Daniel 7:15-28 Sermon

Over the past 2 sessions we went over Daniel’s vision as noted in verses 2-14. To review we noted Daniel’s vision had three components:

1. The first vision is recorded in verses 2-6, where Daniel sees three beasts each corresponding to a part of the image that Neb saw in Dan 2. We noted the first beast was a lion with eagles’ wings which corresponded to the head of the image and represented the empire of Babylon. 

The second beast was an asymmetric bear with three ribs in its mouth corresponding to the chest and arms of the image and represented the Medo-Persian empire.  The bear was asymmetric because the Persians became greater than the Medes, and it had three ribs in its mouth indicating the three major conquests it had made: Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.

The third beast was like a leopard with four wings and corresponded to the belly and thighs of bronze of the image and represented the Hellenistic empire of Greece-Macedonia. The wings of the leopard emphasized the speed with which Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persian empire.

• The second vision is recorded in verses 7-12, which describes the fourth beast, the little horn, the Ancient of days, the judgement of the fourth beast and the three other beasts. 
• The third vision is noted in verses 13-14, which describes events at the end of the age and Christ’s return.

In verses 15-28 Daniel asks for and is given a Divine interpretation of his vision.  Note he makes two requests: the first is in verse 15-16, which leads to a summary interpretation in 17-18, and the second is in verse 19-22, which leads to a detailed interpretation in verses 23-27.

The First Request, vs 15-16.

Vs 15, I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.

Much like Neb in chapter two, Daniel was greatly disturbed by what he had seen. The American Standard Bible translates the phrase as my spirit was grieved in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. The Aramaic word for body means sheath. It is the idea of a sword in a sheath. In other words, the soul is sheathed in the body and Daniel is saying his very inward parts, what is sheathed, was rocked to the core. His mind was disturbed. The Aramaic word conveys being overwhelmed, terrified, and alarmed.

Vs 16, I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.

In verse 10 Daniel sees thousands of angels attending the Ancient of Days, and so he walks up to one and asks for help.

The Summary Interpretation, vs 17-18.

In these two verses the angel whom Daniel approaches explains and summarizes what he has seen. In verse 17 the Angel explains the kingdom of man and in verse 18, the angel explains the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of Men, vs 17.

Vs 17,  The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.

The angel first notes these four great beasts are four kings. This ties the beasts with the four kingdoms seen by Neb in chapter 2. Note the angel says they will rise from the earth, while verse 3 states they will arise from the sea. Both statements are true.  To arise from the sea highlights their Gentile identity while rising from the earth emphasizes their human origin (Gen 2:7).

The Kingdom of God, vs 18.

Vs 18, But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.

In verse 18, the angel gives a summary of the coming Kingdom of God. Note the angel states the holy people of the most high will receive the kingdom. The Aramaic word here is Kadosh and can refer to both angels and humans. Here it is a reference to the people of Israel (see Ex 19:6, Deut 7:6, 26:19, Ps 16:3).  In verse 14, we see the kingdom was given to Christ, and here we see the Jewish people will be co-heirs with him. The Jews will possess it forever and no one will ever remove them. 

The Second Request, vs 19-22.

The summary interpretation of verse 18 did not fully satisfy Daniel’s questions. So, in verses 19-22, he specifically asks about the fourth beast which was so different than the first three he saw in his vision. It is like he is saying, “I have no idea what I witnessed and need help understanding what it is I saw.” 

Vs 19, Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.

In verse 19, Daniel wants to know more about the fourth beast. Comparing verse 7 with 19 we see 19 adds one other descriptor of this fourth beast; it also has bronze claws.

Vs 20, I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

Verse 20 notes Daniel also had questions about the horns on the beast’s head and especially the little horn which overtakes three of the others. This little horn is imposing, has eyes, and speaks boastfully.

Vs 21, As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them.

Verse 21 notes the little horn wages war with the Jewish people and for a time is successful in defeating them.

Vs 22, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

Daniel notes the little horn is successful until the Ancient of Days comes and pronounces judgement in favor of the Jews.  As He is the Most High God and possessor of heaven and earth, God can give the kingdom to whomever he pleases and now gives it to the Jewish people.

In summary, Daniel restates to the angel what he has seen and asks for divine help in understanding what he has seen.

The Second Divine Interpretation, vs 23-27.

