Lesson #8 THE FOUR BEASTS DANIEL FROM START2FINISH

EXAMINATION vv. 1-14—Four beasts emerged from the sea, representing four empires. These are not natural animals, but mutant hybrids—they represent a perversion of God’s will, though they remain under God’s control.

First Beast Lion with eagle’s wings

Second Beast Bear reared on three legs

Third Beast Leopard with four heads/wings

Fourth Beast

EXAMINATION vv. 1-14—The Ancient of Days is depicted as righteous, holy, and pure. Daniel witnesses the beast judged, sentenced, and destroyed. The three other beasts were stripped of their power, but their lives were prolonged. vv —The little horn would make “war with the saints and [prevail] over them.” But God would judge the little horn and destroy it.

APPLICATION CORRUPTION OF POWER—Every government becomes intoxicated with power and perverts God’s will. Thus, God’s people should not place too much trust in any form of government. UNDER FIRE—Though persecution is our lot on earth, it will not last forever. God eventually judges and punishes tormentors of his church. BEAST FORGIVEN—Though the beast lives in each of us, God—in Christ—proved to us the depths of his love.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION DANIEL FROM START2FINISH

1. What do the sea and the four winds of heaven represent?

2. What significance is there in the fact that these beasts are mutant hybrids and not natural animals?

3. How does Daniel describe the fourth beast?

4. How is the Ancient of Days depicted as righteous, holy, and pure? How is the totality of his judgment represented?

5. What does “a time, times, and half a time” mean?

6. What was Daniel’s response to this vision?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION DANIEL FROM START2FINISH

1. Though God ordained civil governments, they often act against his will. How can governments pervert God’s will?

2. How is the church a fundamental threat to worldly power?

3. What hope does this passage give the suffering Christian?

4. Why is it important to confess “the beast is in all of us”?

5. Though some of its details might be confusing, what would you say is the main point of this vision in Dan. 7?