79 Compare Jeremiah 49:14-22, 28, where Nebuchadnezzar is compared to a lion and an eagle. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. Jesus applied this text to them, not as those who would enter into His kingdom, but as those who would be judged at His return. He had endured the training of the Chaldeans and he had lived his life in the service of a foreign king, at first the foreign king who had overthrown his country. Jesus quoted the words of Daniel 7:13. During times of oppression, it may appear the saints are being defeated and that Gods kingdom is but wishful thinking. 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. He surpasses those before him by speaking boastfully, then blaspheming, and finally seeking to overthrow Gods order. This is describing an event that has never happened in the history of the world and is yet future. (11) A distinction is made between God the Fatherthe Ancient of Days and God the Sonthe Son of Manwith both playing a part in the establishment of the kingdom. The saints of the Highest One are given all the kingdoms of the earth for an everlasting kingdom. Nevertheless, Daniel tells no one, keeping the matter to himself and suffering a quiet agony over the future events God has revealed to him. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him." Daniel urged them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven, . Remembering this avoids confusion. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule, he had a dream. And the high priest said to Him, I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN (Matthew 26:59-64). 4 The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. For the remainder of Nebuchadnezzars life, it seems that religion in the kingdom of Babylon was at least favorable to the worship of the God of the Jews. The wrenching off of the wings and the transformation of the lion, making him stand on two legs and giving him the mind of a man was a picture of God humbling Nebuchadnezzar and then restoring him to his right mind, you can read about this in Daniel 4. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). The other prophecies were revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar and interpreted by Daniel. Interpretations of Daniels prophecies differ widely. Does this dream have any significance for us? So King Nebuchadnezzar honored God's men. As we move into the second half of Daniel 7 and begin to dissect Daniels dream with the help of Gods Word and the help of history past because some of this dream which was yet future for Daniel is past history for us. Just a few years later Alexander died, and his empire was divided into four parts and his four generals became the monarch of a quarter of the Greek empire. The Ancient of Days is a designation for God, not found elsewhere in the Bible. In other words, this persecution of the saints will not go on unchecked but will be defined to a definite period of time. Different from the first three, this beast seems uglier, more powerful, and much more hostile toward God and His saints. Desiring a more detailed explanation, he apparently asked for one and received it. The only human things mentioned of the fourth beast are his eyes and his mouth. We know from history that though Persia rose later than Media it soon overshadowed Media in its power. The point of this prophecy is not to tell us who future kings will be, but rather what they will be like. We dare not ignore that which is revealed nor do we dare go too far afield in speculating about what is concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:23). We should not spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to fill in the blanks God has left. As the beast continues to boast, a second scene commences in Daniels vision, and for a period of time both scenes run simultaneously. Time: refers to one year, times is understood in Aramaic (the language this chapter was originally written in) to mean a dual or two, so times refers to two years and half a time refers to one half of a year. The visions explanation was not thorough enough to satisfy Daniel. The gap is not the prophets problem; it is ours. God stirred up the sea, and from its foaming, raging waters came forth four horrifying beasts. The prophecies of Daniel 7 speak of a future day of reckoning, foreshadowed by the actions of Belshazzar and the judgment of God on him and his kingdom. Consider the birth of a child, remembering that Gods deliverance and salvation is likened to birth. At least the final portion of chapter 7 has not been fulfilled. If you need one see me after the service and I will get you a copy. The other three are removed from power but allowed to live for some time after their removal (verse 12). The angels went on to add that the saints of the Highest One will be given into Antichrists hand for a time, times, and half a time. (8) Is there any relationship between Nebuchadnezzars dream in chapter 2 and Daniels dream in chapter 7? 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. Daniel's prophecy was one of hope. From an eternal perspective, the coming of Christ and His kingdom is but one coming. It is at this time that all human kingdoms will become subject to God and to the saints in the eternal kingdom, which the Son of Man will establish when He comes to the earth to judge and to rule. He was at ease when he received the vision, and then he became fearful, and his mind alarmed him (4:4-5). Daniel 7 indicates in the clearest way that prior to the coming of the kingdom of God the saints will suffer at the hand of the final horn and even be overpowered by him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. God would strike him down in the moment of His choosing to silence him once and for all and put an end to his kingdom. Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina . Before the coming of Christ, who would? Consider these lessons as we conclude. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream ( Daniel 2:1-16) Say: Some time later, the King had a dream. (1) The Book of Daniel is a part of the Holy Scriptures, and thus inspired, accurate, and trustworthy. Prophecy is necessary because Gods thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. Prophecies are given so that we may look at history, especially events occurring in our own lifetime, from Gods perspective. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. God has revealed in this interpretation what He wants us to know and has kept back that which we need not know. In Daniels dream the Greek empire and Alexander the great were represented by the four-headed, four-winged leopard. These horns are also kings, from whom kingdoms arise (verse 24). This kings boasting turns to blasphemy. (2) While the timing of the fulfillment of divine prophecy may seem remote to the recipient, it still has relevance for him. While most prophecies in the Bible reveal events which will take place after the death of the recipient of the prophecy, the prophecy is revealed for impact upon those to whom it was revealed. (10) What effect did the vision have on Daniel, and why? If not, he could never have become airborne again. Each of the four beasts represent a king and thus a resulting kingdom. We have talked about several times since starting this series about how studying Bible prophecy should influence you. When the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth, having added perfect humanity to His undiminished deity, He spoke of Himself very often as the Son of Man. In the Gospels, Jesus began not only to identify Himself as the Messiah, the promised Son of Man, but also to explain all that this involved. 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. Daniels response to the vision was far from assuring or calming. Having related the dream, Daniel then interprets it: it concerns four successive kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, which will be replaced by the everlasting kingdom of the God of heaven. As the wicked prosper in their sin, it seems as though they can continue in sin without any fear of divine judgment (see Psalm 73:1-11; 2 Peter 2:3-4). Rose withdraws the power from her chest, which takes the form of a ruby heart that then cracks as Unity dies peacefully in her sleep. 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. Abraham and Sarah were elderly and childless. 31-35). The chapter falls into two major parts. Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream by Larry Murray King Nebuchadnezzar had a puzzling dream that no one could explainuntil God gave the interpretation to Daniel. In the context of the coming of His kingdom and the suffering and trials which precede it, soberness is a vitally important quality which prophecy promotes: 1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. (2) The prophecies of Daniel must be understood in relationship to and in light of the other prophecies of Daniel. Daniel 2:24-49 New International Version Daniel Interprets the Dream 24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself (verse 28). Prophecy is not a pep rally, which generates a great burst of short-term enthusiasm but does little to inspire faith and endurance in the midst of suffering. It was said ( ch. Both series of four kingdoms begin well and end badly. Because of his wisdom, and the favour of God, Daniel rose to a position within the Babylonian government. (Numbers 23:19). The final push of the times of the Gentiles will last for 3 years, then the end will come, the end of the times of the Gentiles., THE JUDGMENT AND THE FIFTH KINGDOM (Daniel 7:26-27). Prophecy is necessary then so that men are reassured of divine deliverance and blessing, as well as divine judgment (see 2 Peter 2:4-9). As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself. (Daniel 7:1528, NASB95)[1], THE FOUR BEASTS REVEALED (Daniel 7:15-18). Specifically, the account of The Bad News at Belshazzars Banquet (not a bad title for that lesson) in chapter 5 was given to us so that we could better understand the prophecies of chapters 7 and 8. 25 And 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. In verse 1 Daniel indicates his vision came to him in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar. As Daniel continues to watch, someone descends with the clouds of heaven, one like a Son of Man. He is presented to the Ancient of Days, and to Him is given dominion, glory, and the eternal kingdom. God is in no hurry to fulfill His promises, whether His promise of the eternal kingdom for all the saints or the promise of eternal destruction and judgment for sinners. 74 The personal cost of receiving divine revelation is never underestimated in the Old Testament (cf. This also underscores that these four kingdoms go from reasonably good to unbelievably bad. Who is the Son of Man? 3 While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. The prophecy of this chapter is divinely interpreted. Peter reminds us of Gods patience, but His patience has a determined end. God grants this king success and his saints suffering, but only for an appointed time. Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. 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