Abraham and Sarah were elderly and childless. By far, this first beast is the best of a bad bunch. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (5) While the process involves wicked kings and nations and the suffering of the saints, the culmination is the establishment of Gods eternal kingdom. The death of this king brings about the end of his kingdom. Lets pray and ask God to teach us and guide us as we look at His prophetic word. (2) Why do you think Daniel summarized his dream when he wrote it rather than tell it in full (see verse 1)? Would Belshazzar toast the gods of gold, silver, wood and stone with the sacred temple vessels? 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. The fourth beast receives greater attention and is of the most interest to Daniel. These kingdoms go from bad to worse. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. 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. If you need one see me after the service and I will get you a copy. The implication here is that this is a repeated dream, one that is . The prophecy of this chapter is divinely interpreted. 79 Compare Jeremiah 49:14-22, 28, where Nebuchadnezzar is compared to a lion and an eagle. Our deliverance from the power of sin and the penalty of death has been accomplished by our Lord, who suffered in our place. The third beast is leopard-like, with four wings and four heads, and it is given dominion. 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. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. Old Testament Jews would likely regard the reference to the Son of Man in Daniel 7 as a reference to the Messiah, although they would probably not understand Him to be both divine and human. This morning we want to look at verses 15-28 and the interpretation of Daniels dream. A Vision of Judgment (Daniel 7:9-12) 2. For this reason, I wish to clearly state the foundational presuppositions and principles on which this exposition of Daniel is based. Peter reminds us of Gods patience, but His patience has a determined end. Choosing his words tactfully, Daniel asks Arioch why the king has made such a decree. The words of verse 1 point to the relationship between the prophecy Daniel received and its historical setting and context. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, every one whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. The woman endures in the view of the final outcome of the process. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). 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? In the latter days, before the kingdom of God is established on the earth, kings and kingdoms will become worse and worse. Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? It is significant for us to note Daniels reaction to this revelation from God. He was chosen by God to speak to the Jews in Babylon and to show them God's future plans. 80 During my school teaching days, I tried to make my students think I had eyes in the back of my head so that no matter what they did--even if my back was turned--they could not escape my all-seeing eyes or my discipline. (6) How important is it for us to identity the kings and the kingdoms mentioned in our text? In his interpretation of the dream, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar he was the head of gold. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, [7]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. We have talked about several times since starting this series about how studying Bible prophecy should influence you. Should we be troubled as well? 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). Many others may have reluctantly professed or actually adopted the Jewish religion. to revoke its approval of the two main drugs used for medication abortion in the United States. The saints must believe and behave according to what God has promised about the future the righteous will possess the kingdom of God forever. The other prophecies were revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar and interpreted by Daniel. This takes place until the Ancient of Days comes and judgment is given to the saints, at the time the eternal kingdom becomes their possession. He will rule over all nations forever. 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). When they came in and stood before the king, 3 74 The personal cost of receiving divine revelation is never underestimated in the Old Testament (cf. Consider the birth of a child, remembering that Gods deliverance and salvation is likened to birth. The distance in time of the fulfillment of Daniel 7 said something very important to the captive Jews of Daniels day. Yet, his emotional response was valid and changed little after the vision was explained more fully. Upon hearing the details of the dream, Daniel too was troubled (4:19). He had lived through the overthrow of his people, his nation, and his hometown by a foreign power, he had been torn from his family and carried off into captivity. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, [2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. It's build upon the passage in Daniel 7 where he has a disturbing dream. Consequently, it is little wonder that in the events recorded in Daniel 5, Belshazzar was ignorant of Daniel and the abilities God had given him. Eugene, Ore. : Harvest House Publishers, 2006, [5]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. There is fairly strong inferential evidence that Nebuchadnezzar was represented by the first beast, the winged lion. Four kings will establish four kingdoms, and some of these kingdoms have a number of kings. 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. No wonder this vision causes Daniel such distress. requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats. Different from the first three, this beast seems uglier, more powerful, and much more hostile toward God and His saints. Since the head of gold seems to describe the same king and kingdom as the first beast, it may not be too far afield to conclude that Nebuchadnezzar is the king represented by the first beast. He surpasses those before him by speaking boastfully, then blaspheming, and finally seeking to overthrow Gods order. It seems safe to assume the interpreter was an angelic being; at least this is the case in chapter 8 (8:15-26). The kingdom of God will be established and the saints will possess it forever. 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. This was when his life took a sharp turn. She makes it clear in a rather public fashion that she finds him desirable. Who are these saints that the angel is speaking of? 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. 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. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 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. A number of lessons from our text have broad application to our thinking and conduct as Christians. The Son of Man was also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream by Larry Murray King Nebuchadnezzar had a puzzling dream that no one could explainuntil God gave the interpretation to Daniel. 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. Before the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt and brought into the land of Canaan, they suffered at the hands of the Egyptians. 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. 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. In addition to the beasts iron teeth, Daniel tells us that the beast had claws of bronze. See John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 149. 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). 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.). (5) Prophecy is not written as hype but revealed to produce the hope of glory and endurance in present tribulation. (1) The Book of Daniel is a part of the Holy Scriptures, and thus inspired, accurate, and trustworthy. 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. Never in the history of the Roman empire has this happened so it is yet future. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers [1]to tell him what he had dreamed. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. ), 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. 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. The fact that wicked men will prosper and prevail and that the righteous will suffer is hardly pleasant news. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: Chapter 2. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. (4) Suffering is to be expected by the saints, before they enter into the glorious kingdom of God. Each of the four beasts represent a king and thus a resulting kingdom. Things are not as they appear to be! 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. 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. Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). Alexandra was also intrigued by the profession Spencer was in, which made her want to spend more time with him. Daniel made it very clear that the dream and the interpretation had come for the one true God. (2) While the timing of the fulfillment of divine prophecy may seem remote to the recipient, it still has relevance for him. Neither is prophecy written to make us happy or to feel good. Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream. In spite of these kings, the saints of the Highest One will possess the eternal kingdom forever and ever. When the child is born, the pains of suffering are quickly lost in the joys of seeing a new life. (3) These prophecies must be understood in light of their historical background as provided in Daniel, in the inspired revelation provided by other portions of Scripture, and the cautious use of supplementary information by reliable historical documents or study. ET. The first time in Daniel 7:13, he is referring to Messiah, who will sit on the eternal throne of His father, David. Editing allows an author to set aside details which are not significant and focus on the essence of the message he is trying to communicate. The coming of the Son of Man is represented as one coming, and not two. He distinguishes himself by his ability to overcome the whole earth, crushing it under foot. 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. 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. These will continue to be separate nations in the confederation but will come under the little horns control and authority. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, Embedded video for Daniel's Dream Interpreted - Daniel 7:15-28. We do not walk by sight, but by faith. 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. We must approach prophecy with fear and reverence. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. Editing is often evident in the Bible (see John 20:30-31; 31:25). The beast was lifted up and made to stand like a man. This morning we are going to go back to Daniel 7 and look at the rest of the chapter where Daniel has the dream interpreted. The words of Daniel which applied to the beasts now found application to them. Verses 1-14 contain the vision which God gave to Daniel. 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). The king called for his magi to interpret the nightmare. These were represented by the image of a statue. He staying the decree is brought to the king. It is explained in a way that children can understand, describing his feeling as butterfly's in his tummy.Daniel's Dream takes you on an uplifting adventure with wonderfully expressivedescriptions of the characters, perfectly capturing bodylanguage and . Looking about with its numerous eyes, no one can escape his look or hide from him.80 With its mouth, the beast continues to speak boastfully. Remember he had seen the innumerable host of angels attending the Ancient of Days. The nation of Israel has been set aside by divine discipline in the present times of the Gentiles, which began with Nebuchadnezzar. The beasts are hardly worthy of prose, but the court of heaven deserves a description of the finest words. Belshazzar came to power several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar and seems to have turned completely away from the God of Israel. The boastful beast becomes even more aggressive, waging war with the saints and even overpowering them. The visions explanation was not thorough enough to satisfy Daniel. He would, after His death, burial, and resurrection come in His glory, rewarding men according to their deeds (16:27). Daniel was exiled to Babylon when he was still a teenager. Because of this we can have a greater understanding of this dream than Daniel did. Second, the prophecies of Daniel are to be understood in the light of the entire Book of Daniel, of the Old Testament, and of the Bible as a whole. Daniel 2:1-23 - The King's Dream (Pastor Nate Wagner) A. Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Alexander the great and his armies did conquer the nations that became a part of his empire swiftly. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. The next portion of the statue in Daniel 2 was the chest and arms of silver which represented the Medo-Persian Empire which was even larger than the Babylonian empire. Note these general observations about our passage before we turn to a more detailed study. These are the things Daniel sees in the vision. 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. 28 At this point the revelation ended. The angel says the Antichrist will seek to make alterations in times and in law. 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