiah, His suffering, His eternal kingdom, and His role in the final resurrection and judgment. These elements combine to provide a profound and multifaceted foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s mission and identity as understood in Christian theology.