CERTAINTY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
Daniel 7:1-28 (Bible quotes are from NKJV)
INTRODUCTION
Pastor _______ has been preaching a series on the book of Daniel, and he asked if I would cover the topic of the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7 this week while he’s away. So this morning, we’re going to examine some Biblical prophecy.
“Certainty in Uncertain Times”... To be certain means to be sure, definite, fixed, proven to be true, inevitable, settled, incapable of failing. Certainty and faith go hand-in-hand. The more certain you are, the more faith you have... The more faith you have, the more certain you become. However, on the opposite end of the spectrum lies uncertainty. Uncertainty breeds fear, and fear feeds uncertainty. Uncertainty and fear also go hand-in-hand.
“Uncertainty” has become more commonplace in today’s times. Everywhere we turn, we see uncertainty. Growing political divisiveness, government shutdowns, fiscal cliffs, school shootings, attacks on our Constitutional freedoms, unrestrained, degrading morality, terrorist threats, nations in turmoil, attacks on Christians increasing, earthquakes, floods, fires, cyclones. Death and disaster and war are all around us. All of this breeds uncertainty... insecurity... fear. We are living in the middle of troubled and uncertain times.
This morning, we’re going to shake off uncertainty and grab on tightly to four certainties. That’s the message I believe God has for us this morning as we examine the prophecy of the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7. Go ahead and turn in your Bibles to Daniel chapter 7. Please stand with me as we read Daniel chapter 7 verses 1 thru 8… [READ Daniel 7:1-8] Thank you. You may be seated.
We need to be very careful as we examine prophetic Scripture. It’s tempting to ascribe all kinds of meanings and symbolism to various elements that we find in these passages. There are plenty of theological “opinions” out there that I’m not going to get into regarding those things if for no other reason than we simply don’t have time this morning. Instead, I’m going to focus on what the Bible specifically states (I’m going to use the Bible to interpret the Bible), and how historical events align with it.
First, let’s set some context. Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 happens during the first year of Belshazzar, roughly 553 B.C., which is during the time of the Babylonian Empire. The fact that Daniel's vision occurred before the events that it describes helps steer us to our first "certainty".
I. GOD’S PLAN IS UNFOLDING EXACTLY AS HE HAS ORDAINED IT
Even though we are living in the midst of troubled times, we hold fast to the certainty that God’s plan is still playing out exactly as He has ordained it. This is our first “certainty” to hang onto this morning.
The four beasts in Daniel’s dream correspond to the four kingdoms represented by the statue from Nebuchadnezzer’s dream back in chapter 2. Keep your place in chapter 7 and turn to chapter 2 verses 31-35 with me. [READ Daniel 2:31-35] I’m not going to spend a lot of time on the first 3 beasts and corresponding kingdoms, but just enough to draw some connections.
First, we have the head of gold. God already gives Daniel the interpretation of the head of gold in chapter 2. In verses 37 and 38, Daniel explains that King Nebuchadnezzer (and therefore the Babylonian Kingdom) IS the head of gold. Let’s go back to chapter 7 and read verse 4, “The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.” This signifies how God humbled King Nebuchadnezzer as described in Daniel chapter 4, and then lifted him back up again. The first kingdom of the prophecy, represented by the first beast, is the Babylonian Empire. This part of the prophecy has been fulfilled.
The second beast is the bear, raised up on 1 side, with 3 ribs in its mouth. This is the “silver” kingdom, the silver chest and arms of the statue from chapter 2. The kingdom that followed the Babylonian Empire is the Medo-Persian Empire. Raised up on 1 side signifies that the Persians were more powerful than the Medes, though their alliance formed a single empire. The 3 ribs represent the 3 kingdoms that the Medo-Persians devoured – Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. Daniel has another vision in chapter 8 about a ram and a goat. Let’s read 8:20 real quick... “The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia.” The ram (from ch 8), the bear (from ch 7), and the statue’s silver chest and arms (from ch 2) are all prophecies about the same kingdom. This second beast, and the second kingdom of the statue, is the Medo-Persian Empire. This part of the prophecy has been fulfilled.
The third beast is the leopard with 4 heads and 4 wings, which corresponds to the belly and thighs of bronze from the statue. Alexander the Great spread quickly over the face the land, and established the Greek Empire, replacing the Medes and Persians. After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided among his generals into 4 parts – Macedonia, Egypt, Syria, and Thrace – hence, the 4 heads of the leopard. Again, we can jump ahead to chapter 8:21-22 to get more a more detailed prophetic answer... “And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.” The Greek Empire is the 3rd kingdom. This part of the prophecy has been fulfilled.
Each of the prophecies from Daniel chapters 2, 7, and 8 occurred during the time of the Babylonian Empire. There is even more detail in some of the other chapters of Daniel that we won’t have a chance to look at today, but the actual historical events have matched the prophecies in every detail pertaining to these first 3 kingdoms. This fills us with certainty that every detail of God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He has already ordained it. God is in complete control. God is able to raise up kings and kingdoms and tear them down again. He is all-powerful and HIS plan is what will be accomplished. Should we become fearful about the uncertainty of the future? The enemy would like to make us fearful, but we know that absolutely NOTHING is uncertain from God’s vantage point, and He’s given us these prophecies to prove it.
II. GOD’S PLAN IS THAT TROUBLES WILL INCREASE AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE END
The fourth beast, and the legs and feet of the statue are more difficult to interpret fully, I think mainly because we’re currently living in that part of the prophecy today. Most theologians believe this represents the Roman Empire. The primary point here though, which is point number 2, is that it’s all part of God’s plan that troubles will increase as we get closer to the end.
