Future Visions for a Difficult Day (Dan 7)

Link to Slides:

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📖 Icebreaker / Opening Question

“If you were making a Top 10 list of the most theologically important chapters in the Old Testament what are some chapters you would put on there? What chapters in the Old Testament move forward the story of God’s redemption, reveal His character, or lay the foundation for the gospel?”

Okay, those are good answers. The reason i ask that question is because if you asked this question to a Bible scholar, almost all of them would have Daniel chapter 7 either on that list, or as an honorable mention. And if you are here tonight and have no idea why that would be the case - I want to answer this for you. This chapter is SO important that during a certain time period, mishandling this text could actually lead do a death sentence, as well explore further later.

So lets dive in and look at this passage

In Daniel 7, we shift from the court scenes of Daniel’s life into his visions—and the first one is wild. Literally. Daniel 7:1–15 “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. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 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. 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.’ 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. 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. 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. “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. 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. “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. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “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. 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. “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me.”

....and some of you after hearing this - probably feel the same way.

I tried to warn yall - this is when Daniel gets weird. And i warn you so that we can be prepared and we can handle this passage rightly.

So lets take a look at just verse one: Dan 7:1

Daniel 7:1 ESV

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.

If we are reading Daniel as astute readers - what should stand out as odd to us about verse 1?

exactly - this chapter takes place during the Reign of the babylonian king Belshazzar - but in the last chapter, not only had we already moved on from Belshazzar, we had left the kingdom of Bablyon altogether! So why does Daniel chapter 7 take us backward? I want to answer that question by taking a quick look at the layout of book of Daniel - because i think that will help oriente us to where we’re going in these next chapters of Daniel.

🪟Framework of the Book of Daniel

🌓The Dual Nature of Daniel

The book of Daniel has 12 chapters

And the book of Daniel splits super nicely into two sections

Where did we end last week? and what type of literature were those chapters?

The first 6 chapters of the book are the genre we call Historical Narrative - stories! They had some weird stuff, but they read as a narrative of things taking place.

But the second half of Daniel is a genre shift. The back half of the book will switch from historical narrative to the genre of prophecy and visions.

How do we know this?

Change in person: 1-6 is all 3rd person, 7-12 is first person. Daniel is the subject in chapters 1–6, Daniel is the seer and narrator in chapters 7–12.

The shift in timing: In ancient Near Eastern and Jewish literature, it was common to organize materials by genre or theme rather than strict chronology.

E.J. Young:

“Daniel is not a random collection of stories and visions but an intentionally structured document, the first half emphasizing God’s sovereignty in the present and the second half in the future.”

⚠️Hermeneutic Warning: Daniel as “Apocalyptic Literature”

You’ll sometimes hear Daniel called ‘apocalyptic literature,’ and that’s fair—but we need to be careful. Daniel didn’t originally slot into a well-defined genre when it was written. In fact, Daniel laid the groundwork that defined the apocalyptic style that later books like Revelation and 1 Enoch would imitate.

And even the word “apocalyptic” has kinda garnered some connotations that maybe arent warrented -what do you think of when I say that? like end-of-the-world, chaos etc.—but the Greek word ‘apokalypsis’ which actually means ‘unveiling’ or ‘revealing.’ What's happening in these “apokalypsis” is a pulling back the curtain to show us what’s really going on in God’s greater history.

So we need to let Daniel speak on its own terms. It’s full of symbols—but they’re not random. They come from Israel’s Scripture, history, and theology. We’ll understand this vision best by anchoring it in Genesis, Exodus, Isaiah—not wild speculation.”

🈹The languages of Daniel

Book of Daniel is written in two languages: Hebrew and Aramaic

First chapter is Hebrew

2-7 are in Aramaic

and the last 8-12 are in Hebrew

🈹the Aramaic Section of Daniel

and the sections have a message. And we are finishing out the Aramaic section.

But its weird because its all narrative except the last chapter. So theres something going on here.

The Aramaic section forms what we call a chiasm. What is a chaism? i like to describe it as a “meaning sandwich” parallelism with a point at the center.

And this section of Daniel does this.

The outer chapters (2 & 7) both describe four kingdoms—one from man’s view (a dazzling statue), the other from God’s view (chaotic beasts).

Chapters 3 & 6 show God’s power to deliver, and how faithfulness stands firm in exile.

Chapters 4 & 5—the heart of the structure—show us what happens to prideful kings: one repents, one is judged.

