Daniel 7- Vision/4 Beasts
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intro- We are now entering the second half of the book and the differences are evident. We no longer have a peaceful, clearly stated narrative, instead we have moved into the realm of visions and apocalyptic literature.
apocalyptic literature- is usually prophetic in nature and filled with symbolism.
3 rules for studying apocalyptic literature:
Don’t force literalness
Symbolism by it’s very nature is not meant to be taken literally
Don’t be dogmatic
Daniel, a man of wisdom and high education could not fully understand these visions
Don’t miss the forest for the trees
If we allow ourselves to get so bogged down in the details of the symbolism we will likely drive ourselves crazy, get a headache, and miss the big point of the whole thing.
The Setting:
The vision of this chapter occured at some point between chapter 4-5 so as we are studying chapter 7 we are actually studying a vision Daniel had decades earlier than the time frame of our last class.
Daniel sees a great stirring of the sea and out of the sea came four different beasts
Each beast represented a different empire. Even today, empires are often associated with animals (Russian bear, Chinese Dragon, American Eagle)
However none of the beasts are “normal” likely signifying they were a perversion of what God intended them to be.
The First Beast
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.
The first beast is described as being a lion with eagles wings
Archaeologists have found numerous sculptures and engravings of winged lions (some that are part human) that were from the ruins of babylon
This, without question was a reference to Nebuchadnezzar and his empire.
In , , andJeremiah 49:19,22 as Jeremiah was prophesying about destruction he repeatedly referenced a lion and an eagle
This beast was given the mind of a man (making us think of Nebuchadnezzar being given the mind of a beast)
His wings were plucked- representing a great loss of ferocity and power, a likely representation of Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation.
The Second Beast
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.’
Widely regarded as being a representation of the Medo-Persian empire.
It is describes as being “raised up on one side” likely indicating the imbalance of power since Persia was so much stronger than Media
It is said to have 3 bones (ribs in its mouth) - It could be referring to the fact that Cyrus conquered 3 kingdoms (Media, Anatolia, and Lydia) before marching toward Babylon/ Or it could just be a representative for the “hungry” nature of a kingdom set on destroying others.
The Third Beast.
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.
A leopard like creature that has 4 wings and 4 heads.
This was likely a symbol of great power and extreme swiftness/ A solid representation of Alexander the Great’s empire. It rose at a record setting pace, and he unceremoniously died in Nebuchadnezzar’s old palace
When Alexander the great died, history records his empire was divided amongst his 4 generals. (likely a foreshadowed here by the 4 heads)
Notice that the text says “dominion was given to it” - once again a reminder that no kingdom rises without God’s say so. Why did Alexander the Great have so much military success? some will credit his genius. The Bible says God allowed it to be so.
The Fourth Beast
This beast was different. All of these beasts sound terrifying and history records that they were. However, none of them terrified Daniel quite like the last beast
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.
This beast is described as being stronger and more fierce than the others. There was a “little horn” that spoke great things (arrogance). We will come back to this fourth beast in a moment.
The empire that matters
“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.
Describes the throne of the ancient of days (Our Lord)
V.11 says that the 4th beast was destroyed. V.12 says the others were stripped of their power.
“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.
Describes the son of man (Christ) one who comes from the clouds (above) not from the sea (below)
It is this kingdom that is eternal, this is the victory.
The Bad News
The victory wasn’t going to be felt on earth just yet.
The angel describes the 4th beast in greater detail
This beast is most probably the Roman empire
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,
states that the kingdom of God would be established during the 4th kingdom. Rome was in power during the establishment of the church.
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As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them,
The bad news is that even though the victory is won, suffering is still on the horizon.
There is wild debate as to who the little horn is. Some say it is Domitian, some say it is Nero. Some say it was another all-together. This is a point when we should refer to the rules of studying apocalyptic literate and not get bogged down in the details and focus on the big picture.
The Big picture was simply this, The world is in decline and will continue to decline and get more fierce. Suffering is coming, but God sits on the throne and His kingdom reigns forever.
I occasionally watch a football game that has been recorded and I already know who is going to win… rams SB victory, where Mike jones tackled Kevin Dyson on the 1 yard line. I cant watch that and I don’t get anxious like I was the first time I watched it because I know the Rams had the victory. I view this way. God paused and comforted Daniel with where the victory is truly found before informing him of the destruction that is ahead. God’s people can endure terrible things if they know what Lies ahead. the same is true for us today.