christian warrior: Daniel Extremity 7

Daniel Chapter 7

Visions of History and the End

In chapter 5 we looked at the writing on the wall. In the process we moved ahead in time to the grandson of king Nebuchadnezzar's rule. To be more specific we moved into the last year of Belshazzar's reign and the downfall of the empire to the Medes and Persians. Now we are going back in time to the 1ST year of Belshazzar's reign. We have a reversal of situations in the fact that we are going to be dealing with dreams and visions of Daniel. As we will discover the subject matter is very similar to what we encountered with the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar in chapters 2 and 4. It's very possible we might have to make 2 sections of study with this particular chapter. With this all being said let's begin our journey through Daniel chapter 7.

Dan 7:1-3 KJV

(1) In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

(2) Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great(H7229) sea(H3221).

(3) And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

In verse 2 Daniel speaks of the great sea. Scholars debate over the actual symbolization being either the Mediterranean Sea or the raging sea of humanity. In word study we can see where the diversity comes from.

H7229

רב

rab

(Chaldee); corresponding to H7227: - captain, chief, great, lord, master, stout.

H7227

רב

rab

By contraction from H7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality): - (in) abound (-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great (-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, [time]), (do, have) many (-ifold, things, a time), ([ship-]) master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply (-tude), officer, often [-times], plenteous, populous, prince, process [of time], suffice (-ient).

Have you ever heard someone say there is more than way to correctly interpret scripture? Here we have a perfect example of this. We can obtain dual meaning of this according to the world scene as it was in Daniel's day. In actuality as we discover moving through this prophetic vision we are dealing with both in this case.

H3221

ים yâm

yawm

(Chaldee); corresponding to H3220: - sea.

H3220

ים yâm

yawm

From an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article) the Mediterranean; sometimes a large river, or an artificial basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south: - sea (X -faring man, [-shore]), south, west (-ern, side, -ward).

As we can see by putting the 2 words together in this case the meanings have no problem co-existing with one another. This is demonstrated by literal translation. Some may think this is a cheap way out of a tough verse but as we progress people can see for themselves how both of these meanings come into the picture.

1Co 14:33 KJV

(33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Dan 7:3 KJV

(3) And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Daniel uses the same word for sea in this passage as he did in the above. Out of the churning sea stirred by the 4 winds arise these 4 beasts. The 4 winds representative to the 4 corners of the world and the chaos that comes forth from warfare which consumes the earth.

Dan 7:4-7 KJV

(4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

(5) And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

(6) After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

(7) After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

Dan 2:31-35 KJV

(31) Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.

(32) This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,

(33) His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

(34) Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

(35) Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

The followers of God are often symbolized as sheep. In the times of the OT the sheep were specifically the nation of Israel. The leaders of Israel represented as shepherds of the flock. Jesus is the shepherd not only for Israel but for the entire earth. The vision runs parallel to Nebuchadnezzar's dream of chapter 2 in the sense of the order of world empires arising. The shepherd who separates the goats and the sheep or the good from the evil.

Mat 9:35-36 KJV

(35) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

(36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Mat 25:31-33 KJV
(31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
(32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
(33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

This was also the case of David in the OT.

1Sa 17:34-37 KJV
(34) And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
(35) And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
(36) Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
(37) David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

The Lord works in mysterious ways as we can see and feel in our spirit when the words of the Bible rise up from the pages and speak to us. This passage can be seen as a snapshot to David's authority and the history of Israel and her enemies. David was a protector of the nation of Israel just as he was over his father's flocks. In verse 36 we can understand the symbolization quite clearly. The verse compares Goliath who is the uncircumcised Philistine as an enemy combatant for a warring nation. The verse directly describes this warring nation as lion and bear. The next passage from Hosea also speaks heavily to our spirit of understanding. The passage is considered as a prophecy directed at the tribe of Ephraim.

Hos 13:6-10 KJV
(6) According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
(7) Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
(8) I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
(9) O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
(10) I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

Please compare verses 7 and 8 to Daniel 7:4-7.

Dan 2:38 KJV
(38) And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Dan 7:4 KJV
(4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

Just as Nebuchadnezzar was shown by God his kingdom and those that would follow we have Daniel in a different symbolization seeing the same events unfolding. Jeremiah also described in prophetic vision the down fall of Jerusalem using language demonstrated in the following passage. This prophecy is directed toward Zion and Israel.

