Daniel 7

Daniel 7:15-28

Stedman has a quote which helps us understand how the world looking for peace could be set up for the emergence and ascension of someone like the Little Horn… Sir Winston Churchill, while still Prime Minister of Great Britain, speaking in Copenhagen, said this "The creation of an authoritative. all-powerful world order is the ultimate aim toward which we must strive. Unless some effective world super-government can be brought quickly into action. the proposals for peace and human progress are dark and doubtful." (The Coming Caesar) Gene Getz has an excellent comment regarding interpreting Biblical prophecy and current events - Those who study prophecy regularly have carefully watched what is happening in this area of the world. This is why there was so much interest when the European Economic Community—usually called the Common Market—was organized. As a result of the Treaty of Rome (March 25, 1957), six nations formed a union—France, Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, and the Netherlands. Several years later, this union increased to nine members, adding Great Britain, Denmark, and Ireland. They actually worked out a common agricultural policy as well as other ways to work together. On January 1, 1981, Greece joined this union, bringing the number of countries to ten This development created a great deal of excitement. (ED: JOHN MACARTHUR, ONE OF THE FINEST EXPOSITORS OF MODERN TIMES, FELL INTO THIS TRAP AND SUGGESTED THE 10 NATION STAGE OF THE EU MIGHT BE A FULFILLMENT OF DANIEL'S PROPHECY). Was this the ten-king confederacy mentioned in Daniel's prophecy? A lot of speculation and enthusiasm was squelched, however, when Spain and Portugal became members, bringing the number to twelve.The lesson is clear. We must be careful how we interpret events in history today. We can confidently say that much of what Daniel saw in his visions has come to pass. However, the ten-nation union—the revival of the old Roman Empire—is yet future. The "little horn" or anti-Christ has not yet emerged—at least not visibly. But all of this will happen in God's timing. And when it does, we can be certain that history is beginning to reach a grand culmination in preparation for the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords to rule and reign. (Borrow Daniel : standing firm for God page 129) John MacArthur's comment - But there is that - haunting, at the end of Da 7:7 – ten horns, the final ten-nation form of the Roman Empire. And Revelation tells us that there will be a revival of the Roman Empire, Revelation chapter 17, verses 11 and 12. And there will be ten nations coming together that constitute a revival of that empire. And I’ve told you this before. That’s already happened in Europe. The European Economic Community, EEC, the Common Market now has ten member nations. They are territorially occupying what was once the Roman Empire. One of their leading men said, “The world has seen a revival of the old Roman Empire.” And I really believe, people, that this unification of Europe is going to happen very fast. Daniel said there would be a revival of those nations that once were the territory of Rome in the final phase of the Roman Empire. I believe we’re living in a time when that is coming to pass. (Sermon - The Coming Kingdom - 1980) Daniel 7:25 'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Will speak: Da 7:8,20 11:36,37 Isa 37:23 2Th 2:4 Rev 13:5,6,11 Wear down: Rev 6:9,10 11:7-10 Rev 13:7-10 14:12 16:6 17:6 18:24 Intend: Da 2:21 11:31,36, 37, 38 12:11 2Th 2:4 1Ti 4:1, 2, 3 Rev 13:15, 16, 17 time: Da 4:25,32 12:7,11,12 Rev 11:2,3 12:6,14 13:5,7 Related Passages: Revelation 13:7-10+ It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. LITTLE HORN BLASPHEMES GOD & OPPRESSES HIS SAINTS He will speak out against the Most High (compare Da 7:8+ , Da 7:20+ , Da 11:36,37+) - Somewhat paradoxically, the LITTLE Horn (the Antichrist 1Jn 2:18, 22+, 1Jn 4:3+) is characterized by "BIG", boastful, blasphemous words (cp 2Th 2:4+, Rev 13:5+, Rev 13:6+). Most High corresponds to the Hebrew title for God of El Elyon (Most High God - Sovereign Over All). Wear down (Aramaic - bela) - The Septuagint (LXX) translates the Aramaic with the Greek word katatribo which it literally to rub down or away and hence wear out and exhaust. The Theodotion version of the Greek rendering of Da 7:25 uses palaioo meaning to make old or antiquated and thus to wear out by time and use. This verse is the only use in Scripture of the Aramaic verb bela which means wear away or wear out as friction wears our clothes or sandals. The related Hebrew verb is balah and its cognate is found in an ancient Ugaritic text rendered “The oxen