Daniel 7: Daniel 7:15-Daniel s Soul was Distressed Because the Visions in His Mind Terrified Him

Daniel 7:15-16 Daniel 7:15-Daniel s Soul was Distressed Because the Visions in His Mind Terrified Him Review of Daniel 7:1-14 Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar s, Babylon s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. (Author s translation) Daniel 7:1 records that during the first year of Belshazzar s co-regency with his father in 553 B.C. Daniel received prophetic revelation from God in a dream, which the rest of the chapter reveals was concerning the future of planet earth and parallels the prophetic revelation that God gave Nebuchadnezzar as recorded in Daniel chapter 2. Like the revelation Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel here in chapter seven received a prophetic revelation in a dream which was concerning the future of the empires of Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, the Revived Form of the Roman Empire and its wicked ruler, who we know from the book of revelation as the Antichrist. This revelation also points to the ascension and session of Jesus Christ at His Father s right hand as well as the destruction of the final form of the fourth empire by the Lord Jesus Christ and in addition, it speaks of His Messianic Kingdom. Like the prophetic revelation that Nebuchadnezzar received, Daniel also received prophetic revelation regarding the Times of the Gentiles. Nebuchadnezzar s revelation dealt with the Times of the Gentiles from the perspective of man whereas Daniel s revelation of the Times of the Gentiles was from God s perspective. Daniel 7:1 tells the reader that Daniel received a dream from God, which emphasizes the unity of this revelation. In this dream, he saw visions which emphasizes the successive stages in which the revelation was given to Daniel. Visions describes an appearance of something in Daniel s mind that was a supernatural revelation to communicate a truth to him, not seen as a sensory perception. Visions were often a revelation of the future plans of God, which could involve either judgment or blessing. Visions speaks of revelation from God the Holy Spirit with regards to the Father s will for planet earth. It denotes that God gave Daniel revelation with regards to His future plans for planet earth. Daniel received this revelation from God while he was in a trance. This is distinguished from the possession trance and dreams since it is an altered state of consciousness in which extrasensory audiovisual experiences, which are revelatory in character, are perceived in private by individuals. Here this word denotes that 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

Daniel was in an altered state of consciousness in which God revealed what will take place in the future with regards to planet earth. Theses visions were prophetic in that they tell Daniel about the future of planet earth. They were also symbolic as indicated by the fact that the four kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Revived Form of the Roman Empire are represented by wild beasts. These visions were also oracles of assurance since Daniel is assured that God will rule this earth through His Son Jesus Christ which acknowledges that God is sovereign over the earth and sovereign of history. These revelations Daniel received from God regarding the future of planet earth were designed to direct him, the Jews and the Gentiles to submit to God s will and to teach them and the reader that God s authority is over every ruler and every nation and over history itself. Therefore, Daniel 7:1 tells us that Daniel received these revelations while he was in a trance or altered state of consciousness in which extrasensory audiovisual experiences, which were revelatory in character, were perceived by the king in the privacy of his own bedroom. Here Daniel was in an altered state of consciousness while God revealed the content and interpretation of the dream to him as well while in the privacy of his own bedroom. Daniel 7:2 Daniel began to speak and said, I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. (Author s translation) Verse 2 marks the beginning of Daniel s written account as to what he saw in this revelation he received from God through visions in a dream during the night during the first year of Belshazzar s reign. He starts of by describing himself as in trance like state staring at this vision in the sense that he could not take his eyes off of this vision. This vision he received was a prophetic, supernatural revelation from God the Holy Spirit with regards to the Father s will for planet earth. Daniel was in an altered state of consciousness while God revealed His future plans for planet earth while in the privacy of his own bedroom. This vision was impressive and astounding to him. The four winds of heaven refer to literal wind in this vision which is symbolic of Satan and his angels causing unrest among the nations of the earth, which results in four great empires, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome which are characterized by evil. The final form of the fourth empire which will take place during Daniel s Seventieth Week will be the worst since it will produce the Antichrist. Though Satan is deceiving the nations and will continue to do so up until the Second Advent of Jesus Christ which terminates Daniel s Seventieth Week, God is still sovereign as demonstrated by the fact that God s kingdom which He will establish through His Son will destroy these other heathen empires at His Son s Second Advent who will at that time establish His millennial reign upon the earth. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

