Daniel 7-8
Daniel’s Vision – Daniel 7:1-14
In this chapter Daniel had a dream or vision. He saw four winds of heaven churning the sea. These winds are mentioned in Revelation 7:1 where four angels held back the four winds. Four beasts came up out of the sea. They represented four kings and their empires. Luke 21:25 mentions signs of the end when nations will be in anguish and perplexed at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
The first beast was like a lion with wings of an eagle. Its wings were torn off and it stood up like a man; a heart was given to it. The second beast looked like a leopard with four wings and four heads. It was given authority to rule. The fourth beast was terrifying, powerful and indescribable. It had large iron teeth and ten horns. It crushed, devoured and trampled its victims. Among the ten horns, three are replaced by one little horn with eyes and mouth like a man; it spoke boastfully. They parallel with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. They represent empires ; the first is Babylonian Empire, the second is the Medo-Persians, the third is the Greek under Alexander the Great, and the fourth he saw as very powerful and indescribable. These earthly kingdom would rise and fall and wreak havoc on God’s people, but they only operate within what is allowed by God.
Daniel saw God, who is called the Ancient of Days in verses 9-10. His clothing was white as snow, his hair like white wool – all indicating His holiness, perfection, purity and power. His throne was flaming with fire indicating His glory. Verse 13 mentions “one like a son of man” who is Jesus, the Ancient of Days’ Son. All authority was given to Him (Matthew 28:18). God, the Father and Jesus are One (John 10:25-30).
God, the Father gave Jesus the authority and the right to judge, because Jesus had earned it by willingly giving His life on the cross for all sinners. He alone is worthy to judge (John 5:22-27; Revelation 5).
Divine Interpretation – Daniel 7:15-28
Daniel was troubled. He was gifted in understanding dreams and vision, but he was still human. These images made him anxious.
The vision means that four great beasts are four kingdoms that were to rise and fall in history, but the saints will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever. This covers the same material as in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. The kingdoms rise and fall and are succeeded by the kingdom of God.
The fourth beast was more frightening to Daniel because it was different from the others. It would devour and trample the whole earth. Daniel could have been brought some measure of comfort if he had remembered that God is the one in control of the past, present and future. He will always get the victory. This is a good lesson for all of us and we should live accordingly – trusting He’s got it.
These beasts were frightening and destructive. They only destroy. They are like their father, Satan who also seeks only to kill and destroy.
Vision of a Ram and a Goat – Daniel 8:1-14
In Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 he saw the kingdoms as beasts: Lion – Babylon, Bear – Medo-Persian, Leopard – Greece, Terrible Beast – Rome. In chapter 8 he saw the second and third kingdom’s power struggle. Medo-Persian Empire represented as a two-horned ram and Greece as a goat with one great horn. He described the victory by the goat that became very great, but his large horn was broken off and was replaced by a little horn.
The little horn grew great with the ruler Antiochus IV gaining power and extending his dominion toward the south, toward the east and toward the land of Israel.
Vision Interpreted – Daniel 8:15-27
Gabriel appeared to Daniel and was told by a voice (God or Jesus) to interpret the vision. The two-horned ram as Media and Persia and the goat as Greece. The vision refers to the end of time. Antiochus will rise to power. The Jews will be persecuted, sacrifices will be stopped, and the temple will be desecrated. It will seem that he is successful. This refers to Antiochus and also the Antichrist.
Verse 25 reassures us. Antiochus is like the Antichrist and like all these future kingdoms, they all will cause deceit to prosper and will consider themselves superior. When they feel secure, they will take a stand against the Prince of princes, Jesus. Yet they will be destroyed not by human power, but by God. This reassures and encourages us that God is in control and He will win in the end.
Daniel’s vision reveals that God has precise knowledge of future events. He knows the rise and fall of empires and the actions of kings long before they happen. God is never surprised by the twists and turns of history. He sees it all and works through it all to accomplish His purposes.
Principles:
Next time we will continue our study of Daniel. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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