CHAPTER 7

In a very brief and colorful description, this chapter outlines the main sources of governmental power from Daniel's time until the end of the world.

1 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.

This vision actually came to Daniel in the FIRST year of Belshazzar (553 B.C.), 14 years before the fall of Babylon.

Daniel saw a great "sea," which probably represents humanity. Upon the great sea, the four winds from heaven were clashing against one another, as if there were a storm coming from each direction.

Upon the sea, and in the winds, there arose four great "beasts," later to be described.

Each beast had different appearances and was quite unique from the others. Each beast will be described as a world power.

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.

Daniel probably understood this "beast" more than any others, because the kingdom of Babylon had as its symbol a lion. The lion was given eagle's wings, and then made to stand on the earth as a man.

Jeremiah 4:7 describes Babylon as a "lion."

The kingdom of Babylon is the first great world power that Daniel sees.

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.

The second "beast" is like a bear. When it raised up from its side, it had 3 ribs in its mouth. A voice (or voices) said, "Arise, devour much flesh."

This beast represents the Medo-Persian Empire which defeated Babylon.

Isaiah spoke of a vision which he had seen concerning the end of the Babylonian empire caused by a very fierce people known for strength in battle (Isaiah 13:1-22).

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.

Note that the "leopard" has four wings and four heads. This represents the kingdom of Alexander the Great, which after his demise was broken into four smaller kingdoms.

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.

The fourth "beast" had iron teeth and ten horns. These ten horns are explained in verse 24. They represent 10 kingdoms banding together under one leadership.

This fourth beast represents the Roman Empire.

Out of this empire there arises an 11th horn which devours three of the others and takes control. That horn represents the antichrist (see verse 25).

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.

Ultimately ALL the kingdoms are defeated by "The Ancient of Days."

Notice his "head" and his "eyes," then look at Revelation 1:14 where John describes the same Person.

Judgment day came (verse 10)!! The "books" were opened (See Revelation 20:12-15).

In this judgment the last horn, the great "beast" was destroyed and sent to hell (verse 11).

All of the other beasts had already met their demise (verse 12).

The last kingdom on earth will be that of "The Son of man." All people will serve Him, and his kingdom is an ETERNAL and EVERLASTING kingdom.

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.

This vision is not so hard to understand today because of historical and Biblical events. However, this vision when received by Daniel caused him great grief (verse 15).

In the vision, he was allowed to approach someone and ask for an interpretation (verse 16).

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.

Quickly the four beasts are explained as four world powers.

Then, a very interesting statement is made in verse 18. According to the previous portions of the vision, The Ancient of Days acquires victory over all the kingdoms, and the Son of man is given supreme authority.

However, under the interpretor, the "saints" are given the victory!

This interpretation is consistent with the remainder of the Bible. Jesus is given supreme authority over ALL things (Matthew 28:18, Colossians 2:9). And the "saints" acquire their completeness in Christ Himself (Colossians 2:10).

It is by Christ alone that victory is gained over the world, yet He GIVES His victory over to the "saints!" "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Corinthians 15:57)

AIN'T GOD GOOD?!?!

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.

Daniel still hasn't received all the interpretation he wants about the "fourth beast." He saw in the vision that this "little horn" arose and devoured 3 other horns, and took power over the world. He also saw that this little horn (in verse 21) "make war" with the saints of God. And this little horn was able to defeat them until Christ came to defeat him. This is perplexing to Daniel. So he asks for more information.

Then the person answered saying that the fourth beast "SHALL BE" the fourth kingdom. In other words, he shall arise out of the same world configuration as the fourth kingdom, and he will take over their power.

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.

As I stated in relation to verses 7 and 8, the fourth beast represents the Roman Empire. Out of this same configuration of world power, the antichrist will arise and take over their power.

His rulership shall be "diverse" (verse 23) from the rest. The ten horns had before ruled as a conglomerate. But this man will take over and rule as a dictatorship. The man is a beast! He is nothing more than Satan's imitation of Christ!

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.

This man will blaspheme God by claiming that he IS God! He will prove his evil by persecuting the saints of God!

He will also try to change customs and laws.

His time will be short. It will be a "time" (one), "times" (two) and the dividing of time (one-half). Most consider this to be the last 3 and 1/2 years of a 7 years period. In the first 3 and 1/2 years, the antichrist will concentrate on gaining people's trust. Then, in the middle of the seven years, he will declare himself God. And for the next 3 and 1/2 years he will persecute the saints.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

A very important short word is used, "BUT." The judgment SHALL SIT!

Christ will come! He will consume and destroy the antichrist and put an end to his kingdom!

THEN ---

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.

The victory gained by Christ will be given over to the "people of the saints of the Most High." His is an everlasting and eternal Kingdom, and ALL people will serve Him. ((See Revelation 20:4))
Prior to the eternal glory of heaven, there will be one final kingdom on earth ruled by Christ and His saints. That kingdom will endure for 1,000 years.

Then, after that, the devil will be loosed, and people will be deceived (Revelation 20:7-8). But Christ shall put down the rebellion, and the eternal kingdom will endure! (Revelation 20:9-11)

And ultimately the JUDGMENT WILL COME!! (Revelation 20:11-14) Christ will judge all men who have ever lived, and those who have not received Him as Lord will be cast (along with the devil) into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

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 still didn't understand it all totally, but that was the end of the vision.

My friends, we may not understand it all today! But we have God's WORD that the kingdoms of the world, permeated by selfishness and greed, will NOT endure!

Only the Kingdom of the "Son of man" shall endure!
He is the LORD!
He is the VICTOR!
His is an EVERLASTING KINGDOM!

WITHIN Christ is VICTORY!
WITHOUT Christ is ETERNAL DEATH!

Are you "IN" Christ?

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.