The great sea here in Daniel 7:2 refers in a literal sense to the Mediterranean Sea since throughout the Old Testament it is identified as such (Numbers 34:6-7; Joshua 1:4; 9:1; 15:12, 47; 23:4; Ezekiel 47:10, 15, 20; 48:28). The Mediterranean was called the great sea in the Old Testament because it was situated geographically in the center of the earth and borders on so many large continents. The great sea in Daniel 7:2 also has of course a figurative sense referring to the heathen nations of the earth since Daniel 7:3 and 7:17 makes this clear. Both verses reveal that the four great beasts who are identified as four great heathen empires, which history tells are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. This would make clear that the great sea refers to unregenerate mankind since these empires are composed of unregenerate men and women. Revelation 17:5 also supports this interpretation (cf. Isaiah 8:6-8; 17:12-13; 57:20; 60:5; Jeremiah. 6:23; 46:7-8; 47:2; Matthew 13:46; Luke 21:25; Revelation 13:1; 17:1; 21:1.). Daniel describes the four winds of heaven blowing violently against the great sea, which is symbolic Satan and his kingdom causing violent conflict among the inhabitants of the nations. This suggests that Satan and his kingdom is the source of the four great heathen empires in history, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome and final form of the Roman Empire which will produce an evil dictator which the book of Revelation identifies as the Antichrist. Daniel 7:3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. (Author s translation) After seeing in his vision, the four winds of heaven blowing violently against the great, Daniel saw four great beasts, which were different from each other, coming up out from the sea. These four beasts in Daniel chapter seven correspond to the enormous gold statue of a man in Nebuchadnezzar s vision recorded in Daniel chapter two. Daniel 7:17 tells us that these four great beasts are kings. The ancient Orientals regarded kings and kingdoms synonymously. In Scripture, heathen nations are often depicted by wild beasts in order to express the animal like character of these nations which are unregenerate and deceived by sin and Satan. Here in Daniel chapter seven the Holy Spirit is depicting the unregenerate heathen nations as wild animals in order to convey to the reader God s viewpoint of these nations. These four beasts in Daniel chapter seven correspond exactly to the four metals in the image of Nebuchadnezzar s vision in Daniel chapter two. Like the prophecy in Daniel chapter two, the prophecy that appears in Daniel chapter seven also deals with the Times of the Gentiles from God s perspective. Daniel 7:4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. (Author s translation) 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

The first beast symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon since it corresponds to the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar s dream in Daniel chapter two, which Daniel identified as being Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon (See Daniel 2:37-38). Further confirmation comes from history itself since both the lion and the eagle were both national symbols of Babylon (See Jeremiah 4:7, 13; Ezekiel 17:3). Nebuchadnezzar is elsewhere compared to both the lion (Je. 4:7; cf. 49:19; 50:44) and the eagle (Ezk. 17:3, 11 12). Cf. v 4 with 4:33 34. 1 Just as gold is the most precious metal on earth so the lion is the king of the wild beasts of the earth. The fact that this first beast was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and was given a human mind indicates that this refers to the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar after being humbled by God and in particular its speak of him after being disciplined by God for seven years and being restored to power by God (Daniel 4). Though the king became a believer as a result of God miraculously delivering Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from his power, Nebuchadnezzar was still thinking arrogantly and conducting himself as an unregenerate person in rebellion against God. The discipline broke this arrogant mentality and sinful behavior in rebelling against God. That this description of the first beast in Daniel 7:4 as standing on two feet like a human being and being given a human mind is a reference to Nebuchadnezzar thinking and acting in accordance with the will of God as a believer. This is indicated by the fact that of all four beasts, the first beast was distinguished as having its beast-like character transformed into a human being. Remember, the four beasts all describe the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome as beasts in order to convey God s viewpoint of these nations. In Scripture, heathen nations are often depicted by wild beasts in order to express the animal like character of these nations which are unregenerate and deceived by sin and Satan. Here in Daniel chapter seven the Holy Spirit is depicting the unregenerate heathen nations as wild animals in order to convey to the reader God s viewpoint of these nations. Therefore, the fact that these four empires are described as beasts emphasizing their unregenerate character and the first beast was transformed from a wild beast to a human being would indicate that Nebuchadnezzar was not only saved but he was obedient to God and no longer in rebellion against him after being disciplined for seven years. The description of the first beast as being transformed from a wild beast to a human being here in Daniel 7:4 indicates that Nebuchadnezzar after the discipline was loving his neighbor as himself after this discipline in contrast to the kings of these heathen empires which followed Babylon. The tearing off the wings of the first beast would be a reference to the end of the discipline administered to him by 1 New Bible commentary: 21st century edition. 1994 (D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer & G. J. Wenham, Ed.) (4th ed.) (Da 7:1 14). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

