1. Two weeks ago, we quickly looked at the description of the beast that John sees in Revelation 13 and he described it as a composite of the first three beasts, the body of a leopard, the feet or paws of a bear, and the head and mouth of a lion. In other words, this persecution of the saints will not go on unchecked but will be defined to a definite period of time. The beasts are a horrifying and frightening sight; the heavenly court scene is one of regal splendor and beauty. Considering this text has changed my opinion about the gap in the prophecies of the Old Testament. The dream vortex dies with her, and Rose awakens with her brother, Jed, sleeping next to her. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). (1) Daniel 7 is the last chapter written in Aramaic in the Book of Daniel. 11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. So King Nebuchadnezzar honored God's men. The angel that Daniel was talking with gave Daniel greater detail concerning the fourth beast; he described this fourth beast as a fourth kingdom coming from the earth, it will be different from all the rest, this kingdom will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. Should we be troubled as well? His declaration, which resulted from the deliverance of the three Hebrews, made it unlawful to hinder the worship of the Jews; his decree recorded at the end of chapter 4 went much further. The Ancient of Days is a designation for God, not found elsewhere in the Bible. Wherever I see the Scriptures speak of the coming kingdom of God, I find suffering closely associated with it. The toasting of the gods of the Babylonians with the sacred temple vessels, recorded in chapter 5, may have been Belshazzars final act of blasphemy. Unfortunately, the king did not heed the dreams warning, and his kingdom was taken away for a time. In my opinion, the most dramatic reference of our Lord to His identity as the Son of Man comes as the Lord Jesus stands on trial before the Sanhedrin and the high priest: 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; 60 and they did not find it, even though many false witnesses came forward. The horn continues to sound off while the court is being set up for judgment. God stirred up the sea, and from its foaming, raging waters came forth four horrifying beasts. ), Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation, Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular, Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon, Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular, Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular, Preposition | third person masculine singular, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate, Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate. At the outset of the account of his vision, Daniel wants his reader to know the historical context in which this prophecy was given and to consider its interpretation and application in the light of that context. This description certainly fits the account of Nebuchadnezzars plunge from power and sanity in chapter 4. In the second year: It is difficult to understand the exact time this speaks of. Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. In His response to the demand of the high priest, Jesus directly claimed to be the promised Messiah. (3) These prophecies must be understood in light of their historical background as provided in Daniel, in the inspired revelation provided by other portions of Scripture, and the cautious use of supplementary information by reliable historical documents or study. Daniel still dreaming said he approached one of those standing there. What it does not destroy or consume with its teeth, it crushes under foot, much like a bull in a china shop. Chapter 7 reveals in broad terms what the future holds. Verses 1-14 contain the vision which God gave to Daniel. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 74 The personal cost of receiving divine revelation is never underestimated in the Old Testament (cf. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, This man stated, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. 62 And the high priest stood up and said to Him, Do You make no answer? This horn Daniel says was also waging war against the saints and overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One. The lesson was prepared for older students. Rose withdraws the power from her chest, which takes the form of a ruby heart that then cracks as Unity dies peacefully in her sleep. Thus, the vision is yet unfulfilled in terms of its major emphasis. The next portion of the statue in Daniel 2 was the chest and arms of silver which represented the Medo-Persian Empire which was even larger than the Babylonian empire. 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. But I want you to notice Daniels reaction to the dream that he had. Old Babylonian Omen Text (VAT 7525) In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. Would Belshazzar toast the gods of gold, silver, wood and stone with the sacred temple vessels? Subsequent revelations in the Book of Daniel which Daniel received were closely associated with some kind of agony or distress (see 8:17, 27; 9:20-21; 10:2-3, 7-10, 17; 12:8). When the sin and oppression of evil men reaches a predetermined point, God will remove them and establish His promised eternal kingdom. The latter prophecy of Daniel 7 adds many more details than were revealed in chapter 2. The prophecy of Daniel 11 includes amazing details about great empires, political developments and end-time powers that would affect the Jews and all people today. In those days, as in our own, there are always those are too quick to conclude that the kingdom of God has come (see Matthew 24:4, 6, 8, 24-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:1ff.). When the court sits for judgment, his dominion is taken from him and he is destroyed forever. We are not told precisely what it is that troubles Daniel. Lion - Babylon. In spite of these kings, the saints of the Highest One will possess the eternal kingdom forever and ever. