B i b l e S t u d y
Lesson: Daniel 7 - Daniel's Dream
SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 7:1-28
GOLDEN TEXT: Daniel 7:14
1. Did Daniel have a dream in the first year of Belshazzar? Did he only record the main facts of the dream? (Daniel 7:1).
Note: Belshazzar was viewed as a crown prince and his father Nabonidas was viewed as the final king of Babylon. Notice that Daniel only wrote down the high points of his dream.
2. Did Daniel see four winds stirring up the Great Sea in his vision? (Daniel 7:2). What does a Great Sea represent? (Revelation 17:15.)
Note: The Four winds represent every direction of that part of the world. The Great Sea is water and it represents a great multitude of people.
3. Did Daniel see four great beasts come up from the sea, each different from the other? (Daniel 7:3).
4. Was the first beast in Daniel’s vision like a lion with eagle’s wings? (Daniel 7:4). Were the wings plucked off? Was it made to stand on two feet like a man?
Note: In Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about an image made up of different metals of gold, silver, brass and iron and each represented a different kingdom. In Daniel’s dream the animals represent these different kingdoms. The lion represented the Babylonian Empire and the eagle’s wings symbolize the ability to move rapidly. The ability of Babylon to conquer other nations successfully ended at the time when Nebuchadnezzar went insane for seven years. In a sense since Babylon was not at war a man’s heart was given to it. Nebuchadnezzar died within a year after he regained his mind. The Empire reached it greatest expanse under Nebuchadnezzar.
5. What was the second beast that Daniel saw in his dream? (Daniel 7:5). Did the beast have 3 ribs in it’s mouth?
Note: The second beast was a bear and it represented te Medeo-Persian Empire. Notice that the bear had one of its paws raised to strike. The Persian part of the empire was the greater part and the Medes were the lesser part. Cyrus was a Persian and the 3 ribs correspond to the 3 major conquests of Lidya, Babylon and Egypt of Cyrus and his son Cambeses during the height of the Medo-Persian Empire. The reference in verse 5 to "Devour much flesh" is a reference to the smaller nations that they conquered.
6. What was the third beast in Daniel’s dream? (Daniel 7:6). How many wings and heads did this beast have?
Note: The 4 wings represents the great speed that Alexander the Great had in order to conquer part of Europe and the civilized part of Asia. It only took him 12 years. He was 21 years old when he began and he died when he was 33 years old. The leopard beast also had 4 heads which represented the 4 generals under Alexander who ultimately divided the empire of Medo-Persia after the death of Alexander.
7. What did the fourth beast in Daniel’s dream look like? (Daniel 7:7). What kind of teeth did it have? Was it different from the beasts before it? How many horns did it have?
Note: This fourth beast represented the Roman Empire. This is the only beast that had horns.
8. Was there another little horn that came up among the ten horns? (Daniel 7:8). Did this horn have eyes and a mouth speaking pompous words?
Note: Notice that three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. These did not fit in with the last seven. They were different in character.
9. Did Daniel see thrones put in place? (Daniel 7:9). Did he see the Ancient of Days seated? This being that Daniel saw, was He wearing clothing? What did His hair look like on his head? What was His throne like? (See also Ezekiel 1:26-27).
Note: Thrones represent rulership. The rulership of these successive empires must be overthrown before the following ceremony can be fulfilled. Likewise these new thrones will be positions of rulership and will require those individuals obtaining these positions to attend this ceremony.
The Ancient of Days is God the Father. Notice that this Ancient of Days was able to sit down like a man. He wore clothing and he had hair on his head. God the Father has human features. Did He make man in His image? (Genesis 1:26). Was Adam made in the likeness of God? (Genesis 5:1,3). Does God have feet? (Exodus 24:10).
Note: God’s throne was like a fiery flame. Ezekiel describes God’s throne having an "appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around." God’s brilliance is reflected off of His throne.
10. Did a fiery stream issue from the throne? (Daniel 7:10). Did millions of righteous angels minister to the Ancient of Days? Was the Court seated and the books opened? What did John say about God’s throne? (Revelation 4:5-6).
Note: The Court was seated and it was a time for judgment.
11. Did Daniel watch as the beast was slain and his body slain and destroyed? (Daniel 7:11).
12. Did the other three beast have their dominion taken away? (Daniel 7:12).
13. Did Daniel see One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven? (Daniel 7:13). Did Matthew record seeing the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory? (Matthew 24:30). Did the Son of Man come to the Ancient of Days?
Note: Jesus Christ will be led into the God the Father’s presence to present His Bride for the marriage that takes place after the seventh trumpet is blown (Rev. 19:7-9).
14. Will dominion, glory and a kingdom be given to Jesus Christ? (Daniel 7:14). Will all nations serve Him? Will His dominion be an everlasting dominion? Will His kingdom ever be destroyed? Jesus Christ’s coronation is described in Revelation 11:15-17. "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
15. Did the visions that Daniel have trouble him? (Daniel 7:15).
Note: Notice that Daniel had a series of visions.
16. Did Daniel ask one of the angels that stood by about the truth of all of this? (Daniel 7:16). Did the angel made known to Daniel the interpretation of these things?
17. Did the four great beasts represent four kings which would arise out of the earth? (Daniel 7:17).
Note: Verse 17 is a summary that the angel gave of Daniel 7:2-12.
18. Will the saints of the Most High receive the kingdom and possess it forever? (Daniel 7:18).
Note: In verse 18 the angel explains Daniel 7:13-14 with this one statement. For the saints to receive and possess the kingdom means that they have been resurrected and they are now immortal spirit beings. The saints are with Jesus Christ and are going to be presented to God the Father for the marriage of the Lamb just prior to Jesus Christ and the saints being coronated as rulers of the Kingdom of God.
