56. BEASTS, KINGDOMS AND THE JUDGMENTIs judgement good or bad? It depends if your innocent or guilty.
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These days banking on computers requires secret passwords and encryption. Some banks even send a code to your cell phone to make sure that it is really you trying to access your account! Why? Because everyone knows that there are thieves, deceivers, and liars who pretend to be someone they really aren’t. Did you know God’s word says that a powerful liar would rise up and try to deceive the whole world? Who is this liar and what would he try to do? Let’s consider a story from Ottoman history, about a man who claimed he was someone he wasn't, to help us prepare for this lesson.
In 1648, when he was 22 years old, Sabbatai Zevi claimed that he was the long awaited Messiah. About the year 1651 after acquiring several followers, the rabbis of Smyrna (today's İzmir) banished him and his disciples. In 1658 while in Constantinople, he met a preacher named Ha-Yakini who con rmed Sabbatai's messianic mission. Evidence suggests that Ha-Yakini forged a manuscript using archaic characters and apocolyptic language to declare that Sab- batai was called by God. This fabricated document was titled "The Great Wisdom of Solomon". The manuscript began with a ctitous dream of Abraham:
"I, Abraham, was con ned in a cave for forty years, and I wondered greatly that the time of miracles did not arrive. Then was heard a voice proclaiming, 'A son will be born in the Hebrew year 5386 [modern calendar year 1626] to Mordecai Zevi; and he will be called Sabbatai. He will humble the great dragon; ... he, the true Messiah, will sit upon My throne."
With this document in hand Sabbatai began wandering from city to city gaining adherents. He visited Athens, Aleppo, Cairo and Jerusalem. While in Gaza he met a man named Nathan Levi who quickly embraced Sabbatai as the Messiah. Nathan became Sabbatai's right- hand man and professed to be the prophet Elijah who had returned to prepare the way for the anointed one. Realizing that Jerusalem was not a congenial place to carry out his plans, he went to Smyrna, while his so-called prophet, Nathan, proclaimed that Gaza would be the sacred city instead of Jerusalem. In the autumn of 1665, Sabbatai returned to Smyrna from a journey, entered a synagogue, and publicly declared himself to be the expected Messiah. His declaration was hailed by a great multitude with the blowing of the ram’s horn and chants of "Long live our King, our Messiah!”
The news traveled throughout all of Europe and there was great ex- citement among the Jews. At the beginning of 1666 Sabbatai again left Smyrna for Constantinople. He hoped that his “prophet” Nathan’s words would come true and that the sultan would coronate him. But as soon as he arrived, he was arrested and cast into prison in chains.
After a short time in prison, Sabbatai learned that his life would be spared if he converted to Islam. Much to the surprise of all of his followers, he immediately converted. The kingdom that this false Messiah proclaimed was never established and he proved himself to be nothing more than an imposter.
Sabbatai’s story is an unusual one. But it serves as a warning to us that every age and every time has had men who would play the imposter to obtain power, money, or the adoration of people. In the Bible, God warns us through prophecies that such gures would come. But there is one in particular that is extremely unique and successful. Let's look at an interesting prophecy about this subject and learn who it is. We can start reading in Daniel chapter 7 verse 1:
1 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.
God sometimes uses dreams to communicate important information to people. You certainly remember from the lessons on Joseph’s life, how dreams played an important role in Egypt's preparations for 7 years of drought. In those dreams animals, plants, and stars were symbols for future events and global in uences. Similarly, in Daniel chapter 2 we read how God gave the Babylonian king an important dream. In that dream God used a statue made of various metals as a symbol to describe future kingdoms that would sequentially rule over God’s people. Amazingly, the prophet Daniel interpreted that dream and helped generations to understand the saga of history leading up to the end of the world.
Several years later, God decided to give more details about those kingdoms. So, He spoke to Daniel in a shocking dream. In the dream Daniel saw four unusual beasts coming up out of the sea. The fourth beast in particular perplexed Daniel because it had a erce horn that arose up out of it and that spoke against God! The horn even attempted to make war against God! The dream concludes with a very clear and gripping scene of judgment. Because Daniel asked an angel to interpret the dream, he was given a few key insights that en- able us to unlock this fascinating prophecy of the future and prepare for the coming judgment. Let’s start at the beginning by reading Daniel chapter 7 verses 2-14:
2 Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The rst 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. 5 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 esh.' 6 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. 7 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. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the rst horns were plucked up by the roots. 9 And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. "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 ery ames; its wheels were burning re. 10 A stream of re issued and came out from before him; a thousand thou- sands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 11 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 re. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 "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. 14 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.”