In verses 23-26, the angel answers Daniel’s questions regarding the beast and the horns, while in verse 27 he more fully explains the Kingdom of God that will follow the time of the fourth beast.

The Fourth Beast, vs 23-26.

Vs 23a, He gave me this explanation: The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms.

Vs 23a corresponds to the first, or untied stage, noted in Dan 2:40. Daniel notes It was different from all the other kingdoms.  What made Rome different than the three previous empires was the way it ruled its conquered lands.  Babylon, the M-P, and the Greeks, all would appoint selected leaders from a subjugated people and appoint them as administrators over their conquered land. Neb appointed Gedaliah to rule over Judah (Jer 41:2-3).  Zerubbabel was appointed by the M-P to be Israel’s governor (see 1 Chron 3:19). Alexander the Great appointed the High priest to rule over Israel once he conquered it.  The Romans were different.  They would appoint a Roman to be in charge. Pilate, Felix, and Festus are all examples. Rome would grant citizenship, favors, and business, to subjugated natives to establish a loyal class among those who were conquered.  This would have a tempering effect on any rebellious ideas as prosperity and security were all tied to Roman allegiance.

In Daniel 2:40-44, we noted there were various stages to the reign of this fourth beast. Combing Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 there are a total of 5 stages to this fourth empire.  Dan 2 mentions three of the five.  Putting them in chronological order they appear as follows:

1. A united stage, 2:40, corresponding to the Roman Empire
2. A divided stage, 2:41, corresponding to the east-west split in the Roman Empire and the residual east-west balance of power in the surviving remnants of the Roman Empire
3. Missing
4. A Ten-Kingdom stage noted by the ten toes, Dan 2:41-43
5. Missing

Vs 23b,  and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.

Now the vision of Dan 7 departs from the chronology of the stages outlined in Dan 2. Dan 2:40 states the fourth beast will smash and crush all previous empires, a reference to the Roman Empires conquest of all the lands the previous three empires had conquered.  Here in verse 23b we see this fourth beast devouring the whole earth. The Hebrew word for whole earth means universal.  It is a reference to the entire earth, not just a portion of it. This is a distinct stage and is different than the 1^st stage mentioned in Daniel 2.  The entire earth has never yet been conquered so this is a reference to a future stage when this fourth beast takes over the world.  This is called the One Government stage and is the third stage of the fourth beast. 

Just to be clear and re-iterate, these stages now appear as follows:

1. A United stage, Dan 2:40.
2. A Divided stage, Dan 2:41.
3. A One World Government stage (OWGS), Dan 7:23b.
4. A Ten-King stage (TKS), Dan 2:41-43.
5. Missing.

This One World stage will be characterized by an alignment of individual nations into some form of world governance.  Individual nations that resist will be trampled down and crushed.

Vs 24a, the ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom.

Following this One World Government stage, a ten-division stage arises. Note these 10 kings come out of this kingdom (a reference to the kingdom just mentioned—the one that conquers the entire world). Prior to this OWGS the TKS cannot exist as it comes from the former.  Some have argued the EU represents this TKS—but this is not correct.  We have no idea what this will look like. Note this TKS corresponds to the ten toes of Dan 2:41-43. It is also noteworthy that the feet and toes of Dan 2:41-43 arise from the legs of the statue which represented an east-west split. We can infer this ten-division stage must also include both east and west so are global in scope. 

We can now fill in our stage list as follows:

1. A United stage, Dan 2:40.
2. A Divided stage, Dan 2:41.
3. A One World Government stage, Dan 7:23b.
4. A Ten-King Stage, Dan 2:41-43, Dan 7:24a.
5. Missing.

Vs 24b, after them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.

We are now informed that after the establishment of this TKS another king will arise.  This phrase has the implication of coming to power, or to prominence.

He will be different from the earlier ones. This person will be unique, different, and inimitable. The idea here is that there is no one like him.

He will subdue three kings. We are not told how, but this person will displace and topple three other kings within this ten-king federation.

