Daniel 7:1-28 All of earth s kingdoms will be replaced with God s eternal kingdom Opening: Joke - A man rushes his limp dog to the veterinarian. The doctor pronounces the dog dead. The agitated man demands a second opinion. Michael Silva / April 15, 2018 The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat. The cat sniffs the body and meows. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead, too." The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead. The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body and barks. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead, too." The man finally resigns to the diagnosis and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, "$650." "$650 to tell me my dog is dead?" exclaims the man. "Well," the vet replies, "I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $600 is for the cat scan and lab results." 1. There are no dead dogs in our story today, but there is a Lion, Leopard, & Bear in our passage today. Introduction: We are continuing our study in the historical and prophetic of... Daniel. 1. Key Themes and Topics in this book include a) Faith b) The Power of Prayer c) Not Compromising d) The Sovereignty of God God is in control, even when we are not. Let s look at Daniel 7, beginning with: Daniel 7:1-3 (NKJV) i 1. CONTEXT/HISTORY: The people of Israel are in captivity in the Land of Babylon. The events in this chapter take place before the events of chapters 5 and 6. a) The kingdom is still controlled by the Babylonians; it is currently under the control of Nabonidus, the official king, and Belshazzar was his son, who was coregent in Babylon. b) This is the last chapter written in Aramaic. Chapters 8-12 switch back to Hebrew. c) Many commentators believe that this is the most important chapter in the book, and maybe even in the Old Testament because it so clearly foretells of God s eternal kingdom. i) This chapter is corresponds with Chapter 2 in that both concern a vision of 4 kingdoms replaced by a 5 th eternal kingdom.
2. Chapters 1-6 are narratives with Daniel and his friends in focus with Gentile kings being judged for their pride. a) Chapters 7-12 focus on Daniel s prophetic visions and dreams. b) The New American Commentary reminds us that, If Daniel s God was able to deliver from the den of lions and from the fire, he also possessed the miraculous ability to predict the future. 1 c) Once again claims are being made that the world is about to end On April 23, 2018 the sun, moon and Jupiter will be in alignment, the catalyst that some say will initiate the Rapture of the church and End Times events. i) While I do believe that Jesus will be coming back soon, I also know that the scripture teach that no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return (Matt 24:36). 3. You could summarize our passage today with All of earth s kingdoms will be replaced with God s eternal kingdom. Daniel 7:1-3 Daniel had a Dream 1. The language here reminds me of the poem T was the Night Before Christmas The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. a) Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. 2. This took place in the first year of Belshazzar, which would be around 552 BC, over 50 years since Daniel 1. This means Daniel is probably in his 60s. 3. Verse 1 tells us that Daniel was recounting only the main facts or a summary of the matter, we are not getting all the details. 4. The four winds of heaven stirred up a great sea. a) While we are uncertain of the exact meaning of the four winds, many believe it represent political and social chaos. 5. The sea may be a literal sea, like that of the Mediterranean Sea; or it could be symbolic for the sea of humanity from which the beasts arise a) Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. Daniel 7:4 Lion-like Beast w/ wings 1. READ in Daniel 7:17; the beasts in his vision represent four kings which arise out of the earth. 2. Both the lion-like beast here and the head of gold from the statue from Chapter 2 represent Nebuchadnezzar. a) The prophet Jeremiah described Nebuchadnezzar as both a lion and an eagle in Jer 49:19-22. 1 Miller, S. R. (1994). Daniel (Vol. 18, p. 192). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Page 2
i) Art has been found from the Babylonian period of lions with eagle s wings. b) Both the lion and eagle are symbols of strength and power, but part of that was plucked away in Nebuchadnezzar s life. i) As we saw in Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar s power, strength, and sanity were stripped from him and he acted like a beast for seven times until he lifted his eyes and blessed the Host High and praised and honored Him, at which time he stood to his feet once again like a man and was restored to his kingdom. Daniel 7:5 Bear-like Beast 1. The bear, which corresponds to the shoulders and chest of silver from Daniel 2 represent the Medo-Persians. 2. A bear is slower, stronger, and more crushing than a lion, and this bear had a voracious appetite for conquest. (Guzik) a) The Medes and Persians were known for their cruelty (Daniel 6:24) and for overwhelming their opponents with superior size and strength. b) The three ribs likely represent the Medo-Persian s three great military conquests over Babylon, Egypt, and Lydia. Daniel 7:6 Leopard-like Beast w/ four wings and four heads 1. The Leopard corresponds with the belly of bronze from chapter 2 and represents the Greek Empire. 2. Leopards are swift and strike suddenly, like Alexander the Great who rapidly advanced with swiftness and quickly conquered the known world by age 28. a) After his untimely death at age 32 his empire was divided into four parts, symbolized by the four heads. b) There is no way Daniel could have known that apart from divine revelation from God. Daniel 7:7-8 The Dreadful Fourth Beast 1. This fourth dreadfully indescribable beast corresponds to the legs of iron joined to the feet of iron and clay all of which represent the Roman Empire and some semblance of that empire in the Last Days before Christ returns. 2. Horns in the scriptures represent a person with power and authority. a) The ten horns, along with the ten toes from the statue of chapter 2 represent some type of confederation between nations in the End Times that will exist, all united under the leadership of the Anti-Christ. 3. The one horn speaking pompous words represents the Anti-Christ. a) Many have asked: Who is the Antichrist? i) Emperor Nero, the Pope, Stalin, Hilter, Saddam Hussein, Pres Trump, Oprah Winfrey? Page 3
