The Future is Here
Daniel 7:1-14
Message #9
The first six chapters of Daniel are kind of Daniel’s biography. We’ve had some prophetic sections (like Chapter 2), but mostly we’ve had a great time living Daniel’s life with him, and there have been some great lessons. But here at Chapter 7, things change pretty drastically because the second half of Daniel is all prophecy. One of the great things the Holy Spirit does for us right here is he (again) gives us a panorama – a bird’s eye view – of the history of the world and God’s ultimate plan. This is so great because it helps us understand the big picture of what is really going on in the world.
God’s already done this once, in Daniel Chapter 2, with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue of a man. And now to begin the formal “prophecy half” of Daniel, God’s going to give us that same prophetic overview again. But this time, it’s from God’s perspective, not man’s perspective.
Most prophecy scholars agree the second half of Daniel provides the most comprehensive (and detailed) prophecies in the Old Testament. We’re going to start with a comprehensive overview of the end-times prophetic events, and then once we understand that, we’ll dig into some of the exciting (and a few scary) details of our prophetic future.
Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream from Daniel Chapter 2? It was a huge statue of a man, made out of four metals, from gold to iron mixed with clay. Then a rock, not made by human hands, flew into the feet of clay and smashed the statue to bits. That same rock became a great mountain that covered the entire earth. And Daniel explained to Nebuchadnezzar that the different metals represented the four major “world-ruling empires” from Babylon to a revived Roman Empire. Then the Rock (Jesus Christ) smashes all the world empires and sets up the Kingdom of Heaven that will last forever. Remember?
Well, that was the history of the world from man’s perspective. Now, in Chapter 7, we’re going to see the same history of the world, but from God’s perspective. This is something that God does a lot. He teaches the same lesson from two different perspectives. I believe he does it primarily because he wants us to get it. So he tells us twice from two different perspectives, to give us every chance to grasp what’s happening. So, we’re going to go over (again) the summary view of the history of the world, but from God’s perspective.
Daniel 7:1 (NLT)
1 Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.
The NLT says “earlier” because this dream occurred “earlier” during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, who we saw die at the end of Chapter 5. (So, between Chapters 4 and 5.)
Daniel 7:2 (NLT)
2 In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction.
The sea is used throughout the Bible as the nations of the world or the mass (sea) of humanity. And so the sea of humanity is in a great storm with strong winds blowing from every direction. We think the sea of humanity is getting it all together – we just have to fix that global warming problem – and we’re good to go. But God sees the world in a great storm with strong winds blowing from every direction. And then out of that great storm of humanity, verse 3 says:
Daniel 7:3 (NLT)
3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.
Remember, this time, it’s from God’s perspective. When Nebuchadnezzar saw the history of the world, he saw it as a huge man, like we always see ourselves and our world. But here’s how God sees the history of the world, as beasts of immorality, depravity, and brutality. (Just watch.)
Daniel 7:4 (NLT)
4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.
This vision parallels the statue dream in Chapter 2. So this first beast represents the world-ruling Empire of Babylon. The lion often represents royal power, and in fact, Babylon had winged lions guarding the gates of the royal palace. Jeremiah used a lion, and Ezekiel used an eagle to describe the Kingdom of Babylon. Daniel saw this beast become “man-like,” which is generally connected to Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in Chapter 4 when God radically humbled him. So, the first beast is the world-ruling Empire of Babylon.
Daniel 7:5 (NLT)
5 Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”
The second beast was the Medo-Persian Empire that conquered Babylon on the night that King Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall in Daniel Chapter 5. Represented by a bear, it was a huge and lumbering empire, being made up of the two empires, the Medes and the Persians. But it was ferocious and devoured other empires in its way. And it was lopsided (rearing up on one side) referring to the unfair balance of power the Persians had over the Medes (as history well documents.) We’re not exactly sure what the ribs in the bear’s mouth means, but we know this Empire regularly devoured other nations.
Now, there’s a cool thing here I’ve been trying to get in for the past few messages. In Isaiah 45, God makes it clear; this is the Empire he would use to conquer Babylon and send the Jews back to the Promised Land. Isaiah 45:13 even names Cyrus as the leader 150 years before Cyrus was born.
Isaiah 45:13 (NLT)
13 I will raise up Cyrus (Ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire) to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people— without seeking a reward! I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
And not only did Isaiah prophesy the name of the ruler who would do this, but Jeremiah perfectly prophesied exactly how it would happen. In Jeremiah 51, it says God would make all the officials of Babylon drunk (which was Belshazzar’s party), then he would dry up the river, and Babylon would fall, which is exactly how Babylon fell, as the Medo-Persian army came under the river gates.
