Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 24, 2014 Live to Win in the End Background: Daniel 7:1-8:27 Lesson: Daniel 7:7-18 Motivation: Do you ever get depressed watching world events in the news? From the Middle East to Africa, things sometimes seem out of control. But in this passage, Daniel reminds us that world events don t catch God off guard. He knows what will happen and assures us of His eventual triumph. HCSB, p. 1446: 7:1-28 This chapter of Daniel is one of the most important in the entire OT, an essential guide to biblical prophecy. Moreover, the vision of the Son of Man is the centerpiece of OT revelation concerning the Messiah. The Aramaic section of Daniel begins in chapter 2 with Nebuchadnezzar s dream of the colossus and ends at the end of Chapter 7. One reason for repeating the similar information in chapters 2 & 8 is that chapter 2 presents the world kingdoms from a Gentile perspective, while chapter 8 views the Gentile empires from the perspective of the Jewish people. Another reason for the repetition is to confirm the certainty of the predictions. As Joseph said, Pharaoh s dreams were repeated because the matter has been determined by God, and He will carry it out soon (Gn 41:32). The vision was included to give hope to Israel in captivity, informing the nation that life in the times of the Gentiles would get worse for God s covenant people, but ultimately the messianic kingdom would be established. Examination: I. Human Kingdoms Rise and Fall (7:1-8) The beasts in this vision correspond to the image of Nebuchadnezzar s dream in chapter two. The lion represents Babylon; the bear represents Medo-Persia. The leopard with four heads represents the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns. (5:7) HCSB 1 / 7
, p. 1446: 7:7 The terrifying fourth beast represents the Roman Empire. It was different from the previous three because it was more powerful and had longer dominion. Horns commonly represent kings or kingdoms in Scripture (Ps 132:17; Zch 1:18; Rv 13:1; 17:12), as the angel s later interpretation plainly indicates (Dn 7:24). While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man s and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly. (5:8) HCSB, p. 1446: 7: 8 A little horn represents a king who starts small in power but becomes dominant. The little horn s eyes like a man s indicates its shrewdness and its mouth that spoke arrogantly points to its boasting blasphemously against God (cp v. 25). This little horn is a future world ruler whom Scripture also calls the coming prince (9:26); the king who will do whatever he wants (11:36); the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, (2 Th 2:3); the beast, (Rv 13:1-10); and the Antichrist (1 Jn 2:18). II. God s Kingdom Endures Forever (7:9-28) A. God s Court As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. (7:9-10) 1. Eternal Ancient of Days 2 / 7
2. Sovereign Took His Seat 3. Holy white like snow and the hair of His head like whitest wool 4. Majestic His throne was flaming fire, its wheels were blazing fire. A river of fire flowing 5. Powerful Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. B. God s Justice I watched, then because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time. (7:1 1-12) HCSB, p. 1447: 7:11-12 The destruction of the beast by burning fire refers to the end of the fourth kingdom, the revived Roman Empire. The rest of the beasts, meaning the previous three kingdoms, would continue to exist but without their earlier dominance, until the coming of the messianic kingdom. C. God s Messiah I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. (7:13-14) HCSB, p. 1447: 7:13-14 Although some have maintained that the son of man is the archangel Michael or a collective personification of the holy ones of the most high (v. 18), this One is none other than the divine Messiah Himself, who will fulfill the destiny of humanity (Ps. 8; Heb 2:5-18). Jesus understood it to be a messianic title (Mk 14:61-62), and He used it to speak of Himself. Later rabbis saw it as one of the names of the Messiah. 3 / 7
D. God s Reign As for me, Daniel; my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in mind terrified me. I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes forever and ever. (7:15-18) While earthly kingdoms arise and fall, God s kingdom will last forever and ever (18 cf Phil. 2:9-10). E. God s Plan The premillennial/pretribulation view of the rapture would liken this prophecy to John s Revelation and conclude the following: 1. The Fourth Beast represents the Roman Empire (23). 2. The Ten Kings represent a future ten kingdom confederacy rising out of the territory of the ancient Roman Empire (24). 3. The Little Horn represents the Antichrist who will arise from this ten kingdom confederacy (24). 4. The 3 ½ Years (25) represent the Reign of Terror of the Antichrist. The seven years of tribulation will thus be divided into two distinct periods. 5. Ultimate Victory (26-27) The primary message of Daniel s vision is the triumph of God s kingdom over all earthly rulers. III. God s People Face a Time of Trouble (8:1-14) A. Ram with two horns (3-4) Symbolic of the Medo-Persian Empire with the higher horn demonstrating the greater influence of Persia. 4 / 7
B. Male Goat (5-8) Symbolic of the Grecian Empire of Alexander the Great ( conspicuous horn ) which overran the Medo-Persian Empire. This is an amazing prophecy highlighting the rise of Alexander, the speedy conquest ( rushed at him with savage fury ) and the division of this empire among Alexander s four generals. C. Little Horn (9-14) The historical figure, Antiochus IV, was a precursor and type of the future Antichrist. HCSB, pp. 1448-49: 8:9-12 As opposed to the little horn that will come from the fourth kingdom (Rome) described in Dn 7:8, a different little horn emerged out of one of the four kingdoms that divided the Greek Empire. This one was Antiochus IV (175-163 B.C.), ruler of the Seleucid dynasty, who conquered surrounding areas to the south and to the east but especially dominated the beautiful land of Israel. He brutally trampled and persecuted the Jewish people from 170-164 B.C. Antiochus blasphemously presented himself as the Prince of the host, God Himself (called the Prince of princes in 8:25), stopping daily sacrifice and defiling the holy temple ( His sanctuary ) in Jerusalem (167 B.C.). He will be successful, but only temporarily. IV. Shatters Evil in the End (8:15-27) God Gabriel s Interpretation basically reviews what has been noted. The vision refers to the end-time (17-19). The specificity of the prophecy concerning Alexander the Great and the four 5 / 7
successive generals is particularly striking (21-22). That the vision has a second meaning toward a more distant future is seen in phrases like conclusion of the time, appointed time of the end (19) and Near the end of their kingdoms (23). The description of Antiochus IV also applies to a future Antichrist (Rev 13). Application: 1. The accuracy of Biblical prophecy confirms the authenticity of God s Word. 2. The scope of prophecy should remind us of God s sovereignty over world events. 3. The specific nature of prophecy should assure us of God s authority, including His concern and control over events. Leader Pack Item 21: Four Beasts Illustrator: (no new article this week) **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: www.hfbcbiblestudy. org Dates: 8/24 - Back to School Sunday; 8/27 Midlink Kickoff; 8/29 HFBC Night @ Minute Maid Park; 9/1 - Labor Day Offices closed; 9/3 Milestone Classes start; 9/7 Adult 2 Rally; 6 / 7
9/7- Deacon s mtg./ Church conference; 9/12 Pastor s Anniversary Event; 9/14 LBS Leadership Luncheon; 9/17-19 Ed Staff @ D6 Conf; 9/21 MIYCO; 9/25 Summit Celebrates; 10/3-4 Women s Retreat; 10/5 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conf.; 10/19 Lord s Supper; 10/19 Parent Commitment; 10/25 FBA Day / Summit Hoedown; 10/31 First Fest/Light the Night; 11/2 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conference; 11/4 Election Day 7 / 7