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Introduction & Body
Verse 1
While the first six chapters of Daniel are beloved narratives, the next six chapters are the only example of apocalyptic literature in the OT.
Apocalyptic literature uses cryptic, symbolic and even fantastic language to tell of future events and God’s judgment upon sin.
NT apocalypse is Revelation.
There is prophecy within them, so we will be spending the next few weeks getting our minds wrapped around these six chapters.
A few words about biblical prophecy:
What prophecy is not:
Intended to scare believers...
Intended to give us a road map for the end of the world...
Intended to be the focus of our faith...
Never intended to be marketed...
What prophecy is:
Always arose during times of persecution because they intention was to bring comfort and hope to the persecuted...
It is intended to bring people back to worshiping the One True, Most High God...
Daniel has this prophetic dream sometime between chapters 4 and 5.
Something else to keep in mind:
Read Daniel 7:15-16 & 7:28
Daniel didn’t understand everything at first.
And even after the dream was explained to him, Daniel didn’t know the specific details.
This matters greatly, because there is still much debate about which kingdoms are prophesied about here.
If we aren’t carefully we can miss the forest for the trees...
Verses 2-8
What do these images represent?
(Some are more challenging than others):
Four winds of heaven = represents totality…four winds representing north, south, east and west.
The great sea = something chaotic and unpredictable…the Jews often used it as a metaphor for the Gentile world, particularly the kingdoms who persecuted the Jews...
The four beasts = see Daniel 7:17
Thus, each beast represents a kingdom that would rise…all would mistreat the Jewish people in various ways, at times severely...
Lion with eagles’ wings =
Likely represents Babylon.
Why?
Lions with wings were a symbol often used in Babylon…The Ishtar Gate...
Like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Babylon was a mighty kingdom, represented by the head of gold, or in this case a lion.
Verse 4b probably points to Nebuchadnezzar...
Bear =
Things start getting a little fuzzier here.
Most interpreters see this as representing the Medo-Persian Empire, though others believe it is just the Medes.
The argument for Medo-Persia is strong, because the idea of being raised up on one side probably points to one side being stronger than the other; i.e. the Persians were stronger than the Medes and eventually overwhelm them.
This will be even more clear in chapter 8.
The ribs probably represent three nations conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire, Lydia, Egypt and Babylon.
Devour much flesh = Persia’s Empire was far wider than Babylon.
Leopard with four wings and four heads
This image is debated between the Greek Empire and the Persians.
Because of the speed of Alexander’s conquering of the known earth, this likely points to Greece.
The four wings suggesting speed and the four heads representing the four kingdoms that Greece broke into after the death of Alexander.
That being said, there is a compelling argument for this being Persia.
Terrifying beast
This is the one animal that Daniel couldn’t identify and that was most terrifying to Daniel.
Nothing like the others;
Terrifying, dreadful and exceedingly strong;
Iron teeth;
Devoured and broke in pieces;
Ten horns, followed by a little horn that displaced some of the other horns and it had eyes and a mouth.
What does the angel tell Daniel about this terrifying beast?
See Daniel 7:23-26
Fourth kingdom, nothing like those that came before it.
The horns represent ten kings.
The little horn is one final king who will blaspheme God, persecute God’s people, and attempt to displace God.
Historically, who is this kingdom and who is the little horn?
Kingdom:
Strong arguments have been made for this being Rome, Greece (specifically the Seleucid Dynasty), or some future kingdom.
Little horn:
Antiochus IV (Seleucid king);
A Roman emperor;
The Antichrist;
But which one is right?
Daniel doesn’t say, so we should stay flexible and open-minded.
I tend to think there is another way to look at these:
While immediately the context points to Rome and Antiochus IV, in my mind, at the same time, it could also be suggesting that all anti-christs who mistreat God’s people will be like the fourth beast and the little horn.
Thus, the encouragement found here is timeless.
Verses 9-10
Daniel has been given a vision of wicked kingdoms of the earth, then he’s given a vision of the One who overcomes the wicked kingdoms: God Himself!
Everything about God, or the Ancient of Days, suggests power that goes beyond anything the beasts have:
Heavenly thrones;
Pure white clothing and hair;
Throne of fiery flames with burning wheels;
A stream of fire;
Served by innumerable masses;
Judgment is with Him as well as the books;
Then judgment upon the beasts is rendered: Verses 11-12
All this points to both God’s power over earthly powers and God’s perfect timing.
Verses 13-14
Here God presents the one true King of kings: the Son of Man; His promised Messiah.
Make no mistake about it, this passage points to Jesus.
In fact, “Son of Man” was Jesus favorite self-designation, and this is why.
This is were God’s people must place our hope, even in the midst of a wicked and crooked generation.
And see the hope that is ours: Daniel 7:18 & 7:27
So What?
God is ultimately in control of history.
Regardless of which interpretation one takes of this passage, the larger point is far more important: God is far more powerful than all earthly powers.
Earthly powers have historically mistreated God’s people.
Has there even been a people in human history who have been more mistreated than the Jews?
Probably only second to the Jews are Christians.
It would be easy for both groups of people to lose hope.
Yet, the One we hope in is faithful and is ultimately in control.
Side Note: Make no mistake about it, the coming persecution of God’s people will be against both Christians and Jews.
Any antichrist will hate both, and the final Antichrist will as well.
Wicked people will rise to various forms of leadership, many of whom will mistreat God’s people.
But, their time is limited by the mighty hand of God.
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