Daniel chapter seven begins the prophecies that were given to Daniel. Remember the prophecy of Daniel 2 was given to a heathen king. There are three main division in Daniel 7 that we will discuss. 1) The Four Beasts 2) The Judgement Scene and 3) The Results of The Judgement.
Remember that to king Nebuchadnezzar the 4 world ruling empires were represented as precious metals each getting successively weak but now to the prophet Daniel their true character is revealed. Vicious beasts of prey.
The Beasts which are kingdoms (Daniel 7:17, 23) are seen coming up from the sea (Daniel 7:1-8) and in prophecy seas mean nations and peoples (Daniel 7:2,3; Revelation 17:5, Isaiah 8:7). They arise are come to power by the winds which mean political and military strife (Daniel 7:2, Jeremiah 49:36, 37).
The Four Beasts
The Judgement Scene
The judgement scene occurs after 1798 A.D. and takes place in the heaven temple/ sanctuary. It brings the Son God to God the Father for the judgement to begin (Daniel 7:9,10,26, Revelation 11:8). The results of the judgement signals the end of all earthly kingdoms (Daniel 7:11,12; Revelation 19:19, 20). It also establishes Christ's everlasting Kingdom (Daniel 7:13, 14, 18, 22)
The Results of The Judgement
Over and over in Daniel 7 it is repeated that the saints possess the Kingdom (Daniel 7:18,23). The Kingdom will be handed over to our Lord Jesus Christ and He will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords according to the character and government of God (Daniel 7:14).
Summary
Some important points:
Remember that to king Nebuchadnezzar the 4 world ruling empires were represented as precious metals each getting successively weak but now to the prophet Daniel their true character is revealed. Vicious beasts of prey.
The Beasts which are kingdoms (Daniel 7:17, 23) are seen coming up from the sea (Daniel 7:1-8) and in prophecy seas mean nations and peoples (Daniel 7:2,3; Revelation 17:5, Isaiah 8:7). They arise are come to power by the winds which mean political and military strife (Daniel 7:2, Jeremiah 49:36, 37).
The Four Beasts
- lion represents Babylon (Daniel 7:4,17;2:38)
- Bear represents Medo Persia (Daniel 7:5,17; 2:39, 8:20)
- Leopard represents Greece (Daniel 7,6,17; 2:39; 5:25-28) the four heads on the leopard represent the four divisions of Greece after the passing of Alexander the Great.
- The great and fearful Beast represents Pagan Rome (Daniel 7:7,8,23; Luke 2:1) the 10 horns of the beast represent the dicisions of Rome at about 351 and 476 A.D. Alemani, Franks, Burgundians, Vandals, Suevi, Visigoths, Saxons, Ostrogoths, Lombards and Heruli.
The little horn that came up represents a political and religious power namely the Papacy or Papal Rome. There are approximately 7 proofs in Daniel 7 alone that point to the Papacy. 1) The horn was Political and Religious 2) 3 horns (Heruli 463, Vandals 534, Ostrogoths 538) were plucked up for it to come to power 3) The Papacy assumes the titles of God Himself (Daniel 7:8, 20, 25). 4) The Papacy put to death many saints (Daniel 7:25). 6) The Papacy boasts of changing the Sabbath law (Daniel 7:25). 7) It was to continue for 31/2 times or 31/2 prophetic years (Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6; 13:15) which is literally 1260 days or years (see also Ezekiel 4:6, Jeremiah 12:9).
The 1260 days began when the last horn was uprooted (the Ostrogoths) in 538 A.D. and ended in 1798 A.D. when the Papacy lost its power.
The Judgement Scene
The judgement scene occurs after 1798 A.D. and takes place in the heaven temple/ sanctuary. It brings the Son God to God the Father for the judgement to begin (Daniel 7:9,10,26, Revelation 11:8). The results of the judgement signals the end of all earthly kingdoms (Daniel 7:11,12; Revelation 19:19, 20). It also establishes Christ's everlasting Kingdom (Daniel 7:13, 14, 18, 22)
The Results of The Judgement
Over and over in Daniel 7 it is repeated that the saints possess the Kingdom (Daniel 7:18,23). The Kingdom will be handed over to our Lord Jesus Christ and He will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords according to the character and government of God (Daniel 7:14).
Summary
Some important points:
- Judgement scene comes before the Jesus and the saints posses the kingdom
- Judgement occurs after 1798 A.D.
- The Four metals and Four Beasts are parallel
- The stone filling the whole earth and Jesus possessing the kingdom are parallel
- The 5 Kingdoms are Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, Pagan and Papal Rome