Daniel 7
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Daniel 7:1-6
MacArthur writes that Daniel 7 is… significant for a number of reasons: (1) it demonstrates God’s sovereignty over earthly affairs and human history; (2) it provides a clear glimpse of the prophetic future—specifically the events leading up to the Second Advent of Christ; (3) it shows the veracity of the Word of God (in the numerous prophecies already fulfilled in history); (4) it gives believers a wonderful role model in the person of Daniel, who lived a life of faithfulness and devotion. (MacArthur, J. Daniel : God's Control over Rulers and Nations. MacArthur Bible Studies. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group) In the first year of Belshazzar - The year would be about 553BC, almost 50 years after Daniel's prophetic interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's metallic statue dream and 14 years before the party of Da 5:1,2,3. This places the vision after Daniel 4 but before Daniel 5. Observe that each of Daniel's visions in Daniel 7-12 are specifically dated as shown in the table below. The last four visions focus on God's plan for Israel, whereas the prophecy in Daniel 2 was primarily focused on God's dealings with the Gentile kingdoms until the end of this age. THE CHRONOLOGY OF DANIEL'S FOUR GREAT PROPHETIC VISIONS CHAPTER DANIEL'S DESCRIPTION DATE Da 7:1 first year of Belshazzar 553BC Da 8:1 third year of the reign of Belshazzar 551BC Da 9:1, 21, 23 first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus 539BC Da 10:1 third year of Cyrus king of Persia 536BC Nebuchadnezzar died in 562BC (we last read about him in Daniel 4), nine years before Belshazzar began to reign (we read about him in Daniel 5), so that the vision of Daniel 7 was given to Daniel between chapters 4 and 5. From the table it is clear that Da 8:1 also occurred between chapters 4-5 and the visions of Da 9:1 and Da 10:1 are related to Daniel 6 and the inception of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Although King Belshazzar seems to have paid little attention to the great prophet Daniel (Da 5:10, 11, 12, 13, 16-notes), God clearly had not forgotten his highly esteemed servant (Da 9:23, 10:11, 19) and choose to reveal to him the most incredible prophecies in all the Word of God during his time out of the "limelight". It is notable that all of these visions were given when Daniel was in the latter years of his life (from about 68yo to about 85yo), emphasizing that "retirement" (even Belshazzar's "shelving" of Daniel!) was not on God's agenda for His chosen vessel (nor is it on His agenda for any of His esteemed bond-servants, so let us all take Paul's charge to heart and redeem the time [Eph 5:16-note]!). Daniel saw a dream and visions (dream = singular, visions = plural ~ several "stages") - In Da 1:17-note we observed that one aspect of God's "favor" (Da 1:9-note) was that Daniel was given the ability to understand "all kinds of visions and dreams", which is interesting because he did not understand these visions (Da 7:16). Towner writes that "Daniel turns now from public demonstrations of the power of the God of Israel in a strange land to the private reception of visions of the future destiny of God’s chosen ones." (Towner, W. S. Daniel. Interpretation, a Bible commentary for teaching and preaching. Atlanta: John Knox Press) Leupold writes that by summary Daniel - Appears to say that the essential features were culled out of the great variety of details that a long dream presented so as not to present a bewildering array of detail… a significant reminder that every word is carefully chosen and to the point; unessential items are passed by. Daniel 7:2 Daniel said, "I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea great sea: Rev 17:15 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Daniel said - From this point on the account is in the first person as Daniel shares this personal revelation from God to His choice servant. Some might question that if this in the first person, then who wrote Daniel 7:1 which is written from the perspective of third person? Jeske explains that Unlike other prophets (Isa 1:1; Jer 1:1), the book of Daniel contains no heading or clear statement calling Daniel its author. Yet the book does point to Daniel as the author. We have here a situation something like that of the first five books of the Old Testament, in which Moses often writes of himself in the third person, as does Daniel here… If Daniel is named as the one who received the divine revelation recorded here, then it follows that he is the author. The question “Who wrote the book?” is settled finally for us by Christ himself. Quoting from the book of Daniel, Jesus referred to the words as being “spoken … through the prophet Daniel” (Mt 24:15). Both the Jewish and the Christian churches have for centuries agreed that Daniel wrote this book… For a number of reasons, many Bible scholars prefer to think that the book of Daniel was not written by Daniel, and not in the sixth century BC, but by an unknown