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Daniel 7

Sermon Notes

MESSAGE NOTES

Unshakeable: A Faith That Won’t Fold - Part 10

“There is A Throne” - Daniel 7



Introduction: In the last 6 chapters of the book of Daniel, God wants his people to know that there are going to be some hard times of opposition and persecution coming for His people, and they can have hope no matter what happens. God gives to Daniel a series of visions about different kingdoms which will rule that region of the world.  There will be difficult times for God’s people during the 500 plus years to the time when the Roman Empire is in power and persecuting God’s people.  However, in the visions are also images of God who reigns, and so the people can live with hope.

 

Apocalyptic Literature: Apocalyptic Literature is the hardest parts of the Bible to interpret. So, our approach for the study of Daniel 7-12 is to study it from the perspective of what the writer intended to convey, what the original listener or reader heard or understood it to mean, and how the early Christian church looking back interpreted it. Apocalyptic literature shows us that the kingdoms and chaos and evil of this world will be replaced by the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ, and so God’s people can persevere in our faith and live with hope.



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Daniel’s dream and vision of four beasts.  – Daniel 7:1-8

 

All four kingdoms are represented by beasts of prey, warlike and aggressive.

 

  • The Four Beasts represent four successive world powers that arise from the "sea" (a symbol of chaos) and are tumultuous nations.
    • Lion with Eagle Wings: Generally interpreted as Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar), known for speed and ferocity, later losing its strength
    • Bear: Generally interpreted as Medo-Persia, often depicted as slow but crushing.
    • Leopard with Four Heads/Wings: Generally interpreted as the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, which split into four parts.
    • Terrifying Fourth Beast with Ten Horns: Traditionally interpreted as the Roman Empire — intimidating, brutal, strong, and violent toward followers of God. 

 

NOTE: There is a lot of disagreement on what nation this 4th Beast is and who the horns and the little horn represent.

 

Main Interpretive Approaches:

  • Preterist: Views all events, including the "little horn," as having taken place in the past, largely during the time of Antiochus IV (175-164 B.C).
  • Futurist: Interprets the fourth beast and the little horn as a future, end-times power.
  • Historist: Sees the four beasts as a linear progression of world history (Babylon-Rome) with some of the events also taking place at the end of time. 

 

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Daniel’s dream and vision of the heavenly reality. – Daniel 7:9-14

 

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The interpretation of the vision of four beasts and the Ancient of Days. – Daniel 7:15-28 

 

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What this means for followers of God:

 

There are forces in this world that are hostile to God, and they are quite powerful, and they are very real, and therefore, the people of God can expect opposition, dangerous suffering, and persecution. God’s people can expect this and when it comes, they’re not to be surprised or tempted to give up. There is a spiritual war being waged so expect serious problems.

 

BUT There Is a Throne and God reigns! We can persevere to the end knowing that God is infinite and holds all power (Daniel’s picture of God). The Son of Man (Jesus) has come and will return one day, and his justice will set right all injustices, and we will give him the worship and praise he deserves for all eternity.

 

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Taking It Home

We encourage you to take a few minutes today and this week to process this morning’s message.  These questions are designed for discussion with your family, a friend, mentor, spouse, and small group.  They are also useful for self-reflection.

  1. What stands out to you in these passages from the Bible? From the message?

  2. What is difficult for you to understand or accept in these passages from the Bible?  From the message?

  3. What is God saying in these passages and through what we heard in the message about Himself? About people? About you?
  4. What examples are there to follow, commands to obey, or promises to stand on from these passages in the Bible, and from what we heard in the message?