Daniel

Daniel 7 Observations 1. In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon...back in time we go, back to the days of the end of Babylon. The reason for this vision and the ones following is given here by Calvin, "This, then, is the first reason why God revealed to his Prophet what we shall soon see; namely, that three monarchies yet remained, each of which should succeed the former, and that during them all the faithful should endure permanently and constantly in reliance on the promises, although they should see the whole world shaken, and severe and distressing convulsions prevailing everywhere. For this reason, Daniel's vision concerning the four empires is here set forth." 2. Daniel had a dream...now we no longer see that intended for the kings and rulers of the world and the captive church, but now we see that revelation reserved for the people of God alone. Secrets of the divine council, knowing that all things come, according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph. 1:11). "Daniel begins to offer instruction peculiar to the Church. For God had formerly appointed him an interpreter and instructor to, profane kings. But he now appoints him a teacher to the Church (Calvin)." 3. The four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea...see the Spirit of God, moving the chaotic mass of fallen humanity, in order to raise up kings and nations upon it, much as has been testified of thus far in Daniel's narrative. The world is neither at rest or peace, but the rage, fury, lusts of men stir the world into a frenzy of chaos, so we and our old master Satan upset the cosmos. 4. Four great beasts came up from the sea...as we saw in Revelation, the same imagery is found here; the sea represents the mass of chaotic humanity in its rebellious state on earth. The beasts represents kings and their kingdoms. 5. Diverse one from another...as we saw in Nebuchadnezzar's image the kingdoms, while one, are various, degrading, not improving in power and glory, but each further advanced in godlessness and wickedness, weakness, further from what God had made. 6. The first was like a lion...little doubt this is Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar, who was liked to a lion. The fact that his wings were clipped speaks to God humbling him, making him to walk not as a divine in his own mind, but as a mere man, created by the divine Sovereign. 7. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear...we are beholding the kings, nations, and empires before the coming of Christ and His kingdom. This is Persia and Media. 8. Three ribs in the mouth...it was a divided empire, but perhaps what is seen in its mouth are the remains of the empires it had devoured, Assyria, Babylon, and those of the Medes and Asia. 9. They said thus unto it devour much flesh.... See that it is God that commands the bear to devour and conquer. Men are not without the direction and oversight of God. Calvin says, "But since God exhibits to his Prophet the image of his Providence, what I have lately suggested becomes very probable: namely, it was said to the beast, Arise, eat much flesh; not; because God was the author of cruelty, but since He governs by His secret counsel the events which men carry on without method, His authority is here deservedly placed be/ore our eyes." 10. Another, like a leopard...with the wings the idea of rapidity is attached, alluding to the haste of which the Greeks and Alexander extended the empire to the ends of the earth; he perished at the age of 30 with nothing left to conquer. "Seleucus obtained Asia Major, and Antigonus Asia Minor, Cassander was king of Macedon, and was succeeded by Antipater, while Ptolemy the son of Lagus became the ruler of Egypt They had agreed indeed otherwise among themselves; for Alexander had a son by Roxana, first daughter of Darius; he had a brother, Aridaeus, who grew up to manhood, but was epileptic and of weak intellect. Then, since the generals of Alexander were cunning, they acted on this pretext, that all should swear allegiance to their young ward, and then to Aridaeus, in case their ward should die before he was of age (Calvin)." 11. The beast had also four heads...upon the death of Alexander, four generals arose to eventually be as two. 12. And dominion was given to it...once more the sovereignty of God is affirmed. Nothing occurs which God does not direct and order. 13. The beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it...the uniqueness of Rome in history is undeniable. While perhaps not as dense and glorious as Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon, yet Rome was durable, powerful, able to hold sway for ages. No nation has ever been so strong and punishing, so relentless in persecution to God's people, no enduring without end. Its large iron teeth speak to its ferocity. 14. It had ten horns...identified as kings, yet obscure in their identity, for the number ten should not be taken literal, but that which refers to the multitude of kings of popular consent and government. The angel later identifies them as kings. Ten in scripture often indicates a multitude. 15. There came up among them another little horn...the rise of this one and its nature is unique, but his identify should not be extended beyond the time of the coming of the kingdom with Christ, as I agree with Calvin, "Here interpreters begin to vary; some twist this to mean the Pope, and others the Turk; but neither opinion seems to me probable; they are both wrong, since they think the whole course of Christ's kingdom is here described, while God wished only to declare to his Prophet what should happen up to the first advent of Christ." 16. Eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things...the audacity and boasting of this one was blasphemous. 17. I beheld till the thrones were cast down...with ease the Almighty prostrates nations and men in all their strength and authority. Here Calvin's idea proves true, as the time of Christ's first coming remains in view. "It is sufficiently clear, therefore, that this exhibition ought to be referred to the first advent of Christ. I have no doubt that the little horn relates to Julius Caesar and the other Caesars who succeeded him, namely, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, and others. Although, as we said before, the counsel of the Holy Spirit must be attended to, which leads the faithful forwards to the beginning of the reign of Christ, that is, to the preaching of the Gospel, which was commenced under Claudius, Nero, and their successors." Called little horn because the Roman emperors still were checked by the Senate. 