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PREFACE
The book of Daniel has suffered much at the hands of overzealous interpreters seeking to chart the course of future events from its pages. My critique of Christianity's most popular scenario of endtime events will help curb this speculation by examining the theory underlying such schemes -- a futuristic dispensational interpretation of Daniel's five apocalyptic visions. My goal is to free the book of Daniel from the dogmatic clutches of the prophecy mongers and their elaborate end-of-the-world scenarios.
Authors of books on biblical prophecy typically rebuke peers who attempt to identify Antichrist, or predict dates for the end of the world. Ironically, these same writers go on to claim that today's newspaper headlines are fulfilling biblical prophecy in our day. Unfortunately, scholars have neglected giving serious consideration to endtime theories. Therefore lay persons intrigued by biblical prophecy have been left to the clutches of endtime speculators who continually hark the cries of doom.
Therefore a book such as mine, which closes the gap between prophetic speculation and responsible scholarship, is long overdue. I have analyzed the predominate endtime scenario and discovered the roots of its underlying theory reaching deep into the book of Daniel. There are five apocalyptic visions in Daniel that futuristic interpreters appeal to as blueprints of world history and a future tribulation period. It is a through examination of these visions which comprises Beasts, Horns, and the Antichrist.
My approach to the exposition of Daniel's visions is built upon a basis of agreement between futuristic interpreters and biblical scholars. I then emphasize the remarkable correspondence between all of Daniel's visions within the book's historical and literary contexts, concluding that the book of Daniel does not prophesy endtime events.
Since this work deals primarily with Daniel's five apocalyptic visions, I recommend readers use a responsible commentary on Daniel as a companion; to explore those areas not directly related to the present study. Those commentaries by Jeffery, Owens, or Hartman and Di Lella listed in the bibliography will serve the reader well. The commentary by Farrar is also excellent and answers many questions concerning the dating of Daniel. For the more advanced reader, the monumental works of Driver and Montgomery are established standards. As concerns the controversy over Darius the Mede, or the four world empires, Rowley's work is unsurpassed.
I am greatly indebted to the works of the aforementioned scholars and others not mentioned, but listed in the bibliography. While I have consulted many sources, the works of Rowley, Driver, and Farrar have been most helpful. The futuristic point of view is represented primarily by John F. Walvoord, a highly recognized and respected conservative scholar. The work of Robert Culver is also consulted along with various dispensational writers on biblical prophecy.
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