Wenstrom Bible Ministries Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom Wednesday June 12, 2013 wenstrom.org Daniel: Daniel 7:23-The Interpretation of the Fourth Beast Lesson # 222 Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 7:1. Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar’s, Babylon’s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. 2 Daniel began to speak and said, “I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven’s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. 3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. 4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle’s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. 5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird’s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. 7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. 8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being’s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. 9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. 10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. 11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. 12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. 13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. 14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed. 15 As for me, Daniel, my soul was distressed in the midst of my body. Specifically, the visions in my mind caused me to be terrified. 16 I went up to one from those standing nearby in order to request from him the truth regarding all this. Consequently, he spoke to me in order to make known to me the interpretation of these events. 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number are four kings who will arise from the earth’s inhabitants. 18 However, the saints belonging to the Most High will receive the kingdom. Indeed, they will possess the kingdom throughout eternity, yes throughout eternity, the ages.’ 19 Then, I desired to know the meaning concerning the fourth beast which was different from all the others, extraordinarily intimidating, its two rows of teeth composed of iron as well as its claws composed of bronze. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. 20 Also, I desired to know the meaning concerning the ten horns which were on its head as well as the one which emerged and in addition three fell by being in the presence of it. Specifically, that horn possessing eyes as well as a mouth making it a habit of speaking boastfully. Indeed, its appearance was more distinguished than its contemporaries. 21 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them 22 until the One Ancient in Days intervened. Specifically, He rendered judgment in favor of the saints. Then, the moment arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.” (My translation) Daniel 7:23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it.’” (NASB95) Daniel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is employing the figure of “asyndeton.” His purpose is to emphasize with the reader that he is transitioning from requesting an interpretation of the fourth beast from an unidentified individual who was by the throne of the Ancient of Days to receiving this interpretation from this individual. “‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth’” teaches that the fourth beast represents a fourth kingdom which will come into existence after the three kingdoms represented by the first three beasts, which refer to Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece respectively. “Which will be different from all the other kingdoms” indicates that this fourth kingdom was different from the previous three in the sense that unlike the first three it would devour the entire earth and tread it down as well as crush it. This relative pronoun clause indicates the fourth kingdom will be different in comparison to the first three or it was different from the other three. “And will devour the whole earth” explains specifically what the interpreter meant by the previous relative pronoun clause in which he describes the fourth kingdom as different from the three kingdoms preceding it in history. it. “And tread it down” explains the previous statement that the fourth kingdom will devour the entire earth. “And crush it” presents the result of the previous statement in which the interpreter told Daniel that the fourth kingdom will trample down the entire earth. Daniel 7:23 “Thus, he said, ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all these kingdoms in the sense that it will devour the entire earth. Specifically, it will trample it down so that it crushes it.’” (My translation) Daniel does not identify for the reader this individual who gave him the interpretation of the vision but it would appear to be the elect-angel Gabriel since he is the one who gives him the interpretation of the visions recorded in Daniel chapter eight (see 8:16, 21). Gabriel also appears to Daniel to give him the prophecy of the seventy weeks in Daniel chapter nine (see 9:21). So in Daniel 7:23, this unidentified individual who is more than likely the elect archangel Gabriel spoke to Daniel in order to make known to him the interpretation of the fourth non-descript beast. Gabriel informs Daniel that this fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom which will be different from the three world-empires preceding it which were Babylon, Media-Persia and Alexander the Great’s Greece, which were represented in the vision by the first three beasts. History tells us that this fourth kingdom was of course the Roman Empire. The angel tells Daniel that Rome would be different than these previous three world-empires in the sense that it will devour the entire earth. Specifically, it will trample down the inhabitants and nations of the earth so that it crushes the inhabitants and nations of the earth. This fourth beast represents the Roman Empire since it corresponds to the legs of iron in the image that appeared in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter two, which we noted represented the Roman Empire. The mention of this fourth kingdom here in verse 23 as devouring the entire earth and specifically trampling down the inhabitants and nations of the earth so that it crushes the inhabitants and nations