18. And the Ancient of days did sit...the eternity of the Lord is most evident. The fact that He sits speaks to His reign and authority. He governs, rules, and sits above all things and all men. While never truly seen, we hear of Him; His garment speaks to His purity and holiness, his hair of wisdom, the throne of fire of His power and fury, wheels of His omniscient omnipresence and eternal scheme, which burn as fire consuming all around it. Again, Calvin's conclusion is as my own, that this is all of Christ's first coming, "This form of speech was very appropriate for denoting the coming of Christ. For God then chiefly displayed his supreme power, as Paul quotes a passage from the Psalms, (Psalm 68:8, in Ephesians 4:8,) "Thou hast ascended on high." When the subject treated is the first coming of Christ, it ought not to be restricted to the thirty-three years of his sojourn in the world, but it embraces his ascension, and that preaching of the gospel which ushered in his kingdom;-this will be said again more clearly and copiously. Daniel appropriately relates how God was seated when the first advent of Christ is depicted, since the majesty of God shone in the person of Christ; for which reason he is called." 19. A fiery stream issued and came forth...this is the intent of His will. 20. Thousand thousands ministered unto him...these and those before Him, the saints and angels, all before Him worshipping and tending to His glory. 21. The judgment was set, and the books were opened...He is to judge, and that by the books, two are found, the book of life, written before the foundations of the world, and the book of deeds, which men not found in the book of life are judged by. Here is perhaps an allusion to both, by which the Gospel goes forth and the world is judged with Christ's coming. 22. The voice of the great words which the horn spake...evidently we have not left the time intended in this dream, we have not gone to the final judgment. 23. I beheld even till the beast was slain...here judgment comes to the Beast. 24. As concerning the rest of the beasts...their dominion is gone, but the persist. 25. Like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven...though veiled it is the Son of God. He comes to do what the eternal council of God has determined, to come and set up a kingdom. 26. Came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him...He would be dispatched to earth and willingly go to do what was determined. 27. There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom...this is how we know it is not the final judgment, because this is the coming of Christ, who brings judgment to the nations. 28. That all people, nations, and languages, should serve him...the kingdom is cosmic, He loved the whole world, that is that not just Jews but all of every nation. 29. His dominion...Christ's kingdom does never end nor lose its glory. He is from everlasting and what He has begun and now builds shall reign eternal. Doctrines I. God's Eternal Decrees Remember how important they are for our benefit. They are made known that we might have hope and confidence. "Again God came to meet their temptations lest their courage should fail, by teaching them that the method of their redemption was not quite so easy as they had previously conceived from former predictions. God indeed had not changed his plans, for although a long period had elapsed since he spoke by Isaiah and the other prophets, yet he wished to prepare the Jews against delay, lest it should break down the courage which would be required to meet such great afflictions. But when redemption really approached, then God explained its method more fully and familiarly, and showed how great and severe were the remaining struggles (Calvin)." II. God's Sovereignty III. The Nature of the Kingdoms of Men While the semblance of goodness and justice remains among empires and kings, it is a marred and distorted view. For the wickedness of men and their passions drive nations. "Here the Prophet compares empires to great and savage beasts, of which he will afterwards treat. Now we understand the meaning of the words: and we may learn this lesson from what usually happens in the empires of the world; in themselves, as I have said, they are most beautiful reflections of the divine wisdom, virtue, and justice, although those who obtain supreme sway very rarely acknowledge themselves divinely created for the discharge of their office. As, therefore, kings are mostly tyrants, full of cruelty and barbarity, and forgetful of humanity, the Prophet marks this vice as springing from themselves and not from the sacred ordinance of God (Calvin)." IV. The World and Mankind We must not for a moment think that life, those living it, and those overruling it are ever free from the rage and fury of the nations and man in all his rebellion. The faded goodness we observe by the grace and restraint of God is but a shadow eclipsed by the fury and anger of men, driven by Satan in all fury against the God of heaven and earth. V. Judgment with Christ's coming Not only will the last coming of Christ be with judgment, so as the first. As Christ said, And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind (Jn. 9:39). In the first promise God said, And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." And in Revelation 12 we read, And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. VI. The Kingdom of God See how all the earth is employed for the care and deliverance of God's people. No one and no empire is not put to His purpose and design on our behalf. Uses 1. For our wonder behold and contemplate your God. 2. For our joy and confidence who can stay His hand or purpose. Calvin says of these prophecies, " Hence God wished to refresh their memories, and then, when they saw the fall of that empire which all thought to be impregnable, they would perceive the government of God's secret counsels, and the partial, if not the complete fulfillment of what he had testified by their prophets." 3. For our delight ours is an everlasting kingdom, King, and dominion. 4. For our disdain let us scorn and mock the kingdoms of men. 2