Song Numbers1

Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts

Daniel 7

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Introduction

• In this chapter we see four beasts arise which represent four kingdoms• Chapter seven is parallel to

chapter 2

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• Chapter 2 shows the more human features of the kingdoms while chapter 7shows the more cruel aspects of each kingdom• A little horn• Kingdom of the Son of Man and

the Ancient of Days

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•I. The Four Beasts Arise - 7:1-8

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• First year of Belshazzar• Daniel’s vision• Heaving sea = peoples, lands and

nations• Something stirs the nations

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First Beast – Lion (Babylonian Empire)

• Fierce• Eagles wings = swift in

conquering• Wings plucked up = he conquers

no further

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• A man’s heart is given – he stands as a man = becomes milder and less threatening

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Second Beast – Bear (Medo-Persian Empire)

• Raised up = beginning to arouse• Three ribs = Medo-Persian empire

composed of three kingdoms when it conquered Babylon – Media, Persia, Lydia• Afterward it conquered much more

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Third Beast – Leopard (Greek Empire)

• Wings = indicate speed; Alexander the Great conquered the known world swiftly• 4 wings and 4 heads = When

Alexander died his empire was left to 4 generals

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Fourth Beast – A Terrible Animal (Roman Empire)

• It is strong with great iron teeth• Ten horns = denotes rulers• A little horn = comes up and

plucks up three horns• Eyes of a man = intelligent• Does not stand with God

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•II. The Ancient of Days - 7:9-12

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• [9] I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

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• [10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

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• [11] I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

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• [12] As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

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• The Ancient of Days appears in judgment against the 4th beast• White = purity• Flaming throne = devouring judgment• Throne on burning wheels = moves

from place to place

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• Fiery stream = As if judgments issue forth• Thousands and thousands serve

Him = angels• This is a scene of judgment on

the beast and the little horn

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• Judgment was swift and sure• The rest of the beasts – Babylon,

Medo-Persian, Greek empire – they still exist within the dominion of the fourth beast – yet their dominion is taken away

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• Season and a time = indefinite period of time• “All are under and answer to the

Ancient of Days Who is obviously God the Almighty.”

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•III. The Son of Man – 7:13-14

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• This is a prophetic vision of the Christ – when He receives the kingdom• This vision points to the time of

Christ Ascension – when He was taken up out of their sight (Apostles) He is brought before God

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Acts 1:9

• [9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

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• God honors Him – giving Him dominion, glory, and a kingdom

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Mt. 28:18 - Dominion

• [18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

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Jn. 17:5 – He prayed for glory

• [5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

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Col. 1:13 – He has a kingdom

• [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

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Phil. 2:9-11

• [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

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• [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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2 Pet. 1:11

• [11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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Heb. 12:28

• [28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

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•IV. The Interpretation –

7:15-28

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• The 4 beasts are 4 kings --- 4 kingdoms (17,23)• Fourth beast = teeth were iron,

nails of brass - Roman Empire• 10 horns = 10 kings

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• Little horn = a ruler; overcame three kings; made war with the saints – he spoke great things (vs. 20) – he wore out the saints (persecution)• The little horn prevailed until the

Ancient of Days came

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• Ancient of Days = God

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•V. Lessons

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1. God Rules

• No matter what happens – God Rules• “Fear not. Prayer moves the

hand of Him Who moves the world.”

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2. God will judge

• Evil will be punished in the end• Evil may seem to prosper and not

be hindered in this life - but rest assured that all human actions wills be judged

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3. The Messiah is the Fulness of all things

• Christ disappeared in the clouds but he received from the Ancient of Days dominion, a kingdom, glory – His kingdom will not pass away

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4. Persecutions

• 2 Tim. 3:12• [12] Yea, and all that will live

godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

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Daniel 7:18

• [18] But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

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Mt. 5:5

• [5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

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Rev. 3:21

• [21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

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Daniel 12:2-3 Note these great words spoken by Daniel

• [2] And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.[3] And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

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