And there is a message in the center - a statement that is repeated throughout chapters 4 and 5:

“The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will…” (Dan 4:17, 25, 32; cf. 5:21)

🧠 Takeaway: This structure isn’t random—it’s preaching. In the midst of exile, empire, and pressure, God is still King.

And chapter 7 is going to answer the question “who does God will to give the kingdom to?” okay lets get back in it:

🦁🐻🐆 Daniel 7:2–8 — Beastly Kingdoms

so lets look at this first section

Daniel 7:2–8 ESV

Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 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. 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.’ 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. 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. 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 sees a stormy sea and four beasts rising up from it, each one stranger and more terrifying than the last. The sea represented uncontrolled chaos to the jew.

I have pictures here -

winged lion

bear with ribs

leopard

scary beast

But here's what we need to catch: these beasts aren’t random animals—they represent kingdoms.

God is showing Daniel how heaven views the rising and falling of world powers. In Dan 2, we get kingdoms described as preciouses metals - but here, these aren’t glorious monuments of human achievement—they’re beastly, chaotic, and predatory.

Why beasts? Beasts are power without conscience

Who are these guys? well verse 17 tells us.

Daniel 7:17 ESV

‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.

Lets look at the first 3

🦁 Daniel 7:4 – The Lion with Wings

Daniel 7:4 ESV

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.

This is most likely Babylon, and specifically Nebuchadnezzar.

Lions were symbolic of Babylon (see the Ishtar Gate) both in the Old Testament and it was the symbol of the empire.

The wings being plucked and the beast being lifted up to stand like a man parallels Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and restoration in Daniel 4.

🐻 Daniel 7:5 – The Lopsided Bear with Ribs

Daniel 7:5 ESV

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.’

This represents the Medo-Persian Empire.

The raised side probably symbolizes that fact that the kingdom consisted of two groups, the Medes and the Persians - but the Persian side was larger and more powerful. Portrayed later

The 3 ribs? Likely the three major nations they devoured: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt.

💬 Observation Question: Why describe this kingdom as a bear? What does that suggest about its power or behavior?

The world often celebrates power that devours others. But God sees these empires as dangerous and distorted—power without compassion.

🐆 Daniel 7:6 – The Four-Headed, Winged Leopard

Daniel 7:6 ESV

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.

This is most likely the Greek Empire,yunder Alexander the Great.

The leopard and the four wings probably point to speed—Alexander conquered the world faster than anyone before. In 10 years he had conqured the entire known world and the famous quote is “and he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer.”

The four heads refer to the four generals who divided the empire after Alexander’s sudden death: Ptolemy, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus

🌊 Big Takeaway:

The beasts come from the sea, a symbol of chaos and rebellion in Scripture.

Remember the message of the section:

Daniel 4:17 ESV

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

👑The Ancient of Days Takes His Seat

Daniel 7:9–10 ESV

“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. 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.

🔍 Observation & Exegesis

Contrast the chaos. Up until this moment, the vision has been filled with terror: beastly empires, violent conquest, horns rising and falling. But suddenly the scene shifts. A heavenly courtroom replaces the stormy sea. Chaos gives way to calm authority.

“Ancient of Days” is a rare title for God—used only here in Daniel. It emphasizes His eternal nature, wisdom, and purity.

His appearance (white garments, wool-like hair) reflects purity - God’s holiness and righteous judgment (cf. Rev 1:14).

The fiery throne echoes divine judgment (Ex. 19:18; Ezek. 1:27; Heb. 12:29) - fire is used in the bible two ways - refinement or destruction.

The wheels on the throne make it resemble a chariot, which implies that his rule is universal - it can, and does go everywhere.

“The court sat… and the books were opened” — This is a legal scene. A judge has taken his seat, and he is judging based on the deeds of humanity.

In a world where kings abuse power, Daniel sees a King who is uncorrupted, surrounded by myriads of loyal worshipers, bringing accountability to the wicked.

❓Reflection Questions

What would it feel like for an exile under Babylon or Persia to read this courtroom vision?

How does this vision shape your understanding of justice and authority?

Are there areas in your life where you’re tempted to believe chaos wins?

✨ Theological Insight

This moment anchors the entire vision. It reminds us: God is not caught off guard by history. The kingdoms of the world rise like beasts—but God is already seated. He doesn’t react—He rules.

And this courtroom isn’t just about judging beasts. As the chapter continues, the Son of Man (vv. 13–14) will be given authority and dominion from this very throne. So Daniel’s vision doesn’t just point to judgment—it points to Jesus, the Son of Man who receives the eternal kingdom.

