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
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