The accuracy of God’s prophecy is mind-boggling. But God’s prophecy is not just God “knowing the future” like a fortune teller on Hollywood Blvd with a sandwich board. God knows the future because God has ordained the future. God knows the future because God has set the future in place. One of the great lessons of prophecy is knowing God is not only in control but has ordained and established exactly how this is all going to work out.
God knows
God is in control
God is bringing his plan to pass
If God can do that for the events of world history, don’t you think there’s a good chance he can do it in your life? Or, are you like, “God, I know you have 4,000 years of world history perfectly under control – but what about my life, what if you can’t handle directing my life?” If God can bring his plan to pass for the history of the world, God can bring his plan to pass for your life.
Moving on to beast number three.
Daniel 7:6 (NLT)
6 Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.
The Medo-Persian Empire ruled the world for over 200 years, until Alexander the Great and the Empire of Greece. Alexander the Great conquered the world like a leopard with wings. In eight years, Greece conquered 11,000 miles of territory. Alexander the Great had conquered the known world at 32 years old, and then he died – literally – of exhaustion. When Alexander the Great died, the Empire of Greece was divided up into four major divisions represented by the four heads on the leopard beast.
Finally, the fourth beast, which ultimately takes us to the end of the rule of man on earth.
Daniel 7:7 (NLT)
7 Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet . . .
This is the perfect description of the Empire of Rome. When Rome conquered Medo-Persian (and eventually the known world), they did it with the systematic destruction of everything in its path. Just like Daniel 7:7 says they would. The terror of Rome was unmatched, and of course, they were the hands that crucified the Lord Jesus.
The Roman Empire grew for 400 years, and then, Rome was never conquered. Rome fell from within, and really, it just slowly dissipated into the nations around it. Rome went from one “World Ruling” Empire to many “Self Ruling” Empires. Rome was never conquered; it just changed shape. It blended into the European Nations.
Now, back in Chapter 2, we saw the Roman Empire revived in the feet of the statue that was a mixture of iron and clay. But here, Daniel sees it a different way. We know there’s a huge passage of time between the first Roman Empire and the second (revived). But the prophets of God saw the future much more like looking at mountain tops from a great distance. If you line up two mountain top peaks and look from a great distance, they look like one is right behind the other. But when you get right up on them, you realize there is a great distance between them. That’s how Daniel, like many Old Testament prophets, is seeing this final world-ruling Empire. In the last half of verse 7, Daniel is seeing past the first mountain top of Rome, to the second, which is still in the future for us.
Daniel 7:7(b) (NLT)
7 . . . It (the 4th Beast) was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.
In the statue of the man in Chapter 2, the revived Roman Empire was the iron and clay mixture that had ten toes which God specifically pointed out. Here, those ten toes become the ten horns on this beast. And this beast was different from all the others, so different Daniel couldn’t say what it was “like.” But in Revelation Chapter 13, we get a picture of this fourth beast.
Revelation 13 describes this fourth beast and ties the fourth beast together with the three previous world empires.
Revelation 13:1–2 (NLT)
1 Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. (Same as in Daniel) It had seven heads and ten horns (there they are), with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.
2 This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! . . .
Those are the three previous world-ruling empires. Meaning this fourth beast is the final conglomeration of the four main world-ruling empires of mankind. But the end of verse 2 is the eye-opening part.
Revelation 13:2 . . . And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.
In the final revived Roman Empire (the final Empire of man), the devil (dragon in Revelation 13) will give that Empire his own power, his own throne, and his own authority, and that is the Empire the Antichrist will come from.
And that is who Daniel sees next in his vision (turn back to Daniel 7).
Daniel 7:8 (NLT)
8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
This is the Antichrist. We’ll return to discuss this “Little Horn” in detail next week because Daniel asks for an interpretation of him. But for today, this is the Antichrist; he rises up or appears among the original ten horns. And three of the first horns are torn out to make room for him. The eyes and mouth are to make it clear this “Little Horn” is human, and he has a mouth that is boasting arrogantly.
Remember, this is an overview of the end times and the rise of the Antichrist. If you’re saying, “That’s not enough detail,” we will fill in the details starting next message.
So, now Daniel is looking at the last world-ruling Empire, and the Antichrist has risen to power through the revived Roman Empire, and suddenly the scene switches to heaven. It’s like a video game with a split-screen. In the bottom half, Daniel sees the beasts on the earth; in the top half, Daniel sees something else – in heaven.
Daniel 7:9-10 (NLT)
9 I watched as thrones were put in place, and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,
10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.
