It’s OK to Not Know

Eschatology: The Study of end times

It is often characterized by apocalyptic writing

Major passages are:

Daniel 7-12

Revelation

Thessalonians

Olivet Discourse

Chapter 7 is a beautiful chapter.

For many people the chapter is about beasts and horns, but the chapter is much more than that

It is the pivot from history to prophecy

It seems to be a recap of chapter 2, but with a different emphases.

Chapter 7 also backtracks from the time of the Medo-Persians back to the Babylonians

Chapters 1-6 are chronological, and 7-12 are also chronological

It’s important to know, there are more than 1 vision!

We see the word “visions”, plural, in verses 1, 13, 15

We do not know if there was a time between the visions

It appears that there was 1 dream and 2 visions, though this is not clear.

Let’s recap

Tips to interpreting Scripture:

Let Scripture interpret Scripture

Understand the context of the passage

Practice exegesis, not eisegesis

Avoid reading prophecy into history, especially current events

Understand your presuppositions

Daniel’s Dream

Daniel, who has been the interpreter of dreams, now has a dream and visions that he is unable to interpret

Daniel’s vision bears a striking resemblance to Neb’s dream in chapter 2

In the kings dream we see a 4 parts of a statue, but in Daniels dream we see 4 beasts

both dreams end in a new kingdom being established forever by God.

V2:Four winds of heaven gives the idea that the whole earth is being affected or that this change is coming from every direction

This wind is an act of God and it stirs up the Great Sea

God is causing global strife

This sets gives us an early reminder that it is God that raises up and knocks down kings

From the sea, four beasts arise

The sea is most likely a reference to the cultures of man

We also know that these beast rose out of the earth (vs17)

The Four Beasts

The beasts were “like a”

V4: Lion

V5: Bear

V6: Leopard

v7: the fourth beast was different

There was apparently nothing on earth to compare it to

Most people agree that these 4 beast are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome; just like the statue in Daniel-2

The visions came in successive, implying that the 4 kingdoms would come in succession

(v7)Though each of the beasts were fierce, the fourth was unlike the others

It was the most fierce

dreadful

exceedingly strong

great iron teeth

stamped with it’s feat

The horns:

10 horns

1 little horn

3 horns removed

God’s Divine Judgement

V9: We see God taking His throne

The Ancient of Day’s is a reference to God’s eternal nature

his clothing and hair are white implying his purity

fire is often symbolic of judgement or refining fires

1000 and 10,000x10,000

These numbers do not have to be literal but instead are most likely large number symbolic of innumerable people

He sits on His judgement throne and opens the books

Moses discusses the book of life

Revelation 20- the book of life and the great white throne

The Messiah Steps Forward

The Son of Man is known to be a messianic title

Jesus referred to Himself by this title

when Jesus used the phrase the Jews took it as Him claiming deity

He has the authority to come before God

He is given dominion, glory, kingdom, people and nations

Another messianic promise has been fulfilled in Him: “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance” (Ps. 2:8).

His rule will be everlasting

and his kingdom will not pass away

The Interpretation

Daniel was anxious and worried

There is nothing unusual with being anxious and nervous about these passages

Daniel approached one of those standing there

This could have been an angel, or it could be the members of the kingdom at some future time

This man told Daniel in 1 sentence the entire meaning of the dream!

Daniel 7:17–18 “17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’”

God wins and His kingdom will stand forever

This wasn’t enough for Daniel

he was worried about the 4th beast and the horns

He watched the little horn make war with the saints

Not only did this horn make war against the saints, he was winning

Did you know, evil will appear to win!

If you’re only with God because He wins in the end, your going to be surprised when the sinful world prospers

The man then interprets this last vision

The beast is a kingdom to come (at least compared to Daniels day)

It will devour the earth and break it down

The 10 horns are 10 kings

Who are the kings? Some say they are 10 of the rulers of Rome, some 10 rulers of future European nations

When there were 10 nations in the EU it was common for people to proclaim those 10 nations are the 10 horns that arouse from the 4th beast

They are 10 nations in the region of the world Rome dominated

Is any of this true? I don’t know. And that’s ok.

The little horn is often referred to as the Anti-Christ

Who is the little horn?

Some think Titus

Some Nero

Some think the pope

Some think a future political leader

Who is it? I don’t know and that’s ok

What we do know is:

He will blaspheme against the Father

(v25) we are told he will wear out the saints of the Most High.

Many people today believe the church will be exempt from this mans rain of terror, but if we look at this passage, we are distinctly told the saints will be worn out

Remember, God’s purpose in the book of Daniel isn’t to teach us that we will not have tribulation, but to teach us that God is still in control in the midst of our tribulation

So right after Daniel is told that the “holy ones” will be tormented, worn out, he then goes directly back to the judgement

We are reminded of the court of judgement where God will judge all, especially the horn

v26 we are told he will lose his authority and will be consumed and destroyed

“to the end”, what end, God’s end

But the vision ends with this man reminding Daniel that the kingdom is coming

Daniel’s vision ended, he saw the end but was still alarmed