The subject and study of future things (eschatology) is more than just a casual interest for most people. Interestingly, individuals with comparable backgrounds may have different ideas about what is to come. One Christian woman once remarked to another, “I have taken a single ticket to Glory, and do not intend to come back.” Her sister in Christ replied: “You are going to miss a lot. I have taken a return ticket, for I am not only going to meet Christ in Glory, but I am coming back with him in power and great glory to the earth.” Were they talking about the same future, or something different? There is no inconsistency in what they were saying, but a differing emphasis on details.
A former US Secretary of State once spoke of future events, but a future that would never happen. John Foster Dulles once remarked: “Peace is often identified with the imposition by strong nations of their benevolent rule upon the weaker. Most of these efforts collapsed in war. The best known effort of this kind was the Pax Romana. And a Pax Britannica for a century kept relative peace and a world order which promoted worldwide economic development. But the world of today is very different from the world of past centuries. It cannot be ruled.”
[1] He had forgotten the millennial reign of Christ.
Reality, objective reality, has a way of subverting our subjective ideals. If we were on track with our visions of the future as present in the World’s Fair and Epcott displays of even 30 years ago, we are supposed to be living in an Jetsons-friendly environment today. Where are the hover cars? Where are the moving sidewalks and sterile mechanized homes of the jet-age? Perhaps it is best we did not get our way because either Orwell or Huxley would be right.
Daniel 7, the record of visions, actually begins with “a flashback to 553 b.c., fourteen years before the feast of 5:1–3; chapters 7 and 8 occur after chapter 4 but before chapter 5.”
[2] Daniel see four beasts: the first like a lion with eagle’s wings (representing a king of the earth); the second like a bear raised up on one side with three ribs in his mouth (representing another king of the earth); the third like a four-headed leopard with four bird-like wings (representing yet another king of the earth). The fourth beast is only described as dreadful, strong, having devouring iron teeth, bronze nails, trampling feet and ten horns plus one very unusual horn (representing a kingdom, a dominion). It’s horns represents kings.
We know what a lion looks like and are able to picture eagle’s wings, so it is not too difficult to depict the griffin-like creature. We also know what a bear looks like and it is not hard to imagine one eating. Imagination is stretched as we construct a four-headed, four-winged leopard. The fourth beast is almost without comprehension. We have no point of comparison.
There is another personality in Daniel’s vision. “
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; 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.” (Daniel 7:9-10)
In previous chapters we have been introduced to national leaders who were not only troubled with dreams and visions of their own, but called upon Daniel to describe and explain the visions. Now, here Daniel, a national leader, is disturbed by a vision of his own. Where does he turn for comfort and explanation? Within the vision itself, Daniel turns to one who is standing by for ministry. Where have we seen this before in Daniel’s ministry, a spiritual being standing with the faithful? Despite the ministry of explanation, Daniel was troubled and it showed on his face, though he kept the matter to himself.
John’s vision of Revelation 13 shares more than passing similarities with Daniel’s vision. Here we find a beast that is not merely identical (out of the sea, many heads, horns, etc.) but has also taken on the attributes of the beasts it has consumed and trampled (lion, leopard, bear). The blasphemous horn made war and prevailed against the saints (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7). This beast may have the horns of a lamb, but those that worship him will not worship the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Eschatology often evokes anxious feelings because we like certainty. What is to come is out of our grasp—but so is the present. The past is gone. Remember that the first dream of Nebuchadnezzar was revealed to Daniel who prayed. While we may be tempted to worry about what is to come, specifically when it comes to the way the saints will be treated by those who despise the Lamb of God, we must be encouraged:
God is He who is blessed forever and ever;
God is He to whom wisdom and power belong;
God is He who changes the times and epochs;
God is He who removes and establishes kings;
God is He who gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding;
God is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
God is He knows what is in the darkness;
God is He where light dwells.
God is He who receives thanks and praise,
God is He who gives wisdom and power;
God is He who makes known what is requested because He knows the matter of kings.
[3]The point of the passage is not to overwhelm with the intricacies of the vision nor exalt the blasphemous by being swept up in its mystery. What do we find here that helps us in walk in obedience and righteousness with our Lord? We find only one exalted throne to whom every knee bows. The point of the passage concerns “
One like the Son of Man . . . to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, which 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.” (7:13-14) The beast rages against The Exalted One and His saints, the heirs to the kingdom as all dominions serve and obey the Ancient of Days.
Daniel 7 says, “God rules over all kingdoms.” That is troubling, for our personal kingdoms must submit. The dramatic symbolism should be disturbing as through mythological imagery and sanctified imagination depicts the passing of time, the movement of history into one great consummation. Presently, consider how since ancient time men and women of all cultures have been trying to cast off God’s rule and make a kingdom of their own—can it last? Obviously not. Read
Psalm 2:1-6 and see what God’s response is. We don’t know what to think of the world that has become something we did not dream about.
The vision communicates The One who is to be feared, reverenced and awed in contrast against the beasts. We see God as judge, with open books before Him. Who is to be feared: beasts or judge? The beasts merely represent nations of the earth (whoever they may be—does the Eagle mean Babylon or America?) and God is the judge of the nations. He has existed from eternity past. The nations only rise and fall.
We don’t know what is written in the books. Of all that is explained in the vision, this is one feature that goes without explanation. Whatever is written therein is connected to the pronounced judgment against the dominions. The fourth beast is judged first. “They might tyrant who mocks and blasphemes against Almighty God and who crushes and kills God’s people will himself be consumed.”
[4]Since scripture is inspired to teach, what principle is here but that God is the Sovereign Lord?
Since scripture is inspired to also reprove, how do we fail to live under His rule?
Since scripture is inspired to correct, what must you do to live under His rule?
Because scripture is inspired to train, what do you need to do to live under His rule?
Once the beasts are removed from the scene the Son of Man comes with the clouds of heaven. To Him is given all dominion, glory and an everlasting kingdom, to be served by the nations. No wonder Daniel was perplexed (he had already experienced one invasion and deportation) as the dominions of the earth are swept aside, to see the one who stood in the fire with his friends reign in a universal, everlasting, God-authorized, glorified, earthly kingdom representing a new humanity. The vision depicts the fallen mighty before the Son of Man.
************
[1]Tan, Paul Lee. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: [A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers]. Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979.
[2]MacArthur, John. Daniel: God's Control Over Rulers and Nations. MacArthur Bible studies, Page 71. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2000.
[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update, Da 2:20-23. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[4] Russell, D. “Daniel.” Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1981.
