Sunday, September 14, 2014

The Prophecies of Daniel - Is the End Near? Session 2

The Sistine Chapel; Ceiling Frescos after 
Restoration, the Prophet Daniel.  Found on Pinterest




The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is involved in a study of chapters 7-12 of the book of Daniel. In light of all the things that are going on in the Middle East today many Christians and others are wondering if these things are fulfillment of prophecy and a sign that the end is near. It is not my intent to prove or disprove what people are saying about whether these things are the fulfillment of prophecy or not.  My goal is to equip you through study so you can make your own determinations.

Introduction


Last week we started our study of the Prophecies of Daniel.  Our study will cover chapters 7-12 but we will refer back to chapter 2 a lot because the first prophetic dream that Daniel has really corresponds to a dream that Nebuchadnezzar had which Daniel interpreted in chapter 2.  

We learned that The book has two main parts each part made up of six chapters.  Part 1 chapters 1-6 are primarily history.  Part 2 chapters 7- 12 are prophecies.  The book is also divided in another way.  The first seven chapters deal with primarily Gentile nations their character, relations, succession, and destiny.  Chapters 8-12 deal with The Hebrew nation, its relation to Gentile dominion, and its future in the plan of God.  

Here’s something else that I didn’t mention last week about the book and how it is made up of two main parts. Chapters 1-7 were written in Aramaic (the language of the Gentile nations) and 8-12 were written in Hebrew (the language of the exiled nations of Israel and Judah, God’s chosen nation).

Last week we talked about the dream that Daniel had about the 4 beast  (lion, bear, leopard, and a fourth powerful beast with 10 horns), which we learned, later when interpreted by an angel,  represented kingdoms,  coming out of the sea, which we said was the Mediterranean sea.  The beasts of the dream or visions corresponded to parts of the great statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter two.

Let’s go back and quickly read Daniel 7:4-7 (HCSB) 4  “The first was like a lion but had eagle’s wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind.5  “Suddenly, another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up! Gorge yourself on flesh.’6  “While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule.7  “While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns.

Now Daniel 2:31-34 (HCSB)31  “My king, as you were watching, a colossal statue appeared. That statue, tall and dazzling, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was terrifying.32  The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze,33  its legs were iron, and its feet were partly iron and partly fired clay.34  As you were watching, a stone broke off without a hand touching it, struck the statue on its feet of iron and fired clay, and crushed them.  

The lion is the same as the head of gold (Babylon). The bear is the chest and arms of silver (Medo-Persia). The leopard is the belly and thighs of bronze (Greece). And the fourth beast is the same as the legs of iron (Rome).

Finally last week as we finished the actual dream the last part of the dream or vision was of what I say is a fifth kingdom, a Messianic Kingdom given to  Jesus described in verse 13 as son of man whom was given authority and power by the Ancient of Day, the name of God in Aramaic.  

Today’s study


The Fifth Kingdom  (Messianic Kingdom)


Let’s first talk about what I define as that fifth kingdom, although it is not called a kingdom in the angel interpretation.

Daniel 7:13-14 (HCSB)13  I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him.14  He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:17-18 (HCSB)17  ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth.18  But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’

After the four kingdom's rise, "the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom". How is their conquest different from that of the four kingdoms?


Their  conquest is without human intervention read Chapter 2:34, 45.  It is total and that kingdom will endure forever.

Daniel 2:34-35 (HCSB)34  As you were watching, a stone broke off without a hand touching it, struck the statue on its feet of iron and fired clay, and crushed them.
35  Then the iron, the fired clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were shattered and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

That fifth kingdom the Messianic Kingdom is represented by that stone that breaks from the mountain without a hand touching it


Daniel 2:45 (HCSB)
45  You saw a stone break off from the mountain without a hand touching it, and it crushed the iron, bronze, fired clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation certain.”

Remember we said last week that Daniel’s dream pretty much corresponds with Nebchauderezars dream which Daniel interpreted.  That the four beasts corresponded to areas on the statue in the king’s dream.  

The lion is the same as the head of gold (Babylon). The bear is the chest and arms of silver (Medo-Persia). The leopard is the belly and thighs of bronze (Greece). And the fourth beast is the same as the legs of iron (Rome).

Go to Daniel 2:31-45.  

Daniel wanted to know what this all meant so today we are going to talk about the interpretation of the visions given to Daniel.


Daniel 7:15-18 (HCSB)15  “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me.16  I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things:17  ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth.18  But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’

The interpretation was given to Daniel by whom he describes as somebody standing by during the time of the dream or vision.  We and most scholars say that it is the angel Gabriel who is identified later on the the book.  

We already talked about the angels interpretation of the four beasts representing kingdoms and the fact that they would eventually be conquered by a fifth kingdom the Messianic Kingdom.  

Daniel 7:17-18 (HCSB)17  ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth.18  But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’

The Fourth Beast


Daniel was particularly interested in the fourth beast because it was so unusual and violent and even more strange looking than the first three.  

Daniel 7:19-22 (HCSB)19  “Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left.20  ⌊I also wanted to know⌋ about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others.21  As I was watching, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them 22  until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

Here’s the Interpretation Given by the Angel
Image credit: Found on http://slaveofjesuschrist.me/2012/07/13/little-horn-pt-1/  No modifications made.


Daniel 7:23-27 (HCSB)23  “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.24  The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings.25  He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.26  But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.
27  The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’

Let’s talk about the interpretation and what some scholars say about this fourth beasts and the 10 horns.  We have already said that the beast represents Rome or the Roman Empire.

But what about the 10 Horns?


The fourth beast has 10 horns which represent 10 kings that come from the Roman Empire or the geographic area covered by it.  These kings are not successive like the other four kingdoms one coming after the other.   These kings will rise and reign at the same or nearly the same time.  

