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Kingdoms Come Daniel’s 1st Prophetic Vision & Heavenly Visit

Dare to be Different Series – Part 7 Daniel 7:1-28 June 5-6, 2021

Introduction • What you are about to hear: Things are going to get really weird…Daniel is going to have supernatural visions. He will see God sitting in His throne room of Heaven. We have three options when we hear something like this. 1.) this guy is insane and just sees stuff; 2.) God was supernaturally revealing information; 3.) God was pulling back the curtain and letting Daniel see behind the scenes of what’s really going on. • I’m going to suggest it’s a hybrid of #2 and #3. I think that when God pulls back the curtain, He reveals it in such a way that Daniel can understand. • Oh, and God’s about to tell Daniel the future. How can that be? How can you know what hasn’t happened yet? Is God going to force it? Or has God already seen it? Is it future, present or past to God? There is a WORLD More REAL Than the One We See •

Daring to be Different Means…Looking at the World Through a Spiritual Lens • In Part 2 of this series, a month ago, back at the beginning of May, I laid out an argument that the supernatural is more real than the natural. I explained that since it all started with God, then where He is, is more real than where we are. Anything further away from God is less real. I want to take that argument a step further today and talk about what reality is: • Behind the world that we see is one more real, the one in which God lives and reigns. We believe that what we see is the most accurate and true form of life. But that cannot be true. If it is true then when we die we will become less real, but the Bible is clear that we are going to go from the less real to the more real. The very concept of eternal life is based on the concept that we are moving from this lesser form to a more real and powerful reality. • I don’t know where we started from. I don’t know where you and I were before we were born. Some religious views say that we were spirit babies in storage and God just pulled us down when it was time. It’s kind of a heavenly IVF storage facility. I’m not buying that. In my opinion we were merely in the mind of God and when He speaks, He makes manifest His thoughts and they become tangible and real. • I do know where we are headed – The Bible gives us a lot of indicators about where we are headed. It speaks of this world being a shadow of another real one. It speaks of only partly knowing now, but then seeing God face to face. It talks about mortality vs. immortality. It speaks of death to eternal life. It talks about loss to consistency.

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That world exists now – Just because we are waiting for it to come in our timeline doesn’t mean that it’s not operating concurrently. We all have a deep-down sense that our loved ones who passed are in that reality. But we also need to know that way before any of us existed, that was the only reality. Let’s Get Personal - Alright let’s back up and get personal. I want to talk about perception and reality. There is a difference between what’s real and what we think is real. Right? • Example: is the world safe? Is flying safe? Are men able to be trusted? Are conspiracies real? Is climate change a thing? Are human beings important? It’s questions like these that highlight that people on the same planet, at the same time, can live completely different existences. • Morphed Reality – None of us are living in the reality of our world right now. We are making decisions and taking actions based on what we think is true. But what if it’s not true? • My messed-up friend – I had a guy that I met while I was playing music. He was an odd guy. One day we were talking and the subject of women came up. He said, “I hate women. They all want to take from you. They manipulate. They lie. And just want you for what they can get.” I was stunned. I never heard someone say that before. I came from a world of mostly women and never saw that, ever. But this man only saw that. He saw it with his mom. He saw it with girls who rejected him for dating. His perception shaped his whole world. So, he lived alone, bitter, scared and angry. • What are you believing is reality, that isn’t? – how would you know? Is it possible to know? One of the challenges of being human and limited in our perspective is that we don’t really know what real is. • Is God real? – I think so. I have had experiences with God that confirm what Scripture says. Some people don’t think so and are living their lives like He doesn’t exist. • Is the Supernatural real? I think so. I’ve seen far too much to deny it. Other people don’t and live their whole Christian lives without engaging with it. • Is Heaven for Real? I’ve never been there but all indicators are there and I firmly believe that it is. Some believe it’s not and they live just for today, but not for eternity. • But if we experience our reality through 5 senses: Taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight, how will we experience the supernatural that doesn’t operate on those 5? How do we engage with a God who is beyond the 5 senses? How do we determine the real if we are truly that limited? • Our World is Full of Mystery…And that’s Okay. God is in charge. He knows what He’s doing and He’s demonstrated that He loves us more than we love ourselves. • Let’s walk back into the Book of Daniel…

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HUGE Shift in the Book of Daniel – somewhat restarts in Chronology1 and shifts theme to talk about Visions and Prophecy through to the end of the book. 6 chapters of stories and now 6 chapters of visions. • Going Back in the Story – these next two visions, this week’s and next week’s, happened during the reign of Belshazzar, which was after Nebuchadnezzar but still during the Babylonian reign. It was the handwriting on the wall guy who was in power when this happened.

