WHAT WILL THOSE PAGANS DO NEXT?

DAN. 7

People are anxious to know what the future holds.

If we announce that a prophet will be here to tell you what to expect next year, we’ll pack the place!

Desire to know future opens door for all kinds of deception and disillusion

I’ve told you before how Charles Ryrie warned about people who get more specific than God has about the future and embarrass themselves and the church, when prophecies aren’t fulfilled.

Since that time I’ve made my own list of such mistakes

     *  In 1967, I heard seminary professor predict we wouldn’t be back to start school in the fall because Times of the Gentiles had ended with recapturing of Jerusalem during 6 day war.

     *  In ‘70s a fellow missionary was making plans because Jesus must come by 1988; the tribulation had to start by at least 1981

     *  2 books: 88 Reasons the Lord Will Come in ‘88; then, 89 Reasons the Lord Will Come in 89.

     *  Others predicted ‘93.

     *  In July 1994, I warned that 2000 would be considered a critical year, so expect predictions of the Lord’s coming between now and end of millennium.

     *  Prospects of peace treaty in Middle East make all familiar with prophecy, perk up our ears,

People want the inside track on what the future holds.

In the light of excesses, it’s hard to maintain a balanced perspective.

We have plenty to keep us busy being people God wants us to be today, without worrying about next year!

Unfortunately, excesses have produced skepticism (cynicism) about prophecy.

People overreact, “No one knows. Prophecy addicts are quacks! Forget about this prophecy business!”

Don’t let the quacks scare you off!

God has spoken prophetically. Warning: Don’t say more than God says! But DO watch for signs God has promised.

That’s what we want to do during the next few weeks in Daniel, Part II.

We want to see what light Daniel gives on our future, avoiding the trap of those who, like newscasters, want to tell you: “You heard it here first!”

What are the signs we should be watching for?

Daniel’s prophecies are VERY specific about what to expect.

After 6 historical examples which demonstrate God's control, even under pagan governments, Daniel presents the program for the future.

Chapters 7-12 are prophetic

They describe future events among pagan nations, and results for Israel.

They describe affliction Israel will suffer under Gentile dominion.

These 6 chapters function for us like 1-6 did for Daniel’s day.

1-6 give exx. from past of how God protected His people in scary times, so His people would trust Him when times seem uncertain.

Majority of prophecies in 7-12, have already been fulfilled.

Looking back: how God carried out plan in ch. 7-8 gives us confidence to apply prophecy in our times.

Dan. 7, looking back, identification of empires is obvious. Had we lived then, it would’ve been impossible to show leopard pointed to Greece.

Prophecies demonstrate God is in control; and help people expect coming kingdom; but don’t tell them who, or when he’d come.

We have to handle prophecy that way. People living in day of fulfillment will see specifics. In the meantime, we can identify the trend.

We’ll consider these prophecies to see what they tell us about the future.

Problem with prophecy: when we don’t understand details, we’re scared off!

     Don’t let unclear details frighten you!

Major lessons lie in part you can understand, not in vague details.

We want to focus on what you can understand.

We want to look beyond the curiosity-satisfying focus of a prophecy conference, to see how they spoke to Daniel and people in his day.

     What lessons did God want them to learn?

     What does He want us to learn about living in uncertain times?

7-8Emphasize God's plan from the perspective of the pagan nations.

9-12Emphasize God's plan as it relates to Israel.

Both subjects are seen in both parts.

But, focus changes--center of attention is different.

Each section begins with a general overview--a summary of the future.

Ch. 7-8--God's program for GENTILE NATIONS.

Dan. 7 = SUMMARY of future for Gentiles.

                  =  VISION OF 4 BEASTS.

=> From Babylonian Empire to millennial kingdom.

Before we get lost analyzing details, we need to uncover BIG IDEA

Reveals details about God’s program from Daniel’s day to the kingdom.

God’s people in each generation, as they live through these troubling times, need reminding of main idea. Stated twice: in 7:15-18 & 26-27.

What’s Daniel trying to tell us?

Troubling times are coming! Count on it!

     But in worst of them, remember 2 things:

         1)     They’re temporary

         2)     There’s a better future ahead. The best is yet to come!

Cp. 1 Pet. 1:6-7; In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

5:10-11 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

7:1-14 DANIEL DESCRIBES THE DREAM OF THE FOUR BEASTS

7:1-8 4 GREAT BEASTS arise

         7:1   Daniel introduces the dream

Chronologically, Dan 7 backs up.

                          Vision was during 1st yr of Belshazzar--before his feast

553 B.C.--14 years before Persian victory over Babylon.

Dan living in Babylon, but their fall is approaching.

