The Fate of Empires

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, you can take them and open them to Daniel chapter 7. In Daniel. 1-6 we covered themes of pride, humility, faithfulness, prayer, boldness, kingdoms, and deliverance. All of these themes are seen woven throughout the narrative of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, as they are captives in Babylon. The book of Daniel can really be divided into two parts, the first part- chapters 1-6, and the second part 7-12. As we move into chapters 7-12:

Do not forget 1-6 (the interpretive and applicative backdrop for 7-12).

We switch from a narrative to a more prophetic and apocalyptic theme (eschatology)

We will spend three weeks in chapter 7 to get a grasp on the major elements that we will see in the rest of the book of Daniel (The Fate of Empire, The Little Horn, and the Eternal Kingdom).

So, if you will, stand with me this morning as we read Daniel 7:1-8.

Body

(1) Beastly Desires

a. The Beasts as Empires

i. Babylon

ii. Medo-Persia

iii. Greece

iv. Rome

b. The Beastly Desires

i. Power

ii. Riches

iii. Influence

iv. Control

Application:

Not conforming to beastly desires but pursuing the kingdom of heaven through beatitudes.

Poor in Spirit

Mourn

Humble

Hunger and Thirst for righteousness

Merciful

Pure in Heart

Peacemakers

Persecuted

(2) Diminishing Powers

a. Diminishing through selfish-ambition

b. Diminishing through pride

c. Diminishing through sin

Application:

Not placing our hope in diminishing powers, but being ambassadors for the eternal kingdom in temporary empires to point dying people to life.

(3) Expiration Dates

a. History has an expiration date (eschaton)

b. Sin has an expiration date

c. The New heavens and Earth

Conclusion