When you watch the news and see nations rage…When it feels like injustice is winning…When the world looks beastly…

Remember Daniel 7:9–10. God has not abdicated His throne. The fire still burns.The court still sits. And the books are still being writte

🌍 The Fate of the Nations

Daniel 7:11–12 ESV

“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. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

These verses bring clarity to the question at the heart of Daniel’s vision: What will be done about the beasts of this world?

The fourth beast, the most terrifying and defiant of all (connected with the little horn), is completely destroyed. Its rebellion against heaven is met with final judgment.

The other beasts (representing earlier kingdoms like Babylon, Persia, and Greece) are not immediately destroyed—but their power is stripped. They may linger, but their dominion is revoked by God.

This is not a battle between equals. The nations rage, but God rules. Their fate is sealed not by politics or military strategy, but by the decree of the Ancient of Days (v. 10).

———-

Even when the world seems like its in chaos, God has a plan:

☁️One Like a Son of Man

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“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. 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.

Remember - the most high rules and gives it to whom he wills. Who does he will to give it to? Shockingly - Daniel 7 tells us. “One like a Son of Man”

-Son of Man as a Mere Human

In many OT contexts, especially in Ezekiel, “son of man” simply means “human being”—emphasizing mortality, weakness, or limited perspective.

God repeatedly calls Ezekiel “son of man” (e.g., Ezekiel 2:1) to contrast God’s glory with Ezekiel’s humanity. Ezekiel 2:1 “And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.””

-A Son of Man is Exalted

Daniel 7:13–14 gives the title an unprecedented twist: A figure “like a son of man” comes riding on the clouds of heaven— Only one character in the Old Testament rides on could. Any guesses who that it? This is something only God does in the OT (cf. Ps. 104:3; Isa. 19:1).

This “son of man” receives eternal dominion and is worshiped by all peoples. So while still clearly human (“son of man”), this figure is also divine—a unique God-man figure.

🚨 A Turning Point in the Biblical Story

Messianic Expectation Expanded

Earlier OT promises (2 Samuel 7; Psalm 2; Psalm 110) anticipated a human king from David’s line.

Daniel 7 develops this further: the ruler is “like a son of man” (human) but comes with the clouds of heaven (divine).

The dominion is not just national, but global and eternal (7:14).

Jewish texts like 1 Enoch (37–71) develop this “Son of Man” as a pre-existent, glorious, and righteous judge.

Hope Amidst Oppression

The beasts in Daniel 7 symbolized the brutal empires of history. But this vision promises that God will not let the beasts rule forever.

Instead, a divine-human ruler would bring justice and peace—something the faithful clung to as empires raged around them.

Universal Dominion of the Future Kingdom

“All peoples, nations, and languages” would serve Him (7:14). This was a radical shift: Israel’s hope would go global.

God's plan was always to bless the nations (Genesis 12:3), but here it becomes clear: the coming kingdom is multi-ethnic, involving “all peoples, nations, and languages”.

Daniel 7 signals a shift from Israel as a nation-state to Israel as a kingdom of God movement among all peoples.

Why It Mattered So Much

Daniel 7:13–14 became a central lens through which Jews understood both their suffering and their hope:

God hadn’t forgotten His promises—He was preparing His King.

The kingdoms of man would end—God’s kingdom would not.

The Messiah would come not just to rule, but to restore.

This hope made Daniel 7:13–14 one of the most quoted and alluded-to passages in apocalyptic literature and later in the teachings of Jesus—who directly applies it to Himself (cf. Mark 14:62, Matthew 26:64).

🧠Understanding the Vision

Daniel 7:15–18 ESV

“As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 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. ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

The Initiative of Daniel

Daniel 7:16 ESV

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.

Notice that although Daniel is shook up, he still has the desire to see out truth - we’ll see this later in Daniel as well. Despite it being confusing and difficult, he still desires to understand. I often see people give up really fast on parts of the Bible that harder. “we just cant know it all, we just have to have faith” - brother you are probably miles away from the point where you cant be certain. People have written thousands of pages on the thing you think “we cant know the answer to”

While often there is a point where we wont know, we are still called to seek understanding even in the hard parts of scripture.

A Shift in Power

Daniel 7:18 ESV

But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

What's interesting about verse 18? In verse 13-14 who received the kingdom? the one like the son of man. but who gets the kingdom in verse 18?

