Welcome to The Bible book of Daniel
After the Fall of Israel in 722 BC, the primary message of God's prophets changed from warnings of impending punishment from God, to one of certain restoration if they would sincerely repent from their rebellion against God. Daniel found himself in Challenging circumstances but used of God in Prophecy.
Historic Background
Studying the Prophets
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets
At the onset of each opportunity to study the rulers or the prophets of Israel, it pays large dividends to review the historic timeline of Israel’s development to get the context of God’s interaction with His people. As quoted below, the New Testament letter to the Hebrews begins with the words, “1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb 1:1-2). As God communicated directly with His people, it set up a perfect theocracy; a nation managed by the very hand of God. God spoke to the priests or prophets and those words became the policies and procedures of what Israel would do. Over Israel’s history, there were periods when the earthly manager the prophets interacted with would be patriarchs, judges or kings even while in exile.
Interpreting the messages delivered by the prophets is simplified after first learning the context of the prophetic material delivered. These contexts are changed by national, political and/or positional considerations.
First, it is important to know that the Nation of Israel found its source and its name in a person. Abraham and Sarah form the family at the center of the discussion. Pieces of the Abrahamic Covent are referenced in several places, but the crux of it is the idea that man can find grace in God through man’s heartfelt beliefs. When God shared His call to Abraham, He told him he would be the father of many nations. Nevertheless, by the time Abraham was nearly 100 years old and Sarah was 90, they had no offspring. But in Genesis 15: 4-6, the Lord spoke to Abraham to make His plans clear. “4 And, behold, the word of the LORD [came] unto (Abraham), saying, (Ishmael) shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:4-6).
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
This was a major transition in linking personal belief and imputed divine righteousness in a cause-and-effect relationship. That is, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted it to him for righteousness.” Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Again, personal belief yielding imputed divine righteousness.
Genesis 25:24-26 document that Isaac and Rebekah had twin grandsons for Abraham and Sarah. Esau was the eldest and Jacob was the youngest, nevertheless, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34). Jacob had 12 sons by two wives (Racheal and and Leah and their handmaids Bilhah and Zilpah. God renamed Jacob (heel-catcher or supplanter) to Israel (rule as God and posterity) (Gen 35:10).
Joseph was the name of the 11th son but first born of Israel’s intended wife, Racheal. Out of jealousy, the older sons sold Joseph into slavery but told Israel of his murder in the fields. God protected and blessed Joseph to where he became 2nd only to the Pharoah in Egypt and was master over their vast store of food in an otherwise famine-stricken region. God used Joseph to save Israel and provide them with plenty instead of regional famine.
Four hundred years later, Israel was in cruel bondage to Egypt and God sent Moses to lead them out. Their disobedience to God resulted in 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, but eventually to divide share in God’s promised land for sharing among the 12 tribes. The actual taking of the promised land and its divisions was done by Moses’ successor, Joshua (see Bible book by same name).
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets
As Joshua led the founding and distribution of land in the promised land, there were a few noteworthy exceptions. First, the tribe of Levi had become solely responsible for the Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Temple once built. Their inheritance or portion of the promised land would be associated with the care of God’s buildings and services. As Jacob was on his death bed, Joseph came to him with his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh and Jacob blessed them as sons just as Reuban and Simeon were to him. So, Joseph received the double blessing that the eldest child would normally receive and fulfilled the number of Tribes of Israel back to 12.
The earlier years of Israel’s chosen Governmental structure was that of a theocracy, frustrations with the quality of leadership and corruption of the same caused the people to insist on having a king, just like other nations (1 Sam 8:5). And God allowed Saul to be anointed as Israel’s first king and leader over Israel’s first monarchy (1 Sam 10:1).
Saul was the people’s choice, not God’s and he resulted in disappointment and shame. God had chosen David, Son of Jesse as king and sent Samuel to anoint him years earlier (1 Sam 16:1-13). But when King Saul was dead, David was chosen and anointed to become King of all Israel (2 Sam 5). Solomon was the second son between David and Bathsheba and he succeeded David as King. However, God was angry with Solomon because of the wives he chose of other faiths and how he allowed those gods to be represented throughout the land (1 Kings 11:9-13). God divided Israel after Solomon’s reign in the 10 tribes of the north (Israel) and the 2 tribes of the south (Judah).
Both nations sinned against the Lord and the Northern Kingdom was defeated in 722 BC and taken captive by Assyria. These tribe are often referred to as the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel. The Southern 2 tribes were taken captive by Babylon in 586 BC. Prophets, both major and minor, would prophesy based on where they were chronologically, that is, preexilic, exilic and post exilic. We will find Ezekiel and Daniel as Exilic Prophets.
Timeline of the Prophets
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets (Continued)
Studying the Prophets
The illustration titled “Timeline of the Prophets” provides a pictural view of the Prophets, both Major Prophets and Minor Prophets relative to the the dates mentioned above. The messages of the prophets shown before the Fall of Israel will have a message of warning to combined Kingdom of their impending judgement by God if they did not repent of their ways and surrender to Him. These would be prophets like Jonah, Joel, Amos, Hosea, Micah and Isaiah. As an aside, the designation of a prophet as a major prophet or minor prophet has nothing to do with their message or importance; rather, the difference in designation is made based on the length of the writing.
Prophets that spoke after the Fall of Israel but before the Fall of Judah would have an exilic message to Israel but a preexilic message to Judah. Those would be like Jeremiah, Nahum, Obadiah, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. Those prophets who prophesied after 586 BC would have an exilic message to Israel and Judah. Those prophets shown after 544 BC would be providing postexilic messages to all Israel. These are prophets like Ezra, Haggai, Nehemiah, Malachi and Zechariah.
