A View of the Future Believing and Behaving in Babylon Part 7 Daniel Chapter 7 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960…1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”

Switching Scenes Chapter 7 moves – from the historical accounts of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon – to the prophetic revelations received by Daniel regarding the future kingdoms of the world The chronology is not “linear” – the revelations of Chapters 7 & 8 occurred prior to the events of Chapter 5 Even the language changes after this: – Chapters 1 through 2:4 and 8-12 were written in Hebrew – Chapters 2:5 – 7 were written in Aramaic (“Chaldean”)

Although the setting is in Babylon, the perspective for all this is Israel – They were in Babylon because of idolatry and unbelief – God had not abandoned them: he had let them suffer the consequences of their choices – Each of the kingdoms would rule over Israel as they conquered and ruled the known world, and each would be God’s instrument of Sovereignty over her Romans 13:1-3 As we live in 21 st Century Babylon, we, too, should keep our gaze fixed on the coming King of Kings! – Daniel Just got a glimpse! – He also got a preview of the turmoil of the Last Days, and the terrible ruler who would arise before the end.

An Overview BABYLONIAN EMPIREMEDO-PERSIAN EMPIRE Nebuchad- nezzar BelshazzarDariusCyrus Daniel 1-4Daniel 5Daniel 6 Daniel 12Daniel 7-8Daniel 9Daniel 11-12

Changing Roles In the cases of the previous dreams and visions, Daniel interpreted their meaning to the distraught recipients In the prophecies of Daniel 7-12 Daniel is the one who receives the dream, and a heavenly messenger interprets them The intensity and complexity of the dream is greater and it is more violent God’s ultimate sovereignty is reinforced, and the Anointed One is revealed

The Four Kingdoms Chapter 2Chapter 7 Head of goldThe winged lion Breast & arms of silverThe devouring bear Belly & thighs of bronzeThe winged leopard Legs & feet of iron & clayThe indescribable beast In Chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar was shown a huge statue representing four kingdoms In Chapter 7 Daniel is also shown four kingdoms, but in a different manner

Similarities – Chapters 2 & 7 A four-part statueFour beasts Statue represents kingdomsBeasts represent kingdoms Deterioration: Gold to iron mixed with clay Deterioration: Nearly human to blaspheming beast Statue destroyedBeasts destroyed Eternal Kingdom is established Eternal kingdom is established

Contrasts – Chapters 2 & 7 Nebuchadnezzar’s VisionDaniel’s Vision Daniel’s interpretationAngel’s interpretation Glorious statueHorrible beasts Human statue in four partsFour (inhumane) beasts Destroyed mysteriously by a stone Destroyed in judgment by God

The Kingdoms of this World The Great Statue Head of Gold: Babylon and its riches Silver Chest & Arms: Medo-Persia Bronze Belly & Thighs: Greece Iron Legs: Rome – Iron+ Clay Feet: Weakened through alliances The Terrible Beasts Winged Lion: Babylon “King of beasts” – swift in conquering Ravenous Bear: Medo- Persia Four-headed, winged Leopard: Greece Fearsome Beast: Rome – Ten horns – future alliance of kingdoms, controlled by one boastful king

The First Beast: A Winged Lion Nebuchadnezzar was famed for his swift and brutal, sweeping conquest of his enemies. – Babylon was feared by all – for a time – Its wings were plucked…lifted up from the ground… may refer to Nebuchadnezzar’s 7-year episode with boanthropy – chapter 4 That Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar was depicted as the gold head in Ch. 2 indicates his more noble nature than those which follow – We can never put our hope in political/economic systems to save us – each one ultimately grows more corrupt than the ones before.

The Second Beast – the Bear Like the silver chest and arms of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the bear represents the brutal Medo-Persian empire. – This empire was larger and its conquests more deliberate than Babylon’s – The three ribs may refer to three kingdoms it would conquer: Babylon (east), Egypt (south), and Lydia (Asia Minor)

The Third Beast - Leopard This is a different kind of cat! Greece ( BC) – Four wings: may refer to the speed with which Alexander conquered the known world – Four heads: may refer to the dominions of his four generals when Greece was divided after his death – The leopard is very swift, very stealthy, and without mercy when it kills

The Fourth Terrible Beast: Rome – Political and Spiritual This beast defies a natural comparison – Tramples its predecessors – Ten horns – ten kingdoms under one rule – Little horn, etc. – a powerful, boastful ruler who will overpower and rule the others – Antichrist? – Eyes …mouth – more human-like intelligence and abilities – Three horns … pulled up - three kings or kingdoms destroyed by the new one This king will not be satisfied with earthly power; he defies God Himself and desires His power and rule

The Ultimate Kingdom By God’s revelation, Daniel saw what God had planned into the future – He could not understand the chronology or full meaning of this information – He needed supernatural help with the interpretation – The most important feature of this dream was the unveiling of Heaven and its Owner – Ancient of Days - unique to Daniel May refer to Jehovah’s appearing as an Elder (hair…pure wool…etc.) Also sets Him in stark relief to the powerful but temporary kings of this earth Note that Daniel needed no introduction to Who this was!

The Sovereign’s Setting His absolute sovereignty is symbolized by the great Throne, set before (and above) all the other thrones – v. 9 – He establishes these earthly kingdoms and ultimately rules over them – Rom. 13:1 – They are judged by Him – v. 10 – the court sat…books were opened Similar descriptions are given by – Ezekiel when he tried to describe the heavenly visions, and – John in the Revelation of Jesus Christ

Daniel 7 9"I kept looking Until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. Revelation 1:14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 1:15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.

Daniel 7 10 "A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened. Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

And by Jesus Himself… Matthew 25:31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.” Luke 22:69 "But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD."

Defying His Sovereignty Dan. 7:11 "Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time.” This fourth “king” will continue his blasphemy and rebellion until he is destroyed. – Interestingly, though they are doomed, but appeared to have life even after their judgment

Jesus is Lord! 13 "I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. 14 "And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”

The vision troubled and perplexed the old prophet, who sought Heavenly help – vv – …began asking him the exact meaning of all this… - He could tell this was a message of supreme importance, and he wanted to get it right! The angel revealed that the beasts represented four kingdoms, but dwelt on the last at length – v. 23ff – Daniel was shown that the fourth beast (Antichrist) would wage war against God’s saints, – but that He would defeat the evil one and they would be given their dominion– v – Before this can happen the evil 4 th kingdom must run its planned course – v

The angelic interpreter explained the fourth beast, the ten horns, and the pompous little horn. v The latter will – blaspheme the Most High, – persecute the saints, and – intend to change the calendar and laws for three and a half years This could refer to the “Great Tribulation” referred to by the Lord Jesus in Matt. 24:21 But he will be stripped of his power and the glorious, everlasting kingdom of our Lord will be ushered in. Daniel responded to the vision and its interpretation with alarm and wonderment. – God’s people are secure, but we will be persecuted in the last days

Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.