Jer 4:6-13 KJV

(6) Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

(7) The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

(8) For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

(9) And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.

(10) Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

(11) At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

(12) Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.

(13) Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Jer 49:19-22 KJV

(19) Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

(20) Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

(21) The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.

(22) Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

The symbolic references of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar being sent on his way and seen by Daniel as the lion which sprouts wings of an eagle. The lion representing strength and courage and the eagle's wings representing the vast area and speed which the empire spread its territory. The heart of a man represents Nebuchadnezzar's judgment of pride in chapter 4 in which he was transformed into a beast and humbled when he was granted human status after the 7 years.

Dan 2:39 KJV

(39) And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Dan 7:5 KJV

According to what we learned in chapter 5 this kingdom which follows belongs to the Medes and Persians. The chest and arms of silver in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the metallic statue. The Persians represented by Cyrus were noted to be the strongest of the 2 nations. This might be representative to the bear raising up on one side. There are some different associations to the 3 ribs in the bear's mouth. Some commentators feel they are symbolic of kings. Others have described the merging of Babylon,the Medes and the Persians as the 3. Personally the ribs being devoured seems representative to the preceding 3 empires which existed. The 3 would be Egypt, Assyria and Babylon. The Persian empire was the single largest empire in world history. It covered an area of over 3 million square miles. Each successive empire as we have discussed before devoured the one preceding.

Isa 44:24-28 KJV

(24) Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

(25) That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

(26) That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

(27) That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

(28) That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Isa 45:1-7 KJV

(1) Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

(2) I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

(3) And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

(4) For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

(5) I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

(6) That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

(7) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Dan 7:6 KJV

(6) After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

This would be the Grecian empire. The leopard noted for its swift movement as did Alexander the Great conquer the known world in 12 years. This took place from 334bc to 323bc culminating in his death. The 4 wings are another symbolization of the speed with which he conquered the 4 preceding empires. We are now up to 4 on our list consisting of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and Media-Persia. It's noteworthy of keeping track because these will play an important part in the prophecies of Revelation 17. The dominion given by God as opposed to Alexander's might. Alexander considered himself to be a god.

In the description of the 4 heads we have the division of Alexander's empire to his 4 generals. Upon his death bed Alexander was asked who would inherit the empire. His answer was to the strongest. The breakdown of this as follows:

The territory of Macedon and Greece went to Cassander.

The territory of Thrace and Bithynia fell to Lysimachus

Egypt fell under the rule of Ptolemy

Syria to Seleucus

Dan 2:40-44 KJV(40) And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
(41) And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
(42) And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
(43) And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
(44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Dan 7:7 KJV(7) After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

This would be the 2 legs of iron of the metallic statue of chapter 3. It was different from the rest in the areas of government and overall power from those preceding. We also have a connection between the 10 toes of the metallic statue and the 10 horns of this beast. The beast itself represents the Roman empire. In the case of these last 2 empires we can see a connection to the great sea representing the Mediterranean Sea. How is this done? It is accomplished through the rise of the Grecian and Roman empires. The empires arose from the western world as it was known at that time. There was no given beast to which this empire could be symbolized it was so great and terrible.

On the subject of the 10 horns we encounter more diverse opinions. Let's do a word study and we can pick things up from there.

H7162

קרן qeren

keh'-ren (Chaldee); corresponding to H7161; a horn (literally or for sound): - horn, cornet.

H7161

קרן qeren

keh'-ren

From H7160; a horn (as projecting); by implication a flask, cornet; by resemblance an elephant’s tooth (that is, ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively power: - X hill, horn.

H7160

קרן qâran

kaw-ran'

A primitive root; to push or gore; used only as denominative from H7161, to shoot out horns; figuratively rays: - have horns, shine.