are worn out” or unfit for plowing. The Hebrew verb balah literally described the Israelites’ garments which did not wear out in the wilderness (Dt 8:4; 29:4; Neh 9:21, contrast Josh 9:13). David used balah figuratively in Psalm 32 confessing that… When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. (Ps 32:3+) (We dare not "glide" by this passage while we are here. Beloved, let us heed David's "warning" regarding the effect of unconfessed, undisclosed sin [not brought to the light of 1Jn 1:7, 9] to warp and rot our soul and cause spiritual "erosion" and "decay" in our hearts [cf Pr 4:23+]. Praise God for the mercy filled gift of confession and repentance. Ps 32:5+, cf David's brokenness over his sin against God when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then the murder of Uriah - Ps 51:1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17+) The Revelation amplifies the meaning of wear down the saints the apostle John recording that… It was also given to him (the "Beast [see in depth description]" to whom "the dragon gave" him his power = Rev 13:2, 4+) to make war with the saints and to overcome (nikao - conquer) them, and authority (exousia) over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him (equates with Antichrist's right and the might to exercise worldwide rulership). (Rev 13:7+) He will intend to make alterations in times and in law - The exact meaning of this phrase is not certain as illustrated by the following comments from several very conservative (literal approach) expositors. That said, I will offer the following "postulate" for your judicious consideration (Be a Berean - Acts 17:11+): In Da 9:27+ we note that the Antichrist puts an end to sacrifices and grain offerings and commits the "abomination of desolation" which Jesus declared (Mt 24:15+) would mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the last 3.5 year period, referred to as the "time of Jacob's distress" (Jer 30:7+). This seminal event in Israel's history is in a sense associated with the Antichrist's making "alterations in… law" when he put an end to the Temple sacrifices (which [during the Daniel's Seventieth Week] the Jews had re-instituted most likely using the guidelines of the laws of Leviticus). John Walvoord on make alterations in times and in law - He (Ed: Little Horn, Antichrist) will also attempt to "change times and laws," that is, to change times of religious observances and religious traditions such as characterize those who worship God. (Reference) Donald Campbell on make alterations in times and in law - He will attempt to change moral and natural laws of the universe, apparently without success. An example of this may be seen in the attempt made by the leaders of the French Revolution to replace the seven-day week established by God with a ten-day week. Their efforts failed. (Daniel: God's Man in a Secular Society) Gleason Archer on make alterations in times and in law - This dictator will impose a new legal system on all his subjects, doubtless based on totalitarian principles in which the service of the government or the state will be substituted for the absolute standards of God's moral law. All dissent or opposition to the decisions and policies of the little horn will be adjudged treasonable and punishable by death. His program will include a revision of the calendar; this seems to be implied by "to change the set times" (zimnin , lengths or periods of time). (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary) Ray Pritchard on make alterations in times and in law - No one really knows what this means. Will it involve somehow adjusting the time schedule so that we no longer have a 24-hour day? Will he invoke a five-day week? Or a 15-month year? Changing the laws indicates that he will attack the moral foundations of society. When the antichrist comes to power, wrong will become right and right will become wrong. Moral values will be inverted as he makes his final mad bid for world domination. (Animal Parade) Whitcomb on make alterations in times and in law suggests that "The "law" he will intend to change will probably be the law of God. One law of God is that "the soul who sins will die" (Ezek. 18:4, 20; Ro 6:23). The Antichrist, speaking for the "father of lies," will seek to reverse this foundational law of the moral and spiritual universe, just as Satan said to Eve: "You surely shall not die!" (Gen. 3:4). (Everyman's Bible Commentary) Given into his hand - Hand as so often in Scripture and in this context signifies power, so that the Little Horn exerts power over the saints. The Lxx translates this with the verb paradidomi which conveys the basic meaning of to give over from one's hand