Daniel 7.28-The Vision Ends and Troubles Daniel But He Keeps the Matter to Himself
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Tuesday June 25, 2013
Daniel: Daniel 7:28-The Vision Ends and Troubles Daniel But He Keeps the Matter to Himself
Lesson # 227
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 7:1.
Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar’s, Babylon’s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. 2 Daniel began to speak and said, “I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven’s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. 3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. 4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle’s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. 5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird’s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. 7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. 8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being’s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. 9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. 10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. 11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. 12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. 13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. 14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed. 15 As for me, Daniel, my soul was distressed in the midst of my body. Specifically, the visions in my mind caused me to be terrified. 16 I went up to one from those standing nearby in order to request from him the truth regarding all this. Consequently, he spoke to me in order to make known to me the interpretation of these events. 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number are four kings who will arise from the earth’s inhabitants. 18 However, the saints belonging to the Most High will receive the kingdom. Indeed, they will possess the kingdom throughout eternity, yes throughout eternity, the ages.’ 19 Then, I desired to know the meaning concerning the fourth beast which was different from all the others, extraordinarily intimidating, its two rows of teeth composed of iron as well as its claws composed of bronze. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. 20 Also, I desired to know the meaning concerning the ten horns which were on its head as well as the one which emerged and in addition three fell by being in the presence of it. Specifically, that horn possessing eyes as well as a mouth making it a habit of speaking boastfully. Indeed, its appearance was more distinguished than its contemporaries. 21 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them 22 until the One Ancient in Days intervened. Specifically, He rendered judgment in favor of the Most High’s saints. Then, the moment arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. 23 Thus, he said, ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all these kingdoms in the sense that it will devour the entire earth. Specifically, it will trample it down so that it crushes it. 24 Also, the ten horns are ten kings who will arise from this kingdom. Then, another will arise after them. However, he will be different in comparison to the previous ones. Specifically, he will conquer three kings. 25 Furthermore, he will issue statements against the Most High. Also, he will make it his habit of persecuting the Most High’s saints as well as attempting to change the times, yes even the Law. Indeed, they will be given into his power for a period of a time, times and a half a time. 26 However, the court will be convened with the result that they will take away his governmental dominion by destroying, yes, by killing him at the end. 27 Then, the sovereignty, specifically, the governmental dominion, thus the greatness belonging to the kingdoms under all of heaven were given to a nation which is composed of the Most High’s saints. His kingdom will be an eternal kingdom. Indeed, each and every one of the people belonging to these governmental dominions will serve Him as they make it their habit of obeying.’” (My translation)
Daniel 7:28 “At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself.” (NASB95)
“At this point the revelation ended” marks the point in the narrative in which Daniel’s account of this revelation from God had come to its conclusion.
“The account” refers to the written record of the revelation that Daniel received from God through visions in a dream which is recorded in Daniel 7:2-27.
“As for me” is the first person singular personal pronoun ʾǎnā(h) (אֲנָה) (an-aw´), which emphasizes the emotion of fear which this vision produced in Daniel.
“Were greatly alarming” is composed of the third person masculine plural paʿʿel (Hebrew: piel) active imperfect form of the verb behǎl (בְּהַל) (bĕ-hal´), “were alarming” which is followed by the first person singular pronominal suffix -î (־י) (ee), “me.”
The verb behǎl means “to cause one to be terrified” indicating that the visions Daniel received from God the Holy Spirit caused him to be terrified.
The adjective śǎg∙gî(ʾ) is modifying the verb behǎl and means “extremely, very” and describes Daniel as becoming “extremely” terrified as a result of his thoughts which were the result of receiving this vision from God.
“And my face grew pale” presents the result of the previous statement that Daniel’s thoughts caused him to become extremely terrified.
“But I kept the matter to myself” stands in contrast to the previous statement that Daniel’s thoughts caused him to become terrified so that his countenance on him was changed.
Therefore, the contrast is between Daniel mentally and physically affected by the revelation God gave him in a vision and Daniel keeping the matter to himself at that time.
We would expect Daniel to share this matter with his friends but instead he keeps the matter to himself.
Later he would communicate this vision in writing which now constitutes the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel.
Daniel 7:28 “Here, at this point is the account’s end. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts caused me to be extremely terrified so that they caused my countenance to be changed on me. However, I kept the matter in my mind.” (Author’s translation)
Daniel informs the reader that his account of the revelation that he received from God in a night vision had come to an end.
