1. In so many ways, we see things differently than God does.
a. We see the sickness, God sees the healing.
b. We see the troubles, God sees the triumph.
c. We so easily see the tribulation, while God sees the training.
d. Man sees the power, the prestige, the permanence of this world while God knows it’s only temporary…
e. And it’s really not that powerful or prestigious!
REALLY JESUS SAID IT BEST. It’s the ultimate observation:
Matthew 16.24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
LIFE, in the truest sense of the word, is only found in Jesus Christ.
• SO IT MAKE SENSE THEN to read of God’s words through the Prophet Isaiah in CH55:8-9 – Let’s look there.
NOTE: His ways, His thoughts… so different from ours.
• So it makes sense to see Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel have completely different dreams describing the same thing.
• Different Dreams? Same Thing? Yes.
• In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of the coming empires beginning with his…
• The GREAT IMAGE the King saw was actually a peek into future history as the coming world kingdoms would emerge & fall.
• All the way into the end times.
o Gold Head – Representing Babylon.
o Chest & Arms of Silver – Medes/Persians
o Belly & Thighs of Bronze – Grecian Empire
o Legs of Iron – Roman Empire
o Feet mixed with iron & clay – A revived Roman Empire
That was MAN’S PERSPECTIVE of world history…
• The gov’ts of man were stately, noble, powerful, valuable.
• BUT CH7 Daniel’s dream isn’t of an image, but of wild, beasts.
• God is saying, “Here is my perspective on things. The gov’t of man is not gold or silver, but beastly and wild!”
One More THING before we jump in this morning.
• We’re entering a new section of the book.
• Chapters 1-6, the first part, deal with the PERSONAL LIFE of Daniel and are narrative.
• Chapters 7-12, the second half, deal with world history and are PROPHETIC in nature.
• Most of it was still yet future for Daniel, but as we look back much of it has been fulfilled!
• And from this chapter through the end, we have some of the most amazing prophetic visions in the Bible.
• Some have even called it a ‘little Revelation’.
• In fact, our study through Revelation will help us a lot!
I. (7:1-14) A WILD DREAM!
1. (1) The Facts.
a. Daniel says in v1, that he wrote down his wild dream.
b. He’s telling the truth, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
c. The dream actually predates some of what we’ve already studied.
d. CH7 can actually fit between CH 5 & CH 6.
e. And right away we see the comparison with CH2.
Both have 4 symbols of kingdoms followed by the Messiah’s Kingdom.
Both show a duality in the 2nd Kingdom.
Both show a 10-fold division of the last kingdom.
And the same interpretation is found for the 10 horns and the Messiah’s Kingdom that will destroy the previous kingdoms.
• But there is a DIFFERENCE. Here we are introduced to a “LITTLE HORN” in v8, who is a key person of the Last Kingdom.
• He’s known as the MAN OF SIN, the SON OF PERDITION, the Coming PRINCE, and most commonly, the ANTICHRIST.
2. (2-14) Four Beasts Coming up.
a. We know from Revelation 17:1 & 15, that the GREAT SEA represents the nations of the world.
b. And out of these nations will arise these 4 beasts.
#1 – v4: A LION w/ EAGLE’S WINGS: BABYLON.
• (Head of Gold)
• This is interesting because in archaeological discoveries, the national symbol of Babylon was a winged lion!
• It says here that her wings were plucked off and it was lifted up from the earth.
• It sounds a lot like what happened to Nebuchadnezzar.
APP: You see, the lesson he learned, and Belshazzar after him, was that “God is able to bring down those who are proud.”
• It’s not just that is He able, He will.
• If we won’t walk in humility, then we will creep in humiliation!
• Just as Nebuchadnezzar became like an animal for 7 years!
#2 – v5: A BEAR w/ 3 RIBS IN MOUTH: MEDO/PERSIAN
• (Chest & Arms of Silver)
• Their combination formed the next great ruling Empire.
• Why are they described like a bear?
• They had a huge, massive army of over 2 ½ million men.
• It was LARGE & STRONG, but also SLOW & SLUGGISH.
• And the 3 ribs speak of the first 3 ruling empires they conquered on their way to rule the world, Egypt, Lydia, & Babylon!
• They did arise and eat much flesh in their victories!
#3 – v6: A LEOPARD w/4 wings & 4 heads: GREECE.
• (Belly & Thigh of Brass/Bronze)
• This is the swift movement of Alexander the Great.
• That was his strength, not in numbers, but in tenacity.
• And in the division of the Grecian Empire, the 4 wings, the 4 heads represent those 4 generals that took over after the suicide of Alexander the Great!
#4 – v7: DREADFUL & TERRIBLE: ROME.
• (Legs of Iron)
• Teeth of iron, devouring & breaking in pieces.
• The Roman Empire was that Empire that conquered and ruled with an IRON FIST.
#5: v8 HORNS w/ a LITTLE HORN RISING UP: END TIMES KINGDOM.
• (10 Toes mixed with IRON & CLAY)
• Now it differs a little, with this LITTLE HORN.
• Let’s read on… v9-14
NOTE: So the kingdom overseen by this little horn is then destroyed by the Ancient of Days (v9) also known as One like the Son of Man in (v13).