author, some pious Jew, in the second century BC. At the heart of the debate about the date of the book is the matter of predictive prophecy, since Daniel frequently refers to events in the distant future. Many scholars reason as follows: It is impossible for any human being to predict events that lie in the future; therefore, a book that contains such predictions must have been written after the events which it predicts. But if we believe that the God who controls the future chose to reveal to Daniel events that were still in the future, then there is no valid reason for contesting the book’s claim to be the record of the life and visions of Daniel himself. (Jeske, J. C. Daniel. The People's Bible. Milwaukee, Wis.: Northwestern Pub. House) I was looking (Da 7:4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 21) - This repeated phrase is similar to the other phrase in Daniel 7 (kept looking) which more literally is "I was gazing intently". What is the significance of this repetitive statement? Clearly Daniel was fascinated by the vision God had given him and he examined it carefully. In the Revelation of Jesus Christ we see John uses the verb "saw" 49 times and "look" (looked, etc) some 14 times. Both these apocalyptic books are very "visual" if you will! Behold - An interjection which indicates surprise and/or amazement and (not surprisingly) occurs 5 times in Daniel 7 (Da 7:2, 5, 6, 7, 13)! To say that this interjection calls attention to something unusual is an understatement in the context of this chapter! Little surprise that by Daniel 7:14 the prophet's "spirit was distressed" and his "mind kept alarming" him! (Da 7:28) Four winds of heaven (cp Da 8:8) - These winds are described in a way that pictures them as contemporaneously stirring up the great sea. These probably represent supernatural "winds" and not literal winds, for it states that these winds originate in heaven. The Hebrew word (related to the Aramaic word in this passage) for winds in the OT can be translated as angel. TWOT notes that the Hebrew word may "designate a supernatural, angelic being, "a spirit from God" (1Sa 16:23)." (See also Jer 49:36, 51:1, Zec 6:5). Gregg Allen - The four winds of heaven probably represent circumstances, under the divine hand of the Sovereign God, that cause turbulence and a stirring in the Gentile world. It is from this “stirring” of the “sea” that these four world-kingdoms arise. (Daniel 7) See related discussion - The Number Four in the Revelation (Tony Garland) Four may denote the four directions of the earth (N, S, E, W) and thus implies the "churning" or "stirring up" by the winds is universal. Keil - The winds of the heavens represent the heavenly powers and forces by which God sets the (Gentile) nations of the world in motion. Whitcomb - The four winds of heaven probably speak of the angelic forces through which God controls and moves the nations. Of more than 120 references in the Bible to wind (more than 90 in the OT and about 30 in the NT), well over half are related to events and ideas which reflect the sovereignty and power of God (Ed note: In other words >50% of the uses of "wind" in Scripture refer to God's sovereignty causing something to happen! As an aside many of the uses of wind are associated with judgment, eg, see Ge 8:1, Ex 10:13, 15:10, Rev 7:1-note). (Whitcomb, J: Daniel- Everyman's Bible Commentary) Stirring up - Churning up. The Septuagint translates it with a Greek verb (prosballo) which means to strike, to dash against, to blow violently upon and the imperfect tense picturing this as happening over and over. One gets the picture of waves continually chaotically crashing, an apt description of the great sea the Gentile nations of the world (see note below). Beloved, the world may look like it's falling apart, but in fact it is "coming together" a truth understood by those who know the end of "the story" (even as expounded here in Daniel 7). As we see the foundations of our world seemingly shaken by economic woes, poverty, senseless bloodshed, etc, we need to continually recall that world "History" is "HIS-tory"! Our God has not abdicated His throne but is still in control of kings and kingdoms (cp Da 2:21-note) and is working all things out toward a glorious consummation, the return of the Rightful Heir and King of kings (Second Coming). There is a "stirring up" going on even today in the Gentile nations of the world -- just look at the headlines of your newspaper! The great sea - A number of commentators interpret this phrase as a reference to the Mediterranean Sea, which in Scripture is specifically called the great sea (Nu 34:6, 7, Josh 1:4, 9:1, 15:12, 47, 23:4, Ezek 47:10, 15, 19, 20, 48:28). To be sure, all four of the kingdoms (see below) alluded to in this beastly prophecy were at least partially contiguous with the Mediterranean Sea (Mediterranean = “middle of the earth”). However many conservative commentators interpret the great sea as a picture of the (Gentile) nations of the world or the "sea of humanity" (cp Jesus' figurative use in Mt 13:47) in a state of