Yet, his emotional response was valid and changed little after the vision was explained more fully. Nebuchadnezzar's Threat One night, Nebuchadnezzar awoke frightened by a dream. If, in Gods eyes, a day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day (2 Peter 3:8), then the coming of our Lord has only been a few days from beginning to end. He would, after His death, burial, and resurrection come in His glory, rewarding men according to their deeds (16:27). So King Nebuchadnezzar honored God's men. The boastful beast becomes even more aggressive, waging war with the saints and even overpowering them. 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. This is consistent with God's propensity to use miracles to identify His messengers. (12) No distinction between the first coming of Christ and the second is made in the coming of the eternal kingdom of God. The expression, son of man, is not new to Daniel nor to the Jews of his day. Daniel said that his thoughts were greatly alarming him and his face grew pale. Their perception is wrong, for suddenly and without warning their day of destruction will come upon them. - As for these four children, God gave them knewledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.Or, as the words might be more accurately rendered, "these lads, the four of them" (Ezekiel 1:8-10).This indicates that somehow they were separated off into a quaternion. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. The final words of verse 25 are carefully chosen to let the reader know that while this king appears to be successfully opposing God, all he does is a part of the divine plan for the last days. The First Vision is a dream of the king that is interpreted by Daniel. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Nebuchadnezzar was the first ruler of Babylon to have contact with Daniel. Our text challenges such a conclusion, and later prophecies in Daniel further document that the coming of the King and of the kingdom will be some time further in the future. They are far from pleasant but an unavoidable part of the process. In the first scene, heavenly winds are employed to whip up the sea from which the four beasts emerges. Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. 28 At this point the revelation ended. Neither is prophecy written to make us happy or to feel good. It's build upon the passage in Daniel 7 where he has a disturbing dream. Daniel 2:1-13 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream. 4 The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. At this point the revelation ended. The three ribs may also represent the kingdoms of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon which preceded the Medo-Persian empire and then fell to them. Daniel writes that at this point the revelation was ended. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. Consider these lessons as we conclude. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him." (2:14-16) Notice Daniel's calm in the face of the king's rush to judgment. The angel went on in this summary to tell Daniel that the saints of the Highest One would receive the kingdom and possess it forever. Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. He surpasses those before him by speaking boastfully, then blaspheming, and finally seeking to overthrow Gods order. Thus he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. The reign of Belshazzar was, in some measure, a foretaste of what was yet to come in full measure during the reign of the fourth beast, especially of the eleventh horn. And they did! This morning we want to look at verses 15-28 and the interpretation of Daniels dream. (10) What effect did the vision have on Daniel, and why? Would this horn Daniels vision revealed oppose the people of God and even blaspheme God Himself? 77 According to Baldwin, This verse [13] has been the subject of more scholarly papers than any other in the book, so indicating its centrality, not only for Daniel but for the New Testament also. Baldwin, p. 142. The next three are waking visions seen in the presence of angels, followed by an appearance of the Messiah - the Son of Man - to interpret the vision for Daniel. - Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. The interpretation of the events Daniel witnessed in his vision is given in its most concise form in verses 17 and 18: The four beasts were four kings, who will arise from the earth. We will deal with the meaning and application of Daniels vision later on in our questions and answers. Each of the four beasts represent a king and thus a resulting kingdom. No wonder this vision causes Daniel such distress. In the second scene, heaven calmly prepares for court, which will determine that the time for judgment has come. The revelation of the writing on the banquet hall wall, already described in chapter 5, actually happened later, on the last day of Belshazzars life. Daniel 1:1-2:4a was written in Hebrew. Nevertheless, Daniel tells no one, keeping the matter to himself and suffering a quiet agony over the future events God has revealed to him. Before the coming of Christ, who would? He is more beastly in the beginning and more human in the end, paralleling the character of Nebuchadnezzar. The beast was lifted up and made to stand like a man. The horn continues to sound off while the court is being set up for judgment. Where it has not caused distress, it should have. The second is Daniel's dream. How easily we turn from what is revealed to speculate about what has been concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29). History has shown this to be true in the past, and prophecy assures us that it will be true in the future. Da Dn). If taken seriously, we will find the future sobering as well. When He came with His kingdom, they would be sure to recognize Him (24:27). Daniels response to the vision was far from assuring or calming. Neither peer opposition nor the king's new law (chapter 6) greatly disturbed Daniel. Upon hearing the details of the dream, Daniel too was troubled (4:19). Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. When the iniquity of the blasphemous horn reaches full bloom and his appointed time to rule is fulfilled, God will destroy him, casting his body into the fire. Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C., some 9 years before Belshazzars reign began. The Septuagint renders, "And the king commended that the magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers of the Chaldeans be brought in to tell the king his dream. Note that the description of the beasts is written in prose, while the description of the heavenly court in verses 9-10 and of the Son of Man in verses 13-14 is written in poetry form. If Daniel had been shaken by the dark side of his vision, he is reminded in the interpretation of the outcome of these eventsthe establish- ment of Gods eternal kingdom. A true account of what happened can only be gathered by reading Daniel 2:18; Daniel 2:28 by the side of this verse. And the high priest said to Him, I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN (Matthew 26:59-64). It therefore seems that the two prophecies speak of the same four kingdoms by means of different imagery. The fourth portion of the statue in Daniel 2 is the iron legs and feet and toes of partly iron and partly baked clay which represented the Roman empire. (6) Prophecy is written to sober the saints. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. This designation refers to God the Father in a way that stresses His eternality, dignity, and power. Prophecy is revealed to men to change their perspective, to urge them to see things as God sees them rather than as they appear to the human eye. One of those gaps is found in Daniel 7. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream ( Daniel 2:1-16) Say: Some time later, the King had a dream. The three ribs in the bears mouth between its teeth most likely represent Babylon, Egypt, and Lydia, three empires conquered by the Medo-Persian empire. It is good for us to understand the theology of the end-times, but we must approach it with reverence. 12 and he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. Considering this text has changed my opinion about the gap in the prophecies of the Old Testament. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so . Prophecy provides men the opportunity to think and act in a way which pleases God, who determines the future and who reveals future events to men. The final outcome is Gods people under the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, will receive the kingdom. Daniel, a godly prophet and a man of unshakable faith, has been steadfast in his daily walk of fellowship with God throughout the first six chapters of the Book of Daniel. 23 Thus he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. We have talked about several times since starting this series about how studying Bible prophecy should influence you. We need to be waiting and prepared for His return. After this chapter, the book returns to the Hebrew language. 4:19; Ezk. In our passage, Daniel asks for and receives an explanation. The fourth beast is a fourth king, different than the others. The Son of Man had the power to forgive sins, as well as to heal a paralytic (Matthew 9:6). 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. At the outset of the account of his vision, Daniel wants his reader to know the historical context in which this prophecy was given and to consider its interpretation and application in the light of that context. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, [2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. In more detail, the outline would be as follows: (2) The Divine Interpretation verses 15-28. God also allows the wicked to persist and even to prosper, so that those whom He has chosen might be saved (Romans 9:22-24). (10) Daniels preoccupation is with the last beast, rather than the first three. What role do they play in relation to the four beasts? 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Daniel returned to his house and explained the situation to his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. However, the Son of Man must first suffer at the hands of men (17:22; 20:18). (5) While the process involves wicked kings and nations and the suffering of the saints, the culmination is the establishment of Gods eternal kingdom. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, This man stated, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. 62 And the high priest stood up and said to Him, Do You make no answer? The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:89, NASB95)[7] You have a responsibility because you know what the end will bring. With iron-like teeth, horns (some with eyes), and feet, it is utterly destructive. Daniel 7 indicates in the clearest way that prior to the coming of the kingdom of God the saints will suffer at the hand of the final horn and even be overpowered by him. Daniel still dreaming said he approached one of those standing there. We know from history that though Persia rose later than Media it soon overshadowed Media in its power. The angel says the Antichrist will seek to make alterations in times and in law. These both represent Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire. We should note Daniels distress in chapter 7 before turning to the other prophecies in Daniel, where we will find that prophecy very often produces distress. During this ten-nation confederation another ruler will rise as described by the little horn. We must approach prophecy with fear and reverence. Both series of four kingdoms begin well and end badly. If you remember as I have already stated, much of the interpretation of this dream could be found in chapter 2. This fourth beast has the distinction of ten horns. A lawsuit could force the F.D.A. The emphasis is positive. (19-26) Daniel explains the rise and coming fall of Nebuchadnezzar. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. In Daniels dream the Medo-Persian empire and it king Cyrus was represented by the bear. Public sentiment was turning against this foreign religion, and the Babylonians, including Belshazzar, wanted a return to their old time religion the pagan worship of the gods of Babylon. So, I began the review by looking at the first 14 verses where Daniel gives us a summary of the visions he had as he dreamed in his sleep. These horns are also kings, from whom kingdoms arise (verse 24). 21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. Chapter 2 contains a very significant prophecy, revealed by God to king Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream. He had endured the training of the Chaldeans and he had lived his life in the service of a foreign king, at first the foreign king who had overthrown his country. No wonder His words stung and prompted them to act as they did. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. 27 Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. But I want you to notice Daniels reaction to the dream that he had. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule, he had a dream. The subject of the vision in chapter 2 seems to be taken up again in chapter 7. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). Daniel's prophecy was one of hope. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself. (Daniel 7:1528, NASB95)[1], THE FOUR BEASTS REVEALED (Daniel 7:15-18). In chapter 2 we read that Nebuchadnezzar was troubled and terrified by his dream, we read here in verse 15 that Daniel was distressed in his spirit because he knew that God had just shown him a panorama of tremendous events yet future and Daniels distress was his lack of understanding his dream. 75 Everything in chapter 7 is on a world-wide scale, the empires of the beasts, the judgment, and the nations that worship and serve the one like mortal man. The scene of the four beasts arising from the sea, which Daniel saw in his night vision, is strikingly similar to the account found in the 13th chapter of Revelation: 1 And he stood on the sand of the seashore, and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. Nebuchadnezzar may have started badly, but by the time we read of him in Daniel 4 he seems to be a true believer in God, urging the citizens of his kingdom to worship and serve Him. Verse 17. What is its message to Daniel, to the Jews, and to us? So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. And yet God said they would. In the second year: It is difficult to understand the exact time this speaks of. Alexander the great and his armies did conquer the nations that became a part of his empire swiftly. Those who populate the earth after the tribulation will give their allegiance to Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. Thirdly (and most importantly), the prophecies of Daniel mean exactly what God says they mean, nothing more and nothing less. Because of his wisdom, and the favour of God, Daniel rose to a position within the Babylonian government. Even those portions which we believe have been fulfilled, students of prophecy differ about the way of their fulfillment. International Standard Version so Daniel went to ask Nebuchadnezzar for an appointment to see him , and it was granted him so that he could reveal the meaning to the king. A look through the Scriptures shows that Daniels response to the prophecies he received was not unique. At this time the kingdom of God is established. Daniel described the beast as having iron teeth and that it devours, crushes, and tramples under its feet all that stands in its way. In other words, this persecution of the saints will not go on unchecked but will be defined to a definite period of time. Belshazzars rise to power and ascent to the throne seems to have inaugurated a new age for Babylon. Alexandra, the daughter of a rich British aristocrat, caught his attention. 1. It seems safe to assume the interpreter was an angelic being; at least this is the case in chapter 8 (8:15-26). An eleventh king then rises to power, different from the others, replacing three of the previous kings. Up to this time, it was simply a synonym for being human, a son of man. Daniel said the king's dream was about a giant statue that was destroyed by a stone cut out of a mountain. The second and third beasts are briefly described in verses 5 and 6. Because of this we can have a greater understanding of this dream than Daniel did. He not only speaks against the Most High, he oppresses the saints. When the sin and oppression of evil men reaches a predetermined point, God will remove them and establish His promised eternal kingdom. The message of this prophecy is really quite simple and may be summed up this way. The use of the word time in Daniel is understood to be years. The second is bear-like. Through the vision of a magnificent, awe-inspiring statue, God reveals the future for Gentile kings and their kingdoms. Prophecy is not a pep rally, which generates a great burst of short-term enthusiasm but does little to inspire faith and endurance in the midst of suffering. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:13, NASB95)[5] The more we know about the future the more are hearts should be moved to practical preparation. 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