God as a believer since the eagle s wings correspond to the description of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:33 when he was disciplined by God for seven years. If you recall, Daniel 4:32 tells the reader that Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from mankind so that his dwelling place was among the beasts of the field. He even ate grass like cattle for seven years until he acknowledged that God was sovereign over him. Daniel 4:33 records that Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from mankind and even habitually ate grass like cattle. Furthermore, he was continually drenched with the dew from heaven until his hair became extremely long like eagle s feathers likewise his nails like a bird s claws. This description in Daniel 4:33 would indicate that the eagle s wings on the first beast speak of Nebuchadnezzar being disciplined and the tearing off the wings would indicate the end of that discipline after seven years. Daniel 7:5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, Arise, devour much flesh! (Author s translation) The bear symbolizes Medo-Persia since she conquered Babylon according to Daniel chapter five and human history. It corresponds to the silver arms chest of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar s dream in Daniel chapter two. In Daniel 2:39, Daniel informed Nebuchadnezzar that after his kingdom there will arise another kingdom which will be inferior to his kingdom. Since Daniel told the king at the end of Daniel 2:38 that he was the head of gold of the statue in his dream, this second kingdom is represented by the silver arms and chest of the statue. History records that this part of the statue represented the Medo-Persian Empire. It was inferior since it lacked the inner unity of Babylon because the Medes and the Persians, though united, never fused into one people. Daniel chapter five and human history record Medo-Persia conquered Babylon and absorbed this nation into its empire and replaced Babylon as a world-wide empire. In Daniel chapter five, the God of Israel sent a message to Belshazzar through Daniel that his empire was being handed over to the Medes and Persians. This took place that very night. The fact that the bear was raised up on one side refers to the one-side merging of the Median and Persian empires in that over time Persia became more dominant over Media (Daniel 10:13). The three ribs in the mouth of the bear represent the kingdoms of Egypt, Assyria and Babylon, which had preceded the empire, represented by the bear and were conquered by Medo-Persian Empire. Like a bear, the Medo-Persian army was powerful and fierce (Isaiah 13:15-18). The commands to arise, devour much flesh indicates that the Medo-Persian empire was under the sovereign authority of God. It implies that God has sovereignly ordained the Medo-Persian Empire continue its conquests over the nations of the earth. These commands portray the Medo-Persian Empire conquering many nations and peoples to extend its domain. Those commanding the 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

bear must refer to the Trinity since the interpretation of the vision indicates that the God of Israel is sovereign over the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, which are depicted as a lion, bear, leopard and a non-descript beast respectively. Daniel 7:6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. (Author s translation) The leopard represents Greece since it corresponds to the bronze belly and thighs of Nebuchadnezzar s image in Daniel chapter two and was noted for its speed and cunning in attacking its prey, which characterized Alexander the Great s conquests that were without precedent in the ancient world. The four wings on this leopard emphasizes a speed beyond its capacity, which characterized Alexander the Great s lightening fast conquest of the civilized world from Macedonia to Africa and eastward to India. The four heads depict the four-fold division of Alexander s empire after his death between four of his generals (Daniel 8:8, 22). The fact that governmental dominion was given to this kingdom indicates that it did not achieve its conquests by ordinary means but that it achieved its rapid success because of the God of Israel. This would indicate that Alexander was truly a man of destiny and that God gave him is rapid success so that the world was at his feet by the age of 32. Daniel 7:7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. (Author s translation) The fourth beast if you notice is not likened to some known animal but rather is non-descript and distinct from the previous three beasts. Daniel describes this fourth beast as intimidating, even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured and crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the other three beasts. In fact, Daniel says that it was characterized as different from the other three beasts which appeared before it in the sense it possessed ten horns. This fourth beast represents the Roman Empire since it corresponds to the legs of iron in the image that appeared in Nebuchadnezzar s dream in Daniel chapter two, which we noted represented the Roman Empire. The mention of this fourth beast possessing large iron teeth and violently crushing the other three beasts characterized the Roman Empire. The Roman armies were known for their iron armor which led some to refer to them as 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