continual turbulence (cp "sea" in Isa 17:12, sinful humanity compared to the sea in Isa 57:20). The context would seem to support the figurative interpretation of great sea, for in Da 7:3 we read of "four great beast… coming up from the sea." which would be more compatible with the view that the great sea referred to peoples and nations (Gentiles). Further confirmation is another prophetic passage in Revelation which defines the waters as "peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues." (Rev 17:15-note) Although the fact that that Da 7:17 says they arise from the earth, would also support a figurative usage, in this case the mass of humanity. Miller reasons that… The phrase the great sea does denote this body of water elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., Josh 1:4; 9:1; 15:12, 47), but that identification does not appear to have any significance here. Daniel interpreted this symbol for the reader later in the chapter, and Scripture passages elsewhere also make the meaning clear. In Da 7:3 four great beasts are portrayed as coming up from the sea, whereas Da 7:17 states that these beasts rise up from the earth. Thus Da 7:17 interprets the “sea” to be symbolic of the “earth,” and the beasts that rise out of this “sea” are interpreted later in the chapter as being great “earthly” kingdoms. (Miller, S. R. Vol. 18: Daniel The New American Commentary (195). Nashville: Broadman & Holman) Whitcomb writes that… In biblical symbolism, the great sea pictures fallen humanity (cf Isa 8:6, 7, 8; 17:12,13; 57:20; Je 6:23; 46:7, 8; 47:2; Mt 13:47; Rev 13:1;17:1,15). (Whitcomb, J: Daniel- Everyman's Bible Commentary) Hitchcock feels it has… both a literal and a (figurative) interpretation. Literally speaking, "the great sea" generally refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which is so-called because it is situated geographically in the center of the earth. It is a great sea because it borders on so many large continents. It is a great sea because, around its shores the great empires of history have risen and fallen. We shall assume, therefore, that the great sea in its literal (sense), in this passage refers to the Mediterranean Sea. In a (figurative) sense, however, the great sea refers to the great unorganized masses of mankind. (Daniel Commentary) Daniel 7:3 "And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. Da 2:32,33,37, 38, 39, 40 Zec 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 beasts: Da 7:4, 5, 6, 7, 8,17 Ps 76:4 Eze 19:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Rev 13:1 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ANIMALISTIC ANALOGY Four great beasts - We learn in Da 7:17 that the great beasts are four kings who will arise. Naturally, kings speak of a kingdoms and thus the vision is of 4 great kingdoms (e.g., in Da 7:23, 24 instead of "king" we read the fourth beast represents a "kingdom") which are pictured as ferocious, wild beasts. These world empires are human in origin and vicious in character. This metaphor undoubtedly conveys several truths, including the eagerness of these kingdoms to gratify their own appetites even at the expense of inflicting harm on other men. As indicated in the table below, Daniel 2 is man's perspective of the world empires (man's view of world history) and Daniel 7 is God's perspective (God's view of world history). God sees the same kingdoms which appear glorious and powerful in Daniel 2 (cp men's esteem of his accomplishments - Ge 11:4, 5, 6, 7) but God is not impressed for from His perspective they are beastly not beautiful, beasts filled with self glory, not God glory! (cp Ps 49:12) This line of thinking reminds us of Jesus' words… that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16:15) Scofield writes that… The monarchy vision of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2) covers the same order of fulfillment as Daniel's beast vision, but with this difference: Nebuchadnezzar saw the imposing outward power and splendor of "the times of the Gentiles" (Lk 21:24; cp. Rev 16:19), whereas Daniel saw the true character of Gentile world government as rapacious and warlike, established and maintained by force. It is remarkable that the heraldic insignia of the Gentile nations are all beasts or birds of prey. Gregg Allen adds… Though this chapter presents the terrible and brutal nature of the world empires of the times of the Gentiles, it nevertheless ends on the high note of the earthly reign of Jesus Christ. God does not leave us in the dark about His plans. He lets us know that, though the times of the Gentiles will grow increasingly brutal, the return and reign of His Son is sure and certain. We have cause for great and confident hope. ("The Vision of the Four Beasts") Four - One cannot avoid a comparison with the 4 metals of Nebuchadnezzar's statue in Daniel 2 (gold, silver, bronze, iron). The resemblance to Daniel 2 leaves little doubt that these four beastly kingdoms correlate with the four metallic kingdoms of Daniel 2. There is a tendency for some commentators to give undue