Note also that there is no chronological order to the prophets as they are listed in the Scriptures. So, the best way to understand the context of their messages is to look at the date references and remember when the associated history events took place.
TEACHING SCHEDULE FOR DANIEL
Teaching Schedule for Daniel
We have six studies in Daniel for Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9. The first 4 seem to emphasize characteristics of Daniel and others to live life as it comes to dedicated servants of the Lord. The fifth study departs from that model by looking at Daniel’s predictions of future events.
The passage in that last study actually provides an introduction for several detailed prophecies from Daniel regarding situations which are still in the future for us. Daniel 9:25 is in the distant future for Daniel but the past for us. Nevertheless, it provides detail not shown anywhere else on the life of Jesus Christ. Specifically, 9:25 provides a date for the Triumphant Entry of Jesus Christ centuries before they occurred. A few chapters later Daniel provides information on the Antichrist and some of his predicted work. These prophesies must be covered and will be either in class or on this website or both.
Select Your Study
In the next section, you can find the study you wish by the subject, Bible reference or date, and select that study by clicking on the word "Here" on the line just below the study subject.
Integrity Established (Daniel 1:8-21, 01/23/2022)
Understand the Context (Daniel 1:1-21)
Understand the Context (Daniel 1:1-21)
Understand the Context (Daniel 1:1-21)
Understand the Context (Daniel 1:1-21)
This study is based on just a few extracts from the first chapter of Daniel’s Bible Book. From it, we can get a bit of the context of when he lived and prophesied along with the context of the time and circumstances in which he lived. The people of Israel had suffered through centuries of disobedience to God. They had turned to local gods that they could touch, see and feel rather than the God and creator of the entire universe. The nation had divided into two at the end of Solomon’s reign (his death in 930 BC). Prophets like Jeremiah, Amos and Hosea warned Israel that their rebellion and rejection of their God would result in their downfall. A little over 200 years later, in 722 BC, the Northern Kingdom of Israel, comprised of ten of the 12 tribes, was taken into captivity by Assyria. Babylonia had replaced Assyria as the prominent Kingdom of the World by 627 BC. In 607 BC, Babylon had begun extracting the most promising young minds out of Judah to learn the ways of Babylonia and help their nation prosper. Judah, the Southern Kingdom comprised of 2 of the 12 tribes, was taken into captivity by Babylonia in 586 BC. There were no lessons learned by Judah from watching Israel’s fall.
Daniel (whose name meant “God is Judge”) and three of his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were a part of that select group of Judah’s best to be taken captive and serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. The story told by the focal passage of Daniel 1:8-21 describes their decision to remain dedicated to God and the integrity of their faith (including their diet) while in captivity. In Babylonia’s attempt to dominate the hearts and minds of these captives, as with all the others, they began by changing their names to Babylonia names. “The prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego” (Dan 1:7). Our story opens in the prison where the captives were kept under the oversight of the Prince of the Eunuchs.
A Commitment Expressed (Daniel 1:8-10)
Understand the Context (Daniel 1:1-21)
Understand the Context (Daniel 1:1-21)
A Commitment Expressed (Daniel 1:8-10)
Daniel 1:3-5 describes Nebuchadnezzar’s plan for the favored children brought from conquered nations. He writes, “3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom [was] no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king” (Dan 1:3-5). So, Babylonia was taking three years to culturally transform these exceptional children into loyal citizens hoping to capitalize by getting their new and fresh ideas for improvements in Babylonia.
But Daniel and his three friends decided to remain faithful to the dietary practices of Judah. There would be no unclean meats nor rich foods entering their bodies. Daniel shared his plan with Ashpenaz, the Prince of the Eunuchs, that they would not be defiled (Dan 1:8). He had already come into favor and affection of this man and was not afraid to tell him what was going on. Ashpenaz shared with Daniel that he was afraid that, if he agreed to such a plan, the King would see a difference in the appearances of Daniel and his friends relative to those who ate from the Kings table. Specifically, Ashpenaz said it would endanger his own head if he had to explain why these four boys appeared less prefect than all the others who were like them (Dan 1:10). After all, Nebuchadnezzar has directed exactly what the meals would be for the Israelite young men, and this deviation would be a clear rejection of the King’s directions to Ashpenaz. If his fears were realized, it could have grave impact on the King’s trust for him and result in his reassignment or even capitol punishment for disobedience.
A Test Passed (Daniel 1:11-16)
A Recognized Difference (Daniel 1:17-21)
A Recognized Difference (Daniel 1:17-21)
A Test Passed (Daniel 1:11-16)
Daniel was so confident that his diet would be much better for himself and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah that he suggested a test for Melzar, the man the Prince of the Eunuchs placed over them (vs. 11). Daniel asked if Melzar would agree to test the diet of pulse (Hebrew: zeroa or vegetables) to eat and water to drink for just 10 days (vs. 12). After the test period was finished, Melzar could look at them compared to those who ate the King’s portions of meat and wine, and render his judgement on how to proceed depending on what he would see (vs. 13). So, Melzar agreed to what Daniel suggested and conducted the test for 10 days (vs. 14).
When the 10 days were done, Melzar brought Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah before him to examine how they looked. He found their appearances to be fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which ate the King’s portions of meat and drank his wine. So, Melzar kept his part of the agreement and took the King’s portion of meat and wine away in favor of Daniel’s diet of vegetables and water. Sometimes the best money can buy offers less for the body than the basics of what God provides.
A Recognized Difference (Daniel 1:17-21)
A Recognized Difference (Daniel 1:17-21)
A Recognized Difference (Daniel 1:17-21)
A Recognized Difference (Daniel 1:17-21)
Daniel now writes of the real differences in these four children taken from Judah into captivity in Babylonia. Daniel properly acknowledges that God is the One responsible for giving these four all the learning and wisdom they brought with them from Judah. In addition, Daniel had special gifts of understanding of visions and dreams (Dan 1:17). Now, it appears that the 3-year transitional period for the children taken captive from Judah has ended (vs. 18). The Prince of Eunuchs dutifully brought these 4 boys before King Nebuchadnezzar, and the king communed with them. He found none like the Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, so he had them stand before him to signify his acceptance of them (vs. 19). He found them to be 10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers he had in his entire realm.
At this point Daniel, writing in first person, announces that he continued is this degree of high favor even until the first year of Cyrus. This is significant because it means that Daniel remained in high favor throughout the Babylonian Empire and into the first year of the Persian Empire.
So, what is in here for us to know? Daniel was a man of God and was not ashamed of the integrity that came to him by walking with Jehovah. When confronted with captivity in Babylonia, Daniel and his 3 friends decided they would not change their view of personal integrity regardless of the level of threat or the power of the people in this new realm where God had placed them. Notice also that they did not simply take a stand and insist that others accept it. Rather, they negotiated with the appointed authorities to find a mutually acceptable solution to the dilemma. The King’s objective was the make the captive healthy and wise. Daniel offered a solution whereby that objective could be achieved while not violating his personal integrity nor that of his 3 friends. It was truly a “win-win” solution. Daniel could have simply insisted on his way and found himself and his friends facing a death sentence. Instead, the 4 of them maintained their integrity before God as well as maintaining their personal influence in this godless realm throughout its existence. Daniel actually outlasted the King, his successor and the empire they ruled. Some would say, “History is full of those who died for their faith; here are 4 men who lived for theirs.” Is there a way we can be known for the lives we live and the longevity of our influence, rather than the stand we took that ended that influence?
Demonstrate Allegiance (Daniel 3:14-21, 01/30/2022)
Understand the Context (Daniel 3:14-26)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
Understand the Context (Daniel 3:14-26)
The first half of the Bible Book of Daniel documents the initial lives of four young men from Judah lived as captives of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylonia. Daniel is the namesake of this Bible Book, and his three friends are Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. To impress upon these boys his total control of them and begin their transition from Judeans to Babylonians, he gave them new names. To Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego (Dan 1:7). Just as Chapter 1 showed their reaction to being ordered to keep their diets from what the King’s table contained, Chapter 2 shows Daniel’s opportunity to use the special gifts God gave him to understand and interpret dreams and visions. This feat was made nearly impossible because the King could not even recall the dream himself. So, he directed his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to recounted the dream, explain its content and provide its interpretation. They were to do this feat or be cut into pieces and their houses made dunghills. They could not tell the dream so, the king ordered them and all the wise men of Babylon killed including Daniel and his friends. Daniel was troubled at the haste of the order and told the Captain of the guard he could answer the king’s request and he did. In doing so, he revealed several kingdoms into the future.
Chapter 3 shows the ordeal of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego as they are challenged to worship the king’s statue of gold as soon as they heard the music of the call to worship. They refused but were saved by God from within the furnace and testified of God’s greatness, His superiority and His power. Even the king was amazed at the greatness of God and this awesome demonstration of His power. This event is the centerpiece of today’s study so the rest of the detail will be presented later.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
When Daniel was faced with the impossible task of telling the king what his dream was before providing the interpretation, he immediately called Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to come to his house so they could pray that God would provide the information the king requested (Dan 2:17). They prayed and God provided the vision contained in Daniel 2:31-45 and shown in the slide.
God gave Daniel the interpretation in a night vision, and he blessed God as the only God of Heaven. Daniel went on the explain the vision, and Nebuchadnezzar worshiped him and made him and his 3 friends great in the kingdom. Daniel was set at the Gate of the King, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon.
The additional information in the chart is from previous research into Daniel’s vision and other Books of the Bible. The view of the statue is given in the referenced verses and represents the various empires throughout the periods in the future that Daniel could have no knowledge about. The titles and dates of the empires come from history of such empires. The animal images associated with each empire is given as a match for that period, but also the revelation given to Daniel in Chapter 7 and John in Revelation 13. Notice the listing of the four beasts are in the historic view of the writer, for example, Daniel sees the lion first then the bear, leopard and beast of iron teeth (the dragon of Rome) as seen from Daniel’s present day into the future. John sees the vision of the dragon first, followed by the leopard, bear and lion as seen from 98 AD back in time. The order of the beasts is in the view from the writer’s perspective.
Note also that Daniel 2:44-45 describe the final Kingdom as God’s Kingdom exactly as John does in Revelation 21-22 and adds that this Kingdom shall destroy all other kingdoms (including the Ten Toes Kingdoms) but it shall NEVER pass away.
Allegiance Declared (Daniel 3:14-18)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interp'n (Daniel 2:31-45)
Allegiance Declared (Daniel 3:14-18, Cont.)
Allegiance Declared (Daniel 3:14-15)
King Nebuchadnezzar was advised that Daniel’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were refusing to pay the proper homage to the golden statue he set up for worship. The standard practice he directed was that at the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sacbut, psaltery and dulcimer playing all kinds of music, all the people in the kingdom were supposed to cease their efforts, fall to their knees and worship the golden image the king had made (vs. 15). But Daniel’s three friends refused to bow their knee to any but the Lord God of Israel. They remembered that the Law of Moses stated very plainly, “1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments” (Ex 20:1-6). To Daniel’s 3 friends, Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue was certainly an idol. How the king ended up giving the 3 of them personal warnings makes sense because they were made a part of his staff when Daniel solved the problem of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Chapter 2. This was an opportunity for them to escape the capital punishment due for their open disrespect for his statue.