To understand this dream, one needs to be a bit of a detective, and fortunately the clues are many. In verse 15, the prophet himself is struggling with the meaning of this troublesome vision. The dream has basically seven parts: four beasts, a scene about a devious little horn with eyes and a mouth, and two powerful judgment scenes. Seven scenes in all. Of course Daniel wanted to understand the dream, so he asked the angel for help. Let's read about it in verses 15 and 16:
15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
The angel then provided Daniel with the first reliable clue to unravel this mystery. Let's read verse 17:
17 “The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth.”
So the beasts represent kings! Interesting. Can a king exist without a kingdom? Of course not. Therefore, each one of these beasts represents a kingdom with a king as its leader.12
Do you remember in Daniel chapter 2 when God differentiated each section of the statue by using gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron mixed with clay? Each one of those sections represented a kingdom. In this dream, instead of using a statue made of various metals, God used beasts to describe each kingdom. Surely, there must be a connection between the two dreams!
Let's review the first dream in Daniel chapter 2 verse 39 and 40:
39 “After you another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, for iron breaks and smashes everything....”
That first dream was a chronological picture using symbols from the time of Daniel until the end of the world. In total there were seven scenes: five kingdom scenes, the judgment scene of a rock smashing the whole thing to pieces, and the scene of the rock becoming an everlasting kingdom. Seven in all. Once again in Daniel chapter 7, we see beasts representing kingdoms with a great judgment scene at the end. Seven in all.
When we take the scenes of the beasts coming out of the sea and lay them side by side with the metallic statue from head to toe, we will notice the beasts and the metals represent the same empires and events! But the second dream gives us more information and a fuller interpretation of those future events.
Babylon Empire
The first beast is a lion which correlates to the statue's head of gold. Both represent the ancient kingdom of Babylon.
The lion is the king of beasts and so Babylon was honored as the greatest of the pagan empires. It was given wings like an eagle sym- bolizing it's speed of conquest. But Babylon's dominance over Israel lasted only 70 years, the length of an average man's life span.
Medo-Persian Empire
The second beast is a bear raised up on one side with ribs in his mouth. This correlates to the statue's chest of silver. Both of these are symbols for Cyrus and the Medo-Persian kingdom. The three ribs represent three empires conquered by the Persians: Babylon,
Lydia, and Egypt. The bear is raised on one side because the Persians were always stronger than their partners the Medes. It is interesting to note that the Lydian Empire's capitol was in Sart, near today's Salihli. You can go there today, hike a small mountain, and stand in the very spot that King Cyrus himself probably stood.
Greek Empire
The third beast is a leopard with four heads and four wings. This beast correlates to the statue's belly of bronze. This symbol represents Alexander the Great and the Greeks. His remarkable abilities as a tactician, general, and leader earned him a god-like status among the people of Ephesus and other cities he conquered. Ultimately his empire was divided among his four generals repre- sented perfectly by the four heads.
Roman Empire
Although the first three beasts were interesting, Daniel was most intrigued by the fourth beast. He described the fourth beast as, “terrifying and frightening and very powerful with large iron teeth to crush and devour its victims.” This matches precisely the description of the statue's iron legs. If you recall, the iron legs and this fourth beast represent the Roman Empire.
But the dream went into further detail about the fourth beast and Daniel was anxious to learn what it meant. Let's learn those details by reading chapter 7 verses 19-22:
19 "Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Daniel was eager to know more about the meaning of the ten horns. They are notably comparable to the statue's feet and ten toes which represented a divided Roman Empire. So the angel continued to give more details. Let's read what it said in verses 23-25:
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.
In Bible prophecy, a horn represents a king, kingdom, or power. As mentioned earlier, these kings represented their kingdoms. Thus, the 10 horns are actually 10 kingdoms or groups of people. Although there is historical evidence that lots of people groups were present in Europe during the fall of the Roman Empire, 10 major groups are typically identi ed as the ones who lled the power vaccuum created by the empire's collapse. It is also well accepted that those ten major tribes were displaced and searching for places to settle as a result of the Turkish Hun 's invasions from the East. Interestingly, those people groups eventually formed the countries of modern day Europe.