significance to the number 4 (and later the number 10 - e.g., the ESV Online Study Bible suggests the possibility that 10 in Da 7:7, 20, 24 could signify “completeness” instead of signifying a literal number "10"!) but this seems unwise and speculative. Speculation on the meaning of numbers, terms and phrases (etc.) can easily lead to misinterpretation and confusion in regard to any passage of Scripture, but especially if it is of the apocalyptic genre as in Daniel or the Revelation. Remember that the apocalyptic genre by the nature of the "beast" (pun intended) tends to set our imagination into a frenzy and can result in interpretations that border on frenetic and fallacious. Coming up from the sea - Da 7:17 says these beasts arise from the earth which supports the premise that the great sea is a symbolic reference to the nations of the earth arising as it were out of the chaotic sea of people and nations. Different from one another - Four distinct beasts. Keil has summarized the issues involved in chapter 7… There yet remains for our consideration the question, What are the historical world-kingdoms which are represented by Nebuchadnezzar's image (Da 2), and by Daniel's vision of four beasts rising up out of the sea? Almost all interpreters understand that these two visions are to be interpreted in the same way. "The four kingdoms or dynasties, which are symbolized (Da 2) by the different parts of the human image, from the head to the feet, are the same as those which were symbolized by the four great beasts rising up out of the sea. These four kingdoms, according to the interpretation commonly received in the church, are the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Macedo-Grecian, and the Roman. 'In this interpretation and opinion,' Luther observes, 'all the world are agreed, and history and fact abundantly establish it.' This opinion prevailed till about the end of the last century, for the contrary opinion of individual earlier interpreters had found no favour. But from that time, when faith in the supernatural origin and character of biblical prophecy was shaken by Deism and Rationalism, then as a consequence, with the rejection of the genuineness of the book of Daniel the reference of the fourth kingdom to the Roman world-monarchy was also denied." At this point it would be appropriate to summarize the similarities between Nebuchadnezzar's Multi-Metallic Statue dream in Daniel 2 and Daniel's beastly nightmare/vision in Daniel 7. Nebuchadnezzar's Multi-Metallic Statue Daniel 2 COMPARISON & CONTRAST BETWEEN CHAPTERS 2 & 7 DANIEL 2 DANIEL 7 Dream Dream and visions Given to Nebuchadnezzar Given to Daniel Given to an unbeliever, a pagan king Given to a man of God Humanistic View of History Theocratic View of History Gentile kingdoms from man's perspective - As glorious empires with intrinsic value Gentile kingdoms from God's perspective - As brutal beasts devouring one another What the kingdoms look like externally (their "reputation" among men) What God knows the kingdoms are internally! (their "character" before God!) Interpreted by Daniel Interpreted by an angel (?) Four Metallic Subdivisions- One Stone (cp Mt 21:44) Four Beasts - One Son of Man (cp Mt 24:30) Ten toe stage Ten horn stage Ten toe stage Smashed by Stone 10 horns give rise to little horn whose… Dominion is taken away, destroyed forever Stone become great mountain Fills whole earth Kingdom endures forever Son of man receives a kingdom Everlasting dominion Will not pass away or be destroyed How can we be sure these two chapters are referring to the same entities? From Daniel 2 we know with certainty the identity of the head of gold (Babylon). When compared to the first beast in Daniel 2 there is little disagreement even among liberals that the winged lion represents Babylon. In short both prophecies begin with a description of the empire of Babylon. The next 3 subdivisions of the statue and the next 3 beasts are not specifically identified. But when we compare the last kingdom described in both Daniel 2 and Daniel 7, it is clear that this is the same kingdom (forever… everlasting) and with minimal "detective" work the Stone in Daniel 2 is obviously the Son in Daniel 7. Therefore the 3 middle subdivisions of each prophecy must also equate with each other. "God is not a God of confusion but of peace" (1Cor 14:33) and He desires for His children to know His plan for the ages, not so much that we might be "smarter sinners" but that we would be strongly motivated to live for the eternal rather than the temporal and to continually grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18-note), during our short tenure on planet earth (Jas 1:10-note, Jas 4:14, Job 14:2 Ps 37:2-note Ps 90:4, 5, 6, 12-note, Ps 102:3, 11-note Ps 103:15-note Isa 40:6, 7 1Pe 1:24-note)! Is your study of prophecy causing you to grow smarter or more like the Savior? If the former, than you need to confess and repent and seek Jehovah and His strength, seek His face continually (Ps 105:4). He will grant you grace to grow in Christ-likeness for ultimately