Daniel Study Notes Daniel
- Lesson 21
Daniel Chapter Seven
Dream of the Four Beasts
Intro:
Ch-7 is one of the most important passages of prophetic truth.
There is a difference between the two:
1. Ch-2 traces and looks at human history as man sees it.
2. Ch-7 traces and looks at human history as God views it.
3. In both 2 and 7 human rule is depicted as suddenly and completely destroyed by the establishment of God's kingdom.
4. Structure of Dan ch-7 (2 major divisions)
a. 7:1-14 The vision
b. 7:15-28 The Interpretation of the vision.
1. In general 7:15-18
2. In
detail
5. The emphasis in ch-7 is on chronology; order
6. Summary overview of the entire prophecy
a. lists a succession of kingdoms; of human govt
b. Sudden culmination of man's rule with the establishment of God's rule on earth
Detail Study
1. The vision; 7:1-14
a. 7:1 Circumstances and time frame. 553 BC [Ch-6 539 BC]
b. 7:2-3 Scene from which the beasts rise; background.
* Point of interpretation: since we're dealing with a dream/vision the things Daniel saw were symbols depicting very real things.
1) Four winds of heaven;
2) Sea;
3) The Emphasis here is that as God's sovereign power moves through history, these various nations, as depicted by the beasts, will rise out of the masses of mankind.
c. The rise of the beasts 7:4-8
1)
7:4 Lion wings of an eagle =
2) 7:5 The Bear. The 2nd world empire; Medo-Persia
3)
7:6 The
Leopard the 3rd empire =
4)
7:7 The
Fourth Empire =
5) 7:8 As Daniel was contemplating these horns he sees something startling happen.
We learn that the
#1 The beast stage -
#2 The 10 horn stage - or the 10 kingdom stage; many call the RRE;
#3 The little horn stage - when the world dictator assumes power and control of the RRE, [Revived Roman Empire] ;
** Note: The transition here from vs:7-8 speaking of the most evil rule of human history, that nation ruled by the Great Dictator, who we will find is indwelt by Satan, the scene shifts in vs:9 to the third heaven, the presence of God.