Daniel Chapter 7b Series

b. The Heavenly Empire (7:9-14)

Up until now, Daniel’s interest had been taken up with the rise and fall of these empires. Now, he was to see all human power, might, and dominion fade into insignificance. His gaze is now directed towards Heaven.

1. God’s Sovereignty (7:9)

Verse 9a

Daniel saw thrones set up – the critics of the King James Bible have a field day with this verse because it says that the thrones were cast down… The Chaldean is remâh (rem-aw) and it means to throw, set… The literal rendering of the Chaldean expression is one that implies the casting down of rugs and cushions to be used as an oriental divan-throne. The English translation would seem to imply the destruction of thrones.

This scene corresponds to the one in Revelation 4 and 5, where there are 17 references to the throne of God, the four and twenty elders and the “seats” (literally “thrones”) on which they sat are mentioned.

Daniel saw these thrones being set in preparation for the judgement of the fourth beast and the little horn. Central to the thrones of the angelic elders was another throne on which sat the “Ancient of Days”

Ancient of Days is a name for God that emphasizes His eternality; He is the God who has existed from eternity passed, has planned all things, and is working out His plan.

His dazzling white garment proclaims His holiness, His hair like pure wool, advertised His eternal being, His countless years, His experience, His majesty. His throne was like a wheeled chariot

The vision of God’s throne here parallels the one in Ezekiel 1:15-21. The fire speaks of His holiness and judgement against sin and the wheels symbolise His providential working in the ways we can’t understand.

Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

2. God’s Sentence (7:10-12)

Verse 10

Here we see God praised by a multitude of saints and angels Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

The books are opened and the Lord prepares to judge evil on the earth. God’s judgement is not based on a whim. He keeps records not because He needs them, but so those who are about to be condemned might face the record of their own actions and deeds.

Nothing, no matter how small, in all of the worlds history, has escaped God’s attention, it is all written down. Historians miss facts, often on purpose so that they can prove their theory, but God misses nothing. The book contains it all. Every thought, word and deed of every man, woman, boy and girl, everything is written down.

No matter what Satan and the Antichrist do on earth, God is still on the throne and He executes judgement. Justice will be done Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Verse 11

The doom of the fourth beast is described. The language embraces both the empire and its head, the Antichrist. The blasphemies of the Antichrist will bring the undiluted wrath of God. Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.