Coachlight Bible Study – Daniel Chapter 7

Coachlight Bible Study – Daniel Chapter 7:1-14 – Part I of 2

Daniel’s Kingdom Visions

In the first fourteen verses of chapter seven, Daniel sees three visions. These visions teach what happens from the beginning of the Times of the Gentiles, including a judgment scene, and then to the Son of Man receiving His Kingdom. Daniel sees beasts (kings and kingdoms) coming out of the sea (of people). The sea is disturbed by outside forces, the 4 winds, or spirits (or princes). At the appropriate time, God sends His Messengers to fight against these princes, and the results of these battles are played out on Earth.

Just as Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius had to be taught Who is really in charge, we too need to realize that the only righteous God is King, and soon will turn the kingdom over to the Son of Man. We will see the angels Michael and Gabriel fight the actual battles in the air, and what is seen on earth is only the result of these battles.

We also must, by faith, know that our battles are not carnal – or with flesh and blood, and take up our spiritual warfare and stand. While we make our stand, we also need to keep our true inheritance, the Kingdom, in our vision

I. The Time Of The Visions

Daniel 7:1 ¶ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

A. This chapter Happens before chapters 5-6

1. Takes us back to the 1^st year of Belshazzar's reign

a. Approximately 62 years after Nebuchadnezzar’s image dream

b. Daniel was approximately 85 years old

c. Daniel appears to have lived a retired life.

1. Years of study and prayer

2. Studied Moses, Psalms and Prophets - Daniel 9:2.2.

2. Daniel sought God about

a. The ‘Times of the Gentiles’

b. Relating to his own people – the Jews

c. The visions after this chapter all relate to the Jews

B. This chapter contains Three of Daniel’s Visions

1. The Four Wild Beasts

2. A Judgment Scene

3. The Son of Man Receiving the Kingdom

II. The First Vision - The Four Wild Beasts

Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Daniel 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

A. The Vision Begins On The Shore Of The ‘Great Sea’

1. The Old Testament term ‘Great Sea’ - the Mediterranean

(Numbers 34:6-7; Joshua 1:4, 9:1; Ezekiel 47:10)

2. Tells the geographical position by the Four Wild Beasts – Nations

a. The first 2 Empires were not on the Mediterranean

1. Needed the Mediterranean for their wealth

2. Needed the Mediterranean for their power

b. The Grecian and Roman Empires were located there

B. As Time Went On In The ‘Times Of The Gentiles’

1. The conquered coast of Mediterranean became more important

2. So Palestine’s Mediterranean coast became important

a. Became the Empire boundary of the Mediterranean

b. Great Sea became known as just a ‘Roman Lake’ in the Empire

C. As The End Of The ‘Times Of The Gentiles’ Approaches

1. The raging waves - A symbol of the stirring-up of the nations

a. The "sea" in Scripture is a symbol of the nations

Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Isaiah 17:12 ¶ Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

Isaiah 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

b. The sea is not disturbed only by itself

2. The sea’s disturbance caused by some outside force - spirit

(Jeremiah 23:19, 49:36; Zechariah 6:1-6; Revelation 7:1-3)

a. Like a hurricane

b. Like an earthquake

3. The outside influences of the nations - the ‘4 Winds of Heaven’

4. The number ‘4’ demonstrates the direction of the winds

a. They come from the four points of the compass

b. Felt all over the earth.

5. The ‘winds’ represent the powers of the air – forces of evil one

a. Our war is against rulers of darkness – not of this world

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

b. They are explained in Daniel as ‘princes’ – sar – ‘chief ruler’

Daniel 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

C. Now As The Closing Of The ‘Times Of The Gentiles’ Gets Closer Still

1. Israel a Nation only since 1948 – almost 2000 years scattered

2. The nations around Israel are more and more in unrest

3. Satan brings in a last ditch effort of his princes of the air

D. Daniel Sees 4 Beasts Come Out Of The ‘Sea’

1. 4 beasts point back to the four metals of the image – Why Repetition?

2. Man and God see nations from different standpoints

a. Man sees nations as the manifestation of the princes work

1. Concentration of majesty & wealth

2. Concentration of power

b. God sees the source as ravenous beasts ruling by brute force

1. The Lion devours

2. The Bear crushes

3. The Leopard waits & springs on its victim and sucks its blood

4. There is no likeness on earth to the forth beast

c. National Emblems - Demonstrate nation’s beastly character

1. The British Lion - 4. The Chinese Dragon

2. The Russian Bear - 5. The Persian Ram

3. The US Eagle - 6. The Macedonian Goat

III. The First Beast

Daniel 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

A. Out Of The Great Sea Comes A Beast Like A ‘Lion’ With Wings Of An Eagle

(Jeremiah 48:40; Ezekiel 17; Habakkuk 1:6-8)

B. A Combination Of The King Of Beasts And King Of Birds

(Lion: I Kings 10:20; II Chronicles 9:19; Eagle: Ezekiel 17:3, 7)

1. Typical of an absolute Monarchy

2. Nebuchadnezzar’s swift, conquering flight over the nations

C. Babylon used both the lion and the eagle as national emblems

(Jeremiah 4:7, 13; Ezekiel 17:3).

