Pastor Peter's Bible Insights
Daniel Chapter Seven
Chapter 7:1-13
The Book of Daniel is divided into two sections, prophecy and history. Chapters 1-6 are primarily historical and Chapters 7-12 are primarily prophetic. The vision that was given to Daniel in this chapter took place in 553 BC during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign. Chronologically this chapter belongs between chapters 4 and 5, but because the material is primarily prophetic, it is placed in the prophetic portion of the Book. Daniel received a vision that was similar to Nebuchadnezzar's, however he was shown more details. Nebuchadnezzar saw a sweep of history from a political viewpoint. Daniel saw the same kingdoms from God's viewpoint, a spiritual viewpoint. Nebuchadnezzar saw power; Daniel saw decay.
Vs. 1 The first year of Belshazzar was 553 BC.
Nebuchadnezzar saw his vision 603 BC.
Daniel's vision came 50 years later. He had a long time to think about it.
Vs. 2 The “four winds” symbolize the four angels who are appointed over the four
nations that will rule the world. Revelation 7:1-3 and Revelation 9:14-15.
These are the "powers of the air" mentioned in Ephesians 6:12.
The sea is a reference to the Mediterranean.
Vs. 3 The four beasts correspond to the four metals of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Vs. 4 The first beast, the Lion, represents the Chaldeans.
Gold, the richest of metals, corresponds to the lion, the king of the beasts.
The wings symbolize Nebuchadnezzar’s swift victories.
The clipped wings are a reference to Nebuchadnezzar's experience in chapter 4.
Vs. 5 The second beast, the bear, represents the Medes and Persians.
The bear is slow compared to the lion
The bear achieves objectives by sheer strength.
Standing on one leg. The Persians dominated and then overtook the Medes.
Three ribs: Babylon, Egypt, Lydia.
“Arise and devour much meat...”
Darius marched through Scythia with over 700,000 troops and sent 600 ships.
Xerxes marched against Greece with 2.5 million troops.
Darius III mustered 500,000 to face Alexander at Issus.
Two years later 1,000,000 made their last stand against Alexander.
Vs. 6 The third beast, the leopard represnts Greece and Alexander the Great.
In ten short years Persia was entirely defeated.
Alexander avenged Greece for the battles of:
Marathon
Thermopylae
Salamis
The four wings were the four generals who took over his kingdom.
Cassander Macedonia & Greece
Lysimachus Asia Minor Thrace
Seleucus Syria, upper Asia, Babylon and the east
Ptolemy Egypt, Palestine, Arabia
Vs. 7 “And after this I kept looking…" A fourth beast represented Rome.
The length of the iron legs indicates the length of Rome's reign.
Chaldeans lasted 70 years.
Persians lasted 200 years.
Greeks lasted 180.
Rome lasted over 500 years.
The iron teeth correspond to the iron legs.
Ten horns correspond to the ten toes.
The ten horns represent a future federation of 10 nations.
Horns symbolize power in the Bible.
Vs. 8 The “little horn” is a coming world ruler called the antichrist.
The little horn has eyes and a mouth
The little horn uproots three nations that rebel against him.
A characteristic mark of the little horn is his foul mouth.
The little horn of this verse is not to be confused with the little horn of Chapter 8:9
Two different words are used for little horn in these two chapters.
The little horn of chapter 7 is Aramic and means “a horn, a little one.”
The “little horn” of chapter 8 is Hebrew and means “a horn less than little” or “a horn of littleness,” that is, rising from a small beginning.
The little horn of chapter 7 rises out of the Roman world and is the antichrist.
The little horn of chapter 8 rises out of the Greek world and is Antiochus Epiphanes.
Antiochus Epiphanes is the central figure in Daniel's vision in chapter eight.
Vs. 9 Daniel is given a rest from the overwhelming revelation that he has just seen. The scene shifts to another kingdom, one very different than anything he has seen. It is the future Kingdom of God.
This verse provides an exciting preaching and teaching point.
Possible titles include, “The Fifth Kingdom” or “Thy Kingdom Come!”
The Ancient of Days is none other than Jesus Christ.
Vs. 13 Here we learn where Mark the evangelist found the phrase, “The son of man” that pervades his gospel.
The Bible presents a threefold view of Christ.
“The son of man” shows his humanity.
“The son of David” shows his royalty.
“The Son of God” shows his Deity.
This site was written and produced by Rev. Peter McLewin 2001, all rights reserved.