But what about the little horn that uprooted three of the 10 people groups? Who was that and what would it do? The Bible says that it would grow very strong and become a persecuting power. In fact it would grow so strong that it would control most of Europe.
In Daniel chapter 7 verse 8, it was described as having "eyes like a man." If you have eyes like God, what do you think it would mean? It means you see the world as God sees it; you agree with God's perspective. So if you have the eyes of man, it means your perspective is the opposite of God's. In other words, your ideas, viewpoints, and expectations would be sinful and focused on wordly things. In the same verse it also says the little horn "spoke boastfully." What could that mean? Well in verse 25, Daniel says "it spoke against the Most High." Not only is the little horn's vision contrary to God's, it's words are against God. They are spiritually corrupt! Does this sound familiar?
Think back to the Garden of Eden. Do you remember when Satan spoke against God? Do you remember what the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel said about Him? He wanted to sit on God's throne. He wanted to be God. Just like Satan himself, the little horn is pompous, proud and rules a kingdom that is in opposition to God's ideals. Do you think it will also want to sit on God's throne or attempt to take His place?
Let's get another a clue by rereading verse 21:
21 I was watching, and the same horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them
Here we learn that this unusual power symbolized by a little horn with eyes is fighting a spiritual battle against God by attempting to destroy His faithful followers!
Thus far we have gathered several clues to help us determine the identity of this little horn power. Let's focus on two more by reread- ing verse 25:
25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall continually harass the saints of the Most High. And he shall in- tend to change times and law. And they shall be given into his hand for a period of a time and times and one half time.
Our next to last clue is that the kingdom or power would try to change times and laws. Whose times and laws? Well, if the little horn power is making war against the Most High, it only makes sense that it is God's laws and times that he is against. God's laws are the Ten Commandments. Can you think of what times God established? In our very first lesson, we learned that God created the heavens and the earth in six days. On the seventh day, He rested and declared it holy. Therefore, it is easy to see that God's times refers to the seven day weekly cycle and the holiness of the Sabbath day. Who do you think has meddled with God's laws and tried to turn people from honoring God's Sabbath?
The last and very substantial clue is that this power would ght against God and His people for a speci c period of time. The verse says 3 1/2 years. When a prophecy takes place in a speci c amount of time, it is called a “time prophecy.” We will go into greater detail on how to interpret time prophecies in the next lesson. But very brie y, in time prophecies God uses a day as a symbol of one literal year. The ancient Hebrew calendar had 360 days in a year. Therefore this 3.5 years would actually be equal to 1260 days (3.5 x 360) or in prophetic terms 1260 years. In other words, the little horn power persecuted God's people for 1260 years! This last clue is essential in helping us identify the little horn power.
Do you want to know who this little horn power is? Because the fourth beast was so disturbing to Daniel and the little horn was so ruthless, it is imperative that we know it's meaning. Not to mention that if you consider yourself one of God's people you need to know its identity. Let's review all the clues we uncovered about this little horn and it's role in history:
1) It emerges from the Roman Empire after its collapse in the late 5th century
2) It supplants three of the major people groups when it emerges on the scene of history
3) It's eyes were like those of a man
4) It spoke boastfully against the Most High
5) It waged war against the saints
6) Its intent was to change God's times and laws
7) It would have great strength for a period 1260 years
8) It was diverse from the other kingdoms. There was something different about it.
Who fit's all these clues? Before reading on, take a minute to look carefully at the list of clues we found in the Bible. Think hard about history and see if you can deduce what world power ful lls all eight of the clues above.
If we do a quick overview of history following the Roman Empire, we will nd that only one power had all those characteristics. It is amazing that the Bible can give such precise details of history hundreds, even thousands, of years in advance. This very fact about the Bible authenticates it as God's word and a reliable source of truth. The power we are searching for most certainly emerged from the remnants of the pagan Roman Empire and grew into a erce and proud entity that made warfare against the innocent and gentle people of God. It was both a spiritual and political power intertwined. Yes, pagan Rome turned into Papal Rome.
Under the pretense of keeping the church pure of heretics, the Roman Papal System was the most ruthless persecuter the world has ever known. They brought terror to Europe, Africa, South America, and the Middle East! There is even an expression for the 1260 years that Papal Rome was at it's zenith. It is called "The Dark Ages." From Daniel 7 we learn that this little horn power would be a major player in world politics until the end of time. Can anyone deny that the Roman Catholic Church isn't politically powerful? It
maintains formal diplomatic relations with 178 nations and 72 of these countries maintain permanent resident diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See in Rome. It also maintains 106 permanent diplomatic missions to nation-states around the world. If that isn’t enough proof, on February 11, 1929 it was given full sovereignty by Italy.
