Sermon Tone Analysis

As we begin this morning, I realize that we’re going to be speaking of and looking at Bible prophecy and that some may “tune me out” and be quick to say, “Bible Prophecy is too difficult to understand.”

However, I would like to point out what is recorded for us in vs. 16:

So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the kings.

As a matter of application, allow me to say that God desires that we know and understand not only Bible prophecy but all of God’s Word.

God wants you to know the truth.

God wants you to understand the truth.

Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see;

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

As you read and study God’s Word, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and then to be able to apply God’s truth in your life.

As you hear the preaching of God’s Word - In fact, before you ever come into the auditorium.

- ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and be able to apply God’s truth in your life.

Ok..now the interpretation of Daniel’s vision!

Turn to and read Daniel 7:15-28.

The Four Beasts

These four beasts which Daniel saw represented four world empires that have come and that will come.

These four beasts correspond to the elements that made up the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 2. Turn to and read Daniel 2:37-45.

The head made out of gold represented Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian world empire.

The breast and arms of silver represented the next world empire - the Media-Persian empire.

The belly and thighs of the image represented the Grecian empire which came next.

Finally, the legs of iron and the feet and toes, a mixture of iron and clay represented the Roman world empire.

This image is destroyed by a stone cut out of the mountain, a representation of the millineal kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The four beasts in Daniel chapter 7 represent those same four world-empires.

The lion which had eagle’s wings represented the Babylonian empire.

(vs.

4)

“Interestingly” enough, the lion was the national symbol of Babylon.

The Lion of Babylon

Daniel, who was living in the capitol of the Babylonian empire would have immediately understood what, or who, this first beast represented.

The references to the plucking of the eagle’s wings and the reference to a man’s heart were likely references to king Nebuchadnezzar.

The bear which had three ribs in its mouth represented the Medio-Persian empire.

(vs.

5)

Secular history records for us that the Medio-Persian empire, under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, conquered the Babylonian empire in 539 BC.

Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would allow the Jews to return from captivity to rebuild the temple.

What’s makes this prophecy so spectacular?

God, through Isaiah, gave this prophecy concerning Cyrus some 175 years before it took place!

While we won’t take the time, we can read about the fulfillment of this prophecy in Ezra chapter 1.

The leopard represented the Grecian empire.

(vs.

6)

The Greeks came into power under the leadership of Alexander the Great.

The leopard speaks of speed and swiftness.

Secular history records for us that Alexander the Great, at the age of 20, began a military campaign that, when completed 10 years later, had created the largest empire in the ancient world.

History records that Alexander died in Babylon as he was attempting to establish it as his capitol.

The fourth beast which was “dreadful and terrible” represented the Roman empire.

(vs.

7)

As one commentator stated, “The fourth beast was awesome and terrifying.

It was not likened to any ordinary animal.

It had iron teeth, it was powerful…It crushed everything in its path.”

Application: Allow me stop here to emphatically state that God’s Word is true!

Secular history bears witness to the fact that God’s Word is true!

Ladies and gentlemen, God’s Word is true.

It has always been true.

God’s Word is true about everything!

And, if it is true about the past, it is true about the future!

That’s where we find ourselves then in Daniel 7:18.

From there, Daniel’s vision literally jumps over thousands of years of history.

Daniel jumps from the four world empires to the final reign of Jesus Christ, His millenial reign which will give way to eternity!

Turn to and read Daniel 7:19-27.

In these verses, the angel, giving him the interpretation of his vision, expounds a lot more on everything that is summed up in vs. 18.

As we have seen previously, the eleventh horn which appears on the head of the fourth beast is the antichrist of the book of the Revelation.

We do not have the time, this morning, to go into detail about these verses.

As we have been studying through the book of the Revelation on Sunday evenings, we have looked at a lot of this already.

However, in Daniel we see the antichrist - the eleventh horn - speaking great things against God and we see him waging war against the tribulation saints until, as we read in Revelation chapter 19, Jesus Christ comes and conquerors the devil, the antichrist and the false prophet!

Thus we come to the end of Daniel chapter 7 with theses words...

I’m am here reminded of the experience of John in Revelation 10:9-10:

The prophecy recorded for us in Daniel chapter 7 should be sweet as honey.

As we read this prophecy there is much to rejoice about and to revel in.

As Christians, whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we are in the winning side!

However, the prophecy recorded for us in Daniel chapter 7 should make our belly bitter.

There are countless millions for whom the end, will not be pleasant for they will spend eternity in a Christ-less hell.

While we may have found out way - through salvation - onto the narrow way, the way which leads to eternal life, what are you and I doing to persuade the many on the broad road to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior?

What am I doing to persuade the many on the broad road to receive Jesus Christ?