Daniel Prophecy – Chapter 7

What does the book of Daniel tell us about the Antichrist?

I. Video Data. I. Video Data. John Ankerberg Show. Dr. John Ankerberg,  (M. Div., D. Min.), (Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (M. Div., Ph. D., 1940-2021).

II. Overview.

Dr. John F. Walvoord (Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., 1910-2002) Daniel Commentary.

A. In the interpretation of biblical prophecy, the seventh chapter of Daniel occupies a unique place. As interpreted by conservative expositors, the vision of Daniel provides the most comprehensive and detailed prophecy of future events to be found anywhere in the Old Testament. Although its interpretation has varied widely, conservative scholars generally are agreed, with few exceptions, that Daniel traces the course of four great world empires, namely, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, concluding in the climax of world history in the second coming of Jesus Christ and the inauguration of the eternal kingdom of God, represented as a fifth and final kingdom which is from heaven.

B. Interpreted in this way, the chapter forms a major outline of future events to which additional details are given later in the book of Daniel and in the New Testament, especially in the Revelation. Such a panorama of future events is of great importance to the student of prophecy, as it provides a broad outline to which all other prophetic events may be related. Conservative interpreters are agreed that this is genuine prophecy, that it is futuristic, that is, related to future events from Daniel’s point of view, and that its culmination is in the kingdom which Christ brings.

III. Scripture Text. Daniel Chapter 7. See the following link which was pasted from Bible Gateway.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+7&version=NASB1995

IV. Verse Examination. Dr. Charles C. Ryrie (Th. M., Th. D., Ph. D.; 1925-2016) Ryrie Study Bible. 

A.  7:1. “In the first year of Belshazzar = 553 B.C., that is 14 years before the fall of Babylon described in chap 5.

B. 7:3. “four great beasts.” Representing the rulers of the four world empires previously described in chap 2 (cf 7:17). 

C. 7:4. “like a lion…eagle.” Both symbols (of strength and speed, respectively) were used of Babylon (cf Jer 4:7, 13). 

D. 7:5. “resembling a bear.” A symbol of the Medo-Persian Empire, known for its strength and fierceness in battle (cf Isa 13:17-18). “raised up one on one side” indicates the superiority of the Persians in the empire. “three ribs” may represent three major conquests: Lydia (546), Babylon (539), and Egypt (525).

E. 7:6. “like a leopard.” Representing the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. After his death the empire had “four heads,” i.e., Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Macedonia (cf 8:8.)

F. 7:7-8. “a fourth beast.” Rome. The 10 horns are explained in verse 24, and the little horn (Antichrist) in verses 24-25. 

G. 7:9. “Ancient of Days.” A reference to God as Judge (cf Isa 57 :15). 

H. 7:13-14. This is the first reference to Messiah as “Son of Man,” a title of our Lord used of  Himself often. See note on Matt 8:20 [The title “Son of God” is Jesus’s divine name (Mt 8:29). “Son of David,” His Jewish name (Mt 9:27), but “Son of Man” is the name that links Him to the earth and to His mission. It was His favorite designation to Himself (used more than 80 times) and was based on Dan 7:13-14. It emphasizes (1) His lowliness and humanity (Mt 8:20), (2) His suffering and death (Lk 19:10), and (3) His future reign as King (Mt 24:27).] At His second coming He will have “dominion” over this world.

I. 7:18. These “saints” probably include believers of all ages, and possibly angels. 

J. 7:24-27. Antichrist will march to power by subduing three of the 10 nations (v 24), will blaspheme  God (v 25), will try in some way to change times and laws in order to promote his anti-Christian program (v 25), and will persecute God’s saints (v 25) for the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation.

K. 7:24. The final form of the Roman world power will be a confederation of 10 nations who will arise simultaneously in the tribulation days.