He receives the glory for this supernatural result in your life. Charles Feinberg has some cogent comments comparing chapters 2 and 7… In chapter 2, the four earthly kingdoms and Christ’s heavenly kingdom were seen in their outward political appearance; by contrast, chapter 7 presents God’s estimate of their innermost moral and spiritual features. “In chapter 2, the symbols were taken from inanimate objects; here in chapter 7, they are taken from the animate. In chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar saw the splendor of world empires portrayed in the dazzling statue of a man, while the Kingdom of God was symbolized by a stone. By contrast, in chapter 7, Daniel’s vision reveals the animalistic character of world empires and the fact that it is only in the Kingdom of God that man’s full dignity is realized—in the Son of Man.” (Charles L. Feinberg: Daniel the Kingdom of the Lord. BMH Books. April 1984) Lehman Strauss adds… The vision of "four great beasts" (Da 7:3), "which are four kings" (Da 7:17), corresponds to the four metals of the image in chapter 2, thus Daniel's vision parallels Nebuchadnezzar's dream image. We see in these two chapters the principle of parallelism, which is a similarity of construction and meaning in two passages. The four beasts in chapter 7 correspond to the four kingdoms of Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The "ten horns," which are "ten kings" (Da 7:7, 24) correspond to the "toes" of the great image (Da 2:41, 42) and the "ten horns" in Revelation 13:1 and Rev 17:12. These represent a confederacy of ten nations the details of which we will study later. (Lehman Strauss Commentary – The Prophecies of Daniel) Daniel 7:4 "The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. like : Dt 28:49 2Sa 1:23 Isa 5:28,29 Jer 4:7,13, 25:38, 48:40, La 4:19 Eze 17:3 Hab 1:6, 7, 8 Mt 24:28 wings : Da 4:31, 32, 33 Jer 50:30, 31, 32 lifted: Da 4:30 5:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Isa 14:13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Jer 25:9-26 Hab 2:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 human mind: Da 4:32,36 Job 25:6 Ps 9:20 Eze 28:2,9 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BEAST #1 WINGED LION Babylon 626‑539BC Like a lion - What is the significance? One must be careful to not let an active imagination replace accurate interpretation. To be sure the lion is the king of the beasts, and thus it would appear that this king would correspond very well with King Nebuchadnezzar, the "king of kings" (Da 2:37), the one whom God caused to rule over all the sons of men and beasts of the field (Da 2:38). In somewhat of a parallel, even as gold is the most precious metal, so the lion is recognized a the king among beasts. As an aside, pictures of lions have been identified as frequent images in the Babylonian ruins which is probably more than a coincidence. Jeremiah 4:7 refers to Nebuchadnezzar as "a lion from the thickets of the Jordan" (following passages also refer to Babylon Jer 4:13, Jer 48:40, 50:44). Extra-biblical sources state that winged lions were on either side of the gates of the royal palaces of the Babylonians. In Ezekiel 17:3, 12 a great eagle symbolizes Babylon. Wings of an eagle - Here the metaphor becomes somewhat bizarre, for lions do not have wings. A lion with wings of an eagle would have been a fitting symbol of Babylon which was swift in its conquest of other peoples (see Jer 49:22; Lam 4:19; Ezek 17:3; Hab 1:6, 8). Winged lions flanked the gates of Babylon (below) Winged lion Wings were plucked - Whatever else this might mean, it clearly pictures a significant alteration in the character of the "beastly" kingdom of Babylon. While not everyone agrees, given the fact that the beast represents a king (Da 7:17), it is reasonable to identify this "plucking" of the beast with the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar described in Daniel 4 (see below). It was lifted up from the ground - Da 4:15, 23 describes a tree chopped down with its roots in the ground which Daniel interpreted as Nebuchadnezzar who was humbled and made to eat grass like cattle (which implies he was on all fours on the ground) (Da 4:32, 33). At the end of 7 periods of time (seven years) the king lifted his eyes toward heaven and his reason returned (Da 4:34), at which time he began to walk on two feet rather than on all four like a beast. See also Da 4:36 where we see the kingdom was restored and reestablished which would be very compatible with God lifting up the king to his former place of sovereignty and power. A human mind (KJV "man's heart") also was given to it - Da 4:34-note says my reason returned to me. History records that in the later years of Nebuchadnezzar's reign (which Biblically would be after he had been humbled by God), he and his kingdom ceased conquering other peoples and became more humane (less bestial) in their treatment of their subjects. Leupold comments that… This is undoubtedly an allusion to the experience of Nebuchadnezzar which is related in detail in chapter four. The