Daniel 9:25

The Messiah came and they knew Him not.

Daniel wrote his book with two purposes in mind. First, he wanted to assert that the God of Israel was sovereign, even over the powerful nations that surrounded His people. God’s chosen nation had been conquered and dispersed by a mighty empire that did not acknowledge God. What would happen now? Would Babylon’s yoke remain forever on Israel’s shoulders? Would God’s people never see their homeland again? Had God forgotten His promises? Daniel’s answer was that Babylon would fall to another empire, which in turn would fall to yet another great kingdom. History would continue in this pattern until God judged all Gentile nations and established His everlasting rule. Daniel’s message was obviously meant to uplift and encourage the weary hearts of the exiled Jews.

The Book of Daniel is a testimony to how God works out His purposes through His servants even in the courts of pagan rulers.

Daniel 9:25

²⁵   “Know therefore and understand,

That from the going forth of the command

To restore and build Jerusalem

Until Messiah the Prince,

There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;

The street shall be built again, and the wall,

Even in troublesome times.

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 

Luke 2:1

⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 

John 1:41

⁴ Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. 

Isaiah 55:4