Lesson • Dream Weaver • Daniel has a Dream of Four Great Beasts • Daniel 7:1-8 – “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon2 [553 BC], Daniel3 [67 years old] saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea4. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ 6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.” • The 1st Dream of the Four Beasts – Daniel had a terrifying dream in the 1st year of Belshazzar of Babylon. He saw four ferocious beasts: 1.) Lion with Eagles 1

Daniel is organized thematically here, not strictly chronologically. It goes: King Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar, King Darius the Mede/King Cyrus the Persian. 2 “The vision is dated to “the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon.” Chronologically, therefore, Daniel’s first vision occurred many years before the events of chaps. 5 and 6. When was the first year of Belshazzar? The so-called “Verse Account of Nabonidus” states: “When the third year was about to begin, he [Nabonidus] entrusted the “Camp” to his oldest (son), the firstborn [Belshazzar], the troops everywhere in the country he ordered under his (command). He let (everything) go, entrusted the kingship to him and, himself, he started out for a long journey.” Nabonidus began his reign in 556 B.C., so his third year would have been approximately 553 B.C. Since the above text seems to indicate that Belshazzar became coregent (at least practically if not legally) in Nabonidus’s third year, Daniel probably considered Belshazzar’s first year to have begun in 553. If Daniel was fifteen when taken into captivity in 605 B.C., he would now have been about sixty-seven years old. Nebuchadnezzar had died only nine years before. Belshazzar’s age is not given at the time he began to reign, but he was mature enough in 560 B.C. to be the chief officer under King Neriglissar. Estimating his age at thirty in 560 B.C., Belshazzar would have been thirty-seven in 553 B.C. Thus he may have been about fifty years of age when Babylon fell fourteen years later (539 B.C.).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 3 4

Born likely in 620 BC, if he was 14-15 at the time of his captivity in 605 BC.

The forces of heaven (wind) were stirring up the sea (humanity on earth). This means that God is agitating the “waters” for a purpose. “The sea (v.2) is symbolic of polluted, turbulent humanity (cf. Isa 57:20) as they try to exploit and govern in their own wisdom and strength.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

wings, which stood up on hind legs like a man and given the mind of a man. 2.) Bear with three ribs in its mouth. 3.) 4-headed leopard with birds wings. 4.) Strong and terrifying fourth beast with iron teeth. It had 10 horns. Suddenly it grew a smaller horn that forced out 3 of the previous horns. • Why God gave Daniel dreams of the future. Does He still do that? • Look at the shocking prophetic detail – it’s not like God is saying this general event could take place, but He’s detailing out who’s doing what and in what order. That level of providence was, at least in Revelation, meant to encourage the people who were tempted to feel everything was out of control. •

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The Only Sovereign • The Ancient of Days Takes His Seat in the Throne Room of Heaven • Daniel 7:9-12 – “As I looked, thrones were placed5, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool 6; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire7. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand8 stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time9.” • The Father? - This is one of the few times in Scripture when it seems like the Father reveals an image of himself. Whether or not this is actually the Father or it’s a representative vision of His role, I don’t know. The Bible is very clear that no one can look on the Triune God and live, so it’s not the fullness of God. But,

“An awesome scene is now unfolded before Daniel’s eyes as the “Ancient of Days” (the eternal God) takes his seat upon the throne and exercises his prerogative as the great Judge (or Chief Justice) of the universe. Young thinks that the other “thrones … set in place” are for angels, but they are more appropriately understood to be for the saints. Identical symbolism in Rev 20:4 seems to remove any doubt that believers will sit upon these thrones, and other Scripture passages teach that the saints will in some manner participate in the judgment (cf. Luke 22:30; 1 Cor 6:2; Rev 3:21).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 6 “Clothing worn by the “Ancient of Days” was “white as snow,” symbolizing the absolute moral purity (cf. Isa 1:18; Rev 1:14) of the divine Judge. Holy angels always appear in white garments as well. God is holy, and because he is holy, he judges sin. In this context it is primarily the sin of the evil empire and its leader that is under consideration. His “hair” was “white like wool.” White hair is a sign of old age and an apt symbol of God’s eternal nature, already emphasized in this passage by the title “Ancient of Days.” The figure may delineate the holiness of God as well.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 7 “God’s throne was “flaming with fire” (lit., “flames of fire”), and “its wheels were all ablaze” (lit., “its wheels were blazing fire”). The text may mean either that God’s throne and its wheels were themselves burning fire or that they were burning with fire. “Fire” is commonly a symbol of judgment, and God’s throne being engulfed in flames signifies the wrath of God that is here being poured out upon the wicked. “Wheels” on a throne may at first seem strange, but the image of God sitting upon a chariot-throne with wheels is set forth in other passages, particularly Ezek 1 and 10, where the chariot-throne is more fully described. It was common in the ancient Near East for thrones of kings and gods to have wheels.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 8 “Knight relates that the phrase “ten thousand times ten thousand” was “the square of the highest number for which ancient peoples had a word.”” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 9 “The other beasts, namely, the first three empires, had their authority taken away but were allowed to continue (lit., “length of life was given to them”) “for a period of time.” How could these beasts lose their authority and still exist? The explanation is that their dominance ceased, but they continued to live because they were absorbed into the next empire. For example, Greece was conquered by Rome; and although Greek dominance came to an end, the nation continued to live by being absorbed into another one of the earthly kingdoms, the Roman Empire. But the fourth empire will be completely destroyed and replaced by a totally new world order, the kingdom of God. In chap. 2 the continued existence of the defeated kingdoms is paralleled in that the statue did not collapse until its lowest part, the iron and clay feet and toes (representing the final phase of the last empire), was struck by the stone.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller)

