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Daniel Chapter 7 |
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In this chapter is the next of the series of prophecies and visions given to Daniel. From this point forward all of the visions were given directly to Daniel.
Introduction
This was Daniel's vision occurring 48 years after Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Verse 1 gives the exact year of the vision. It occurred in the first year of Belshazzar's reign. The Babylonian Empire has fallen and the Medo-Persian Empire now rules. What Daniel saw was one vision having two significant scenes.
The Vision
The First Scene.
Verses 2-8
Daniel saw turmoil upon “the great sea” with the four winds breaking forth upon it. This great sea is most probably the Mediterranean Sea. If this is true, we see an on-going correlation of the Mediterranean area with these nations in the prophecies. Four great beasts arise from the sea. There is no difficulty in identifying these four beasts with the first four empires of Nebuchadnezzar's image of chapter 2. Here are the four beasts as Daniel recorded them.
The lion with eagle's wings standing erect as a man and given a man's heart.
The bear raised on one side with three ribs in his mouth and told to eat much flesh.
The leopard with four wings and four heads.
The dreadful, terrible, strong beast with great iron teeth. It was diverse from the other three and had ten horns.
In examining each of these beasts little is said of the first three. It becomes clear by the text of this chapter that these beasts represent the same empires as seen in chapter 2.
The Lion is the Babylonian Empire corresponding to the Golden Head of the image.
The Bear corresponds with the Breast and Arms of Silver of the great image, the Medo-Persian Empire. It is speculated that the rising to one side of the bear is the emergence of the Persian half of this Empire asserting itself, above the Medes. It is also believed that the three ribs in the mouth of the beast signifies the fact that the Persians conquered the Kingdoms of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt, which were thought to have formed an alliance.
The Leopard is the Greek Empire, the Belly and Thighs of Brass of the image. It is presumed that the four wings signify swiftness, added to fact that a leopard has great speed and agility. This is very reflective of the amazing speed in which Alexander the Great conquered the world. The main forte of his army was its agility and speed of movement. (As an example, the Persians had a huge army of perhaps one million but it could take months to position itself for battle.) The four heads are very important and will be revealed in much greater detail in chapter 8. But, for now we pass over these heads.
The Diverse Beast is the Roman Empire and corresponds with the Legs of Iron and also the feet and toes of Iron and Clay. This beast seized Daniel's attention, and the greatest detail is given to it in this vision. Here are the elements in the vision of this beast.
Daniel describes this beast as dreadful, terrible and extremely powerful. It has great iron teeth, which is a reflection of its awesome power.
The ten horns of the beast are directly comparable to the ten toes made of a mixture of iron and clay of the great image. These horns are the ten kingdoms of that final furious outburst of the Roman Empire. They together will make up and compose the last remnant of the Roman Empire. This has yet to come. This Roman Empire consumed, broke, and trampled under its feet all those who it encountered. None could withstand its power.
Daniel was concentrating on the ten horns when he was amazed to see another “little” horn arise among them. Three of the horns were plucked up by their roots (rooted out, removed thoroughly) because of the little horn. The sense is that there arose another king and destroyed three other kings and usurped their kingdoms. Thus these three nations became kingdoms of this little horn.
This little horn had eyes like man and a mouth speaking great things. This is the “antichrist.” At this point there is a departure from the image dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Nevertheless, the connection still remains between the toes and horns. This new vision of God’s, given to Daniel is building and deepening what has been previously revealed.
This concludes the first vision scene.
The Second Scene.
Verses 9-15
Daniel seemed to be mesmerized by what he is seeing as he continues to be in deep thought on the
horns. But suddenly there is a transition in the vision from the sea and beasts to heaven. He continued
watching until the thrones were cast down; literally it is written, “till the thrones were placed.” When the
thrones were placed the Eternal One, God, “did sit.” Here, the description of God and His throne is fearful.
Many regard this as God taking His seat on His “Throne of Judgment” and is about to bring His judgment on
the world and specifically the “Little Horn,” his kingdom, and those Gentile nations of his. With countless
number of beings, ministering and standing before Him, "the judgment -was set, and the books were opened”
(Verse 10). Because of the ministering nature of these beings it is difficult to imagine that they were mere
spectators or audience to God’s judgments, but rather had some hand in executing them.
In verse 11 Daniel’s attention is drawn to the little horn because of the great words, which he was
speaking. As he was looking the beast was slain, his body destroyed and given to the burning flame. This
corresponds to Rev. 19:20, "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles
before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped
his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
Verse 12, “As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were
prolonged for a season and time”. This verse is of interest to those who wonder about the nature of the
world during the Millennium period. What is meant by “a season and a time” no one can tell, it is only in
God's mind as to the meaning. Who are these whose lives are prolonged? Logic suggests that they are the
gentiles composing the beasts, empires or nations of the “antichrist.” If this is so, then during the
millennium age these fortunate ones will continue to live and have opportunity granted to them for
salvation. This is only a guess, but if true it would be an amazing testimony of God’s grace.
The very powerful language of verses 13 and 14 brings joy to the child of God, for it is the actual vision
of Christ receiving His Kingdom and its establishment. Another, the disciple John, saw all of what Daniel saw.
There is a remarkable correspondence with Rev. chapters 4, 5, 19, and 20. This “one like the Son of Man” (vs.
13) is Jesus Christ. The Ancient of Days is either God the Father or the Trinity (the Godhead). This is the stone,
not cut (or fashioned) with hands, which came and destroyed the entire image by striking its feet and toes.
Nebuchadnezzar saw the stone, not realizing he was witnessing Christ conquering and establishing His Kingdom.
No man has any hand in this, it is entirely the divine work of God! By Satan’s energizing this evil in the world
there is no remedy apart from the direct intervention of God.
The Interpretation of the Vision
Verses 16-27
The one who spoke to Daniel was most likely the Archangel Gabriel. Here is the interpretation of the millennium Kingdom of God, final Kingdom of this age, of the ten horns, and the “other” horn. The interpretation begins in verses 17 and 18. The four beasts are the four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. Verse 17 of King James Version states, “the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom,” but the wording is wrong. The correct translation is, “the saints will receive the kingdom.” They do not take it, but receive it from another. Only Christ will take it as it is given to Him from the Father (verse 14). These saints rule and reign with the Son of Man in verses 13 and 14. It is understood that this will be in unison with the actual King, Jesus Christ (see verse 27 and Rev. 1:6). This Kingdom will replace the last empire.
Daniel’s interest and inquiry was of the fourth beast, the ten horns on its head and the subsequent little horn with the stout (proud) look and a mouth speaking great things. Of all that Daniel saw this “little horn” of the fourth beast troubled him the most. For the second time it is stated that three horns (which existed before him) fell, and now we are told that this little horn made war with the saints (holy ones) and overpowered them. The word “saints” in verse 18 and 21 are “the Holy Ones” of the highest places. It could mean either the chosen people (Jews), the saved here on earth at that time, or both. Holy is sanctified, or set apart for God. The time of this little horn prevailing against the saints is the Great Tribulation period. His reign of terror ends when the Ancient of Days comes "and justice was granted to the holy ones of the Highest, and the time arrived that the holy ones should posses the kingdom.” (Literal wording of verse 22)
Next is the interpretation, with prophecy, in verses 23 through 27. The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom diverse from all kingdoms. (One significant way in which this last beast is diverse from the others is that it is a church-state kingdom. The unholy association of apostate “Christianity” and men ruling together in the name and cause of God.) The ten horns are ten kings, which shall arise out of this kingdom or empire. Then the eleventh horn, king, shall arise and shall be different than the ten. This eleventh king will cast down three of the ten kings. The diversity of this last king captures our attention just as it did Daniel. His attributes and character are described in various Scriptures, but in Daniel much is told about him. For now this is what is said of him:
He shall speak words against God.
Wear out the holy ones of the Highest.
He will think to change times and laws.
They (the saints) will given into his hand for a set prescribed period of time.
First, speaking words against God is to blaspheme God. Second, the wearing out of the saints is to afflict them. Third, literally, “he hopes to change times and law.” What the exactly what he wants to do is not clear at this time, but it should be earnestly noted for this is one of the signs of the “Antichrist.” The word season here corresponds to “time” as used elsewhere in Daniel, having the meaning of year. Forth, the giving of the saints into his hand for his persecution of them will last for 3 ½ years till his end comes with the appearing of Christ on earth. This is the period of the Great Tribulation proper.
Verse 26, "But judgment shall sit,” literally, "but judgment shall take its seat" That is, judgment has arrived and has seated itself and its proceedings are commencing. The “they” are the executers of the judgment who shall execute the taking away of his (the antichrist) dominion, to destroy it and make it disappear for all time. It is too vague to say who the "they" are.
The final triumph is in verse 27, “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” This makes clear the relationship of the saints and the most High (Christ) and the kingdom. During the millennium, All will be in subjection to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, with His saints ruling with Him.
This is the end of this vision of Daniel's and the interpretation given to him. Still though, Daniel's thoughts (cogitations) terrified him.
The Summary
This little horn is without doubt the “Antichrist.” Here is how this vision revealed him. He is a person of remarkable intelligence and great oratorical powers (Hitler possessed such powers, swaying the masses of his people), having a mouth speaking great things (verses 8, 20). He is audacious, arrogant and persecuting and would change “times and law.” This last state of the image idol, which began with the magnificence of a head of gold, has degenerated into the most vile and base existence. The degeneration is from that of a lion to a monster that defies description. Each of the beasts is a succession of kingdoms devouring each other till the last is utterly destroyed by Christ Himself. The end of the matter in this chapter is the coming and establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
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Next: Daniel Chapter 8 |
This page last updated September 14, 2004 at 10:21am
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