Daniel 7: Man's Kingdom, Georgia Politics, and the Kingdom of God

Intro

What happens at the end of time?

When is the world going to end?

Are we in the last days? Does the pandemic mean the end is coming?

Is Joe Biden or Donald Trump the antichrist? Or course not—it is Nancy Pelosi or Mitch McConnell—maybe it’s the Pope.

what do we make of the recent election?

what do we make of the storming of the Capitol building this week?

what do we make of Georgia politics?

(I will admit as I get older I kind of enjoy watching the news on election nights—and as someone who speaks—I am so impressed with those new anchors who can stand in front of a USA map, as election results pour in—and just keep talking, filling space, knowing every single county)

Does the Bible even address these questions?

The Answer: Yes—but not in the way we might want.

We are back in the OT book of Daniel—Turn to Daniel 7.

We are approximately 500 to 600 years before Jesus would come.

and let me give you a pop quiz to review Daniel 1-6. And if you are new here or the Bible is new to you—don’t sweat it. We are glad you are here.

Those online—participate, too.

these questions will help review or introduce you to the book:

Pop Quiz?

Question #1—Question:

In Daniel chapters 1-5, what was the name of the main world empire at the time?

A. Israel

B. Babylon

C. Persia

Answer: Babylon

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Israel, took some of their best and brightest young people captive and back to Israel—including Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Imagine your life changing in an instant.

Question #2:

In Daniel chapter 6, what was the name of the main world empire?

A. Israel

B. Babylon

C. Persia

Hint—it is no longer Babylon.

Answer: Persia (Or the Medes and the Persians)

but note again—Israel—God’s people are still not in power. They are captives, exiles. Life is not going as they want.

Question #3:

True or False:

Daniel is the main character in the book of Daniel.

False—he might be the main HUMAN character. The main character is God. (BTW-understanding that God or Jesus is the main character in all of Scripture—changed my life. no matter what passage you are reading—God is always the main character and the hero of the story.

Daniel 7:1 NIV

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.

Notice the time period

1st year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon.

so far Daniel ch’s 1-6 has been chronological—each chapter follows the sequence of time.

but not now.

Daniel 7 backs up —back to the Babylonian empire—when Daniel was serving in that gov’t

Furthermore—thus far in Daniel, it has been pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar getting visions and Daniel interpreted them. This shows God had a message to all the nations.

now—it is Daniel getting visions on behalf of God’s people. God has a message for his people.

Daniel 7:2–8 NIV

2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. 4 “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it. 5 “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’ 6 “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7 “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. 8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

what an interesting passage!

4 beasts in summary:

Lion with wings like an eagle. both lions and eagles are fierce predators.

Bear—3 ribs in its mouth. raised up on one of its side---maybe a hunchback before, mishapen predator as well.

leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads. speed and power—capable of seeing in 4 directions.

terrifying beast—powerful. large iron teeth. 10 horns. horns represent strength in the Bible.

an in those 10 horns, a little horn comes up, and 3 of the first horns are uprooted.

Lions and bears and leopards and terrifying beasts—oh my!

what does this mean?

before that is answered--

we get a chance of scenery in the vision

Daniel 7:9–10 NIV

9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Who is this Ancient of Days?

God.

Daniel 7:11–14 NIV

11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.) 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Who is this Son of Man figure—different than the Ancient of Days—but also possessing kingly authority and power.

keep in mind that we are in the OT.

so who is it?

Let’s keep reading to find out what is going on!

Stand with me!

Daniel 7:15–16 NIV

15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:

up until this point in Daniel-Daniel has been the one interpreting the dream—now he needs someone to interpret the dream for him.

God has something to say to Daniel and his people in difficult circumstances of exile and life.

Daniel 7:17–28 NIV

17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’ 19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. 23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. 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.’ 28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

And welcome to First Missionary Church!

Pop Quiz Question #4--

What kind of genre of literature is this in the Bible?

poetry?

narrative?

or something else...

Answer—something else

It is called Apocalyptic Literature!

Say that with me!

