Daniel 2
Donnie's Teaching Notes
FOUR BEASTS REVEAL THE CHARACTER OF THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES
In Chapter 7, Daniel presents an overview of Gentile dominance over the nation Israel and Jerusalem. Recall in chapter 2, Daniel revealed the course that Gentile domination would take. Daniel now reveals the character of the Gentile empires that will oppress Israel. They will be “beastly” in nature, each becoming worse than the previous. Daniel’s dream foretells of the four future beasts that will dominate the nation Israel and the city of Jerusalem. They are beastly gentile world powers because they would function independently of God. When a man lives apart from God, he behaves like an animal, or a beast. The final kingdom of the Antichrist will be a composite of these four ravenous Satanic beasts, (who will attempt to destroy Israel). And not until these gentile nations have run their course and revealed their character will God set up His Millennial Kingdom.
Here is why we need to know these prophecies. Christians will be on the earth during the reign of Antichrist. These prophecies give us important details about the future that God says we need to know in advance, so when they occur we are ready.
First and foremost, all Biblical prophecy is about Jesus! The focus should always be on Him, not the Antichrist, that arrogant little horn and the other End-Time players. It is not about the mark of the Beast and the Tribulation. The details are important, but the heart and center of all prophecy is about Jesus and His kingdom to come. He is the revelation of God. Revelation 19:10 AMP For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy). Jesus is the essence of the God of all creation revealed to us. He created everything, he made us. And He reveals himself to us in prophecy and His Word.
THE VISION REVEALED – 4 BEASTS (KINGS/KINGDOMS)
TO ARISE FROM THE SEA
Daniel 7:1-3 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon (Belshazzar is the final king of Babylon that was defeated by the Medo-Persian empire. ~553BC when he was co-regent with his father Nabonidus. The book of Daniel is not chronological. Daniel received this vision about 20 years prior to the lion’s den experience of Ch. 6.), Daniel (he is around 65-70 years old and is still under Babylonian rule) had a dream, and visions (it was both a dream, asleep, and a vision) passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance, awake of his dream. 2Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds (angels) of heaven churning up the great sea (the Mediterranean, and the sea also represents the gentile nations. Antichrist, his kingdom, empire and his religion emerge out of the gentile world. He is a gentile dictator bringing together a coalition of gentile nations which will attack, invade and essentially destroy the nation Israel at the end of the age. He is not a false Jewish pseudo Messiah who will lead Jews and Christians away from Israel. He is an enemy of Israel.). 3Four great beasts (representing four gentile kingdoms, or empires), each different from the others, came up out of the sea. (Here, the beasts rise out of the sea. In 7:7 they rise out of the earth. No significance? This dream is similar and parallels Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Ch. 2. The four beasts represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and a final empire. Each of these four empires conquered the Middle East and subjugated the nation Israel. But this is a NEAR/FAR PROPHECY!)
Daniel 7:4 "The first (beast) was like a lion (similar to the king of beasts, a symbol of power, royalty), and it had the wings of an eagle (the king of birds, swift and majestic). I watched until its wings were torn off (glory of the empire was lost during the insanity of Nebuchadnezzar.) and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man (Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration), and the heart of a man was given to it (referring to Nebuchadnezzar’s experiences in Daniel 4 when he was humbled before God. The first beast represents Babylon as a lion with wings.)
Daniel 7:5"And there before me was a second beast (Medo-Persia – Cyrus defeated Belshazzar 15 years after this vision given to Daniel in 539 B.C.), which looked like a bear (not a bear, a symbol of strength, ferocious, fierce and devouring, but not as graceful as a lion). It was raised up on one of its sides (Persia became dominant over the Medes, a lop-sided empire), and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. (Probably representative of the major Persian conquests of Lydia (546), Babylon (539) and Egypt (525).) It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!' (The bear represents Medo-Persia.)
