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Living for God in a Pagan Culture. Daniel. The Son of Man and the Kingdoms of Men. (Daniel 7). The Book of Daniel. Apocalyptic Literature. Apokalypsis (Gk.) : “revelation” (Rev. 1:1)
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The Son of Man and the Kingdoms of Men (Daniel 7)
Apocalyptic Literature Apokalypsis (Gk.) : “revelation” (Rev. 1:1) Literature that deals with the end of world history, celebrating the victory of God and His people over their enemies.
Daniel 7 Prologue (v. 1) • Vision (vv. 2-14) • Interpretation (vv. 15-27) Epilogue (v. 28)
Prologue (7:1) 553 B.C., 14 years before chapter 5 Daniel saw a dream and visions
Vision(vv. 2-14) 1. Sea
Enuma ElishBabylonian Creation tablet Marduk destroys Tiamat (the Sea) to become head of the pantheon Marduk creates the world from Tiamat’s body. Somehow, the sea continues to be a force against God and creation
The Sea in the Bible Yahweh’s struggle and victory over evil is often depicted as against the sea and its monsters. Psalm 18:15 Job 7:12; Jer. 5:22 Hab. 3:15 Is. 27:1
Vision(vv. 2-14) • Sea • Four great beasts a. Lion (v. 4) b. Bear (v. 5) c. Leopard (v. 6) d. Terrifying beast (vv. 7-8) 3. The Kingdom of God (vv. 9-14)
1st Beast – Babylon 605-539 B.C. lion – Ishtar Gate and processional road humiliation & exalting of Nebuchadnezzar
2nd Beast: Medo-Persia 539 – 330 B.C. raised up on one side: Persian dominance three ribs in its mouth: Lydia (546), Babylon (539), Egypt (525)
3rd Beast: Greece 330 – 63 B.C. 4 wings: swiftness of Alexander’s campaign 4 heads: Alexander’s successors (Ptolemy I, Seleuces I, Antipater, Lysimachus)
Interpretation(vv. 15-27) 1. Daniel’s response (vv. 15-16)
Interpretation(vv. 15-27) 1. Daniel’s response (vv. 15-16) 2. Summary (vv. 17-18)
Interpretation(vv. 15-27) 3. Fourth Beast (vv. 7-8, 19-25) text, context, new text
4th Beast - Rome Stage 1 (v. 23): Roman Empire (146 B.C.-400 A.D.) Stage 2 (v. 24a): The 10 horns are 10 kings to come out of this kingdom (cf., 2:42) Stage 3 (vv. 24b-25): 11th horn is the Antichrist
Antichrist • He will speak against the Most High God (v. 25) • He will oppress God’s saints (v. 25) • He will “try to change the set times and laws” (v. 25). • The saints are “handed over to Him” for 3½ years (v. 25) • He will proclaim himself God and demand worship (2 Thess. 2:3-4)
Interpretation(vv. 15-27) 4. Kingdom of God (vv. 9-14, 26-27) His authority His name - eternal His glory & majesty His judgment His coregent His saints
Son of Man • Here (Daniel 7:13) • Cloud Rider = deity (Ps. 68:4; 104:3-4; Is. 19:1) • The Son of Man = a representative of all men • 84 times in the gospels (only by Jesus) • Matt. 26:59-66
Epilogue(v. 28) Biblical prophecy cannot rightly be approached apart from the sobering reality of awful judgment to come. “The court will sit.”
Major Eras of Eschatology Return of Christ (Rev. 19) Church Age Tribulation (7 Years) Millennium (1,000 Years) Eternal State Daniel 9 Rev. 6-18 Romans 11:25f. Revelation 20 Rev. 21
Life Lessons • God’s promises are true and faithful.
Life Lessons • God’s promises are true and faithful. • If God can be trusted with the affairs of the universe, He can be trusted with the affairs of my life. (cf., Ps. 139:1-4)
Life Lessons • God’s promises are true and faithful. • If God can be trusted with the affairs of the universe, He can be trusted with the affairs of my life. (cf., Ps. 139:1-4) • In spite of present appearances, God is still in control.
Life Lessons • God’s promises are true and faithful. • If God can be trusted with the affairs of the universe, He can be trusted with the affairs of my life. (cf., Ps. 139:1-4) • In spite of present appearances, God is still in control. • In the end, we win! That makes “momentary, light affliction” bearable.