Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro: Tonight we continue with the book of Daniel

Now, The book of Daniel, has tremendous insight into the life of Daniel.

But it’s not about Daniel.

It’s all about God - how God is sovereign how He rules over the kingdoms of this world…and Tonight, as we finish our time in the book of Daniel, we will be reminded of the sovereignty of God

Tonight, as we finish out time in the book of Daniel, we will be reminded of the sovereignty of God

(Prop) tonight, we’re gonna only look at 2 chapters in Daniel - 7 & 9

Daniel is the Everest of Prophecy

These 2 chapters highlight 2 massive propehtic visions

He had them when Babylon was still the world’s super power and Belshazzar was co ruling Babylon with a guy by the name of Nabonitis

He had them when Belshazzar was co ruling Babylon with a guy by the name of Nabonitis

Something important: The interpretation of these visions have been the source of debate for a long time, and it’s possible that bible students in this room tonight might have 2 different opinions

Now the interpretation of these visions have been the source of debate for a long time, and it’s possible that bible students in this room tonight might have 2 different opppinions

It’s important to always remember that in Christianity there are “open handed” issues “closed handed” issues

Things like Eschatology, Women in leadership, The role of the Holy spirit today are “open handed” issues

It’s important to have a stance on those things - as We a do - Pre-millennial, Complementary, We believe the spirit still moves

But some born again christians disagree…thats alright

Chapter 7 - The vision of the four beasts

One thing that is quite certain about these visions:

The way you interpret these visions is open handed - I believe we have the right way, but their open handed

One thing that is quite certain:

The vision of daniel 7 parallels the vision that daniel interpreted in Chapter 2

They have the same theme - Gentile imperial power

They both consist of 4 empires (chapter 2 pictures them as a giant stature, chapter 7 pictures them as 4 beasts)

Both would be destroyed by God

Some say that the dream of Nebchanezzer in chapter 2 is man’s view of the matter, and Daniels dream is God’s view of the matter

Most believe that the 4 empires represent:

Babylon

Medo-Persia - Who would conquer Babylon in 539 b.c

Greece - lead by Alexander the great

Roman empire - they would reign for around a thousand years

Now even that view has come under attack…in the history of the church

“The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”

Now there’s a guy by the name of Carl Friedrich Keil “The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”

Now there’s a guy by the name of Carl Friedrich Keil “The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”

But remember Jesus himself who is the ultimate authority attested to the things that take place in these visions as things that will happen in the future

“The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”

But remember Jesus himself who is the ultimate authority attested to the things that take place in these visions as things that will happen in the future

But remember Jesus himself who is the ultimate authority attested to the things that take place in these visions as things that will happen in the future

it begins the 2nd division of the book - Prophetic Preview

This dream of Daniel’s mirrors the dream he interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar back in chapter 2, Thats where Daniel told him about the kingdoms that would reign after his kingdom ended…Now this dream years later…but yet it has the same flavor to it

In chapter 2 He described - A giant figure that had 4 types of metal all representing 4 different kingdoms

Here in chapter 4 he describes four beasts that arose from the sea (A lion, a bear, a leopard, a metallic beast)—each of which served as an avatar of an empire.

Daniel saw not four types of metal on a statue but four beasts that arose from the sea—itself a symbol of the mass of humanity across the world—each of which served as an avatar of an empire.

A lion with eagle’s wings represented the golden head of Babylon, followed by a bear symbolizing Medo-Persia’s silver chest and arms, then a winged leopard that stood for Greece’s bronze torso and thighs, and finally, a metallic beast that trampled the earth, the iron legs of Rome.”

(v.4)

A lion with eagle’s wings represented the empire of Babylon - Archaeological digs have revealed statues of winged lions guarding the palace gates in the ruins of Babylon

(v.5)

A ferocious bear represented the empire Medo-Persia - The Medo-Persian bear was the right symbol for them because although they were powerful, they weren’t really majestic and kingly…they relied on brute force

(v.5)

A ferocious bear represented the empire Medo-Persia

(V.6)

A winged leopard that stood for the Grecian empire - The leopard of Greece predicted Alexander the Great’s speedy ascent and conquest of southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and its four wings stood for the four generals who history tell us split his kingdom after his equally quick demise.

