DANIEL LESSON 8


     We will begin this lesson in Daniel 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."

     We see this is dated at the beginning of the reign of Belshazzar,
but it is not the dream of Belshazzar. This is Daniel's own dream and
visions. This is written down of Daniel.

     Daniel 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."

     In this dream, or vision, of Daniel's, he saw the wind coming
from 4 directions at once. This would create a tornado, or something
very similar to that. The great sea is speaking of the people of the
earth. The number 4 is speaking of universal. Whatever this is, has to
do with the entire human race. This just means there was a great
turmoil going on upon the earth.

     Daniel 7:3 "And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse
one from another."

     These 4 beasts are, possibly, very similar to the kingdoms of the
image in an earlier chapter of Daniel. Notice, these 4 beasts came up
out of the people {sea}. Each one of them was very different. 4 has to
do with the universe. This is universal, then. These beasts are
nations, or kingdoms. My own personal belief is that these are
speaking of these same nations that were in the image, but at a much
later time. Perhaps, nearer our own time.

     Daniel 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."

     This first beast like a lion with eagle wings is, possibly,
speaking of Babylon. The eagle's wings, many times, symbolize
aggressiveness. The Babylonians had been very fierce in their
conquests. They, also, had settled down, and become a more civilized
nation. This could be the meaning of the wings being plucked. They
became more like a man, when their viciousness was gone. Some of the
kings even recognized God for His mighty feats. I would believe the
heart of a man would mean that it was possible to reach it. Daniel's
own protection from the lions could have helped change their heart to
the heart of a man. I would tend to set these 4 beast's operation at
the end of the Gentile age. Babylon then, and Iraq now, is the same
country.

     Daniel 7:5 "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."

     In the image, this would be the Media Persian empire. Persia
then, and Iran now, is the very same place. The bear symbolizes
Russia. We read in Ezekiel 38:5 "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with
them; all of them with shield and helmet:" We know that there is to be
a great battle, when these 4 forces-Russia, Persia {Iran}, Ethiopia,
and Libya shall come against Israel. There will be the destruction of
much flesh. Could Iran, Ethiopia, and Libya be the three spoken of
above?

     Daniel 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."

     This is Greece in the image. Most people believe this is
Alexander the Great spoken of here. He did divide the rule to his 4
generals.

     Daniel 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."

     In the image, I believe this is speaking of the Roman empire. The
Roman empire was very strong, and also, was dreaded and feared by all.
The ten toes of the image, and the ten horns here, I believe indicate
the same. There were ten European nations which were part of the Old
Roman empire. The Roman empire has been reconstructed in our day with
the common market nations. I believe the ten horns are the nations
which make up the common market. The horn speaks of power. This is a
powerful organization headquartered in Rome.

     Daniel 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."

     The membership in this common market is changing daily. This
speaks of a spokesman, who speaks for the entire group. Eyes speak of
wisdom. This wisdom is of a man. His mouth speaking great things
indicate he is in control, and speaks for the whole group.

     Daniel 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."

     This is dating this vision. There is a time coming, when the
thrones will be thrown down. "Ancient of days" is speaking of Eternal
God. The "white as snow" speaks of the righteousness of God. Our God
is a consuming Fire. This fire is speaking of the presence of God. We
read of the wheel in Ezekiel chapter 1. This wheel, and the fire in
it, both are the presence of God. This throne of fire is God's throne.

     Daniel 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."

     The numbers multiplied out here are a million, or one hundred
million. This, however, is not what this is speaking of. It is
speaking of a number so great it is impossible to count. God keeps a
record in heaven, and that is what is spoken of by the books were
opened.

     Daniel 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 above is a companion Scripture to the following. Revelation
19:20 "And the beast 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."

     Daniel 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."

     These beasts were speaking of Babylon {Iraq}, Persia, and Greece.
They were no longer ruling powers as they had been represented in
their place in the image. The kingdoms of this world have fallen. They
were not totally destroyed, but lost all power.

     Daniel 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."

     This Son of man is the One we call Jesus. This is the same that
we read about as the Stone which destroyed the image. Matthew 24:30
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then
shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of
man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

     Daniel 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."

     Isaiah 9:7 "Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there
shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to
order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from
henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this." Philippians 2:9 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name:" Philippians 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;"
Philippians 2:11 "And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  There is no
question at all, that this is the One we call Jesus who will be King
of kings and Lord of lords. He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and
the End. I Timothy 1:17 "Now unto the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever.
Amen."

     Daniel 7:15  "I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of
[my] body, and the visions of my head troubled me."

     We could surely understand this, because his vision had jumped
over 2000 years. Visions and dreams are seldom dated. Possibly, Daniel
was concerned that he might be losing touch with reality.

     Daniel 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
interpretation of the things."

     This is still part of the vision, or dream. One that stood by was
an angel. The interpretation was given Daniel.

     Daniel 7:17 "These great beasts, which are four, [are] four
kings, [which] shall arise out of the earth."

     These beasts, as we had said before, are very similar to the
beasts in the image. They are great powers, which were on the earth.
The name of the kings is unimportant. They are of an evil nature.

     Daniel 7:18 "But the saints of the most High shall take the
kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever."