Daniel 7:6 "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast (Greece/Syria), one that looked like a leopard (a symbol of speed, an animal of prey with a thirst for blood. Alexander and his rapid conquest of the world was swift and powerful). And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird (swift like a bird, but not majestic like an eagle). This beast had four heads (Some teach after Alexander’s death at age 32, 4 of his generals divided the kingdom. Cassander ruled over Macedonia. Lysimachus ruled over Thrace and Asia Minor. Seleucus ruled over Syria and Babylonia. Ptolemy ruled over Egypt and Arabia. Syria was one of the four heads and became the kingdom of the Greek people over which Antiochus Epiphanes – the forerunner of Antichrist – Eventually ruled. See Daniel 8:21-22), and it was given authority to rule. (Greece/Syria is depicted as a leopard with wings.)
Daniel 7:7"After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast (representing the Islamic Caliphate Empire) -- terrifying and frightening and very powerful (It’s character was the most vicious, brutal and cruel of all. Isa 27:1 identifies the beasts name as Leviathan.) It had large iron (no animal we know of has iron teeth) teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. (It was different than all the other beasts and stamped God’s people with its claws - picture Islamic Caliphate as sort of a Tyrannosaurus Rex crushing and devouring the countries it conquered.) It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. (The 10 horns represent a future empire that will reappear in the end time. These final 10 kings of Antichrist’s kingdom will arise from the geographical territory of Javan, Gog, Magog, modern day Turkey.)
THE LITTLE HORN – THE ANTICHRIST
Daniel 7:8 "While I was thinking about the horns (the 10 kings of the final beast empire), there before me was another horn (the 11th horn or king), a little one (initially not significant or dominant, or well known, or powerful), which came up among them (The Antichrist will arise from the 10 nations); and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. (The little horn, the 11th horn, the Antichrist, will subdue and overthrow 3 larger horns of the 10 kings. See Dan 7:23. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man (great insight to resolve problems of the Middle East, or looked like a man on the outside, something else on the inside – Satan.) and a mouth that spoke boastfully. (Arrogantly, speaking blasphemies against God and the persecution of God's people will be key characteristics of Antichrist's rule.)
VISION SHIFTS FROM EARTH TO THE ANCIENT OF DAYS & THE HEAVENLY COURTROOM (AGAIN)
We are given a picture of the heavenly throne room. So what is the heavenly throne room? Bible say God dwells at the height of the heavens. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and He placed his throne at the height of the heavens. God has chosen to dwell within creation. He has stepped into His creation. He is the God who draws near to us and wants to reveal himself and wants us to know Him. Ultimately, He will dwell among us on the restored earth in the New Jerusalem. Dr. Michael Heiser “Unseen Realm.” God sits on His throne, ruling with others, his divine council. He is the one supreme God but there are other divine beings called “elohim” in the Bible or “gods” who are created beings, not merely angels, but a higher order of divine heavenly beings who God talks with and consults them. They are called the Watchers.
Psalm 82:1 (NIV) God presides in the great assembly (Divine council); he gives judgment among the "gods": Psalm 82:6 (NIV) "I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.'
Psalm 89:5-7 (NIV)
5 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Divine beings, Paul call them principalities, Daniel calls the Watchers, more than angels powerful heavenly beings that God created, that assist Him in the ruling of the earth, carrying out his sovereignty over all creation. Some are rebellious and fallen (Genesis 6).
1 Kings 22:19-23 (NIV)
19 Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.
20 And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another that.
21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.'
22 " 'By what means?' the LORD asked. " 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. " 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.'
23 "So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you."
Daniel 4:9 (NIV)
9 I said, "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.
Daniel 4:13 (NIV)
13 "In the visions I saw while lying in my bed, I looked, and there before me was a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven.
