Explore the Bible
Dean, School of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
LIVE TO WIN IN THE END
Daniel 7:7–18
For readers who expect the Scriptures always to be written sequentially, you need to be aware that Daniel chapter 7 occurs chronologically before chapter 5. Belshazzar is king in Babylon. Daniel is conveying a supernatural revelation that he has experienced as a night vision. Sometime after this revelation, Daniel interprets the “handwriting on the wall” incident.
Bible interpreters recognize the parallel nature of Daniel’s vision and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream earlier in Daniel’s life. Both visions address four kingdoms that are represented in sequence. Nebuchadnezzar dreams about a statue made of four types of material. Daniel’s dream includes four representative beasts. Those who date the composition of Daniel to the Intertestamental Period generally identify the four empires as Babylon, Media, Persia and Greece. Those of us who take the writings in Daniel as historical events identify the four kingdoms as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.
Babylon is represented by a lion with wings, yet the wings are torn off. Medo-Persia is a ravenous bear. A leopard is the beast that represents Greece, with four wings distinguishing four factions after the death of Alexander the Great: Seleucids, Ptolemies, Pergamum and Macedonia. The Roman Empire, under whom Messiah would be revealed, was envisioned as a horned beast.
Evil Will Persist (7–8)
This fourth beast is frightening, an authoritative movement characterized by devouring, crushing and trampling. Reviewing the history of Rome, it is certainly not surprising that interpreters would identify this kingdom as the empire of the Caesars.
Nations are presently in turmoil. Christians are being hunted down simply because they confess Jesus as Lord. Evil will persist and believers will face greater and greater challenges until the eschaton (end of time). Those who believe that followers of Christ are immune from pain and suffering are uninformed about the persecuted Church in much of the world today.
God Is Our Judge (9–12)
Daniel’s name means “God is my judge.” This passage indicates the Ancient of Days not only holds Daniel accountable, but He also decrees judgment of the ruling empires of the world. The death of the fourth beast is a sign of judgment. God is certainly going to judge the fourth kingdom.
Fire is another sign of God’s judgment. Review Amos 1–2 to see how the fire motif is prevalent in judgment decrees against the nations. Judgment phrases in the New Testament include “fire that never goes out” (Matt. 3:12); “blazing furnace” (Matt. 13:42, 50); “flaming fire” (2 Thess. 1:8); and “burn … be dissolved … on fire … melt” (2 Pet. 3:10–12).
Serve Confidently Under Christ (13–14)
Jesus alludes to this passage in His trial before the Sanhedrin, by which He identifies Himself as the “Son of Man” and that He is “coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64). This Son of Man is granted authority by the Ancient of Days (Matt. 28:18), “so that those of every people, nation and language should serve Him … His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:14).
Our assignment to make disciples was not an afterthought as Jesus gave His post-resurrection commission. It has always been God’s plan: all families (Gen. 12:3), all nations (Gen. 22:18), all peoples (Ps. 67:3, 5). We have the privilege under the authority of Jesus Christ to share the message of salvation to the ends of the earth.
Live Securely in Victory (15–18)
Victory is His; therefore victory is ours in Christ. Kingdoms rise and fall, but the Kingdom of God is eternal. Daniel’s terror was overcome by the triumph of the King. Nothing we face, no fear, no injustice, no pain can overcome the goodness of God. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
Share with others: