When the World Goes Beast Mode: Why God Still Wins

SCRIPTURE READING:

Now don’t raise your hand—but how many of you would say your favorite books of the Bible are Daniel or Revelation? Be honest. Every time someone tells me that, I start to get a little nervous. Not because I don’t love the Bible—but because nine times out of ten, they’re about to pull out a chart… and a compass… and maybe a theory involving microchips, Russia, and the number 666.

Now listen, I’m thrilled when people love God’s Word. But sometimes it feels like folks are more excited about decoding beasts than obeying Jesus on a Monday. Meanwhile, I’m just over here trying to survive Tuesday.

But I’ll say this—after spending some real time studying Daniel, I’ve come to see how incredibly relevant it is. It’s not just about the end of the world—it’s about how to live in the middle of a crazy one.”

Before we read Revelation 13, let me explain why this passage is so important for understanding Daniel 7. What Daniel saw in his dream—the rise of four beastly empires and a final terrifying ruler—finds its ultimate expression here in the book of Revelation. John, like Daniel, is given a vision of a beast rising from the sea, with multiple heads and horns. It’s a composite image that connects all four of Daniel’s beasts into one final global system.

This isn’t just parallel imagery—it’s prophetic fulfillment. Revelation 13 picks up where Daniel 7 leaves off, showing us how the ‘little horn’ becomes the final Antichrist figure who wages war against the saints and exalts himself above God. As we read, watch for the same themes: chaos rising from the sea, boastful blasphemy, persecution of God’s people, and the sovereignty of God in the midst of it all.

Revelation 13:1–10 (KJV)

1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

BOTTOM LINE:

When power becomes beastly and life feels chaotic, look up—God still reigns, Christ will return, and His people will win. [Slide]

INTRODUCTION

If you do not have a Bible today and would like one please raise your hands. The usher will gladly provide one for you. I want to make sure you know I am not making this up. page in pew bible

Daniel 7 marks a shift. No longer interpreting dreams, Daniel now shares a terrifying vision of his own—a divine glimpse of coming kingdoms and final judgment. This occurs during Belshazzar’s reign, before the lion’s den, likely when Daniel had been politically marginalized.

Daniel 7:1 “1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.”

Daniel’s primary concern is not chronology, but theology.

Look at the space between chapter 4 and 5 in your bible. That is where this story falls.

The vision shows us how heaven sees history—not as statues of gold, silver, and bronze (Daniel 2), but as ravenous beasts. Kingdoms without God become devouring monsters. But in the end, the Son of Man wins.

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Daniel 7 gives us heaven’s view of history: Human empires become beastly, but God still reigns, Christ will return, and His people will inherit the kingdom.

POINT 1: When power rejects God, it becomes beastly. Daniel 7:1–8

Daniel dreams of four grotesque beasts rising from a stormy sea—images of chaos, conquest, and corruption. Each beast represents a Gentile empire, increasingly violent and godless.

“When humans abandon accountability to God, they behave like animals.”

A. Beasts rise out of chaos—symbolizing godless empire

Daniel 7:2–3 “2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.”

The great sea = the restless nations (cf. Isaiah 17:12; Revelation 17:15).

The winds = global upheaval under divine sovereignty.

The scene evokes Genesis 1, but instead of creation, it’s distortion.

B. The Four Beasts: Successive Gentile Kingdoms

Daniel 7:4–7 “4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. 5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

First Beast – Lion with Eagle’s Wings: Babylon

Wings plucked = Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation (Daniel 4).

Stands like a man = restoration and possible repentance.

Babylon was majestic and swift, but later humbled.

Second Beast – Bear Raised on One Side: Medo-Persia

Raised side = Persia’s dominance.

Three ribs = conquests of Lydia, Babylon, Egypt.

“Devour much flesh” = vast but brutal empire.

Massive Logistics Operation: The army moved with supply trains, engineers, and even bridge-building units

Lumbering, expansive, and less glorious.

Third Beast – Leopard with Four Wings and Four Heads: Greece

Wings = speed; heads = Alexander’s four generals (would say names but we all now how that would go)

Prophetic precision: rapid rise, rapid division.