(V.6)

A winged leopard that stood for the Grecian empire

(V.7)

And finally, Daniel saw a metallic beast that trampled the earth, this would have represented the Roman empire

Did you know - That Archaeological digs have revealed statues of winged lions guarding the palace gates in the ruins of Babylon, symbols of its glory and power.

The Medo-Persian bear, raised up on one side, signified the greater power that Persia wielded in that alliance, and its mouth full of three ribs indicated nations that it had conquered to rise to power (thought by many to be Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt).

The leopard of Greece predicted Alexander the Great’s speedy ascent and conquest of southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and its four wings stood for the four generals who split his kingdom after his equally quick demise.

The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law—the iron teeth and bronze claws of Daniel’s vision.”

(V.7)

And finally, Daniel saw a metallic beast that trampled the earth, this would have represented the Roman empire - The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law

The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law—the iron teeth and bronze claws of Daniel’s vision

The Medo-Persian bear was the right symbol for them because although they were powerful, they weren’t really majestic and kingly…they relied on brute force

“After this fearsome fourth beast came a single horn—a prophetic symbol of power—that made war against God’s people until He came and stopped it.

This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth.

Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right.

The leopard of Greece predicted Alexander the Great’s speedy ascent and conquest of southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and its four wings stood for the four generals who history tell us split his kingdom after his equally quick demise.

The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law—the iron teeth and bronze claws of Daniel’s vision

Then, something else came up in Nebbis dream...

Now their was something about that forth beast...

dan 17:8

Wow, this is heavy...from this fourth beast came a single little horn, it had the eye’s of a man, and it spoke in persuasive ways

After this fourth beast came a single horn—a prophetic symbol of power—that made war against God’s people until He came and stopped it.

This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth.

Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right.

After this fourth beast came a single horn—a prophetic symbol of power—that made war against God’s people until God came and stopped it.

This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth.

Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right

So here’s the picture: This is a pretty unsettling scene right here..anyone would be terrified

This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth.

Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right

Now it’s important to remember the context of all of this: This is where Daniel is lamenting over the fact that Israel futures in still uncertain...Even with the promise of eventual restoration and God’s kingdom on earth, who knew when that would be?

Knowing that God will ultimately be victorious is comforting, but in the midst of tribulation, that victory can’t come soon enough

But then the scene changes and Daniel is swept away into the courtroom of God

Dan 7:9-10

What an overwhelming sight...Daniel fresh from seeing these terrifying beasts that represented the empires of the world was no doubt was quite startled by what he had seen…but then, God shows daniel…something even more overwhelming…His holiness

He is the way hebrews 12:29 describe him “Our God is a consuming fire” - His throne, his essence

Thousands upon thousands serve him and worship him

But as daniel is in this heavenly courtroom, he gets distracted by this little horn from verse 8 that was insisting on being heard

dan 7

Now, we have no idea what was said…all we know is that it didn’t work, and the beast and the horn was destroyed...

Then, theres a pause and then Daniel says this...

This is one of the most important passages in all the bible…not just because it’s speaks of the resolution of the whole matter, but this is also the passage that Jesus referred to speaking of himself when he was in the house of the high priest

Jesus in reaches all the way back into and Illuminates for us the his identity…Jesus is the son of Man

To think that the Judge of the kings of the world…would would face judgement for you and me…is beyond words don’t you think?

Look at what all this did to daniel

dan 7:15

So he’s not like “wow this is awesome, he’s like wow “this is terrifying”, but he’s really intrigued over the 4th beast in particular, and that little horn thats speaking so much…so he approaches one of the angels and asks for an explanation to whom the 4th beast was and to whom the little horn was...

And he gives it to him...