Daniel and His Dreams and Visions (Part 2)
Daniel 7: 9 –27
Introduction
We continue our exposition on the prophetic chapter of this book.
I. The Great Judgment and Its Interpretation
A. The thrones are cast down (v. 9)- This expression refers to the oriental custom of preparing a throne for an arriving monarch by placing (casting down) cushions and pillows. Note that thrones (plural) are set, and one throne in particular is described (v. 9). (Ezek. 1:13-21).
B. The Ancient of Days (v. 9). This refers to God the Father (v. 13) although the description also fits that of God the Son- (Jn. 1:1, 8:58; Mic. 5:2- and appears to be used somehow interchangeably (v. 22). Daniels’s description of the Ancient of Days is similar to that of Rev. 1:12-15.
1. The white garments- speaks of His righteousness (Rev. 19:8,14)
2. The white hair – speaks of His eternality.
C. The Judgment (vs. 10, 11, 26) – in this vision of a great judgment, there are six things to observe:
1. The burning flame – (v. 11) for the destruction of the little horn and is interpreted in Rev. 19:10 and 20:10 as the lake of fire and brimstone “hell”.
2. The innumerable angelic beings – Rev. 5:11
3. The opening of the Books (Rev. 20:12). Although this is not the final (Great White Throne) judgment, it is evident that “the books” are God’s recordings of the deeds of men and nations. (Isa. 65:6a, Mal. 3:16.)
4. The defiance of the Antichrist – (v. 11a and Rev. 13:5-7)
5. The destruction of the Antichrist. (Rev. 19:20)
6. The firmness of the judgment- the words of v. 26 “But the judgment shall sit”. Indicate this. Notice the words “the beast was slain”. The life of the 4th beast is not finished until the little horn is destroyed with the burning fire. The beast is still Rome, and the beast is judged in the person of the ‘little horn” i.e., the Antichrist.
This judgment corresponds to the “Throne of Glory” Judgment of the Nations immediately after the second coming of Jesus Christ and prior to the establishment of the Millennial kingdom. (Mt. 25:31-46; Joel 3:2, Ps. 97:1-5)
D. The Fate of the First 3 Beasts Empires (v. 12). The prolonging of the lives of the Babylonian, Mede-Persian, and Greek empires refer to either:
1. The continuation of their cultures and customs in their successors. Both Dan. 2 and Dan. 9 indicate that all 4 kingdoms will be present at the time of Christ’s return.
2. In contrast to the 4th kingdom which will suddenly be destroyed.
E. The Son of Man and the Ancient of Days. (v. 13). Here the title “Ancient of Days” refers specifically to God the Father since it is contrasted with the Son of Man. Both
titles also refer to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no difficulty here, because Jesus Christ is God (Jn. 10:30)
F. Christ is invested with Kingdom Authority (v. 14). Here we observe that the coming Millennial kingdom of Christ will be supernatural
1. Supernatural – without hands (Dan. 2:44-45)
2. Glorious- Micah 4:1
3. Universal “…all people nations, languages”
4. Everlasting – although the kingdom of Christ will last on earth for only 1,000 years (Rev. 20:2,3) it will never be destroyed. This kingdom will be forever (Rev. 21:1,2,24; Ps. 2:1-6.)
G. Note: A Premillennial order – the order of events in Daniel 7 (as with Dan. 2) is significant:
1. Gentile Rule – Antichrist – Divine Judgment – Everlasting Kingdom
II. Further Details About the Fourth Beast and The Little Horn
A. A. Daniel’s Perplexity (v. 15)
1. Daniel who had interpreted for others, now needed divine help.
2. This verse gives us the location of the spirit of man, …”in the midst of my body…” Man is 3 parts being- body, soul, and spirit. 1 Thess. 5:23
B. Daniel’s Help (v. 16) – This was an angelic being- one that stood by” (v. 10). The ministry of angels as interpreters and messengers is a feature of the prophetic aspects of the Book of Daniel. (Dan. 8:15,16; 9:21,22; 10:10-14; 12:8).
C. The Saints (vs. 18, 21, 22,25). It is a cardinal error to make these saints identical to present day saints. The Saints of the Most High refer to the saved Jewish remnant on earth during the reign of the Antichrist (Rev. 12:13-16 where the woman is Israel).
D. The Interpretation (v. 17). This verse is the key to the chapter.
E. The tenfold description of the fourth beast (v. 7 reveals 9 things about the fourth empire, v. 19 adds one more
1. It was dreadful
2. It was terrible
3. Exceedingly strong
4. It had iron teeth
5. It Brake in pieces
6. It was a devourer
7. Stomped on the residue
8. It was diverse
9. It had 10 horns
10. It had nails of brass
F. The “Little Horn” (vs. 20, 24, 25)- as noted above, this symbolizes the Antichrist.
1. The rise of the Antichrist- His rise will be disruptive cause he will uproot 3 kings and distinctive because he looks stouter (notable) than the other horns
a. Stand in an historic sevenfold lineage- Rev. 17:10
five are fallen – the empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.
One – is the Roman Empire
The Other is not yet – The ten kingdom Confederation
b. Arise out of the Future Ten Kingdom Confederation- Rev. 17:11
c. Envelop the ten-fold kingdom into his own
2. The Nature of the Antichrist (v. 25)
a. Anti-God – see 2 Thess. 2:4, Rev. 12:5,6
b. Anti-Semitic – see Rev. 12:13-16; 13:7
c. Anti-nomian – he will attempt to change times and laws
3. The reign of the Antichrist – the “time and times and the dividing of time” (v. 25) is a key prophetic phrase also referred to in Dan. 9:27, Rev. 11:2; 12:6,14, and 13:5.
4. Time + Times + Divided Time = 3 ½
1 + 2 + ½ = 3 ½ Times
= 42 Months
= 1,260 Days
Note: Note: Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27) is a seven-year period which begins concurrently with the Day of Christ (rapture) in heaven and the Day of the Lord on earth. During the first half of this week, the antichrist will appear as Israel’s longed- for Messiah. In the middle of the week, Satan will be cast down into the earth (Rev. 12:7-9) and the antichrist will set himself up as God (2 Thess. 2:4). Then will begin what is called “The Great Tribulation” (Mt. 24:15-21; Rev. 12:13-17)
5. The Fall of the Antichrist – This will coincide with the coming of The Ancient of Days, the Lord Jesus Christ – (vs. 22a, 26, 2 Thess. 2:8, Rev. 19:11-20)
G. The Glorious Kingdom of Christ (v. 27)- The saints shall possess the kingdom. Approximately 1/3 of the nation of Israel will trust Jesus Christ as their Savior at the second coming of Christ- Zech. 12:10,11; 13:1,6,8,9; Rom. 11:26. These saved Jews will enter the millennial kingdom-Mt. 24:30,31, Jer. 12:15, Ezek. 20:33-38.
1. The saved other nations will also enter the kingdom- Mat. 25:30,31, Joel 3:2,9-17, Zech. 14:16.
2. Note: Church-age saints will reign and rule with Christ during this time in their glorified (raptured) bodies. (1 Cor. 6:2, Rev. 1:6, 2:26, 3:21, 5:10)
3. Daniel’s perplexity (v. 28). This is explained by 1 Pet. 1:10-12.
III. Conclusion:
Daniel sees God the Father in His throne. He sees the angelic hosts, and the judgement. We have seen previously the 4 beasts representing the empires, and the antichrist who would try to prevent Christ’s rule on earth by destroying God’s covenant people. His short reign of 7 years will be terminated by the second coming of Christ who will establish His millennial kingdom on earth.
