Daniel 7:1 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.
This dream was no doubt given to him from the Lord to warn him of what was to
come in the latter days.
We go back a few years to just before the Babylonian Empire was coming to a
close for Belshazzar was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 6 described the
rule of Darius the Mede so Daniel is
going back to the reign of Belshazzar to tell us of this vision.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the
four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Before kingdoms come to power and one overthrows another, there are winds of
war, famine, struggles and judgments from God occurring. There may be evil
angelic beings behind every evil ruler that are allowed to continue for a season
until God says, its enough.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
The beasts are rulers or kings and kingdoms that arise from the sea of mass
humanity of populations under their control.
Dan 7:4 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.
We see the first beast no doubt represents Babylon who conquered with swiftness
like an eagle going after his prey. The wings being plucked off and lifted from
the earth may refer to the time the king was driven insane for 7 years and then
restored to his kingdom. The head of gold in chapter 2 is another symbol of
Babylon. Babylon included Assyria, Syria, Judea (Israel), Media, Persia and
Armenia. I believe Armenia is part of modern Turkey, Persia is Iran and Babylon
is Iraq.
Dan 7:5 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.
The bear is the kingdom of Media and Persia. The 3 ribs in the mouth shows the
cruelty and their ability to take spoil of those they conquer. These are all
forerunners of the future beast or anti-christ who will be the worst one to have
ever had power. I often wonder, who could be worse than Adolph Hitler. This
kingdom is symbolized by the breast and arms of silver in chapter 2 of
Nebuchadnezzar's vision.
Cyrus the Persian was greater in might than Darius the Mede. The three ribs
symbolize the kingdoms they devoured, Babylonia, Egypt and Lydia. Their
territory was a little larger than the Babylonia territory and took in Egypt as
well. It also expanded father to the east almost to India.
Dan 7:6 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.
The image in chapter 2 at this stage was the belly and thighs of brass. This was
the Grecian kingdom with the king being Alexander the Great. The four heads
shows us that after Alexander's death (he died very young) four generals arose
and took over four different parts of the kingdom. Those divisions were Syria,
Greece, Turkey and Egypt. The leopard was a very swift animal and it was
even faster than the lion of Babylon for this beast had four wings and the lion
only had two. Alexander moved fast to conquest these countries. The Grecian
Empire took in Greece of course and more land west of Egypt.
Dan 7:7 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.
This beast was so terrible that it isn't described as a beast that is known.
This is the kingdom of iron in chapter 2. This kingdom was the worst in that it
covered a larger territory, the known world at that time. Their government was a
Republic and was a little different than the rest in that respect. This was the
Roman Empire that was the empire ruling at the time of the first coming of Jesus
Christ to die for the sins of all mankind. Their territory was larger than any
taking in what is now called, Libya, part of north Africa, Egypt, Spain, France,
England, Germany, Italy, Syria, Israel, Turkey, Greece and a few countries in
between.
This beast had 10 horns which represents 10 kings but I believe we jump ahead
with these 10 kings to the latter day revived Roman Empire that is to come under
the power of the anti-christ. In Revelation 17 we see a woman most probably
representing a great false religious system that has headquarters in a city
under this revived Roman Empire. This woman is sitting upon a beast
(representing the anti-christ) and the beast has 10 horns or 10 heads. This no
doubt is the same as the 10 horns of Daniel's vision.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I
saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having
seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have
received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
So we see the horns are future kings and did not exist in Daniel's day or during
the time of Christ. The Roman Empire had many different Emperors with kings like
Herod under them but the Emperor had all power and authority and set up those
kings. In the latter days, the kings exist first and then the anti-christ arises
to rule over all the old revived Roman Empire which will include even England
because it included England the first time around.
Dan 7:8 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.
This little horn is the future anti-christ in the latter day revived Roman
Empire who rules over all that territory and the ten kings. We see that in the
arise of the ant-christ, he plucks up 3 of the above kings making it only 7
remaining. Perhaps they resisted his take over and the other seven kings
willingly gave their kingdoms to be under the authority of this little horn.
The first Roman Empire is described as the iron on the beast of chapter 2 and
the latter Roman Empire revived is the part of iron and clay showing that there
is many kingdoms but they do not cleave to each other. That is how Europe is
today. It would seem as if Europe may have to gather into a group of only 10
kings to fulfill prophecy. That is just my speculation though. This may be proof
that the anti-christ does not rule the entire world as most of us believe. I'm
not going to say that for sure for there are other scriptures that indicate his
worldwide power. However, that could mean the world as was known in the days of
those that wrote these verses down or it could mean that the word "all" refers
to a very large number, like we would say, "All the kids showed up at the
party." We know that every single kid in the entire world wouldn't have been
there.
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, 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.
This is how we know for sure that Daniel's vision of the horns was in the latter
days and not immediately following the first Roman Empire for we see the
Judgment of God in verse 9. This is probably not the great white throne judgment
of every individual after the 2nd resurrection but this is the judgment of
nations that occurs at the coming of Jesus Christ to set up His kingdom. This
judgment is for nations, not individuals.
