The Kingdom

Introduction:

We continue our study in Daniel. As I’ve said last time, this chapter signals a transition in the book. In Chapter’s 7-12 Daniel concentrates on a message from God which points the a promised Kingdom, told through dreams.

As pastor Cody pointed to two weeks ago, God occasionally revealed his will through dreams. God spoke to Abimelech through a dream in Genesis 20.

That God speaks through dreams is a consistent theme in Daniel. What we see in chapter 7 is a switch from what we saw in Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams.

Daniel was the only one who could interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams but starting here in chapter 7, he doesn’t understand this dream. He needs an interpreter; a need that repeats itself later in the book.

Additionally, the opening chapters reveal Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by his dreams. Here, Daniel is troubled (something emphasized in our text).

The final difference in this section of the book is this. The purpose of the former dreams was to assert God’s sovereignty.

The purpose of this dream, while it includes the assertion of God’s sovereignty, also communicates hope. This underscores what Jeremiah promised would happen to the returned captives: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

That future and a hope is found in the king, Jesus Christ, and his coming kingdom.

I invite you to turn in your bibles to our text: Daniel 7:13-28 and follow along as I read.

Shall we pray?

Almighty God and Loving Father, through Isaiah you told us a son would be born. You told us that he would rule over us and that he would uphold his kingdom. Remind us that we also have a future and hope that Jeremiah spoke of as we look at this text this morning. Free us from distraction and inspire us to true devotion as we consider your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s consider first the dream.

I. The Dream (Daniel 7:13-14)

We start by recognizing the specific genre of this portion of the book; this is a dream vision. This vision occurred in the night. As mentioned before God would often communicate through dreams:

· In this book: Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar.

· In other books: Pharoah, Abimelech; Gideon, Zechariah (OT author), Joseph etc

This section is apocalyptic in nature.

In his commentary Stephen Miller says that apocalyptic literature can be viewed positively because it give us a glimpse of God himself and unveils a glorious future that gives us comfort and encouragement[1]

Although the descriptions of the creatures evoke fear, the message of the dream is positive in that it points to a contrasting future kingdom.

This vision reveals this picture of God; he refuses to abandon his people even when they frequently abandon Him.

This vision reveals comfort and encouragement through the teaching: “And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’” (Daniel 7:27, ESV)

In verses 13 and 14, we find comfort in the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days.

““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. 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.” (Daniel 7:13–14, ESV)

The Clouds of Heaven

The Focus on the Bible Commentary points out: “clouds [point to] the glory of the Lord which appeared in a cloud in Exodus 16:10”[2]

“And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” (Exodus 16:10, ESV)

This is reminds the people to view life outside of there current circumstance. They serve a God whose majesty is superior to any other kingdom.

The New American Commentary points out the phrase “coming in clouds” is understood in Matt 24:30 as a reference to the return of Christ”[3]

One of the things that will become clear through the unfolding testimony of scripture is that the son of man coming in the clouds directly points to Jesus Christ,.

The Son of Man

The title Son of Man is a messianic title which points to Jesus Christ. It is also the title Jesus used of himself in the gospels often when he was talking of his suffering and death or his coming kingdom.[4]

Miller continues “the major theme or message of apocalyptic is the eschatological triumph of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of the earth.[5]

The Ancient of Days

Ancient of Days has a three-fold significance[6]:

It is a title for God.

It underscores God’s eternality: “But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,” (Psalm 9:7, ESV)

It presents God as the divine judge presiding over the heavenly council: “God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:” (Psalm 82:1, ESV)

II. The Interpretation (Daniel 7:15-27)

Before we turn to the interpretation let me first remind you who these four beasts were:

First beast: “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.” (Daniel 7:4, ESV)

Second beast: “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.’” (Daniel 7:5, ESV)

Third beast: “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.” (Daniel 7:6, ESV)

Fourth beast: “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. 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 7:7–8, ESV)

You will notice that the interpretation focuses on the fourth beast because of its terrifying effect on Daniel.

Secondly, I want to mention that there is more than one interpretation to this dream depending on ones theological perspective. While I prefer one based on my own theological framework, I want you to know that there is another view which is also widely held. I will not emphasize what I think about WHEN these things will happen because I think what’s emphasized here is THAT these things will happen.

I think Stephen Miller’s commentary.[7] is helpful, he reveals:

There is a general agreement that this vision and the dream image in chapter 2 are similar.

