Daniel Chapter 7

Daniel Chapter 7

Daniel Chapter 7 INTRODUCTION

Out of the sea of humanity a storm is brewing. It is not a tornado or heavy rain but a political unrest resulting in the rise and fall of political regimes. In this chapter there are four beasts (kingdoms that acted like beasts). The four animals (lion, bear, leopard, and a nondescript animal) representing four kingdoms. When Daniel wrote his prophecy, only one of the kingdoms was in existence, but with the telescope of prophecy he unveils the future of world history. The lion represents the Babylonian empire. The bear represents Medo-Persia. The Leopard represents Alexander the Great and the Grecian empire. The nondescript animal (which is called the fourth kingdom) represents the Roman Empire, and the little horn that came up out of the fourth empire represents the papacy. This beast occupies the attention of Daniel more than any other because it would kill the saints, change God’s laws, and blaspheme God. Finally after twelve hundred and sixty years it would lose its dominion.

EXPOSITION

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.

In the year of 550 B.C. Daniel had a dream. He relates his dream in this chapter and gives the sum of the matter. We know that the beasts represent four kingdoms. Daniel tells us that the fourth beast is the fourth kingdom on earth; therefore they are not to be taken as literal beasts, but rather kingdoms that acted like beasts.

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.

A great storm began to blow on the sea of humanity causing agitation and out of this chaos arose four kingdoms. The prophetic language of "Four winds" stands for the four directions, North, South, East, and West.

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. Isa. 11:10-12

He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters (Corners K.G.) of the earth. Isa. 11:12

It is evident that when the Bible uses the words "four corners, or four winds" that it means four directions. When the exile ended, God brought his remnant back from Pathros (a portion of Egypt), Cush (Africa), Elam-East of Tigris river (now Iran), Shinar-Babylonia (now Iraq), and Hamath (a Cannanite city). The four winds strove upon the great sea. "Winds" represent strife, confusion, commotions, destruction, turmoil, and war.

I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of the heavens; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go. Jer.49:36

I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who seek their lives; I will bring disaster upon them, even my fierce anger," declares the Lord. "I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them. Jer. 49:37

When God said that he would bring the four winds against Elam (now Iran) he meant war would come from four quarters. The Lord sent three invasions by Assurbanipal and one by the Babylonians. In the passage here in Daniel we are told that the four winds were to blow something in from the sea of humanity. Note how John uses the word "waters" in Rev. l7:l5: "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Daniel saw the great sea of humanity stirred up, and out of it four-world empires emerge. They were different from each other.

4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

The first of the four kingdoms was Babylon, described as a Lion. On their inscriptions they portrayed their kingdom under the image of a lion. A Lion is warlike, supreme in power, domination, and sovereignty, distinguished for power and Keeping other animals at awe. He is able to spring on other animals with great severity in his blow. On their monuments is engraved a lion with eagle wings, denoting that the kingdom was rapid in its conquest. Daniel saw in his dream that the Lion (Babylon) would get it wings plucked off. In other words he would no longer be able to move rapidly in its conquest. The monarch would stand up like a man and be given a man’s heart. This means he would be changed from ferocity to weakness like a man. He would cease to act like a ravenous animal and would have calm reflections and think like a rational human being.

5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

The second beast is described under the image of a Bear. This animal is distinguished mainly for two things: cunning and ferocity. When hungry or robbed of her whelps, she is savage. This Bear is described as raising herself on one side. This kingdom was composed of the Medes and the Persians. She rose up on one side, that is, the Medes rose up first. She had three ribs in her mouth. She is pictured as devouring three provinces, namely Babylon, Lydia and Egypt. This kingdom in all respects acted like an animal.

6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

The third kingdom is likened to a Leopard. It was to be dreadful, terrible, and strong. It had four wings of a fowl. It too was rapid in its movement, even greater than the Lion. This kingdom is Greece, under Alexander the Great; He could move armies faster than any nation on earth. This animal would spring on others as unawares. Notice also that this animal has four heads. Upon the death of Alexander the kingdom was divided among his four generals. Syria and the East were under the head of General Seleucus. Blthynia and Thrace was under General Lysimachus. Egypt was under General Ptolemy Sotor and Macedonia was under General Cassander. Finally Daniel says that dominion was given to it. Alexander the great ruled the world.

