College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Daniel 7 - Introduction
SERMON NUMBER SEVEN
BEASTS, AND THE BEAUTY
Text: Daniel 7:1-28
INTRODUCTION
I.
DANIEL'S VISION A. It was a dream vision.
1.
God often used dreams to give vivid, memorable, communications of His will to mankind.
2.
Even in N.T. times God still uses this method (Paul and the Macedonian).
3.
It is evident to me that these dream-revelations were far different from modern day experiences with ESP (extra-sensory perception). There was never any doubt that these came directly from God. They were more specific and detailed and if greater length than ESP.
B.
Located as it is in Daniel's book, it is a sort of flashback.
1.
He is telling us the dream God sent him back in the first year of Belshazzar's reign.
2.
He recorded the dream for all posterity.
3.
It, therefore, has a message for us.
II.
FOUR WINDS OF HEAVEN AND THE GREAT SEA
A.
Four winds represent the powers that stir up or set in motion the persons, events and circumstances which bring forth the earthly conflicts between good and evilbetween Bod's enemies and His people.
1.
There is some indication in scripture that God does stir up the spirit of certain rulers and nations and is providentially active in the affairs of history (cf. Isaiah 10:5-16; Isaiah 45:1-7; Jeremiah 27:5-7; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4, etc.).
2.
It is also apparent from scripture that God does not overrule the will of man and force man to think something he does not want to think. God does overrule the actions and circumstances of man at various times by providential use of nature. BUT NEVER DOES HE IRRESISTIBLY OVERRULE MAN'S WILL..
3.
So the four winds represent all the forces, both Divine and finite, which stir up or set in motion these conflicts.
B.
The great sea symbolizes mankind, and especially Gentile world powers hostile to God and Israel (cf. Isaiah 8:7 ff.; Jeremiah 46:7-9; Jeremiah 47:2; Isaiah 17:2 ff. and Revelation 17:1-15).
1.
When the four beasts appear as rising from the sea, that clearly indicates that the disturbed state of the world gives origin to the successive world powers that appear on the scene of history.
2.
The devil, getting the cooperation of man, can fill man's heart with evil, degeneration, tyranny and corruption and man's circumstances are very nearly unbearablehis lack of peace of mind and soul do become more than he can stand. Then God stirs someone's soul with the Truth, the longing to be free, to be holy and pure, and the battle is on.
3.
Revelations, reformations, restorations, crusades, wars, renaissances have all brought forth such struggles and have all given birth to successive forms of world-power.
DISCUSSION
I.
THE MALEVOLENT BEAST, Daniel 7:1-8
A.
Beastgeneral
1.
The most adequate figure to represent world-power is beast.
2.
The beast
a.
Concentrates entirely, even instinctively, on the flesh. Has there ever been any government not unlike this?
b.
Is amoral; that is, it is guided in its actions by instinct to preserve the flesh; is not this the way world powers react?
c.
Is a predator; it survives only by preying upon weaknesses. World power, since it is carnally oriented, survives only in the same mannerGovernment must gobble up territories and rights of the individual for its survival.
d.
Since it has no abiding life in it, sooner or later it dies; so with all world powers.
B.
The Lion, and Eagle
1.
Represent Babylon
2.
In the great statue of Daniel 2, Babylon is represented as the head of Gold.
3.
Here she is represented by the heads of two animal kingdoms the lion and the eagle.
4.
People of that day were familiar with such figures as the winged lions that guarded the gates of royal palaces among Babylonians. They were practically symbols of Babylonian power. This is familiar symbolism throughout the O.T. prophets.
5.
Plucking out the wings from the lion and the standing like a human plus the giving of a human heart symbolizes a time when the Babylonian power was de-beasted and humanized to some extent. This undoubtedly refers to the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar (ch. 4) when his proud nature and lust for conquest were taken away from him by God. The nation, of course, shared the king's experiences since he was its moving spirit.
C.
The Bear
1.
Represents Medo-Persia.
2.
The bear is more slow and plodding than the lion and well represents a major difference between Babylon and Persia.
3.
Two feet raised on one side for the purpose of going forward symbolizes the two-sided (Medo-Persian) nature of the empire with one side (Persian) going on ahead of the other.
4.
Three ribs in its mouth merely represents the beast not content with one nation but devouring man. Any delineation of the three ribs as specific empires devoured by Medo-Persian conquest would have to be totally arbitrary since they definitely conquered more than three.
5.
Persian empire was voraciouscommanded by God after it has substantial conquests in its jaws to arise and attempt to devour more.
6.
It devoured more than Babylon and attempted to devour as far as Macedonia and Greece.
D.
The Leopard with four wings and four heads
1.
Represents Greece.
2.