Now THAT is AWESOME. The thrones of heaven were put in place, and the “Ancient of Days” sat down to judge. This is God the Father, and this is an awesome scene in heaven. Now, this is the only place in the Bible that God the Father is described like this, so we know it’s symbolic, but still, it is awesome! The Ancient of Days comes into the throne room. His clothing is white as wool. His hair is white like pure wool. And I especially like the end of verse 9 – He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire. (AWESOME!) But that’s not all. Verse 10 says a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence, and millions of angels ministered to him, and many millions stood to attend to him. That is as awesome as it gets, and all that fire represents God’s judgment.
I don’t care what happens on this earth, that’s my heavenly father. That’s him! That’s my Abba Father, and I belong to him!! That’s what’s really happening, that’s what’s really going on. So all I have to do is keep that in perfectly clear focus, keep that on the top half of my screen, and whatever’s happening on the bottom half, I can deal with. And that is exactly what Daniel is doing! He’s keeping his eyes set on the heavenly scene.
We continue in Daniel 7:
Daniel 7:11 (NLT)
11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech . . .
So, he’s hearing from the bottom half, but he’s keeping his focus on the top half, and here’s what he sees.
Daniel 7:11(b) (NLT)
11 . . . I kept watching until the fourth beast (final World-Ruling Empire of the Anti-Christ) was killed and its body was destroyed by fire.
Do you really understand who wins this game in the end? Are you really sure you are on his side?
In verse 12, Daniel connects all the world-ruling empires, just like John does in Revelation 13.
Daniel 7:12 (NLT)
12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.
This seems to be referring to man’s rule of the earth continuing until the final rule of the Antichrist.
And then lastly for today, the grand entrance of the only One who (Revelation Chapter 5) is worthy to take title deed of the earth.
The One who will ultimately rule all the nations of the earth
The One whose rule is eternal
The One whose kingdom will never be destroyed
Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven (which is how Jesus describes His own return in Mark 14). He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty (as in ‘rule’) over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
Jesus Christ is given – by the Father –
All authority, honor, and sovereign rule
Over all the nations of the world
So that all the world will obey him as Lord
And His rule will be eternal
That is the end of the history of the Empires of this World.
Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)
15 . . . “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
That is how all this ends. It’s not Republican or Democrat. It’s not Democracy or ISIS. It’s not one religion over another… In the end the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! And he will reign forever!
The only question is – will you reign with him? The Bible repeatedly says those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ will reign with him.
Will you? Really?
Have you put your full faith in Jesus Christ, surrendering your life to him completely? If so, you will be reigning with him in his eternal kingdom. If not, you will not even be there.
But God’s promise is sure.
Romans 10:13 (NLT)
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
God’s already done this once, in Daniel Chapter 2, with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue of a man. And now to begin the formal “prophecy half” of Daniel, God’s going to give us that same prophetic overview again. But this time, it’s from God’s perspective, not man’s perspective.
Most prophecy scholars agree the second half of Daniel provides the most comprehensive (and detailed) prophecies in the Old Testament. We’re going to start with a comprehensive overview of the end-times prophetic events, and then once we understand that, we’ll dig into some of the exciting (and a few scary) details of our prophetic future.
Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream from Daniel Chapter 2? It was a huge statue of a man, made out of four metals, from gold to iron mixed with clay. Then a rock, not made by human hands, flew into the feet of clay and smashed the statue to bits. That same rock became a great mountain that covered the entire earth. And Daniel explained to Nebuchadnezzar that the different metals represented the four major “world-ruling empires” from Babylon to a revived Roman Empire. Then the Rock (Jesus Christ) smashes all the world empires and sets up the Kingdom of Heaven that will last forever. Remember?
Well, that was the history of the world from man’s perspective. Now, in Chapter 7, we’re going to see the same history of the world, but from God’s perspective. This is something that God does a lot. He teaches the same lesson from two different perspectives. I believe he does it primarily because he wants us to get it. So he tells us twice from two different perspectives, to give us every chance to grasp what’s happening. So, we’re going to go over (again) the summary view of the history of the world, but from God’s perspective.
Daniel 7:1 (NLT)
1 Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.
The NLT says “earlier” because this dream occurred “earlier” during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, who we saw die at the end of Chapter 5. (So, between Chapters 4 and 5.)
Daniel 7:2 (NLT)
2 In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction.
The sea is used throughout the Bible as the nations of the world or the mass (sea) of humanity. And so the sea of humanity is in a great storm with strong winds blowing from every direction. We think the sea of humanity is getting it all together – we just have to fix that global warming problem – and we’re good to go. But God sees the world in a great storm with strong winds blowing from every direction. And then out of that great storm of humanity, verse 3 says:
Daniel 7:3 (NLT)
3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.
