Daniel part 3 - Chapters 7 & 9
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Intro: Tonight we continue with the book of Daniel
Now, The book of Daniel, has tremendous insight into the life of Daniel. But it’s not about Daniel. It’s all about God - how God is sovereign how He rules over the kingdoms of this world…and Tonight, as we finish our time in the book of Daniel, we will be reminded of the sovereignty of God
8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
Tonight, as we finish out time in the book of Daniel, we will be reminded of the sovereignty of God
(Prop) tonight, we’re gonna only look at 2 chapters in Daniel - 7 & 9
Daniel is the Everest of Prophecy
These 2 chapters highlight 2 massive propehtic visions
He had them when Babylon was still the world’s super power and Belshazzar was co ruling Babylon with a guy by the name of Nabonitis
He had them when Belshazzar was co ruling Babylon with a guy by the name of Nabonitis
Something important: The interpretation of these visions have been the source of debate for a long time, and it’s possible that bible students in this room tonight might have 2 different opinions
Now the interpretation of these visions have been the source of debate for a long time, and it’s possible that bible students in this room tonight might have 2 different opppinions
It’s important to always remember that in Christianity there are “open handed” issues “closed handed” issues
Things like Eschatology, Women in leadership, The role of the Holy spirit today are “open handed” issues
It’s important to have a stance on those things - as We a do - Pre-millennial, Complementary, We believe the spirit still moves
But some born again christians disagree…thats alright
Chapter 7 - The vision of the four beasts
Chapter 7 - The vision of the four beasts
One thing that is quite certain about these visions:
The way you interpret these visions is open handed - I believe we have the right way, but their open handed
1 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.
One thing that is quite certain:
The vision of daniel 7 parallels the vision that daniel interpreted in Chapter 2
They have the same theme - Gentile imperial power
They both consist of 4 empires (chapter 2 pictures them as a giant stature, chapter 7 pictures them as 4 beasts)
Both would be destroyed by God
Some say that the dream of Nebchanezzer in chapter 2 is man’s view of the matter, and Daniels dream is God’s view of the matter
Most believe that the 4 empires represent:
Babylon
Medo-Persia - Who would conquer Babylon in 539 b.c
Greece - lead by Alexander the great
Roman empire - they would reign for around a thousand years
Now even that view has come under attack…in the history of the church
“The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”
Now there’s a guy by the name of Carl Friedrich Keil “The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”
Now there’s a guy by the name of Carl Friedrich Keil “The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.”
But remember Jesus himself who is the ultimate authority attested to the things that take place in these visions as things that will happen in the future
“The commonly accepted view in the church (referencing the early church) was that these four kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.” “But,” he says, “when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken in later centuries the authenticity of the book of Daniel was rejected and the identity of the fourth kingdom as the Roman world-monarchy was denied.” But remember Jesus himself who is the ultimate authority attested to the things that take place in these visions as things that will happen in the future
But remember Jesus himself who is the ultimate authority attested to the things that take place in these visions as things that will happen in the future
15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
it begins the 2nd division of the book - Prophetic Preview
1 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.
1 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.
This dream of Daniel’s mirrors the dream he interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar back in chapter 2, Thats where Daniel told him about the kingdoms that would reign after his kingdom ended…Now this dream years later…but yet it has the same flavor to it
In chapter 2 He described - A giant figure that had 4 types of metal all representing 4 different kingdoms
Here in chapter 4 he describes four beasts that arose from the sea (A lion, a bear, a leopard, a metallic beast)—each of which served as an avatar of an empire.
17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
Daniel saw not four types of metal on a statue but four beasts that arose from the sea—itself a symbol of the mass of humanity across the world—each of which served as an avatar of an empire. A lion with eagle’s wings represented the golden head of Babylon, followed by a bear symbolizing Medo-Persia’s silver chest and arms, then a winged leopard that stood for Greece’s bronze torso and thighs, and finally, a metallic beast that trampled the earth, the iron legs of Rome.”
(v.4) A lion with eagle’s wings represented the empire of Babylon - Archaeological digs have revealed statues of winged lions guarding the palace gates in the ruins of Babylon
(v.5) A ferocious bear represented the empire Medo-Persia - The Medo-Persian bear was the right symbol for them because although they were powerful, they weren’t really majestic and kingly…they relied on brute force
(v.5) A ferocious bear represented the empire Medo-Persia
(V.6) A winged leopard that stood for the Grecian empire - The leopard of Greece predicted Alexander the Great’s speedy ascent and conquest of southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and its four wings stood for the four generals who history tell us split his kingdom after his equally quick demise.
(V.6) A winged leopard that stood for the Grecian empire
(V.7) And finally, Daniel saw a metallic beast that trampled the earth, this would have represented the Roman empire
Did you know - That Archaeological digs have revealed statues of winged lions guarding the palace gates in the ruins of Babylon, symbols of its glory and power. The Medo-Persian bear, raised up on one side, signified the greater power that Persia wielded in that alliance, and its mouth full of three ribs indicated nations that it had conquered to rise to power (thought by many to be Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt). The leopard of Greece predicted Alexander the Great’s speedy ascent and conquest of southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and its four wings stood for the four generals who split his kingdom after his equally quick demise. The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law—the iron teeth and bronze claws of Daniel’s vision.”