150 years after Persian hordes invaded Greece and burned Athens, Greek militants still preached vengeance. War demanded unity; Greece remained fragmented in city states rivaling one another.
3.
Into this vacuum rode Philip of Macedon intent upon uniting Greece and invading Persia. As Philip rode south, the Greeks resisted him. In Athens, orators denounced the northerner; Demosthenes-' eloquent thunder still echoes in our word philippic. Just northwest of Athens the decisive clash came. Philip commanded on the right wing while his 18-year-old son, Alexander, led a cavalry charge from the left. All Greece except Sparta submitted. An assassin's knife cut Philip down before he could cross the Aegean and invade the Persian domain, but Alexander made his father's dream his own. Alexander left Pella on a bright spring day in 334 B.C. leading 30,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 cavalryand the next 11 years were spent in a whirlwind of warfare, hardships, and revelry. Entering Babylon in the spring of 323 B.C., on his way back to Greece, worn out by wounds, hardship and overdrinking, he fell ill of a fever. Soon he could neither move nor speak. He was propped up and each officer and soldier filed past. He acknowledged each man with his eyes or a slight movement of his head. Within two days Alexander died. He was not yet 33 years old. His empire stretched half way around the worldfrom Europe to Asiafrom Macedonia to the Himalayas in India and China.
4.
This ferocious, agile, swift beast is a very appropriate symbol of Alexander's empire.
5.
The four heads on the beast symbolize the four-way division of this empire at his death (Ptolemy-Egypt; Antigonus - Asia; Cassender - Macedonia; Lysimachus-Thrace; Antigonus was later killed in a battle, his Asiatic empire came to an end, and Seleucus (Ptolemy's leading general) was given Palestine and Syria over which to rule. These four kingdoms continued as prominent factors in world politics until the next empire appeared on the scene and amalgamated the parts into a whole.
6.
Dominion was given to this beast (Alexander), indicating very clearly that all of Alexander's accomplishments were providentially given to him by the Most High God (Romans 9:14-24).
E.
The Fourth Beast, With Ten Horns
1.
No beast in all the fauna sufficiently fierce and terrible to symbolize so abnormal a type of empire.
2.
Everything points to the Roman empire as being represented by this beast. It has iron teeth and jawsIron was the fourth kingdom of the great statue (ch. 2).
3.
What it could not devour it stamped with its feet grinding it into dust. Rome was singularly voracious, cruel and destructiveeven vindictive (Carthage) as a world power,
4.
Rome had no interest in raising the conquered nations to any high level of development. Often she conquered just out of sheer spiteful vengeance. All her designs were exploitation and imperialism. If they could not devour a victim by plunder and taxation, they would stamp it under their feet, sacked and burned, left in desolate ruins.
5.
Ten horns symbolize a complete, multiplicity of powerful rulers. Like three ribs, one should not attempt to designate specifically ten different emperors of Romeagain it would be speculative arbitrariness to do so. The number 10 symbolizes completeness.
F.
Now the LITTLE HORN
1.
Supplants three that were rooted up.
2.
The whole idea between ten, three that are rooted up, and one which supplants the three, is comparative. If one replaces three it becomes comparatively quite a bit larger than any one of the others.
3.
YET, THE LITTLE ONE DOES NOT GROW AS STRONG AS THE WHOLE EMPIRETHE TEN!
4.
Has eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things.
5.
We shall show later these are characteristics of the Roman papacy.
6.
The fact that Daniel observed the little horn having human eyes indicates his attention was intentionally drawn away from the beastly character of the fourth kingdom to what seems to be a human character growing out of the fourth beast.
7.
This human personality has power (horn) and utters great, boastful things (against the Most High, Daniel 7:25).
II.
THE MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY, Daniel 7:9-18
A.
1.
Surrounded by thrones, symbolizing omnipotence
2.
Ancient of Days, symbolizing Eternality
3.
Raiment white as snow, symbolizing Purity and Holiness
4.
Hair like pure wool, symbolizing omniscience
5.
Fire represents judicial power and splendor.
6.
Tens of Thousands serving Him, symbolize sovereignty
7.
Books, symbolize God's remembrance of all that transpires on earth and His authority to call men to account.
8.
THE BLASPHEMY OF THE LITTLE HORN PROVOKES THE ANCIENT OF DAYS TO ACTION AGAINST THE FOURTH BEAST AND THE HORN TO DESTROY THEM.
9.
So the beast, as a whole, is slain and its body given to the burning of fire. Present tense indicating continual burning, eternal burning.
10.
The rest of the beasts, even though the first three were allowed to prolong their life for a predetermined time by God;-' still, in His own good time, God took away their dominion also. It may mean that the essence of the first 3 beasts (worldliness) was prolonged in the culminating worldliness of the fourth beast-' (and the little horn), still when the fourth was slain they too had their dominion taken away.