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

This fourth kingdom is likened to a nondescript animal, dreadful and terrible, iron teeth, it devours, and stomps people. It has ten horns. Whatever the Caesars didn't devour they stomped down and crushed to the earth. This kingdom looked dangerous and it was menacing. The ten horns refer to the ten European governments that were within the Roman Empire. The ten kingdoms are thus listed by Sir Isaac Newton as follows: Newton's Prophecies on Daniel Ch. 6 (Published 1733)

1. The kingdom of the vandals and Alan's in Spain and Africa

2. The kingdom of the Suevians in Spain.

3. The Kingdom of the Visigoths.

4. The kingdom of the Alan's in Gallia.

5. The Kingdom of the Burgundians.

6. The Kingdom of the Franks.

7. The Kingdom of the Britons.

8. The Kingdom of the Hunns.

9. The Kingdom of the Lombard's.

10. The Kingdom of the Ravenna.

8 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.

A little horn springs up and it plucked up three of the first horns and has eyes like the eyes of man a mouth speaking great things. This horn (power) had eyes like a man, it claimed the power to see or oversee everything in this world, spiritual and secular, and it was all mouth. This horn boasted of its power and dominion and wealth.

The little horn is popery that started in a small way but soon was able to wipe out three horns. It was on its way to world domination.

Sir Isaac Newton lists the three horns that it wiped out as follows. "The Exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombard's, and the Dukedom of Rome." Newton on the Prophecies Ch7

This kingdom has eyes like the eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things. The papal power asserted civil authority in the midst of the divided empire.

While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully. Dan. 7:8

Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. Dan 7:11

I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell-the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. Dan 7:20

He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. Dan 7:25

By the arrogant claims of authority the NAME OF GOD was blasphemed, for only GOD has such power as the beast presumed to exercise. The tabernacle of God refers to the true worship. She took the wine from the laity in 1414. Lets look at the claims of the Popes and see if these great swelling words are not blasphemous.

1. He claims to be head of the church. How can his be in the light of Scripture:

And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1:18

What blasphemy for any mortal man to claim what belongs only to God.

2. The Pope claims that he is the Judge of the Living and the Dead. Cath. Ency. XV. page 126

This is some more of his blasphemy. The Scriptures teach just the opposite.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Tim. 4:

3. The Pope claims authority above all and subject to none. Pius VI Ency. 65.

Some more of their great swelling words. Doesn't sound like the teachings of the Bible.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1 NIV

4. Pope Leo XIII said: "We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Leo. XIII Ency, 304

You can't find a more blasphemous statement than that. No wonder God calls her MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 17:5

5. The Pope claims to be The Vicar of Christ. Cath. Dic. 258

The Pope has this inscription on his crown VICARIVS FILII DEI. Translated this means Vicar of Son of God. It is interesting to learn that when we add up the numerical values of this inscription we have

2 V's =10

6 I's = 6

1 L = 50

1 C = 100

1 D = 500

TOTAL 666

6. The Pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power, to whom has been entrusted by the omnipotent God direction not only of the earthly but also of the heavenly kingdom. The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even divine laws. Luclus Ferraris Vol 6 p.26

I offer the following quotes from official Catholic books to prove that she fulfills that which was spoken by Daniel.

He is the keeper of the keys, the judge of the living and the dead, and sits on the throne of justice, with power to extirpate all iniquity, He is the head of the church, which is one and stainless, and not a many-headed monster, and has full divine authority to pluck out and tear down, to build up and plant. Let not the king imagine that he has no superior, is not subject to the highest authority in the church. Catholic Ency. II p. 666

Now, therefore, we declare, say, determine and pronounce that for every human creature it is necessary for salvation to be subject to the authority of the Roman Pontiff. Cath. Ency. XV p. 126

Pope Pius XI said in his Encyclical, Light of Truth, "the Roman Pontiff has from on high an authority which is supreme, above all others and subject to none." Pope Pius XI Encyclical, Light of Truth Page 5

Pope Leo XIII said: "We (the pope) hold upon this earth the place of God almighty." Great Encyclical Letters, 304

Hear Pope Leo XIII again: "But the supreme teacher in the church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires together with a perfect accord in the one faith, complete submission and obedience of will to the church and to the Roman Pontiff as to God Himself." Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII, p.193

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.

The thrones that are cast down are the thrones of these four beasts. The Ancient of days did sit. That is, God convened court in Heaven, angels, seraphim's, archangels , all of heavens ruling class are summoned to be present as court convenes and the charges are filed and evidence is presented. Since there is no higher court there was no appeals. Nothing but the truth was presented to the jury. The books of her conduct were opened and all of her crimes were laid before the august body. They considered the great words of the Little Horn. Arguments were made, testimony was heard, deliberations ensued, and a verdict was reached. The beasts must have their dominion taken away.

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 one sitting on the throne is described in great detail by Ezekiel:

Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. Ezek 1:26-28

No physical description of God can be found in the Bible thus it is not possible to make an idol or graven image of him.

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.

A recording was being played of the great words which the horn was saying. Daniel's attention was focused on the outcome of this trial. Daniel said he watched till the execution was carried out.

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thess. 2:4-8