THE SECOND VISION The Fourth Beast, Part IV (Dan. 7:19-26)

Transcription

1 THE SECOND VISION The Fourth Beast, Part IV (Dan. 7:19-26) As we have already seen, these four beasts that arose out of the sea are four kingdoms associated with the region of the Mediterranean Sea. These four kingdoms emphasise the historicity of these visions in that they authentically illustrate the actual historical kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Both the Babylonian and the Medo-Persian empires had been in existence during Daniel s lifetime, and he prophesied correctly as to how they would bear their influence upon the known world. The Lord also showed him the kingdoms that would arise in the future, - the kingdoms of the Greeks and the Romans. Relating to these four beasts that he saw coming up out of the Great Sea, the fourth beast representing the fourth kingdom is the culmination of the period Jesus was later to refer to as the times of the Gentiles. The first three beasts are important, but at the same time, they are introductory and that is why Daniel s attention was particularly concentrated and fascinated upon the fourth beast. He was shown how the fourth beast would develop and establish itself into ten kingdoms, - at the one time, - and how the ultimate crisis of the Gentile period would reach its climax when the little horn would rise out of the ten. That which originated as a kingdom under the power of the Caesars (who were Roman kings ) was prophesied to eventually emerge into ten kingdoms/dominions), as previously described by the ten toes in the first vision of chapter two. Then, out of the emerging ten kingdoms would rise the little horn who would so increase in power he would surpass all others that had preceded him. Now let s look at this more specifically, Dan. 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise, - that is the revival, the renaissance, the restoration, the resurgence of the fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire. That is the literal meaning of what Daniel has been told. Then, when the ten sovereign dominions rise out of the fourth kingdom, another shall rise after them It insinuates the ten kingdoms will come to the conclusion of their period of power (n.b. after), and they will produce this little horn. The word for arise / rise is significant. It is the same word used both times. It means to awaken out of previous inaction. In other words, it had been in a dormant state but it will be revived to continue in its previous agenda The ten horns will arise, and out of the ten horns will further rise the little horn, and he shall be diverse from the first (v.24). The apostle John also saw these ten kings in his vision so obviously, the fulfilment of Daniel s prophecy had not yet taken place in John s time, Rev. 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast [i.e. the little horn in Dan. 7].

2 2 Before the little horn reaches his full evil potential there will be a power-struggle within the structure of the ten kingdoms, but he, - this little horn, - shall subdue three kings. These three kings will be at the fore of the ten kingdoms, but the little horn will overcome them. We cannot be sure what that refers to exactly, however, it does allude to the same struggle in v. 20 (And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell), and in v.8 (considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots). It is obviously important, since it is mentioned three times. It is not surprising, though, there would be internal strife. Anywhere you find political leaders, you find such vitriolic bickering and animosity! An infamous example took place on the Ides of Mars (15 th March, 44BC) in the Theatre of Pompey in the Roman Forum. The Roman Senate murdered Julius Caesar, and, - in Shakespeare s famous play, - Caesar famously uttered his dying words to the one whom he thought was his companion, Et tu, Brute? Obviously, this little horn is presented as being unreliable and deceitful, even among his own kind. He will be double-dealing, double-crossing, and treacherous. In this ten-kingdom revival of the empire, there will be three in positions of particular leadership and authority, but the little horn will slip in and pluck them up by their roots They will lose the administrative power they had and he will rule unopposed. It is not difficult to imagine how such sneaky treachery would develop in these high echelons of power! By way of an example In 1975 the G6 (the Group of 6 ) was formed. It developed into the G7, and the G8. These were the world s leading advanced economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, the US EU is also officially represented). We have seen recently how, - in relation to the conflict in Ukraine, - Russia has been turned upon by its previous allies in the G8, and how Russia has been expelled from the group, and it is back down to the G7. Something like such a conglomeration, - it seems, - will be ousted from power by this little horn, and he will become the prominent and dominant one. That s simply an illustration, though, for we cannot overstep the mark with Scripture. We are simply told these three horns will be overtaken by the one little horn for, - by devious means, - he will subdue them (v.24) he will bring them low (shephal). Verse eight describes the process as plucking them up by the roots. Yes, but that doesn t mean he is going to be wreckless Not at all! There will be a very special policy he will implement to carry out his coup. He will work so cleverly and so subtly. Now, Daniel describes how it will happen. He uses a simple explanation ( 8 plucked up by the roots) If there is a weed, - for example, a dandelion, - growing in your garden, they spread underneath the soil. The way you get rid of them is not to grip and pull them out ignorantly because if you do that, you will leave the roots, and the weed would continue to grow.