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. Da Dn). The final push of the times of the Gentiles will last for 3 years, then the end will come, the end of the times of the Gentiles., THE JUDGMENT AND THE FIFTH KINGDOM (Daniel 7:26-27). The righteous will suffer. (See Daniel 2:24, Note. He will abolish all the religious holidays and seek to abolish Gods law in an attempt to destroy the Jewish people. The head of the statue was made of gold, the chest and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze, and the legs and feet of iron and clay. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: (3) This chapter contains the major segment of Daniel, which is primarily prophetic, although it does not contain the first prophecy in the Book of Daniel. Introduction to Daniel 11 God grants this king success and his saints suffering, but only for an appointed time. Editing is often evident in the Bible (see John 20:30-31; 31:25). We will deal with the meaning and application of Daniels vision later on in our questions and answers. 77 According to Baldwin, This verse [13] has been the subject of more scholarly papers than any other in the book, so indicating its centrality, not only for Daniel but for the New Testament also. Baldwin, p. 142. In the euphoria of this grand event, someone might well conclude the kingdom of God was to be established within the lifetime of those returning to Israel. Daniel described the beast as having iron teeth and that it devours, crushes, and tramples under its feet all that stands in its way. Did Daniel interpret dreams? It is significant for us to note Daniels reaction to this revelation from God. The nation of Israel has been set aside by divine discipline in the present times of the Gentiles, which began with Nebuchadnezzar. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. 2 Peter 3:8-9, But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. Students will learn that they can trust God in difficult times because in the end God wins the battle over the enemy of this world Satan. With the death of Nebuchadnezzar comes a change in the peoples attitudes, especially their leaders toward Judaism. Belshazzar came to power several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar and seems to have turned completely away from the God of Israel. The emphasis is positive. Je. At this point the revelation ended. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. His mind was troubled. The beasts emerge out of chaos and confusion; the heavenly court is calm and dignified. In chapter 5, King Belshazzars dream should have greatly alarmed him, but apparantly it did not. In the latter days, an unusually powerful and evil king will arise, who will blaspheme God and oppress the people of God. Verses 15-28 contain the divine interpretation of this vision. The message of this prophecy is really quite simple and may be summed up this way. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him." These saints are the believing Jews of the tribulation, not the believers of the Church Age. Then the kingdoms of the earth, the sovereignty, the dominion, the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heavens, in other words, the whole world will be given to the saints of the Highest One and the Highest One, Jesus Christ, will rule and it will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. We do not walk by sight, but by faith. The vision comes to Daniel in Belshazzars first year.78 A subsequent and related vision comes to him in this kings third year (see 8:1). What God declares in prophecy, He reveals as well in history. Alexandra was also intrigued by the profession Spencer was in, which made her want to spend more time with him. 13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. This kings boasting turns to blasphemy. We do not act on what we see so much as on what God has said. When Jesus came, He embraced this expression as a designation for Himself, giving the term meaning vastly beyond that previously held by any Jew. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. Second, the prophecies of Daniel are to be understood in the light of the entire Book of Daniel, of the Old Testament, and of the Bible as a whole. What is it that these men are testifying against You? 63 But Jesus kept silent. This chapter is a history, but it is the history of a prophecy, by a dream and the interpretation . 3 While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. The First Vision is a dream of the king that is interpreted by Daniel. Alexandra, the daughter of a rich British aristocrat, caught his attention. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time. This part of Daniels dream is new information that was not conveyed in Nebuchadnezzars dream in chapter two. This beast is also unique among the four in that he grows 11 horns. The vision recorded in chapter 8 took place in the third year of Belshazzar. We have talked about several times since starting this series about how studying Bible prophecy should influence you. Daniel approached one of theses angels and began to ask him to explain to him the meaning or the truth concerning all that he had seen in his visions. Here is a man that has faithfully walked with his God his whole life. He had lived through the overthrow of his people, his nation, and his hometown by a foreign power, he had been torn from his family and carried off into captivity. He will also send forth His angels to gather those who do not belong in His kingdom (12:41). We know that Jesus came the first time to die and that He will come again to subdue His enemies and establish His kingdom. So it was for our Lord (1 Peter 1:10-12), and so it will be for us. As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. The saints should also expect the wicked to prosper, for a season. So they came and stood before the king. (4) Suffering is to be expected by the saints, before they enter into the glorious kingdom of God. The death of this king brings about the end of his kingdom. His final offspring, so to speak, is the little horn which