Lord sends vision of future, during Times of Gentiles.

Vision parallels statue Nebuchadnezzar saw (Dan. 2).

         7:2   God stirs up nations; 4 great beasts emerge. 2-3

                      Daniel saw "4 winds of heaven stirring up the great sea."

"4 winds" => normally indicates movement from all 4 directions.

Winds "churning up" great sea—creating a storm (Mediteranean or nations).

Main idea: Daniel observed international storm brewing.

         7:3   4 great beasts came up out of the storm in the sea

Each different, but all were frightening.

Fighting each other—to take control of the world powers

7:41st Beast = Lion with eagles' wings = BabyloniaFIERCE

                  Fierce lion becomes like a man.

Lion = image of Power--strength—the fiercest among all the beasts.

                          It had Eagles' wings = speed and efficiency

                          After a while,     His wings were clipped  He was made like a man.

Is this a good change or a bad one?

Tempted to answer based on man-centered view.

What’s better than for a beast to become manlike—a superior creature!

If you were alone in a jungle, which would you rather be? Lion or man?

He lost characteristics of the lion and the eagle.

He received characteristics of a man.

He’s weaker than before.

Lion with wings: symbol of Babylonian empire

Description not new; New part: transformation to man

No one expected Babylon to share common fate with other kingdoms.

Everyone assumed its greatness would last forever. Sound familiar?

         7:5   2nd Beast = Bear, lop-sided = Medo-Persia     STRENGTH

                  Strong, lop-sided bear devours 3 other nations.

Image conveyed by the bear is brute strength

Babylonia was overthrown by Medes and Persians.

Always 2 sided, 1 stronger than other:

First, MEDIA-persia then, media-PERSIA; always uneven.

Bear devoured much meat => carrying 3 ribs between its teeth:

—Remains of animals devoured

—3 nations united under Nabonidus to oppose Cyrus

546,Cyrus attacked LYDIA--took Asia Minor.

539,Cyrus conquered BABYLONIA—Belshazzar’s feast

525,Cambyses II, son of Cyrus, conquered EGYPT

         7:6   3rd Beast = Leopard = Greece SWIFT, SPEED

                  Swift leopard, ruled by 4 heads.

Not strong as first 2; leopard deserves respect because of speed.

If normal speed not enough, this leopard equipped with 4 wings!

No one could escape attack of this adversary!

Speed with which Alexander the Great took world.

4 heads => 4 generals took over after Alexander's death.

Divided empire into 4 mini-empires:

301-(198)--Ptolemy--Egypt/Palestine prominent (esp. for Israel)

                          (198-143)--Seleucus--Syria and Mesopotamia prominent

--Lysimachus--Thrace and Bithynia (NW Asia Minor)

--Cassander--Macedonia and Greece

         7:7-8    4th Beast Incomparable, TERRIFYING = Rome

                  Terrifying, incomparable beast tramples other beasts

10 horns => 10 kings form alliance, create new empire.

Little horn out from 10, pulls up 3 others

2 notable characteristics:

Human eyes = observes everything going on

Mouth--speaks boastfully.

Arrogant/self-centered—exaggerated idea of importance.

—thinks he’s as important as God. (Rev. 17)

—attempts to take control of God’s throne (2 Thess. 2:4)

         Suddenly events on earth are interrupted.

From loudspeakers of heaven: “Now for a word from our Sponsor!”

     7:9-12  Ancient of Days sits on throne to judge empires

Not just earthly conflict; consequences controlled from God’s throne.

He’s about to reveal Himself, intervening in conflict, destroying scary beast with big mouth!

7:9-10 God sits down to judge

Great multitudes before Him, some serve; others just enjoy His presence

Judge seated on His throne and books were opened.

Judgment is coming; God Himself is Judge

7:11Beast killed

Little horn continued to talk big, until God intervened.

Whole beast destroyed; horn, final manifestation, AND system represented.

7:12Other beasts lose authority, but continue to exist.

Only 4th beast eliminated completely.

7:13-14Son of Man is given an eternal kingdom

Whatever opponents attempt, He wins battle. Opposition is futile.

Let heathen rage. God will set His King on His holy hill.

Once 4th beast is destroyed, kingdom of Son of Man is established.

God gives Him authority over all peoples of the earth.

His authority is eternal; no one takes it away from Him.

Daniel reveals the INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAM 7:15-27

     Daniel seeks the meaning of the dream 15-18

God’s servant troubled by what he sees; wants to know what it means.

         He knows God is in control, but fears developments.

              Would God be able to keep this under control?

Didn’t understand everything, but enough to provoke fear.

