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Daniel 7:5 “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’”
THE vision of the winged lion is gone, and the bear vision appears. Note it is raised on one side, demonstrating in the one beast one side is stronger than the other. This reflects the superior power of the Persians in the one Mede-Persian empire. The three ribs likely symbolize Babylon, Egypt and Lydia, three countries the Medes and Persians would conquer. There are typically various interpretations of these and other visions throughout Daniel. What is very clear, though, and the lesson we must continue to learn is that the Lord God readily reveals his plan for new nations to rise up and conquer the old. The appetite for more is never satisfied in the prideful and power-hungry world. This is one of sin’s great curses on mankind. Throughout history from the time Eve and Adam desired more, to the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, to the conquests of Babylon, Rome and to this very day, nation upon nation has sought to conquer and control. Evil empires devour peaceful countries. Religion-based radicals force others to join them. The one who has the most power wins. But we know this worldly “win” lasts only briefly. The LORD’s Kingdom will forever reign: Daniel 7:15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.’” Such histories as Daniel, 1 & 2 Kings and Judges demonstrate the messenger’s truth as God destroys those who oppose him. The future prophecies of Old Testament and New Testament writers confirm this will continue to happen until Christ returns. God’s way is to raise righteous men and women to fulfill his redemptive plan on earth. He has and will empower leaders to reveal his truth, conquer evil and establish his rule. Our task in the church is to believe the Bible’s history and God’s prophetic Word. We are to boldly and confidently live in the truth that the victory belongs to the Lord. Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Daniel 7:1-4 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his 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. 4 The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.”
DANIEL has interpreted others dreams and visions. In these next chapters we will read and learn from God’s direct dreams and visions to Daniel. This scripture takes us back in time. Recall Daniel 6 ended with Darius of Persia ending King Belshazzar’s reign. But now we have returned to the first year of Belshazzar’s reign. Persia has not yet conquered Babylon. To help understand the visions, it will help to read all of Daniel 7. Some of the mid to last verses will help explain these first verses. First, I think you will recognize the dream is very similar to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the different metals statue in Daniel 2. Its meaning also relates to the rise and fall of world empires. The visions are also very much as those Isaiah, Ezekiel and John (in Revelation) saw and recorded. To begin, the winds represent God’s power. The sea symbolizes the mass of humanity. The four great beasts are four kings, representing four nations. Each has non-human traits that prophesy particular aspects of their future. As the gold top of the statue in Daniel 2 represented Babylon, so does the first beast. Statues of huge winged lions guarded the royal Babylon palaces. The lion and eagle were national symbols. The prophecy points to Babylon’s end as the lion’s wings are clipped. It receives the heart of a man and stands as a man to indicate Babylon’s rulers will lose their power to rule. God will end Babylon’s rule to make way for Darius’ compassion for the Jews. Is there something not of God that rules your life? Do anxiety, fear, depression, indifference or sadness control your emotions and your actions? Be assured your compassionate Father in heaven has opened to you the rule of his love and grace. As Jesus taught on the prodigal son, he described his heavenly father: Luke 15:20 So the prodigal got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” The Father ruled Babylon and ended its power over his people, so they could go home. The Father rules the world to end sin’s power, so you can go home to him. Mark 1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Daniel 6:23-28 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them. 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
HERE again is an image of the Christ to come who will redeem the world. Out of the cave comes God’s faithful servant. Daniel is set free from death through God’s power in the lion’s den. Then the earthly king judges the wicked, and the accused Daniel is made innocent and glorified to Persia’s throne. As did Nebuchadnezzar earlier, Darius praises God with the powerful confession, “He rescues and he saves.” Daniel prospered under Darius’ favor. It is quite possible this event led to Darius’ determination to release the Jews from exile to rebuild their home and temple in Jerusalem. Out of the tomb, Christ has come. Raised by the Spirit, the Father has elevated the Son who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:22) From there we learn in Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. The Holy Triune God demonstrates to an accusing world his dominion is supreme and forever. As we labor in a world opposing, accusing world, let’s always know who holds the future in his hands. Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
AuthorBob James Archives
November 2024
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