The words “Now, if ye be ready” imply a warning that the music may be coming again soon. The king says “all is well” if you are ready to do the appropriate acts, but if not, in the same hour, you will be thrown into the fiery furnace to die (Dan 3:15). Nebuchadnezzar adds that we will see than whether this God of yours will save you from death in the fire and delivery you out of my hands. The challenge was obvious.
Allegiance Declared (Daniel 3:14-18, Cont.)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23, Cont.)
Allegiance Declared (Daniel 3:14-18, Cont.)
Allegiance Declared (Daniel 3:16-18)
In verse 16, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego respond that they will not hold back or limit their answer to him. They continue by addressing the king directly and tell him they have no doubt that the God they serve is certainly able to deliver them from the burning fiery furnace and deliver them from the king’s hands. But, they add, even if He does not choose to deliver us, we will not serve your gods nor will we worship the golden image which you have set up. The king was gracious in offering the 3 this opportunity to escape punishment. The same opportunity would certainly not be given to others.
The young lives of these four Judeans have been spent under the threat of their country (Judah) being placed in captivity because of the widespread disobedience of their people toward Jehovah, especially in regard to worshiping false gods. Since they have been in captivity, they have watched time after time as God worked miracles for them and Daniel in clear view of King Nebuchadnezzar and his court. They remembered how disobedience resulted in captivity and punishment, as well as watching obedience result in supernatural advantage even in captivity. Their choice to take a firm stand with the king was a clear choice that they had witnessed how much more power God has than the king. They are simply demonstrating faith in the One that seems to work all the time. The terms of this confrontation were both clear and imminent.
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23, Cont.)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23, Cont.)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-20)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s actions and subsequent statements established direct rejection of the King’s authority to demand they worship the golden statue and led to his being “full of fury” (Dan 3:19). Now, the way the king saw Daniel’s three friends has changed. His earlier appointment of them to his court was now in question. Their open defiance of him could not be ignored. Therefore, he spoke and commanded that his strongest men to heat the furnace 7 times higher than normal (vs. 19). Then he commanded that his army bind the 3 men and cast them into burning flames of the super-heated furnace (vs. 20). Nebuchadnezzar was forced to take direct and severe action against the three Judean captives if he expected all others to remain obedient to his command that the golden image would be worshiped.
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23, Cont.)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23, Cont.)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:19-23, Cont.)
Persecution Intensified (Daniel 3:21-23)
Daniel 3:21 states that the soldiers bound the 3 men in their coats, hosen, hats and other garments and cast them into the middle of the burning fire. But the fury of the king and his resulting command to heat the fire 7 times hotter than usual complicated even the simple demand to throw these men into the furnace. The exceedingly hot flames killed the men attempting to throw the prisoners into the furnace. Nevertheless, the force of the soldiers thrust must have propelled Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the flames despite the soldiers’ deaths (vs. 23).
God Honored (Daniel 3:24-26)
God Honored (Daniel 3:24-26)
God Honored (Daniel 3:24-26)
God Honored (Daniel 3:24-26)
King Nebuchadnezzar was amazed at the spectacle of the simple process of throwing these criminals into the fire so, he jumped to his feet to looked into the furnace (Dane 3:24a). After looking into the flames, the King asked his counsellors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
The counsellors responded to the king saying, “True. Oh king” (vs 24c).
Nebuchadnezzar replied with astonishment, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God!” (vs 25).
What started as a simple investigation to make sure the dying soldiers were able to accomplish their mission of throwing the 3 criminals into the fire has resulted in more information than the king could have imagined. First, the mission was accomplished, and he saw the 3 men in the fire, but they were no longer bound, nor were they dead! Second, they had been joined by a fourth man and he was in the fire dancing with the original three. Third, the additional man looked like the Son of God (Hebrew: bar Elaw). The Hebrew word “Elaw” is the male singular form of the plural word “Elohym” which is used in Genesis 1:1 as the Creator of the Universe. It is interesting that Nebuchadnezzar did not use the name of any of his many gods (especially Bel) but used the words saying the fourth man in the flames was “the Son of the Most High God.” (These are Hebrew words while the Scripture we are looking at was partially Aramaic.)
Nebuchadnezzar did the only thing he could have done, he called forth Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, addressed them as “ye servants of the Most High God” and told them to come out of the furnace to him (Dan 3:26). The verse finishes by affirming that the three men came forth out of the fire. Verse 3:27 is not included in our study but has a fitting end to this miraculous experience of the king. It says, “And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them” (Dan 3:27).
Humility Required (Daniel 4:28-37, 02/06/2022)
Understand the Context (Daniel 4:1-5:31)
Understand the Context (Daniel 4:1-5:31)
Understand the Context (Daniel 4:1-5:31)
Understand the Context (Daniel 4:1-5:31)
This study focuses on two chapters like the last study. Chapter 4 contains the Vision of the Great Tree while Chapter 5 focuses on the Vision of the Handwriting on the Wall. Daniel 4:10 begins the Vision of the Great Tree with Nebuchadnezzar’s describing the vision. The tree he saw reached into the heavens in its height and to the horizons with its breadth. It produced an abundance of fruit for food, the beasts of the fields had shelter under its leaves, and the birds of the air dwelt in its branches. Nevertheless, a “watcher and holy one” came down from heaven and said to hew down the tree, leaving only a stump. Let the heart of the tree be changed from that of a man to that of a beast for 7 years.
