We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. Jesus applied this text to them, not as those who would enter into His kingdom, but as those who would be judged at His return. 13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. We have already seen time frame in Revelation referring to half of the seven-year tribulation. The final words of verse 25 are carefully chosen to let the reader know that while this king appears to be successfully opposing God, all he does is a part of the divine plan for the last days. God may choose to delay judgment on the wicked until their sin reaches full bloom; the possession of the land of Canaan would not happen in Abrahams lifetime, but more than 400 years later after the suffering of the people of God (see Genesis 15:12-17). (1) The Book of Daniel is a part of the Holy Scriptures, and thus inspired, accurate, and trustworthy. His vision in chapter 4 should have produced more distress than it did. 1. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8). (See Daniel 2:24, Note. It is at this time that all human kingdoms will become subject to God and to the saints in the eternal kingdom, which the Son of Man will establish when He comes to the earth to judge and to rule. Chapter 2. When the sin and oppression of evil men reaches a predetermined point, God will remove them and establish His promised eternal kingdom. He was chosen by God to speak to the Jews in Babylon and to show them God's future plans. They acknowledging their inability are judged to die. Verse 2. The king is told that all of these earthly kingdoms would be destroyed by the stone not fashioned by human hands, and that an eternal kingdom would take the place of these temporal kingdoms. The vision comes to Daniel in Belshazzars first year.78 A subsequent and related vision comes to him in this kings third year (see 8:1). Children need to know that as believers, we are on the winning team and God wins in the end. If, in Gods eyes, a day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day (2 Peter 3:8), then the coming of our Lord has only been a few days from beginning to end. Things are not as they appear to be! 1. We know from history that though Persia rose later than Media it soon overshadowed Media in its power. This is consistent with God's propensity to use miracles to identify His messengers. The use of the word time in Daniel is understood to be years. Rose withdraws the power from her chest, which takes the form of a ruby heart that then cracks as Unity dies peacefully in her sleep. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. When the child is born, the pains of suffering are quickly lost in the joys of seeing a new life. Chapter 7 moves from the historical accounts of Daniel and his three friends to the prophetic revelations received by Daniel in the last half of the Book.76 The following chart may help us visualize the relationship of Daniels prophecies to the historical setting in which they were revealed: The first prophetic revelation is found in Daniel 2. Interpretations of Daniels prophecies differ widely. In those days, as in our own, there are always those are too quick to conclude that the kingdom of God has come (see Matthew 24:4, 6, 8, 24-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:1ff.). When the court sits for judgment, his dominion is taken from him and he is destroyed forever. God stirred up the sea, and from its foaming, raging waters came forth four horrifying beasts. The words of Daniel which applied to the beasts now found application to them. As we move into the second half of Daniel 7 and begin to dissect Daniels dream with the help of Gods Word and the help of history past because some of this dream which was yet future for Daniel is past history for us. The second time, the expression is used in reference to Daniel himself, as it will be used very frequently in Ezekiel to refer to this great prophet: So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end (Daniel 8:17). The beast also was given a mans mind. Please stand in honor of the reading of Gods Word and follow along as I read verses 15-28. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. (4) This is the first prophecy in the book revealed directly to Daniel. Those of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, and Darius all agree with the prophecy of Daniel 7. Prophecy becomes necessary from time to time to remind men of those things God has planned for the future which He will surely fulfill. 1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy Thus, the vision is yet unfulfilled in terms of its major emphasis. The saints of the Highest One are given all the kingdoms of the earth for an everlasting kingdom. (8) The four beasts are all different, with the last standing apart from the first three. The king called for his magi to interpret the nightmare. In addition to the beasts iron teeth, Daniel tells us that the beast had claws of bronze. He will keep continual pressure on the saints of the Highest One to try to break and destroy and annihilate them. The horn continues to sound off while the court is being set up for judgment. This also underscores that these four kingdoms go from reasonably good to unbelievably bad. Prophecy is revealed to men to change their perspective, to urge them to see things as God sees them rather than as they appear to the human eye. Since the last kingdom and the prophecies associated with it have not yet been fulfilled, we must in some way be a part of that kingdom. The Septuagint renders, "And the king commended that the magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers of the Chaldeans be brought in to tell the king his dream. The winged lion was a symbol of Babylon, in any history museum that has a Babylonian section you will find artifacts of a winged lion. Whether liberal or conservative, our conclusions grow out of the premises and presuppositions governing the process and the product of our interpretation. First, the prophecies of Daniel are divinely inspired and revealed, and thus they are true and reliable. [4] We of the present Age, the church will reign with Jesus Christ as His bride. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, Upon the son of man whom Thou didst make strong for Thyself (Psalm 80:17). At-A-Glance 1. The blasphemous horn of Daniel 7, which goes so far as to oppose the people of God, is suddenly taken by death, and his kingdom is removed. If you remember as I have already stated, much of the interpretation of this dream could be found in chapter 2. Nebuchadnezzar became distressed when he received his first night vision (2:1) because he did understand some of his dream. The prophecies of Daniel 7 speak of a future day of reckoning, foreshadowed by the actions of Belshazzar and the judgment of God on him and his kingdom. His declaration, which resulted from the deliverance of the three Hebrews, made it unlawful to hinder the worship of the Jews; his decree recorded at the end of chapter 4 went much further. 