PROPHECY
Earlene DavisDANIEL 7 – Part 3
V. 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.” Daniel hears the voice of the little horn (the Antichrist) that had plucked up 3 or the 10 horns (V. 8). There are 2 phases of the Antichrist’s coming. Verse 8 speaks of the first phase, he will not come at first as a world dictator, but as a man. But in this verse (V. 11) he has become a beast. Reference is made again to the great words he speaks. No doubt he will be a great orator and this is how he will come to prominence instead of skill in battle or strength. He will speak great words of peace and bring nations together (Rev. 13:5). Then he will change wanting to rule the world and so he will for a short period, but then will come his end (Rev. 19:20). His body will be destroyed, and his soul shall be in torment in the lake of fire for ever.
V. 12, “As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” They no longer ruled.
Vs. 13-14, “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. 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.” This agrees with Revelation chapters 4 & 5. Christ as the Creator, crowned with glory and honor (Rev. 4:11); and as the Redeemer (Rev. 5:9-10). The Ancient of days is Christ viewed as God Almighty. It was as the Son of man that He became our Redeemer. In Rev. 5:6 He is seen as a little lamb as it had been slain yet standing. It is because of His redemptive work that dominion will be given to Him of all people, nations and languages. His kingdom shall not pass away nor be destroyed. This shall come to pass, it is God’s word.
Vs. 15-16, “I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 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.” Daniel knew what to do when he was grieved, he sought to know God’s word. God gave him the revelation and so will He open up our understanding when we seek Him. A ministering angel made Daniel to know.
Vs. 17-18, “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.” Earthly dominion of the Gentiles will be over and the remnant of Israel are the saints that will come into a place of supremacy and the Lord Himself on the throne as their King.
The interpretation of the new-comer among the horns, is the Antichrist; who will speak cunningly until he gets his prey under him and then he will pounce on them as a beast on his prey.
Vs. 19-27, “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; 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 speak very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 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. 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. 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. 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. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 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.”
We learn more about this in the book of Revelation, which we will get to in time. The Antichrist will turn on Israel after he gets them to sign a peace treaty. He will be allowed to prevail against them, but this war on the saints is limited. It only continues until the Ancient of days makes His appearance. Then the remnant of Israel will prevail and judgment given to the saints of the Most High.
V. 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.” It is clear to Daniel that God only recognizes 4 Gentile world empires, because the one that appears to be the fifth world empire is a counterfeit empire of Christ’s Kingdom. When Christ comes He will bring the remnant of Israel into the Kingdom promised to them in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He will place them forever in power on the earth and He will reign over all the kingdoms of the world, as the only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15).
Closing comments: When the hour of God’s clock shall strike, Gentile times will be fulfilled and He will place His Son, the seed of Abraham and David upon His throne in the heavens, but the nations will rebel (Ps. 2). God will laugh at their puny efforts to prevent His plans and purposes. They may launch their counterfeit empire in rebellion against God’s decree and His Son’s right to reign. But God shall have them in derision. He shall crown His King, His Son, Christ.
Dan. 7:25 gives a brief description of the second stage of Antichrist’s career. This terrible man of destiny is in control of the world, the devil giving him his place as God of this world (II Thess. 2:9). His great words are defiance especially against Christ as the Most High. He will vent his ire upon Israel and wear them out and attempt to change their times, feasts and laws. He desires tyrant authority over all men, even their consciences, religions and otherwise. He will rule a short time (31/2 years). God will allow him this time as judgment upon men for their rebellion against Him and His King. This will be a very heavy burden on all the world, but especially the Jewish people who will suffer unparalleled tribulation as their chastisement known as Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7). But out of Israel a remnant will be saved to suffer no more forever. Jesus said, it must be shortened or no flesh should be saved (Mt. 24:22). The “destroyer” of Israel would wipe them off the face of the earth, but God wont allow that. They will cry out to the living God for help and their Messiah, Jesus will arrive for their deliverance and the Antichrist’s destruction (Vs. 26-27). After the remnant receive their Messiah, He will bring them into the Promised Kingdom. They will be forever in power and Jesus Christ will reign over all the whole universe.