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we do get to see the ‘dove’ representation of the Holy Spirit. We get to the see the Son of God in the flesh. We get to see the pillar of cloud and fire, so there are plenty of revealing images. This may well be another one directly of the Father. The Ancient of Days – what I love about the description is that it speaks to the long time that God has dwelt with man and how He has no beginning and no end. It reveals Him to be timeless and an overseer over all the universe and high and lifted up. It gives a notion to His Almighty power. If God is in charge of kingdoms why is the world still so messed up?

King of Kings • The Son of Man Receives the Kingdom • Daniel 7:13-14 – “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed10.”

“Daniel watched in awe as one “like a son of man [kĕbar ʾĕnāš]” descended into the throne room surrounded by the clouds of heaven (v. 13). “One like a son of man” means that this person was in human form. As Baldwin points out, however, he is more than a man. The LXX has “upon” [epi] the clouds, presenting a logical explanation for the clouds. The clouds would naturally serve as a vehicle of transportation (cf. Rev 14:14– 15). Clouds often were associated with deity in the ancient world, and this being was no mere mortal. Heaton argues that this person ascended from earth to heaven, but Keil aptly replies, “If he who appears as a son of man with the clouds of heaven comes before the Ancient of Days executing the judgment on the earth, it is manifest that he could only come from heaven to earth.”54 In the vision the clouds add an aura of majesty and grandeur to the spectacle as the son of man was presented to the Ancient of Days. 7:14 Since the “son of man” was “given” a kingdom and authority to rule, this scene evidently describes the coronation of the “son of man” by the Ancient of Days. According to the text, therefore, this individual will be crowned as the sovereign ruler of the world. His reign will never end. Who is this mysterious being? There has been much discussion concerning this question. As a matter of fact, Baldwin declares that v. 13 “has been the subject of more scholarly papers than any other in the book.” Three views are most common. First, Collins argues that the “one like a son of man” represents the archangel Michael, and the “holy ones” (“saints”; cf. vv. 18, 27) of Dan 7 are his angelic followers on whose behalf he receives the kingdom…Second, many interpret the “son of man” to be the personification of the people of God, the Jewish nation…Third, only one person may properly be identified as the “son of man,” and that person is Jesus Christ as the New Testament apostles and Christ himself confirmed. Montgomery acknowledges that the messianic view is “the eldest and, in past Jewish and Christian exegesis, the prevailing opinion.” For example, over fifteen hundred years ago Jerome was espousing this view. Slotki notes that rabbinical exegesis interpreted this person to be the Messiah, 67 and Jeffery points out that the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) accepted this interpretation. Though Hartman declares that this figure has “no messianic meaning,” A. Bentzen argues that the Gospels, Acts, Revelation, 1 Enoch, and 4 Ezra 13 could not all have been incorrect in seeing a messianic individual in Dan 7. For example, John 12:34 states: “The crowd spoke up, ‘We have heard from the Law that the Christ [the Messiah] will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’?” In this passage the terms “the Christ” [the Messiah] and “the Son of Man” are used interchangeably. It may be inferred that the people of Jesus’ day already had come to identify the Danielic “Son of Man” as the Messiah. However, the most compelling evidence for the messianic identification of the son of man is furnished by Christ himself. In Mark 14:61–62 he identified himself as that “Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” There is no other passage in the Old Testament to which Christ could have been referring. Furthermore, when Christ made the claim, the high priest said, “You have heard the blasphemy” (Mark 14:64), demonstrating that Jesus was understood to ascribe deity to himself. Young asserts, “The employment of this title by Jesus Christ is one of the strongest evidences that He attributed Deity to Himself.” “Son of man” is especially common in the eschatological passages of the New Testament (cf. Matt 16:27–28; 19:28; 24:30; 25:31; and elsewhere), and the phrase “coming in clouds” is understood in Matt 24:30 as a reference to the return of Christ. Finally, other passages portray Christ with the same kind of glory, power, and authority as is set forth in Dan 7 (e.g., Isa 2:2–4; 9:6–7; 11:1–10; Ezek 34:23–24; Matt 28:18; Phil 2:9–11; Rev 19:1ff.; 20:4–6). Besides being a divine title, “son of man” sets forth the humanity of the Lord. Christ would be God, but he would also partake of human nature. Also, whereas all the features of absolute rule are ascribed to the son of man, the authority bestowed upon Christ here does not refer to his inherent sovereignty or deity. Rather, a new phase of his work is described. Christ reigns in the hearts of believers in a spiritual sense today, but this passage describes the bestowing of a physical kingdom through which he will someday rule the earth. All of the other kingdoms described in this chapter are real, earthly empires; and it is best to see this kingdom as real and earthly as well. As this passage makes clear, that kingdom will be universal. All peoples, nations, and every language group will worship him. It also will be eternal, in stark contrast to the worldly empires, which will be destroyed. Though his rule on earth will last one thousand years (cf. Rev 20:4–6), Christ’s sovereignty will not end after the millennium but will continue throughout eternity. Another important truth is set forth in this passage. Two persons are clearly distinguished in vv. 13–14, the “son of

