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2019 May 19

Daniel 7

Image 1: The Ancient of Days (1794)
William Blake (1757-1827)
Romanticism Style
British Museum, London, England, United Kingdom
Image Source: Wikimedia

~~~~~~~~~~

Image 2: The Ancient of Days (first half of the 14^th century)
Damiane (fl., first half of the 14^th century)
Byzantine Style, Palaiologan Period
The Monastery Complex of Ubisi, Ubisi, Georgia
Image Source: Wikipedia

[ Illustration: Today's images are of the Ancient of Days, whose role is central in today's chapter. The First depicts his insight and control. The Second depicts his glory and majesty. ]

SPECIAL NOTE:

[ I will again be working through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. I will be adding links, resources, images, and the like, upgrading the former work-through which began with the 2013-10-12 posting which can be found, along with the full Genesis to Revelation postings, in the Archive Page. Postings will be at midnight Eastern Time, as I am able. However, no chapters will be skipped, even though a posting may be late. And all postings will be housed in the Archive Page. ]

     Explanation: In Daniel 7, a transition in focus begins. In the last 6 chapters of Daniel (7-12), the chronological emphasis in the first part of the book gives way to an emphasis on a series of visions which Daniel had during various periods of his life. In today's chapter, Daniel sees a vision of the four winds striving upon the great sea. Four beasts arise. These are chimeras - - composites of different elements such as land animals, birds, men, iron teeth, and so on. These creatures strive for a time; then the Ancient of Days comes and sits in judgment. Then "one like the Son of man" (v. 13) comes to the Ancient of Days and receives an everlasting kingdom. Daniel asked one of the heavenly host which stood near him for an interpretation. This was given: kings and kingdoms would arise; the saints would be afflicted; but the Most High would prevail, and the saints would inherit an everlasting kingdom.
     This vision took place in the first year of Belshazzar's reign. Modern critics question the existence of Belshazzar, but the monuments clearly indicate that he was a historical figure. The Companion Bible by E. W. Bullinger has this to say about him:
     Belshazzar. The last king of Babylon. Until 1854, when Sir H. C. Rawlinson discovered the cuneiform texts, all was speculation. An inscription belonging to the first year of Nabonidus, his father (see notes on Daniel 5:2, and Jeremiah 27:7), calls him his "firstborn son" and gives his name Bel-sarra-uzer = "O Bel defend the king". There are frequent references to him in contracts and similar documents (Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th (Cambridge) ed., vol. iii, p. 711). He was the last king of Babylon (Daniel 5:30-31). See note on Daniel 5:7.
     Additional insight is provided by other scholars.

Introduction (7:1-2a).
     In the first year of Belshazzar's reign, Daniel had a dream and wrote it down.

The Vision of the Four Beasts (7:2b-14).

A. The Beasts (2b-8)
     Daniel saw the four winds of heaven striving together on the great sea. Four beasts came up from the waters (2b-3).
     The First was like a lion with eagle's wings. The wings were pulled off, and it stood up like a man and had a man's heart given unto it (4).
     The Second was like a bear. It had three ribs in it's mouth, and it received a command to devour much flesh (5).
     The Third was like a leopard with four wings and four heads. Dominion was given unto it (6).
     The Fourth had iron teeth, and it devoured, and broke, and trampled. It had ten horns. And a little horn came up and uprooted three of the ten horns. The little horn had eyes like a man, and its mouth spoke great things (7-8).
B. The Ancient of Days (9-12).
     After thrones were cast down, the Ancient of Days was seated. His garment was white, and his hair was white. His throne was of fire, and his wheels were of fire (9).
     From him came a stream of fire, and myriads ministered to him. He set the judgment, and the books were opened (10).
     Judgment and destruction came upon the little horn and the fourth beast (11).
     The other beasts lost their dominion, but their lives were preserved for a season (12).
C. The Son of Man (13-14).
     The Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days (13).
     He received dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom over all people (14).

The Interpretation of the Vision (7:15-27).

A. The Request for Interpretation (15-16).
     Daniel was troubled by the vision (15), so he asked one who stood nearby what these things meant (16).

B. The Beasts, The Ancient of Days, and The Saints (17-27).

      1. The Beasts (17-25).
     The interpreter told Daniel that the beasts were four kings which shall arise, but the saints of the Most High will take their kingdoms and possess them forever (17-18).
     The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom. It will be diverse from the preceding three. It will be very destructive in the earth. One of its kings will supplant three of its ten kings. The new king will speak against the Most High, and he will wear out (or afflict) the saints. He will attempt to change times and laws (19-25).