B.
1.
If the 4th beast and the little horn constitute all that opposes God from the Roman empire up to the man of lawlessness (Pope), then the fact that it is depicted as being destroyed and given over to burning indicates this text is referring to the 2nd Advent of Christ.
2.
Daniel 2 states that during the time of the 4th kingdom, the kingdom of God would be established and this would be the fatal blow to worldly dominion, THIS SEVENTH CHAPTER MERELY INDICATES THE CONSUMMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE FINAL DESTRUCTION OF THE FOURTH KINGDOM (WHICH DESTRUCTION BEGAN WHEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED AND CHRIST DESPOILED THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS (cf. Colossians 2:15).
3.
The revelation here given to Daniel omits all the history between the beginning of the fourth beast and the little horn, and its final overthrow which is the consummation of the Christian dispensation, (Christ's 2nd coming). This span of silence is indicated at 3½ times in Daniel 7:25during which time the horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them.
C.
Details of this silent period would have been irrelevant to Daniel's contemporaries.
1.
What would be relevant and edifying to his contemporaries would be to know that worldly dominion would ultimately be overthrown by the blessed kingdom of God, which was to be completely victorious.
2.
Furthermore this kingdom was to be presided over by the Divine-Human Messiah (one like unto a son of man). He would be like them, son of man, yet he would come on the clouds and be Divine. This very prophecy is undoubtedly the one Jesus referred to when he so often used the phrase son of man referring to Himself. He was attempting to convince the Jews that He was the One who had come to establish the kingdom of God which would ultimately be victorious over the beast and the horn.
D.
Why no reference to other worldly powers after the Roman empire
1.
The prophets usually never have revealed to them the interval of time lying between the first and second coming of Christ.
2.
The pattern of empire development adopted by the Romans has been followed by practically all the succeeding world powers so the 4th beast is still in a sense alive though Rome was overthrown.
3.
The little horn grown great carries on in the great conflict.
E.
The one point of emphasis not to be lost sight of in this vision: THE SAINTS SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM. While those who give allegiance to the beast make every attempt to achieve dominion and glory and eternality, they shall be destroyed, for in so doing they must set themselves in opposition and rebellion against the will of God.
III.
THE MEANING BESTOWED, Daniel 7:19-28
A.
The horn which came up appeared to be stouter than its fellows.
1.
It made war with the saints, and even seems to prevail over them.
2.
This is to continue until the final judgment which God has already determined shall be executed.
3.
This judgment of the horn is coincidental with the ultimate victory of God and possession of His kingdom by the saints and is, therefore, the great judgment day at the consummation of the ages.
B.
The little horn grown great is the Roman Catholic Papacy which succeeded the Roman empire in controlling nations and rulers, and is parallel to the man of lawlessness of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; and the Roman state, succeeded by the Roman papacy, is parallel to Revelation 13 (the two beasts).
1.
This little horn grown great
a.
Speaks words against the Most High.
b.
Wears out the saints.
c.
Thinks to changes the times and the law.
d.
Has power to do so for a specific time.
e.
Then is destroyed when the saints possess the kingdom.
2.
The man of lawlessness of 2 Thessalonians 2
a.
Connected with the falling away (undoubtedly the great Roman apostasy)
b.
Such a man would not consider himself subject to any law.
c.
Such a man would think to change any commandment of God which would suit his purpose of deceiving men and maintaining his rule over man.
d.
THIS IS NOT THE ANTI-CHRIST! THE BIBLE NOWHERE CONNECTS THE TWO! THERE ARE MANY ANTI-CHRISTS.
e.
That which HINDERED the appearance of the man of sin was the Roman government which for several centuries held in check the attempts of power-hungry Roman bishops to take control of both the spiritual affairs of men and the political authority as well.
f.
The mystery of lawlessness which brought on the great apostasy was already at work in Paul's time, so Paul could not have been referring only to things that would not happen until the 19th or 20th centuries
g.
If some Anti-Christ is going to rule the world, then Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 2 would have to be wrong in indicating that there would be only four empires before God's kingdom should prevail and fill the earth.
h.
The use of the term mystery suggests that there may be a connection with Revelation 17:5, where the great harlot is given the name MYSTERY. This mystery woman in Rev. is ROME (she sits on seven mountains, and rules over the kings of the earth. Rome is the only city on earth that fulfills those descriptions. The Harlot is also united as one with the two beasts of Revelation 13, the second of which we believe also represents Roman Catholicism).
C.
1.