Daniel interprets the dream for Nebuchadnezzar to mean that the great tree was Nebuchadnezzar, and he would be brought down from greatness by the most high and would stay down for seven years (Dan 4:25). All the greatness he brought to Babylon and benefit to man and beast would be gone, and his mind would be changed to that of an animal for 7 years. The king would graze in the grass like an animal. Daniel recommended Nebuchadnezzar repent and move to righteousness by shewing mercy to the poor, but Daniel 4:28-37 shows the vision becoming real.
Chapter 5 sees the new king Belshazzar at a feast. While he was tasting wine, he ordered that the gold and silver vessels taken from Jerusalem’s Temple be brought out for their drinking feast. The king, his princes, his wives and his concubines drank from them. In the same hour, a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the wall. The king’s appearance changed, he feared and his knees shook as he saw the writing. The king’s wife suggested he get Daniel to interpret the writing. Daniel said the writing was mene. mene, tekel, upharsin. Mene meant that God had numbered the king’s kingdom, and it was now over. Tekel means the king was weighed in the balances and found wanting or light. Peres means the kingdom was divided and given to the Medes and the Persians. Belshazzar ordered Daniel to be dressed in scarlet and given a gold chain for his neck. Darius, the Mede, took the Babylonian Empire at about 62 years old.
Pride Declared (Daniel 4:28-30)
Understand the Context (Daniel 4:1-5:31)
Understand the Context (Daniel 4:1-5:31)
Pride Declared (Daniel 4:28-30)
The background of Daniel 3:1 to 4:27 began a period of 12 months in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. At the end of those 12 months, the king walked along the roof of the palace and wondered at the Kingdom of Babylon that he had built and how it was a great nation. He verbalized the thought to himself saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan 4:30).
Nebuchadnezzar was certainly king at the time that all this was coming to pass, so why is it inappropriate for him to appreciate the work of his own hands? Daniel began this short discourse with the words, “All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar” (Dane 4:28). It pointed back to emphasize that the king had heard the interpretation of his dream and the forecast of his great fall from power before he looked over what he had built so wonderfully. It was clearly his personal pride that was the target of the forecasted humbling experiences of the next seven years. The warnings were a clear for him as they are for us. Solomon wrote, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” and “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom” (Prov 8:13 & 11:2). And this king made his prideful statements over the palace of Babylon after he learned of his projected fall. The Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings quotes, “There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know” (John Heywood, 1546). Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling was so near, yet its lessons were still so far away. He simply had not heard Daniel’s message.
Reality Defined (Daniel 4:31-33)
Reality Defined (Daniel 4:31-33)
Reality Defined (Daniel 4:31-33)
Reality Defined (Daniel 4:31-33)
Daniel makes it clear that immediately after Nebuchadnezzar spoke those words and had those thoughts, a voice spoke from heaven saying, “Oh King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, ‘The kingdom is departed from thee, and they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat the grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most high ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomever He will” (Dan 4:31-32). It should have been a simple reminder of Daniel’s interpretation of his dream, but somehow Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten what was said.
Verse 33 echoes the immediacy of God’s enforcing the words of the earlier prophecy by saying that it was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar that same hour. But not only was he driven from men and ate the grass of the fields; his body would be wet from the morning dew, his hair would grow to appear as eagle’s feathers and his nails would grow like a bird’s claws. Nebuchadnezzar would become and live as an animal for the next seven years. He would remain in this state until he acknowledged that it was God (the Most High) who rules over the kingdoms of men, and He is the One who decides who will be great or not. Nebuchadnezzar was claiming the godship of all that he saw from the palace roof. God decided it was time he learned that it was He who allowed him to rule and decided the value of his greatness. The New Testament agrees by stating, “1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Rom 13:1-2). This is a hard truth to receive as we look at some of our leadership.
Honor Given (Daniel 4:34-37)
Reality Defined (Daniel 4:31-33)
Reality Defined (Daniel 4:31-33)
Honor Given (Daniel 4:34-37)
Verse 34 shows how Nebuchadnezzar’s mind was healed just as quickly and supernaturally as it was lost. Daniel writes in first person, singular for Nebuchadnezzar saying, “34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan 4:34-35). At the end of the seven years, Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes to heaven and in his returned reasoning, he blessed God and acknowledged His control over all this exists. Nebuchadnezzar realized the right relationship between God and himself.
And because he understood this relationship, his returned reasoning also brought a spirit of ruling in humility, giving God the glory and honor due Him while he made sure he gave proper honor and respect to those who served him in this world. He was given back the glory of his kingdom, along with his honor and brightness. Hid counsellors and lords had new respect for him and returned all he had back to him, but excellent majesty was added to him (vs. 36). Then he makes his new pledge, “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (vs. 37). So, not only did Nebuchadnezzar get his head straight for his own behavior, he was able to recognize the flaws of pride and arrogance in others. Some who are steeped in pride and arrogance recognize the problems in others while continuing to deny it in ourselves. It seems Nebuchadnezzar was cured of that issue as well.
Trust Exhibited (Daniel 6:10-24, 02/13/2022)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
The Bible Book of Daniel shows Daniel serving during the reigns of at least three kings: Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 1, 2 & 4) and Belshazzar (Dan 5) of Babylon, and Darius (Dan 6) of Persia. Assuming Daniel was taken captive when he was about 12 years old, he would be either approaching 80 years old or slightly beyond as Chapter 6 begins. King Darius’ management style saw him install 120 satraps over the kingdom with three executive administrators over them. Daniel was one of those three administrators. The native Babylonia leaders were infuriated that King Darius would appoint a Judaean captive to such a senior position in the kingdom when so many highly qualified indigenous Babylonians were available.
