Lesson Number Thirty Three Chapter 7 The Four Beasts & The Ancient of Days

Lesson Number Thirty Three Chapter 7 The Four Beasts & The Ancient of Days

Modern Day Interpretation & Thinking The meaning of the Vision given to Daniel: (7:16-27): It is very different than the one of the Dream of the Statue of Dan.2. The powers of the Statue represent kingdoms of the time of Daniel, starting with Babylon. Those of the Four beasts represent powers or kingdoms well after Daniel. The first Beast, the Lion, may represent England who has a lion for a national emblem, and the wings may represent the USA, whose emblem happens to be an eagle. 2

Modern Day Interpretation & Thinking 3 The second Beast, the Bear, may represent Russia who has "devoured many people" through its former communistic government, which spread to quite a few countries. And although the bear seems to be taking its winter nap right now, it will some day may wake up and attack Israel as in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.

The Modern Day Interpretation & Thinking The third Beast, the Leopard, may represent Arab States from Africa and Asia which may be marching with Russia and Europe in the Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39. The identification of the "four wings of a fowl" on the back of the leopard only requires a map of the Middle East. The four Arab countries of Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia appear as the wings of a bird, and they are attached to the back of Egypt at the Sinai Peninsula... Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, may mean trouble. 5

The Modern Day Interpretation & Thinking The fourth frightening Beast, may be compared to the old Roman Empire (the iron legs on the statue). But being a future power, it seems to be the revived Roman Empire that is forming today, the European Union. The horns represent leaders of countries in this revived empire that will be allied to the Antichrist. 6

The Interpretation In Modern Thinking

THIS IS MAN S INTERPRETATION Vrs GOD S INTERPRETATION Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Daniel 7:23-25

The Possession Of The Kingdom Is Certain Daniel is troubled by what he sees in the vision: 7:7 the devouring, the stomping of the 4th beast is something that is directed toward the saints 7:21 Not only did he make war with them but he prevailed over them. Daniel s dismay is seen in his concern over the survival of the kingdom. The message of the vision is that while it may not look like the righteous are victorious they really are. Theirs is a kingdom that is forever and ever and will not be taken away or left to another people 2;44-45; 7:14,18. 11

The Possession Of The Kingdom Is Certain The vision that Daniel sees here was specifically fulfilled in the 1st Century. The kingdom is spoken of in the NT as being in existence during the days of the Roman Kings Acts 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 4:20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Cor 15:24, 50; Gal 5:21; Col 1:13; Col 4:11; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Thess 1:5; Heb 1:8; Heb 12:28; Rev 1:9. That the kingdom and the church are the same can be seen in John 3:5; Matt 16:18; Mk 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4. 12

The Possession Of The Kingdom Is Certain That Rome opposed and Persecuted Christians is a well documented fact and the book of Revelation is proof. Rome was the willing hands against Christ Acts 2:23; 4:27. Rome continue this work against the church Acts 8:1; 9:1; 12:1; 16:19-24. This persecution continued under Nero and again under Domitian. But, Rome could not destroy the kingdom and God did destroy Rome Rev. 14:8. 13

The Judgment of The Horn that Spoke 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. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. Dan 7:11-12 Once again it is to be noted that God rules in the nations of men. Acts 17:26 gives us the best interpretation of their duration. 14

The Judgment of The Horn that Spoke 15 Objection Dan. 7:22 says that the saints possessed the kingdom when God judge Every time the pre-millennialist sees coming they say second before it. God comes in judgment against nations and people Isa. 19;1; Rev 2:5, 16; 3:3; Matt 24:30, 34. The saints possession of the kingdom is a reference to the public manifestation of God s sovereignty Lk 21:31; Mk 13:29.

The Judgment of The Horn that Spoke This passage of Scripture does deal with the day of Pentecost: Dan 7:13-14 reveals that the Son of Man coming to the Ancient of Days with the clouds of heaven. The Fulfillment: Facts of the prophecy: Son of Man (Christ) came to (not from) the Ancient of Days (God the Father) with the clouds of heaven. There was given to Him: Dominion Glory. Honor Rule A Kingdom which shall not be destroyed which is everlasting. 16

The Judgment of The Horn that Spoke The scripture evidence of this: Christ ascended to God, the Father, with the clouds of heaven Acts 1:9; 2:32-33; Heb 1;3. At this time there was given to Him: Dominion Eph 1:18-23; 1 Pet 5:11; Jude 25. Glory 1 Pet 1:21; Lk 24-24-27; Eph 1:18-23; 3:21 ; 1 Tim 3:16; Heb 2:9-12. Rule Acts 2:30, 36; Eph 1:22; John 3:3; Heb 1:3, 8; Col 1:13. These are of everlasting duration 1 Pet 5:11; Jude 25; rev 1;5; 2 Pet 1:11; Rev 1:8. 17

The Indestructible Kingdom Dan. 2:44 Prophecy Date Fulfillment History Dan 2:31-45 600 BC Acts 1:5-8 Ad 33 Acts 2:47 Dan 7:13-14 535 BC SPIRIT Ad 33 Acts 5:11 Matt 3:1-2 30 AD Ad 40 Acts 8:1-12; 11:22 Mk 1:15, Matt 7:7, Lk 10:9 30 AD Mark 9:1 Ad 45 Acts 13:3-4 Matt 6:10 31 AD POWER Ad 45 Acts 14:27

The Indestructible Kingdom Dan. 2:44 Prophecy Date Fulfillment History Matt 16:18 32 AD Acts 2:1-4 Kingdom Isa. 2:1-3 Mk 9:1 32 AD Ad 96 Rev 2:9 1 Cor. 15:25 Lk 22:18 Mk 15:43 Acts 1:6, Lk 24:46; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-47 33 AD 33 AD 33 AD Acts 2 Acts 2:36 PENTECOST Christ on David s Throne Ad 65 1 Tim. 3:15 World Kingdoms/Empires Babylonian Medo-Persian Grecian Roman In the days of these kings

In Conclusion What Daniel saw in the vision was an ETERNAL KINGDOM not one of just a 1000 years in duration. Note how Daniel describes the kings and the earth: Daniel 7:12 - As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. Daniel 7:25-26 - He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. Daniel does not see a kingdom of a mere thousand years in existence but rather an eternal kingdom Heb 12:28; 1 Cor. 15:28 20

The 4 beast are the 4 kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar s dream. The ten horns are kings of the 4th kingdom and not Kingdoms. The 11th horn may be Domitian or the sum of the persecutors of the church. The saints are in possession of the kingdom because God is judging His enemies The kingdom is eternal in nature. Having received this kingdom we look for Christ to return for His saints and to judge the wicked. We are confident through faith that Christ ever lives and rules over the righteous in righteousness. In Conclusion 21