Daniel – Day 7
Chapters 7-12 offers a new look at world power, dominance and control as well as the age to come. Arising out of the vision that Daniel had in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, chapter 7 supplies a prophetic picture of beasts and the son of man. In a word, this is a daunting chapter. Most of this chapter concentrates on a series of visions that are very complex in nature. Still, the chapter is the very word of God and is able to instruct us unto salvation. One theme that assumes justified importance is the fact that Satan has already been defeated but he has not yet been completely destroyed.
Daniel’s first vision occurred during the first year of the reign of Belshazzar. The dream involved the four winds of heaven stirring up the Great Sea, which then gave rise to four great beasts from the sea. The first beast was like a lion with eagle wings who stood on the earth after its wings were plucked off and then looked like a man and was given a man’s heart. The second beast was like a bear. It rose up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth and it was told to arise and devour much flesh. The third beast was like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. Oddly, this beast had four heads and was given dominion. The fourth beast was dreadful and terrible and exceedingly strong and trampled all who stood before it. It had ten horns. When considering the ten horns, Daniel then saw a little horn coming up among them, which apparently plucked out three of the ten horns but within the little horn were the eyes of man and mouth speaking pompous words. The vision likely represents a historical kingdom and events but perhaps just as importantly represents the rise of pro-typical examples of the kinds of petty, ruthless and vicious empires that can result under various circumstances under the prideful leadership of man. Such examples remind us that Satan was cast down from heaven because of pride.
Against this scene that darkens the future prospect of man, a hopeful sign appears in verse 9 where the thrones were put in place. This represents the world’s anticipation of the one who is to come and be seated and to issue commands that all men must obey. Sure enough, verse 9 continues: “And the Ancient of Days was seated: His garment was white as snow, and the hair of head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire;” What a picture. A picture of true authority that did not have to be grasped, giving rise to voluntary submission as thousands upon thousands came before him and ministered to him and then the courtroom was seated and in session and the books were opened (Daniel 7:10). And what a way to issue judgment: “I watched then because of the sound of pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time” (Daniel 7:11). This passage gives evidence of the claim that Satan and his power have been defeated but not yet destroyed.
Echoing the claims of king Darius and king Nebuchadnezzar in earlier chapters of the book of Daniel, then one like the Son of Man comes forth and to him was given dominion, glory and power and a kingdom “that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and His Kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14). While each generation must answer its own serious questions about whether its aims are worthwhile and whether its achievement amount to anything, it seems clear that God is issuing a message that indicates the accomplishments of man must stand in the shadows of the finished work–a work began and finished before the foundation of the world–of the Lord of Heaven. This work begins and ends in the acknowledgment of the sovereignty of the God of Israel over human affairs and the establishment of the kingdom of the Son of Man, which includes the fact that the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever and ever (Daniel 7:18). Out of dreadful circumstances, and after witnessing a war against the children of God, the Ancient of Days, the Most High God shall issue a judgment in favor of the saints and they shall possess the kingdom (Daniel 7:22). Then at some later time the enemies of God’s kingdom and His saints will be fully destroyed and His saints will serve and obey the Lord forever more (Daniel 7:27).
Key Verses:
“I was watching and the same horn was making war against the saints and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High and the time came for the saints to possess the Kingdom.” ~ Daniel 7:21-22
Questions:
- Daniel gives us a picture of hatred, deception and war against the saints of the Most High God. Is that picture consistent with the fact that Satan and his minions have been defeated? Why or why not?
- Does Daniel’s description of his vision give us complete clarity about the time-frame and time periods or alternatively, must we depend on God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to understand fully the events described?
- There is a human tendency to want to know everything about the future. Explain how trust in the faithfulness of the Ancient of Days can counteract this tendency in your own life?
- How difficult is it to trust in the Ancient of Days in your own circumstances?