(V.7) And finally, Daniel saw a metallic beast that trampled the earth, this would have represented the Roman empire - The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law
The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law—the iron teeth and bronze claws of Daniel’s vision
The Medo-Persian bear was the right symbol for them because although they were powerful, they weren’t really majestic and kingly…they relied on brute force
“After this fearsome fourth beast came a single horn—a prophetic symbol of power—that made war against God’s people until He came and stopped it. This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth. Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right.
The leopard of Greece predicted Alexander the Great’s speedy ascent and conquest of southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and its four wings stood for the four generals who history tell us split his kingdom after his equally quick demise.
The beast of Rome conquered with its mighty military and strict rule of law—the iron teeth and bronze claws of Daniel’s vision
Then, something else came up in Nebbis dream...
Now their was something about that forth beast...
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.
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.
dan 17:8
Wow, this is heavy...from this fourth beast came a single little horn, it had the eye’s of a man, and it spoke in persuasive ways
After this fourth beast came a single horn—a prophetic symbol of power—that made war against God’s people until He came and stopped it. This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth. Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right.
After this fourth beast came a single horn—a prophetic symbol of power—that made war against God’s people until God came and stopped it.
This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth. Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right
So here’s the picture: This is a pretty unsettling scene right here..anyone would be terrified
This was a picture of Christ defeating the Antichrist in the last days and setting up God’s kingdom on earth. Whereas people tend to see things as getting better and better, God sees them as getting worse and worse, and one day, He will intervene to set things right
Now it’s important to remember the context of all of this: This is where Daniel is lamenting over the fact that Israel futures in still uncertain...Even with the promise of eventual restoration and God’s kingdom on earth, who knew when that would be? Knowing that God will ultimately be victorious is comforting, but in the midst of tribulation, that victory can’t come soon enough
But then the scene changes and Daniel is swept away into the courtroom of God
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.
Dan 7:9-10
What an overwhelming sight...Daniel fresh from seeing these terrifying beasts that represented the empires of the world was no doubt was quite startled by what he had seen…but then, God shows daniel…something even more overwhelming…His holiness
He is the way hebrews 12:29 describe him “Our God is a consuming fire” - His throne, his essence
Thousands upon thousands serve him and worship him
But as daniel is in this heavenly courtroom, he gets distracted by this little horn from verse 8 that was insisting on being heard
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.
dan 7
Now, we have no idea what was said…all we know is that it didn’t work, and the beast and the horn was destroyed...
Then, theres a pause and then Daniel says this...
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.
This is one of the most important passages in all the bible…not just because it’s speaks of the resolution of the whole matter, but this is also the passage that Jesus referred to speaking of himself when he was in the house of the high priest
69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
Jesus in reaches all the way back into and Illuminates for us the his identity…Jesus is the son of Man
To think that the Judge of the kings of the world…would would face judgement for you and me…is beyond words don’t you think?
Look at what all this did to daniel
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me.
dan 7:15
So he’s not like “wow this is awesome, he’s like wow “this is terrifying”, but he’s really intrigued over the 4th beast in particular, and that little horn thats speaking so much…so he approaches one of the angels and asks for an explanation to whom the 4th beast was and to whom the little horn was...
And he gives it to him...
23 “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.
24 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.
25 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.
26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
dan 7:23-
Daniel was told that the final kingdom (this 4th beast) would be the most powerful of all the earthly kingdoms…and it would devour the whole earth - that would be a good description of Rome who essentially conquered the whole world for a period of 1000 years…and this “little horn” that rises up out of this 4th beast seems to speak of a figure who would come into power and begin an all out attack on God and God’s people…
Rome - they would reign until 307 a.d
And this “little horn” that rises up out of this 4th beast seems to speak of a figure who would come into power and begin an all out attack on God and God’s people…
This is who we would call the Anti Christ - A charismatic and powerful figure would come upon the world scene during a time of great need, and essentally woe the world…for 3 and a half years he would bring about peace…and then his true colors would be seen all culminating in what the bible calls the “Abomination of Desolation” where he will go into the temple of God and defile it, and essentally claim himself to be king
What does tell us?
Some modern day schoolers believe that this was fulfilled by a guy by the name of Antiochus epiphanies in 165 b.c - Antiochus raided the temple in Jerusalem, stealing its treasures, setting up an altar to Zeus, and sacrificing swine on the altar and ordered the priests to drink pigs blood
It tell us that there will come a time when the kingdoms of this world that ravage and torment the world as we know it will end and answer to the ancient of days - Jesus
It don’t seem like it because he came out of the kingdom of greece which would have been the 3rd beast
So although he was a type of Anti christ, it doesn’t seem like he’s the fulfillment of this prophecy in daniel 7, more then likely he’s the little horn spoken about in daniel 8 which is totally different then this one here
Here’s what Jesus’ teaches us in :
The unjust kingdoms of this world, will be brought to justice before the Son of Man
Chapter 9 - Daniel’s vision of the 70 weeks
Chapter 9 - Daniel’s vision of the 70 weeks
The first part of chapter 9 is a prayer - because Daniel was a student of prophecy, he remembered the warnings of Jeremiah (70 years of captivity) and he knew where he stood in the timeline of Prophecy..and this moved him to pray for the people and he ask for God’s mercy to be over the people of Israel and for them to be able to return to the holy land
While he’s praying, Gabriel the Arch Angel shows up…and says…Daniel your prayers have been heard for you are greatly loved…and then he dons’t even begin to address the prayer that daniel prayed but instead he gives him more then he could have every expected...
