The winged lion
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Daniel had a vision during the first year of Belshazzars reign. The king is first mentioned at the feast in which the hand writing came on the wall. His first year was before this time. Daniel wisely wrote down the dream. Visions and prophecies often come quickly, if not written down they are lost.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Symbols are used, metaphors, to describe what is spoken. Four winds of the heaven, this could be the four directions of the winds, but the word winds, also refers to spirits. These may be from God, as angels or perhaps satanic spirits. Probably warfare is involved. They moved upon the great sea. The sea is often symbolic for mankind, the waves for the restless people of the nations.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Four great beasts, creatures come up from the sea, these could be nations bordering the Mediterranean sea, conquerors or nations arising from the mass of sinful humanity.
Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Isa 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
A winged lion is a symbol of Babylon. There are winged lion figures found in museums.
King Nebuchadnezzar was described both as a lion and an eagle. Both represent the strongest of the species. The wings were plucked, he was not to fly as a god, and a heart of a man was placed within him. He had been humbled and as a man acknowledged obedience to the God of Daniel.
Jer 49:19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Jer 49:22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Nebuchadnezzar represents the head of gold, from the kings vision in chapter two, the greatest of the kings, with absolute power. The first beast was the greatest in majesty and stength. He had a gold statue made of himself to be worshipped, was humbled as a beast of the field and restored with a man's heart.
Dan 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
A bear and a leopard
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, strong but slower than the winged lion. It raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
The bear represented the Medo-Persian empire. The bear was strong and was hungry for the flesh of men to conquer. It raised itself up on one side, the Persians became stronger than the Medes. The three ribs were perhaps the bones of the conquered nations; Babylon, Egypt and Lydia. They were cruel to those they overcame as the gods they served were demonic. Darius the Median respected Daniel. When Daniel was not hurt in the lions den, the king sent out a decree. The God of Daniel was glorified above the deities that were worshipped before him.
Dan 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
A leopard is very fast to capture what it seeks, this one having four wings was very fast. It is thought to represent the Greek empire and Alexander the great, who had dominion over most of Europe and Asia in twelve years. After Alexander's death at age 33, caused by heavy drinking, the empire would be divided into four parts, (four heads), and be ruled by four generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy and Seleucius.
Why these stories? They are prophecies. God was showing Daniel things to come. When they come to pass it proves that God knows the future and that the Bible is truly God's word. If God knows us from the womb and knows the end from the beginning? Can't we put our trust in him and receive Jesus as our Lord and savior? Daniel was in a special closeness to God. We can be there too if we diligently seek him.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Little Horn/Roman Empire
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
The fourth beast is dreadful and terrible, and very strong, some think of a dragon, and it referred to the Roman empire. It ruled the world for five centuries. It had great iron teeth, representing the war weapons. It was different from all beasts because it had ten horns, the ten horns represented strength and rulers. At the break up of the Roman empire, ten countries would be formed.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
A little horn shows up, plucking up three kingdoms. The horn has eyes like a man, it sees as a man and a mouth speaking boastful things.
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
The scene shifts to the thrones of God which were established, and the Ancient of days, believed to be God the Father, did sit. His garments were white as snow, symbolizing purity and holiness, and his head as pure wool showing age. His throne was like the fiery flame.
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
And his wheels as burning fire. His judgment is swift.
Isa 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: his judgment on sin. A million angels waited and served before him, and one hundred million souls stood before him. They were to be judged by the book.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
The little horn that deceived the nations could not escape the fiery judgment of God.
Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
God is greater than the nations. He will judge each person and bring down the proud and arrogant to the fiery pit. The antichrist or beast will be destroyed when he comes on the scene.
Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Son of Man
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The little horn or the antichrist is to be slain and thrown to the flames of hell. The power and dominion of the other beasts, or nations, will be taken away, but some of the nations continue. Who will do this?
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Jesus! Daniel is looking forward in time to the Son of man, the title Jesus used so often. Jesus used this title to identify with humans and to fulfill the prophecies in Daniel. Jesus was not only Son of man, he was Son of God, having no sin.
Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Clouds of heaven
Mark 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
We are given dominion until he returns, he has returned dominion to Gods people.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Jesus, as Son of man, and as God has legally taken dominion back from the theif, satan. God gave dominion of earth to man. God the father has given Jesus power and dominion over all things in heaven and in earth, as Man and God.
Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Pet 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God is not confused about what is going to happen in the nations. He knows the future as he knows each heart. Seek the LORD with all your heart. Seek to do good and resist the devil.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The key is to submit to God, then we resist the devil and he will flee. Jesus is coming and we are to have dominion, not being bound by satan, but free in the Holy Spirit to serve him.
Interpretation
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
The spirit of man, dwells in the midst of the body. Daniel was grieved for lack of understanding. The answer would come through the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
Dan 7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the of the things.
One that stood by, apparently an angel messenger of God. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit, the comforter, the Greek word parakletos, means one who comes along side, called to one's aid. Daniel asks for the truth of all these visions.
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
The view from God is of four beasts, who were four kings. A beast is not as noble as a man, having only animal instincts to destroy without conscience. Or to live for it's own comfort without a communion with God. The vision of king Nebuchadnezzar, was of a great and majestic statue of a man, God is not impressed by men who lift themselves up to be worshipped, to him they are as raging beasts.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
After the last kingdom is over; the Roman empire has been gone for a long time. It is believed that the ten nations, the ten toes and the ten horns, will again rise before the coming of the Lord. These would be ten European nations that have a common bond. Already, the European nations have one currency, the Eurodollar. These nations will submit to the coming of the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ will rule and the saints shall rule with him over the remaining nations. After a thousand years, the nations will be judged and heaven will come down, a new Jerusalem, a new holy city for God and his saints.
1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
The Anti Christ
Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Daniel is interested in the truth of the vision of the fourth beast.
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
It is exceedingly dreadful: Teeth of iron; iron was symbolic of the Roman empire. Nails of brass: brass was representing Greece and perhaps the great warrior Alexander the Great. It would devour, brake in pieces, and stamp the residue with his feet. A ruthless dictatorship.
Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Ten horns represented the ten nations of the Roman empire. From the ten horns came another, uprooting three horns. This horn could see, a man of vision, a persuasive speaker and with the look of a strong leader. He would make war with the saints, and prevailed against them. If the church had been raptured, then these saints were those saved during the tribulation, probably the 144,000 chosen Jewish saints and those saved by the witnesses of the two prophet witnesses.
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Jesus would come, sharing His Father's title: the Ancient of Days; the saints were given judgment to rule with him as kings and priests and the saints shall possess the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the Millennial kingdom.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
This is the end time antichrist...He shall speak great words, great swelling speeches promising change. He will change times, probably holy celebrations and laws. The constitution will no longer be used and the laws of God will be ignored and broken. He will run down those who were in power and be made as a god and supreme ruler. The last seven years of Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy will show the antichrist as a peace maker for three and a half years; the last three and a half years he will set himself up in the temple as a god and will make war on the saints. He shall rule for three and a half years as supreme ruler of the earth until Jesus comes; the ancient of days, to destroy him in the lake of fire.
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Rev 19:20 And the beast (antichrist) was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Jesus has returned with his angels and the saints to judge the nations, The 1000 year reign of Christ begins on earth, the Millennium. All of the enemies of Christ were destroyed and await judgement. The Beast and false prophet were judged immediately and thrown into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. There will be humans on earth until the end of the Millennium. Then comes the final judgement...those in the first resurrection will be safe from God's wrath.
Dan 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (thoughts) much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
All these things troubled Daniel, for he saw his nation in captivity and great evil was coming upon the earth. Finally the Lord will return and take control of the earth and establish his kingdom. Daniel and Revelation reveal the anti christ that will come in the last days. Even now the nations are coming together with common currency; worldwide banking and one world government will lead to the antichrist coming into power.
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