►Saturday, Feb 15, 2014||END TIME SERIES Part Seven►Daniel 7
(2) THE MEANING: Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts
Nebuchadnezzar, in Daniel Chapter 2, saw the Kingdoms as a huge STATUE with each part represented by a type of METAL. Daniel, in Daniel Chapter 7, also saw same Kingdoms but were represented by BEASTS.
Please Note: When Daniel didn't understand the meaning of the dream and the Beasts he saw (7:1-14), he became troubled (7:15) but did the honorable thing: he humbled himself, approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning (7:16). This is One of the Marks of a True Servant of God; if he doesn't know something, he will not use his own knowledge to explain; he will CONSULT GOD. Now, let's go step by step and see what the dream was about....
7:1...Daniel had the dream during the 1st year of Belshazzar king of Babylon & he summarized it.
7:2-3 Four winds (Angels) churning (stirring) up the great sea (earth, group of people, multitude, humanity, etc). It resulted in producing 4 Beasts (Kings who would rule over 4 kingdoms). Each King/kingdom was to be different from one another.
7:4...►The 1st Beast (Lion) had the wings of an eagle & its wings were torn off. It was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it. MEANING: Clearly, this Beast Represented Nebuchadnezzar who ruled over the Kingdom of Babylon. If U recall, we learned God made him great but he failed to give credit to God. He was given many chances to repent but he didn't. So God humiliated him by turning him into a beast for 7 yrs. But after the 7yrs, God gave him human mind again and it is believed that he repented genuinely afterwards and 2yrs later he died. Until a man is converted, he's like a beast. Nebuchadnezzar in his dream of the statue saw this beast as the Head (Made of Gold).
7:5...►The 2nd Beast (Bear). It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh. MEANING: It also Represented Darius (Medes, Media/Median) & Cyrus (Persian, Persia) who ruled over the Kingdom of Medo-Persia (Now Iran). From history, the Medo-Persian Empire spread by conquests about 500yrs or 6 centuries B.C in three directions; North, South & West. This was represented by the chest and arms (Made of Silver) in Nebuchadnezzar dream about the statue.
7:6...►The 3rd Beast (Leopard). On its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. MEANING: This Beast Represented Alexander the Great who headed the Empire of Greece. At age 20, he succeeded his father as king. He was mighty and well-skilled in warfare. He died at age 33 (Born: July 356 BC, Pella, Greece Died: June 323 BC, Babylon, Iraq). So U can imagine the speed with which he conquered the then world, hence his comparison to Leopard, from Cheetah's family. He spread in 4 directions, north, south, east & west, hence the 4 wings. When he died, his kingdom was divided by four of his Generals; taking Syria, Egypt, Turkey & Greece, represented by the 4 heads. It represented the belly and thighs (Made of Bronze) in Nebuchadnezzar dream about the statue.
7:7...► The 4th Beast (Beast with Iron Teeth; name unknown). It was terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts & it had ten horns. MEANING: This beast Represented the Roman Empire, which was different from all other first three beasts/kings/kingdoms. Rome held elections, had parliament/senate, etc. It was extremely strong. Rome conquered Greece prior to the Birth of Christ and it ruled some centuries after the Death of Christ. This Represented the legs (Made of Iron) in King Nebuchadnezzar dream of the statue.
NOTE: We read that ''... it had ten horns.'' The Church Age of about 2,000yrs was not revealed to Daniel. That gap was not made known to Daniel so he was fast-forwarded to the Ten Horns. The CHURCH AGE IS A MYSTERY THAT GOD DIDN'T REVEAL IN DETAILS TO ANY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS. At least Joel & others had an idea, regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and All the Men of Faith Wanted THE PROMISE, BUT THEY DIDN'T OBTAIN IT. THEY ONLY SAW IT AFAR OFF (1 Peter 1:1-13 & Hebrew 11:13,39). The Church Age; Jews & Gentiles Getting Saved Through Christ Jesus, was hidden from Daniel.