D. A Symbol Of Babylonian Empire & First King – Nebuchadnezzar

1. It’s wings were plucked

2. It was lifted up and caused to walk on 2 feet

3. A man’s heart was given to it

a. No longer used teeth and claws overcoming enemies

b. Used intellect instead of teeth and claws

c. Probably reminded Daniel of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity and restoration

IV. The Second Beast

Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

A. Second Beast - A Bear – Characteristic of Medo-Persians

1. The strongest beast after the Lion – (1 Samuel 17:34; Amos 5:19; Hosea 13:8)

a. Noted for its continual hunger

b. Has none of the agility and majesty of the Lion

2. Awkward in its movements

a. Slowness in movement

b. Known for brute force and sheer strength

B. These Were Characteristics Of The Medo-Persian Empire

(Isaiah 13:16-18; Jeremiah 51:48-56)

1. Gained its victories with large numbers of troups

2. Xerxes' against Greece - 2,500,000 men – devoured much flesh

a. Moving that many ‘devour much flesh’

b. By inadequate food, exposure and disease, as well as battle

C. The Side Of The "Bear" Was Raised Up - To Attack - Represents Persia

1. The stronger - Same as right shoulder and arm of the Image

2. Three Ribs stood for Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt

a. Formed a Triple Alliance - checked the Medo-Persian power

b. Eventually ended up being destroyed by Medo-Persia

D. As The Bear Is Inferior To The Lion – Medes & Persians Inferior To Babylon

1. Not Inferior in Power

2. But inferior in wealth and magnificence

3. And inferior in its form of government

E. Medo-Persia Lasted 200 Years Before Alexander toppled BC 331

F. We See That The Four Beasts Correspond With The Metals Of The Image

G. Each Beast Is Inferior To The One That Came Before It

V. The Third Beast

Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

A. The Third Beast Was Like A Leopard

1. Most agile and swift of wild beasts

2. Characteristics are their speed, strength, and cunning

(Jeremiah 5:6; Hosea 13:7; Habakkuk 1:8).

3. Slight in frame - Strong and fierce

B. Fitting Characteristics Of Grecia And Alexander The Great

1. Alexander had brave soldiers – and well-equipped

2. Subdued Persia in less than 10 years

3. Conquered from Macedonia to Africa - east to India -BC 334-331

C. It Had 4 Heads and 4 Wings of a Fowl

1. Four wings add to his swiftness

2. They were wings of a fowl – not of an eagle

a. Would be swift like Nebuchadnezzar

b. Not quite as kingly as Nebuchadnezzar’s victories, but cunning

D. It Had 4 Heads

1. Represent the Four Kingdoms – Alexander’s empire divided

2. Modern day Greece, Turkey, Syria, Egypt

a. Cassander had Western Part of Empire– Greece, Macedonia

b. Lysimachus had Northern Part – Asia Minor or Turkey

c. Seleucus had Eastern Part – Syria, Iraq, & Iran

d. Ptolemy had Southern Part - Egypt

E. Corresponded to the belly and thighs of the Image

VI. The Forth Beast

Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

A. The Fourth Beast Was Like No Other Beast On The Earth – Roman Empire

1. It was dreadful to look at

2. It had teeth of iron

3. It had nails of brass – we are told later

4. It had ten horns

B. The Iron Teeth Corresponds To The Iron Legs Of The Image

C. The Ten Horns Corresponds To The Ten Toes Of The Image

1. The Roman empire was awesome and powerful

2. The last world government will be like ancient Roman empire

(Matthew 24:29-34, Jeremiah 24, Hosea 9:10)

D. A Little Horn Springs Up Among The Ten Horns - Baffled Daniel

1. It had the eyes of a man

2. It had a mouth speaking great things - The Antichrist will persuade by speech (Revelation 13:5-6).

3. Must be a new revelation

a. God elected to not show Nebuchadnezzar in the image

b. Has to do with God dealing with Daniel’s people

E. Shows Roman Empire In Both Its First And Last Stages

VII. The Second Vision – A Judgment Scene

Daniel 7:9 ¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

A. Ancient Of Days - Title Of The Father And Also Of The Son In Scripture

1. Means - "Days without Beginning"

2. The context tells which One is meant

(Revelation 1:14-16, 5:11, Micah 5:2, John 1:1, 5:27)