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A Jesus Few Focus On - Here we have Jesus represented BEFORE the manger. It’s another reminder that Jesus is so much greater than we know. All people should worship Him. He is the Savior of people. He is not the Savior of Angels, but He is their king.

Horns-a-Plenty • Daniel Freaks Out for an Interpretation • Daniel 7:15-28 – “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’ 19 “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out11 the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law12; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time13. 26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to

man” and the “Ancient of Days.” If the “son of man” is Christ, then the “Ancient of Days,” who is also deity, must be God the Father. Here then is an Old Testament glimpse of the plurality of persons in the Godhead. The Son is presented to the Ancient of Days that he might receive his Father’s gift, namely, a universal kingdom (cf. Ps 2:6–9).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 11 “This madman will not only blaspheme God, but he will “oppress” the saints of the Most High. “Oppress” is a translation of the Aramaic word yĕballēʾ, which literally means “to wear away” or “to wear out,” as one would wear out a garment. Believers will daily be harassed until their lives become miserable. Religious freedom will be abolished (cf. 9:27), and economic pressure will be applied to force his subjects to follow him and reject religion (cf. Rev 13:16–17).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 12 “Antichrist will “try to change the set times and the laws.” Sĕbar, “try,” means “to think or intend,” so it is unclear whether any change is actually carried out, though it probably is. “Set times” (zimnîn) are best understood to be religious holidays, which the Antichrist will attempt to eliminate, and the “laws” (dāt, sing. collective) are likely religious in nature as well. Montgomery probably is correct in his statement that “law” here is almost equivalent to “religion.” Wood thinks that these are general times and laws, like the ten-day workweek attempted during the French Revolution, 84 and Archer holds that Antichrist will revise the calendar. However, the former explanation seems best. Denying religious liberty is characteristic of dictators (e.g., Antiochus IV, Nero, Domitian, Stalin, Hitler, and others), but Antichrist will go beyond what anyone has done before in his attempt to create a thoroughly secular world. Even now there are those seeking to rid society of all vestiges of religion. Why will Antichrist be so vicious in his opposition to the saints? First, believers will oppose his murderous and wicked activities. Second, he will be inspired by Satan, who hates the people of God (2 Thess 2:9; Rev 13:2, 4).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 13 Most scholars interpret “for a time, times and half a time” to mean three and one half-years. Keil argues that the phrase is symbolic of an indefinite period of time, but his explanation is unconvincing. Montgomery rightly points out that “the ‘half’ still militates against the theory of a round number.”88 Other Scripture passages also indicate that these three and one-half times are, in fact, three and one-half years. (1) The seven times in 4:16 are generally interpreted as seven years. (2) The Hebrew equivalent of this phrase occurs in 12:7 and is taken to approximate the 1,290 days of 12:11 and 1,335 days of 12:12, both of which are just over three and one-half years. (3) Revelation 13:5 says that the beast (who

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be consumed and destroyed to the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ 28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” Recap of the Interpretation of the Vision of the 4 Beasts – Daniel was stressing out so he asked someone standing there what the vision meant. He was told that the beast represented kings that would arise but that in the end the people of God would reign with Him. Daniel wanted more details, especially about the ferocious and bizarre fourth beast. He was told that it was a fourth kingdom to arise. Unlike the others before it, it would world dominate and crush everyone in the process for dominion. Initially 10 kings would arise in this kingdom over time, but then one would show up and knock out three of the initial ones. This king is different. He will be given power over the saints and over the world for a short time to do as he wishes. But then heavenly court shall come in session and he will be condemned, defeated and the King of Kings and His saints will rule forever. • The Gist - 4 Beasts are 4 Kings/Leaders to arise, BUT the saints of the Kingdom will be victorious and reign forever with the Lord. • Daniel wanted to know more about the 4th Vicious Beast • What that Kingdom/beast was like & What it Did – Different than the others. Exceedingly terrifying. Teeth of Iron, Claws of Bronze. it devoured, broke things into pieces and trampled what was left. = brutal kingdom that dominates the whole earth. • The Horns - the horns are leaders that rise up in that Empire. • 10 initial horns/leaders14 – initially the beast had 10 horns on it’s head, but then… • 1 displaces 3 – but then one small horn grows in and forces 3 of the prior horns out = a new (smaller indicates that it comes up from nowhere but it grows to be larger than the others) king will rise up and remove 3 other prior leaders, so that he would be in charge himself.

