ETB Daniel 7:1-14

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Around 553 BC, during King Belshazzar of Babylon’s first year, Daniel had a vision that he then wrote down (Dan. 7:1). This vision was the first of four visions Daniel 7–12 records. The visions highlight God’s sovereignty over all nations and kingdoms and the ultimate victory of God and His people.

[LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide - ESV - Winter 2022. LifeWay Press.]

Next week we will examine Daniel’s confessional prayer for his people in Chapter 9 which will conclude our quarterly sessions for “Winter 2022”.

Our passage today is the last chapter written in Aramaic letting us know that it was intended for the Gentiles to be able to understand and learn about God. The first chapter in Aramaic is a corresponding dream by Nebuchadnezzar of the large statue made of various materials that matches today passage in the general interpretation. These two corresponding chapters are the book ends for Daniel’s writings to the people of the land. Chapter 7 is also the first book not in chronological order with the preceding ones and begins the series of prophecies written down by the exiled Israelite.

Wiersbe and several other commentaries mentioned another correlation between the king’s vision in chapter 2 and the prophet’s in chapter 7. “This vision complements and supplements the one in chapter 2. There we have man’s view of the nations (precious metals), and here we have God’s view (ferocious beasts).”[ Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament] We can see this reference to man’s kingdom as beasts in Ps. 49:12 “Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.” Let us take a look at how else God visually described to Daniel some of the major kingdoms of the earth.

Explore the Text

Daniel 7:1 ESV

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.

Our lesson material states the date as 553 B.C. but in the readings that I did this week I found dates ranging from 550 to 555. Chapter 5 records the “last day” that this king ruled as king. It is difficult to tell from the wording whether this vision occurred while Daniel was asleep or “about to fall asleep” as he was laying on the bed. Either are plausible or would give the man opportunity to be able to quickly record his thoughts privately once more awake. As it typical for prophetic visions, Daniel writes what them down for others to read at a later time to either be warned or comforted by the contents.

Daniel 7:2–6 ESV

Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 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. 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.’ 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.

The Aramaic word translated saw describes an intentional, reflective look at something. This word is used repeatedly through the passage as he “keeps looking” at the events and images appearing before him. He knew that God was showing him something important and studied intently what the Lord was revealing.

Daniel’s prophetic dreams and John’s revelation should be studied together as they help us interpret and understand both texts. The four winds reference is our first connection between the two in today’s passage and we know these correlate with the four major directions on the compass and are restrained or loosed by God’s angels (Rev 7:1).

These “winds” stir up a great sea. Although visually it may have appeared like the Mediterranean as it is a vision, we cannot take that too literally. The sea is often used throughout the Hebrew Bible as a symbol of turmoil and chaos [Faithlife Study Bible]. The Moody Bible Commentary reminds us that “the sea” is frequently symbolic of Gentile humanity in other biblical passages (Isa 17:12-13; 57:20; Rev 13:1, 11). The clearest stated interpretation of the meaning of the sea and what it represents comes from Rev 17:15 “And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.”” This lets us know that everything that comes out of this sea comes up out the peoples of the earth and is not down from God in heaven.

The four great beasts are four kingdoms (Dan 7:17), or groups of people that have coalesced under a common leader or ideology. They are viewed as animals and instinctual in nature to show their lack of willful submission to God’s sovereignty as He must guide them as He would other livestock and beasts of the field. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge takes the reference even further describing bestial natures as representative of “tyranny and oppression, emerging from the wars and commotions of the world.” Each creature does seem to be increasingly more horrifying and violent in nature and their represented kingdoms do grow in power and ferocity.

The first beast is a lion with eagle’s wings. As part of the list of curses for not following God as a nation, Deut 28:49 “The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand.” Part of the reason Daniel and his friends were brought to live in exile was so that they would be taught “the literature and language of the Chaldeans”. All but two of the resources I read agree that this beast correlates to the “golden head” of chapter 2 and is Babylon and its leader of the time Nebuchadnezzar.

