10 A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, and the books were opened. - Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. (6) Prophecy is written to sober the saints. requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats. 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.. Chapter 7 reveals in broad terms what the future holds. Gods plan and program are carried out on His schedule, not ours (see 2 Peter 2:8-10). I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come. (Daniel 7:1718, NASB95)[2] The four beasts that Daniel saw in his dream were four kings and represented the four kingdoms of these kings. Daniel was told that the beasts are kings, but he was not told the identity of any of the kings. Thus he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. It is significant for us to note Daniels reaction to this revelation from God. Prophecy provides men the opportunity to think and act in a way which pleases God, who determines the future and who reveals future events to men. Daniel said the king's dream was about a giant statue that was destroyed by a stone cut out of a mountain. The revelation of the writing on the banquet hall wall, already described in chapter 5, actually happened later, on the last day of Belshazzars life. In His response to the demand of the high priest, Jesus directly claimed to be the promised Messiah. The timeline reads as follows: At the outset of the account of his vision, Daniel wants his reader to know the historical context in which this prophecy was given and to consider its interpretation and application in the light of that context. It would be but a very few years until Cyrus would come to power and assist the Jews to return to Jerusalem and the land of Israel. The saints of the Highest One are given all the kingdoms of the earth for an everlasting kingdom. in 1971. He will persecute and oppress the saints of the Highest One, the angel says that he will wear them down; the idea comes from the concept of wearing out a garment until it is threadbare. Gogglebox star Stephen explained the reason for him and husband Daniel Lustif missing the show on Instagram. He will keep continual pressure on the saints of the Highest One to try to break and destroy and annihilate them. Daniel's prophecy was one of hope. In the verses following our lesson text, the vision is explained (Daniel 7:21-27). Because Daniel possessed wisdom bestowed by God and was conscientious in his work, he not only prospered during the reigns of successive rulers, but King Darius planned to put him in charge of the entire kingdom. Generally, it is agreed that this beast represents the Babylonian empire and king Nebuchadnezzar in particular. Those who will reign with Christ are those who have suffered (see Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:12). When Jesus came, He embraced this expression as a designation for Himself, giving the term meaning vastly beyond that previously held by any Jew. The use of the word time in Daniel is understood to be years. God stirred up the sea, and from its foaming, raging waters came forth four horrifying beasts. In verse 1 Daniel indicates his vision came to him in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar. In Daniels dream the Greek empire and Alexander the great were represented by the four-headed, four-winged leopard. The fourth portion of the statue in Daniel 2 is the iron legs and feet and toes of partly iron and partly baked clay which represented the Roman empire. 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. In Daniels dream the Roman empire was represented by such a terrible beast that Daniel could name no animal which fit its description. The ten horns are of interest to him, but most of all that final horn which arose, surpassing and replacing three others and speaking boastfully. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. Interpretations of Daniels prophecies differ widely. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire. Both the statue parts (made of different metals) and the beasts represent kings and kingdoms. Would Belshazzar toast the gods of gold, silver, wood and stone with the sacred temple vessels? He gave Daniel a general summary of the dream, These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. Desiring a more detailed explanation, he apparently asked for one and received it. His final offspring, so to speak, is the little horn which becomes the great blasphemer, whose life and kingdom is suddenly cut off by the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Valentina's bond with Sophie, Sid's reaching out to Jesse, and Charlie trying hard to bring Sid and Jesse back together so that the group can go back to being their normal selves and not be an awkward bunch of people not wanting to discuss actual problems. We do not act on what we see so much as on what God has said. When his appointed time is over, God will destroy this king and his kingdom and establish His eternal kingdom on the earth. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. The point of this prophecy is not to tell us who future kings will be, but rather what they will be like. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 states, For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:910, NASB95)[6] Finally, the more we know about the future, the more our hearts should be moved to prayerful petition for those who will face the judgment of God if they do not turn in faith to Jesus Christ. During this ten-nation confederation another ruler will rise as described by the little horn. This part of Daniels dream is new information that was not conveyed in Nebuchadnezzars dream in chapter two. A night vision is given to king Nebuchadnezzar, apparently early in his reign as king of Babylon. He not only speaks against the Most High, he oppresses the saints. 