What about Daniel’s prophecy that it would “speak against the Most High?” The Roman Catholic Church has had a Pope claiming to speak in place of God for almost 1500 years! A short look at their history shows us that Daniel’s prophecy is accurate to the detail giving us a renewed sense of awe at the amazing inspiration of the Bible!
Stunningly accurate are the prophecies about attempting "to change times and laws." Who would think a professed Abrahamic religion would toss away the Ten Commandments? Yet, the Roman Papal system did away entirely with God's second commandment. Let's read it in Exodus chapter 20 verse 4, 5:
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them...."
Have you ever been to a Catholic church and seen all the statues of saints and Mary? Do a quick Internet search and see for yourself!
They also turned the world's attention away from the fourth commandment by claiming the authority to establish a new day of rest.
Here is God's original fourth commandment in Exodus chapter 20 verses 8-11:
8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Of course, instead of God's Sabbath day, the Papal power has substituted Sunday as a day of worship and rest. Even here in Turkey we have adopted "Europe's standard day of rest" and also a reinvented week beginning on Monday. Why? Where did it orginate from? Now you know.
The papacy is a power that claims to be the representative of God. Thus it says it has by it's own authority changed God's laws. But actually it has misrepresented God's holy word, both in teaching and lifestyle. It has sold forgiveness for money, claimed pilgramages to holy shrines and cities to be meritorious, and worshiped Mary as a diety! Because of its philosophy that "the end justifies the means", millions of people have been persecuted and treacherous criminal deeds have been committed for hundreds of years.
How did the Roman Papacy gain so many followers when it's teachings are so far from what the Tevrat and Incil teach? The story is too long to tell here, but the root of the story isn't so far from Sabbatai Zevi's strategy. The Pope claimed direct authority from God. Thus the Roman church diminished the established scriptures and exalted their own ideas. Then they kept people from reading the Tevrat and Incil saying it was only fit to read in Latin, a language the general population didn't know. It substituted a long list of rules regarding ritual prayers and visits to the shrines of saints for God's simple and direct commands. Just as Sabbatai deceived many people, many false religions have kept people trapped for centuries. And just as the Sultan judged Sabbatai and found him to be false, so God will judge the little horn and its friends. He will nd them guilty of fraud. Let's read what will happen in Daniel chapter 7 verses 9 and 10:
9 As I looked,thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was aming with re, and its wheels were all ablaze.10 A river of fire was owing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Certainly for everyone, judgment is a somber thought. When those books are opened, every imposter will be exposed! It is vital that we live authentic lives, connected to the truth! In Daniel chapter 7, we see the judgment as good news, not bad news. After this little horn power has been doing his deadly worst to destroy and kill, God comes as the rescuer.
The good news is proclaimed in verses 21 and 22:
21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pro- nounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
Yes, justice is a good thing.
A woman from Diyarbakir lived in Izmir. When her parents died, she received a piece of land as an inheritance. The land sat for almost 15 years. One day while the woman was talking with some old friends from Diyarbakir, they asked her how much money she had gotten for the sale of her land. She was shocked. She hadn’t sold the land.
They said someone was building a house on the land. How could it be possible? She hadn’t sold it! She went to the courthouse and found her signature verifying the sale. How could it be? After more research, she learned that a person had put up a "for sale" sign with their own phone number. They used her name and forged documents for the sale. The land had been “sold” without her consent! Can you imagine how happy that woman was when the imposter was found and justice was administered?
God says that one day the books will be opened and all liars will get their just reward. Small lies and big lies will all be revealed. Lies that have fooled nations and that have been promoted by governments to mislead whole generations of people will be exposed. There will be a day when justice and truth reigns. Those who love the truth will search for it until they find it. They will investigate until they are sure they are standing on solid ground. By studying these lessons, doesn't that make you a seeker of truth?
Discussion Questions
1. Take a piece of paper and draw out the different kingdoms represented in Daniel 2 and compare it with the detailed description of
the same powers in Daniel 7. Notice how Daniel 7 elaborates and expands the information. Have you ever seen any other book that
has predicted the future with such accuracy? What does that tell us about the Bible?
