Daniel: Beasts in Court

So we’re looking at apocalyptic writing today. It may be confusing and strange, but it is here to reveal God to us. To reveal his plan of Salvation to his people.

Do not be afraid of apocalyptic writing - it is here to be a blessing to you! It is here to help you understand God and his work in the world.

Recap (show map)

Daniel - “God is Judge” an exile because of God’s judgment, who also pronounces God’s Judgment on other nations.

Daniel figures prominently, but it is God who is the main character - Daniel is a mediator between God and Babylon/Persia etc.

Daniel was a young fella when he came to Babylon, and he served through at least 4 kings.

So far the stories have been chronological - zooming in on several episodes across Daniel’s career one after another, but this chapter is now a transition chapter, where we leave behind the stories and just get into pure apocalyptic visions.

But, the chapter is written in Aramaic, just like Chapter 2,3,4,5 & 6, so even though this is fits with the visions of the second half of Daniel, it’s also kind of connected to the first half of Daniel.

This is because Daniel 7 is of of the complementary chapters - we have seen recently how some of the chapters complement each other to form a literary chiasm. Now i know when I start talking literary features, some of your brains just turn off, you’re waiting for the cataclysmic beasts part right?

Well the reason that I bring up the literary features, is because it helps us understand the meaning of these chapters.

This style of writing is notoriously hard for us modern people to get our head around, so any helps we can get to understand it, is worth the while.

So this chapter is not a “story” per se, and it out of chronological order because we’re jumping back in time to King Belshazzar before the fall of Babylon - but this chapter parallels chapter 2 with the theme of dreams, 4 kingdoms and kingdom that overpowers all!

Ch 2 - Dream of 4 part Statue

Ch 3 - Stolen worship and deliverance from the Furnace

Ch 4 - The Arrogant King who Repents

Ch 5- The Arrogant king who doesn’t Repent

Ch 6 - Stolen worship and deliverance from the Den

Ch 7 - Dream of 4 Beasts

Like with the other dreams we’ve encountered so far in Daniel, there is the record of the dream itself, and then there is provided an interpretation of that dream. So lets step through each part in turn....

The Dream Pt 1: Chaos Monsters

So as I already noted we have a step back in time and Visions from God:

Daniel 7:1 NIV

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.

SO what’s the content of this dream?

Daniel 7:2–4 NIV

Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. “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.

Ok, so as we start to delve into the content of the dream it becomes clear that the visual aspect of the dream is important. Daniel’s words paint a picture for us that stirs our imaginations - we look into our minds eye to try and piece together the imagery.

You see, we’re getting into apocalyptic genre again. Do you remember that from last week? This is a type of communication that works based on overlapping images, and exaggerated proportions. It’s metaphor mixed with allegory, mixed with fantasy.

Here we have that going on, with this vision.

Here are 4 beasts, rising out of the chaotic waters.

Put yourselves in the shoes of an ancient person, they didn’t have massive cargo ships that could safely cross the ocean - they had rather small timber ships that relied on wind or rowing. So when the ocean was “churning” they were at the mercy of the waves. It was very common for people to die at sea.

For the ancient person, the sea was a place of chaos and uncertainty. It seemed like an endless uncontrollable force.

So in this apocalyptic vision, the churning chaotic sea, whipped up by winds from every direction, gives birth to 4 monsters.

The first monster is a winged lion, who rises to walk like a man.

Now, because we are familiar with the vision of Dan 2, and the story of Dan 4, we may already have our ears tingling. In Dan 2 the vision of the statue in 4 parts starts with a head of gold which represents King Neb. of Babylon. In Dan 4 we saw a story about Neb. who was arrogantly setting himself against God, but who was humbled to be like an insane beast - yet - after a time he repented and recognized God and he was restored to his sanity and humanity. Rather like this Lion-eagle beast who was reduced by having his wings taken, but ultimately undergoes a transformation to become human.

So already we are starting to connect some dots with previous chapters. It seems very natural to make this connection in the context. And it proves true, because (spoiler alert) later in this chapter Daniel asks for help with interpreting this dream and he’s told:

Daniel 7:17 NIV

‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.

Interesting… so connecting the first beast to Neb. and Babylon seems to fit quite well.

Lets push on...

Daniel 7:5 NIV

“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!’

So now we have a second beast that follows the first. It’s kind of lopsided, but it is one beast with three ribs that is commanded to eat.

We don’t have much in the way of literary clues to point us to what king or kingdom this is, but it seems to fit quite well with the Medo-persian empire that follows the Babylonians. It is a lopsided partnership between Media & Persia, and they have three great conquests - Lydia, Chaldea & Egypt.

Whatever kingdom it is, this is still a ravenous chaos beast that is devouring.

