Dan 2:1-4 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. The fourth beast in Daniels dream relates to the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzars dream, the Roman empire. A revelation from God in his sleep discloses future events which Daniel finds most troubling. The beasts are a horrifying and frightening sight; the heavenly court scene is one of regal splendor and beauty. (Numbers 23:19). While conservative, evangelical scholars believe the prophecies in Daniel are true, their interpretations differ greatly. This little horn is more intelligent and more arrogant than the other horns. Upon hearing the details of the dream, Daniel too was troubled (4:19). (2) While the timing of the fulfillment of divine prophecy may seem remote to the recipient, it still has relevance for him. In my opinion, the most dramatic reference of our Lord to His identity as the Son of Man comes as the Lord Jesus stands on trial before the Sanhedrin and the high priest: 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; 60 and they did not find it, even though many false witnesses came forward. 1 John 3:1-3 says, See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (5) While the process involves wicked kings and nations and the suffering of the saints, the culmination is the establishment of Gods eternal kingdom. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. With the commencement of Belshazzars co-regency may have come not only a rejection of the Jewish faith and worship, but a new wave of persecution directed toward it. Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him? 5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. The boastful beast becomes even more aggressive, waging war with the saints and even overpowering them. In a similar way, Belshazzar becomes blasphemous and is suddenly removed by God for his wickedness. When the sin and oppression of evil men reaches a predetermined point, God will remove them and establish His promised eternal kingdom. The timeline reads as follows: Should we be troubled as well? 74 The personal cost of receiving divine revelation is never underestimated in the Old Testament (cf. The Septuagint renders, "And the king commended that the magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers of the Chaldeans be brought in to tell the king his dream. But here in chapter 7, as in Psalm 80:17, the son of man is more than just a man, He is the Messiah. The next portion of the statue in Daniel 2 was the chest and arms of silver which represented the Medo-Persian Empire which was even larger than the Babylonian empire. In Ezekiel, and even in Daniel (8:17), it is used in reference to a prophet. Daniel writes that at this point the revelation was ended. Just what this means is unclear, but it suggests this arrogant king not only speaks against God, but, like Satan, he aspires to change the order God has established. A night vision is given to king Nebuchadnezzar, apparently early in his reign as king of Babylon. Daniels response to the vision was far from assuring or calming. - Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. He had interpreted dreams for this king and yet this dream caused Daniel to be alarmed and to feel physically sick. And yet God said they would. For the time, it was these Jewish leaders who were beastly, arrogant, and blasphemous, and because of this they would suffer divine judgment. Different from the first three, this beast seems uglier, more powerful, and much more hostile toward God and His saints. When we expect it least, the Lord will return, the wicked will be punished, and the kingdom of God established forevermore. He staying the decree is brought to the king. When God granted Daniel the wisdom to interpret the king's dream, it launched Daniel's long career as a political leader, trusted adviser, and well-known prophet. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. Daniel was not satisfied with just a summary of his dream, especially of the fourth beast that was so different than the other three, he wanted more detail. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. Prophecy provides men the opportunity to think and act in a way which pleases God, who determines the future and who reveals future events to men. This vision was an interactive vision, as Daniel was not only present in the vision but was able to approach one standing by to ask the meaning of what he saw. During times of oppression, it may appear the saints are being defeated and that Gods kingdom is but wishful thinking. Eugene, Ore. : Harvest House Publishers, 2006, [5]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. 3 And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. Children need to know that as believers, we are on the winning team and God wins in the end. What it does not destroy or consume with its teeth, it crushes under foot, much like a bull in a china shop. Neither is prophecy written to make us happy or to feel good. Even those portions which we believe have been fulfilled, students of prophecy differ about the way of their fulfillment. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. We have already seen this phrase time, times, and half a time in Revelation. The next three are waking visions seen in the presence of angels, followed by an appearance of the Messiah - the Son of Man - to interpret the vision for Daniel. Two weeks ago, we covered the first 14 verses, Daniels summary of his dream. The seriousness of the prophetic truth personally affected Daniel, motivating godly fear and self-examination. The Son of Man was also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). In Daniels dream the Medo-Persian empire and it king Cyrus was represented by the bear. Verse 2. Agreeing with God that they are sinners but believing that Jesus Christ death paid the penalty for their sin, that He was buried, and rose from the dead three days later triumphant over sin, Satan, and death forever. In the latter days, an unusually powerful and evil king will arise, who will blaspheme God and oppress the people of God. They are far from pleasant but an unavoidable