April 16, 2023
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Reading along with us in Daniel? Here’s today’s reading:
Daniel 7 (NIV)
Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea..............Continue Reading
These are the same kingdoms that Daniel mentioned in chapter 2. The first beast like a lion with eagles wings. [ Babylon], the second beast like a bear. [ Medes and Persia ]., the third beast like a leopard which had four wings of a fowl and also four heads. [Greece] Alex the great had four generals. And then the fourth beast dreadful and terrible and very strong. [Rome]. This is what we know from history. Here`s where people may or may not interpret this correctly. From my understanding I believe that the ten kings come from Europe. That the Little horn that rises from them is the antichrist. He is a person that does wonders and at first brings peace. He does put down three kings. He will speak great things against the most HIGH. And wear out the saints. But in the end God will prevail. Jesus is the Ancient of Days from the way He is pictured here. But there is a interesting verse 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. ] Then all power was given to him. Ever lasting dominion. Is this part of the God head/ In verse 22 the Ancient of Days defeats the antichrist so we know that the Ancient of Days is not the antichrist. Side note; Just in the news a few days ago that Europeans are not going to be able to spend up to 1,000 in cash any more. You get fined or go to jail for spending your own money. They will control the digital and therefore have complete control of everyones money and their lives. This could happen here. Thank God we know the one who holds the future.
Daniel 7
Daniel 7 – Daniel has a dream about four beasts these are four kingdoms the Babylonians, the Medes, the Persians, and the Greeks. Each one worst than the other and they will cause havoc and chaos until The Ancient of days appears and the Son of Man and they will crush those kingdoms and God with the Son of Man will reign forever and ever.
What an absolutely amazing vision that God provides for Daniel. It is no wonder he is troubled by it. It once again reveals that God is sovereign over all as He expresses awareness of those nations that will rule the world in a successive manner. He is both aware and allows it as well. As the portion of this that speaks of the Anti-christ and what we may see in our time, it is important to know God’s allowance of the success of evil for a time, and yet the ancient of days and the one like a son of man are ultimately in control. If they can vanquish the evil in the end, they could also vanquish it at any time. But God has His purposes as He expresses His long-suffering with those on the earth, maximizing the number saved…giving people chances, and allowing the faith and character of His people to be developed as we concern ourselves more with His glory more than our comfort.
Daniel’s visions about the end times are terrifying and frightening, however; there is great hope in it. We can find comfort and joy in these words: “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.” And “the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.”
Daniel 7
““In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days 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.”
Daniel 7:13-14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/dan.7.13-14.NIV
This is a powerful vision of the beasts representing the kingdoms that will rule. The description of what clearly represents the antichrist has a very Revelations feel. God is sovereign over all of it and while He does allow things to happen that seem like evil is in control, true control is always in His hands.
“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.”