The Reigning King

The importance and danger in prophecy

We can do two things with prophecy

We just decide it is too confusing and we don’t read them. Narrative is easy, but prophecy is difficult to understand.

But this would be to think the first part of Daniel is important and the second is not. But in fact, the first 6 chapters are meant to help us understand the second half.

Because it reminds us that if the God of the first half was able to save Daniel from the lions, save the other 3 from the furnace, and also allowed him to interpret other dreams, then we can trust that these prophecies come from a source we can trust.

Daniel didn’t make these things up, they were communicated to Him by God.

We over-theorize and dive into speculation and conspiracy that the text does not lead us to.

But it is an important part of understanding Scripture! And we should seek to learn about and understand it. This chapter is known by most as the most important chapter in the entire book. It is central to what we have read and what is to come. In fact, some believe it to be one of the most important passages in the entire Old Testament.

And as we read we see that God is giving a message to the people that He would be faithful to them in their captivity and after captivity. That their Messiah would come and reign forever.

What we focused on in the first 6 chapters are the worldly beasts who don’t acknowledge God’s authority, who wanted it done their way. But this last half is about the spiritual beast and how God will conquer him and every other kingdom that stands against the Lord.

The Four Beasts

When does it say this vision takes place? Where do we remember that name?

-It was the king in the story about the writing on the wall

-Daniel is about 67 at this time

-This dream given, at the beginning of the king’s reign would give confidence to Israel that God would care for them

Daniel’s dream appears to him and he writes it down.

These winds from the beasts “stirred up the great sea”. What do you think the sea represents?

A sea beyond the direction we can see, from mysterious places that at many times seems too powerful for us to control. Mythologies at the time talked of mysterious monsters in the sea that were meant to provoke fear.

Isaiah 17:12-13 “Ah! The roar of many peoples— they roar like the roaring of the seas. The raging of the nations— they rage like the rumble of rushing water. The nations rage like the rumble of a huge torrent. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills and like tumbleweeds before a gale.”

Isaiah 57:20 “But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its water churns up mire and muck.”

This shows us that the seas are powerful and seem uncontrollable to us. They try and exploit others and use brute strength to get what they want. They are constantly in chaos and turmoil, moving to and fro as it seems fit for them. And it comes from all sides as shown from the four corners of the earth and it brings problems to everyone, even themselves. And in the vision there are four beasts from 4 different directions of the wind (north, south, east, and west) that represent the whole earth.

A lion with eagles wings but the wings are torn off and it is lifted on feet like a man and given a human mind

Symbolizes Babylon, (there are statues found in Babylon of winged lions that represent the empire)

Suggests dominion and strength.

Having his wings ripped off is showing the Babylonian kings realizing their weakness. Both Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. But after its wings are ripped off it is lifted up and “given a human mind” showing how God lifted Nebuchadnezzar up to proclaim God’s message.

A bear with three ribs in its mouth and is told to gorge on flesh

Represents Persian empire, it was large in size and fierce in battle. And its two sides show it is both the Medes and the Persians.

It has three ribs in its mouth. The Persian’s would have three important conquests, Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt.

The bear “raises up” to devour more even while it is still feeding. It’s appetite is never satisfied.

But God tells them to continue to devour and it will control more land than any other empire up until that time.

A leopard with 4 bird wings and 4 heads and it was “given dominion.”

An animal known for “sudden, unexpected attacks” and is swift (both in its actions and with its wings). Also known as being bloodthirsty. The Greek’s moved quickly in their conquering of the world and devouring land after land. Alexander the Great conquered the Persians along with India within 10 years and then, as the story goes, he wept “because there were no more lands to conquer”.

It looks in all 4 directions in order to devour

The four heads represent the four generals of Alexander the Great that would rule after him in four sections of the empire.

To be “given dominion” shows that God allowed them to be given authority.

The frightening beast. With large iron teach, 10 horns (with an 11th that pops up), incredibly strong, and it devours and crushing everything under it.

This beast was unlike anything Daniel had ever seen. Just like Rome was unique

The horns of an animal represented its strength and ability to fight. Ten horns shows its power was far greater than all the others. Then another one pops up.

Rome was more cruel and had power for significantly longer than anything the world has ever known. No one could resist them. The 10 horns represent the 10 “kings” of Rome. Then an 11th grew larger than the rest and more imposing. And will conquer the three previous kingdoms.

It’s “eyes of man” shows its observation and intelligence to conquer the world.

It’s arrogant speech showed that it believed it was more powerful than God and nothing could stand against it. It will blaspheme against god.

It will persecute those who stand with God (in the time of tribulation they will be handed over for 3 1/2 years like Revelation 13:5 says)

Revelation 13:7 “And it was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.”

Matthew 24 shows us just how scare this time will be

It will change “religious festivals and laws”. This is, try to change morality and celebration of God into something different in its own image.

This beast represents the Antichrist from which we will talk about further next week.

10 also represents completeness. And in the last days this last horn will rule the rest and have a greater power.

Why do you think that these beasts are different?

-They show each kingdom will be different their authority and how they caused chaos, they are terrifying in different ways.

What we see is that each kingdom degenerates further and further into sin and evil, that they treat people worse, that they only want more and more, to conquer more, that they think higher of themselves against God. It is a reverse evolution.