represents the same individual described in this chapter) will have power for forty-two months, which is equal to three and one-half years. (4) Revelation 11:2 relates that Jerusalem will be trampled for forty-two months, which is the time of the persecution of the Antichrist. (5) The same phrase is found in Rev 12:14; and the duration of this period is explained in 12:6 to be 1,260 days, which again is three and one-half years. (6) The period of three and one-half years is referred to in Dan 9:27, where a covenant is broken in the middle of the seventieth “seven” (or week). Most scholars understand the “sevens” spoken of in chap. 9 to be sevens of years. Thus one “seven” is seven years. Religious activities are stopped at the midpoint of the final “seven” (seven years), which would make the time of trial three and one-half years (see chap. 9 for discussion). Thus the persecution of the saints will continue for three and a half years, which is exactly half of Antichrist’s seven-year career. Commonly, this latter part of Antichrist’s rule is called the “great tribulation” (cf. Rev 7:14). During this period, the judgments described in Rev 14–19 will come upon the earth.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 14 “In the Book of Revelation (particularly chaps. 13 and 17) the apostle John describes a ten-horned confederacy led by a beast. These two groups of ten horns are best interpreted to symbolize the same empire, and the little horn and the beast are merely different figures for the same evil leader, the Antichrist. A number of facts confirm this identification: 1. Much of the same symbolism is employed to describe both empires. The term “beast” is used for the empire and its leader (cf. Dan 7:7, 11, 19, 23; Rev 13:1–2, etc.; 17:3, etc.). 2. Both kingdoms are opposed to God, and their leader blasphemes his name (cf. Dan 7:25; Rev 13:1, 5–6). 3. Both beasts have ten horns (cf. Dan 7:7, 20, 24; Rev 13:1; 17:3, 12, 16). 4. Both empires persecute the saints (cf. Dan 7:25; Rev 13:7). 5. Both empires have great power for three and one-half years (cf. Dan 7:25; Rev 13:5). 6. Both empires are destroyed when Christ returns and establishes his kingdom (cf. Dan 7:26–27; 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 19:19– 20).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller)

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Creepy “Little” Horn/leader – This horn/leader had eyes and a mouth and was arrogantly saying things = This leader takes a stand arrogantly against God and makes war with the saints of God, and actually has a period where he is defeating them. He will ‘change the times and the law’. He will be allowed to dominate for ‘time, times and half a time.’ = 3 ½ years. • The Shut Down – The Ancient of Days showed up, when it was time for the saints to overcome, and put an end to the little boastful horn. The Saints reigned victoriously with the “Most High” forever. • This Rattled Daniel significantly – “my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” What does any of this mean for us today? Is it in the past? Future? • Are the images literal or figurative? What do they mean? – The challenges with interpreting prophecy is that we don’t always know what is literal and what is figurative? Should we expect actual animals to rise up from a hole in the ground? No. How do we know that? The interpretation is given. But when it says he fights against the saints, does that mean Christians? Probably. That part would be literal. So it’s tricky. But the more you read and study Biblical prophecy, patterns emerge and we see that God tends to speak to mankind in similar ways so they can understand. It meant a lot more in the ancient world, but we need to realize Daniel was stumped for a reason. He didn’t know until it was described to him. But we have the ability to look at multiple prophecies and learn more patterns than Daniel knew at the time. What becomes very clear immediately, and I’m surprised that Daniel didn’t comment on this since it’s impossible to miss…this vision/dream is a rehash of the Nebuchadnezzar Statue Dream15. Same Kingdoms, same order. • Golden Head = Winged-Lion that stands up like a man (wings ripped off) = Babylonian Empire16 – this is the current empire that Daniel was serving in. Remember, we went back in time to when the Babylonian Empire was still in force. Why a winged lion? Winged lion statues were found in Babylonian