the Iron Legions of Rome, emphasizing their strength and invincibility. The Roman armies were also known for violently crushing countries and civilizations enslaving many peoples. Daniel describes this fourth beast as having ten horns, which makes this beast different from the previous three. These ten horns refer to ten kings according to Daniel 7:24. These ten horns correspond to the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar s image in Daniel chapter two that referred to the Revived Roman Empire that will consist of a ten nation confederation during Daniel s Seventieth Week. The ten horns do not represent a fifth kingdom but rather they grow out of the head of the fourth kingdom and are the last development of the fourth beast, which corresponds to the ten toes on the image in Nebuchadnezzar s dream in Daniel chapter two. The ten horns mentioned in Daniel 7:24 correspond to the toes in Daniel 2:42 and were ten kingdoms, out of which one horn will arise who will destroy three of the other kingdoms and lead the other seven and persecute believers in Jesus Christ. Daniel 7:26 says that this one horn called the little horn will be destroyed by God. Daniel 2:44-45 teaches that this ten nation confederation depicted as ten toes of the feet of the statue will be destroyed by the Second Advent of Christ, which is depicted as a stone cut of the mountain without hands. Daniel 7:8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. (Author s translation) Daniel continues his description of the fourth beast by telling the reader that a little horn emerged out from among the ten horns of the fourth beast. He then describes the first three of the ten horns were torn out by being in the presence of the little horn. He continues to describe this little horn as possessing eyes and a mouth like a human being. It spoke boastfully with its mouth. The little horn refers to the Antichrist since it is identified with the Revived Roman Empire and in Daniel 7:19-26, he is described as waging war against God s people up to the time of the Second Advent of Christ, which corresponds to the depiction of the Antichrist in Revelation (Daniel 7:11, 20-26; 8:25; Revelation 13:1-10; 19:20). The Scriptures give the Antichrist many titles and names: (1) The beast (Revelation 13:1-2) (2) The prince that will come (Daniel 9:26-27) (3) The man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10) (4) The scarlet beast (Revelation 17:3) (5) The willful king (Daniel 11:36-40) (6) The man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:3), (7) The son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3) (8) The Desolater (Daniel 9:27). He will not appear until the Day of the Lord has begun (2 Thessalonians 2:2) and his manifestation is being hindered by the Restrainer (2 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

Thessalonians 2:6-7) and this appearance will be preceded by the rapture of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Antichrist will be a Gentile since he arises from the sea according to Revelation 13:1 and since the sea depicts the Gentile nations according to Revelation 17:15, he must be of Gentile origin. He will arise from the Roman Empire, since he is a ruler of the people who destroyed Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26). Antichrist is the head of the last form of Gentile world dominion, for he is like a leopard, a bear, and a lion (Revelation 13:1; compare Daniel 7:7-8, 20,24; Revelation 17:9-11) and as such he is a political leader. Daniel 7:21-22 reveals the following regarding the little horn: (1) He will persecute the saints of the Most High and is thus a person and Daniel 7:24 says that he is a king. (2) He will overcome the nation of Israel and will bring that nation under his authority (Revelation 12:13-17; 17:7). (3) He will be judged by God (Revelation 19:19-20) and Israel will thus enter into her millennial reign. Daniel 7:23 reveals that the little horn will have a world-wide kingdom (Compare Revelation 13:7) and it will be an overwhelming conquest, which anticipates a coming one-world government under a worldwide dictator. Daniel 7:25 corresponds to Revelation 13:1-10 and gives us three more additional facts about the little horn: (1) He will oppose God s authority as indicated by the phrase He will speak out against the Most High (Compare Revelation 13:6). (2) He will oppress born-again Israel as indicated by the statement wear down the saints of the Highest One. (3) He will introduce an entirely new era in which he will abandon all previous laws and institute his own system as indicated by the statement he will intend to make alterations in times in law (Compare Daniel 11:36-37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). Daniel 9:26 indicates that this little horn will be a Roman dictator as indicated by the phrase the people of the prince who is to come. The people were the Romans who destroyed the temple forty years after the death of Christ. The prince refers to the little horn, i.e. the Antichrist indicating that the Antichrist will be a Roman. Daniel 9:27 says that Antichrist will pretend to be Israel s benefactor and make a treaty with her but will turn against her in the mid way point of Daniel s Seventieth Week and will persecute Israel and occupy Jerusalem for three and a half years. He will make a seven-year treaty with the leaders of Israel, which will begin the final seven prophetic years called the seventieth week and during the middle of this seventieth week after three and a half years, he will break the treaty and stop the sacrifices in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and declare himself God. Nothing in history corresponds to the events described during this seventieth week. The Second Advent of Christ has yet to take place. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

Daniel 7:26 refers to the Supreme Court of Heaven, (God the Father) passing down the decision to remove the little horn s power, which will take place at the Second Advent of Christ, which terminates Daniel s Seventieth Week (See Revelation 19:11-20:6). The little horn will seek to prevent Christ s rule on the earth by attempting to destroy God s covenant people Israel but his reign will be short, only three and a half years and will be terminated with the Second Advent of Jesus Christ who at that time will establish His millennial reign on earth in fulfillment of God s covenant promises to Israel. This prophecy concerning the little horn will take place in the future since no such ruler has attained world-wide rulership over a one-world government, no such ruler has subdued three of ten kings who were ruling at once and no such ruler has persecuted Israel for three and a half years and no such ruler has been destroyed by the return of Jesus Christ! Therefore, we can see that toward the end of the Times of the Gentiles, a one world government under a tyrannical dictator will emerge from a ten nation confederacy. This confederacy will emerge out of the old Roman Empire and thus will be a European confederacy. This ten-nation confederacy that will take place in the future will be a revived form of the Roman Empire since it is portrayed in Daniel 2 and 7 as emerging from the fourth kingdom, Rome. So the description of the little horn here in Daniel 7:8 indicates that the Antichrist will start off as an insignificant world ruler among ten other rulers of kingdom but will defeat three of these ten kingdoms and emerge as a world ruler. The eyes of the little horn speak of the faculty of careful observation implying that the Antichrist will be extremely intelligent. The boastful speaking indicates that the Antichrist will be a great speaker who in the judgment of God is arrogant in his words. Daniel 7:9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. (Author s translation) After describing four great beasts in verses 1-8, which represent the worldempires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, the scene shifts in verse 9 where Daniel describes the Father as sitting on His throne in judgment. This indicates that despite the ferocity of these four great world-empires, the Father is sovereign over all of them. This scene in verse 9 reminds the reader that God is still sovereign over the nations of the earth. In fact, He has permitted these four great world-empires to appear in the pages of history. Also, this verse is reminder to the reader that the little horn which speaks of the Antichrist who will rule the final form of the Roman Empire during Daniel s Seventieth Week is also under the sovereign authority of God. He will be permitted to come to world-power because 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