ii) I d suggest that it doesn t matter because the Rapture of the church occurs before he come into his full demonic power. iii) Antichrist will come, but I m looking for the Blessed Hope. (1) Titus 2:13 says we are to be looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, b) Concerning the title Antichrist, the prefix Anti- means against, opposed. i) Antichrist means against Christ or in place of Christ ii) In 1 John 2:18 it says, Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. c) There are many who oppose Christ that are an antichrist of sorts. But there will be one Antichrist that leads and rules them all in the End Times. i) Revelation 13:5 8 describes him 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Daniel 7:9-10 The Ancient of Days 1. This could be Jesus, but it seems that it may be a description for God the Father as well. a) The fire around the throne represents of the judgment that will consume those who oppose the Ancient of Days. b) Isaiah 66:15 16 15 For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many. 2. The thousand thousands that ministered to Him in heaven describes us, the church in heaven worshipping God on the throne. 3. The books that were opened include the Lamb s book of life which contains the names of all true believers who will have a place in the eternal kingdom (Rev 21:27). Daniel 7:11-12 The 4 th Beast is Slain 1. The Anti-Christ will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20). 2. As for the other beasts, I m not sure what will result, only that they lose their dominion and power. Page 4
Daniel 7:13-14 The Coming of the Son of Man 1. The title Son of Man was Jesus favorite title for Himself in the gospels, used more than 80 times. a) Matthew 18:11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. b) Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. 2. Here, the Ancient of Days, who is God the Father, gives the Son of Man, Jesus, dominion, glory, and an eternal kingdom filled with all peoples, nations, and languages. a) His kingdom shall not be destroyed it lasts longer than the 1,000 year reign described in Revelation, that millennial reign is just the beginning of it all. Daniel 7:15-25 The Vision Explained 1. The title Saints describes two groups of people in the Bible, both the Jewish people and Christian believers. a) In this passage it describes the Jews for we know from the New Testament scriptures that the church will be raptured and caught up into heaven during these events. 2. In Vs 25 A time (1 year) and times (2 years) and half a time (1/2 year) also used in Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6, and 13:5 describes a 3 ½ year period of time, the last half the Great Tribulation period. 3. Wiersbe explains: The scenario seems to look like this. Antichrist will be leading one of ten confederated nations in Europe. He will overcome three other nations and, with the help of Satan, move into becoming a world dictator. a) At first he will appear to be friendly to the Jews and will sign a seven-year covenant to protect them (Dan 9:27). The signing of that covenant is the signal for the start of the last seven years of Daniel s seventy weeks outlined in Daniel 9:24 27. b) This period is generally known as the Tribulation and is described in Matthew 24:1 14; Mark 13:1 13; and Revelation 6 19. c) After three and a half years, the Antichrist will break the covenant and set up his own image in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, forcing the world to worship him and the devil, who is energizing him. d) Using the language of Daniel, Jesus called this the abomination of desolation (Dan. 11:31; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thes. 2:1 4). e) This signals the last half of the Tribulation, a period that is known as the wrath of God (Rev. 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; and see Matt. 24:15 28; Mark 13:14 23). It will climax with the return of Jesus Christ to the earth and the defeat of Antichrist and his army (Matt. 24:29 44; Mark 13:24 27; Rev. 19:11 21). f) Jesus Christ will then establish His kingdom on earth (Dan. 7:13 14, 26 27; Rev. 20:1 6). g) Daniel doesn t go into all the details that John shares in the Book of Revelation, but he does assure us that the kingdom of Satan and his counterfeit Christ will be defeated and destroyed by Jesus Christ (Dan. Page 5
7:22, 26; see 2 Thes. 1:7 2:10). All of earth s kingdoms will be replaced with God s eternal kingdom Daniel 7:26-27 The Everlasting Kingdom 1. Daniel s vision also declares that the Jewish nation, called saints in this passage will receive the kingdom forever for at His second coming the Jews will finally see and understand that Jesus is their true Messiah (Zechariah 12:10-14). Daniel 7:28 Daniel Concludes 1. Daniel not only kept this matter in his heart, he shared it with us Conclusion: What s the big take away from this passage? 1. Why prophesy? a) Remind them who was really in Control. God is sovereign. b) Comfort the oppressed the Jews in captivity. God still had a plan for Israel, their Messiah would come i) God still has a plan for your life. ii) Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. c) Prophesy is a call to salvation. i) Put your trust in Him and not the ways of this world. ii) All of earth s kingdoms will be replaced with God s eternal kingdom and He wants you to be a part of it! Invitation: Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. i All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. Page 6