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Daniel 7 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The prophetic part of Daniel starts here with Chapter 7. It is unlikely that we can know exactly what is being talked about here, or even the timing of these events. Scholars have differed over whether these prophecies describe immediate events or if they can be continually applied to many situations over a period of time. It is always important to extract the immediate contextual application but for this passage, it is somewhat difficult.
Chronologically, the vision of Chapter 7 takes place during the reign of King Belshazzar placing it in between chapters 4 and 5. If you remember, in Daniel 2 King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that needed to be translated. There were four metals described in that dream which represented four world-dominating kingdoms. Daniel’s vision here in Chapter 7 contains four beasts. It’s quite possible that after King Neb’s dream, Daniel began to pray and wonder about how God would orchestrate such events and what they meant for the coming Messiah through the line of David. God gave Daniel a vision that lines up with King Neb’s original dream.
King Neb’s Dream ⇒ Head of Gold ⇒ BabylonDaniel’s Vision ⇒ Lion ⇒ Babylon
King Neb’s Dream ⇒ Arms of Silver ⇒ PersiaDaniel’s Vision ⇒ Bear ⇒ Persia
King Neb’s Dream ⇒ Sides of Bronze ⇒ GreeceDaniel’s Vision ⇒ Leopard ⇒ Greece
King Neb’s Dream ⇒ Legs of Iron / Feet of Iron & Clay ⇒ RomeDaniel’s Vision ⇒ Composite Beast ⇒ Rome
What does this mean for us today? Well, the four winds of Daniel’s vision have begun to blow. Consider the society that we live in today.
“And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
There is brainwashing taking place as there is a reversal of right and wrong. Humanism elevates people to the status of gods. In the same way that the ancient Greek theater corrupted the morals of those people, the media powerhouses bring us news and entertainment laced with an agenda. We are told to be independent and “follow our heart” instead of following God. Like the days of Judges, people do what seems right in their own eyes. In this way, truth is subjective because it only matters what you believe and not what God has clearly revealed. The horn speaks great things that will tickle the ears of humanity.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say this prophecy is being fulfilled today. I honestly do not know. I am only pointing out that we are definitely moving in that direction. The winds are blowing.
As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Daniel 7:21-22 ESV
He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
Daniel 7:25 ESV
Daniel was disturbed by all this. This horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them. He wore out the saints of the Most High and changed the times and the law. The destruction is indescribable. However, the kingdom will be given to the saints by the authority of Jesus. The world, Satan, and his kingdom have a limited amount of time and a limited amount of power. Though they may win the battles, they have already lost the war. Jesus will hand the kingdom over to those who persevere and trust in His saving grace.
Jesus’ Kingdom cannot be taken by human force. The world powers believe this lie and will fail in the end. His Coming Kingdom is a gift to be received just like Salvation. True gifts, by nature, cannot be manipulated or coerced. They are received in due time and dependant upon the Giver. As the saints who received this Kingdom, we wait patiently on our Giver.