A lion was a powerful animal, and Babylon was a powerful empire. The eagle’s wings probably denote great sovereignty over a large area, but the clipping of its wings likely refers to Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling (Dan 4:31-33) and perhaps Belshazzar’s (Dan 5:24-30). [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide - ESV - Winter 2022. LifeWay Press.]

This “clipping of the wings” and “mind of man” could also correlate to the decrease in the warring and expansionist tendencies shifting toward the building of great works and cities for more peaceful and civil pursuits. This shift from beast to more man-like behavior would be a promotion from God’s view and would make this beast the least ferocious.

Our second beast in the vision is a that of a bear “raised up on one side.” Some interpret this as a deformity that caused the animal to lope along strangely, others correlate it to being upright on one leg. Most agree however that this is an image of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Dan 5:28 helps affirm this as the writing on the wall told Belshazzar, “Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Most of my materials agreed that the three ribs being “eaten” by the bear are the regions of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt conquered by the Medo-Persians in 546 BC, 539 BC, and 525 BC. Although the lion may be considered the “king of the beasts” the bear is less noble and known for its rampaging and fierce defense of territory. The prophet Isaiah describes the Medes as having, “no regard for silver and do not delight in gold. Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children.” (Isa 13:17-18)

The third beast to come out of the sea of people would have to be more powerful to overcome this bear. It is a leopard with four heads and four wings. Most attribute this symbol to the rise and fall of Alexander the Great and the Grecian era. It was the fastest and farthest-reaching kingdom up until that time. Vaster than the previous two kingdoms and accomplished in half the time. Although the influence of the Greek culture lasted much longer than its first world leader, the death of Alexander prevented the kingdom from remaining a single realm. The four heads are most often associated with the four generals, Antipater, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy, who divided the kingdom after the conquering leader’s death. Dan 11:4 corroborates this perspective.

The beasts Daniel saw frightened him, yet they only ruled by God’s authority. People should not place their ultimate hope in the kingdoms or rulers of this earth. We should respect our leaders, and pray that they may be willingly guided by the Lord, but also recognize God guides them whether they acknowledge Him or not (Rom. 13:1-7). [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

Daniel lived and saw the fruition of the first two beast coming to power, but third would not come for a couple more centuries. The final and fourth beast would not rise to power for nearly 500 years.

Daniel 7:7–8 ESV

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.

Thus far, Daniel had seen three beasts and had likened each one’s appearance to an earthly animal. However, a fourth beast appeared in Daniel’s vision. This fourth beast was terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. The first three beasts also were frightening but not as much as the fourth beast. In contrast to the other animals, the fourth beast had great iron teeth. Thus, it possessed a power to destroy that the other three kingdoms did not. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

Not being able to describe the animal using known references would make the beast more terrifying. Because of the horns and teeth imagery many associate this with the Eastern images of a dragon. Today with so many movies and shows using computers to create and depict various fanciful and alien beings the dragon may not be a terrifying enough image for this beast. Dan 7:23 expands on the imagery and saying, “it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.” To add to its ferocity and terror may have been what this beast would accomplish that the others would not. All the other kingdoms rose up from the throng of peoples and joined together to oppress and dominate the people and image bearers of God’s creation. This fourth kingdom would be used to attack and crucify God Himself.

Most interpreters identify the fourth kingdom with the Roman Empire. Rome became the dominant empire in the second century BC and surpassed the other empires with its superior administrative capability. Rome ruled the world at the time of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1). Scholars have identified the beasts’ ten horns with ten emperors of Rome. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

In the dream of chapter 2, the fourth kingdom is at the bottom with the feet of iron and clay and is said to be “a divided kingdom.” (Dan 2:41) Several scholars correlate the ten toes with the ten divisions and our fourth beasts 10 horns. This view is also corroborated with Rev 17:12 “And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.”

Out of these ten divisions another “little one” will arise. Dan 7:24 tells us that this horn “shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.” The timing of this “rising” to power and who this horn is attributed to symbolize depends on your overall view of the vision’s timeline. Those who believe all of this vision occurs in our past attribute this horn to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In order for this view to work, the fourth beast has to be Greek, and the second Persia and the other symbols within the vision are less definitive than already described. They attribute Antiochus’ with the boastfully speaking of the little horn to him as one who “spoke with great arrogance” (1 Macc. 1:24 NRSV) [Understanding the Bible Commentary Series]. If, however you ascribe to the view that more of my materials and I do that Daniel’s vision has not been fully fulfilled, then this “little horn” is still to come in our future and represents not “an” antichrist, but “the” Antichrist who is to come at the final days before Christ’s second coming.

