Daniel 7
In chapter 7 Daniel’s book shifts from history to prophecy; the remainder of the book contains visions and future events, some of which might be confusing, but you need the background before diving into Revelation to avoid critical mistakes. So buckle up, it’s Mr. Daniel’s wild ride[1].
Chapter seven parallels chapter two with Nebuchadnezzar’s visions of metallic images; in contrast Daniel sees the same kingdoms portrayed as beasts. Why the difference? The same events come from two different perspectives — chapter two contains man’s view of kingdoms (shiny, valuable metals), chapter seven displays God’s view (voracious wild beasts). But they’re the same governments in both chapters.
Many differences in the Bible (and apparent contradictions) become clear by understanding Einstein’s relativity. If you’ve studied relativity a bit, you’ll notice students always ask “which time is real” after computing the difference of two observations of the same event. At that point my professor always got a big grin, and said “it’s relative, see, relativity isn’t that hard” (and it’s really not).
It’s also for this reason the age of the earth controversy isn’t worth engaging in. 15 billion years only makes sense if you understand what reference frame you’re talking about — time is not an absolute property and varies. Additionally, if it turns out the speed of light is slowing down, Physics will be plunged into rapid change not seen since the turn of the century and Quantum Mechanics.
Daniel chapters two and seven appear different because the same events occur from two different points of view, similar to how two different blind people describe an elephant, but one by the tail, the other by the snout. They’d have quite different descriptions of the same animal, yet the animal is the same.
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. (Daniel 7:1 KJV)
This chapter actually precedes the events in chapter six; don’t make the mistake the Bible is always linear — sometimes events are out of order and sometimes years go by in a sentence. In the case of Daniel, the first six chapters are basically historical, while the last six contain prophetic visions.
Daniel only presents the “sum of the matters”, in other words, a summary. Elsewhere the Bible expands on these events (Revelation is an expansion of the seventy weeks specifically, but we’re ahead of ourselves) — you’ve got to do your homework. Too many people sit week after month in pews being spoon-fed and fail to do their own homework. Being taught is good, and God specifically raises up gifted teachers, but that’s not a substitute for doing your own research; don’t be a lazy Christian.
It’s not difficult to obtain a basic understanding of the entire Bible, paying dividends later — obtain some basic quality commentaries and dig in! Both Jon Courson and Chuck Missler have audio commentaries on the entire Bible available (as well as Chuck Smith and many others). Just load them onto you MP3 player and you have a way to redeem the time.
Only four empires exist from Daniel’s time until the end. That may be new to people unfamiliar with Bible prophecy, but if you think about it a bit it’s completely true; only four world empires ever existed — many nations tried for world dominion and failed. Germany (twice), England, Spain, and more all failed to gain the prize. Once again, what God said proves correct. Only four world empires will ever exist; we’re still waiting on the last one (the revised Roman empire), but it won’t be long now.
Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. (Daniel 7:2 KJV)
Some of Daniel’s vision is in code, but the Bible explains it elsewhere. In this case, see Revelation 13:1-6 for a parallel section — even though thousands of years separate the writers, the Bible proves consistent (we call that the principle of expositional constancy, but that’s just a fancy name for the idea the Bible uses idioms consistently). First off, note the sea is an idiom for people[2]. You don’t have to guess, the Bible explains itself.
And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (Daniel 7:3 KJV)
These beasts represent the four kingdoms until the end of history. How do we know? Vast amounts of scholarship and research? Nope. Just read ahead and verse 17 of this chapter tells you exactly what the beasts represent.
Many “scholars” make errors wasting their time with vast research and theories, instead of just reading their Bible. Frequently the Bible explains itself — no pseudo-scholarship needed. Don’t be fooled by scholarship, do your own homework (in this case, all you need to do is read the rest of the chapter).
These four beasts are not just different kingdoms; each successive empire will be inferior to the previous; God says the cosmos is winding down — man is not getting better every day as some claim (the only reason to believe such a thing is because evolution requires it, but common experience shows it not to be true). The principle of entropy holds for government as well as the cosmos.
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. (Daniel 7:4 KJV)
The head of gold from chapter two represents Babylon, here represented by an eagle. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar was the pinnacle of human government. In chapter two, inferior metals represented each successive kingdom. In chapter seven, the beasts become worse and more ferocious.
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. (Daniel 7:5 KJV)
The silver refers to the Medes and Persians, with the three ribs perhaps representing the three empires they conquered.