Third...

Daniel 7:6 NIV

“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.

Greece was the next great empire: like a leopard Alexander the Great rushed across the world, conquering vast swathes of land as if it were on wings.

But Alexander was actually quite short lived - his empire was divided into 4 parts! Each past remained quite “greek”, but there were definitely 4 separate kings like 4 separate heads.

fourthly...

Daniel 7:7–8 NIV

“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. “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.

So this 4th leaves the others in the dust. It was more wild and beastly than it’s predecessors - terrifying and frightening and very powerful.

The statue had Iron legs in Chapter 2, this beast has iron teeth - once again connecting the two images.

This new king/empire is wiping out everything it it’s path. Carving a path of destruction. Crushing and devouring.

Horns are a sign of strength and power, so a ten horned beast must be insanely powerful!

Interestingly we’re not told about it’s figure, whether it looks like a man or wahtnont, but we are told about it’s ten horns, of which one becomes pre-eminent. So there is one king or region of the empire that becomes dominant.

This most naturally corresponds to the Roman empire, which puts the other empires to shame. Which is what makes most sense of the Iron legs in Chapter 2.

So lets recap - there is a procession of monsters each arising out of the chaos and each terrible in it’s own way. But, they seem to be getting progressively worse. They get more and more beastly as time goes on. They are dominating and devouring.

But just like chapter 2, just when everything seems set and established, there is a big turn of events. In that earlier vision it was the Rock that smashes the statue. Here we have a court session that puts a stop to the successive reign of beastly kingdoms.

The Dream Pt 2: Court in Session

We come to a familiar scene in biblical visions - a court room. And not just any court - God’s court!

Daniel 7:9–10 NIV

“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. 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.

Description of God coming to judgment

Mobile throne!

The host of heaven serving Him!

Court comes to session - books are opened - books of judgment where the records are kept!

So what happens to the beasts?

Daniel 7:11–12 NIV

“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. (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

Like Rev 19 - the judgment is quick and just. God deals with his enemies. He is merciful, and allows a reprieve on some of the beasts, but their power is removed.

Where is the blazing fire coming from? A river of Fire from God - his just wrath!

No pitchfork Satan torturing people for kicks in hell - the torment we fear is the wrath of God himself. Our God is a consuming fire!

So all over now?

No - interestingly not. There is more to the story!

Daniel 7:13–14 NIV

“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. 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.

One like a Son of Man - that is, a human.

He is riding the clouds - as a God. Before the days of aircraft, the idea of riding the clouds was so far fetched it was used to describe gods.

This Human is a God!

So this God enters the presence of God and receives all authority, glory and power over the whole world!

This passage teaches us about the “two powers in heaven” God who comes to God, yet the Bible is clear - there is only one God, so how can this be?

How can God - the Ancient of Days allow a Son of Man to be worshiped?

How can God give glory to a human?

Jesus - the God-man!

Why do you think so many were incensed at the idea that Jesus was the “Son of Man”? Because it was a claim to divinity!

Matthew 26:63–66 NIV

But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.

He went to death! But he was not worthy of it!

The Interpretation: Kingdoms Judged

Messing with Daniel’s head!

Daniel 7:15–16 NIV

“I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 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:

Every classic vision needs a vision guide! Daniel has help...

Annoyingly, the “interpretation” doesn’t just lay out every minute detail of how the vision will come to pass.

One thing is for sure, don’t expect to see chaos monsters walking out of the ocean down at golden beach! It’s symbolic imagery!

But we do get a fair bit of enlightenment, especially about the 4 beast and God’s judgment!

Daniel 7:24–25 NIV

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. 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.

Persecution of God’s people - Under Rome, but more broadly under many beastly rulers over time

For a period, another period, and then a period of time cut short.

Why cut short? Because of God’s court of Judgment!

Daniel 7:26–27 NIV

“ ‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 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.’

God overcomes the reigns of the beastly kingdoms and establishes his own kingdom in Jesus Christ.

God’s kingdom will last forever!

We are recipients of the kingdom - not only are we citizens, we are beneficiaries! Like employees who have stock in the company!

All kings and rulers will be subservient to God - not the case right now! But it will be.

Think about how encouraging this would be for those first readers of Daniel back a few hundred years before Christ - God will overcome all our enemies and deliver us! Ho much more is this a comfort for us who read these prophesies through the lens of Jesus Christ?

There will be kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, but the Most High God will deliver the kingdom out of the hands of the chaotic forces of evil into the hands of the Son of Man and his Saints!

What Now?

The Son of Man reigns! All will worship him!

The judgment is in the favor of God’s People!

God’s people will suffer for a time under beastly evil powers (see Revelation)