Archives for 2024

Good morning,

Daniel 9 serves as a powerful testament to the potency of prayer, God’s faithfulness, and the unfolding of His divine plans. Despite Israel’s repeated sins, God’s enduring love and willingness to forgive offer hope for restoration. The prophecy of Seventy ‘sevens’ reminds us of God’s sovereignty over time and history, and His ultimate plan for redemption.

Plea for Mercy (Daniel 9:7-19)

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.   

Daniel fervently continues his prayer, pleading God’s mercy on His city Jerusalem and His people, admitting their rebellion against Him, and confessing God’s righteousness in bringing judgment upon them. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 9)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 8 offers a testament to God’s absolute control over history, even when evil seems momentarily victorious. The chapter prompts us to understand God’s sovereignty and trust in His plans, regardless of how insurmountable challenges may appear. In the end, God’s righteousness prevails. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Daniel 8

Daniel’s vision of the ram and the he-goat 

Gabriel Interprets the Vision (v.15-27)

15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

The angel Gabriel interprets the vision for Daniel, explaining that it represents future kingdoms and leaders. Despite the disturbing vision, Gabriel reassures Daniel that the desolation will end. The chapter concludes with Daniel, exhausted and ill, yet keeping the vision a secret.

Chapter 8 of the book of Daniel presents a profound and detailed prophecy. In this chapter, Daniel recounts a vision he received about a ram and a goat, representing upcoming empires. These beasts foretell the rise and fall of future nations and set the scene for intense spiritual warfare. An angel interprets the visions for Daniel, revealing God’s sovereignty over history’s unfolding events. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Themes

Prophetic Visions

Spiritual Warfare

Interpretation of Dreams

Sovereignty of God

Hope Amidst Desolation

Topics

Visions and Prophecies

Symbolism in the Bible

Power and Dominion

Destruction and Restoration

Understanding God’s Plan

People

Daniel

Gabriel

The Ram (symbolizing the kings of Media and Persia)

The Goat (symbolizing the king of Greece)

Locations

Susa (Citadel)

Ulai Canal

Babylon (Implied) 

(Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 8 offers a testament to God’s absolute control over history, even when evil seems momentarily victorious. The chapter prompts us to understand God’s sovereignty and trust in His plans, regardless of how insurmountable challenges may appear. In the end, God’s righteousness prevails. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Daniel 8

Daniel’s vision of the ram and the he-goat 

Rise and Fall of the Little Horn (v. 9-14)

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. 13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

From the goat’s horn, a smaller horn grows and extends towards the south, east, and the Beautiful Land (Israel) . This horn becomes a symbol of blasphemy, challenging the heavenly host and the daily sacrifice’s order. An angelic conversation reveals this situation will last for 2,300 evenings and mornings. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

The little horn is not the same as the one in v.3; rather, it prophesied of Antiochus Epiphanes, 175 B.C. he took over and defiled the Temple by sacrificing a sow (an unclean animal) upon its altar. This man appears to have been a type of the Antichrist, “Who opposes and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thes. 2:4; cf. vv. 10-12). (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.923)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 8 offers a testament to God’s absolute control over history, even when evil seems momentarily victorious. The chapter prompts us to understand God’s sovereignty and trust in His plans, regardless of how insurmountable challenges may appear. In the end, God’s righteousness prevails. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Daniel 8

Daniel’s vision of the ram and the he-goat 

Daniel’s vision (v. 1-4)

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.    4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Two years after his previous vision, Daniel has another. This time, he’s transported in spirit to the city of Susa. He sees a ram with two high horns, one higher than the other, representing the Medes and Persians’ kings. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

In a vision, Daniel saw events that would follow the Babylonian Empire. (1) The ram with the two horns represented the Medo-Persian Empire (v. 20). The little horn was Darius, and the big horn was Cyrus. (2) The he-goat in v.5 evidently represented the kingdom of Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire (v. 21), which took the kingdom from Medo-Persians. The “notable horn” of v. 5 was Alexander the Great. When he was broken (v. 8) his four generals would take over the kingdom. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.923)

The Goat’s Arrival (v. 5-8)

5 And as I was considering, behold, a he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

Then a goat with a notable horn between his eyes, symbolizing the king of Greece, appears from the west. The goat defeats the ram, signifying the Greeks’ defeat of the Medes and Persians. The goat grows very powerful, but at the height of its power, its large horn is broken off, forecasting the untimely death of the Greek king. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8) 

Rise and Fall of the Little Horn (v. 9-14)

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. 13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

From the goat’s horn, a smaller horn grows and extends towards the south, east, and the Beautiful Land (Israel) . This horn becomes a symbol of blasphemy, challenging the heavenly host and the daily sacrifice’s order. An angelic conversation reveals this situation will last for 2,300 evenings and mornings. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

The little horn is not the same as the one in v.3; rather, it prophesied of Antiochus Epiphanes, 175 B.C. he took over and defiled the Temple by sacrificing a sow (an unclean animal) upon its altar. This man appears to have been a type of the Antichrist, “Who opposes and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thes. 2:4; cf. vv. 10-12). (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.923)

Gabriel Interprets the Vision (v.15-27)

15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

The angel Gabriel interprets the vision for Daniel, explaining that it represents future kingdoms and leaders. Despite the disturbing vision, Gabriel reassures Daniel that the desolation will end. The chapter concludes with Daniel, exhausted and ill, yet keeping the vision a secret.

