Rejoice in the Lord’s Sovereignty
Introduction: Chap. 7 marks a division between historical narrative and prophetic visions. The first vision he saw he saw for four beasts arise, each wrecking havoc on the earth. As the destruction raged, he saw one called the Ancient of Days came and demonstrated he had control. God would intervene and overthrow the fourth and most terrible beast.
Then, two years later he saw a vision in which a ram devastated the earth. A goat defeated the ram and wrecked destruction on earth and in heaven. Gabriel interpreted the vision for Daniel saying the ram was the Medes and Persians and the goat was the Greek emperor. After the Greek empire was broken up a ruler would come and cause great havoc. The vision was so horrible that Daniel was physically sick.
Daniel had two visions early in Belshazzars reign, before Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall. As Belshazzars began his evil reign, the Israelites must have wondered what would happen to them. The vision God gave Daniel demonstrated his sovereignty and power. The lesson deals with these two visions.
Visions show us two things: what is going to happen and how we are to conduct ourselves towards and God and each other.
The First Vision (Tumultuous Times) Daniel 7:2-3 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.
The circumstances of the vision:
Daniel had interpreted Nebuchadnezzars dream and now had one of his own.
Visions while on his bed, asleep, disconnected from the world NOTE: WE are closer to God when we are furthest from the world and its issues. We are then fit for communion with God. (Fasting is no longer prevalent and we wonder why feel far from God)
When he was awake, he wrote the dream down so he could communicate it from a distance to others and bring it into remembrance when it happened later.
The Jews misunderstood prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, flattered themselves with hope they would return to their land and enjoy prosperity.
God is letting them know they will have tribulation. They had become arrogant thinking themselves above reproach, thus it is when trouble strikes.
Daniel wrote and spoke these things.
NOTE: By so doing God is teaching the church (us) should be taught both by the scriptures and by the ministers in their preaching.
The vision itself:
Foretells of the revolutions of governments in those nations, which the church of the Jews for the following ages, would be influenced by.
Four winds: they strove to each be the strongest,
Four points are on a compass meaning the entire world was affected.
No place on earth would be safe
Stirred the great sea or humanity. Sometimes we feel tossed by forces and movements beyond our control.
Economic uncertainty
Terrorism
Decaying moral standards
Antipathy toward the gospel….all challenge our faith
Four beasts rise out of the sea
Differed from each other in strength and size
Each was powerful, fierce and cruel
Fourth beast was a mutation of the other three and devoured the other three beasts.
These are monarchs and tyrants of the world
First four kingdoms are believed to be the Babylon, Medo-Persian Empire, the Greek empire, the Roman Empire. Each more ruthless than the last.
We live in a world far removed from Daniels in time, but face the same type of events; Brutal leaders, crime, disruption of families and oppressive nations that destabilize the world.
Through all of this God is in control.
The Second Vision ( Tremendous God ) Daniel 7:8-10 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. 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.
The 10 horns on the fourth beast intrigued Daniel. They represent 10 kingdoms that will arise and out of them. Some believe this to be Europe of today some believe it to be kingdoms that have already arisen.
Out of these kingdoms or as a result of them, there arises one that seems small and insignificant.
This one had eyes like a man signifying intelligence. NOTE: Evil is not dumb. It comes quietly and after studying our weaknesses. This horn or king did not rely on brute force but used reason, the one thing that appeals to man, to us all.
This king opposes God in every way and is abhorrent to God.
V.9. The scene changes to heavenly courtroom. So is God’s judgment, suddenly and with order and power.
The Ancient of Days is God who took his seat as the Supreme Being.
His hair is white, a typical symbol of age. Both snow and wool signify purity.
God’s throne had wheels, which was typical of that day. These wheels blazed with fire, which would consume God’s enemies.
V.10 A river of fire flowed from God’s presence, symbolizing righteous judgment. So does a river of life proceed from God to his friends.
Ten thousands of angels administer to God who has no need for them but is glorified by them. HE will use them as messengers of judgment in the last days.
The books are opened as in a court of law for all to see. NOTE: Our sins are hidden temporarily as they will be proclaimed for all to see at judgment.
This part of the Vision reminds us that no matter how chaotic and long suffering the world can be, God rules in majesty and power.
Timeless Reign Daniel 7:11-14 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. 13 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. 14 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.
The horn continues to speak and provokes God with its words. NOTE: Proud words must be accounted for before God.
Pharaoh was proud and boasted and so was destroyed
God’s prophets warned Israel not to be proud of speech before God
The burning fire consumed the Beast’s body and so his kingdom fell.
This beast is the Antichrist.
The first three beasts lived but lost their authority. Kingdoms absorb kingdoms and had no political or military force. God destroyed the beasts and made a way for His kingdom.
V.13. Describes the Son of Man coming with clouds of glory.
Unlike the horn that seized power and then lost, power and authority is given to the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.
His dominion extends over every people, language and nation.
What does this teach us?
Our relationships are tumultuous and troubled at times
Communication is a key to our relationship to God nad to each other
We emotionally brutalize with harsh words and actions, nevertheless God is watching and waiting
Conclusion: No matter how the terrible the world becomes or events happen to us, God is in control and there will be a day when all wrongs will be judged and believers will be rewarded. We are to look to God in the good as well as the bad times. Rejoice!
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