becomes the great blasphemer, whose life and kingdom is suddenly cut off by the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. The ten horns, Daniel is told, represent ten kings who will emerge out of the fourth kingdom. When He came with His kingdom, they would be sure to recognize Him (24:27). I encourage you to compare the statements of Daniel 2:21-22, 44, 47; 4:3, 34-35, 37; 6:26 with the content and declarations of Daniel 7. The inter-relationship between the prophecies of chapters 2 and 7 is demonstrated on the following page: Deterioration: Gold to iron mixed with clay, Deterioration: Nearly human to blaspheming beast. When that happens, Daniel goes for option #2 of those listed above: he asks one of the people in his dream to interpret what is happening for him ( Da 7:15-16 ). Lets pray and ask God to teach us and guide us as we look at His prophetic word. 27 Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. The winged lion was a symbol of Babylon, in any history museum that has a Babylonian section you will find artifacts of a winged lion. It should give you a caring heart toward the unsaved as you seek to win them to the Lord. Daniel himself had many dreams and visions, mostly related to future kingdoms of the world and the . The subject of the vision in chapter 2 seems to be taken up again in chapter 7. Daniel 7 indicates in the clearest way that prior to the coming of the kingdom of God the saints will suffer at the hand of the final horn and even be overpowered by him. Daniel finds nothing to compare to it. 1 John 3:1-3 says, See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. Child-bearing is a process which involves suffering and glory. Daniel 2:26-49 This scene in Daniel is also similar to a prophecy recorded in the Book of Revelation: 4 and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?. It is explained in a way that children can understand, describing his feeling as butterfly's in his tummy.Daniel's Dream takes you on an uplifting adventure with wonderfully expressivedescriptions of the characters, perfectly capturing bodylanguage and . (7) Prophecy is revealed, not to give us the particulars of things to come, but to change our perspective. Prophecy provides men the opportunity to think and act in a way which pleases God, who determines the future and who reveals future events to men. But in the end, God will judge the wicked and establish His kingdom for His saints. Having related the dream, Daniel then interprets it: it concerns four successive kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, which will be replaced by the everlasting kingdom of the God of heaven. King Nebuchadnezzar died apparently nine years before Belshazzar came to power. 25 And he will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Editing allows an author to set aside details which are not significant and focus on the essence of the message he is trying to communicate. Consider the birth of a child, remembering that Gods deliverance and salvation is likened to birth. Until Gods eternal kingdom is established, kingdoms will progress from bad to worse. Looking about with its numerous eyes, no one can escape his look or hide from him.80 With its mouth, the beast continues to speak boastfully. We have already seen this phrase time, times, and half a time in Revelation. Verse 2. Chapter 7 moves from the historical accounts of Daniel and his three friends to the prophetic revelations received by Daniel in the last half of the Book.76 The following chart may help us visualize the relationship of Daniels prophecies to the historical setting in which they were revealed: The first prophetic revelation is found in Daniel 2. Prophecy is not revealed in a historical vacuum. Old Testament Jews would likely regard the reference to the Son of Man in Daniel 7 as a reference to the Messiah, although they would probably not understand Him to be both divine and human. 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. 12 and he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. 10 If any one is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if any one kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Centuries must therefore pass before the prophecies of Daniel are fulfilled. In order to save Rose, Unity asks her to give up whatever makes her the dream vortex. Four kings will establish four kingdoms, and some of these kingdoms have a number of kings. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him? 5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. Suffering and glory are a part of one work. The prophecy of Daniel 7 nevertheless had great relevance and application to those in Daniels day. Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream by Larry Murray King Nebuchadnezzar had a puzzling dream that no one could explainuntil God gave the interpretation to Daniel. When the iniquity of the blasphemous horn reaches full bloom and his appointed time to rule is fulfilled, God will destroy him, casting his body into the fire. It seems safe to assume the interpreter was an angelic being; at least this is the case in chapter 8 (8:15-26). Daniels vision ends here, but its impact on him does not end. But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come. (Daniel 7:1718, NASB95)[2] The four beasts that Daniel saw in his dream were four kings and represented the four kingdoms of these kings. Because of his wisdom, and the favour of God, Daniel rose to a position within the Babylonian government. Before the kingdom of God is established on the earth, four earthly kingdoms will rise and fall. It may seem to them that their defeat is certain and that their hopes of entering into the eternal kingdom are lost. God has revealed in this interpretation what He wants us to know and has kept back that which we need not know. (2) Why do you think Daniel summarized his dream when he wrote it rather than tell it in full (see verse 1)? The beasts are hardly worthy of prose, but the court of heaven deserves a description of the finest words. 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