So, the Babylonian leaders devised a trap for Daniel (Dan 6:7). All of them knew that Daniel was a praying man and that his God was not numbered among the gods of Babylonia, so they spoke to the king suggesting he establish a law allowing worship of only Darius’ gods for 30 days. They convinced the king to make the penalty for violation of this law punishable by death in the loins’ den. Daniel had a long-standing reputation for being a man of prayer, and he decided to continue his custom of worshiping the God of Israel with prayer three times each day. Daniel refused the obey the law and continued to open his windows on the upper floor of his residence to pray toward Jerusalem. The evil government officials merely waited for one of Daniel’s prayer times, caught him in violation of the king’s new law and reported him to the Darius. They insisted on a death sentence for Daniel, but God worked a miracle that effectively turned the tables on his accusers and elevated his God. Below are the details of Daniel’s arrest, sentencing to death in the lions’ den and his deliverance from death as he trusted in his God, the God of Israel.
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:10-14)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:10-11)
Daniel received word that King Darius had signed the law forbidding worship of all gods except his own (Dan 610). It was Daniel’s practice to enter his upper room three times a day and pray facing Jerusalem with his window open facing that direction. So, on the day of the signing of the new law, Daniel decided not to change his practice. As he went to his upper room to pray, he kneeled to give thanks to his God as he did many times before.
Today, however, the evil government officials were waiting to overtake him as soon as they saw him disobey Darius’ new law. They assembled where they could see and hear Daniel praying and collected the proof of what they saw.
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:10-14, Cont.)
Understand the Context (Daniel 6:1-28)
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:10-14, Cont.)
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:12-14)
They used their positions to gain access to King Darius and reminded him of the details of the proclamation he had signed. They reminded him specifically about the phrase forbidding any man from asking petition of any god or man within 30 days except himself, and that any violators were to be cast into the den of the lions (Dan 6:12). The king answered them saying it was true, and a law of the Medio-Persian Empire could not be changed or abolished. So, Daniel’s adversaries answered the king, saying that Daniel, one of the Judean captives, had disobeyed the king and his law, and continues to make his petitions three times every day to the God of Israel (Dan 6:13).
Now, King Darius realized the whole purpose of these men insisting on the law and that it was not to honor the king but to bring down one of their adversaries, namely, Daniel, one of the top three rulers of the kingdom. The king was sorely displeased that he had allowed himself to be used in this way and that it would cost the life a person he respected deeply. The king spent most of the night trying to get Daniel out of this situation that he, the King, had created for him (vs. 14).
The Door Shut (Daniel 6:15-18)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24, Cont.)
The Trap Set (Daniel 6:10-14, Cont.)
The Door Shut (Daniel 6:15-18)
Daniel 6:15 documents the men assembled against Daniel again reminding the king of the Medio-Persian law forbidding any law or decree that the king has established to be changed. So, Darius feeling the door on his decision-making flexibility shutting, commanded that Daniel be brought before him for sentencing. As the king cast Daniel into the lions’ den, he said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you” (Dan 6:16, NLT). So, a stone was placed at the entrance to the lions’ den and placed to block the entering in or exiting from the den. The king sealed it with his own signet along with the signets of his lords and leaders that there would be no changes to the decree, nor the punishment enacted that day (vs. 17).
Verse 18 documents the great lament of the king as he realized what he has done, how he was taken advantage of and the loss of life of an honorable stateman, Daniel. He returned to his palace and passed the night fasting and forbidding any music to be played for him. Nevertheless, his sleep went from him (vs. 18). There would be none of the routine favors for the king this night. He had allowed a group of evil government officials play on his ego to the point of tricking him into ordering the death of one of his top leaders and respected friend to be executed. In the very hour that he returned to his chamber Daniel was likely being ripped to pieces by the hungry lions in the punishment den. There would be no appetite, celebration of musical greatness nor any sleep in the king’s current state of anger, disappointment and grief. A great man and a friend of the state had been ordered to death through trickery by a jealous, greedy and evil set of government officials seeking their own good despite their knowledge of what their king and their country wanted. The sun would rise on a much less impressive kingdom because of the loss of Daniel but also because the true priority of its leaders was discovered. They only sought self-gratification regardless of the impact of their evil on their king and country.
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24, Cont.)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24, Cont.)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-22)
The king’s rising early the next morning only brought more pain and anguish to his mind. His first thought was to go to the place where his sentence of death was carried out on his fellow statesman and friend. His mind was likely full of the memories of interpreted dreams and promises of bright future because of Daniel who was now dead.
Verse 20 document the great lament and cry of sorrow from the king unto Daniel. “Oh, Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou serveth continually, able to deliver thee from the lions” (Dan 6:20). Yes, there was still a minuscule glimmer of hope in the king’s plea. There were still the king’s memories of other impossible events Daniel was able to bring about because of his great faith. Was that faith strong enough to overcome this capital punishment? Was there any hope that Daniel could have persevered over the evil intent of his adversaries despite the hungry beast in this den?
But then the impossible happened. From the belly of the den of lions came the greeting, “Oh king, live forever!” (vs. 21). Yes, it was Daniel’s voice announcing that his God had sent an angel into the lions’ den to shut the lions’ mouths so they could not hurt him in any way. Surely Daniel’s God had delivered him from harm because there was no guilt in him nor was the king guilty of the false death sentence, he was tricked into making by the evil government officials. Both Daniel and Darius were delivered from the greatest sorrows their lives had seen. Daniel summed it up, “Oh king, have I done no hurt.” (vs. 22)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24, Cont.)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24, Cont.)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:19-24, Cont.)
