Sermon - AudioDaniel 7-9 - Audio
Daniel 7-9 - Reading
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The vision of the four beasts [ chapter 7 ]. The book of Daniel shifts into an entirely different mode with this chapter, as we enter a visionary world in which the primary phenomena are symbols rather than people and events such as we encounter in daily life. As we enter the second half of the book, we face a basic choice as to the level at which we intend to read. One level is political allegory, in which various symbols are identified as representing kings and kingdoms of ancient history. If we read at this level, the four beasts of verses 1–8 are symbols of four great empires—Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. At the same time, or as an alternate level at which we can assimilate the visions, we can allow the symbols to be a generalized picture of the empires and powers of the world throughout history. This is rendered easy to do because intermingled with the political thread are symbolic pictures of the messianic rule of Christ as it exists at any point in history—as in verses 9–14 and 26–27 (with the latter passage also lending itself to an eschatological (study of last things) interpretation).
*Don't Get Confused: This vision came to Daniel after the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, but before the Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire. Daniel chapters 1 through 6 describe the life and times of Daniel. Chapters 7 through 12 describe visions Daniel had. In order of events, the vision described in Daniel 7 took place during the time between Daniel chapters 4 and 5.
4 Beasts:
1. Lion - Babylonian Empire - The first beast is more majestic than any of the following beasts, but it is humbled and weakened.
2. Bear - Medo-Persian Empire, succeeding the Babylonian Empire - It is slower, but stronger and crushes people in defeat. “The command to arise and devour much flesh indicates the extreme cruelties often practiced by the Persians, and the wide extent of their conquests.” -Ironside-
3. Leopard - Greek Empire - Each animal is mighty, but dominates its prey in a different way. “The lion devours, the bear crushes, and the leopard springs upon its prey.” -Strauss-
4. AHHH!!! - Roman Empire, which was the largest, strongest, most unified and enduring of them all. The horns express the power and horror of the beast.
v9-10 - Ancient of Days - God the Father
*Calvin makes a good comment to those taking this literally: “We ought not to imagine God in his essence to be like any appearance to his own Prophet and other holy fathers, but he put on various appearances, according to man’s comprehension, to whom he wished to give some signs of his presence.” (Calvin)
10,000 x 10,000 stood before him - Humanity standing before God
Book - The "Book of Life" is the most likely one discussed here.
v11-12 - As Daniel kept watching, the boastful little horn was finally silenced: the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire (cf. Rev. 19:20). Daniel looked back at the other beasts and their dominion was taken away, but they were not destroyed like this last beast. Their kingdoms remained for a time set by God and then were incorporated into the following kingdom.
v13-14 - The Coming of the Son of Man. The one like a son of man combines in one person both human and divine traits. Elsewhere, this phrase “son of man” often distinguishes mere human beings from God (e.g., Ps. 8:4; Ezek. 2:1). However, this son of man seems also greater than any mere human, for to “come on the clouds” is a clear symbol of divine authority (cf. Ps. 104:3; Isa. 19:1). This “son of man” is given dominion and glory and a kingdom -ESVSB-
v15-27 - The Interpretation of the Vision. As in ch. 2, many interpreters have identified the four beasts of ch. 7 as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (see note on 2:43–44). The beasts in general show the present world order as an ongoing state of violence and lust for power that will continue until the final coming of God’s kingdom. The fourth beast will be different from those before it in power and duration, and its 10 horns are 10 kings or kingdoms (7:24). A little horn will grow up afterward and overpower three (if 10 signifies “completeness,” then three represents “some”) of the kings, which may refer to specific kings. As for the “little” horn (v. 8) who made war with the saints and prevailed over them (v. 21) and who shall wear out the saints (v. 25), many take this to represent the Antichrist, whom they expect in the end times (see notes on Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:19; 2 Thess. 2:3; 2:4; 2:9–10; 1 John 2:18; Rev. 11:1–2; 12:6; 13:1–10; 13:5). Other interpreters think there is not enough precise data to identify the little horn. It is clear, however, that this king will blaspheme against God (Dan. 7:25), oppress the saints (21, 25), and try to abolish the calendar and the law (v. 25), which govern how God’s people worship. The saints will be handed over into his power for a time, times, and half a time (v. 25)—totaling three and a half times, or half of a total period of seven times of judgment (see 4:16; 9:27). To some extent, the description fits several historical tyrants, particularly Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–164 B.C.; see note on 8:23), who oppressed God’s people in the second century B.C., yet at the same time it is non-specific enough to leave the identity of this horn somewhat uncertain. The angel seems more concerned to drive home his earlier words about the judgment to come and the triumph of the saints than to identify the little horn. The central point of the vision is that the time when the beastly kingdoms of the earth will oppress the saints is limited by God, and beyond it lies the scene of the heavenly court, where the beasts will finally be tamed and destroyed (cf. Rev. 20:1–4, 10). -ESVSB-
v28 - These things obviously disturbed Daniel.