part of the process. Daniel himself had many dreams and visions, mostly related to future kingdoms of the world and the . This fourth beast has the distinction of ten horns. God has revealed in this interpretation what He wants us to know and has kept back that which we need not know. That dream was read as our Scripture reading this morning. It may seem to them that their defeat is certain and that their hopes of entering into the eternal kingdom are lost. 80 During my school teaching days, I tried to make my students think I had eyes in the back of my head so that no matter what they did--even if my back was turned--they could not escape my all-seeing eyes or my discipline. Hearing this, Nebuchadnezzar affirms that Daniel's god is "the God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries". What role do they play in relation to the four beasts? Liberals reject all prophecies, because they require a sovereign God and a miraculous revelation of future events. The Son of Man had the power to forgive sins, as well as to heal a paralytic (Matthew 9:6). 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. Daniel 2:1). An eleventh king then rises to power, different from the others, replacing three of the previous kings. Humanly speaking, it was impossible for them to have a child. Yet Gods covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:14) stands and will ultimately be fulfilled. We have already seen time frame in Revelation referring to half of the seven-year tribulation. She makes it clear in a rather public fashion that she finds him desirable. The blasphemous horn of Daniel 7, which goes so far as to oppose the people of God, is suddenly taken by death, and his kingdom is removed. The vision comes to Daniel in Belshazzars first year.78 A subsequent and related vision comes to him in this kings third year (see 8:1). 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts. Then the saints will receive the kingdom which will never end. The last kingdom has at least eleven kings. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. As the beast continues to boast, a second scene commences in Daniels vision, and for a period of time both scenes run simultaneously. Open your Bibles to Daniel 7. Part of the dream seemed good, and part of it seemed bad. The first beast was lion-like, with wings like that of an eagle.79 Its wings were plucked from it; if this happened in mid-air, he must have plummeted to the ground. 13 I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.77 14 And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language Might serve Him. (6) How important is it for us to identity the kings and the kingdoms mentioned in our text? (19-26) Daniel explains the rise and coming fall of Nebuchadnezzar. Old Testament Jews would likely regard the reference to the Son of Man in Daniel 7 as a reference to the Messiah, although they would probably not understand Him to be both divine and human. The prophecy of Daniel 7 nevertheless had great relevance and application to those in Daniels day. Public sentiment was turning against this foreign religion, and the Babylonians, including Belshazzar, wanted a return to their old time religion the pagan worship of the gods of Babylon. 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. If you remember from two weeks ago the bear was raised up on one side, this was to indicate that one part of this united kingdom overshadowed the other portion. Those of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, and Darius all agree with the prophecy of Daniel 7. This morning we want to look at verses 15-28 and the interpretation of Daniels dream. In spite of these kings, the saints of the Highest One will possess the eternal kingdom forever and ever. He was chosen by God to speak to the Jews in Babylon and to show them God's future plans. The transfiguration of our Lord was but a foretaste of His coming glorious kingdom (16:28). The emphasis of this brief interpretation falls not on the enemies of God, their power, their brutality, nor their boasting, but on the kingdom of God, its certainty and its permanence for all the saints forever. They will serve and obey Him forever. Wherever I see the Scriptures speak of the coming kingdom of God, I find suffering closely associated with it. The statue has four parts; there are four beasts. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:89, NASB95)[7] You have a responsibility because you know what the end will bring. We know that Jesus came the first time to die and that He will come again to subdue His enemies and establish His kingdom. In more detail, the outline would be as follows: (2) The Divine Interpretation verses 15-28. 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. God is able to raise up kings and put them down. After this chapter, the book returns to the Hebrew language. a. He had lived through the overthrow of his people, his nation, and his hometown by a foreign power, he had been torn from his family and carried off into captivity. We are not told precisely what it is that troubles Daniel. Alexander the great and his armies did conquer the nations that became a part of his empire swiftly. As Daniel watches, the wings are torn off the beast, and the creature stands erect like a man and a human mind is given to it. 12 and he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. If you remember as I have already stated, much of the interpretation of this dream could be found in chapter 2. The final outcome is Gods people under the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, will receive the kingdom. The beasts are hardly worthy of prose, but the court of heaven deserves a description of the finest words. (5) Prophecy is not written as hype but revealed to produce the hope of glory and endurance in present tribulation. World and the interpretation of this dream could be found in chapter 2 great beasts were coming up from sea. Time, times, and Darius all agree with the saints of the truth! Outline would be as follows: Should we be troubled as well as to heal a (. 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