Daniel's Vision (Daniel 7:1-14)

Introduction to Daniel’s book

Writing style of Daniel - “Chapters 1–6 record historical incidents in Daniel’s lifetime, and that chapters 7–12 record prophetic visions given to Daniel.” (Pentecost, J. Dwight. “Daniel.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 1324. Print.)

Language of Daniel - “The Book of Daniel is unusual in that it is written in two languages: 1:1–2:4a and chapters 8–12 are in Hebrew, and 2:4b–7:28 is in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the prophet’s day. Hebrew was the language of God’s covenant people Israel, and Aramaic was the language of the Gentile world. Though the Book of Daniel is a single literary work, it has two major emphases. One has to do with God’s program for the Gentile nations. This is contained in 2:4b–7:28. It was fitting that this prophecy concerning the Gentiles should be in their language. Hence the prophet used Aramaic in that portion of the book. The second major emphasis is on the nation Israel and the influence or effect of the Gentiles on Israel. This theme is developed in 1:1–2:4a and chapters 8–12. Therefore it was fitting that Daniel wrote those portions in Hebrew, the language of the Jews.” (Pentecost, J. Dwight. “Daniel.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 1324. Print.)

Message of Daniel -

“Also Daniel has a significant and unifying role in both portions of the book. Furthermore the message of the book is the same in both halves of the book. God is sovereign, rules over the nations, and controls them so that they fulfill His will. He is sovereignly preserving the nation Israel and bringing her to the fulfillment of the covenant He made with Abraham.” (Pentecost, J. Dwight. “Daniel.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 1324. Print.)

Biblical History

Biblical Timeline (Babylonian Empire)

Daniel 1–6: Paired Third-Person Prose Narratives about Daniel and His Friends

1: Judean exile to Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar’s first year, 605–604 BC)

2: Fourfold statue/kingdoms (Nebuchadnezzar’s second year, 603 BC)

5: Handwriting on the wall (Belshazzar’s last year, 539 BC)

6: Lions’ den (Darius/Cyrus’s first year, 539–538 BC)

Daniel 7–12: Paired First-Person Apocalyptic Visions Reported by Daniel

7: Four beasts/kingdoms (Belshazzar’s first year, 553 BC)

8: Media, Persia, and Greece (Belshazzar’s third year, 550 BC)

9: Seventy sevens (Darius/Cyrus’s first year, 539–538 BC)

10–12: Persia, Greece, end of days (Cyrus’s third year, 536–535 BC)

Exile of Judah (586)

Daniel receives this vision (7) as a message from God about the movement of Human Kingdoms, His activity in them to lead to Judgment and a replacement with His own Kingdom and King.

The Four Beasts (7:1–8)

Context (1-3)

Daniel 7:1 (ESV)

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.

Historical setting (1a) - “In the first year of Belshazzar … This historical reference (553 BC).” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Daniel receives this vision after the exile of Judea in 589 B.C.

Daniel received a dream/vision (1b)

“dream prophecy — a dream in which the God of Israel makes something known whether through verbal communication or images.” (Brannan, Rick, ed. The Lexham Lexicon of the Aramaic Portions of the Hebrew Bible 2020: n. pag. Print. Lexham Research Lexicons.)

Daniel is seeing what he is going to describe next.

Visions, I picture like virtual reality.

What God is showing Daniel has a broad and specific meaning.

there is an overall message to the Vision.

Individual parts of the visions have meanings as well.

“Sixth Sense” - When the lead character showed up in the film there was something red in the scene as well. The director had that in for a specific reason and had a specific meaning for it.

God is describing the beast a certain way with meaning to them. There is a specific meaning for God to show the first beast as a lion with eagles wings.

My goal with this message is to address the broader meaning of this vision.

Starts description (2-3)

Daniel 7:2–3 (ESV)

2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.

Four Winds - Wind from the four directions was used to illustrate and speak about the totality of the whole world. (Compass) (Witthoff, David, ed. The Lexham Cultural Ontology Glossary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014. Print.)

Great Sea - “four winds of heaven … the great sea. Four great beasts. Although the turbulent Great Sea could reference the Mediterranean (Josh. 9:1; Ezek. 47:10–23), the apocalyptic context here suggests the primordial waters known in the mythology of the broader Near East. It dipicts the active presence of the Lord of creation, who brings order out of chaos. He controls the destiny of the four beasts that emerge in the darkness.” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

4 Beast (4-8)

1st Beast (4)

Daniel 7:4 (ESV)

4 The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.

2nd Beast (5)

Daniel 7:5 (ESV)

5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’

“It was raised up on one side” - (1) Mede-Persian = 1 is stronger than the other, (2) the bear is ready to attack and told to do so.

3rd Beast (6)

Daniel 7:6 (ESV)

6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

4th Beast (7-8)

Daniel 7:7–8 (ESV)

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Daniel’s response and Interpretation (15-17)

Daniel 7:15–17 (ESV)

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.

Daniel’s response (15-16)

Anxious - to be distressed v. — to be or become afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief. (Sense)

Alarmed me - to frighten v. — to cause fear in. (Sense)

Interpretation (17)

“These four great beasts are four kings"

There are differing ideas on who is represented by these beast, their connection to Dream of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 2, connection with rest of visions in 8-12, Kings and Kingdoms, and past/present/future.