2. Considering Sabbatai Zevi's story, how can you know wether someone is truly sent from God? Do you think someone like Sabbatai
Zevi could come again and deceive many people?
3. Why was Daniel especially interested in the fourth Beast?
4. Do you believe it is possible to see the judgement of God as good news? How?
12 Daniel 7:23
In 1648, when he was 22 years old, Sabbatai Zevi claimed that he was the long awaited Messiah. About the year 1651 after acquiring several followers, the rabbis of Smyrna (today's İzmir) banished him and his disciples. In 1658 while in Constantinople, he met a preacher named Ha-Yakini who con rmed Sabbatai's messianic mission. Evidence suggests that Ha-Yakini forged a manuscript using archaic characters and apocolyptic language to declare that Sab- batai was called by God. This fabricated document was titled "The Great Wisdom of Solomon". The manuscript began with a ctitous dream of Abraham:
"I, Abraham, was con ned in a cave for forty years, and I wondered greatly that the time of miracles did not arrive. Then was heard a voice proclaiming, 'A son will be born in the Hebrew year 5386 [modern calendar year 1626] to Mordecai Zevi; and he will be called Sabbatai. He will humble the great dragon; ... he, the true Messiah, will sit upon My throne."
With this document in hand Sabbatai began wandering from city to city gaining adherents. He visited Athens, Aleppo, Cairo and Jerusalem. While in Gaza he met a man named Nathan Levi who quickly embraced Sabbatai as the Messiah. Nathan became Sabbatai's right- hand man and professed to be the prophet Elijah who had returned to prepare the way for the anointed one. Realizing that Jerusalem was not a congenial place to carry out his plans, he went to Smyrna, while his so-called prophet, Nathan, proclaimed that Gaza would be the sacred city instead of Jerusalem. In the autumn of 1665, Sabbatai returned to Smyrna from a journey, entered a synagogue, and publicly declared himself to be the expected Messiah. His declaration was hailed by a great multitude with the blowing of the ram’s horn and chants of "Long live our King, our Messiah!”
The news traveled throughout all of Europe and there was great ex- citement among the Jews. At the beginning of 1666 Sabbatai again left Smyrna for Constantinople. He hoped that his “prophet” Nathan’s words would come true and that the sultan would coronate him. But as soon as he arrived, he was arrested and cast into prison in chains.
After a short time in prison, Sabbatai learned that his life would be spared if he converted to Islam. Much to the surprise of all of his followers, he immediately converted. The kingdom that this false Messiah proclaimed was never established and he proved himself to be nothing more than an imposter.
Sabbatai’s story is an unusual one. But it serves as a warning to us that every age and every time has had men who would play the imposter to obtain power, money, or the adoration of people. In the Bible, God warns us through prophecies that such gures would come. But there is one in particular that is extremely unique and successful. Let's look at an interesting prophecy about this subject and learn who it is. We can start reading in Daniel chapter 7 verse 1:
1 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.
God sometimes uses dreams to communicate important information to people. You certainly remember from the lessons on Joseph’s life, how dreams played an important role in Egypt's preparations for 7 years of drought. In those dreams animals, plants, and stars were symbols for future events and global in uences. Similarly, in Daniel chapter 2 we read how God gave the Babylonian king an important dream. In that dream God used a statue made of various metals as a symbol to describe future kingdoms that would sequentially rule over God’s people. Amazingly, the prophet Daniel interpreted that dream and helped generations to understand the saga of history leading up to the end of the world.
Several years later, God decided to give more details about those kingdoms. So, He spoke to Daniel in a shocking dream. In the dream Daniel saw four unusual beasts coming up out of the sea. The fourth beast in particular perplexed Daniel because it had a erce horn that arose up out of it and that spoke against God! The horn even attempted to make war against God! The dream concludes with a very clear and gripping scene of judgment. Because Daniel asked an angel to interpret the dream, he was given a few key insights that en- able us to unlock this fascinating prophecy of the future and prepare for the coming judgment. Let’s start at the beginning by reading Daniel chapter 7 verses 2-14:
2 Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The rst 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. 5 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 esh.' 6 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. 7 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. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the rst horns were plucked up by the roots. 9 And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. "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 ery ames; its wheels were burning re. 10 A stream of re issued and came out from before him; a thousand thou- sands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 11 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 re. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 "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. 14 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.”
