Daniel 7:1-28
As we continue through Daniel this morning we are going to see a shift in the structure of the book. The first 6 books followed a chronological telling of events from the Jewish exile under Nebuchadnezzar up until the Medes and Persians overthrew the Babylonians under the leadership of Darius. From chapter 7 onward the timing jumps around a little bit, and the focus now becomes dreams and visions of prophecy that Daniel had. Prophecy that stretched all the way from 600 BC to the future into eternity. This is why so many commentators would agree that the prophecy found in Daniel is foundational to our understanding of all other prophecy throughout the Scriptures.
As we get into prophecy, it’s important to remind ourselves that we cannot get caught up in speculation around specific dates, or specific parallels to people or nations. When we read and study prophecy, we need to focus on what we know to be sure, and most importantly what it reveals about Jesus.
Big Idea: God’s sovereignty extends to an eternal kingdom over which the Son of Man has dominion.
Daniel’s vision is broken up into 3 different sections, so we are going to work our way through each one together.
1. The Four Beasts = Four Kings (or nations) - Read Daniel 7:1-8
This vision takes place in the first year of Belshazzar, about 14 years before he was killed on that fateful night of debauchery and wickedness. Now we don’t need to get too caught up in the winds and the sea, but the general consensus on the metaphor here is that the winds of heaven refer to a supernatural force. The winds came from heaven, and the Hebrew word for “winds” in the Old Testament is “ruach” which can also mean “breath” or “spirit,” which can then carry the idea of angelic beings. The “spirit” of heaven stirred up the waters. The 4 winds also lead us to a directional approach, NSEW, which would imply a universal aspect to this dream. One last thought on the winds and waters. The waters talked about here, again, metaphorically speaking, refer to “peoples, nations, multitudes and tongues.” We see this clearly in Revelation 17:15.
So whatever is about to happen is brought about by the sovereignty of God in heaven and will be true for the whole of humanity. That’s our preface. Now to talk about these terrifying beasts.
A. Lion with eagles wings
B. Bear with 3 ribs in its mouth
C. Leopard with 4 heads and 4 wings on its back
D. Terrifying and dreadful with iron teeth and 10 horns (Little Horn)
Read Daniel 7:15-25
One thing I haven’t mentioned yet is that chapter 7 of Daniel parallels very closely with chapter 2 in which Nebuchadnezzar dreams of the statue made of different metals. In fact, each of these beasts corresponds to a section of that statue. Chapter 2 is man’s perspective of these empires, glorious and rich and strong. Whereas chapter 7 is God’s perspective of these empires, beastly and vicious and destructive.
A. Lion with eagles wings
Its wings were plucked off. It was lifted up and stood on 2 feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. Does this sound like another story we’ve heard in Daniel? This first beast is Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire. It correlates to the head of gold on the statue in chapter 2. It’s interesting to note also that lions with eagle’s wings were common statues found at the gates of Babylonian cities.
Think about this though. A beast, lifted up on 2 feet and given the mind of a man. Nebuchadnezzar believed he was a wild beast for 7 years until he stood up on 2 feet, turned to the Lord, and had his reason return to him. The mind of a man.
B. Bear with 3 ribs in its mouth
This beast refers to the Medes and Persians. One commentator draws the connection by stating that “a bear, although slower than the lion, is also a ferocious beast which was exemplified in the Medo-Persian style of war.” This beast correlates to the chest and arms of silver from the statue in chapter 2.
The belief on the bear being raised up on one side is that even though the Medes and Persians worked together, the Persians were always the stronger of the 2. We then see 3 ribs in its mouth. The Medes and Persians conquered 3 nations, Lydia, Babylon and Egypt. The 3 skeletal ribs of the nations they devoured.
C. Leopard with 4 heads and 4 wings on its back
This 3rd beast refers to the Grecian Empire. It correlates to the middle/thighs of bronze on the statue in chapter 2. A leopard of course is known for its speed. Alexander the Great, believed to be the greatest military leader of that time, was known for his swift conquering of other nations, the speed at which his military forces moved across the known world. The 4 wings are meant to add to the metaphor of speed.
Alexander the Great died at the age of 33 mysteriously, and when that happened his kingdom was divided between 4 of his generals; the 4 heads of the leopard.
