Daniel 7

Read Daniel 7:1

Discuss the breakdown of the book of Daniel (1-6 = chronological narrative history; 7-12 = apocalyptic visions)

On apocalyptic literature...

Martin Luther— “They have a queer way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next, so that you cannot make head or tail of them or see what they are getting at.” (Quoted in Gerhard von Rad, Old Testament Theology, Volume II, page 33 fn 1) David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 117.

On the structure of Daniel...

in this latter half of the book, four distinct visions are put before us (starting in Daniel 7:1; then 8:1; 9:1; 10:1), with the last one providing the content for the final three chapters of the book. [David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 119.]

Have we seen any visions and dreams in Daniel so far? [Yes!] But who has been getting these dreams and visions? [the kings] And who has been interpreting them? [Daniel]

7:1 reveals another important change. The reader is told that a vision is given to Daniel. This is entirely new. To this point, Daniel has only served as interpreter to the dreams of other men. His role never exceeded the task of interpreting God’s word to the rulers of this world. But from this verse on, Daniel, this man of God, is the one God wants as his audience. And, as we will see, he will now be the one who needs an interpreter (7:19). [David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 119.]

In chapters 1-6, God was sending a message to the outside world. But now He is sending a message to His people.

Read Daniel 7:2-6

What does Daniel see? [four beasts]

Beast 1 = lion with wings (which then get plucked off)

Beast 2 = bear eating three ribs, devouring much flesh

Beast 3 = 4-headed leopard with 4 wings

We learn a clue about these beasts by looking ahead to...

Daniel 7:17—These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.

We can also learn some clues about these beasts by looking back...

Remember, in chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar had a vision about four kingdoms (gold, silver, bronze, iron mixed with clay)

First Beast...

Babylon was the kingdom represented by gold in Daniel 2:38 and Nebuchadnezzar is likened to a lion in Jeremiah 4:7 and 50:17. Later, Nebuchadnezzar faced humiliation until his “hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws” (see Daniel 4:33). We are also likely meant to see a link between Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration and 7:4: “Then as I looked it 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.” The first beast rising out of the great sea in Daniel 7 is starting to seem a lot like Babylon. [David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 121.]

Second Beast...

The second beast in our text is depicted as a ravaging bear, with one side raised up above the other. In Daniel 2, the second metal was silver. A traditional view of history indicates that the kingdom resembling a two-sided creature as it replaced Babylon was the Medo-Persian Empire. [David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 121.]

Third Beast...

In Daniel 2, the corresponding metal was bronze. We know, with the benefit of hindsight, that the Greek empire followed the Medo-Persian one. The details here are significant because, after Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC, the Greek empire was divided into several geographic regions and complex conflicts ensued to determine who would succeed Alexander from among his generals, family members, and friends. These resulted in four primary geographic regions.… [David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 121.]

Fourth Beast...

Read Daniel 7:7-8

What is unique about this fourth beast? [exceedingly great]

Given the historical record, this kingdom should be associated with Rome. And Daniel is being told that this kingdom following Greece will be exceedingly strong: one with “iron teeth” (v 7). [David Helm, Daniel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 122.]

The iron teeth in Daniel 7 should remind us of the iron kingdom mixed with clay in Daniel 2. Both represent Rome.

What about the ten horns?

1) Historicist View

Sees the ten horns as ten barbarian tribes or kingdoms that arose after Rome's fall (~476 AD), such as:

Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, etc.

The little horn (which uproots three) is typically interpreted as the Papal office, rising in power among these tribes and asserting religious authority.

Example Proponents: Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and many Puritans.

2) Futurist View

The ten horns represent ten kings who will form a future political alliance, often seen as a revived Roman Empire or European union.

Revelation 17:12–14—And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.

The little horn is a future Antichrist, who will rise among the ten, overthrow three, and establish dominion during the Great Tribulation.

Example Proponents: Many Evangelicals, Dispensationalists, and Left Behind-type theology.

3) Preterist View

The ten horns are usually ten Roman rulers, provinces, or puppet kings under Rome's authority in the 1st century.

The little horn is often Nero, whose violent persecution of Christians and self-exalting claims fit the description.

Example Proponents: Some Catholic scholars, and partial preterists like R.C. Sproul.

4) Idealist View

Sees the horns as symbolic of earthly kingdoms or powers in opposition to God across history.

The little horn is not necessarily a specific person but a recurring figure of pride, blasphemy, and persecution (e.g., rulers like Antiochus, Nero, Hitler, etc.).

Example Proponents: Many in the Amillennial or Reformed tradition.

I believe the little horn is Paul’s “man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2. Just like there are many antichrists, and one final Antichrist, there are many who act like this little horn but one final representation of him.

Verses 1–8 are saying to us: Now don’t be naive about human history; don’t be so gullible as to think that some new regime or new ideology or new party will instigate some form of cosmic therapy. At the close of The First Salute, her book on the American Revolution, Barbara Tuchman makes a very perceptive comment: ‘Revolutions produce other men, not new men.’ And the fearful face of history seems to confirm that. [Dale Ralph Davies, Kindle Location: 1,610]

Read Daniel 7:13-14

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Read Daniel 7:15-18

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Read Daniel 7:19-28

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Read Daniel 7:23-28

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