Daniel Notes - Chapter 7

I. Verses 1-8 "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. 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. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 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. 5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and 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. 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. 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. 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."

1. Vs. 1: This chapter flashes back in time to the beginning of Belshazzar’s reign. The first year of Belshazzar would have been seventeen years before the fall of Babylon. So it was at least a seventeen year jump backward from the previous chapter. See Josephus Antiquities 10:11, 2-5.

2. VS. 1: The text says Daniel would tell the sum of the matter. The word translated "sum" means chief or primary. This essentially means he is telling the main facts of the dream. This tantalizes us with the idea that there are more details in the dream than what is revealed here. With such an intriguing dream we would delight to know every minor detail. However, what we are given is sufficient to determine the basic meaning and intended prophetic elements. See chart on Daniel 7.

3. Vs. 2: The words "sea" or "water" in prophetic language often indicates multitudes of people. See Isa. 8:7-8, Isa. 17:12-13, Isa. 57:20 and especially Rev. 17:1, 15. "Wind" is sometimes symbolic of the action or influence of God’s power on human events. See Exo. 10:13, 19, Jer. 48:36, etc.

4. Vs. 3-8: There are four beasts in this dream. This fact is simple but significant to the understanding of the dream. Premillennialists attempt to interpret a fifth world empire (during which time Christ will return and set up an earthly kingdom) here as they do in Daniel 2. In both cases, that fact is quickly dismissed by observing that the text clearly indicates only four sections of the image, four beasts, four kingdoms. The four beasts are as follows.

A. A lion with eagle’s wings, made to stand up as a man and given a man’s heart. Note the inverse comparison to Dan. 4:16, 25, 32-33.

B. A bear raised up on one side with three ribs in its mouth, given the command to devour much flesh.

C. A four headed leopard with four wings on its back.

D. A dreadful and terrible beast with great strength, it has iron teeth (See Dan. 2:33, 40-41) and stamps the residue (of the other beasts?), showing great strength. This fourth beast has ten horns, three of which are uprooted. Another horn comes up on one of the ten, it has the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. Compare these beasts with the visions of Rev. 13:1-6 and Rev. 17:7-13.

5. Vs. 7-8: Note that the ten horns are part of the fourth beast. They do not independently comprise a fifth beast as the above noted premillennial interpretation maintains.

II. Verses 9-14 "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. 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. 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. 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 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. 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."

1. Vs. 9: Thrones were cast down. This sounds like thrones being destroyed. While this phrase might possibly carry that connotation, it may more likely indicate these thrones were set in place, as in being arrayed before God to be judged.

2. Vs. 9-10: The Ancient of days is God. It refers to the fact that he is from time eternal. See Ps. 90:2, Hab. 1:12, etc. Regarding the white garment compare Mt. 17:2. Regarding the woolen hair compare Rev. 1:14. Regarding the wheels compare Ezek. 1:13-21. Regarding fire proceeding forth from God see Ps. 50:3, Ps. 97:2-3, Isa. 66:15-16, etc. Regarding the vast number that accompanies God see Heb. 12:22, Jude 1:14 and Rev. 5:11. Some consider the Ancient of Days as Christ. For a more detailed discussion of this, see notes on verses 13-14 below.

3. Vs. 10: The books being opened indicates a judgment from God. Compare with Dan. 5:27 where God weighs Belshazzar, and so here where he is weighing or judging those who occupy the thrones of men. Also compare Mal. 3:16-18 and Rev. 20:11-15.

4. Vs. 11-12: Though all the beasts saw an end to their reign, the little horn in particular was judged by God, bringing his dominion to an end. Compare Rev. 19:20-21.

