PHIL HARRIS | Seeker of Truth
Introduction
In the book of Daniel, chapter 7 and onward, Daniel records visions that were given directly to him by God. In the whole of chapter seven we will come to see that it parallels Nebuchadnezzar’s dream recorded in chapter two. Both culminate when the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the eternal Lord of lords and King of kings. While the two dreams cover the same empires and prophecies, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 is seen from mankind’s viewpoint; from chapter 7 onward, however, we see these things from God’s viewpoint.
Here in the first half of Daniel chapter 7 we have the account of Daniel’s dream. Then in verses 15-28 Daniel is given the meaning of this dream, which will be the commentary of the next blog.
Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.—Daniel 7:1–3
Daniel indicates that he was given this dream before the fall of Belshazzar king of Babylon. That fact also means this prophetic dream was given to Daniel before he spent a night in the den of lions. Furthermore, to have visions suggests he was laying awake in bed at the time of this dream.
This dream centers upon four great beasts that come up out of the sea. Many commentators believe that this sea was the Mediterranean—the sea nearest Babylon.
The four winds of heaven give a picture of a storm of great violence. If there were any ships, they would all be in danger of sinking. From this violent storm, four great beasts, all different from each other, emerge.
According to Strong’s #2423, the word underlying ‘beasts’ denotes a ‘beast, animal’, meaning they are non-human creatures. These beasts represent the rulers of nations over which they have corrupt authority. The mention of beasts with the same understanding is also to be found in Revelation chapter 13.
The traditional view has been that these four beasts represent the four kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter two. However, notice that instead of kingdoms we see beasts that come up out of a violent stormy sea.
The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.—Daniel 7:4
For example, the words “like a lion” is a simile, a figure of speech meaning that this beast is not an actual lion, but that is has the characteristics of a lion: fierceness, predation, strength, authority. A lion and an eagle are both powerful predators, and this beast that is like a lion with eagle’s wings has the characteristics of a lion’s strength and an eagle’s swiftness and ease of movement. He then is made to stand like a man and is given a human-like mind, making him even more dangerous.
And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, “Arise, devour much flesh.”—Daniel. 7:5
Again, this beast is not a real bear. This beast does as he is told—meaning he does what he is commanded to do. The implication is made that he eats human flesh.
After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.—Daniel 7:6
As before, this beast is not a real leopard. It is interesting to note that the leopard has authority to rule.
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. —Daniel 7:7
Now we are told that the appearance of these beasts came to Daniel in a series of “night visions”—likely he is awake as this dream unfolds before him.
As compared to the other beasts, the fourth beast is simply said to be terrifying and dreadful. As it comes up out of the sea it has ten horns.
I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. —Daniel 7:8
Now let’s look at the corresponding passage in Revelation:
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”—Revelation 13:1–4
The phrase “a beast rising out of the sea” found here in Revelation is a clear reference to what was first recorded in Daniel chapter 7. Taken together, we get a fuller understanding of what has the appearance of being end-time events.
Ancient of Days Reigns
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. —Daniel 7:9-10
Since only God is eternal, the phrase “Ancient of Days” is simply another title for the one and only true God. This passage is a description of who He is and what He does.
Revelation 1:8 is where Jesus speaks to the apostle John and identifies Himself as the author of Revelation in the phrase “the Alpha and the Omega”. This designation has the same meaning as “Ancient of Days’:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”—Revelation 1:8
The phase “the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened” appears to be describing the Great White Throne judgment where those whose names are not in the book of life are thrown into the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:11-15).
A Season and a Time
“I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.”—Daniel. 7:11-12
We learn here that the terrible fourth beast will be burned with fire while the lives of the other beasts are prolonged for a short time. Whatever these beasts are, their coming temporary existence on earth will be very real.
Son of Man
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.”—Daniel 7:13
“The clouds of heaven” is a picture of something real, yet it is not physical. It is a picture of where God is. The one who is “like a son of man” can only be Jesus the Son of God, and the “Ancient of Days” would then be God the Father in this context.
This description of one like a son of man is in view on the night Jesus was betrayed. Matthew gives this account:
But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”—(Matthew 26:63-64)
From this passage we learn that Jesus the Son of God is also the Son of Man.
Everlasting Dominion
And 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 one that shall not be destroyed. —Daniel 7:14
Jesus is our eternal Lord of lords and King of kings:
And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”—Revelation 17:12-14
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.—Philippians 2:9-11
Summation
- The first six chapters of Daniel are largely biographical, centered around historical events. Of course, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter two was an exception to this pattern.
- Chapter 7 is to be covered in two parts with this commentary focusing on the first fourteen verses, without jumping ahead to what is to be covered in the next blog where Daniel’s vision is interpreted.
- In chapter 7 we have the record of the first dream given directly to Daniel. Since God gave him this dream in the form of visions, Daniel was awake at the time and would actually have seen the four beasts graphically come up out of a violent, stormy sea.
- Daniel, like all true prophets of God, records exactly what he sees in this dream. He must have been shocked by the manifestation of these beasts.
- When we see phrases such as “like a lion” it is not an ordinary lion. However, it is to be understood that all four beasts, whatever they prove to be, are something very real bearing the characteristics of the beasts that represented them.
- These four creatures whom Daniel sees coming up from “the great sea” are said to be beasts; therefore, we should avoid thinking any of them could represent some certain evil human person.
- It is a comfort for the saints of God to know that when the “Ancient of Days” opens the books of heaven, all who are evil will be judged and eternally cast away.
—All references unless otherwise stated are taken from the ESV
- Daniel 8: Abomination of Desolation - December 5, 2024
- Daniel 7:15–28 • Everlasting Kingdom of the Most High - October 10, 2024
- Daniel 7:1–14: The Ancient of Days - August 15, 2024