Fourth Beast – Dreadful with Iron Teeth and Ten Horns: Rome (and future form)

Not like any known beast.

Iron teeth = same as Daniel 2’s legs of iron.

Ten horns = ten kings; the little horn rises among them (Rev. 17:12).

Ancient Rome, revived in the end, becomes the system of Antichrist.

Application: Every empire becomes monstrous when it dethrones God.

C. The Little Horn: The ultimate blasphemer and persecutor

This horn arises from the ten horns of the fourth beast—a final leader unlike any before.

Daniel 7:8 “8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”

He’s prophetic.

Mentioned 33 times in Daniel, and referenced or alluded to over 36 times in Revelation.

Clearly a picture of the Antichrist—both a figure and a system.

He’s arrogant. Daniel 7:20 “20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.”

Nicknamed by Chuck Missler: “Mr. Big Mouth.”

Symbolizes blasphemy and boastful rebellion. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

He’s persecuting. Daniel 7:21 “21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;”

Refers to intense martyrdom during the Tribulation. Revelation 13:7 “7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”

Current reality: According to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, an average of 12 Christians were killed every day from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. Increasing rapidly.

He’s temporary.

He “shall think to change times and laws”, but his dominion will last only “a time, times, and half a time” (3.5 years). Daniel 7:25 “25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

God will judge him. Revelation 19:20 “20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

POINT 2: When chaos reigns on earth, God still reigns in heaven. Daniel 7:9–14

In the middle of beastly terror, Daniel sees heaven open. Thrones are set. Judgment begins. The Son of Man arrives.

A. The Ancient of Days sits in judgment

Daniel 7:9–10 “9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

His Title: “Ancient of Days”

This is the only place in the Bible where this title appears—used three times in Daniel 7 (vv. 9, 13, 22).

It highlights God's eternity, wisdom, and unchanging authority. Long before Babylon, Persia, Greece, or Rome—He was there. And long after they are gone—He will still reign.

He doesn’t age or fade. The Ancient of Days is ever-present, always ruling.

His Appearance Reflects His Character

“His garment was white as snow…”

White represents purity, holiness, and righteousness.

He is untainted by corruption—unlike the beasts rising from the sea.

This is not an old man in a rocking chair. This is the holy Judge of the universe.

“...And the hair of His head like pure wool”

This symbolizes wisdom and dignity (Proverbs 16:31).

He is not caught off guard by the events of history. He sees all with eternal perspective.

“His throne was like a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire”

Fire in Scripture represents judgment and purifying power (cf. Hebrews 12:29).

The wheels suggest mobility and sovereign reach—His judgment is not stationary but active and unstoppable (cf. Ezekiel 1:15–21).

“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him”

This is unstoppable judgment proceeding from God’s throne.

It is holy and consuming. There’s no appealing the verdict of heaven’s court.

His Court Is Majestic and Massive

“Thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him…”

This is language of immeasurable majesty. A billion angels (figuratively) attend Him.

God doesn’t rule alone—He commands a heavenly host that dwarfs the military parades of any earthly empire.

This court scene directly contrasts the lonely “little horn” who boasts loudly but stands before God completely outnumbered and overmatched.

“The judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

The language is deliberate and legal: the session begins, evidence is reviewed.

These books represent God’s perfect record—of nations, kings, and individual lives (cf. Revelation 20:12).

There’s no tampering with the evidence. Every boast, persecution, and injustice will be accounted for.

B. The beast is slain and destroyed

Daniel 7:11–12 “11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.”

No political rebellion can stand against God's decree.

He speaks—and the beast dies.

C. The Son of Man receives eternal dominion

Daniel 7:13–14 “13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

Comes with the clouds = divine authority.

All nations will serve Him.

Son of Man; Jesus used this title of Himself more than any other.

“The chapter turns from terror to triumph. The Son of Man will receive all authority from the Ancient of Days.

POINT 3: The saints will suffer now but reign forever with Christ Daniel 7:15–28

Daniel is deeply disturbed by the vision. The angel explains: the beast will fight God's people, but the kingdom will be given to the saints.

