1. Battles among kings (2-19)

The word of God came to Daniel regarding the kings of the North and South. They fought to conquer and rule in this world, but none of their kingdoms lasted. They made alliances to become rich at the expense of the nations. The tragedy was that they would establish themselves in the Beautiful Land-the home of God's people-with power to destroy it.

2. An end will still come (20-27)

Each successive king would attempt to maintain the splendor and wealth of the world. They would do so with armed strength and intrigue, yet each one would fall to the next, having enemies within and without. Two of them would sit at the same table and lie to each other, but God is ruling. There is an appointed time by the God of truth. An end will come to the violence of the sinful world.