Bible Studies
His Dominion Is Everlasting (Dan. 7:1-8)
Series: There is a God in Heaven (Studies in the Book of Daniel)Introduction:
1. Chapter 7 begins a major transition in the Book of Daniel. 2. The first half of the book related events about Daniel and his three friends. We learned of their faith and courage before pagan kings from Neb. to Cyrus. 3. The second half of the book reports Daniel’s visions of the future. 4. The straightforward narratives of chaps. 1-6 give way to enigmatic images of future events. 5. This section exemplifies what is called “apocalyptic literature” (from the Greek word for “revelation.” The N.T. book of Revelation is such a book. 6. Often today when something is described as “Apocalyptic” doomsday images of the end of the world are brought to mind. But the apocalyptic literature of Scripture involves the end of corruption, the end of the oppression of God’s people and celebrates God’s victory over the ungodly. 7. Like chaps. 1-6, this section reminds us that God is in control. Whether it be evil plots by satraps against Daniel, the attempt of kings to re-culturalize the people of God, or attempts to force the worship of images, all evil fails before the God who rules, protects and delivers those who trust in Him. 8. The central message of chapter 7 is: “God is in control. He will establish His kingdom and His saints will, through Him, be victorious.”Discussion:
I. The vision of four great beasts from the sea (7:1-8).A. Apocalyptic uses images that are unfamiliar to us.
1. Such images were more common in the ancient world.
2. But the images were nevertheless mysterious in the ancient world and in ours.
B. This allows some to become quite fanciful in their interpretations of these images.
1. Caution is in order lest we find ourselves interpreting the images in ways that they were never intended.
2. The key rule in interpreting apocalyptic images is to find the point according to the original intent and do not push the peripheral elements.
a. In the case of the image of the four beasts an inspired interpretation is given. See verses 17-18.
b. Note that Daniel found the image hard to understand (vs. 15-16).
c. Never interpret a vision in a way contrary to an inspired interpretation given in the text.
3. To approach apocalyptic literature as if it demands or even invites a literal interpretation is wrong-headed.
C. The four beasts that come up from the sea. They are four kings (17). The sea from which they arise is the earth (17). (In Rev. 13:1ff we also encounter a beast that came up out of the sea.)
1. The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle, but its wings were plucked and it became like a man. We are reminded of Neb. from Dan. 2 and Dan. 4 who was humbled by the Most High God.
2. The second beast resembled a bear. He was devouring meat. Perhaps representing the Medo-Persian Empire? Cf. Dan. 2.
3. The third beast was like a leopard. It had four wings and four heads. Perhaps the Macedonian Empire, that was lead by Alexander the Great, with its Greek cultural influence.
4. The fourth beast is not identified with any animal-like features, but it is described as “dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong and having large iron teeth.” Can this be the Roman Empire? Do the ten horns represent various kings of the Roman Empire?
5. The scholars debate these issues, but the text never specifically identifies the four kingdoms. (See Edward J. Young, The Prophecy of Daniel and Tremper Longman III, New International Version Application Commentary: Daniel for reasonable discussions.)
The vision continues . . .
II. The Ancient of Days takes His seat on His throne and grants dominion to “one like a Son of Man” (7:9-14).A. Who is this “Ancient of Days”?
1. The designation only occurs here in Dan. 7: 9, 13, 22.
2. Almost universally recognized as a reference to God.
3. The description given is similar other descriptions of scenes of God on His throne (Ezek. 1:26ff; Isa. 6:1ff; cf. also Rev. 1:14-15).
4. No reason to believe that it is any other than a throne scene of God.
B. The power of the beasts is controlled by “the Ancient of Days” (11-12).
C. Another character is introduced; “one like a Son of Man.”
1. He is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom.
2. His dominion is everlasting and will not be destroyed.
3. Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Son of Man.” See. Matt. 25:31; Mk. 10:45; Lk. 17:24. Cf. Mk. 13:26.
4. He was given all authority in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:18b-20).
5. Peter proclaimed Him as “seated at the right hand of God” (Acts 2:32-36). Thus He is crowned as King.
6. Interestingly the Jews stoning of Stephen is prompted by his saying that he saw the “Son of Man” standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).
7. Throughout the N.T. Jesus is represented as King.
a. He is the only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords, to Him be honor and eternal dominion (1 Tim. 6:15b-16).
b. Heb. 12:24 refers to Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant. Verse 28 adds that we have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken.
c. Rev. 19:11-16 pictures him as riding a white horse, clothed with a robe dipped in blood, His name as “The Word of God,” “the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
D. The inspired interpretation given in Daniel states, “the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come” (v. 18).
III. The divine meaning of the vision (7:15-28).A. Daniel was distressed and alarmed by the visions. He did not know the meaning.
B. The inspired interpretation was given in verses 17-18.
C. Daniel is still not satisfied and asks for information regarding the fourth beast (19-22).
D. Further information was given (23-27).
E. The information given still does not satisfy us by making explicit reference to any particular kings. Daniel seems to be like us. Verse 28 says that his thoughts greatly alarmed him as he meditated on these things.
F. The ambiguity of the text allows for many interpretations.
1. Premillenialists (Gaebelein) identify this with their millennial kingdom and the conflict between good and evil at a time yet in the future. But their millennial kingdom is temporary and the kingdom mentioned here is everlasting.
2. Others (Keil, Young) identify the kingdom here “the congregation of the New Covenant” (the church, wtg) consisting of Israel and the faithful of all the nations; for the kingdom which God gives to the Son of man will according to v. 14, comprehend those that are redeemed from among all the nations of the earth” (Keil).
G. The Highest One represents Christ, the Son of Man, who was given dominion and a kingdom. Even though there is opposition to Him and His saints from this fourth kingdom the saints of the Highest One are victorious and the fourth kingdom is taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.
H. While the particulars of the vision leave us wondering the overall picture is clear. The kingdom of the Most High is sovereign. It continues forever. God’s control is evident. His power and His kingdom are vindicated.
1. This fits with the central message of the Book of Daniel.
2. It fits with the teaching of the disciples in the N.T. who proclaim Jesus as King, who preach entrance into the kingdom and victory for all those who serve and obey Him.
3. Indeed it fits with the message of the N.T. apocalyptic book Revelation where Jesus is presented as the victorious warrior riding on a white horse leading the armies of heaven, striking down the nations, reigning as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev. 19:11-16).
Conclusion:
1. What does it all mean? It means that the saints of the Highest One reign with Him. It means that we should serve and obey Him. 2. Even though we may not know the exact details of the vision . . . even though we may not be able to identify the particular kings and the various world empires . . . the fact remains that the Most High reigns. He defeats all His enemies and leads His saints to reign with Him. 3. God is in control . . . a comfort to the people of God in Daniel’s day and a comfort to the people of God in our day. But this means condemnation to all who are opposed to Him. 4. The immediacy and necessity of preparation is heard in the preaching of John, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Bear fruits in keeping with your repentance. The axe is already laid at the root of the trees. His winnowing fork is in His hand. He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:10ff). 5. Will you join Him in His kingdom and in His victory?