4 kingdoms (Babylon, Medes, Persia, and Greece) or (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece, and Roman)

Fulfilled? “another little horn The descriptor “little” is derogatory. The close recounting of the deeds of Antiochus throughout the remaining visions suggests that the little horn likely refers to him. However, if Rome is the fourth beast, this horn may alternatively represent the antichrist.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

Broader interpretation

The Beast represent Kings and their Kingdoms. There will come great violence from these Kingdoms as they fight and conquer each other. This will bring chaos into the world. These kingdoms are temporal, but cause fear and uncertainty to the people of the world. We, in the 21st century, still live in the fear and uncertainty of our worlds governments.

“God’s kingdom replaces transient human kingdoms. This passage is relatively straightforward when read on its own terms: temporal, earthly kings and kingdoms are sure to be replaced by the enduring work of God’s kingdom. Focus on the certainty of the establishment of God’s kingdom on this earth, which alone brings order out of chaos and light into darkness. This message is central to the passage and can go a long way toward healing the damage caused by fear of the uncertain world around us. This assurance can unite believers in a strong sense of hope, rather than divide us over speculative details. Reiterated succinctly, it is enough to know that in the end God’s eternal kingdom replaces all temporal, earthly kingdoms (cf. Rev. 19:6–22:21).” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

“God is actively in control of human history, moving toward the establishment of his kingdom.” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

The Ancient of Days (7:9–12)

Ancient of Days sits in Judgment (9-10)

Daniel 7:9–10 (ESV)

9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

“the Ancient of Days took his seat. A poetic description of God’s holiness, purity, power, and judgment sets ablaze the dark prose setting (cf. 2:22). The Semitic metaphor “Ancient of Days” describes God’s eternality and occurs only here in the Old Testament (Isa. 43:13 may allude to it).” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Ancient of Days judges the Beasts (11-12)

Daniel 7:11–12 (ESV)

11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

God will Judge the little horn and his kingdom for all the great speech (vs 8) he had. The Lord will judge the Horn and destroy his kingdom.

At this point in the vision God is sitting on His throne in judgment over the Nations. The court is in session.

“Appearance of the Ancient of Days. This is one of the most striking theophanies in the Old Testament. Focus on the eternal God of judgment who, in his imposing purity, commands the heavenly armies while bringing justice to humanity.

Explain how God’s absolute purity and limitless power can comfort faithful believers as well as confront those living in opposition to God’s word and will.

Judgment and accountability are not the only aspects of God’s character, but these are often neglected in favor of love and grace. Instill a sense of godly fear by inviting your listeners to imagine sitting in the courtroom of the eternal God on the day of reckoning.” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

This would bring comfort and hope to God’s people to know that God will judge the Nations for their actions. It should also bring fear and submission to those who reject Him.

The Son of Man (7:13–14)

Son of Man (13)

Daniel 7:13 (ESV)

13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

Son of Man - The phrase “son of man” is found 93 times in Ezekiel and refers to the prophet’s humanity (e.g., Ezek 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:2; 7:2). Poetic parallelisms in the Old Testament also use “son of man” in this sense, always in the second half of the parallelism (Num 23:19; Job 16:21; 25:6; 35:8; Pss 8:4; 80:17; 146:3; Isa 51:12; 56:2; Jer 49:18, 33; 50:40; 51:43). A divine, apocalyptic figure known as “The Son of Man” appears in 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra. This figure seems to have influenced Jewish expectations of the Messiah before the time of Christ.” (Hardin, Leslie T., and Derek Brown. “Son of Man.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.)

“In the New Testament, Jesus describes himself as “the Son of Man” more than eighty times in the Gospels—citing this verse specifically on two occasions (Matt. 24:30//Mark 13:26; Matt. 26:64//Mark 14:62)—and John connects this passage with Jesus in Revelation 1:7, 13; and 14:14.” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

This Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days.

Son of Man’s Dominion (14)

Daniel 7:14 (ESV)

14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Son of Man is given a Kingdom (14a)

Dominion - dominion n. — dominance, power, or sovereignty through legal authority. (Sense)

Glory - glory (state) n. — a state of high honor. (Sense)

Kingdom - kingdom (domain) n. — the domain ruled by a king or queen. (Sense)

“that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.)

Son of Man’s kingdom is eternal (14b)

God’s Kingdom is going to be established by Jesus and will replace all the Kingdoms that came before it. All the people and Nations will serve the King of God’s Kingdom. That kingdom will not pass away or be destroyed.

“This spectacular messianic image appears at the center of the carefully crafted structure of Daniel’s book and is affirmed in the New Testament as an announcement of Jesus’s person and ministry.” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Jesus brought in the Kingdom with His 1st coming.

Mark 1:15 (ESV)

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus will establish His Kingdom at His 2nd coming.

Revelation 21:1–5 (ESV)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Lesson from Daniel

“God’s sovereign control over humanity, from exiles to kings to kingdoms. This big idea is expressed more specifically in three key themes that recur throughout Daniel:

God is able to rescue and reward faithful servants;

God holds accountable people and kings who oppose him;

in the end, God will replace all earthly kingdoms with his eternal kingdom.” (Pierce, Ronald W. Daniel. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

This is our hope as we struggle with the world around us.

Philippians 2:6–11 (ESV)

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Benediction

Colossians 3:1–4 (NLT)

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.