The Daniel Files: 08 – Visions Of Kingdoms to Come

(Reflections and notes on Daniel 7. The series so far had an introduction before considering the way Daniel and his friends settled in the strange land. This was followed by explorations in how the righteous emerged from a ridiculous situation. This was the set up for the trial by fiery furnace that was contemplated. The series then considered the pride of Nebuchadnezzar was brought to a pivotal confrontion with the creator. As Nebuchadnezzar died, the study looked at the failure to learn the lesson from the predecessor resulting in a regime change. Previously, Daniel’s encounter with a den of lions was explored.)

Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.

Daniel 7:1 (NLT)

Daniel offers a good way for us to realise that we’re in a different part of the writings that we’ve read so far. There’s the date of this entry. The last entry covered an episode that took place in the reign of Darius and the entry ends with reference to when Daniel finishes his run in the first year of Cyrus. Times are marked by the rulers of the day, even as the book as a prophetic book is one that is about who rules in the affairs of men. It’s a theme that’s run from the beginning of the book to the end.

This entry, however, is the first time that a reference is made to an incident that doesn’t follow the chronological outline of events. There’s a reason for that, though, because what Daniel begins in this section of the writing refers to what God communicates to him. Previously, Daniel has established his credentials by being able to understand the dreams, visions and other spiritual expressions of the rulers of the day from the ruler of the universe. Now we enter the seemingly fantastical arena of the visions and dreams that Daniel has.

This first one here gets us up and running – but thankfully some of the other dreams that we’ve seen Daniel engage with prepares us for the necessarily bizarre and obscure nature of what Daniel sees.

Let’s take the information that we’re given at a basic level. In a vision, Daniel saw four different beasts. He does not see them together. He sees them one by one. The appearance of these beasts are intriguing because of their manner and their description. Beast one is lion-like with eagle’s wings that are plucked off. Beast two is bear-like with three ribs in its mouth and given the call to devour flesh. Beast three is leopard-like with wings on its back and four heads of dominion given over it. Then Daniel records seeing a beast which he does not connect to being like any other beast and only noting its strength and having ten horns in which some horn conflict is noted and a small horn made a big noise.

Then as Daniel looks at all of that taking place there’s this majestic scene:

Thrones were placed,
    and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
    and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
    its wheels were burning fire.
A stream of fire issued
    and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
    and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
    and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:9-10 (ESV)

This is the prelude for the loud-mouthed little horn being sorted out and although there are aspects of the other kingdoms, there comes another wonderful scene:

Behold, with the clouds of heaven
    there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
    and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)

Back in Nebuchadnezzar’s initial dream in chapter two, the interpretation of what the king saw referred to kingdoms that were to rule over the earth from the Babylonian empire onward. Daniel is told that what he’s seeing in the vision also refers to different kingdoms that would have a significant. The similarity in both visions is how things culminate in a kingdom that never ends. A kingdom so unique and awe-inspiring that it’s not like the others, for starters it’s not beast like in nature.

This vision clearly leaves a big impact on Daniel – the graphic nature of what he describes, beast after beast behaving with brutal authority and to the point of one rule in particularly being dominated by a little horn with a big sound. It’s great to see Daniel respond in a way that should be how anyone else would react to that. Namely – what was that all about? It’s great to see him get the bigger picture on things and then go further with the questions to get detail about what that whole horn business was about. The interpretation of the dreams first reinforce what was told to Daniel through Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The next elsement goes into a bit more detail as to what to expect before God comes to establish his eternal kingdom.

There are various ways of understanding the interpretation that is given to Daniel specifically about the horn. One has it pointing to something that has happened with the Jewish people years after Daniel’s time. Another would suggest that it points to something yet to happen. The fact that history has turned out in general as God told Daniel in this vision is reason enough to trust God that whether the specifics of the horn has happened or are yet to happen, that the final judgement will still take place resulting in that glorious scene of the eternal kingdom being established. Daniel’s respnse to this was still to have concern over the power of the little horn.

Is our response to be caught up with the minutiae of the fulfilment of the vision or to trust that whatever horns are blaring today and whatever efforts are made to rule in a beastly manner today, these are destined to be defeated? The end of the story still sees the eternal kingdom emerge and rule in a way reflecting what God had in mind when making people in His image – not a beastly image, but a rule of peace. That rule of peace is something that Jesus would invite people to turn to. That rule is the portion of those who respond to the invitattion by not getting caught up in the noises made by those that blare away today – but look to the Holy One that was found worthy to take what was given by the Father.

This vision will form a good basis for the dreams and visions yet to come, this is why it’s worth taking the time to consider what is to be taken from this in terms of the details revealed as well as the importance of the main hope to be taken from that which was prophetic based on that which is now historical. We can trust Him who knows the end from the beginning to look to His rule to be our source of hope today.

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Questions from Daniel 8

What does episode this tell you about the character of God?

What does this vision tell you about the nature of humanity who look to be in charge themselves?

What sources can be of help to gain an understanding of the vision that Daniel experiences?

Why is it important for followers of Jesus to get an understanding of this vision?

What should you take about the definition of the little horn?

God is a God of history and prophecy. What does this mean to you and why is it so important in the journey following Jesus?

Why does this vision offer hope for those who put their trust in God?

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Some Helpful Resources:

Overview of the book of Daniel by the Bible Project

Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary on Daniel 7 as part of Bible.org’s series relating prophecy to piety.

Iain Gordon offers a commentary on the Jesus Plus Nothing study on Daniel 7

Matthew Henry commentary on Daniel 7 through the Blue Letter Bible site.

Jim Haeffele’s Bible study on Daniel 7 on the Life, Hope and Truth site.

David Treybig’s overview of the book of Daniel on the Life, Hope and Truth site.

Chuck Swindoll’s summary of the book of Daniel for Insight for Living ministries

Jon Jorgenson’s look at Daniel 7 as part of days in the Word

David Guzik’s scripture breakdown of Daniel 7 for Enduring Word site.

Bob Utley’s Bible Study on Daniel 7

David Pawson’s second part on the book of Daniel for Unlocking the Old Testament

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden