The Book of Daniel | The future of the gentile reign and the jewish remnant

Listener’s Guide | Session 9 | Daniel 7:1-14 | Dr. Randy White

The Daniel Timeline

Time-line of the book of Daniel (a review)
- Chapter 1: Daniel goes to exile: 606 BC
- Chapter 2: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream: 604BC
- Chapter 3: Nebuchadnezzar's golden image: 580BC
- Chapter 4: Nebuchadnezzar's second dream: 570 BC
- Chapter 5: Belshazzar’s feast: 539 BC
- Chapter 6: Darius’s Decree: 538 BC
- Chapter 7: Daniel’s dream of four beasts – 555 BC

The four beasts | vv. 1-8

Verse 1 - Though we have had several dreams in the book of Daniel, this is the first one that Daniel himself saw.
Verse 2 –
- the four winds of heaven strove - Possibly a picture that all of nature is working together to accomplish God's task. Whereas the four winds of heaven would usually work against each other (the northerly vs the southerly, for example), in this regard they strove for the same purpose.
- The great sea - Typically a reference to the Mediterranean Sea, but likely a prophetic reference to the nations of the earth.
Verse 3 –
- diverse - This particular word means "be altered," and thus fits with the previous vision of Daniel 2. Although each beast is different, it is all part of the same worldly system that begins with Babylon.
Verse 4 –
- like a lion…eagle’s wings - Even in Daniel's day, this was a symbol of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom.
- and it was lifted up…- Possibly a description of the manner in which Nebuchadnezzar's neo-Babylonian kingdom became the Babylonian empire, represented by the vision of a man in Daniel 2. If so, then the emphasis is on the fact that Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom (represented by the Lion with Eagle's wings) took on a new role when it became the superpower.
Verse 5 – like to a bear - Representative of the Medo-Persian empire, with the Persian empire being dominant. The three ribs represent three conquered territories.
Verse 6 – like a leopard - The Greek empire was practically given the dominion of the Medo-Persian Empire. This took place when Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 331 BC.
Verse 7-8 –
- Fourth Beast - Though this one was of the same substance, it was of altogether different nature. It was unexplainable as an animal, and was dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly.
- ten horns - The ten are both separate and previous to the little horn. With the assumptions that the 10 horns of Daniel are the same as in Revelation 17:12, then the ten horns are ten future kings that do not receive their power until after the tribulation begins.
- eyes like the eyes of a man… - The horn has the characteristics of a man, just as the first beast.

Judgment of the Empires | vv. 9-12

Verse 9 –
- the thrones appears to be synonymous with the horns or with the four images collectively.
- Ancient of days - This phrase only occurs in Daniel 7 (vv. 9, 13, 22). The context of verse 13 identifies the Ancient of days as God the Father.
- his throne - This depiction of God the Father is consistent with Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1, which describe the throne room of God.
Verse 10-
- fiery stream - Young's Literal says, "a flood of fire." It is interesting that at this scene (the judgement) it is fire coming from the throne of God, but after the judgment, there is a river coming from the throne of Messiah (Ezekiel 47).
- the judgment was set - Since God the Father does not come to earth, this must be a scene in the heavenly throne room, not unlike Revelation 4. In the Revelation passage, God is holding the scroll, and the judgment of the Tribulation is about to begin, thus the scene is at the beginning of the tribulation. This scene in Daniel appears to be at the end. However, it is likely that Daniel records the preparation for judgment and then the judgment, and leaves out the details of the seven years, since it will not be revealed until Daniel 9. Because v. 11 shifts focus back to earth, this is a plausible and probable chronology.
Verse 11-I beheld…- Here, the horn is directly associated and identified as the beast, who is the Antichrist. This picture of the doom of the beast fits perfectly with Revelation 19:20.
Verse 12 –
- the rest of the beasts - That is, the four major empires of the world. These four empires represent "the times of the gentiles."
- dominion taken away - The times of the gentiles come to a close, but the nations of the earth continue in existence through the Kingdom age (see v. 14).

The Kingdom of God Established | vv. 13-14

Verse 13 – one like the Son of man - This is the Son of man, now appearing as such. The Son of man is the "reigning role of the Messiah." The emphasis is not similarity, but expression of identity. See YLT for a clear translation.
Verse 14 - This is the definition of the Kingdom of God. Those who belittle the Apostles and other gospel age Jews for expecting a physical Kingdom should consider that such a consideration was firmly grounded in Jewish prophecy.

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