Daniel 8
The vision of the ram and goat [ chapter 8 ]. Symbolic and visionary modes continue in this chapter. No matter how we interpret the references, we cannot avoid having our imagination pierced with the mystery of what is presented to us, so that we understand that in prophetic literature the future is only partly revealed to us. One approach to the material is to consult a study Bible and see how scholars have interpreted the material as political allegory. A more literary approach simply assimilates the symbols as representative of universal principles, chiefly the spectacle of earthly powers presuming to be great but actually being subject to the sovereign rule of God. With either approach, we need to be receptive to the imaginative power of the images and symbols that fill the visions. -ESVLB-
3-4 - The ram, later identified as representing the kings of Medo-Persia (verse 20), has two horns. The first horn would be Media and the second Persia, coming later than the first and being more powerful. The directions in which these kings extend their dominion is revealed in verse 4 and confirmed by history.
5-8 - The ram had its day in the sun. There was a time when it could do as it wished, when no one could be rescued from his power. When the Medo-Persian kingdom had served its purpose, it was overcome by Greece, represented in Daniel’s vision by the male goat (see verse 21). This goat had only one horn rather than two. It is generally agreed that this horn represented Alexander the Great. Coming from the west with a vengeance, he attacked the ram (Medo-Persia), striking a death-blow to this kingdom which had been instrumental in the return of the Jews to their land and in the rebuilding of the temple.
8-14 - "little horn" - Whoever or Whomever this little horn is, it is clear that this king thinks himself equal with God, going as far as directly opposing God.
15-18- Even Daniel is clueless and needs help to understand.
*Remember, the "end" does not always mean the end of all times. Many times it is the close of one particular era.
19-26 - Gabriel informs Daniel about the subject matter of the vision he has received: the events of the “final period of the indignation” (verse 19). Though not synonymous with the “appointed time of the end,” it does pertain to it. The “final period of the indignation” precedes the “appointed time of the end.” One might say the period of indignation precipitates the time of the end. -Deffenbaugh-
23-26 - While verses 23-26 describe the actions of this king, their primary focus is his character. Arrogant, cunning, and deceptive, he is powerful, but “not by his own power.” He is so wicked and evil that it becomes apparent someone is behind him, someone greater than he, granting him power and expanding his pride. The source of this power can be no other than Satan himself. Here, as in Isaiah 14, a wicked king is described with the characteristics and attributes of Satan. - Deffenbaugh-
27 - Again, Daniel gets sick over what he sees.
Daniel 9
v1-2 - We see that Daniel believed and understood many things from the prophet Jeremiah. Daniel was a student of the Text.
Thought - Remember when we discussed Daniel's character yesterday? This character/wisdom/righteousness came through Daniel's love for and obedience to God's Word.
Jeremiah 25:11-13 & 29:10 - 70 years
v3 - Notice a few things here: Daniel's prayer is in line with what the Text has revealed. Daniel isn't passively waiting on God, but is actively engaged in this "waiting" through prayer. Daniel is deliberate and focused in his prayer.
v4-15 - Daniel's corporate confession. Notice that Daniel is praying in "we" terms not in "I" terms. Daniel connects himself as one of God's chosen people who have forgotten God. He weeps for his people to be restored. In verse 15 he reminds the readers that Their God is still the one who brought them out of Egypt.
v16-19 - Much like David, Elijah, Jeremiah, and others...Daniel asks for God to remember them.
v20-21 - Gabriel interrupts his prayer.
v22-23 - The angels has heard Daniel's prayer.
Thought - Interesting thing here. Both Daniel and John are told they are "loved." They also are noted for receiving amazing prophetic messages as well.
24 - "The Jews had Sabbatic years, by which their years were divided into weeks of years, as in this important prophecy, each week containing seven years." - Clark-
24 - There will be a new order of things: End to Sin, Reconciliation for Transgressions, Everlasting Righteousness, Enthronement of God/Seal Prophecy, Anointment
*The 483 years are still being discussed today, but would have been right around the time of Jesus. A close guess would be upon the time of Jesus triumphal entry. The time when Jesus is acknowledge by many as the Messiah.
*The promised restoration of God’s people and sanctuary would come in three stages. (See note on vv. 24–27 for various views of the actual dates.) The first seven sevens would run from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem to the time when that rebuilding was complete (perhaps 458–409 B.C., or 445–396). This period of restoration, along with the subsequent sixty-two sevens after the city had been rebuilt, would be a time of trouble. The messianic ruler would make his appearance at the end of these 69 sevens. Even the appearing of this anointed one, a prince, would not immediately usher in the peace and righteousness that Jeremiah anticipated. Instead, the anointed one (Hb. mashiakh, from which “Messiah” is derived) would himself be cut off (v. 26), leaving him with nothing, surely a reference to the crucifixion of Christ. After the cutting off of the anointed one, the people of the prince (Hb. nagid) who is to come would destroy Jerusalem and its sanctuary. Many commentators understand this “coming prince” as a reference to the Roman general Titus, whose army destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, or as a reference to a future antichrist. Other interpreters understand this prince to be the same “anointed prince” (Hb. mashiakh nagid) anticipated in v. 25. This person is addressed as “anointed one,” where the focus is on his priestly work of offering himself as a sacrifice, and as a “ruler” whose people fail to submit to his rule. The principal cause of the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was the transgression of God’s people in rejecting the Messiah that God had sent to them (Luke 19:41–44). -ESVSB
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