Daniel Unlocked #36

Daniel Unlocked #36. From the Stormy Sea to the Clouds of Heaven.

Please read Daniel Chapter 7. We will unpack it over the next few days.

The vision of Daniel 7 parallels the dream in Daniel 2. But Daniel 7 expands on what was revealed in Daniel 2. First, the vision occurs at night and portrays the sea agitated by the four winds. Darkness and water evoke creation, but here creation appears to be somehow distorted or under attack. Second, the animals in the vision are unclean and crossbreeds, which represents a violation of the created order. Third, the animals are portrayed as exerting dominion; thus, it appears that the dominion God gave to Adam in the garden has been usurped by these animalistic powers. Fourth, with the coming of the Son of man, God’s dominion is restored to those to whom it properly belongs. What Adam lost in the garden; the Son of man recovers in the heavenly judgment of Daniel 7. (The name Daniel means “God is my judge.”)

The above description gives a panoramic view of the biblical imagery that runs in the background of this highly symbolic vision. Fortunately, some of the crucial details of the vision are explained by the angel; so, we can understand the main contours of this amazing prophecy. This also gives us the link to Daniel 2.

Each of the four animals shown to Daniel corresponds to a section of the statue shown to Nebuchadnezzar,

but now more details about each kingdom are given. How interesting that the creatures, symbolizing pagan nations, are all ‘unclean’ beasts. Also, except for the fourth beast, Daniel describes the animals as resembling some known creatures. So, the animals are not arbitrary symbols, because each one bears some characteristics or points to some aspect of the kingdom it represents. (Unclean means they were part of the animal world that God’s instruction to His people was that they weren’t for human consumption.)

Beast #1 is a lion: This is a most fitting representation of Babylon. Winged lions decorated palace walls and other works of Babylonian art. The lion depicted in the vision eventually has its wings pulled off, is made to stand upright like a man, and receives a human heart. This process symbolizes the Babylonian Empire under its kings.

Animal #2 is a Bear: As the successor to Babylon the bear represents the Medo-Persian Empire. As a political alliance the fact that it is raised up on one side indicates the superiority of the Persians over the Medes. The three ribs between its teeth stand for the three main conquests of the Medo-Persian Empire: Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.

Animal #3 is a Leopard: The swift leopard represents the Greek Empire established by Alexander the Great. The four wings make this beast even swifter, an apt representation of Alexander, who in a few years brought the entire known world under his dominion. Alexander the great was known for the swiftness of his army, who would run overnight and surprise his enemy who thought they still had time to get ready.

Beast #4 is the dreadful and terrible animal: Whereas the previous entities only resemble the animals mentioned, this one is an entity unto itself. That is, the first ones are depicted as “like” a lion or “like” a bear, but this one is not depicted like anything. Some commentators call it the “non descript beast.” This multi-horned beast also appears far crueler and more violent than the previous ones. As such, it is a fitting representation of pagan Rome, which conquered, ruled, and trampled the world with its feet.

All these thousands of years of human history have come and gone, just as predicted. How much comfort can you get from knowing that above all the clamor, unrest, and at times utter chaos, God rules, and He “knows the end from the beginning?” (Isa 46:10) What does this teach us about the trustworthiness of Scripture?