The image vision in chapter 2 emphasizes the “world’s kingdoms from humanity’s viewpoint as great and impressive”.

The image vision in chapter 7 emphasizes the “earthly kingdoms from God’s perspective- vicious and destructive”.

Finally, that these were repeated underscores the certainty of the announcement. Similarly, in Genesis 41, Pharoah was given two dreams to emphasize the certainty of the announced events.

When revealing the interpretation of the dreams of the seven ears of corn and seven cows, Joseph said: ““The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.” (Genesis 41:25, ESV)

In the interpretation you find these characteristics of apocalyptic literature as it is patterned in the book of Revelation:

The message is given through a mediator.

“I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.” (Daniel 7:16, ESV)

Concerning future events

““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.” (Daniel 7:23, ESV)

Written during the time of persecution or historical crisis.

“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 7:1, ESV)

Add the timeline here: There is chronological order to the visions revealed in chapters 7-12:

The order is as follows: (1) chap. 7—first year of Belshazzar, (2) chap. 8—third year of Belshazzar, (3) chap. 9—first year of Darius the Mede, (4) chaps. 10–12—third year of Cyrus. Thus the first and second visions came during the Babylonian period, and the third and fourth occurred shortly after Persian rule began.[8]

There is use of symbolism and/or numerology.

“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.” (Daniel 7:24, ESV)

The major theme is “the eschatological triumph of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of the earth”.[9]

“But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’” (Daniel 7:26–27, ESV)

This takes us to Daniel’s response and our future hope.

III. The Response (Daniel 7:28)

Daniel didn’t appear to view this vision in a positive or comforting way. He was certainly not encouraged. We see an inclusio in verse 15-16 and 28 which marks off this section and emphasizes Daniel’s response to the dream and its interpretation.

““As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.” (Daniel 7:15–16, ESV)

Now look at verse 28:

““Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”” (Daniel 7:28, ESV)

It is important to remember that in seasons in our lives, even through we are presented with a message of hope, we don’t see it as a message of hope.

We are confused, hurt, disenfranchised because of the volume of opposing and disheartening influences in life. We need time to mourn.

When we mourn, we can appreciate the magnitude of comfort and encouragement once it is revealed.

For us, how can we view this a positive? Where is our comfort and encouragement?

We find hope in the announced kingdom: “And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’” (Daniel 7:27, ESV)

Stephen Miller, in his commentary points out that the Kingdom pointed to is as real as the kingdom of the Babylonian empire. He goes on to say “the symbols used demonstrate the actuality of these events. This is not simply happening in some imaginative landscape of the mind, rather we are being given an insight into the realities behind the events of history.” [10]

When Jesus was being interrogated by Pilate He asserted the existence of his kingdom and that this kingdom is unlike any earthly kingdom: “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”” (John 18:36, ESV)

That this kingdom is real, we are comforted:

We may feel abandoned because of Jesus’ temporary physical distance from us but he promises to return: ““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1–3, ESV)

The manner of his return is encouraging:

When Jesus spoke of his coming kingdom he said: ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:31–34, ESV)

As Bob Fyall says in his commentary: “The judgments of God stretch throughout all history and work through secondary causes such as historians can examine. These causes, such as economic decline, political instability, inspirational leaders and so on, are not insignificant in themselves, they are not however, the ultimate causes. However, the great saving events of the cross, resurrection and ascension set in motion ‘the last days’ which will culminate in the final coming of the kingdom which will last for ever.”[11]

In God’s coming kingdom we find hope. Dear loved ones let your hope rest not on any earthly kingdom, but on the reality of Christ’s real kingdom at work now and which will be powerfully revealed when Christ returns.

Shall we pray?

Almighty God and Loving Father, we find hope in your kingdom and the promise of your return. With our brothers and sisters in the faith we say, your kingdom come, your will be done! Empower us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives as we wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Benediction: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17, NKJV)

[1] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 47.

[2] Bob Fyall, Daniel: A Tale of Two Cities, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1998), 103.

[3] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 210.

[4] Bob Fyall, Daniel: A Tale of Two Cities, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1998), 105.

[5] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 46.

[6] Allen C. Myers, The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987), 55.

[7] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 217–218.

[8] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 193.

[9] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 46.

[10] Bob Fyall, Daniel: A Tale of Two Cities, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1998), 111.

[11] Bob Fyall, Daniel: A Tale of Two Cities, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1998), 111.