Book of Daniel - Christian Tradition

Christian Tradition

Similar to the traditional view in Judaism, conservative Christians view the Book of Daniel as written by the prophet Daniel, who they claim wrote the book around 536 BCE after having been in captivity for about 70 years. Conservative interpretations hold that Daniel predicted the empires of Babylonia and Persia to be succeeded by the Greeks under Alexander the Great. Daniel also foresees the Greek Empire being divided among the four generals upon the death of Alexander. Daniel then predicts that the Jewish people would suffer great persecution under an official who would come to power after Alexander’s death. Many interpreters identify this ruler as Antiochus Epiphanes, the Greek ruler of Syria. In history, Antiochus persecuted the Jews unmercifully from 176-164 BCE, which led to the Maccabean revolt of 167 BCE.

In the Book of Matthew 24:15, of the New Testament, Jesus references Daniel, "When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)". In the Hebrew portion of Daniel chapters 8-12, Daniel speaks of this abomination of desolation in the last two chapters.