incident signifies that, as nearly as it is possible for a beast to become like a man, so nearly did Babylon lose its beastlike nature. In short, this unusual description in Da 7:4 could reasonably be associated with the episode of humiliation in King Nebuchadnezzar's life. Nebuchadnezzar added that… At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." (Da 4:36, 37) Daniel 7:5 "And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, 'Arise, devour much meat!' another: Da 2:39, 8:3 2Ki 2:24 Pr 17:12 Ho 13:8 on one side: Da 5:28 8:4 11:2 three ribs: possibly Babylon, Lydia, Egypt Arise: Isa 13:17,18 56:9 Jer 50:21-32 Eze 39:17, 18, 19, 20 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BEAST #2 BEAR Medes & Persians - 539‑331BC Another beast, a second one - He numbers this one. Resembling a bear - Corresponds to the breast and arms of silver in Da 2:32-note and most conservative commentaries identify this as the Medo-Persian Empire. For completeness, it should be noted that liberal interpreters separate the Medo-Persian empire and identify the bear as Media but the historical facts do not support the liberal interpretation of the bear as a single kingdom. More importantly, the Biblical record states that the kingdom that defeated Babylon was a combination of the Medes and the Persians (Da 5:28, 6:8, 12, 15), effectively negating the liberal gibberish! S R Driver writes that… In the O. T. it (the bear) is spoken of as being, next to the lion, the most formidable beast of prey known in Palestine (1Sa 17:34; Amos 5:19; cf. 2Ki. 2:24; Ho 13:8); at the same time, it is inferior to the lion in strength and appearance, and is heavy and ungainly in its movements. A bear is larger than a Lion and the Medo - Persian Empire was larger (as demonstrated by the maps below) and stronger but less majestic than Babylon Babylonian Empire Medo-Persian Empire A bear although slower than the lion is also a ferocious beast which was exemplified in the Medo-Persian style of war (see Isaiah 13:17, 18 "They will not even have compassion on the fruit of the womb, nor will their eye pity children.") The greater size of the bear may also be related to the larger armies fielded by the Medo-Persians which allowed them to overwhelm their enemies with sheer numbers. Raised up on one side - The Scripture does not answer this dogmatically. However, in Da 6:8 we see the Medes mentioned first whereas in Esther 1:19 we see the Persians mentioned before the Medes. They were never equal powers and one always dominated the other. Given the power and influence of the Persian Cyrus the Great it is not surprising that some commentators interpret the bear's posture as indicative of Persian dominance over the Medes. Whitcomb comments on the lop-sided posture noting that…Median influence (was) predominate during the reigns of Cyrus and Cambyses… but shifting to Persian dominance by the time of Xerxes fifty years later (Est 1:19, "the laws of the Persians and the Medes"). (Whitcomb, J: Daniel- Everyman's Bible Commentary) John Walvoord comments that…Persia at this time, although coming up last, was by far the greater and more powerful and had absorbed the Medes. This is represented also in Daniel 8 by the two horns of the ram with the horn that comes up last being higher and greater (Da 8:3). The ram with its unequal horns is identified as "The kings of Media and Persia" (Da 8:20). This interpretation also helps to support the Medo-Persian character of the second empire and is true to the facts of history. (Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision Of Future World History) Strauss comments that… The statement that "it raised up itself on one side" (Da 7:5) has been more literally translated to read, "raised up one dominion," which of course the combined kingdoms of the Medes and the Persians did. Of the Medo-Persian Empire Larkin wrote, It was ponderous in its movements, and gained its victories by hurling vast masses of troops upon its enemies. Xerxes' expedition against Greece was undertaken with 2,500,000 fighting men (see secular record The Persian Wars). It is easy to be seen that the movements of such enormous bodies of men would 'devour much flesh,' not merely in the shape of food, but by death by exposure, disease, and in battle. (See Clarence Larkin's chart on the BOOK OF DANIEL) The large, lumbering bear is an apt description of a huge, slow-moving but mighty force. The conquests of the Medo-Persian Empire were frightfully destructive. (Ibid) Three ribs - Ribs picture the remnants of a meal which has been devoured. This picture most probably speaks of the nations conquered by the Medes and Persians, which were historically Lydia (546BC), Babylon (539BC) and Egypt (525BC). They said to it - Said can convey the sense of giving orders (used in Da 2:!5). The verb is masculine plural (in the Lxx = 3rd person plural) Who is they? Not sure. If the four winds are spirits (or angels - who are often "messengers" although there is a specific word for that function) that is a possibility. Ultimately it must be a decree from