Remember, this time, it’s from God’s perspective. When Nebuchadnezzar saw the history of the world, he saw it as a huge man, like we always see ourselves and our world. But here’s how God sees the history of the world, as beasts of immorality, depravity, and brutality. (Just watch.)
Daniel 7:4 (NLT)
4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.
This vision parallels the statue dream in Chapter 2. So this first beast represents the world-ruling Empire of Babylon. The lion often represents royal power, and in fact, Babylon had winged lions guarding the gates of the royal palace. Jeremiah used a lion, and Ezekiel used an eagle to describe the Kingdom of Babylon. Daniel saw this beast become “man-like,” which is generally connected to Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in Chapter 4 when God radically humbled him. So, the first beast is the world-ruling Empire of Babylon.
Daniel 7:5 (NLT)
5 Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”
The second beast was the Medo-Persian Empire that conquered Babylon on the night that King Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall in Daniel Chapter 5. Represented by a bear, it was a huge and lumbering empire, being made up of the two empires, the Medes and the Persians. But it was ferocious and devoured other empires in its way. And it was lopsided (rearing up on one side) referring to the unfair balance of power the Persians had over the Medes (as history well documents.) We’re not exactly sure what the ribs in the bear’s mouth means, but we know this Empire regularly devoured other nations.
Now, there’s a cool thing here I’ve been trying to get in for the past few messages. In Isaiah 45, God makes it clear; this is the Empire he would use to conquer Babylon and send the Jews back to the Promised Land. Isaiah 45:13 even names Cyrus as the leader 150 years before Cyrus was born.
Isaiah 45:13 (NLT)
13 I will raise up Cyrus (Ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire) to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people— without seeking a reward! I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
And not only did Isaiah prophesy the name of the ruler who would do this, but Jeremiah perfectly prophesied exactly how it would happen. In Jeremiah 51, it says God would make all the officials of Babylon drunk (which was Belshazzar’s party), then he would dry up the river, and Babylon would fall, which is exactly how Babylon fell, as the Medo-Persian army came under the river gates.
The accuracy of God’s prophecy is mind-boggling. But God’s prophecy is not just God “knowing the future” like a fortune teller on Hollywood Blvd with a sandwich board. God knows the future because God has ordained the future. God knows the future because God has set the future in place. One of the great lessons of prophecy is knowing God is not only in control but has ordained and established exactly how this is all going to work out.
God knows
God is in control
God is bringing his plan to pass
If God can do that for the events of world history, don’t you think there’s a good chance he can do it in your life? Or, are you like, “God, I know you have 4,000 years of world history perfectly under control – but what about my life, what if you can’t handle directing my life?” If God can bring his plan to pass for the history of the world, God can bring his plan to pass for your life.
Moving on to beast number three.
Daniel 7:6 (NLT)
6 Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.
The Medo-Persian Empire ruled the world for over 200 years, until Alexander the Great and the Empire of Greece. Alexander the Great conquered the world like a leopard with wings. In eight years, Greece conquered 11,000 miles of territory. Alexander the Great had conquered the known world at 32 years old, and then he died – literally – of exhaustion. When Alexander the Great died, the Empire of Greece was divided up into four major divisions represented by the four heads on the leopard beast.
Finally, the fourth beast, which ultimately takes us to the end of the rule of man on earth.
Daniel 7:7 (NLT)
7 Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet . . .
This is the perfect description of the Empire of Rome. When Rome conquered Medo-Persian (and eventually the known world), they did it with the systematic destruction of everything in its path. Just like Daniel 7:7 says they would. The terror of Rome was unmatched, and of course, they were the hands that crucified the Lord Jesus.
The Roman Empire grew for 400 years, and then, Rome was never conquered. Rome fell from within, and really, it just slowly dissipated into the nations around it. Rome went from one “World Ruling” Empire to many “Self Ruling” Empires. Rome was never conquered; it just changed shape. It blended into the European Nations.
Now, back in Chapter 2, we saw the Roman Empire revived in the feet of the statue that was a mixture of iron and clay. But here, Daniel sees it a different way. We know there’s a huge passage of time between the first Roman Empire and the second (revived). But the prophets of God saw the future much more like looking at mountain tops from a great distance. If you line up two mountain top peaks and look from a great distance, they look like one is right behind the other. But when you get right up on them, you realize there is a great distance between them. That’s how Daniel, like many Old Testament prophets, is seeing this final world-ruling Empire. In the last half of verse 7, Daniel is seeing past the first mountain top of Rome, to the second, which is still in the future for us.
Daniel 7:7(b) (NLT)
7 . . . It (the 4th Beast) was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.