     2. The Ancient of Days (26).
     But judgment will come, his dominion will cease, and he will be destroyed.
     3. The Saints (27).
     The kingdom will be given to the saints of the Most High, and all dominions will obey him.

Conclusion (7:28).
     The vision greatly troubled Daniel, but he kept the matter to himself.

Alternate Chapter Outline: Unlike the previous six chapters, Daniel 7 is not chiastic,* but it does have a three part parallelism, each with three repeating sub-pats, as shown in the outline below which I have adapted from The Companion Bible by E. W. Bullinger.
      * A chiastic structure is a literary form of parallelism in which a succession of ideas leads up to an emphatic central point then repeats in reverse order.

The Vision
   The Four Beasts (1-8).
   The Judgment of the Son of Man (9-14).
   Daniel's Agitation and Inquiry (15-16).
The Interpretation (Part One)
   The Four Beasts (17).
   The Judgment of the Son of Man (18).
    Daniel's Agitation (Inferred) and Inquiry (19-22).
The Interpretation (Part Two)
   The Fourth Beast (23-25).
   The Judgment of the Son of Man (26-27).
   Daniel's Agitation Without Further Inquiry (28).

     [ Sermons: William Tyler. William Sill. Sinclair Ferguson. Sam Storms - Part 1. Sam Storms - Part 2. Various. ]

Bible Chronologies -- Genesis to Revelation

[Traditional Patriarchal Chronology. Judges Period Chronology 1. Judges Period Chronology 2. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2].

[Post Exile Chronology 1. Post Exile Chronology 2. Post Exile Chronology 3.]

[Prophets Chronology 1. Prophets Chronology 2. Prophets Chronology 3. Prophets Chronology 4.]

[Intertestamental Period Chronology 1. Intertestamental Period Chronology 2. Intertestamental Period Chronology 3.
Intertestamental Period Chronology 4. Intertestamental Period Chronology 5.]

[New Testament Chronology 1. New Testament Chronology 2. New Testament Chronology 3. New Testament Chronology 4. New Testament Chronology 5.]

RESOURCES

PLEASE NOTE: Use the resources on this and other sites thoughtfully, particularly the commentaries and encyclopedias. I have attempted to list conservative, scholarly resources. However, some providers use liberal or liberal-influenced commentaries such as the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (in Bible Hub). Such commentaries are undoubtedly included by the provider for the wealth of useful information and comments which they provide. By consulting several commentaries, it should be fairly easy to sort out the wheat from the chaff. If, however, you would like personal assistance, write to me at AD LIB ARTS EMAIL.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Daniel 7: Daniel 7. Daniel 8. Daniel 9. Daniel 10. Daniel 11. Daniel 12. ]
[1] Daniel 5:1, 22, 30; Daniel 8:1; Jeremiah 27:7; Daniel 2:1, 28-29; Daniel 4:5.
[2] Revelation 7:1; Revelation 17:15.
[3] Daniel 2:32-33, 37-40.
[4] Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 4:7, 13.
[5] Daniel 2:39; Daniel 5:28; Daniel 8:4; Daniel 11:2.
[6] Daniel 2:39; Daniel 8:5-7, 20-21; Daniel 11:3-4; Revelation 13:2; Daniel 8:8, 22.
[7] Daniel 2:40-42; Daniel 8:10; Revelation 13:1.
[8] Revelation 13:1; Revelation 13:11-13; Daniel 8:23-25; Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:1-6.
[9] Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25; Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2.
[10] Psalm 50:3; Psalm 97:2-3; Isaiah 30:27, 33; Isaiah 66:15-16; Nahum 1:5-6; Deuteronomy 33:2; 1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 68:17; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 25:31; Hebrews 12:22-23; Jude 1:14; Revelation 5:11; Psalm 96:11-13; Malachi 3:16-18; Revelation 20:11-15.
[11] Jude 1:16; Revelation 13:5-6; Revelation 20:4, 12; Daniel 8:25; Daniel 11:45; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 18:8; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10.
[12] Daniel 8:7.
[13] Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 1:26; Matthew 13:41; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31; Matthew 26:64; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 21:27, 36; John 3:13; John 5:27; John 12:34; Acts 7:56; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 1:7, 13, 18; Revelation 14:14; Psalm 47:5; Psalm 68:17-18; Jeremiah 49:19; Ephesians 1:20-21; 1 Timothy 6:16; Hebrews 9:24.