II. (7:15-28) THE END TIMES RULERS!
3. (15-28) Distressing… led to wanting to know more.
a. Daniel did something wise & spiritual, something just great in his distress, he sought more information.
Prov. 24.6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
b. This is an area where many fall short.
NOTE: When distressing or troubling times come, so many seek to hide away, and not press in deeper to the Lord.
• Daniel is a great example here, it says in v16, he came near.
• And the one that near him gave him the interpretation!
Psalm 73.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 65.5 Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
BUT also notice, the answer he received was still difficult.
• The end times were revealed to Daniel and specifically, he was given insight into the coming ANTICHRIST!
SO IN THIS CHAPTER we see a great contrast in the last 2 kingdoms that will inhabit the earth.
• First there will be a revived ROMAN EMPIRE… those toes mixed with clay and iron of CH2. The 10 horns here in CH7.
• We were introduced to him in our study in Revelation 6:1ff.
REV CH 13 gives us more insight on this man who comes on the scene at the beginning of the Great Tribulation period.
• This is Satan’s Messiah, his imitation of Jesus Christ.
NOTE: He ushers in the NEW WORLD ORDER, the one-world government that’s used for control during the GT period.
• Although we don’t know his exact name, throughout the Bible there are some 50 titles given for the antichrist.
• (son of perdition, wicked one, seed of the serpent, etc.)
• Interestingly enough, it’s from John himself that we get the specific title antichrist.
1 John 2.18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
I KNOW WHEN YOU MENTION the name “Antichrist” the average person out there sort of chuckles & mocks.
• They put the antichrist right up there with Peter Pan & Gremlins
BUT THE BIBLE says when he comes on the scene, the world will embrace him and accept him and elevate him.
• He will be one smooth operator, bringing peace upon the earth.
ON THE ONE HAND, many think he’s not real.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, many have made it their goal in life to figure out exactly who this character is.
• Some have said Nero, Caligula,
• Hitler, Gorbachav, Kissinger, even Hillary Clinton!
PERSONALLY, I DON’T CARE WHO THE ANTICHRIST IS.
• I’m not looking for him. I’m not studying people. Looking for that sinister gleam in their eyes. I don’t have the time!
APP: We’re in grave error when we waste our precious time looking for the antichrist. We are never instructed to look for him.
• Let’s look at Titus 2.11-14
NOW let’s go back in our time remaining this morning and look at this antichrist… and what ultimately happens to him.
V8, 11, 20, 25 – A little horn, speaking pompous words.
V20 – His appearance was greater than the others.
V21 & v25 – He made war against the saints.
V23 – Devours the whole earth, trample & break in pieces
V11 – The beast was slain., v26 taken away, consumed & destroyed.
Revelation 12 tells us Satan’s real battle is with the nation of Israel and the Messiah birthed through her.
• For 7 years, the earth will be in upheaval. Jesus said:
Matthew 24.21-22 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
NOTE: In this 7 year period, with the church in heaven with our bridegroom, God’s attention is turned again to Israel.
• We find this is the 70th week of Daniel 9, a time of fulfillment of the Spirit’s promise through Paul in Romans 9-10-11.
• He’ll come on the scene small, embraced by all.
• But in the middle of the 7 years, 3.5 into, he will set up an image in the Temple and demand be worshipped.
• He turns on Israel. He turns on the world! BUT…
4. (25-27) The Antichrist is going down!
a. I like that. He won’t, he can’t, rule forever.
b. The world ruler, the little horn… will fall at the hands of the Most High, the Ancient of Days, one like the Son of Man!
c. Let’s flip back to Revelation 19:11ff
THE HIM in DANIEL 7:27 is Jesus Christ and he will and reign!
NOTE: When will man & the governments of man learn that?
• So many rules today see the great image. They see their opportunity to rule rather than their obligation to God!
• Politics has overtaken Prayer. Policies overrule Reliance.
WE HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS trying to keep the peace.
DID You KNOW hanging in their hallways is a familiar Bible Passage.
Isa 2.4 (NKJV) “…They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.”
“That’s our goal”, they say, “that’s why we’re here”, to uphold the biblical promise of an elimination of war, & hostility…
• We can do it if we just get the governments of man together!
• Because it’s true, The Word is clear and trustworthy!
• There IS coming a day where all hostility & war will be over…
BUT GUYS… do you know what they forgot? They forgot to include the first part of that verse. It doesn’t start with the word “They”.
• It actually starts with the word “HE”, with a capital ‘H’.
Isa 2.4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.
THE UN is NOT going to bring peace. The governments of man WILL NOT bring lasting peace.
• NO, the governments of man are wild, and ferocious and hungry for more power, more territory, more control.
• Why the picture of beasts here? Why does it apply?
NOTE: Beasts get angry easily. He guards his territory. He sheds blood without thinking. He roams and destroys at will.
• Have you ever seen a group of bears marching together to ‘SAVE THE RABBITS’? NO WAY. They eat ‘em.
• Bears don’t apply for fishing licenses. They’re brutal creatures.
• What they want they go after and the take what they can get.
SO GOD’S VIEW is very different because He sees the end… Do you?
• It’s right up ahead gang.
• Have you decided to give your life up so that you might save it?
• Are you investing in this world, putting your tent pegs down to stick around a while? OR does this world have NO HOLD ON You?!
