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. What is its message to Daniel, to the Jews, and to us? He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. The angel says the Antichrist will seek to make alterations in times and in law. No wonder this vision causes Daniel such distress. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT Prophets: Daniel 2:16 Daniel went in and desired (Dan. 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. (Numbers 23:19). At least the final portion of chapter 7 has not been fulfilled. Never in the history of the Roman empire has this happened so it is yet future. I did not include the insert today because I have already included it several times. Some of his alarm arose from his not yet having been given the interpretation of his vision. Four kings will establish four kingdoms, and some of these kingdoms have a number of kings. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 Even those portions which we believe have been fulfilled, students of prophecy differ about the way of their fulfillment. Daniel is greatly distressed by the vision which he sees in chapter 7. He will abolish all the religious holidays and seek to abolish Gods law in an attempt to destroy the Jewish people. The horn continues to sound off while the court is being set up for judgment. The beasts emerge out of chaos and confusion; the heavenly court is calm and dignified. 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. 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. These will continue to be separate nations in the confederation but will come under the little horns control and authority. Daniels first inner turmoil occurs in chapter 7. Da Dn). Je. All distinctions of race and colour and nationality are stripped away and one apparently human figure represents the whole human race. Joyce C. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1978), p. 150. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:89, NASB95)[7] You have a responsibility because you know what the end will bring. The fourth beast appears to differ from the other three in that he is more beastly, more powerful, more destructive, and more arrogant. Students will learn that they can trust God in difficult times because in the end God wins the battle over the enemy of this world Satan. (9) The interpretation of Daniels vision comes in two parts, beginning with a general interpretation and then a more specific one based on Daniels questions. 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. How easily we turn from what is revealed to speculate about what has been concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29). Two weeks ago, we covered the first 14 verses, Daniels summary of his dream. Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream. Daniel writes that at this point the revelation was ended. Verses 1-14 contain the vision which God gave to Daniel. God will establish His kingdom, and that kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of men, is eternal. Whether liberal or conservative, our conclusions grow out of the premises and presuppositions governing the process and the product of our interpretation. When God granted Daniel the wisdom to interpret the king's dream, it launched Daniel's long career as a political leader, trusted adviser, and well-known prophet. Liberals reject all prophecies, because they require a sovereign God and a miraculous revelation of future events. The wrenching off of the wings and the transformation of the lion, making him stand on two legs and giving him the mind of a man was a picture of God humbling Nebuchadnezzar and then restoring him to his right mind, you can read about this in Daniel 4. He would, after His death, burial, and resurrection come in His glory, rewarding men according to their deeds (16:27). 81 See Ezekiel 29:21 for a similar use of the imagery of making a horn grow to describe a kings promotion to power. (8) Is there any relationship between Nebuchadnezzars dream in chapter 2 and Daniels dream in chapter 7? But in the end, God will judge the wicked and establish His kingdom for His saints. In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. Prophecies are given so that we may look at history, especially events occurring in our own lifetime, from Gods perspective. The reign of Belshazzar was, in some measure, a foretaste of what was yet to come in full measure during the reign of the fourth beast, especially of the eleventh horn. In Daniels dream the Greek empire and Alexander the great were represented by the four-headed, four-winged leopard. In his vision, Daniel observed the sea being stirred up into a raging storm by the four winds of heaven. This signifies that the events which follow have been ordained by God. The final push of the times of the Gentiles will last for 3 years, then the end will come, the end of the times of the Gentiles., THE JUDGMENT AND THE FIFTH KINGDOM (Daniel 7:26-27). Because of his wisdom, and the favour of God, Daniel rose to a position within the Babylonian government. How was the fourth beast different from the first three? At-A-Glance 1. God is able to raise up kings and put them down. The Ancient of Days is a designation for God, not found elsewhere in the Bible. According to verse 1, the written record of the revelation Daniel received in his first night vision is but a summary of the prophecy he received. Eugene, Ore. : Harvest House Publishers, 2006, [5]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. They acknowledging their inability are judged to die. Abraham and Sarah were elderly and childless. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself. (Daniel 7:1528, NASB95)[1], THE FOUR BEASTS REVEALED (Daniel 7:15-18). The nation of Israel has been set aside by divine discipline in the present times of the Gentiles, which began with Nebuchadnezzar. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers [1]to tell him what he had dreamed. If taken seriously, we will find the future sobering as well. (11) What is the point of the vision? The kingdom of God will be established and the saints will possess it forever. We must approach prophecy with fear and reverence. Chapter 7 reveals in broad terms what the future holds. As the destruction of the last beast and the blaspheming horn came as a complete shock to them, so the Lords coming will catch unbelievers unprepared as well (24:27-39). May the Spirit of God reveal the meaning of this prophecy to us and produce in us that which God desires to His glory and our good. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. The stone cut out of the mountain represented the kingdom of God that would fill the earth. 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. The subject of the vision in chapter 2 seems to be taken up again in chapter 7. During times of oppression, it may appear the saints are being defeated and that Gods kingdom is but wishful thinking. 9 I kept looking until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow, And the hair of His head like pure wool. 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. [4] We of the present Age, the church will reign with Jesus Christ as His bride. These beasts, each different from the other, are described in verses 4-7. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Considering this text has changed my opinion about the gap in the prophecies of the Old Testament. Daniels dream here in chapter 7 and Nebuchadnezzars dream in chapter 2 are one and the same dream with additional details added to Daniels dream. In his interpretation of the dream, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar he was the head of gold. The saints (believing Jews when Christ return to earth) will enjoy the kingdom, the fulfillment of Gods promise to Israel.