18 But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come. 19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and which was larger in appearance than its associates. It is significant for us to note Daniels reaction to this revelation from God. It should give you a caring heart toward the unsaved as you seek to win them to the Lord. The emphasis of this brief interpretation falls not on the enemies of God, their power, their brutality, nor their boasting, but on the kingdom of God, its certainty and its permanence for all the saints forever. When that day comes for them, it is too late to repent. The three ribs in the bears mouth between its teeth most likely represent Babylon, Egypt, and Lydia, three empires conquered by the Medo-Persian empire. 4:19; Ezk. No wonder interpreters differ about the details. They will serve and obey Him forever. Consider the birth of a child, remembering that Gods deliverance and salvation is likened to birth. The saints must believe and behave according to what God has promised about the future the righteous will possess the kingdom of God forever. His thoughts alarm him, and his face pales. If taken seriously, we will find the future sobering as well. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. The third portion of the statue in Daniel 2 was the belly and thighs of bronze which represented the Greek empire. And the high priest said to Him, I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN (Matthew 26:59-64). The fourth beast appears to differ from the other three in that he is more beastly, more powerful, more destructive, and more arrogant. 23 Thus he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. The latter prophecy of Daniel 7 adds many more details than were revealed in chapter 2. Verse 17. God will establish His kingdom, and that kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of men, is eternal. This beast is also unique among the four in that he grows 11 horns. Then the kingdoms of the earth, the sovereignty, the dominion, the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heavens, in other words, the whole world will be given to the saints of the Highest One and the Highest One, Jesus Christ, will rule and it will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. From the context, it would seem that Daniels distress is the result of the wickedness and oppression of the world kingdoms which are represented by the beasts, and by the knowledge that the saints will be oppressed and even overcome for a period of time. Lets pray and ask God to teach us and guide us as we look at His prophetic word. At this time the kingdom of God is established. Does this dream have any significance for us? And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, Arise, devour much meat! 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. She makes it clear in a rather public fashion that she finds him desirable. What is it that these men are testifying against You? 63 But Jesus kept silent. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. This horn is called by different names in the New Testament: In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 the little horn is called the man of lawlessness. Revelation 13:1-2 calls the little horn the beast. The name he is best known by in found in 1 John 2:18-24 where John calls the little horn the Antichrist.. One of those gaps is found in Daniel 7. The wicked will prosper and appear to get away with their opposition toward God and His saints. The toasting of the gods of the Babylonians with the sacred temple vessels, recorded in chapter 5, may have been Belshazzars final act of blasphemy. (7) Prophecy is revealed, not to give us the particulars of things to come, but to change our perspective. What role do they play in relation to the four beasts? The first beast was lion-like, with wings like that of an eagle.79 Its wings were plucked from it; if this happened in mid-air, he must have plummeted to the ground. These are the things Daniel sees in the vision. Daniel (Daniel 2; 4): As He had done for Joseph, God placed Daniel in a position of power and influence by allowing him to interpret a foreign ruler's dream. The only human things mentioned of the fourth beast are his eyes and his mouth. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Daniel's prophecy was one of hope. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, This man stated, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. 62 And the high priest stood up and said to Him, Do You make no answer? It should be remembered that many narratives of scripture are related in a very condensed form, fuller details being added afterwards. He not only speaks against the Most High, he oppresses the saints. He would, after His death, burial, and resurrection come in His glory, rewarding men according to their deeds (16:27). With the commencement of Belshazzars co-regency may have come not only a rejection of the Jewish faith and worship, but a new wave of persecution directed toward it. The expression is used in the Psalms in a more pregnant way, in reference to the coming Messiah. During times of oppression, it may appear the saints are being defeated and that Gods kingdom is but wishful thinking. Our Lords first coming happened over a period of more than 30 years, and yet we view this as one coming. Some of his alarm arose from his not yet having been given the interpretation of his vision. Nebuchadnezzar's Threat One night, Nebuchadnezzar awoke frightened by a dream. (10) What effect did the vision have on Daniel, and why? How was the fourth beast different from the first three? Remembering this avoids confusion. Nebuchadnezzar became distressed when he received his first night vision (2:1) because he did understand some of his dream. God answered Daniel's prayer, and Daniel praised the Lord (Dan 2:19-23). I encourage you to compare the statements of Daniel 2:21-22, 44, 47; 4:3, 34-35, 37; 6:26 with the content and declarations of Daniel 7. (2) Why do you think Daniel summarized his dream when he wrote it rather than tell it in full (see verse 1)? ), Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation, Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular, Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon, Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular, Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular, Preposition | third person masculine singular, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate, Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate. 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