Vs 25, He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

Note this king will:

1. Speak against the Most High; he will be a blasphemer.
2. He will oppress his holy people; he will persecute the Jews.
3. He will try to change the set times. Set times in Aramaic means a festival season.  The Hebrew equivalent word refers to feasts. This king will attempt to reset the times of Israel’s feasts much as Jeroboam did as noted in 1 K 12:28-33.
4. He will try to change the laws. This is a reference to the Mosaic law.
5. The duration of persecution will be for a time, times, and half a time. The word time appears 13x in the book of Daniel.  It is used in diverse ways but here and in Dan 4:13, 4:20, 4:22, and 4:29, it means a year.   Hence this king will persecute the Jews for a time (one year), times (two years), and half a time (a half year) for a total of 3 and ½ years.  This time of persecution is also noted in Rev 11:2-3.

Note the angel never mentions the little horn in verses 24b-26, yet the description of this king repeats many of the things said of the little horn:

1. This horn will put down three kings, vs 8,20,24b.
2. It will speak words against the Most High, vs 8,20, 25a.
3. It will oppress God’s holy people, vs 21,25b.

The point is the little horn, and this king are the same being.

We can now also say the period of this king who overcomes the three in the TKS represents the final stage of the fourth beast. We can now complete our five-stage chart with the following:

1. A United stage, Dan 2:40.
2. A Divided stage, Dan 2:41.
3. A One World Government stage, Dan 7:23b.
4. A Ten-King Stage, Dan 2:41-43, Dan 7:24a.
5. Little Horn stage, Dan 7:24b-25.

The remaining question is who is this little horn? Most conservative Bible scholars agree it is the Anti-Christ. The following statement reflects the majority dispensational view (taken from Fructenbaum).

1. The Anti-Christ will conquer three of the ten kingdoms during the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation (Dan 24b).
2. Israel is protected in this time by a treaty it signs with the Anti-Christ (Dan 9:27).
3. Midway through the Tribulation, the Anti-Christ will invade Jerusalem (Rev 11:2), desecrate the Tribulation Temple (Mt 24:15, Mk 13:14, 2 Thess 2:4) and change the times and the law (Dan 7:25), by putting an end to sacrifice and offering (Dan 9:27).
4. The Anti-Christ will then wage war against the Jewish people (Dan 7:25, Rev 13:5), blaspheme God (Dan 7:25a, Rev 13:5-6), and persecute the Jews (Mt 24:16-22, Mk 13:14-20, Rev 13:7-10)  for 3 ½ years (Dan 7:25, Rev 13:5).
5. This 3 ½ period of Dan 7:25 is therefore the second half of the Tribulation period.

Vs 26, But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 

At the end of this 3 ½ year period, divine judgement comes, and the little horn’s power is removed and destroyed forever.

The Kingdom of God, vs 27.

Vs 27, Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.

In Dan 7:14, we noted the Christ is given glory, authority, and sovereign power. It also notes Christ is to be given Dominion which will not pass away and never be destroyed.

In verse 27, additional information is given regarding this kingdom: the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. The rule of the earth will be given to the Jewish people. In this fifth Kingdom the angel is describing, Jesus is the absolute monarch, and the Jews are serving under him as head of the Gentiles (see also Deut 28:1, 28:13, Is 14:1-2, Is 49:22-23, Is 61:6-7). 

Conclusion, vs 28.

Vs 28, This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.

Verse 28 notes Daniel’s response to this incredible vision:

1. He was deeply troubled. The idea here is the vision rocked him to his core. He was dominated by it .
2. My face turned pale.  His countenance changed.  It is like Bel seeing the writing on the wall, though in this instance Daniel is not being judged.
3. He kept the matter to himself. Daniel does not share what he has seen.

Summary Table

Dan 2                                                                                                            Dan 7

Four Gentile Empires                                                                                 Four Gentile Empires

1. The Babylonian Empire                                                                    a.  The Babylonian Empire
2. The Medo-Persian Empire                                                               b.  The Medo-Persian Empire
3. The Hellenistic Empire                                                                      c.  The Hellenistic Empire

The Fourth Empire-Imperialism                                                               The Fourth Empire-Imperialism

1. The United Stage -Ancient Rome                                                    a.  The United Stage-Rome
2. The Two-Division Stage-The East -West Split                                b.  The Two-Division Stage
3. Missing                                                                                                 c.  One World Government Stage
4. The Ten Division Stage                                                                      d.  The Ten-King Stage
5. Missing                                                                                                 e.  The Anti-Christ Stage-little horn

The Fifth Empire -The Messianic Kingdom                                            The Messianic Kingdom