[3] The Popular Bible Prophecy Commentary states that these saints might also include the resurrected Old Testament saints, the martyred tribulation saints, and the tribulation saints who survive the tribulation. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Until Gods eternal kingdom is established, kingdoms will progress from bad to worse. (9) What is the relationship between Daniels vision in chapter 7 and the events described in Daniel 5? Their perception is wrong, for suddenly and without warning their day of destruction will come upon them. 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? Those who populate the earth after the tribulation will give their allegiance to Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. These horns are also kings, from whom kingdoms arise (verse 24). The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer (1 Peter 4:7). These kingdoms go from bad to worse. Generally, it is agreed that this beast represents the Babylonian empire and king Nebuchadnezzar in particular. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. For this reason, I wish to clearly state the foundational presuppositions and principles on which this exposition of Daniel is based. 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. Who are these saints that the angel is speaking of? Daniel does not date this dream as he did the earlier dream (cf. (6) None of the kings or the kingdoms are identified. Before the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt and brought into the land of Canaan, they suffered at the hands of the Egyptians. The eleventh horn may hope to change the time, but in Gods plan this king is granted a time, times, and half a time three and a half years to oppose and oppress the saints. 2 Peter 3:8-9, But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. When Jesus came, He embraced this expression as a designation for Himself, giving the term meaning vastly beyond that previously held by any Jew. [1]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. As the boasting horn of Daniel 7 seems to be getting away with his blasphemies and his oppression of the saints, it seems to him he can do whatever he wishes, including the changing of times and law. 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. God answered Daniel's prayer, and Daniel praised the Lord (Dan 2:19-23). Remember he had seen the innumerable host of angels attending the Ancient of Days. Belshazzar came to power several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar and seems to have turned completely away from the God of Israel. In Daniels dream the Roman empire was represented by such a terrible beast that Daniel could name no animal which fit its description. If you remember from two weeks ago the bear was raised up on one side, this was to indicate that one part of this united kingdom overshadowed the other portion. We should not spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to fill in the blanks God has left. The entire empire was conquered between 334 and 330 B.C., just four years. Daniel explains that each of these metals represents a kingdom that would rule the world, and the stone is God . The expression, son of man, is not new to Daniel nor to the Jews of his day. - Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. We do not act on what we see so much as on what God has said. (1) It follows the narrative concerning Mishael, Hananiah and Azariah in the matter of Nebuchadnezzar's golden image (Daniel 3). This beast is also unique among the four in that he grows 11 horns. 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). Those who rejected the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of Man, would mourn when they saw Him returning in the clouds: And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). Nebuchadnezzar's Threat One night, Nebuchadnezzar awoke frightened by a dream. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. Daniel's righteousness is legendary status Don't mistake Daniel as some conjurer of cheap tricks. Twice in chapter 7 Daniel speaks of his distress: As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me (verse 15). Nebuchadnezzar's dream to him. The saints should also expect the wicked to prosper, for a season. I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. 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. As Daniel watches, the wings are torn off the beast, and the creature stands erect like a man and a human mind is given to it. Even the fate of this fourth beast is different than his three predecessors, as his life and his kingdom seem to end at the same moment. God stirred up the sea, and from its foaming, raging waters came forth four horrifying beasts. His disciples were promised that they would share in His reign as King (19:20). 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). Because of this we can have a greater understanding of this dream than Daniel did. Daniel 2 (the second chapter of the Book of Daniel) tells how Daniel related and interpreted a dream of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon.In his night dream, the king saw a gigantic statue made of four metals, from its head of gold to its feet of mingled iron and clay; as he watched, a stone "not cut by human hands" destroyed the statue and became a mountain filling the whole world. (3) This chapter contains the major segment of Daniel, which is primarily prophetic, although it does not contain the first prophecy in the Book of Daniel. He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Are we supposed to discover their identity? In chapter 5, King Belshazzars dream should have greatly alarmed him, but apparantly it did not. The dream vortex dies with her, and Rose awakens with her brother, Jed, sleeping next to her. The kingdom of God would not be established in Daniels lifetime, nor in the life of those who returned to the land of Israel from their captivity. Nevertheless, Daniel tells no one, keeping the matter to himself and suffering a quiet agony over the future events God has revealed to him. Daniel still dreaming said he approached one of those standing there. 2 Daniel said, I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. No wonder His words stung and prompted them to act as they did. History has shown this to be true in the past, and prophecy assures us that it will be true in the future. Remembering this avoids confusion. The next three are waking visions seen in the presence of angels, followed by an appearance of the Messiah - the Son of Man - to interpret the vision for Daniel. Here is a man that has faithfully walked with his God his whole life. Dan 2:1-4 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. This is consistent with God's propensity to use miracles to identify His messengers. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. Desiring a more detailed explanation, he apparently asked for one and received it. The four winds of heaven Standard Bible: 1995 Update to destroy Jewish... Saints that the events described in Daniel 5 the Israelites were delivered out of the,. Empire has this happened so it is yet future to worse ; his... Entire empire was represented by the vision in chapter 2 and Daniels the... The dream, Daniel observed the sea being stirred up into a raging storm by the vision which he in. Progress from bad to worse Daniels dream the Greek empire and King Nebuchadnezzar particular! To him, Do You make no answer s Threat one night Nebuchadnezzar... 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who explained daniel's dreams to him