Fifty Two Weeks / Daniel 7

Future History

Tradition is a powerful force. 

The book of Daniel is so remarkable in its outline of the future that the enemy brought great forces to bear against it in the 19^th century. The leaders of so called “higher criticism” decided they had uncovered a number of historical errors in this book. Consequently they theorized that the reason so much of Daniel is so accurate is because it wasn’t actually written during the 6^th century B.C. as it claimed. It was likely written during the 2^nd century B.C. and the time of the Maccabees. The reasoning was that it was written to encourage the people of Israel during a time of great stress. This would explain how the prophecies concerning Babylon, Persia, and Greece, were so accurate as well as being able to foresee the rise of Rome. The proof of this late date of authorship was found in the “historical errors” made by the writer. It was assumed that someone writing in the true 6^th century would not have used some of the words Daniel used and would have created such characters as Darius and Belshazzar. 

This became established dogma among the “higher” BIble critics.

Along comes the 20^th century and more discoveries. There was Darius placed over Babylon after its conquest by Cyrus. And, yes, there was a Belshazzar who served as co-regent during the fall of Babylon to Cyrus. Not only that, but this explains why he could only offer to make someone the “third highest” in the kingdom when he needed to have the writing on the wall interpreted. Furthermore, the Greek words found in Daniel concern musical instruments which were present across the Middle East at that time. In fact, only someone writing in the true 6^th century B.C. Would have been likely to know these facts which were lost, if not by the 2^nd century B.C. then certainly by the 19^th century A.D. 

(For a fuller insight into this question I highly recommend Joyce G. Baldwin’s fine commentary on the book of Daniel from the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.)

Therefore, the errors of the 19^th century have been refuted and put to bed, right? Would that it were that easy. As I mentioned earlier, “Tradition is a powerful force.” To admit that Daniel was actually written 600 years before Christ is tantamount to admitting that the God of the Bible is real and the things He claimed to do, He actually did.

Chapter Seven

Several of the chapters in the book of Daniel contain remarkable accounts of future events. They mainly concern a grand sweep of Western military and political events. While there were great empires in the East as well (and possibly in the Americas also) these did not directly concern the people of Israel. Israel is the lynchpin of such history because it was through them that the ultimate world ruler has come and will come.

Other chapters go into far more detail but this chapter gives a broad outline of the empires affecting the West and the Middle East from Daniel’s time to the end. 

The Outline

Daniel sees four beasts representing four empires. 

• Lion - Babylon
• Bear - Medo-Persia
• Leopard - Greece
• Beast - Rome

Babylon was still ascendent during the time of this dream. The Lion and what happened to him is highly reminiscent of what happened to Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4. The kingdom of Medo-Persia was next and is more fully developed in chapter 8 as is the third kingdom of Greece. It is interesting to note that after the death of Alexander the Great his kingdom was divided among four generals and continued as four separate kingdoms until the time of Rome. Thus, the Leopard had four wings and four heads.

It was the fourth beast that captured Daniel’s attention. This one was unlike the others. It was powerful, terrifying, and frightening. In other chapters we learn that this kingdom doesn’t actually cease to exist until the end but it does sort of morph into a weird mixture. It can be easily argued on many levels that the Roman empire exists to this very day. Certainly its influence still weighs heavily on the world.

The beginning of the end for this final beast is heralded by the appearance of a final ruler who seems to be more successful than any before him. (For those who still cling to the theory that Daniel was written during the time of the Maccabees know that this ruler cannot be Antiochus Epiphanies because he comes from Rome, not Greece.) Without going too deeply into it let me just say that this “little horn” is synonymous with the one known as the “Beast” in Revelation and elsewhere as the “Man of Lawlessness” and the “Antichrist”.

One Like a Son of Man

So much confusion and ruthlessness. So many beasts. This sounds like a dangerous painful fallen world; which it is. But it will not last.

After all of the chaos and beasts there is finally revealed order. The thrones are set in place. The Ancient of Days sits in judgment. Then He is revealed; not a beast, but one like a Son of Man. Then comes 39 of the most truly awesome an d wonderful words ever delivered.

“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

Yes! Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.