heaven, from God. Again we see the implication of God's Sovereignty over kings and kingdoms. Arise devour much meat - The "bear-like" kingdom is issued two commands. While the speaker is not stated, we know that God is in some way behind the stirring up of these Gentile kingdoms. The Medo-Persian empire seems to have "obeyed" the commands to arise and devour for they extended their conquests (~ "devoured" much meat) until their borders reached from the Indus River on the east to Egypt and the Aegean Sea on the west, which constituted more territory under the control of the Medo-Persian empire than any empire had conquered to date. Daniel 7:6 "After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. Behold: Da 2:39 8:5, 6, 7,20,21 10:20 11:3-20 Ho 13:7 Rev 13:2 four wings : Da 7:4 Eze 17:3 four heads: Da 8:8,22 11:4-20 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BEAST #3 LEOPARD Greece - 331‑63 BC After this - This would imply that next in sequence after the bear kingdom would be the leopard kingdom. Historically the Grecian empire followed the Medo-Persian empire and corresponds to the "belly and… thighs of bronze" (Da 2:32, 39, cp Da 8:8, 21) I kept looking and behold - The picture is that of an intense gaze accompanied by a degree of amazement. Remember that Daniel is seeing this vision in about 553 BC, some 200 years before the Greeks would rise to power. Another one - He does not number this beast but in sequence it is the third beast and thus the third king (kingdom - cp Da 7:17) Like a leopard - What characterizes this beast besides the fact that it is a carnivore? The leopard is known for its speed. For example the horses (of the Babylonians) were said to be "swifter than leopards" (Hab 1:8+). Another characteristic of leopards is that they would lie in wait so as to surprise their prey (cp Jer 5:6, Ho 13:7). Four wings of a bird - Nebuchadnezzar was "two wing" swift, but Alexander was "four wing" swift! This adds to the picture of speed, which characterized the military conquests of Alexander the Great. Whitcomb writes that…The kingdom of Alexander the Great grew with almost incomparable speed, so that a short ten years after he invaded Asia Minor (334BC), he had conquered the entire Medo-Persian empire under Darius III including Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and the eastern territories to the borders of India, and then died at the age of thirty-three. If Nebuchadnezzar conquered swiftly (two wings), Alexander exceeded him (four wings). Frequently in the Old Testament, leopards depict that which is terrifying (Jer. 5:6; Hos. 13:7; Hab. 1:8). For further discussion of Alexander's kingdom, see Da 8:5-8+.The fact that this beast is shown with "four heads" (compare its "four wings of a bird") points to the four major divisions of Alexander's empire following his death in 323 B.C.: (1) Babylon and north Syria under Antigonus (later under Seleucus I Nicator); (2) Egypt under Ptolemy I Soter; (3) Macedonia under Cassander; and (4) Thrace and Bithynia under Lysimachus. Compare comments on 8:8 and 11:4.2 (Whitcomb, J: Daniel- Everyman's Bible Commentary) Walvoord writes that…With the swiftness of a leopard, Alexander the Great conquered most of the civilized world all the way from Macedonia to Africa and eastward to India. The lightning character of his conquests is without precedent in the ancient world, and this is fully in keeping with the image of speed embodied in the leopard itself and the four wings on its back. (Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision Of Future World History) Four heads - When Alexander "the Great" died as an alcoholic at age 33yo (Da 8:8+), his kingdom was divided between four generals (Da 8:8+, see map below). As one might imagine, the "higher" critics and liberal "scholars" take great umbrage at the conservative interpretation, for otherwise they would be forced to acknowledge that Daniel's prophecy was amazingly (supernaturally!) accurate, his vision occurring 200 years before it occurred. On reading the liberal pondering (wanderings!) on the "four heads" one is tempted to refer them and their specious arguments to the Almighty God, of Whom the words of Whom Isaiah records… "Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. (Now when one accepts the truth that God is the supreme, supernatural, sovereign Who can not only declare but bring about what He declares they are in a humble spiritual position to heard His call in the next verse which brought C H Spurgeon to salvation) "Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:21, 22, cp Isa 42:9, 44:7, 46:9, 10) Dominion was given to it - This is the only fact stated about this kingdom. Clearly it was the Sovereign God (Da 2:21) who gave Alexander the Great the dominion over the broad expanse that he conquered (as He had to all the previous kingdoms) (). This same event is repeated in Daniel 8… Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven (N,S,E,W). (Da 8:8) The book of Daniel repeatedly emphasizes God's Sovereignty over