The angel goes on to describe what the Antichrist will do: He will speak out against the Most High, he will be boastful and arrogant, he will deny that the Most High is God, he will deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (4) Prophecies not completely fulfilled cannot be fully understood until after their fulfillment. The latter prophecy of Daniel 7 adds many more details than were revealed in chapter 2. Looking about with its numerous eyes, no one can escape his look or hide from him.80 With its mouth, the beast continues to speak boastfully. 1 John 3:1-3 says, See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (Numbers 23:19). Quite clear, however, is the identity of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man.. Daniel urged them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven, . I encourage you to compare the statements of Daniel 2:21-22, 44, 47; 4:3, 34-35, 37; 6:26 with the content and declarations of Daniel 7. requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats. We know from history that though Persia rose later than Media it soon overshadowed Media in its power. The Ancient of Days is a designation for God, not found elsewhere in the Bible. Until Gods eternal kingdom is established, kingdoms will progress from bad to worse. The Son of Man had the power to forgive sins, as well as to heal a paralytic (Matthew 9:6). So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. Nothing has caused him to panic or depart from his faith and practice as a godly Jew. The second and third beasts are briefly described in verses 5 and 6. For the remainder of Nebuchadnezzars life, it seems that religion in the kingdom of Babylon was at least favorable to the worship of the God of the Jews. Hearing this, Nebuchadnezzar affirms that Daniel's god is "the God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries". They believed that the Messiah would come to establish the kingdom, to bless the Jews and to condemn the Gentiles. Yet, his emotional response was valid and changed little after the vision was explained more fully. Belshazzar came to power several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar and seems to have turned completely away from the God of Israel. 25 And he will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. His mind was troubled. No wonder this vision causes Daniel such distress. Child-bearing is a process which involves suffering and glory. 9 I kept looking until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow, And the hair of His head like pure wool. The angel told Daniel that at the end of those three and a half years the court would sit for judgment and the dominion (a word in Aramaic that means kingdom or empire and the citizens or subjects of that empire) would be taken away from the Antichrist, and the Antichrist and his followers will be annihilated and destroyed forever. The coming of the Son of Man is represented as one coming, and not two. The angel says the Antichrist will seek to make alterations in times and in law. Je. Alexander the great and his armies did conquer the nations that became a part of his empire swiftly. God also allows the wicked to persist and even to prosper, so that those whom He has chosen might be saved (Romans 9:22-24). For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. These saints are the believing Jews of the tribulation, not the believers of the Church Age. (2) The prophecies of Daniel must be understood in relationship to and in light of the other prophecies of Daniel. The fourth portion of the statue in Daniel 2 is the iron legs and feet and toes of partly iron and partly baked clay which represented the Roman empire. These will continue to be separate nations in the confederation but will come under the little horns control and authority. This scene in Daniel is also similar to a prophecy recorded in the Book of Revelation: 4 and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?. Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream ( Daniel 2:1-16) Say: Some time later, the King had a dream. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. This takes place until the Ancient of Days comes and judgment is given to the saints, at the time the eternal kingdom becomes their possession. Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream by Larry Murray King Nebuchadnezzar had a puzzling dream that no one could explainuntil God gave the interpretation to Daniel. He gave Daniel a general summary of the dream, These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:89, NASB95)[7] You have a responsibility because you know what the end will bring. The chapter falls into two major parts. Daniel was an intelligent young Jew living in Jerusalem during the late 600s B.C. Are we supposed to discover their identity? Then the saints will receive the kingdom which will never end. Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. Our deliverance from the power of sin and the penalty of death has been accomplished by our Lord, who suffered in our place. Nebuchadnezzar became distressed when he received his first night vision (2:1) because he did understand some of his dream. God will establish His kingdom, and that kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of men, is eternal. The boastful beast becomes even more aggressive, waging war with the saints and even overpowering them. The implication here is that this is a repeated dream, one that is . The prophecy of this chapter is divinely interpreted. The fourth beast receives greater attention and is of the most interest to Daniel. The kingdom of God would not be established in Daniels lifetime, nor in the life of those who returned to the land of Israel from their captivity. A number of lessons from our text have broad application to our thinking and conduct as Christians. As Daniel watches, the wings are torn off the beast, and the creature stands erect like a man and a human mind is given to it. a. Daniel went at once and obtained royal permission for more time, so that he could tell the king what the dream meant. Nebuchadnezzar became distressed when he received his first night vision (2:1) because he did understand some of his dream. ET. But here in chapter 7, as in Psalm 80:17, the son of man is more than just a man, He is the Messiah. Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. Consider these lessons as we conclude. Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). Consider the birth of a child, remembering that Gods deliverance and salvation is likened to birth. As I stated two weeks ago the leopard was noted for its swiftness and the two pairs of wings suggests added swiftness beyond the animals own ability. His vision in chapter 4 should have produced more distress than it did. What is its message to Daniel, to the Jews, and to us? Daniel 2:9-11 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof, Daniel 1:18,19 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar, We are not told in so many words that this extension of time was granted, or that Daniel undertook to show more than the interpretation of the dream. Belshazzars rise to power and ascent to the throne seems to have inaugurated a new age for Babylon. Both sets of kingdoms are brought to a sudden end and are replaced by an eternal kingdom. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. As the boasting horn of Daniel 7 seems to be getting away with his blasphemies and his oppression of the saints, it seems to him he can do whatever he wishes, including the changing of times and law. Daniel finds nothing to compare to it. The nation of Israel has been set aside by divine discipline in the present times of the Gentiles, which began with Nebuchadnezzar. Interpretations of Daniels prophecies differ widely. These were represented by the image of a statue. - Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. The third portion of the statue in Daniel 2 was the belly and thighs of bronze which represented the Greek empire. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule, he had a dream. Verses 15-28 contain the divine interpretation of this vision. She makes it clear in a rather public fashion that she finds him desirable. Daniel was exiled to Babylon when he was still a teenager. Would this horn Daniels vision revealed oppose the people of God and even blaspheme God Himself? His disciples were promised that they would share in His reign as King (19:20). Our text challenges such a conclusion, and later prophecies in Daniel further document that the coming of the King and of the kingdom will be some time further in the future. We must approach prophecy with fear and reverence. [4] We of the present Age, the church will reign with Jesus Christ as His bride. These kings will rise to power and dominate the earth. His final offspring, so to speak, is the little horn which becomes the great blasphemer, whose life and kingdom is suddenly cut off by the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. Valentina's bond with Sophie, Sid's reaching out to Jesse, and Charlie trying hard to bring Sid and Jesse back together so that the group can go back to being their normal selves and not be an awkward bunch of people not wanting to discuss actual problems. In Revelation it is also referred to as 42 months and 1260 days which all work out to 3 years. 10 If any one is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if any one kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. If Daniel had been shaken by the dark side of his vision, he is reminded in the interpretation of the outcome of these eventsthe establish- ment of Gods eternal kingdom. We are in harmony with God when our declarations conform to his. May the Spirit of God reveal the meaning of this prophecy to us and produce in us that which God desires to His glory and our good. Four kings will establish four kingdoms, and some of these kingdoms have a number of kings. The Old Testament prophet did not see the gap because he viewed the coming of Christ as God does. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, Arise, devour much meat! 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. Daniel 5 is an illustration and a prototype of what will happen in the end times, as described in the prophecy of Daniel 7. Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. At this point the revelation ended. (9) The interpretation of Daniels vision comes in two parts, beginning with a general interpretation and then a more specific one based on Daniels questions. The beasts are a horrifying and frightening sight; the heavenly court scene is one of regal splendor and beauty. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. The winged lion was a symbol of Babylon, in any history museum that has a Babylonian section you will find artifacts of a winged lion. Chapter 2. But I want you to notice Daniels reaction to the dream that he had. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. The distance in time of the fulfillment of Daniel 7 said something very important to the captive Jews of Daniels day. (1) Daniel 7 is the last chapter written in Aramaic in the Book of Daniel. It should be remembered that many narratives of scripture are related in a very condensed form, fuller details being added afterwards. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, Upon the son of man whom Thou didst make strong for Thyself (Psalm 80:17). The account of the writing on the wall and the death of Belshazzar (obviously the last year of his reign) is found in Daniel 5. Daniel approached one of theses angels and began to ask him to explain to him the meaning or the truth concerning all that he had seen in his visions. 76 It is not altogether accurate to refer to chapters 1-6 as historical and 7-12 as prophetic. For this reason, I wish to clearly state the foundational presuppositions and principles on which this exposition of Daniel is based. Nebuchadnezzar was the first ruler of Babylon to have contact with Daniel. Open your Bibles to Daniel 7. This chapter is a history, but it is the history of a prophecy, by a dream and the interpretation . Daniel boiled down his vision to its essence, so we would not fail to understand the message he meant to convey to us. The king knew that Daniel spoke the truth. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself.. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. When God granted Daniel the wisdom to interpret the king's dream, it launched Daniel's long career as a political leader, trusted adviser, and well-known prophet. We are not of night nor o darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. The other seven will then likely submit out of fear or a sense of the unavoidable consequences of resisting represented by this little horn growing larger than the seven. 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