Daniel 7

The Kingdoms are so different!

Categorical difference: Animals vs. a Man

Vs. 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.

Winds: Coming from every direction

Corners- proof the earth is square?

Sea: Chaos

Kingdoms came out of chaos.

Each Kingdom more frightening than the preceding.

Lion:

King Neb

‘plucked off’ vs. 4: King Neb’s humbling

Strength and majesty of a lion

Speed and power of an Eagle

- Both images are used to describe King Neb

Bear: Medo-Persia

‘Raised up on one side’- deformed

Three ribs?

Cyrus conquered Astyages (550BC), Anatolia (547), Croesus of Lydia (s. 547) to unify Persia

OR, three ribs: 3 countries that Medo-Persian Empire conquered (Babylon 537, Lydia 546, Egypt 525).

Leopard (four wings, 4 heads):

vs. 6: Alexander the Great- speedy conquest of the civilized world.

Alexander the Great invaded Asia Minor in 334 BC, and conquered it in 10 years.

4 heads represent the division of the his kingdom into four parts after his death.

Antipater in Greece and Macedon

Lysimcchus in Thrace and Asia Mino

Seleucus I Nicator: Mesopotamia and Persia

Ptolemy I Soter: Egypt and Palestine.

4 horns- 4 depicting leaders of Greece.

Beast:

Roman Empire

The rest of time??

“Terrifying, dreadful, exceedingly strong, great iron teeth, 10 horns- (horns had to do with strength or rulers)

Small horn came up, uprooting 3 of the 10- and it spoke ‘greatly’, or boastfully… Teeth of iron, claws of bronze, and eyes like the eyes of man. Started little, but outgrew.

Roman Empire: Far surpassed them in size, scope, power and influence.

Normally have 2 horns, 10 means it was 5 times greater than normal.

10 rulers or kingdoms: From Julius Caesar to Domitian. 12 Caesars, but two for only a few months

Ancient of Days Judges the Beasts

Heavenly courtroom.

Clothing was white, white hair (pure wool)- wisdom from old age.

Chariot throne! Throne was on the move, flaming with fire and it’s wheels ablaze. Stream of fire flowed out from before him.

Surrounded by many thousands

White: Wisdom

Purity: To choose the right

Power: to enforce judgements

Little horn was slain.

13-14:

For a ‘Son of Man’ to come on clouds is a clear reference to divine authority.

All peoples, nations, languages will serve.

His dominion shall not pass away.

Jesus: Son of Man.

Ezekiel= Son of Man- 90x

Divine being dwelling with Ancient of Days

English Standard Version Chapter 26

64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need?

Kings Dominion:

Introduction:

Say what?

Piecing Daniel Together

- Final story that mirrors the thematic elements of

Final story that mirrors the thematic elements of

Powers from below out from the chaos.

Piecing Together

What’s up with that Little Horn?

Encylopedia Britannica: In the Temple an altar to Zeus Olympios was erected, and sacrifices were to be made at the feet of an idol in the image of the King. Against that desecration Judas Maccabeus, leader of the anti-Greek Jews, led the aroused Hasideans in a guerrilla war and several times defeated the generals Antiochus had commissioned to deal with the uprising.

Encylopedia Britannica: In the Temple an altar to Zeus Olympios was erected, and sacrifices were to be made at the feet of an idol in the image of the King. Against that desecration Judas Maccabeus, leader of the anti-Greek Jews, led the aroused Hasideans in a guerrilla war and several times defeated the generals Antiochus had commissioned to deal with the uprising.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes: “Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–164 b.c.; see note on 8:23), who oppressed God’s people in the second century b.c.,” ESVSB

Jacobus Maccabeus: Priest

Hanukkah: Rededication of the Temple:

Matthais started the revolt and was carried on by his sons, the most famous one being Jacobus Maccabeus.

Judas: Rebels cleansed and redeciated the Temple with an 8-day celebration.

Jonathan: high priest

Emphasis: Dominion Belongs to the Son of Man

Thematic verse: The Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

This vision is proof that He does this.

But it’s all set up for the Son of Man and the Kingdom he set up!

Cutting through the Apocalyptic Clutter

Spiritual element to leadership

Cutting through the Apocalyptic Clutter

Chatagorial difference

The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel Horror by the Sea (7:1–8)

It is my argument that this is an intentional effect of the imagery of the vision. The purpose is not so much writing history in advance as making a theological statement about the conflict between human evil and God.

The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel Divine Victory (7:15–28)

The best way to view the imagery of Daniel 7 is not in terms of four specific evil empires, but as four kingdoms symbolically representing the fact that evil kingdoms (of an unspecified number) will succeed one another from the time of the Exile to the time of the climax of history, when God will intervene and once and for all judge all evil and bring into existence his kingdom.

Picture of Human Evil. What does this all mean?

How many wars are going on right now?

Boko Haram

Thirst for Fear

The New International Version Chapter 7

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.’