Some have said that these 10 kings or kingdoms are the successors to Alexander the great but that doesn't really correspond to the origin being Rome.  All we know is that they represent 10 kingdoms that may or may not have happened yet.  I say that because the little horn that appears on the fourth beast has been identified by almost all theologians, Jewish and Christian as the Anti-Christ which we know has not yet appeared, at least where we would know him, so it may not be really logical to say that those horns represent any kingdoms that have existed previously.  Now maybe they exist today but there is no proof that is the case either.  The prophecies regarding the Gentiles which this prophecy clearly is  indicate that the Anti-Christ will come before the Ancient of Days holds court and gives the kingdom that is everlasting and under which all rulers will serve.

So perhaps God is telling us through this prophecy what will happen without identifying the players.  It tells us the characteristics of the players but not who they are and because much of the things that the prophecy says will happen hasn’t happened we really can’t identify those 10 horns.   Man has been trying to figure out from as far back as Daniel, and especially after the Revelation given to John exactly when all these things of the end time will happen.  If God had wanted us to know that don’t you think He would have been clear?  Even Jesus said He didn’t know when He would return and destroy Satan and His earthly rule would start.

However if that is true then the Anti-Christ would have to come from one of those kings and that hasn't happened yet.  If we agree that the fourth beast represents the Roman Empire then perhaps these  ten kings represent ten end-time rulers or nations that will in some way be related to the territory of the old Roman Empire.  How or who or what or when is not clearly revealed, making speculation useless.

Let’s get back to the “other horn” or “little horn”


Daniel 7:20-22 (HCSB)20  ⌊I also wanted to know⌋ about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others.21  As I was watching, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them22  until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

And the interpretation:


Daniel 7:24-26 (HCSB)24  The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings.
25  He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.26  But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.

Describe the political and military power of the "other horn" from the information found in this chapter


The little horn is not another kingdom but an individual that comes from one of the 10 who because he is intelligent and arrogant is able to subdue 3 of the existing kingdoms so he appears to be an astute politician who the uses great military might to become dominant in this group of kingdoms or nations which is now less than 10.    He also goes on a campaign to against people described as the holy ones.  I think here, since we have identified the “little horn” as the Anti-Christ,  the holy ones are those who are subjects of the Jesus when He is given authority by the Ancient of Days (God).  That would mean the believers both living and dead.

Here’s more about Anti-Christ from the Wycliffe Bible Commentary:

Note herein twelve facts about Antichrist: (1) He will not create a tenfold confederacy; he will absorb one (v. 24). (2) He will be just another king—"another... horn" (v. 8), and he will be mortal (Rev 13:2; 2 Thess 2:9). It will be the Satanic power behind him that will make him significant. (3) He will be obscure at first—"little" (Dan 7:8). (4) His march to power will begin with his conquest of three kingdoms (v. 8; cf. v. 24). (5) Yet something about him will be special (diverse from the first [ten], v. 24). See Rev 13:15; 2 Thess 2:4. Many extraordinary events will be connected with him (Rev 13:16, 17; 2 Thess 2:9, 10). (6) He will be very intelligent—"eyes of a man" (Dan 7:8). (7) He will be an orator of ability (v. 8). (8) His appearance will be striking (v. 20; cf. Isa 53:2, 3). (9) He will be a blasphemer (Dan 7:25; cf. Rev 13:5, 6). (10) He will seek to make his accession a new epoch (Dan 7:25, change times). (11) He will seek to destroy Israel (v. 25 a; cf. 9:26, 27). (12) His time will be short (v. 25), a time, [two] times, and the dividing [half] of time (cf. Rev 11:2; 13:5; Dan 9:25; 12:7-12).

What is the moral and spiritual character of the "other horn"?


  • Arrogant - Daniel 7:20 (HCSB)20  ⌊I also wanted to know⌋ about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others.
  • Blasphemer - Daniel 7:25 (HCSB)25  He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.

Twice the heavenly interpreter emphasizes that the last king will be tried and condemned by God (Daniel 7:22, 26). In your opinion why does God go to the effort of setting up court to judge someone so blatantly sinful?  

To make a spectacle of them in a public trial just as Jesus made a spectacle of spiritual principalities and powers. 

Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)15  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Daniel is told that the saints of the Most High will share in the kingdom with the Son of man. What do you find most appealing about Daniel's description of God's kingdom , and why?


It is complete everlasting and it’s led by Jesus to whom God gave it and everybody will serve him.  All other nations and rulers,  those Gentile nations,  all of them,  will be judged and destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14 (HCSB)
13  I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him.14  He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:27 (HCSB)27  The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’

How was Daniel affected by all that was revealed to him?


Daniel 7:28 (HCSB)28  “This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

Things to think about this week


  1. God revealed Himself to Daniel through dreams and visions. How does God usually speak to us today?
  2. What are some of the negative, ungodly forces in our society today?
  3. How are some troubled nations dishonoring God?
  4. How does Daniel’s vision portray God’s control in the affairs of the world?
  5. To whom does God hand over the dominion of the world?
  6. In what ways are some Christians persecuted in our country?
  7. When have you felt defeated as a Christian?
  8. What does it mean to you to be part of the kingdom of God?
  9. How does the Lord come to your rescue when you are down?
  10. How can the nations of the world become a part of your daily prayer life?
  11. What steps can you take to hand over your fears to the Lord?

Next week we will start in chapter 8.  This begins the prophecies that are specific, for the most part to the Hebrews or nation of Israel.  Most of the things in these prophecies have already happened or been fulfilled and we will talk about them.

For more study resources on the book of Daniel click these links:






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