To understand this dream, one needs to be a bit of a detective, and fortunately the clues are many. In verse 15, the prophet himself is struggling with the meaning of this troublesome vision. The dream has basically seven parts: four beasts, a scene about a devious little horn with eyes and a mouth, and two powerful judgment scenes. Seven scenes in all. Of course Daniel wanted to understand the dream, so he asked the angel for help. Let's read about it in verses 15 and 16:
15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
The angel then provided Daniel with the first reliable clue to unravel this mystery. Let's read verse 17:
17 “The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth.”
So the beasts represent kings! Interesting. Can a king exist without a kingdom? Of course not. Therefore, each one of these beasts represents a kingdom with a king as its leader.12
Do you remember in Daniel chapter 2 when God differentiated each section of the statue by using gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron mixed with clay? Each one of those sections represented a kingdom. In this dream, instead of using a statue made of various metals, God used beasts to describe each kingdom. Surely, there must be a connection between the two dreams!
Let's review the first dream in Daniel chapter 2 verse 39 and 40:
39 “After you another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, for iron breaks and smashes everything....”
That first dream was a chronological picture using symbols from the time of Daniel until the end of the world. In total there were seven scenes: five kingdom scenes, the judgment scene of a rock smashing the whole thing to pieces, and the scene of the rock becoming an everlasting kingdom. Seven in all. Once again in Daniel chapter 7, we see beasts representing kingdoms with a great judgment scene at the end. Seven in all.
When we take the scenes of the beasts coming out of the sea and lay them side by side with the metallic statue from head to toe, we will notice the beasts and the metals represent the same empires and events! But the second dream gives us more information and a fuller interpretation of those future events.
Babylon Empire
The first beast is a lion which correlates to the statue's head of gold. Both represent the ancient kingdom of Babylon.
The lion is the king of beasts and so Babylon was honored as the greatest of the pagan empires. It was given wings like an eagle sym- bolizing it's speed of conquest. But Babylon's dominance over Israel lasted only 70 years, the length of an average man's life span.
Medo-Persian Empire
The second beast is a bear raised up on one side with ribs in his mouth. This correlates to the statue's chest of silver. Both of these are symbols for Cyrus and the Medo-Persian kingdom. The three ribs represent three empires conquered by the Persians: Babylon,
Lydia, and Egypt. The bear is raised on one side because the Persians were always stronger than their partners the Medes. It is interesting to note that the Lydian Empire's capitol was in Sart, near today's Salihli. You can go there today, hike a small mountain, and stand in the very spot that King Cyrus himself probably stood.
Greek Empire
The third beast is a leopard with four heads and four wings. This beast correlates to the statue's belly of bronze. This symbol represents Alexander the Great and the Greeks. His remarkable abilities as a tactician, general, and leader earned him a god-like status among the people of Ephesus and other cities he conquered. Ultimately his empire was divided among his four generals repre- sented perfectly by the four heads.
Roman Empire
Although the first three beasts were interesting, Daniel was most intrigued by the fourth beast. He described the fourth beast as, “terrifying and frightening and very powerful with large iron teeth to crush and devour its victims.” This matches precisely the description of the statue's iron legs. If you recall, the iron legs and this fourth beast represent the Roman Empire.
But the dream went into further detail about the fourth beast and Daniel was anxious to learn what it meant. Let's learn those details by reading chapter 7 verses 19-22:
19 "Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Daniel was eager to know more about the meaning of the ten horns. They are notably comparable to the statue's feet and ten toes which represented a divided Roman Empire. So the angel continued to give more details. Let's read what it said in verses 23-25:
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.
In Bible prophecy, a horn represents a king, kingdom, or power. As mentioned earlier, these kings represented their kingdoms. Thus, the 10 horns are actually 10 kingdoms or groups of people. Although there is historical evidence that lots of people groups were present in Europe during the fall of the Roman Empire, 10 major groups are typically identi ed as the ones who lled the power vaccuum created by the empire's collapse. It is also well accepted that those ten major tribes were displaced and searching for places to settle as a result of the Turkish Hun 's invasions from the East. Interestingly, those people groups eventually formed the countries of modern day Europe.
But what about the little horn that uprooted three of the 10 people groups? Who was that and what would it do? The Bible says that it would grow very strong and become a persecuting power. In fact it would grow so strong that it would control most of Europe.