     The following is a companion Scripture. Revelation 2:26 "And he
that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations:"  It is the spoken and the written Word of God
which overcomes the world. The saints weapon is the two-edged Sword.
Revelation 11:15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great
voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the
kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever
and ever." You can see from the following Scripture, just how long we
reign with Him.  Revelation 22:5 "And there shall be no night there;
and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God
giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."

     Daniel 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;"

     "Iron" speaks of strength, and "brass" speaks of judgement. They
had even judged the Son of God. The Romans were in power, when Jesus
was crucified. They were strong in their rule of all the people.

     Daniel 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."

     This one who had eyes {worldly wisdom}, and a mouth that he spoke
for all the horns, is speaking of the antichrist. He rose out of these
ten horns. He was their leader.

     Daniel 7:21 "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the
saints, and prevailed against them;"

     Revelation 13:5 "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking
great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue
forty [and] two months." The saints are the believers in the Lord
Jesus Christ.  The antichrist will be in power for 3 and 1/2 years,
and he is opposed to everything they do. Revelation 13:7 "And it was
given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and
power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

     Daniel 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."

     I Corinthians 6:2 "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the
world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to
judge the smallest matters?" I Corinthians 6:3 "Know ye not that we
shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"
Luke 17:21 "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for,
behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

     Daniel 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."

     Again, this is speaking of the Old Roman empire, which has been
revived. This power is really control.

     Daniel 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."

     I believe the ten horns are actually ten nations, which have made
an alliance. They altogether make up the Roman empire. The one is
separate from the ten. The one is representing the antichrist. It is
interesting to note at this time, that the antichrist system is made
up of the antichrist, the false prophet, and the beast.

     Daniel 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."
     The antichrist has great power over all the peoples of the earth.
The people of the earth will not recognize him as the antichrist,
until he begins to blaspheme the most high God. He will seem to have
the answer for all the problems of life. Notice, in this, the saints
are under his jurisdiction for 3 and 1/2 years. The first part of his
reign, he will pretend to be a great peacemaker. The antichrist will
control the people through his power to purchase goods. It is
interesting that a new international currency has, now, been made, and
these common market nations will all use it. There will come a time
when no currency will be necessary. The master computer {named the
beast} will handle all transactions in the world by electronic
transfer. There are two master computers, that are capable of doing
just that right now. Revelation 13:16 "And he causeth all, both small
and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their
right hand, or in their foreheads:" Revelation 13:17 "And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the
beast, or the number of his name." Read our study on the 13th chapter
of Revelation to get more insight into this. This changing of time
shows he wants to be as God.  There have been men throughout ages that
have wanted to be as God.  Julius Ceasar would have been one, Hitler
would have been another.  This is not speaking of a type of
antichrist, but the antichrist. He is a personification of Satan
himself.

     Daniel 7:26 "But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away
his dominion, to consume and to destroy [it] unto the end."

     The judgement is taken away from him by our King Jesus, and by
His saints. He has been judged, and found guilty.

     Daniel 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."

     Hebrews 12:28 "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be
moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear:" Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy [is] he
that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death
hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with him a thousand years."

     Daniel 7:28 "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."

     The details of this vision, or dream, of Daniel's would trouble
anyone. He saw the rise and fall of the antichrist. Cogitations means
thoughts. Deep thought does change our facial expression. He
remembered it in his heart. More dreams and visions will make even
these more understandable.



                          Daniel 8 Questions


1.  When did Daniel have this dream, or vision?
2.  Quote Daniel chapter 7 verse 2.
3.  What were these 4 winds like?
4.  What does the number 4 mean?
5.  What does this mean?
6.  Who are these 4 beasts very similar to?
7.  Where did they come from?
8.  Who does the first beast symbolize?
9.  What was the meaning of the wings being plucked?
10. What had helped change the hearts of the Babylonians?
11. Babylon and ________ is the same.
12. This second beast was like unto a ________.
13. Persia, and modern _______ is the same.
14. Quote Ezekiel chapter 38 verse 5.
15. Who is the leopard representing?
16. Who do many scholars believe this is speaking of?
17. Who is the fourth beast speaking of?
18. Who are the ten horns?
19. Who is verse 8 speaking of?
20. Who is the "Ancient of days"?
21. What does "white as snow" tell us?
22. The wheel, and the fire in it, are both speaking of the presence
    of _______.
23. What is a companion Scripture of Daniel chapter 7 verse 11?
24. Who came in the clouds of heaven?
25. Quote Isaiah chapter 9 verse 7.
26. At the name of _________ every knee will bow.
27. Quote 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 17.
28. Why was Daniel troubled?
29. Who did Daniel ask of the vision?
30. What two things overcome the world?
31. "Iron" speaks of ________.
32. "Brass" speaks of __________.
33. Who is the one who spoke, and had worldly wisdom?
34. How long did the antichrist rule over the saints?
35. Where is the kingdom of God?
36. Who are the ten horns?
37. Who will the antichrist speak against?
38. Quote Revelation chapter 13 verses 16 and 17.
39. The antichrist is a personification of __________ himself.
40. Quote Revelation chapter 20 verse 6.