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The Fall of Empire
The Book of Daniel
The book shares the prophecies of Daniel during his 60 years of ministry.
As we have been reminded through our studies, we must consider context when seeking to understand the Word of God.
The contents of the book was directed toward Israelites in Babylonian exile.
The book can be divided up into multiple ways:
The first half the book (chapters 1-6) share stories of Daniel and his friends while the second half of the book (chapters 7-12) share Daniel’s visions.
Language
Chapter 1 — Hebrew
Chapters 2-7 — Aramaic
Chapters 8-12 — Hebrew
Chiasm — The entire book is one large chiasm with mini chiasms in each section.
Notice how the narrative portions are arranged:
2 — Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
3 — Fiery furnace
4 — Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall
5 — Belshazzar’s pride
6 — Lion’s den
7— Daniel’s Dream
The treasure at the center of the chiasm of entire book of Daniel is found in this chapter (7).
This will be our focus for today.
Now, let’s make sure we understand what we are reading and why we are reading it.
Dreams/visions often contains language that can be confusing and frustrating.
That’s ok, we are not reading from the perspective of the original audience.
We must remember that.
Yes, we have a better perspective standing on this side of the cross but let’s not get carried away here.
I believe there is an important truth for us in this passage as we read and reflect on what God is trying to communicate through Daniel to His chosen nation.
There will always be sections of Scripture that are hard to comprehend.
That is why we must spend time in study and listen to leading of the Spirit in our lives.
We can easily become frustrated or confused with apocalyptic prophecy due to a lack of understanding.
But just cause you don’t fully understand something doesn’t mean you can’t believe or follow.
For example, in its daily rotation, the earth travels 1.6 million miles at a rate of 66,627 MPH.
How many of you spent time yesterday fretting over how you would accomplish or understand the daily travel around the sun?
Scripture Focus — Daniel 7
Restless sea = people/nations of the earth Isaiah 57:20
Four winds = four directions of the earth (totality)
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream (chapter 2) of a statue that represented future empires:
Head of gold (Babylon)
Chest/arms of silver (Medo-Persia)
Stomach/thighs of bronze (Greece)
Legs of iron and feet of clay (Rome?)
Great mountain (God’s eternal kingdom)
Winged Lion = Babylon.
Popular image representing Babylon.
Scripture refers to Neb as a lion and eagle.
Posture is reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar
Bear with ribs = Medo Persians.
3 ribs = Egypt, Babylon, and Lydia (defeated empires).
Sides were not of equal strength.
Winged four headed leopard = Greece.
(Alexander the Great).
Wings increased speed of conquest.
Vast kingdom in four parts with four leaders (or four corners of the world)
Beast = Rome?
Maybe later (end times)?
Larger, more powerful and fierce beast.
Everything is under God’s control…even when it appears that chaos reigns in the world.
Daniel’s dream is connected...
Lion (Babylon)
Bear (Medo-Persia)
Leopard (Greece)
Beast (Rome?)
Son of Man (God’s eternal kingdom)
Notice man’s view of all this in the correlation of dreams — precious metals and ferocious beasts.
Clouds were a vehicle of transport for a deity in the ancient world.
Revelation 14:14-15
Man = Jesus Christ.
Judge the beast and destroy kingdom to establish true kingdom with the saints.
Why does Daniel matter to us today?
The battle is raging — the enemy is real — but the victory is secured
Empires rise and fall, there is only ONE that will last forever!
Kings rise and fall, but there is only ONE that will reign forever!
Hope is found in the future when God will confront evil and rescue the world and His people.
Then, we will reign with Him forever!
The message is heavy, yes, it was heavy for Daniel too.
But take heart, the time will come when suffering will be no more.
As we reflect on our own freedom this holiday weekend, may this passage be a sobering reminder to us.
Yes, we can be proud of our roots and the great sacrifices that have been made for us to live in America.
Yet, this land is not our home.
We have a future and a hope somewhere else.
Empires will come and go, but the Kingdom of God will last forever.
Are you a part of that kingdom?
Are you living as an ambassador in a foreign land, or have you made this empire your home?
How are you living your life?
Hopeful -OR- Hopeless?
Confident -OR- Crushed?
Which kingdom (or empire) are you pursuing?
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