In Daniel chapter 7 verse 8, it was described as having "eyes like a man." If you have eyes like God, what do you think it would mean? It means you see the world as God sees it; you agree with God's perspective. So if you have the eyes of man, it means your perspective is the opposite of God's. In other words, your ideas, viewpoints, and expectations would be sinful and focused on wordly things. In the same verse it also says the little horn "spoke boastfully." What could that mean? Well in verse 25, Daniel says "it spoke against the Most High." Not only is the little horn's vision contrary to God's, it's words are against God. They are spiritually corrupt! Does this sound familiar?
Think back to the Garden of Eden. Do you remember when Satan spoke against God? Do you remember what the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel said about Him? He wanted to sit on God's throne. He wanted to be God. Just like Satan himself, the little horn is pompous, proud and rules a kingdom that is in opposition to God's ideals. Do you think it will also want to sit on God's throne or attempt to take His place?
Let's get another a clue by rereading verse 21:
21 I was watching, and the same horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them
Here we learn that this unusual power symbolized by a little horn with eyes is fighting a spiritual battle against God by attempting to destroy His faithful followers!
Thus far we have gathered several clues to help us determine the identity of this little horn power. Let's focus on two more by reread- ing verse 25:
25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall continually harass the saints of the Most High. And he shall in- tend to change times and law. And they shall be given into his hand for a period of a time and times and one half time.
Our next to last clue is that the kingdom or power would try to change times and laws. Whose times and laws? Well, if the little horn power is making war against the Most High, it only makes sense that it is God's laws and times that he is against. God's laws are the Ten Commandments. Can you think of what times God established? In our very first lesson, we learned that God created the heavens and the earth in six days. On the seventh day, He rested and declared it holy. Therefore, it is easy to see that God's times refers to the seven day weekly cycle and the holiness of the Sabbath day. Who do you think has meddled with God's laws and tried to turn people from honoring God's Sabbath?
The last and very substantial clue is that this power would ght against God and His people for a speci c period of time. The verse says 3 1/2 years. When a prophecy takes place in a speci c amount of time, it is called a “time prophecy.” We will go into greater detail on how to interpret time prophecies in the next lesson. But very brie y, in time prophecies God uses a day as a symbol of one literal year. The ancient Hebrew calendar had 360 days in a year. Therefore this 3.5 years would actually be equal to 1260 days (3.5 x 360) or in prophetic terms 1260 years. In other words, the little horn power persecuted God's people for 1260 years! This last clue is essential in helping us identify the little horn power.
Do you want to know who this little horn power is? Because the fourth beast was so disturbing to Daniel and the little horn was so ruthless, it is imperative that we know it's meaning. Not to mention that if you consider yourself one of God's people you need to know its identity. Let's review all the clues we uncovered about this little horn and it's role in history:
1) It emerges from the Roman Empire after its collapse in the late 5th century
2) It supplants three of the major people groups when it emerges on the scene of history
3) It's eyes were like those of a man
4) It spoke boastfully against the Most High
5) It waged war against the saints
6) Its intent was to change God's times and laws
7) It would have great strength for a period 1260 years
8) It was diverse from the other kingdoms. There was something different about it.
Who fit's all these clues? Before reading on, take a minute to look carefully at the list of clues we found in the Bible. Think hard about history and see if you can deduce what world power ful lls all eight of the clues above.
If we do a quick overview of history following the Roman Empire, we will nd that only one power had all those characteristics. It is amazing that the Bible can give such precise details of history hundreds, even thousands, of years in advance. This very fact about the Bible authenticates it as God's word and a reliable source of truth. The power we are searching for most certainly emerged from the remnants of the pagan Roman Empire and grew into a erce and proud entity that made warfare against the innocent and gentle people of God. It was both a spiritual and political power intertwined. Yes, pagan Rome turned into Papal Rome.
Under the pretense of keeping the church pure of heretics, the Roman Papal System was the most ruthless persecuter the world has ever known. They brought terror to Europe, Africa, South America, and the Middle East! There is even an expression for the 1260 years that Papal Rome was at it's zenith. It is called "The Dark Ages." From Daniel 7 we learn that this little horn power would be a major player in world politics until the end of time. Can anyone deny that the Roman Catholic Church isn't politically powerful? It
maintains formal diplomatic relations with 178 nations and 72 of these countries maintain permanent resident diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See in Rome. It also maintains 106 permanent diplomatic missions to nation-states around the world. If that isn’t enough proof, on February 11, 1929 it was given full sovereignty by Italy.