Daniel 4:17-18 (NIV)
17 "'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'
18 "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
The Ancient of Days – God the Father
Daniel 7:9-10 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days (A name for God the Father) took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. (He is described in anthropomorphic terms and he looks like man, He has the form of a human. He is wearing clothing. He has a head of wooly white hair! We are created in His image. Not all heavenly beings are in the form of a human, i.e. seraphim and cherubim) His throne (His chariot throne with wheels as described in Ezekiel 1:4-28) was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10A river of fire was flowing, 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. (The books kept by God see Rev 20:11. There is hope, however, for the Revelation passage indicates that there is another book called The Book of Life. The Bible indicates that one can avoid being judged by what is in the books by getting his name into the Book of Life.)
THE LITTLE HORN, ANTICHRIST, WILL BE THE LAST GENTILE RULER OVER ISRAEL AND HIS KINGDOM WILL BE A COMPOSITE OF THE 4 BEASTS
11"Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn (He is the mouthpiece of the empire) was speaking. (The Antichrist will openly and arrogantly blaspheme Jesus during his reign see Dan 11:36-37) I kept looking until the beast was slain (Kingdom and King are almost one in the same, the King/Beast is the Leader, The Kingdom is the Empire) and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. (When the Messiah returns, only then will the Antichrist be destroyed immediately, very suddenly! And the kingdom of God is set up just quickly. A river of Fire pours out from the throne on M. Zion, emptying into and fill an flood the Lake of fire – Gehenna, is located south of present day old city of Jerusalem, the valley of Hinom which runs into Kidron Valley. (Jerusalem trash heap, worms, maggots, dead bodies which burned continuously. Jesus used it as a metaphor, a picture of the lake of fire, reminding us of the judgment of God on the wicked. Its difficult to separate the literal and the spiritual imageries of everlasting punishment we can’t understand. Do they suffer for eternity, or do they use hyperbole indication suffering for an extended period until the Lord says they have suffered enough and burn up and disappear? We simply don’t know. But the scripture is clear there is a place of constant punishment for the unsaved wicked. We want to flee the wrath of God to come and flee to Jesus for forgiveness.)
Isaiah 66:22-24 (NASB)
22 "For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me," declares the LORD, "So your offspring and your name will endure.
23 "And it shall be from new moon to new moon And from sabbath to sabbath, All mankind will come to bow down before Me," says the LORD.
24 "Then they will go forth and look On the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind."
12 The other beasts (The first 3 kingdoms of the statue – empire of Modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria) had been stripped of their authority (the dominions of these three kingdoms would be taken away), but were allowed to live for a period of time. (The Beast is destroyed completely but the other 3 kingdoms are not. Some translate “extension of life” will be granted to the first three kingdoms for an appointed “period of time.”)
A very interesting verse! It seems that the three empires are allowed to live on into the Millennium “for a period of time.” Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece will be revived and given a temporary extension of life. Daniel tells us that they will exist as a people until the end of the times of Gentiles and the defeat of the Antichrist. This would refer to Babylon – modern day Iraq, Medo-Persia – modern day Turkey, Syria and Greece. Interestingly, all 3 have risen to power at the same time as modern-day Israel around 1948.
When we compare this passage with Rev 13:2 we are given more insight.
Rev. 13:1-2 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.
And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. [2] The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
It is as if this kingdom of the Antichrist is a composite of the three kingdoms of Daniel 7 – the lion the leopard and the bear. As Rodney Stortz writes in his book Daniel, “the Lord expects us to make this connection.” The final beast empire of the beast will include Iraqis (lion), Iranians (bear), and Syrians (leopard). Today, all three of these empires have an unholy hatred of Israel! There is the view that these beasts represent the conditions of the nations in the Middle East immediately preceding Daniel’s 70th week. In other words, there will be a great struggle among these three nations before the end times begin.)