the Father has sovereignly decided that he will do so. Therefore, we can see that Daniel 7:9 serves as an encouragement to God s people during the Times of the Gentiles, which will come to an end at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. God s wants His people during the dispensations which take place during the Times of the Gentiles to know for certain that He is in control and that none of these tyrannical empires and their rulers can rule without His say so. The One Ancient in Days is a reference to the Father. This expression appears only in the book of Daniel (7:9, 12, 22) and is not intended to suggest that God ages. Instead it expresses the qualities of wisdom and venerability which one who is advanced in days would possess. It also speaks of the eternality of God the Father and His authority over every creature and all creation (cf. Job 36:26). This expression the One Ancient in Days refers to God the Father since in Daniel 7:13 one like a Son of Man came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. The Ancient of Days is said to give the Son of Man dominion and an eternal kingdom. The Gospels record the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ employing the title Son of Man with regards to Himself (Matthew 9:6; 11:19; 12:32; 13:37; 17:22; Mark 2:28; 8:31; 10:33; 13:26; Luke 9:22; 11:30; 12:8; 21:27; 24:7; John 3:13; 6:53; 12:23; 13:31). The New Testament teaches that the Father rewarded His Son Jesus Christ with authority over every creature and all of creation and to judge both men and angels (Ephesians 1:20-22; Colossians 1:16-18; Philippians 2:6-11). Thus, the Ancient of Days or the One Ancient in Days must be a reference to the Father. His clothing was white like snow speaks of the holiness of the Father and the statement the hair of His head was like lamb s wool speaks of the Father s infinite wisdom. In Daniel 7:9, the statements His throne was fiery flames and Its wheels were a blazing fire both speak of the Father as having the authority to judge His creatures, both men and angels. They speak of judgment because fire in the bible is associated with judgment (Revelation 1:14-15; cf. Exodus 3:2; Deuteronomy 4:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 1 Timothy 6:16; Hebrews 12:29). The wheels on the Father s throne recall the description of the glory of God which Ezekiel saw in Ezekiel 1:4-28. They are symbolic of the fact that God s execute His judgments swiftly. It also speaks of the fact that His judgment is universal in creation. There is no creature who is not accountable to Him. Daniel 7:10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. (Author s translation) 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

In Daniel 7:9, Daniel presents to the reader a description of the Ancient of Days, who is the Father whereas here in Daniel 7:10 he presents a description of the scene around the throne of the Ancient of Days, which is composed of four statements. Since this scene appeared to Daniel in a vision, these statements are describing in symbolic terms that the Father is the judge of all His creatures. Thus, they also emphasize in symbolic terms that He is sovereign over all of His creatures and all of His creation. The first statement describes in symbolic terms that the Father issues judgments of nations and people. Men are raised up by God to be a ruler of a nation and they are deposed by the Father as well. Nations rise and fall and this too, is due to the judgments of the Father. The second statement also describes symbolically that the Father receives worshipful service from an innumerable amount of individuals whose identity is not revealed to Daniel. The third statement intensifies and advances up this second statement and describes symbolically that another host of innumerable unidentified individuals are standing around the throne of the Father waiting to render Him worshipful service as well. The fourth and final statement describes the Supreme Court of Heaven being convened resulting scrolls being opened which contain information regarding the evidence against an individual who Daniel 7:11 reveals is the little horn, who we noted is the Antichrist. This evidence against the Antichrist would be the record of his blasphemous actions during Daniel s Seventieth Week and his persecution and murder of God s people. Therefore, since Daniel 7:11 speaks of God judging the Antichrist, this scene described in Daniel 7:10 is that of the Father passing judgment against the Antichrist. Also, since Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 13:1-10 make clear that Antichrist will be the leader of ten-nation European confederacy and eventually a world-wide ruler during the Seventieth Week of Daniel, the scene described in Daniel 7:10 is also during the same period of time. Daniel 7:10 is thus describing in symbolic terms a future event that will take place at the end of Daniel s Seventieth Week in which the Father will pass judgment on the Antichrist which will result in his death and being deposited in the eternal lake of fire. So the scene described in symbolic terms Daniel 7:9-10 is of future events that will take place at the end of Daniel s Seventieth Week. In fact, these verses are describing symbolically the events will take place which will bring to an end the Times of the Gentiles, which will be followed by Jesus Christ s judgment of the Jews followed by the Gentiles. At His Second Advent just prior to His millennial reign, the Lord Jesus Christ will first judge Israel when He lands on planet earth. This judgment involves the removal of unregenerate Israel from the earth leaving only regenerate Israel to enter into the Millennial reign of Christ (Ezek. 20:37-38; Zech. 13:8-9; Mal. 3:2-3, 5; Matt. 25:1-30). This will be immediately followed by 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

