As I pointed out in the last blog post, the last 6 chapters of Daniel are apocalyptic prophesies or visions given to Daniel by the Holy Spirit. These visions concern events that are both near to hand (for Daniel) and also far into the future (beyond even our own time), and include things in-between. These visions were given to Daniel to convey to Israel and to the world, both then and in the future, how human history is ordained by God to play out.

I have noted in previous posts in this Daniel study (click the “Daniel” link in the category list on the right of this page to see them all) that Daniel wrote in two different languages. Chapter 1 was in Hebrew, as it explained to Jewish readers why Daniel was in Babylon. Then, Chapters 2 through 7 are in Aramaic, possibly because the themes show how God is working in the lives of the Hebrew exiles while they are in the control of their adversaries, and the intended contemporary audience is including their captors. Chapters 8 to 12 are in Hebrew again, possibly focused back on Jewish readers as a point of assuring them of God’s sovereignty and control over world events.

Last time we looked at the vision of four beasts as representing the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Daniel’s life enabled him to witness the Babylonian and Medo-Persian kingdoms. The Grecian period occurred during the intertestamental time between the Old and New Testaments. The events of the Roman vision extends well into the future, stretching even beyond our own time. That’s where we’ll pick up the story from Daniel 7:15-28.

“As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.”

If you recall in my previous post, Daniel’s vision has a lot of similarities with the dream of Nebuchadnezzar that Daniel interpreted in Chapter 2. I find it interesting the Nebuchadnezzar was shaken by the Chapter 2 dream, but Daniel simply gave him the interpretation without any apparent emotional reaction. Daniel’s reaction to the vision here in Chapter 7 is different. He was anxious and alarmed. We’ll understand why in a few moments.

“‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’“

In Daniel’s vision, saw that he was not the only witness to the events. He asked another who was there (presumably an angel, but nevertheless someone designated by God to provide him the interpretation) what the meaning of the vision was. The person’s first reply was to focus on the most critical aspect of the vision – “the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’” This is why God gave Daniel and us the vision: to assure us that He is in control and His chosen people will prevail throughout eternity!

“Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.“

This last “horn” was the source of Daniel’s alarm because he “made war with the saints and prevailed over them” (until God conquers and judges him). We will learn more about this person in coming chapters. He is the one that Jesus and other New Testament authors refer to as the “Antichrist”.

“Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’

Not to spoil the ending…. but we’re going to learn even more about this “Antichrist” in coming studies. We find that God, in His graciousness to Daniel, chose to reveal the information in small bits, giving him time to process it. The vision above gives a little more information. It tells us that this “Antichrist” will “wear out the saints” and will “think to change the times and the law” and the saints will be “given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.” These three events are some of the expected events that will come about during the great tribulation that we’ll learn more about in coming studies.

Daniel ends the record of this vision with this statement:

“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”

Like bad dream’s often do, this one has left him shaken and rattled. I repeat that it was gracious of God to give it to him in small chunks. The first chunk was Nebuchadnezzar’s dream from Chapter 2. Decades later, the second chunk (this vision) revealed a bit more. It will be only a few years before Daniel receives the third chunk (Chapter 8). There he learns even more, and there are even parts that God instructs him “seal up the vision” and not record because they refer to a time far in the future. I believe that some of these events are those that are recorded for us in John’s book of Revelation.

I’m reminded of Jesus’ teaching to his disciples just before he was betrayed and crucified. In John 16:4-15:

“But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.“

The disciples were in the same boat as Daniel. They were learning things (about Jesus’ pending death) that was very disturbing. If you think about the content of the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, these could not have been written prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection because these events were too magnificent to truly comprehend ahead of time. So Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come and reveal the rest of His words to them – at a time when they were better equipped to receive them and had time to process all the wonders that God was about to do.

That’s what God did with Daniel. He gave the visions in “chunks” to give him time to process, and even reserved some of the vision for us until after the time of His incarnation, life, death, burial, and resurrection. Thank you, God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit! We’ll bite off a little more next time!