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. (Daniel 7:6 KJV)
Brass represents Alexander the Great. After his death the kingdom divides among his four generals before they’re subsequently conquered.
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 broke 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. (Daniel 7:7 KJV)
Iron represents Rome. This vision contains ten horns, while chapter 2 has feet of iron mixed with clay (10 toes). It’s the same entity — God sees the action as continuous, while we see the intervening 2,000 years and separate kingdoms. That’s the difference between chapter 2 and chapter seven, but don’t be confused, they both speak of Rome, with the final phase being a 10-member confederacy.
Rome disintegrated but lived on in Europe — no nation ever conquered it, but decay set in from the inside and it collapsed from corruption. It will re-emerge as a 10-nation confederacy, but it’s the same kingdom.
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. (Daniel 7:8 KJV)
A guy comes along, subdues three governments, unifying what’s left under his totalitarian rule. The one thing we notice about him is his great oratory skills, and he’s pompous. This guy has many names, but the one we use (anti-christ) isn’t a term the Bible uses much; Paul gives us a quick summary of this guy.
Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come the falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now hindereth will continue to hinder, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 KJV)
He’s also called the “Idol Shepherd” in Zechariah 11:17 — which also has a physical description of him. But we spend too much time worrying about his identity (most scholars believe he’s alive right now) because Paul says he won’t be revealed until after the rapture. Besides, playing games with 666 and names fails to understand what occurs in Revelation 13, but we’re way ahead of ourselves (and besides you need to use Greek anyway).
Unfortunately the pre-trib/post-trib discussion causes way too many problems in the church. The post-trib people cite one error stemming from the pre-trib position — just because the tribulation comes after the rapture doesn’t mean we get out of persecution; life can get pretty bad before the great tribulation (note the definite article). The United States has (so far) not experienced the persecution most of the world has seen for most of the last 2,000 years.
But we fear the time of taking it easy will soon be over.
But this guy won’t be a guy running around with a pitchfork telling you he’s the anti-christ; he’s smart, politically savvy, and a shrewd negotiator (you’d have to be to get Jews and Muslims to agree on anything). You see, satan never identifies himself and says “I’m here to deceive you and rip you off”. If he did that, you’d recognize it right off. Satan is stealthy; the whole idea of deception is you don’t identify it.
You have to be on guard — deception is such because it’s good and even has some truth to it. But mix a little cyanide with Kool-Aid and you’re still dead — even though 99% of it is pure wholesome fruit juice and water with no artificial ingredients.
Cults and satan just mix a small amount of error with truth, but that’s enough to cause considerable problems. For example Paul, in Acts 16:17 as he delivers the damsel from her spirit of divination. She followed Paul around saying these are servants of the most high God, and show us the way of salvation. What she said was true, but mix 99% truth and 1% draino and you’re still dead — apparently she mixed in something beyond the truth, and Paul rebuked it.
How do you protect yourself against deception? Not by intellect, or knowledge, or senses, but only by the word of God. Remember the words of Paul to the church at Galatia: if anyone preaches anything different than what Paul preached, let them be accursed — 90% right doesn’t cut it. Cults teach mostly truth; it’s the remaining 5% which kills you.
The anti-christ (and satan) are sneaky — he’ll appeal and trick the whole world. Quite a feat since he’ll appeal to both Jews and Muslims, atheists, and so on. It’s important to remember the anti-christ isn’t some mean person; he’s smart and politically savvy.
I beheld till the thrones were placed, 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. 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. (Daniel 7:9-10 KJV)
You may think we’ve jumped to Revelation, but no, we’re still in Daniel; compare Revelation chapters 1,4-5 and note the consistency of idioms used in both places; even men writing thousands of years apart provide a unified message. You might take that for granted, but what other message across thousands of years uses the same idioms?
A common image is God’s throne as fire — an interesting study is fire and its first five times mentioned in the Bible:
- First mentioned in Genesis 15:17 — God’s unilateral covenant with Abraham. God keeps his word, and the promises made to Abraham are still in effect (Genesis 12:3).
- Fire and brimstone in Genesis 19:24 — judgment.
- Genesis 22:6,7 — Abraham and Isaac and the sacrifice and and plan for man’s redemption.
- Exodus 3:2 — God appears to Moses in the burning bush.
- Also Revelation 1:14, 2:18 — God is as fire.
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. (Daniel 7:11-12 KJV)
Revelation chapter 19-20 details the events briefly described here. Satan’s downfall comes from pride; it got him into trouble in the first place. Pride is poison to the Christian as well; ask yourself why did God judge Sodom and Gomorrah? The answer commonly thought of isn’t first on the list; pride is the first reason given (Ezekiel 16:49).