Here’s the question: What does the book of Daniel teach us?
And what he goes on to speak with Daniel about is what would be considered the mount rush more of biblical prophecy
24 “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Let’s talk about DURATION - 70 weeks - It’s actually a little more complicated to us…but really important that we get it…”70 weeks” is actually better translated “70 periods of 7” - In Ancient Hebrew the word “week” means “Seven” and the context of this conversation is that Daniel has been praying about the 70 YEARS of captivity…so this us to believe that this “70 weeks” is better translated “SEVENTY 7 YEAR PERIODS” - 490 years in all
Why is this important to daniel? because theirs a focus to it - “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city - so this 490 year period will somehow be focus on the daniel’s people and his holy city? - Israel and Jerusalem
Then he tells us what will be accomplished at the end of those 70 weeks” to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place
So here’s the summary of what we just read:
Gabriel tell’s daniel that 490 years have been set apart by God, for the people of Israel, and at the end of the 490 years total restoration will take place…here’s the question, has this happened yet?
No
Here’s a question, when did this time even start?, well, verse 25 gives us the starting point..
25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
So we have given a clear starting point for this prophetic countdown - from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem…the rebuilding of Jerusalem - not the temple - not the walls - but the city this was fulfilled in Nehemiah chapter 2
We even have a date of when the building started - 445 b.c, the first of Nissan, and it’s by strong impliction that we can conclude Monday
And he says from that point, 69 of those sets of 7 years (483) will bring about the appearance of “the anointed one”
onday
So here’s the picture: Gabriel tells Daniel from the beginning of the Nehemiah’s building of the Jerusalem 483 years will pass and Israel’s anointed one “the messiah” will come on the scene
Now, some say those 483 years ended at Jesus’ birth…it would be off
Gabriel tells
Others try to date it at Jesus’ baptism…it would still be off
…the rebuilding of Jerusalem - not the temple - not the walls - but the city
But there are others who date it to the triumphal entry in 32 a.d…and this is entirely possible...And if you to take into account some of the nuances of the jewish calendar you measure them out, you will find that Jesus entering into Jerusalem to the day
And if you to take into account some of the nuances of the jewish calender
You know when Jesus came in on that day, he planned more then other days, and he who usually moved away from the praises of the people...yet on this day things were different
37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,
38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
So that takes care of the first 483 years…what about the last 7 years? or “week”
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,
Dan 9:26
25 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.
Daniel 9:2
25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
25 “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
DAN
26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
Dan 7:
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,
42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side
So it says after the 483 years
The messiah would be “cut off” this speaks of judicial execution through legal proceedings…but it wouldn’t be for himself
An army would come into Jerusalem and destroy the city and the sanctuary - history tells us that in 70 a.d lead by a guy named Titus Vespasian a Roman empire army marched into Jerusalem and set the city and the temple on fire
Now there is a “prince who is to come” mentioned here…we don’t know who he is, but history tells us who “his people” are from Roman empire…Remember that little horn from Chapter 7, where would he come from? the Roman empire
Dan 9:27
27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
It seems like this “prince” who is to come, this little horn from the 4th beast, is of the legacy of the roman empire…it seems like we could say he’s of European decent
It says he makes a peace treaty for 7 years - theirs that last week
This 7 year period will be slipt into halves:
Half of it will be marked by peace and brotherhood - He rebuilds the temple…but half way though it…He’s gonna change the rules
The other will be marked by the abomination of desolation (Horrific Idolatry)…and a reign of oppression and suffering against christians like never seen
Then at the end of those 3 and a half years…God will come, judge this figure, and bring about the full reality of those things - to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place
Now you might say “Are you trying to tell me that Jesus with his coming fulfilled the first 483 years and then he pushed the pause button on the last 7 years till a later time…Yes
First they seem clearly separated here between the first 69 weeks and the last one here in Daniel
Second, this isn’t the first time Jesus did this…In Jesus entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath and unrolls ...
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Yet it’s interesting because if you were to read …it says all that, but continues to say “to proclaim the day of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God” Jesus didn’t read that, because that belongs to his second coming…Jesus pushed the pause button:)
This
Here’s what the Book of Daniel teaches us:
Jesus is the ultimate authority that will just all the kingdoms of the word
God is in control - Not just of the future…but of your future
Our Salvation was not after thought in the mind of God, but beautifully planned out by God
Everything is in place for Jesus’ return