to someone or something, especially to give over to the power of another. Interpreters that do not hold to a futuristic fulfillment are forced to concoct other entities they think might represent the Little Horn. For example, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge sees the little horn as papal… In assuming infallibility, professing to forgive sins, and to open and shut heaven, thundering out bulls and anathemas, excommunicating princes, absolving subjects from their allegiance, and exacting obedience to his decrees in open violation of reason and Scripture. (Note: I totally disagree with this genre of imaginative interpretation of the little horn which literally is an individual not an institution.) TIME, TIMES, HALF A TIME Time, times, and half a time (time is the Aramaic noun 'iddan - see note below) - Do not miss the important point that the sovereign God sets a time limit on the Little Horn's power over the saints! Most conservative commentators (and even many liberals) agree that this time phrase equates with 3.5 years (Time = 1, times = 2, half a time = 0.5 totaling 3.5). But how can one be confident this is "years" and not months or some other unit of time measurement? Remember that the best commentary on Scripture is Scripture. With that in mind as one studies the Revelation there is a repeated time phrase (sometimes in days and sometimes in months) related to the last 7 year period known as Daniel's Seventieth Week. Furthermore in Revelation 12:14+ we observe the phrase "time and times and half a time" which corresponds to the same time period in Rev 12:6+ described as lasting "one thousand two hundred and sixty days", both these times equating with 3.5 years (42 months) and both occurring in the last 3.5 years of the 7 years (Daniel's Seventieth Week). During this 3.5 year period (which Jesus referred to as the great tribulation) Israel will be persecuted and this fact correlates well with the phrase given into his hands. (cp parallel time in Rev 11:2-note). When these events are studied (in context) it becomes clear that Daniel and John are describing the same event and specifying the same duration of this event as "time and times and half a time" or 3.5 years. There has been no obvious, specific historical fulfillment of this event, which awaits a future fulfillment at the time of the 10 king stage of the fourth Gentile kingdom out of which arises a world ruler who subdues 3 of the 10 kings and overpowers the saints of the Highest One. Time - Aramaic word = 'iddan which indicates (1) a span or period of time or (2) in some contexts means a point in time. It is translated in the Septuagint with the Greek word kairos (see word study) not chronos. 'Iddan - 13x in 11v all in Daniel - study passages for the various nuances of meaning - Dan 2:8, 9, 21; 3:5, 15; 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:12, 25. See related discussion of this Aramaic noun 'Iddan in the phrase "seven periods of time" in Daniel 4:16. Whitcomb - This theme of the sufferings of Israelite believers during their future time of Great Tribulation is introduced here (and Da 7:21) in the book of Daniel for the first time, though it will be emphasized increas­ingly toward the end of the book (Da 8:24; 9:26; Da 11:32, 33, 34, 35; Da 12:10). Moses had predicted this in general terms (Lev 26:17, 19, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 ; Deut. 28). Isaiah had spoken about it as a great purging time (Isa 4:3, 4), and Jeremiah as "the time of Jacob's distress" (Jer 30:7-note). See also Ezekiel 20:1-49, Zechariah 12:1-14, and Malachi 3:1, 2, 3, 4. So devastating will be that final phase of "the day of man" that two-thirds of the nation of Israel will die and, "I will bring the third part through the fire" (Zech. 13:9; cf. Isa. 6:13). Israel's Messiah assured her that "then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall" (Matt. 24:21). In fact, unless those days are "cut short," none will survive at all, "but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short" (Matt 24:22). (Ibid) COMPARISON OF LITTLE HORN of DANIEL 7 & BEAST of REVELATION THE BEAST LITTLE HORN The Beast (Rev 13:4+) (See discussion of term "Beast") The Beast (Da 7:11+) (See discussion of term "Beast") Out of sea (Rev 13:1+) From the sea (Da 7:3+) 10 Horns & 7 Heads (Rev 13:1+, Re 17:9+, Re 17:10+) 10 Horns (from which arises a Little Horn) (Da 7:8+) 10 Horns = 10 Kings (Rev 13:1+; Rev 17:12+) Arises out of 10 Kings (Da 7:24+) Like a leopard… a bear… a lion (Rev 13:2+) Like a lion… a bear… a leopard (Da 7:4, 5, 6+) Given Authority over Every tribe, people, tongue, nation (Rev 13:7+) Will devour the whole earth (Caveat: This could refer only