In the statue of the man in Chapter 2, the revived Roman Empire was the iron and clay mixture that had ten toes which God specifically pointed out. Here, those ten toes become the ten horns on this beast. And this beast was different from all the others, so different Daniel couldn’t say what it was “like.” But in Revelation Chapter 13, we get a picture of this fourth beast.
Revelation 13 describes this fourth beast and ties the fourth beast together with the three previous world empires.
Revelation 13:1–2 (NLT)
1 Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. (Same as in Daniel) It had seven heads and ten horns (there they are), with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.
2 This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! . . .
Those are the three previous world-ruling empires. Meaning this fourth beast is the final conglomeration of the four main world-ruling empires of mankind. But the end of verse 2 is the eye-opening part.
Revelation 13:2 . . . And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.
In the final revived Roman Empire (the final Empire of man), the devil (dragon in Revelation 13) will give that Empire his own power, his own throne, and his own authority, and that is the Empire the Antichrist will come from.
And that is who Daniel sees next in his vision (turn back to Daniel 7).
Daniel 7:8 (NLT)
8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
This is the Antichrist. We’ll return to discuss this “Little Horn” in detail next week because Daniel asks for an interpretation of him. But for today, this is the Antichrist; he rises up or appears among the original ten horns. And three of the first horns are torn out to make room for him. The eyes and mouth are to make it clear this “Little Horn” is human, and he has a mouth that is boasting arrogantly.
Remember, this is an overview of the end times and the rise of the Antichrist. If you’re saying, “That’s not enough detail,” we will fill in the details starting next message.
So, now Daniel is looking at the last world-ruling Empire, and the Antichrist has risen to power through the revived Roman Empire, and suddenly the scene switches to heaven. It’s like a video game with a split-screen. In the bottom half, Daniel sees the beasts on the earth; in the top half, Daniel sees something else – in heaven.
Daniel 7:9-10 (NLT)
9 I watched as thrones were put in place, and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,
10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.
Now THAT is AWESOME. The thrones of heaven were put in place, and the “Ancient of Days” sat down to judge. This is God the Father, and this is an awesome scene in heaven. Now, this is the only place in the Bible that God the Father is described like this, so we know it’s symbolic, but still, it is awesome! The Ancient of Days comes into the throne room. His clothing is white as wool. His hair is white like pure wool. And I especially like the end of verse 9 – He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire. (AWESOME!) But that’s not all. Verse 10 says a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence, and millions of angels ministered to him, and many millions stood to attend to him. That is as awesome as it gets, and all that fire represents God’s judgment.
I don’t care what happens on this earth, that’s my heavenly father. That’s him! That’s my Abba Father, and I belong to him!! That’s what’s really happening, that’s what’s really going on. So all I have to do is keep that in perfectly clear focus, keep that on the top half of my screen, and whatever’s happening on the bottom half, I can deal with. And that is exactly what Daniel is doing! He’s keeping his eyes set on the heavenly scene.
We continue in Daniel 7:
Daniel 7:11 (NLT)
11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech . . .
So, he’s hearing from the bottom half, but he’s keeping his focus on the top half, and here’s what he sees.
Daniel 7:11(b) (NLT)
11 . . . I kept watching until the fourth beast (final World-Ruling Empire of the Anti-Christ) was killed and its body was destroyed by fire.
Do you really understand who wins this game in the end? Are you really sure you are on his side?
In verse 12, Daniel connects all the world-ruling empires, just like John does in Revelation 13.
Daniel 7:12 (NLT)
12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.
This seems to be referring to man’s rule of the earth continuing until the final rule of the Antichrist.
And then lastly for today, the grand entrance of the only One who (Revelation Chapter 5) is worthy to take title deed of the earth.
The One who will ultimately rule all the nations of the earth
The One whose rule is eternal
The One whose kingdom will never be destroyed
Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven (which is how Jesus describes His own return in Mark 14). He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty (as in ‘rule’) over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
Jesus Christ is given – by the Father –
All authority, honor, and sovereign rule
Over all the nations of the world
So that all the world will obey him as Lord
And His rule will be eternal
That is the end of the history of the Empires of this World.
Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)
15 . . . “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
That is how all this ends. It’s not Republican or Democrat. It’s not Democracy or ISIS. It’s not one religion over another… In the end the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! And he will reign forever!
The only question is – will you reign with him? The Bible repeatedly says those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ will reign with him.
Will you? Really?
Have you put your full faith in Jesus Christ, surrendering your life to him completely? If so, you will be reigning with him in his eternal kingdom. If not, you will not even be there.
But God’s promise is sure.
Romans 10:13 (NLT)
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”