An Everlasting Kingdom

Transition to Daniel’s Dreams

Chapters 1-6 were “court tales”

Chapters 7-12 are Daniel’s apocalyptic dreams

Daniel’s dream in chapter 7 parallels Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2

Interpreting Prophecy

An original message for the the original audience

Later unfolding and fulfillment can reveal a new message

Not a crystal ball

Daniel 7:1 NIV

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.

4 Great Beasts Out of the Sea

Lion with eagle’s wings

Bear chewing on bones

Leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads

Terrifying beast with iron teeth and 10 horns

Heavenly Thrones

The Ancient of Days

One like a son of man given everlasting dominion

God Provides Interpretation

4 Beasts = 4 Kings/kingdoms that will rise from Earth

Heavenly thrones prevail

Kingdom given to the people of God

Forever and ever

Daniel 7:23–28 NIV

23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. 26 “ ‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ 28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

The Message for Daniel’s Audience

Earthly kings exploit and devour everything in their path

You will have to endure corrupt kingdoms

It won’t be forever because the kingdom of God will prevail

Contrasting Dream Perspectives

Human: Inevitable destruction of powerful and revered kingdoms that get progressively worse

Divine: Animalistic kingdoms are judged in a divine courtroom and replaced by the kingdom of God

Fulfillment?

Kingdoms from Babylon to Greece, culminating in Alexander the Great

After the death of Alexander the Great, the kingdom was split up and Judah was ruled by Antiochus for 3+ years

Judahite revolt resulted in a century of freedom

What about Rome?

Judah came under the rule of Rome

Everlasting kingdom fulfilled through Jesus and evidenced by the Holy Spirit

A kingdom not of this world

Is Prophecy Fulfilled or Still In Waiting?

Daniel had an original message for those in exile

The New Testament Church repackaged prophecy to show Jesus as the fulfillment

What message does Daniel’s dream have for us today?

Speculation is Distraction from Mission

Deciphering the prophecy is, at best, a distraction

The mission has already been revealed and the prophecy should empower and comfort, not suppress

The Lord’s Prayer is Daniel’s message in action

Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

9b Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Who will you serve?

The beastly kings of exploitive kingdoms

The throne of God, on Earth as it is in Heaven