of the earth characterized the Roman Empire. The Roman armies were known for their iron armor which led some to refer to them as the “Iron Legions” of Rome, emphasizing their strength and invincibility. The Roman armies were also known for violently crushing countries and civilizations enslaving many peoples. Daniel 2:40 records this fourth kingdom is compared to iron because it would crush and shatter other kingdoms just as iron shatters and crushes all things. This comparison indicates that this fourth kingdom will be more powerful and destructive than the previous three empires which were represented on the statue by the gold head, the silver arms and chest and bronze belly and thighs, which history records as Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece respectively. This verse also says that this fourth kingdom, which history records as the Roman Empire will crush as well as break in pieces every kingdom it confronts in war just like iron breaks into pieces gold, silver and bronze. Daniel 7:23 corresponds with Daniel 2:40 since Gabriel tells Daniel that Rome would be different than these previous three world-empires in the sense that it will devour the entire earth. Specifically, it will trample down the inhabitants and nations of the earth so that it crushes the inhabitants and nations of the earth. This description in Daniel 7:23 is a perfect characterization of the Roman Empire, which had superior military power than Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece. In fact, as we noted in Daniel chapter two, since the metals of the statue in the vision of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter two decrease in value but increase in strength, the iron lower legs of the statue indicate that the character of the authority in rulership of the Roman Empire was inferior to Alexander’s Greece, Media-Persia and Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. However, its military power or strength was superior to these three. The Roman Empire broke into pieces and shattered to pieces more kingdoms and brought them into greater subjection than Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. The Roman Empire deserved its representation as the “iron empire” since it subdued and destroyed the remnants of the preceding empires as well as many other nations. In Daniel 7:23, Gabriel tells Daniel that this fourth kingdom which history records as Rome will be different than the world-wide empires which preceded it in history. Rome was different than Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece in the sense that it devoured the entire earth and tread it down as well as crushed it. It would be different in the sense that it would be much more powerful than the three previous kingdoms. Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece were all world-wide empires like Rome. However, the manner in which they became a world-wide empire makes it unique than the other three since the other three are never said to devour the entire earth, and tread it down and crush it. However, this was the case with Rome. So Rome is different from these three world empires in that it not only ruled the earth but did so in a much ferocious, ruthless and destructive manner. Daniel 7:24 also indicates that this fourth kingdom would be different than the other three kingdoms in that it would have at some point in its history a ten nation confederacy which will be led by a man who will be against God and His people but will be judged by God. Nowhere in the history of Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece did any of these empires have such a confederacy of ten nations in which three would be destroyed by a ruler who stridently opposed God and His people and then was destroyed by God. Elements of Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece were absorbed into the Roman Empire and were never destroyed by God. However, the Roman Empire will be destroyed by God, which will result in the destruction of the other three kingdoms which were absorbed into it. When Gabriel informs Daniel that this fourth kingdom will devour the entire earth, this indicates that it will subjugate its inhabitants and consume its resources for its own benefit. Therefore, the fourth kingdom’s reign upon planet earth will be total and complete in the sense that every person will be under its jurisdiction. The angel describes this fourth kingdom as trampling down the entire earth which speaks of the fourth kingdom exercising overwhelming military power against the nations of planet earth so as to bring them into subjection to itself. The fourth kingdom is said to crush the earth which speaks of the Roman Empire crushing the nations of the earth in the sense of subduing them completely. This fourth kingdom is pictured as a wild animal trampling upon people with the result that it crushes these people. The picture here in Daniel 7:23 is that this fourth kingdom will totally and completely conquer and bring into subjection to itself the nations of the earth and its inhabitants with overwhelming military power. It will have no rivals on the earth which can challenge it. Now, when the Old Testament uses the phrase “entire earth” it is not referring to all of planet earth but rather to the territory of the Near and Middle East which in some respect relates to Israel and Jerusalem. However, the ten horns of this fourth beast refer to the Revived Form of the Roman Empire during Daniel’s Seventieth Week under Antichrist. Also, Revelation 13 says that this empire led by Antichrist will rule the entire earth. Thus, we can conclude that when Gabriel tells Daniel in Daniel 7:23 that this fourth kingdom will devour the entire earth he means the entire earth literally and not just the region of the Near and Middle East as related to Israel. The Old Roman Empire devoured and trampled down so as to crush the nations of the Near and Middle East but not the entire globe. However, the final form of the Roman Empire during Daniel’s Seventieth Week under Antichrist will in fact rule the entire earth (cf. Revelation 13:7). Copyright 2013 William E. Wenstrom Jr. Bible Ministries
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:13:42 +0000
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