As we can see the 10 horns that would represent 10 rulers or sources of authority which would come out of the Roman empire. Something to keep in mind pertaining to this is that there are 2 legs to the statue in chapter 3. There are a total of 10 toes with 5 each per legs and feet. Personally this would indicate 5 nations or leaders quite possibly from eastern and western nations in the future tense. Many consider the formation of the European Union to represent the 10 horns. Again a personal opinion from yours truly in the reading of this word is that there are 2 aspects to the Roman empire so to place these horns on European nations alone would seem to take away from the prophecy. This is one of those items you can look upon for yourself but we will look further into this matter.

Dan 7:8-12 KJV

(8) I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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

According to Daniel a little horn which is not part of the 10 rises up among the others which has consumed 3 of the others. This little horn speaking proud and boastful things is what we will come to know is the antichrist. In verse 9 we have a picture of the thrones in heaven and the throne of God Himself prepared for judgment and opening the books of life and death. The other beasts although stripped of their power are permitted to continue until these set judgments are completed.

Dan 7:13-14 KJV

(13) I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

(14) And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

In this passage Daniel no longer is seeing through symbolic means but a real literal picture of the kingdom of Jesus being established. This is in accordance with the word of God. In this we see that no type of image or symbol was to be graven upon the walls and structure of the temple in order that the people would not become accustomed to worshiping an image or idol depicting a false god. All of the subjects of the kingdom are seen and described in the previous passage. This of course would coincide with the metallic statue of Nebuchadnezzar being destroyed and a never ending kingdom of the Lord. Amen!

Dan 7:15-21 KJV

(15) I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

(16) I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

(17) These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

(18) But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

(19) Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

(20) And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

(21) I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Unable to fully comprehend all the happenings taking place Daniel becomes grieved. In expectation of explanation he asks one of the angels for interpretation to what is going on. The angel explains what the 4 beasts represent and how in the future 1 shall arise out of the kingdoms of the earth that will make war with the saints and actually be victorious. However as we start the next passage we discover this victory is very short lived.

Dan 7:22-23 KJV

(22) Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

(23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

The coming of God the Ancient of days to pronounce judgment in favor of the saints. This would in essence be judgment against this horn representing the antichrist. His ultimate fate being consumed in fire according to verse 11. The explanation of this 4^th frightening and terrible beast is given and we know and understand this kingdom to be the Roman empire.

Dan 7:24-25 KJV

(24) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

If you remember in one of earlier studies we covered a passage spoken by Jesus.

Mat 5:17-18 KJV

(17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

(18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

This is why every little part of scripture becomes very important at times. Notice in verse 24 the word “after”. This as we have studied again in earlier journeys through scripture can have a very significant place in biblical prophecy. Let's once again take a look at this.

H311

אחר 'achar

akh-ar'

(Chaldee); corresponding to H310; after: - [here-] after.

H310

אחר 'achar

akh-ar'

From H309; properly the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjugation, after (in various senses): - after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence [-forth], when, with.

The importance in this is in the timing which as this word indicates will be way off into the future. The other key word in the verse

H8133

שׁנא sh^enâ'

shen-aw'

(Chaldee); corresponding to H8132: - alter, change, (be) diverse.

H8132

שׁנא shânâ'

shaw-naw'

A primitive root; to alter: - change.

H5732

עדּן ‛iddân

id-dawn'

(Chaldee); from a root corresponding to that of H5708; a set time; technically a year: - time.

This passage informs us that this horn representing the antichrist will be different from the preceding that had risen before it. As we looked at earlier many scholars feel that the formation of the EU(European Union) represents the 10. We also looked at some reasoning within the prophecy that indicates nations from both western and eastern parts of the Roman empire. This horn or the antichrist will be given authority for 3 ½ years. Now consider these two facts briefly and carefully.

The horn representing the antichrist is not of the previous 10 nations or kings.

The fact that this horn will be diverse indicates a total shift away from the principles of the

Roman empire. This indicates that this horn may not belong to the western or eastern empires of Rome.

Dan 7:26-28 KJV

(26) But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

(27) And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

(28) Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

The chapter ends with the affirmation that this will take place and the judgments covered above will take effect. In this we have the final destruction of the earthly kingdoms of cruel oppressors and tyrants in favor of the Lord and Savior Jesus. It's possible Daniel's perplexity toward the situation revolved around anxiousness for the fulfillment and a state of mind which was very consumed with all this. This would only be natural as we who follow prophetic events are anxious for the return of the Lord.