A VISION SIMILAR TO REVELATION 5 & 10, WHEN THE SON COMES TO THE FATHER TO TAKE THE SCROLL
Daniel 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, (The Son of Man, yes, he looks like a human, but he is God Almighty. This term is unique to Daniel in the O.T. See Rev 1:12-13. This refers to Israel’s Messiah.) coming with the clouds of heaven (Psalm 68:4 (NIV) 4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds-- his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him. He “comes on the clouds of heaven.” What does that mean? Daniel knew his Scripture, he had the scrolls. Daniel and any literate O.T. Jew would understand this is a Divine being, God Himself, Jehovah, Yahweh Adoni, the Angel of the Lord. It is only God who rides on the clouds, no other! Deut 33:26 There is no one like the God of Jeshuran, God’s pet name for Israel (e.g. Meemers) He alone is the Cloud-Rider. Where does this imagery come from? Deuteronomy 33:1 In the future He will come from Sinai, with myriads of angels, the holy ones, v26 sword imagery of Jesus, angels, storms, crushing of enemies, used by Jesus, Paul, Peter and John in NT. Isaiah 63, Isa 40, 66). He (The Son of Man) approached the Ancient of Days (God the Father = God Almighty) and was led into his presence (Jesus come boldly before the Father. No human does that and lives. Only God Himself. So, we have God the Ancient of Days, and we have God the Son of Man. Yes, we do. Both are fully divine. We have the trinity in the NT spelled out. God is absolutely one, so there is a complexity with God in both the NT and OT.). 14He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away (unlike the kingdoms of this world, unlike the fourth kingdom, unlike the 4th Beast who will be destroyed and cast into the Lake of blazing fire), and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (His kingdom will be everlasting, and it will not just be over Israel, but the entire world. The Ancient of Days glorifies the Son of Man and gives Him indestructible and everlasting dominion over all the earth so that multitudes worship Him. This is really the heart of the gospel, the kingdom is given to Jesus and His people who will rule with Him. )
DANIEL IS DISTURBED BY THE VISION AND ASKS THE MEANING (THE ANTICHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM)
Daniel 7:15-17 "I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me (Because of the ferocious character and nature of the beasts). 16I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this. "So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. (Daniel 2 and 7 both identify these 4 beasts which represent the gentile nations; Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. What is now revealed to Daniel is the character of these gentile nations and how beastly these four empires will be toward the nation Israel.)
Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever--yes, for ever and ever.' (Once the dominion of these four beasts have run their course, God’s kingdom will be established, and believers will rule with the Lord. )
DANIEL INQUIRES ABOUT THE VISION OF THE DREADFUL FOURTH BEAST, WITH THE TEN HORNS ON ITS HEAD
Daniel 7:19-21 "Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast (Antichrist’s final kingdom associated with Roman empire), which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws--the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. (The fourth beast was particularly terrifying. Historically this is the character of the Roman Empire. It also describes the future Roman Empire in its final form. The Antichrist will be a military genius and will use his power to conquer the world and then trample down and overpower God’s people. He will wage war with the saints.)
20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns (from the Roman empire of old, ten future nations will arise, the 10 nations of Antichrist’s final kingdom) on its head and about the other horn that came up (The little horn aka the Antichrist), before which three of them fell (3 nations will fall with his initial rise to world power. See Dan 7:8, Ez 38:2.)--the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, (To a limited degree, this occurred when the Romans ruled. But this goes further, to the end times when Antichrist will attack and defeat the saints – the church. See Rev 12:17. This verse has yet to be fulfilled in history.) 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. (At the end of Daniel’s 70th week Jesus will set up the Millennial kingdom.)
ANTICHRIST WILL SUBDUE 3 NATIONS IN THE BEGINNING
23 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth (Rome). It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. (In the last days, Antichrist will cruelly devour the entire earth.) 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. (Antichrist’s kingdom will arise from a coalition of 10 nations of the Empire. Many have attempted to identify these 10 nations and many theories abound.) After them another king will arise, different (possibly non-European, perhaps Russian), from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings (3 nations of the 10 will fall with his rise, perhaps Rosh, Meschesh and Tubal see Ezekiel 38:2). 25 He will speak against the Most High (Antichrist will profane and blaspheme God Almighty) and oppress his saints (persecute Christians) and try to change the set times (Muslim calendar?) and the laws (make his own laws or enforce the Koran worldwide). The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time (3 ½ years – second half of Daniel’s 70th week see Rev 11:3, 12:6, 14, 13:5.)