7:8...The Ten Horns & the Little Horn: Therefore, Daniel went from the Reign of Roman Empire straight to the last Kingdom that will be an off shoot of the Roman Empire, which are the Ten Horns (which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream as rather the Statue's Feet with Ten Toes, which is a mixture of Clay & Iron; never goin' to stick together). Thus the 10 Toes or Ten Horns that will emerge will have some traits/links/features of, or will come from the Roman Empire. Daniel said whilst thinking about the horns, there before him was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully. MEANING: This is talking about the emergence of the Anti-Christ, who will conquer three kings/kingdoms but work together with the seven remaining kings/kingdoms. The Anti-Christ will be noted for 5 main features: PRIDE, LIES, SPEAK AGAINST GOD, PERFORMING FALSE MIRACLES& WAGE WARS AGAINST TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD. And God will allow him to defeat the Christians physically (i.e. he will kill many Children of God) UNTIL THREE & HALF YEARS.
7:9&10...Gives a picture of administration of Justice in Heaven. A court, constituted and Headed by God HIMSELF, will administer justice. This is the Time of Judgement. Ancient of Days, GOD, took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow tells us of GOD'S HOLINESS. His hair of his head was white like wool, talking about GOD'S WISDOM. His Throne flaming with fire & its wheels blazing, river of fire flowing all are about THE HOLY SPIRIT & GOD'S PURITY; HOW PERFECT HIS JUDGEMENT IS. MILLIONS OF ANGELS WORSHIP GOD & ATTENTIVELY WAIT ON HIM TO GIVE A COMMAND AND INSTANTLY THEY WILL MOVE TO GET IT DONE. BOOKS ON EVERY PERSON IS OPENED TO READ OUT HOW EACH HAD LIVED HIS LIFE. SO BASED UPON WHAT IS WRITTEN ABOUT US IN OUR RESPECTIVE BOOKS, OUR NAMES WILL BE FOUND IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE OR NOT.
7:11&12...Daniel emphasized on how the Anti-Christ kept on boasting. And God allowed it for sometime. Then eventually, the Anti-Christ and his kingdom will be destroyed and cast into THE LAKE OF FIRE. A picture of the Millennium (1000yrs as in Rev 20) is given here; God stripped the other beasts/kingdoms/kings their authority but were allowed to live for a period of time (i.e. 1000yrs). So it tells us that whilst the Saints are in the Banquet in a Millennium with Christ, some kingdoms of sinners will be ruled by some kings whose authority are not great.
7:13&14... THE LAST & EVERLASTING KINGDOM. After the 4 beasts, the 10 horns and later 7 horns & the Anti-Christ, Daniel saw SOMEONE like the SON OF MAN, JESUS CHRIST, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days, GOD, and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Can U imagine the accuracy with which all the Prophecies about the 4 Kingdoms/Beasts have been fulfilled? This should tell us that, though we might not know exactly what the TEN TOES/HORNS/KINGS & WHO THE ANT-CHRIST IS, GOD WILL EVENTUALLY LET EVENTS PLAY OUT EXACTLY AS HE HAS PROPHESIED.
So, as King Nebuchadnezzar, from Man's View, saw the kingdoms as METALS/Monetary values (i.e. Gold, Silver, Bronze & Iron), Daniel, from God's View, saw the Kingdoms as BEASTS (Lion, Bear, Leopard & Beast with Iron Teeth). Take a pause & think about all political parties & governments in the world: they're all Beasts of a sort. And occasionally, U are made to choose among these Beasts the one that can rule better or best. GOD SEES ALL THE WORLD/POLITICAL LEADERS AS BEASTS UNTIL THEY REPENT.
IF GOD PERMITS, WE WILL LOOK AT DANIEL CHAPTER 8 THIS EVENING.