“Virtually everyone agrees that the vision of chap. 7 parallels the dream image of chap. 2 and that both passages should be interpreted in the same manner. What was the purpose of repeating the prophecy of the four kingdoms? First, the two accounts complement each other in that they each provide details not found in the other. Second, there may be truth to the idea that the image with its glittering metals portrays the world’s kingdoms from humanity’s viewpoint—impressive and great, whereas the beasts depict these earthly kingdoms from God’s perspective—vicious and destructive. Third, the message probably was repeated to emphasize its certainty. In Gen 41 Pharaoh had two dreams that taught the same truth—a famine was coming upon the land. Joseph told Pharaoh, “The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon” (Gen 41:32). Thus the revelation of the four kingdoms in Daniel may have been presented in two forms in order to underscore the certainty of this amazing prophecy.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 16 Neo-Babylonian Empire (king Nebuchadnezzar) - 605-539BC (66 years). “A number of factors demonstrate that the lion and eagle are apt symbols of Babylon. First, Nebuchadnezzar was symbolized as a lion and an eagle elsewhere by the biblical writers (as a lion in Jer 4:7; 49:19, 22; 50:17, 44 and as an eagle in Jer 49:22; Lam 4:19; Ezek 17:3; Hab 1:8). Second, statues of winged lions, which are believed to have been representative of the empire, have been found in the ruins of Babylon, and lions adorned the famous Ishtar Gate. Although the text does not specifically interpret the rest of the verse, the meaning of the symbolism would naturally be expected to be found in the descriptions of Nebuchadnezzar (who embodied the Babylonian Empire) presented elsewhere in the book. This has led the majority of scholars to relate the message to the experience of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and restoration recorded in chap. 4. The lion’s wings being torn off speaks of the king’s insanity and loss of power; standing on two feet like a man and receiving a human heart (mind) denotes Nebuchadnezzar’s humanitarian rule after his insanity; and the lion being “lifted up from the ground” indicates that it was God who raised the king to his place of honor.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller)

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archeological digs. The ripping off of the wings is likely the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar with his time of God-induced insanity. Chest & Arms of Silver = Bear with 3 Ribs in its mouth, raised up on one side = Medo-Persian Empire17. The Persian side of things was bigger than the Mede side. The 3 ribs likely refer to the 3 major conquests of this kingdom: 1.) Chaldean Kingdom (Babylon- 539 B.C.), 2.) Lydian Kingdom (Lydia - 546 B.C.), and 3.) Egyptian Kingdom (Egypt - 525 B.C.). That was the next one to come and Daniel gets to see that transition. Near Future. They come in 14 years. This is a prophecy of what’s to come in 14 years time. Torso and Thighs of Bronze = 4-Headed Leopard with 4 birds’ wings = Greek Empire18 - This is the Alexander the Great era, which will begin 222 years from now! A leopard is known for being fast. If it had 4 wings it would be even faster. History tells us that Alexander conquered the Medo-Persian Empire in 10 years (from 22-32 years old), faster than ever imagined. And the 4 heads clearly refer to what happened when Alexander died. His kingdom was divided into 4 parts with 4 leaders: 1.) Antipater led Greece and Macedonia; 2.) Lysimachus led Thrace and Asia Minor; 3.) Seleucus 19 led Syria, Babylon and most of Middle East; 4.) Ptolemy20 led Egypt and Palestine.

Medo-Persian Empire (king Cyrus the Great) – 539-331BC (208 years). “Medo-Persia followed Babylon as the next great world empire, and the bear was an apt symbol of that kingdom, which was noted for its great size and fierceness in battle. “Raised up on one of its sides” means either that one side of the bear was larger than the other or (with most scholars) that one side was higher because the legs on that part were raised “for the purpose of going forward.” Montgomery favors the latter view: “The animal then is pausing to devour a mouthful before springing again on its prey.”20 On the other hand, one side of the bear being higher or larger could indicate that the empire symbolized by the bear consisted of two parts, one being greater than the other. If so, the two divisions would be Media and Persia, and the higher side would symbolize Persia, which rose to a position of dominance in the alliance. Either interpretation is possible, but the view that the bear symbolized the composite Medo-Persian Empire is supported by the description of the empire in chap. 8. In 8:3 a ram appears and is identified as “the kings of Media and Persia” (8:20). It has two horns, one larger than the other, portraying the twofold division of the Medo-Persian kingdom. The bear symbolism concerning the two sides with one larger probably should be interpreted in light of the clear passage in Dan 8. The bear “had three ribs in its mouth,” which may safely be understood to represent the conquests of the empire. Since the beasts represent nations or empires, devouring other beasts would symbolize triumph over them. These ribs may denote military triumphs generally or three specific peoples subdued by Medo-Persia. Although Young considers the three ribs to represent “the insatiable nature of the beast … since, not being content with one body, it devoured many,” others (probably correctly) have taken the ribs to represent Medo-Persia’s three major conquests—Babylon (539 B.C.), Lydia (546 B.C.), and Egypt (525 B.C.).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 18 Greek Empire (Alexander the Great) – 331-146BC (185 years) – “The third animal resembled a “leopard” (nĕmar), but it was a very strange looking leopard. Four wings like those of a bird were upon its back (or sides), and it had four heads. (The word “like,” repeated several times in this section, emphasizes the symbolic nature of these beasts.) “Authority to rule” (šolṭān) was given to the leopard, symbolizing the dominion of the empire represented by the beast. Following Medo-Persia, Greece dominated the world. Two outstanding characteristics of a leopard, a beast of prey, are speed and an insatiable thirst for blood. “Four wings” upon the leopard’s back increased the speed of this already swift beast. Greece is aptly represented by this flying leopard, for its conquests were carried out with lightning speed, and it had an insatiable lust for territory. Alexander the Great invaded Asia Minor in 334 B.C. and within ten short years (by the age of thirty-two) had conquered the entire Medo-Persian Empire to the borders of India. According to legend, he then wept because there were no more lands to conquer. In addition to extraordinary velocity, the “four” wings may allude to the four quarters of the earth, thus signifying world domination. In Scripture “heads” may represent rulers or governments (e.g., 2:38; Isa 7:8–9; Rev 13:3, 12), and that is the case with the leopard’s four heads. Daniel predicted that this one empire would ultimately evolve into four kingdoms, and this is exactly what occurred. Alexander died in 323 B.C., and after much internal struggle his generals carved the kingdom into four parts: (1) Antipater, and later Cassander, gained control of Greece and Macedonia; (2) Lysimachus ruled Thrace and a large part of Asia Minor; (3) Seleucus I Nicator governed Syria, Babylon, and much of the Middle East (all of Asia except Asia Minor and Palestine); and (4) Ptolemy I Soter controlled Egypt and Palestine. A quadripartite character is definitely ascribed to the Greek Empire in the next chapter (cp. 8:8 with 8:21–22), and it is reasonable to interpret the leopard’s “four heads” in light of that clear teaching.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 19 20