3 3 No, what this little horn will do is this He will very carefully and very masterly manipulate the other three gradually manoeuvring them and gently squeezing them out of the way and that is how he will gain his position of ultimate and absolute power and take over from, - or subjugate, - these ten kingdoms. He will be a genius! With a smile on his face, he will do his evil deeds even to his own! Whereas in the past, the fourth beast had been dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it (v.7) it had changed by the time this little horn arises. There will be no upheaval, or disturbance among the ten kingdoms It will all be achieved very cleverly! 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. He will come in among them. He ll stand up, but he won t make much of an impression at the beginning but then, he will! And he will talk and charm his way into positions of power. He will have charisma. He will win over the people. He will turn out to be a political mastermind! According to Daniel chapter nine, he will even be able to make peace in the Middle East. Not only will he be a political mastermind, he will also be an intellectual genius. He will be someone who comes out of nowhere, - the little horn, - but he will rapidly make a great impression! 7:8 behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. He will be warmly engaging. He will be intelligent. Nothing will allude him. He will be shrewd, slick, and crafty. He will solve problems that have mystified others. And he will be such an orator! When he speaks, - like when Hitler used to speak in the Nazi rallies, - the antichrist will enthral his hearers. They will be captivated by his eloquent rhetoric. It won t matter what he says, but he will say it in such a way the unsaved will be taken in by every word he utters. By the way, there is a system of eschatology that denies there will be an Antichrist. They deny the Antichrist will be a person. Instead, they believe the term refers to a system of anti-christianity. However, John clearly shows the early Church believed in a future person who would be the Antichrist, I Jn. 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that [the] antichrist shall come [o` avnti,cristoj e;rcetai], even now are there many antichrists [nu/n avnti,cristoi polloi. gego,nasin, i.e. antichrists have become many]; whereby we know that it is the last time. This little horn, - the Antichrist, - will also show himself as a military genius. We see today how Presidents and Prime Ministers seek the authority to send armies off to war the antichrist will do it too but completely by his own authority, without seeking anyone s approval. However, whereas we see the failure of our leaders in countries such as Libya, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan he will be absolutely victorious in every conflict he becomes involved in. He will be the world s answer to its problems and he ll bring peace!

4 Yes, he will but, - to use the words of Paul writing to the Thessalonians, I Thess. 5:3 when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them. Before that, though, he will flourish and the world will flourish. Stability will reign under his rule. And he will be so self-propagating, - with the applause of the people, - he will settle the Middle East problem, especially concerning the Jews. He will enter Jerusalem, and he will exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (II Thess. 2:4). That seems to indicate an actual temple will be built as Ezekiel also implies. Politics, power, intellect, military strength and even religion will find their full gratification in him. No matter how deeply you study the life of Hitler, not even he could achieve what this man will achieve! Again, I would suggest Hitler was a dummy run for the final antichrist, but the final antichrist will surpass every other evil individual that has previously entered this world. In fact, Daniel says, 25 he shall speak great words against the most High and the word for against can also mean beside 25 And he shall speak great words beside the most High equal with God and that is how elevated he shall try to promote himself. That, of course, is what he has wanted from the beginning, because before he was cast out of Heaven, he said, Is. 14:13 I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. He has always wanted God s position and he hopes to see it realised through this little horn, this Antichrist. Anti in Greek, doesn t just simply mean against it also means in the place of. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went into exile in Egypt prior to Herod s massacre of the baby boys (Mt. 2:16-18). When he died, Joseph was commanded in a vision to return to Israel (v.20) 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither and the word is anti So, through the little horn, - the beast, the Antichrist, - the Devil is planning to rule over the whole world at the end of this present fourth kingdom in the room of Christ. He knows the prophecies of Scripture that Christ is coming to reign on this earth and he is planning to establish his reign in the place of the Lord Jesus. And he will establish himself, - the Lord will allow him, - and the unsaved will say about him, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Rev. 13:4). It won t matter to the godless that he will have 5 a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. In fact, it will be an attraction for them! They will feel as if they are getting rid of God at last! 4

5 5 It won t matter to them that he will make war with the saints (v.7), - they probably won t even give it a second thought! In fact, Rev. 13:8 all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. He will be like an irreligious religious Messiah to them! And it is so important for God s people to attend to the warnings of these prophecies beforehand, for John says, 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. This evil individual will encourage the false prophets and the false Christs, and he will show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Mt. 24:24). That is how convincing he will be, even in the religious arena! He will try to change that which has always been. He will, for example, think to change times and laws Imagine trying to change such basic infrastructure as the times, - the days and the months. And the laws Well, we are presently seeing the ridiculousness of so-called modern progress as the parliamentarians devise new laws concerning the redefining of manhood and womanhood. We see the depth to which they plummet when they use previously perfectly innocent words as gay, and desecrate it meaning And they have concocted such pernicious terms as bisexual, transgender, and intersex. They have even hijacked the symbolism God had for the rainbow! The world has gone crazy but it will go even crazier for when the little horn is given full sway, - and there is no one to oppose him, - he will surpass anything anyone could imagine! But here is good news! and they [i.e. his ability to change times and laws] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. God will give him own his way, but for a designated period. The downfall of his reign has already been recorded in God s calendar The little horn will reign until a time and times and the dividing of time (Dan. 7:25) and no longer! I believe the signs indicate we are approaching the conclusion of this second vision. The times of the Gentiles is nearing its end. The formation of the ten kingdoms, - I believe, - is not too far away. It will be a tidying-up of the nations exercise. Then, out of it, the little horn will rise, and he will wear out the saints of the most High, cruelty and wickedness will be the lot of God s people. We are seeing an incredible rise in the persecution of Christians, but it will increase as it has been doing over this last century. However, that is when we are particularly to lift up our heads and look, for that is when our redemption is drawing nigh (Lk. 21:28). In our next study, we shall see what is happening in Heaven, and what will then ultimately take place on earth, in the sovereign plan and will of God, Dan. 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him,

6 6 and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. You see, that is how important it is to study God s Word concerning the conclusion of this present evil wicked age. He has indeed told us how it will finish and He encourages us in this knowledge Rom. 8:28 we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. And Amen is what we say to that!