---Samuel Kwasi Forkuo
ALL THE GLORY TO GOD
(2) THE MEANING: Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts
Nebuchadnezzar, in Daniel Chapter 2, saw the Kingdoms as a huge STATUE with each part represented by a type of METAL. Daniel, in Daniel Chapter 7, also saw same Kingdoms but were represented by BEASTS.
Please Note: When Daniel didn't understand the meaning of the dream and the Beasts he saw (7:1-14), he became troubled (7:15) but did the honorable thing: he humbled himself, approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning (7:16). This is One of the Marks of a True Servant of God; if he doesn't know something, he will not use his own knowledge to explain; he will CONSULT GOD. Now, let's go step by step and see what the dream was about....
7:1...Daniel had the dream during the 1st year of Belshazzar king of Babylon & he summarized it.
7:2-3 Four winds (Angels) churning (stirring) up the great sea (earth, group of people, multitude, humanity, etc). It resulted in producing 4 Beasts (Kings who would rule over 4 kingdoms). Each King/kingdom was to be different from one another.
7:4...►The 1st Beast (Lion) had the wings of an eagle & its wings were torn off. It was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it. MEANING: Clearly, this Beast Represented Nebuchadnezzar who ruled over the Kingdom of Babylon. If U recall, we learned God made him great but he failed to give credit to God. He was given many chances to repent but he didn't. So God humiliated him by turning him into a beast for 7 yrs. But after the 7yrs, God gave him human mind again and it is believed that he repented genuinely afterwards and 2yrs later he died. Until a man is converted, he's like a beast. Nebuchadnezzar in his dream of the statue saw this beast as the Head (Made of Gold).
7:5...►The 2nd Beast (Bear). It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh. MEANING: It also Represented Darius (Medes, Media/Median) & Cyrus (Persian, Persia) who ruled over the Kingdom of Medo-Persia (Now Iran). From history, the Medo-Persian Empire spread by conquests about 500yrs or 6 centuries B.C in three directions; North, South & West. This was represented by the chest and arms (Made of Silver) in Nebuchadnezzar dream about the statue.
7:6...►The 3rd Beast (Leopard). On its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. MEANING: This Beast Represented Alexander the Great who headed the Empire of Greece. At age 20, he succeeded his father as king. He was mighty and well-skilled in warfare. He died at age 33 (Born: July 356 BC, Pella, Greece Died: June 323 BC, Babylon, Iraq). So U can imagine the speed with which he conquered the then world, hence his comparison to Leopard, from Cheetah's family. He spread in 4 directions, north, south, east & west, hence the 4 wings. When he died, his kingdom was divided by four of his Generals; taking Syria, Egypt, Turkey & Greece, represented by the 4 heads. It represented the belly and thighs (Made of Bronze) in Nebuchadnezzar dream about the statue.
7:7...► The 4th Beast (Beast with Iron Teeth; name unknown). It was terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts & it had ten horns. MEANING: This beast Represented the Roman Empire, which was different from all other first three beasts/kings/kingdoms. Rome held elections, had parliament/senate, etc. It was extremely strong. Rome conquered Greece prior to the Birth of Christ and it ruled some centuries after the Death of Christ. This Represented the legs (Made of Iron) in King Nebuchadnezzar dream of the statue.
NOTE: We read that ''... it had ten horns.'' The Church Age of about 2,000yrs was not revealed to Daniel. That gap was not made known to Daniel so he was fast-forwarded to the Ten Horns. The CHURCH AGE IS A MYSTERY THAT GOD DIDN'T REVEAL IN DETAILS TO ANY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS. At least Joel & others had an idea, regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and All the Men of Faith Wanted THE PROMISE, BUT THEY DIDN'T OBTAIN IT. THEY ONLY SAW IT AFAR OFF (1 Peter 1:1-13 & Hebrew 11:13,39). The Church Age; Jews & Gentiles Getting Saved Through Christ Jesus, was hidden from Daniel.