He then briefly provides the reader with a short postscript which describes the emotional and physical toll this revelation had on Daniel.
The vision affected Daniel mentally or emotionally because his thoughts about the vision caused him to become extremely terrified.
It affected him physically because these thoughts of the vision caused his countenance to be changed on him.
This implies his face became pale as result of being stricken with fear.
Instead of sharing this information with anyone he kept the matter of the vision in his mind, which implies he did not immediately put it down in writing which obviously he did later since we have the account of this vision in Daniel chapter seven.
Daniel’s account of his reaction to the vision parallels Daniel 7:15.
The fact that Daniel did not share this vision with anyone suggests a couple of things.
First of all, it could indicate that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were all dead by the time of the first year of Belshazzar’s reign when Daniel received this vision or these three might no longer have resided in the province of Babylon with Daniel.
It seems highly unlikely that he would not share this with his three friends.
However, Daniel might not have felt obliged to share such information with these three.
He undoubtedly was having a hard time wrapping his mind around this revelation and thus did not feel confident that he could accurately convey it to others at that time.
Since we now have it writing, Daniel must have come to a point where he could grasp this revelation so as to communicate it in writing to others.
Therefore, this revelation from God regarding the future of planet earth made an enormous impression on Daniel since it greatly affected him emotionally and physically.
From his perspective in the sixth century B.C. Daniel had received from God a panoramic view of future world events.
The Holy Spirit communicated to Daniel in a vision the Father’s will for planet earth which is to establish His kingdom through His Son Jesus Christ, who was identified in the vision as the Son of Man.
God had told Daniel that He will establish His kingdom on earth through the God-Man who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, four great Gentile world-empires would denominate world history up to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, which theologians call “the Times of the Gentiles,” which began in 605 B.C. with Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Israel and will end with the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.
This vision in Daniel chapter seven makes clear that the Second Advent of Jesus Christ will establish God’s kingdom on the earth.
Thus the premillennial interpretation is the correct and biblical interpretation of Christ’s Second Advent in relation to the millennium.
It refutes both the amillennial and post-millennial viewpoints.
Chapter seven teaches that the Messiah’s kingdom will follow the destruction of Antichrist and the final form of the Roman Empire.
This has never taken place in history and is yet future.
Also, chapter seven makes clear that the Messianic kingdom follows the Gentile kingdoms and is not contemporaneous with these kingdoms.
It also teaches that the Messianic kingdom will be visible on the earth and is eternal in contrast to the temporary and transitory nature of the Gentile kingdoms preceding it.
Daniel chapter seven would serve as an encouragement to the faithful Jewish remnant in exile in Babylon.
It would also serve as a warning to the Gentile nations that the God of Israel is sovereign over them.
This vision in Daniel chapter seven continues to encourage today God’s people which would be the church.
It would also serve to encourage God’s people during Daniel’s Seventieth Week as they endure persecution at the hands of the Antichrist.
Daniel chapter seven would serve as a warning for Antichrist and those who follow him during Daniel’s Seventieth Week that they will be judged by the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Daniel 7:28 completes the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel.
As we noted in the introduction, during the sixth century B.C., Aramaic was the lingua franca of the day and was the most convenient language and was used in international business and diplomacy.
The book of Daniel was written in two languages since Daniel 1:1-2:4a and chapters 8-12 are written in Hebrew whereas Daniel 2:4b-7:28 is written in Aramaic, which was also called “Chaldee” or “Syriac.”
The reason for this unusual feature is that Daniel was writing for two different audiences.
Aramaic was the language of the Gentile world when the book of Daniel was written and Hebrew was still the language of Israel at that time as well, thus, the book has two major divisions.
The first is related to God’s program for the Gentiles and the second is His program for the Jews.
Therefore, Daniel 2:4b-7:28 was written for the Gentile world in Daniel’s day and Daniel 1:1-2:4a and 8-12 was written for the Israelites.
So the message and prophecies that appear in the Aramaic portions of Daniel are addressed to the Gentile world in their language whereas the message and prophecies that appear in the Hebrew portion of the book of are addressed to the nation of Israel.
Daniel chapter seven thus completes God’s message to the Gentiles.
The message to both the Jew and Gentile in the sixth century B.C. is that the God of Israel is sovereign over them all.