to the 4th Beast prior to the rise of the Little Horn) (Da 7:23+) Mouth speaking arrogant words (Re 13:5+) Mouth uttering great boasts… boastful words a mouth uttering great boasts (Da 7:8+, Da 7:11+, Da 7:20+) Authority to act 42 Months (Re 13:5+, cp Re 12:6+, Re 12:14+) Time, times, and half a time (Da 7:25+) Blasphemies… against God to blaspheme His name (Re 13:5+, Re 13:6+) Will speak out against the Most High (Da 7:25+) Make war with the saints and to overcome them (Re 13:7+) Waging war with the saints and overpowering them… wear down the saints… given into his hand (Da 7:21+, Da 7:25+) Number of the beast = Number of a man = 666 (Rev 13:18+) Eyes like eyes of a man and a mouth (Da 7:8+) Had eyes and a mouth (Da 7:20+) Beast & false prophet seized & thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. (Rev 19:19-20+, Rev 20:10+) Slain & body destroyed & given to the burning fire (Da 7:11+) (cf Da 11:45+ = "his end") (cf Da 9:27+ = "complete destruction") (cf Da 8:25+ = "he will be broken") Little Horn's dominion will be taken away, annihilated & destroyed forever. (Da 7:26+, cf Da 8:25+) Comments on Table: Notice that the "beast" of Rev 13:1 which has 10 horns like the 4th Beast of Daniel 7:7 merges in Rev 13:4 into a beast who is worshiped. In other words the final ruler who is later definitely identified as a "beast" (Rev 13:12, 14, 15, 17, 18) is so closely associated with the Fourth Beastly Kingdom that they are discussed as if they are intimately related (See discussion of term "Beast"). Comparing the descriptions in Daniel and Revelation, one can draw the conclusion that the Little Horn of Daniel 7 is the Beastly Individual of Revelation 13, both describing the final ruler of the final stage of the final Gentile power. Tony Garland goes in greater detail (Comments on Revelation 13:1) explaining that… the symbolism of the revelation given to both Daniel and John concerning this time of the end often blurs the distinction between an individual and the government which he leads: There can be no kingdom without a king, and no empire without an emperor; neither can there be a king in fact without a kingdom. We cannot consistently speak of imperial power and dominion apart from a personal head which represents and embodies that power. (J. A. Seiss, The Apocalypse: Lectures on the Book of Revelation) (The Apocalypse - Online Google Book - this quote is found on page 393) It is very clear from what follows in Rev. 13 that there is something more than the Empire here in view. In Rev. 13:3-8 it is a person that is before us. We are satisfied that this same person is also described, symbolically, in the opening verses. As is frequently the case in the prophetic scriptures, the king and his kingdom are here inseparably united. Rev. 13:1-2+ portrays both the Empire and its last Emperor. (The Antichrist by A. W. Pink) Is the beast out of the sea a man or an empire? The answer is both. (a) The beast is a man because his number is that of a man (Rev 13:18). Also the use of the masculine pronoun [auton] (Rev 13:8) to refer to the neuter [therion] (Rev 13:1, 2, 4) indicates that he is a human being. In addition, parallels between the beast and the Lamb indicate that he is a person: both have followers on whose foreheads are inscribed their names (Rev 13:16, 17; 14:1), both are conquerors (Rev 5:5; Rev 13:7), and both receive worship (Rev 5:8; Rev 13:4). (b) At the same time the beast is an empire over which the man reigns. This fact is demonstrated by the symbolism of the beasts of Daniel 7. (See full 12 page discussion of The Beast from the Sea in Revelation 13 by Daniel K. K. Wong - Bibliotheca Sacra, Volume 160, no 639, July-Sept 2003 - Technical Note - When I open this on my Ipad, it only allows me to read the first page - but if I open on my windows 7/10 computers it allows one to read all 12 pages.). Daniel 7:26 'But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Da 7:10,11,22 2Th 2:8 Rev 11:13 Rev 19:19-20, Rev 20:10-11 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Daniel 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. Daniel 7:11 “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. Daniel 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. Revelation 19:19-20+ And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. Revelation 20:10+ And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. THE FATE OF THE LITTLE HORN This description corresponds to the Stone cut out without hands striking the single great statue (the analogue of the 4 beastly kingdoms of Daniel 7) on the feet of iron and clay, crushing them all at the same time. (Da 2:33, 34, 35, Da 2:44, 45) His dominion will be taken away - Satan's