Rev. 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Rev. 13:7-10
He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. [8] All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
[9] He who has an ear, let him hear.
[10] If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed
with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. (The words church and saints are used interchangeably in the New Testament. Paul writes to the churches in Gal.1:2 and to the saints in Eph 1:1.)
Here is why we need to know these prophecies! This might happen in your lifetime. If we are all going to be in heaven, missing all this, why this call for “patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints?”
26 " 'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. (Judgment is cast against the 4th Beast, and its leader, the Little horn, the Antichrist) 27Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High (Jesus, the Son of Man, is the Highest One). His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'
Daniel 7 “Son of Man” How important is Daniel 7 in the time of Jesus ministry in the 1st century, in the gospels?
“Son of Man” 78x
“Christ” or “Messiah” 49x
“Son of God” 25x
“Son of David” 14x
The term Jesus used to describe Himself, self-identification if you will. “Son of Man” was used by Jesus to describe Himself 78x. This was overwhelmingly the premier and primary term He used.
“Son of Man” 78x
“Christ” or “Messiah” 11x
“Son of God” 5x
“Son of David” 1x
Bar Anasha vs Ben Adam
Most of the Bible in the OT was written in Hebrew. Daniel 7 was written in Aramaic. The term “Son of Man” here is an Aramaic term “Bar Anasha.” Ezekiel is also called the “Son of Man” the Book of Ezekiel, and in Hebrew it is “Ben Adam” or Son of Man (Adam). God calls him “Son of Man” but there is only one “Bar Anasha” and Jesus didn’t call himself “Ben Adam” Son of Man. He called himself “Bar Anasha” referring to Son of Man ina Daniel 7. He was pointing to Daniel 7 and everyone in Israel knew it. They knew exactly what Jesus was saying that He is Divine, God, the Cloud rider. This is why they accused Him of blasphemy. He was not saying he was a human, he was saying I am Son of Man as described in Daniel 7 or God Almighty.
Matthew 26:62-66 (NIV)
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
64 "Yes, it is as you say (You have said it yourself!) ," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Jesus is saying, I am the Son of Man, the One spoken of in Daniel 7)
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
66 What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
Acts 7:51-60 (NIV)
51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him--
53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."
54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,
58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
The very same phrase that got Jesus crucified, got Stephen stoned to death.
28"This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself." (Daniel was disturbed due to the ravenous nature and character of this beast which will do great harm to Israel. See Revelation 12 & 13.)
When people face a fiery trial, or a lion’s den – there are three scenarios before us: (from Rodney Stortz, Daniel.)
Situation A – we can be delivered from the fire, from the lions. That’s what we want. Sometimes He chooses A. That’s what I experienced with Josee. It’s happened many times in our lives that we might not know about
Situation B – we can be delivered through the fire. We are going to come out on the other side, but we are going to take us through the trial. This is going through the pain, that grows us, and delivers us from bonds. But we survive to tell the story. In this particular chapter, God chooses B and Daniel is delivered through he lions den, not from the lions den.
Situation C – we can be delivered by the fire straight into God’s arms. C brings us home.
WHY THIS IS STILL FUTURE?
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The description of the end time has never been fulfilled in history:
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The last stage of the Roman empire, described here as a 10 horn stage becoming a world empire, has not yet occurred
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The end time will result in the Second Coming of Jesus – it hasn’t occurred.
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Following the end time, the kingdom of heaven will be handed over to the saints, and the kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom – it hasn’t occurred.
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A complete fulfillment of this passage requires a ruler who will rule the entire earth, a ten-nation confederacy in which the ruler conquers three of the ten kings, and this ruler to be destroyed by God and supplanted by the kingdom of God.
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