7:8...The Ten Horns & the Little Horn: Therefore, Daniel went from the Reign of Roman Empire straight to the last Kingdom that will be an off shoot of the Roman Empire, which are the Ten Horns (which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream as rather the Statue's Feet with Ten Toes, which is a mixture of Clay & Iron; never goin' to stick together). Thus the 10 Toes or Ten Horns that will emerge will have some traits/links/features of, or will come from the Roman Empire. Daniel said whilst thinking about the horns, there before him was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully. MEANING: This is talking about the emergence of the Anti-Christ, who will conquer three kings/kingdoms but work together with the seven remaining kings/kingdoms. The Anti-Christ will be noted for 5 main features: PRIDE, LIES, SPEAK AGAINST GOD, PERFORMING FALSE MIRACLES& WAGE WARS AGAINST TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD. And God will allow him to defeat the Christians physically (i.e. he will kill many Children of God) UNTIL THREE & HALF YEARS.
7:9&10...Gives a picture of administration of Justice in Heaven. A court, constituted and Headed by God HIMSELF, will administer justice. This is the Time of Judgement. Ancient of Days, GOD, took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow tells us of GOD'S HOLINESS. His hair of his head was white like wool, talking about GOD'S WISDOM. His Throne flaming with fire & its wheels blazing, river of fire flowing all are about THE HOLY SPIRIT & GOD'S PURITY; HOW PERFECT HIS JUDGEMENT IS. MILLIONS OF ANGELS WORSHIP GOD & ATTENTIVELY WAIT ON HIM TO GIVE A COMMAND AND INSTANTLY THEY WILL MOVE TO GET IT DONE. BOOKS ON EVERY PERSON IS OPENED TO READ OUT HOW EACH HAD LIVED HIS LIFE. SO BASED UPON WHAT IS WRITTEN ABOUT US IN OUR RESPECTIVE BOOKS, OUR NAMES WILL BE FOUND IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE OR NOT.
7:11&12...Daniel emphasized on how the Anti-Christ kept on boasting. And God allowed it for sometime. Then eventually, the Anti-Christ and his kingdom will be destroyed and cast into THE LAKE OF FIRE. A picture of the Millennium (1000yrs as in Rev 20) is given here; God stripped the other beasts/kingdoms/kings their authority but were allowed to live for a period of time (i.e. 1000yrs). So it tells us that whilst the Saints are in the Banquet in a Millennium with Christ, some kingdoms of sinners will be ruled by some kings whose authority are not great.
7:13&14... THE LAST & EVERLASTING KINGDOM. After the 4 beasts, the 10 horns and later 7 horns & the Anti-Christ, Daniel saw SOMEONE like the SON OF MAN, JESUS CHRIST, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days, GOD, and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Can U imagine the accuracy with which all the Prophecies about the 4 Kingdoms/Beasts have been fulfilled? This should tell us that, though we might not know exactly what the TEN TOES/HORNS/KINGS & WHO THE ANT-CHRIST IS, GOD WILL EVENTUALLY LET EVENTS PLAY OUT EXACTLY AS HE HAS PROPHESIED.
So, as King Nebuchadnezzar, from Man's View, saw the kingdoms as METALS/Monetary values (i.e. Gold, Silver, Bronze & Iron), Daniel, from God's View, saw the Kingdoms as BEASTS (Lion, Bear, Leopard & Beast with Iron Teeth). Take a pause & think about all political parties & governments in the world: they're all Beasts of a sort. And occasionally, U are made to choose among these Beasts the one that can rule better or best. GOD SEES ALL THE WORLD/POLITICAL LEADERS AS BEASTS UNTIL THEY REPENT.
IF GOD PERMITS, WE WILL LOOK AT DANIEL CHAPTER 8 THIS EVENING.
---Samuel Kwasi Forkuo
ALL THE GLORY TO GOD
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