This fourth beast is more dreadful and unsettling than any of the others before it. This is the dreadful and terrible, yet otherwise unnamed, beast from chapter 7. This beast corresponds with the legs of iron and the 10 horns plus the little horn corresponding with the feet of iron and clay from chapter 2. If we look at verses 15 and 28 from chapter 7, which form “bookends” around the interpretation of the vision of the fourth beast, we’ll see that even Daniel was shaken by what he saw. [READ 7:15, 7:28] He was especially troubled by the scene of the fourth beast. Of all the beasts, that is the one he asked specifically about. [READ 7:19-20] Of all the beasts, the fourth beast represents the kingdom that we are living witnesses to today. As Daniel personally witnessed the first beast, and the coming of the second beast, we are witnesses to the times that belong to the fourth beast.
My friends, this is too important for me to sugar-coat or to treat light-heartedly. We are living toward the end of the time of the fourth kingdom. We are nearing the end of the last earthly kingdom according to Biblical prophecy. We are living in troubled, uncertain times. We have plenty of reasons to be troubled in our spirits just like Daniel was when God revealed all this to him. Troubles will continue to increase, but God doesn’t want us to fear. He wants us to be certain of His love and grace and mercy toward us.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 46:1-3 reads, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.”
Jesus Himself says to us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
But my favorite is found in Romans 8:35-39... Turn to that one with me...
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Yes, troubles will continue to increase as we get closer to the end, but Jesus Christ Himself has given His people, His church, His bride... PEACE and CERTAINTY.
-- Our God is Jehovah-Shalom, the LORD our Peace.
-- Jehovah-Jireh, the LORD our Provider.
-- Jehovah-Rohi, the LORD our Shepherd.
-- He is Jehovah-Shammah, the LORD who is there.
-- He is El-Roi, the Strong One who Sees.
-- All power and dominion and authority are His forever and ever... He is the Lord God, Adonai Elohim!
-- His name, El Shaddai, depicts His almighty power and His willingness to supply perfectly from His inexhaustible resources... He is sufficient... He’s all I need.
-- He has given us His covenant name, YHWH. His covenant is with US, His people.
Of whom should we fear? Of what should we be afraid? I have certainty that God is completely in control, even as troubles increase, and nothing can snatch me out of His hand. He is the Great I AM.
III. GOD’S PLAN IS TO JUDGE AND PUNISH THE WICKED
The third thing we can know with certainty is that it’s God’s plan to judge and punish the wicked. Let’s look at chapter 7 verses 9-11... [READ 7:9-11] And now jump over to verse 26... [READ 7:26]
The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man and the court scene correspond to the stone smashing the feet of the statue in chapter 2 and crushing it all until there was no trace of the statue to be found. (Dan 2:34-35) This dreadful, terrifying fourth beast and his entire kingdom will be destroyed. Anyone who is not already part of the Kingdom of God will likewise be judged and cast into hell for an eternity of punishment. Some people may try and convince you that there is no such thing as hell, or that God is too loving and merciful to send anyone to an eternity of punishment. Those are all lies of Satan. Don’t be deceived. Final judgment and punishment is a certainty for those who have not surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Grace and mercy is available, but ONLY through Jesus Christ.
IV. GOD’S PLAN IS TO ESTABLISH AN ETERNAL KINGDOM
The fourth and final certainty that we find in Daniel chapter 7 is that it’s God’s plan to establish an eternal kingdom. Let’s read verses 13-14... [READ 7:13-14] And then jump over to verse 27... [READ 7:27]
Back in chapter 2, the stone that struck and destroyed the statue “became a mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:35) This is a certainty. It’s God’s plan to establish an eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ and fill it with those who love God and have surrendered their lives to Him.
CONCLUSION
These are definitely uncertain and troubled times we’re living in. I hope and pray that what we’ve examined in Daniel 7 fills you with certainty.
It’s a certainty that God’s plan continues to unfold exactly how He has ordained it to happen. God hasn’t lost control. He is all-powerful, and His purposes will be accomplished. Be certain of that.
It’s a certainty that troubles will continue to increase as the end draws closer. We’re living toward the end of the fourth and final earthly kingdom according to the prophecies revealed to Daniel. Even though it’s certain that troubles will increase, it’s also a certainty that Jesus has given us His peace, and we are not to face these difficult times with fear and uncertainty. We can be certain that our Heavenly Father will take care of us in these uncertain times.
It’s also a certainty that the wicked, those who have rejected Jesus Christ, will face judgment and eternal punishment. Oh my friend, if that is you this morning, surrender yourself to Jesus Christ. Only by losing your life can you save it. You’re either an enemy of God, or you’re His adopted child. There is no middle ground. There is no amount of good works you can do, even if you could live a million lifetimes, to make up for the curse of sin that you carry with you as an enemy of God. Only by admitting that you’re a sinner and confessing to God that you need a Savior, and that you believe that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God who came to pay the price for your sins, and then confessing to God that you need a Savior... that you need HIM... Only then will you be saved. Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” I pray that is you today.
If that IS you, and you have been reconciled with God... Then it’s also a certainty that you will inherit the eternal kingdom that will never pass away. We will get to see Him face-to-face. Oh people of God, what a wonderful day that will be!
Let’s pray… [PRAY]
