Kingdoms will come and go. Empires will rise and fall. But God is sovereign over all. In the end, there is nothing that can stop the Kingdom of God from crushing and dominating all earthly kingdoms. And that is good news for God’s people in exile - both in Daniel’s day, and today.

In this episode of How to Study the Bible, Nicole Unice dives into the visually stunning and deeply theological chapter of Daniel 7, where Daniel’s dream of the four beasts reveals the rise and fall of earthly empires—and the unshakable rule of the Ancient of Days. Nicole explains how this vision parallels Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in Daniel 2 and points ahead to Jesus as the Son of Man, whose eternal kingdom will never be destroyed.

Listeners will learn how to approach prophetic literature, understand historical context, and anchor their faith in the sovereignty of God—even when the world feels chaotic. Nicole also highlights what it means to live faithfully “in exile,” seeking the good of our communities while keeping hope fixed on Christ’s everlasting reign.

Main Takeaways / Learning Points

• God’s sovereignty is the story behind every story. Empires rise and fall, but God’s kingdom endures forever.

• Prophetic visions are meant to encourage, not confuse. Daniel’s dream reassured exiles that God was still on the throne.

• Be faithful in exile. Like Daniel’s people, Christians today live as “foreigners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11), called to pray for and bless their cities (Jeremiah 29).

• Jesus is the Son of Man. The vision in Daniel 7:13–14 directly foreshadows Christ’s eternal authority and glory.

• Hope wins. However dark the times or powerful the empires, evil does not get the last word—God’s justice and peace prevail.

Next Steps:

• Get the free Daniel Study Guide: Daily 15-minute readings, reflection prompts, and prayer to help you engage Scripture all week. (Find it at NicoleUnice.com/daniel.)
• Subscribe & Review: If this helped you, follow the show and leave a quick review so others can find the podcast.
• Share the episode with a friend or small group studying Daniel.
• Study Bible Recommendation: Use trusted commentaries and study notes to help unpack prophetic imagery (Daniel 7 parallels Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4–5).
• Watch the bonus segment on YouTube ("What Is Dispensationalism?"): Join the conversation and get the extra content! https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Daniel didn’t have to stop praying to God—he could have just hidden. But he didn’t. He kept doing exactly what he’d been doing before. Long obedience in the same direction built his courage. This week, Nicole walks us through Daniel 6 and the famous lion’s den—showing how Daniel’s unchanging prayer rhythm collided with a world of schemes, pride, and fragile power. You’ll see how a faithful life can bless even imperfect leaders, why Daniel kept his practices public instead of hidden, and how this chapter foreshadows the death and resurrection of Jesus (John 19). Nicole closes by inviting you to build a simple Daniel-style prayer habit and to root your courage in the hope that anchors the soul.

What We Cover:

• Faithfulness outlasts schemes. Daniel’s integrity and consistency (not clever arguments) exposed the emptiness of power games.

• Habits form holy courage. Daniel didn’t adjust his prayer life “for 30 days.” Long obedience prepared him for a sudden test.

• Bless your leaders by your life. Like Joseph, the presence of a righteous person improves the whole house—Daniel made everyone around him better.

• Empire is fragile; God’s Kingdom is not. Darius is swayed by ego and pressure, but God’s purposes stand—and He rescues.

• Christ's Death and Resurrection in Daniel 6. The innocent condemned, the sealed place of death, the powerless ruler, and the deliverance by God all foreshadow Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 19).

• Your trials matter to God. Whether your “lion’s den” is public or painfully ordinary, Jesus has gone before you—and hope anchors your soul.

Next Steps:

• Get the free Daniel Study Guide: Daily 15-minute readings, reflection prompts, and prayer to help you engage Scripture all week. (Find it at NicoleUnice.com/daniel.)
• Subscribe & Review: If this helped you, follow the show and leave a quick review so others can find the podcast.
• Share the episode with a friend or small group studying Daniel.
• Watch the bonus segment on YouTube ("How to Start a Prayer Habit Modeled After Daniel's Life"): Join the conversation and get the extra content! https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this week's Bible study on Daniel 5, Nicole unpacks the famous scene of the writing on the wall and shows how it exposes the danger of pride, the fragility of earthly empires, and the steady faithfulness God calls us to in “upside-down” cultures. You’ll see how Daniel models faithful service over time, refuses worldly rewards, and operates with wisdom from above—a pattern modern disciples can emulate at work, at home, and in leadership. Nicole also highlights historical notes that parallel Scripture and offers a simple four-question framework (“ALIVE Method”) to help you study any passage with clarity and confidence.

What We Cover This Week in Daniel 5 -

• Understand “the writing on the wall.” Discover what Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin means and how it reveals God’s verdict on pride and misuse of power.

• Spot the difference between words and fruit. Learn why religious language isn’t the measure of faith—fruit over time is (character > charisma).

• Live unshaken in a shaking world. Daniel shows how to serve faithfully across regimes without compromising devotion to God.

• Choose the right reward system. Earthly power and gifts are temporary; Kingdom reward frees you to tell the truth with courage.

• Practice wisdom from above. James 3 says that wisdom looks like purity, peace, consideration, mercy, and sincerity—use it as your checklist for influence.

• Study the Bible with confidence. Use Nicole’s ALIVE Method each week: What does it say? What’s the backstory? What does it mean? What does it mean for me?

Recommended Resources and Next Steps -

• Get the free Daniel Study Guide: Daily 15-minute readings, reflection prompts, and prayer to help you engage Scripture all week. (Find it at NicoleUnice.com/daniel.)

• Subscribe & Review: If this helped you, follow the show and leave a quick review so others can find the podcast.

• Share the episode with a friend or small group studying Daniel.

Watch the bonus segment on YouTube ("4 Rules for Life That Jesus Gives Us"): Join the conversation and get the extra content! https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.