Apocalyptic literature is found in books of the Bible like Daniel and Revelation. It contains visions, dreams, symbols, mysterious images.

a picture is worth a 1000 words—each picture in apocalyptic literature is worth a 1000 words.

The goal of apocalyptic literature (in the Bible) is not to crack the prophecy code...

it is not to just look at the future—and try to figure out is what is happening today does that match up with Scripture? That is not the point!

the point of apocalyptic is not fore-telling

but forth-telling!

apocalyptic literature in the Bible and prophecy is all about communicating really important truth in dramatic ways so that it impacts God’s people presently—HERE AND NOW!

so that it makes a difference now in our lives

because if you focus on fore-telling…for example...

some Bible scholars—try to line up the 4 beasts with 4 empires in world history:

1st beast—the lion is Babylon and maybe Nebuchadnezzar because his wings were torn off he was humbled.

2nd beast - the bear-- Medo-Persian Empire—and maybe the 3 ribs stand for 3 kingdoms that they conquered.

3rd beast - the leopard stands for the Greek Empire and the 4 heads stands for the 4 generals that divided the empire into 4 pieces.

4th beast - terrifying beast - stands for Rome.

similar to Nebuchadnezzar when he had a vision of a statue in chapter 2 (show it!)

other scholars slightly disagree with this order.

while this may be true—I actually think the vision is more concerned with forth-telling rather than fore telling.

What is the Forth-telling communicated?

3 Truths that are forth-told with this weird chapter:

Quickly...

Truth #1: The beasts (the kingdoms of man) are powerful, but do not fear or put your hope in them.(vs. 1-8, 15-28)

The beasts, the kings, the kingdoms of man, they are strong, they have claws, and teeth, and horns. They are like predators.

They crush, trample, and devour, especially that 4th beast and that little horn. look at 7:23 and following

look at vs. 23

Daniel 7:23 NIV

23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.

Daniel 7:24 NIV

24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.

Daniel 7:25 NIV

25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

again—it is so tempting to try to figure out who is this 4th beast in world history—or who is this little horn.

many have speculated perhaps it is Rome and when they came into Jerusalem in 70AD and destroyed it.

some think this little horn is a guy from history named Antiochus Epiphanes who ruled Greece from 175 - 164 BC, and even made coins that stated of himself “God manifest” and persecuted God’s people.

some believe this 4th beast and little horn are still future—in the end.

the point is “we don’t know!”

and again—I don’t think matching it up with history or the future is the point.

forth-telling.

God is telling his people—God is telling us—that the nations and kingdoms of man and kings are terrifying, strong, beastly—there will be hard days ahead.

that is certainly not what Daniel and his people in exile wanted to hear.

it’s not what we want to hear—but there are many Christians around the world who feel the wrath of the beast and persecution—don’t be surprised by that! we have seen so many beasts, kingdoms, gov’t throughout history that are using their claws and horns and teeth to persecute God’s people.

in addition, it is more important than ever that we as Christians in American not put our hope in gov’t or gov’t leaders—at best—they are beastly. They are little horns.

even this week—as we saw our nation’s capitol being overrun—a shock to many of us—that happens in other countries—not America—I was born in Haiti and that country experiences this a lot.

it is a reminder that if we put our hope in the beast—the kingdoms of man—we too become beastly. other countries experience this all the time—

in fact—this is what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in Daniel 4—when he put his hope in the kingdoms of man—God made him go insane and he lived the life of a beast.

so you could say— “If your hope is in the beast, the kingdoms of man—you too will become a beast.” while the world and its power seems attractive—it is just beast.

and not all beasts live forever...

Truth #2: Instead, put your hope in God, the Ancient of Days. (the one who is really in control) (vs. 9-12, 26-27).