💀 The Fourth Beast: Different, Disturbing, and Difficult

Daniel 7:19–25 ESV

“Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

🧩 A Beast Unlike the Rest

Daniel had already seen three strange beasts—each wild and symbolic. But the fourth one grabs his attention. It’s so terrifying, so violent, and so different that he singles it out for more explanation.

This beast doesn’t even get a natural animal comparison—no lion, bear, or leopard. Just metal teeth, crushing power, and ten horns.

Daniel calls it “terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong” (7:19), and the angel confirms: “It shall be different from all the kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth” (7:23).

📚 The Interpretive Challenge of the Fourth Beast

This beast is harder to pin down for a few reasons:

No Clear Animal Image

The first three beasts are all recognizable animals. This one? A monster. Iron teeth, bronze claws, and unrelenting violence.

It reflects the dehumanizing nature of empires—man becomes beast when ruled by pride, power, and violence.

Multiple Phases

The beast itself has ten horns, but then a smaller horn rises and uproots three. This “little horn” becomes the real focus—boasting, blaspheming, and persecuting (7:20–21).

Some interpret this as one kingdom with successive rulers. Others see the little horn as a future figure, a type of Antichrist.

No Clear Historical Fit

This is where interpretations diverge: • some see this as the Greecian empire, and that the little horn is a guy named Antiochus IV, who we’ll talk a lot about next week if we go that route. He ruled around the 170s BC.

but this beast appears again in Revelation, 200+ years after Antiochus

Some see the fourth beast as Rome, and the little horn as a Roman emperor (like Nero or Domitian). Why might someone see this as Rome? Iron teeth resembles the iron feet of the statue in Ch 2, which most thing represents Rome

Yet, there are some issues with this being Rome.

The Roman Empire never had ten simultaneous kings (horns).

We are told this empire will be:

Different from all before it (Dan 7:7)

Led by the “little horn” (Dan 7:8) who will destroy 3 kings

The final form of the fourth beast is still future, as described in Revelation 13

Oppressive toward the saints, just before God’s final judgment and kingdom come.

So some will say this is definitely Antiochus under Greece, some will say this will definitely say this Rome others will say Rome was the original “fourth beast,” but its pattern will repeat and intensify until the last final kingdom of man.

🧠 Summary

Daniel is disturbed by this beast for a reason—it feels more than historical. It feels timeless, repeated in every empire that defies God, and ultimately fulfilled in a final figure who opposes Christ Himself.

But the beast doesn't get the last word. The Ancient of Days sits in judgment. The Son of Man receives the kingdom. And the saints—though worn out—inherit the earth.

———————

While there is much confusion on who the fourth beast is and its time period - there is no debate on who the Son of Man is Daniel

🚹Jesus, the Son of Man

🟢 First Use: A Paradox of Authority and Humanity

📍 Matthew 8:20; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24; John 1:51

Jesus steps on the scene and starts calling himself the son of man, and it confuses peopel. Jesus’ first uses of “Son of Man” seem almost cryptic:

“The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matt 8:20)

“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mark 2:10)

“You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51)

➡ Here, the Son of Man is humble… but holds divine authority. The paradox begins.

🟡 Developing: Suffering and Sovereignty

As Jesus’ ministry unfolds, He teaches His disciples what kind of Messiah the Son of Man will be:

Suffering:

“The Son of Man must suffer many things… be killed, and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31)

Service:

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

➡ Jesus keeps tying divine glory to self-giving sacrifice. The disciples struggle to grasp it.

🔴 Climax: Trial Before the High Priest

📍 Matthew 26:64 | Mark 14:62 | Luke 22:69

Mark 14:55–64 ESV

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.

This is the clearest claim to divine identity Jesus makes—pulling from Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1. The leaders instantly recognize it as blasphemy, sealing His fate.

Here, Jesus isn’t just claiming to be a good moral teacher or prophet. He is claiming to be the divine figure who rides on the clouds and to whom all authority is given—and He is declaring a future return in glory.

🕊 The Ascension

📍 Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9–11

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts tells us that Jesus is coming back on the clouds- this moment of Jesus receiving the kingdom hasnt happened yet.

In Daniel 7, the clouds carry the Son of Man into God's presence—not from heaven to earth, but from earth to God’s throne.

➡ The ascension completes the arc: the Son of Man enters His dominion and begins reigning at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33–36).