Chapter 8 of the book of Daniel presents a profound and detailed prophecy. In this chapter, Daniel recounts a vision he received about a ram and a goat, representing upcoming empires. These beasts foretell the rise and fall of future nations and set the scene for intense spiritual warfare. An angel interprets the visions for Daniel, revealing God’s sovereignty over history’s unfolding events. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Themes

Prophetic Visions

Spiritual Warfare

Interpretation of Dreams

Sovereignty of God

Hope Amidst Desolation

Topics

Visions and Prophecies

Symbolism in the Bible

Power and Dominion

Destruction and Restoration

Understanding God’s Plan

People

Daniel

Gabriel

The Ram (symbolizing the kings of Media and Persia)

The Goat (symbolizing the king of Greece)

Locations

Susa (Citadel)

Ulai Canal

Babylon (Implied) 

(Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 8 offers a testament to God’s absolute control over history, even when evil seems momentarily victorious. The chapter prompts us to understand God’s sovereignty and trust in His plans, regardless of how insurmountable challenges may appear. In the end, God’s righteousness prevails. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Daniel 8

Daniel’s vision of the ram and the he-goat 

The Goat’s Arrival (v. 5-8)

5 And as I was considering, behold, a he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

Then a goat with a notable horn between his eyes, symbolizing the king of Greece, appears from the west. The goat defeats the ram, signifying the Greeks’ defeat of the Medes and Persians. The goat grows very powerful, but at the height of its power, its large horn is broken off, forecasting the untimely death of the Greek king. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 8 offers a testament to God’s absolute control over history, even when evil seems momentarily victorious. The chapter prompts us to understand God’s sovereignty and trust in His plans, regardless of how insurmountable challenges may appear. In the end, God’s righteousness prevails. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

Daniel 8

Daniel’s vision of the ram and the he-goat 

Daniel’s vision (v. 1-4)

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.    4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Two years after his previous vision, Daniel has another. This time, he’s transported in spirit to the city of Susa. He sees a ram with two high horns, one higher than the other, representing the Medes and Persians’ kings. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 8)

In a vision, Daniel saw events that would follow the Babylonian Empire. (1) The ram with the two horns represented the Medo-Persian Empire (v. 20). The little horn was Darius, and the big horn was Cyrus. (2) The he-goat in v.5 evidently represented the kingdom of Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire (v. 21), which took the kingdom from Medo-Persians. The “notable horn” of v. 5 was Alexander the Great. When he was broken (v. 8) his four generals would take over the kingdom. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.923)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 7 is a powerful testament to the certainty of God’s ultimate victory. Despite the chaos, destruction, and uncertainty embodied by the four beasts, God’s sovereign rule is unquestionable. He will judge justly, and His kingdom, handed to the Son of Man and shared with the saints, will endure eternally. This assures believers that despite worldly tribulations, God’s justice and His promise of an everlasting Kingdom are certain. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Daniel 7

Vision of the Four Beasts

Daniel 7, a riveting chapter of prophetic revelation, sees the Prophet Daniel envision a series of events in the spiritual realm. The chapter revolves around his dream of four distinct beasts arising from the sea and the subsequent divine judgment. Among the vivid imagery, this chapter contains one of the first clear depictions of the Messiah as “the Son of Man,” and the promise of the everlasting Kingdom of God given to the saints. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Themes

Prophecy and Visions

Divine Judgment

Spiritual Warfare

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Redemption and Salvation

The Reign of the Messiah

Topics

The Four Beasts

The Ancient of Days

The Son of Man

The Final Judgment

The Fourth Beast and its Little Horn

The Saint’s Everlasting Kingdom

People

Prophet Daniel

Four Beasts

The Ancient of Days (God)

The Son of Man (Messiah)

The Saints

The Little Horn

Locations

Babylon

The Heavenly Court

The Kingdom of God

 (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 7 is a powerful testament to the certainty of God’s ultimate victory. Despite the chaos, destruction, and uncertainty embodied by the four beasts, God’s sovereign rule is unquestionable. He will judge justly, and His kingdom, handed to the Son of Man and shared with the saints, will endure eternally. This assures believers that despite worldly tribulations, God’s justice and His promise of an everlasting Kingdom are certain. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Daniel 7

