Daniel
Our King Reigns
Daniel 7-8
Chapter 7
Daniel chapter 7 is considered by the Jewish scribes as the greatest chapter.
Up until this point Daniel has been a historical narrative. It has been stories or historical events written in Aramaic with the focus being on the Babylonian audience. Once we get to chapter 7 there is a sudden shift to a set of prophetic visions that is written in Hebrew with the audience being the Jews.
If we start looking in Daniel 7:2-3 we see the first vision that centers on their being 4 beasts, what is helpful is that down in verse 17 we see the interpretation of this vision.
The four beasts represent four kings or more specifically four kingdoms that rise up with the goal of taking over the world.
The First Beast in verse 4 is a lion with wings like an eagle. This is Babylon. A lion with wings was their national emblem.
The Second Beast in verse 5 is a bear that had three ribs in its mouth. This is the Medo/Persian Empire which is modern day Iran. It is raised on one side to show the extra strength of the Persians.
The Third Beast is in verse 6. This is a leopard with 4 wings. This is Greece. The 4 wings are the four generals of Alexander the Great. The four heads represent the 4 kingdoms that each of these generals ruled over after Alexander the Great was killed at the age of 32.
The Fourth Beast is in verse 7. This is most likely the Roman Empire.
There is a little horn that came up among the others with eyes and a mouth the spoke boastfully. This is a reference to the Anti-Christ.
When Daniel asks about the visions later in the chapter, it is the anti-Christ that captures his attention. In fact, in verses 19-20 you see Daniel asking more about the anti-Christ.
Verse 21- This Lord made war with the saints and prevailed over them.
Verse 22 and following describe the actions of the anti-Christ.
Chapter 8
Verses. 3- A ram with two horns. The ram refers again to the Medo/Persia. Verse 20- “As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.”
Verse 5.- A goat with a singular horn. The goat represents Greece, and the horn refers to Alexander the Great. Look at verse 21- “And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.”
5 Points of Application
Listen to what Charles Spurgeon said- “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials…There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation–the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands–the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne…for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust.”
Vs. 7:9-10- “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”
Vs. 7:18- “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.”
Vs. 7:13-14- “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Vs. 8:27- “And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.”