Yes, the book of Daniel is a legitimate book of prophecy because Jesus Himself called Daniel a prophet in Matthew 24:15.
In Matthew 24:15, Jesus refers to "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet." Les Feldick teaches that Jesus' own words put His stamp of approval on Daniel as a genuine book of prophecy. Since Jesus is the Eternal Creator, Sovereign, Almighty, and author of the book, His designation settles the matter for believers.
Matthew 24:15 — Jesus directly calls Daniel "the prophet," giving the book of Daniel divine approval and establishing its legitimacy as prophecy.
The Bible's own witness to Daniel's prophetic legitimacy is found in Matthew 24:15. During the Olivet Discourse, 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:)". This is not a mere human footnote about Daniel; it is Jesus Himself identifying Daniel as a prophet. The phrase "Daniel the prophet" is Christ's direct testimony, and it is the scriptural foundation for accepting Daniel as a true prophetic book.
Les Feldick explains that the book of Daniel has likely been attacked by scoffers and liberals more than any other Bible book except Genesis. Critic claim it was written by an impersonator long after the events, not by the young Jewish captive Daniel writing beforehand. Les's immediate and best answer is Matthew 24:15, where Jesus Himself says "Daniel the prophet." Les emphasizes that if Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Eternal Creator, Sovereign, Almighty, and author of the book—then His words settle the question. Jesus put His stamp of approval on Daniel, so believers do not need to wonder whether the book is real. Les also notes that Daniel, written around 607 or 606 B.C., is the prophetic book that unveils all the Gentile empires coming down through history.
Les Feldick says 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 this young Jew writing before they happened. He recalls someone in his class asking for proof that this criticism was wrong.
In Matthew 24:15, Jesus Himself says, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place." Les points out that these words give veracity to the book of Daniel and put Jesus' stamp of approval on Daniel as a prophet. If Jesus is the Eternal Creator, Sovereign, Almighty, and author of the Bible, then His designation of Daniel as a prophet settles the issue.
Les dates the book of Daniel to about 607 or 606 B.C., written from within the captivity. He teaches that Daniel, writing in advance, unleashed upon us all the Gentile empires coming down through history. This confirms that Daniel was writing prophecy before the events, not recording history after the fact.
Les Feldick groups Daniel with Ezekiel and Revelation as three books of prophecy written by Jewish men from outside the land of Israel. All three are unique in that they write in symbolism, yet the symbolism holds literal truth. Daniel's vision of the great image with the head of gold is one such symbolic prophecy that would be fulfilled through history.
Les notes that Daniel is a book of prophecy dealing almost entirely with events that would happen to the Gentile world. He points to Daniel 8, where the vision in Shushan, the capital of the Medo-Persian empire, shows how accurate prophecy has been and that it has already been fulfilled.
Daniel Among the Unique Prophetic Books
Les groups Daniel with Ezekiel and Revelation as prophetic books written outside Israel by Jewish men using symbolism.
Jesus' Direct Words About Daniel
Les points to Matthew 24:15 where Jesus Himself calls Daniel "the prophet," making Christ's approval the decisive evidence for Daniel's legitimacy.
Daniel Under Attack
Les explains that Daniel has been heavily attacked by skeptics, but Matthew 24:15 gives Jesus' stamp of approval upon Daniel.
What More Proof Can There Be?
Les argues that if Jesus spoke of Daniel as a prophet, no more proof of the book's validity is needed, just as Jesus validated Jonah.
Written Ahead of Time
Les dates the book around 607–606 B.C. and says Daniel prophesied all the Gentile empires that would later come through history.
The Abomination of Desolation
Les shows Jesus applying Daniel's prophecy to the future abomination of desolation, confirming Daniel wrote truthfully and prophetically.
Answering the Scoffers
Les tells how a class member challenged him about critics who claim Daniel was written by an impostor; his immediate answer was Jesus' statement in Matthew 24.
Prophecy Already Fulfilled
Les notes Daniel's prophecies to the Gentile world, showing in Daniel 8 how prophecy has already been accurately fulfilled.
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 directly calls Daniel "the prophet," establishing the book of Daniel as genuine prophecy.
The book of Daniel is legitimate because Jesus Himself called Daniel a prophet. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus says, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet." Les Feldick teaches that Jesus' own words put His stamp of approval on the book of Daniel, and because Jesus is who He claimed to be, that settles the matter.
Les Feldick says skeptics and liberals claim the book was written by an impostor long after the events happened, rather than by Daniel as a young Jewish captive writing beforehand. He directs them to Matthew 24:15, where Jesus Himself identifies Daniel as a prophet and thereby vindicates the book.
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