The judgment of the beast

In v. 7-8 the beast blasphemes God but now we see God sitting on His throne and shows that He is just fine, nothing coming close to coming against Him. And God does not speak, but the thousands who serve Him are essentially speaking for him on this day of judgment. It is the peace and beauty of God to the chaos and ugliness of the beast.

-There are other thrones for the saints who will reign with God one day.

-Why is God “white as snow”? It shows God is absolutely morally pure and perfect as a judge.

-Why white hair like wool? It is a sign of old age as God is eternal, He is the “Ancient of Days”.

-Why a flaming throne and wheels? A symbol of judgment and wrath.

In Summary the Ancient of Days is:

Eternal

Pure

Sovereign

a Good judge

God

-Why a river of fire flowing? It is a sign of God’s judgment being poured out, especially on the beast here when Christ returns

-The word for “ten thousand times ten thousand” was the highest number at that time. More than can be counted essentially.

-These books symbolizes God’s knowledge of all that we have ever done. Our thoughts, actions, our words, everything about us. And them being opened means that they are being accounted for before the judge.

-This is terrifying because if all of our actions were accounted for we would not like for the entire world to know.

-What if every day the news accounted for every action and thought of your day? Would you like for that to be exposed?

-But here it is specifically that of the beast, the Antichrist and his deeds that are judged.

-Even as the beast is being judged it continues to try and talk its way out of judgment.

-Have you ever tried to talk yourself out of a mess you have made for yourself?

-And as it talks it is destroyed and given to the river of fire, it is no more in a moment.

-It is quite a humorous scene that it is just talking and talking and then it just combusts and it is gone and it can talk no more.

-Revelation 19:20 tells us the beast all those who follow Him will be thrown into the fire

Revelation 19:20 “But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with it the false prophet, who had performed the signs in its presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”

-The other three beasts have their authority taken but are given a chance to humble themselves before God.

The Son of Man reigns as king over heaven and earth

Then, after the beast has been destroyed someone new comes onto the scene in verse 13. This verse is quoted in the NT more than any other verse.

Christian Standard Bible

Mt 16:27–28; 24:30; Lk 21:27; Ac 7:56; Rv 1:7,13; 14:14

Matthew 16:27–28 CSB

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Matthew 24:30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Matthew 26:64 ““You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.””

Mark 13:26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”

Mark 14:62 ““I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.””

Luke 21:27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

acts 7:56 “He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!””

Revelation 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen.”

Revelation 1:13 CSB

and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest.

Revelation 14:14 “Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man was seated on the cloud, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.”

The clouds remind us of God in the clouds leading the Israelites in the wilderness where the glory of the Lord appeared.

-This one who appears is “like a son of man”, one who has humanity in them, but is only “like” humanity. It is the appearance or form that He comes in but He is far more than that.

-Unlike the beasts who represented humans but acted like something far worse, here is one who shows us the way that all humans should act, one who is God and who shows us what it means to act as those made in the image of God.

-He is given all authority over heaven and earth. Instead of the nations serving lifeless things, they will serve the one whose kingdom never ends and never passes away.

Philippians 2:9-11 “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So who is this figure?

Well Jewish and Christian tradition interprets this as the Messianic figure. Ancient Jewis texts before Christ believe this to be true, Rabbinical texts say this. And early Christians believed this was Jesus.

Even more so, the writers of the Gospels interpret it this way.

And again, Jesus calls Himself the son of Man. So if Jesus understands Himself to be the Son of Man than we can be sure of it. Some want to say that Jesus was not God or that Jesus never called Himself God. But giving Himself this title shows that He is eternal and He reigns forever over all things. Something only God can do as Jesus rules next to the Father (the Ancient of Days).

-It also shows Jesus as being able to understand our suffering as one in human form.

Although at first what comes against him seems formidable, God is in control at all times even when it seems like evil is succeeding. But in the end those who are with the Most High will triumph with Him.

Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary Additional Note: Son of Man

The setting of Daniel 7 is judgment. Indeed it could be a response to the assertions and prayers on that subject in Psalm 9: ‘The Lord sits enthroned for ever, he has established his throne for judgment’ (7); ‘The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment’ (16); ‘Arise, O Lord!… Let the nations be judged before thee!’ (19). The dazzling appearance of the judge, his fiery throne and his myriad attendants inspire awe, and the opening of the record-books dread, and yet, presented before the divine judge, is ‘one like a man’. Although he is not explicitly said to be given the task of judging, this is implicit in the rule committed to him. Judgment then is committed to one who seems to share humanity and therefore to know from experience the odds against mankind.

Everything in chapter 7 is on a world-wide scale, the empires of the beasts, the judgment, and the nations that worship and serve the one like mortal man. All distinctions of race and colour and nationality are stripped away and one apparently human figure represents the whole human race. Derived from one, all are summed up in one, and the original goal ‘have dominion’ (Gen. 1:28) is fulfilled in the one like a son of man who is given a kingdom that shall not be destroyed (14). Though the kingdom theme predominates in the second poetic oracle (23–27), nowhere is the king mentioned.

-We are called to lose ourselves in this kingdom and to serve God who will reign forever. To take our identity with Him. Mark 8:35 “For whoever want -save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.”

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

-Those who reign with Jesus will be proved by their suffering and sacrifice in the name of Christ.