V. My Bucket List shows the references, of people and documents, that I use when I write my articles.

Bucket List

VI. My Websites To Follow.

https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity

https://untotheleastofthese.home.blog/ Book Prep

https://newsandcommentary38395276.wordpress.com/ Thy Kingdom Come

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Daniel Prophecy – Chapter 6

What is the prophetic outline to the Book of Daniel?

I. Video Data. I. Video Data. John Ankerberg Show. Dr. John Ankerberg,  (M. Div., D. Min.), (Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (M. Div., Ph. D., 1940-2021).

II. Overview.

Dr. John F. Walvoord (Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., 1910-2002) Daniel Commentary.

A. The account of Daniel being cast into the lions’ den is one of the most familiar stories of the Old Testament. The fact that such an event should be given the same amount of space in Scripture as the panoramic view of world history recorded in chapter 7 leads to the conclusion that, from God’s viewpoint, this was an important event not only to Daniel but to all students of Scripture. From the standpoint of biblical scholarship, more attention has been directed to Darius the Mede, the king of Babylon at this time, than to the events of the chapter itself

B. With the successful conquest of Babylon and the surrounding territory, it now is appropriate for the new kingdom to organize, both from the standpoint of law and order and from the benefit of taxation which this would allow. In such an organization, it would not be unsuitable to use qualified men who had served previously in the Babylonian kingdom. The conquerors did what they could to set up a friendly relationship with the people in their power; and, although Belshazzar was slain, his father, Nabonidus, lived for some years afterward. Even some of the gods of Babylon were honored by the conquerors.

C. The organization of the new kingdom is detailed in the opening verses of chapter 6. One hundred and twenty princes or “satraps” were appointed. The point of introducing these facts in Daniel’s narrative is to give the setting for Daniel’s place of honor. Daniel himself was named one of the three presidents who would coordinate the work of the 120 princes. Of them, it was required to give financial accounts and protect the king’s interest. In such a function, an honest and capable administrator familiar with the territory and problems of taxation would undoubtedly be of immeasurable benefit to Darius. For this reason, Daniel, according to verse 3, was preferred above the others and had such “an excellent spirit” that the king thought to put all of the princes under him. All of this makes a great deal of sense and actually sets the stage for the supreme test of Daniel which followed.

III. Scripture Text. See the following link which was pasted from Bible Gateway.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+6&version=NASB1995

IV. Verse Examination. Dr. Charles C. Ryrie (Th. M., Th. D., Ph. D.; 1925-2016) Ryrie Study Bible. 

A. 6:1. “120 satraps.” 120 assistants to Darius.

B. 6:2. “that the king might not suffer loss. I. e., have no financial loss. That is why he wanted someone trustworthy like Daniel.

C. 6:8. “The unchangeableness of Medo-Persian law is seen in Esther 1:19; 8:8. 

D. 6:10. “toward Jerusalem.” A practice suggested by David and Solomon (Ps 5:7; 1 Kings 8:33). Daniel’s example is one of legitimate disobedience to the government (cf. Acts 5:29; Rom 13:1-2). 

E. 6:16. “the lions’ den.” A large (v 24) underground cave with an opening at the top (v 23), and probably one on each side. 

F. 6:24. This cruel punishment is typically Persian.

IV.  Additional Information. Dr. Michael Rydelnik (Th. M., D. Miss.) The Moody Bible Commentary.

In one of the most well-known stories in the book, Daniel was cast into the lions’ den for his faith. Since Daniel was about 15 in 605 B. C., when the Babylonians brought him as a captive to Babylon, and since the events in Daniel 6 most likely took place in the second or third year after the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 B. C., Daniel would have been approximately 82 years old when he was cast into the lions’ den. He was an old man, not a teenager, as is often pictured in Bible storybooks and sermons.

V. My Bucket List shows the references, of people and documents, that I use when I write my articles.

Bucket List

VI. My Websites To Follow.

https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity

https://untotheleastofthese.home.blog/ Book Prep

https://newsandcommentary38395276.wordpress.com/ Thy Kingdom Come

Please follow all of these three websites.