Vision of the Four Beasts

The Interpretation of the Vision (v.15-28)

15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Daniel is distressed by his vision and seeks understanding. He learns that the four beasts are four kings, and the fourth beast represents a future kingdom on earth. The ten horns are ten future kings, and the little horn is a king who will defy God. Despite this king’s temporary reign, the saints will be given the everlasting kingdom. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Verse 25, We would call him the Antichrist, a devil possessed man, “son of perdition, “ and the “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). We know that he will persecute and kill saints who are given into his hands for three and one-half “times” or years. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.922)

Verse 26, The reign of Christ will follow the destruction of the Antichrist. The great statue of nebuchadnezzar’s dream in ch.2, the four beasts of Daniel 7 with the ten toes that will reunite in the Roman Empire, fill out the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rev. 16:24). It began with Nebuchadnezzar, and will end with the death of the Antichrist. The defeat of the Antichrist will occur when Christ assumes the throne in Jerusalem and reigns over the whole earth. Israel will then be restored, and Abraham’s seed will inherit the kingdom. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.922)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Daniel 7 is a powerful testament to the certainty of God’s ultimate victory. Despite the chaos, destruction, and uncertainty embodied by the four beasts, God’s sovereign rule is unquestionable. He will judge justly, and His kingdom, handed to the Son of Man and shared with the saints, will endure eternally. This assures believers that despite worldly tribulations, God’s justice and His promise of an everlasting Kingdom are certain. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Daniel 7

Vision of the Four Beasts

 Vision of the four beasts (v.1-8)

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Daniel dreams of four beasts arising from the sea, each unique in appearance. The first is like a lion with eagle’s wings, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard with four wings and four heads, and the fourth terrifying and powerful with iron teeth and ten horns. As Daniel watches, a little horn appears on the fourth beast, replacing three of the original horns. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

The four beasts represent the same four world empires pictured in the great statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2). They were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (cf. v.17). In verse seven, the ten horns on this beast pictured the ten kingdoms that would come out of the Roman Empire as it dissolved, but it pictures more. Among these ten horns will rise another little horn (v.24). He will be the Antichrist who will restore the Roman Empire.

The fourth beast is pictured again in revelation 13, the culmination of all the world empires. Revelation 13:3 tells how one of his heads was “wounded to death”. The Roman Empire declined. It will be restored then by this Antichrist. The ten horns here are the same ten kings represented in Revelation 17:16 who will cooperate with the Antichrist and give power to him. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.921)

The Ancient of Day holds court (v.9-14)

9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

The vision shifts to a heavenly court with the Ancient of Days, or God, presiding. The court passes judgment on the fourth beast, destroying it, but allowing the other beasts to live for a time. Then, the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days and is given dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom that will never pass away. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

The Interpretation of the Vision (v.15-28)

15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Daniel is distressed by his vision and seeks understanding. He learns that the four beasts are four kings, and the fourth beast represents a future kingdom on earth. The ten horns are ten future kings, and the little horn is a king who will defy God. Despite this king’s temporary reign, the saints will be given the everlasting kingdom. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Verse 25, We would call him the Antichrist, a devil possessed man, “son of perdition, “ and the “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). We know that he will persecute and kill saints who are given into his hands for three and one-half “times” or years. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.922)

Verse 26, The reign of Christ will follow the destruction of the Antichrist. The great statue of nebuchadnezzar’s dream in ch.2, the four beasts of Daniel 7 with the ten toes that will reunite in the Roman Empire, fill out the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rev. 16:24). It began with Nebuchadnezzar, and will end with the death of the Antichrist. The defeat of the Antichrist will occur when Christ assumes the throne in Jerusalem and reigns over the whole earth. Israel will then be restored, and Abraham’s seed will inherit the kingdom. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.922)

Daniel 7, a riveting chapter of prophetic revelation, sees the Prophet Daniel envision a series of events in the spiritual realm. The chapter revolves around his dream of four distinct beasts arising from the sea and the subsequent divine judgment. Among the vivid imagery, this chapter contains one of the first clear depictions of the Messiah as “the Son of Man,” and the promise of the everlasting Kingdom of God given to the saints. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Themes

Prophecy and Visions

Divine Judgment

Spiritual Warfare

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Redemption and Salvation

The Reign of the Messiah

Topics

The Four Beasts

The Ancient of Days

The Son of Man

The Final Judgment

The Fourth Beast and its Little Horn

The Saint’s Everlasting Kingdom

People

Prophet Daniel

Four Beasts

The Ancient of Days (God)

The Son of Man (Messiah)

The Saints

The Little Horn

Locations

Babylon

The Heavenly Court

The Kingdom of God

 (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 7)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com