[14] Psalm 2:6-8; Psalm 8:6; Psalm 110:1-2; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:22; Luke 19:11-12; John 3:35; John 5:22-27; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:20-22; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 3:21; Psalm 72:17; Isaiah 60:12; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 17:14; Daniel 2:35, 44; Daniel 4:3; Daniel 6:26; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 145:13; Psalm 146:10; Isaiah 9:7; Obadiah 1:21; Micah 4:7; Luke 1:33; John 12:34; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Hebrews 12:28.
[15] Daniel 8:27; Jeremiah 15:17-18; Jeremiah 17:16; Habakkuk 3:16; Luke 19:41-44; Romans 9:2-3; Revelation 10:9-11; 2 Peter 1:14; Daniel 2:1-3; Daniel 4:5; Genesis 40:7-8; Genesis 41:8.
[16] Daniel 8:13-16; Daniel 10:5-6, 11-12; Daniel 12:5-6; Zechariah 1:8-11; Zechariah 2:3; Zechariah 3:7; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 7:13-14.
[17] Daniel 2:37-40; Daniel 8:19-22; Psalm 17:14; John 18:36; Revelation 13:1, 11.
[18] Psalm 149:5-9; Isaiah 60:12-14; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:4; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 6:12.
[19] Daniel 2:40-43.
[20] Daniel 8:9-11; Daniel 11:36-37.
[21] Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17:3, 12-13, 16-18; Daniel 8:9-12; Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; 1 Timothy 4:1-3.
[22] 1 Corinthians 6:2.
[23] Daniel 2:39; Micah 4:13; Isaiah 41:15.
[24] Psalm 75:7; Isaiah 2:12; Isaiah 25:11-12; Isaiah 26:5; Daniel 8:23-25.
[25] Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel 11:28-31; Daniel 11:36-38; Daniel 12:7; Daniel 12:11-12; Isaiah 37:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:5-6, 11; Revelation 6:9-10; Revelation 11:2-3; Revelation 11:7-10; Revelation 12:6, 14; Revelation 13:5-10; Revelation 13:15-17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 16:6; Revelation 17:6; Revelation 18:24; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:25, 32; 1 Timothy 4:1-3.
[26] 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 20:10-11.
[27] Psalm 149:5-9; Isaiah 49:23-26; Isaiah 54:3; Isaiah 60:11-16; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 20:4; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 4:34; Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:33; John 12:34; Psalm 2:6-12; Psalm 22:27; Psalm 72:11; Psalm 86:9; Isaiah 60:12; Obadiah 1:21; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.
[28] Daniel 8:17-19; Daniel 8:27; Daniel 10:8; Daniel 11:27; Daniel 12:9, 13; Mark 9:15; Luke 2:19, 51; Luke 9:44.
     -- From Treasury of Scripture Knowledge & Others ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). PROVERBS: Book of Proverbs. ECCLESIASTES: Book of Ecclesiastes Dramatized. SONG OF SOLOMON: Song of Solomon Dramatized. ISAIAH: Isaiah Dramatized. JEREMIAH: Jeremiah Dramatized. LAMENTATIONS: Lamentations Dramatized. EZEKIEL: Ezekiel Dramatized. DANIEL: Daniel Dramatized. VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]

HARMONY OF THE LAW

John Calvin - CCEL | Analytical Chart - BLB

GOSPEL HARMONIES

Gospel Harmony - Summary | The Harmony of the Gospels - Augustine | Gospel Harmony Chart - Online Bible

Greek Harmony of the Gospels - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF) | Gospel Harmony in English - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF)

HEBREW AND GREEK INTERLINEAR BIBLES

Hebrew and Greek Interlinear Download - Scripture 4 All

Bible Hub Interlinear Hebrew and Greek Bible

Bible Hub Hebrew Interlinear | Scripture 4 All Hebrew Interlinear

Mounce Interlinear | Bible Hub Greek Interlinear | Scripture 4 All Greek Interlinear Bible

Daniel Detailed Outline

Daniel 7

Map 1: Bible Nations | Map 2: Empire of David and Solomon Map 3: Kingdoms of Judah and Israel | Post Exile Chronology.

2. Spiritual Struggle in the Heavenlies (7:1 - 12:13)

A. The Struggle for Power Among the Four Beasts - Resolved by God Taking Power Eternally (7:1-28)

     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. ² Daniel spake and said,
     I saw [I was gazing] 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 [I was gazing] 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 [I was gazing], 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 [I was gazing] 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 [I was contemplating] 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.
     ⁹ I beheld [I was gazing] 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 [I was gazing] then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld [I was gazing] 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 [and lengthening in life was granted] for a season and time. ¹³ I saw [I was gazing] in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came [was arriving] with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they bought 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.
     ¹⁵ 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.
     ¹⁸ 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 [I was gazing], 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.

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