Wednesday Evening Update: The Greatest Chapter in Daniel

Brian McCrorie
GARBC Conference 2010

Scripture Reading: Daniel 7:13-14

Songs: Great is the Lord Almighty; Ancient of Days; A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Recognition of New Churches into the GARBC

Baptist Church Planters Check Presentations

Offertory by Larry Kauffman “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Psalm 97, Dr. David Harris, “The Lord Reigns”

Songs: No Other Name; Crown Him with Many Crowns

Daniel 7—Dr. Dan Davey

Introductory Comments: (v.1)

  • When we talk about apocalyptic literature, we are talking about images, things which are seen.
  • Over and over in this chapter, Daniel “saw” or “looked” or “watched”
  • Don’t get lost in the fierceness of the imagery; it is only the vehicle of transportation that carries the important message.
  • God uses this imagery (1) to promote memory and (2) to make prophecy manageable b/c God is going to call attention to significant prophetic events by means of a symbol.
  • When God speaks through these images of fierceness, it overwhelms Daniel.
  • God uses such imagery sparingly. (e.g. vv. 8-9, a horn with eyes and mouth speaking blasphemy; a seated “Ancient of Days” on a fiery throne—“a greater contrast could not be imagined” (Whitcomb)
  • Daniel doesn’t tell us the whole vision, but rather that which the Holy Spirit led him to record.

Notes on the Body of the Message

  • Verse 2, speaking of the Mediterranean Sea (likely) and a great storm over it
  • Four beasts (humans) come out of this storm (the earth)
  • First beast represents Nebuchadnezzar, strong and powerful, then humbled by God as an animal for a time.
  • Second beast is a deformed bear, probably the Medes and Persians, giving prominence to the Medes probably. Three ribs may indicate nations destroyed or ravenous hunger.
  • Third beast is a leopard with four wings and four heads. Likely signifies Alexander the Great who moved with incredible speed to conquer the earth. Four heads probably the four generals who divided the kingdom after Alexander’s death at 33 years of age.
  • Fourth beast is just called “the beast” with iron teeth, destroying everything in its path. It had ten horns (kingdoms). A little horn then comes up and 3 horns are uprooted by it. Rev. 17 tells us the remaining horns give their authority to the little horn. This little horn had the eyes and mouth of a man. According to v. 20, this little horn grew to be the most dominant horn.
  • Greg Beale does a great justice in making 14 correlations between Daniel 7 and Revelation 5, asserting that Rev. 5 cannot be understood w/o Daniel 7.
  • Everything about the Ancient of Days is pure white (Rev. 14, white clouds; Rev. 19, white horse; Rev. 20, great white throne). Rev. 4, elders sitting on 24 thrones also in white. Davey believes the color white is designating impending judgment, fair and righteous.
  • The throne is bursting in flames, with a river of fire flowing from the Ancient of Days
  • Myriads of angels worshiping Him, beyond counting.
  • The court is seated; the books were opened.
  • “Ever hear someone say ‘when I stand before God, this is what I’m going to say…’?” Not going to happen like that.
  • The 4th beast was slain and destroyed and given to the eternal flame.
  • The climax of the vision (vv. 13-14)
  • Thankfully, we are not mono-testamental but rather stereophonic. “The testaments are the two lips of God from where we hear from Him” (Thomas Watson).
  • Daniel 7:13 is the only place in the Old Testament where the Messiah is called the “Son of Man”; John 3, Jesus calls himself the “Son of Man” verses 10-17. Jesus delights in his connection with man. The Son of Man is described as pre-existent, etc.
  • Verse 15ff, Daniel asks for interpretation.
  • Four beasts are four kings; saints receive the kingdom forever.
  • The 4th beast makes war with the beast and is winning (Rev. 13, 42 months) until…the Ancient of Days intervenes
  • 10 horns are ten kings; but the little horn is different.
  • He speaks against God and persecutes the saints for time, times and half a time.
  • But, the end is already written, vv. 26-27.

Concluding Thoughts:

  1. God sees the world and its empires.
  2. God is seated in heaven. (Psalm 2 “relax”)
  3. Jesus Christ is the declared Victor
  4. Rev. 12 tells us we win in a way the world never thought of: the blood of the lamb, the word of their testimony, and the fact that they didn’t love their lives to the death.
  5. As surely as the Son of Man is the ruler, his saints will rule with him.
  6. Scripture Reading: Rev. 5:8-14

Discussion