the Lord Jesus Christ judging the Gentiles, which involves the removal of unregenerate, anti-semitic Gentiles from the earth (Matt. 25:31-46). Also, since Daniel 7:9-10 records events in symbolic terms which will take place at the end of Daniel s Seventieth Week, the innumerable unidentified individuals rendering worshipful service to the Father and those standing around His throne waiting to do so must be both regenerate human beings and elect angels. Those who are regenerate human beings would include regenerate Israel from Old Testament dispensations including Daniel s Seventieth Week. It also would include regenerate Gentiles from every dispensation up to and including Daniel s Seventieth Week. Lastly, it would also include elect angels as well. Therefore, Daniel 7:9-10 does not describe the Great White Throne Judgment of all unbelievers throughout human history recorded in Revelation 20:11-15 since this takes place after the millennial reign of Christ and Satan s final rebellion which occurs just after the millennium. The events in Daniel 7:9-10 take place immediately prior to the Second Advent of Christ which terminates Daniel s Seventieth Week. In fact, Revelation 19:20-21 record Antichrist and the false prophet being thrown into the Lake of Fire. Then, Revelation 20:1-4 records Satan being imprisoned during the millennial reign of Christ. Revelation 20:7-10 records the final rebellion of Satan which takes place after the millennium followed by Satan being cast into the Lake of Fire where the Antichrist and the false prophet are still alive and suffering punishment. Then, Revelation 20:11-15 records the Great White Throne Judgment in which every unregenerate person in history is thrown alive into the eternal lake of fire. So the chronology of these events in Revelation 19-20 indicates quite clearly that Daniel 7:9-10 records in symbolic terms the scene prior to the judgment of Antichrist at the end of Daniel s Seventieth Week and prior to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ, which brings to completion the Times of the Gentiles. Obviously the Antichrist is unregenerate and like every unregenerate human being exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ but rejects it in unbelief he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire because of this rejection of Jesus Christ as Savior. Daniel 7:11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. (Author s translation) Following the vision of the Ancient of Days in verses 9-10, Daniel receives further revelation regarding the little horn and the fourth beast from which he came from. Here in verse 11, Daniel resumes a discussion of the little horn which he left off describing in verse 8. Daniel tells the reader in verse 11 that he was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

boastful words which the little horn was speaking. This parallels his last statement at the end of verse 8 in which he emphatically state that this little horn had eyes like a human being s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. So this would indicate to the reader that verses 9-10 are parenthetical. These verses are also indicating to the reader who is behind the destruction of the fourth beast and the little horn, namely the Ancient of Days. Then, in verse 11, after telling the reader he was continuing to stare in trance like state because of the sound of the boastful words which the little horn was making it a habit of speaking, he describes the destruction of the fourth beast, from which the little horn had originated. Daniel describes the beast being killed. Then emphatically states that its body was burned and specifically it was given over to the consuming fire. Remember that this fourth beast had ten horns from which emerged the little horn. So when this fourth beast is killed and burned with fire, all the horns including the little horn perished as well since they were attached to this fourth beast. The fact that a river of fire was coming out from throne of the Ancient of Days and that the body of this fourth beast was given over to the consuming fire makes clear that the destruction of the fourth beast and the little horn was the direct result of the Ancient of Days judging them. As we have noted in previous studies, the Ancient of Days describes in symbolic terms God the Father. The little horn is a reference to the Antichrist. The fourth beast is the Roman Empire and specifically the final form of this empire since the Antichrist will rule this final form of the Roman Empire during Daniel s Seventieth Week. Daniel 7:11 does not speak of the death of the Antichrist because Revelation 19:11-21 makes clear that he will be taken alive at the Second Advent of Christ and deposited into the Lake of Fire. Rather, it speaks of the destruction of the final revived form of the Roman Empire during Daniel s Seventieth Week. This description of the fourth beast in Daniel 7:11 corresponds with the destruction of the image in Nebuchadnezzar s dream in Daniel chapter two (Daniel 2:34-35; cf. 44:45). Specifically, it corresponds to the supernatural rock striking the feet of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar s dream. Therefore, Daniel 7:11 and Daniel 2:34-35 and Daniel 2:44-45 are describing in symbolic or apocalyptical terms the Lord Jesus Christ destroying the Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist at His Second Advent, which terminates not only Daniel s Seventieth Week but also the Times of the Gentiles. In Daniel chapter 2 and 7, the Holy Spirit through Daniel is describing a violent overthrow and destruction of Antichrist and the final form of the Roman Empire. This indicates that Jesus Christ will violently overthrow and destroy this final form of Gentile power. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

Daniel 2 and 7 along with Revelation 19-20 make clear that the premillennial interpretation of the Bible is the correct one and not amillennial or post-millennial since these passages teach that the millennial reign of Christ takes place after the destruction of all Gentile power at His Second Advent. These passages teach that the millennial kingdom is brought through the Second Advent of Christ and not by the actions of the church. They teach that the Father through His Son will first destroy all Gentile power and then will come the millennial kingdom. Daniel 7:12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. (Author s translation) Daniel contrasts the killing of the fourth beast with the first three beasts whose governmental dominion was taken away by the Ancient of Days, though an extension of life was granted to these beasts for an appointed period of time. Though the first three beasts were permitted to live for an appointed period of time by the Ancient of Days, this does not imply that the first three beasts continued to live after the death of the fourth beast since each beast continued to exist in the beast which followed it. The empires of Babylon, Medo-Persian and Greece which are represented by the first three beasts were absorbed into the Roman Empire represented by the fourth beast. So the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece continued to exist in some form in the Roman Empire though they were no longer world-empires. The customs, ideologies, religions and philosophies of Babylon were absorbed into the Medo-Persian Empire when the latter conquered the former. In the same way, the customs, ideologies, religions and philosophies of Medo-Persia were absorbed into the Alexander s Greece when the latter conquered the former. The customs, ideologies, religions, and philosophies of the Greeks were absorbed into the Roman Empire. The customs, ideologies, religions and philosophies of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome will be found to some extent in the Revived Form of the Roman Empire which will exist during Daniel s Seventieth Week. Therefore, when the final form of the Roman Empire appears during Daniel s Seventieth Week in the future, the remnants of Babylon, Medo-Persian and Greece will be destroyed along with it. This corresponds to what we read in Daniel chapter two where the rock struck the iron and clay feet of the statue and not only crushed the iron and clay feet but also the gold head, silver chest and arms, the bronze belly and thighs and the iron lower legs. This not only represents Jesus Christ destroying the Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist at His Second Advent as well as His millennial kingdom erasing completely any reminder of the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo- Persia, Greece and Rome but it also indicates that remnants of these four kingdoms 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

will be found in the Revived Form of the Roman Empire. That remnants of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome will be found in the Revived Form of the Roman Empire during Daniel s Seventieth Week under Antichrist is indicated by the fact that the body of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar s dream emphasized the continuity and integral relationship of the kingdoms represented in the statue. This means that though one kingdom might pass away, elements of it would be found in the kingdom, which follows it. History records that the Roman Empire and civilization incorporated much of the Greek culture, even identifying their gods with those of the Greeks. Also Persian and Babylonian cults and customs spread throughout the Roman Empire. The Greek language became the language of trade, commerce and government communication in the eastern half of the Roman Empire and even in the city of Rome itself. The fact that the iron lower legs belong to the statue indicates that Rome represented by the iron lower legs would incorporate the language, customs, culture and gods of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. Thus, in a sense these three previous kingdoms in a sense were not completely destroyed. However, Christ s Second Advent will destroy any remembrance of these former kingdoms as depicted in the rock cut out of a mountain without human hands striking the image on the feet and destroying the entire image. Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ s victory over this ten-nation confederacy under Antichrist during Daniel s Seventieth Week will be total and complete but also it will be total and complete over all these previous Gentile kingdoms. His Second Advent will result in the destruction of any remnants of these previous Gentile world powers. Furthermore, His millennial government will cause these other forms of government to be totally and completely forgotten. So Daniel is telling the reader in Daniel 7:12 that in contrast to the fourth beast representing Rome, the first three beasts representing Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece will have their world-wide governmental dominion taken away from them one by one and will be permitted to exist in the kingdom which succeeds it as a world-wide empire. In other words, unlike the first three beasts, the fourth beast will not have its world-wide governmental dominion taken away from it and given to another Gentile kingdom and then be permitted to exist in a Gentile kingdom which succeeds it. Thus, the Roman Empire demise will not result in another Gentile power succeeding it and remnants of it will not be absorbed into another world-wide Gentile power as was the case with Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. The death of the Roman Empire will bring about the demise of Babylon, Medo- Persia and Greece since remnants of it were absorbed into the Roman Empire. Unlike Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, the final world-wide Gentile power, the Revived Form of the Roman Empire will be destroyed by Jesus Christ Himself. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