19. Did Daniel want to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others? (Daniel 7:19). Was it exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze? Did it devour, break in pieces, and trample the residue with its feet?
Note: Daniel wanted an explanation of the fourth beast. The iron teeth and bronze claws were not mentioned previously in his vision so Daniel is adding extra information.
20. Were there ten horns that were on its head, and did another horn come up? (Daniel 7:20) Did three fall? Did this horn have eyes and a mouth and speak pompous words?
21. Did this horn make war against the saints and prevail against them? (Daniel 7:21).
Note: Daniel had not mentioned the saints in his vision, but the angel gives an explanation of the saints in this verse. Perhaps God gave him an additional vision so he could understand.
22. How long did the horn prevail against the saints? (Daniel 7:22). Who was the judgment in favor of? Did the time come for the saints to possess the kingdom?
Note: The saints possess the kingdom when Jesus Christ brings the bride before God, the Ancient of Days. Verse 22 helps to explain what takes place in verses 13 & 14.
23. What did the fourth beast represent? (Daniel 7:23). Was it different from all the other kingdoms? Will it devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces?
Note: The fourth beast is different than the previous three beasts from the standpoint that they do not have successive resurrections which is what the horns are representing. The fourth beast will devour huge parts of the whole earth but there will be a one hour nuclear war which prohibits it from subjugating the whole earth (Revelation 9:13-15, 18:10,17,19).
24. What does the ten horns represent? (Daniel 7:24). Will another little horn rise after them? Will he be different from the first ones? How many kings will he subdue?
Note: The ten horns represents the continuation of the rulership of the fourth beast after the original Roman Empire collapsed. "Another shall rise after them" represents rulership that is not political, it is religious, that is why it is different. This great religious leader headed up the Church at Rome after the fall of the Roman Empire.
25. Will he speak pompous words against the Most High? (Daniel 7:25). Will he persecute the saints of the Most High? Will he desire to change times and law? Will the saints be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time?
Note: Pompous words against the Most High is reference back to verse 11. This great religious leader and the Church of Rome caused the saints of the Most High to be persecuted throughout the middle ages, which is called the dark ages, due to the fact that God’s truth was suppressed throughout this time period. Times and laws were changed in that the day of worship was changed from the seventh day Saturday Sabbath to Sunday the first day of the week. God’s appointed times, His seven annual Sabbaths or Holy Days were eliminated and called Jewish and they were supplanted by the pagan holidays of Christmas and Easter.
The reference to "Time and times and half a time" is referring to a three and half year period. This could be a time of tribulation when the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled (Luke 21:24) and the holy city is tread underfoot (Revelation 11:2).
26. Will the court be seated? (Daniel 7:26). Will he have his dominion taken away from him? Will his dominion be consumed and destroyed forever?
Note: Notice that the court will be seated. This refers back to verse 9 where God the Father, the Ancient of Days, was seated and in verse 10 it says "The court was seated and the books were opened." It is a time for judgment. Judgment is passed on the beast power (fourth beast) and on the great religious leader (the little horn) and their dominion will be taken away, consumed and destroyed forever. This refers back to verses 11-12.
27. Will the kingdom and dominion be given to the saints of the Most High? (Daniel 7:27). Will this kingdom be an everlasting kingdom? Will all dominions serve and obey Jesus Christ?
Note: Verse 27 is additional information to verses 13 & 14 which deals with the return of Jesus Christ and Him being presented to God the Father, and Him being coronated as King of kings and Lord of lords and "to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom."
Now the angel is telling Daniel that the kingdoms will be handed over to the saints of the Most High. We have not seen this in the vision that has been revealed to us, but it is in the angel’s explanation. From verse 27 we can conclude that the saints will be coronated at the same time that Jesus Christ will be coronated. He will be presenting His bride, the Church, the saints, to God the Father. He and the saints will be given the kingdom and dominion at the same time. The apostle Paul said that we are "heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:17). Paul also said that "We shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
28. Did Daniel’s thoughts trouble him greatly? (Daniel 7:28). Did his countenance change? Did he keep the matter in his heart and mind?
Scriptures
Scripture Reading:
Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts
(Daniel 7 NKJV) In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. {2} Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. {3} "And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. {4} "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. {5} "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!' {6} "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had 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, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. {8} "I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. {9} "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; {10} A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. {11} "I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. {12} "As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. {13} "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. {14} 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.
The Interpretation of the Dream
{15} "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. {16} "I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: {17} 'Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. {18} 'But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.' {19} "Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; {20} "and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. {21} "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, {22} "until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. {23} "Thus he said: 'The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. {24} The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. {25} He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. {26} 'But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. {27} Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.' {28} "This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart."
Golden Text:
Daniel 7:14 "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."
All Questions: See Scripture Reading.
2.) (Revelation 17:15 NKJV) Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
8.) (Genesis 1:26 NKJV) Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
(Genesis 5:1 NKJV) This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.
(Genesis 5:3 NKJV) And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
(Exodus 24:10 NKJV) and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.
(Ezekiel 1:26-27 NKJV) And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. {27} Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.
10. (Revelation 4:5-6 NKJV) And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. {6} Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
13. (Matthew 24:30 NKJV) "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
14. The Seventh Trumpet
23. (Revelation 9:13-15 NKJV) Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, {14} saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." {15} So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.
(Revelation 18:10 NKJV) "standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'
(Revelation 18:17 NKJV) 'For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance
(Revelation 18:19 NKJV) "They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'
25. (Revelation 11:2 NKJV) "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
(Luke 21:24 NKJV) "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.