D. Terrifying and dreadful with iron teeth and 10 horns (Little Horn)
This beast was so terrifying that Daniel couldn’t even associate a known animal with it. It was terrifying. It was dreadful. The only distinguishing features were iron teeth and 10 horns. This beast is the Roman Empire, but as we talked about in Daniel 2, Rome had implications in the past, but there are also future implications as well. This beast correlates to the legs and feet of iron, with some clay mixed in as well. 10 toes on the feet of the statue correlate to the 10 horns on this beast.
This beast is different, says Daniel. It was exceedingly terrifying. It devoured everything in its path and anything that was left it trampled underfoot. Rome conquered more territory than any other empire before it, and lasted much longer as well. It was an exceedingly terrifying beast. Now, when the 10 horns are mentioned, this is where the vision turns from the past empire of Rome to the future.
We see that the 10 horns are 10 kings (vs. 24). Out of this new Roman empire, 10 nations led by 10 kings will form a coalition. Some time after, another horn appears. This horn is what will come to be known as the antichrist. We aren’t going to go into great lengths this morning about the antichrist, but we do see some facts here in Daniel 7. We know that this horn will kill or destroy 3 of the kings (vs. 20). We also see that it had eyes, a mouth that was boastful, and that even though he starts out as smaller, he grows greater than all the others.
This horn, this antichrist, makes war with the saints, with the believers. He attacks them, he persecutes them, he kills them. Daniel tells us that he prevails over them. He blasphemes the Lord. He changes and does away with moral and religious norms and laws. And we see finally that there is a time limit to his reign. It is a time, times and half a time. Most commentators agree that this would equate to 3.5 years. Time = 1 year, times = 2 years, and half a time = half a year. 3.5 years. One commentator explains: “in Revelation 12:14 we observe the phrase "time and times and half a time" which corresponds to the same time period in Rev 12:6 described as lasting "one thousand two hundred and sixty days", both these times equating with 3.5 years (42 months) and both occurring in the last 3.5 years of the 7 years of tribulation.” So his reign is brought to an end. And the Lord begins a time of judgment.
Read Daniel 7:9-12
2. The Ancient of Days = God the Father
What do we know to be true of this vision? We know that God is going to sit on a seat of judgment. And we have these incredible metaphors to go along with it. Pure white clothing and hair shows his purity, his holiness, his perfection. The fire on his throne and on the wheels show purification, judgment. This is further emphasized by the stream of fire coming out from before him. He is issuing a purifying and severe judgment. In this judgment it is impossible to number the multitudes. The exaggerated numbers are meant to illustrate that. Judgment comes from what is written in the book that is opened.
Revelation 20:11-15 - “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
And part of this judgment is the ultimate and final destruction of the antichrist, along with the new Roman empire that has been established. Back in Daniel we see that the beast was killed, its body destroyed and cast into the fire. We see this spoken of again in Revelation 19. There’s one final part of the vision and then lets figure out how this wild prophecy should affect us today.
3. The Son of Man = Jesus - Read Daniel 7:13-14
Just as a proof text of this point, in the Gospels, Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man 84 times in 80 verses.
Mark 13:26 - “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
Acts 1:9-11 - “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Revelation 1:7 - “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.”
And to Him, to the Son of Man, to Jesus will be given a kingdom and dominion over it. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom. It will not pass away. It cannot be destroyed. In contrast to the other kingdoms, the beasts mentioned in Daniel 7, even the most powerful of them all, Jesus’ kingdom will be an eternal kingdom. While the kingdoms and empires of this world will rise and fall, Jesus’ kingdom will be established and He will rule forever. While there will come a time when a final, unbelievably powerful and terrifying kingdom will be established and ruled by a man who will lead a great persecution of the saints, even so God will come in judgment, utterly destroying this man and his kingdom coalition.
You want to hear something even crazier? God wants to include you and me in this eternal kingdom.
Read Daniel 7:27-28
Jesus will take the kingdom that His Father gives to Him, and He will gift it to us as a place of eternal rest. A place of perfect fellowship with God and one another. A place of never ending worship of Jesus.
Read Revelation 21:1-7
Application
Let this be one more reminder for us of the only kingdom that will never end. A kingdom not built by human hands, but established by God in heaven. Let this be one more reminder that we have a Savior who has already done the work to redeem us, and no human being can ever take His place. Let this be a reminder that this world is not our home! And while we are called to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, to seek justice for the oppressed, to care for orphans and widows, let us be reminded that our time on this earth is but a vapor in the timeline of eternity.
