Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Apocalypse - what does it mean?

In means “Revelation”

Apocalyptic writing is confusing and weird, but ultimately it is there to reveal a message, not hide it.

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:

SO what’s the content of this dream?

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:

Interesting… so connecting the first beast to Neb.

and Babylon seems to fit quite well.

Lets push on...

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...

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...

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!

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?

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!