First beast is symbolized as a composite of leopard, bear and lion with ten horns and seven heads. This first beast represents the concentration and personification of world power, through the whole period of history, continuing as one entity, but manifesting itself under various forms in various ages, with many and diverse modifications. This FIRST BEAST WAS DEALT A DEATH BLOW, AND A SECOND BEAST ARISES.
2.
The Second beast exercises all the authority of the first beast. It makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast. It works great signs, etc. It looks like a lamb. It is represented as bringing to life again, or healing, the first beast.
3.
It is evident that Revelation 13 and its symbolism parallels in many ways exactly the symbolism of Daniel 7.
a.
Lion, Bear, Leopard and Non-descript Beast symbolized in both
b.
Out of beastliness grows another form of world power and persecution diverse from its predecessor; in both
c.
The time it has to hold sway over man is the same 3½ times and 42 months.
d.
Its judgment and overthrow comes at the consummation of all things when the saints shall possesses the kingdom.
D.
Period of Time
1.
Daniel 7 is informed that the saints shall be given into the hand of the little horn grown great until 3½ times. 3½ is half of 7half of a complete or perfect numberand therefore symbolizes a definite period of time which God knows and has not revealed to man but not perfect or eternal in duration.
2.
3½ years is the same as 42 months or 1260 days (both of the latter figures used as units of time in Rev. and denote the time between the beginning of the church of Christ on Pentecost (Acts 2) and the consummation at the 2nd coming of Christ, also represented by 1,000 yearsa round number not to be taken literally).
CONCLUSION
I.
NO MATTER HOW POWERFUL OR HOW SUBTLE, GOD'S ENEMIES SHALL NOT ENDURE
A.
The beasts, the Fourth Beast, the Little Horn grown Great (also the man of lawlessness and the beast like a lamb) shall not endure,
B.
His overthrow is appointed in God's own good time and is CERTAIN! He has pledged it with the despoiling of the principalities and powers by making a public example of them, triumphing over them in Christ.
C.
God has already made up His mind about thisall that remains is the execution of the decision; WHEN IT IS TO OCCUR, NO ONE KNOWS, NOT EVEN THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN (Matthew 24:36; Matthew 24:44, etc.) IT IS NOT FOR US TO KNOW! (Acts 1:7),
D.
When it does occur
1.
The 7th angel will blow his trumpet and there will be loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world has become kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever (cf. Revelation 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
2.
All of this was enough to agitate the soul of Daniel and he could not forget it, but kept it in his heart.
II.
THIS CHAPTER SHOULD STIR US UP TOO!
A.
A definite and glorious note of victory pervades the whole chapter
B.
With such a revelation as this offers to God's people; to know how history must run its course, and how the kingdom of God alone will stand in the glorious consummation, the Christian can trust and love His Lord.
C.
Only the member of the kingdom of God has the hope of enduring the certain and sure judgment of the worldand what a hope it ispossession of the kingdom of God.
D.
God is permitting His saints to be given over to the persecution of the Beast in order to purify their lives and strengthen their faith in Himso they may see the transitory nature and the way of destruction chosen by the Beast (IF ONLY HIS SAINTS WILL BELIEVE IN HIM). God knows that a man's moral fibre is never perfected until it is put to the test. He knows that He shall never have a believer's full allegiance until that allegiance is tried. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS LOVE! HE DESIRES ONLY THAT WE BE BETTER THAN WE ARE!
EXAMINATION SEVEN
REFUTATIONS
(Answer the following by giving the argument which will
correct the statement)
1.
The son of man in Daniel 7:13 was Jesus Christ appearing to Daniel. Refute!
2.
The four beasts of chapter seven have no parallel in the book of Daniel. Refute!
3.
The fourth beast is communist Russia. Refute!
ASSOCIATIONS
(Associate the persons or events of column one with the correct person or event of column two)
1
2
Rome
eagle
Greece
mankind
God
communism
angel
the pope
Persia
fourth beast
Babylon
Ancient of days
ten horns
leopard
man of lawlessness
Japan
great sea
son of man
four winds
bear
heavenly forces
lion
completeness
MEMORIZATIONS
(Fill in the blanks:)
And there was given him __________ and glory, and a __________ that all the peoples, nations and __________ should serve him: his __________ is an everlasting __________, which shall not pass away, and his __________ that which shall not be __________.
EXPLANATIONS
1.
Explain why the lion had eagles-' wings.
2.
Explain why the bear had three ribs in his mouth.
3.
Explain the meaning of the four wings and four heads of the leopard.
4.
Explain the probable interpretation of the small horn coming out of the ten horns of the fourth beast and growing strong and blaspheming God.
5.
Explain the overall philosophy of history taught by chapter 7.
6.
Explain how chapter 7 is parallel to chapter 2 of the book of Daniel.