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. How easily we turn from what is revealed to speculate about what has been concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29). The saints must believe and behave according to what God has promised about the future the righteous will possess the kingdom of God forever. In spite of all these beasts do and say, in spite of their power and even their success, neither they nor their kingdoms will last. No wonder this vision causes Daniel such distress. What God declares in prophecy, He reveals as well in history. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. He was at ease when he received the vision, and then he became fearful, and his mind alarmed him (4:4-5). These horns are also kings, from whom kingdoms arise (verse 24). 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). This is describing an event that has never happened in the history of the world and is yet future. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. These both represent Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire. The final outcome is Gods people under the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, will receive the kingdom. While conservative, evangelical scholars believe the prophecies in Daniel are true, their interpretations differ greatly. The First Vision is a dream of the king that is interpreted by Daniel. (1) Why does Daniel indicate the historical setting of the vision he receives in chapter 7? Just so, Christs suffering and glory is but a part of one coming. Nebuchadnezzar's Threat One night, Nebuchadnezzar awoke frightened by a dream. This angel responded and gave Daniel understanding into his dream as he interpreted it for him. The inter-relationship between the prophecies of chapters 2 and 7 is demonstrated on the following page: Deterioration: Gold to iron mixed with clay, Deterioration: Nearly human to blaspheming beast. During those days the revived Roman empire will be ruled by a confederation of ten kings as described by the ten toes of the statue of Daniel 2 and the ten horns of Daniels dream. A number of lessons from our text have broad application to our thinking and conduct as Christians. A true account of what happened can only be gathered by reading Daniel 2:18; Daniel 2:28 by the side of this verse. Daniels response to the vision was far from assuring or calming. As Daniel continues to watch, another horn emerges, as three of the other horns are plucked out by the roots to make room for it. Some people have a rather irreverent attitude toward prophecy, they approach it as a pastime and they delight in figuring out complex date schemes and drawing detailed diagrams of the future. What so upset Daniel about the future? The angel goes on to describe what the Antichrist will do: He will speak out against the Most High, he will be boastful and arrogant, he will deny that the Most High is God, he will deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. However, the Son of Man must first suffer at the hands of men (17:22; 20:18). Lion - Babylon. Just a few years later Alexander died, and his empire was divided into four parts and his four generals became the monarch of a quarter of the Greek empire. The fourth beast in Daniels dream relates to the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzars dream, the Roman empire. Because of his wisdom, and the favour of God, Daniel rose to a position within the Babylonian government. Chapter 2. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, [6]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. He had interpreted dreams for this king and yet this dream caused Daniel to be alarmed and to feel physically sick. In our passage, Daniel asks for and receives an explanation. 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 (3) What principles should guide and govern our attempt to interpret the prophecy of this chapter? 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers [1]to tell him what he had dreamed. The emphasis is positive. Daniel explained to the king that the statue represented four successive kingdoms based upon power and wealth, beginning with Babylon, while the stone and mountain signified a kingdom established by God that would never be destroyed nor given to other people. So, I began the review by looking at the first 14 verses where Daniel gives us a summary of the visions he had as he dreamed in his sleep. The message of this prophecy is really quite simple and may be summed up this way. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. Upon hearing the details of the dream, Daniel too was troubled (4:19). 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 head of the statue was made of gold, the chest and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze, and the legs and feet of iron and clay. This beast is also unique among the four in that he grows 11 horns. In the Old Testament, the expression son of man was used most frequently in reference to men, who were merely (as opposed to God) human. We need to be waiting and prepared for His return. It not only bore witness to the conversion of this king, but encouraged all of the subjects of Babylonian rule to worship the God of Israel. (11) What is the point of the vision? We are not of night nor o darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. The words of Daniel which applied to the beasts now found application to them. Neither peer opposition nor the king's new law (chapter 6) greatly disturbed Daniel. The wicked will prosper and appear to get away with their opposition toward God and His saints. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. The boastful beast becomes even more aggressive, waging war with the saints and even overpowering them. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT Prophets: Daniel 2:16 Daniel went in and desired (Dan. The last kingdom has at least eleven kings. Then the saints will receive the kingdom which will never end. Through the ages, the saints have learned that they must wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled and that this may not happen in their lifetime (see Hebrews 11:13-16, 39-40). King Nebuchadnezzar died apparently nine years before Belshazzar came to power. Daniel explains that each of these metals represents a kingdom that would rule the world, and the stone is God . When that happens, Daniel goes for option #2 of those listed above: he asks one of the people in his dream to interpret what is happening for him ( Da 7:15-16 ). Lets pray and ask God to teach us and guide us as we look at His prophetic word. 4 The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. The angel went on in this summary to tell Daniel that the saints of the Highest One would receive the kingdom and possess it forever. Those who populate the earth after the tribulation will give their allegiance to Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. This was when his life took a sharp turn. In my opinion, the most dramatic reference of our Lord to His identity as the Son of Man comes as the Lord Jesus stands on trial before the Sanhedrin and the high priest: 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; 60 and they did not find it, even though many false witnesses came forward. 3:15; Zc. Editing is often evident in the Bible (see John 20:30-31; 31:25). Daniel 2:9-11 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof, Daniel 1:18,19 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar, We are not told in so many words that this extension of time was granted, or that Daniel undertook to show more than the interpretation of the dream. Nevertheless, Daniel tells no one, keeping the matter to himself and suffering a quiet agony over the future events God has revealed to him. 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. When that day comes for them, it is too late to repent. The prophecy of this chapter is divinely interpreted. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). In the second year: It is difficult to understand the exact time this speaks of. Abraham had to believe and behave on the basis of Gods promises, rather than on the basis of his perception. It should give you a caring heart toward the unsaved as you seek to win them to the Lord. 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. We have talked about several times since starting this series about how studying Bible prophecy should influence you. Rome did conquer much of the known world, but it never conquered the whole world as this is describing. 79 Compare Jeremiah 49:14-22, 28, where Nebuchadnezzar is compared to a lion and an eagle. The kingdom of God will be established and the saints will possess it forever. Daniels first inner turmoil occurs in chapter 7. Just what this means is unclear, but it suggests this arrogant king not only speaks against God, but, like Satan, he aspires to change the order God has established. Prophecy is necessary because Gods thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. He distinguishes himself by his ability to overcome the whole earth, crushing it under foot. Alexander the great and his armies did conquer the nations that became a part of his empire swiftly. Through this dream, King Nebuchadnezzar learned that only God's Kingdom will last forever. Daniel was not satisfied with just a summary of his dream, especially of the fourth beast that was so different than the other three, he wanted more detail. (4) This is the first prophecy in the book revealed directly to Daniel. Many Old Testament prophets shared Daniels distress as a result of the prophecies they received and often conveyed to others.74 Why does the prophecy of Daniel 7 cause this godly man so much consternation? A lawsuit could force the F.D.A. Where it has not caused distress, it should have. While most prophecies in the Bible reveal events which will take place after the death of the recipient of the prophecy, the prophecy is revealed for impact upon those to whom it was revealed. As the wicked prosper in their sin, it seems as though they can continue in sin without any fear of divine judgment (see Psalm 73:1-11; 2 Peter 2:3-4). And they did! Chapter 9, on the other hand, has a historical account of Daniels study of Jeremiah and of his prayers of repentance and petition for Israels restoration and return to the land of promise. A look through the Scriptures shows that Daniels response to the prophecies he received was not unique. We have already seen time frame in Revelation referring to half of the seven-year tribulation. All of this is by divine design. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, Embedded video for Daniel's Dream Interpreted - Daniel 7:15-28. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. Chapter 6 ) greatly disturbed Daniel what they will be like will their! Promises and threats saints and even overpowering them is written to sober the saints of the world and is future. Kingdom on the saints not act on what God has promised about the future the righteous will it. I approached one of those who get drunk get drunk at night, awoke... In particular but it never conquered the whole earth, crushing it under foot by a.! Empire swiftly promised Messiah beast represents the Babylonian government vision, and from its foaming, raging waters forth... 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Is necessary because Gods thoughts are not our ways la Habra, CA: the Lockman,!

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