Son of Man Prophecy

This chapter begins with one of Daniel’s visions during the reign of King Belshazzar, of Babylon. As we unpack it,

the FOUR WINDS of heaven, are representative to the four points of a compass, north, south, east, and west. Borrowed from .

the GREAT SEA is a symbol of turmoil and chaos.

then it gets more interesting with the FOUR GREAT BEASTS., symbolizing the four kingdoms…such as Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece; or Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome.

Babylon is a Lion with Eagle’s Wings. Wings were plucked off indicating Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation, punishment, and restoration.

Media is a bear. Perhaps a combination of two empires, Mediol/Persia. The beast was raised up, indicating on its hind feet in a fighting position.

Likely, the Persian Empire (or Greece) is a Leopard with Four Wings and Heads. They conquered the world quickly and swiftly. The four heads may represent the four Persian Kings.

Most likely, is a Ten-horned Beast with Iron Teeth (or Rome). It was different from the others, perhaps because of its lasting influence on the cultures of the world. Ten horns symbolizing 10 KINGS…with might and power. Another little horn, recounting the deeds of Antiochus IV. However, if this beast is Rome it could be seen as the antichrist.

In verses 9-12, these beasts and the little horn speaks of the arrival of Ancient Days or a reference to God. Thus, God passes judgement and makes way for “one like the son of man.” The clothing was like white snow, of which is typical of heavenly beings. and the hair of his head was like pure wool; his throne was a flame of fire, demonstrating power or divine presence; its wheels were burning fire. Therefore, God takes the natural place as the judge over all creation. The books were opened is reference to the records of human deeds throughout the Bible.

The beast was slain, an act of judgement; however, an extension of their life was given them unlike the destruction of the fourth beast.

Now, after the JUDGEMENT by the Ancient of Days, or God. “A human” messianic figure appears. Of which Jesus later uses as a title, the Son of Man. He is presented before God and given a dominion that will never pass away.

The visions in verses 7-12,

are of the unfolding of history and its EFFECTS on the Jewish people.

Like, the persecution of the Jews by Antiochus in the mid 1605 BC

Thus, the persecuted Jews needed a DELIVERER to arise and re-establishment of the Jewish state.

“one like the son of man” could be Judas Maccabeus a military leader who revolted over Antiochus. Or even the angel Michael. Yet, it is probably best understood as messianic. All this parallels what we heard in chapter 2, referring to the 5th kingdom.

A messiah who would drive out foreign enemies and re-establish Judaism, and a time of prosperity; moving out from the oppressive reign of Antiochus.

Finally, the kingship, and what the Jews were anticipating. The end of the world’s kingdoms and their sufferings by the establishment of God’s kingdom. while it did not happen in Daniel’s lifetime, this kingdom concept is carried into the Gospels.

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.

Chp.1-6 is Daniel’s story...

Chp. 7-12, Prophecy…church people like to debate about it, about the end times. People want to know how it ends.

a lot different opinions...

Apocoliptic literature…to reassure the present generation like you and I, to know what we see in the world is not all that is going us.

To remind us that God is on the throne and the He is in control. The future is in His hands and not what we see unfolding in the news. Be careful not to push our agendas or ideas onto the text. What did the author mean? What is the context in which the writing is writing and to whom.

7 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 goes back and forth…to understand chapter 7, we have go back to what we learned in chapter 2: the dream by Nebuchadnezzar... and the four kingdoms. These patterns and visions in chapter 2 & 7 match.

Rome marched across the world, they were terrifying and strong. Rome broke up everything that Alexander the Great had built. Rome was the most powerful even in Jesus’ time, they took over Asia, Africa, Europe, where all were to submit to Caesar. Rome was broken up into 10 kingdoms.

Chapter 2 & 7 are the same, until something was added in chapter 7:8;

Vs.8 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 little horn is NOT for God! Perhaps the antichrist, is already at work, someone who will put an act on God’s people, someone who will attack the church. This is spoken of in John.

Throne room of God, where things are not in disarray, but order and peace.

Throne room of God, where things are not in disarray, but order and peace.

Remember, this is a picture of our God on His throne ruling over all of us. He is in total control.

Peace and unity, love and understanding…a picture of comfort for us!

Peace and unity, love and understanding...

While the world appears out of control it is not out of control at all.

11 “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. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

God steps in and wipes out little horn, God wipes out all the kingdoms of the world in two short verses. Quick and fast. A display of power.

13 “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. 14  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.

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.

14  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.

2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 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. 5 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.’ 6 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. 7 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. 8 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’s Vision of the Four Beasts

Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts

7 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. 2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 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. 5 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.’ 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. The

The Ancient of Days Reigns

9 “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.

10  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.

11 “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. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

The Son of Man Is Given Dominion

13 “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.

14  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.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The New International Version Chapter 21

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”