Not only does this horn “uproot” three other kingdoms, but it also has “eyes like a man”. Human eyes tell us this is an earthly leader or one who “grows up” from within the world. This could also be our link to the devil’s influence through this leader as the first sin recorded in Gen 3:6 began in the heart and grew through the eyes as the woman “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise”. If this is part of John’s “lust of the eyes” (1Jn 2:16) then the leader’s boastful speech would his “pride of life” neither of which are “from the Father.”

Many warnings about our speech and tongue appear throughout Scripture. James 3 tells us the “tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” but it also a source of worship and “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people.” This horn takes these things to the extreme and pronounces curses or blasphemies against God. Dan 11:36 says he “shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods.” Rev 13:5-6 describes his speech as “uttering haughty and blasphemous” and uttering “blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.” Not only will this person speak these things themselves but as a leader they will gain followers who emulate and eventually worship him. Then he will declare himself to be divine and exalt “himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God” (2Thess 2:4). Then his followers and subjects will become even more sinful in their ways and desires becoming “grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (Jude 16).

Thankfully, this kingdom also will not last and the fifth and final kingdom, the “stone was cut out by no human hand” will come down to earth.

Daniel 7:9–10 ESV

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

The setting for the first four kingdoms was the earth, but the setting for this scene was heaven. Daniel watched in amazement as God, described as the Ancient of Days, appeared, and took his seat. This unique description of God appears nowhere else in the Bible. It denotes His sovereignty over all because He has command over time itself. It is somewhat similar in concept to the expression “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6 (literally “father of eternity”). [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

When you look at the diverse ways that Daniels describes this vision of God, they are all symbols of wisdom, purity, and righteousness used in other places within Scripture. Some scholars connect the throne of fiery flames with the last acts of God against this world as He dissolves them with fire in 2Peter 3:7-10. Others attribute it to the flames of the furnace through which Daniel’s friends walked. I like the imagery of God in all His majesty purifying all that is before and under Him. The wheels imagery takes us back to Eze 1:13-21 which also has purifying fires and creatures all moving and worshipping the God of All Time. Not only do the throne and wheels have a fire but it “came out from before him.” Psa 50:3 describes this as a “a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.” Nahum lets us know that not only does this fire represent God’s purifying power but that it can from His righteous anger as well (Nah 1:5-6).

The scene before the throne is similar to what John describes in Rev 5:11 “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” This vast group of servants is in contrast to the “sea” from which the beasts arose. There the throng of people were indistinct and merged altogether into a single mass opposing the will of God. Here innumerable individuals serve obediently the person of their eternal worship.

Although this is an encouraging and uplifting image for those who serve the Ancient One, He is not seated on His throne for a peaceful time with His servants. The court is seated for judgment of those who are a part of the “beastly” groups below that have been opposing the Lord throughout time. Psa 96 describes this time as when “before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.” Malachi speaks of a “book of remembrance” being presented and it being used in part to show “Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” (Mal 3:16-18)

The next couple of verses in Daniel’s dream describe how some of this judgement and separation comes about.

Daniel 7:11–12 ESV

“I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

The charismatic nature of the last earthly leader continues to use his words to sway people and rebel against the Creator. 2 Pet 2:18 says he will speak “loud boasts of folly” and “entice by sensual passions of the flesh those" who think they can escape God’s judgement. Rev 18:8 warns us that the “plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she {final kingdom} will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” Daniel tells us that this kingdom, the fourth beast and its horns, will be “burned with fire.” John writes a similar finalization of the world order. “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” (Rev 19:20)

Unlike the previous three beasts being devoured or destroyed by the preceding earthly kingdoms, the fourth and its horns are destroyed by the Eternal Kingdom or God Himself. This infers that the overcoming will be more of an act of judgement than a military or political overthrow. Modern history if full of examples of the later but yet to fully see the former.