A. The saints will reign

Daniel 7:18 “18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.”

Daniel 7:27 “27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

“They shall possess the kingdom forever.”

We’re not just survivors—we are co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17 “17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

B. The saints will suffer

Daniel 7:25 “25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

The little horn will “wear out” the saints.

Tribulation martyrs will reign with Christ for 1,000 years.

The world system will be drunk with their blood of the martrys. Revelation 17:6 “6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”

Today: Over 360 million Christians live under high levels of persecution.

The saints’ suffering is real, but their future reign is promised.

C. Babylon’s Bloodlust: The World’s War on God’s People

The fourth beast looks like a final global empire—likely empowered by technology and deception.

A. AI as a tool of tyranny (as taught by John Lennox)

Deception – Artificial signs and miracles (Rev. 13:14).

Surveillance – Worldwide control.

Worship – Image of the Beast, enforced mark (Rev. 13:15–17).

“AI could give unprecedented power to a final world leader hostile to God.”

B. The dream of unity becomes a nightmare

Einstein (1946): “A world government must be created…”

Dante: Peace through one ruler.

Daniel’s fourth beast is the nightmare of unchecked, godless power. - John Lennox

CONCLUSION: The Value of Knowing the Future

Why does God give us such bizarre prophecies?

I want to share a simple story that helped me make sense of why we spend time studying things that—honestly—may not directly affect us. As believers, we understand from Scripture that the church will be removed from the world before many of these events take place. So why study them? Why take them seriously?

Last week, my parents came up to visit. It was a short trip, and I didn’t know the exact day or hour they were leaving—but I knew they’d be gone before the funeral that was happening that weekend. We didn’t go to Florida, and they didn’t go to the funeral, but you better believe we were all aware of the timing. Why? Because we were watching each other prepare.

They were folding clothes, checking gas, organizing for the drive. I was finishing projects and making sure we had time to talk before they left. We were on different paths, but we were sharing the same timeline. And just because I wasn’t going with them didn’t mean I wasn’t affected by their leaving—or unaware of what it meant.

In the same way, many of the events in Daniel and Revelation will unfold after the church is gone. But God still gave us these truths—not so we could obsess over timelines, but so we could prepare our hearts, strengthen our faith, and live wisely in a world that is rapidly moving toward that day. He gave us this information because it matters now.

So even if we're not going to the funeral, so to speak—we’re watching the world pack its bags. And that ought to stir something in us.

A. Prophecy builds faith when fulfilled

Jesus’ resurrection made sense only after the fact.

John 2:22 “22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”

B. Prophecy strengthens us in persecution

God tells us what to expect to keep us from losing hope.

John 14:29 “29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.”

C. Prophecy reminds us: God wins

Fear not those who kill the body. Matthew 10:28 “28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Beasts rage, but cannot touch your soul.

Application: The more we know the end, the less we fear the middle.

GOSPEL APPLICATION: Who is the Son of Man?

A. Jesus is the Son of Man

All judgment belongs to Him. John 5:22–27

He’s the human Savior and the divine Judge.

B. Jesus was judged for us

The breathtaking irony of Daniel 7 is that the Judge of the universe would first be judged by man.

Jesus stood before a corrupt earthly court, silent in dignity. When the high priest demanded to know if He was the Son of God, Jesus didn’t dodge. He looked forward to what Daniel saw in his dream. Matthew 26:63–64 – “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

They understood exactly what He meant—and they condemned Him to die.

He could have summoned legions of angels, but He willingly submitted to the Father’s plan.

He stood condemned so that we could stand forgiven.

He bore the wrath that justice demanded, so grace could be extended.

The Son of Man who will one day execute judgment first bore judgment on the cross—for us.

C. Jesus will return in power

Jesus references the truth of this passage while on trial. Matthew 26:63–64 “63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

Stephen saw Him standing. Acts 7:56

He is coming on the clouds to rule.

FINAL BOTTOM LINE:

If you belong to the Son of Man, judgment has already passed—and the kingdom is already yours.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, thank You that even when the world rages like beasts, You sit on the throne. Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Son of Man, who was judged for us—and who will one day judge the world in righteousness.