How do we know God’s dominion shall endure until the end (Daniel 6:26)?

Response

Daniel 6:26 is part of one of the most well-known Bible stories, commonly known as Daniel and the Lions’ Den. Daniel, a prophet of God, served throughout the Babylonian Captivity period (approximately 605—535 BC). During this era, God’s people were in captivity under the rule of Babylon and later Persia. Towards the end of the captivity under King Darius of Persia, the king issued a decree proclaiming, in part, “He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end” «I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. », (Daniel 6:26, NKJV).

Earlier in Daniel 6, the Persian king decreed that for 30 days, anyone who prayed to any god or man other than Darius would face punishment in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:7-9). The lions’ den likely consisted of a cave-like enclosure housing lions intentionally kept hungry for execution purposes. The decree mandated “death by lion” for those who worshipped or prayed to anyone other than the Persian king.

Remaining faithful to God, Daniel persisted in prayer and communion despite his enemies informing King Darius about Daniel’s actions. Daniel’s adversaries accused him harshly, stating: “That Jew named Daniel, who was brought here as a captive, refuses to obey you or the law that you ordered to be written” «Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of th

The children of the captivity of Judah, do not regard you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but make their petition three times a day.” (Daniel 6:13, CEV). The consequence was that Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den.

The next morning, when King Darius inquired about Daniel’s condition in the lions’ den, he discovered that Daniel was still alive. Darius acknowledged that God had rescued Daniel from the lions, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over creation. God is supreme and in control, even to the extent of preserving Daniel’s life in a perilous situation. Daniel would have surely been devoured if God had not intervened on his behalf.

As a result of this display of God’s power, Darius issued another decree mandating all the people residing in Persia to revere and worship the God of Daniel. Darius proclaims in Daniel 6:26 that God’s dominion will last forever. Here is the full decree:

“To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

I issue a decree that in every province of my kingdom, men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God,

And steadfast forever;

His kingdom is the one that will not be destroyed,

And His dominion will last forever.

He delivers and rescues,

And He performs signs and wonders

In heaven and on earth,

Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:25-27;NKJV).

Daniel 6:26 accurately records King Darius’s words. The question arises: was Darius truthful in his statement about God’s dominion enduring forever? When interpreting descriptive passages in the Bible, one must be cautious in applying the text correctly. For instance, during Jesus’ trial in Matthew 26, the priests who are accusing Jesus and tr.Trying to have Him crucified make the claim, “He has blasphemed!” «Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. », (Matthew 26:65). The fact that the statement was made is true, but the statement itself is false. Jesus did not blaspheme or wrongly claim deity, for Jesus is God. So, the transcription of the Pharisees’ statement is accurate, but the Pharisees were wrong in their statement.

So, was Darius correct in his statement that God’s dominion shall endure to the end? Can we trust that God’s dominion will endure, based on King Darius’s claim in Daniel 6:26? King Darius certainly wasn’t a theologian or a prophet, and while he seemingly took a liking to Daniel’s God after seeing His power, it would be a stretch to say he could speak on God’s behalf. However, Darius makes the claim based on the signs, miracles, and wonders of God «He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. », (Daniel 6:27). God utilizes signs, miracles, and wonders to establish authority throughout Scripture see Daniel 4:3,34 and Hebrews 2:4.

To judge Darius’s words, we compare them with what Scripture says elsewhere. When we do that, we see that Darius spoke the truth. We know with certainty that God’s dominion will be everlasting, based on other passages in which God or one of His emissaries is speaking. Christ’s “kingdom will never end” «and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. », (Luke 1:33). God’s kingdom will be a place of peace and fellowship with God “forever and ever” «And there shall be no night thHere; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever. », (Revelation 22:5). Of the Messiah, God says, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” «Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. », (Isaiah 9:7). And Daniel himself says, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” «And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. », (Daniel 7:14, BSB).