When I think about the archeology and remnants of the first three beasts or their cultures, I can see more of them still lasting today than of the ancient Romans. Descendants of these empires still exist but none of them ever “ruled” like they had, but the influence and fingerprints are still seen today. There are “Greek” villages around nearly every university. Greek alphabet is still used in math and sciences. Even though the planets of our solar system are named after Roman gods, the Greek ones are more commonly recognized. All of these remnants are tainted with idolatry and falsehoods which will be “burned away” with the rest of this world when the Son of Man takes up His final dominion in a new heaven and new earth unhindered by sin or the memories of anything other than the One True God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.

In our first lesson of Daniel, we read how God “gave” the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Then He “gave” Daniel and his friends special wisdom and knowledge to glorify Him and be in positions for miraculous events. He “gave” warnings and dreams to two kings. Now at the end of time, God “gives” it all to the “son of man”.

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“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 The Four Beastly Kingdoms and God’s Kingdom (Dan. 7:1–28)

Verses 13 and 14 portray the coming of God’s kingdom. It is in strong contrast to the previous kingdoms. They are like wild, violent animals; this one is like a human being. They are from below, from the sea, from chaos; this one is from heaven. Their kingdoms and power are temporal, ephemeral; this one has eternal dominion.

The expression son of man commonly described Ezekiel in his book (Ezek. 2:1,3,6), though the figure in Daniel’s vision was clearly more than human. The statement that he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him highlights His significant status. No one was worthy to appear before God, but this Son of Man came dramatically on the clouds of heaven and stepped up before God. Interpreters identify this Son of Man figure with the Christ. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

Daniel: An Expositional Commentary Jesus, the Son of Man

The only biblical title that Jesus did use, and that almost exclusively, was the title “Son of Man,” which he got from Daniel. It is used sixty-nine times in the Synoptics and twelve times in John.

In verse 14 the kingdom is given to the son of man. When the interpretation was being given to Daniel later in the chapter the “saints of the Most High” are included in the recipients (Dan 7:27). The saints are co-heirs and the bride of Christ and therefore also share in the dominion and glory of the kingdom (Rom 8:17). Our studies in the fall in Ephesians and Philippians reminded us of the all the dominion and power that Christ has already and will continue to have for all eternity (Eph 1:20-22; Php 2:9-11). Paul also tells us through his letter to the Corinthians how at the end of time God will “put all thing in subjection under his feet” (1Cor 15:34-25). These future final truths should greatly encourage believers and help us bear up under the pressures and powers over us in the present day.

Believers can have confidence in the face of trials, even at the hands of earthly rulers, when we recognize that God’s rule will last for eternity. Those who rule kingdoms and nations today do so only because God has given them their authority, and He will choose when their rule ends. God’s kingdom is eternal, His rule is perfect, and we will reign with Him forever. And every day is one day closer. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

As the writer of Hebrews encourage his contemporary readers, we to can receive strength for the day and endurance for tomorrow as we remember and dwell upon the truth:

Hebrews 12:28–29 ESV

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Apply the Text

The Bible affirms that God puts leaders in their positions of authority for the sake of the citizens they serve (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Nonetheless, God gives them their authority to rule, and God can take it away. God gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6), and He will empower humble leaders to serve Him and their people effectively. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide]

The Teacher’s Bible Commentary The Vision of Four Beasts and the Heavenly Court (Dan. 7:1–28)

Truth for today.—Brute force cannot permanently conquer. Every political dictator will be replaced by another—usually a more cruel and ferocious one. God’s people, however, will outlast all their enemies. God made the world for righteous people and in his time they will inherit it. Since God is on the side of his people, they cannot afford to become impatient.

Trusting God Our Response

Our careers and destinies are in His hands; not the hands of bosses, commanding officers, professors, coaches, and all other people who, humanly speaking, are in a position to affect our futures. No one can harm you or jeopardize your future apart from the sovereign will of God. Moreover, God is able to and will grant you favor in the eyes of people who are in a position to do you good. You can entrust your future to God.