what is the main message of the book of daniel?

The concept of kingdom is the foundational theme of Daniel and the kingdom motif ties the book together. In light of this it becomes clear that the book of Daniel was compiled in order to teach the Jews living in Daniel’s day, as well as us today, what it means to live life knowing that only God’s Kingdom will ultimately prevail. There is no realm that exists outside of God’s domain. Yet even he is called God’s servant (Jeremiah 27:6). Nebuchadnezzar himself is later referred to as the golden head in comparison to other kingdoms of lesser glory (which shows his kingdom is the most impressive of the four kingdoms mentioned). In Daniel 1:2 we read it was the Lord who gave Jehoiakim into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. In the book of Daniel we see that it is God alone who brings up kingdoms and who tears them down. The book of Daniel was written to illuminate this reality and to record stunning examples of apparently irresistible empires crumbling while God’s Kingdom endures.

However, every kingdom except the Kingdom of God shall be toppled, and every king will cast his crown before the throne of God (Rev 4:10). Likewise, other kingdoms have since popped up that are forces to be reckoned with. Other kingdoms have arisen that seemed unstoppable in their power and might but inevitably they have fallen. The purpose of Daniel is to show that only the Kingdom of God is eternal.

What is the main message of the book of daniel?