Lesson: Daniel 7:9-14;
Golden Text: “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” (Daniel 7:14).
INTRODUCTION.This week’s lesson is the first of three from the Book of Daniel.After presenting some historical information in chapters1-6,the emphasis changes beginning with chapter 7. Apocalyptic or visions of revelation relating mainly to the future, dominate the remainder of the book. Since apocalyptic writings use many symbols, we should be careful when interpreting these portions of Scripture. Biblical scholars who are equals in their knowledge of Scripture disagree strongly about certain prophetic texts. Therefore, we should not be so dogmatic (positive that one interpretation is the right one) about some biblical passages, especially those concerning things that have not happened yet. In this first lesson our study opens up our understanding of the kingdom of God under the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we as Christians can look forward to with joy.
II. SOVEREIGN LORD (Daniel 7:9-10). In verses 1-8, Daniel had a vision of four great beasts, each representing a world empire. These nations, who would eventually reign over Israel, were evil and cruel. This is probably why they are referred to as “beasts.” Daniel saw a lion with an eagle’s wings which represented Babylon with her swift conquests. The bear that ravaged the lion (Babylon) is Medo-Persia. The leopard represents Greece. Its wings show the swiftness of Alexander the Great’s campaign as he conquered much of the civilized world in four years (334-330 B.C.). The leopard’s four heads represent the four divisions of the Greek empire after Alexander’s death. The fourth beast represents both Rome and the end times. Many Bible scholars believe that horns refer to the ten kings who will reign shortly before God sets up His everlasting kingdom. These ten kings still had not yet come to power at the time of John’s vision as recorded in the book of Revelation (see Revelation 17:12). The little horn in verse 8 is a future human ruler, the antichrist (see II Thessalonians 2:3-4). He is seen here as having “a mouth speaking great (or boastful) thing.” God is illustrating the final end of all worldly kingdoms in contrast to his eternal kingdom.
A. Apocalyptic vision (Daniel 7:9). Here the prophecy shifts to the end times. This judgment scene is similar to the one that was seen by the Apostle John (see Revelation 1:14, 15). In contrast to the “little horn” in verse 8 who represents the antichrist, Daniel said “ 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.” Daniel saw “the Ancient of days” take His seat on His throne while “thrones were cast down.” Of course, “the Ancient of days” is God Himself. While this title refers to Almighty God in this verse, it also refers to Christ in verse 22. The thrones that were cast down were thrones of judgment and they were simply put in place in preparation for judgment. God, sitting on His throne as Judge is seen clothed in white. The white clothing speaks of God’s holiness. His hair was also white “like the pure wool.” This pictures God’s infinite wisdom. God sat on a throne that had wheels of fire, indicating the presence of God (see Exodus 3:2).
B. Awesome judgment (Daniel 7:10). Daniel also saw “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.” There was a river of fire that flowed out from before the Judge. The Bible says that “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3). There were thousands of angels serving God, while “ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.” This was a way of saying that the number of angels who stood before the Judge was innumerable as they awaited the judgment to begin. Much like the scene in Revelation 20:12, Daniel said “the books were opened.” This has reference to the Great White Throne judgment where the lost of all ages will stand before God to be sentenced to the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:11-15). For the saved of all ages there is only one book, the book of life and it only contains our names (see Luke 10:20; Revelation 20:15). Note: The saved of all ages will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to either receive rewards for our service or lose them for lack of service, but our salvation will not be questioned (see Daniel 12:1-4; Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 17:31; Romans 14:10; II Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27). However, the scene that Daniel is presenting concerns the unbelievers of all ages and those who will eventually follow the “little horn” or the antichrist (see Revelation 13:1-4; 19:19-21). The judgment of believers will determine eternal rewards (see I Corinthians 3:10-15) not our eternal destination.
III. SLAIN BEAST (Daniel 7:11-12)
A. Doom sealed (Daniel 7:11). As his vision continued, Daniel said “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.” The prophet said that he kept on watching because the “horn” in the midst of the judgment scene continued to speak “great (boasting) words.” This blasphemous beast, the antichrist, continues to shout out his boastings against humanity and God “even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” In the face of judgment, the antichrist speaks against God right up to his end. This is similar to a convicted murderer who continues to rant even as he is being led to the execution chamber. In the case of the “horn” he has no remorse for his evil deeds as he comes before the Judge of the universe. The slaying of the beast and him being sent to the flames is also recorded in Revelation 19:20 where John writes “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet…These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Note: If we even suggest the possibility of eternal judgment in our society today we would be called narrow-minded and judgmental. But saying nothing about judgment is to put ourselves in a very dangerous position (see Ezekiel 33:1-9). The Bible says that we are to declare “all the counsel of God” (see Acts 20:27) which includes the fact that Jesus Christ will “judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom” (see II Timothy 4:1).
B. Dominion taken by Christ (Daniel 7:12). Having told us what happened to the “horn” Daniel now says “As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” With the “horn” now in the lake of fire, Daniel saw that “the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away.” The other beasts that Daniel saw in verses 3-6 finally had their authority taken from them. However, Daniel tells us that even though they are powerless “their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” It is difficult to understand just what this means, but maybe it implies that the antichrist will be destroyed before the other kingdoms of the world. As students of the Bible including apocalyptic books like Daniel and Revelation, we must realize that there is not complete agreement among different interpreters concerning the details of these books.
IV. THE SON OF MAN (Daniel 7:13-14)
A. Clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13). Daniel continued to say “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.” Now Daniel saw in the midst of his vision “one like the Son of man.” Although there may be disagreements among scholars as to the identification of the beasts and the little horn, there is no disagreement that the “one like the Son of man” is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Jesus often used this title to refer to Himself (see Matthew 26:64; Luke 21:27; John 1:51). Daniel saw Him coming “with the clouds of heaven.” The fact that the Son of man will come with the clouds of heaven is also described in the New Testament (see Matthew 26:64; Mark 13:26; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 1:7; 14:14-16). Even though clouds in Scripture are sometimes associated with judgment (see Ezekiel 34:12; Zephaniah 1:15; Joel 2:2), here the “clouds of heaven” represent majesty and awesome presence. God’s glory appeared in a cloud in Exodus 16:10 and at the giving of the law at Sinai (see Exodus 19:9). The Messiah is seen coming to the “Ancient of Days,” God the Father, and being led into His presence probably by the angels.
B. The Coming kingdom (Daniel 7:14). In our final verse Daniel says “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.” As Jesus approaches the Father, He is given authority and power to establish God’s kingdom on earth. He is granted power and dominion over all peoples, nations, and languages and they shall serve Him. This is confirmation of what Jesus told His disciples before His ascension, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (see Matthew 28:18). Jesus is now the ultimate Ruler for now all the authority, glory, and sovereign power that the rulers of the four kingdoms had over all peoples is given to Jesus. God’s kingdom will be “an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Note: Indeed the kingdoms of this world will be swallowed up by Christ’s kingdom. For as John noted “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever” (see Revelation 11:15). It might seem that God is inactive now, but He is putting things in place for the full manifestation of His kingdom at the end of time. Our God will reveal Himself in the public arena at the end of the age. Just because His kingdom is not yet fully manifest does not mean that He has lost His power. He will show Himself to be King of kings. While the New Testament speaks of restoring, preaching, awaiting, inheriting, receiving, seeing, and entering the kingdom, nowhere does the New Testament speak of our building the kingdom. The kingdom is God’s rule, and we do not establish it, we must receive it and proclaim it.
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