The Tables Turned (Daniel 6:23-24)
It seems to be an understatement that King Darius was exceeding glad for him! (Dan 6:23). But he called him up from the den and immediately examined him to see what hurt may have been done to him. But because Daniel believed God, he was taken out of the den with absolutely no hurt to him discovered (Dan 6:23).
Then the memory of the trickery and abused of the king’s power and Medio-Persian law returned to the king’s mind. He commanded that all those responsible for Daniel’s accusations be brought to the lions’ den and be cast into the den to feed the lions in Daniel’s stead (vs. 24). Those making the accusation along with their wives and children were all cast into the den. The scene ends with the report that the lions completely devoured everything that was thrown into their den. The greatness of God’s glory and the triumph over Daniel’s advisories were displayed for all to see.
Future Seen (Daniel 7:1-14, 02/20/2022)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28)
Daniel sets the date of this revelation at the first year of King Belshazzar's reign of the Babylonia Empire. This would have been 539 BC on our calendars. He came to the throne just after the death of Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 7 begins with Daniel saying he had a dream about that time and thought it wise to write it down but not share it at that time. He said the dream was set in a strong storm churning up the surface of the entire great sea. The wind was blowing from all directions at the same time. Daniel sees four huge beasts coming up out of the churning waters of the storm. The four beasts he described are illustrated in the slide below as a lion, a bear, a leopard and a dragon.
We had somewhat of an introduction to these images when we studied Chapter 2 and how Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2:31-45). This is the same figure used as a handout for the earlier study. When we covered it in class, we had information for each of the parts of the image and mentioned they would be tied to the four images of the beasts later.
These images illustrate an art form called Apocalyptic Literature. The images have certain characteristics which make them unique but helpful in delivering certain types of information. We can best associate them with political cartoons which tended to dominate some of our newspapers several years ago. The US was almost always represented by the tall, middle-aged gentleman with the red and white striped high hat and the blue coat. He was called Uncle Sam.
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
Russia was generally represented as an evil-looking bear and the other countries had their representations which became common to us as well. Apocalyptic literature uses the same techniques to represent certain characters in its literature. The images associated with the creatures of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream were the lion, bear, leopard and dragon and would be used again later. Today’s study will be a great help in understanding the apocalyptic literature in the Book of Revelation as we go through the meanings of these characters in Daniel.
It is important to understand that interpreting apocalyptic literature should never result in expectations of seeing these creatures. They represent characteristic of countries, kingdoms and beings that will help us recognize them as the prophecies are fulfilled. Just as Daniel’s man with a golden head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, and iron legs will never walk this earth, but he does represent various kingdoms, empires and countries that were or are a real part of history just as Daniel prophesied.
Chapter 7 is used to add material to Daniel’s dream, and through it, give us a very clear prophesy of the power of God on earth and the coming of His Son, Jesus. It also looks forward in the future to see the final judgements of man: the Judgement Seat of Christ for believers and the Great White Throne of Judgement for the lost, as well as a brief look at life after judgement for each. With that said, let us look at the first three of the four great beasts Daniel saw that night.
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6)
Understand the Context (Daniel 7:1-28, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, 17)
Chapter 7, verses 1-3 give us a brief introduction to Daniel’s dream and moves quickly into his descriptions of the first of three apocalyptic beings. As told above, Daniel has full understanding that he had experienced a dream. His earlier interpretations of the dreams of others provided personal knowledge that the dreams have significant meanings for actual life including the lives of the greatest people and leaders on earth. The context of his vision was in a terrible storm that churned up the waters all over the sea. He saw the wind and sea as representing the tumoral and chaos of the great sea. While he did not identify a specific sea, many referred to the Mediterranean Sea as the Great Sea. Few, however, see the mention of “coming up out of the sea” to mean a literal sea of water. Rather, they see it as saying these beasts came out of the sea of mankind. In verse 7:17, Daniel explains that the beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. The important information given to Daniel was that the beasts were four kings to come.
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:4)
Verse 4 clearly identifies the first beast to be discussed. Just as Daniel earlier identified this beast as the head of gold in his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, this lion represents the Babylonian Empire as it took over the failing Assyrian Kingdom. The dates of their influence were between 671 and 538 BC. The lion is quick, mighty, strong and vicious. He is the undisputed “king of the jungle.” While Assyria was able to take Israel (the 10 northern tribes of Israel) in 722 BC, they could not take Judah (the 2 southern tribes of Israel). Babylon took Judah in 586 BC when they not only took Jerusalem but destroyed Solomon’s Temple.
The vision of this lion had the wings of an eagle to show its speed, agility and power. The eagle was the greatest of the birds of prey. But the wings were clipped and limited any further dominance or expansion. This introduced the change of the beast from a great and mighty being into a mere man. It accomplishes the proof of the beast being a man but also shows the humbling of the man, Nebuchadnezzar. Instead of all the characteristics of the great lion, he would be simply a man with a man’s heart and all his innate limitations. Babylon was defeated.
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:5)
The second beast is revealed in Daniel 7:5. He was the breast and arms of the great man seen by Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2:31-45). This one looked like a bear and dominated from 538 to 331 BC. He was mighty and massive, yet he was raised up on one side showing he was active and in motion. He had 3 ribs in his mouth symbolizing the conquests of Media, Persia and Babylon. Some take a later approach to the ribs and say they represent Babylon, Egypt and Lydia as the conquests. The voice that Daniel in his dream heard told the beast to get up and devour the flesh of many more people. The Medio-Persian Empire did just that. Several millennia later, the bear would become the symbol of Russia and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Many interpreters believed Russia (USSR) would be the source of the armies from the north that would devour Israel in the end times.
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:1-6, Cont.)
