DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 7.23

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Seven

Daniel’s Vision Interpreted

 

Preface

In the previous study, Daniel had asked an attending angelic being (probably Gabriel) for further clarification of the meaning of his dream. Even though God had made Daniel well-versed in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in visions and dreams (cf. 1:17), he relayed his vision of future events to the angel because of his bewilderment and grief (cf. 7:15).

 

 

1. The Introduction (v. 1)

2. The Intervention from God (Vv. 2-7)

3. The Innovation of the Little Horn (v. 8)

4. The Intercession of the Ancient of Days (Vv. 9-14)

5. The Inquiry of Daniel (Vv. 15-16)

6. The Interpretation of the Vision (v. 17)

7. The Insurance from God (v. 18)

8. The Inquisition of Daniel (Vv. 19-22)

9. The Information revealed to Daniel (Vv. 23-28)

(Verse 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.

 

The Fourth Beast

What does this all mean? The angel extended a further explanation of the vision that perturbed Daniel. The fourth beast, symbolic of the Old Roman Empire, is the fourth king and kingdom that will appear and exist simultaneously on Earth in the Last Days.

 

The angel lists a few things characterizing its existence:

1. It will be different from all the preceding kingdoms

a.  That is the civilized world at that time

b.  The mightiest of all time (cf. 2:40a)

 

2. It will conquer all territories of the first three kingdoms

a.  They will be trampled down

b.  They will be crushed into pieces

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

Ten Kings of Ten Nations

Ten nations, corresponding to the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (cf. 2:42), will yet come into existence from the Old Roman Empire. They will consist of a ten-nation confederacy (read Revelation 17:8-17).

 

Note: It appears the fourth kingdom, the Old Roman Empire, never went out of existence but continued in the form of a group of alliance nations, possibly the European Economic Union. Others have speculated it will be ten regions of the world that will submit to a one-world government in Europe.

 

And another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings

 

Another King

Another king, known as the eleventh king, the Little Horn, or Antichrist – a human being, shall arise behind the ten kings. He will not only be different from the other ten, but he will also subjugate three by military force to gain complete authority and control.

 

So, four main aspects of another king include:

1. He will be different

2. He will devour

3. He will wreak devastation

4. He will have dominion

 

Note: Some say Antichrist will be an offspring of Satan, an imitation of God in the flesh. Others believe he will be demonically energized by Satan. Either way, it is the work of the Devil having the authorization of Almighty God (see Job 1:6-12).

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

Continuing the explanation of the fourth beast, the Angel gives Daniel additional information about the little horn. He relays that it is the Antichrist who usurps three of the ten horns and comes into authority by these means:

1. Antichrist will speak boastfully against the Most High 

b.  Revelation 13:5-6

 

2. Antichrist will oppress the saints of the Most High

a.  Through persecution

b.  Revelation 13:7-10

 

3. Antichrist will revise times on the religious calendar

a.  Through modes of worship

b.  Through sacred holidays, feasts, and events

 

4. Antichrist will change the standards and moral laws of God

a.  Through his plan to eliminate God from all aspects of society

b.  Through his constant attack on any vestige God has established, especially the Ten Commandments

 

The Tribulation Period

The entire Tribulation Period lasts for seven years (cf. Revelation 11:2). The first half is simply called the Tribulation Period. The second half is entitled The Great Tribulation Period. 

 

A. The Tribulation begins with the opening of the first four seals, known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (cf. Revelation 6:2). The Temple is rebuilt, and calamities upon the earth worsen at quicker intervals (see Revelation 6:2ff.).

 

B. The Great Tribulation begins with Antichrist entering and profaning the temple, and proclaiming to be god. Antichrist will be permitted to persecute and afflict all the saints for a short period of time (cf. Revelation 6:9-10; 11:7-10; 13:7-10). The period in view is the last half and ends the Great Tribulation Period with Christ’s Second Coming at the Battle of Armageddon (cf. Revelation 16:16; 19:11-16).

 

And they shall be given into his hand

Persecution of the Saints

Many Jews will be saved as a result of the testimony of the sealed 144,000 from all the tribes of the children of Israel, and 12,000 from each tribe (cf. Revelation 7:4-8). So, assaults and persecutions will be amplified and applicable to anyone believing in Christ (the saints) during the Great Tribulation, namely the Jews.

Revelation 7:14b - These are they which came out of Great Tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Additionally, on account of the testimony of the two witnesses (cf. Revelation 11:3), many unbelievers will accept Christ in the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 11:3 - And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

 

Until a time and times and the dividing of time

The traditional and most common interpretation of this expression is as such:

A. Time is equivalent to…..1 year

B. Times (plural) means....2 years

C. The dividing of time is….½ year

_____Totaling 3 ½ years   

 

Therefore, a time and times and the dividing of time is a 3 ½ period, 42 months, or 1260 biblical prophetic days, i.e. the end of the Great Tribulation.

 

 

(Verse 26)

 

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

 

The Conclusion

Upon the completion of the interpretation of his vision, Daniel closes the chapter by using the word but. It is an important and encouraging word for believers, expressly because judgment will be put in place for the little horn (Antichrist). As a result, not only will his dominion on earth be taken away, but he will also be destroyed and consumed forever. Notice, this is the effects of the crushing stone (cf. 2:34, 45) that will put an end to the Times of the Gentiles (from Daniel’s day to the Second Advent of Christ).

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

Thy Kingdom come.

Finally, God’s covenantal promise to Abraham will be realized (cf. Genesis 12:1-3). The everlasting Kingdom (the Millennium and Eternal State) will embrace the whole earth. The holy ones (believers, both Jew and Gentile) of the Most High will triumph and participate in ruling with the Son of Man. And, all people will obey, serve, and worship God in perfect peace. 

 

 

(Verse 28)

 

Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (thoughts) much troubled me, and my countenance (brightness of face) changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

 

Postscript:

Daniel’s Reaction to the Vision

Even though the angel’s interpretation of the vision brought him alarm and distress, he kept the matter (account, revelation) in his heart to ponder. Daniel recognized and acknowledged ultimate answers, grace, and sovereignty belong to God.

 

 

In Chapter 8, during the third year of Belshazzar’s reign, Daniel has another vision – this time of a ram and a he-goat. Explore its meaning in subsequent studies.  

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Who is the little horn?

2. What is the characteristic of the fourth beast?

3. In what time period does the fourth beast rule?

4. Who are the saints of the Tribulation?

5. How is the fourth beast defeated?

6. How long does the Tribulation last?

7. After the interpretation, what is Daniel’s final response?

 

 

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