5. Vs. 13-14: The Son of Man here is probably Christ. Though the phrase sometimes describes ordinary man (Job 25:6, Ps. 8:4, Ezek. 2:1, etc.) it also is applied to Christ. See Mt. 9:6, Mt. 12:8, Mt. 16:13-16, etc. Those who regard the Ancient of Days as Christ, see the "son of man" here representing God’s people. They come to Christ for vindication as in Rev. 6:9-10/ Rev.20:4. At times in scripture a judgment coupled with saints reigning seems more connected with saints being vindicated or avenged than with Christ’s kingdom being set up. Compare this with Obad. 1:15, 17-21 regarding the destruction of Edom and Lk. 21:31 regarding the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who hold this view of Dan. 2:13-14 see verse 18 as an explanation of this (the idea the son of man represents God’s children, saints), with saints of God enjoying vindication in the spiritual reign of Christ and the destruction of the Roman persecutor. While this may not be the sense of Dan. 7:13-14, verses 21-22 certainly carry the idea of God’s people who were persecuted being vindicated and avenged with the assertion of God’s kingdom rule. While this view is not entirely unreasonable, we prefer the view that this passage shows Christ coming before God to receive his kingdom. Note the analysis offered below. Also see notes on Dan. 7:18.

6. Vs. 14: Understanding the Son of Man to be Christ reveals the preferred application of this portion of the prophecy. The Son of Man (Christ) was to come with the clouds before the Ancient of Days (God) and receive his kingdom. Note that in Acts 1:9-11 that Christ ascended into the clouds and on to heaven. Also see Lk. 19:12 where Christ tells a parable about him (Jesus) going into a far country (heaven) to receive a kingdom. In Ps. 110:1-2 Christ was to sit down at the right hand of God and receive his kingdom. Mk. 16:19 says when Jesus ascended into heaven he sat down on the right hand of God. See also Mk. 14:62 and Lk. 22:69 where Christ foretold he would go before God and sit down at his right hand, having received power and authority. Note Acts 2:30-36 where Peter said Christ ascended into heaven and was made Lord and Christ. Also regarding Christ going before God and sitting at his right hand, note Heb. 1:3 and Heb. 10:12. We have asserted the kingdom received (the spiritual kingdom established) here and in Dan. 2:44-45 is the church. Note Eph. 1:20-23 where it says Christ ascended into heaven and was set at God’s right hand, being made head of the body, Lord of his church, king over his spiritual kingdom. Understanding that Dan. 7:13-14 deals with Christ going before God to receive kingship in his spiritual kingdom fits naturally with the above noted concepts regarding Christ’s kingdom. To make the ancient of days Christ and the son of man God’s people is an awkward interpretation and it completely ignores the establishment of God’s kingdom in connection with these world empires. Since Dan. 2:44-45 makes that connection, we are content to understand Dan. 7:13-14 to do the same. This has each context relating various details of the same four world empires and the establishment of God’s kingdom, the church, in the time of the fourth kingdom, Rome.

III. Verses 15-17 "I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 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 interpretation of the things. 17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth."

1. Vs. 15-16: Daniel was extremely troubled by the dream. He came near to one of those who stood by. This is likely one of the angels of verse 10 near God’s throne. Daniel came to this angel seeking answers regarding this troubling vision.

2. Vs. 17: The four beasts are positively and clearly identified as kings. In verse 23 the fourth beast (king) is referred to as a fourth kingdom. Thus there can be no doubt these beasts represent four kings or kingdoms. These kingdoms are as follows.

A. The lion represents Babylon. The portion about the beast being given a man’s heart and standing as a man is an inverse allusion to king Nebuchadnezzar being given the heart of a beast and behaving like a beast. See Dan. 4:16, 26, 33. Also note these four beasts line up well with the four sections of the image in Daniel 2. See chart on Daniel 2 And Daniel 7 Compared. The image of Daniel 2 is destroyed by God’s kingdom. These beasts are overthrown congruent with God’s kingdom being established. The first section of the image is Babylon (Dan. 2:38) and by comparison the first beast here is Babylon.

B. The bear represents Medo/Persia. Josephus made comments that suggest a strong connection between Media, Persia and Parthia. Perhaps these three nations are the three ribs, combining to constitute the Persian Empire. See Antiquities 10:11, 7. This second beast corresponds to the second section of the image in Daniel 2. That next kingdom in succession after Babylon (Dan. 2:39), as is this beast, was the Medo/Persian Empire. Secular history as well as scripture verifies the Persians were the immediate successors of the Babylonian Empire. See Dan. 5:29-31 and Dan. 9:1. Some hold that the bear raising up on one side represents the Persians being the dominant element of this Medo/Persian coalition. See Dan. 8:3, 20.