Seleucus I Nicator Ptolemy I Soter

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Feet of Iron/Clay = Terrifying Beast with iron teeth = Roman Empire21 - This Empire will rise 407 years in the future from this moment in Daniel’s life! • 10 toes = 10 Horns22 – But we get new information when we see the instability of clay not mixing with iron and a new Toe/Horn rises up and breaks apart 3 others. These are either 10 actual leaders/kings that rise up from the Roman Empire, OR, they represent completeness (10 is used for that) of domination and leadership that comes out of it. • The little horn23 – there are two popular views on who this figure is. For some that put all of the ‘end times’ pieces in the ancient world, this is represented by Antiochus Epiphanes IV. For those who think of all of this in the future, it’s the Anti-Christ who will usher in the end of the world.

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Roman Empire (started at Carthage defeat) – 146-476BC (approx. 500 years) – “By the second century B.C., Rome had superseded Greece as the dominant world power. The fourth beast, therefore, represents the Roman Empire, symbolized in chap. 2 by the iron legs and feet of the great statue. The incredible might and cruelty of Rome are aptly depicted by Daniel’s fourth beast. Just as this monster was “different” from all the others, so the Roman Empire differed from those that had preceded it. Rome possessed a power and longevity unlike anything the world had ever known. Nations were crushed under the iron boot of the Roman legions, its power was virtually irresistible, and the extent of its influence surpassed the other three kingdoms.” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 22 “What do the “ten horns” on the head of the beast represent? “Horns,” like heads, commonly symbolize kings or kingdoms in Scripture (cp. Rev 13:1 and 17:12; also Ps 132:17; Zech 1:18), and the “horns” in this verse are specifically identified as “kings” (or “kingdoms”) in v. 24. Since the “horns” protrude from the fourth beast, these “kings” (or “kingdoms”) must have a connection with that empire. Therefore one’s interpretation of the ten horns will be determined by the identification of the fourth empire. We may also observe that just as the beast had ten horns, the fourth part of the statue in chap. 2 may be assumed to have included ten toes. 7:8 There must have been something particularly intriguing about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head because Daniel was deep in thought about them when suddenly “another horn, a little one, … came up” among the ten. “Little” refers to the horn’s size at the beginning. That it grew is indicated by the expression “came up,” and its increase in size beyond the original ten horns may be assumed by the fact that it overpowered (“uprooted”) three of them and by the statement in v. 20 that it “looked more imposing than the others.” The uprooting of three horns symbolizes that three kings or kingdoms (nations) will be conquered by the new ruler. Being “uprooted” denotes a violent overthrow and does not imply that an individual will merely succeed a previous king (or kings) to the throne, nor does it mean that the king will simply displace other rivals for his position of leadership. These “uprooted” rulers are not contenders to the throne but are in fact kings themselves. By force this king (the little horn) will subjugate other kings (and their kingdoms) who resist his quest to rule over them (or to incorporate them into his empire). When they capitulate, the empire symbolized by the ten horns comes under the aggressive king’s full control (cf. 7:24). The horn’s “eyes” are expressive of human personality; but in Scripture they also function as instruments of observation and learning and are therefore appropriately symbolic of intelligence, insight, and wisdom (cf. Zech 3:9 and 4:10; Rev 4:6; 5:6). This individual will be extremely intelligent and clever. “A mouth that spoke boastfully [lit., “great things”]” depicts the king’s arrogant assertions, particularly his blasphemies against the true God (cf. 7:25). His message will be revolting to the believer, but the world will fall under the spell of his winsome words and captivating personality. The fourth beast is symbolic of Rome; therefore the ten horns (kings, v. 24) coming out of the fourth beast represent a confederation of kings (kingdoms or nations) that emanate from the old Roman Empire. This federation’s dominion will immediately precede the return of Christ, for the empire will be destroyed by the coming of the kingdom of God (cf. 7:11, 13–14, 21–22, 26–27). Daniel predicts that the ruler (little horn) of this coalition (ten horns) will be brilliant (eyes like a man) and arrogant (mouth speaking arrogant things). He will conquer three kingdoms (or nations) that will resist him and thereby gain firm control over the whole empire. The picture of this evil, future king in these verses concurs with descriptions of him found in other Scripture passages (cf. Dan 11:36–37; 2 Thess 2:3–12; Rev 13:5–6). He is none other than the most infamous person in all of human history—the “Antichrist” (so Archer, Young, Leupold, Keil, Walvoord). Centuries ago (ca. A.D. 400) Jerome identified this individual as the Antichrist and described him as “one of the human race, in whom Satan will wholly take up his residence in bodily form.” Although “ten horns” may signify that Antichrist’s empire will consist of exactly ten kingdoms (or nations), it was shown in the discussion at 2:44 that the number ten might indicate completeness, that is, complete in power, sovereignty, and so forth. Thus Daniel predicted that in the last days a powerful empire made up of a confederation of kingdoms or nations will rise out of the ashes of the old Roman Empire. This final empire will have incredible power, for by its force Antichrist will rule the whole earth (cf. Rev 13:3, 7–8, 12).” (The New American Commentary by Stephen A. Miller) 23