As usual, the world and God have quite different views; the world says you deserve a break and a Lexus, while God in Luke 17:10 lays out His program, illustrating servants and their master. The servant is duty-bound to the master, and after performing all tasks shouldn’t boast or look for rewards, after all “we are unprofitable servants; we have only done that which was our duty”.
Service is nothing to boast about, it’s a Christian duty.
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. 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. (Daniel 7:13-14 KJV)
From chapter two this is the stone cut without hands.
I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. (Daniel 7:15 KJV)
He didn’t understand all of this; the vision must have provoked considerable thought. Many times prophecy isn’t understandable until after it’s fulfilled. Imagine Daniel (or John) seeing visions of the future with modern technology like tanks and planes — they would have no way of comprehending what they’ve seen, and little vocabulary to communicate with.
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. (Daniel 7:16 KJV)
Daniel is confused, so he asked about it. Even Peter said (when speaking of Paul’s writings in 2 Peter 3:16) some ideas are hard to understand. Don’t despair, when you’re confused take it to God. Don’t be like the disciples in Matthew 13 after Jesus gives many parables, but only explains one. Jesus then asks if they understand, and they say yes. Of course they really didn’t, but they did fail to ask; due to their error the church for centuries has argued the meaning of those parables.
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. (Daniel 7:17-18 KJV)
The good guys win. It doesn’t always seem like it, but in the end the outcome is certain — the answers are in the back of the book.
Of course, the question is why do the evil prosper? Habakkuk had the same question, and it’s a good review to get God’s perspective.
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, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 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. (Daniel 7:19-20 KJV)
Notice the growth out of old Rome; no nation conquered it, it rotted from the inside. That’s why God sees it as one continuous action, while man sees it separated by 2,000 years.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (Daniel 7:21 KJV)
This can’t be the church as the gates of hell can’t prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Confusion occurs in prophecy if you fail to understand the difference between the Jews and the Church. Unfortunately, some misconstrue the two, equating the Jews and the Church. But they’re not the same, each has a unique destiny still to be fulfilled — make no mistake God is not finished with the Jews — you must understand this as we get to the 70-week prophecy or you’ll be hopelessly lost.
A heresy floats around since the Jews rejected Jesus the promises made to them are forfeit and now fall on the church. Not so. Study Genesis 15 as God’s covenant with Abraham was uni-lateral, unconditional and irrevocable — they can’t forfeit it if they try. The church is not Israel, and attempting to equate them leads to confusion and heresy.
But it’s true God seems to work with one group or the other, but not both simultaneously. From Abraham until Jesus, God worked with the Jews. From Jesus until the tribulation, it’s the Church. But when the church is raptured, God again works with the Jewish nation; they’ve been preserved over the thousands of years and still have a destiny to fulfill.
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. (Daniel 7:22 KJV)
The end of the book of Revelation with everything in time and according to plan. We may not like it, but when we gain understanding we’ll agree His way was best.
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. (Daniel 7:23 KJV)
The Revised Roman empire makes its appearance, taking over the world again, this time with a singular leader.
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. (Daniel 7:24 KJV)
The anti-christ puts together a confederacy of nations, subdues three, and consolidates power; satan puts his power in this guy.
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. (Daniel 7:25 KJV)
“Time and times and dividing of time” is another way of saying three and one-half years. Don’t ask what this means, it means a period of three and one-half years; those that allegorize the Bible have to decode the text, but if you accept it means what is says the meaning is obvious and clear; this time is mentioned many ways:
- 42 months — Revelation 11:2,13:5
- 1,260 days — Revelation 11:3,12:6
- Half of one week (literally “sevens”) — Daniel 9:27
- Times, time and half a time (3 1/2 years) — here and Daniel 12:7
Take your bible literally and seriously. In Daniel 9 he recognizes by reading Jeremiah the captivity is almost over; Daniel never allegorizes the time period but took the time as exactly what it said. When you take the Bible as it says, it’s not nearly so hard as if you continually question it; Revelation isn’t hard because it’s unclear, but because it’s clear and people don’t like what it says.
But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 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. (Daniel 7:26-27 KJV)
Every knee will bow. Even satan knows his time is short.
Here 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. (Daniel 7:28 KJV)
[1]If you remember Disneyland’s Mr. Toads Wild Ride, this will be a lot more fun
[2]Isaiah 17:12-13, Revelation 13:1, Revelation 17:1, etc