counterfeit king, the Antichrist will have his dominion totally stripped away in marked contrast to the everlasting dominion of the true Christ (Da 7:14), Who will reign as King of kings . Annihilated - Speaks of complete destruction. Utter consumption. Woods writes that this Aramaic verb "signifies more than simply ruining or destroying something but described a destruction that could not be reversed or fixed. Its connotations go far beyond mere destruction to mean to consume, to destroy completely without hope of restoration. In Daniel 7:26, this verb was used to signify a total destruction of a ruler’s power. This verb is used only to describe a final destruction. God is the power behind this ultimate destruction. (Baker, W.: The Complete Word Study Dictionary- Old Testament) Daniel 7:27 '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.' kingdom: Da 7:14,18,22 Ps 149:5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Isa 49:23, 24, 25, 26 54:3 60:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Zep 3:19,20 Zec 14:9 Rev 20:4 His kingdom: Da 2:44 4:34 Ps 145:13 Isa 9:7 Lk 1:33 Jn 12:34 and all: Ps 2:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 22:27 72:11 86:9 Isa 60:12 Ob 1:21 Rev 11:15 dominions: or, rulers, Rev 17:14 19:16 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then - An important time phrase specifying that when the Little Horn the last ruler of the last Gentile kingdom (the Fourth Kingdom of Daniel 2 and Daniel 7) are destroyed, the "Fifth" and final kingdom begins. It is as if man was given "opportunity" to show his best efforts under one supreme ruler, the Anti-christ. Man's best is really the worst (for mankind) and is succeeded by God's best, the glorious Millennial Kingdom of Christ. Given to the people of the saints of the Highest One (Da 7:22, Da 7:27) - In Romans Paul refers to believers as co-heirs with Christ (Ro 8:17-note) one aspect of which is seen here in Da 7:27. Paul went on in Romans 8 to say… For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Ro 8:18-note). In his last letter Paul writes to his young disciple Timothy… If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us (2Ti 2:12-note) Daniel 7:28 "At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself." ended: Da 8:17,19 11:27 12:9,13 my thoughts: Da 7:15 8:27 10:8 but: Ge 37:10 Mk 9:15 Lk 2:19,51 9:44 Daniel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Greatly alarming - Later visions would have a similar impact (Da 8:27; 10:9). This verse ends the Aramaic section of the book of Daniel (Da 2:4 thru Da 7:28). God has given His Word regarding His plan of the ages as it relates to the Gentiles. Now He will give Daniel a series of 3 visions in which He unfolds His plan of the ages as it relates to His chosen people, the Jews and the nation of Israel. I kept the matter to myself - Obviously he wrote it down (Da 7:1-note), but he did not tell his contemporaries. My face grew pale - Literally, "my facial hue was changing on me". Lehman Strauss applies this passage writing that "Deep soul exercise should follow every revelation we receive from God. May our Lord grant to each of us an earnest desire to hide His Word in our hearts, as did Mary (Luke 2:19). Peter wrote that one of the purposes of studying prophecy is "that ye take heed… in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19)." (Lehman Strauss Commentary – The Prophecies of Daniel) Campbell - Keeping the matter to himself, he continues to reflect on all that he has seen and heard, accepting as truth even that which he cannot understand-an attitude many of us will no doubt need to adopt regarding some of the matters in this and succeeding chapters of the Book of Daniel. (Daniel: God's Man in a Secular Society) Harry Ironside offers an evangelistic application writing - O unsaved one, you too should ponder these things in your heart so that you are not blinded by the false and deceitful glare of the tinseled glory of this world. It is all doomed to pass away (1 Jn 2:17), and your lot will be unhappy if you have no interests in a more secure world. "The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). See to it, I plead with you, that you are numbered among those who have part in the everlasting kingdom (Da 4:3, Da 4:34, Da 7:27) so soon to succeed all the passing dominions of this world. God in grace has given His Son to die for your salvation, but remember that it is written: "As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:27). If you would welcome with joy His promised advent, you must know Him now as Savior. Otherwise His return to this earth to reign would find you numbered among His enemies, to be destroyed from before His face.