     7:17-18 Interpretation (However vague details seem. Hear this!!!

4 kingdoms arise, but God’s people receive an eternal kingdom.

4 human kingdoms will come and each will fall.

Contrast to temporary kingdoms: saints possess eternal kingdom.

         SUMMARY--there will be period of control by pagan kings.

BUT, God’s in control. He brings eternal kingdom which conquers them all. NO ONE will defeat it!

No matter how frightening circumstances seem, God’s people can trust Him! If we remain faithful, we will participate in His victory.

7:19-22PROBLEM OF 4th BEAST Daniel seeks meaning of 4th beast.

Interpretation satisfies Daniel; one thing still bothers him:

4th beast is worse. What does it represent?

He’s especially concerned about little horn.

What’s Daniel’s problem? 7:21-22--the horn wages war against the saints and overpowers them (NIV--he was defeating them)

God’s servant troubled that dreadful beast overpowers God’s people.

         Even though it’s only temporary--it bothers Daniel.

In His time, God intervenes in favor of saints and gives them kingdom.

Daniel struggles over how God allows beast to triumph over His people, even for little while!

         Daniel describes development of 4th beast and horn 19-20

         Horn wages war against God’s people and defeats them 21

Ancient of Days pronounces judgment in favor of God’s people and gives them kingdom. 22

7:23-28     EXPLANATION TO DANIEL

In spite of frightening dominance, his dominion will be taken away; God’s people will be given an eternal kingdom 23-27

However strong king’s words against God, he can’t take dominion!

God controls everything; He takes away king’s dominion.

     7:23 4th beast will be strongest kingdom that ever existed.

                  He devours the whole world.

He walks over everyone and smashes whole world.

Previous 3 ruled limited sphere; this king rules the world!

7:24aOut of this kingdom, 10 other kings arise.

Hordes from N. conquered Rome in 5th C., didn’t form empire.

                  Nations emerged out of old empire.

     7:24b   1 king takes over from 10, subduing 3.

     7:25 King opposes God, speaks against Him; wears down His people

He establishes his laws in place of God’s.

He oppresses God’s people ( “wears them out” as friction wears clothes or sandals).

Doesn’t cut them off at once; wears them out by oppression/constant hardships.

Protracted persecution more effective than moment of anguish--It’s long-term, nagging affliction.

Authority of little horn will last for a time, times and 1/2 a time.

What time period does this represent?

Hebrew has 3rd category for number: sgl, pl, & dual (like “pairs”).

                          He’ll rule for 1 time + pr of times + ½ time = 3½ times (or periods of a year)

                      Numerous parallels:  12:11 speaks of approximately same period, describing it as 1290 days (1260 = 3 1/2 years) Cp. 12:11 & 12:6

Rev. 12:14 & 12:6; 1/2 week of Dan. 9:26-27.

After 3½ years (= last ½ of tribulation) Antichrist is judged; eternal kingdom established 7:26-27

                  God takes away his dominion 26

                  God’s people given everlasting kingdom 27

Christ establishes kingdom and no one takes it from Him.

              All peoples worship and obey Him.

How does Daniel respond to this vision? 7:28

     Daniel is alarmed by what he hears, but keeps it to himself.

He’s emotionally drained--

              It wasn’t time to call a prophecy conference yet!

He’s not out to satisfy curious giving them all this juicy information.

Daniel thought about it and trusts Ancient of Days Who controled it.

What clues does that give us about proper response when we discover God’s plan?

HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND SPECIFICS OF PROPHETIC OVERVIEW FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE?

First 3 empires have lost their political authority, as Daniel predicted: Babylonia, Media-Persia, and Greece.

Roman Empire has come and gone; but hasn’t yet been demolished.

     Nor has 10 nation confederation grown out of it.

Son of Man has come; but hasn’t yet demolished pagan kingdoms, nor established His kingdom.

So what can we deduce from all this?

     His coming to establish His kingdom is yet future.

When He comes, He’ll destroy alliances of men who try to set themselves up as God and brag about how great they are.

While we see nations roar, opposing God and His people, we can rest confidently in promise that God is in control.

We’ve already read the last chapter. We know how the story ends!

God wins. His people win with Him.

Scary kings and kingdoms lie ahead, but God wins the battle; we win with Him!

         Ours is an eternal kingdom that none will overthrow!

We’re on the winning side!

Let’s be faithful in following our Lord’s commands!

Sometimes the situation looks hopeless.

     We should remain faithful and not give up.

     However bad things may look, we can trust Him,

         because we’re on the winning side!

No matter how great turmoil becomes, God’s people WILL receive an everlasting kingdom => 7:27