Daniel was written to encourage the exiled Jews by revealing God’s program for them, both during and after the time of Gentile power in the world. Prominent above every other theme in the book is God’s sovereign control over the affairs of all rulers and nations, and their final replacement with the True King. The key verses are 2:20–22, 44 (see also, 2:28, 37; 4:34–35; 6:25–27). God had not suffered defeat in allowing Israel’s fall (chapter 1) but was providentially working His sure purposes toward