In chapter 2's vision of the image this is the great stone which came from a
mountain and crushed the toes of the image. This stone most assuredly represents
none other than Jesus Christ at His 2nd coming.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the
mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the
clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what
shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation
thereof sure.
Dan 7:10 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.
Dan 7:11 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.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that
wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the
mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive
into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
It looks like Daniel pictures the anti-christ as being killed but Revelation
says he was cast alive into the lake of fire. My comments on that score would be
that his body was destroyed but the soul never dies so his soul is cast into the
lake of fire to burn forever. He could have been cast in alive, the fire would
have killed the physical body but his soul remains there.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken
away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
We see here a final testing time so all nations can see what it is like to have
a righteous leader who rules with justice, righteousness but with a rod of iron.
Dan 7:13 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.
Dan 7:14 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.
This is our Lord Jesus Christ, the stone described in chapter two. He is Lord of
Lords and King of Kings. His kingdom will reign everlasting. He reigns first for
1000 years and after that Satan is let loose to see which nations and people
will follow Satan and desire the old sinful ways. After than Christ reigns
forever and God Himself comes to dwell with mankind. Sin is removed and
righteousness remains forever. Jesus was called the Son of man even in Daniel's
day showing us that God (the Son) had to become one of us (a man) in order to
overcome sin, remove sin and usher in an everlasting kingdom.
The first Adam (man) brought in death and sin upon the entire human race.
Another man (perfect and without sin) had to come and die for sin and make the
way for the curse to be removed, abolish death and cleanse the world of all sin.
We can choose to believe in this, turn from sin and follow Christ or we can
choose to ignore God's great plan to save mankind and go where the beast and
false prophet will go where they are separated from God in eternal torment
forever. The way is easy. We just believe in Jesus Christ to the point that we
hate our sin and desire to be saved from sin. He will then save us and we can
then be baptized in the Holy Spirit and follow Him forever. We do not have to be
bound by sin and be lost. We do not have to go spend eternity in hell. We can
inherit eternal life and be saved from sin this moment. Why put it off?
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the
visions of my head troubled me.
Dan 7:16 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.
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise
out of the earth.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the
kingdom forever, even forever and ever.
The angel comforts Daniel by letting him know that the things that are coming to
pass are indeed mind boggling and terrible but he lets Daniel see what the end
shall be. I noticed when I studied Revelation that we would read of the bad and
the angel would show John the good ending every once in a while so that he would
not be overwhelmed by all the evil in His vision. Daniel was almost overwhelmed
by this dream until the angel showed him the end.
Dan 7:19 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;
Dan 7:20 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 spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
We see here that this anti-christ or beast is the most evil of all before him
but he is clever, crafty and very deceptive as all before him he is to be the
worst. He even has a false prophet that arises and causes the deceived to
worship this anti-christ or an image of the anti-christ.
When we study history we see many forerunners of this person. All evil rulers
that rise up will usually make an image of himself and erect it in different
places. In the case of Hitler, it was s symbol that was worn on all garments.
The anti-christ will have a mark of the beast that all will have to have in
order to buy and sell. When evil rulers have come to power we see a hint of the
one to come just before the coming of Jesus Christ a 2nd time.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed
against them;
The saints are all those that do not follow the anti-christ but choose rather to
follow Jesus Christ. These are those, mostly Jews that are saved after the
rapture of the faithful in Jesus Christ just before this anti-christ comes to
power. Some do not believe in any rapture but believe all saints alive at that
time will go through the tribulation. Some believe the rapture occurs during the
middle of the seven year tribulation.
Dan 7:22 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.
Again the angel reminds Daniel of the final end before continuing with the bad.
This is a pattern God uses in both Revelation and Daniel, I believe to keep the
readers from being overwhelmed by the fearful things to come. We can see ahead
to the final end of all evil when we read. God is merciful and does not give
more than we can bear.
Dan 7:23 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.
Dan 7:24 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.
This again proves that the kings are in place first before the anti-christ
arises showing a difference in the revived Roman Empire and the one that was in
place in the time of Christ. The first is as iron and the second final Empire is
part iron and part clay as we see Europe is now.
Dan 7:25 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.
Those that speak against Christ now really do not know what spirit they are of.
The anti-christ (could be in place of Christ or against Christ) will speak
against the most high (God and Jesus Christ). He will torment and kill the true
believers in Jesus. He will change laws and calendars. All who attempted to do
this before were just forerunners and hints of the one to come.
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion,
to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 7:27 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.
All saints (all who believe in Jesus and have their sins washed away and also
those from the Old Testament period that believed God and looked forward to the
time of Christ) will rule and reign with Christ at His coming.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given
unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of
Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither
his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their
hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection.
So we again see the end even before these things come to pass. Daniel gave the
account of these things in the Old Testament and Revelation is an account of end
times in the New Testament. God always gives us more than one witness so that we
can verify the truth of His word. He is a good God.
Dan 7:28 Hitherto 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.
When I study Revelation I usually feel the awesome presence of God. I can only
imagine what Daniel must have felt. It probably stayed with him for several
days. God is truly the only way out of this mess the world is in. There is a way
of escape through the faith and mercy that God gives us through Jesus Christ.
Daniel Chapter 8