There is an enormous amount of detail in what follows, all of it perfectly fulfilled. What took place in subsequent years unmistakably fulfilled the very great level of detail given to Daniel in this vision, so that even enemies of the truth are forced to acknowledge it.
The future is revealed for the sake of God’s people. It is revealed to assure them that through all the turmoil that follows, God’s plan is still on track, and therefore they must bear patiently with what happens, knowing that it will certainly come to pass just as it has been revealed. They cannot pray that it will be otherwise, but they can pray that they will be faithful and that God will sustain them through it all. They will need this encouragement through the long period of silence when no prophets were sent to Israel until the coming of John the Baptist. The events that are mentioned in this chapter are the highlights. They are not a complete unfolding of the future detailing every ruler and every significant event – many kings are passed over, and a large period of time is covered in a relatively small number of verses. Nevertheless, the detail is astounding, and what was foretold was enough for the people of God to know that the whole was known to God.