C. The leopard represents the Grecian Empire. As with the other beasts, this one compares with its corresponding section of the image in Dan. 2:39. The Greeks were the immediate successors of the Persians as evidenced by history and scripture. See Dan. 8:21. The Greek king who lead their world conquest was Alexander the Great. After his death his kingdom was divided into four sections (given to four generals in his army), represented by these four heads. See notes on Dan. 8:21-22 and Dan. 11:3-4. This corresponds with the one notable horn being broken and the four horns coming up in its place in Dan. 8:5, 8, 21-22. These four kingdoms within the Grecian Empire were Macedon, Thrace, Syria (Seleucids) and Egypt (Ptolemies). The wings may be an allusion to the speed with which Greece conquered the known world. A similar reference seems to be employed with the goat moving swiftly and not touching the ground in Dan. 8:5.

D. The dreadful, terrible and strong beast corresponds with the fourth section of the image in Daniel 2 and is the Roman Empire. Here and in Dan. 2:40 this fourth kingdom is seen as a strong empire that destroys these others. This was certainly historically true of Rome.

IV. Verses 18-28 "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 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; 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. 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 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. 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. 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. 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. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 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. 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart."

1. Vs. 18: This goes back to verses 13-14, the part of the dream where the Son of Man comes before the Ancient of Days. As noted, that passage is talking about Christ coming before God to receive his kingdom rule. The saints, as part of this kingdom, enjoy the blessings and benefits of God’s rule. Note Eph. 2:6 where Paul speaks of these blessings. As members of his kingdom, we sit in heavenly places in Christ. In this way, we "posses" the kingdom of the most high.

2. Vs. 19-28: Daniel is not content to know the four beasts are four successive world kingdoms. Like us, he wants to know the significance of the horns and the activities associated with them. The explanation of the horns is as follows.

A. The ten horns represent ten kings. Bear in mind these are a part of the Roman Empire. This suggests these are ten emperors, which in fact, they are. Beginning from the first emperor of the Roman Empire, these represent Augustus (31 BC-14 AD), Tiberius (14-37 AD), Caligula (37-41 AD), Claudius (41-54 AD), Nero (54-68 AD), Galba (7 months in 68-69 AD), Otho (45 days in 69 AD), Vitellius (8 months in 69 AD), Vespacian (69-79 AD) and Titus (79-81 AD).

B. The little horn is the eleventh emperor. This would be Domitian (81-96 AD). He was a notorious persecutor of the church. Changing times, laws, and such is a function that belongs to God. See Dan. 2:21. Domitian claimed deity, so in this sense he sought the place of God. He made persecution of Christians official state policy and sought to wipe out the church.

C. The time, times and dividing of times indicates one year, two years and a half year, thus, three and a half years. In prophecy, this period always deals with a period of time during which God’s people suffer. Compare with Rev. 11:2-3, Rev. 12:6, 14 and Rev. 13:5. Given the fact the Hebrews counted their year as 360 days with 12 months of 30 days length, these cases all work out to three and a half years. And in each case, God’s people were suffering persecution. The idea is not to date the length Domitian’s reign, but to describe the conditions he imposed on God’s people during his reign, that God’s people suffered awful persecution.

D. Galba, Otho and Vitellius are likely the three that were uprooted. These each had a very short reign during civil war in Rome and did leave office violently. Seutonius says Domitian had a hand in Vitellius’ fall (See Kingdom Prophecy in Review, p. 142). It is also said that he plotted against his brother Titus. If you are looking for a historical fulfillment of Domitian uprooting three kings, you have two thirds documented and it is not unlikely he had a hand in another. However, it seems more likely that he uproots three kings in the vision. Note that Rev. 17:9-11 has eight horns on the beast with the persecutor being the eighth rather than the eleventh. The difference, of course, is three. So, in the vision, three kings are "uprooted".

E. The judgment against Domitian points to his death and the ultimate ruin of the Roman Empire. The saints who had been so awfully persecuted are now vindicated as their persecutor is destroyed.