These both represent Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire. Prophecy reveals that which we would not and could not expect apart from divine revelation. The other prophecies were revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar and interpreted by Daniel. If you remember as I have already stated, much of the interpretation of this dream could be found in chapter 2. Because of his wisdom, and the favour of God, Daniel rose to a position within the Babylonian government. 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel is greatly distressed by the vision which he sees in chapter 7. 10 A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, and the books were opened. Dan 2:1-4 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream. (13) In some sense, the last kingdom is still on-going. (6) How important is it for us to identity the kings and the kingdoms mentioned in our text? These will continue to be separate nations in the confederation but will come under the little horns control and authority. A Vision of Judgment (Daniel 7:9-12) 2. Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. Some people have a rather irreverent attitude toward prophecy, they approach it as a pastime and they delight in figuring out complex date schemes and drawing detailed diagrams of the future. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. Since the head of gold seems to describe the same king and kingdom as the first beast, it may not be too far afield to conclude that Nebuchadnezzar is the king represented by the first beast. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule, he had a dream. It therefore seems that the two prophecies speak of the same four kingdoms by means of different imagery. A look through the Scriptures shows that Daniels response to the prophecies he received was not unique. I believe some in Babylon, like their king, came to a genuine faith in God. As we move into the second half of Daniel 7 and begin to dissect Daniels dream with the help of Gods Word and the help of history past because some of this dream which was yet future for Daniel is past history for us. His declaration, which resulted from the deliverance of the three Hebrews, made it unlawful to hinder the worship of the Jews; his decree recorded at the end of chapter 4 went much further. If you need one see me after the service and I will get you a copy. The prophecies of Daniel 7 speak of a future day of reckoning, foreshadowed by the actions of Belshazzar and the judgment of God on him and his kingdom. (3) The finest commentary on the prophecy of Daniel 7 comes from our Lord Himself. The saints of the Highest One are given all the kingdoms of the earth for an everlasting kingdom. These horns are also kings, from whom kingdoms arise (verse 24). If a man cannot remember the dream he saw (it means): his (personal) god is angry with him. Quite clear, however, is the identity of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man.. Daniels response to the vision was far from assuring or calming. That dream was read as our Scripture reading this morning. In his vision, Daniel observed the sea being stirred up into a raging storm by the four winds of heaven. This signifies that the events which follow have been ordained by God. The woman endures in the view of the final outcome of the process. Je. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. Prophecy is not a pep rally, which generates a great burst of short-term enthusiasm but does little to inspire faith and endurance in the midst of suffering. Both the statue parts (made of different metals) and the beasts represent kings and kingdoms. The prophecy of this chapter is divinely interpreted. The kingdom of God will be established and the saints will possess it forever. Daniel 7 indicates in the clearest way that prior to the coming of the kingdom of God the saints will suffer at the hand of the final horn and even be overpowered by him. Daniels vision ends here, but its impact on him does not end. When God granted Daniel the wisdom to interpret the king's dream, it launched Daniel's long career as a political leader, trusted adviser, and well-known prophet. The vision plays on before Daniel, almost as though in answer to his desire to know more. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. Our attention should be given to what is clearly and emphatically said. Daniel 2:1-13 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream. The point of this prophecy is not to tell us who future kings will be, but rather what they will be like. Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. At this point the revelation ended. As Daniel continues to watch, another horn emerges, as three of the other horns are plucked out by the roots to make room for it. In spite of these kings, the saints of the Highest One will possess the eternal kingdom forever and ever. Old Testament Jews would likely regard the reference to the Son of Man in Daniel 7 as a reference to the Messiah, although they would probably not understand Him to be both divine and human. 15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed (Revelation 13:4, 11-15). In Daniels dream the Roman empire was represented by such a terrible beast that Daniel could name no animal which fit its description. Chapter 7 - In the first vision Daniel sees the same kingdoms, but this time he sees them as beasts. In verse 1 Daniel indicates his vision came to him in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar. In the Old Testament, the expression son of man was used most frequently in reference to men, who were merely (as opposed to God) human. The chapter falls into two major parts. La Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, [2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. Daniel's righteousness is legendary status Don't mistake Daniel as some conjurer of cheap tricks. The process of having a baby involves the pains of childbirth. Agreeing with God that they are sinners but believing that Jesus Christ death paid the penalty for their sin, that He was buried, and rose from the dead three days later triumphant over sin, Satan, and death forever. Did Daniel interpret dreams? (4) Suffering is to be expected by the saints, before they enter into the glorious kingdom of God. Prophecies are given so that we may look at history, especially events occurring in our own lifetime, from Gods perspective. At this point the revelation ended. We are not told precisely what it is that troubles Daniel. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: These were represented by the image of a statue. Daniel was exiled to Babylon when he was still a teenager. The saints should expect to suffer because of their faith, especially as the last days for the kingdoms of men draw near. (2) Why do you think Daniel summarized his dream when he wrote it rather than tell it in full (see verse 1)? Through the ages, the saints have learned that they must wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled and that this may not happen in their lifetime (see Hebrews 11:13-16, 39-40). The second scene portrays the establishment of the thrones on which the Ancient of Days and those holding court are to be seated to pronounce judgment. As I read through the statements men have made about the God of Israel in the first six chapters of Daniel, I find that what men came to know and to acknowledge through history, God declares through prophecy. 74 The personal cost of receiving divine revelation is never underestimated in the Old Testament (cf. In his interpretation of the dream, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar he was the head of gold. While God tells neither Daniel nor us that this beast represents Nebuchadnezzar, He does reveal that the head of gold in the vision of the great statue was Nebuchadnezzar (2:36-38). Chapter 2 contains a very significant prophecy, revealed by God to king Nebuchadnezzar. 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. Passing over the first three beasts, his questions focus on the last beast. Nebuchadnezzar became distressed when he received his first night vision (2:1) because he did understand some of his dream. 81 See Ezekiel 29:21 for a similar use of the imagery of making a horn grow to describe a kings promotion to power. 3:15; Zc. In chapter 5, King Belshazzars dream should have greatly alarmed him, but apparantly it did not. When that day comes for them, it is too late to repent. In fact, Daniel has trouble interpreting some of his own dreams. Four kings will establish four kingdoms, and some of these kingdoms have a number of kings. As Daniel sought to discover more truth about the fourth beast he added some details that he had left out of his first description. This beast is also unique among the four in that he grows 11 horns. Because of this we can have a greater understanding of this dream than Daniel did. We dare not ignore that which is revealed nor do we dare go too far afield in speculating about what is concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:23). In the euphoria of this grand event, someone might well conclude the kingdom of God was to be established within the lifetime of those returning to Israel. The seriousness of the prophetic truth personally affected Daniel, motivating godly fear and self-examination. 79 Compare Jeremiah 49:14-22, 28, where Nebuchadnezzar is compared to a lion and an eagle. 1. Daniel 2:9-11 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof, Daniel 1:18,19 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar, We are not told in so many words that this extension of time was granted, or that Daniel undertook to show more than the interpretation of the dream. Then, in Daniel 2, the Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar a dream that only Daniel could interpret. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself (verse 28). Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream by Larry Murray King Nebuchadnezzar had a puzzling dream that no one could explainuntil God gave the interpretation to Daniel. 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