Yes — the book of Daniel is a legitimate book of prophecy because Jesus Christ Himself identified Daniel as a prophet in Matthew 24:15.
Scoffers and liberals have attacked Daniel more than almost any other book, claiming it was written by an impostor after the events. But during His earthly ministry, Jesus said the abomination of desolation was 'spoken of by Daniel the prophet.' Since Jesus is the Eternal Creator, Sovereign, Almighty, and author of Scripture, His stamp of approval settles the matter.
Matthew 24:15 — Jesus directly calls Daniel 'the prophet,' placing His divine stamp of approval on the book of Daniel as genuine prophecy.
The Bible records Jesus Christ Himself identifying Daniel as a prophet. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus says, 'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:).' By using these words, the Lord was speaking of Daniel's prophecies as authoritative and yet to be fulfilled. The book of Daniel itself records visions and prophecies given to Daniel, including the great image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream with its head of gold and breast of silver, and the vision in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign.
Les Feldick teaches that the best evidence Daniel is a legitimate book of prophecy is Matthew 24:15, where Jesus Himself says the abomination of desolation was 'spoken of by Daniel the prophet.' Les notes that Daniel has probably been under more attack by scoffers and liberals than any other book except Genesis, with critics claiming it was written by an impostor long after the events. He answers this by pointing to Jesus' words: if Jesus is the Eternal Creator, Sovereign, Almighty, and author of Scripture, then His statement that Daniel is a prophet settles the matter. Les also teaches that Daniel, written around 607–606 BC, unveils all the Gentile empires coming down through history, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's dream. He places Daniel alongside Ezekiel and Revelation as the three books of prophecy written by Jewish men outside the land of Israel, all using symbolism with literal truth.
Les Feldick explains that the scoffers like to ridicule the book of Daniel and claim it was written by an impostor long after the events had happened, rather than by Daniel as a young Jewish captive in Babylon writing before they occurred. He recalls someone in class asking for proof that the skeptics are wrong, and says one verse immediately came to mind: Matthew 24. This attack makes Daniel one of the most criticized books of the Bible, second only to Genesis.
In Matthew 24:15, the Lord Jesus, during His earthly ministry, says, 'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.' Les argues that if Jesus is what we know He is — the Eternal Creator, Sovereign, Almighty, author of the book — and He says Daniel is a prophet, then that settles it. What more proof of the validity of Scripture could there be than Jesus speaking of it Himself? Just as Jesus confirmed Jonah by referring to his three days and nights in the fish, He confirms Daniel as a prophet.
Les teaches that Daniel is a book of prophecy dealing almost entirely with events that would happen to the Gentile world. Written around 607–606 BC, Daniel reveals the succession of Gentile empires coming down through history, beginning with the great image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream — the head of gold and chest of silver. In Daniel 8, Les shows how accurate prophecy has been, as the vision of the ram and he-goat was already fulfilled with the rise of the Medo-Persian empire.
Daniel's Place Among Prophetic Books
Les places Daniel alongside Ezekiel and Revelation as the three books of prophecy written by Jewish men outside the land of Israel, introducing Daniel's great image of the Gentile empires.
The Best Evidence: Matthew 24:15
Les says the best proof that Daniel is legitimate prophecy is Jesus' own words in Matthew 24:15 calling Daniel 'the prophet' — if Jesus is the eternal Creator and author of Scripture, that settles it.
Jesus' Stamp of Approval
Les explains that in Matthew 24:15 Jesus puts His stamp of approval upon Daniel, a book attacked more than any other except Genesis.
No Room for Conjecture
Since Jesus approved Daniel as prophecy, there is no need to conjecture about its genuineness; Daniel was written around 607–606 BC and reveals the Gentile empires of history.
Jesus' Own Words as Proof
Les asks what more proof is needed than Jesus speaking of 'Daniel the prophet' Himself, just as Jesus gave proof of Jonah by referencing his three days in the fish.
Answering the Scoffers
Les recounts that when asked to prove the scoffers wrong about Daniel being an impostor's writing, the immediate verse that came to mind was Matthew 24:15.
The Abomination of Desolation Confirmed
Jesus quotes the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, confirming Daniel's prophecy that the Antichrist will set himself up as God in the temple.
Daniel's Fulfilled Prophecy
Les notes that Daniel is a book of prophecy dealing with the Gentile world, and Daniel 8 shows how accurate prophecy has already been fulfilled in history.
Matthew 24:15: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Jesus Himself identifies Daniel as a prophet, placing His stamp of approval on the book of Daniel as legitimate prophecy.
Daniel 2:32: This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
The great image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream is the beginning of Daniel's revelation of Gentile empires coming down through history.
Daniel 8:1: In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.
Daniel records receiving a vision in Shushan, showing the accuracy of prophecy that has already been fulfilled.
Critics and liberals claim the book of Daniel was written by an impostor long after the events it describes, not by Daniel as a young Jewish captive in Babylon. Les Feldick says Daniel has probably been under more attack than any other book except Genesis. The answer is Jesus' own words in Matthew 24:15, where He calls Daniel 'the prophet.'
Jesus says, 'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place.' Les connects this to Daniel's prophecy that the Antichrist will turn on Israel and set himself up as God in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period.
Yes. Les places the writing of Daniel around 607–606 BC from captivity in Babylon. Scoffers claim it was written after the events, but Jesus' reference to 'Daniel the prophet' in Matthew 24:15 settles the matter.
Watch the Teaching: Daniel's Dream, the Antichrist & the Mark of the Beast