“The final clause of v.8 introduces us for the first time to the ruthless world-dictator of the last days who is referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8, as “the man of lawlessness [anomias]” or “the lawless one [anomos],” who “exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, and even sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thess 2:4). It should be carefully noted that this little horn emerges from the fourth empire, in contrast to the little horn of chapter 8 (vv.9–11), which arises from the third empire. (See the exposition of ch. 8 for the relationship between the two.)” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

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In a tumultuous World we continually need to be reminded that God is in control and that He is aware of what’s happening down here. • Prayer Prompt = “Lord, increase my faith that you are the King of Kings and in charge of all things.” Providence – let me close by introducing a powerful word to you. “Providence” means, “The foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth. God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence. Foresight.” (dictionary.com) • What do you do if you know what’s coming in the future? – Plan for it. Right? When Suzi and I had our first baby girl (Jill) it dawned on us rather quickly that one day she was going to want to college and get married and we were going to be a part of those bills being paid. So, as a little tike we put $50/month away for her to prepare. For Andie (our second), we started prepping while she was still in the womb. One of them is in college now, yet neither is married. But we prepared for such a time as this. Why? We knew it was coming. • What if you are omniscient? – what if you know all things? What if you know exactly what’s coming and when? Then what do you do? Work with it far in advance. And that is exactly what God does with His people. Let me give you some biblical examples: • Esther – the most obvious example is the one I mentioned the famous line about, ‘for such a time as this.’ A Jewish young girl was selected in an impromptu beauty contest to be the next queen of the Persian Empire and happened to be right there when a bad guy planned the genocide of the Jews in the palace and she thwarted it. God knew it was coming and started quite a ways back to protect His kids. We always things about that story through Esther and Mordecai’s eyes, but what about all the other Jews in the kingdom that thought everything was hopeless? They didn’t know God had put a Jewish queen in the pagan palace (she kept it quiet). They didn’t know that God was already prepared. They thought they were all going to die and wondered how God let it go this far. But then..ta-dah! God comes through. • David – do you think it was an accident that David happened to be bringing bread and cheese to his brothers on the battlefield when Goliath came to defy God? Do you think it was an accident that David was really good with a sling when he was going into a fight he couldn’t win hand-to-hand? Do you think it was an accident that he could play the harp beautifully and that combo got him into the palace where later he sat on the throne? Of course not. God knew. • Joseph – do you think that a young boy having dreams about his whole family bowing down to him was an accident when that happened exactly the way he saw it years later? What about being sold into captivity to get into Potiphar’s house? What about getting promoted in Pharaoh’s house? It was all terrible to him but it was all purposeful to God. When the famine hit and the special lineage of Jews (Jacob’s line) was in danger of being extinguished, suddenly Joseph was in the right place at the right time to save them all. God knew.

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Noah’s Ark – estimates of how long it took to build the ark are between 90 and 300 years. That’s a long time knowing that a flood was coming. But you say, ‘sure God caused the flood’, and what He’s merely a bystander in the rest of life? What about you and I? – God knows. He knows what you are going to need and He knew what you would need today, years ago. He prepared for it. We ask, then why not stop the bad, the problems, the need? Because ease isn’t the point. Relationship is the point. We are only on this planet a tiny bit of time to build a certain type of relationship with God. Ease is to come for the rest of eternity. This tiny front portion isn’t about making things better here, but making us better here.