nations… This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers, and the decision is a command of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes, And sets over it the lowliest of men." (Da 4:17) Compare Cyrus the Great's explanation of why he was "great"… Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up! (2Chr 36:23) Donald Campbell adds that…The expression "dominion was given to it" is most interesting and significant. Did Alexander imagine that it was his military genius alone that enabled him and his small army of 35,000 men to defeat the massive hordes of the Persians numbering, some believe, in the millions? It is true that Alexander was a great leader, but his victories and subsequent dominion over a great empire were his because God, in the execution of His plans, allowed it to happen. Will world rulers ever understand this important fact? (Ed: I doubt it!) (Daniel: God's Man in a Secular Society by Donald K Campbell) (Bolding added) Grecian Empire: Four Divisions The map above shows the Hellenistic world, circa 300BC. Alexander's empire is demarcated by the red lines. After Alexander died, the kingdom was eventually divided between 4 of his generals (who after the Wars of the Diadochi gave rise to 4 kings): Ptolemy I Soter (purple = south of Israel ~ Egypt) (See description of his succession of Alexander in the area of Egypt). Seleucus I Nicator (yellow = north of Israel ~Syria) (He eventually assumed the title of basileus[B] (CF "KING") and established the Seleucid Empire over the bulk of the territory which Alexander had conquered in Asia. Lysimachus (orange ~ Thrace and much of Asia Minor), Cassander (green ~ Macedonia). The latter two divisions (#3 and #4) are not discussed further in Daniel's prophecy as geographically and politically they do not interact with Israel and the Jews to the extent as the Seleucid dynasty (cf Antiochus IV "Epiphanes") and the Ptolemaic dynasty. Both of these dynasties are described in much greater detail in Daniel's 4th vision in Daniel 11. Remember that Daniel's 4th vision actually covers 3 chapters beginning in Da 10:1 and extends through Daniel 12. NOTE: Walvoord adds that "It is a well established fact of history that Alexander had four principal successors. Calvin, after Jerome, considered these Ptolemy, Seleucus, Philip, and Antigonus. Keil and most modern commentaries prefer to recognize the four kings who emerge about twenty-two years after the death of Alexander after the overthrow of Antigonus at the battle of Ipsus (301 B.C.). These four kings and their reigns were, according to Keil, Lysimachus, who held Thrace and Bithynia; Cassander, who held Macedonia and Greece; Seleucus, who controlled Syria, Babylonia, and territories as far east as India; and Ptolemy, who controlled Egypt, Palestine, and Arabia Petrea.41 (Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision Of Future World History) ADDITIONAL NOTE - The Diadochi (plural of Latin Diadochus, from Greek: Διάδοχοι, Diádokhoi, "successors") were the rival generals, families, and friends of Alexander the Great who fought for control over his empire after his death in 323 BC. The Wars of the Diadochi ( = THE Wars of Alexander's Successors = a series of conflicts fought between Alexander the Great's generals over the rule of his vast empire after his death) mark the beginning of the Hellenistic period from the Mediterranean to the Indus River Valley. (ED: Bolding added to emphasize the two divisions of Alexander's kingdom [the Ptolemaic and Seleucid] that had the greatest impact and interaction with Israel, both of which are described in much greater detail in Daniel's 4th vision in chapter 11 [Remember that Daniel's 4th vision actually begins in Da 10:1 and extends through chapter 12]).
Daniel 7:7-14
MacArthur explains that latreuo might best be translated “to render respectful spiritual service.” True worship goes beyond praising God, singing hymns, or participating in a worship service. The essence of worship is living a life of obedient service to God. “Do not neglect doing good and sharing,” exhorts the writer of Hebrews, “for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:16 see note). True worship involves every aspect of life. (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press) Anna the prophetess exemplifies latreuo in action for even though she was a widow … age of eighty-four… she never left the temple, serving (latreuo) night and day with fastings and prayers. (Lk 2:37) Paul's introduction to the Romans conveys a similar nuance: For God, Whom I serve (latreuo) in my spirit ("with my whole spirit" Amp) in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you. (Ro 1:9-note) God pleasing and God honoring service calls for total, unreserved commitment on the part of the worshiper. Paul served God with everything he had, beginning with his spirit, for God is to be worshiped in spirit and in truth. How wonderful that here in Daniel we observe that one day future in His glorious kingdom in our glorified state we will be privileged to render such pure worship and serve. Hallelujah! Amen!