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Today we will read from Daniel chapter 7. This chapter is about a vision Daniel saw and what it means. The book of Daniel is considered apocalyptic literature. Let’s find out what Daniel’s vision reveals and how it relates to God’s great plan of salvation.
Last week we read about Daniel’s experience of being protected in the lions’ den by God, the one who rescues and saves. Seeing this, King Darius learned about the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom will never fall. Its reign will last forever. We will see a clearer picture of this kingdom in chapter 7. God is in control of history and Christ will bring his kingdom into fulfilment.
Let us now read chapter 7. Daniel’s vision shows firstly Babylon, secondly the allied kingdoms of Media and Persia, third Greece, and fourth Rome. The vision also shows God the Father as well as the Savior. Reading from chapter 7 verse 2: “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 four winds of heaven represent the hand of God, who rules the world, working upon the Earth.
Verse 4: “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle.” The lion represents Babylon. Because Babylon had the wings of an eagle, it was able to fly anywhere and enlarge its territory widely. However, the verse continues, “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.” Babylon lost the strength of the lion and became weak as a human. Next in verse 5, the second beast appears: “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear.”
The second beast are the kingdoms of Media and Persia. The beast that looked like a bear had three ribs in its teeth, showing how Media and Persia allied to conquer the large kingdoms of Babylon and Egypt.
In verse 6 is the third beast: “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard.” The leopard is Greece. Alexander the Great conquered the world very rapidly. Because of his conquest, the Greek language came to be used widely in the world. Verse 6 continues, “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.” This represents the four rulers after Alexander, whose empire was divided into four parts.
In verse 7 is the fourth beast. The beast is different from the first three, which look like animals. And it seems to be more powerful. We don’t know what kind of beast it is, but it was “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.” The Roman Empire conquered the world with great strength. It is likely the fourth beast represents Rome. In the Bible, 10 is considered a complete number, so the 10 horns may represent a succession of powerful Roman emperors who reigned over many regions for a long time.
However, verse 8 also says: “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.” This little horn is thought to be a prophecy of the Antichrist. Christians believe that, during the end times, the Antichrist will arise to deceive and persecute believers. Daniel had a vision of the Antichrist.
Verses 9 and 10: “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.” In Daniel’s vision, God the Father appears. The flames represent the presence of God. And he is attended by thousands of people. In his court, books were opened, representing all the deeds people have done and are revealed before God. One day, we too will stand before God, so let us be careful with the way we live.
Next, verse 11 says, “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 day will come when Rome, which is proud of the power it has over the world, will be thrown down by God. No matter how powerful, the kingdoms of man will not last forever. That is what Daniel saw.
And then, in verse 13, “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.” Today we, too, await the coming of our Savior on the clouds of heaven. In Daniel’s vision this son of man was led into the presence of God. Referring to this Messiah, verse 14 says, “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.” Brothers and sisters, Daniel saw a vision of the kingdom of the Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His kingdom will never fall.
From Verse 15 onwards we read the meaning of the vision Daniel has seen so far. Let’s look at a few verses that stand out. Verse 18 says, “But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.” We, today, are holy people of the Most High. One day we will inherit the kingdom of God and possess it forever.
Next, let’s see what the vision says about the Antichrist. Verse 21: “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them.” Clearly, there will be a time of great persecution and suffering for the holy people. But they will not be defeated forever. Verse 22 says it is only “until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.” Verse 25 says more about the Antichrist: “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.” In the Bible, 7 is also a perfect number, and the phrase “time, times, and half a time” can be added together to a total of 3.5, which is half of 7. When interpreted this way, it means that the holy people’s suffering under the Antichrist will be for only a limited and incomplete period of time.
Verse 26 says, that after this period ends, “the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.” The Antichrist, and even Satan, will be defeated. Verse 27 says, “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.” We, the holy people, will inherit an everlasting kingdom.
Previously we learned about the prophecy of a rock cut out of a mountain, not by human hands, a prophecy about a Savior that would take place during Roman times. This Savior has now completed his work of redemption for mankind and returned to heaven. But he will return again and defeat the Antichrist and Satan. He will then give us the right to be part of his kingdom. These are the things Daniel saw in his visions. When we think about the end times, it may fill us with fear and anxiety. Just as it did for Daniel, as verse 28 says: “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.” Daniel was deeply troubled by the gravity of his vision. But let us remind ourselves that God is in control of history, and he promised to send a Savior during the Roman era. Those who believe in this Savior are invited to live with God as his holy people in his kingdom. That is the message of Daniel chapter 7.
Last week, I said that trials and difficulties come with the kingdom of God, and this is certain. But those who live with Christ have great hope. Jesus Christ, who loved us, who died on the Cross for us, and who offered us salvation, walks together with us. Trials will not go on forever. Our God is sovereign over history, and he knows what will happen during our lifetime. He rescues us and invites us to his kingdom. Let us walk with his strength, believing that the Most High has made us his holy people.
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