What about Daniel’s prophecy that it would “speak against the Most High?” The Roman Catholic Church has had a Pope claiming to speak in place of God for almost 1500 years! A short look at their history shows us that Daniel’s prophecy is accurate to the detail giving us a renewed sense of awe at the amazing inspiration of the Bible!
Stunningly accurate are the prophecies about attempting "to change times and laws." Who would think a professed Abrahamic religion would toss away the Ten Commandments? Yet, the Roman Papal system did away entirely with God's second commandment. Let's read it in Exodus chapter 20 verse 4, 5:
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them...."
Have you ever been to a Catholic church and seen all the statues of saints and Mary? Do a quick Internet search and see for yourself!
They also turned the world's attention away from the fourth commandment by claiming the authority to establish a new day of rest.
Here is God's original fourth commandment in Exodus chapter 20 verses 8-11:
8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Of course, instead of God's Sabbath day, the Papal power has substituted Sunday as a day of worship and rest. Even here in Turkey we have adopted "Europe's standard day of rest" and also a reinvented week beginning on Monday. Why? Where did it orginate from? Now you know.
The papacy is a power that claims to be the representative of God. Thus it says it has by it's own authority changed God's laws. But actually it has misrepresented God's holy word, both in teaching and lifestyle. It has sold forgiveness for money, claimed pilgramages to holy shrines and cities to be meritorious, and worshiped Mary as a diety! Because of its philosophy that "the end justifies the means", millions of people have been persecuted and treacherous criminal deeds have been committed for hundreds of years.
How did the Roman Papacy gain so many followers when it's teachings are so far from what the Tevrat and Incil teach? The story is too long to tell here, but the root of the story isn't so far from Sabbatai Zevi's strategy. The Pope claimed direct authority from God. Thus the Roman church diminished the established scriptures and exalted their own ideas. Then they kept people from reading the Tevrat and Incil saying it was only fit to read in Latin, a language the general population didn't know. It substituted a long list of rules regarding ritual prayers and visits to the shrines of saints for God's simple and direct commands. Just as Sabbatai deceived many people, many false religions have kept people trapped for centuries. And just as the Sultan judged Sabbatai and found him to be false, so God will judge the little horn and its friends. He will nd them guilty of fraud. Let's read what will happen in Daniel chapter 7 verses 9 and 10:
9 As I looked,thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was aming with re, and its wheels were all ablaze.10 A river of fire was owing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Certainly for everyone, judgment is a somber thought. When those books are opened, every imposter will be exposed! It is vital that we live authentic lives, connected to the truth! In Daniel chapter 7, we see the judgment as good news, not bad news. After this little horn power has been doing his deadly worst to destroy and kill, God comes as the rescuer.
The good news is proclaimed in verses 21 and 22:
21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pro- nounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
Yes, justice is a good thing.
A woman from Diyarbakir lived in Izmir. When her parents died, she received a piece of land as an inheritance. The land sat for almost 15 years. One day while the woman was talking with some old friends from Diyarbakir, they asked her how much money she had gotten for the sale of her land. She was shocked. She hadn’t sold the land.
They said someone was building a house on the land. How could it be possible? She hadn’t sold it! She went to the courthouse and found her signature verifying the sale. How could it be? After more research, she learned that a person had put up a "for sale" sign with their own phone number. They used her name and forged documents for the sale. The land had been “sold” without her consent! Can you imagine how happy that woman was when the imposter was found and justice was administered?
God says that one day the books will be opened and all liars will get their just reward. Small lies and big lies will all be revealed. Lies that have fooled nations and that have been promoted by governments to mislead whole generations of people will be exposed. There will be a day when justice and truth reigns. Those who love the truth will search for it until they find it. They will investigate until they are sure they are standing on solid ground. By studying these lessons, doesn't that make you a seeker of truth?
Discussion Questions
1. Take a piece of paper and draw out the different kingdoms represented in Daniel 2 and compare it with the detailed description of
the same powers in Daniel 7. Notice how Daniel 7 elaborates and expands the information. Have you ever seen any other book that
has predicted the future with such accuracy? What does that tell us about the Bible?
2. Considering Sabbatai Zevi's story, how can you know wether someone is truly sent from God? Do you think someone like Sabbatai
Zevi could come again and deceive many people?
3. Why was Daniel especially interested in the fourth Beast?
4. Do you believe it is possible to see the judgement of God as good news? How?
12 Daniel 7:23