It’s no accident that in the middle of this vision of the 4 beasts and their explanation is the Ancient of Days.

look at vs. 9

Daniel 7:9 NIV

9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

He has white hair showing his utter purity. His complete wisdom. The one who is truly on the throne. (vs. 9) He is ageless—He is the Ancient of Days—he has existed long before the beast and He will continue to exist.

his throne is of fire, and its wheels were all ablaze (vs. 9)

Daniel 7:10 NIV

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

vs. 10—a river of fire is going out before him

Fire in the Bible stands for purification or judgment. God is getting ready to issue his judgment on the beasts, on the kingdoms of man!

and as you keep reading—it is God who executes his judgment against the beast who strips their authority.

in fact, as you keep reading this chapter—all throughout—the chapter shows us that the beasts—they are given authority. They are allowed to rule and reign. They have no inherent authority---only God allows them to reign, gives them, and then takes it away and judges them.

As you think about this last week and this political season—where has your trust been? Your hope? is it in a favorite party or candidate—or is it ultimately in God.

Those who have their trust in God are not shaken deepen down by election results, political news, direction of this country and world. but have a steadfast hope.

the nations may rage—but there is one who is still on the throne!

Truth #3: Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, is and will reign over all, and His people will reign with them. (vs. 13-14, 26-27)

Not only do we see the Ancient of Days in this passage, but we see this Son of Man figure.

Daniel 7:13–14 NIV

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

a Son of Man Figure with absolute authority yet different than the Ancient of Days? Who is He?

I am sure Daniel and his readers wondered in the OT—who it was! We have much greater clarity now!

The term son of man can sometimes refer to a human being. That is the way it is used in the book of Ezekiel.

But in the NT---it’s used many times to describe Jesus Christ. Jesus uses it to refer to himself as the fulfillment of this passage in Daniel, of the one who really is the king of kings. He called himself the Son of Man at least 69 times in the Gospels.

Mark 2:10 NIV

10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,

and when Jesus Christ, the Son of Man—was on trial—about to go to the cross—look at this:

Mark 14:61–62 NIV

61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

this is clearly a reference to Daniel 7.

Jesus Christ is saying that He is the Son of Man mentioned in Daniel 7! He is the one who is king—the one you are about to crucify—is the King!

and think of what this king, King Jesus did.

He came as the Son of Man—fully man and fully God.

He lived on our behalf.

the devil tempted him with the kingdoms of man—but Jesus refused—b/c he was starting a kingdom not of this world.

and Jesus took on all the beasts for us.

When he was on trial, he experienced the beastly power of the religious leaders who lied to get him accused.

He took on the beastly power of King Herod.

He took on the beastly power of Rome—and Pilate—as he was crucified.

They bit him, scratched him, and devoured—crushed him.

and it was all part of God’s plan! God was fully in control through all this! God let them do this.

and most of all he bore the wrath of God in our place. dying for our sins on the cross. his cross—was his kingly throne.

and he rose from the dead triumphantly and victoriously---conquering the beasts..

and he ascended to the right hand of God.

and Jesus Christ is already reigning—he already has a kingdom and began kingdom because of all He has done.

Jesus is already ruling and reigning at the right hand of God now—because of his life, death, resurrection, and ascension!

Though it looks like things are out of control, there is still a God who reigns—the Ancient of Days, and there is the Son of Man who came and began His kingdom by his life, death and resurrection, and He is coming back one day to finish what He started.

in fact—Revelation 13—mentions future beasts

Revelation 13:1–2 NIV

1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

but these beasts too will be conquered by the Lamb—Jesus Christ in Revelation 19.

so…if you are here today—and you are not a Christian, and you find yourself getting caught up in the kingdoms of man, and this world, and its power, and glory—Daniel 7 is a clear reminder that these kingdoms are temporary.

some trust in chariots and horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

and if you are a believer—feeling weighed down by everything, politics, don’t put your hope in man’s kingdoms. Jesus Christ is king, he is reigning, and he is coming back to finish what He started.

let’s pray.

another outline:

The beasts are ruling — so don’t be surprised!

God is still in control and will set everything right — so persevere!

Jesus Christ is already reigning and will continue to reign! so let’s go!

Scripture:

Revelation 19:11–16 NIV

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

SS next week

save the date for the marriage conference...

want to go deeper…discussion questions--