The First Three Beasts (Daniel 7:6)
The third beast was the leopard with four heads and four wings of a fowl. He was the brass belly and thighs of the Greco-Macedonian Kingdom (331-160 BC). The leopard is a speedy animal that could overtake and kill his targets quickly and easily. The leopard represented Greco-Macedonia Empire of Alexander the Great. The four wings showed his mobility and spread of his kingdom. Before Alexander died, he appointed four generals to take over the kingdom and continue its power and dominance. Hence, the four heads of the beast representing four separate kingdoms or rulers. It was given great authority but, as with all organizations managed by more than one powerful leader, internal conflict brought him to his end, and the four kingdoms of the Greco-Macedonian Kingdom fell to the great dragon of Rome.
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8)
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8)
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8)
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8) The fourth beast has the most inspiring description. He is said to be dreadful, terrible and exceedingly strong. He had great iron teeth (Dan 7:7). He devoured his foes with his power and ripped them to shreds by the strength of his teeth. What was left, he destroyed with his feet as he completed their destruction as he walked away.
Daniel tells us this ferocious beast is diverse or different from the other three because he had ten horns on its head. As he considered the ten horns, Daniel saw another horn, a little horn, come upon the beat’s head. The little horn had eyes like a man and a mouth speaking exceedingly arrogant and boastful words. Three of the first ten horns were ripped out of the dragon by their roots to make more room for the little horn (7:8).
We will see in future studies of the book of Revelation that this dragon will appear many more times representing Rome from where the Antichrist will come. He is the little horn coming out of Rome and the sea of mankind and displacing at least three previous rulers to take his place on the beast (Rev 13). Verses 13:1-10 describe the beast out of the sea (of mankind) and verses 11-18 is the beast out of the earth. The former is the Antichrist and the latter is the False Prophet. Here and in Revelation, we will see the ten horns as ten kings (Rev 17:7). Revelation 17:12 tells us that the five of the remaining seven kings have passed, one is and one is yet to come during the end times. Revelation tells us at the end of Chapter 13 that we will recognize this beast because it is the number of a man, and his number will be 666 (Rev 13:.18). Here, we will see the prophecy repeated at the end of the Book of Revelation with the salvation of humankind.
Daniel comments further on the fourth beast by quoting the Ancient of Days, “The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the [other] kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 25 'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 'But the court will sit [for judgment,] and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever” (Dan 7:23-26, NASB95). The Antichrist and the False Prophet will speak out against Christ and try to destroy everything He could do as long as God allows them. Here, we see the exact level of toleration God allows and that time “a time, times and a half time” or more simply 42 months or 3 ½ years. Since the identity of the Antichrist is revealed at the 3 ½ year point, the total of his time will be the period of the Great Tribulation to come or exactly 7 years. The “season and a time” God gave to the fourth beast is short be not specifically defined. In context, the “time” is always a year. The length of a season might be anything from 3 months or more. Whatever that length of time is, it will be over when the 3 ½ years ends because only God’s Kingdom under His Christ will exist.
The Judgement (Daniel 7:9-14)
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8)
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8)
The Judgement (Daniel 7:9-11)
At Daniel 7:9 we see Daniel observing all these happenings until the thrones were set up and the Ancient of Days took His rightful place on them. The description of the Ancient of days is remarkably consistent with John’s vision of the throne room in Revelation 1. Joh said, “. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Rev 1:14-16). Here, in Daniel 7, Daniel said, “And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire” (Dan 7:9). Here Daniel mentions waiting until the thrones were set up; John says he saw the thrones with God as used by the 24 elders of God (Rev 4:4). The similarities are not accidental.
Daniel goes on the say there was a river of fire flowing out from the Ancient of Days and there were thousands of thousands attending Him and 10 thousands of thousands standing before Him. The attendants of God and those standing in judgement before Him are in multiples of thousands. The numbers are construed to show exceedingly large numbers and that there are more people being judged than those attending to God. The numbers multiplied is designed to be important ; not the actual count.
The next line says the judgement was set and the books were opened (Dan 7:10b). In other words, everything is now ready for the judgement and Christ, having been given all authority in Heaven and in Earth, presides. Verse 11 may be a purposeful interruption to draw attention to the fact that this will be the final interruption by the Antichrist or the False Prophet forever. Revelation 19:20 is one of the first actions after His Second Coming to Earth. Daniel says He watched until the noisy beast who was trying to interrupt Jesus’ work of judgement was destroyed. John says, the beast (Antichrist) was taken, and the false prophet with him and were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev 19:20). Revelation 20:14 tells us that this is the Second Death; it is terminal and final and there is no recovery, forever.
The Judgement (Daniel 7:9-14, Cont.)
The Fourth Beast and the Horn (Daniel 7:7-8)
The Judgement (Daniel 7:9-14, Cont.)
The Judgement (Daniel 7:12-14)
Daniel 7:12 mentions the termination of the rest of the beasts. The Ancient of Days removes all power, domination and authority away from them, but they are allowed to live for a season and a time. The word “time” is defined in the explanation of the “time, times and half a time” is 42 months or 3 ½ years. A “time” is a year, but the definition of “a season” is not known. Those of us used to climates of four seasons per year (even here in Florida) would say a season must be 3 months. None of the first 12 commentators I consulted know the answer either. But we do know this: the remaining time for the beasts to be alive is seriously numbered. In the scheme of things, it seems small in importance.
Daniel 7:13 ushers in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He came on the clouds just as promised in Acts 1:9-11. Jesus went immediately into the presence of the Ancient of Days and those attending Him brought Jesus near to Him. The Ancient of Days gave the Son of Man “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.” So, the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ is the Master of a Kingdom that is everlasting.