Application/Takeaways:

👑 We Rule Because He Conquered

Daniel 7 ends with a breathtaking promise:

“The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” (Dan 7:18) “...and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.” (Dan 7:22)

💬 Observation: - Who receives the kingdom first in Daniel 7? - How do the saints come to possess it?

But here's the key—we don’t get the kingdom because we earned it. We get it because the Son of Man conquered.

Look back at Daniel 7:13–14: The Son of Man comes on the clouds, presented before the Ancient of Days, and is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. That kingdom becomes ours—not because of our power or merit, but because of His victory.

Revelation 5 paints this same reality. The Lion of Judah has conquered—but He looks like a Lamb who was slain.

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

But -the path to the throne went through the cross. The Son of Man received the kingdom not by overthrowing Rome, but by bearing the wrath of God. And because He conquered sin, death, and Satan—we inherit the victory.

🧠 Application:

We don’t fight for victory—we live from it.

We’re called to rule with Christ—but first, we must follow Him in suffering (2 Tim 2:12).

💬 Reflect:

Do you live like you’re part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken?

How does Christ’s victory give you courage in a world of beastly empires?

In what ways can you reflect the self-giving rule of Christ this week—in your relationships, work, and witness?

🌍 God Rules Over History, Even When It Looks Like Chaos

Key Theme: Even in the chaos of this world, God is working out His plan.

Daniel 7 gives us a terrifying vision—four beasts rising from a stormy sea. Each one represents an empire: powerful, violent, and dehumanizing. But behind the wild imagery is a truth that anchors our hope: God is in control. He rules over kingdoms and empires—even the beastly ones.

What looks like chaos on earth is still under heaven’s authority.

🦁🐻🐆💀 Four Beasts, One Sovereign God

Though these empires appear monstrous and unstoppable, we learn from both Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 that each kingdom rises and falls only as God allows, and His eternal kingdom will one day crush them all.

But even before that final victory, God was already at work through these empires to prepare the world for Christ. Let’s consider how He used each beast to advance His redemptive plan:

🦁 Under the Babylonians: Worship Without a Temple

The exile became a turning point in Israel’s story: idolatry, which had plagued the nation for centuries, was finally broken corporately. The trauma of exile taught them to forsake false gods and cling to the Lord alone.

With no temple, the people began gathering in local communities to pray, read the Scriptures, and teach the Law—the seeds of the synagogue system.

By the time of Jesus, these synagogue communities had spread across the Roman world, providing ready-made places for the gospel to be preached (cf. Acts 13:14–15). Even Babylon was part of God’s plan.

🐻 Under the Medo-Persians: Return and Rebuilding

The Persian Empire (represented by the bear) conquered Babylon—and God used Cyrus to send His people back home.

Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel led efforts to rebuild the temple, the city, and covenant life.

This shows that even in the midst of empire and exile, God is restoring what’s broken.

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia… the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus… to send them back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.” — Ezra 1:1–3

🐆 Under the Greeks: One Language for the Gospel

Alexander the Great (the leopard with wings) brought about the Hellenization of the world.

Greek became the common language across the known world.

As a result, when the Gospel went out centuries later, it was spoken and written in Greek—readable from Jerusalem to Rome.

The Septuagint (LXX)—a Greek translation of the Old Testament—was already available before Jesus came. This made the Scriptures accessible to Jews and Gentiles across the empire.

🦈 Under the Romans: Roads and Peace for the Gospel

Rome would come and conquer Greece

And yet—under Rome, God brought about the “fullness of time.”

The Pax Romana (Roman time of peace) and the Roman road system created unprecedented interconnection between people, cities, and ideas.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” — Galatians 4:4 “Christ died for us at just the right time.” — Romans 5:6

!!! The Gospel spread quickly across Roman roads, using Greek words, to people gathered in Jewish Synagogues !!!

✨ God Is Not Panicked by Our Earthly Chaos

What Daniel sees as beasts, God sees as tools in His hand.

— we can have calm in the chaos, because we know God is in control — Each empire served a purpose, though none of them knew it.

From the ashes of exile to the day of Pentecost, God was setting the stage for redemption. He was preparing the world for Jesus. And today, even when the world still feels beastly—when kingdoms rage and culture shifts—we can trust that God is in control and He is still writing a better story.

💬 Discussion Questions:

How do you think the Jews might have felt during exile, hearing that empire after empire will rise?

Have you ever looked back at something painful and realized God was preparing you for something greater?

What might God be doing today, even when things feel chaotic in the world?