LESSON 10 - Daniel’s Apocalyptic Message, Part 1—Daniel 7

The last six chapters of Daniel are markedly different from the first six. They are filled with apocalyptic language, a literary genre with which we are not familiar and cover material with which we are not familiar. Some of the messages were very disturbing to Daniel and we find them to be disturbing also. All of this leads to confusion and a tendency to avoid the study of Daniel 7-12. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. Through study we can become more familiar with these lesser known texts and over time become more comfortable.

Apocalyptic literature is uncommon in our time, but not unknown. The word “apocalyptic” comes from a Greek word meaning to reveal or disclose. Thus, the book of Revelation is sometimes called the Apocalypse. Biblical apocalyptic writing was written in a time of crisis to give comfort and hope to the readers. It is written in the knowledge that the present age is evil but that God has ultimate power and the goal of history is the kingdom of God. Apocalyptic style is characterized by revelations, symbolism and numbers, pessimism, a predetermined outcome of the ultimate triumph of God. It may also have teaching about right and wrong.

An overview of chapters 7-12 show a vision of beasts in chapter 7, a vision with a ram and a goat in chapter 8, a prayer of repentance and for the restoration of Jerusalem in chapter 9, and a vision of a man in chapter 10 who would reveal another vision in chapters 11 and 12 concerning the future of Israel. Fortunately, some parts are explained. However, there are many unanswered questions. The parts that are not explained provide fodder for wild and fanciful interpretations by many of the religious world.

Daniel has a vision of four great beasts in chapter 7. The setting of the chapter is the first year of Belshazzar (7:1), or 553 BC, so the events of chapter 7 occur before those in chapter 5. Daniel is not in chronological order.

The first beast was like a lion with the wings of an eagle that stood on two legs. The second was like a bear. The third was like a leopard which had four heads and wings. The fourth beast had iron teeth and was terrifying, frightening, and very powerful. It also had 10 horns.

As Daniel continues to describe the vision, he also saw the Ancient of Days (God) sitting on a throne. It was a majestic scene. Daniel watched as the first three beasts are stripped of their power and the fourth beast is slain and thrown into a blazing fire. “One like a son of man” came with clouds and was given authority and a kingdom that will never be destroyed.

Although it would be possible to make some guesses about the meaning of all the images in the vision, it is much easier because Daniel goes on to explain the vision in the last half of chapter 7. In fact, the explanation comes as the vision continues. Daniel asks someone in the vision the “true meaning of all of this.”

The four beasts are four kingdoms that will rise. These are the same four kingdoms that Daniel explains in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 (see the chart below).

SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS IN DANIEL

The ten horns represent kings of the fourth kingdom (Roman Empire). One of the kings (the little horn) will become more powerful and subdue three other kings. This king (the little horn) will speak against God. Notice, however, that God and his kingdom will be victorious in the end (see 7:18, 26-27).

One term that is difficult to understand, but used more than once in these last chapters of Daniel is “a time, times, and half a time” (7:25). This “time” likely refers to a year, so the expression would equal 2_ years. The NIV has a footnote with that reading.

It would be comforting if we could know exactly which kings the horns refer to, but that is very difficult to say with certainty. The important point is that God is supreme, the kingdoms of this world are judged and God’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

Open
• The vision Daniel saw in chapter 7 disturbed him (see 7:28). Does it disturb you? Why?
• Apocalyptic literature may be easier to understand than we make it if we look at the big picture? What is the big picture for the vision in chapter 7?

Examine

1. Review the characteristics of apocalyptic writings. How many of the characteristics do you see in this chapter?

2. What overall picture (sense) do you get from the description of the beasts?

3. Who is the son of man (7:13 ff.)?

4. Without knowing the actual time frame of the persecution in 7:25, what do you think is the point of the time mentioned?

Reflect and Apply

• Does any of Daniel’s vision give you comfort? Remember that you are reading it while knowing much of the outcome of those kingdoms. How would the vision have affected someone who has not already seen it in history? That is how those who listened to Daniel heard the vision. They could only imagine what would happen.