Therefore, in Daniel chapter two, we read that when the rock struck the feet of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar s dream, the entire statue was destroyed. This as we noted teaches in symbolic terms that when the Second Advent of Christ destroys Antichrist and the Revived Form of the Roman Empire, all remnants of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome will be destroyed as well. Since Daniel chapter two speaks of the Times of the Gentiles from the human perspective and chapter seven from God s perspective, we can infer that the destruction of the fourth beast in chapter seven corresponds to the rock striking the feet of the statue in chapter two. In chapter two the destruction of the feet of the statue was followed by the millennial kingdom and in chapter seven the destruction of the fourth beast was followed by millennial kingdom as made clear by the interpretation given to Daniel in Daniel 7:15-27. Daniel 7:13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. (Author s translation) On the heels of the destruction of the fourth beast and the little horn associated with this beast, Daniel sees a vision of one like a Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven, going up to and approaching the presence of the Ancient of Days. This is symbolic of the Lord Jesus Christ and His ascension (Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 4:14; 9:24) and session (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3) at the right hand of the Father 40 days after His resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ s interprets this vision as being a reference to Himself (Matthew 24:30; 24:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27). The noun bǎr means son but in the sense of a divine being, who does not originate from planet earth. This noun describes the familial relationship with the Ancient of Days. This is indicated by the fact that this person described by Daniel in his vision was coming with the clouds of heaven. This implies deity since the clouds of heaven are often referred to the Old Testament as signifying God s presence (Exodus 13:21ff. 1 Kings 8:10ff.; Isaiah 19:1; Jeremiah 4:13; Nahum 1:3; Ezekiel 10:4; Psalm 18:10, 12; 97:2-4; 104:3ff.). Leupold writes the clouds are the mark of both the heavenly and the divine. 2 The incarnate Son of God Jesus Christ describes Himself as coming with the clouds at His Second Advent (Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7). Lastly, Daniel 7:14 describes this Son of Man as receiving an eternal kingdom from the Ancient of Days and Daniel 7:27 describes this son of man as the Highest One whose kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom. Therefore, the noun 2 Leupold, H.C. Exposition of Daniel; page 308; Baker Book House; Grand Rapids, Michigan; 1949; Reprinted 1969 by Baker Book House Company. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

bǎr, Son denotes the divine nature of this person coming upon the clouds of the earth s atmosphere. The noun bǎr is the object of the preposition k-, which is used as a marker of comparison indicating that it is comparing this person to a son or divine being. It is also in the construct state meaning that it is governing the noun ʾěnāš, which means man describing this divine person coming with the clouds of heaven as a human being. Thus, these two words signify that Daniel is describing someone who is both divine and human. The construct state of bǎr indicates a genitive relationship. Specifically, it indicates a type of attributive genitive used in conventional idioms of construct forms with some noun in the genitive case to represent the nature, quality, character or condition of a person. Therefore, this construction indicates that this son, who was a divine person, was a human being as well. This construction could be rendered literally a son of man or human son, a son who is a human being. Therefore, this expression Son of Man indicates that Daniel is describing a person who is both divine and human approaching the Ancient of Days in order to receive an eternal kingdom on the earth. It is speaking of the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ. So this scene in Daniel 7:13 is actually symbolically describing what took place after Jesus Christ s death, resurrection and ascension. It thus precedes the Second Advent of Christ and His subsequent millennial reign since Daniel 7:14 records the Son of Man receiving an eternal kingdom from the Ancient of Days after coming with the clouds of heaven and entering the presence of the Ancient of Days. Jesus Christ ascended into heaven upon the clouds of heaven and He will return at His Second Advent in the same manner (Acts 1:9-11). Daniel 7:14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed. (Author s translation) After one like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven and approached the presence of the Ancient of Days, Daniel tells the reader governmental dominion, honor as well as sovereignty was given to the Son of Man by the Ancient of Days. The purpose of which was so that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities and language groups on earth would worshipfully serve Him. Then, Daniel tells the reader that the governmental dominion of the Son of Man is an eternal one which can never be taken away from Him by any of God s creatures with the result that His kingdom is one which is indestructible. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17