3. The Ancient of Days here is The Son of Man – Father leaves judgment to Him

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

B. This Was Not Shown In Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision

C. Purpose - Tell Daniel The Judgment Coming On The Gentile Nations

1. It is not the Great White Throne Judgment – Takes place after Millenium

(Revelation 20:11-15)

2. It is not the Judgment Seat of Christ – (II Corinthians 5:10)

(Takes place right after rapture – (I Corinthians 3:11-15)

3. It is judgment of the Gentile Nations represented by the Four Wild Beasts

4. Daniel saw the 4^th Wild beast – figurative of destruction of Roman Empire

a. Slain

b. It’s body destroyed

c. It’s body given to the burning flame

5. This 4^th beast is not the Antichrist – Little Horn is not called beast in Daniel

6. The Little Horn – John calls him the beast

a. Is not slain as the 4^th Wild Beast is in Daniel

b. Cast alive into the Lake of Fire – (Revelation 19:20)

7. The 1^st 3 Nations

a. Have their dominion taken away

b. Their lives are prolonged for a season and a time.

1. Greece has been revived

2. Persia has been revived

3. When will Babylon be rebuilt?

D. Thrones Cast Down - Will Come To Pass In The Latter Times

1. These are the thrones of the evil powers of the air

2. What was the source of Ruling power of the beasts? Who is in control?

Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

3. At the time of this Judgment, the dragon & his angels are cast down

Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

4. So all the evil powers & principalities will be cast down from the heavens

5. We are in the Times of Gentiles and need to use spiritual armor

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

E. Judgment Period Between Rapture And The New Heaven & Earth

1. There are 3 judgments during this time - Tribulation

a. The Judgment Seat of Christ - II Corinthians 5:10.

b. The Judgment of the Jews – during Tribulation

1. Tribulation called “Jacob’s Trouble’ – Jeremiah 30:4-7; Daniel 12:1

2. Tribulation called ‘The Great Tribulation – Matthew 24:21-31

3. All of the Jews’ promises are earthly promises

4. Their judgments are on earth as well

5. The result of this Judgment will be the conversion of the Jews.

c. The ‘Judgment of Nations’ – After 2^nd Advent - Matthew 25:31-46.

1. It will take place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat - Joel 3:1-2

2. Purpose - Separate the ‘Sheep’ and ‘Goat’ Nations

3. The ‘Sheep’ go the Kingdom prepared from the Foundation of the World 4. This Kingdom is the Millennium, or ‘Stone Kingdom’ of Christ

5. The ‘Goat’ Nations, as nations, will be destroyed.

2. Daniel saw the whole Period of Judgment

F. This scene corresponds to that of the Son of Man in Revelation 1

Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Revelation 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Revelation 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

1. His Head and Hairs were white like wool, as white as snow

2. His Eyes were as a flame of fire

3. His Feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace

4. His Voice as the sound of many waters

G. This is a picture of the Son of Man as Judge

1. He has completed His priestly office preparing for His Judge position

a. He does not have priest garb around the waist

b. His white hair reminds us of English white wigs of judges

2. Christ’s Office Positions Throughout the ages

a. He was Creator during Creation

b. He was Prophet during the Old Testament

c. He is High Priest During the church age

d. He will be Judge during the Tribulation

e. He is King During the Millennium & For Ever

The Offices Held By Christ Throughout The Ages
Creator	Prophet	High Priest	Judge	King
John 1:1; Genesis 1 & 2	Hebrews 8:1-5 Hebrews 9:23	Hebrews 7:19-25; Hebrews 8 & 9	Daniel 7:9-12; Matthew 24:45-51; Matthew 25:31-46; Hebrews 9:28	Revelation 11:15
Creation 7 Days	Old Testament	Church Age	Tribulation 7 Years	Millennium And For Ever

VIII. The Third Vision – The Coronation Of The Son Of Man

Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

A. The Ancient Of Days Was The Son In The First Scene

B. The Ancient Of Days Is The Father In This Scene

C. This Is No Contradiction – Title Used Interchangeably

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

I Timothy 3: 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

D. Christ’s Kingdom Not Of This World

1. Christ’s kingdom is not given him from the world – his army would fight

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

2. His Kingdom Given By the Father

Luke 19: 11 ¶ And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

a. From this we see that Christ is the certain noble Man

b. He has gone into a far country" (Heaven) to receive His Kingdom

c. When He receives it - He will return.

d. He has not received it yet - He has not yet returned.

e. The time for receiving the Kingdom is still in the future

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

IX Application

A. What Should Our Focus Be?

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

B. Who Is The Enemy And How Do We Prevail Against Him?

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


Daniel’s Four Wild Beasts

Ancient of Days Judgment Scene	Son of Man Receiving the Kingdom